God Demands Freedom Of Speech!

God Demands Freedom Of Speech!

(Among His Saints)

Chapter 17 Preview: The prophets of God were murdered for boldly proclaiming the truths of God. Jesus (actually Yeshua, off site) was slain because he passionately spoke the words of His Father. Millions of martyrs have died rather than remain silent. Yet today, multitudes of people shackle themselves into darkened galleys (church pews), each repeatedly whispering the mantra: “ALL speak the same thing”. Yet lacking courage, FEW EVER SPEAK! In this small porthole in time—while freedom of speech prevails—why are professing Christians afraid to speak out in their own congregations, among their own brethren, about their heart felt personal convictions? When did apathy triumph over passion? (Sequel to: Are Sermons Biblical?)

God has written the desire for freedom of speech upon the very hearts of His people Israel—to our virtue, or shame. That is why the modern western democracies, descended from ancient Israel, are unique among the peoples of the earth. Elsewhere, for the most part, dictatorships, despotism and tyranny reigns. So why have so many “Churches” (off site), contrary to our “stiff necked” nature, espoused the Catholic hierarchical approach of government? Why are we not allowed to express legitimate concerns about the faithfulness of our leaders to the doctrine of Yeshua? God has rubbed our faces in hierarchy, yet we are still not free to speak without being publicly “marked” !

The prophets of God were slain for boldly proclaiming the truth. Yeshua was crucified because he passionately spoke the words of His Father. Millions of martyrs died rather than remain silent. Today, multitudes of people shackle themselves into darkened galleys, each repeatedly whispering the mantra: “ALL SPEAK the same thing”. Yet lacking courage, FEW EVER “SPEAK” ! In our small porthole in time, while freedom of speech truly prevails, why are professing Christians afraid to speak out in their own congregations, among their own brethren, about their own heartfelt convictions? When did apathy triumph over passion?

God has written the desire for freedom of speech upon the very hearts of His people Israel. That is why the modern western democracies, descended from ancient Israel, are unique among the peoples of the earth. Elsewhere, for the most part, dictatorships, despotism and tyranny reign. So why have the Incorporated Churches, contrary to our very nature, espoused the Catholic approach to “Church government” We are not allowed to express legitimate concerns about the faithfulness of our leaders to the doctrine of Yeshua. God has rubbed our faces in hierarchy, yet we still fail to speak for fear of being publicly branded and banished!

In my Exposé entitled: Are Sermons Biblical?, I explained the Biblical format for Sabbath Assemblies from the point of view that 1 Corinthians 14 presents the most essential instruction available to us on the topic. We saw that not only is the term “sermon” absent from the scriptures, but also the very concept of sermons is in direct contradiction of scriptural admonition. The Biblical model is actually so self evident that even critics cannot help but acknowledge that an interactive gathering was the course of action that Paul undertook. Still, some question whether or not it would be a sin to substitute the traditional Protestant sermon/service format. (On a noteworthy but related topic, our forefathers fought to allow us to have what is legally termed a “Free Church” [off site]. The incorporated Churches are in for great trouble.)

To understand the reason why Paul preserved the tradition of “interactivity” in the early Assemblies, rather than advocating “pontification” , an unwarranted later alteration, we need to consider principles garnered from every relevant scriptural passage. Paul taught that “ALL” should participate (1 Corinthians 14:31). When a minister continuously imposes only his viewpoint on a congregation, without allowing the “listeners” any right to be heard, then the people are being set up for disaster. I want to describe the dismal problem that I personally had with the last three church organizations with which I was associated. The root of the “one voice” problem is man’s hunger for power. The lust for power can be directly associated with the local sermon giver, if he at least has some freedom of speech or the problem may originate from regional or national puppet masters who tell their hireling “ministers” what to say. When civil government officials deny individuals an opportunity to be heard by their peers we call it totalitarianism!

My Personal Experiences with Religious Intolerance

In 1993, after attending the Worldwide Church of God for twenty years, I decided to read their several years old booklet entitled “God Is”. I suddenly realized that the strange comments that I had been hearing for the last few years were a blatant attempt to gradually introduce the Trinity doctrine into a church that had heretofore faithfully explained the pagan origin of the concept and had previously been exposing most of the forged, twisted and misapplied “scriptures” that seemingly support it. Realizing that the ministry had already accepted the “new truth” or else lacked the backbone to oppose it, I found myself in a totally unexpected dilemma. I decided to discuss the evolving apostasy with my friends—knowing that I would be promptly disfellowshipped. What a tragic feeling it was to be totally prohibited from reasoning from the scriptures with my friends. Had the church established a forum for brethren to question its teachings, allowing at least some open discussion of differing viewpoints, then some spiritual lives might have been saved. Freedom of speech in an Assembly is a matter of spiritual life and death!

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Interestingly, the two ministers, from separate congregations, who eagerly cast me from their congregations were soon afterward preaching in a large “splinter group” that teaches against the Trinity! Perhaps they apologized to their now non-Trinitarian God, but they never admitted the error to me, or to those who felt that there must have been a valid reason for my banishment. Eight years later, with reluctance, I decided to visit one of the nearby congregations led by one of these now “re-enlightened” ministers. When the minister arrived, I was greeted with a smile and the comment: “Here comes trouble”. He had nothing else to say.

Proverbs 11:9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

In 2000, I was a member of one of the larger WCG “splinter groups”. I had even spearheaded the formation of the local group. Out of the blue, I was challenged to consider some historical information about the Jewish calendar. I began to casually look into the matter only to discover that Hillel 2 had radically altered the method that the Jews used to determine the Holy Days in the fourth century. Most of the time, today’s Jewish Holy Days are not in sync with the New Moons. Historical information verifying this change is virtually unchallenged. Yet some COG ministers have even resorted to rewriting history in an effort to deny that Hillel 2 made the changes. Jewish authorities unanimously acknowledge that their “innovative” calculated method of determining which days are holy had not finished evolving until a thousand years AD!

By chance, soon after I learned of this, and before a Holy Day had arrived to betray my newfound conviction, I was exposed. I could not evade a direct question. Beginning immediately, and for eight consecutive Sabbaths, “calendar nuts” were bombarded from the pulpit. Again I was trapped in a situation without any permissible recourse. The ministry was hostile and in no mood to “reason together” from the scriptures.

Proverbs 15: 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

As I was preparing to abandon ship, I decided to reveal to my friends a few of the things that I had discovered; knowing that I had nothing to lose and that they had knowledge to gain. Had I been allowed to have only a few minutes of time in front of a “jury of my peers” , I know that I could have poked a dozen holes in the unsubstantiated assumptions of my brethren. One friend actually did want to understand my new found conviction, yet he told me that he did not care to verify the information because he preferred to follow the church instead of Scripture, believing that the ministry was responsible if he sinned! Can you think of a Biblical example where God ever permitted one person’s sins to be passed on to another?

Totalitarian rule is of and by Satan! If an organization does not allow you to follow your conscience in every instance, then they are trying to put a fence between you and your God! Your conscience is the very means by which you respond to the urging of the Holy Spirit. Totalitarian rule is idolatry! There is no excuse if you worship a golden calf, even if a modern day Aaron is palming it off as the God of Israel. By all means learn from others but never, under any circumstances, become dependent on them for your salvation!

1 Corinthians 1:12-13 Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

By 2001, I was a member of a geographically dispersed “calendar group” for about a year and a half. On the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the group of about one hundred members was surprised to learn that there was a “likely possibility” that the very vicinity in which we were meeting in was the “place of safety”. “Better still” , we wouldn’t have to leave the U.S.! The audience was entirely composed of former WCG members, most of very long standing. To my horror, this group was remarkably receptive to believing their leader when he said that the long awaited time to flee was “imminent”. All but a handful immediately committed to help “prepare the way” for their less informed brethren in the “greater Church of God” who would be awakening soon. The “likely possibility” was immediately accepted as solid truth with almost no doubts expressed! Plans to sell homes and “migrate” to the desert area commenced on the spot.

Because of the long standing acceptance by the Churches of God that the “leader” , “God’s anointed” , speaks for God—any dissention among the ranks is unequivocally regarded as insubordination. The one person, who briefly stated aloud that he did not believe that anything was “imminent” , was promptly and vigorously ridiculed. My difficulty with this approach is that no forum is ever permitted in any of the COG’s, that I am aware of, where one may publicly question the leadership. There are no checks and balances that include the majority of the congregation. Sure, you are permitted to go to a minister in private and express concerns, but any significant challenge to the ministry will almost certainly result in banishment. The membership of the vast majority of today’s Sabbatarian Churches of God are still amazingly tolerant of this situation, having been taught (brainwashed) for decades about the “no questions asked” superiority of the “top down” approach. How much more must happen to shake our confidence in men? This is in great contrast to the Biblical approach exposing the errors of mandatory silence vividly.

I am fully convinced that should this same “place of safety” announcement be made in many of the other hundreds of COG splinter groups, the same conditioned response would occur. WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO FOLLOW THE “APOSTLE” OR “MINISTRY” IN A WAY COMPARABLE TO HOW THE CATHOLICS ACCEPT MEDIATORS BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND GOD!

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…

Acts 17:11 Now these [Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Lesser examples of erroneous beliefs being imposed upon congregations, blindly following the lead of the ministry, could be demonstrated for virtually every Christian professing organization in the world. The question is: Whenever we must choose between what we believe to be the truth and what anyone else says—should we follow a man or should we follow the conscience that God gave each of us? The following scripture illustrates that even unconverted non Israelite aliens are responsible to heed their own consciences!

Romans 2: 14-16...for when “gentiles” , who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else EXCUSING them, in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by [Yeshua] Christ, according to my “gospel”.

Here is an example of being excused for not having a good shepherd. People who literally believe the above passage are part of an extreme minority. Yet it is marvelous and comforting. It powerfully expresses the impartial justice of God. It is the nobleness of your conscience, rather than the power of your intellect that God takes notice of! Your intellect is largely determined by random genetic factors beyond your control. However, your conscience is a spiritual component that is the standard operating equipment within humanity, it places us above the animal kingdom. It is our spiritual guidance system, yet it is under our own manual control. It is a “still small voice”. Listen to it!

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

Vegetarian Shepherds?

We have been conditioned to go to a minister instead of going to God. We have been programmed not to think for ourselves. Many even believe that “all things” , meaning Biblical truths, have been restored! Yet if we can find a single exception to this theory, then the notion falls apart. When we find incongruities between what we see in scripture and “church doctrine” , we assume that the problem lies with us. Should we cease to even read the Bible, and prove all things for ourselves, since we are strongly admonished to believe the explanations of the professionals? Sheep follow their shepherds, but if this analogy is taken one step further, the shepherd eventually decides that it is time for the slaughter. Too many “ministers” have gone that next step. Certainly this is an extreme illustration—but its extremity only underscores the influence of “the ministry”.

A Multitude of Counselors is Your Safety Net

When a serious decision has to be made, then many viewpoints should be considered. The more important the decision, the more essential the council is. Consulting a “paid for” ministry, when they are required to “all speak the same thing” , is not necessarily going to present you with a variety of open and sincere viewpoints to consider! Standardized headquarters prescribed solutions are frequently standardized formulas for failure. I remember when the WCG told happily married people to divorce if they had been previously married outside of the church. The anguish was immense; the recourse was supposedly to “obey, or end up in the lake of fire.”

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors [viewpoints] they are established.

Perhaps you have been warned against seeking out the input of other converted people because they support another group. Maybe you were even told that they preach “another gospel”. Still, as long as a brother is conscientiously keeping the Ten Commandments and truly acknowledges that Yeshua the Messiah has come in the flesh, there is no scriptural excuse for ostracizing yourself from his company. Shunning, excommunicating, marking, disfellowshiping or “dismembering” or any word for the banishment of such a person, would be a sin!

Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 24:23 These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to EVERYONE who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear...

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel...

Should You Study “Dissident Literature”

For years I was afraid to read anything that was written by people having opinions that were different in any way from what I had been taught by the church that I attended. I was told to guard my mind against anything not written by the “true church”. Fear of losing my crown effectively stifled my spiritual understanding for twenty five years! I was afraid of my own thoughts. Had I not finally been forced to get out from under the rock that I was hiding under (because it was smashed), I might never have learned another meaningful thing about God.

Should we close our minds to new challenges from other sources? How can you be sure that another viewpoint is not right? To my total astonishment, I found out that many things that I had assumed to be the truth were only supported by assumptions! It is amazing how well many assumptions are camouflaged! Often an assumption is supported by several other assumptions. Unless you challenge your own mind to learn new things it will deteriorate. Use it or lose it! Usually you discover that you have assumed something only after being confronted with the right question, whether by seeing it in writing or hearing it.

Reading literature written by a “multitude of counselors” is one of the best ways to be certain that you have taken into consideration a significant representation of the relevant information available on any given topic. You can learn a little here and a little there, either adding to your existing fund of knowledge or else ferreting out cloaked assumptions, which will result in yet another quest for knowledge. Only after you actually begin to prove things for yourself, even things that you have been willing to stake your life on, will you begin to really learn. Any time that you are afraid to consider a conflicting opinion, then be assured that you have not proven your existing point of view. God will never greatly reward you for holding fast to assumptions!

Imagine that you were trying to learn the truth at a jury trial, would you believe the accuser without hearing the accused?

Proverbs18:17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.

If you do not hear both sides of a story you cannot possibly be certain of the truth! It is the same with any controversy.

John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

You will be judged on your judgment! Righteousness is using wise judgment.

Can a Church Forfeit it’s Freedom of Speech, and Consequently Yours?

When a church incorporates itself with a civil government, it is granting that governing authority the role of master. This is worse than when ancient Israel formed treaties with heathen nations. At least then, Israel had equal say in the arrangement. Corporations are under the direct control of a human government. When the historic confrontation between the Worldwide Church of God and the State of California erupted, it was because the church had incorporated. It’s all about money!

To compound the evil, many incorporated churches even frown heavily on their members informally getting together with open Bibles in front of them. Righteous people earnestly seek out opportunities to learn while fools avoid opportunities for instruction. The entire book of Proverbs illustrates the value of seeking wisdom. By all means seek it.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Proverbs 15:31-32 The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

Is the following scripture an example to “the ministry” of how to teach with autocratic “authority” Or might this be just another example of how the KJV translators were under orders to “translate” in favor of hierarchy?

Yeshua “taught them as one having authority, and NOT as the scribes.”

Three of the first possible renderings of “authority” have nothing to do with one being subjected to the will of another. In fact just the opposite is being illustrated. Yeshua taught freedom of “choice” and of “liberty”. He taught the use of reasoning together using “mental power”. He tried to influence people to do the right things by the logic of what He said! (He is the Logos—Logic!) His logic was so superior that His enemies eventually did not dare try to trap Him with politically dangerous questions, because they were without fail proven to be fools!

Matthew 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, [Yeshua] asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: 44 ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’? 45 “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son? 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

Three Things To Consider!

Are you afraid of being disfellowshipped if someone asks you about “the hope” , meaning any part of that hope, “that is in you” Keep in mind that you already have freedom of speech and that God expects for you to use it wisely. It is wise to temper controversial comments by saying “this is my current understanding” or some such statement. If your friends want to discuss controversial Biblical subject matter that you do not necessarily desire to discuss with babes, then avoid needless public controversies by inviting them into your home. This is recognizing the difference between when it is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”.

Secondly, if a brother is disfellowshipped, but he has not sinned, would you side with his persecutors? He may be in dire need of encouragement. Would it matter to you if he were only cast aside for following his conscience?

Thirdly, would you be afraid to be cast out of a corporate church over a matter of principle? If you are afraid, can you be certain that your priorities are right?

There is, as Solomon said:

Ecclesiastes 3:7 A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak...

Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.

“Don’t fear what they fear”:

1 Peter 3:13-16 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, [for example: disfellowship you] they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ. WEB

What about Matthew 23:1-3? Aren’t we commanded to obey our ministers?

Matthew 23:1-3 Then [Yeshua] spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. 3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. WEB

The following two paragraphs are from an excellent offsite article on the topic of “Moses seat”.

“All therefore—that is, all which, as SITTING IN THAT SEAT, and TEACHING OUT OF THAT LAW, they bid you observe, that observe and do. The word ‘therefore’ is thus, it will be seen, of GREAT IMPORTANCE, AS LIMITING THOSE INJUNCTIONS WHICH HE WOULD HAVE THEM OBEY TO WHAT THEY FETCHED FROM THE LAW ITSELF. In requiring EXPLICIT OBEDIENCE to such injunctions, He would have them to recognize the AUTHORITY BY WHICH THEY TAUGHT over and above the obligation of the law itself—an important principle truly; but He who denounced the traditions of such teachers (chap. 15:3) cannot have meant here to throw His shield over these [traditions, and rules which were not “fetched from the law itself”] ...”

“In other words, “Moses’ seat” meant authority to administer THE LAW OF GOD—the Law given by God to Moses—correctly. And, as long as they were administering that Law, and teaching it correctly, they were to be OBEYED. However, this did not include their own humanly devised traditions, or man-made “laws,” because such “traditions of men” and “added” human commandments were NOT given to Moses and were never part of the Law of God!”

What About Hebrews 13:17?

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. WEB

KJV: “Obey them that have the rule over you...”

The “James gang” and their more recent cronies have put a spin on this verse. The same word that was translated as “obey” in Hebrews 13:17 can also be translated as “agree” , “assure” , “believe” , “have confidence” , “be confident” , “make friend” , “persuade” , “trust” , and “yield”. It means to convince, by analogy to pacify or conciliate, to assent, or to rely. (Strong’s Concordance) It means to remain teachable. As leadership teaches things concerning scripture, you should listen and be persuaded to follow, IF what they teach is found in God’s Word. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words says “to persuade, to win over” or “to be persuaded, to listen to, to obey.” It goes on to state that, “The ‘obedience’ suggested is not by submission to authority, but resulting from persuasion.”

Commentary is also appropriate for the word “rule”. It is a generic term that is “used of any kind of leader, chief, commander”. In reference to God’s people we should have leaders—not rulers! (Matthew 20:25)

Fellowship or Shipwrecked Fellow?

Fellowship implies agreement within the faith. It is an absolute necessity to be able to discuss the thoughts of God with others. God will be certain that there will be someone to talk with when you need them. There must be at least two! If there is not, then you need to be looking harder.

Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

Being cordial is how we should generally conduct ourselves with everyone. Yet there is a vast difference between being cordial, or even friendly, and fellowship! How often did the apostles reason with the Jews, who rejected Yeshua entirely? That was by no stretch of the imagination fellowship!

Notice the end time context of Malachi 3:1-2 and then what will be happening at that time in verse 16:

Malachi 3:1,16 Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, Says the LORD of hosts... 16 THEN those who feared the Lord SPOKE TO ONE ANOTHER, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Wouldn’t it be tragic to discover that you had refused to speak to a brother, and the shunning was partially, or entirely, responsible for his giving up the faith? Should we judge a person’s character by differences of understanding—our inevitably varying stages of spiritual growth?

Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

Barricades that divide brethren are reprehensible. We must not tolerate these fences, or those who raise them up. Any pretense of exclusivity, beyond keeping the commandments and having the words of Yeshua are imaginary!

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of [Yeshua the Messiah].

Sometimes God Demands Silence!

There are some circumstances in which God has instructed us to “quarantine’ ourselves from certain other people. This has been greatly abused by applying it to people that it should never remotely have been applied to. In these situations, the person doing the marking might actually be a better candidate for being marked!

2 John 1:4-11 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess [Yeshua the Messiah] as coming in the flesh. This [person] is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

The intent of 2 John 10-11 is that “This doctrine” refers to our belief that Yeshua is God who came “in the flesh” (v.7). He was completely human yet completely divine. We should refuse to “receive” false teachers who reject this doctrine by not supporting them financially and we should also avoid the appearance of endorsing their teachings. We would be correct in rejecting them as unbelievers. Concerning verse 11 where it mentions, “greets him”; this would indicate that we not identify with or support that person in any manner. This may either refer to a personal greeting by an individual or collectively. Even saying nothing in the presence of such teaching implies that we are in agreement, unless we say otherwise! It would be good to take note of the things that John instructed true Christians to do, and avoid doing, in 2 John 1.

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren,‘note’ [“mark” KJV] those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [Yeshua the Messiah], but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Many churches today teach that this scripture instructs their members to avoid those who believe different things than their church teaches, often even over minor points. This scripture does have to do with conflicting beliefs, but under what circumstances and what conditions? Which beliefs should one ‘avoid’ even discussing with another person?

Exactly what are the criteria that would make fellowshipping with such a person evil? In a broad sense, Paul explained that anyone who had formerly kept the Ten Commandments, “which we have had from the beginning” , but who now rejects any of them, is quite apparently no longer a brother. More specifically tho, anyone who supposedly claims to be your brother, now that the Messiah had been with us “in the flesh” , who now rejects the Savior, must also be treated as if he were a stranger.

In the account of 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, the approach to dealing with a blatant commandment breaker is to “deliver such a one to Satan”. That would be applicable to any sin that was punishable by death in the Sinai covenant.

John stated: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine”. Is this a reference to any particular religion, or any religion other than one’s own? To be precise, it is simply a reference to a specific doctrine. It is the doctrine just spoken of: “deceivers... do not confess [Yeshua the Messiah] as coming in the flesh”. According to John, anyone who ‘teaches’ that this is not the truth is both “a deceiver and an antichrist”.

There is another factor involved in this process that John gave instruction on. Verse 8 explains the need to be careful to “not lose those things we worked for”. Verse 9 states that if one does not “abide” in the doctrine of Yeshua, concerning His coming “in the flesh” , then that individual does not have God. However, he that does “abide” in this doctrine has both God and the Son. This is significant because of the use of the word “abide”. Abide does not mean “to dwell” as one might imagine from the normal English usage. The Greek word translated as “abide” in this verse means, “to continue” , or “to remain”. This is about not losing something precious that you have, because of a “deceiver”.

Notice one more thing. There is an action required by the “deceiver”. In verse 10, the action spoken of is that the deceiver is attempting to play an active role in recruiting you to his doctrine. “If anyone comes TO YOU and does not bring this doctrine [the doctrine that Yeshua has come in the flesh], do not receive him into your house nor greet him , receive him not...” There is much information given here. The “deceiver” (#4108 wanderer, imposter, leading into error) is actively “coming” “to you”. “To” is “pros” in the Greek (#43 14) and is a preposition with the Accusative case in this verse. “Pros” denotes movement “to” or “toward” , implying motion “onward”. “To” (“pros” ), in the Accusative, means “the ‘motive with a view to’ anything”. Applying this to “to” , in verse 10, we find that the “deceiver” has an agenda to mislead “you” away from the truth.

Without getting too deep into this, I hope you see that this cannot be referring to anyone at the grocery store, your son-in-law, your barber or your Hindu fellow worker, but only to someone who is deliberately trying to dissuade you from “abiding” in the truth. And the doctrine that he has come to you with to discuss is one that he has already rejected. He likely was once a true Christian himself, as this is strongly implied in these verses. This is not about someone who never knew or understood the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah, but someone who is, or was, familiar enough with Yeshua to deliberately reject Him.

John’s conclusion concerning deceivers:

2 John 1:11...for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

We need to be seeking out righteous people and learning as much as we possibly can from every one of them that we find. This is only possible where freedom of speech is both understood and cherished. If we fail to grow spiritually then we will die spiritually. You must hunger and thirst for righteousness, and always be available to encourage your brethren. If you are in a situation that denies you spiritual meat, then you must search elsewhere for it or you will starve.

Ministers Often Resemble “An Independent Press” !

“There is no such thing, at this date of the world’s history, in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone.

“The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.”

The above remarks were apparently made by Swinton, a preeminent New York journalist, circa 1880. Swinton was the guest of honour at a banquet given him by the leaders of his trade. Someone who knew neither the press nor Swinton offered a toast to the independent press. Swinton outraged his colleagues by replying:

(Source: Labor’s Untold Story, by Richard O. Boyer and Herbert M. Morais, published by United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, NY, 1955/1979.