Abraham Failed to Tithe Before the Law?

 Did Abraham Fail to tithe,  before the law?

We were often taught to pay tithes of 10% on income to our churches... Abraham "before the law" was often cited to make this appeal to our congregation.

But, as Paul Harvey said "Here's the REST OF THE STORY"...   

The reasoning went because Abram gave the king-priest "Melchizedek" tithes from the spoils of battle, we should follow suit if we are true to God. 

An emotional appeal to show our own thankfulness to God through a 10% expression may be followed by a verse or two read from the Bible, usually a passage from the law such as Malachi 3:9-10.   

What is NOT pointed out by well-meaning leaders that may benefit from those tithes is: 

 1. Abram only tithed ONCE........... *once in scripture*

   (Genesis 14:20)

 2. Abram then gave the other 90% away also! ........**hmmm** ......:
     (Gen. 14:23)

 3. A few chapters later, we find out a little secret, that in Genesis 20:14 Abraham was bestowed with sheep, oxen, and servants as a free gift, including a financial increase.
   And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and men-servants and women-servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. (16)  And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver..... 

 -What?!  1k of SILVER, besides "sheep and oxen and women servants"? 

What happened to Melchizedek?
What happened to faithful Abraham tithing?
Where's the tithe on his increase?

Did Abraham "rob God"?
How come the Man of God in the Suit behind the pulpit did not notice this passage "before the law"?

What if he is blinded by tradition and dependence on tithe-income from the pew?  

Abraham paid no tithes on all that money and livestock... "before the law".

Of course the people who may financially benefit most from the unscriptural tithes collected from the trusting folks in the pew, will rarely admit the error and missing the Genesis 20 details. ..........

Using the example of Abram's one-time  tithe from material he captured in war and not from his own wealth, should be strongly challenged as a "pay your tithes" church doctrine. 

The Biblical reality that good 'ole Abraham paid no tithe in Genesis 20 exposes the fact that many are defrauded by the teaching that we should pay tithes based on the "before the law" reasoning... 

Have you ever heard "the children of the kingdom are free" as Jesus said, as the plate was passed? 

A warning from Colossians 2:8 (NIRV) 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (Christ never taught money-income tithes)

Pastor, will you cease from teaching the error of tithing from income based on "before the law" now?

****************************************************************
Regarding Genesis 20, Let's point out:
1.  there is no mention of tithes, therefore we cannot add or assume what is not stated.
2.  No other writer in scripture witnessed to Abraham tithing in Gen. 20.
3.  Of note, Abraham was rich long before he tithed in Gen. 14.
4.  The tithe to Melchisedek was not from Abraham's own wealth. -it was spoils of war.
5.  Abraham gave the other 90% away also. Gen 14;23
6.  God did not establish tithing in the Abrahamic covenant. 
7.  Abraham was given a covenant of circumcision which was confirmed as an on-going obedience.
8.  "BEFORE THE LAW"; what other matters are found?
a. Abraham had children by his maid servant without sin.
b. Abraham married his niece, his brothers daughter.
c. Abraham wore a robe, like Jesus, and like God gave Adam and Eve, (ok, humor me). 
THINK! -We do not follow other "before the law" practices such as circumcision (and it was a command), plural marriage, having concubines, or slavery.  
9. Therefore we cannot use Abraham's example to justify tithing nor did the apostles instruct so in the New Covenant. 


We should never "cherry pick" what we like or don't like from scripture to impose as doctrine something the apostles never instructed or commanded the saints to do. Abraham's failure to pay tithes in Genesis 20 illustrates the error of using him as an example for us to pay 10% of our income to a pastor or denomination.

Alms, Not Tithes?

Alms, Not Tithes.
-rory moore

orig in 2014.

How far we have missed a teaching that is close to God's heart.

Although tithing was never commanded or taught by any apostle to any church or saint, let us look at  what scripture says about ALMS.

1. Matthew 6:2 When therefore you do alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. verse 1)
Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

It should get our attention that Jesus called "alms" as "your righteousness"<==

2. === 6:3  But *when you do alms*, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does:

3. === 6:4 that *your alms* may be in secret: and thy Father who sees in secret shall recompense you.

4. ===  Luke 11:41 But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.

5. ===  Luke 12:33 Sell that which you have, and *give alms*; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fail not, where no thief comes near, neither moth destroys.

6. === Acts 3:2 And a certain man that was lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

7. === Acts 3:3 who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.

8. === Acts 3:10 and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

9. === Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 

10. === Acts 10:2 a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

11. === Acts 10:4  And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and your alms are gone up for a memorial before God.

12. === Acts 10:31 and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

"WHEN YOU GIVE ALMS...." and   "your righteousness..."

Jesus did not say "when you tithe..." and none of the apostles He sent did either.

ALMS defined: ccompassionate that is, (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction: - alms (-deeds).

How many teachings did we have on "alms" in 24 years in the church system, and listening to thousands of sermons, messages, and teachings?

In my experience, I vaguely recall them being mentioned once.... and that was around 25 years ago...

2Corinthians 9:5 (NKJV)
 1 For as touching the ministering *to* the saints
 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.6
But this I say, He that sows sparingly ("TO THE SAINTS") shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

 ‎9 as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor (TO THE SAINTS);
    his righteousness abides forever.  note: "his righteousness"...

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not ===>your righteousness <===before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2) When therefore thou doest alms

Widows, orphans, the infirm, those in need.

Do you see Jesus called alms (ministering to others needs), and Paul, "your righteousness"?

This is illustrated in 1st John 3:17               But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?

In contrast,  we  have no instruction for the church to “tithe” in our Covenant.
I have taught that in times past, but I cannot prove it from scripture.
The 10% benchmark is not according to New Testament for  ministering in giving. 

In fact, if we really believe Jesus, what he said in Luke 14:33 is a  key to discipleship. I believe he meant it..  "except you renounce ALL that you have, you cannot be My disciple".
"ALL"  may include our time, possessions, and even our doctrine as we give ourselves to Him and ask for His Will to be done in us. We simply give ourselves to Him and then expect Him to use us in our day.

IF we are to be His disciple.. When I realized He meant that, I saw how I had read over it without stopping to consider the weight of His Words... Luke 14:33.

"as you have done it to the least of these, My brethren, you have done it unto me".
Giving to needs is an act of love that blesses the giver and the ones who benefit, and is a wonderful ministry to the Lord...

He hollered at me: "WHERE DOES IT SAY NOT to TITHE?!!" I answered..

 

Answering a pastor’s highly charged question  "Where does it say not to tithe?!"  by rory moore

He thought he had me, but lo and behold, God anticipated the straw man argument.

Let’s look at a passage used to teach tithing from the New Testament.
He quoted from the passage "indeed men here receive tithes". And then he shouted "Show me where they are taken out!" 

The answer was right there in the very passage he used.
It is in Hebrews 7, and the verse says:

 Heb. 7:18 For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and un-profitableness.
WHAT  WAS THE "FOREGOING COMMANDMENT” only a few verses before?

7:5  And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law

That was where tithes were zeroed out. And he never responded.

I went on to ask how many verses can prove that any of Christ's apostles ever commanded monetary tithes from income, wages, or sales?  

Again, ZERO! 

This is why every pastor should repent of this false doctrine and teach people giving by the Holy Spirit and not a law.  ESPECIALLY to the needs of others.

Here is another truth: we are not to add, twist, or diminish from what the apostles wrote, as they delivered the New Covenant. 

A Covenant is a legal document, a contract, and contains the wishes and directives of the Testator. –That is His Will.

And regarding those monetary tithes, they are not established in either Testament as God's commandment, and they are not included in any form in Christ's Testament. If anyone here has a will, you know it gives your directives to those that will inherit your promises. 

It will stand in court if challenged as it has your expressed terms and conditions for your heirs because you are writing what you want done for your loved ones.

Heb. 9:15... And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament ..

As Testator, Christ never directed the apostles who wrote His Testament to take any form of tithes from anyone and never gave command for his apostles and ministers to take them.

Monetary tithes are therefore *illegal* when imposed on New Testament saints. The New Testament has NO WITNESSES for them. If tithing on income, sales, or wages was apostolic doctrine, has anyone considered none of the apostles commanded, taught, or testified of 10% tithes even once?

In Acts people worked, gave, sold property, and ministered. Where did the disciples in Acts tithe or get them from others?

Pastors are NOT Levite priests and pastors do not have any command to take a dime of tithes from anyone. When God wanted the Levites to get the tithes from the land, it was written for them to get them. But ministers do not have any scripture authority to take any form of tithes from anyone.

Does this resonate? Titus 1:11  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Here is the percentage Jesus required, see if 10% was His standard:
Luke 14: 33 So therefore whosoever he be of you that does not renounce (i.e. disavows) *** all***  that he has, he cannot be my disciple. ..

There it is my brethren, disavowing ownership of 100% is the measure Jesus gave, and if we do not do THAT, (and it includes our mind and religion) we cannot be HIS disciple...
Let’s seek to be His disciple and no longer a follower of men, creeds, and "Doctrinal Statements of Faith".

The choice is yours. Renounce "all" and become HIS disciple and you won't be looking to man for teaching, you will become a steward of the Lord's goods when you give "ALL".

 Jesus is returning to his temple and chasing out the money changers. 
The changing of an Old Covenant agricultural law and a one time event from Abram’s life into New Testament doctrine is tantamount to "transubstantiation", the RCC doctrine that teaches the cracker and wine are changed into the literal body and blood of Christ in the Catholic Mass.

Changing the lawful tithe into a money tithe from income and calling it an act of worship is extortion when the tithe is subject to:

“a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and un-profitableness. “

Book THE TITHE THAT BINDS, by brother Rory

THE TITHE THAT BINDS 





find out the truth. Is pastor right or wrong? What does the scripture REALLY teach about those tithes?
For a digest of tithing truths: A synopsis here:  70 Reasons Tithing is not for Christians.

See this article for a digest of    70 Reasons Tithing is FLAT WRONG.

 TTTB is FREE to read online:
https://archive.org/details/TheTitheThatBindsByRoryOMoore/page/n21/mode/2up

or purchase here on EBAY:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/197051940686

Tithing in the Book Of ACTS

Tithing in the Book Of ACTS
-rory moore

The Acts of the apostles. Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
…And a question of tithing.

Acts is unique in the books of the New Testament. The church was formed as the Holy Spirit was given and the New Covenant confirmed. The disciples and apostles received power and authority through Jesus Christ. The New Covenant became of force and the original disciples of Christ began to minister, teach, baptize, heal, assemble, and spread the gospel.  Acts is the record and details of the "real deal", God gave for us to see and do likewise.

Tithing is commonly taught in modern Christianity. Let's see what we can or cannot find in the Book of Acts in places where there may have been an opportunity to demonstrate or teach the disciples to give 10% of their income. We will use ACTS as a magnifying glass to test the tithe doctrine.

Acts 2:44-45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. -Why were there no tithes upon the sale of possessions and goods here?

Acts 4: 34 For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
-there is nothing on tithing from the sale prices here either, is there?

Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
           2 ) and kept back part of the price, his wife also privy to it, and brought ==> a certain part <==
                and laid it at the apostles` feet.
...Nothing  is said about them withholding tithes. But maybe he only gave "a certain part", such as a 10% tithe?
We do not know, but if he was under a 10% “standard”as today, they may tithed 10% which could be the “certain PART” they gave. But many pastors teach tithing 10% on the increase of things sold in today's church world.

Acts 6:1
Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
... In the daily "ministration", nothing about tithes there either but under the law food tithes were given for widows from the priests.

Acts 8:18
Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles` hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money
... no tithe was mentioned.. -but today many might not pass up the offer of Simon!

Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
… no blessing from tithing silver money is mentioned.
Simon was rebuked for thinking he could buy the blessing with money. Nor did Peter correct him saying "just your tithes are fine".


Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
... Dorcas was known for faithful "alms" giving, not tithes.
"Alms" are compassionate giving.

Acts 10:2
a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
.. Devout Cornelius did not tithe. He "gave much alms" to “the people”, not religious leaders.


Acts 11:29
And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send ===> relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea:
.. they sent them“relief”, not "sent tithes"..

Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
… elders were appointed over churches. There were no tithes ordered to support them with.

Acts 15. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying,
   It is needful to circumcise them, ===> and to charge them to keep the law of Moses. <===
.. The church, elders, apostles and Holy Ghost release Christians from the law. 
They did not "decree" tithing.
People had been teaching the law of Moses to Christians. (15:4)
Tithing was "of the matters of the law" -Jesus said in Mat. 23:23

Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us,
                    to lay upon you ===> no greater burden <===than these necessary things:
29  that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled,
      and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you.
… The Holy Spirit and the apostles did not include tithing as a "necessary thing".

Acts 16:4 And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem.
… Apostolic decrees were delivered confirming the churches, but no tithing decreed and none of the apostolic epistles to the churches decree tithing

Acts 16: 15   And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord
… Lydia, a sellor of purple was judged faithful. She was not told to tithe or commended for paying them.

Acts 18: 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked, for by their trade they were tentmakers.
 Paul and Aquila do not pay tithes on earnings from their trade. Paul and Aquila were tent makers who never paid money tithes under the OT law. 

Acts 19:1 while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul ... came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples
             10 And this continued for the space of two years
…Paul  ministered in Ephesus three years. But he made no mention of tithing from income in chapter 19, nor did he receive tithes.

Acts 20: 7  And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them….. and prolonged his speech until midnight.
… Paul and Luke were in Troas 7 days but on the first day of the week no tithes were gathered nor an offering mentioned.

Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
… where he does not tell them to tithe or receive them from others.

Acts 20:27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
…the “whole counsel of God” he declared does not mention tithes from income. He also wrote the Ephesian epistle and never ordained tithing in that church letter.

Acts 20:28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
   in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord
… “elders” are called “bishops” and instructed to “feed the flock of God”, not feed themselves from them.

Acts 20: 31 Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one…
… Paul remembers his ministry for three years. he never thanked them for tithes or mentioned any of his own. Three years and nothing about tithing? -Nor did he write of tithing in the Ephesian epistle.

Acts 20: 33 I coveted no man`s silver, or gold, or apparel.
… Paul did not covet their money, a salary, or benefits. He did not request offerings and he did not instruct tithes.

Acts 20: 34  Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
… Paul used “these hands", his own hands, to minister to his own needs and others through working.

Acts 20: 35  I gave you an example, that laboring like me,  ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
…Paul told the bishops to work as Paul did, and help weak. He did not tell them to live from tithes. -He did not give them an example to tithe. He did not tell them to tell the church to tithe.

Acts 21: 25   But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
… The letter from the church at Jerusalem included Paul, James, Peter, Luke, and other elders. But there was no reminder to  pay tithes to churches. They did not mention tithing from income.

Acts 22: 3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, … instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God
… Paul gave testimony as a former strict law observer. He does not mention tithing, even though he was a tent maker, earned wages, and was zealous for the law.

Acts 23: 1 And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said,
                   Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.
… Paul lived in good conscience, yet never mentioning tithing. People today are put under a guilty conscience from the perverted use of Malachi 3.

Acts 24: 17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
               18 among which they found me purified in the temple
… Paul brought alms and offerings. Not tithes from income. And  it says he was “purified”. He was purified without tithing!
Acts 24:17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
 -Paul brought “alms” not "tithes".
“offerings” were not money according to the Law. http://preparinghisway.blogspot.com/2011/02/tithes-and-offerings-in-malachi.html

Acts 26: 20   but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God,
doing works worthy of repentance.
…”works worthy of repentance” never mentioned tithing from earned income or the lawful  Jewish tithe.

Acts 28: 10 who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.
…  Paul and Luke were honored. But no tithes reported. Their "needs" were met as Jesus promised in Matthew 10.

Acts 28: 30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him,
              31  preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.
… Paul did not remind anyone to bring tithes. Never in Acts and not once in all his writings. He mentioned his *needs* in  Phillipians 4:16  for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again to my need, and he was in prison when he wrote that. Many preachers will remind the people to send tithes to their ministry today, but none of the apostles ever did.

Now isn’t it of interest that in these 30 passages from the Book of the Acts , not once is tithing mentioned for the saints or churches to observe?  

WHO is MYSTERY BABYLON? A short word.

 Babylon that mighty city..........
-rory moore

In the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, is an entity called "BABYLON" is focused on, especially in chapters 17 and 18.

Although many mistakenly refer to Babylon as the Vatican and the Roman church, it is far greater than that narrow definition. It was once a City-State, and an ancient empire that conquered Israel around 600 BC.
Let's expand our concept of who is "Mystery Babylon the great..."
Without making this too deep or complex, and apply to Babylon the nature and manner to exercise authority and power.

Understanding Who Babylon Is :

(hint 1: Money. 

 it is an economic system based on buying-selling-borrowing. Banking, business, commerce, advertising.

(hint 2:  Politics.

it is a political and governmental system rooted in patriotism, violent force, military conquest, and taking from others through forceful taxation, force of arms, and the non-just legal system.

(hint 3: Religion.

 it is the MYSTERY RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS of the world, satanically engineered for confusion, competition, clergy-ism, division, conflict, pomp and ceremony, showmanship, rituals, that operates through worldly hierarchy's and structures never given in God's Word.

(hint 4: Culture.
Driven by movies, entertainment, music, and celebrity,  it is the social culture that distracts, entertains, appeals to our carnal senses, and uses all means to divert our attention away from the Lord.

(hint 5: Medicine.

The medical system: “pharmakeia". Drug-based treating of most afflictions predicted by scripture. Controlled by organizations like the FDA, AMA, CDC and many others to impose vaxxes, control physicians, in order to shut out alternative and natural healing methods.

(hint 6. Law.

The legal system which pervert true justice and is run by corrupt people, unjust laws, lawlessness.

(hint 7. Military Force.
The world's military to use force to conquer, subjugate, use terror, mass murder, and financial plunder.

Revelation 14:8 And a second angel, followed, saying,
Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (spiritual, economic, social, medical, political, legal, military).

One thing that is astonishing about the above is the number of that certain group of people who claim to be Judaens are found at the top levels of each of those.

The Nicolaitane (CLERGY-Laity) Error Jesus Hates (was not Santa Claus)

Overcoming The End-Time Nicolaitanes

-by Rory Moore

"neither as lords over God's heritage" -1Peter 3
The time has arrived in saving people from the CLERGY over the LAITY Church SYSTEM.

Disclaimer: 
At times it may sound as if I am anti-pastor. This is not so. We love the pastors whom God has graciously put in our lives. The truth is aimed at the harlot system and her institutions,
and NOT at any individual that is trapped by the error of the Nicolaitanes.

• "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes".
  VERY few Christians "hate" this, and if one cannot recognize the Nicolaitane error then one cannot "hate it"  (i.e., despise it).
• We do not "hate" the people snared in the Nicolaitane error. Jesus calls us to love when disagree. 

Revelation 2: (To the church at Ephesus)
6   But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate;
15 So you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,     which I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them (the Nicolaitanes) with the sword of my mouth.

You cannot repent of this unless you know what it is and why Jesus hates it!

Here is truth:
Christ detests the formal, organized  (usually 501c3 incorporated) church government found in almost every church and denomination.  The Clergy over laity churches because it puts man in the place of God.

"Nicolaitane" is from two Greek words "Nike" and "Laos"

The Greek word "nike" means "to conquer"…to dominate, intimidate, CONTROL, rule over, even to manipulate.

It means exercising carnal control. It means ruling by position, dominion, subjugation, and taking authority by these means. 

The word "laos" means "the people", that is, the laity.
Hence,  "nike-laity", i.e. "Nico-laitane" error.

Thus we have by definition the deeds and teaching of those who conquer, dominate, manipulate, and "lead" the laity, or the people.

Why does Jesus "HATE" their deeds and doctrines?

Simply put, it is because it puts men in the place of God, seating them in the temple of God.
-whether they be called the church board, Elder, Senior Pastor, priest, Pope, Bishop, or some other ecclesiastical title.

 And it virtually guarantees the majority of God's people never mature into faith and their own ministry as Jesus.

Denominational, factious, competitive Christianity has given the church a hierarchical, professionalized, titled, system of church clergy organizing offering "strange fire". 

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

·     

o   WHY is no Senior Pastor, Youth Leader, Choir Director, pope, cardinal, Archbishop, priest, monsignor, or denominational structure found in scripture?

o   WHY no scripture giving any Pastor-Priest sole ruler-ship, headship, or sole authority over an assembly of God's people?

o   WHY were no formal titles or labels attached to any New Testament disciples including the obvious ones like the apostles?

o   WHY are no church boards, assistant pastors, co-pastors, associate pastors, or senior church officials in scripture?

The simple truth is because Jesus taught His disciples not to do those things.

Overcoming the Nicolaitane error and deeds

In Revelation 2, the people of God who have eyes and ears to overcome are told:
15-17: So have you also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.
 Repent therefore;
or else I come to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
 To him that overcomes will I give of *the hidden manna....

Serious words I never heard in church, never discussed or considered. Mysterious.
Yet strong admonitions are given in scripture in regard to what Jesus said was the relationship among the brethren and how actual church should function (like family and not am institution).

What Peter said in 1Peter 5:

1 The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

In this passage, note elderS (plural) are among us, Peter includes himself as an elder, and no mention of "pastors".

Why not?
Connect the dots friends.
-God gave a five headship ministries to oversee and serve God's people. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, pastors. Co-equal brethren, elders, men. (my post regarding qualifications to oversee)

-neither ...  means  "  not even, no, not once".

-as lording: means: "to lord against, that is, control, subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome."

Yet this is exactly what the Nicolaitane error does and Peter said not even once was the flock to be carnally subjugated, controlled, or have someone exercise dominion over.

As the Christian sees the truth of scripture, he will need to simply repent and realign his thinking in terms of what the New Testament ministry truly is, not from what we have seen all around us.

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;

The ministry is given to serve, edify, and steward the faith. Those who minister are to comfort, correct, and contend for the faith.
The faith they are to contend for is THE faith as it is written (not the fragmented, conflicted, sectarian mish-mash of faith found in the church world).

Friends, Jesus gave, taught, and lived THE faith to His disciples, who in turn gave the same gospel and the same faith to the churches they established. 

Many pastors compare their ministry to Moses who led the people of God to the "Promised Land" with the idea that there must be a leader-centered administration of a church body.
But that is not a model found in the New Testament because we have Christ and the Holy Spirit given to direct an assembly if they are Spirit-filled and Spirit led. Most churches simply fall back into the traditions of men in their structure.

And the 501c3 Incorporation so common to church groups legally places Caesar above Christ.

You see, when the Nicolaitanes imposed their error and deeds upon the church, the pastor-priest became the preeminent personage.
T'was never meant to be and there is not one positive New Testament example of that.

Who gave the pastor-priest preeminence over the rest of the five-fold ministry and the false hierarchial system of "accountability"?

It was the work of the Nicolaitane clergy. 
As many of us finally realize, this is the most common form of church government around us. .

How do you "overcome" the clergy-laity Nicolaitanes?

Love them but Renounce and resign from all official memberships.
Ask God to take their error and deeds out of your heart.
Then pray to assemble with others.

If these steps are not done, or the deeds and error of the Nicolaitanes not spoken out in the church, then excuses, justifications, and having faith with "respect of persons" (see James 2:1) will keep you within the body of the harlot church system.  -and the cycle of church to church will continue.

James 2:1 NCV

My dear brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ,
never think some people are more important than others.

*the hidden manna....: is the Truth revealed by the Holy Spirit. The "hidden manna" revelation of what the Nicolaitane deeds and error in this post was revealed to me by the Holy Spirit.

My prayer is others will see this and take it to heart. People will rise or fall with the Clergy church system. They will  walk in Light or darkness, be deceived or be delivered. 


Study References:
James 2:1
Matthew 23
Matthew 20: 21-27
1 Peter 5:1-5
Revelation 2:1-20
Acts 20:17-35

My Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

 

Trials

In a period of brokeness, I went through a personal devastation and God in my humbling, showed me things in my heart I needed to work out with Him..

We easily forget He is the owner of all, but by faith, we confess with thanksgiving and make confession to Him, whether we feel it or not.

HE wants from the confession of our mouth the faith we that we preach.

11 years ago I experienced another time of testing after a wreck and serious injury, no medical insurance, a helicopter ride and 9 days in Stanford Hospital (the best hospital in the Bay Are they say).

While laying in the bed with a shattered hip, broken ribs, broken arm, internal injury, stitches in my face, plenty of pain, and not doing well at all, on the hospital bed I confessed:

"I TRUST YOU" to the Lord..

... and ya know, He did come through for me, I was healed. -even my huge bill was paid for me.. miracles are still from Him.

Written Wednesday, 23 July 2008

Through The Valley of the Shadow of Death

No one enjoys physical suffering whether it be a small cut or serious injury.

But as children of The King, afflictions, chastisements, and pain may happen. Of Jesus Himself it is written in Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

and of us in 2 Corinthians 1:7 ... that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation

In early June, the Lord spoke the same verse to me several times: "And Satan answered YHWH, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.

6 And YHWH said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand;

=>> only spare his life."

In all my life, I had never been even once hospitalized or had a broken bone. When I heard those words in my mind, immediately my response was "NO", I don't want anything to do with that kind of trial!"

My mind was made up on that point, and after a few times of hearing that verse, the reminders ceased and life went on.

Then came Father's Day 2008, and the fateful weekend.

On Father's Day, June 15th we had had a pleasant family gathering and late in the afternoon I decided to go do some work on a house we were trying to sell that needed repairs.

I thought that if I could just get a couple of small things done it would make the week easier as far as my workload was concerned. Up on the roof I did some minor repairs, it was about 5:30pm.

While attempting to climb down from the roof, the "A" frame ladder I was using shot out from under me and I fell 7' landing on my side parallel to the ground, breaking both bones in my left wrist and breaking some ribs.

I painfully got up and realizing I was hurt (I did not know yet how bad) got in the truck to drive the 5 minute trip home.

But as I drove home, I came to a traffic light stop, waiting, it turned green and I accelerated through. But then I went into shock and suddenly passed out at the wheel. I came to consciousness in a bad wreck, the truck was on its' side and I was injured a second time, this time to my right leg, dislocating it, breaking the top of it and breaking the pelvis, and in great pain.

The emergency people and ambulance extracted me from the wreck (I had hit and broken off a telephone pole, a tree, and some other things.

Thank God I did not hit a child or another person!) In our small town at the hospital Emergency Room they x-rayed and scanned the injuries, and a special lady, Dr. Martin, was able to reset my dislocated right leg by laying me out on the floor. Although the leg socket was shattered and they realized it would not hold my leg in place, so they taped my leg to the gurney with package wrapping tape!

Phone calls were made to neighboring hospitals for emergency surgery but all were unavailable.

Dr. Martin had determined emergency orthopedic surgery was needed and the only hospital that could work on me was in Palo Alto, a 100 miles away. Later that night-early morning, I was Medi-vac 'ed by helicopter at 4:30am to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. The top medical facility in Northern California.

Standing at the back of the hospital near the helipad, My wife and daughter who had been with me at the hospital, stood watching in shock and tears as they the copter left the pad and flew us off into the pre-dawn sky.

Early Monday morning, at Stanford Hospital, in a semi-conscious state and in a lot of pain, I was taken into an operating room.

But before I got into the op room, a couple of the attendants moved me from gurney to gurney and once again dislocated my leg again. More pain.

Next after signing some paper, in a fog of mental confusion, I remember going into a cold operating room and being put under. During a long operation, my broken left arm was put in a cast, 5 stitches each above my eye and more above my mouth where my teeth nearly broke through the upper area above the lip. A plate and pins were installed into the broken parts of the leg and pelvis during a 4-5 hour operation. Later when I awoke, I looked into the loving faces of my wife, daughter, two sons. and tears came to my eyes. I was also extremely thirsty not having any fluids for nearly as full day.

For the next 9 days I was in the hands of the folks at Stanford. On day 5, they wanted to release me but a new problem had manifested itself, -I would get very faint just trying to sit on the edge of the bed and when I tried to stand, as a physical therapist attempted to get me to use a special walker, I passed out stone cold again.

When I came to, there was a room full of nurses, yelling, and hands lifting me up and back on the bed. My blood pressure kept falling very low.

This was repeated the following day (Sat), and now, in addition to broken bones and pain, I was blacking out and no one knew why. Off to the cardiac ward I went..

At this point, they could not release me because of danger of me suddenly passing out and compounding my injuries. This brought me to the attention of another round of physicians and a cardiac specialist. More tests, scans, heart sonogram, and a lot of blood tests to me, a man who absolutely detests needles!

Dr. Hsia at one point was thinking a pacemaker, which I would have refused, as my heart is just fine.

Soon I realized they were playing a guessing game as they could not figure out the cause of me blacking out, and I had become a personal challenge to a number of physicians.

I really wanted to go home and been praying, my faith was weakened by the pain. I wanted to believe the words of scripture.

The injuries were bad enough but now there was this black-out obstacle, and I was calling on the Lord and confessing His promises over my body, as it says "fight the good fight of faith". -and I was fighting as lay there in the hospital bed.

In addition to that, we do not have medical insurance and we live by faith for God to supply, and this too was cause for prayer.

Sunday: Into the Valley of the Shadow of Death

On Sunday morning, Day 7 at Stanford, a Heart Specialist MD came to see me and he was determined to solve the fainting spell mystery. His approach began with heart and blood pressure tests while lying down, sitting up, then standing.

While lying down it was 135/72, then sitting up it dropped a bit to 126/68. So far, so good, although I felt lightheaded while sitting. I knew something was not right.

He had also hooked me up to a gaggle of electrode things on my chest and there were a couple of monitors for the heart, vital signs, and what ever else they had .

As I tried to stand, the light headedness gave way to dizziness and a cold sweat, I began to sway, and just as I passed out, the doc sat me down on the edge of the bed.

The fainting quickly passed and the next thing I saw was a couple of more doctors come into my room. We all discussed what I was feeling and they noted the various monitors.

After a few more minutes they got me to my feet again and in a minute or so of standing with the aid of a walker, WHAM! -I went out cold.

But this time was completely different.

When I blacked out, I left my body. It was actually a pleasant sensation as I left behind all physical senses, discomfort, and pain as I found myself in another dimension.

There was no sense of fear as I observed a sort of foggy looking place with numerous pulsating lights way off in the distance, and I heard voices speaking, although I saw no one.

The lights I saw seemed to be spirits and the voices may have come from them but I am not sure.

As I tried to hear the words from the voices, two lights appeared near to me, and suddenly, clearly, I heard these words:

"PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING" .

Then suddenly I was back in my body and heard serious-toned voices speaking.

People were tensely speaking and I felt myself being put back on the bed, possibly someone pressing my chest, and I was soaked with sweat.

Later, after things calmed down, the doc said my blood pressure dropped “to 86/67 and here is where you heart stopped”.

It was stunning to hear that. I then knew it was exactly when my heart had stopped, it was the moment I left my physical body.

After stabilizing, even with the low blood pressure (which stayed that way all day), I was left alone except for the nurses and all the stuff hooked up to me.

I thought about my own mortality and the stopping of my heart, dark thoughts began to flood my mind: "What will Linda and the kids without me?"

The possibility my heart could stop again anytime, and those blackouts!"

I was not ready for leaving them.

It was deeply crushing, depressing, and my emotions were surfacing as I wept over my situation there in in the hospital bed.

Later that afternoon a friend from Pennsylvania called, and prayed for me rebuking the cause and symptoms of the blackouts.

I thanked him with agreement but was sure he could sense my spirits were low. I felt physically weak and still wondered if and how I would make it.

About 4 pm I began to pray and parts of the 23rd Psalm came to mind:

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name`s sake.

4 Yes, if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

I began to confess verse 4 out loud to the Lord, and prayed for some kind of help, "God, can you send me a messenger?".

A Messenger Arrives

About 6pm a Food Attendant came into my room.

She looked at me with kind of a strange look as she prepped the food I was not interested in.

Then she asked me "Do I know you, have we met somewhere?, you look so familiar". (I looked like a mess!, arm in cast, face stitches, pale, in pain..)

I noticed she was wearing a small gold cross, but that may or not mean much these days.

She told me "you look so familiar" but we found nothing common and our paths had not crossed before. I live in Los Banos 105 miles away.

She said she lived in San Jose, and worked at Stanford only on the weekend, part time, yet in this large medical facility with multiple floors and wings, she was there in my room in my dark hour.

I read her name tag, it said "Evangeline".

Evangeline asked me how I was doing, and I responded "not too well". She asked "How's that?"

I told her I was struggling with my faith. I went on to say God gave His Word in 1Peter 2:24 that "by His stripes we were healed, and in Mark 11:

23 Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he says comes to pass; he shall have it.

24 Therefore I say to you, All things whatsoever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

And Hebrews 11:1 where it says "Now FAITH is the ASSURANCE of things HOPED FOR, the EVIDENCE of things not seen."

Although I was struggling to "hold fast the confession of your faith that it waver not", because of what had happened to me that morning, the pain of my injuries, and the low blood pressure, my faith in God's Word for myself was being severely tested.

However Evangeline spoke very comforting words to me and assured me of God's care, saying "you are going to be fine God will take care of you". She repeated those words several times before she left and continued her rounds.

After Evangeline left the room, as I pondered these things, I noticed it was the time of our online Bible Study. I found out they were also praying for me at that same hour while Evangeline was with me.

Then the Lord began to speak to me. He told me He had sent her, that He had made me appear as someone she knew in order for her to take the time needed for me to confess to her my struggle and the scriptures above.

The Lord told me she was a vessel who would receive the testimony of The Word (the scriptures written above) that The Lord wanted me to confess with my mouth, according to Romans 10:9

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. (the word saved also means healed.)

To my surprise, later Evangeline returned and I told her what God had spoken to me about her. She was amazed and she said how she had prayed while on the way to work asking the Lord to use her to be a blessing to someone. Yet we were both so astonished at the reality of God's hand directing multiple circumstances.

That evening I sensed the change within my body. The weakness, faintness, fragileness was gone. Isn't it interesting that from that night forward not once have I blacked out or fainted? praise be to God! (even to 15 years later).

Two days later, June 24th, I went home and healing was evident with each passing day. 3 weeks from the time of the wreck, my faith had strengthened and I removed the arm cast. That became another trial because the arm hurt and I was tempted to call the doctor. But by God's grace, I held fast to my trust in Him and the pain left after 5 days, the arm has been fine ever since.

5 weeks later I was walking (with a limp), unassisted. God is my Healer and our Provider. It was so wonderful to be home and I have a new perspective and fresh compassion for people who have been injured and suffering.

I also have a new found respect and admiration for those kind nurses and staff who attend their patients.

So many of them showed real care and concern as they served in their job, I say this about both hospitals who treated my injuries and even the very professional flight crew on the helicopter.

For my family, especially my wife and daughter, we thank everyone who prays for us and ministered to us as we go through tribulations. The calls and prayers received while in Stanford made a difference in encouraging and comforting us, thank you again.

"Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities."

Pic:

After shearing off a power pole, then hitting a small tree, the truck ended up on the passengers side and with great difficulty, the EMP personnel extracted me thru the back window. I remembered seeing the face of one of them looking in through the rear window. Years later I met him by chance doing some work at a rental house and as we chatted, I asked him where he worked. Short story is he was still an EMP and he was the man I had seen who rescued me out of the wrecked truck.

-My face had hit the windshield and the steering wheel (10 stitches). My right leg was broken at the top and the pelvis socket shattered into 5 parts. And the broken wrist (Colles fracture/ both bones) and several broken ribs.

I never went back for follow up and not returned to the doctor since leaving Stanford 6-24-08, thank God for His healing promises.

Soon after, I returned to work that September, even climbing a ladder again, about 3 months later.

Today I have no limp, but there is a 20” scar on my thigh and hip where they operated.

Did I mention that messenger, Evangeline? While in Stanford I had prayed for a messenger.

A few months later after I felt so much better, I thought of her and looked up her name.

It means "Messenger of good news". http://www.babynames.com/name/EVANGELINE

I contacted the hospital to find out when she worked so I could speak to her and tell her the good news of my healing.

Calling Stanford, the connected me to he Food Service Kitchen and I got the manager.

I asked when Evangeline was working again so I could thank her. The Manager said "I have been here 6 years and there is nobody named "Evangeline" working here.

But I argued, "YES there is, she attended me 4 months ago".

The manager said "I am sorry sir, we have no one by that name working here, not now and not prior."

I wanted to argue but realized it was pointless.

God had sent me a messenger.

39Kimberly Hervé, Mark Angelo Williams and 37 others

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