Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – June 2009 Archive (37)

BEWARE

Many false prophets simply point people to themselves. Their covetousness manifests itself in a desire for power, influence, control, prestige, or importance—the antithesis of being poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart, and mourning over their ungodly weaknesses. The true prophet does not draw attention to himself but to God. If a prophet or teacher spends a great deal of time talking about himself, it is a good indication just who his god is! John the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 29, 2009 at 7:01am — No Comments

Beware of False Prophets (In The Last Days They Increase Drastically)

The book of Revelation foretells that at the time of the end, in the last few years of Satan's dominion over the earth, a religious personality will arise and deceive the whole world by means of miraculous signs. This individual is referred to as "another beast" (Revelation 13:11), as well as "the false prophet" (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). The False Prophet is given supernatural power to do things like calling fire down from heaven (Revelation… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 27, 2009 at 6:42am — 2 Comments

Why is it necessary for God to die for our sins?

Muslims often ask why it is necessary for God to die for man's sins. Why can't we just confess our sins and have God forgive us? Isn't that enough?

Following is an attempt to logically demonstrate the necessity of God atoning for our sins.

1. God is infinite.

A. There is no limit to Him. He is endless.

2. God is holy.

A. Holiness is purity. God is incapable of doing anything wrong. Part of the quality of holiness is the inability to do wrong.

3. God is… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 27, 2009 at 6:11am — No Comments

Methods Muslims use to attack Christianity

When dealing with Muslims it is wise to understand some of the approaches used by them to discredit Christianity. Much could be written on each of the following subjects with numerous examples. But, instead, I will simply expound on the areas common among Muslim approaches and point out what to watch for.

No. 1 Attack the validity of the Bible

This is expected. If the Muslim can undermine the strength and integrity of God's word, then it would be much easier for him to win arguments,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 27, 2009 at 6:08am — No Comments

Is Positive Confession Biblically Sound Teaching?

The Believer and Positive Confession

Occasionally throughout church history people have taken extreme positions concerning great Biblical truths. Sometimes teachers have advocated these extremes. On other occasions followers have gone beyond the teachings and reflected adversely on the cause of Christ.

Positive and negative confession are expressions which in recent years have received acceptance in an extreme form in… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 20, 2009 at 5:58pm — No Comments

The Human Spirit

Since the Holy Spirit is going to use your own human spirit to enlighten you, you need to understand the function, operation and purpose of the human spirit. To understand the human spirit you must understand the three-fold nature of man. Genesis 1:26 clearly says that mankind is made in God’s image. Jesus said, "God is a spirit" (John 4:24). So if mankind is in God’s image and God is a spirit, mankind essentiality must be a spirit as… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 19, 2009 at 8:50pm — No Comments

Do You Need a Book Published?

Revolutionary Disciples Media is a new Christian Media Company that was established to help writers and artists promote their works. This is a Kingdom based entity and whether it is a romance novel, fiction, mystery, action and suspense, poetry, children’s or any other genre, we can help a writer reach their publishing goals. We offer writers and artists the personal touch we would expect others to extend to us. Our motto is “Promoting the Word,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 19, 2009 at 7:30pm — No Comments

The Office of a Deacon (The Most Mis-Used Office in Church Today)

After Pentecost the Apostles chose men they called “Deacons” which is translated “Servant-Ministers”, these men where responsible for the physical aspects of the ministry while the Apostles devoted themselves to prayer and preaching the Word of God. Two of the Deacons were responsible for an explosion of spiritual growth for the Early Church. Philip was a Deacon, but he also was anointed to be an Evangelist. Today we would consider Deacon and… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 18, 2009 at 5:02pm — No Comments

The Five-fold Ministry Gifts

Apostles are leaders and visionaries... they bring direction to the church. They have the courage and ability to keep the Church moving forward, growing, building in new directions. Apostles are also fathers, able to nurture and disciple the other ministry gifts. They have maturity and experience beyond their fellows and can give guidance as well as leadership. They wear the Helmet of Salvation, which means they walk "within" salvation. They know the mysteries of Christ's salvation. Such… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 17, 2009 at 11:14pm — No Comments

Why We Need Apologetics

We see the effects in the rise of the cults like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses who have millions of followers going door to door faithfully and consistently spreading their damning doctrines. Where are the Christians who oppose them? Where is the church? Is it supporting the efforts to stop this spread of lies? Is it uniting behind a common cause? No! It leaves the work to the weary and small who have a burden and who spend their efforts in a constant and mostly frustrating battle for the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 17, 2009 at 6:56am — No Comments

The Duties of an Elder

1. The Term "Elder"

1. PRESBUTEROS - elder, an old man, a leader in the church.

The term is used

1. of the elder of two persons (Luke 15:25, or more,

John 8:9).

2. of a person advanced in age (Acts 2:17; in Heb.

11:2).

3. of the forefathers in Israel (Matt. 15:2; Mark

7:3,5).

4. of members of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 16:21; 26:47).

5. of those who managed public affairs in the various

cities (Luke 7:3).

6. of those who were the heads or… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 16, 2009 at 7:44pm — No Comments

The Word Works

"So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

If you only study one page on this section on evangelism, this page is it. Why? Because here is where you will learn three of the most important verses of evangelism: Isaiah 55:11; Rom. 1:16; and John 12:32.

Isaiah 55:11

Isaiah 55:11 says, "So shall My word be which goes forth from My… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 16, 2009 at 3:40pm — No Comments

"Let US Make Man in OUR Image"

There are several verses in the Old Testament where God speaks as a plurality. Many trinitarians quote these verses to help support the Trinity doctrine because they strongly suggest that there is more than one person in the godhead.

"Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth,” (Gen.… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 15, 2009 at 3:09pm — No Comments

The Rejected Ones

We focus on the wrong thing sometimes. I know Christians with dreadlocks, long hair, and nose rings. And none of them belong to traditional churches! Why? Because they are not accepted! If Jesus accepted them, who are you to say, “You cannot be a Christian with dread-locks!” I have a friend that used to be a Hell’s Angel biker; he is now a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He ministers primarily to other bikers. He still has long hair, tattooed arms, and yes he still rides a bike! The… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 14, 2009 at 7:19pm — No Comments

Jesus Example

Jesus set the example for ALL ministers to follow, and that is preaching the Gospel for FREE. The gift of salvation was NEVER meant to be earned of purchased. Salvation is the most important message we can preach, yet it has been replaced with prosperity and happy syrupy sermonettes that won't get anyone SAVED. If the last words Jesus said centered on winning souls then THAT must be the most important thing Jesus had to say. Paul further emphasized it… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 14, 2009 at 7:04pm — No Comments

What is "True Holiness"?

One problem with man’s denominational teaching is that HOLINESS in many churches and groups means stay away from them sinners! The only way sinners can see Jesus Christ is through the Church (The Body of Christ). The local church is a part of the larger body of blood washed believers. Sinners can only see the light of Jesus Christ through US. Now I am not saying Christians should go to bars and nightclubs…BUT we do have to interact with sinners! Jesus went to places where people congregate. I… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 14, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Dreams and the Bible

In the Bible there are constant references to communication between man and God, between man and the angels, and between man and his

higher self through the medium of dreams. The moral standards of the

individual are exactly reflected in the clarity and degree of quality

of his or her dreams.

Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob (favourite) had the ability not only

to remember and interpret his own dreams, but to interpret… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 10, 2009 at 3:37pm — No Comments

Why Satan Uses Sex

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Gen. Chapter 3)

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 10, 2009 at 3:12pm — No Comments

God Speaks Through Dreams Sometimes

Job 33:14 "For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not."

Eliihu was trying to say that God would not answer Job. God

speaks to man on His own terms. Elihu believed that God speaks, and

man does not understand.

Job 33:15 "In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep

falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;"

In the very earliest of times, this might have been true to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 9, 2009 at 12:32pm — 1 Comment

What is a Stronghold?

A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best. For example, if you think you have to confess all your sins to everybody you've ever wronged, you'll feel just awful and guilty until you do all that, and even then, you'll probably feel… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on June 9, 2009 at 11:25am — No Comments