Mathew ch. 24

Many Evangelicals ignore these scriptures

II John 5 v 1

“Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”

John 1v13

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." 

II John 4 v15

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God”

Acts 16 v's 30-31

The Apostle Paul and Silas were asked “....What must I do to be saved?”.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your house,” they replied.

Mathew 24 v 36

"..Of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my father only.”

John ch.1 v 8-9

"He (John) was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, Which lights every man that comes into the world"

The spirit of Christ dwells in you whether you are aware of it or not.

John 1 v 12

“But to as many as received him (Believe as fact that Jesus is the Messiah) to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” 

Acts 1 v 7

The writer of the book of Acts, reiterated the words of Jesus concerning his return:

“And he said unto them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in his own power”

Beware of those who come to you saying something like:

“The word “believe” does not really mean what you think it does. It actually means receiving Jesus into your heart.” (By this he is saying that scripture is wrong, that 'Christ is not the light that lights every person who is born', and that you need to bring Jesus down from heaven to reside within you.

It is a subtle and misleading explanation of what the word 'believe' means.

Accept the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus and have faith in the Word of God.

The interpretation and application of the doctrine's "You must be born again", “Accepting Jesus as your own personal saviour” and the 'Rapture', are erroneous

I first experienced the miracle of spiritual awakening at the age of about ten. This was at the Mercy seat in a Salvation Army hall. For the next few years I was a member of Boys Rally, an Open Brethren group similar to the Boy Scouts. The teaching of being 'Born again by accepting Jesus as your own personal saviour”, or “receiving Christ” is, according to Open Brethren teaching, fundamental to ensure that:

1. You are born again into the family of God

2. Your sins are forgiven

3. You are chosen to suddenly be taken up “into the clouds” to meet Jesus if he returns before you die to join all those Christian who have 'died in Christ'. This is called “The Rapture”. And:-

4. The absolute certainty that if you die before the return of Jesus you will go straight to heaven.

Born again

The 'You must be born again” doctrine is entrenched within many Protestant denominations. As a boy I was taught that I was born of God, or saved, because I had received Christ (his person) into my heart". (John 1 v 12) The implication being that at birth I was without Christ, but now I had received Jesus because I had brought Jesus down from above to dwell within me – In fact the Spirit of Jesus dwelt within me from the day I was was born according to scripture. John ch.1 v 8-9.

"He (John) was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, "Which lights every man that comes into the world" and:- "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1v13)

In the 60' and 70' I belonged to an evangelical outreach which was administered by the Open Brethren called the Open Air Campaigners, and believed in these teachings. However, after reading and studying scripture and church history I no longer go along with these two doctrines.

The born again theory, as taught by evangelicals, does not, and cannot have its basis in the above scriptures. Instead it is based upon a person's own ability to bring Jesus down from heaven by incorrectly interpreting the term “received him”.

The common born again theory has the effect of a evangelical Christian proclaiming "You're not born again because you have not done what I have (brought Jesus down from above) therefore you are going to hell and I'm going to heaven".

The questions should be “Do you believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead, or, Have you confessed this belief before others? If the answer is “yes” then there is no confusion or doubt. The person is born again.

The Scripture “Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (II John 5 v 1) Also leaves us in no doubt as to who is truly born of God.

* The Apostle Paul was asked “....What must I do to be saved?” He replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your house.” Acts 16 v's 30-31.

The Rapture

Mathew 24 Probably gives us the best picture of the future. I do not read anything resembling a 'rapture' as taught by traditional denominations today. Many are terrified of going through the great tribulation and are clinging desperately to the hope of being taken up 'into the clouds'  before the great tribulation really gets under way; all the while saying:  'I'm saved and going to be taken off the earth before the great tribulation, but my mother who is not born again like me - accepted Jesus as her own personal saviour - is going to suffer the hell of the tribulation and eventual eternal damnation.'

In regard to the return of Jesus, the words "...Of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my father only.” are ignored. (Mathew 24 v 36)

The writer of the book of Acts, repeated these words of Jesus many years after the resurrection.

“And he said unto them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in his own power” Acts 1 v 7

Effect of Unbelief

It has been my observation over the years that many Christians such as Baptists and Open Brethren are fearful and joyless - especially their women folk. Consequently the liberty of their spirits is suppressed. Many are unable to genuinely laugh and often their smile's are forced. This is an unfortunate result of blindly believing their teachers who adhere to these two deadly doctrines  "I am born again because I have received Christ and  "I have accepted Jesus as my own personal saviour"

***How can I find peace of mind if I justify myself by these teachings and at the same time condemn all who have not done what I have so cleverly managed to do. With these doctrines embedded in their minds, sometimes from early childhood, they naturally cling to the belief that their own mother, father, brother, sister, or loving friend who is not "born again" as they believe themselves to be, and "have not accepted Jesus as his or her own personal Saviour" as they believe they have done, are going to “burn in hell for eternity”.

With beliefs such as these in their heart's and minds it is impossible for them to be happy and content. Because they are not free in mind and spirit, the light of Jesus is unable to shine from their innermost being.  And as these one grow up the idea that anyone who has not done what they have will “die in their sin”, becomes stronger, and their unhappiness increases. What's more, these two deadly teachings are continually reinforced by each other and their menfolk. They are trapped, The two teachings are ever tightening chains which can hold them in bondage for years.

In a perpetual state of doubt and confusion they struggle to enjoy an honest daily walk with Jesus. Because of their inability to discover the reason why they are unhappy, some become mentally unbalanced and need to go into a mental hospital for treatment to try and sort themselves out. Unfortunately, because the two doctrines are never considered as being the culprits causing their disorder, most do not become well and remain joyless and unhappy for the remainder of their lives. Many depart from the faith, defeated, never understanding the simplicity of living in the fullness of Christ. 

These poor souls are in chains of religious bondage to doctrines and teachings of men. It is impossible for them to rejoice in Jesus with true sincerity; as individual's made in the image and likeness of their redeemer, and as one who has believed that Jesus is the Christ and that Jesus has always dwelt within them. And that the hope of eternal life dwells within in them because they have believed and confessed to that belief, and not because of any work of their own - such as 'bringing Jesus down from above'. Or by “accepting Jesus as their own personal saviour. Both are inviting a potential convert to establish his or her own righteousness.

Keep it simple

“...Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”