StandSteadfast

01/07/2024

If you understand T, the rest will go well with you.

25/06/2024

The etymology (origin) of the word “Church”.

In Greek, the Church is called Ekklesia. It is a combination of two words: the EK and the KALEO. EK means “out of / out from” and KALEO means “called / summoned”.

To sum it up, the word church simply means “The Called-out Ones”.

BY this definition, we can conclude that the Church of Christ is composed of the elect of God only.

The precursor of the reformation Jan Huss (1415) was right in saying that, “The church of Jesus Christ is only the community of the elect.” and for this statement he was branded as heretic and burned alive by the Roman Catholic Church.

The writings of Paul, in relation to the word Ek-Kaleo is pretty clear, pointing out the calling of the elect of God.

EK – “out of / out from”

The story of Lazarus’ calling out from death to life in John 11 provides a solid proof of God’s sovereignty in Salvation. As Lazarus was called-out from death to life, so is the church is called-out from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive in Christ (Eph.2:1-10); called-out from darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9); called-out from impurity to a holy living (1 Thes. 4:7, 2 Tim. 1:9, Titus 2:11-12); called-out from the same lump of condemned sinful humanity, set apart for honorable use (Rom. 9:21-22); from being a children of wrath called-out to become a children of God (Eph 2:3); Called-out from Satan’s kingdom to God’s kingdom.

KALEO - “called / summoned”
.And are called according to God’s purpose. Those He Foreknew, He Predestined, He Called, He justified, He Glorified (Rom 8:28-30); Because God has chosen you for salvation from the beginning for salvation.. It was for this He called you through our gospel (2 Thes 2:13-14); God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14); Just as you were called to one hope when you were called (Eph 4:4); God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son (1 Cor 1:9)

08/06/2024

27/05/2024

When did the gifts of Tongues and Prophecy cease?

The gift of tongues was the ability to speak in a known foreign language but one that was not known to the one speaking it. It would be akin to me being able to instantly speak in Zulu. It is a known foreign language, it is just not known to me.

In 1 Corinthians 13:8 Paul said that tongues will cease. Though it does not state precisely when the gift of tongues will cease, the text does indicate that the cessation of this gift will come before the gifts of prophecy and knowledge are “done away” with the arrival of “the perfect” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10).

There is compelling internal evidence from scripture that the cessation of the gift of tongues (better stated, the gift of languages) occurred in the Apostolic age. The gift of languages was a miraculous gift and the last recorded miracles in the New Testament were the healings on Malta (Acts 28:7-10) that occurred about the year A.D. 58. The gift of languages is only mentioned in Acts and 1 Corinthians. Later books such as Ephesians and Romans also mention spiritual gifts but the gift of languages is noticeably absent.

Church history also provides compelling evidence that the gift of languages (and the sign gifts in general) ceased with the closing of the Apostolic age. After the year A.D. 58 there is scant evidence that any genuine believers spoke in tongues. The only ones who spoke in tongues were heretical groups like the Montanists, the Jansenists, the Quakers and the Shakers. Then in the very early 20th century Charles Parham and William Seymour began the Azusa Revival and also claimed to speak in tongues. The Azusa Revival eventually gave rise to today’s modern charismatic movement.

In none of these examples, including that of today’s charismatics, is the genuine gift of languages demonstrated. Modern charismatics speak in unintelligible, ecstatic gibberish, not known foreign languages. Speaking in unintelligible gibberish is a pagan practice and can easily be learned. Speaking fluent Zulu instantaneously when not one word of Zulu is known beforehand is not.

If the gift of languages continued to be operative in the church then why is it that since the Apostolic age ceased that only fringe, heretical groups claimed to have the gift? Why is it today that the Word-Faith/New Apostolic Reformation movements, home to the most brazen false prophets, heretics and manifestly obvious charlatans, are the ones who speak in tongues and yet good, doctrinally sound churches known for their consistent exposition of scripture and practice of church discipline have no tongue speakers?

It is because the genuine gift of languages has ceased. Though spiritual gifts such as mercy, teaching, administration, exhortation, hospitality, giving, etc. have always been operative in the church and continue to be operative today, the Apostolic gifts ceased with the closing of the Apostolic age.

Justin Peters, https://justinpeters.org/faqs/

25/05/2024

“Not of your works, lest you boast.” Eph. 2:9

11/05/2024

Jude 1:24
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy..”

John 10:28-29
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will sn**ch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to sn**ch them out of the Father’s hand.

11/05/2024

“Rock of Ages” Hymn
Written by Reformed Anglican minister Augustus Montague Toplady, 1763

https://youtu.be/4oTsLDkirqA?si=87BZ5kbHM-n5Htk4

09/05/2024

03/05/2024

What is the prosperity gospel?

The prosperity gospel is one of the most prominent false teaching movements of our day. Prosperity gospel preachers and televangelists have deceived multitudes around the world with a false gospel, teaching that individuals who exercise true faith in Christ will surely attain physical, material, and financial prosperity in this life.

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/field-guide-on-false-teaching-prosperity-gospel

01/05/2024

The False Teacher - Pelagius

https://www.challies.com/false-teachers/the-false-teachers-pelagius/

30/04/2024

Justin Peters Ministries

27/04/2024

Justin Peters Ministries in Manila, Philippines

24/04/2024

It’s a church, of Satan.

19/04/2024

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt.. (Psalm 14:1)