BAHA’ISM - RELIGION FOUNDED IN IRAN IN 1863 BY HUSAYN ‘ALI BAHA’U’LLAH. IT  TEACHES THE  ESSENTIAL WORTH OF ALL RELIGIONS, THE UNITY OF ALL RACES, AND EQUALITY OF  THE SEXES.
This religion has some admirable characteristics, and most religions do.  The problem is exactly that. As we look at the world religions, we see many  of them teaching some good things. This is one of Satan’s best tricks if he  can get us to look at the similarities in all the religions instead of the  distinctiveness of Christianity, he can keep us confused. Is unity of all  races a good goal? Yes, if it is unity in the truth of God’s word. Is  equality of the sexes an admirable thing? Yes, if by that one means that  neither sex is mistreated and that they are considered people with human  rights as opposed to property. But is that what is meant by such teachings  or is there something else taught that would violate God’s word.

Are all religions essentially worthwhile? What about the Satanic religion?  What about the religion of humanism? While many religions have some good  teachings, they also have some bad. Are we supposed to swallow the poison  along with the medicine? From a secular standpoint religions are all pretty  much the same. They all have some type of moral code. Isn’t that good? They  all give a portion of their time and material resources to “worthy causes”.  Isn’t that admirable? The point is though that we are not talking about  religion from a secular standpoint. We are talking about religion from a  spiritual standpoint. While society may receive some of the same benefits  from many different religions, The human soul can only truly be benefitted  by a religion that can redeem one from sin and make reservations for  eternity.

Of all these “worthwhile religions”, not a single one of them has as its  founder anyone who can save them from their sins, raise them from the dead, or assure them happiness for eternity. So when we measure the true value of these religions we find them worthless. (John 14:6) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” You have heard it before most likely, but it is good to remember. Jesus didn’t claim to be part of the truth, or one of many ways, or one of several that could bring life. Quite to the contrary of teaching the essential worth of all religions Jesus taught the worthlessness of any other religion. Do you want the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Do you want to go THE way that leads to eternal joy and salvation from sin? Do you want life in this world and the next? Jesus is the only one who can provide any of these three, much less all of them.

Don’t be fooled by the devil when he puts a candy coating on his poisonous lies. All religions outside of Christ are the same, but they are not the same as Christ’s.

BAALISM - WORSHIP OF BAAL
To most of us Baal is synonymous with idolatry. We also don’t often think  of idolatry as a threat to the church today. Sure there are still some  cultures that have their ‘statues’, but we know better. We would never be  tempted by something like that, right? Paul tells us not to be too sure of  ourselves, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he  fall.” (1 Cor 10:12). Even though we might not bow down to a carved image,  we do often allow other gods to come between us and God.

In Canaan there were many Baalim, and each one was supposed to serve a  different purpose. One Baal was for agriculture, another for controlling  flies, another for fertility and sexuality. The word Baal simply means lord  or master. Any time we allow something other than God to be our master we  are following Baalism in a sense. We don’t often name our idols today or  even build physical idols, but we have them all the same. Let us look at a  few.

Just as the Canaanites of old and the Israelites as well offered their  children to their idols, we do today. The god that we offer our children to  isn’t Molech or Chemosh or Baal, but Convenience. If a child is inconvenient  it is either aborted, left on a doorstep, pushed off on relatives, or as a  last resort we will pay someone to take this thing for the better part of  the day so that our worship of convenience is not interfered with. God laid  the responsibility of rearing children on the parents, not on the government  or total strangers. (Eph 6:4) “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to  wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  We sacrifice ourselves many times to the god of Pleasure, just as those in  that time did. They had orgies and thought they were doing what their gods  wanted them to do. We know God does not want that, but we figured a way  around that little problem. Though we would never engage in the horribly  immoral acts of homosexuality or fornication, or murder, rape, and  drunkenness; we really enjoy movies, books, and television shows that  glorify that type of behavior. We rationalize that we aren’t doing any of  those sinful things. Who do we think we are kidding? Paul admonishes us to  think on the good things not the evil. (Phil 4:8) “Finally, brethren,  whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things  are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,  whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there  be any praise, think on these things.” In Romans he tells us that having  pleasure in others who do sinful things is just as sinful as those doing it,  and it is even worse since we should know better. (Rom 1:32 - 2:1) “Who  knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy  of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.  (2:1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that  judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou  that judgest doest the same things.”

Time fails me to examine the Baalim of Popularity, Wealth, Pride, Science,  Entertainment, etc. We need to always keep in mind that not all idols are  made of wood, stone, and metal. Let us determine to serve God and Him alone.

ATHEISM - BELIEF THAT THERE IS NO GOD
(Psa 14:1) “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in  his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable  works, there is none that doeth good.” The law of excluded middle leaves us  with only two options: 1) There is a God. Or 2) There is not a God. We have  to chose which we will believe. David tells us that only a fool would  believe the second. That being the case, our world must be overflowing with  fools.

The atheist (a= against, theist= belief in God) would have us believe that  he KNOWS that there is no God. In order for that to be the case he would  have to have knowledge of the following:

1) God is not here right now. Since one of God’s attributes is that He is a  Spirit and thus invisible, and since science has never even tested much less  proven any instrument that can detect whether God is here right now or not;  then, the atheist can’t know this.
2) God is not somewhere else right now. Another of God’s attributes is His  ability to be anywhere He wishes. The atheist would need verification that  God is not currently on the other side of the earth or in a different part  of the galaxy, and since the atheist can’t be in two places at once, he  can’t know that.
3) God is not in a different time. Considering that God is not limited by  time, even could the first two be proved, the atheist would need proof that  God is not visiting the future or past. He can’t
4) God is not avoiding detection. God is all powerful. Even if the atheist  had the tools that could detect God and was able to be in all places and was  able to be in all of those places in all times past, present, and future; If  God wanted to remain hidden the atheist would have to be more knowledgeable  and more powerful in order to force God to reveal himself to the instruments  he had made.

In short, one would have to know everything and be everywhere all the time,  as well as have limitless power lest the one place this person can not go or  the one thing this person can not know be the very thing we are talking  about, the existence of God. If any being could do all of that, then that  being would be . . . GOD.

Atheism falls in the very demands of its own beliefs. Thus the Psalmist is  so right when he says it is the fool that states as a fact the illogical  position that there is no God. Far less than 1% of the worlds population are  true Christians, and it may not be long before the majority of the world  doesn’t even believe in a supernatural God, much less the true and living  God. My wife at times when she is frustrated will express doubts about her  mental capabilities. Maybe you have felt the same way. Sometimes we think we  are stupid. If you are a faithful New Testament Christian, then the next  time you look at the world around you and feel dumb; tell yourself the same  thing I tell my wife, “You believe in God and Christ, and have enough wisdom  to have obeyed and remained faithful up to this point, you are smarter and  wiser than 99% of the people in the world.” Bet you never thought of it that  way before did you? Don’t let the claims of atheism put doubts in your life.

ATAVISM - REVERSION TO AN EARLIER TYPE
This word is not normally used in religious circles, but we are talking  about things that are dangers to the church so we must make a spiritual  application. Of course atavism in and of itself is not necessarily wrong, in  fact, at times it is a must. For example: (Rev 2:4-5) “Nevertheless I have  somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. {5} Remember  therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;  or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out  of his place, except thou repent.” or (Mat 18:3-4) “And said, Verily I say  unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall  not enter into the kingdom of heaven. {4} Whosoever therefore shall humble  himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of  heaven.” Both of these passages refer to atavism. The Ephesian church is  told that it needs to revert to an earlier type by returning to her first  love, Christ. All men are told that they must revert to the humility and  innocence of childhood in order to enter the kingdom.

On the flip side there are any number of examples we could think of in  scripture and in our personal experience where the negative side of atavism  has reared its ugly head. The recovering alcoholic who goes on a drinking  binge, the drug addict who can’t stay clean, the new babe in Christ who  doesn’t remain faithful, or the once faithful husband who deserts his family  to ‘rediscover his youth’ are all examples of atavism. Peter warns us that  as Christians there may be some who will turn back to that former sinful  life. (2 Pet 2:20-22) “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the  world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are  again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them  than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known  the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the  holy commandment delivered unto them. {22} But it is happened unto them  according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and  the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” Jesus said that  anyone who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back (signifying  atavism) is not worthy of the kingdom.

The good news is that God is willing, actually, desiring that those who  have fallen back into sin will return again to Him. (James 5:19-20)  ”Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; {20}  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way  shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”  (Gal 6:1) “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are  spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering  thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Are you in a condition which can be corrected by atavism? If so, change.  Are you or is someone you know on the verge of reverting back to sinfulness?  If so, encourage one another to be steadfast. Is there a case where atavism  has already taken hold? If so, follow James’ and Paul’s advice and restore  or convert that individual before it is too late.

ASTIGMATISM - A DEFECT IN THE EYE THAT CAUSES LINES IN SOME DIRECTIONS TO BE  FOCUSED LESS SHARPLY THAN LINES IN OTHER DIRECTIONS.

In  case you are wondering as I was, there is another word that is along similar  lines ‘stigmatism’ but is not the same as astigmatism. (I never knew they  were two different words.) Anyway, I had opportunity to be at the eye-doctor  last Friday and found that I had missed this word. Maybe I just couldn’t  read it because of my astigmatism. But, I digress.

There are many lines that must be drawn in the religious world and in the  church, unfortunately, sometimes we don’t see those lines very clearly. The  reason usually is that we have a defect that is interfering with our  spiritual vision. The defect could be any of the following and possibly you  can think of others: ignorance, misinterpretation, learning from false  teachers, love of the world, love of money, or lack of resolve. Many of the  lines that God has drawn; and that we must duplicate in order to please him,  seem somewhat insignificant to human wisdom and that to can interfere with  our ability to see sharply and clearly what God has drawn.

When I was with the doctor he had me read, or at least try to read a chart  of letters and numbers. As a result of my vision problems (in case you  didn’t know, I have had glasses for all of my adult life), there were times that I  couldn’t make out the letters. I would say, “That is either a ‘G’, a ‘Q’, or  an ‘O’. Wait maybe it is a ‘C’.” It was tough. It took several minutes and  several lenses before finally, I could see everything clearly. James likened  the Word of God to a mirror that reflects the truth to us, but some people  don’t ever look in the mirror, some just ignore what they see, some glance  at it every once in a while, and others distort the mirror to their liking.  If we want everything to come into focus we have to look deeply into that  perfect law of liberty, and whether we like it or not, change ourselves for  the perfection of God.

God has drawn some lines for salvation, some for worship, some for service  of our fellow man, and some for constructing the church. There are some  areas where he has even given authority to the elders of the church to draw  some lines, and to husbands and parents to use their judgment to draw  others. Where we are free to draw our own lines we need to apply any  biblical principles that fit. Where others have the authority to draw lines,  we need to respect their authority, and in the areas God has drawn lines no  one else can change them. We need to continuously study God’s Word in order  to have clear vision. We also need to remove any other devotions that are  keeping us from reading God’s lines.

The Bible teaches that baptism is essential to salvation, but sometimes we  are tempted to try to blur that line when our loved ones have not obeyed the  gospel. God hates divorce, but when we are the ones involved we want to put  what we want before the oath we took ‘to death do us part’. We may make any  number of excuses for crossing God’s lines, but none of them make it  acceptable.

ASTATICISM - STATE OF BEING UNSTEADY OR UNSTABLE

The Bible mentions four things concerning the unsteady individual. Let us  examine the results of astaticism.

1) (Gen 49:3-4) “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning  of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: {4}  UNSTABLE AS WATER, THOU SHALT NOT EXCEL; because thou wentest up to thy  father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.” Reuben should  have been the most mature since he was the oldest, but as we see he was  wicked and did not take after his father in righteousness. As a result Jacob  compares him to water. Have you ever tried to stand on water? Even on a  boat that is on the water trying to keep your balance is difficult at times.  Water is unstable and so is the soul of the one who is disobedient to his  parents (physical parents or God our spiritual father). That individual will  never excel at anything worthwhile. Excel, don’t rebel.

2) (James 1:6-8) “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that  wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. {7} For  let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. {8} A  DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE in all his ways.” James lets us know that if  we have an unstable faith that believes in God sometimes, but not other  times, we will not receive anything from the Lord. Of course we know that we  can’t fool God by saying we believe with our mouth, but not acting like it  in our lives. If we try that we are double minded or two faced, we might  say, and we are unstable. Don’t be double minded.

3) (2 Pet 2:9, 14) “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of  temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be  punished: . . . {14} Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease  from sin; BEGUILING UNSTABLE SOULS: an heart they have exercised with  covetous practices; cursed children:” Peter warns us of evil men who do all  manner of evil things, and one of the things they are good at doing is  beguiling or tricking or bamboozling those who are unstable. Why do you  suppose they do that? Their falsehoods and illogical arguments and  emotionally charged speeches would never be able to change the stable soul.  Those of us who realize that life begins at conception and not at birth are  not swayed by the senseless arguments about it being a woman’s body and her  right to chose. We know that she made her choice already and now must deal  with the consequences of that choice. We know that for her to abort that  baby is equivalent to her killing it after it has been born. When we are  stable minded and rational we can only be swayed by reason, but the unstable  individual can be tricked by everything from a flat out lie told well to the  carefully worded concealment of the truth. Don’t be beguiled.

4) (2 Pet 3:15-16) “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is  salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom  given unto him hath written unto you; {16} As also in all his epistles,  speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be  understood, WHICH THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE WREST, as they do  also the other scriptures, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION.” Finally, we see that  the unstable person will ‘wrest’ or twist the scriptures in an attempt to  confuse, corrupt, or convince someone. Whenever we use the scriptures, we  need to be sure we don’t abuse them. If what we are teaching is true the  scriptures will reveal it without our misusing or misapplying them. If the  Bible doesn’t reveal it then we ought not teach it as though it were  revealed by scripture. Don’t abuse God’s word.

ASCETICISM - AVOIDING ALL PLEASURES OF LIFE

Many Christians seem to have the idea that since we are to be in the world,  but not of the world that we must be totally miserable during our time on  earth. While it is true that we should not be too wrapped up in the things  of this world, we must also remember that God created this world for  mankind. When He had finished He declared it to be ‘very good’ and beyond  this He prepared a garden that was probably even a little nicer than the  rest for Adam and Eve to live in. There were those in the middle ages who  went so far as to beat themselves in order to avoid the dangerous sin of  enjoying life. We may not go that far today, but there are some who like to  beat down others at the first sign of enjoyment.

We must realize that even though it is possible to get too involved in this  life, most of the time the man made things are what we get to involved in,  not the creation itself. Paul warns us in Romans the first chapter that  there are those who worship the creature rather than the creator. He also in  that same section lets us know that we can know at least that there is a God  and a powerful one by examining the universe around us. (Rom 1:19-20)  ”Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath  showed it unto them. {20} For the invisible things of Him from the creation  of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,  even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” (Rom  1:25) “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the  creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Jesus pulled illustrations out of nature in order to teach spiritual truths  and so did many of the prophets. When God gave His children a land He didn’t  just give them any land, but He gave them a land flowing with milk and  honey. Solomon said: “ He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also  He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work  that God maketh from the beginning to the end. {12} I know that there is no  good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. {13} And  also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his  labour, it is the gift of God.” (Eccl 3:11-13). Paul also confirms this to  Timothy: (1 Tim 6:17) “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be  not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who  giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”. God created a marvelous world for us  to enjoy and we should enjoy it while we are here.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in Heaven and it will be more  beautiful and more spectacular than anything here. There won’t be any grumpy  people up there, so why not practice being joyful and enjoying what God has  created now in order to prepare yourself for Heaven.

ARMINIANISM - BELIEF THAT CHRIST DIED FOR ALL

Many of you are probably thinking ‘What’s wrong with this it looks like  what I believe?’. The basic premise here is true, Christ did die for all.  The problem here really lies in extremes. While one extreme says that Christ  died only for the elect (Calvinism, which will be covered in the C’s), the  other teaches that Christ not only died for everyone, but also that everyone  is forgiven of their sins as a result. As with most cases of extremes the  truth lies somewhere in the middle.

The Bible teaches clearly that Christ came to die for everyone, but his  death only covers the sins of those who believe and obey, not all of those  for whom He died. Here are just a few of the many verses in scripture that  teach that though Christ died for all not all will receive the benefit of  the death. I have emphasized pertinent sections with all capital letters.

1) (1 Tim 2:3-4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our  Saviour; {4} WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the  knowledge of the truth.
2) (Titus 2:11-12) For the GRACE OF GOD that bringeth salvation hath  APPEARED TO ALL MEN, {12} TEACHING US that, denying ungodliness and worldly  lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present  world;
3) (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now  COMMANDETH ALL MEN every where to REPENT: {31} Because he hath appointed a  day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom  he hath ordained; whereof he hath GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN, in that he  hath raised him from the dead.
4) (Mark 16:15-16) And he said unto them, Go ye into ALL THE WORLD, and  PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. {16} He that BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED  SHALL BE SAVED; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
5) (1 Tim 4:10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because  we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, SPECIALLY OF  THOSE THAT BELIEVE.
6) (Mat 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and  broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in  thereat: {14} Because STRAIT IS THE GATE, and narrow is the way, which  leadeth unto life, and FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
7) (Mat 7:21) NOT EVERY ONE that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, SHALL ENTER  INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is  in heaven.
8) (Heb 9:28) So Christ was once OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; and unto  them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto  salvation.
9) (Heb 10:14) For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE  SANCTIFIED.

From These combined passages we learn (1) God wants all men to be saved,  (2) His grace appeared to all men, (3) His grace only taught ‘us’ Paul says  meaning Christians, (4) God commands all men to repent, thus they are not  already saved, (5) God has given proof to everyone of his promise of a  resurrection in Christ’s resurrection, (6) Jesus told the apostles to preach  to every creature; it would have been a waste of time if either they were  already saved or they could not be saved, (7) Only the ones who believe and  are baptized will be saved, (8) God is the savior of all; there is no other;  men must believe, (9) There will be few saved, (10) Not all will even say  ’Lord, Lord’, but even of those who do not everyone will be saved; just  those who do God’s will, (11) Christ will only actually bear the sins of  many, not all, (12) By his offering he perfected those who are sanctified,  not everyone. So we see that while Christ died in order to present God’s  grace to all only those who accept by obedient faith will receive the  promise. Have you received that promise? Have you told others about it? Keep  the faith, but don’t keep it to yourself.

ARIANISM - BELIEF THAT JESUS AND GOD ARE NOT EQUAL

There are many in various religious groups who teach a variety of doctrines  that impugn the Deity of Christ. This is done in many different ways, but  the end result is always Arianism. Let us look at some of those doctrines  and then examine the scriptures and compare.

1) There are some that teach that Jesus was just a man who was given  miraculous power. Since He didn’t do any miracles until after His baptism  they believe He was a man and that he received miraculous power at His  Baptism.

2) (A) Others believe that Jesus was a created being, but not necessarily a  man. They abuse passages such as Col 1:13-15: “{13} Who hath delivered us  from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his  dear Son: {14} In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the  forgiveness of sins: {15} Who is the image of the invisible God, the  FIRSTBORN of every creature:” There is emphasis placed on firstborn to  indicate the teaching that Jesus was created. These believe that possibly  Jesus was an angel created before the others.

(B) There are some within this group who believe that He was created  especially for the task of dying and was more than an angel but less than  God. They use Heb 1:4-6: “Being made so much better than the angels, as he  hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. {5} For unto  which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I  begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a  Son? {6} And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he  saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”

3) There are still others who believe that Jesus was equal with God but  isn’t any longer. This group might turn to Phil 2:5-7: “Let this mind be in  you, which was also in Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in the form of God,  thought it not robbery to be equal with God: {7} But made himself of no  reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the  likeness of men:”. These believe that Christ never regained the equality  with God that He had.

There are probably others, but time is short. What does the Bible say about  the relationship between God and Jesus? First, it is essential that we  understand that Jesus allowed himself to be limited during his earthly  existence. Those limitations are not applicable to him in his eternal form.  Let me explain. While Jesus was on earth he had to grow up and learn like  any human. Remember that his first miracle was after his baptism. That means  that up to that point He had lived a non-miraculous life. Even the knowledge  and wisdom that He used to impress the men at the temple when He was twelve  had been learned not miraculously given. That should embarrass all of us a  little to know that a twelve year- old knew the scriptures better than we  do, and maybe better than we ever will in our lives. Jesus even during His  ministry was limited. In speaking of the day of His return Jesus said: (Mark  13:32) “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels  which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” While Jesus was on  earth He didn’t know when his return would be. Does He know now? One of the  characteristics of God is that He is omniscient (all-knowing). If Jesus is  not Omniscient, then He is not God. Remember He limited Himself while He was  here.

Let’s look at the three doctrines above. Number one: Was Jesus simply a  man? He took on the form of a man, was born as a man, was tempted as a man,  died as a man, and limited Himself, but even for all that the Bible clearly  teaches that he was not just a man. He got humanity from Mary because she  was his mother, but he inherited Deity from God since God was his father.  Jesus was while on earth what never had been nor ever will be again, He was  God and man. Before this occurred, however, Jesus had been only God and  afterwards he was again only God. (John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word,  and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Number two: Both of these assert the same premise, that Jesus was created.  Again we must draw a bit of distinction between his eternal existence and  his earthly existence. Jesus was made into human form, but he was not  created. The verses used by these two doctrines have been taken out of  context and misapplied or misunderstood. First, (Heb 1:2) “Hath in these  last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all  things, by whom also he made the worlds;” (Heb 1:8-12) “But unto the Son he  saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness  is the sceptre of thy kingdom. {9} Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated  iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of  gladness above thy fellows. {10} And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid  the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  {11} They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as  doth a garment; {12} And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they  shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”  These verses surrounding those used to prove his inferiority clearly state  that Jesus is God (verse 8) and that He made the worlds (verse 2). (Col  1:15-17) “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every  creature: {16} For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and  that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or  dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and  for him: {17} And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”  Here it is clear by following the thought further than the above doctrine  would that Jesus created everything that has been created. Obviously, he did  not create himself so He must be eternal. What then does it mean ‘the  firstborn of every creature’? (1 Cor 15:21-23) “For since by man came death,  by man came also the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die,  even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {23} But every man in his own  order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his  coming.” Paul clarifies in another passage that Jesus is the first to rise  from the dead never to die again. There were others before him who had been  raised from the dead, but all of them died again. Christ is the firstborn,  or first fruits of the eternal resurrection.

Number three: Indeed Jesus did give up his equality with God and took on  the human form. He didn’t remain in that state after the crucifixion,  however. (Phil 2:9-11) “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and  given him a name which is above every name: {10} That at the name of Jesus  every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things  under the earth; {11} And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ  is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The name of Jesus is now above  every name, including of necessity the Father’s name for the time being.  (Acts 4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none  other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” It is  Jesus’ name by which we are saved. The Father all-powerful as he is can not  save anyone apart from the name of Christ.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are equal in every way, however,  it was and is necessary for there to be a chain of command so to speak. By  choosing to come to earth Christ lowered himself and became submissive to  the Father’s will. It had been decided before they even created the world.  At present Christ has all authority and will have until the resurrection at  which time he will give it back over to the Father. (Mat 28:18) “And Jesus  came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and  in earth.” And (1 Cor 15:24-28) “Then cometh the end, when he shall have  delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put  down all rule and all authority and power. {25} For he must reign, till he  hath put all enemies under his feet. {26} The last enemy that shall be  destroyed is death. {27} For he hath put all things under his feet. But when  he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted,  which did put all things under him. {28} And when all things shall be  subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that  put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

APOSTATISM - THE STATE OF BEING APOSTATIZED

We have probably all heard of or known someone who has fallen to apostasy.  There are two ways this can happen. Apostasy is in simple terms ‘leaving the  faith’. Some people like those in the church in Galatia have traded the  truth for a lie, and have fallen to apostatism. (Gal 1:6-8) “I marvel that  ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ  unto another gospel: {7} Which is not another; but there be some that  trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. {8} But though we, or  an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we  have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

The second way that apostatism attacks the church comes in the form of  simply leaving the church or the faith. A look at the context of Hebrews  10:25, which speaks of forsaking (meaning to desert, to give up or renounce)  the assembling of our selves together, lets us know that the Hebrew writer  is concerned about more than the occasional absence. He refers in verse 23  of holding to the profession of faith. (Heb 10:23-25) “Let us hold fast the  profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that  promised;) {24} And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to  good works: {25} Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the  manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye  see the day approaching.” There are many who once held to the faith, but  have for one reason or another renounced that faith either literally by  words, or by allowing their actions to speak for them.

So regardless of whether an individual leaves the faith like Demas by  desertion, or like Alexander and Hymanaeus have blasphemed by changing the  truth of God for a lie that individual has succumbed to apostatism. (2 Tim  4:10) “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is  departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”  (1 Tim 1:19-20) “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put  away concerning faith have made shipwreck: {20} Of whom is Hymenaeus and  Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to  blaspheme.”

(2 Pet 2:1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as  there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable  heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves  swift destruction.