Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – April 2009 Archive (68)

Malachi 3 is the Most Abused Text in the Bible.

The false teaching about tithes from Malachi 3 ignores several important Bible facts.

(1) Malachi is Old Covenant context and is never quoted in the New Covenant for the church. (2) In 1:6; 2:1 and 3:1-5, Malachi is addressed to dishonest priests who are cursed because they have stolen the best offerings from God. (3) The Levitical cities must be considered and Jerusalem was not a Levitical city. It makes no sense to teach that 100% of the tithe… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 3, 2009 at 8:40pm — 16 Comments

This doctrine is simply too important to ignore!

. The doctrine of tithing, in many churches today, has reached the level of a modern scandal. While on the one hand, most seminary-level textbooks and church theologians omit tithing, on the other hand, the practice is quickly becoming a requirement for church membership in the very denominations who insist on solid Bible-based doctrines. There is also increasing evidence that lay persons who question the legitimacy of New Covenant tithing are… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 3, 2009 at 3:23pm — 1 Comment

Merhandising The Anointing

Prov 23:4-5 (NIV) Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Wealth as transitory and can leave faster than it was acquired. Notice the scripture says “Cast a glance at riches…” The message of Prosperity is consumed with the concept of attaining riches. The preachers often convince the hearers… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 2, 2009 at 5:08pm — No Comments

The REAL Gospel aint Prosperity!

2 Tim 2:8 (NIV) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.

The gospel is a message. It is also referred to in Scripture as a "word", a "doctrine", a "seed", the "good news", "the truth". Because God uses the message of the gospel to reconcile men to himself, it must be taught, heard, understood, believed, confessed and defended.

The Message is That Jesus is The Christ, that He Was Crucified, and Rose Again!

1 Cor 15:1-4 (NIV)… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 1, 2009 at 8:42pm — No Comments

No More "Laymembers"

One problem I have found in the modern church is that we have made the church a CLERGY run entity. God meant the church to be driven by ALL of the saints. We are a body of BELIEVERS and BELIEVERS are supposed to CAST OUT DEVILS, PREACH THE GOSPEL, and LAY HANDS on the sick.

(James 5:16 and Mark 16:20) Evangelism, Healing, and Deliverance were not just for the APOSTLES! This is a lie many Seminarians teach and advocate. I too am a college-educated preacher, however I know that the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 1, 2009 at 5:40pm — 3 Comments

The Birds of The Air (A Study of Demons)

Mark 4:3-4,13-15 (NIV) "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up."... Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them."

Mark 4:13 (Phi) ... "Do you really not understand… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 1, 2009 at 4:56pm — No Comments

The FULL Gospel Message

Did you know that Jesus didn't simply give instruction to go out and preach the gospel, but also to cast out demons and heal the sick while we're at it? God's Word makes it clear that we are to go fourth preaching the gospel... but we are to also be actively healing the sick and casting out demons as well!

Matthew 10:7-8, "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 1, 2009 at 12:17pm — No Comments

The Truth Will Make YOU Free!

What is a False Prophet?

Because of the way "prophet" is commonly used, there is a misconception that its basic definition is "someone who foretells the future," but this definition is too narrow. Prophet is better defined as "one who speaks for another." A true prophet, then, is a person who speaks for God, delivering a message that...more »

What is a False Prophet?

Because of the way "prophet" is commonly used, there is a misconception that its basic definition is… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 1, 2009 at 2:10am — 4 Comments