As disciples of Yahshua we do often get our priorities mixed up. It is quite incongruous to boast of having the Holy Spirit while we are treating others in a manner that violates love of the brethren. We all fall short of the full measure of Christ in many ways, but we should ever be striving to measure up.

I have often been convicted that I have not been as patient or humble in my communications as I ought to be. Yahweh has been merciful to me, and shown me much grace. Therefore, I desire to bear patiently with others when they fall short of the character of Christ in their words or actions.

I am ever mindful that "by the judgment you judge others, you will be judged," and "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."

We would all do well to seek to lead by example as we clothe ourselves with the meekness and love of Christ.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

Thank you very much for this teaching. This is a blessing and confirms my own conclusions in my own Bible studies and revelations of the Holy Spirit.

I am sad to see these contentious comments from those who claim to follow Jesus Christ, and I appreciate your patient, honest and humble responses. I wonder if you cry like Paul did. Paul did not get in the flesh and go off on the people, despite all that he had to content with! Nothing has changed has it?

I am not trying to elevate myself above anyone in any way by saying this, as I am a sinner, but we are promised wisdom if we ask for it, and humble ourselves. Read James 1 & 3. I pray for it daily, as well as LOVE that knowledge not puff up. I pray that Gods people will repent and start acting like the one we are to be conforming to. And come to the knowledge of the truth.

Jam 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Sincerely,
A Christian who is in Christ, Sarah Beveridge

I posted your comment so that I might correct a misconception you have made. Your claim that "Tongues is nothing but a scheme of the devil in the modern churches" does not fail in propriety because it is a "controversial" statement. It fails the test of truth because you have given into the impulse to make an all-encompassing statement that is inaccurate.

It is true that Satan counterfeits the gift of tongues. He does the same with the gift of prophecy. There are a great many men and women who use plain speech to speak forth lies which originate with the father of lies. However, it would be an example of exaggeration to conclude that because false teaching is rampant that "prophecy" or "teaching" is "nothing more than a scheme of the devil in the church."

When men make such claims they are painting with too broad a brush. There are legitimate uses of the gift of tongues in operation among the church. Such instances may be the minority experience, for great apostasy has entered the churches of this hour. Yet, we must manifest patience and self-control, both of which are fruits of the Holy Spirit, and not make intemperate claims that condemn and revile that which Yahweh approves of.

If men were to use the standard of judgment you are employing, they could as easily declare that the entire church is a work of Satan. Yet, as in the days of Elijah, Yahweh has reserved a remnant who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

This comment may be too controversial to post, but then it is not compassionate to withhold the truth.

I certainly agree that much error has entered into the church over the course of the past 2,000 years. The apostasy of the church, along with the selfish and immoral character of those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ/Yahshua the Messiah, has caused all things "Christian" to fall into reproach.

I would suggest, however, that it is NOT the term "Christian" that is the source of the corruption. Rather, it is what the word has come to represent in the minds of many people today. If the disciples had been called "Nazarenes," "Ekklesia," or a sect of Judaism known as "The Way," then we would find that these terms would bear the same stigma today.

I do not believe that a case could be made to support your contention that a false religion called "Christianity" began in Antioch. The context of Acts does not support such a conclusion. Consider the following:

The passage that this statement about the disciples first being called "Christians" occurs in mentions the following:

Acts 11:27-12:1
Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

So here is a group of disciples, flowing in the Holy Spirit. They are prophesying. They are in good favor with the saints from Jerusalem. They are manifesting good works as they are giving freely of their substance to assist those who are suffering. And later we read the following:

Acts 13:1-3
Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Here again in Antioch, we have devout disciples "ministering to the Lord." We observe the Holy Spirit in open communication with them, and from this group in Antioch we have the Spirit initiated beginnings of Paul's great missionary journeys. The fruit of Paul's labors is undeniable. Only the most critical believer would suggest that Paul went on to establish a false religion called "Christianity."

The fact that the foundation laid by Christ, and built upon by the apostles, has been corrupted in the intervening years is not to be attributed to a deficiency in their labors. To say that a false religion began in Antioch is as errant a claim as to say that Yahshua established a false religion in Judea. There is no evidence to suggest that Christ and His disciples in Jerusalem, nor Paul and the other saints at Antioch, are responsible for the corruption that has entered the church.

One would make a better argument if they pointed to Rome as the place that the church became corrupted. Yet, even this is not wholly accurate. John wrote the book of Revelation two centuries prior to the ascendancy of Rome over the church. In that book Christ speaks to seven churches, and chastises five of them for serious doctrinal errors and sin that has entered in.

The church has always been under attack, both from without and within. It is ever a remnant that walk in holiness, in a manner pleasing to Yahweh. The problem is NOT the name "Christian." The true problem is that those who claim the name so often manifest the character of Satan rather than that of Jesus Christ/Yahshua the Messiah.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

I realize some reject the term "Christian" today, but the name does have a Biblical foundation, and it is also related to the apostle Paul.

Acts 11:25-26
And [Barnabas] left for Tarsus to look for Saul (Paul); and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Some have suggested that the term "Christian" was used as a slur, or an insult. However, there is nothing in the context of this passage, nor elsewhere in the Scriptures, to corroborate this conclusion. The fact is simply stated that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

The fact that they were "first" called Christians there, reveals that what started in Antioch spread elsewhere until the term Christian became a common appellation of the disciples of Christ.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

You have asked me to provide you a "public" answer to your questions. This reveals that you are looking for a public debate of the subject of tongues, and that you already have concluded that there is significant disagreement between your views and my own.

Please accept my following words in the patient attitude in which they are offered. I am not upset, and I desire to be at peace with all men as far as it is in my power to do so.

I have posted on a number of occasions that Yahweh has not directed me to host a public discussion forum. I have found "Christian" discussion forums to have numerous serious shortcomings. They end up providing a platform for the immature to speak careless words and to promote many false beliefs. My experience with forums is that they give rise to much intemperate speech, and carnally minded believers frequently resort to reviling and endless wrangling over words.

I am not suggesting that this is what you would do. Rather, I offer this as an explanation for why my blog does not function as a public discussion forum. All comments submitted are moderated. They are sent to me for review, and they are posted at my discretion.

I frequently invite people who have written something in a comment field to contact me via e-mail, for this is in many instances a more suitable medium of communication. Aside from the absence of formatting options, and severe limitations on length imposed by the comment utility, the majority of reader communications are best communicated privately. Those who insist on stating opposing views publicly are really not looking seeking understanding. Rather, they are looking for a platform to make their thoughts known.

If your beliefs are different than my own, and you wish to make them known, you have the option to do as I have done, to create your own teaching blog whereby people who find your teachings to be helpful might seek them out. I did note that you have your own site called Knowing the Lord. Perhaps this might be a suitable place for you to post your views.

I do not share these things with any intent to offend you. Yahweh called me many years ago to be a teacher. To be able to share teachings with a remnant of His body scattered across the globe, I was led to create the two websites that I maintain. The websites are in effect, my pulpit. No one is compelled to read or listen to my messages. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to not turn this pulpit over to individuals whose character and views I am unfamiliar with. To do so would be irresponsible.

I do recognize that people have sincere disagreements, or questions. I encourage those who wish to share such things to contact me via e-mail. I will seek to answer patiently, and accurately, desiring to promote an apprehension of truth among the saints in Christ.

You will find my e-mail address at the top of the blog.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

Can you answer these questions for me?
Sincerely,
J.E.