>ARE YOU DISCERNING OR DECEIVED?
Deb 608-547-5392
dontperish@outlook.com
Jesus said: God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24)
Question....Are you absolutely sure your worship today is in spirit and truth or are you just practicing various man-made faulty religious rituals?
Fact: Most people have not been taught the full truth of God’s Word and that is why we share it with you today. We want to ask you are you seeking ALL biblical truth daily like a Berean (Acts 17) or do you settle for man’s religious ways that are not in God's truth fully?
Jesus warned against practicing "vain traditions of man.” (Matthew 15:9) and so we should take heed to that indeed. The bible says in (2 Corinthians 13:5) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
It also says to “test all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Are you willing to test what you’re practicing vs. God’s holy Word?
We do not belong to any religious organization nor do we sell the gospel. (We labor to provide for our needs and ministry.) Please know we are loving, born again Christians reaching you with biblical truth. We aim to proclaim that truth so you can repent and turn your ways to His ways (not man’s) for God’s glory. (Just as we had to do.)
Fact: Most people have not been taught the full truth of God’s Word and that is why we share it with you today. We want to ask you are you seeking ALL biblical truth daily like a Berean (Acts 17) or do you settle for man’s religious ways that are not in God's truth fully?
Jesus warned against practicing "vain traditions of man.” (Matthew 15:9) and so we should take heed to that indeed. The bible says in (2 Corinthians 13:5) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
It also says to “test all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Are you willing to test what you’re practicing vs. God’s holy Word?
We do not belong to any religious organization nor do we sell the gospel. (We labor to provide for our needs and ministry.) Please know we are loving, born again Christians reaching you with biblical truth. We aim to proclaim that truth so you can repent and turn your ways to His ways (not man’s) for God’s glory. (Just as we had to do.)
Fact: The true New Testament Church that Jesus Christ and the Apostles left us looks "very little" like man’s modern religion today.
Why is that?
Well, history shows man has changed and warped it over time and below are just some areas of great error between that religious model still practiced today and the Lord’s true church.
Fact: Since the 4th century, the biblical Christian faith has been perverted by many men. Both roman pagans and other false ways merged with true biblical Christianity and it caused most to leave God's Word in the centuries following.
Here are 10 main examples for you to consider. (Please go to both our discernment blog HERE and our spirit and truth blog HERE for deeper details on each of these points below)
Why is that?
Well, history shows man has changed and warped it over time and below are just some areas of great error between that religious model still practiced today and the Lord’s true church.
Fact: Since the 4th century, the biblical Christian faith has been perverted by many men. Both roman pagans and other false ways merged with true biblical Christianity and it caused most to leave God's Word in the centuries following.
Here are 10 main examples for you to consider. (Please go to both our discernment blog HERE and our spirit and truth blog HERE for deeper details on each of these points below)
1. The "gospel message" that Jesus and the Apostles taught us in the bible is a narrow road gospel message. (See Matthew 7)
Fact: It is not a "come up front", "raise your hand" or "say a prayer" gospel message that most modern religious places proclaim today. The true biblical gospel calls one to: repent (Luke 13:3) be born again (John 3:3), be baptized in obedience (Acts 2:38) deny yourself (Luke 9) to live holy (Romans 12:1) as a result you will be persecuted/hated and you must endure in obedience to the end to be saved. (Matthew 10:22) Most denominational places have an easy believe-ism gospel that is not biblical and it cannot guide you to eternal life or save you at all! Paul warned against any gospel other than his gospel in Galatians 1 (other gospels are accursed).
Fact: It is not a "come up front", "raise your hand" or "say a prayer" gospel message that most modern religious places proclaim today. The true biblical gospel calls one to: repent (Luke 13:3) be born again (John 3:3), be baptized in obedience (Acts 2:38) deny yourself (Luke 9) to live holy (Romans 12:1) as a result you will be persecuted/hated and you must endure in obedience to the end to be saved. (Matthew 10:22) Most denominational places have an easy believe-ism gospel that is not biblical and it cannot guide you to eternal life or save you at all! Paul warned against any gospel other than his gospel in Galatians 1 (other gospels are accursed).
What does your religious body teach for a gospel message;
a biblical narrow road or an easy believe man-made gospel?
a biblical narrow road or an easy believe man-made gospel?
2. The early true New Testament Church had no "modern pastor role" (one man teaching and running the entire gathering) as is falsely practiced today.
Titus 1 and all over the New Testament bodies it was "multiple elders" to oversee the body not lord over
it. (See Matthew 20) It is a fact that various men can have pastor
skills in a body and did you know that 1 Peter 2:9 teaches the
"priesthood of ALL believers"? Paul also taught in 1 Corinthians 14:26
that many saints should be active in the gathering, using their gifts
and teaching as functioning members of the body. The bible does "not"
teach saints to just be sitting idly in a pew and watching a weekly
man-made show. We are to use our gifts, be led by the Spirit as the
men step up and minister to each other. (This works best in small bodies
that meet in homes.)
Does one man control your entire service or do you have multiple elders who just oversee, many partake in a spirit led, biblical, open worship that God’s Word really teaches for the growth of His people?
Does one man control your entire service or do you have multiple elders who just oversee, many partake in a spirit led, biblical, open worship that God’s Word really teaches for the growth of His people?
3. The early New Testament church did not practice “going to church” as we see it being done today. They
"were" His Holy church, living everyday with holy lives as the church;
mostly meeting in their homes and often they did that daily. They had no need of special religious buildings, parking lots, stages, lights etc. that really misuses the Lord’s money. Peter
said "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ". 1 Peter 2:5
God's people "are" His house today and so you can't really biblically "go to church" for some timed out services but you can gather the saints together and it must be done God's way not mans. That is where our name "nopews" comes from. We reject that true saints are to be sitting idle in pews when they are to be active and walking in the Lords true ways for His glory.
Do you just “go to ritual church” (in a religious building) or are you taught to live daily "as His true church" through truth, obedience, holiness and worship ( our life) every day? Do true saints really grow spiritually just sitting in a pew watching a show for 1.5 hours or should they be active and "one anothering each other" as a daily lifestyle just like the holy bible tells us to over 50 times in the New Testament writings?
God's people "are" His house today and so you can't really biblically "go to church" for some timed out services but you can gather the saints together and it must be done God's way not mans. That is where our name "nopews" comes from. We reject that true saints are to be sitting idle in pews when they are to be active and walking in the Lords true ways for His glory.
Do you just “go to ritual church” (in a religious building) or are you taught to live daily "as His true church" through truth, obedience, holiness and worship ( our life) every day? Do true saints really grow spiritually just sitting in a pew watching a show for 1.5 hours or should they be active and "one anothering each other" as a daily lifestyle just like the holy bible tells us to over 50 times in the New Testament writings?
4.) The true New Testament Church is to be only for committed believers and their training up for ministry as told to us in
Ephesians 4. Today modern pastors/man’s religion aim at filling up pews with anyone / "seekers" to come "worship" with them. This is false and not possible. How can those who are NOT born again worship with His true set apart body? (We are to go and proclaim the gospel to the lost and then they are born again and baptized into the body.) His body is not for the worldly seekers but for the born again saints who desire to be working at biblical training and holy lives. Paul said in Galatians 5:9 "a little leaven (sin) affects the whole loaf" (body). Christ’s true people are called out to obedience (Heb 5:9 ) and to live a set apart (holy) life in all their ways (1 Peter 1:15) and to not be of the sinful fallen world. Sadly modern pastors are often the most worldly of all!
Today most people in the denominational pews thrive on the worlds entertainment, movies and violent & carnal sports. Jesus tells us to aim for perfection (Matthew 5:48) and in Romans 12:2 Paul says Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 John 2:15 says “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” The early New testament church was holy and separated form the carnal worldly system around them other than their proclaiming the gospel to them. How about you and your body?
Ephesians 4. Today modern pastors/man’s religion aim at filling up pews with anyone / "seekers" to come "worship" with them. This is false and not possible. How can those who are NOT born again worship with His true set apart body? (We are to go and proclaim the gospel to the lost and then they are born again and baptized into the body.) His body is not for the worldly seekers but for the born again saints who desire to be working at biblical training and holy lives. Paul said in Galatians 5:9 "a little leaven (sin) affects the whole loaf" (body). Christ’s true people are called out to obedience (Heb 5:9 ) and to live a set apart (holy) life in all their ways (1 Peter 1:15) and to not be of the sinful fallen world. Sadly modern pastors are often the most worldly of all!
Today most people in the denominational pews thrive on the worlds entertainment, movies and violent & carnal sports. Jesus tells us to aim for perfection (Matthew 5:48) and in Romans 12:2 Paul says Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 John 2:15 says “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” The early New testament church was holy and separated form the carnal worldly system around them other than their proclaiming the gospel to them. How about you and your body?
Are
you surrounded by committed believers living pure, holy and set apart
lives or are you rubbing elbows weekly with many seekers and modern
false converts? (Are you a false convert?) The worldly and carnal people who aren't serious about walking in God's truth are not part of Gods true church.
5. The
bible teaches clearly that redeemed, holy ladies of His church are to
dress biblically modest, be shamefast and not like the carnal world of
today. This is taught in God's Word to be long robe like garments as noted in (1 Timothy 2). (Click HERE for more info on biblical apparel.) Also, are you aware that biblical head coverings (1 Corinthians 11) are part of God's design for Christian ladies? To not do so is unbiblical and disobedient. (Click HERE for more info on headcovering.) 1 Timothy 2 and1 Corinthians 14 teach that women are to be silent and not usurp authority over men in the body. (No lady pastors.)
Fact: This was taught by early New Testament Christians all the way to the reformers and it was practiced on for 1900 years until feminism was allowed to recently pervert God’s plan. Today, modern religious places don’t teach ladies to be covered or to be biblically dressed. Sadly they have compromised just to keep people in their pews. God Himself covered Adam and Eve in robes in Genesis 3 and God’s Word teaches it’s a shame to pray without your head covered 1 Corinthians 11:6. Today ladies adorn themselves to show off their forms in tight clothes, jeans, shorts, heels, done up hair and painted on make-up etc. which is worldly, not godly. Or they will dress "more modest" for their ritual church services but very worldly out in the world! Is this of a holy God who is everywhere? Have you ever studied these important topics for yourself or has culture trained you incorrectly?
Ladies, does your religious body teach you these holy biblical instructions? This is not legalism! We are saved by faith alone but total obedience and holiness are the fruit of a true salvation and not a false conversion. Dressing and covering biblically are part of God's plan and if you ignore it, are you in His spirit and truth?
Fact: This was taught by early New Testament Christians all the way to the reformers and it was practiced on for 1900 years until feminism was allowed to recently pervert God’s plan. Today, modern religious places don’t teach ladies to be covered or to be biblically dressed. Sadly they have compromised just to keep people in their pews. God Himself covered Adam and Eve in robes in Genesis 3 and God’s Word teaches it’s a shame to pray without your head covered 1 Corinthians 11:6. Today ladies adorn themselves to show off their forms in tight clothes, jeans, shorts, heels, done up hair and painted on make-up etc. which is worldly, not godly. Or they will dress "more modest" for their ritual church services but very worldly out in the world! Is this of a holy God who is everywhere? Have you ever studied these important topics for yourself or has culture trained you incorrectly?
Ladies, does your religious body teach you these holy biblical instructions? This is not legalism! We are saved by faith alone but total obedience and holiness are the fruit of a true salvation and not a false conversion. Dressing and covering biblically are part of God's plan and if you ignore it, are you in His spirit and truth?
6. Are you aware that Local church membership with man’s "extra steps" was NEVER practiced in the true New Testament Church.
It was invented by man to control people. When you are born again in Christ you are in His body and need not join another one. Man has added classes, waiting periods, approval boards and various denominational rules. Anything more is man’s invention not of God!
It was invented by man to control people. When you are born again in Christ you are in His body and need not join another one. Man has added classes, waiting periods, approval boards and various denominational rules. Anything more is man’s invention not of God!
(1 Corinthians 12:20) But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
Does your religious body teach unbiblical additional membership so they can place more man-made rules upon you, or are they teaching you the biblical 'one body' of Christ?
Does your religious body teach unbiblical additional membership so they can place more man-made rules upon you, or are they teaching you the biblical 'one body' of Christ?
7. The
true New Testament Church was "Christ and bible truth centered" not man
centered. They proclaimed the "true gospel" to the lost and people
heard it, repented and were baptized to only then come into the body, be held accountable, disciplined and discipled biblically. It is a gathering of the true saints, not a come as you are for just anyone at all!
Also a true biblical gathering is not based on falsehoods, emotional music, man made programs, compromise truth or a seeker sensitive approaches to draw in and reach more of the lost.
Today we see the focus on man. They are attracting people through new programs, topic driven conferences, famous speakers, book authors, fun outings, lights, smoke machines etc. These often take you far from solid biblical truth and into man’s made up religious world that is more about mans needs then God's Word. The bible warns about such times in the last days and we may well be there.
2 Timothy 4:3 says they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.
What does your religious place use to draw people today? God’s Word (the biblical gospel alone) or age driven programs, recreation, fun events, social clubs, hip music/lights and seeker sensitive activities? Are you being holy saints trained up to go out into the lost world and proclaim His truth? Or are you just bringing the world in (by being relevant) into your body and compromising the Lord's truth to do so?
Also a true biblical gathering is not based on falsehoods, emotional music, man made programs, compromise truth or a seeker sensitive approaches to draw in and reach more of the lost.
Today we see the focus on man. They are attracting people through new programs, topic driven conferences, famous speakers, book authors, fun outings, lights, smoke machines etc. These often take you far from solid biblical truth and into man’s made up religious world that is more about mans needs then God's Word. The bible warns about such times in the last days and we may well be there.
2 Timothy 4:3 says they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.
What does your religious place use to draw people today? God’s Word (the biblical gospel alone) or age driven programs, recreation, fun events, social clubs, hip music/lights and seeker sensitive activities? Are you being holy saints trained up to go out into the lost world and proclaim His truth? Or are you just bringing the world in (by being relevant) into your body and compromising the Lord's truth to do so?
8. Are you aware that worship leaders, practiced choirs, Sunday
school, youth pastors or ritual timed out man led services and
expensive religious buildings were never part of the New Testament
Church? These are all man’s inventions not God’s plan. A true biblical spirit led body needs none of these things at all. Sadly most are being swept away by a perverted system of religion that God did not ordain.
Colossians 2:8 says Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Does your religious body use these "man-made spiritual practices "or do they follow God’s pure and true ways? Do you look like His New testament church or do you look like one that man has invented?
Colossians 2:8 says Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Does your religious body use these "man-made spiritual practices "or do they follow God’s pure and true ways? Do you look like His New testament church or do you look like one that man has invented?
9. Did you know that the tithe was never taught or practiced in the early New Testament church?
Many modern pastors teach it today but it was Old Testament law, for the Jews and it was, in fact, food. No such practice or teaching was used or given in the New Testament writings. It is being used to extract money from you to pay for things the Lord's true body doesn't need.
Paul said So let each give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Are you being taught to give 10% of your pay to go for buildings, blacktop, carpeting and unbiblical paid positions that the true New Testament church never needed? Their offerings went to needy saints and to proclaiming the gospel. Where is your money going to and why, if God never taught us to do such things?
Paul said So let each give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Are you being taught to give 10% of your pay to go for buildings, blacktop, carpeting and unbiblical paid positions that the true New Testament church never needed? Their offerings went to needy saints and to proclaiming the gospel. Where is your money going to and why, if God never taught us to do such things?
10. Lastly, the modern denominational systems of today are built on spiritual lies and falsehoods, not truth. Many of these are from pagan Rome and even the 16th century reformation and they are very unbiblical. Examples:
the Lord’s Supper is for true holy, obedient saints and not just an
assembly line tidbit (it was a full fellowship meal) denominational
names (Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist) are totally false and
unbiblical, seminary taught/modern pastor roles in lifted up pulpits in
special religious buildings (often with gyms, coffee bars, bookstores
etc) with lines of pews for idle saints are all just man’s invention,
not God’s plan for His true people. Why does this all matter you ask?
The bible warns not to practice lies… (Revelation 22:14-15) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
Is your body (you) practicing these lies, and does that concern you? Many say "well we are not perfect” but if you’re truly His, you are called to strive for it. (Colossians 1:28/ Matt 5:48) or you may be in great danger! Rev 2:5 says for the churches to repent! Will you?
The bible warns not to practice lies… (Revelation 22:14-15) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
Is your body (you) practicing these lies, and does that concern you? Many say "well we are not perfect” but if you’re truly His, you are called to strive for it. (Colossians 1:28/ Matt 5:48) or you may be in great danger! Rev 2:5 says for the churches to repent! Will you?
Now realize this; most modern religious leaders are "counting on you never learning these truths" as their unbiblical lording over positions and expensive building expansion plans really all depend
on you being idle in that pew and handing them your money! But God has
a much better plan for His holy people; it’s the true New Testament
body biblically functioning in truth. The fact is in the early church
this was done best in small groups and they met in homes. We meet with modern pastors and people in the pews about these truths so others can be set free
as we were. We encourage modern pastors or you to test our words here
and meet with us to correct us. We will repent and correct it if shown
new truth in God's Word? Will you reason with us over God’s Word? Most just ignore, hide or deny these truths, what will you do? The fruit if these modern places is not what God requires for His true holy obedient people.
Jesus said seek perfection (Matthew 5:48)
If you’re really His, you will seek all His ways. (1 John 2:5 / 2 John1:9 )
Jesus said seek perfection (Matthew 5:48)
If you’re really His, you will seek all His ways. (1 John 2:5 / 2 John1:9 )
PLEASE WAKE UP ....study God's Word for yourself and don't rely on man-made religion any longer!
We are calling out to those who will hear, repent, seek His true body life and be His spotless Bride that He will return for one day.
We are calling out to those who will hear, repent, seek His true body life and be His spotless Bride that He will return for one day.
Come out from among them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Again please know we "work" to support ourselves and would NEVER sell the gospel truth. Let us know how we can assist you?
For His glory,
Jim and Debbie
proclaiming Christ's gospel to all who will hear
Please contact us.
Jim and Debbie
proclaiming Christ's gospel to all who will hear
Please contact us.
Jim (608) 547-8162
Deb 608-547-5392
dontperish@outlook.com
