One World Religion (part 2 of 2)

Representatives of the world's major religions shown standing together as a sign of unity.  

 

Shown in the photo are leaders from the world's various major religions. Christianity is represented by Pope Francis, a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and several Protestant leaders. The question on the table is, do we all worship the same god and do all paths lead to the one true God? A stated belief that is the reason for this gathering.

Is Christianity and Islam compatible as proclaimed on the slide? Do both religions worship the same God? If yes, what then is the path to that God? Where is that path defined? In the Bible or in the Quran? Or both? The next few slides explain.

Roman Catholic Pope Francis' stated goals, as printed in various publications, are noted on the following slides. 

This and the following slides capture some of the Pope's stated views regarding a "universal awareness". I do not intend this as a political statement, but rather one of reflection on the world around us and its need for Jesus Christ, which is the true role of the Church and those who profess Christ as Lord and Savior. 

The slide reflects a translation of the pope’s statement of his stated objectives. Key words: "Earth Charter" and "Global Society", which some have interpreted as a one world government, under a UN charter, as indicated on the next slide.  

It's clear that Pope Francis is advocating a Global Governance under the United Nations, which of course would include the USA, and not as a sovereign nation as it is now. Pope Francis spoke of the need for secular powers to establish global control over areas including finance in regard to environmental disaster and "climate control", which many are proclaiming, as a "religious fervor". You can find the full story on the following link: https://bereanbeacon.org/pope-francis-exploits-world-religion-and-government. 

Are we moving closer to the end of the End Times? This implies we need a closer look at Jesus' Revelation to John, i.e. the Book of Revelation and what it reveals about the End Times. 

There is but one God and one Father as professed by Christ. Jesus’ own words should suffice for every Christian, even hinting a religious unity as a path to God and eternal salvation contradicts His' words.  Yet the Pope himself seems to ignore John 14:6. You can check this out further via the following link, just copy and paste into your web browser.  https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-only-way.html

This slide speaks volumes. Did Pope Francis miss that verse in John 14:6? Pope Francis isn’t just reaching out to the Protestant world, he also proclaimed that Islam and Christianity worship the same God. I don’t know his intent, but how can any Christian pope say Islam and Christianity worship the same God? The key words here is a “one world religion” as we see occur in the Book of Revelation. Yes there is a one world religion headquarters coming as noted on the next slide.

Key words: the Catholic-Muslim interfate council. Pope Francis has also reached out to Protestant Evangelicals, as previously stated, to unite in a similar manner. Kenneth Copeland and others have not only praised it but approved the effort. Copeland has actually advocated an end to the Protestant Reformation. The one thing that they're missing in all of this is the Gospel of saving grace. It would be religion without the gospel of grace. 

Yes, this is for real. It’s called the Abrahamic Family House, since Jews, Arabs and Christians point to Abraham as the father of their respective faith. 

 What did Jesus tell the Apostles? Get along with other religions? Or share the Gospel with the world? 

He died on the cross for our atonement and salvation. He is the only path to God and eternal life. 

Let’s look at Jesus’ own words on this movement for world religion unity. 1. a disciple is to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2. they are to obey what Jesus commanded. What has Paul been telling the Galatians churches, and the Romans and Corinthians and Ephesians, that eternal life with God, is Christ alone, without religious traditions and ceremonial works, which totally rejects any movement that combines all of the world’s religious ceremonies and practices into a single movement. 

We are told in 1 Timothy to be aware of deceiving spirits. Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He is a very convincing liar, just like he fooled Adam and Eve in the Garden, and the apostle Judas to betray Christ. What about 21st century America's relationship with God? 

America has been a great nation because of God’s blessings. We were founded by the early settlers who wanted religious freedom. Our founding values stood on God’s Word, including our founding documents. But, I need to ask, is this a disappearing Book in America? "So help me God" is no longer used in taking an oath in court or in Congress. 

The Bible gives the answer: God cannot smile on a land of iniquities. But it's never too late to cry out to Him in prayer....

As we approach Thanksgiving, let's reflect on all the reasons for giving thanks to Almighty God. The Pilgrims came to America for religious freedom. They could have stayed in Europe if they blended their worship and beliefs in with the national state religions. Christianity is still the primary religion in America, at least for those that answered the census questions, as per the next slide. 

This slide shows where America stands regarding its religious associations--I deliberately didn't say "beliefs". Where is the Christian Church? Are we taking the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 to heart? Pastor Adrian Rogers give us further insight into Christianity in America and the role of the Church and Christians on the next slide… (it's worth your time).

Pastor Adrian Rogers 43-minute message on "The Generation to Come and the America of Tomorrow". A message is tailored to and especially needed for today and what is being taught in today’s schools. It didn’t take a long time, but we are exactly where Pastor Rogers acclaimed we would be.  

(copy and paste the link into your web browser): https://youtu.be/6WQRkhokq-A

The End (part 2 of 2)

(if you missed part 1, it is posted directly below)

Some may be wondering if this is true? Are current events leading us in that direction? Is the recent decline of the United States an indication of what is to come with the USA losing its position and influence on the world scene? Let’s explore this topic, not from a political standpoint, but from a biblical one. What does the Bible tells us? 

Some believe that the Book of Revelation was written for the first century Church in regard to the Roman Empire. While others believe that John saw future events, yet to come. Many biblical scholars believe the Book of Revelation speaks of a one world religion under a one world government led by the Antichrist, being described in Revelation 17. If so, it would raise the question, are there signs that we’re moving in that direction? If so, what are they? 

Of course this is an over simplification of an interpretation of Revelation 17. Nevertheless, we need to be aware of the signs. So, what are those signs? 

If we are moving in that direction, toward a one world religion, it would be one step at a time. Yes, there is an effort underway to draw all religions together in unity, which of course is contrary to the Biblical doctrine as proclaimed by Christianity and the Gospel message. The very reason Israel fell a number of times, was that they turned to other gods. And there was divine retribution for their heresy, for there is only one God.

Ex 34:14  Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. 

It was true in the Old Testament, and is just as true today, there is no room for other gods within the Church of Jesus Christ. For the Church to unite alongside of other religions, i.e., other gods, is to dishonor the Lord God, and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

One step closer to Jesus being just one of many ways to God, versus the only way to God. Yes, there is an effort underway, initiated by Pope Francis, to bring all religions together in harmony, stating that we all worship the same God. A good idea or a bad idea? Were you aware that such an effort was initiated by the current Roman Catholic pope who has proclaimed it as a step toward world peace? Would it really lead to world peace? 

 The pope's goal is for all Christian bodies to join together with Rome, in fellowship with all other major religions. So, what would that look like? The next slide provides an indication. 

Image represents unity of the major religions: Christians, Buddhist, Muslims (prayer beads), and Jews coming together as a symbol of worshiping the same God, equally. Sounds like a worthy and desirable effort to the modern progressive mind. But, does it really glorify God? Does it glorify the God of the Bible? What does the Bible tell us? For the answer lets go to Jesus’ own words in John 14… (next slide)

Jesus did not say, “I am a way.”  He said, “I am the way.” Without Jesus there is no path to God the Father, no matter how much unity is professed and harmony achieved. We are justified by faith alone in Christ alone; in that we are no longer under God’s law, but under His grace in and through Christ, and Him alone. 

Let’s step back to the first century, with Paul and the apostles evangelizing the Roman world, and when the Apostle John wrote Revelation. There were many gods in the ancient Roman world. Even then, not all of them were of the same status. If Paul offered Jesus as another god, all would have gone well for those Christians, versus suffering persecution for professing Jesus Christ as the one true God, and the only way to eternal life. So, what has changed? For those that profess a belief in the Bible, nothing has changed. There is not even a hint in the Bible that there are other paths to God and salvation. 

Like one big happy family, everyone would worship their own god in their own way. Slide shows a Roman pagan worship service, common across the Roman Empire of that time. Not one of those gods is still standing. All that remains of them and their temples are ruins. Other religions have emerged over time, but Jesus Christ stands alone as the one and only way to God, and through Him, eternal life. 

Temples to worship the gods of Rome and Greece. What they were then, and what they are now... (next slide)

During the time of Christ, Pagan temples stood in dedication to their gods, who were greatly admired, professed and worshiped across the Roman Empire, standing as a profession of unity and harmony. Only the ruins remain of the many pagan temples spread across the entire Empire of that day. Slide shows one such temple, in Italy, the very center of the Roman Empire, which too is no more. 

Both Peter (crucified) and Paul (beheaded) were executed in Rome for professing “Christ alone”. If they had professed Jesus as one of the many gods of Rome, or just alongside the other gods, all would have gone well for them and for the other Christians. But they were willing to sacrifice their lives rather than profess Jesus as just one other way to God. 

It would have looked like this—with Jesus alongside the other gods if Christ was professed as the Jewish God who performed miracles, and shared with the Roman world as such. He may have been added to the lineup (slide: 2nd from right) because of His miracles. And many Romans would have gladly worshiped Him as such, along with Zeus, and Apollo, and Diana, and others, especially those who needed a miracle. 

But Paul and the other Christians refused to profess Jesus as such, even though they would have avoided persecution, as such. 

Christians would have avoided and even escaped this, just for acknowledging the other gods. Peter and Paul would not have been executed—with Christians being fed to the lions and killed by gladiators in the Roman coliseum.  This was the price they were willing to pay for professing that Jesus alone was the only way to God and eternal life. 

It was this—Christ alone, and exclusion of all other gods—from the apostles’ point of view, even with a desire and goal not to offend other religions and to bring religious harmony. 

So, why is Pope Francis professing this--Jesus side by side with the other religions, proclaiming that all worship the same God? If all worship the same god, than all religions lead to the same god and eternal life. But that isn't what the Bible teaches as we see in the Gospels and apostolic epistles (letters to the church). 

The pope can't do it alone, but he's getting a lot of help. On the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Kenneth Copeland (arrow) called for an end to the Protestant Reformation (2017) Oct 23, 2017. He and other Protestant pastors and religious leaders met in Rome with Pope Francis to discuss unity.  

The I’ll let the slide speak for itself. Copeland defines himself as an evangelical minister. Oh my!

Posted below is a link to his six minute video message, to end the Protestant Reformation. Copy and paste the link into your web browser. That church demon he refers to is the Protestant Reformation and its message of being saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone: https://youtu.be/iWJM-tP90Zo  

The starting place and rally cry for the Protestant Reformation, a return to the Holy Scriptures, with Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, Glory to God alone, not Buddha, or Allah, or any other path to God, because, according to Jesus (John 14:6-7) there is no other path to God. The Reformation was a revival of living by the Word of God and not by church tradition standing in the forefront. The same message the Apostle Paul proclaimed to the Galatians, that the Judaizers were successful in bringing to the forefront of their churches. Martin Luther, John Calvin and the other Reformers, proclaimed Christ alone and salvation by grace alone, not by our own efforts to reach God. Jesus did it for us on the cross, so we didn’t have to. So what has changed for Pope Francis and Kenneth Copeland and the others Christian leaders in this movement? 

Is that what the Bible teaches? We will resume this topic next week. Questions? Feel free to email me any questions you may have. 

The End of Part 1 of 2

Chapter 27 closed with the ship Paul was traveling on being shipwrecked and those aboard used the wreckage to get to shore.

Map shows Paul’s entire trip from Caesarea to Rome and the stops in between, and where they are in chapter 28 on the Island of Malta as noted on map. Despite the storm, they managed to sail from Crete to Malta before being shipwrecked. Did God, in His sovereignty, bring Paul to Malta to share the Gospel with Malta’s inhabitants? I believe so. Even a storm served His sovereign decree and purposes. Is America facing such a storm at this time? Will God use it to serve His sovereign purposes? Absolutely. 

We reached the end of Acts and the finality of Paul’s sea voyage to Rome. Please see important message on prayer at the close of this chapter. For it truly glorifies God and enhances our prayer life. 

Everyone survived the shipwreck just as the angel had told Paul in Acts 27:23. Using the ship’s wreckage, they made it to shore, where they were comforted by Malta’s inhabitants. 

Paul is bitten by a deadly viper. Those of the Greek/Roman culture of the time believed that the gods brought justice through events. Since Paul was bitten by the viper—a deadly poisonous snake—they presumed he was a murderer and that justice was being served by the wrath of their gods, through the viper.

Map on slide shows the Bay (red arrow) believed to be the location of Paul’s landing on Malta. Yellow arrow on smaller map pinpoints the location of Malta off the coast of Sicily. Lower right shows a viper snake, similar to the one that bit Paul. Our goal is to accompany Paul and living the Word, and not just read about him. 

We see a miracle validating to the inhabitants that Paul wasn’t a murderer. The venom from a viper is fast acting—by his survival, they presumed he was a god in the form of a man, a common belief for that time. For those who had professed Christ onboard ship during the storm, possibly the Roman centurion Julius, it helped reinforce Paul’s ministry and message. 

 

Some attribute the snake handling practices shown to Acts 28:3-6, as a means of demonstrating their faith. It is also attributed to chapter 15 of the Gospel of Mark, noted on the next slide. Regardless of the Bible verses that prompted it, it shows the danger of making it up as we go along, versus adherence to the Bible, both in words and intent. 

This slide provides further insight into the practice of these churches. The problem is that their focus is on the snake as a demonstration of faith, rather than on Jesus Christ, Himself. In Galatians, that we’re currently studying Sunday morning, the people turned away from the Gospel of grace in Christ Jesus, and focused instead on their religious works as insisted on by the Judaizers. Missing the Gospel message that we are saved by grace alone and not by what we do, including handling snakes as a demonstration of faith. They missed the message of the Gospel that Paul shared in his journey throughout Acts. Verses in the Bible have to be interpreted within the context of the book they appear, and the message it is taken from, and what it was intended to convey. 

Back to Malta. Starting in v.7 we see the power of miracles. The Holy Spirit was active in Paul’s ministry. Have you ever wondered why not today? Paul prayed over Publius’ father. What role did prayer play? Would he have been cured without prayer? Paul was in a state of prayer because of his relationship with and commission by Jesus. His prayer demonstrated that healing came from God and not by some magical power within Paul. For more on effectual prayer see Pastor Adrian Rogers’ powerful message at the end of this chapter. 

We can be certain that Paul preached the Gospel throughout his healing ministry on Malta, although Luke doesn’t record the results. Why draw that conclusion? He healed the sick. He told those aboard the ship, including the soldiers, crew and other prisoners, that none would be lost. If Paul preached Christ in other difficult situations, why would he not preach him here? All these questions will be answered in heaven when we see the true glory of God shining through all the mysteries that are veiled now. 

After a three month stay in Malta, they resumed their voyage to Italy on another ship, stopping at the port city of Syracuse in Sicily, as shown on map, for a short stay, before proceeding to the Italian mainland. 

As Luke noted in v.11 the Alexandrian ship’s bow was adorned with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux, shown on the slide, and described on the next slide. People not only believed in but depended on various pagan gods, for almost every occasion. 

A figurehead on a ship's bow, was to obtain protection from those gods. The Roman/Greek world of Paul, believed in many gods. Jesus would have been accepted as just another God, if Paul preached Him as such. But as one of many gods, the Gospel of saving grace would cease to exist. There is a movement underway today that was initiated by Pope Francis, to unite all religions with Rome.  If you would like to know more about it, let me know. 

Map shows all of the ship's stops, from Malta onto Italy, and stops along the coast of Italy, landing at the port city of Puteoli. After a week there, they proceeded on a land route called the Appian way, to the City of Rome. What that road looked like is shown on the next slide. 

Appian Way from the port city of Puteoli to the City of Rome. Remnants of that road exist today as shown in the photo. 

The “brothers” were Christians from Rome who had heard of Paul’s arrival. As a Roman citizen, Paul received certain courtesies, especially in light of the questionable nature of the charges against him. Most likely, he was still being accompanied by the centurion, Julius, who may have accepted Christ as his personal Savior. The other prisoners are not mentioned, but as non citizens, most likely they were sent on to a Roman prison. 

The Forum of Appius (map) was about 39.5 miles from Rome. “Three Taverns” (map) was a way station on the Appian Way Road, about 30 miles from Rome. 

By this time, knowledge of Christianity as a Jewish sect, had spread even to the Jews in Rome. We see Paul calling together the Jewish leaders to explain why he was arrested. Paul was still under guard by one or more Roman soldiers. What an earful they were getting regarding a Jewish sect in Judea. 

The “they” noted in v.18 were Governor Festus and King Agrippa. Paul is inferring, as a Roman citizen, he could have brought charges against the Jews who brought him to trial. But of course, it would not have done any good. Let sleeping dogs lie. But, he was determined to plead his case to these Jews, regarding the charges against him. We can be certain word traveled across the Jewish communities in Rome and elsewhere in Italy. 

The difficulty, as we saw in Acts 15, and in Galatians, and elsewhere in Paul’s letters, many of the Jews sharing Christ, insisted that Gentiles must become Jewish and follow Mosaic Law in order to receive Christ as Savior. The covenant promise God made with Abraham was fulfilled by Christ and no longer binding, as it had been under Mosaic Law.  

Apparently, the complaints against Paul that brought him here, had not yet reached Rome. “This sect” they are asking about, indicates they are not Christians but want to know about “the sect” (Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth). Those Christian-Jews believed the Levitical laws of the O.T. were still binding on all Christians including Gentiles. The brothers in this case being the other Jews.

Those Jews reassembled with Paul, with an even larger number showing up. Paul used the occasion to share the gospel in regard to the Old Testament prophesies. Some believed but others did not. (v.24). For an answer, we can only refer to Jesus’ parable of the seeds sowed on the ground in Matthew 13, which points to the doctrine of predestination and election. A future topic. 

Paul explains what the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets, but with similar objections as Paul had experienced in Jerusalem. His final statement before they left is in regard to the Holy Spirit as prophesied by Isaiah the prophet (v.25-27). Isaiah prophesied about hearing and not hearing, just as Jesus tells us in Matthew 13 (next slide).

In Matthew 13, Jesus explains why some listen and believe, and others do not. This is equally true of the Jews confronting Paul and the Gentiles that accepted the Gospel message from Paul. 

For the Jews, insistence on the Mosaic Law became a hindrance.  

In Matthew 13:3-6, Jesus tells the parable of a farmer who sowed seed, and the conditions that prevented it from thriving (continued on the next slide).

The conditions Jesus describes is comparable to the Word being preached in the world. Did you ever wonder about the moment you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior? Did you hear it (the seed) on the radio or TV? Did you hear it from a parent, or friend, or church sermon? Did you ever share that “seed” with someone else? What was their reaction? Jesus explains the meaning of the parable in Matthew 13:18-23 as noted on the following slides. 

Jesus tells how Satan comes and snatches away the Gospel message from those who do not understand it; their minds were not receptive. We can imagine circumstances where that would be true. Perhaps some of the sailors that were saved with Paul during the storm. As long as the storm raged, they accepted Paul’s word and believed. But as soon as they were ashore, and safe, the words left them, as being no longer relevant. 

Many people believe sermons that are materially comforting, such as “promises that assure prosperity”—just as we see with certain mega churches on TV—and reject the Word as soon as troubles abound; the seed never took root as Jesus tells us in v.21. The Word that doesn’t take root will not last for all the reasons Jesus notes. One may feel encouraged during an uplifting church service, and soon after return to worries and concerns for their own well being and financial status forgetting what they heard in church. 

When a person ponders the Word deep in his or her heart, and it seeps deep inside their mind and soul, that person will persevere. Those who persevere in the Word of God are part of the Body of Christ, as Paul was. The rewards aren’t always apparent, but they are everlasting and eternal. Not only will the Word persevere, it will produce fruit. 

Paul reminds those Jews, that God’s Word was also being sent to the Gentiles, who will listen and accept it, unlike the Jews who reject it. One may wonder why v.29 appears in the NKJV, but not in the NIV. Was it added as a historical fact or inspired and inadvertently dropped? An explanation is provided at the conclusion of the chapter. 

Scholars generally agree that Paul was acquitted after two years, and then left Rome. He was eventually arrested again and taken back to Rome where he was beheaded in 67 AD. 

A little background on how his case could have been handled under Roman law, as noted on the slide, with option 4 as the logical outcome. 

Chapter 28, the last chapter of Acts, is jammed packed like an action novel, with shipwreck and imprisonment, without telling us about Paul’s internment and eventual release. The following slides tell us why verse 29 was omitted from the NIV, yet appeared in the NKJV.

Continued on next slide.

Continued on next slide.

You’ll have to answer these questions for yourself. We have other study topics Sunday morning at 9:00 in Heritage Lounge. Do you have a desire to pray effectively? I’m sure you do. Listen to Pastor Adrian Rogers’ sermon noted on the next slide. 

Pastor Adrian Rogers’ 43-minute message on “The Secret of Effectual Prayer”. Praying is one of our callings as Christians, for it is something we all can do. God doesn’t need our prayers, but invites us to pray. Definitely an important message, especially as we close on the Acts of the Apostles and Paul missionary journeys to share Christ with a pagan world. Copy and paste the following link into you web browser"

https://youtu.be/XpS7I2JoECw 

End of

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 28