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Two days ago, the Washington Post published a lengthy story on snake-handling pastor Mack Wolford, who died Sunday night from, well, a snakebite he got in church. Wolford cited Mark 16:17-18 as the source for his practice of handling rattlesnakes, water moccasins, copperheads and other venomous snakes. And Mark 16:18 does seem clear: "they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them." There's only one problem: Mark 16:18 is not in the Bible. The last 12 verses of Mark's gospel were added sometime after the original gospel began to...

Justin Martyr (A.D. 100–165) is important in the history of supersessionism because he was the first Christian writer to explicitly identify the church as “Israel.”[1] Justin declared, “For the true spiritual Israel, and descendants of Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham . . . are we who have been led to God through this crucified Christ.”[2] He also said, “Since then God blesses this people [i.e., Christians], and calls them Israel, and declares them to be His inheritance, how is it that you [Jews] repent not of the deception you practise on yourselves, as if you alone were the Israel?”[3] Justin...

We are all a work in progress. Show more love than judgement: Judge actions one on one in order to show love and respect towards one another. Love changes our enemies and sins of some misdirected believers. Never forget that GOD knows all things and can write all of our sins in the heavens for all people to see the minute we think them. But HE loves us and handles our sins one on one before they are exposed. Let's follow the LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, the son of GOD, and do the same. Show more edification then condenmnation:...

Yet another Christian pastor's anti-gay rant has come to light in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) blogosphere. As first reported by Good As You's Jeremy Hooper, Curtis Knapp, pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, Kan., appears to call for the death of gays in this disturbing audio. "They should be put to death -- that's what happened in Israel," Knapp proclaims. "That's why homosexuality wouldn't have grown in Israel." Listen to the audio below, then scroll down to keep reading:

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my...

Only GOD knows our hearts, and no one else. SO, only GOD knows us. Be careful who we say we know. No matter how long you are married, have children, with parents, best friends, etc.....only GOD knows them in and out. All we know is what we see, hear, and are accustomed to by what we comprehend. But, only GOD knows everything. May we work to edify one anther through looking at each others' actions and words, and trying to help one another to get to the understanding and life of JESUS CHRIST!! Especially believers ( who should treat one...

GOD is great! GOD is good! GOD is in our neighborhood! Be like a child to get into the kingdom of heaven!! :)

Just back from a Washington gathering of like-minded Christians from various denominations concerned about potential losses of religious liberty, the Southern Baptist Convention's Richard Land termed an emerging coalition of conservative Catholics and evangelicals "the liberal's nightmare."Southern Baptists’ top spokesman for religious-liberty concerns voiced support May 26 for Catholics across the country gearing up for a “Fortnight for Freedom,” a two-week national campaign of special liturgies, prayer services and other events leading up to the Fourth of July. During his weekly “Richard Land Live” radio broadcast, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission said opposition...

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my...

The sheep of this fold and some not of this fold will hear HIS voice and they will follow.

Thank the LORD for Jesus Christ. The only one that shows us how to walk, talk, eat, pray, and treat one another in this life. Follow HIM and all will start to make sense in life. And all that doesn't make sense you can cast on HIM, and HE will slowly take them away and bring you to a place in your mind, body, soul, and spirit that will focus on better things for you. Let's help one another to be clean in spirit and in truth!! Believers fellowship in love, as HE loves us.

Those who hold to replacement theology often claim that the New Testament is silent concerning the idea of a restoration of the nation Israel. But is the New Testament really silent on this matter? Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 appear to be two passages among several that offer explicit New Testament evidence in favor of a restoration of the nation Israel. Matthew 19:28states: And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones,...

HE is with us in all we do!! HE knows all!! We are all a work in progress!!

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my...

Believe, receive, and do your best to live HIS WORD in our daily lives. Living HIS word will be a light that is beautiful enough to draw in all people that come in contact with us. Through the love of JESUS CHRIST people will see who we are.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my...

Arrows in the Hand May 25, 2012  "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." (Psalm 127:4)  This is the central verse in the 101 verses contained in a remarkable group of fifteen psalms called "The songs of degrees" (Psalms 120-134). The central verse in the central psalm of this group is the preceding verse: "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalm 127:3). The origin of these psalms and this peculiar superscript has always been uncertain. Four are said to...

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, wrote the IRS to complain that independent Baptist pastor Charles Worley’s incendiary remarks that went viral on YouTube violated a federal law that says churches that receive non-profit tax benefits cannot take sides in partisan politics.Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether a North Carolina pastor’s sermon suggesting that gays and lesbians should be quarantined and allowed to die off that went viral in YouTube clips violated federal tax law. Barry Lynn, a United Church of Christ...

The U.S. Catholic Church will hold an event this summer called "Fortnight for Freedom" to bring attention to religious freedom issues. The Christian Post has learned that discussions are underway to include evangelical organizations with these events. Evangelical organizations have expressed solidarity with Catholic leaders who oppose the Obama administration's birth control mandate, which, they argue, is a religious freedom issue. In separate interviews, Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokesperson for the USCCB, and Galen Carey, vice president for government relations at the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), both confirmed that discussions have taken place on how evangelicals might coordinate...

Iran’s Basij Press is claiming that a version of the Gospel of Barnabas, found in 2000, will prove that Islam is the final and righteous religion and the revelation will cause the collapse worldwide of Christianity Turkish authorities believe the text could be an authentic version of the Gospel of Barnabas, one of Jesus’ apostles and an associate of the apostle Paul. This version of the Barnabas Gospel was written in the 5th or 6th century and it predicted the coming of the Prophet Mohammad and the religion of Islam, the Basij Press claims. The Christian world, it says, denies...

God's Complete Supply May 24, 2012  "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)  The key to this promise in today's verse is the need that must be met by the riches of the Great King as we render our service in His Kingdom. But how vast those needs can be and how different the supply is!   Millions of Israelites needed food in the wilderness, and the manna came fresh from heaven each day for 40 years (Exodus 16:35). Gideon needed victory over the innumerable Midianites, and...

Focus on HIM.

I want to thank all of you who have extended condolences to me upon the death of my dear Father. I ask you to indulge me here, as I reveal something of my own life. I believe He should be properly eulogized, and have been burdened to do so. My Father, Bruno Wilbur Randles was born on January 17, 1928, in Hutchinson Kansas, and died on May 13, 2012. He was preceded in death by my mother, Suzanne, who passed away in 1978 at the age of 49. He is survived by his ten children, 23 grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren....

Confess HIS Holy name to the world. GOD is great!

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Obama administration’s HHS mandate has united Christians of all stripes – evangelical, historical Protestant, and Roman Catholic – as they close ranks behind a flurry of lawsuits filed yesterday morning to overturn the controversial measure and stall government interference in religion. After 43 Catholic institutions – including the major archdioceses, dioceses, universities, and publishing houses affiliated with the Church in the United States – filed a dozen lawsuits to strike the measure down on First Amendment grounds, the Christian and conservative communities quickly applauded the move. President Obama with Secretary of Health...

Certain passages like Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30, Romans 11:25-27, and Acts 1:6 explicitly reaffirm the Old Testament expectation of a restoration of the nation Israel. In addition, the passages of Matthew 23:37–39 and Luke 13:34–35 also appear to be New Testament evidence for such a restoration.[1]Matthew 23:37–39 records Jesus’ words to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold your house is being left to...

California Ministry Offered Free Rent for One Year by Roman Catholic Diocese of OrangeCrystal Cathedral's newly minted president said Wednesday that the ministry behind the "Hour of Power" might be moving to a Catholic church in their Orange County, Calif., neighborhood, although probably not for another year and a half. John Charles, president and CEO of the ministry, reportedly said in a meeting of the congregants and the church board that St. Callistus Catholic Church in Garden Grove was the only option the bankrupt ministry could consider moving to when it comes time to relocate, as its campus was sold...

Voting exercises oneÂ’s opinion and choice of support for one side of an issue, or the election of an individual, group, or entity for specific appointments. An individualÂ’s associations (I Corinthians 15:33) and actions (Luke 6:44) can give a good indication about what he supports with his votes. Consider a person who gambles. It makes logical sense he would likely vote to enable more gambling. If a person hangs around bookies and casinos, the likeliness of him voting in support of a gambling related measure would be high. Also consider a person who overtly supports drug use. Others observed him...

It was one thing for President Obama to call for the legalization of same-sex marriage. But it was quite another to say that it's Jesus who causes him to embrace this position. This reminds me of what he said a few months ago, on the issue of ObamaCare and the like: Jesus made him do it. I addressed that issue in another recent column. On May 9, 2012, President Obama told Robin Roberts of ABC News that his position on gay relations has now evolved to the point that he thinks "same-sex couples should be able to get married." Speaking...

Lets work day and night to change our lives to be more like Jesus Christ.

On Tuesday afternoon, CNN ran an article on its Belief Blog by Catholic priest (sort of) Daniel Helminiak entitled “My Take: What the Bible really says about homosexuality.” The article is amazing for including so many bad arguments in so little space. A quick trip through the piece will show you what I mean. Helminiak’s writing will be in bold and then my response will follow.

Any other institution that lost one-third of its members would want to know why..... The number of people who have left the Catholic church is huge. We all have heard stories about why people leave. Parents share stories about their children. Academics talk about their students. Everyone has a friend who has left. While personal experience can be helpful, social science research forces us to look beyond our circle of acquaintances to see what is going on in the whole church. The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life has put hard...

It is not uncommon to hear anti-pretribulationists discount pretribulationism because the Bible teaches that Christians will suffer for Christ. Since pretribulationists teach that the church will not go through the tribulation, some attempt to equate this with a view that Believers will never experience hardship of any kind during the current church age. This is a distortion of our views. Pretribulationism teaches, by God’s grace and decree, the church will not go through the time of God’s wrath because the tribulation is designed for purposes which do not include the church. In fact, we believe that during the church age...

A shot now reverberating around the evangelical world was fired by Atlanta megachurch pastor Andy Stanley in recent days. Preaching at North Point Community Church, in a sermon series known as “Christian,” Stanley preached a message titled “When Gracie Met Truthy” on April 15, 2012. With reference to John 1:14, Stanley described the challenge of affirming grace and truth in full measure. He spoke of grace and truth as a tension, warning that “if you resolve it, you give up something important.” The message was insightful and winsome, and Andy Stanley is a master communicator. Early in the message he...

Evangelicals Becoming Catholic, why? by Steve Ray on May 10, 2011   Below is an interesting YouTube video (really audio) of an Evangelical Radio show in which two Evangelicals discuss why so many Evangelical Protestants are leaving to join the Catholic Church.The host and guest are trying to be honest in the show entitled  “Why Evangelicals are Returning to Rome.” Although towards the end of the video they are making some statements that are historically inaccurate (about Luther and the Popes); nevertheless, their questioning tries to be honest. It is interesting that they are taking note of a large...

As it says in the WORD, " Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Phillippians 2:12 12 So, my dear friends, you have always been obedient; your obedience must not be limited to times when I am present. Now that I am absent it must be more in evidence, so work out your salvation in fear and trembling.

Romans 9:6 is a passage sometimes used by supersessionists to show that the church is explicitly called Israel.[1] This verse reads, “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.” Some see in the first mention of “Israel” a concept of Israel that goes beyond ethnic boundaries. Thus, Paul is allegedly making a distinction between ethnic Israel and a spiritual Israelthat consists of all believers including Gentiles. This is the view of Ridderbos: “Even the distinction Paul makes within national Jerusalem between who is and who...

Here is a proud first century yuppie who knew how to identify a problem, seek a solution, and implement the solution. He had heard good things of Christ. He knew how to solve earthly problems and thought that he could handle spiritual ones. Just show him the solution, and he would implement it. He was willing to sacrifice and tackle the tough job. He fancied himself humble, for he was willing to seek to someone who would know better than he did. He was clever enough to seek out all the resources available to him. He was good in public...

The Love of CHRIST is the love that takes care of human life. The love of CHRIST heals, corrects, guides, saves, and more... The love of CHRIST! Believe, receive, and live; the love of CHRIST!

Grant Jeffrey, a Canadian Bible teacher known as an expert on Bible prophecies, an advocate of dispensationalism and host of TBN's "Bible Prophecy Revealed," passed away over the weekend after a cardiac arrest. He was 64. "He is now without pain, he is healed and now with his Heavenly Father. He will be missed sorely," reads a statement published on the Grant Jeffrey Ministries website. The funeral will be held in Toronto, at a location to be announced soon, ministry officials said. Jeffrey was hospitalized in Toronto, Canada, on May 7, in critical condition. The ministry said in a statement...

16 churches closed in Indonesia in Sharia run province

The purpose of this document is to provide quotations from famous theologians who have affirmed some form of a future for the Jews or national Israel. We have also included statements from historians who have made comments about how theologians of a particular era or group viewed Israel's future. (Please note that we are not asserting that all these men believe the same thing about Israel.) Thomas Aquinas "It is possible to designate a terminus, because it seems that the blindness of the Jews will endure until all the pagans chosen for salvation have accepted the faith. And this is...

Christianity Today asks three contributors whether Christians should shut down their social service programs when the state commands them to act against Christian belief. In line with my advice in response to Obama’s gay marriage announcement, Ryan T. Anderson offers a stirring “no�: Christians should not stop their adoption and foster-care programs, but neither should they comply with laws that would force them to place children with same-sex couples. Christians should continue operating their charitable organizations according to their principles, and they should continue serving the least among us until the state coercively shuts them down. But why should Christians...

Last December, a 12-year-old boy was baptized in a Karns Baptist church. Four months later, his mother went to jail as a result. "I was in complete shock," Stephanie "Stacy" Miller recalled of the day in April when Knox County Fourth Circuit Court Judge Bill Swann ordered her jailed. "The guy had to drag me down the hallway. I was like, 'I just had my son baptized.' I laid my head (on the arresting deputy's) shoulder and just cried, 'Please, help me.'" Swann's controversial decision is raising questions about the use of the state's criminal contempt law to punish parents...

Republican lawmakers love to say they are protective of religious freedom and supportive of the military. Last week, Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee passed two measures that undermine both in an effort to deny equal rights to gay men and lesbians. It was particularly disturbing to see this implacable campaign of intolerance at work during a week in which President Obama announced his support for the expansion of the right to marry to all Americans. Just hours after Mr. Obama tried to lead the nation forward, the House Armed Services Committee was turning the clock back. On a...

Since we ourselves cannot fulfil the demands of the Law, God requires faith in the crucified and risen Christ for eternal life. But is this requirement of faith any easier for us than the requirement to obey the commandments? No, even this demand is too hard us ... because the natural man is spiritually blind to God's beauty and by nature hostile toward God, as the Scripture affirms (Rom 8:7,1 Cor 2:14). No one, left to themselves, will exercise faith in Christ ... that is, no one will naturally understand and love the gospel, thereby trusting in Christ unless God...

Behind Easter and Christmas, Mother's Day draws the highest attendance in U.S. churches, a recent study shows. LifeWay Research, a Christian research center, asked 1,000 Protestant pastors what the three highest attendance Sundays were throughout the year. Easter was first, indicated by 93 percent of the pastors asked, followed by Christmas with 84 percent, and Mother's Day with 59 percent. "Clearly, mothers want to be present for the affirmation that is typically offered in most churches, but families also are present knowing their attendance will honor their mother," Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, said in a statement. "Many families...

Love the Lord with all your heart. Love your neighbor as yourself.

[dc]O[/dc]n May 14, noted philanthropist and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson is scheduled to give the commencement address at Emory University and receive an honorary degree. But there is a problem. In recent weeks Emory faculty and students have asked the University to disinvite Dr. Carson because he is a critic of evolutionary theory and advocate of creationism. Faculty and staff have written that Dr. Carson’s “great achievements in medicine allow him to be viewed as someone who ‘understands science’” poses a direct threat to science that “rests squarely on the shoulders of evolution.” The anti-Carson letter describes how there is...

One text often used by supersessionists to support the idea of the permanent rejection of national Israel is Matt 21:43.[1] In this verse, which Frederick Dale Bruner calls “one of the most important verses in Matthew,”[2] Jesus addressed the unbelief of the leaders of the nation Israel and announced his rejection of them because of their stubborn unbelief: “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruit of it.” What is the significance of Jesus’ words in Matt 21:43? Supersessionists often assert that Jesus was making...