Outline For Building-up And Equipping The Body Of Christ

This Biblical Christianity website encourages people to know and to live, God’s Word; thus enabling us to live now as God intended for us to live, and preparing us for eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Site Navigation:This left-column outline contains links to website pages and sources pertaining to helping the Body of Christ gain the potential for which God designed it. The menu below pages down to the individual sections of this outline from which you can navigate to other web pages. There is a fourth level to some of the third level or decimal elements of this outline that is hidden, to view this level click on the (c) symbol in the outline; to hide the fourth level, double-click upon it (I found out, the last time I checked, that Mozilla's Firefox browser doesn't support this fourth level expansion feature, sorry).

The Battle For Truth Is Almost Lost

The Beginning Of The End

The following is an excerpt from an article by Tal Brooke, M.Div in John Ankerberg's publication entitled A Parent’s Handbook, pg. 70 – showing how error has been introduced into our school system, and throughout the world.

In the 1930s, the reality of influence in the schoolroom spurred John Dewey, the father of American progressive education, to write My Pedagogic Creed. In it, Dewey depicts public education as a massive behavior-shaping tool. Dewey knew that you could sway the beliefs of a whole generation in the classroom and thereby alter the course of a nation. While Roosevelt was introducing welfare programs, Dewey saw the public school system as an ideal platform to proselytize his radical socialistic views. Regardless of what the parents believed, it was only a matter of time before the successive generations took over. It was a quiet way to remake the world.

The following excerpts are from The Biblical Basis For Modern Science, by Henry M. Morris – showing some of the differences between God’s Word and the theory of evolution.

Apart from the basic evolution/creation issue, the most serious area of tension between the Bible and the modern world view is that of the chronological framework of history. According to a straightforward reading of the biblical record, the world was created in six days only a few thousand years ago. On the other hand, modern cosmologists insist that the earth and the solar system developed about five billion years ago, that primitive life forms evolved from nonliving chemicals about four billion years ago, that all other forms of life have gradually developed during the subsequent geologic ages, and that, finally, man evolved into essentially his present form about one or two million years ago. pp. 98-99 . . . .

It is significant that the reliable recorded history of all ancient civilizations (Egypt, Sumer, etc.) Invariably begins only a few thousand years ago, as the biblical chronology of Genesis 5 and 11 would imply. . . .

We conclude, therefore, that the biblical chronology must be taken at face value and that no comparison with the standard evolutionary chronology, either for the earth as a whole or for man in particular, is possible at all. The geologic age concept and its evolutionary framework are thereby proved false, since the Bible is the Word of God. p. 110

Second, I am equally certain, after lengthy study of and research in the facts, theories, and methods of geology, a reasonable familiarity with the data and methods of radiometric decay, etc., that there is no geological or physical evidence that demands an old earth. There are many interpretations of certain geologic data which propose an old earth, but there is always another, usually better, interpretation of the same data which points to a young earth. The scientific evidence is actually somewhat generic with respect to age; it can be interpreted both ways. I am convinced that the better scientific interpretation is of a young earth. There are problems yet to be solved, but the bulk of the evidence points to a young earth, and no scientific facts are incompatible with that view. Conversely, I am aware of much scientific evidence which is seemingly incompatible with the old-earth view.

The following is an excerpt from the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions by John Ankerberg & John Weldon, p. 663 – declaring the logical reasonableness of God’s Word.

Christianity is not just intellectually credible, whether considered philosophically, historically, scientifically, ethically or culturally, but from an evidential perspective it is superior to other worldviews, secular or religious. If Christianity were obviously false, as cults and most skeptics charge, how could esteemed scholars and intellectuals logically make their declarations of faith? While testimonies per se mean little, if they are undergirded by the weight of scholarly evidence they can hardly be dismissed out of hand. Mortimer Adler is one of the world’s leading philosophers. He is chairman of the board of editors for The Encyclopaedia Britannica. He is also the architect of The Great Books of the Western World series and its amazing Syntopicon, and he is director of the prestigious Institute for Philosophical research in Chicago and author of Truth in Religion, Ten Philosophical Mistakes, How to Think About God, How to Read a Book, plus over 20 other challenging books. He simply asserts, "I believe Christianity is the only logical, consistent faith in the world." How could a philosopher of Adler’s caliber make such a statement? Because he knows it can’t rationally be made of any other religion.

Now let’s take a look at some of what the Bible has to say about this battle for truth, and what it involves.

LUKE 18:7-8.... And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?

God sent His prophets repeatedly to the nation of Israel to warn them to remain faithful to the covenant that God had made with them, and they had agreed to. Part of that covenant required them to stay separated from the nations and their religions around them. The subtlety of Satan’s deceptions that lead to their complete downfall is illustrated in the example of Balaam (Num. 31:16; Rev. 2:14), who enticed the nation of Israel to participate in the religious practices of other nations, contrary to God’s instructions. The error that was most effective against Israel was their belief that they could incorporate some of the pagan practices around them into their covenant with God; that they could hold to God and at the same time play around with others. Finally God had to abandon them, until a future date, and call out from the world whosoever will.

The Church, like the nation of Israel, has tried to remain faithful to God, but at times has fallen for some of the same tricks and schemes that brought the nation of Israel into bondage. Things are going to end up somewhat differently with the Church. The Bible tells us that the world will become increasingly wicked, that many people will turn away from true faith in God, that Jesus will come and take to heaven those who remain faithful, and then will bring great judgement upon the rest of this world’s wicked population. So you see, truth is not going to prevail leading up to and during the Tribulation – deception will!

MATTHEW 24:3-30.... While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and said, Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end (the completion, the consummation) of the age? Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; all this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish]. Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, but he who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end. . . .

²¹ For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression) such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now – no, and never will be [again]. [Dan. 12:1; Joel 2:2.] . . .

²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [Isa. 13:10; 34:4; Joel 2:10,11; Zeph. 1:15.] Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and beat their breasts and lament in anguish, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliancy and splendor]. [Dan. 7:13; Rev. 1:7.]

The description and time in history that the Bible declares these events will take place is remarkably similar to our present generation, and could occur at any time. The thing that we need to be watchful against as Christians, is the subtle deceptions that have and will increasingly lead people to abandon true faith in God.

The job that Jesus has given to the Church is to build up and strengthen His Body so that it will not be deceived and overcome by the tactics of the enemy. The armor that Jesus has given us is perfectly sufficient if we will put it on. "For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one), being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete" (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

One more illustration from God’s Word to show us where we must concentrate our efforts. Let’s observe the choices that Lot made, and their results.

GENESIS 13:5-13.... But Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to nourish and support them so they could dwell together, for their possessions were too great for them to live together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle. And the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land [making fodder more difficult to obtain]. So Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I beg of you, between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself, I beg of you, from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot looked and saw that everywhere the Jordan Valley was well watered. Before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [it was all] like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley and [he] traveled east. So they separated. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the [Jordan] Valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom and dwelt there. But the men of Sodom were wicked and exceedingly great sinners against the Lord.

GENESIS 18:17-21.... And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do, [Gal. 3:8.] since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through him and shall bless themselves by him? [Gen. 12:2-3.] For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him. And the Lord said, Because the shriek [of the sins] of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is exceedingly grievous, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether [as vilely and wickedly] as is the cry of it which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.

GENESIS 19:15-26.... When morning came, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, Arise, take your wife and two daughters who are here [and be off], lest you [too] be consumed and swept away in the iniquity and punishment of the city. But while he lingered, the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, for the Lord was merciful to him; and they brought him forth and set him outside the city and left him there. And when they had brought them forth, they said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you or stop anywhere in the whole valley; escape to the mountains [of Moab], lest you be consumed. . . .

²⁴ Then the Lord rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of the heavens. He overthrew, destroyed, and ended those cities, and all the valley and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But [Lot's] wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

GENESIS 19:30-36.... And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him, for he feared to dwell in Zoar; and he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. The elder said to the younger, Our father is aging, and there is not a man on earth to live with us in the customary way. Come, let us make our father drunk with wine, and we will lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring (our race) through our father. And they made their father drunk with wine that night, and the older went in and lay with her father; and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose. Then the next day the firstborn said to the younger, See here, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drunk with wine tonight also, and then you go in and lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring (our race) through our father. And they made their father drunk with wine again that night, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.

GENESIS 16:16-17:1.... Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael. WHEN ABRAM was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete).

Lot moved to Sodom before Ishmael was born and Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old, therefore Lot must have lived in Sodom at least 14 years. Even though it was a very wicked city he chose to remain there with his family, and we can see from the above Scriptures that his whole family had become accustom and attached to Sodom. Even Lot lingered and had to be forcefully removed from Sodom by the angels, his wife in disobedience to the angels also lingered behind or stopped and was apparently covered over with the brimstone and fire, and his remaining two daughters thought nothing of becoming pregnant by their father. This episode most surely and graphically illustrates unto us the powerful influence that our environment can and does have upon everyone of us – they didn’t learn this kind of behavior from Abraham.

Lot’s whole family was put in jeopardy because of their close association with the evil city of Sodom, the nation of Israel was temporarily rejected by God and sent into captivity because of their trying to assimilate the heathen practices around them into their worship of God, and the Church of today is trying to do the same things, thinking, just as these Old Testament people did, that this will be acceptable with God. "For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [Hos. 12:8.] Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. [Prov. 3:12.] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches)" (Rev. 3:17-22).

To protect our families from being deceived and overcome by the humanistic and mystical elements, that have gained control over most of our powerful institutions, must become our top priority. We are told in the tenth chapter of 2 Corinthians that we can and should do this in the following way, "[inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God;" if we will take the time and make the effort. The only place in our environment that we can properly inform our people and expose these pagan elements is in our homes and our churches, and it can’t be done with pep talks and short Sunday School lessons. God’s people need to be shown and clearly understand the infinite superiority of God’s Word over every other worldview or source of information. Wherever these elements contradict God’s Word, they must clearly be shown to be in the wrong. Statistics have shown for many years that large numbers of our children have lost their faith in God through our humanistic school system. We can’t expect a short Sunday School lesson to counteract the 30 or 40 hours our kids spend in our public school system, or the additional hours of humanistic and mystical indoctrination they receive through television and other media. I ask you this question, who is going to do it, if we don’t?