I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. - John 15:5
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. - Mark 4:35
...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. - Psalms 30:5b
...strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:14
...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. - Genesis 1:2b
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. - Psalms 23:1-2
Welcome to Adam2.org!
Thank you for visiting ADAM2.ORG and your interest in our studies and resources. We are currently going through a growth
phase and editing and expanding to include other features and writings. We hope you check back often for updates, especially in our Studies' Section.
About Us ▼
Adam2.org was established by our founder, Ken Livingston, in July 1999.
Having grown into an international organization consisting of thousands of members and visitors from over 50
countries, we are not affiliated with any group,
denomination, church or other controlling entity or otherwise, with the exception of... Read more...►
Studies ▼
Thank you for your visit. We hope you benefit from our resources and ask you to
recommend us to a friend.
If you aren't sure what your state of life will be when this one is over, we encourage you to seriously
consider this while you have opportunity. Nothing in this life you will do will be as important!
Likely, you have made every preparation for your present life.
You owe it to your self to prepare for what comes next. It won't cost you a thing! Continue reading...►
Excerpts From Studies' Area ▼
Excerpt from: In His Presence.
"A self surrendered in the silence of His presence is a soul at peace in Him who reclaimed it! The earth and its burdens no
longer bind you and you are free to walk the stars, revel in His glory, bathed in His love. Time affects only the earthly,
but your spirit is free to soar the heavenlies -- and the hours pass quickly, while In His Presence!
To journey where no mortal may go: This Is Prayer!"
Excerpt from: Proofs of Growing In Grace. 1. Less temptation to focus on troubles or talk about them to others... 2. Less temptation to resent and retaliate when insulted or abused... 3. Joy under crosses, disappointment, and severe pain...
Each month a featured writing from different authors will be posted below as a main feature in our center section.
The nature of these writings will vary from devotional, to inspirational, topical and informative for the current
state of our Christian culture. You may access this full feature with the link below. ▼
Opportunities for Service ▼
Each day a host of members and visitors from around the world visit our site and use our online resources, all at no cost. We plan to continue doing so. As we have grown, so too have our needs. We would like to extend an invitation for you to become an integral part of our efforts in helping others. Read more... ►
For those who would like to contribute to our Online ministry, we welcome your donation. Some of you have been looking for a way to give towards an international effort in helping others. Your contribution will not only go a long way in meeting our current and future challenges in maintaining and improving our capacity to aid others, but will place you within His channel of blessing to you for having done so. Your bread upon the waters will not go unnoticed by Him (Hebrews 6:10). Read more... ►
Shocking Finding: Two-thirds (67%) of pre-teen parents claim to be Christian, but only 2% of all pre-teen parents actually possess a biblical worldview...
American Values Personal Survey
Poll: American Majority Wants Congress to Pass Pro-Life Protections
Downward Trend Who Say Same-Sex Relations Morally Acceptable
Satan, The Father Of Lies
Battle For America's Soul
Ligonier Ministries' Biennial Study of The State Of American Theology
Among the Shocking findings are -
1. "31% of adults say it is very important for their religious faith to influence every dimension of their life."
2. "49% accept reincarnation as a possibility after they die."
Just one question: If, if this is true then why do our politicians and those who do their bidding in the media possess the spirit of antichrist—an anti-Christian spirit that treats others with such hostility, disrespect and mean-spirited? Why is the state of our country so godless and in an advanced state of decay and decline?
Something is grossly immoral and amiss!
Consider this from 3 of our founding fathers:
Benjamin Franklin - Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants.
Jedidiah Morse - Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government - and all blessings which flow from them - must fall with them.
John Adams - Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
This may help to answer some of your questions as to our current national state of affairs. The honest student of history knows this to be true. Also read:
With a supply chain already near collapse, this is only a portent of things to come. People are going to starve. We might as well accept this chilling fact. It is time for America to throw off the divisive merchants and come together to help one another.
If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ and are troubled by the events of our recent times and seem to be without hope, let me encourage you to read this... If you already are a Christian and still troubled, "Let not your heart be troubled... John 14. Have hope. Have courage. There is nothing to fear! Jesus is the giver of peace. He will not let you down! As He calmed the storms, He will calm your heart.
The End Times - In The Words Of Jesus (Length: 1 hr.)
Beautiful Song Warning To Prepare
The following is taken from the Book, Adam2: A Guide For The Walk Home, written by our founder.
It is A Commentary On The Gospel Of John, complete with a background look at the contemporary Jewish groups active in Jesus' day.
It includes a summary of each chapter, a redacted study of each disciple, a brief study of Gnosticism of the time, pertinent timelines,
and much more. Each chapter of study includes extensive Biblical references to the notes on the chapter.
A chronological excerpt of each section will be posted here at the beginning of each month. You can access free of charge at any time
a complete online digital version
for your further study. In addition, a link will be provided to purchase the book on CD to install on
your own computer for convenience of study and print. All we ask is that you observe the stated copyrights as with any book you buy over
the counter, limiting your print to only one hard copy for your own personal use. If further hard copies are necessary,
please contact us for an additional nominal fee. Thank you for your interest in this study. Our hope and prayer is that
through the work of the Holy Spirit as you study you will be blessed by it, and if so, recommend it to a friend.
This month we will study Gnosticism from the book: Adam2.
II. GNOSTICISM: A MAJOR FIRST CENTURY HERESY.
A. THE ORIGINS OF GNOSTICISM.
When Gnosticism is spoken of today, it is typically implied to be Christian Gnosticism. In the main, this may be the case,
but this heresy can be traced in its primitive forms to pre-Christian thought. Our limited space, however,
permits us to look only at a brief sketch of this Hellenistic heresy that found its way into the first century Church.
To continue with our previous pattern of development, let us consider first its name and origins before exploring its
essence, practices, and impact upon Christianity.
Gnostic comes from the Greek word, ginosko. Ginosko has its origin in gnosis, which means
"to know," and is found repeatedly in the letters of John. In the Greek, there are separate words to express the
various elements of one idea or thought. For instance, in
Jn.3:2 & 11,
"know," in this case, is, oida, which means, "to see, have seen, have known." It does not carry with it the
implication of full knowledge, as seen in the word, epignosis, found in the following examples:
Rom.1:28;
3:20;
10:2;
Eph.1:17;
4:13;
Phil.1:9;
Col.1:9-10;
3:10;
I Ti.2:4;
II Ti.3:7;
Heb.10:26;
II Pe.1:2-3,8;
2:20.
The absence of this knowledge is seen in, agnosia
(
I Co.15:34),
or in another form referring to a person with whom we are most familiar, agnostic. Knowledge is not to be confused
with "wisdom" or "intelligence," which are two entirely different things. In the Greek, these are, sophia (cf.
Lk.2:40,52;
Acts 6:3;
I Co.2:7,13;
3:19;
II Co.1:12;
Col.3:16;
Js.1:5)
and, sunesis (
Eph.3:4),
respectively.
Around these three, gnosis (knowledge), sophia (wisdom), and sunesis (intelligence),
the Greeks ascended in philosophy, which began with Thales of Miletus, ca. 640 B.C., and reached its
zenith under Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle three hundred years later (about the time Alexander the Great came to power).
Athens of Greece and Alexandria of Egypt (where a large Jewish populous thrived) became the capitals of culture and
philosophic thought. Unlike other periods previous and following, the golden years of Greek philosophy during Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle's time were unparalleled (and to which the Jewish philosopher looks with great admiration).
Within this time, ethics and morality were inculcated and held in the highest esteem. The Epicureans would later arise,
bringing with them their pleasuristic philosophies, and, finally, the Gnostics with their licentious practices.
As with much of society's debt to the Jewish contributions to a civilized world, particularly in the area of law,
ethics, and morality, Jewish thought is also accepted as a considerable influence in Greek philosophy and modern thought.
(And it can be said in reciprocity, as observed in the late examples of the Alexandrian Jewish philosopher, Philo
(a contemporary of Christ), and Maimonides, or Moses ben Maimon, 1135-1204). The dualistic idea seen in early Jewish
teachings—good and evil, material and spiritual—was expanded in Greek philosophy.
At the core of Greek philosophy is reason. With reason, or the ability to think or ponder, considered as the unique
element that marks man apart from animal, the natural question that followed was: to what level can man ascend in his thoughts?
Namely, what is the highest truth? In Emil Fackenheim's treatment on the Greek's idea of Via Contemplativa,
to the Greek philosopher, "the highest truth is Divine, and the highest thought at which man can aim is the contemplation
of it" (p. 155). Accordingly, knowledge nor the quest for it was regarded higher than one contemplating upon the Divine,
no matter how frequent or fragmented it may occur. One who was able to achieve this level of thought was said to attain
that life in "imitation of God," or to us, Salvation. Thus, to the Greek, wisdom, and hence "life,"—the ascension of the
spark of life from the material into the spiritual—came through contemplation.
At this point, Jewish thought and Greek thought divorces in at least two areas,
(1) the source of wisdom, and (2) the study and practice of knowledge. Although both minds were in agreement
as to the pinnacle of man's thoughts (
Jer.9:23-24;
Mk.12:28-29),
for the Jew, wisdom has its basis in the fear of the Lord (
Job 28:28;
Ps.111:10). This wisdom did not come from the exercise of reason in contemplation, as the Greek saw it, rather,
it came purely from God's revelation to one whose heart was prepared in fear (yare, in Hebrew, meaning, "reverencing" -
Job 1:1,8;
2:3).
This revelation, transcribed and handed down from generation to generation, became the focal point of the Jewish search.
Therefore, for the Jew, a life devoted to the study of this record is regarded as supreme; for it was through the holy
lives of their predecessors God's words came, thus, it is from them wisdom for salvation is obtained (
Jn.5:39;
II Ti.3:15)
and one's understanding of his own place within creation finally seen. Note one contemporary Rabbi's observations on
the place of Torah in a person's life:
Torah, "Instruction," is the visible bond between God and Israel. It is God's Torah, but also ours to evolve
out of our historical experience. It is given us every day anew. It is not in heaven, but here with us.
"The word is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may observe it." [
Deut.30:14]...In Torah God speaks to us, but in human terms, through language. As human beings, we interpret God's utterance.
Torah thus becomes the word of God and of man, reflecting human understanding. This understanding varies with
times and circumstances...Every Jew must look at himself or herself and ask, Where do I stand? With the help of the
information and guidance provided by Torah, the Jew may find an answer to that question, to the demands of conscience
and the issues of life. Ben Bag Bag said: "Turn it [Torah] and turn it again, for all is in it. Look in it, grow gray
and old in it, never turn away from it for there is no better guide for you than it (Abot 5:25)." (Trepp, pp. xi, xii, 1, xiii)
In light of current world events, I was asked recently to comment on what seems to be an ever-growing darkness in so many
areas of our lives today. This is a brief excerpt of those thoughts.
If one has lived long enough, we remember days of our past when the events of the world did not encroach and embed itself
into our lives with the alarming number, regularity and intensity it seems today. We enjoyed days, if not weeks or months,
without waking to a new or ongoing crisis that captured our attention. Our activities were not overshadowed with the pall
of today that seems never-ending, provoking such anxiety we see and hear throughout our society. We awoke in our mornings
to the peaceful hopes and expectations of continuing to pursue our happiness in the course we were making for our lives,
satisfaction that came from all levels and stages of our progress in life. Occasionally, if we had heard from someone
during the day of a newsworthy event, we might find the time from our busy lives to tune in at the end of the day to the
news to see firsthand additional details that aroused our attention. We might even discuss it with others for a short time
before moving on to other more personal priorities—job success, family events, community involvement, church and
recreational activities, etc.
Divisions that divide us today along so many lines were not exacerbated by politicians seeking votes, certainly not to the extent
we were less civil to each other as today. For most of us, life had yet to become a "game" with clearly defined sides in vehement
opposition to one another. Labels were something on a product we purchased. Many of us did recognize moral and legitimate social
injustices and worked cooperatively toward ending those divisions that prevented the fulfillment of the dreams of our forefathers,
dreams we share in becoming one within a nation that values the rights of individuals without abolishing those of others.
Our desire was that all would be given the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential. We understood there was much
work to be done, not only in our own personal lives, but within our society. We elected representatives to see to the matters
of government that we could not ourselves. We trusted them for the greater priorities of our nation and not to intrude upon our
liberties promised within our constitution, especially infringement upon our religious freedoms and conscience. Our constitution
was a contract we all understood to mean the church was not the government nor the government the church, taking to itself matters
of social, moral and religious duties that has long been the calling and mission of the church, proselytizing from it through programs
to obtain votes to grow it in competition and final defeat of it, using taxes gained at the point of the gun in contrast to tithes and
offerings freely given to the local church. How is the church expected to compete with that system? To this point, we have abrogated our
place in our society today.
The following is taken from the Book of Old Testament Summaries. This specific summary was written keeping in mind a parent's desire for their children to grow in God's wisdom as they grow into maturity. It is highly recommended for print and gift to any child, young man or woman, along with the Bible and emphasis of the original text of Proverbs' reading first.
Chapter
The wisdom of the Lord is hidden from those whose feet are swift to their own selfish devices.
A proverb is God's window through which only those who fear may peer to obtain His wisdom
necessary for making one wise for righteous and peaceful living, quiet from the fear of present
evil. It is to be sought with the whole heart! (See Job 28.)
Those who seek wisdom with the whole heart shall be established in Him, but the wicked,
blinded by their own imaginations, will be cut off. Therefore, seek wisdom, whose way is
straight, that you might be made upright and established early in life.
Wisdom established early will guide you through the valleys of the shadows of death into the
peaceful pastures of a lengthened life. Her commands and ways are to be obeyed in all arenas
of life to drink the dew of her priceless nectar. The fool, thinking himself wise in his own
deceits, will not taste the drops of her vine, and in the end, only shame will be his bitter fruit!
Although a father may teach wisdom's virtues to a son, her understanding, as it came to the father,
can only come to the son whose heart is made tender in Godly fear. She will not force herself upon any man.
But when she is embraced, if duly treated with deserved respect, holding firmly to her hand
and forsaking her not, she will promote to an honorable life and lengthened end.
Many will come to tempt you away, lying lips of an adulteress' look; listen not to their
counsel, but to her alone be true! Do not sow the seeds of her kindness upon the harlot's bed
to be lost in the passing pleasures of her sinful ways. Nourish only from her bountiful
treasures. Be a faithful steward to the gift of God's wisdom, for He watches over His own.
Beware, the son who forsakes her will go astray!
The ways of the wicked have no place at her table. Be diligent in protecting and providing for
her, keeping her pure in your heart, for God hates her sevenfold enemies. Strike no hand with
one who would do her harm, nor give place for any substitution. Keep holy that union that it
may go well with your soul, for God will seek revenge upon all who have mistreated her.
Wisdom, unlike the harlot, will always be true. She is to be trusted. Keep her as the apple of
your eye, looking not into the harlot's window as you pass it by. Kept as a constant companion,
as a sister on your left and a kinswoman the right, wisdom will guide you past the harlot's
enticing entrances, that may for a moment seem sweet to your smell, but through which many
have gone before you, enlarging the pits of hell.
Wisdom is not mute, but her voice goes unheeded in the silent vacuum of many men's ways.
Though she shout from the pinnacle of the highest peaks, they pass her by never knowing she
is ever so near! Only to the one with an understanding heart will she reveal the priceless riches
of her truthful treasures. Fruitful are her ways and eternal companion to the Creator she has
been. Ask from a pure heart and see if she will not evince the mysteries of their eternal
communion. The secret of the stars lie within her bosom. Stand by her gates and see if the
Lord Himself is not near, waiting to give life to all who appear. Only a fool would reject so
great a love, choosing death over life—how utterly absurd!
Her call has been heard in every land. A great banquet awaits the crusader in quest of wisdom's
riches. He will not waste her guiding morsels she spreads before his feet on one who does not
go his way! Nor should he mistake the lure of the false feast flaunted by the harlot, for many,
thinking themselves to be gallant, only finding themselves to be fools, have fallen in mortal
defeat, passing through her one-way doors to that dark dreadful eternal dungeon.
The son who is successful in capturing wisdom's affection is a delight to his parents, and his
reputation is long remembered. His lips are like a needy gate to his neighbor, but the fool's
are never shut. Through the lips of the wise other men get wisdom. (Faith cometh by hearing
and hearing by the word!) But her riches bestowed upon his labor is nontransferable to the
wicked, not in life, nor at death; but, like an old friend, will greet him when life's journey is
complete. (Deeds done in His name will result in rewards in the life to come!)
Moreover, in the final scales of God's justice will be seen the two types of all men: the just
and the unjust. Wisdom is His weight, and she is pure and true. In the heart of the unjust is
seen pride and shame—marriage partners in the bed of his destruction. (Shame can only be
avoided when pride is shunned. Where there is pride, shame is as sure to follow as night does
day.) His ways will be filled with rottenness, and when weighed, minus wisdom, will come up
lacking. In the heart of the just, humility finds its partner in wisdom, producing fruit to the
good of his soul, evenly balanced to His weight when weighed. Wisdom, therefore, comes only
to the humble, and in the humble can be found no pride, for she will not partner with shame!
Wisdom, then, being found in the heart of the righteous, will shine on the just as a life vest of
honor! And like rising water, wisdom will seek out the lowest in the Earth, gently lifting up
the downtrodden, supporting them upon her shimmering surface, eventually exalting to
higher ground on a more distant and safe shore. But for the wicked who does not possess her, in
choking derision his shame will heavily clothe him. So, he who chooses her will ride above
all, upon her ways away from that which would have before destroyed him. But the self-exalted
wicked, without her aid, will be overthrown against her wake as she comes to lift the lowly.
Riding upon the sea of life, righteousness obtained from wisdom will keep the just above the
fray, while the wicked, whose appetite for evil is limitless, will succumb in his own devices.
Wisdom instructs and guides the wise in the safe channels of his life, but the course of the
wicked she will not plot. Though the ways of wisdom's partner may be toilsome, yet her
reward for his labor is plenty.
Wisdom will exalt the ways of her lover, if he will prefer hers to his. Life, liberty, and joy will
be his rewards, and he will be a shining beacon to others. Indeed, kings who favor him,
because of his righteousness, will find his nation highly exalted. But the fool, void of her
company, will be an enemy to himself and all those around him. His ways without her
guidance, though seeming right to him at the time, will only lead him down the broad path to
destruction. And all those who follow his popular course for the season, zealous to impose it
upon others, stooping to deceitful means, blind leading the blind, will in the end be clothed
with his same degrading shame.
Wisdom's voice is always singular, with a soft tongue untainted with inciteful speech. Her
words are life for her lover and a vintage wine for his soul, able to secure it peace in any
storm. At her table is a continual feast where all men have an invitation to attend, but few
with the key for admittance. At her doors are her guards who test for humility and the fear of
the Lord. Only the righteous shall pass, but the fool will be turned aside. No heart with pride
and counterfeit will enter here! Hell, as the only alternative, is deep and her doors wide for
those who refuse to listen to wisdom's call to life, or try to enter without her key!
Like a goldsmith who weighs fine gold for counterfeit, able to detect the slightest impurity,
God, who created the spirit, knowing even the number of hairs on that person's head, will weigh each
soul upon return when its body is dead. And if wisdom is found lacking, within the spirit will
be detected the impurities sufficient to be eternally rejected! Only the fruit of wisdom's works
is capable of purifying a man's heart. Lying and deceit are the fruit of an uncleansed life.
Such things are an abomination to God and will put the spirit He created at eternal enmity
with Him. So get wisdom and get life, that the spirit once given may rightfully return and not
be discarded.
Deceit and dishonor are companions to the fool on the road to destruction, but wisdom will
purify the heart who walks in the fear of God. From the heart of the wise, made pure by her
process, flow words tempered by her touch. But the fool's many words, produced from an
unclean heart, are a poison to himself and all who are around him. Happy is the man who has
wisdom as his companion, for she is his guardian against all life's impurities—and medicine
when affected. And know this: Silence makes even the fool appear wise, only to be exposed
at the resumption of his many words!
Like a child who plays with matches, a fool is with his words; both have the potential of
extreme destruction! (See Doeg as an example, I Sam.22:9,22; Ps.52; James 3:6.) The
tongue of the fool has been the deadliest instrument in the history of man. Kings have fallen
and brothers irreconcilably offended. But the man who knows wisdom weighs carefully his
words, and through them to him will be attracted a friend of good favor who will be closer
than a brother.
Wisdom, if she be a man's only possession, is greater than all the Earth's treasures (Job 28:13-19).
Unlike friends and family, she will remain loyal when all have forsaken you. Since wisdom is
God's eternal companion, and by her He hung the stars and set the bounds of the seas, it
should come as no surprise when she is found in the heart of the poor; God's careful eye is
always there. (See #8, 8:23-31.) And if a person, through some intentional or incidental
compassion, should care for just one, God clearly sees and will faithfully repay! (Heb.6:10)
But for the fool who scornfully oppresses, God will equally repay with his judgment. A man
without wisdom may devise many unwise ways to have his way, but be forewarned son, in
the end, all ways lead to Him for His judgment. All will be laid bare, without excuse!
WEF Official Calls for AI to Re-Write the Bible 'Correctly'
"In a few years, there might be religions that are actually correct … just think about a religion whose holy book is written by an AI. That could be a reality in a few years," states WEF advisor Yuval Noah Harari, "a homosexual, Israeli author and historian who holds mostly to atheistic beliefs in spirituality," - Charismamag.com.
Transgender Lutheran pastor on the Bible's clear line of male & female: "It's hard to relate it to modern-day times b/c it wasn't written for 2024. It was written for then. When we read in the scripture that God created man and woman, yes, and god created everyone else, as well." pic.twitter.com/rFIKhlv7OW
To the cast down and disheartened, stop and remember the joy of the beginning of your new birth. Remember, there is no battle you face that He has not already fought and overcome. The victory is yours. Embrace it.
Featured Sermon
The Christ of Christmas - 12/9/1984
Luke 2:1-7: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
A Moment In God's Presence Makes Glad The Longing Heart And Unlocks It To Be Poured Forth In Praise Upon His Altar... Read More
His heart and yours, in union—a state of critical mass. Love unconfined! To bask in its glow, unconsumed in its presence.
Radioactive and eternal, never to diminish. Such power, His love, to give life and not death, perpetuated eternally.
His glow greater than the sun, illuminating all in His presence. This is our God!
(Ex.34:29;
Mat.17:1-2)
THIS IS PRAYER!
Radioactive!
AND SO PRAY:
"Shine on me, Heavenly Father! Light my way into your presence. Melt my soul with your radiance. Cause my heart to skip with gladness; and it will pour forth its praises as an eternal river upon your altar!"
Garment-rendering and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common... Read More
Men will attend to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations—for such things are pleasing to the flesh—but true religion is too humbling, too heart-searching, too thorough for the tastes of the carnal men; they prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. Outward observances are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self-righteousness is puffed up: but they are ultimately delusive, for in the article of death, and at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than ceremonies and rituals to lean upon. Apart from vital godliness all religion is utterly vain; offered without a sincere heart, every form of worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of heaven.
HEART-RENDING is divinely wrought and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form, but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of and believed in, but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating, and completely sin-purging; but then it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled spirits are unable to receive; and it is distinctly discriminating, for it belongs to the elect of God, and to them alone.
The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour's voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation.
Rousseau's Civil Religion: the Idolatry of Tolerance
When
Thomist dispensationalist Norman Geisler during the Bill Moyers special on reconstructionism stated that Christians want a moral nation,
not a Christian nation,1 he was speaking in the vein of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, arguably the most influential
political philosopher of the last three centuries... Read More
Rousseau, defender of the infallible (and imaginary) "general will," of the indivisibility of human sovereignty, and of social egalitarianism,2 was also one of the first Enlightenment proponents of "civil religion," as set forth in chapter 8, book 4 of The Social Contract. Rousseau recognized the inescapably religious character of law and society, but deplored the influence of Christianity and Christians on the commonweal. He had nothing but contempt for a Christian citizenry:
. . . no State has ever been founded without a religious basis [but] the law of Christianity at bottom does
more harm by weakening than good by strengthening the constitution of the State.3
Rousseau depicted Christianity as an impotent, vacillating, dualistic, masochistic faith:...
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
The following is a practical suggestion for sharing Christ with someone else. They are questions that have been refined and
proven with time and success. By no means are they meant to simply be a mechanical formula devoid of prayer and invitation
to the Holy Spirit for His blessing in this most personal and eternally serious moment, both for the subject and yourself in
your fulfillment of His Great Commission... Read More
It is assumed that you already have refined your own testimony to what Christ has done for you, both at the Cross and most recently
(a short summary and one in length; this prevents rambling when time is precious)! It also assumes that you have a working knowledge
of the Bible, both Old & New Testaments, especially in the area of what His Word says regarding this very subject. But remember,
it is not necessary that you be a scholar, just one with a genuine personal relationship with Jesus and a subsequent love for Him and
His 2 commandments. Let Jesus be your example. And lastly, don't worry about what you don't know. Just tell them what you do know.
So let's begin...
The consequences of the magnitude of such a broad scale world-wide implementation of a "new church model" cannot be ignored. It must be examined by the serious Bible student and Christian! It must be looked at in light of Bible prophecy. We must heed the warnings of both Jesus' own words when He walked the earth and those inspired by the Holy Spirit written later for our advantage in alertness of end-time events and trends. Not to do so would be perilous. So, I have prayerfully written 5 articles on this demonic phenonemonen with hopes they will help you to understand how serious this modern attack is on the true church of Christ - Articles on the Modern Church.
Heaven's Gate
Strait Is The Gate And Narrow Is The Way
...strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:14
As I myself draw nearer, I am reminded of a woman I once knew of who said she did not want to go to heaven. When pressed for her reason for such a strange and unbelievable desire she shared that her desires for all that she possesed of earth would have to be sacrificed by her to gain entry. The first thing she mentioned she held so dearly and could not give up was as carnal as her love for food. Imagine. Imagine such a silly yet damnable idol.Imagine being so lost and confused in your belief of what the future holds for you and the eternal choice you must make—to choose hell over heaven.Unfortunately, too many will make the choice as this foolish woman. Is there something so simple and temporal as this woman's treasure that stands between heaven and hell for you?Jesus once asked: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? - Mark 8:36
Dear Sirs,
I teach Old Testament to a group of young people who have committed their lives to Christ and are involved in a national
group called Master's Commission. I would like permission to share your tests with them during a 10 week Bible Course. thank you... dale rains
Welcome to Adam2.org!
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. - John 15:5
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. - Mark 4:35
...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. - Psalms 30:5b
...strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:14
...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. - Genesis 1:2b
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. - Psalms 23:1-2
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A Sincere Heart
Joel 2:13
Rousseau's Civil Religion: the Idolatry of Tolerance
A Practical Guide To Sharing Christ With Another
