Herbert W. Armstrong

The Covenant: God's Relationship to Jews, Israelites, and Gentiles

2009-07-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Covenant: God's relationship with Jews, Israelites and Gentiles

Art Braidic (a minister of the Sabbath keeping Church of God) and I have enjoyed a biblical discussion about whether or not God's covenant with Judah is still active. I trust others may glean something profitable from our fellowship. I start with his intial response and add my comments:

My conclusion is that God brought the Jews back to fulfill prophecy, not to re-establish them as a nation permanently.

Thank you, Art, for prayerfully considering all this about Judah's return under Ezra and Nehemiah and taking the time to respond. May God bless our fellowship and inspire us all to a better understanding of this holy subject. Such discussions prove true that "iron sharpens iron."

God did indeed bring Judah back (but not all were willing to return just like today) to fulfill prophecy, but I must question if that was the only reason why did God not only send a scion of David (Zerubbabel), and a governor (Nehemiah), but a PRIEST to instruct the People in the Torah? Ezra had his Work cut out for him and did a marvelous job (Ezra 7:10).

His NATIONAL CONGREGATION repented of their Sabbath breaking (Nehemiah 13:17-22) and mixed marriages and entered into a COVENANT WITH GOD. We have no record of the Gentilized Israelites ever repenting, even in part, or returning and submitting to any biblical instruction (Ezra 10:1-3).

Judah had sinned worse than Israel originally, but THEY REPENTED and were brought back. Israel never repented and was never brought back. Some of Judah remained repentant from THE RETURN to the time of Yeshua, the New Testament bearing them record:

The priestly parents of John the Baptist (Luke 1:6), Simon and Anna - two holy and elderly witnesses and the Torah-observant Yosef and Miriam (Luke 2:25, 36-39).

And Yeshua said of the Gentiles and testified about the Jews:

John 4:22
22 You [Gentiles] worship what you do not know; we [Jews] know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

He couldn't say that about the Gentilized Israelites who had lost it all!

The Old Testament was to have seven eras.

I know the Church of God teaches this and I have shared it with others, but the Church of God isn't consistent when they reject the God-given authority of the scribes and the Pharisees that Christ acknowledged on the matters of the sacred calendar and responsibility to properly proclaim the holy days.

Christ was to come from Judah. All this was fulfilled and then, God destroyed the nation and scattered them exactly like He did their sister Israel.

God had already destroyed the former Judah and Jerusalem and scattered the Jews, but many of them repented and returned (part of true national repentance is to return to the Land, not just the Law). Those faithful Jews, the parents of John, the parents of Yeshua, Simon, Anna, and others like them remained faithful and accepted the Light that God had sent Judah and when the others rejected Him they were rejected.

But the physical and spiritual foundation of converted Jews continued without fail! The early Church of God was entirely Jewish, as you know. That Jewish/biblical foundation was most instrumental in the construction of the spiritual Temple that includes Gentile converts into that holy Branch. Most of Judah were temporarily cut off, just like the Gentilized Israelites, but SOME of them never were and continued right on as pioneers of faith towards the "New Jerusalem!"

Antiocus went through the land devastating it it and putting the abomination in the temple. I submit that if these people were God's people, in a covenant with them, then they would have not suffered so.

Isn't that a gospel of peace and prosperity? Don't true believers suffer persecution? If God wasn't in covenant with Judah, why did Yeshua call the defiled and CLEANSED Temple "My Father's House?" God sent Judah - still His covenant people at that point - the Macabbees as in the days of the Judges, just as the Church also teaches that Daniel prophesied of them as the "people who know their God and do (military) exploits," and they formed part of the seven eras of the Old Testament. Another traditional inconsistency!

To me, after Christ's death, any relationship was completely over.

Yes, I agree that after the unwarranted hatred Yeshua experienced at the hands of His brethren, like our father Joseph did earlier as a type, the Anointed One who came to purify Judah's religion and correct their misunderstandings and rebuke idolatrous traditions (which is why He spent so much time with the God-ordained Pharisees). He warned Judah of the Temple's imminent destruction and their dispersion and they rejected Him and His warning message and many of them paid for it with their lives, God was through - for the most part - with collective Judah. However, as stated above, God kept His Word to be the God of our fathers and our God to a remnant, folks like the righteous I've mentioned whose kind made up the early Church.

As Paul writes... Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

I do know your point, but to be technical, it's speaking of US being dead to sin (and its penalty) and resurrected in Christ, able to now marry Righteousness - it doesn't state that about Christ.

So, in the marriage to Israel, God was married to Judah. Once He died, He was able to remarry. He now is espoused to those He has called, and He will marry them at His return.

I know and have also shared this Church of God teaching, but the Scriptures reveal God saying to physical Israelites in these last days, God pleading with us to return to Him as our Husband, that He never divorced us! Judah and Israel are still married to God even if we've broken our part of the covenant relationship and God has "SEPARATED" us from Him due to our unrepentant sins. But He wants us back! (Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 3:14).

The Church of God, like the Prophets, ought to call our people back to the Law and the Covenant that God made with our Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (and confirmed with our fathers at Mount Sinai) and wants to RENEW with us and improve upon it by writing His Torah upon the tablets of our converted hearts and minds, so help us God!

I actually do not know what replacement theology is.

It is denying the spiritual importance of physical Israel to God forever, regardless of our present sins that will soon be history.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

All this is saying is that race alone isn't sufficient. That a physical Israelite must also have a spiritual Israelite identity or they're nothing more than physically circumcised spiritual Gentiles! And that physical Gentiles can be spiritual Israelites and join the Body of converted Israelite believers: the remnant of physical Israel who isn't blinded!

Rom 11:1
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid.

Replacement theology would say it doesn't matter because spiritual Israel has replaced any need for physical Israelites to be in a covenant relationship with God and such a damnable heresy is dead wrong! Paul then stresses his PHYSICAL TRIBAL IDENTITY - he didn't dismiss it as unimportant. God must always have at least a chosen few physical Israelites to keep His Promise to our Fathers to be their God and the God of their literal descendants.

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

So, there is a remnant according to grace, not race. Who is that remnant comprised of?

Not so! The very example Paul used were ALL ISRAELITE. Why speak of a remnant except to refer to the relatively chosen few ISRAELITES who have not gone astray or been blinded? The remnant pertains to physical Israelites who are converted Israelites!

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

The election or remnant of physical ISRAELITES! Just like the vast majority of Jews rejected Jesus but a remnant of physical Jews remained faithful and formed the foundational Church of God in Jerusalem!

Rom 11:16
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree

While not the firstfruits, they are still holy because they are God's people.

It is converted physical Israelites who are the firstfruits, converted physical Israelites who are the roots, a converted physical Israelite olive tree that converted Gentiles can be grafted into! We are the Israelite Church of God, as Herbert W. Armstrong taught, and it is counterfeit Christianity that is a Gentile Church that seeks to replace physical Israelites in every way, physically and spiritually.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Blindness IN PART, a partial blindness among Jews and Israelites. I really don't understand why God had to blind any of our people, maybe you know? Why couldn't He just work with Gentiles and Israelites at the same time like He does in the Church? Ancient Israel always accepted Gentile converts and they weren't at the expense of any Israelites. I really don't understand this part of the mystery and pray to grasp it better!

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Back to physical Israel, showing their physical descent from Jacob-Israel remains important to God despite "spiritual Israel." Again, it's because of the covenant that God made with our Fathers. That's why the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" will be cut short - mainly for the ethnic election, the physical Israelites' sakes! not the spiritual Church of God alone.

Matthew 24:22
22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

Isaiah 1:9
9 Unless the LORD of hosts
Had left to us a very small remnant,
We would have become like Sodom,
We would have been made like Gomorrah.

Leviticus 26:44-45
44 Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God.
45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.'"

This GOOD NEWS is why the first chapter of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall is gladly called "Survival Guaranteed!"

Rom 11:28
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

Just like Elijah was opposed by most of his nation of Gentilized Israelites, and the 7,000 were the chosen few (COG - Cave of God), all physical Israelites, so most of the nation of Judah rejected My God Yah in the flesh except for the chosen few physical Israelites who became converted and were the Church of God in Judea! The election, the ethnic elect, the Chosen People, will finally respond to our calling to become a Kingdom of Priests, a Light to all Nations, so help us God! Hosanna in the Highest!

Rom 11: 30
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

This is the mystery I wrote of above that I would like to understand better.

As you stated, their time will come again, but I believe it is not now.

I agree that the vast majority of Joes and Jews are presently blinded, but I believe there are individuals with whom God is working, His Holy Spirit is WITH THEM (not yet in them, like with His disciples originally), as part of the process of national redemption, laying the groundwork, preparing the way, for when God chooses to call us all again into a COVENANT RELATIONSHIP with Him, like Gershon Salomon of the Temple Mount Faithful and other faithful Jews, exceptions, just like Simon and Anna.

Even as Herbert W. Armstrong taught the children of Worldwide Church of God members are SANCTIFIED (I Corinthians 7:14), so too are the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ezra 9:2). I believe this revelation needs to be better understood and taught in the congregations.

I love the Jewish people. I find them among the most bright, professional, and talented people in the world.

I know you do. I never doubted it. I also know that Judah offers the best and the worst in this world! We can either become "stars" (as the descendants of Abraham) or so much "dirt" (grains of sand).

May God bless klal Yisrael (all Israel/12 Tribes) to fulfill our incredible NATIONAL potential! (Isaiah 62:1-2, 6-7).

************

The English-Speaking Nations of White Israelites

The Plain Truth about the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel

Israel and Judah Must Get House in Order Before King Messiah Arrives

David Ben-Ariel's performance report

2009-07-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

June 2009 EzineArticles.com Performance Reports for David Ben-Ariel

Article Views:
June 2009
43,311

Lifetime
451,893

Top 3 Performing Articles (Lifetime):

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
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Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!
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The Plain Truth About The "Lost Ten Tribes" And Why You Need To Know
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Top 3 Performing Articles (June 2009):

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
June 2009 Views: 5,234

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The Covenant: God's Relationship to Jews, Israelites, and Gentiles
June 2009 Views: 3,436

The Declaration of Independence

2009-07-04T08:13:00.001-07:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776.
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION
OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WHEN, in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to the Separation.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, - that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. - Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.

HE has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
HE has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
HE has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People, unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyranny only.
HE has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.
HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.
HE has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining, in the mean Time, exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.
HE has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
HE has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
HE has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.
HE has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance.
HE has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the Consent of our Legislatures.
HE has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
HE has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
FOR quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:
FOR protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
FOR cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:
FOR imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
FOR depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:
FOR transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:
FOR abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule into these Colonies:
FOR taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
FOR suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.
HE has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection, and waging War against us.
HE has plundered our Seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.
HE is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with Circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.
HE has constrained our Fellow-Citizens, taken Captive on the high Seas, to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
HE has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes, and Conditions.

IN every Stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every Act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.
NOR have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them, from Time to Time, of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our Connexions and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of Consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the Rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

WE, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connexion between them and the State of Great-Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of Right do. And for the Support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honour.

John Hancock.
GEORGIA, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, Geo. Walton.
NORTH-CAROLINA, Wm. Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn.
SOUTH-CAROLINA, Edward Rutledge, Thos Heyward, junr. Thomas Lynch, junr. Arthur Middleton.
MARYLAND, Samuel Chase, Wm. Paca, Thos. Stone, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.
VIRGINIA, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Ths. Jefferson, Benja. Harrison, Thos. Nelson, jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton.
PENNSYLVANIA, Robt. Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benja. Franklin, John Morton, Geo. Clymer, Jas. Smith, Geo. Taylor, James Wilson, Geo. Ross.
DELAWARE, Caesar Rodney, Geo. Read.
NEW-YORK, Wm. Floyd, Phil. Livingston, Frank Lewis, Lewis Morris.
NEW-JERSEY, Richd. Stockton, Jno. Witherspoon, Fras. Hopkinson, John Hart, Abra. Clark.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE, Josiah Bartlett, Wm. Whipple, Matthew Thornton.
MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, Saml. Adams, John Adams, Robt. Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry.
RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE, &c. Step. Hopkins, William Ellery.
CONNECTICUT, Roger Sherman, Saml. Huntington, Wm. Williams, Oliver Wolcott.

Birth certificate issue heating up

2009-07-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

Why does Obama/Soetoro/Obama (if and when did he legally change his name?) pay expensive lawyers to keep America in the dark? Why has the apparent fraud and foreigner failed to be transparent with any of his records? President usurper Obama/Soetoro/Obama has failed to be transparent with his original (long form) birth certificate, school records, passport records and immigration records. Why, if he has nothing to hide? Clearly, Obama/Soetoro/Obama appears to be a shady character engaged in mass deception, disrespecting We The People, treating our Constitution with contempt, and hell-bent on destroying our Republic.

WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

It's a matter of life or death for the United States.

A concerned citizen,
David Ben-Ariel

www.davidbenariel.org

Germany in Iran

2009-06-24T05:53:00.001-07:00

Newsletter 2009/06/22
German-Foreign-Policy.com

In spite of explicit warnings, German organizations are trying to escalate the internal power struggles in Iran. The state-financed Deutsche Welle radio station is one of the foreign broadcasters, whose Farsi-language program is firing the protesters on, with hourly reports on reactions from the west. Party-affiliated foundations, including the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) -affiliated Friedrich Naumann Foundation are offering their partnership to those opposing the central structures of Iran's government. After initial hesitations, the German Foreign Ministry has also begun to openly intervene in the domestic affairs of a fellow UN member nation, making "demands" on the government of a sovereign country. Over the weekend, the chancellery also assumed the position of a challenging partisan in the Iranian domestic power struggles. German press organs are indulging in blood-lecherous anticipation of the "chaos in Teheran." Every intervention in the current power struggles is "highly detrimental," assessed Bahman Nirumand an expert on Iran. It makes the protest demonstrators appear to be "guided by the West, their leaders will be branded as collaborators." Indeed, the current support for the Iranian opposition is essentially motivated by foreign policy objectives. As long as the West had its Shah regime in power in Teheran, the Iranian movement for democracy was repressed, in a bloodbath, with western help.

Over the weekend representatives of the government in Berlin issued numerous statements intended to teach the Iranian government how to behave democratically. The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, in a colonial hegemonic manner. The Iranians are rejecting this interference and threatening to break diplomatic relations with Berlin. Still, German organizations close to the government are continuing unabated their activities, fanning domestic protests in Iran. Among the main perpetrators of foreign seditious propaganda are the official German foreign radio station, the Deutsche Welle and several German party-affiliated foundations....

Click here to continue

Manifest Destiny or confusion

2009-06-16T07:46:00.001-07:00

The Fallen Timbers Battle Monument is Mad!

"Mad" Anthony Wayne, a Kentucky militiaman and an American Indian
Maumee, Ohio

What a schizophrenic monument! Manifest Destiny decreed the White Israelites would triumph over the Beringian immigrants ("Indians") and they did. All things considered, every battle has winners and losers. Are we to expect battle monuments across our God-given nation that tells "both sides" of the story? What confusion!

The Fallen Timbers Battle Monument is mad! One side praises the White Settlers, another side memorializes the massacre of White Settlers, another side praises Indians who murdered White people and another side celebrates Pioneers who were able to move onward in peace (thanks to peace through strength).

If that's not dizzying enough, there's a nearby monument in memory of all the Indians who "gave their lives at this place" located next to the

TURKEY FOOT ROCK...

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David Ben-Ariel YouTube Videos!

2009-06-14T07:54:00.001-07:00

9602 views and counting!

Don't Give Up!
If you begin to cry out to God for help, even if it's only a whimper because you're so weak, He'll see and hear and respond. "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit... none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate" (Ps. 34:18, 22).
80 views

Beyond Babylon David Ben Ariel
Beyond Babylon - the little book with a big impact - is destined to become a national debate and an international controversy!
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Shimon Peres Rebuked!
Christian-Zionist David Ben-Ariel's strong response to Shimon Peres' weak AIPAC speech, condemning the lying peace process, collaboration with the Vatican and warning about UN Resolution 181 as the Final Solution!
253 views

Born Again: The Kingdom of God!
GOD IS REPRODUCING HIMSELF! That's the glorious Good News that Jesus boldly proclaimed! The Gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD announces the GOD KINGDOM: a Spirit-Born Kingdom of God-Beings! A Royal Family that we can enter (Rev. 3:21). A Divine Family that will administer God's Government throughout the universe and eternity (Isa. 9:7; Dan. 7:18).
114 views

I'm not a terrorist
Is David Ben-Ariel a terrorist? Did he try to blow up the mosques in Israel? Is that why he was deported from Israel? Or is he simply somebody who has been targeted for exposing the German-Vatican plot against Jerusalem and highlighting the Nazi Muslim occupation of the Temple Mount?
252 views

God and Gays
God and the Gays - What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality!
303 views

United States in Prophecy!
The United States is mentioned in the Bible! We're descendants from Joseph and are Joes. The Jews are from the tribe of Judah. We need to get away from counterfeit Christianity and back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and keep His Sabbath and biblical holy days.
317 views

Holocaust Hypocrisy!
Jews have failed to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and Israel proves it by permitting the German pope to pollute Jerusalem with his false peace proposals
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Warning Jews
Warning Jews about the pope's plans for Jerusalem: Rome's dream will become Jerusalem's NIGHTMARE
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Evil Eye
The Nazi pope aims to rip the heart out of Israel: Jerusalem!
510 views

Death to America
Death to the American, British and Jewish peoples? Concentration camps for YOUR family and friends? Why would God permit Europe to defeat and deport us? Does He really hate the abominations of Christmas and Easter that much?
677 views

Europe Nukes US!
Beyond Babylon warns we're going down & out because of our idolatry & immorality.
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Dead & Buried
If somebody tells you folks are up in Heaven, they don't know what they're talking about. The Bible reveals the biblical heroes are dead & buried, waiting for the return of Christ and their resurrection!
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Emperor Obama
Why has Obama FAILED to prove he's a natural born citizen? Shame on conservative cowards who have FAILED to demand proof! This is further proof America is under a curse
1,070 views

Pearly Gates
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth" - Matthew 5:5The New Jerusalem is coming down to EARTH - we don't go to Heaven!
454 views

A Household Word
The general public doesn't have a clue about the Gospel or the Ezekiel Warning Message! That woeful ignorance indicts the Church of God, since God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." And that same God warns about our responsibility to sound the alarm so British-Israelites and Jews, and repentant Gentiles, can seek shelter in Him and avert the imminent nuclear Holocaust.
321 views

Drunks and Whores
Many professing Christians remain in denial that traditional Catholics and Protestants are spiritual drunks and whores (intoxicated by Catholic concoctions), drug addicts (under the heavy influence of Rome); traditional Christians and Catholics are spiritual practicing homosexuals, REPROBATES having a perverse spiritual preference for tradition over truth, for abominable baptized paganism, counterfeit Christian holidays they've accepted (following Constantine, not Jesus Christ), falling for accursed Rome's replacement theology that would replace the biblical Sabbath and holy days and dietary laws (we are commanded to keep) with their idolatrous traditions and unclean doctrines of demons.
1,357 views

"I don't hate all black people"
Dealing with charges of racism and terrorism, David Ben-Ariel speaks out
2,407 views

British Israel

2009-06-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Joseph's Birthright and the Identity of Israel Today
The Global Financial Crisis
The EU-Babylon turns the screw on Britain
It is Jubilee Year for Alaska
Article Archive

Return to Zion?

2009-06-10T20:09:00.001-07:00

This month's issue of The Jewish Voice and Opinion magazine (June 2009) runs a full page ad describing the unjust deportation of David Ben-Ariel from Israel for highlighting the plight of the Temple Mount under Nazi Muslim occupation and for exposing the German-Vatican plot against Jerusalem.

A House of Prayer For All Peoples?
Jewish guards prevent Christians and Jews from exercising their religious right to pray on the Temple Mount? That's right! Only Muslims have unlimited access to Judaism's most holy site. Only the Koran is permitted within. The Tanach (Jewish Scripture, known to much of the world as the "Old Testament") and Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) are forbidden. Yet Israel claims to respect the religious rights of all people.

American Detained in Jerusalem's Russian Compound
Nobody arrested me. I was detained when I faithfully reported to the police office at 9 a.m. Monday morning, January 9, 1996 (day before my birthday) the day after The Jerusalem Post published on their front page an article shedding light on what they were doing in the dark: "GSS Seeks to Deport American Citizen for Plot to Blow Up Al Aksa Mosque."

Israel's Unjust Deportation of David Ben-Ariel
As a Christian-American member of the Temple Mount Faithful Movement, I had been privileged to participate in their legal demonstrations during my 10-month stay in Jerusalem awaiting dual citizenship. Israeli television often showed me with my Jewish friends carrying Israeli flags throughout the Old City.

All About Water Baptism by Herbert W. Armstrong

2009-06-09T16:39:00.003-07:00

ALL ABOUT WATER BAPTISM
by Herbert W. Armstrong
1948, 1954, 1972 edition

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ABOUT OUR COVER: The Jordan River at flood level near the Sea of Galilee. Jesus Christ was baptized in its swirling waters (Matt. 3:13-17).

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IS WATER baptism essential to salvation? What about the "thief on the cross"? Was he saved without it? What is the proper form, or mode -- sprinkling, pouring or immersion? Should babies and children be baptized? Suppose you were baptized by a minister you have since lost confidence in. Should you be baptized over again? Suppose you were baptized "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit]." Should you be baptized again "in the name of Jesus" only? Should one be baptized IMMEDIATELY, or only "after a six months' probation"? Must the ordinance be performed by an ordained minister?

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WE ARE saved by GRACE, and through FAITH -- make no mistake about that; but -- there are conditions!

And millions are being deceived, misled into thinking they are saved, when they are not!

People have been taught, falsely, that "Christ completed the Plan of Salvation on the Cross" -- when actually it was only begun there. The popular denominations have taught, "Just BELIEVE -- that's all there is to it; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are that instant saved!"

That teaching is false! And because of deception -- because the TRUE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ has been all but blotted out, lo these 1900 years by the preaching of a false gospel about the Person of Christ -- and often a false Christ at that -- millions today WORSHIP CHRIST -- and all in vain! "In vain do they worship me," said Jesus, "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7: 6-9).

Man is mortal. Man has no immortality inherent within himself. Christ Jesus, only, of all men who have lived, has immortality (I Tim. 6:16). The penalty of sin is DEATH -- the second, or eternal, death, from which there will be no resurrection. And ALL have sinned and come under this sentence. Only GOD has eternal life inherent in Himself (John 5:26) -- only GOD has eternal life to give. And as the Father has life in -- inherent in -- Himself, so has He given to the Son, Christ, to have immortal life inherent within Himself. And through Christ, God gives it to us (I John 5:11-12) -- and whoever has not Christ has not eternal life. Eternal life is a GIFT no man has until he receives it as GOD'S GIFT (Rom. 6:23).

The BLOOD of Christ does not finally save any man. The death of Christ merely paid the penalty of sin in our stead -- it wipes the slate clean of past sins -- it saves us merely from the DEATH PENALTY -- it removes that which separated us from God and reconciles us to God.

But we are SAVED -- that is, given immortal life -- by Christ's LIFE, not by His death (Rom. 5:10). Christ is a living Saviour! He is not dead -- He rose from the dead! We could never be saved by His blood alone, if He had not risen from the dead (I Cor. 15:17-18).

We are mortal, without immortal life inherent in us, under penalty of eternal DEATH from sin -- unless saved. To be saved, we must be born of God, who is a Spirit. We were born of human parents, and therefore we are human -- flesh -- dust -- of the earth, earthy (John 3:3, 6; Gen. 2:7; 3:19; I Cor. 15:47-49). To be born of God, we must, first, now in this life, receive the impregnating LIFE -- the Holy Spirit -- from God. We are then merely begotten, spiritually -- comparing to an unborn human babe still in its mother's womb -- not yet really BORN. We then become merely HEIRS of the Kingdom -- not yet inheritors.

Becoming converted means being CHANGED. When one receives the Holy Spirit of God, his whole viewpoint, his outlook, his purposes, goals, ways of thought -- everything -- becomes CHANGED! It is a renewing of the MIND -- the Spirit of a sound mind. But he is as yet merely begotten. And, as the unborn babe must be fed, through the mother, and must develop and grow physically before it can be born, so the converted human, now spiritually begotten, must be fed on the spiritual food of GOD'S WORD, and must GROW SPIRITUALLY -- must grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ as He reveals His knowledge through His Word (II Peter 3:18). He must OVERCOME the down-pull of his human nature and achieve self-discipline. He must learn PATIENCE, must grow in LOVE, FAITH, and UNDERSTANDING. He must do the WORKS of Christ; and, in this spiritual growth -- this life of active service -- he must ENDURE persecutions and afflictions and trials UNTO THE END.

It is only those who, during this Christian Spirit-begotten life, have grown in knowledge and grace, have overcome, have developed spiritually, done the works of Christ, and endured unto the end, who shall finally be given IMMORTALITY -- finally changed from mortal to IMMORTAL at the time of the second coming of Christ (I Cor. 15:53-54).

So, being, as we say, converted -- receiving the Holy Spirit of God -- is merely the beginning! Then begins a lifetime of LIVING under the GOVERNMENT OF GOD -- by God's laws which express His will, instead of by self-will and desire.

A PERSON IS NOT EVEN BEGOTTEN OF GOD UNLESS HE IS CHRIST'S (I John 5:12). AND HE IS NOT CHRIST'S UNLESS HE HAS RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT (Rom. 8:9). One is not even converted -- spiritually begotten- -not even STARTED on the way to final salvation, unless and until he RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM GOD! The question, then -- how to make the first BEGINNING of becoming a Christian -- how to START on the Christian life -- which leads to eternal life -- is how to thus be CHANGED and receive God's Holy Spirit!

"What Shall We Do?"

Notice the very beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15). Jesus said, "REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel." The very first words He proclaimed, at the very beginning of His Gospel, were to command the TWO CONDITIONS to becoming a Christian: REPENTANCE, and FAITH. Those are the two things we must do! Repentance is toward GOD. Faith is toward Christ. Repentance means to quit sinning, and sin is the transgression of God's spiritual LAW -- so repentance means to begin living according to God's Commandments! And Jesus said "believe the GOSPEL." And the GOSPEL is the Good News of the Kingdom of God -- which means GOVERNMENT of God, and government means obedience to LAWS, in this case God's laws, which express the will of God -- government by the WILL OF GOD, no longer by human self-will!

After Jesus had completed His earthly ministry, had paid the penalty of your sins, had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost.

Thousands were in Jerusalem for this festival. When the Spirit of God came upon -- and into -- the disciples that morning, thousands came in awe and wonder at the majestic spectacle. Peter then preached the first inspired sermon of this Christian dispensation. Thousands were convicted in their hearts. They realized their lost condition. They realized Christ was indeed Messiah -- SAVIOUR!

"What shall we do?" they cried out to Peter and the disciples. "HOW SHALL WE BE SAVED?"

Peter was now inspired. The answer came straight and direct!

"REPENT"! shouted the inspired Peter in great power, "AND BE BAPTIZED, EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"! (Acts 2:38.)

There are the conditions -- JUST TWO -- the same as Jesus gave them at the very beginning of His Gospel -- REPENT, and BELIEVE! For one cannot be rightly baptized except he believe (Acts 8:37). Baptism is an ordinance symbolizing FAITH in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Once these conditions are complied with, God stands bound by a PROMISE to put within the repentant believer HIS SPIRIT -- which means His LOVE, faith, understanding, gentleness and goodness, power, etc. -- His attitude of mind -- the Spirit of a sound mind -- His very LIFE -- the impregnation and begettal of eternal life, and the very character of God! The HOLY SPIRIT in one CHANGES one!

"For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children ... even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

WATER BAPTISM, THEN, IS A REQUIRED PART OF THE WAY OF SALVATION!

Jesus' Example!

Jesus in all things set us an example, that we should follow His steps. He was the example for Christian living for the individual, and also the living example for His called ministers (I Peter 2:21).

Jesus, though He had committed no sins to be remitted, was baptized, setting the example for us. You'll read of it in Matthew 3:13-17. In being baptized, Jesus was immersed in water (not sprinkled or poured upon) because "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water." Immediately the Spirit of God descended upon Him, in this case visibly, and a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God help us, that by His help, power, and grace, we may be enabled to live such overcoming lives that He may finally say the same of us!

Meaning of "In the Name of Jesus Christ"

Jesus also set the example for ministers. Did you know that Jesus baptized more disciples than John the Baptist?

Listen: "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized .... When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples) ... " (John 3:22 and 4:1-2).

There is an important meaning here. Actually Jesus did not do the physical work of baptizing these people Himself -- He had His disciples do it for Him! And what they did, by His authority and command, is attributed to Him! So it was considered as if Jesus Himself had baptized them.

Here is a most important truth. His disciples did the baptizing IN HIS NAME -- that is, in His stead -- they did it for Him, by His authority -- and that was considered just the same as if Jesus had actually done it Himself! In fact, the Holy Spirit actually inspired the direct statement that Jesus baptized more disciples than John. When, at His direction, and by His authority, His chosen disciples, chosen by Him, did it for Him, it is considered that JESUS did the baptizing. He did it, in other words, by and through His disciples!

To ask for anything in prayer, or to do or perform anything, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, is to ask or do it BY HIS AUTHORITY. It is to act for Him. To do it for Him, in His stead. It is acting as if by power of attorney to act FOR Him. It implies He has delegated that authority to us. And indeed He has! For we are commanded to do all things IN THE NAME OF CHRIST!

Jesus Commanded Baptism

Keep in mind the clear picture of the true GOSPEL. The true Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Message which GOD SENT to the world, and Christ was the divine Messenger who brought and proclaimed it. It was not primarily a Message about Himself, but about the Kingdom -- the GOVERNMENT -- of God. Jesus devoted three-and-a-half years to teaching this Message to His twelve apostles.

After His resurrection, Jesus gave them the final GOSPEL COMMISSION for this age, and in it He commanded baptism as an obligatory ordinance for this Gospel dispensation:

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach THE GOSPEL" (the Message God sent and Christ proclaimed) "TO EVERY CREATURE. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). Note these points: The GOSPEL to be preached was not the present-day message ABOUT the Person of Christ, but the Message He brought and preached -- the Good News of the GOVERNMENT of God. What is it necessary to BELIEVE to be saved? That which is preached -- the GOSPEL! When even the preachers today do away with God's LAW, and therefore the government (Kingdom) of God -- for there can be no government without law -- they deny that which must be believed to be saved -- and their followers cannot be saved, but are deceived! And, also, it is "he that is baptized" that shall be saved. It's part of the divine Commission -- a required ordinance for salvation!

Notice Matthew's version of the Great Commission:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... " surely the disciples were to teach these nations that which Jesus had taught them -- the Message God had sent Him to deliver and proclaim to the world -- the Good News of the government of God -- a Message that has not been preached for 1800 years or more! "... Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20).

Here again, in the final Great Commission for preaching the Gospel in this age, Christ commanded BAPTISM. And here He specifically stated "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]."

In Name of Jesus Only

Since some today are being baptized over again "in the name of Jesus ONLY" in order to eliminate the Father, and the Holy Spirit, this should be considered here. The contention of these people is that this passage in Matthew 28:19 is the only place in the Bible where the names of the Father and the Holy Spirit are commanded. They argue that a thing must be established "in the mouth of two or more witnesses," and since they claim there is but this one witness to this command, it must be rejected. All other passages mention only the name of Jesus.

The explanation is that two or more witnesses are required only in the case of HUMAN testimony -- where one accuses another. That instruction does not apply to the divine Witness, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to assume it does is surely close to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! On the contrary, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ...." And, THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN! If you can break, disprove, reject, or throw out this one scripture, you can reject all the rest!

In this passage, the word translated "in" should properly be translated "into." The meaning, then, is that repentant believers are baptized INTO God the Father, and into Christ the Son, and into the Holy Spirit. But the one who plunges the new believer under the water performs the act IN THE NAME OF -- that is, by authority of, JESUS CHRIST. Why? Because Jesus said "ALL POWER" -- and that includes all authority -- "is given unto me in heaven and in earth." He has ALL authority! Either we do it by His authority, or else we are doing it without any authority.

New Testament Ordinance

The apostles understood this as a divine Commission and Command. They carried it out. They always baptized repentant believers.

The first inspired sermon after the Holy Spirit came to convert Peter and the apostles was mentioned above. Peter commanded all to repent, and to be baptized.

And "they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them ... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:5, 12).

Some, who do not believe in water baptism, may say this baptism was not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. But later, when the apostles sent Peter and John down to these people at Samaria, they, "when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (verses 15-16).

None of them had been as yet baptized with the Holy Spirit -- yet they already were baptized. Since they had not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, obviously they had been baptized in water.

Baptism Definitely Commanded

As Peter preached the first inspired sermon after the coming of the Holy Spirit, and commanded baptism -- to the Jews in Jerusalem, so God sent Peter also to first preach the Gospel to the Gentiles ten years later. It was at the house of a very devout Gentile, Cornelius. But devout though he was, he did not understand -- did not have saving KNOWLEDGE. He knew no better than to fall down at Peter's feet and worship him, a mere man. God had sent Peter to instruct him.

Peter preached to Cornelius' family, "The word which God sent" -- the Message God sent by Jesus Christ as Messenger. And "while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word" (Acts 10:44). In verse 45 it is termed "the gift of the Holy Spirit." The word "ALSO" indicates the same "baptism" with the Holy Spirit as Peter and the apostles had received. In Acts 11:15-17 it is plainly described as the SAME "baptism" with the Holy Spirit the apostles had received. Now these had received the "baptism" with the Spirit.

"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid WATER, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:46-48).

Here is a definite inspired COMMAND to be baptized in WATER.

Immersion, Sprinkling, or Pouring?

As in all other points of doctrine, the churches today are in utmost confusion -- some practicing pouring, some sprinkling, some immersing. Some say it makes no difference. Those who sprinkle usually apply it to children.

The word "baptize" is not an English word. It is a Greek word. The New Testament was written in the Greek language. In translating it into English, the translators left this Greek word untranslated. Literally, in the Greek, the word is "baptizo". The definition of this word is "IMMERSE." It means to plunge into, put into, dip. It does not mean "to sprinkle" or "to pour." The Greek word for "sprinkle" is "rantidzo", and "to pour" is "cheo" in Greek. The Holy Spirit did not inspire the use of these words, but baptizo, meaning IMMERSE, PUT INTO.

Therefore sprinkling or pouring IS NOT BAPTIZING!

When one understands the meaning of the words inspired, it is silly to talk about "which form or mode of baptizing shall we use -- sprinkling, pouring, or immersing?" It is as ridiculous as to ask which form of IMMERSING shall we use -- sprinkling, pouring, or immersing? Or as to ask "which form or mode of skiing shall we use -- swimming, ice-skating, or skiing?" Swimming and ice-skating are not skiing. Sprinkling and pouring are not baptizing.

John baptized around about Aenon near Jerusalem, "because there was much water there" (John 3:23). He would have needed only a cupful to sprinkle, or a pitcherful to pour -- but baptizing required "MUCH WATER" in a river. Also this verse indicates John baptized the subject with much water, not by pouring a cupful of water on the subject.

Jesus set us an example -- there was no other purpose in His baptism -- and He was put down into the water, for He went up OUT OF the water. Both Philip and the eunuch went down INTO the water (Acts 8:38). There was no reason whatever for Philip to go actually into the water, except for the reason there was no other way he could plunge the eunuch INTO the river. They came up out of the water (verse 39).

The Meaning of Baptism

Baptism is a BURIAL, and a RISING from a grave. Notice Colossians 2:12. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are RISEN with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Neither sprinkling nor pouring is a burial, and one rises up out of neither. They do not picture the symbolic meaning of baptism, and therefore are meaningless.

When one is plunged INTO the water, he is in a watery grave. He would not live ten minutes unless brought up out of the water -- unless RISEN from this watery grave. Therefore a person immersed in water is in a literal grave.

Notice further: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Rom. 6:3-5).

There is the beautiful symbolism -- the real meaning of baptism.

It pictures, in symbol, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

But it is a DUAL picture, as all things in God's Plan are DUAL in operation. It also pictures the crucifixion of the old self (verses 6-7), or of the sinning life, the burial of this sinning self, and the coming up out of this watery grave, symbolic of a CHANGED person resurrected to a new, righteous, spiritual life in Christ Jesus.

Going down into the water pictures the DEATH of Christ, and of the old self.

Burial in the water pictures the BURIAL of Christ, and of the old self.

Coming up out of the water pictures Christ's RESURRECTION, and a spiritually resurrected person walking henceforth "in newness of life."

Water baptism is the ordinance ordained of Christ by which we express our FAITH in Christ as Saviour -- our ACCEPTANCE of His death, burial, and resurrection for us, and our repentance of the old life and burial of it, rising to new and higher life henceforth. It is a beautiful ordinance, full of meaning!

Not Baptized Into a Denomination

Notice carefully, too -- we are "BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST" (verse 3, above), or, as Jesus expressed it in Matthew 28:19, into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- NOT INTO SOME CHURCH ORGANIZATION OR DENOMINATION.

In many sectarian churches today the minister will refuse to baptize one except into his church -- his group or organization of human beings. That is not proper baptism. We are to be baptized into the DIVINE FAMILY -- the family of God. And it is to be done "in the name" -- by the authority -- of Jesus Christ.

Baptism has degenerated in many churches into a rite or ceremony of entrance into the fellowship of that sectarian organization -- nothing more than a rite by which one joins a lodge or social club!

Note well these facts: One may "join" a lodge, social club, or organized group of MEN (and most churches today have degenerated into social societies). But ONE CANNOT JOIN THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD! You cannot GET in of your own accord! No, GOD MUST PUT YOU IN -- no man can do it -- you cannot do it yourself!

How does one gain entrance into the true CHURCH? "By ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into [PUT INTO] one body" -- the Body of Christ, the true Church of God. "Baptize" means "PUT INTO." When we receive the Holy Spirit of God to change us -- to make us as new creatures in Christ -- it is the impregnation of eternal LIFE from God. It is the very life-germ from God the FATHER. It is the Spirit of sonship whereby we become HIS CHILDREN, and may call Him "FATHER" (Rom. 8:14-15). The CHURCH OF GOD is the Household of God- -composed of GOD'S CHILDREN. We do not become His children until begotten of Him -- until we receive His Spirit -- His Nature -- His Life. When we receive His Spirit, therefore, we are automatically PUT INTO His family -- HIS CHURCH! Joining one of the social clubs called churches does not put one into GOD'S Church!

Now water baptism is a required CONDITION to receiving the Holy Spirit. At Samaria, and again at Ephesus, they did not receive the Holy Spirit until after they were baptized in water (Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-6). True, at Cornelius' house they did receive the Holy Spirit, and thereby were baptized BY the Spirit into the CHURCH before water baptism -- but Peter immediately commanded water baptism. This was a rare exception to the rule.

BUT THERE IS NO PROMISE THAT ANYONE WILL RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL BAPTIZED IN WATER -- even though God in His wisdom and love may on rare occasions make an exception. The command is, "Repent, and be baptized" -- and THEN "ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

The Thief on the Cross

Is baptism essential? How about the "thief on the cross"?

The answer is, GOD COMMANDS WATER BAPTISM. The water baptism is not the thing that saves us. While it is commanded "for the remission of sins," yet it is merely symbolic of that which remits our sins -- the DEATH OF CHRIST. While also it pictures His resurrection, by which we are finally SAVED, it is merely the symbol, not the reality.

The true explanation is that the "thief on the cross" was unable to be baptized. And since baptism is not the thing which saves us from the death penalty, makes us righteous, or imparts eternal life, he did not lose salvation because of circumstances out of his control. God makes allowance for such cases.

But God commands water baptism; and for one WHO IS ABLE to either defy the command and refuse, or neglect, or even put off obedience to this command until too late, certainly would be an act of disobedience which would impose the PENALTY of sin, and cause loss of salvation.

You need not worry about the thief on the cross -- or one utterly UNABLE to be baptized. You need be MUCH concerned, however -- you who are able -- about obedience to the command. It is essential to salvation inasmuch as God commands it, and noncompliance is disobedience which would mean loss of salvation.

How Long Should We Wait?

This brings us to the question -- how soon must we be baptized?

One or two denominations insist it be put off until the candidate has PROVED HIMSELF -- has proved he has the Holy Spirit and is living a righteous spiritual life -- or has come to certain spiritual KNOWLEDGE. One denomination will not baptize people until they come to "see" and accept God's LAW, and many of this denomination's doctrines, and usually there is a six-months' probation period.

Paul says God's Law "IS SPIRITUAL," and that the carnal (unconverted) mind is not subject to the Law and CANNOT be (Rom. 7:14 and 8:7). The order of God is: 1st) preach the Gospel, leading to a conviction of sin in the hearts of those God calls, leading to REPENTANCE and FAITH in Christ; 2nd) BAPTISM; and 3rd) they shall receive the HOLY SPIRIT, which renews their minds, teaches them, reveals spiritual truth. Since one cannot spiritually understand God's spiritual Law or spiritual things UNTIL he receives the Holy Spirit, and he must be baptized before he has a promise of the Holy Spirit, he should be baptized first. EVERYONE knows he has sinned, and lived contrary to God's will, though he may not have spiritual understanding of God's will. God can grant repentance to a carnal mind before the conversion of that mind. One does not need a spiritual college education in Bible knowledge to repent and be baptized into Christ. Jesus' order of events was, 1st) PREACH THE GOSPEL, 2nd) BAPTIZE repentant believers, 3rd) TEACH THEM THE COMMANDMENTS (Matt. 28:19-20).

Therefore, how long should baptism be put off?

The answer is, just as soon as one has been convicted in his heart of his past sins and sinful life -- just as soon as one realizes his own way of life has been WRONG, and becomes sick and tired of it, and turns from his own ways and wants to find GOD'S WAYS and live them, truly REPENTS of his past life of sins, and BELIEVES in and ACCEPTS Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, and the One whom he must obey henceforth, and WANTS TO TURN TO THE CHANGED, DIFFERENT, NEW AND HAPPY LIFE OF FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, and to become a child of God -- then that person should be baptized IMMEDIATELY if possible -- and if this is not possible, then AS SOON as a true servant of God is available to perform the baptism.

Baptism Should Never Be Delayed

It might be neglected until too late! In every case recounted in the New Testament, repentant believers were baptized IMMEDIATELY.

On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 were baptized THAT SAME DAY. Philip baptized the eunuch AT ONCE. God sent Ananias to baptize Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, the apostle. Immediately on meeting him, Ananias said: "And now WHY TARRIEST THOU? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Paul baptized the Philippian jailer and those in his house "the same hour of the night" -- and it was after midnight (Acts 16:33). They did not even wait until daylight!

Should Children Be Baptized?

One cannot be baptized until after he has fully REPENTED. Only those who BELIEVE, both the true GOSPEL (the Message Jesus preached, which is the Kingdom, or Government of God) and on JESUS CHRIST as personal Saviour, can be baptized (see Acts 2:38; 8:37; 16:31).

Children have not reached that maturity where they have the self-discipline to truly repent, and believe. I am thinking of instances in which children, 8 to 12 years old, were baptized by others against my objections and protests, and without exception, those children soon became more unruly, more disobedient, more sinful, than before.

When some Samaritans repented at Philip's preaching, "they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:12). Only the adults were mature enough to be ready for baptism.

The average mind does not mature until about age 25 -- though there are often exceptions. Some few mature and become sober and serious in life outlook by 16, or on rare occasions, even younger.

An immature mind may experience an emotional feeling of temporary remorse, and this may be falsely construed as REPENTANCE when it is only momentary, soon forgotten. It is like "puppy-love." How many teenagers, 13 to 17, have a number of temporary emotional experiences of feeling sure they are "in love." Of course they themselves feel sure of it, and cannot be talked out of it. Usually they grow out of it, but in rare cases, of course, they may really "know their minds" -- though this is the rare exception, not the rule. So with repentance and belief.

The child who is baptized may be ever so serious about it at the time. But when that child grows older, he or she undergoes an entirely new experience in life -- comes under "teen-age" influences which are quite different today than one or two generations ago -- must meet many temptations peculiar to energetic, dynamic, restless, excitement-craving youth in the blooming flower of sex- appeal. Experience shows not one in perhaps a hundred can be truly "converted" prior to this age and REMAIN converted, and constantly GROWING SPIRITUALLY, closer and closer to Christ and His Kingdom, through these trying years.

There can be no set rule about the proper age for baptism. It is almost impossible to be ABSOLUTELY SURE about young people under 21 or 25 -- and especially under 18 -- and unless POSITIVELY SURE that such a one has really repented of self-will, self-desire, and the ways of this world, such a one should be encouraged to live according to God's Word, but refrain from baptism until SURE. John the Baptist insisted on candidates bringing forth "fruits meet for repentance" -- or PROVING their repentance by THE FRUITS in their lives.

Youngsters should let a few years of such fruits PROVE their repentance and permanent sincerity and earnestness. Adults should be baptized IMMEDIATELY, or as soon as possible, on real repentance and faith.

In the case of some awaiting baptism among our radio listeners and readers, unable to find a man of God qualified to baptize them, this very necessity forces them to wait until we can send them a minister. Where NECESSITY prevents immediate baptism, in such cases, or like the thief on the cross, God understands and makes allowance. But avoid all unnecessary delay.

[The Worldwide Church of God has many ministers throughout the United States and British Common-wealth of nations. Few should have any real difficulty in locating a true servant of God.]

Must Baptism Be Administered Only by Ordained Ministers?

Finally, who is authorized to administer baptism?

Must the repentant believer be baptized ONLY by an ordained minister? How much depends upon the goodness, or belief, or spirituality of the man who performs the ordinance?

First, let us look to the example of Jesus; next, to the instructions of Christ; and then, to the teaching and practice in the early New Testament Church.

Was Jesus Himself an "ordained minister" -- that is, ordained and approved by one of the popular denominations around Him? No, He was despised and rejected of them -- opposed, persecuted, belittled as a non-conformist. And He baptized more disciples than John. Even John was not recognized, ordained, or sponsored in any way by any popular group or church. He was in their sight a rank outsider.

Actually, as pointed out earlier, Jesus Himself immersed no one with His own physical hands -- His disciples did it for Him, by His authority. And right there is the point which answers the whole question. The one qualified to do the immersing must always perform it IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST -- which means by His authority, acting for Christ as His disciple.

The principle is that IT IS CHRIST WHO IS BAPTIZING YOU. The man who puts you under the water is merely performing this physical act for Christ, in His stead. You are not to look to the human man, further than to conscientiously try to go to one you honestly feel is a man of God, called of Christ, and used of Him in the work of His true Church. And if later he turns the wrong way, your salvation does not depend on that man or any other mortal man, BUT SOLELY UPON CHRIST! There is no cause to be baptized again by another man.

Always there is the chance that you may be deceived in the man you believe qualified to act for Christ in the act of baptism. If it depended upon this man, you would have to have divine powers of reading minds and hearts to be sure. You might have to be immersed fifty times before you could be absolutely sure of the man who did it -- and even then you could be mistaken. Just be as careful as you can, as God gives you to see, in the man who acts for Christ in baptizing you -- and then DO NOT LOOK AT THE MAN -- LOOK AT CHRIST -- consider that it is CHRIST who is baptizing you, by and through a human instrument. And even if the instrument turns out to be imperfect, remember all humans are imperfect, and it was done for, and in the name of the only One who ever was perfect. And since it was in reality done BY CHRIST, it should never be done over by another.

Who Should Baptize?

Now back to the example of Christ. In His own earthly ministry, He had this immersing performed for Him by His disciples. At that time they were not even converted -- had not yet received the Holy Spirit- -for the Holy Spirit was not yet given (John 7:39) because Jesus had not yet ascended to heaven to send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7), which first came to enter within and convert these disciples on the day of Pentecost.

Peter was their leader, and even after this baptizing, Peter denied Jesus three times. If you had been baptized by Peter in Christ's name, would you, on learning of his denial of Jesus, be baptized over again?

These men, who baptized for Jesus when He was with them in person, were not ordained ministers -- were not recognized by any popular church -- were merely STUDENTS of Jesus at the time, being taught, not yet prepared to be sent out as His apostles and His ministers. And the indications are they were young men, perhaps not yet old enough to be made preachers or evangelists. They were not perfect, not even converted (Luke 22:32).

Consider now Christ's teaching. Those who go forth teaching, or preaching, His Gospel (most popular denominations preach a different gospel) are the ones He commanded and commissioned to do the baptizing (Matt. 28:19-20).

Consider the example of the inspired early Church. Philip was not an apostle, or a regular minister, but merely a deacon commissioned by the Church only to perform physical acts, such as waiting on tables (Acts 6:2-5). Yet he went down to Samaria and preached Christ and His Kingdom, and the people who believed were baptized (Acts 8:5-6, 12). The text does not even state that Philip did the baptizing -- he may have had some of his new converts do it.

If you study the New Testament on the point, you will see it does not appear to attach great importance as to which man puts the believer under the water, since it is considered by the one baptized that CHRIST does it. The Holy Spirit sent Philip later to baptize the eunuch (Acts 8:26-39).

However, notice that the one performing the baptism ceremony was a representative (though not necessarily an ordained minister) of the true Church of God in every New Testament case. This was the Church Jesus founded (Matthew 16:18).

Paul Baptized Few

Consider, finally, Paul's example and teaching.

The Corinthian Church was having a contention as to which man they would follow. At Corinth some wanted to follow Paul and start a church with him at the head -- others wanted to follow Peter; others, Apollos.

"Is Christ divided?" asked Paul of them (I Cor. 1:13). "Was PAUL crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (I Cor. 1: 13-17).

Notice, PAUL BAPTIZED VERY FEW. He had others -- perhaps among them a few lay members who were not ordained ministers at all -- do it for Christ. He was the called minister by whom Christ carried the Gospel to the Gentiles -- through whom CHRIST as head of the Church ruled the churches which had been raised up by the preaching of Paul and the young men he taught and sent out under his direction. Paul did not consider it important or essential that he, personally, baptize all those being converted under the ministry God carried on through his supervision. "Christ sent me not to baptize," he said. Paul had other ordained ministers and helpers do the baptizing for him -- UNDER HIS DIRECTION.

Some, today, being converted under the ministry God is carrying on through the supervision of Herbert W. Armstrong seem to think it important that Herbert W. Armstrong baptize them. But, as in the days of Paul, there is danger lest people get to looking too much to the person or the human instrument God is using, INSTEAD OF LOOKING TO CHRIST, THE HEAD OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD.

And so, as Paul did, we today sometimes have other consecrated and dedicated non-ordained men do the baptizing. It is done IN THE NAME OF CHRIST -- it is really CHRIST doing it, through human instrumentality. A man does it merely as a servant, or instrument of Christ -- just as performing a service, never to his own credit or glory or honor.

Baptizing Counsel

The Worldwide Church of God has dedicated, consecrated, converted, ordained MINISTERS (and assistants) in all parts of the world -- available to call on you, visit in your home, answer your questions about repentance and baptism, explain the Bible to you -- IF YOU request it.

These men are all fully instructed and trained in the ordinance of baptism. Of course, they will not urge you to be baptized. God has made every human a free moral agent. God compels each to make his own decisions, and the true God will never force you to be converted.

However, if you of your own volition desire personal counsel about repentance and baptism, why not request a private appointment with one of God's ministers? We may be able to have one call on you quite soon. And let me suggest that you JOT DOWN on paper THE QUESTIONS you are going to want to ask. I've learned, personally, by more than 46 years' experience, that you'll forget them unless you do.

Hundreds and hundreds -- yes, thousands upon thousands -- are being converted -- their lives changed -- by this Work of God, through The WORLD TOMORROW broadcast, The PLAIN TRUTH magazine, the Ambassador College Correspondence Course, and through the ministry of the Worldwide Church of God.

Some, not realizing one of God's own called and consecrated ministers could call and explain, answer questions, and even baptize, have JOINED one of the churches of this world. You cannot JOIN the true Church of God -- the Almighty God puts you in.

But if you have questions about fellowship, doctrines or practice, repentance and baptism -- or any questions about the Bible, or the Christian life, write me. I cannot call and visit with you personally any more (as I used to do and wish I still could), but God has now given me many truly called and chosen men who CAN.

Weigh carefully the FACTS, according to your own BIBLE. Then make your decision and take what steps GOD shows you.

ADDITIONAL READING

And now you should read these booklets: "This Is the Worldwide Church of God", "Just What Is the Church?", "What Is a Real Christian?" and "Just What Do You Mean -- the Unpardonable Sin?"

David Ben-Ariel

2009-06-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Europe Playing With Jerusalem's Fire
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] To get a glaring glimpse of the increasingly murderous hatred, bigotry and disgusting bias against Jews and Israelis regarding the biblical city of Jerusalem (the fact Jerusalem is mentioned over 600 times in the Jewish Bible and not even once in the Koran speaks volumes), woeful ignorance at best, read this putrid portion of the EUOBSERVER document on Jerusalem: EU heads of mission report on East Jerusalem.

Will Obama Remain Aloof Or Open Up His Sealed Records?
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] It's apparent Obama dropped the hot potato of Jeremiah Wright to win the election, aided and abetted by ACORN, conservative cowards and massive foreign aid (unaccounted for and much of it undoubtedly illegal), but most importantly: Obama has failed to prove he is a natural born citizen.

God-Given Names
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Bible records many incidents where God has named folks before they were born. Other places God changed the names of some and it's written that all will receive a new name. Why?

Of Baptists and Mormons
[Self-Improvement:Spirituality] They reminded of those old dolls or toys where you pull the string and they have several recorded messages, like - "I love you!" When I broke their spell, they were at a loss and confused, the truth didn't compute with their traditional way of thinking.

The Watchmen
[News-and-Society:Religion] God won't leave Himself without a defense team, in fact He's preparing Two Witnesses to take the stand before a "World Court." They'll testify from Jerusalem about Germany's domination of Europe, about the Vatican's growing influence and sway over the European monarchs and masses, the cause and effect of the American, British and Jewish peoples' decline and defeat before "the New Europe," and what the final verdict of "Jacob's Trial" will be. The testimony of the Two Witnesses will be solidly based upon Israel's Bible and history.

Overcome in Christ Daily
[News-and-Society:Religion] Pardon is not permission. Mercy is not approval.

Will The Pope Act Like Belshazzar Or Cyrus?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Anything looted by the Romans during the destruction of the Temple and the razing of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. (Common Era), would have become the property by default to the Roman Catholic Church. Undoubtedly some things were melted down, but others of great importance - like the Menorah - would have been treasured and kept, just like the former Babylonians had plenty that God saw to it was returned to Jerusalem (where they belong) when the Persians came to power.

Mankind Hides From God
[News-and-Society:Religion] Mankind can't handle God's awesome presence and freaks out and hide themselves from Him whenever He does touch base with us. And they [Adam and Eve] heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC
[Travel-and-Leisure] Sunday my friend Roger and I were blessed to visit Arlington National Cemetery and see the John F. Kennedy memorial, Arlington House (the Robert E. Lee Memorial), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (with the changing of the guard ceremony), and then cross the Potomac River to Washington, D.C. that is in full bloom with its Cherry Blossom Festival. Considering all the foreigners, I told Roger, "It's a great day to be an American!" and was happy to be able to visit our historic sites that Americans have seen all our life in books and pictures or on television or in movies.

Traditional Christianity's Misinterpretation of Peter's Vision
[News-and-Society:Religion] Acts 10:28 - Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any MAN common or unclean."

Anglican Leader Soft On Islam, Hard On US
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Archbishop of Canterbury had nothing but criticism for the US and Christian Zionism, while being interviewed by an Muslim magazine. Anglican scam artist Rowan Williams continues to deceive and mislead the masses, pretending to be Christian while preaching his self-righteous and idolatrous ideas. What a shame that Rowan Williams doesn't base his beliefs upon the Bible, which explains why he finds Christian Zionist views as "very strange, and not at all easy to accept."

Synagogue of Satan
[News-and-Society:Religion] "Christian Identity" often teaches today's Jews are Jewish imposters. Is that what Jesus meant when He referred to the "synagogue of Satan"?

Why Israel Will Survive a Nuclear Holocaust
[News-and-Society:Religion] Two Witnesses in Jerusalem will testify before a world court and captive audience that divine intervention is on the way.

Mt. Zion Under Siege - Who Will Be King of the Mountain
[News-and-Society:Politics] The German-built Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion (next to the yeshiva) is an exact replica of the German Church that crowned emperors: Charlemagne's Aachen Cathedral.

God Save the Sons of Princess Diana!
[News-and-Society:Religion] God saved King David's descendants when Jerusalem fell and will spare some when London falls.

The EU is a German Ruse
[News-and-Society:Politics] Germany is intent on recreating Europe in its image.

Avishai Raviv - Eyal - and Yitzhak Rabin
[News-and-Society:Politics] Why hasn't Avishai Raviv been charged as an accessory to the murder of Yitzhak Rabin? Why does the Israeli government fear to reopen the Rabin assassination file?

International Opposition to Jerusalem's Liberation
[News-and-Society:Religion] Soon international opposition to Jerusalem will melt away and be history!

Israel's Only Way Out: Follow Kahane!
[News-and-Society:Politics] The Israelis have tried every way but the right way for peace.

Major Upheaval in Israel?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Will an EARTHQUAKE shake Israel to its foundations and rock the world? Would the destruction of the Western/Wailing Wall and the demolition of the "Dome of the Rock" and Al-Aksa mosques—by an ACT OF GOD—serve further notice that it's time to build the Temple?

Don't Expel Jews from Gaza!
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Many of us begged President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not to enforce Judenrein policies in the Jewish homeland of Israel. They woefully ignored Scripture and despised sanity and rewarded terrorism and refused to stop their evil plans to expel Jews rather than sworn Arab enemies.

Christians Reject "Palestine" for the Promised Land of Israel
[News-and-Society:Religion] "They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more'" (Psalms 83:4).

Peace Now: Arabs and Jews Must Go Their Separate Ways
[News-and-Society:Religion] For a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, all the Jews and Arabs must do is honor their Father Abraham's example and do as he did.

Jews-the Beast and False Prophet-and Rome's Destruction
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why are the False Prophet and the Beast still together after Rome's destruction?

No Jewish Leader to Save Israel?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Is every Israeli leader bought and paid for by Catholic Europe?

Grand Master Turns Up The Heat On Jerusalem; Trouble Brewing In The North
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Vatican is intensifying its efforts to acquire Jerusalem by any means necessary.

Catholic Europe in Vogue?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Will Germany and the Vatican revive the "Holy Roman Empire?" Are the Europeans about to restore the power and influence of their respective Royals? In Rome's mind, only an IMPERIAL RESTORATION can save mankind! That explains why the present pontiff has proclaimed that he's on a mission from God to unite Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals. How? By remodeling Europe after the grand design of the "Holy Roman Empire."

Jews to Receive Jesus as Israel's King!
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 will lead the Jews to King Messiah

Hitler Will Judge Us!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Hitler's Nazi Germany will rise up in judgment against our hypocritical nations!

Arnold's Office Refuses to Comment
[News-and-Society:Politics] Was Arnold born to rule? If he can't have America will he settle for Europe? What's the big secret?

Miriam Weiss: Holocaust Survivor and Kibbutz Mother
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Miriam Weiss of Ramat Yohanan is my kibbutz mother. Miriam said that she had dyed her hair blond to look as Aryan as could be and wore a widow's veil and that the Nazi guards at the Warsaw Ghetto made a comment about how young she was to already be a widow. Later when another place was found for Miriam, she said her mother was so happy for her to get out but it was the last time she saw her and Miriam attributes her survival to her mother's prayers. Miriam said her mother was sent to Treblinka where she died, but a letter from Henia Seidman...

Is The Plain Truth Too Strong?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Is the truth too tough to handle?

Woe to Ariel! (Jerusalem to suffer EU occupation)
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Vatican increases pressure to obtain Jerusalem from the Jews... The most merciful God of Jacob-Israel resurrected the nation of Israel from the graveyard of history and offered us a new opportunity to fulfill our unique calling to become a model nation, a kingdom of priests, a light to all nations, based upon the Law and the Prophets. Yet secular ...

The Temple of God in Holy Jerusalem
[News-and-Society:Religion] Jerusalem remains holy after Jesus' death and resurrection and the Third Temple about to be built in Jerusalem is the Temple of God

Stephen Flurry and The Philadelphia Church of God
[Book-Reviews:Spirituality-Religion] Herbert W. Armstrong perceived a Work of God that must be done and yet it remains woefully neglected by those who profess to follow him

Princess Diana, a Dream, and King David's Dynasty
[News-and-Society:Religion] Does the British Royal Family know they're descendants of King David?

"Lakota" Speaks With A Forked Tongue
[News-and-Society:Religion] Exchange between a Mayflower Pilgrim descendant and "Lakota"

Thanksgiving: Attitude of Gratitude Expressed in Loving Obedience
[News-and-Society:Religion] The United States has been blessed by our Great Creator God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel. Do we show our appreciation?

Restore Israeli Sovereignty Over the Temple Mount
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why does Israel enable Muslim religious discrimination against Jews and Christians daily?

Do You Prefer TRADITION Over Truth?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Do you prefer the plain truth or popular error?

Will God Curse Our Countries for Christmas?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Does God still hate pagan holidays even if they're dressed in the drag of traditional Christianity?

Israel's Betrayal of the Jews
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why should Jews blame others when they are their own worst enemy?

South African Traitor Sells Story
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Eddie Daniels went to Robben Island for sabotage operations - not because he was some harmless philosopher.

Don't Fall for the Rapture!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Many traditional ideas are based upon biblical misunderstandings

Yom Kippur at Sdot Yam
[News-and-Society:Religion] A Christian kibbutz volunteer reflects on life during the Day of Atonement

Israel and Judah Must Get House in Order Before King Messiah Arrives
[News-and-Society:Religion] Neither British Israelites or Jews are perfect before God.

Politics in the Church of God Prevents Progress
[News-and-Society:Religion] Gerald Flurry required to read and distribute Beyond Babylon to go forward

Bavarian Pope Entrusts Germany To Lead Europe, Others Wary Of The Grand Inquisitor[News-and-Society:Religion] Will Germany lead Europe back to the future?

Death to the American, British & Jewish Peoples?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Bittersweet message ignites a national debate and international controversy

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Do Jews represent all 12 Tribes of Israel? Are the Anglo-Saxons Israelite in origin? Are Jews merely Khazar converts?

Germany to Take the EU Bull by the Horns
[News-and-Society:Politics] Germany prepares for more than the EU presidency

British-Israelites and Jews in Grave Danger
[News-and-Society:Religion] We have been suffering the consequences of sin and such divine punishment will only intensify and escalate, as we demand, to drive the message home (Daniel 9:11).

Vatican Envoy Bares Teeth Against Christian Zionists
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Vatican again exposes its inherent hostility towards Jews and Israel

Christian Zionists, Jews, and Israel
[News-and-Society:Religion] Understanding the unique relationship between Christian Zionists, Jews and Israel

Black to Africa (Facing the Crisis in Black America)
[News-and-Society:Politics] What is wrong with Black America? The African-American community is not only facing a crisis, they are in a crisis!

Diversity Demands: Segregate Now!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Hasn't our Great Creator God decreed designated borders for diverse nations to succeed?

John Mervin: Risingsun, Ohio Pioneer
[Home-and-Family] My great-great grandfather John Mervin sailed from England to America and helped settle the Black Swamp of Ohio.

God Save Us From Islam and Europe!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Israel is on the frontlines of the "war against terrorism," but can the Jews save the world?

Tony Blair's Speech Concedes Defeat
[News-and-Society:Politics] Tony Blair should have called for an Anglo-Israeli alliance to defeat our sworn enemies.

Ehud Olmert Playing with German Fire
[News-and-Society:Politics] Ehud Olmert endangers Israeli and American security.

Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why should Jews be forbidden to pray at Judaism's holiest site?

The German-EU Grows Restless Over Mideast Crisis
[News-and-Society:Religion] Europe's rapid response to jihad will be a NEW CRUSADE.

Is Germany in Danger of Backsliding?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Germany's "conversion" from Nazism to democracy was forced on it by the victors of WWII.

Jesus Upheld Jewish Dietary Laws!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Who said the biblical dietary laws have been done away?

Did Jesus Call Jews Children of the Devil?
[News-and-Society:Religion] "Doubtless you are our Father, though Abraham's unaware of us and Israel doesn't acknowledge us: You, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer; your Name is from eternity" (Isa. 63:16).

Pope John Paul II Was No Saint
[News-and-Society:Religion] Beware Roman wolves in sheep's clothing!

FBI on the Fourth of July!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Today, ironically July 4th, 2 FBI agents knocked on my door and said they wanted to question me.

Born Again and Heaven and Hell
[News-and-Society:Religion] If you're not born again before you die, will you spend eternity in hell?

God and the Gays - Make Up Your Mind (Part 6)
[News-and-Society:Religion] We can make things easier or more difficult for ourselves. Either you're totally convinced God's way is right and worth living, or you're not sure and continually ride the fence and risk rupture; tormenting yourself and sending out conflicting signals and confusing signs.

God and the Gays - Of Vice and Men (Part 4)
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Bible reveals that two of men's biggest problems are LUST and PRIDE (1 John 2:16). They go hand in hand, and are like a dog chasing its tail: a vicious cycle.

God and the Gays - Once Gay, Always Gay? (Part 3)
[News-and-Society:Religion] There isn't any sin too great, or problem deep-rooted, or mind that's scarred, that Christ can't reach or touch or heal (Ps. 139:7-12; Mat. 15:30). If we accept the Bible as the literal Word of God, and believe that God says what He means and means what He says, then we can't escape the fact that God expressly forbids any premarital or extramarital sex.

God and the Gays - All that Glitters isn't Gold (Part 2)
[News-and-Society:Religion] Are "gay" people really so happy? Or just putting on a front?

God and the Gays - To Be or Not to Be (Part 1)
[News-and-Society:Religion] Homosexuality.... Is it a matter of choice? Are some born that way? And if so, then how could God condemn it? Or does He? Does it make a difference?

God and the Gays - A Time to Heal (Part 5)
[News-and-Society:Religion] Old habits and ways of thinking can be replaced. New habits and ways of doing things can become ingrained. The divine nature can begin to replace our human nature, because God can and does heal minds and bodies!

Germany's Fourth Reich Spreads Its Wings Over the World
[News-and-Society:Religion] Germany's Fourth Reich is forming with partnerships around the globe, its Assyrian eagle looking both East and West as its talons are determined to clutch countries as prey and enslave all to their system.

Israeli Jews could Learn from Christian Zionists
[News-and-Society:Religion] Further exchange between an Israeli who voted for the defeatist Kadima party of criminals and a staunch Christian Zionist.

The Plain Truth about Herbert W. Armstrong & the Worldwide Church of God
[News-and-Society:Religion] Setting the record straight about the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong.

Yeshua is the Suffering Servant
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Jewish Nation is not the Suffering Servant.

Israeli Sheeple & Nazi-Muslims
[News-and-Society:Politics] An exchange between an Israeli who voted for the defeatist Kadima party of fools, and a staunch American Christian-Zionist.

Hostility Against "Jewish Holidays" to be History!
[News-and-Society:Religion] The "Jewish holidays" will be kept by the whole world under King Messiah. The biblical holy days aren't just for Jews any more!

Shimon Peres has No Clothes: Where's the Peace?
[News-and-Society:Politics] Shimon Peres has misled the Israelis to fall for a deadly peace, even over the dead body of Yitzhak Rabin.

The Toledo Blade Hides Behind "Palestinian" Children
[News-and-Society:Politics] The Toledo Blade continues to bash Israel, aiding and abetting terrorism.

David Pack & the Restored Church of God
[News-and-Society:Religion] How David Pack (formerly of the Global Church of God), Pastor General of the Restored Church of God, misled me to gain members.

German-American Israelites?
[News-and-Society] "Born German, Made American" by Nicholas Kumanoff in The Atlantic Times, reveals how "to prove their patriotism, immigrants abandoned their old identities." Following "a virulent anti-German sentiment" that spread to several states, German language classes in school were banned, German books burned in the streets, frankfurters became hot dogs and sauerkraut became "liberty cabbage." Anyone with a German name was suspect and subject to harassment.

The Great Mideast Commission: Reaching the Cities of Judah
[News-and-Society:Religion] God says, and His apostle taught, we are to share the GOOD NEWS WITH JUDAH. None of the Church of God congregations have done this! What are we waiting for?

Life is a Trek: Do You Know Where You're Going to?
[Travel-and-Leisure] "Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it" - especially when you're off hitch-hiking thru Europe or South Africa or launching some new expedition of sorts.

May 1: Illegal Immigration Day Defused!
[News-and-Society:Politics] May the CURSE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION comes to its swift end (Daniel 9:11).

Herbert W Armstrong and Worldwide Church of God Mentioned in Israeli Newspaper
[News-and-Society:Religion] An Israeli newspaper ran a favorable article about a Worldwide Church of God member serving as a volunteer at Kibbutz Ramat Yohanan near Haifa.

Shimon Peres Charged with the Murder of Yitzhak Rabin?
[News-and-Society:Politics] The Justice for Rabin Coalition charges the Israeli authorities with a massive cover-up of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination.

Daniel Pipes: Can the Leopard Change Its Spots?
[News-and-Society:Politics] That some "Mideast experts" mislead folks to trust in Nazi-Muslims to renounce their vows of genocide against the Jews, their phased destruction of the Jewish homeland by any means possible, is utterly insane and treacherous.

The Economist Assaults Jerusalem
[News-and-Society:Religion] Doesn't the Economist know that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel? Doesn't the Economist know that Israel is the Jewish homeland? Doesn't it stand to reason, then, that the capital of the Jewish homeland should be a large Jewish city?

Joseph Isn't Jewish!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Do you know the difference between Joseph and Judah?

The Passover Memorial
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Passover is both a memorial and a feast (Ex. 12:14). The PASSOVER MEMORIAL is the FIRST of the seven days of unleavened bread (not eight), and the FIRST of God's seven holy days that portray His plan of salvation for all mankind.

Stop Welfare for "Palestinian" Terrorists!
[News-and-Society:Politics] Why in the world did the European Union and the United States ever start sending WELFARE CHECKS TO SWORN ARAB ENEMIES?

Christian Cannibals?
[News-and-Society:Religion] The apostle Paul warned about Christian cannibalism: "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another" (Galatians 5:15).

AntiChrist to Mislead more Christians than Jews
[News-and-Society:Religion] AntiChrist to mislead more Christians than Jews pretending to be "god in the flesh."

Kadima Wins, Israel Loses!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Kadima is a bought and paid for political party serving foreign interests, alien powers out to dismantle the Jewish homeland and destroy Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem.

Pravda and Orthodox Russia: Father, Forgive Them
[News-and-Society:Religion] Some men and nations would rather die than repent. That's how serious the poison of anti-Semitism is, because their brutal hatred blinds them to the fact that Jesus is a Jew, salvation is of the Jews, and that God has ordained converted Jews will lead in the world tomorrow under Christ, instructing the other tribes about Torah.

Bird flu: Europe to slaughter Israel!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Israel is to be slaughtered by the Europeans. They've let the European fox into the chickencoop.

Blow Up the Mosques or an Expired Visa?
[News-and-Society:Politics] Disinformation abounds that I was involved in a plot to blow up the mosque in Jerusalem. The plain truth defuses such nonsense and highlights the plight of the Temple Mount under Nazi-Muslim occupation.

Europe Misses the Mark - Will It Return as the Sign of the Cross?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Europe needs a figurehead and symbols to rally around. Will the pope soon present them with both?

Muslims Reject Moses and Jesus for Mohammad
[News-and-Society:Religion] Muslims profess to accept Moses and believe in Jesus. However, the evidence says otherwise.

Two Witnesses in Jerusalem
[News-and-Society:Religion] "The whole world will soon know about the two witnesses. They will not be welcome by this world." Will they be welcome by the Church of God?

The Work of God Must Go Forward!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Herbert Armstrong preached the gospel around the world. Now we must go forward and warn the world like they've never been warned before.

Jerusalem's Fall, Division and Liberation
[News-and-Society:Religion] Europe will defeat Iran with their eyes on Jerusalem and tear its heart in two.

Purim: Rescind the Kahane Terrorist Classification!
[News-and-Society:Politics] The State Department's rash terrorist classification of Kahane discredits the United States and rewards terrorism. It's past time to right the wrong!

Europe to Take Out Iran for Jerusalem
[News-and-Society:Politics] Jerusalem is in danger of becoming the capital of Europe's Crusader Kingdom. The German-Jesuit EU will defeat Iran for Jerusalem.

Israel, Iran, and Purim
[News-and-Society:Religion] Death threats against Jews ultimately backfire as Purim teaches. Iran would do well to heed or suffer the consequences.

Misguided Mankind Requires Divine Deliverance; Extraterrestrial Intervention
[News-and-Society:Religion] Mankind will bring themselves to the point of no return, of facing extinction, unless there's divine intervention to save us from ourselves.

Kadima train to Auschwitz borders: Don't get on board!
[News-and-Society:Politics] Ehud Olmert leads the Israeli political party of Kadima that threatens to drive Israel to self-destruction and Auschwitz borders. May the Kadima train get stopped before it leaves the station!

Bavarian Pope to Sweep Europe Off Its Feet?
[News-and-Society:Religion] The German pope triggers "a wave of new faith among young people, especially the youth in Germany and Europe." Will it sweep Europe off its feet? Will the EU fall for this political pope?

Ariel Sharon: From Zionist to Traitor
[News-and-Society:Politics] Ariel Sharon sold out to foreign interests and brutally betrayed those who brought him to power.

Israel's Chief Rabbi Invites Foreign Occupation
[News-and-Society:Religion] UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE! Israel's Ashkenazi chief rabbi, Yonah Metzger, has met with the Dalai Lama of Tibet (an alleged Buddhist god) and Metzger "suggested that representatives of the world's religions establish a United Nations in Jerusalem, representing religions instead of nations, like the UN currently based in New York. "Instead of planning for nuclear war and buying tanks and fighter jets, it will invest in peace," Israel National News reports.

Toledo, Islam, and Terrorists
[News-and-Society] Homeland Security agents in Toledo, Ohio have arrested and indicted three local Arab Muslims this past week on terrorism charges, making international news.

Moving Day in Gaza?!
[News-and-Society:Politics] A reality-based editorial title for the terror unleashed against 8,000 Israeli men, women and children (simply because they are Jews), would be "Ethnic cleansing in Gaza," "Gaza to be made Judenrein," or "Sharon sells out Israel for foreign interests."

Is a World Dictator About to Appear?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Will the pope exploit the European backlash against Islamofascists and call for a strong man to defend Europe? Hasn't Germany been the traditional "Defender of the Faith?"

Free Speech Under Attack in Israel
[News-and-Society:Religion] Nadia Matar indicted! Is this further proof that Freedom of Speech, and legitimate discussion is forbidden in Israeli-style democracy?

Bible Prophecy States EU to Form Core Group
[News-and-Society:Religion] Ten nations in Europe will be the engine of the European Union, driven by Germany and the Vatican.

Fighting Spiritual Depression
[Self-Improvement:Spirituality] Are you discouraged? Feeling down and out? Wondering why you should even bother trying to live the Christian life anymore, especially since you seem such a failure?

Europe Swings Both Ways
[News-and-Society:Religion] Europe swings. Hardcore proof: the EU overwhelmingly passed a resolution last month against "Homophobia in Europe."

Robert Novak: Useful Idiot for Catholic Schemes?
[News-and-Society:Politics] This is just another opportunity for the bloody Roman Catholic Church to get involved and exploit feigned interest for traditional "Christians" to further demand UN/EU occupation of the Jewish homeland.

UN to Punish "Blasphemers?"
[News-and-Society:Politics] Muslims are demanding Christian Western civilization submit to their Muslim law and abuse their recent violence as a pretext to create UN texts against blasphemy!

A Higher Calling: Quest for the Kingdom of God
[News-and-Society:Religion] Truly this spiritual journey is the adventure of a lifetime! It's a daily quest for God's Kingdom and righteousness, living and learning, so help us God.

Bavarian Pope to Pump Life into EU Body
[News-and-Society:Religion] Watch for the Bavarian pope to provide leadership and stack the EU deck in the Roman Catholic Church's favor.

The Book of Daniel, Islam, and Europe
[News-and-Society:Religion] Is "Eurabia" dead now since Europe is beginning to suffer from the Islamofascists?

Will the Atlantic Times Address the German Threat?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Congratulations to The Atlantic Times on its first-anniversary issue! As reported by "This week in Germany," the English-language paper was launched "to stop the drifting apart of Europe and America, and especially Germany and America...

Straight Talk about David and Jonathan
[Relationships:Sexuality] Go watch "My Fair Lady" and understand the question, "Why can't a woman be more like a man?" Wasn't a homosexual question.

Scarlet Letter: A Christian With AIDS
[News-and-Society:Religion] I was diagnosed with HIV in 1999 and it's since progressed on into AIDS.

How Adam & Eve Reflect the Kingdom of God!
[News-and-Society:Religion] "In the day that Elohim (Gods) created man, in the likeness of God made He HIM; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name ADAM."

EU to Conquer Anglo-Saxons and Jews
[News-and-Society:Religion] Israeli leaders have often sold out their land and people to foreign interests, bloating their personal bank accounts at Israel's expense, encouraged by America, and both will fall before the European Union.

Germany Behind the Mask: Monster or Marshmallow?[News-and-Society:Politics] "So long as we wear the mask, we remain hidden and continue to conceal the situation from ourselves.”

PCG: Carrying on "Business as Usual"
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Philadelphia Church of God wastes time and money on buildings that will soon be abandoned and left desolate, just like our country, instead of taking the warning message seriously and getting the Word out about the danger the German-EU poses to our peoples.

Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem![News-and-Society:Religion] Different Jewish groups and organizations prepare to construct the Third Temple upon the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Why?

Does God Heal Today?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Can a Christian take medicines and still have faith to be healed?

Abortion: Blood of Innocents (Jeremiah 7:31)
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] The cult of Choice is the worst symptom evident in society of the Hellenist disease. It sacrifices children upon the hedonistic altars of convenience and irresponsibility in an immoral and idolatrous way.

Raymond McNair Rejects God's Government
[News-and-Society:Religion] Jesus clearly stated that the Pharisees "sit in Moses' Seat" and yet some continue to follow the blind dates of the Sadducees. Why?

The Oracles of God
[News-and-Society:Religion] God has charged the Jews alone to preserve His Word. Which Jews?

Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent
[News-and-Society:Religion] SPIRITUAL HOMOSEXUALS, the bloody Roman Catholic whore and her Protestant prostitute daughters (Rev. 17:5), prefer their perverted and idolatrous, manmade doctrines, over the Word of God and his holy commandments.

Sorcerer-Pope to Bewitch Europe and Mislead the Masses!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Biblical prophecy reveals the pope is about to get more political and invoke supernatural forces to help get the Vatican's man elected over all Europe.

An Open Letter to President Bush
[News-and-Society:Religion] How can a professing Christian dare endanger the United States and the Promised Land of Israel?

Chocolate Continent Awaits the Great Black Return!
[News-and-Society:Politics] Why can the mayor of New Orleans say some things that are true, being realistic, that racists (seeing only the color of the skin of the one pointing out such obvious facts) would accuse others of being a racist for daring to state?

Martin Luther King Day?
[News-and-Society:Politics] If we're to be judged by the content of our character rather than the color of our skin, why continue to demand quotas and curves and tolerate such racist organizations as the NAACP?

Brokeback Mountain Blues
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Movies-TV] Brokeback Mountain forcibly brings all these tumultuous thoughts, tormenting conflicts of interest and personal struggles to the surface, surging like lava from a volcano, which I'm now wrestling with and pouring out for others to consider.

Replacement Theology Refuted!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Has God rejected Israel and Judah for the Church? Has the physical been superseded by the spiritual?

Will Yitzhak Rabin's "Bloody Shirt" Defeat Shimon Peres Again?
[News-and-Society:Politics] "Around the time of the primaries, the Labor hacks waved the bloody shirt of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995."

The Intelligence Summit Misses the Mark: the German-Jesuit Threat to World Peace
[News-and-Society:Politics] While the international intelligence community focuses on Islamofascist threats, the hard core EU Catholics prepare to take the whole world by surprise.

Ariel Sharon - Return to the Temple Mount!
[News-and-Society:Religion] The whole world shook when Ariel Sharon walked on the Temple Mount. What if he returned there a changed man?

The Rapture or Place of Safety?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why assume the rapture is biblical? Will God protect some and let others suffer? Can't God watch out for us on Earth?

The Covenant: God's Relationship to Jews, Israelites, and Gentiles
[News-and-Society:Religion] Are the Jews cut off from God? Is Israel divorced? Where do Gentiles belong in God's plan of salvation?

Aryan Nations to be Deported by Germany!
[News-and-Society:Religion] What a twist of fate that the Aryan Nations' German savior will become their destroyer! The Anglo-Saxons and Jews will also get stomped by the German-EU jackboot for increasingly looking to the Beast like silly doves (about to get devoured) instead of to God.

Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Part 1)
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Worldwide Church of God under Herbert Armstrong taught they were the Philadelphia era mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Who now leads Laodicea? Will they repent before the Great Tribulation?

Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion)
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Worldwide Church of God under Herbert Armstrong taught they were the Philadelphia era mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Who now leads Laodicea? Will they repent before the Great Tribulation?

Europe's Bitter Roots
[News-and-Society:Religion] Pope John Paul II called upon Europe to rediscover their roots. Will this Bavarian pope see to it that they do? Will Germany again become "Protector of Europe?"

When Caesar Plays God: When the State Oversteps Its Bounds
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why was Jesus crucified? Was He guilty of sedition? Was Jesus a dangerous individual?

Passover and Pentecost Differences Settled!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why do we differ on dates for Passover and Pentecost? Is it because our Father God left us in the dark? Has the God of law and order left us in chaos and confusion? Are we unable to "prove all things" from the Scriptures?

The Sabbath
[News-and-Society:Religion] Did God create the Sabbath only for the Jews? Did Jesus reject the seventh day for Sunday? Why so much religious confusion? Why will some lose their lives over this biblical issue?

Jewish Holidays are Biblical Festivals For God's Church!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Did God authorize Herbert W. Armstrong to determine when the holy days are to be kept? Did Jesus Christ reject the Jews and decide God's Church would now be the custodian of His sacred calendar?

Sneak Preview of the Kingdom of God!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why do many preach going to Heaven when the Bible teaches we're to pray "Thy Kingdom Come?" What will we look like in the Resurrection? And what is the Kingdom of God?

The Plain Truth about Easter
[News-and-Society:Religion] Who said to celebrate Easter? Why did the early Church keep Passover? Is Easter pagan? What would Jesus do?

The Suffering Servant
[News-and-Society:Religion] Are the Jews God's Suffering Servant? How about Jesus? Why not both?

Conflict in Jerusalem
[News-and-Society:Politics] Political demonstrations, religious questions, Jerusalem's future, Arabs and Jews and American involvement....

CAPAI: Christians Against Proselytizing Among Israel
[News-and-Society:Religion] Jews don't want Christians preaching in Israel, so why should Jews preach in America? Doesn't Judaism command Jews move to Israel?

Death to America: Our Lack of Will?
[News-and-Society:Politics] America has the power but what about the will? Will we prove to be our own worst enemy?

Death to America: Major American Cities Targeted By Terrorists?
[News-and-Society:Religion] It's only a matter of time before another terrorist attack occurs. What have we done with this grace period? Could God permit such acts to bring us to our knees?

Man Questions Whether We'll Be Angelic Or Divine
[News-and-Society:Religion] Were Adam and Eve more than human? Are we to become like the angels or something greater? What does the Bible really say?

The REAL JESUS Can't Return Until
[News-and-Society:Religion] Who said Jesus can return any second? Are there certain things that must happen first? What does Bible prophecy say?

Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Was Herbert W. Armstrong right or wrong? What about all his predictions? Did he teach the plain truth of the Bible?

Christmas is About Giving - SAYS WHO?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why exchange gifts? Why go into debt? Is December 25th even Jesus' birthday?

Call for Anglo-Israeli Alliance
[News-and-Society:Politics] Are we waging a war of attrition? If we're fighting a war against terrorism, let's win it!

Worldwide Church of God All Over Again?
[News-and-Society:Religion] After the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, the Worldwide Church of God was betrayed by wolves in sheep's clothing. Were any lessons learned? Can we honestly say, "Never Again?"

Katrina is Only the Eve of Destruction!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Could Katrina only be the beginning? Is our Creator trying to get our attention? What's next?

The Secret Nazis Covet the Temple Mount
[News-and-Society:Religion] The Nazis merely went underground and put on suits and ties. Why are most Americans ignorant of a declassified US document that exposes German plans to try again?

Mama Evans
[News-and-Society:Religion] Mama Evans used to say "a little love goes a long way," "they need love the most who deserve it the least," and "tears purify the soul."

Sheik Palazzi and the Apostle Paul
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why does the stubborn stigma against Paul continue to this day? Did he teach against Judaism? Were his accusers deceitful?

The Pharisees
[News-and-Society:Religion] Who isn't aware of the sins of the Pharisees? Did Jesus have nothing but condemnation for them? You might be surprised.

Should Christians Judge?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why can everybody but Christians judge? Is it against the Christian religion? Who preaches such a stifling message?

Kingdom of God-Beings to Rule Earth from Jerusalem!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why do folks imagine they're going to Heaven? Why pray "thy Kingdom come?" We await the Second Coming of Christ to Earth. He's to reign upon the Throne of David in Jerusalem.

Where's the Temple on the Temple Mount?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Will the Jews soon build the Temple in Jerusalem? Are the occupying mosques about to be history? What about Hanukkah?

American Detained in Jerusalem's Russian Compound
[News-and-Society:Politics] A rotting prison built by the Turks 500 years ago, a cell filled with 21 prisoners made for ten and enough bedbugs for everybody.

Ohio Mosque Promotes Murder!
[News-and-Society:Religion] How an innocent visit to our local mosque turned out to be an eye-opening experience. If religious leaders can't be trusted, how can there ever be peace?

Paint Israel Black: Jews to Lose Jerusalem!
[News-and-Society:Religion] With Israel's rejection of their 1967 miracle, how can God continue to bless them with freedom? Have Israeli leaders sold out to EU interests? Will Jerusalem be forcibly divided?

Dangerous Ideas?
[News-and-Society:Politics] The dream of a Jewish homeland was once mocked and scorned. Now some fear talk about the Third Temple in Jerusalem. Why? After all, isn't it the Temple Mount?

The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11
[News-and-Society:Religion] Will two witnesses, two prophets, literally face the nations from Jerusalem? What is their message? Why are they murdered? When are they resurrected?

The Plain Truth About The "Lost Ten Tribes" And Why You Need To Know
[News-and-Society:Religion] Has God revealed where the "Lost Ten Tribes" are today? Does it matter? Are they in Africa or India or Europe? What does biblical prophecy teach?

Israel's Unjust Deportation of David Ben-Ariel
[News-and-Society:Politics] Why did the American government turn a blind eye to injustice against an American citizen? How long will Israel engage in politico-religious persecution against Christians and Jews?

Israel Work History (Worldwide Church of God)
[News-and-Society:Religion] Herbert W. Armstrong reached the leaders of Israel, but what about your average Israeli citizen? Did the Gospel begin again in Galilee after 2,000 years?

Why I No Longer Celebrate Christmas
[News-and-Society:Religion] Should Christians celebrate Christmas? Can a pagan holiday be converted? Does it matter what God thinks?

David Ben-Ariel Faces the Aryan Nations
[News-and-Society:Religion] Are all white supremacist groups alike? Is everybody who believes in the Israelite origins of the West a racist? Are Jews really Jews?

Race Matters
[News-and-Society:Religion] Is interracial marriage wrong? Did God intend for the races to be separate? Did God divide the nations to preserve distinct family ties?

God's One Government Has Two Branches!
[News-and-Society:Religion] How do Christians temper the Law of Moses with the Sermon on the Mount? What belongs to Ceasar and what belongs to God?

Was Herbert Armstrong Elijah?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Many believe that someone in the power and spirit of Elijah will appear before the return of Jesus Christ. Was Herbert W. Armstrong that man?

Aid for Africa?
[News-and-Society:Politics] Why is Africa still such a basket-case? Why hasn't Western aid lifted the Dark Continent from its abyss?

Black Mark on Toledo
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Why didn't Toledo just ignore the Nazis? Why did the riots preach the best sermon ever for them? Why did the police permit anarchy in the streets?

Two Witnesses to Testify in Jerusalem Against Europe!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Who will stand up to the Beast and False Prophet? Who will offer hope and comfort to Israel's captive audience?

The Vatican Must Return the Temple Treasures!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Many expect the Jews will soon build the Third Temple in Jerusalem, long foretold by the Prophets. Will the Vatican return the Temple treasures to Jerusalem that Rome plundered? Will the pope offer this gesture of reconciliation?

Jews Should Follow Judaism to Israel!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Such a great influx of American Jews into Eretz Israel could help sweep away the suicidal peace process and restore Israel to its right mind!

The Church of God Must Warn the World!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Aren't Christians to reach out to the world? Should Christians explain the biblical significance of what's going on in the world or leave folks in the dark? Shouldn't we warn about the Beast and False Prophet or is that too political?

A Jewish Homeland
[News-and-Society:Religion] Weren't the Jews prophesied to return to Israel? Are the Jews ethnic Jews or merely converts? How should Israel treat their resident Arabs? Why does the world focus on Jerusalem?

Born Again: The Kingdom of God!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Is God reproducing Himself? What is Christian conversion all about? What does it mean to be born again? Has traditional Christianity "toned down" our incredible human potential?

Onward Christian Soldiers!
[News-and-Society:Religion] Was Jesus a pacifist? Should all Christians be conscientous objectors? What about self-defense? Wasn't King David, the warrior, a man after God's own heart?

A House of Prayer for All Peoples?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why does Israel tolerate religious discrimination? Why are non-Muslims illegally barred from praying or reading the Bible upon the Temple Mount? Isn't the Temple Mount Judaism's holiest site?

UN Resolution 181: Blueprint of the Beast?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Could the groundwork have been laid decades ago for the dreadful appearance of the biblical BEAST? Isn't the "Anti-Christ" going to wield both political and spiritual powers? Could a gentle but firm person deceive the nations into imposing his peace plan upon the Middle East to save the whole world from nuclear catastrophe?

Why Edward Abington, Jr. Must be Investigated!
[News-and-Society:Politics] Former Consul General in Jerusalem, Edward Abington, Jr., is now a multi-million dollar counsel to the Palestinian Authority in Washington, D.C.? This raises serious questions about whether or not Edward Abington, Jr. was already on their payroll during his time in Israel. Why did Edward Abington, Jr. ignore the plight of an American citizen in a Jerusalem jail that he knew was innocent?

From Toledo To Jerusalem
[News-and-Society:Religion] Why would anybody want to leave the United States to live throughout Israel, even during Operation Desert Storm, who isn't Jewish? Why did such an individual get deported from Israel when he didn't commit any crime? Will Israel lift the entry ban against him?

Separation of Church and State? Says Who?
[News-and-Society:Religion] Should Christians keep their religion out of the public place and save it for their homes or religious services? Should Christians hold office or fight in wars or support those who do?

Don't give up!

2009-06-02T13:59:00.001-07:00

Don't Give Up!
If you begin to cry out to God for help, even if it's only a whimper because you're so weak, He'll see and hear and respond. "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit... none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate" (Ps. 34:18, 22).

Overcome in Christ Daily
GOOD NEWS: Yeshua is able to break the bonds of sin and set free those who are slaves, saving us from both sin's eternal death penalty and delivering us from the sin. Some deny this POWER and only want the pardon but the Throne of Grace offers both.

http://www.davidbenariel.org

Bloody Roman Catholic Church!

2009-05-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

*ROME'S PERSECUTION OF THE BIBLE AND BIBLE BELIEVERS*

By: David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service

The following is excerpted from the book ROME AND THE BIBLE: TRACING THE HISTORY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ITS PERSECUTION OF THE BIBLE AND OF BIBLE BELIEVERS. To our knowledge, this is the first history ever published which details the Roman Catholic Church's relationship to the Bible from the first millennium to the present. The book could also be titled "The Bible through the Centuries." The author has spent thousands of dollars obtaining rare documents relevant to this history (such as a 1641 edition of Foxe's unabridged Acts and Monuments) and researched the topic in important theological libraries in Canada, America, England, and Ireland. The book covers the Roman Catholic Inquisition from the 11th to the 19th centuries, particularly the role played by the Inquisition to keep translations of the Bible out of the hands of the common people. It contains the history of ancient separated Christians, including the Waldensians and the Lollards. It gives the history of the English Bible from John Wycliffe to William Tyndale, and the history of the Spanish, German, French, and Italian Bibles. It contains amazing biographies of royal queens who loved the Bible. It gives the
decade-by-decade details of papal condemnations of 19th-century Bible societies and of Roman Catholic persecution in the 19th century. It describes the 20th-century phenomenon of Rome changing tactics and joining hands with the Bible societies. It documents the similarities between the Latin Vulgate and the modern versions. It answers the question: Has the Roman Catholic Church changed? The book contains 95 illustrations from rare out-of-print books. Dr. Ian Paisley, Martyrs Memorial Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland, commended us for Rome and the Bible and showed us his copy in which he had written the following words: "Brother Cloud is not beclouded!"
_________________________

During the period when the Roman Catholic Church was in power, she did everything she could to keep the Bible out of the hands of the common people. It was illegal to translate the Bible into the common languages, even though most people could not read the official Catholic Bible because it was in Latin, a language known only to the highly educated. Consider some of the laws Rome made against Bible translation. These began to be made in the 13th century and were in effect through the 19th.

(1) In the year 1215 Pope Innocent III issued a law commanding "that they shall be seized for trial and penalties, WHO ENGAGE IN THE TRANSLATION OF THE SACRED VOLUMES, or who hold secret conventicles, or who assume the office of preaching without the authority of their superiors; against whom process shall be commenced, without any permission of appeal" (J.P. Callender, Illustrations of Popery, 1838, p. 387). Innocent "declared that as by the old law, the beast touching the holy mount was to be stoned to death, so simple and uneducated men were not to touch the Bible or venture to preach its doctrines" (Schaff, History of the Christian Church, VI, p. 723).

(2) The Council of Toulouse (1229) FORBADE THE LAITY TO POSSESS OR READ THE VERNACULAR TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE (Allix, Ecclesiastical History, II, p. 213). This council ordered that the bishops should appoint in each parish "one priest and two or three laics, who should engage upon oath to make a rigorous search after all heretics and their abettors, and for this purpose should visit every house from the garret to the cellar, together with all subterraneous places where they might conceal themselves" (Thomas M'Crie, History of the Reformation in Spain, 1856, p. 82). They also searched for the illegal Bibles.

(3) The Council of Tarragona (1234) "ORDERED ALL VERNACULAR VERSIONS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE BISHOP TO BE BURNED" (Paris Simms, Bible from the Beginning, p. 1929, 162).

(4) In 1483 the infamous Inquisitor General Thomas Torquemada began his reign of terror as head of the Spanish Inquisition; King Ferdinand and his queen "PROHIBITED ALL, UNDER THE SEVEREST PAINS, FROM TRANSLATING THE SACRED SCRIPTURE INTO THE VULGAR TONGUES, OR FROM USING IT WHEN TRANSLATED BY OTHERS" (M'Crie, p. 192). For more than three centuries the Bible in the common tongue was a forbidden book in Spain and multitudes of copies perished in the flames, together with those who cherished them.

(5) In England, too, laws were passed by the Catholic authorities against vernacular Bibles. The Constitutions of Thomas Arundel, issued in 1408 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, made this brash demand: "WE THEREFORE DECREE AND ORDAIN THAT NO MAN SHALL, HEREAFTER, BY HIS OWN AUTHORITY, TRANSLATE ANY TEXT OF THE SCRIPTURE INTO ENGLISH, OR ANY OTHER TONGUE, by way of a book, libel, or treatise, now lately set forth in the time of John Wyckliff, or since, or hereafter to be set forth, in part of in whole, privily or apertly, upon pain of greater excommunication, until the said translation be allowed by the ordinary of the place, or, if the case so require, by the council provincial" (John Eadie, The English Bible, vol. 1, 1876, p. 89). Consider Arundel's estimation of the man who gave the English speaking people their first Bible: "This pestilential and most wretched John Wycliffe of damnable
memory, a child of the old devil, and himself a child or pupil of Anti-Christ, who while he lived, walking in the vanity of his mind Š crowned his wickedness by translating the Scriptures into the mother tongue" (Fountain, John Wycliffe, p. 45).

(6) Pope Leo X (1513-1521), who railed against Luther's efforts to follow the biblical precept of faith alone and Scripture alone, called the fifth Lateran Council (1513-1517), which charged that no books should be printed except those approved by the Roman Catholic Church. "THEREFORE FOREVER THEREAFTER NO ONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PRINT ANY BOOK OR WRITING WITHOUT A PREVIOUS EXAMINATION, TO BE TESTIFIED BY MANUAL SUBSCRIPTION, BY THE PAPAL VICAR AND MASTER OF THE SACRED PALACE IN ROME, and in other cities and dioceses by the Inquisition, and the bishop or an expert appointed by him. FOR NEGLECT OF THIS THE PUNISHMENT WAS EXCOMMUNICATION, THE LOSS OF THE EDITION, WHICH WAS TO BE BURNED, a fine of 100 ducats to the fabric of St. Peters, and suspension from business for a year" (Henry Lea, The Inquisition of the Middle Ages).

(7) These restrictions were repeated by the Council of Trent in 1546, which placed translations of the Bible, such as the German, Spanish, and English, on its list of prohibited books and forbade any person to read the Bible without a license from a Catholic bishop or inquisitor.

Following is a quote from Trent: "ŠIT SHALL NOT BE LAWFUL FOR ANYONE TO PRINT OR TO HAVE PRINTED ANY BOOKS WHATSOEVER DEALING WITH SACRED DOCTRINAL MATTERS WITHOUT THE NAME OF THE AUTHOR, OR IN THE FUTURE TO SELL THEM, OR EVEN TO HAVE THEM IN POSSESSION, UNLESS THEY HAVE FIRST BEEN EXAMINED AND APPROVED BY THE ORDINARY, UNDER PENALTY OF ANATHEMA AND FINE prescribed by the last Council of the Lateran" (Fourth session, April 8, 1546, The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, Translated by H.J. Schroeder, pp. 17-19).

These rules were affixed to the Index of Prohibited Books and were constantly reaffirmed by popes in the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. These prohibitions, in fact, have never been rescinded. It is true that the Council of Trent did not absolutely forbid the reading of the Scriptures under all circumstances. It allowed a few exceptions. The priests were allowed to read the Latin Bible. Bishops and inquisitors were allowed to grant license for certain faithful Catholics to read the Scriptures in Latin as long as these Scriptures were accompanied by Catholic notes and if it was believed that these would not be "harmed" by such reading. In practice, though, the proclamations of Trent forbade the reading of the Holy Scriptures to at least nine-tenths of the people. Rome's claim to possess authority to determine who can and cannot translate, publish, and read the Bible is one of the most blasphemous claims ever made under this sun.

The attitude of 16th century Catholic authorities toward the Bible was evident from a speech Richard Du Mans delivered at Trent, in which he said "that the Scriptures had become useless, since the schoolmen had established the truth of all doctrines; and though they were formerly read in the church, for the instruction of the people, and still read in the service, yet they ought not to be made a study, because the Lutherans only gained those who read them" (William M'Gavin, The Protestant, 1846, p. 144). It is true that the Bible leads men away from Roman Catholicism, but this is only because Roman Catholicism is not founded upon the Word of God!

Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) confirmed the Council of Trent's proclamations against Bible translations (Eadie, History of the English Bible, II, p. 112) and went even further by forbidding licenses to be granted for the reading of the Bible under any conditions (Richard Littledale, Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome, 1924, p. 91).

(8) The restrictions against ownership of the vernacular Scriptures were repeated by the popes until the end of the 19th century:

Benedict XIV (1740-1758) confirmed the Council of Trent's proclamations against Bible translations (Eadie, History of the English Bible, II, p. 112) and issued an injunction "that no versions whatever should be suffered to be read but those which should be approved of by the Holy See, accompanied by notes derived from the writings of the Holy Fathers, or other learned and Catholic authors" (D.B. Ray, The Papal Controversy, p. 479).

It was during the reign of Pope Pius VII (1800-1823) that the modern Bible society movement began. The British and Foreign Bible Society was formed in March 1804, the purpose being "to encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment." Other societies were soon created for the same exalted purpose. Germany (1804); Ireland (1806); Canada (1807); Edinburgh (1809); Hungary (1811); Finland, Glasgow, Zurich, Prussia (1812); Russia (1813); Denmark and Sweden (1814); Netherlands, Iceland (1815); America, Norway, and Waldensian (1816); Australia, Malta, Paris (1817); etc. One of the societies began distributing a Polish Bible in Poland. The Pope, instead of praising the Lord that the eternal Word of God was being placed into the hands of the multitudes of spiritually needy people, showed his displeasure by issuing a bull against Bible Societies on June 29, 1816. The Pope expressed himself as "shocked" by the circulation of the Scriptures in the Polish tongue. He characterized this practice as a "most crafty device, by which the very foundations of religion are undermined," "a pestilence," which he must "remedy and abolish," "a defilement of the faith, eminently dangerous to souls." Pope Pius VII also rebuked Archbishop Buhusz of Mohiley in Russia because of his endorsement of a newly formed Bible society (Kenneth Latourette, The Nineteenth Century in Europe, p. 448). The papal brief, dated September 3, 1816, declared that "if the Sacred Scriptures were allowed in the vulgar tongue everywhere without discrimination, more detriment than benefit would arise" (Jacobus, Roman Catholic and Protestant Versions
Compared, p. 236).

Pope Leo XII (1823-29) issued a bull to the Bishops in Ireland, May 3, 1824, in which he affirmed the Council of Trent and condemned Bible distribution. "It is no secret to you, venerable brethren, that a certain Society, vulgarly called The Bible Society, is audaciously spreading itself through the whole world. After despising the traditions of the holy Fathers, and in opposition to the well-known Decree of the Council of Trent, this Society has collected all its forces, and directs every means to one object,--the translation, or rather the perversion, of the Bible into the vernacular languages of all nations. ... IF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES BE EVERYWHERE INDISCRIMINATELY PUBLISHED, MORE EVIL THAN ADVANTAGE WILL ARISE THENCE, on account of the rashness of men" (Bull of Leo XII, May 3, 1824; cited from Charles Elliott, Delineation of Roman Catholicism, 1851, p. 21). This Pope re-published the Index of Prohibited Books on March 26, 1825, and mandated that the decrees of the Council of Trent be enforced against distribution of Scriptures (R.P. Blakeney, Popery in Its Social Aspect, p. 137).

Pope Gregory XVI (1831-46) ratified the decrees of his predecessors, forbidding the free distribution of Scripture. In his encyclical of May 8, 1844, this Pope stated: "Moreover, we confirm and renew the decrees recited above, DELIVERED IN FORMER TIMES BY APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, AGAINST THE PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, READING, AND POSSESSION OF BOOKS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES TRANSLATED INTO THE VULGAR TONGUE" (James Wylie, The Papacy, 1867, p. 182). This encyclical was delivered against Bible societies in general, and mentioned in particular the Christian Alliance, which was formed in 1843 in New York for the purpose of distributing Scriptures.

Pope Pius IX (1846-78) in November 1846 issued an encyclical letter in which he denounced all opponents of Roman Catholicism, among which he included "those insidious Bible Societies." He said the Bible societies were "renewing the crafts of the ancient heretics" by distributing to "all kinds of men, even the least instructed, gratuitously and at immense expense, copies in vast numbers of the books of the Sacred Scriptures translated against the holiest rules of the Church into various vulgar tongues..." What a horrible crime! Distributing the Scriptures freely to all people! It was Pius IX who had himself and his fellow popes declared "infallible" at the Vatican I Council in 1870.

Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) published an "Apostolic Constitution" in 1897 which stated: "All versions of the vernacular, even by Catholics, are altogether prohibited, unless approved by the Holy See, or published under the vigilant care of the Bishops, with annotations taken from the Fathers of the Church and learned Catholic writers" (Melancthon Jacobus, Roman Catholic and Protestant Bibles, p. 237).

Where the Roman Catholic Church held power the Bible was always scarce. Consider a few examples: When the government of New Orleans was taken over in 1803, "it was not till after a long search for a Bible to administer the oath of office that a Latin Vulgate was at last procured from a priest" (William Canton, The Bible and the Anglo-Saxon People, I, p. 245). In Quebec, as late as 1826, MANY PEOPLE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (Canton, II, 61). The situation was the same in South America, where "for about three centuries, were almost entirely without the Bible." It was 1831 before the first Bible was printed in Spanish America, and even then the copies were exorbitantly expensive (Canton, II, 347). Thus, even when Catholic authorities finally printed some Bibles, they were priced far beyond the reach of most people. Between December 1907 and February 1908 a diligent search was made to determine how many Bibles were available in Catholic Ireland. Not a portion of the Bible was available in bookshops in Athlone, Balbriggan, Drogheda, Mullingar, Wexford, and Clonmel. A shop assistant at Mullingar said, "I never saw a Catholic Bible." When asked about the New Testament, a sales person at the The Catholic Truth Society replied, "We don't keep it." Those who did the extensive survey concluded "that IN NINE TENTHS OF THE CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES OR IRELAND A ROMAN CATHOLIC COULD NOT PROCURE A COPY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BIBLE OR NEW TESTAMENT" (Alexander Robertson, The Papal Conquest, 1909, pp. 166-167).

These facts uncover only the tip of iceberg in regard to Rome's attitude toward the Bible in former times. Our book "Rome and the Bible: The History of the Bible through the Centuries and Rome's Persecution against It" documents this more extensively.

THE WALDENSES (also called Vaudois or Albigenses) are an example of what occurred during this period. They lived in the mountains of Italy and France and eventually spread throughout Europe; they refused to join the Catholic Church or recognize the Pope. They received the Bible as the sole source for faith and practice and had their own translations, which they diligently reproduced in hand-written copies. Rome persecuted the Waldenses throughout the Dark Ages up until the 18th century.

A few brief descriptions of the persecutions against the Waldenses follow. Note that many entire books have been written about these persecutions and the following facts only hint at the destruction and torment poured out upon these people. [For more information, the reader's attention is invited to the Fundamental Baptist CD-Rom Library, which contains dozens of rare antiquarian Baptist and Waldensian histories, including Baptist History by John M. Cramp (1852), The Story of the Baptists in All Ages and Countries by Richard Cook (1888), Memorials of Baptist Martyrs by J. Newton Brown (1854), A History of the Baptists by Thomas Armitage (1890), A History of the Christian Church (Waldenses) by William Jones (1819), History of the Ancient Churches of Piedmont and Albigenses by Pierre Allix (1690, 1692), A History of the
Waldenses by J.A. Wylie (1860), and A History of the Ancient Christians of the Valleys of the Alps by Perrin (1618).

12TH CENTURY

The Roman Catholic Church persecuted Peter Waldo and refused to accept his translation of the New Testament into the Romaunt language. Pope Alexander III (1159-1181) expelled Waldo and his followers from his diocese, and the next pope, Lucius III, put his papal curse upon them (William Blackburn, History of the Christian Church, 1880, pp. 309, 310). The Council of Tours in 1163 promoted inquisition against Bible believers, issuing a decree that stated: "No man must presume to receive or assist heretics, nor in buying or selling have any thing to do with them, that being thus deprived of the comforts of humanity, they may be compelled to repent of the error of their way" (Gideon Ouseley, A Short Defence of the Old Religion, 1821, p. 221). "Many Albigenses, refusing the terms, were burnt in different cities in the south of France" (G.H. Orchard, A Concise History of the Baptists, 1855, p. 199). The Third Lateran Council "gave permission to princes to reduce heretics to slavery and shortened the time of penance by two years for those taking up arms against them" (Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church,
V, p. 519).

13TH CENTURY

In the year 1209, Pope Innocent III called for a crusade against the Waldenses in France. Anyone who volunteered to war against the "heretics" (so called by Rome because they dissented from her dogmas) was promised forgiveness of sin and many rewards. Tens of thousands took up arms for the Pope and marched against the hated Waldenses. Some 200,000 dissenters were killed by the Pope's army within a few months. Two large cities, Beziers (Braziers) and Carcasone, were destroyed, together with many smaller towns and villages. The war was conducted for 20 years! Thousands were made homeless and were forced to wander in the woods and mountains to escape their tormentors. The cruelties practiced by the Catholic persecutors were horrible. The Christians were thrown from high cliffs, hanged, disemboweled, pierced through repeatedly, drowned, torn by dogs, burned alive, crucified. In one case, 400 mothers fled for refuge with their babies to a cave in Castelluzzo, which was located 2,000 feet above the valley in which they lived. They were discovered by the rampaging Catholics; a large fire was built outside of the cave and they were suffocated.

15TH CENTURY

In 1487 Pope Innocent VIII called for a crusade against the Waldenses in Italy, Germany, and elsewhere. He promised forgiveness of sins and a share in the plunder to those who joined. Charles VIII of France and Charles II of Savoy agreed to raise an army for the destruction of the Waldenses. This regular army numbered about 18,000 soldiers and thousands of "ruffians" joined, urged on by the promise of forgiveness of sins and the expectation of obtaining spoil from the Waldensian possessions. Wylie describes these volunteers as "ambitious fanatics, reckless pillagers, merciless assassins" (James Wylie, History of the Waldenses, 1860, p. 29). This army attacked the Waldensian mountain valleys in northern Italy simultaneously from the plains to the south and from France to the west. Thousands of Bible-believing Christians perished in this crusade. Their homes and crops were destroyed. Many entire villages were razed. Their women were raped and then viciously murdered. Their children were dashed against trees and thrown off cliffs. More than 3,000 Waldensian Christians, men, women, and children, perished in one cave called Aigue-Froid to which they had fled for safety. These were the inhabitants of the entire village of Val Loyse, and the property of these pitiful people was distributed to the
participants of the crusade. Many entire large valleys were burned and pillaged and depopulated. This crusade against the Waldensians lasted for a year.

16TH CENTURY

Following is a brief description of the persecutions in the 16th century as given by a Waldensian pastor: "There is no town in Piedmont under a Vaudois pastor, where some of our brethren have not been put to death Š Hugo Chiamps of Finestrelle had his entrails torn from his living body, at Turin. Peter Geymarali of Bobbio, in like manner, had his entrails taken out at Lucerna, and a fierce cat thrust in their place to torture him further; Maria Romano was buried alive at Rocco-patia; Magdalen Foulano underwent the same fate at San Giovanni; Susan Michelini was bound hand and foot, and left to perish of cold and hunger at Saracena. Bartholomew Fache, gashed with sabres, had the wounds filled up with quicklime, and perished thus in agony at Fenile; Daniel Michelini had his tongue torn out at Bobbio for having praised God. James Baridari perished covered with sulphurous matches, which had been forced into his flesh under the nails, between the fingers, in the nostrils, in the lips, and over all his body, and then lighted. Daniel Revelli had his mouth filled with gunpowder, which, being lighted, blew his head to pieces. Maria Monnen, taken at Liousa, had the flesh cut from her cheek and chin bone, so that her jaw was left bare, and she was thus left to perish. Paul Garnier was slowly sliced to pieces at Rora. Thomas Margueti was mutilated in an indescribable manner at Miraboco, and Susan
Jaquin cut in bits at La Torre. Sara Rostagnol was slit open from the legs to the bosom, and so left to perish on the road between Eyral and Lucerna. Anne Charbonnier was impaled and carried thus on a pike, as a standard, from San Giovanni to La Torre. Daniel Rambaud, at Paesano, had his nails torn off, then his fingers chopped off, then his feet and his hands, then his arms and his legs, with each successive refusal on his part to abjure the Gospel" (Alex Muston, A History of the Waldenses: The Israel of the Alps, 1866).

Not only were the Waldensian Christians themselves destroyed wherever the armies could gain ascendancy, but their literature and vernacular Scriptures were destroyed with a vengeance during these persecutions. The Catholic priests who accompanied the armies made certain of this. So many copies of the Waldensian Scriptures were destroyed that we have little information about their Bibles.

In the 17th century, Samuel Morland visited the Waldenses in northern Italy as the representative of England's ruler, Oliver Cromwell. Morland tried to assist the Waldenses in the bitter persecutions that were still being poured out upon them. Entire armies had been sent to destroy the Waldensian villages in the 17th century. Practically all of their documents had been destroyed. Morland gathered up any remaining materials he could find and in 1658 sent them back to England to be deposited in the library at the University of Cambridge. The Morland collections are still available. On June 2, 2004, Miss J.S. Ringrose, Deputy Keeper of Manuscripts at University Library, Cambridge, wrote to Justin Savino, a student at Emmanuel Baptist Theological Seminary, Newington, Connecticut, as follows: "There are two main collections of Waldensian manuscripts, both deposited by Samuel Morland in 1658. MSS Dd. 3. 25-38 (Morland MSS G-V) are seventeenth century manuscripts, mainly transcripts of earlier historical sources. MSS. Dd. 15.29-34 (Morland A-F) are medieval." The Morland F packet contains manuscripts from the 14th century with the entire New Testament and parts of the Old and apocryphal writings "in the Peidemontese dialect of Provencal or Occitan." On a visit to the library in April 2005 I examined the F packet. It contains six small items, including a New Testament (though not containing all of the books).

CONSIDER SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW THE BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED BY ROME:

THE ENGLISH BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED

JOHN WYCLIFFE (1324-1384), the father of the English Bible, is an example of how Rome treated the Bible in these days.

Wycliffe, the vicar of St. Mary's Church at Lutterworth, completed the English New Testament in 1380 and the Old Testament in 1382. He rejected many of Rome's heresies, including the doctrine that the people should not have the Bible in their own language. Here is one of the powerful statements that he made to the Catholic authorities: "You say it is heresy to speak of the Holy Scriptures in English. You call me a heretic because I have translated the Bible into the common tongue of the people. Do you know whom you blaspheme? Did not the Holy Ghost give the Word of God at first in the mother-tongue of the nations to whom it was addressed? Why do you speak against the Holy Ghost? You say that the Church of God is in danger from this book. How can that be? Is it not from the Bible only that we learn that God has set up such a society as a Church on the earth? Is it not the Bible that gives all her authority to the Church? Is it not from the Bible that we learn who is the Builder and Sovereign of the Church, what are the laws by which she is to be governed, and the rights and privileges of her members? Without the Bible, what charter has the Church to show for all these? It is you who place the Church in jeopardy by hiding the Divine warrant, the missive royal of her King, for the authority she wields and the faith she enjoins" (David Fountain, John Wycliffe, pp. 45-47).

Rome persecuted Wycliffe bitterly and attempted unsuccessfully to have him imprisoned. Pope Gregory XI issued five bulls against Wycliffe, but he was protected by the Queen of England and others.

Wycliffe died on December 31, 1384, and forty-three years later, in 1428, the Roman Catholic Church dug up Wycliffe's bones and burned them.

Rome also persecuted Wycliffe's followers, the Lollards, imprisoning them and putting many of them to death. The Lollards' Tower in London was so named because it is one of the places where they were imprisoned and tortured. It was illegal to own a copy of the Wycliffe Bible, and most of the priceless handwritten Scriptures were burned.

WILLIAM TYNDALE (1484-1536), the first to translate the English Bible from Greek and Hebrew, is another example of Rome's persecutions.

As a young man Tyndale had a burden to translate the Bible into English directly from the Hebrew and Greek so that his people could have the Word of God from the purest fountains. When he expressed this plan to Catholic authorities in England, then under Roman Catholic rule, he learned that it would not be possible to do this work in his own country.

While employed at Little Sodbury Manor after graduation from Oxford, Tyndale preached in that part of western England and debated the truth with Catholic priests. One evening a priest exclaimed, "We are better without God's laws than the pope's." Hearing that, Tyndale replied: "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth a plough shall know more of the Scriptures than thou doest."

Tyndale traveled to Europe to pursue this objective, where he had to move from place to place and hide his work from the ecclesiastical authorities.

After completing the New Testament and a portion of the Old, Tyndale was arrested in May 1535. He was imprisoned for 16 months in the castle at Vilvorde, Belgium.

On October 6, 1536, Tyndale was strangled and then burned at the stake. His ashes were thrown into the river that flowed alongside the castle.

THE GERMAN BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED

The PRE-LUTHER GERMAN BIBLES were persecuted in the 15th century. The first complete printed Bible in German was published by Johann Mentelin (John Mentel) at Strassburg in 1466 (Olaf Norlie, The Translated Bible, 1934, p. 73). Mainz was the most active publication center in Germany at that time, and in 1485, the archbishop there issued AN EDICT PRESCRIBING CENSORSHIP FOR ALL TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE. The edict forbade the Scriptures to be given to simple and unlearned men and to women. Following is an excerpt: "We have observed books containing the office of the mass and also containing divine things and lofty matters of our religion and translated from Latin into the German language, not without damage to religion [meaning the Catholic religion!], circulating among the hands of the vulgar [common people] Š for who will give to the ignorant and unlettered persons, and to the female sex at that, into whose hands the manuscripts of sacred learning should fall, the ability to find the true sense? No sane person would deny that the texts of the Holy Gospels and of the Epistles of Paul require many additions and explanations from other writings."

THE LUTHER BIBLE, which first appeared in 1522, was also fiercely persecuted.

D'Aubigne, in his History of the Reformation, describes how Rome replied to this milestone in Germany history: "Ignorant priests shuddered at the thought that every citizen, nay every peasant, would now be able to dispute with them on the precepts of our Lord. The King of England denounced the work to the Elector Frederick and to Duke George of Saxony. But as early as the month of November THE DUKE HAD ORDERED HIS SUBJECTS TO DEPOSIT EVERY COPY OF LUTHER'S NEW TESTAMENT IN THE HANDS OF THE MAGISTRATES. BAVARIA, BRANDENBURG, AUSTRIA, AND ALL THE STATES DEVOTED TO ROME, PUBLISHED SIMILAR DECREES. IN SOME PLACES THEY MADE SACRILEGIOUS BONFIRES OF THESE SACRED BOOKS IN THE PUBLIC PLACES" (D'Aubigne, III, p. 77).

Persecutions were poured out by the Catholic authorities upon those who read the works of Luther. An example of those who were tormented for distributing the German Luther New Testament was a bookseller named John in Buda, Hungary. He had circulated the German Scriptures throughout that country. "He was bound to a stake; his persecutors then piled his books around him, enclosing him as if in a tower, and then set fire to them. John manifested unshaken courage, exclaiming from the midst of the flames, that he was delighted to suffer in the cause of the Lord" (D'Aubigne, III, p. 152).

In 1520 a strict search for Lutheran Bibles and books was instigated in Venice, and those found were destroyed (M'Crie, Reformation in Italy, p. 28).

The ANABAPTIST LUTHERAN BIBLES were persecuted.

The German Bible produced by Anabaptists appeared in 1529, five years before the entire Luther Bible. It was called THE WORMS BIBLE, after the name of the city in which it was published. The translation was done by two Anabaptists, Ludwig Hetzer and Hans Denck, "accomplished scholars, thoroughly versed in Hebrew and Greek, as well as in Latin. Denck studied and received the degree of Master at the University of Basel, under and with Erasmus, Hetzer was an alumnus of Basel, and also of the University of Paris" (John Porter, The World's Debt to the Baptists, 1914, p. 138). "At the time of its publication the approval of the Denck-Hetzer edition was unlimited and universal. Within three years thirteen separate editions appeared at Strasburg, Augsburg, Hagenau, and other places. ... In a word, in all Germany the book of the despised Anabaptists was bought, read, and treasured" (Ludwig Keller, Hans Denck, Ein Apostel der Wiedertaufer, p. 211; cited by Porter, p. 139).

This German Bible and its translators suffered the fate we have seen so many times already. "Denck, suffering with tuberculosis, under the decree of banishment and outlawry, died in hiding, in Basel, in 1529, a little before the Bible came from the press. Hetzer was arrested, condemned as a heretic, and beheaded the same year at Constance. Š EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT WAS MADE TO SUPPRESS THIS 'HERETIC BIBLE;' PRINTING OFFICES, PLACES WHERE THE BOOK WAS FOR SALE, PRIVATE HOUSES AND INDIVIDUALS WERE SEARCHED, AND ALL COPIES FOUND WERE DESTROYED. Only three copies that are accessible to scholars are now known to be in existence, one is in the library in the University of Bonn, one in a library in Stuttgart, and one in the New York Public Library" (Porter, p. 139).

THE SPANISH BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED

In the fifteenth century a Roman Catholic priest named BONIFACIO FERRER translated the whole Scriptures into the Valencian or Catalonian dialect of Spain. He died in 1417, but his translation was printed in Valencia in 1478. In spite of the fact that it was produced by a Catholic, "it had scarcely made its appearance when it was suppressed by the Inquisition, who ordered the whole impression to be devoured by the flames. So strictly was this order carried into execution, that scarcely a single copy appears to have escaped" (M'Crie, History of the Progress and Suppression of the Reformation in Spain, 1829, pp. 191, 92). In 1645 four leaves of this translation were discovered in a monastery.

In 1543 the FRANCISCO DE ENZINAS Spanish New Testament was published with the title "The New Testament, that is, the New Covenant of our Only Redeemer and Saviour Jesus Christ, translated from the Greek to the Castillian [Spanish] language." Enzinas presented a copy of his New Testament to Charles V, Emperor of the Roman Empire (1519-1558), during the emperor's visit to Brussels, who gave it to his Catholic confessor, Pedro de Soto. "After various delays, Enzinas, having waited on the confessor, was upbraided by him as an enemy to religion, who had tarnished the honor of his native country; and refusing to acknowledge a fault, was seized by the officers of justice and thrown into prison" (M'Crie, History of the Reformation in Spain, pp. 194-95). Francisco's father and uncles visited him in prison and reproached him for dishonoring his family. After fifteen months' confinement he miraculously escaped prison in Brussels and fled to Antwerp, then on to England, where, in 1548, he was given the chair of Greek at Cambridge. He returned to the continent in 1550 and died of the plague at Strasbourg in 1553. Most of his New Testaments were burned and all of his manuscripts were destroyed by the Inquisition.

Another man who was raised up by God to provide the Spanish world with a vernacular Bible was JUAN PEREZ DE PINEDA (c. 1490-1567). In Seville, Spain, as the head of the College of Doctrine, he began to study the Bible and rejected Roman Catholic doctrine. When persecution began against the believers in that area, Perez and some of his friends were able to flee from Spain. Perez settled in Geneva and was the first to form a Spanish church in that city (M'Crie, p. 363). Afterwards he moved to France. His translation of the New Testament into Spanish, relying heavily on the Enzinas version, was published in 1556 in Geneva.

Another of the men who fled Spain's inquisition terrors was CASSIODORO DE REINA (1520-1594). As a monk in the San Isidro del Campo monastery in Seville he joined the Protestant revival and rejected Catholic doctrine. Arrested and sentenced to death, Reina was able to escape from prison and flee to London, where he preached to a Spanish congregation (Lupton, A History of the Geneva Bible, I, p. 40). Later he journeyed to Geneva and associated with the Protestant Spanish church there, pastored by the aforementioned Juan Perez de Pineda. In 1567 Reina completed a Spanish New Testament that "is hailed to this day as the greatest literary
triumph in Spanish history." Reina settled in Basle, and the entire Bible appeared in 1569.

Reina's work was taken over by CIPRIANO DE VALERA (1532-1602?).

Like Enzinas and Reina, Valera had fled the inquisition in Spain. In 1565 Valera joined Oxford University and became well known for his linguistic expertise, "having mastered at least ten languages." He revised and corrected Reina's work and published the New Testament in London in 1596, and, the entire Bible in 1602 in Amsterdam.

All of these Spanish Bibles "were accompanied with vindications of the practice of translating the scriptures into vernacular languages, and the right of the people to read them" (M'Crie, p. 202).

What a contrast this was with the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church. As late as 1747, the inquisitor general in Spain fretted that "some men carried their audacity to the execrable extreme of asking permission to read the sacred scriptures in the vulgar tongue, not afraid of finding in them the most deadly poison" (M'Crie, p. 202, f3).

Pope Julius III addressed a bull to the inquisitors in 1550 in which he warned them of the Spanish Bibles which were being smuggled into the country (M'Crie, History of the Reformation in Spain, p. 203). The inquisitors were given instructions "to seize all the copies, and proceed with the utmost rigour against those who should retain them, without excepting members of universities, colleges or monasteries. ... At the same time the strictest precautions were adopted to prevent the importation of such books by placing officers at all the sea-ports and land-passes, with authority to search every package, and the person of every traveller that should enter the kingdom" (M'Crie, p. 204).

THE FRENCH BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED

JACQUES LEFEVRE (1455-1536), a professor at the University of Paris, published a French New Testament in 1523 and the complete French Bible in 1528. For his labor of love for the French people, the elderly Lefevre was hated and persecuted by the Romanist authorities.

One thing that galled them was Lafevre's principle that all Christians should read the Scriptures. One of these angry authorities exclaimed: "Does he not dare to recommend all the faithful to read the Scriptures? Does he not tell therein that whoever loves not Christ's Word is not a Christian; and that the Word of God is sufficient to lead to eternal life?" (D'Aubigne, III, p. 385).

The Sorbonne, the theological faculty of the University of Paris, condemned Lefevre as a heretic and he was forced to flee to Strasbourg in 1525. In 1531, Lefevre took refuge in southern France and remained there till his deathŠ" (Durant, The Story of Civilization, VI, p. 502).

The Sorbonne declared war on printing and printers. In 1534, twenty men and one woman were burnt alive. One of those was a printer whose sole crime was printing some of Luther's writings, while another was a bookseller who had sold the same.

An edict was issued in 1546 by the Roman Catholic authorities against Lefevre and his work, in which the following statement is found: "It is neither expedient nor useful for the Christian public that any translation of the Bible should be permitted to be printed; but that they ought to be suppressed as injurious." It was also ordered that any person possessing a copy of it should deliver it up within eight days (John Beardslee, The Bible among the Nations, 1899, pp. 211, 12).

Many French believers were burned for distributing the Bible. Foxe's unabridged Martyrology is a massive set of books. I own a copy of the 8th edition, which was printed in 1641. It is 3 volumes folio, 3227 pages, the three volumes together almost one foot in width, and each page 9 X 13.5 inches. Roughly 150 of these large pages are dedicated to an enumeration of just some of the French martyrs. Following are a few examples:

In 1925 a Gospel preacher named Schuch was burned in the town of Nancy in France. When he was arrested and tried, he had his Bible with him, and holding the same as he stood before his accusers, he preached to them out of the Scriptures and "meekly yet forcibly confessed Christ crucified." His words so incised his tormentors that "transported with rage, they rushed upon him with violent cries, TORE AWAY THE BIBLE FROM WHICH HE WAS READING THIS MENACING LANGUAGE, and like mad dogs, unable to bite his doctrine, THEY BURNT IT in their convent." The man was immediately condemned to be burned alive, and the sentence was quickly carried out. "On the 19th of August 1525 the whole city of Nancy was in motion. The bells were tolling for the death of a heretic. The mournful procession set out. When the martyr reached the place of execution, HIS BOOKS WERE BURNT BEFORE HIS FACE; he was then called upon to retract; but he refused, saying, "It is thou, O God, who hast called me, and thou
wilt give me strength unto the end." Having mounted the pile, he continued to recite the psalm until the smoke and the flames stifled his voice" (D'Aubigne, History of the Reformation, III, pp. 468, 69).

In 1546 Peter Chapot was burned to death for bringing French Bibles into France and for selling them. Because of his bold testimony at the place of persecution, a decree was made that "all which were to be burned, unless they recanted at the fire, should have their tongues cut off. Which law diligently afterward was observed" (Foxe, unabridged, 1641, II, p. 133).

Stephen Polliot was also arrested in 1546 with a bag of Scriptures and Gospel books he was distributing. His tongue was cut out and he was burned, "his satchel of books hanging about his neck" (Foxe, unabridged, II, p. 134).

Nicholas Nayle, a shoemaker, was arrested in Paris and burned in 1553 for bringing parcels of books to distribute among the believers.

In 1554 Dionysius Vayre, who had smuggled many books into France, was arrested in Normandy and sentenced to be "burned alive, and thrice lifted up, and let down again into the fire" (Foxe, unabridged, II, p. 145).

Waldensian bookseller Bartholmew Hector was arrested in 1556. When the Inquisition judge said, "You have been caught in the act of selling books that contain heresy; what say you?" Hector replied, "If the Bible is heresy to you, it is truth to me." After languishing in prison for several months, Hector was burned at the stake.

THE DUTCH BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED

In 1270 JACOB VAN MAERLANDT completed the four Gospels in Dutch. "This effort aroused the wrath of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Utrecht, who thought it was disrespectful to the Scriptures thus to bring them within the reach of the common people, and Van Maerlandt nearly lost his life as a reward for his labor" (John Beardslee, The Bible among the Nations, p. 175).

In 1526 the first entire Bible in Dutch was published by JACOB VAN LIESVELDT in Antwerp, and 20 years later Liesveldt was beheaded in Antwerp "for his printing labours" (Lupton, A History of the Geneva Bible, I, p. 35).

THE ITALIAN BIBLE WAS PERSECUTED

ANTONIO BRUCIOLI published an Italian New Testament at Venice in 1530 and an entire Bible two years later. Brucioli also produced a commentary on the whole Bible, which was published in seven volumes. "His translations of the Bible were put into the first class of forbidden books, and all his works, on whatever subject, 'published or to be published,' together with all books which came from his press, even after his death, were strictly prohibited. ... violent measures were afterwards employed for its suppression" (M'Crie, Reformation in Italy,
1856, pp. 56, 57).

"All have sinned..."

2009-05-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

Re: Living Church of God Commentary: "A rose by any other name..."
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," said Juliet in Shakespeare's famous work, Romeo and Juliet. The playwright makes the point that just changing the name of something doesn't change what it actually is. Read more

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As a recovering homosexual, I know the Bible condemns the practice of homosexuality. I've written about it thoroughly in God and the Gays and speak of it in my YouTube video God and Gays.

I also know, unlike your article would mislead folks to believe, that HIV/AIDS first began among the heterosexual community in Africa but spread like wildfire first among the homosexual community in the United States. HIV/AIDS continues to spread like wildfire among heterosexuals in Africa, among prostitutes and drug addicts predominantly.

It also needs to be stated that HIV/AIDS includes 26 or so diseases they've all lumped in together that Africans have been dying from for years, for political purposes, to extort aid money, to support the PIC (pharmaceutical industrial complex). For the record, I am an American living with AIDS and I reject the highly toxic medicines. I've written two articles about it:

Scarlet Letter: A Christian With AIDS
Does God Heal Today?

When we consider all of the sexual diseases prevalent among the heterosexual community, besides within the homosexual community, it is enough to scare you CELIBATE (not straight).

"But, many of the advocates of this way of life are aggressively pressing forward with an agenda of forcing acceptance by the government on national, state and local levels. They strive to equate homosexuality with civil rights." - Sounds like you're talking about abortion.

"Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions."

Although Paul was referring to reprobate Roman Empire homosexuals, the same thing can be said about heterosexual perverts who consider their abominations "normal." Do they like to retain God in their knowledge any more than practicing homosexuals? Do they care for what God's Word says about their sex life any more than homosexuals? NO!

The worst "homosexuals" are spiritual perverts, abominable Christians, who prefer idolatrous traditions of men over the holy commandments of God, as brought out in the YouTube video Drunks and Whores.

May God bless all, regardless of sexual orientation and temptation, to return to Him and learn to think like Him , in preparation for His Kingdom that transcends the flesh (Isaiah 55:7-9).

Beyond Babylon on the move!

2009-05-30T07:16:00.001-07:00

The best $60 I ever spent on advertising! Baruch Hashem. Folks across America, on the highways and national parks (Badlands, Custer, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Flaming Gorge, Dinosaur, Rocky Mountain, etc.), were seen reading and even saying out loud, "Beyond Babylon" - and to many of them I was pleased to be able to give my Beyond Babylon cards to that pictures my book and on the back has David Ben-Ariel and my website address written. I loved it.

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Happy Pentecost!

2009-05-29T16:40:00.001-07:00

Passover and Pentecost Differences Settled!
The correct dates to observe God's holy days should not be a Church of God issue, having been settled by God thousands of years ago and preserved throughout the ages by faithful Jews.

The Oracles of God
God's empowered the Jews - despite themselves - to preserve His Word. They are the only people on Earth that God has blessed and ordained to fulfill such a calling! God will not retract His Word or renege on this gift and responsibility that He's graciously bestowed upon Judah.

The Pharisees
Who isn't aware of the sins of the Pharisees? Especially the Accuser of the Brethren? But does that mean the truths they teach, even if they don't live them, are no longer true?

Christians love and support Israel

2009-05-20T13:38:00.001-07:00

Christians honor Israel at Sunday services
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- More than 900 churches in the United States participated in a Christian Zionist organization's event honoring Israel.

CUFI Sunday, sponsored by Christians United For Israel, was incorporated into the regular Sunday church service.

Although varying from church to church, the service generally included a sermon about the Jewish state and a request to sign the group's "Israel Pledge." The pledge states that the Jewish people "have a right to live in their ancient land of Israel" and that Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorism.

Churches from all 50 states, and a total of 1,100 churches in 49 countries, participated in the event, according to CUFI...
more

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Christian-Zionist Response to Shimon Peres’ AIPAC speech
Christian-Zionist David Ben-Ariel’s strong response to Shimon Peres’ weak AIPAC speech, condemning the lying peace process, collaboration with the Vatican and warning about UN Resolution 181 as the Final Solution!

Christian Zionists, Jews, and Israel
I am a Bible-believer, a Christian-Zionist (one who believes the Prophets foretold the restoration of Jews first of all 12 Tribes of Israel to the Promised Land of Israel before the end of this world as we know it). I am not a Protestant or a “Jew for Jesus” and certainly not a member of the Roman Catholic Cult. I am a baptized member of the Sabbath-keeping Church of God…

Europe won't nuke US?

2009-05-18T04:24:00.001-07:00

Re: Europe Nukes US! (David Ben-Ariel YouTube video)
BEYOND BABYLON warns we're going down and out due to our idolatry and immorality.

zanderzander05
im confused...do you dislike europe? like it? or are you just saying that america has downhill due to wrong beliefs.

by the way, Europe, as a collective group of countries, is so diversified that i am willing to bet anything that they would never 'nuke' america.

you should also take into account deterrence theory.

could you please direct me to where it says that europe is going to nuke america in the bible, im interested to read this for myself
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I love Europe enough to dare to share the plain truth of the Bible and history with them.

I've been through Europe four times and know their diversity but also recognize they will transcend their differences when their back is against the wall - a real or imagined crisis that will coerce them to get their act together and work as one under some strong leader who has the pope's "blessing."

The deterrence theory is just a theory and whether or not the Nazi EU agents are able to disable our deterrence or they feel it's worth the risk with a blitzkrieg attack, Germany's Fourth Reich will nuke us.

See Europe's Bitter Roots by David Ben-Ariel, as well as the other articles referenced in the YouTube video.

www.davidbenariel.org

Herbert W. Armstrong warned about German rule

2009-05-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

Will U.S. financial woes lead to new world order?
By Adam Abrams

Is the U.S. about to lose its status as the dominant global superpower? Will the dollar collapse? If so, what would become the new global reserve currency and what would replace U.S. hegemony in a new world order?

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Germany to the rescue! Watch as the German-dominated European Union is forced to get its act together to put China in check and demand the global position once enjoyed by the United States.

Such a United States of Europe amounts to nothing less than Germany's Fourth Reich, as Herbert W. Armstrong forewarned for years and Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall continues to warn.

The Secret Nazis

Is Germany in Danger of Backsliding?

Is a World Dictator About to Appear?

The EU is a German Ruse

Will The Atlantic Times address the German threat?

Catholic Europe in Vogue?

The Intelligence Summit Misses the Mark: the German-Jesuit Threat to World Peace

www.davidbenariel.org

Beyond Babylon warns about Nazis

2009-05-12T21:36:00.001-07:00

Top Nazis Planned EU-Style Fourth Reich
Influential economists and industrialists were ordered to preserve Nazi power by creating European common market, documents show
By Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com

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Revealed: The secret report that shows how the Nazis planned a Fourth Reich ...in the EU
By ADAM LEBOR
With defeat certain, the SS met industrialists to map out a new fascist order - and an astonishing number of their plans are already reality.

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Beyond Babylon: Europe’s Rise and Fall, in the biblical tradition of Herbert W. Armstrong, has been warning about a German-dominated Europe for years!

The EU is a German Ruse

Germany's Fourth Reich Spreads Its Wings Over the World

The Secret Nazis

Germany Behind the Mask

Is Germany in Danger of Backsliding?

The Intelligence Summit Misses the Mark: the German-Jesuit Threat to World Peace

Arnold's Office Refuses to Comment

Tkachites return to traditional vomit

2009-05-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE
The Worldwide Church of God announced that, effective April 3, 2009, it changed its denominational name to Grace Communion International.

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Sadly, Apostate Church of Tkach or Synagogue of Satan would be a better name to reflect their spiritual darkness since they've returned to traditional vomit, have gone back to Egypt and are stuck in the muck of Babylon. Such reprobate Christians are in worse condition than those who never knew better.

Giving credit where credit is due, Malachi's Message and Raising the Ruins bear witness against their religious deception and descent to spiritual depravity.

Apostate Christians

A Nation of Drunks and Whores

Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent

Israeli Ambassador visits Armstrong College

2009-05-11T06:37:00.001-07:00

Israeli Ambassador visits Armstrong College

April 22, 2009
EDMOND–Ambassador Yoram Ettinger of the State of Israel (ret.) addressed students and faculty of Herbert W. Armstrong College during a forum April 22. The ambassador was visiting Oklahoma as the guest of the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma, which contacted college officials after learning of AC’s involvement in the City of David excavations in Jerusalem through recent press about the dig.

Yoram Ettinger is a consultant to members of Israel’s Cabinet and Knesset, and regularly briefs United States legislators and their staff on Israel’s contribution to vital U.S. interests, on the root causes of Islamic terrorism and other issues of bilateral concern.

He formerly served as minister for congressional affairs at Israel's embassy in Washington (with a rank of an ambassador), Israel's consul general in Houston and director of Israel's Government Press Office.

He is the editor of two newsletters, Straight From The Jerusalem Cloakroom and Boardroom, which focus on national security issues and overseas investments in Israel's high-tech sector. He is also the chairman of special projects at the Ariel Center for Policy Research.

Ambassador Ettinger spoke to AC students and faculty about the unique relationship between the United States and Israel, highlighting the many Old Testament influences in early American history. He spoke of how the early settlers compared themselves to the Israelites when they left Egypt, with Pharaoh being King George, Egypt being England, the Atlantic being the Red Sea and the new world being the Promised Land.

He pointed out that many early colleges in America had Hebrew phrases inscribed on their walls, and how Moses was pictured facing the Speaker of the House in the U.S. Capitol and with the ten commandments at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ambassador Ettinger went on to discuss what he called the "immoral" land-for-peace concessions Israel has been pressured to make by the international community in recent years. “Peace is a fundamental right and should not be paid for,” he said. “There is no precedent for land for peace in all of history, except for Nazi Germany during World War II.” In that case, he explained, Germany had been the aggressor, taking land from Poland and other countries. “Rewarding aggression is morally wrong,” he said.

He went on to say that a nation can survive by ignoring its history no more than a tree can survive without its roots. “Israel’s cradle of history is the chief axis of our security,” he said, referring to the regions of Judea and Samaria. “Giving that up would be the death of the nation.”

After his address, the ambassador spoke with Chancellor Gerald Flurry for a few minutes. Before leaving he complimented the students' level of respect and their attentiveness. “The climate in there was very nice. I wish we had a climate like that in the other places and schools where I’ve spoken,” the ambassador said.

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It's great Mr. Ettinger recognizes Judea and Samaria (Yehudah and Shomeron) as Israel's "cradle of history" and vital to the security of the nation. Such comments were apparently well-received by those gathered at the Herbert W. Armstrong College. Strangely, the Philadelphia Church of God (Messrs. Gerald and Stephen Flurry) had the chutzpah to condemn many of the strong politico-religious views he espoused as "radical" and "extremist" when they were expressed by the Temple Mount Faithful and little ol' me. (See I'm not a terrorist) . Sadly, it appears they're still looking to men of stature.

Does Mr. Ettinger recognize that Jerusalem is the crown of Israel and the Temple Mount is the crown jewel? For Jews and Israelis to woefully neglect to appreciate its precious history and restore its splendor reflects a deadly spiritual condition in the nation and people of Israel! To permit sworn enemies to trample Judaism's holiest site and Nazi Muslims to discriminate against Jews and Christians daily, illegally forbidding them to pray or read the Bible upon the Temple Mount, exposes how far removed from their Hebrew roots Jews have become. Too many Jews have become Gentilized, just like the other nations rather than a light to them. Let's hope and pray this deplorable situation changes soon.

A House of Prayer For All Peoples?
Jewish guards prevent Christians and Jews from exercising their religious right to pray on the Temple Mount? That's right! Only Muslims have unlimited access to Judaism's most holy site. Only the Koran is permitted within. The Tanach (Jewish Scripture, known to much of the world as the "Old Testament") and Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) are forbidden. Yet Israel claims to respect the religious rights of all people.

Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount
During a 1995 Root and Branch lecture in Jerusalem, Professor Nahum Rakover, author and then Deputy Attorney General of Israel, publicly agreed with me that it isn't illegal for Christians or Jews to pray upon the Temple Mount, even though it is forcibly prevented by the police.

Christian-Zionist Response to Shimon Peres' AIPAC speech
Christian-Zionist David Ben-Ariel's strong response to Shimon Peres' weak AIPAC speech, condemning the lying peace process, collaboration with the Vatican and warning about UN Resolution 181 as the Final Solution!

Shavuot, Pentecost, Pharisees

2009-05-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

Passover and Pentecost Differences Settled!
The correct dates to observe God's holy days should not be a Church of God issue, having been settled by God thousands of years ago and preserved throughout the ages by faithful Jews.

The Oracles of God
God's empowered the Jews - despite themselves - to preserve His Word. They are the only people on Earth that God has blessed and ordained to fulfill such a calling! God will not retract His Word or renege on this gift and responsibility that He's graciously bestowed upon Judah.

The Pharisees
Who isn't aware of the sins of the Pharisees? Especially the Accuser of the Brethren? But does that mean the truths they teach, even if they don't live them, are no longer true?

Temple treasures held hostage in Rome!

2009-05-10T09:09:00.001-07:00

Chief Rabbis Won’t Greet Pope at Airport

(IsraelNN.com) Chief Rabbis Shlomo Amar and Yona Metzger have been invited to four meetings with visiting Pope Benedict XVI. They will attend one, will not attend another, and are considering the others...

Group Calls on Rabbis to Boycott
At least one group has called on the rabbis not to meet at all with Pope Benedict. The Task Force to Save the Nation and Land, headed by Rabbis Yaakov Yosef and Shalom Dov Wolpe, conveyed its call by telegram to the Chief Rabbinate. The message reads, in part:

“This involves a desecration of G-d’s Name… The very meeting and recognition of him is related to idol worship, if not outright idol worship, and involves a sin that one must die for and not violate. Not to mention that the memories still linger of the persecution of the Inquisition, as well as the Church’s role in the Holocaust. In addition, this pope is known for his personal membership in the Hitler Youth, as well as his statements in favor of a Holocaust-denier.”

“All the above is many times worse,” the message states, “given that the visit is accompanied by pressures and agreements to give over to the Church parts of Mount Zion and other parts of the Holy Land. A welcome by the Chief Rabbis encourages this trend.”

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Thankfully, at least not every Jew has lost his head, swooning over the sorcerer pope, seduced by his appeals for peace while waging war: Europe's new crusade to take Jerusalem!

The proper Jewish response to the Babylonian envoy would be to demand the Temple treasures and Judaica Rome holds hostage and refuse to permit the pagan pope to step foot in the Holy Land of Israel until they are released.

Christian-Zionist Response to Shimon Peres' AIPAC speech
Christian-Zionist David Ben-Ariel's strong response to Shimon Peres' weak AIPAC speech, condemning the lying peace process, collaboration with the Vatican and warning about UN Resolution 181 as the Final Solution!

Jerusalem's Betrayal and Rape
The treacherous Vatican - Israel collaboration has sold out the Jews and backstabbed Jerusalem

Warning Jews
Warning Jews about the pope's plans for Jerusalem: Rome's dream will become Jerusalem's NIGHTMARE

Pope's Evil Eye on Jerusalem! (You Tube video)
The Nazi pope aims to rip the heart out of Israel: Jerusalem!

The Vatican plot against Jerusalem exposed!

Israel must reject Vatican overtures for peace or lose Jerusalem!
The bloody vulture Shimon Peres (Peres is Hebrew for vulture) is right where the Vatican-controlled Israeli oligarchy wants him to be: positioned as president of Israel, dark prince of perfidy, as orchestrated. Woe to Ariel! Jerusalem will soon suffer EU occupation: THE GERMANS ARE COMING!

Beyond Babylon shares the plain truth!

2009-05-09T19:09:00.001-07:00

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall is destined to become a national debate and an international controversy because it dares to speak the plain truth in a world of lies!

Beyond Babylon
Introduction

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 1
Survival Guaranteed!

The DEVASTATION unleashed against America and her British allies was without precedent. Destruction was everywhere and a body count impossible. The catastrophe was beyond calculation.

Europe - gripped with a messianic furor - justified this mass destruction of the body to "save the soul." Besides, they have the blessing of the pope. His white robes are stained with the blood of many martyrs.

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 2
Why National Defeat?

Why are we in mortal danger? Why will the American, British and Jewish people SUFFER national defeat? How could Europe ever turn against us?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 3
Truth or Consequences

As global tensions increase, and threats of confrontation escalate, we might very well wonder whether humanity will survive. Unless there’s a GOD to intervene, we have a bleak future indeed: a DEAD PLANET! Will earth become a nuclear fireball? Will charred bones - aftermath of unleashed atomic fires - and the smoldering ruins of a suicidal civilization be all that’s left?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 4
Victims of Tradition

Whenever our behavior gets out of control, God lets us loose control! When we’re held hostage to bad habits, and refuse to let them go, we go into captivity! A national lack of discipline results in God sending corrective punishment! Then we wake up and get with it, and beg God to save us. The whole purpose is to bring us to our knees and senses.

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 5
Europe's Fate

What’s going to happen to Europe? We know what’s going to happen to the American and British peoples, as well as to our Jewish brethren. The coming WORLD CRISIS is prophesied to fall especially hard on them. Why?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 6
Jesus and the Jews

Why don't the Jews accept Jesus?" I've been asked that so many times. My usual reply? "Why haven't the Christians?" At least the Jews are waiting for the proper imperial restoration. The Messiah's coming to sit on DAVID'S THRONE - not Caesar's or "St. Peter's." The Anointed One's going to rule from JERUSALEM - not Rome!

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 7
Elijah's Key Role

Israel's about to host the greatest showdown on earth! A spiritual conflict of interests will create such a scene in Jerusalem that the whole world will watch! Zion will be an arena of prophets and sorcerers, warriors and kings! The forces of good and evil are set to duel: the sons of light will battle the sons of darkness, and truth will confront error head-on!