Category — doctrine

Dr. Kerby Anderson, national director of Probe Ministries [source article] explains why:

At this point in our discussion, we need to consider the claim made by some homosexuals that, “God made me gay.” Is this true? Is there a biological basis to homosexuality? For the remainder of this essay, we will consider the evidence usually cited. Simon LeVay (a neuroscientist at the Salk Institute) has argued that homosexuals and heterosexuals have notable differences in the structure of their brains. In 1991, he studied 41 cadavers and found that a specific portion of the hypothalamus (the area that governs sexual activity) was consistently smaller in homosexuals than in heterosexuals. He therefore argued that there is a distinct physiological component to sexual orientation. There are numerous problems with the study. First, there was considerable range in the size of the hypothalamic region. In a few homosexual men, this region was the same size as that of the heterosexuals, and in a few heterosexuals this region was a small as that of a homosexual.

Second is the chicken and egg problem. When there is a difference in brain structure, is the difference the result of sexual orientation or is it the cause of sexual orientation? Researchers, for example, have found that when people who become blind begin to learn Braille, the area of the brain controlling the reading finger actual grows larger. Third, Simon LeVay later had to admit that he didn’t know the sexual orientation of some of the cadavers in the study. He acknowledged that he wasn’t sure if the heterosexual males in the study were actually heterosexual. Since some of those he identified as “heterosexual” died of AIDS, critics raised doubts about the accuracy of his study.

In December 1991, Michael Bailey and Richard Pillard published a study of homosexuality in twins. They surveyed homosexual men about their brothers and found statistics they believed proved that sexual orientation is biological. Of the homosexuals who had identical twin brothers, 52 percent of those twins were also homosexual, 22 percent of those who had fraternal twins said that their twin was gay, and only 11 percent of those who had an adopted sibling said their adopted brothers were also homosexual. They attributed the differences in those percentages to the differences in genetic material shared.

Though this study has also been touted as proving a genetic basis to homosexuality, there are significant problems. First, the theory is not new. It was first proposed in 1952. Since that time, three other separate research studies come to very different conclusions. Therefore, the conclusions of the Bailey-Pillard study should be considered in the light of other contrary studies. Second, most published reports did not mention that only 9 percent of the non- twin brothers of homosexuals were homosexuals. Fraternal twins share no more genetic material than non-twin brothers, yet homosexuals are more than twice as likely to share their sexual orientation with a fraternal twin than with a non-twin brother. Whatever the reason, the answer cannot be genetic.

Third, why aren’t nearly all identical twin brothers of homosexuals also homosexual? In other words, if biology is determinative, why are nearly half the identical twins not homosexual? Dr. Bailey admitted that there “must be something in the environment to yield the discordant twins.” And that is precisely the point; there is something (perhaps everything) in the environment to explain sexual orientation. These are two studies usually cited as evidence of a biological basis for homosexuality. Next we will consider a third study often cited to prove the claim that “God made me gay.”

Now let’s look at another study often cited as proof of this claim. This study is often called the “gay gene” study. In 1993, a team of researchers led by Dr. Dean Hamer announced “preliminary” findings from research into the connection between homosexuality and genetic inheritance. In a sample of 76 homosexual males, the researchers found a statistically higher incidence of homosexuality in their male relatives (brothers, uncles) on their mother’s side of the family. This suggested a possible inherited link through the X chromosome. A follow-up study of 40 pairs of homosexual brothers found that 33 shared a variation in a small section of the X chromosome. Although this study was promoted by the press as evidence of the discovery of a gay gene, some of the same concerns raised with the previous two studies apply here. First, the findings involve a limited sample size and are therefore sketchy. Even the researchers acknowledged that these were “preliminary” findings. In addition to the sample size being small, there was no control testing done for heterosexual brothers. Another major issue raised by critics of the study concerned the lack of sufficient research done on the social histories of the families involved.

Second, similarity does not prove cause. Just because 33 pairs of homosexual brothers share a genetic variation doesn’t mean that variation causes homosexuality. And what about the other 7 pairs that did not show the variation but were homosexuals?

Finally, research bias may again be an issue. Dr. Hamer and at least one of his other team members are homosexual. It appears that this was deliberately kept from the press and was only revealed later. Dr. Hamer it turns out is not merely an objective observer. He has presented himself as an expert witness on homosexuality, and he has stated that he hopes his research would give comfort to men feeling guilty about their homosexuality.

By the way, this was a problem in every one of the studies we have mentioned in our discussion. For example, Dr. Simon LeVay said that he was driven to study the potential physiological roots of homosexuality after his homosexual lover died of AIDS. He even admitted that if he failed to find a genetic cause for homosexuality that he might walk away from science altogether. Later he did just that by moving to West Hollywood to open up a small, unaccredited “study center” focusing on homosexuality.

Each of these three studies looking for a biological cause for homosexuality has its flaws. Does that mean that there is no physiological component to homosexuality? Not at all. Actually, it is probably too early to say conclusively. Scientists may indeed discover a clear biological predisposition to sexual orientation. But a predisposition is not the same as a determination. Some people may inherit a predisposition for anger, depression, or alcoholism, yet we do not condone these behaviors. And even if violence, depression, or alcoholism were proven to be inborn (determined by genetic material), would we accept them as normal and refuse to treat them? Of course not. The Bible has clear statements about such things as anger and alcoholism. Likewise, the Bible has clear statements about homosexuality.

One by one, member groups in the nation’s apostate denominational systems are facing the inevitable.  There can be no fellowship with those who accept and celebrate doctrines of devils. In South Carolina, the painful reality of separation seems to have hit home. According to Reuters, officials in the Episcopal Church’s SC diocese believe that the acceptance of homosexuality, ordination of homosexual clerics and the abandoning the scriptures for worldly philosophy has created a crisis. No more business as usual.

The national Episcopal Church’s acceptance of homosexuality has plunged it into “crisis,” the South Carolina Episcopal diocese said on Wednesday, and the conservative diocese suggested that it could break from the national church.

“The question is not whether we can stay. It is whether they will let us stay and follow what we believe,” the Rev. Jeffrey Miller of the South Carolina diocese said in the statement.

The statement followed the national church formally charging South Carolina Bishop Right Reverend Mark J. Lawrence recently with “abandonment” of the church’s doctrine, discipline and worship.

Lawrence and many in the South Carolina diocese disagree with the tolerance of the national denomination for gays in the church.

The South Carolina bishop accused the national church of preaching a “false gospel of indiscriminate inclusivity … that has suffocated the mission of the Church,” according to the charges leveled against Lawrence.

About 100 clergy members met Tuesday in Charleston to respond to the charges. The South Carolina diocese is one of the conservative Episcopal groups distancing themselves or leaving the national church over the issue of allowing homosexual ministers, and other disagreements.

Breaking fellowship with other “believers” is never easy nor is it to be done with thoughtless haste. But when there is sustainable evidence that leadership is intentionally going against the Word of the Lord, such is cause to break the ties. To an extent, we can’t control what others do, but we certainly do not have to be partakers of their sins against God. Homosexuality no matter what way the Episcopal leadership religiously spins it, in fundamentally sin. All sin is a transgression of the will of God. What’s more, all sin will lead to death. In that regards, separating yourself from those who walk in disobedience is the only right solution that honors God.

Breaking fellowship should only be valid over doctrinal essentials. The fundamentals of our faith are nonnegotiable. What that means is that certain teachings cannot be changed or circumvented for any reason lest they cast doubt on the entire body of belief. As SC bishop Mark Lawrence rightly noted homosexual affirming theology is a  “false gospel of indiscriminate inclusivity…” which threatens the entire body of believers.

Renowned bible scholar and author Dr. Norman L. Geisler explains more about “essentials”:

“The ancient dictum ‘In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, charity resonates’ with practically everyone. The question is, What are the essentials?  There are three main reasons for seeking the answer to this. First, the essential doctrines are the basis for our unity, since true unity is unity in the truth, and these doctrines are the essential truths. Second, the essential doctrines distinguish cults of Christianity from true Christianity, since these groups claim to be Christian but deny one or more of the essential doctrines of the historic Christian Church. It is not possible to identify these cults, however, unless we know what the essentials are. Third, the essential doctrines are the only truths over which we rightly can divide (i.e., break fellowship). It is better to be divided over truth than to be united in error where essentials are concerned (e.g., Gal. 1:69 ; 2:1114 ; 1 Tim. 1:1920 ; Titus 1:9; 1 John 2:19), but it is a great error for those who hold the truth to be divided where nonessentials are concerned (e.g., Eph. 4:3). It behooves us, therefore, to know the difference; otherwise, we may find ourselves dividing from those with whom we should be united and uniting with those from whom we should be divided.”

The acceptance of homosexual conduct violates many fundamentals of our faith including biblical teachings on sin, repentance, authority of scripture, sexual morality, unity and deity of Christ.

There’s few, if any, organizations of Christian belief that have not seen substantial challenges from religious homosexual activism. The acceptance of homosexuality —unlike other sins— presents significant changes in fundamental doctrines of the church: sin, repentance, deliverance, biblical inerrancy and authority, even the nature of Jesus Christ himself. Although we previously had not heard much corporately from the various splinters of “oneness” adherents, they too are in the throes of struggle.

Ergo, several years ago, prominent bishops from leading apostolic organizations met to affirm their stance on homosexuality and same sex “marriages”. The International Christian Apostolic Fellowship included Bishop James E. Tyson of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Bishop GM Boone of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ, Bishop Jeremiah Reed of the Christ Temple Apostolic Fellowship, Inc, Bishop Willie Duncan of United Apostolic Churches, Bishop JE Moore of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, Bishop Joel Trout of Impact Apostolic Ministries and Bishop Nathaniel Urshan, former General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International. No doubt these are familiar names among those who attend the noted churches.

The meeting discussed what the Apostolic leaders deemed major challenges and doctrinal issues confronting the church. This particular segment focused on homosexuality. Bishop Jeremiah Reed mentioned (but got off track) that he knew one person who was “totally delivered”. It would have been an greater testament to the leaders if they had all acknowledged the reality of deliverance for those bound in homosexual sin.

While we can appreciate the unanimous solidarity with scripture against homosexual conduct, one wonders if these bishops and leaders spoke out against the current occupier of the White House and his overzealous affinity for homosexuality.

Your comments on the video statements welcome. This post is not an endorsement of apostolic doctrine so please withhold comments regarding that issue.

In an era of nonstop religious entertainment and instant gratification, a new breed of Christian has been born. The name? Celebrity Christians. These court jesters come complete with “Christian” light acting skills, and just enough charisma and class to win over the weak and spiritually immature and in some cases even the strongest of bible readers. Their acceptance into the church and dominance of mainstream “Churchianity” only gives solid evidence to a greater problem. The complete absence of discernment among those who claim to follow Christ.

First, so that we’re all on the same page, let’s define discernment.

Discernment is defined as ” skill in understanding , grasping and comprehending ; the ability to recognize or identify as separate and distinct; perception , acumen , penetration , insight, discrimination. The capacity to distinguish and select the excellent , the appropriate or the true”.

Discernment uses the knowledge and practice of the truth in the Scriptures to develop an ability to objectively discern right from wrong (Psalm 119:66). Its imparted by the Holy Ghost first for the protection and benefit of the believer and secondly for the protection and benefit for the Body at large. Every believer should have basic discernment, while others are gifted (1 Cor 12) to distinguish between conflicting spiritual, moral and ethical situations which arise in the church. A good exhibition of discernment is King Solomon’s ruling with the two women and dead baby (1 Kings 3:16).

But discernment today has taken on a sort of taboo-like aura similar to it’s predecessor —and one of the most hated words found in the bible— “DOCTRINE”. Talk about discernment in a church today and watch the insults and hatred flow. You’ll quickly hear words like “legalist” and “Non-Loving”.

Followers of pop perversion

Let’s take for example Cleveland based pastor and trending hireling RA Vernon.

For his Easter Sunday message, Vernon titilated the itching ears of his sheeple with a message borrowed heavily from secular performer Cee-Lo’s song F U [video]. Vernon’s profanity overdraft is hardly original.

Either his pockets have been getting a little thin lately, or his mind really has been “given over” because any respectable pastor/shepherd with a solid handle of scripture would never disrespect the word of our risen Savior. Especially when we know the significance of the forgiveness that God has given us. The bible says:

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him (Christ), having forgiven us all out trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14

Yet even after his gross mockery of God’s word, thousands of undiscerning sheeple still file into Vernon’s club.

Sin, the diabolical agent that fills the hearts of sinners and lures them into an eternity of punishment is seen as a joke now in most churches. When saints sin they call it making a “mistake” or having “issues”, rather than calling it what the word of God says:

“You shall defile also the covering of your carved images of silver, the ornament of your melted images of gold; thou shalt cast them away like an un­clean cloth.” Isaiah 30:22

Sin to God should be thrown away like an unclean cloth. The Hebrew equivalent word for unclean cloth is the same as what describes a bloody cloth from a woman’s menstrual period. God sees sin as a bloody stink filled menstrual period pad. Yet we still engage in it, and then have the audacity to think we still have access to God But like Paul said: GOD FORBID!

“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it-though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.” 2 Corinthians 7:8-9

A preacher’s job is to preach the word of God so that people are:

1. Encouraged to learn the scriptures

2. Encouraged to continue steadfast in the faith

3. Grieved over their own sin which in turn produces repentance. Repentance refers to the desire to turn from sin and restore a fellowship with God.

And finally, take an active role bringing an end to the cult of celebrity in Christ’s church. He and he alone is worthy of worship and adoration.

One of my favorite dispensational authors and bible teachers Clarence Larkin has an awesome and detailed chapter on the church and kingdom in his book Rightly Dividing the Word. If you can get your hands on a copy, do it and value it as the teaching is golden.

Now, in this third segment of our series on understanding church and kingdom, we want to look at the sameness of the two. We previously explored differences, noted paradoxes and then  issued admonitions on ignoring  or diverging from the will of God, the King.

And let me just say parenthetically that  the Bishop Eddie Long case, has coughed up multiple layers of confusion.  Many people are conflicted about what they see and hear and what God intended. These posts are to help clear up that confusion. Do not be deceived, this will happen again, so let us understand God’s will and receive saving knowledge, enabling us to stand strong when tumultuous storms hit again.

To be perfectly clear, I am not anti-church. I am however very much against the commercialized, Jesus-deficient, capitalistic, mausoleum-building empires of men masquerading as the church. I am against any religious organization that does not live out God’s stated purpose for it. The church was never intended to be a den of thieves, but a house of prayer. In fact, notice in Luke 19:46, Jesus says it was man who changed the will of God.

“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

The implication is that what God intended has been forcibly changed to satisfy the lust of wicked men. The result: thieves of all stripes are now comfortable in the house to God. That includes sex thieves, money thieves and power thieves. Theives should never be tolerated in the house of God because they have only one goal: to steal and destroy the sanctity and integrity of the Body (reference John 10:10). If we are to take Jesus’s example, we should drive them out. If you do not drive them out, they will only regroup, recruit and steal again.

But the church as a house of prayer is to birth souls into the kingdom. That’s the only “hospital” analogy I can agree with. Its a birthing room. Sadly, we are seeing less and less of that today and more membership drives.

Major parallels of the church and kingdom

1. Both the kingdom and the church are comprised of saints – Kingdom (Colossians 1:13) – Church (Colossians 1:2). Understand that saints are people who have been “set apart” for a holy purpose. Nothing more, nothing less. Saints are not perfect, they are people being perfected by the will of God. Saints are not ” just sinners who fell down”, saints are called out to live out the purpose of the kingdom of God in the earth. That’s why we must guard against and reject the doctrine of perfectionism. Such a doctrine is false and built of a presumptive self righteousness, rather than grace, mercy and repentance.  The Apostle John shot down the doctrine of perfectionism in 1 John 1:8. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Its just that simple. Saints do commit sin, but that does not make them sinners. The bible acknowledges this (1 John 1:8) and consequently provides one corrective response: repentance (1 John 1:9). Its not hypocrisy to call yourself a saint even if you have sinned as a saint.  Sinners are those unredeemed who practice sin as a lifestyle. 

2. Both the kingdom and the church was purchased with innocent blood – Kingdom – (Revelation 5:9-10) – Church (Acts 20:28). In order for the “purchase” to be authentic, eternal and secure, it had to be by the blood of an innocent man. That man was Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ became the currency, untainted by sin, which paid the price for our sins thus satisfying what God required once and for all. Just like a natural family, it is the blood that is foundational for relationship in the kingdom.

3. Both the kingdom and the church are comprised of priests – Kingdom (Revelation 1:6,9) – Church (1 Peter 2:5). The old system of a selected tribe of men, gave way to a new covenant where every believer is now a priest. We are now a kingdom of levites. This does not conflict with Ephesians 4:11-16. We are all equal in our relationship and standing before God although some from among us have been selected and gifted to edify and equip us for the work of ministry. That is not a license for prophets, pastors, teachers, apostles or evangelists to lord over God’s people. They are to instruct on how to weather the storms and become mature, productive citizens of the kingdom of God. Sidebar: I’m doing that right now!

4. Terms of entrance to both the church and the kingdom are the same. But we should note it is man, not God, who has circumvented those very important requirements with the membership system. – Kingdom (John 3:5) – Church (Ephesians 5:26, Tit. 3:5). Membership does not facilitate discipleship, nor is it in congruence with the Great Commission. As we explained before, one can be a “good” member of a church and never be in relationship with the Lord Jesus.

5. Both the church and the kingdom will experience divine glory and exaltation – Kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-3) – Church (Ephesians 3:21). Both the kingdom and the church will receive glory and honor in the last days. Now, is not the season for our glory. We are to be humble servant exalting God and his Christ for the sake of his will being done on earth.  In time, he will glorify us his church and the people of his kingdom. Too many churches are not caught up in marketing themselves in order to attract members. I suspect that is to feed the god of mammon. More members=more money=bigger buildings=more members=more money…ad infinitum. Its a dangerous and rebellious trap to fall into, but some church pastors are driving full steam ahead to glorify themselves using their own devices.  Again, I am not suggesting that money and people are irrelevant, just that our priority should always be the glory of the Father and the Son (ref Matt 6:33).

6. Both the church and the kingdom have the same owner.  Kingdom (John 18:36) – Church (Matthew 16:18). The head of the kingdom is God who is in Christ.  Its obvious who the owner is. Or is it? Some act as if they are the owners: “my church, my people”. Its an arrogant statement to make, yet those who were intended to be managers (undershepherds) are claiming ownership of something, they could never even remotely be qualified to purchase (see #2). The usurping of the Christ’s authority in the church by hirelings and pulpit thieves is partly the blame for the sordid abuses we see happening right now. The other part of the blame is to be laid on those who have passively allowed such people to remain in place (for solutions see Luke 19:46).

Whenever you are confused about something, go back to the beginning. The genesis will give you the blueprint for the Creator’s intent. We are in just one of the many storms of our times which will only worsen as the Lord’s return nears. I encourage you to examine yourself and see if you have been in a spiritually infantile state  for too long. Whether you are currently under a leader who keeps you on a pacifier and a bottle of sugar milk or you have resisted the training of the Holy Spirit, get up and move forward. Earnestly study God’s word, pray fervently and be faithful to the will of God. In doing so, you will mature and bring forth fruit that pleases our Father.

The kingdom of God is suffering violence, but its not from without, its from within. A trifecta sickness of false teachings, idolatrous practices and deadly, but alluring voices are systematically pushing and luring us closer and closer to the edge of a pit with no bottom. Fear of the tricks of the false prophets has caused us to mollify them with silence.

Misconceptions about the church and the kingdom of God have colored and influenced the contemporary church to the point to where it is barely recognizable as representative of God.  We are living in the age of an out of control church reminiscent of a wild jackass.  A spiritual run-a-way bride. But beloved please know that such things should not be mentioned once among the people of God.

These misconceptions —which in reality are false doctrines— have pierced the body to its core and are wreaking havoc on our outward witness and out inward compass.

People of God, look at what has been spawned among us:

In recent years, especially during the Earl Paulk sex abuse saga, we heard about “kingdom relationships”. Said kingdom relationships centered around the idea that in the “kingdom” leaders such as Paulk were entitled to sex from whomever they chose. Somehow “kingdom relationships” transcended the moral boundaries of scripture. But in reality it was nothing more than a church harem for a deluded sexual addict with a big church title. Last week, Atlanta’s WSB-TV made the connection between Paulk and Long and the sexual ideology both seemed to incorporate into their religious empires.

Ole Anthony of the Trinity Foundation, a watchdog organization which monitors clergymen like Long, says the late Bishop Earl Paulk mentored Long as a young pastor.

When WSB Radio asked Anthony about Long and the three lawsuits filed by three former members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, said he was shocked.

“But his mentor was Earl Paulk,” said Anthony.

Paulk, who died last year, was an evangelical mega church leader accused of having sex with many women in his congregation including his brother’s wife and his own granddaughter.

Anthony compared Long’s “Spiritual Sons” program in which his three young accusers were members with Paulk’s “Kingdom Relationships,” saying both were really designed to sexually gratify the clergymen.

We’ve also heard of “kingdom principles” from a number of megachurch and junior megachurch leaders.  Perhaps those in the prosperity movement have capitalized the most on these principles which generally can be traced to the lust for mammon. The rather unseemly practice of throwing money at the altar or at the feet of a preacher while he is speaking emanates from the idea that when you hear what you believe to be a “good word” you pay the speaker. The act has been attributed to Word of Faith heretic Leroy Thompson of the “money cometh” fame. The practice is eerily similar to men throwing money at strippers in a club, especially when she performs titillating lewd acts.

As we noted in our previous post, people are attaching the word “kingdom” to their doctrines of devils and effectively deceiving many people who are marginally in the faith. I might also add that it is being attached to the music of devils and achieving equally disastrous effects.  Everyone wants to cash in.

Also, the idea that a particular church or denomination is the only right organization has truly hindered the work of the kingdom. I grew up in a denomination (COGIC) that taught  merely going inside a Baptist church was a sin. We could only fellowship with other COGIC churches and the only way we could go into a church of another denomination was if we went to accompany the Pastor. Out of that belief was the idea that if you left COGIC, you were backslidden. It didn’t matter if you were saved, you’d left “the greatest church in the world”,  therefore you could not possibly remain saved.  This idea is still prevalent (although somewhat subdued) in that denomination’s mindset. This is a pride that is not from God.

While some organizations  most certainly embrace doctrinal error, the idea that one church (physical building, association) was the only true church is a fallacy within itself.  And while I cite COGIC, I’m certain other dogmatic organizations have some of the same beliefs at varying degrees.

A radical return to holiness

I wrote sometime ago that we  desperately needed a radical return to holiness. But I soon realized that such a return to holiness cannot occur without first a radical return to the Word of the Lord. Above all, his word is our source document for life. We cannot even begin to understand holiness if we do not return —now and fervently— to his Word.

If the church is ever to mirror the glory of the Kingdom —and it will— we must find the will to purge the wicked thing from among us. It doesn’t matter if that wicked thing takes the form of a person or a passion, it must go. And we must re-inaugurate God as King and Christ as Lord.

A history lesson should help us get the passion and the will to do what must be done in this hour. Reputations must be laid aside and the each of us must see ourselves as needed volunteers in the restoration of the glory of God.

Consider the passion of one Phinehas, recorded in Numbers 25:

And behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

And those who died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for My sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. Therefore say: `Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace.

Of course God is not in the business anymore of ordering us to kill those who sin. That price of death was satisfactorily paid in full by Christ on the cross (that’s what propitiation means).

But we still have an obligation and a mandate to restrict, restrain and remove sin and those who refuse to repent from our midst. This is an act of discipline which protects the integrity of the body as well as protects us from opportunistic spiritual infections.

Phinehas’ radical passion to honor the will of God infused the blessing of God to his legacy. Too many of us see the abominations being loosed in the body, we know that it is against the word of the Lord, but we stand on the sidelines fearful. I will tell you why. Our thinking is not in snyc with God’s. A great majority of the universal church is locked into a carnal processing mindset. The case of Bishop Long has exposed that in many places.

But we need a radical return to honoring the will of God by adhering to the Word of God. That’s what Phinehas did. Take special note that he didnt steal away into prayer and fasting. He acted. There is a time to pray and there is a time to act. Now, is the time to act and restore order in the house of God so that it may accurately reflect the glorious kingdom of God.

Bishop Long’s revelations are not the only ones which will arise. Others are in the pipeline. And there will be many more opportunities for us to speak up and stop what we know dishonors God and his kingdom. The only other alternative is for us to continue this insane game of  musical church chairs.