Bible Doctrine

When Jesus spoke those words to the money-loving, murderous Pharisees He was telling them that through the many prophets that had preceded Him, He had provided His people, and especially His elect, an excellent foundation of truth upon which to build their doctrines and beliefs. When men refuse, or neglect, to use the Hebrew scriptures to formulate their doctrines and beliefs, it is similar to a construction crew refusing to consult a building’s blue prints in erecting a building! And I do not exaggerate in the least.

The apostle Paul wrote that “the household of God,” the church, is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (See Ephesians 2:20). An assembly, or denomination, that omits the writings of the prophets – including the prophet Moses – from their doctrines and beliefs are building an assembly, or “church,” on a faulty foundation. It is a dangerous building in which to reside.

In speaking of the writings of the Hebrew prophets, the apostle Peter said that “the Spirit of Christ was in them” and that “unto US (the New Covenant church) they did minister!” (See I Peter 1:10-12). The pastor, or minister, who does not understand and accept theses truths is NOT representing Jesus Christ but his own private and erroneous system of beliefs!

Jesus Christ warned the Sadducees “ye do err, not knowing the (Hebrew) scriptures!” (See Matthew 22:29). He told them, “ye do greatly err!” (See Mark 12:27). He would tell pastors, preachers and theologians of any and all eras the same should they fail to include the truths contained in the Hebrew prophets in formulating their beliefs and doctrines.

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

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

No, I am not talking about a musical group. I am talking about that dimension that is beyond the scope and comprehension of physics. The world of the spirit. One of the prices Adam paid for following Satan’s way and the way of the flesh was to lose contact with the spirit world – that 5th dimension. Not just to Adam and Eve, but to all humanity, God says: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear, but your iniquities HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Dwelling in the spirit world, that fifth dimension, God is invisible to human eyes and undetectable to any mode or method of inspection or surveillance. One can peer into the heavens using any and all devices invented by man, still God cannot be found. It is not because He is not there, along with the entire world of the spirit, it is just that He dwells in an entirely different dimension than that of the physical realm. He can be found or detected ONLY when He chooses to reveal Himself. That is WHY, in speaking of the spiritually blinded Pharisees, Jesus told His disciples to “Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind….” (See Matthew 15:14). Spiritual truth cannot be revealed to the spiritually blind! It is similar to making an attempt to show a physically blind person something that one must have sight to see and accept. Although the spiritually blind can have a deep and abiding interest in spiritual matters, their spiritual blindness effectively prevents them from seeing spiritual truth for the most part. A blinded Pharisee could understand that God is real, but he could not make contact with God because of his sins, his walking according to the flesh and carnality. He COULD become religious, super-religious. He could become 100% convinced he knew and walked in the truth, but most of the spiritual knowledge he obtained was erroneous, distorted, perverted. And such is true with many religious folks today – even those professing themselves to be members of the Christian community.

And that is the scary thing about spiritual deception, a deceived person does not know he (or she) is deceived. Like the Mormon missionaries that visited me from time to time, they were and are 110% sure they are right in the path they follow. They have not the slightest doubt that the Book of Mormon is totally inspired of God, calling that book of errors “more correct than the Bible.” Like many religious folk they merely parrot what they have been spoon-fed as being the truth. They have verses of scripture that they point to that they think supports their erroneous concepts and beliefs. Such is the case with most all who embrace and teach error in the various “Christian” denominations. When they find that many thousands, or even millions, agree with them in their viewpoint they then become effectively locked-in to their errors. Jesus told His disciples, “Beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (See Matthew 16:12). I wonder what denominations Jesus Christ would say that of today, “Beware of the_______________.” Many are certain He would say, “Beware of the Mormons, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Roman Catholics,” but He just might include YOUR denomination. Think about that for a moment.

Notice the “marching orders” Jesus Christ gave His disciples: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words…DEPART!” (See Matthew 10:14). Again, Jesus was saying, “Let them alone!” One cannot force-feed spiritual truth. Either the Holy Spirit is opening the mind to receive spiritual truth or that particular mind is closed to the same, having embraced error and choosing to remain in that condition and state. Of course the one in spiritual error thinks they are right. After all they have a lot of verses they can point to that they think supports them in their error. Also, they generally have multitudes who agree with them in their error. They have illustrious spiritual leaders who believe and teach the same doctrines. They then think, “All these people can’t be wrong!” They forget the Roman Catholic and Mormon think and reason in the exact same way. And they forget the Bible’s clear warning that Satan “deceives THE WHOLE WORLD!” (See Revelation 12:9). And, of course, that would include your country, your state, your county, your town, etc. It is up to us to bow to the full and total LORDship of Jesus Christ in our lives, and then to search the scriptures – ALL of them – both Hebrew and Greek scriptures (i.e., the New AND OLD Testaments) in order to really PROVE all things of a spiritual nature! Fail to take that pathway and it is a foregone conclusion you will indeed embrace gross and far-reaching error.

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

Donald Wiley

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Romans 5:20). Those words should be carved into the headstone above my grave or written on the bronze plaque if that is the marker used for my grave. I am a prime example of God’s grace toward sinful men and the epitome of what God can do in the life of a former rebel. My changed life is the absolute, unarguable proof of the existence of a Supreme Being who has a continuing vital interest in His human creation.

Those who knew and interacted with me in the early decades of my life would say of me today what was said of the blind man Jesus healed, who had been born blind. (See John 9). They would say, “Well, he looks like the guy we knew back then. His voice sounds the same, but who this man is whom we see today we do not know!” But “if ANY man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new” (See 2 Corinthians 5:17). A truly converted man or woman is a new personality, bearing little resemblance to the person they were prior to their conversion. They don’t just believe Jesus Christ died for them. They also walk in newness of life. (See Romans 6:4). Dead to sin, they become alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (See Romans 6:11). Delivered from the power of darkness, they walk worthy of the Lord. (See Colossians 1:10, 13). They are not just believers. They are possessors of that life that is truly life. They are totally malleable clay in the hands of the Master Potter.

My future looks brighter with each passing day. Though in this body I groan and experience the vicissitudes of age, I look forward to that day when this mortal frame shall put on immortality and I shall step from here into eternity.

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

Donald Wiley

Some time ago my brother asked me the question, “How did penguins make it from the Arctic to Noah’s vicinity in order to be saved from the flood.” This is what came to my mind:

If God can implant the migratory instinct in birds, fish, etc., to migrate hundreds even thousands of miles and unerringly return to the same vicinity they departed from a year before – some even making the trip for the first time – then why couldn’t He implant in the minds of penguins to trek from wherever they were THEN – thousands of years ago – to Noah’s vicinity. Pre-flood conditions differed widely from the conditions and landscape we see today. And who knows who or what were the pre-flood ancestors of the penguin?

This is not to say there are not any lingering mysteries regarding just how the miracle of Noah’s ark was brought about. I repeat: With God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. God can bring the dead back to life, give sight to one born blind, flood the entire earth, etc., etc., etc. God has no limits, no boundaries, no impossibilities

I can as readily accept the story of Noah and the flood as I can accept Jonah and the whale, or great fish, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or any other miracle. A miracle is a miracle. It is an event that cannot be explained. It shatters all arguments against its being true, factual or even believable.

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Did you know there is one sin men commit when God says just that, “He’s guilty as charged?” No, it is not the sin of murder, nor idolatry. It is not the sin of adultery. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, FOR THE LORD WILL NOT HOLD HIM GUILTLESS THAT TAKETH HIS NAME IN VAIN.” (Exodus 20:7). That is the sin where God says, “He’s guilty as charged!” The New International Version makes it a bit clearer: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

Note well, “God will not hold ANYONE guiltless who misuses his name.” I know of no greater way to misuse God’s name than to use it in anger as a curse word. What a shallow, thoughtless way to use the name of Almighty God? I can think of no more despicable way to display an irreverent and disrespectful attitude toward one’s creator.

God warns “EVERY transgression and act of disobedience receives a just punishment.” (See Hebrews 2:2). But God in His great mercy delays the punishing of sin in a believer, allowing the offender ample time to repent and forsake their sinful way. If they do so, then the punishment thereof is placed on the Lord Jesus Christ and the guilty party goes free. If they do not confess and forsake their sin, then chastening from the Lord is as certain as the rising sun. If their continued sin does not bring corrective punishment, then the sinner is adjudged and pronounced a false convert.  (See Hebrews Chapter 12).

A word to the wise is sufficient. A word to the rebel suffices only to stir greater anger in the heart of the sinful one. God help us all to understand.

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

Donald Wiley

The first major truth our Creator shared with the human family was this: “Dust you are and to dust you shall return!” He let Adam and Eve know up front that they were mortal beings and would someday die, returning to the earth from which they were taken. He further told them that if they were disobedient to Him and His instructions and counsel that they would someday surely die, that is they would die a death from which there would never be a resurrection, the second death! God then built upon that sure foundation of eternal truth generation after generation through enlightenment given His prophets and chosen spokesmen. Revelation was progressive and never contradictory. If and when one hears a doctrine, a teaching that runs counter to the foundational statements of truth uttered early on by our Creator, then Satan has “entered the garden,” once again, so to speak, and is sowing seeds of confusion.

“The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence (i.e., the grave)” (Psalm 115:17). No deceased Gaither singer is sitting around God’s throne singing their hearts out, not a single one. Redeemed or unredeemed when they died – they DIED! They, and all others born human, whose heart stopped and they stopped breathing, are dead awaiting a resurrection to restore them to life! That is the sole purpose of a resurrection, friend. “His (a human’s) breath goes forth (he breathes his last breath), he returns to his earth. IN THAT VERY DAY HIS THOUGHTS PERISH!” (Psalm 146:4). Jesus warned, “The scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35). It is what it is. “He (God) remembers that we are dust” (Genesis 103:14). Due to false teaching, men are prone to forget that. God does not!

In the mind of God “all live unto him,” yes, in God’s mind, or thinking, because God knows His Son, Jesus Christ, is going to resurrect them upon His return to earth. (See Luke 20:35-38).

The apostle Paul never writes a single word that differs with any of the scriptures cited above – NOTHING! Paul never said “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (See 2 Corinthians 5:8). He said he was willing, or would prefer to be absent from the body and present with the Lord! An entirely different statement. Paul clearly taught that we will be absent from the body and present with the Lord only when resurrected. (See I Corinthians 15).

Our Creator wants us to trust Him, to rely upon Him, to depend upon Him, and to believe Him even when every one of our physical senses is leading us to doubt and to fear. It took me many decades to learn that perfect trust comes from perfect obedience. The more obedient we are to our Lord, the more real He becomes in our life. Daily, or continual, disobedience pushes the spirit world further and further away and reduces Jesus Christ to nothing more than an historical figure.

Those of us who are in or have passed our eighth decade of life have much to be thankful for. Billions never made it this far! At the judgment God might well ask, “What did you do with the added years? Did you realize their value and their scarcity? I invested much time in you; where are my dividends?” I, for one, want to answer Him well.

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

Donald Wiley

Paul wrote SOME things hard to understand. Peter said so. But not all he wrote was hard to understand. When he needed to make it plain he could and did. He warned a fellow minister, Timothy, “If we deny Him (Jesus Christ), He also will deny us!” (See 2 Timothy 2:12). He went on to say, “If we believe not (or, if we doubt Jesus would do such a thing), yet He abides faithful (to His warning, to what He had said long ago during His earthly sojourn) He cannot deny Himself” (verse 13, 2 Timothy 2). Paul knew that Jesus could not deny that He had told His disciples long ago “WHOSOEVER shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (See Matthew 10:33). And notice Jesus said, “WHOSOEVER,” meaning preacher, disciple, apostle (Judas was – Matthew 10:2-4), Christian, whosoever!

To the Christians in Rome Paul wrote, “If some of the branches (the tribes of Israel) be broken off (cast away from fellowship with God), and you (Gentiles) being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them (among Israel – becoming spiritual Israel), and with them partake of the root (Jesus Christ) and fatness (spiritual blessings) of the olive tree (enjoying all that was promised faithful Israel), boast not against the branches (that you Gentiles now enjoy the blessings of God while the Jews do not), but if you boast (know this) you bear not the root, but the root bears you. You will say then, the branches were broken off that I might be grafted in. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off. Be not highminded (proud), but fear. (Fear what?) For if God spared not the natural branches, TAKE HEED LEST HE SPARE NOT YOU. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God, on them which fell severity (was shown), but toward you goodness (was displayed) IF YOU CONTINUE IN HIS GOODNESS, OTHERWISE YOU ALSO SHALL BE CUT OFF” (See Romans 11:17-22).

Paul made it mighty plain when he said, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (men who purposefully make themselves appear as the opposite sex), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (both gay and lesbian), nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards (and today that would include dope addicts), nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God!” (See I Corinthians 6:9-10). But notice what he says next, “And such WERE SOME OF YOU, but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God!” (See verse 11).

None of the offenses named by Paul are unpardonable sins. All such can be forgiven, but those guilty of such offenses must abandon such sins and surrender their lives to the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit in order to escape the judgment of God and, thus, enter into eternal life.

Paul further warned in the plainest language possible that “another Jesus” would be presented to the world, and that “another spirit” would go forth with the preaching of that other Jesus and “another gospel.” (See 2 Corinthians 11:4). Paul warned that men would transform themselves into supposed ministers or representatives of the real Jesus Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They would assume offices and positions among professing Christians to which Jesus Christ had never appointed them. And he warned that true believers “might well bear with them,” that is be duped into believing these deceivers actually were ordained ministers of Jesus Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 11:4).

Jesus told His first small group of hand-picked representatives that when the Holy Spirit was given “He will guide you into ALL truth” (See John 16:13). A short time later while praying to the Father on their behalf, Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (See John 17:17). From these two verses we learn that Jesus’ truly anointed spokesmen, pastors, teachers, etc., are sanctified, set apart from the rest of those who profess to be such, by their deep knowledge and understanding of ALL the Word of God – NOT just the New Testament. They are as at home and familiar with Zephaniah or Ezekiel as they are with Luke or Peter’s writings.

Jesus went on to say something else that pinpoints God’s true representatives, telling His disciples that not only would the Spirit guide them into ALL truth, but that the Spirit would also reveal to them “things to come” (See John 16:13, last part). Things to come are future things! That means the Spirit would open their minds to understand the prophecies given by the Lord through His prophets of old as well as His apostles! They would not obtain such understanding through the commentaries or theological works of men, but from Jesus alone as guided by the Holy Spirit into the Word of God alone, NOT from the writings of John Calvin, or Martin Luther, or Matthew Henry, or Ellen G. White, or any other flesh and blood human being. A truly anointed and appointed teacher of God’s Word does not need shelves of commentaries, theological works, or books by theologians. He needs a Bible. That’s all. A concordance or dictionary, or a study of Greek and Hebrew words would help, of course. But such are not mandatory. Just give the fellow a Bible and then listen to him speak or read what he writes. You will be astounded!

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

Donald Wiley

Satan has torn the price tag off of every sin! That’s right. Scripture states quite clearly that there is a price to be paid for every sin we commit. But wait, didn’t Jesus pay the price, or the penalty, for our sins when He died on Calvary? Yes, indeed He did, and when we enter into a valid relationship with our Lord the merits of His sacrificial death are applied to our past sins and they are washed away by that shed blood. They are removed from us as far as the east is from the west, blotted out to be remembered no more. But, after that marvelous event, what if we sin again? Well, “if we (believers, redeemed ones) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (committed after our baptism and justification), and to cleanse us (once more) from all unrighteousness” (See I John 1:9).

But “if the word spoken by angels (Greek aggelos, meaning “messengers,” or the Hebrew prophets) was stedfast, and EVERY TRANSGRESSION and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (a corresponding just punishment), how shall we (we New Covenant believers) escape (punishment) if we neglect so great salvation? (See Hebrews 2:2-3). A salvation so great as to provide us with an avenue of escape from every temptation we face as Christians, for “there has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you (allow you) to be tempted above that which you are able (to bear), but will with the temptation (yes, at that exact same moment in time) also make a (God-made) way to escape (hence, a perfect escape route), that you may be able to bear it (bear up under the temptation without ever giving in to it and sinning)” (See I Corinthians 10:13).

Every sin still has its price tag, believer. Satan might cover it up or hide that price tag from the casual believer who remains ignorant of God’s Word and warnings, but, be that as it may, every sin we commit still has its price tag and a price to be paid by the sinner! Sins, like commodities sold in the store, have different prices. Those who say that with God all sins are the same have overlooked a score of scriptures that reveal the very opposite to be true. Jesus Himself told Pilate,”He that delivered me unto you (meaning Judas) has the greater sin” (See John 19:11). Some sins in Israel carried the death penalty. Most did not. Showing that God has always viewed sins as differing from one another in severity as well as punishment warranted.

The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that when a believer sins and fails to confess their sin and forsake the same they will then suffer chastening, or punishment, for their sins. The warning is then given that if that believer experiences no such chastening then they are exposed as false converts – not saved at all, as God is not a permissive parent and definitely will correct a sinning child for their own good. Without holiness none shall see the Lord. The chastened son or daughter of God will be most thankful their heavenly Father chastened them. (See Hebrews Chapter 2). God help us all to understand.

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

Donald Wiley

The apostles had no idea over twenty centuries would pass (and maybe even more) before the Lord would return. Early on, they thought the Lord’s return was imminent. And they thought that due to the intense persecution brought against the Christians by both Jews and pagan Rome. Over and over again in his first epistle Peter speaks of the suffering of Christians and how they were looked upon as evil doers. (See I Peter 1:6-7; 2:12, 19-23; 3:14-17; 4:1-4). And then, in light of this continued persecution of believers, Peter writes “But the end of all things is at hand Be ye, therefore, sober, and watch unto prayer!” (See I Peter 4:7). Christians were not being spared these fiery trials, suffering and persecution, and it was such continued treatment that prompted Peter to say, “the end of all things is at hand!” He could not be faulted for believing that as the Lord had plainly stated there would be a great persecution of believers prior to His return!

When Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (or age)…Jesus answered and said….Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake…and then shall the end come” (See Matthew 24:3-14). These were the words that were ringing in Peter’s ear as he saw the growing persecution of Christians, prompting him to write “the end of all things is at hand!”

Peter then writes, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (I Peter 4:12). It seems most believers would think it mighty strange if they began to be persecuted and even put to death! Yet Peter firmly believed such treatment was a sure sign of the Lord’s near return.

Peter goes on to write, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed (following this unparalleled suffering of Christians), ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (See I Peter 4:13-14). Peter then says, “Wherefore let them that suffer ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (verse 19, I Peter 4). To be continued.

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley