Yes, Jesus Is The Way!

The week Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the father except through me." Jesus had just finished supper in the upper room with the disciples when he gave us one of His very greatest gospel texts.  

In my sanctified imagination, Thomas must have been overwhelmed and in a daze!  Jesus had already shared so much, that Judas would betray him for 30 pieces of silver; that Peter would deny him three times.  Then, Jesus declared He was going to heaven, and they were extremely concerned.   Yet he tells them to not be troubled and gives three reasons to have peace in their hearts.  First, We can take God at His Word.     When Jesus said, "Trust in God, and trust also in me,"  he was reminding his disciples to trust in God's Word (v.1).  Scripture had spoken of Jesus' impending crucifixion and his resurrection.  Sometimes we miss important information when circumstances become overwhelming.  We must remember that to trust God's word. You can trust God's Word  because as Jesus stated to the disciples as he gave the object lesson about the fig three in Matthew 24:35 , "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away."  Secondly, We are going to heaven. Heaven is a prepared place personally by Jesus who said, "I am going to prepare a place for you" (v2). Heaven is not a state of mind. Finally,  Jesus is coming back for us.  Notice, Jesus said, "I will come and get you".  Jesus is not merely going to send for us.  He is going to personally escort us to the Father's house!  Isn't that good news?!  The Bible tells us to "encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).  In heaven, there will be no more fear, death, pain, or sorrow.

Thomas caught the tail end of his statement.  Jesus said, You know the way to the place where I am going" (v4).  Thomas must have woke up.  "We don't know where you are going,"  he blurted out, "How can we know the way? (v5)  

Jesus provided answers to three pertinent questions that have continued to be sought out by  the lost, the learned, and the longing down through the ages.  Those questions are "How can I be saved?", "How can I be sure?", and "How can I be satisfied?"

For lost people, Jesus answers the question, "How can I be saved?  He says, "I am the way, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (v6). Jesus clearly explains that the only people who will enter heaven will be those who have accepted him as the way - not those who have performed the greatest number of deeds.  There are no attributes of deity that the Jesus does not possess.  Jesus is the only way to have a relationship  with God (Romans 10:9; Acts 12:4; John 3:16).  The reason we can have relationship with God is Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross.  Jesus died, and rose again which is what Easter is all about.

For the learned, Jesus answers the question, "How can I be sure?"  He says, I am the truth.   Everything that is true of God the Father is true of me.  Jesus replied to Thomas, "he who has seen me, has seen the Father" (v9). You can be sure when you put faith in Jesus Christ. The word "truth" is used in Scripture in two ways:  true as contrasted with false; and genuine as contrasted with unreal.  Although both apply to God, when we speak of the truth of God, normally His genuineness is contrasted with false gods of other religions.  The Scriptures declare Jesus as the one true God (John 1:1-2; John 17:3). 

For the longing who ask, "How can I be satisfied?, Jesus said, I am the life, that is, life in eternity and life on earth.  I am water when you are thirsty, and bread when you are hungry.  In John 10:10, he stated, "I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly", in other words, until you are satisfied.  

Not only is Jesus Christ the only way to eternal life, He is the only way to abundant life.  Salvation, deliverance, healing, and spiritual growth cannot come any other way except, through Jesus Christ. He is the way!

 

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Are You Afraid of Friday The 13th?

T.G.I.F., Thank God I'm Forgiven, and it's Friday, the 13th! Oh, is the 13th an an unlucky number for you? Many people are running from black cats, avoiding ladders, tossing salt over their shoulders, and clinging to their lucky rabbit's feet, crystals, and good luck charms today in hopes of avoiding spells, voodoo hexes, and curses. You may not realize this, but church-going people are more superstitious than you might think. And many, particularly the young and new believers, are engaging in occult practices like never before.   

Believe it or not, whenever you forward an e-mail, be it a prayer or what have you, to a specified number of people in order to obtain a "special blessing," you have just engaged in a form magic. And whenever people of God rely heavily on prophets and prophetesses for personal prophecies, instead of on the Word of God for objective truth, they are engaging in a form of witchcraft. And when Christians let their children play card games with witches and wizards and where demon-like characters and monsters cast spells, they are out of the will of God and are subjecting their children and their households to demonic attack.

Magic, spells, voodoo, witchcraft and divination belong to the set of practices known as "the occult." Occult practices include visiting palm readers and fortune tellers, and participating in seances and rituals as a means to contact dead, spirit beings, and obtain supernatural knowledge. God hates these things. The Bible says, "And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10b-12a, NLT).

The Psalmist said, The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid  (Psalm 27:1)?   The Bible says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). So, don't be afraid of witchcraft, wizards, spells and unlucky days. The Ancient of Days is all you need. He is much more powerful than any black cat, satanist, psychic, or magician. Pharaoh's magicians couldn't match Moses' power (Exodus 8:19, 9:11), and the King's magicians couldn't interpret his dreams, but Daniel could through God's revelation (Daniel 1L20, 2:27, 4:7ff, 5:7-30). Acts 19:19 describes how the people who had practiced magic gave it up after they trusted Jesus, "And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone" (NASB).

If you'd like a FREE ESV New Testament Holy Bible, or Here's Hope New Testament Bible e-mail me at jesussaves1@insightbb.com and I will send it to you, no strings attached, while supplies last.

Jesus Saves Ministries

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Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Miracles, Magic, and Money Business!

Rev. Angela Lee Price
You see them everyday on cable television early in the morning and in the wee hours of the night, the prosperity "profits "peddling their miracle products and magic potions. It seems there is a "free" product for every situation, for every "going through," and it appears handkerchiefs are the stuff miracles are made of this season. There is...

1. Don Stewart and his green "Miracle Prosperity" handkerchief. He says if you make a vow of tithe of $1,000 or $500 and he will get 'Pookie' out of jail. I say that if you had $1,000, you could get 'Pookie' out of jail yourself.
2. The screaming Kerney Thomas and his Personal Prayer Package. His is the red "Blood of Jesus" handkerchief. Hmm...He needs to talk to Don Stewart so that they can get their colors straight. Which is it, the red hanky or the green one? I bet a few Deltas and AKAs could have some fun with this one.
3. Paul Lewis and his Miracle Olive Oil Soap. Won't a bar of pure shea butter soap and a bottle of olive oil do?
4. Peter Popoff and his Miracle Spring Water. Popoff got caught several years ago lying at one of his crusades about personal prophecies. It wasn't God talking to him afterall, but his wife talking to him through a hearing aid concealed in his ear. He is back and on BET. Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me twice, shame on me!
   
   

Judging from all I've seen on television lately, it would appear that this is the stuff miracles are made of this season! The cable television "profits" often quote Acts 19:11-12 to support their claims that handkerchiefs can heal you, that handkerchiefs can bring you financial blessings, "God was performing unusual miracles through Paul. Even handkerchiefs and aprons he had used were taken to the sick, and their diseases were driven away, and evil spirits would go out of them."

However, read down a little further in that chapter. You will discover that the seven sons of Sceva tried to do the same thing, but "...the evil spirit said to them 'I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but you-who are you?' The man who had the evil spirit in him attacked them with such violence that he overpowered them all. They ran away from his house, wounded and with their clothes torn off " (Acts 19: 15-16).

Don't call on the "seven sons of Sceva," and their miracle products. Be careful when preachers tell you that you need certain objects, handkerchiefs, soaps, oils to give you what only God can give. It's a trick of the enemy that diverts your attention away from God and on to man. I'm not saying don't use anointing oil. I am saying it is wrong to use such items as gimmicks and as the sole remedies for healings and miracles.

Call on Jesus Christ and the whole counsel of His Word. Call Him up, as the seniors use to say, and tell'em what you want. He is a miracle worker! He will pick you up, turn you around, and place your feet on solid ground. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths." Turn off the television, open the door to the Word of God, and Jesus will come in.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Will Christians Impersonate Prince At Ballot Box At Midterm?

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

The artist Prince is one of the most creative, prolific and beloved cross-over secular artist of our time. We Christians buy his music and many Christian artists often impersonate his singing style. I put a 40 sec video of Tyler Perry singing Prince's song, Purple Rain on youtube (and this website) from November 17, 2009 when Perry was in Louisville with the play "Laugh to Keep From Crying," and that short video clip now has 14,500 hits. Christian comedian Spike Davis impersonated Prince at the St. Stephen Women's Minstry Comic Relief event in March of this year. However, Prince, like Michael Jackson before him and Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone), is a Jehovah's Witness. Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in the political process. Prince stated in the video below with with Tavis Smiley with regard to the 2008 presidential election of the nation's first African American president, "I didn't have a dog in that hunt." My question is will Christians "impersonate" Prince (his religious beliefs) by not voting this midterm?

There is a blacknews.com article I have linked on the Main Page that suggests young blacks in particular, may not be voting this year..."So how is it that heading toward midterm elections in November, large percentages of black people ages 16 to 25 continue to feel alienated from mainstream American society and contemplating not who to vote for but whether to bother voting at all?"




From the book, Kingdom of the Cult, by Walter Martin, page 123...
Jehovah's Witness refuse to pay homage in any way to the flag of any nation or even to defend their own individual nation from assult by an enemy. Patriotism as displayed in bearing arms is not one of their beliefs, since they claim to be ambassordors of Jehovah and as such deem themselves independent of allegiance to any government other than His. In This age of uncertainty, sincerity is a priceless gem, and no doubt Jehovah's Witnesses believe themselves sincere, but all their arguments avail nothing, because in Romans 13:`-7 Paul clearly outlines the case for human government as instituted by God. Paul goes to great lengths to stress that the "higher powers" (human governmental rules) are allowed and sanctioned by God. As supposed followers of His Word, the Witness out to heed both Christ and Paul and "render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to who custom," which in the context of Romans 13:1-7 clearly means subjugation to governmental rule....

Remember, it is not Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves.  Jesus saves.

Why Are New Agers Speaking For Christians?

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

New Age Movement leaders Deepak Chopkra and Marianne Williamson were two of three guests interviewed on CNN last week about a new Pew Poll showing atheists and agnostic know more about religion that Protestant Christians and Catholics.  The poll aside, I want to ask why were new agers being interviewed on CNN to lend a  "Christian" response to the results of the poll?  Oh, that right...it's because we Christians don't know enough about religion to know what the Word of God says.  We don't know enough to question Chopkra's belief in chakras and Williamson's trumpeting of the new age book, A Course in Miracles, a book that was supposedly channeled by psychology professor named Helen Schucman.  All we know is that these people are constantly paraded on the Oprah Winfrey and Larry King as spiritual experts, and so it only seems prudent to invite them on CNN in times like these.  Sad. 

It would seem to me, and I'm just an average blogger, that if the CNN decisionmakers wanted to interview someone who could better represent the orthodox Christian faith, then they'd do better getting a former-athetist-converted-Christian, Lee Strobel perhaps.  He has written books, A Case for Christ, and A Case for Faith, and other books that examine the toughest objections to Christianity.   The poll is disheartening enough, but to then have people who believe in reincarnation and the divinity of the self, notions that are antithetical to the Word of God, call themselves speaking for me, adds insult to injury.

New Pew Survey Shows that Atheists and Agnostics Know More About Religion than Protestants and Catholics - BCNN1

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves.  Jesus saves!

I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghost!

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

There's something strange happening in the 'hood.  Who you gonna call?  Ghostbusters!  Well, not so fast! You might want to try Jesus first.  He ain't afraid of joblessness, high crime rates, low graduation rates, abandoned buildings, and He ain't afraid of no ghosts, either!  The only other time I recall blogging about "ghosts" was in the 2007 post, Imus and The Ghost of Racism On Jesus Saves Live.  Racism still haunts us, that's for sure, but today, I want to blog about so-called "real" ghosts, the one's that are "earth bound" and haven't "crossed over to the other side," at least that's how it was explained to me on the television show, Medium the other day.   

My church sent me and several staff members to an all-day conference about a month ago at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I took a class listed under the evangelism tract on New Age Spirituality.  The instructor Don Metcalf was teaching a class later in the day on Ghost Hunting and the Paranormal that I could not attend.  I asked him if he would share the course material and he did.  I was surprised to discover that there are over 40 different ghost hunting groups in Kentucky.  There is a popular tourist site right here in Louisville that is supposedly haunted called Waverly Hills Sanitorium.  Check out Don Metcalf's website, http://www.biblical-discernment.com/.  

The following links are from a nifty website called GotQuestions.org. I pray you will take the time to peruse these one-page fact sheets on ghosts and related topics so that you will become better eqipped to defend the faith.  More Christians, it seems, believe in ghost and the paranormal due to all the ghost hunting shows on television, and in the movies and because they just don't know what the Word of God says about this subject.  My bible tells me, absent from the body is present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).  I ain't afraid of no ghosts either.

What does the Bible say about ghosts / hauntings?

Answer: Is there such a thing as ghosts? The answer to this question depends on what precisely is meant by the term “ghosts.” If the term means “spirit beings,” the answer is a qualified “yes.” If the term means “spirits of people who have died,” the answer is “no.” The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are spirit beings, both good and evil. But the Bible negates the idea that the spirits of deceased human beings can remain on earth and “haunt” the living.

Hebrews 9:27 declares, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” That is what happens to a person’s soul-spirit after death—judgment. The result of this judgment is heaven for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23) and hell for the unbeliever (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:22-24). There is no in-between. There is no possibility of remaining on earth in spirit form as a “ghost.” If there are such things as ghosts, according to the Bible, they absolutely cannot be the disembodied spirits of deceased human beings.

The Bible teaches very clearly that there are indeed spirit beings who can connect with and appear in our physical world. The Bible identifies these beings as angels and demons. Angels are spirit beings who are faithful in serving God. Angels are righteous, good, and holy. Demons are fallen angels, angels who rebelled against God. Demons are evil, deceptive, and destructive. According to 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, demons masquerade as “angels of light” and as “servants of righteousness.” Appearing as a “ghost” and impersonating a deceased human being definitely seem to be within the power and abilities that demons possess.

The closest biblical example of a “haunting” is found in Mark 5:1-20. A legion of demons possessed a man and used the man to haunt a graveyard. There were no ghosts involved. It was a case of a normal person being controlled by demons to terrorize the people of that area. Demons only seek to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). They will do anything within their power to deceive people, to lead people away from God. This is very likely the explanation of “ghostly” activity today. Whether it is called a ghost, a ghoul, or a poltergeist, if there is genuine evil spiritual activity occurring, it is the work of demons.

What about instances in which “ghosts” act in “positive” ways? What about psychics who claim to summon the deceased and gain true and useful information from them? Again, it is crucial to remember that the goal of demons is to deceive. If the result is that people trust in a psychic instead of God, a demon will be more than willing to reveal true information. Even good and true information, if from a source with evil motives, can be used to mislead, corrupt, and destroy.

Interest in the paranormal is becoming increasingly common. There are individuals and businesses that claim to be “ghost-hunters,” who for a price will rid your home of ghosts. Psychics, séances, tarot cards, and mediums are increasingly considered normal. Human beings are innately aware of the spiritual world. Sadly, instead of seeking the truth about the spirit world by communing with God and studying His Word, many people allow themselves to be led astray by the spirit world. The demons surely laugh at the spiritual mass-deception that exists in the world today.

Recommended Resource: The Truth Behind Ghosts, Mediums, and Psychic Phenomena by Ron Rhodes.

Did the witch of Endor really summon Samuel from the dead (1 Samuel 28:7-20)?What does the Bible say about praying for the dead?
What does the Bible say about praying to / speaking to the dead?
What does the Bible say about channeling?

Source:  GotQuestions.org Home

 Remember, it is not Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves.  Jesus saves!

Government Photographer Asked Church Volunteers Not to Wear Religious T-Shirts in Video About Tornado Aftermath - BCNN1

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

This is what I'm talking about right here.  Christians are often criticized for not doing enough in the community to help those in need.  The criticism is justified oftentimes, but when we come not only willing and ready to work, but bearing our Cross, not just on the inside, but on the outside for the world to see, then don't attempt to pass us off, media people, as just another group of Christless do-gooders out there one-upping the Christians.  That is basically what happened in this story.  A FEMA photographer attempted to cover up, circumvent even, the role the faith based community played recently in helping tornado survivors pick up the pieces of their windblown lives.  He told church volunteers to take off their Christian t-shirts before going on camera in his video. This FEMA administrator apologized for the blunder.

Government Photographer Asked Church Volunteers Not to Wear Religious T-Shirts in Video About Tornado Aftermath - BCNN1

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Leroy Thompson and His Slot Machine Called Jesus

Min. Angela Lee Price

I have a "love jones" for Jesus, as we use to say back in the day. I must admit. But, I declare, Leroy Thompson has a slot machine jones! Because some preachers are mishandling the Word of God, many Christians think God owes them riches simply because they accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They view God as a genie, butler, chef, maid, ATM or, as Leroy does, a slot machine. We see them all the time with their hands on their hips, rolling their eyes, and pointing their fingers at God shouting with attitude, "Yo, Jesus! Show me the money!

Beware the prosperity preachers. Their gospel is a distortion of the Word of God. We can't just demand what we want, and expect God to give it to us. If that were the case, we'd all be rich. Here, Leroy Thompson and crew are seen on their "gambling boat" at the "slot machine" called Jesus. There was big money to be had that night!

Look Who's Playing Hanky Panky With God's Miracles

Rev. Angela Lee Price
You see them everyday on cable television early in the morning and in the wee hours of the night, the prosperity "profits "peddling their miracle products. It seems there is a "free" product for every situation, for every "going through," and it appears handkerchiefs are the stuff miracles are made of this season. There is...

1. Don Stewart and his green "Miracle Prosperity" handkerchief. He says if you make a vow of tithe of $1,000 or $500 and he will get 'Pookie' out of jail. I say that if you had $1,000, you could get 'Pookie' out of jail yourself.
2. The screaming Kerney Thomas and his Personal Prayer Package. His is the red "Blood of Jesus" handkerchief. Hmm...He needs to talk to Don Stewart so that they can get their colors straight. Which is it, the red hanky or the green one? I bet a few Deltas and AKAs could have some fun with this one.
3. Paul Lewis and his Miracle Olive Oil Soap. Won't a bar of pure shea butter soap and a bottle of olive oil do?
4. Peter Popoff and his Miracle Spring Water. Popoff got caught several years ago lying at one of his crusades about personal prophecies. It wasn't God talking to him afterall, but his wife talking to him through a hearing aid concealed in his ear. He is back and on BET. Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me twice, shame on me!
   
   

Judging from all I've seen on television lately, it would appear that this is the stuff miracles are made of this season! The cable television "profits" often quote Acts 19:11-12 to support their claims that handkerchiefs can heal you, that handkerchiefs can bring you financial blessings, "God was performing unusual miracles through Paul. Even handkerchiefs and aprons he had used were taken to the sick, and their diseases were driven away, and evil spirits would go out of them."

However, read down a little further in that chapter. You will discover that the seven sons of Sceva tried to do the same thing, but "...the evil spirit said to them 'I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but you-who are you?' The man who had the evil spirit in him attacked them with such violence that he overpowered them all. They ran away from his house, wounded and with their clothes torn off " (Acts 19: 15-16).

Don't call on the "seven sons of Sceva," and their miracle products. Be careful when preachers tell you that you need certain objects, handkerchiefs, soaps, oils to give you what only God can give. It's a trick of the enemy that diverts your attention away from God and on to man. I'm not saying don't use anointing oil. I am saying it is wrong to use such items as gimmicks and as the sole remedies for healings and miracles.

Call on Jesus Christ and the whole counsel of His Word. Call Him up, as the seniors use to say, and tell'em what you want. He is a miracle worker! He will pick you up, turn you around, and place your feet on solid ground. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths." Turn off the television, open the door to the Word of God, and Jesus will come in.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

New Book Reveals How New Age Movement Has Invaded the Church

Most people believe the New Age has been long gone from our society, and if practiced at all now it is only by unconventional fringe types. For Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen reveals this is not the case. In fact, quite the opposite has occurred. The New Age movement (a term not normally used by its proponents) has permeated virtually all aspects of our society. This "Ancient Wisdom" spirituality can be quite readily encountered in the following fields: Business, Education, Health, Self-Help, Religion, and Arts & Entertainment. This book examines them all.

For Many Shall Come in My Name discusses the following:

1. The Age of Aquarius and its meaning in today's world
2. New Age practices like Reiki and yoga
3. Harry Potter and real witchcraft
4. The law of attraction and Oprah
5.Present day New Age prophets
6. Yoga in the public schools
7. Tantric sexuality and its spiritual risks
8. The Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism)
9. Wicca and its growing appeal
10. The occultic explanation of the Holocaust
11. Interspirituality and the coming false Messiah
12. The New Age as a force in politics
13. New Age hostility toward the church
14. The New Age in light of biblical prophecy

To read chapter 1 of this book, click here.

Lighthouse Trails Publishing's 2nd spring release, For Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen is now here.

----------------------
Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

666 Cult Growing in Followers

It is called Growing in Grace Ministries. It is the a latin-born cult headed by Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, the man who says he's Jesus. Click on the picture to view CNN news story posted on youtube.com on March 4, 2007.

Here is what this cult believes: Leader Miranda, 60, is God in the flesh, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There is no sin. There is no devil. Prayer is a waste of time. Everyone should be rich. Members tatoo "666" on their bodies. Members give cars, estates, companies, and more to Miranda. All religious leaders are liars except Miranda. Cult raised $1.4 million in donations last year. Following growing in the United States. Why do you think this cult is growing in followers? Enter your comments at the bottom of this post.

Why do you think this cult is growing in popularity? Post your comments at the bottom of this post.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves..."

Be sure to read these related articles posted on Jesus Saves Ministries Blog:

It's All About the Dollar: Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
Why Jesus Called A Man A Fool
Word of Faith Movement: Snakes On A Plane!
Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes Takes Survey On Black Church
I Fold At A Hundredfold!
Bishop Noel Jones: Word of Faith Theology Crippling the Black Church
Prophetic Or Pathetic
Are You Letting Yourself Down?
The 50 Most Influential Christians In America
Ease On Down the Road...to Heaven?

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

The Lost Tomb of Jesus

By: Angela Lee Price

Here we go again! Here comes another movie, in this case a documentary, that claims Jesus was "married with children." Just as Christians all over the world are about to celebrate the Resurrection, this movie cuts at the heart of our core Christian tenet by implying, supposedly through archeological evidence, that Jesus did not rise from the dead. "Early one Sunday morning, He got up with all power in His hands" is being replaced with "...He died like any ordinary husband, next to wife, Mary Magdalene and son, Judah."

The Lost Tomb of Jesus airs on The Discovery Channel tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. Check it out and prepare to defend the faith.

Shortcut to: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/tomb/tomb.html

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves.
Jesus saves!

Angela Lee Price Goes One-On-One with Pastor Gary Gilley

On Saturday, June 24th, Gary Gilley, Senior Pastor of Southern View Chapel Church spoke with me on 1350 WLOU Radio from Springfield, Illinois about his concerns with the movie, The Da Vinci Code. We also discussed the market-driven church and emergent church movements. Gary Gilley is the author of several books including This Little Church Went to Market. Gary Gilley's articles on aberrant and heretical trends within Christianity can be found on a number of websites and blogs on the internet. These include The Da Vinci Code Deciphered, The Market-Driven Church: A Look Behind the Scenes, and The Purpose Driven Life: An Evaluation, and Church Discipline and Church Growth. These, other articles and radio interviews can also be found at svchapel.org.

Gary Gilley will be speaking Thursday morning, June 29th at 9:00 a.m. here in Louisville, Kentucky on the Emergent Church at the IFCA International Convention at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 9700 Bluegrass Parkway.

June 24th Interview - Part 1 - The movie, The Da Vinci Code

June 24th Interview - Part 2 - The Market-Driven & Emergent Church Movements

June 24th Interview - Part 3 - The Emergent Church Movement

Related Articles on This Blog:

Da Vinci Code Deciphered, May Archives
Church Growth: Is Bigger Always Better?, April Archives
The Emergent Church, March Archives
Radio Responses to the 50 Most Influential Christians In America, March Archives
The 50 Most Influential Christians In America, February Archives
Are You Letting Yourself Down?, February Archives
Prophetic or Pathetic?, February Archives
Ease On Down the Road...to Heaven?, January Archives

Remember, it is not Mohummad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Ages that saves. Jesus saves!

Gary Gilley Interview and Da Vinci Code Feedback

Be sure to join me Saturday afternoon, June 24th, between 12:00-2:00 p.m. on WLOU Radio-1350 AM. I will be speaking with Rev. Gary Gilley, Pastor of Southern View Chapel, Springfield, Illinois in a 10-minute phone interview. He has written extensively on aberrant and heretical trends within Christianity. Pastor Gilley will be speaking in Louisville next week on the Emergent Church at the IFC Conference. The May and June editions of Jesus Saves Newsletter references his article, The Da Vinci Code Deciphered. Make plans to join us as we discuss the movie, and the Purpose Driven and Emergent Church movements.

On Friday morning, June 2nd, I asked WLOU radio listeners if they were concerned that doctrinal errors were being depicted as truth in the movie, The Da Vinci Code. I also asked if they were going to see the movie, and if they knew whether or not their church was planning to discuss the subject. Below are responses from three listeners.

Jason, Bates Memorial Baptist Church:

Charise Taylor:

Arthur Bivens, First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown:

Related Articles on This Blog:

Da Vinci Code Deciphered, May Archives
Church Growth: Is Bigger Always Better?, April Archives
The Emergent Church, March Archives
Radio Responses to the 50 Most Influential Christians In America, March Archives
The 50 Most Influential Christians In America, February Archives
Are You Letting Yourself Down?, February Archives
Prophetic or Pathetic?, February Archives
Ease On Down the Road...to Heaven?, January Archives


Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Ages that saves. Jesus saves!

The Da Vinci Code Deciphered

By: Angela Lee Price

The movie, The Da Vinci Code, based on the novel with the same name, opens nation-wide in theaters this weekend. The movie has many Christians quite alarmed as it depicts as biblical an unbiblical gnostic perspective of Jesus Christ. It stars Tom Hanks and is Directed and produced by Ron Howard. The movie is being promoted heavily and is expected to do quite well at the box office.

We are warned repeatedly in the New Testament to defend the faith, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV). Jude says, "...contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago has secretly slipped in among you. These are godless men, who...deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." Jude 3-4 (NIV). The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (NIV)

To defend the faith is to know what you believe and why you believe it, and to stand for the truth of the Gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, a piece of the Armor of God, is not only a defensive weapon, but also an offensive weapon. This means we should speak boldly from the Word of God about the truth of scripture, and warn others that what is being presented as truth in The Da Vinci Code concerning, for example, Jesus' divinity and his relationship with Mary Magdalene, is in fact error.

Ron Howard was a guest on Tavis Smiley On PBS tonight. Although the conversation centered around the movie, Cinderella Man, Tavis asked Howard if he knew his upcoming movie, The Da Vinci Code would be so controversial. Howard said he expected the movie to be controverial because it is based on the novel which was also controversial. He went on to say, and I am paraphrasing, that if nothing else, the movie should certainly generate considerable discussion about the subject. Howard has certainly directed and produced some great movies in the past, including one of my favorites, A Beautiful Mind, however, his half-hearted answer, Mayberry charm, and past performance will not excuse him on this one. The Da Vinci Code is an assault against Christianity.

As founder of Jesus Saves Ministries, one of my objectives is to help Christians and non-believers better understand why certain movements, doctrines and perspectives are either aberrant, almost but not quite unbiblical, or heretical, unbiblical as they contract fundamentals tenets of the Christian faith. The article The Da Vinci Code Deciphered by Pastor Gary Gilley is an in-depth critique that explores the Gnostic beliefs depicted in The Da Vinci Code.

Remember, it is not Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Gnosticism nor New Ages that saves. Jesus saves!

The Emergent Church Alert!

By: Angela Lee Price

There are so many new aberrant and heretical movements popping up within Christianity that, truly, it is hard to keep up with them all. And, it appears, sadly, that there are far too few pastors within the Black Church willing to speak boldly and consistently about them in an attempt to defend the faith.

There are a couple of brave souls defending the faith. On the national scene, Pastor John Cherry of From The Heart Church speaks boldly and consistently about the dangers of the prosperity message. Locally, my pastor, Dr. Kevin Cosby of St. Stephen Church speaks consistently about the “Joy Boy” preachers, as he calls the purveyors of the prosperity message, and he’s even dedicated an entire month-long sermon series entitled Beware the Counterfeiters to warning Christians about false teachers. He kicked butt and “named names!” That’s it, on the pastoral level, to my knowledge.

Although I am not a licensed minister, I am a radio announcer, communicator, writer and researcher who has dedicated almost nine years to diligently studying material from the online discernment community. I launched Jesus Saves Newsletter in September 2005 out of love for the people around me. I desperately want them to see what the Lord is showing me about apostasy in the last days.

The Emerging Church movement is sweeping the nation, appealing to young Christians with its “unplugged” MTV-like, dimmed-lights approach to introspective Christianity. David and Deborah Dombrowski of Lighthouse Trails Research Project, Al and Jean Dager of Media Spotlight, and Roger Oakland of Understand the Times have all written about the players, background, tenets and concerns of the Emerging, or “Emergent” as some refer to it, Church movement.

The following is a fact sheet from Understand the Times International that summarizes some of the major characteristics of the Emerging Church Movement and the direction it is headed. Brian McLaren is the prominent promoter and leader of the Emerging Church Movement. On his website, Roger Oakland states, “Every sincere Bible believing Christian needs to be aware of what is happening and what role the Emerging Church Movement plays in the last days apostasy that the Bible foretells.”

Facts to know about current trends happening in the name of Christ that are undermining the authority of scripture and leading towards the Emerging Church:

Scripture is no longer the ultimate authority for many well known leaders of the new evangelicalism.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by humanistic methods that promote church growth and a social gospel.

There is more and more emphasis on “what’s in it for me” in the “here and now”, and less and less concern regarding the warnings of scripture regarding the imminent return of Jesus and a coming judgment ahead for planet earth.

More and more Christian leaders are looking for the Kingdom of God to be established here on earth by human effort and deny that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in a literal millennial period that is to come.

Many bridges are being established that lead in the direction of unity with the Roman Catholic Church.

An experiential mystical form of Christianity is being promoted to attract and reach the postmodern generation called the “Emerging Church.”

We are being told that Christianity needs to be re-invented in order to provide meaning for this generation.

Christianity is being dumbed-down as the Word of God comes under attack and images and sensual experiences are being promoted as the key to experiencing God.

In order to re-invent Christianity we are told we need to go back to the past and find out what kinds of experiences were successful to attract people to Christianity. These experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy and the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Many church leaders are beginning to consider that the Reformation went too far. They are reexamining the claims of the “Church fathers” that communion is more than a symbol and for remembrance and that Jesus actually becomes present in the communion wafer.

There is a growing trend towards an ecumenical unity for the cause of world peace that claims there are many ways to God and that Jesus Christ is not the only way.

Please visit the following websites for additional information on the Emerging Church Movement and write me with your findings after your research is complete. I would like to know whether you agree or disagree with the online assessments of the Emerging Church Movement:

Lighthouse Trails Research Project
Media Spotlight
Understand the Times
Eastern Regional Watch
Discernment Ministries, Inc.
Herescope

Related articles by Angela Lee Price:
Noel Jones: Word of Faith Theology is Crippling the Black Church, May post

• Church Growth: Is Bigger Always Better?, April Archives
• Radio Responses to 50 Most influential Christians in America, March Archives
• The 50 Most Influential Christians In America, February Archives
• Are You Letting Yourself Down?, February Archives
• Prophetic Or Pathetic, February Archives
• Follow the Yellow Brick Road...to Heaven?, January Archives

  Remember, it is not Buddha, Confuscious, Muhammad, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!