Bible Doctrine

Apr 17, 2025 11:00 am By Christine Douglass-Williams8 Comments

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe said something of immense importance: that “the quest to Islamize the land appears high on the agenda of some of the powerful and influential Muslims in Nigeria, noting that there is a campaign to take land to spread Islam.”

Every jihadist on the face of the earth, from Nigeria to the Middle East and elsewhere, kills to “take land to spread Islam,” and they also use other deceptive and manipulative means, if they’re not murdering people outright. This has gone on for over 1,400 years, but remains unrecognized by the willfully blind, many of whom are afraid to offend Islam.

As genocide continues in Nigeria, the world turns a blind eye.

Days ago, Fulani jihadists slaughtered dozens of Christians as Easter approaches. During Christian holy days, persecution ramps up, as it does during Ramadan, when the reward for murdering infidels (martyrdom) is deemed to be greater.

“Bishop Anagbe, in DC testimony, warns of ‘Islamic agenda to homogenize Nigerians,’” Catholic World Report, April 15, 2025:

Concerns over the safety of Mgr. Wilfred Anagbe, the Bishop of Makurdi in Nigeria, and Fr. Remigius Ihyula are growing after the two men testified about the persecution of Christians in Africa’s most populous nation.

On March 12, 2025, the Nigerian prelate testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, detailing what he called the “egregious” violation of human rights in a country that has become “one of the most dangerous and insecure places for Christians.“

He fingered militant, Islamic Fulani herdsmen whom he described as terrorists “destroying society.”

“They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from the elected authorities.”

He said the target of these attacks is mostly Christians and, to a lesser extent, moderate Muslims.

Nigeria, with some 238 million inhabitants, is nearly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. But Anagbe sees a nefarious plan by those in power to turn the country into an Islamic state.

“Islamist extremists are fiercely contesting the possession, control and governing law of the land, especially in the country’s northern and central regions, the latter of which is where Benue is located,” he told Congress.

“A long-term, Islamic agenda to homogenize the population has been implemented, over several presidencies, through a strategy to reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity of half of the population,” Anagbe said.

He explained that the Islamization strategy includes both violent and non-violent actions. These include the exclusion of Christians from positions of power, the abduction of Church members, the raping of women, the killing and expulsion of Christians, the destruction of churches and farmlands of Christian farmers, followed by the occupation of such lands by Fulani herders…..

How is it that so many miss the plain, clear words the apostle Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 2, verse 10: “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believe.”  The apostle Paul is without doubt the most maligned, disparaged and vilified apostle ever to represent our Lord. And the most reprehensible thing of all is that men and women claiming to be anointed representatives of Jesus Christ lead the vanguard in discrediting Paul’s claim of having lived a holy, righteous and blameless life!  Having no correct understanding of Romans 7, many use this passage of scripture to portray Paul as someone who was never able to gain the victory over sin.  Such deluded men and women ignore the many easy-to-understand scriptures like I Thessalonians 2:10 and portray God’s holy apostle as a defeated Christian.

Do you know why Paul could assure the Thessalonian congregation God would be faithful to sanctify them totally, preserving their whole spirit, soul and body utterly blameless until the return of Jesus Christ?  Because He had done it for Paul, that’s why. (See I Thessalonians 5:22-24).

Any pastor who tells their congregation they will never be able to break with sin totally and for all time, assuring them they will sin every day serves the cause of Satan, not the cause of God.  No wonder modern Christianity is divided into dozens and dozens of differing and contradictory denominations and sects!  God have mercy of all such as they surely are going to need it when they come face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ someday.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

In the opening chapter of Luke’s gospel account, he wrote of “those things which are most surely believed among us.”  He was saying that what he was about to relate the early church believed wholeheartedly. (Luke 1:1). He then went on to say that he “had perfect understanding of ALL things from the very first,” and spoke of “the certainty of those things.” (Luke 1:3-4).  Having laid that sure foundation, Luke then wrote of how the parents of John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elisabeth, “were both righteous before God, walking in ALL the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6).  And what does the Bible identify as sin?  “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law, FOR SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW. (I John 3:4).  Sin is NOT “missing the mark.”  That is man’s definition of sin.  God’s plain, clear definition of sin is the breaking of His holy law.

So, is Luke saying Zacharias and Elisabeth were without sin and, therefore, didn’t need a Savior?  Not at all.  Before achieving the walk of moral perfection the parents of John the Baptist sinned to one degree or another time and again.  But these righteous servants of the Lord grew in knowledge and grace to such a degree that it could be honestly said of them in their later years “they were both righteous before God (who looks on the heart), walking in ALL the commandments and ordinances of the Lord BLAMELESS!”  It is a patently satanic argument that says it is impossible to keep God’s commandments and ordinances as a daily lifestyle.  Those who sin every day are spiritual rebels and know nothing of living by the faith only God can give.  They are servants of sin and the flesh and will someday weep tears of bitter regret before the feet of their sovereign Lord.  To be continued…..  

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

To the priests of ancient Israel, the pastors or spiritual leaders of that day, God had this to say: “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, ‘Wherein have we wearied Him?’ When you say everyone that does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them, or, Where is the God of judgment?” (See Malachi 2:17).

God said, “I am sick and tired of hearing you priests tell my people I do not see their sins, that I am pleased with them though they walk in the flesh and continuously give in to sinful things.” “Where is the God of judgment?” you ask.  Simply because God does not move instantly against any and every sin many think He does not see that sin or care that you have sinned, but He does move instantly by removing His peace from that sinful one’s heart and stops short hearing that disobedient one’s prayers until one confesses their sin and abandons the same.  “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18).

To the spiritual leaders of Ezekiel’s day, God said, “With lies (false doctrine and instruction) you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him life!” (See Ezekiel 13:22). The hands of the wicked are strengthened in their wickedness when they are told “It’s all under the blood, brother. God doesn’t see the believers’ sins. All God sees when He looks at a believer is the righteousness of Christ!” That is a devil’s LIE! When one first comes to the Lord and is justified from their PAST sins upon sincere repentance and baptism those sins – all of them – are blotted out. All God sees when looking at that individual is the purity and righteousness of Christ. BUT if that forgiven one turns and commits another sin, any sin, God sees that sin instantly and commands that it be confessed and abandoned.

Revelation 2 and 3 are chapters of holy inspired writ that PROVE Jesus Christ with piercing gaze sees the believer’s sin. So does I Corinthians 10 and 11, as well as Acts 5:1-11 and a host of other texts.

Isaiah 64, verse 6, is one of the most perverted texts in all the Bible: “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..” I have heard preacher after preacher twist this text to support their urging their followers to view striving for a righteous, holy lifestyle as something to be scorned, that God sees such an endeavor as “filthy rags” in His sight. HOW SATANIC! Satan utterly blinds them to the fact that the previous verse states clearly that when we have continued sin in our life THEN our supposed righteous acts are viewed as “filthy rags” by God. God is not pleased with a hypocrite’s performance. There is no such thing as partial repentance or partial sanctification. We either repent or we do not. We either live sanctified lives or we do not. Jesus Christ is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.

Jesus Christ is returning for a pure and holy bride, not for a rag-tag bunch of sinning, carnal, bickering, dissenting religious types who call themselves children of God. “For many walk….and now (I) tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly (fleshly lusts), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (See Philippians 3:18-19). Many are going to be thunderstruck, utterly dumbfounded when they find they are not “caught away to glory” but are instead left behind to pay in full for their deeds done in the flesh. A deceived ministry will be left behind with them.

“No man can serve two masters.” Years ago I thought that was one statement Jesus Christ uttered that was not one hundred percent true. I thought, two masters could pool their money and purchase a slave at the auction block, agreeing that one master would have the slave’s services for three-and-a-half days each week and the other master could enjoy the slave’s services the other three-and-a-half days each week. Thus, a man could indeed serve two masters. But then the Spirit illuminated my mind to the fact NOT when one of the Masters demands it ALL! And that is how it is with Jesus Christ. He demands it all and for all time, the whole week, the whole month, the whole year. No man can serve two masters when one of the masters is Jesus Christ.

One cannot have one foot in the kingdom of God and one foot in the world. The gulf is too wide, the stretch too great! It’s like trying to keep one foot on the ground when going for a helicopter ride. It can’t be done. Impossible!

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Anyone and everyone who has made vital, life-changing contact with the Most High through Jesus Christ has already hit the lottery – big time.  Think of it, millions and millions of human beings have no contact with their Creator whatsoever.  Those in Christ DO have contact with the One who said, “I will give thee the desires of thine heart.”  All that is required to cash that ticket is total, unrelenting submission to God’s Son.  What manner of confidence and comfort would you enjoy if you knew that multibillionaire Bill Gates or Elon Musk knew you personally, liked you immensely, and earnestly desired to assist and help you in any way they could?  Well, “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth (Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey) to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).  We either believe that, or we do not believe it.  If we truly believe it, then we will earnestly strive to make absolutely certain that our Lord has first place in our lives, allowing His Word to guide and instruct us as to how we are to live. 

(Remember, the analogy of how the Bible is God’s instruction book for mankind, telling us how to get the best performance out of our bodies and lives, much like the instruction manual in a new automobile informs the owner thereof how to get the best performance out of their new car?) 

I believe the greatest crying and wringing of hands will be seen when believers enter into the heavenly kingdom and then in an instant have their minds expanded to realize what might have been and enjoyed while they were still in their mortal bodies had they only obeyed God’s instructions given in His holy Word.  They will shake their heads, whispering under their breath, “No, no, no….what a fool I was, how blind, how blind!” 

For whatever days are left me, I enthrone Him in my heart.  Forgetting the past, as commanded by scripture, I go on to perfection in Him.  I enjoy life a thousand times more today than in any yesterday.  I remember the angel’s warning given Lot and his wife and children as they fled from Sodom and Gomorrah, “DON’T LOOK BACK!” 

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given,” said Jesus Christ in Matthew 19:11. And to whom has it been given by God to hear, that is to listen to, to understand, and to obey the words and teaching of Jesus Christ? “The sheep follow Him, for they know His voice” (See John 10:4). “Then said Jesus unto His disciples (His “sheep”), ‘Verily (truthfully) I say unto you that a rich man shall hardly (that is, with great difficulty) enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you (Jesus repeats himself for emphasis), it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24). Of course it is utterly impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a literal needle. It cannot be done PERIOD!

Jesus might have been making reference to a gate in the wall of Jerusalem known as “the needle’s eye.” This would have been a smaller gate cut into a larger gate that could be opened without opening the larger gate should a traveler seek to enter Jerusalem after the closing of the larger gates at dusk. This smaller gate was adequate for a man to pass through with ease, but should he have his camel with him and wish to bring the camel inside the city also, it would be quite difficult to get the camel through the gate. It would require removing all baggage from the camel then having the camel kneel and someone push from the rear while another pulled on the camel’s halter and, then with great difficulty, hopefully get the camel through the small opening.

Satan knows quite well that this was the plain and clear teaching of Jesus Christ – that wealth presented a formidable obstacle to one’s keeping their mind and heart firmly fixed on the kingdom of God and upon living a life of true godliness and devotion to the Savior. The “prosperity gospel,” a term coined by Satan Himself no doubt, is Satan’s clever device to lure unsuspecting, scripturally ignorant, men and women to adopt a lifestyle that, in all probability, would bar their entrance into the kingdom of God!

Early on in the history of the church, even in the First Century with some of the apostles still alive and on the scene, Paul warned “some are already turned aside after Satan” (See 1 Timothy 5:15). Paul then went on to write, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain (wealth) is godliness (shows God’s favor upon that person), from such withdraw thyself (get away from that perverted mindset and teaching). But godliness with contentment (needing no added material abundance) is great gain (or true wealth). For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich (buying into a “prosperity gospel” delusion) fall into temptation and a snare (the devil’s clever trap), and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in (spiritual) destruction and perdition (Greek, “ruin, loss, waste”). For the love of money is the (Greek, “a”) root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith (Jesus said, “Don’t go there”), and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, FLEE THESE THINGS, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (See I Timothy 6:3-11).

A true apostle, or spokesman of the Lord, warns believers to flee the pursuit of wealth. A false apostle, minister, preacher, teacher urges his sheep (they are definitely NOT Christ’s sheep as they spurn the voice of Christ) to seek riches, assuring them if they will sow their seed (give their money) to him and his ministry that God will make certain they reap a grand harvest of riches and wealth! (Such charlatans will say God spoke to them just prior to the broadcast and told them He would bless a hundred-fold those who would give a thousand dollars to their ministry that day, or some such foolishness directed toward the gullible).

How different was the true early church from the false Christianity embraced by so many today. In the 4th chapter of Acts, we are given this glimpse of the early church: “and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul (denominationalism had not yet raised its ugly head), neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own (God owns the cattle on a thousand hills – not the ranchers), but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (God was able to move with great power amidst such devotion and self sacrifice), and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked (food or raiment – that with which we are to be content), for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them (obviously extra houses or property) and brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles’ feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (See Acts 4, verses 31 to 35).

The “prosperity gospel” preacher wants you to lay your wealth at his feet, so to speak, so that he can buy himself a new Mercedes or BMW, or Lear Jet, or a million dollar home in Malibu! And, I guarantee you, he will have some satanically clever argument to deceive the hearts of the simple into believing wholeheartedly that such a preacher is God’s anointed man of the hour.

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us (God’s true spokesmen) for an example, for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (their fleshly lusts that money can satiate), and whose glory is in their shame (their ungodly prosperity), who mind earthly things..” (See Philippians 3:17-19). If Paul wept at what he saw then, he would be reduced to sobbing uncontrollably should he channel surf and listen to some of the rantings of these “prosperity gospel” preachers today. Should he be taken on a tour of their palatial residences, I have no doubt he would shake his head and say, “Their end is destruction!”

Remember, Christ forewarned that “MANY (not a handful, but many) will say to me in that day (of judgment), ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied (preached) in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you (you were false converts, false ministers), depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (See Matthew 7:22-23). Yes, some will say, “But, Lord, I built a mega-church with satellite assemblies. I held Holy Ghost revivals where many were healed and blessed….” And what is Christ’s answer in verse 24, “But you didn’t hear these sayings of mine and do them!” Their argument being, “Oh, Jesus Christ spoke only to the Jews of that era. He was a dispensationalist. Little, if anything, He said was meant for the church. We are in a different dispensation.”

“But know this that in the last days (our era) perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves (looking out for Number One), lovers of money, boasters, proud…” (See 2 Timothy 3:1-2). Boasting proudly, “I am a King’s kid. I should live like one, enjoying wealth and material prosperity!” Oh, yes, they do have clever arguments that the scripturally ignorant embrace wholeheartedly.

“Labor NOT to be rich. Cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings. They fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4-5).

Jesus says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal (and where charlatan money loving preachers talk you out of that wealth), but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God…in needs…in labors…by purity, by knowledge…by the Holy Spirit…by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left…as poor (in material substance), yet making many rich (spiritually), as having nothing (in material, earthly possessions), yet possessing all things (of a spiritual nature)” (See 2 Corinthians 6:4-10).

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

The author of a Sabbath article sent to me by my brother does make some statements that are absolutely true.  For instance, he says: “The Sabbath is still Saturday, not Sunday, and has never been changed.  The Sabbath runs from Friday night at sunset to Saturday night at sunset.”

He is in error when he says, “It is well to note that every one of the Ten Commandments is included somewhere in the New Testament except the command to obey the Sabbath.”  This pseudo-scholar probably thinks the King James Version of the Bible is free from error.  (I could point out  a dozen errors rather quickly, but I will draw your attention to one quite pertinent to this man’s assertion that the Sabbath command is not found in the New Testament.  We are going to look at Hebrews 4, verse 9.  I will quote that verse verbatim as found in the King James Version first: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”  The word “rest” in that verse is translated so from the Greek word sabbatismos.  I probably don’t even have to translate that Greek word for you, do I?  It is the Greek word for “sabbath,” or “sabbath rest,” and is so translated in at least sixteen other versions of the New Testament such as the New International Version, the English Standard Version and, at least, fourteen others.  In the Aramaic Bible in Plain English that verse is translated thusly, “So then, it remains for the people of God TO KEEP THE SABBATH.”  (You can “google” this for yourself and see what I am talking about.  Just type in the KJV of Hebrews 4:9 – ten words, and then scroll down and see what I mean.

And just because a command of God is not repeated in the New Testament does not mean such commands can then be ignored.  That’s a foolish idea.  Read the Book of Exodus alone and place a check mark beside each command of God common sense tells you is still valid and should be kept.  Then try to find those commands repeated in the New Testament.  You’ll find that many such commands are found nowhere in the New Testament.

This man’s arguments are not new to me.  I have heard the same arguments again and again.  And I long ago proved and reproved them to be without validity and some are utterly foolish in the extreme.

Here is another foolish argument he offers: “His (God’s) plan for the Christian church allows Christians to worship on any day they choose.”  Now there is a half-truth there.  It is true we can worship any time and ought to worship God every day, 24/7.  But if he means Christians have the capacity to make whatever day we choose holy, that’s utterly ridiculous.  Only God can make something holy.  No man can do so.  And he made the Sabbath holy at creation.  Nowhere in all the Bible does God de-sanctify the Sabbath, thereby making it a common day.

This supposed sabbath scholar cites Romans 14 as a text that supports abandoning a seventh day sabbath observance for any other day of the week when a close examination of the text reveals Paul is talking about choosing a day to fast, NOT choosing a day to make holy or a day to set aside for the worship of God.  And true Christians are persuaded by scripture, not their own private reasoning as to what God allows and forbids.

He also makes the common error of stating Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday.  He did not.  I have written several articles about this.  They are on my website.  When the women arrived at the tomb before sunrise Sunday they found Him already gone.  The proper question to ask is, “How long had He been gone from the tomb?  An hour, six hours, twelve hours????”  He came out of the tomb at the same time He was placed in the tomb – at sunset.  He stated that the ONLY SIGN He would give the Jewish people He was their long awaited Messiah was that He would remain in the tomb for three days and three nights – seventy-two hours.  (See Matthew 12:36-40).  You can believe He fulfilled that ONLY SIGN to the letter. God help you to understand.

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

 “The Sabbath was given to Israel, not the church.” True or false? FALSE!  The Sabbath was given TO MANKIND many hundreds of years before the man Israel was born and from whom the nation of Israel would spring.  The Sabbath was instituted creation week – the seventh day of that week.  God “rested on the seventh day…And God blessed the seventh day, AND SANCTIFIED IT” (See Genesis 2:1-3).  No scripture ever de-sanctifies the seventh day.  No scripture sanctifies Sunday.  One can read the Bible carefully from Genesis 1:1 all the way through to Revelation 22:21.  God NEVER removes His blessing from that day, and He NEVER places His blessing on Sunday or any other day of the week. One can worship God any day of the week or every day of the week, but none born human has the power to sanctify or make holy a day God never sanctified or made holy.

Satan is an expert at his craft – deception.  In order to get someone to accept and believe one of his lies, he will skillfully interweave truth and error in such a fashion that one will more easily fall for one of his lies.  Christians are not under the bondage of the Mosaic law. The Council of Jerusalem addressed this problem early on.  The Jerusalem Council’s meeting is found in the 15th chapter of Acts.  Many quote from Romans 6:14, “you are not under the law, but under grace” but then proceed to show that they have no understanding whatsoever of what Paul meant when using that phrase.  Looking at that phrase in its context, this is what Paul was actually saying, “You believers are no longer under THE PENALTY OF THE LAW (that penalty being death), but under grace (unmerited pardon from God as Jesus Christ has died for you paying the penalty for you).”  

A lady (now dead) who lived across from me stopped me on the sidewalk one day several years ago.  She had heard that I believed in keeping God’s commandments.  She told me, “as Christians we are no longer under the law, but under grace.”  I said, “What do you mean when you say we are not under the law?  Are you saying we are now free to lie, to steal, to kill and commit adultery?”  She looked flustered and said “No, I don’t mean that.”  I said, “Then what do you mean?”  Still appearing flustered and confused she said no more and walked on down the sidewalk.

Paul uses that phrase “not under the law” again in Galatians 5:18, writing “But if you are led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.”  Now notice carefully the very next words he writes: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest (easily identified), which are these: adultery, fornication (breaking the seventh commandment)…idolatry (breaking the first and second commandments)….murders (breaking the sixth commandment), and such like of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, THAT THEY WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD” (See verses 19 through 21).  In its context, Paul is here saying we Christians are not under the law, that is under the penalty of the law if we keep God’s commandments.  If we break those commandments we will not inherit the kingdom of God, for we will place ourselves back under the penalty of the law if we break God’s commandments!  In the next two verses, verses 22 and 23, Paul then describes the conduct of one who is led of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self control), against such there is no law.”

Think on these things and may the Lord give you light.

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Did you know there is a text in one of the apostle Peter’s letters where he is inspired of God to give out a warning about one of his fellow apostles, the apostle Paul?  I now quote from Peter’s second epistle, verses 15 and 16:  “And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation – as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in ALL his epistles, speaking in them of these things, IN WHICH ARE SOME THINGS HARD TO UNDERSTAND, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the scriptures.”

Peter warns that those who are untaught, or unlearned, in the scriptures as a whole – especially the Hebrew scriptures – and who are unstable spiritually, exhibiting great godliness one moment and walking in the flesh the next, will “twist” or misinterpret what Paul is saying, thinking Paul is saying one thing when in actuality he is saying something quite different if not the very opposite of what they think he is saying.

If one is not intimately familiar with what God has already said about the state of the dead, immortality and the resurrections, that reader, when reading the apostle Paul’s letters – especially his letter to the Philippians – will think that Paul clearly says that when a believer dies his “soul” goes immediately to heaven to be with Jesus Christ and with other believers who have preceded him in death.

Also notice that Peter warns that not only do they misinterpret what Paul has written, but that they also do the same with “the rest of the scriptures!”  Once one has adopted a preconceived mindset that humans have “immortal souls” that live on after death, they will have a tendency to misinterpret what the scriptures actually reveal about the state of the dead.  Satan’s blinding power then has free play in their minds and he is able to deceive honest-hearted, clean-living, well-meaning folks into believing his lies!  They, in turn, pass these lies on to others and Satan’s lies become established “truth” in many congregations and denominations in the Christian religion. They remember Elijah’s chariot ride, Enoch’s “translation” and our Lord’s promise to the thief on the cross, as well as several other scriptures and utterly forget Satan’s mind-boggling power to deceive. May God grant my reader the ability to set aside preconceived ideas, surrender once-and-for-all every atom of their being to obedience to Jesus Christ in all areas of their life and then begin studying the Word of God anew. Only then can Satan be bound securely and one’s spiritual eyes be opened to discern God’s truth from human and satanic error.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley