Let's Get It Right!

Should Christians Tithe? What Does The Bible REALLY Teach On Giving Under The New Covenant?

As Christians we are constantly bombarded with exhortation on handling money, and its proper distribution. But how much of this ‘Bible based’ teaching is truly based on the Bible?

by Paul Benson

…it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. -Paul an apostle of Christ

Faithfulness to the will of God should be paramount to each and every follower of Christ. And our desire to conform to the standards of God prompts us to look to those who expound upon his Holy Word for instruction in proper conduct.

There is much (and quite possibly overmuch) teaching on giving in the Christian community today. And of course we do see a great deal of teaching in the Scriptures on this subject. But I must confess I see a glaring disconnect between what the Bible says about giving, and what many are teaching us it says! Why is this so? Continue reading “Should Christians Tithe? What Does The Bible REALLY Teach On Giving Under The New Covenant?”

Hell-Conscious

This is a guest post by a Sister from Nigeria. A very well written and thought provoking article!

By Ufuomaee

People often say Christians shouldn’t threaten unbelievers out of the road to hell…that it is wrong or unethical to preach hell to get them to accept Jesus as their only salvation. It isn’t just the unbelieving who say this. Many Believers think and say this too, with varying degrees of passion. Some are very passionate about it, and feel that it is only through preaching God’s love and grace that people will be saved and appreciate the goodness of God.

I have felt this way too. At times. However, in all honesty, you cannot preach the love of God without preaching the justice of God, and hell! Jesus didn’t go about preaching, “God loves you. Believe and you will go to Heaven.” He said “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15, Matt 4:17) And in other places, He taught them that if they would not repent, they would perish! (Luke 13:1-9).

Whatever gave us the impression that hell is not central to the message we preach, when God’s judgment of our sin is what made Jesus’ sacrifice ESSENTIAL for our salvation (John 3:16, Rom 6:23)? If our belief is that the existence and terror of hell is not a central doctrine in Christianity, it shows that we do not understand the Gospel (the GOOD NEWS that we have been SAVED from hell!). I believe, however, that emphasizing the love of God and His grace is important for us to have HOLY fear, and not torment (1 John 4:18). There is definitely a need for preaching hell. Not only to the unbelieving, but to Believers too. READ THE REST HERE

Leaving Behind The Cross of Christ – The Folly Of ‘Modern’ Christian Ministry!

The more I examine what is preached as Gospel today; the better the ‘old paths’ are looking to me!

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by Paul Benson

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection… Hebrews 6:1

I once had a brother (let’s call him Brother B.) from the progressive Charismatic ‘signs and wonders’ crowd tell me I needed to get beyond the message of the Cross, and all my repentance preaching. He (as others also have) suggested I, as a saved believer, need to leave the Cross behind, travel past the Resurrection, past the Ascension, past Pentecost and the Upper Room, and move into what God is doing in this day and speaking to this generation. (He did supply a caveat of how wonderful and necessary the Cross was; but that I was hindered in my walk, and my ministry, by my insistence on ‘camping’ there.)

What point he was getting at was not lost on me. There is more to the message of God’s Kingdom than only what took place upon the Cross. We do need to embrace the Resurrection (and the promise it brings of our own resurrection) as well as the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit as detailed in Acts 2. We very much ARE called to go on to perfection.

I understand all of that!

And actually a recent article of mine was on the mistake of ‘camping out’ on a plateau of understanding, and not seeking a progressive revelation of the mystery of our faith. But, you see, I just have a bit of a problem with the notion of leaving the Cross behind to move forward. There is just something about those words that doesn’t set very well with me. And if you will permit me I will show you why I feel that my hesitation is totally justified. Continue reading “Leaving Behind The Cross of Christ – The Folly Of ‘Modern’ Christian Ministry!”

The Truth About Israel – John Little

Just how ‘on-the-mark’ is your understanding of the importance of Jerusalem in the end-time prophetic picture? If you are like me you could probably use a little exhorting in this area!

A NOTE FROM PAUL BENSON:

As a Pentecostal Bible believing Christian living in America I have been a little slow to recognize certain aspects of my understanding about Israel in general, and Jerusalem in particular, which have been skewed by misunderstandings fed to me by mainstream Christianity.

Through prayer and study I have been gaining ground in this area in recent years; and one of the avenues God has been using is the work of John Little (Omegashock.com). His latest article is an excellent array of facts and media sources that cut through the bat-scat of modern opinion and wayward theory to present a honest and balanced perspective from someone who knows the scoop. I would really recommend giving this piece some attention. You can read that write-up at this link:

THE TRUTH ABOUT ISRAEL – BY JOHN LITTLE

Blessings to all who love our Christ;

Paul Benson

http://www.paulbenson.me

A False Witness Shall Not Be Unpunished! (Prov. 19:5) – Could Popular Christian Beliefs Actually Have Your Soul In Danger?

In this age of ‘have-it-your-way’ Christian faith just how dangerous is it to be embracing teachings which are out of sync with the true teachings of the Bible?

by Paul Benson

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. -David, King of Israel

As Christian believers we certainly like to think we are doing a good job walking in the light; and that the words we speak are according to the truth. But we are all human and we ALL make mistakes. Not one of us (especially me) has all areas of theology figured out in a perfect understanding. Nor do we even have the ability to express what truth we have assimilated in a perfect manner!

But, by the Word of God, we know that God demands his people be a people with a high regard for the truth; and that there is a divine line of demarcation somewhere, decided by God himself, that labels one person a speaker of the truth and another as an evil deceiver. On one side of that line a blessed individual destined for reward; and on the other side, one who is condemned and destined for punishment.

This is not a frivolous matter! Considering the title to this article is a quote from the Scriptures it might be a good idea to make sure we are on the right side of that dividing line! But just where has God drawn that line? And more importantly how can we know for sure which side of that line we are on? Continue reading “A False Witness Shall Not Be Unpunished! (Prov. 19:5) – Could Popular Christian Beliefs Actually Have Your Soul In Danger?”

The Coming ‘Global Brain’ – Or How Antichrist Will Counterfeit The Divine Attributes Of God!

Will Antichrist and the False Prophet use a highly advanced version of the Internet to unleash their evil tyranny upon Planet Earth? I think you can count upon it!

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by Paul Benson

{Disclaimer: I am a real stickler about founding our doctrine upon only what is plainly stated in the Scriptures; and recommend exercising great caution with any claims of ‘Bible Truth’ which cannot show that solid foundation. All else should be honestly presented as speculation. It is into that category that I would place this article. Please, take it as such. P.B.}

As a Christian believer, and an avid student of Bible prophesy, I have always had a fascination with technology. Technology and the coming Mark of the Beast are joined at the hip, so to speak. Realizing this, I try (as much as possible) to stay abreast of the latest innovations.

The development of new platforms and applications is nearly impossible to keep up with; and the capabilities of the systems now being ‘birthed’ are far beyond the comprehension of the average person. I say birthed for good reason. Much of what is on the horizon, and even now being implemented, has characteristics we would formerly only attribute to humanity. Continue reading “The Coming ‘Global Brain’ – Or How Antichrist Will Counterfeit The Divine Attributes Of God!”

Jeremiah: Blessing in Great Tribulation!

When the Judgment of God fell upon Jerusalem, remarkably the Blessing of God fell upon Jeremiah. As believers could we also find God’s favor in a time of Judgment?

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by Paul Benson

(Of all the personal ‘words’ the Lord has given me this is truly one of my favorites! I feel a leading to republish it at this time for those who might not have read it. P.B.)

The Judgment of Jerusalem

For Israel’s sin and rebellion against him, God sent the enemy of his people to visit his judgment upon them. When Jerusalem finally fell, after the long horrible siege (that actually left some resorting to cannibalism!), then came the commander of Nebuchadnezzar’s army and sought out the prophet Jeremiah. But not to sentence him to a life of slavery, or to slay him (the fate of most of the priests, prophets, and citizens of that city). No! Not to harm him, but to BLESS HIM! And bless him he did. What was it that brought such an abundance of God’s favor upon Jeremiah? Let’s take a look at the life of this man of God. Continue reading “Jeremiah: Blessing in Great Tribulation!”

Answering A VERY Misleading Question: Who Will Populate The Millennium?

To keep the spotlight off obvious weak points in their teachings deceivers will fuss on and on about over inflated non-issues to sidetrack and distract you. We need to recognize this as a main ingredient in serving up deceptive doctrines.

by Paul Benson

Untwisting The Pretzel Logic of Pre-trib Theory

…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4

Most pre-trib teachers and preachers have a pet ‘proof’ they like to take out and cuddle quite often. They claim that a post-tribulation Coming of Christ to catch away the Church absolutely cannot be the correct view as it leaves no mortals alive to populate the millennium. But is there any traction there; or are they merely spinning their wheels, and once again making a lot of noise over nothing?

Let’s look at the question of who will populate the millennium from the perspective of what actually is (and what is not) taught in the Scriptures; and not just the unsupported opinions and theories of man. Continue reading “Answering A VERY Misleading Question: Who Will Populate The Millennium?”

Could There Ever Be Such A Thing As ‘Tribulation Saints’ Without The Holy Spirit?

Will a multitude of new believers during the tribulation face the onslaught of Antichrist’s war on the Saints in their own strength and still remain faithful?

by Paul Benson

The folly of Dispensational Theology states that the Age of Grace comes to an end at the event they call the Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church; and that the Holy Spirit is also removed from the Earth at this time. But then they also claim there are those who get saved and follow Christ to the point of martyrdom during this time of tribulation.

The notion there will be followers of Christ during the time of great tribulation who are saved but not born again, and who are not indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, presents many problems both theological as well as practical. Let’s look at a few points I feel prove this notion is totally out of accord with the Scriptures; and therefor completely bogus. Continue reading “Could There Ever Be Such A Thing As ‘Tribulation Saints’ Without The Holy Spirit?”

Shocking Claim! False Teaching And False Prophesy Can GREATLY Strengthen Today’s Christian!

Could words of error somehow cause you to become a stronger Christian? You might be surprised!

False prophesy can strengthen you!

by Paul Benson

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

Here is something that is extremely hard for many to grasp, and most would consider it quite an outrageous statement: There can be great benefit received from false doctrine and false prophesy!

Yes, you heard me correctly. Gross error in preaching and teaching can be very helpful to strengthen the Body of Christ. In fact, without exposure to such the Christian cannot develop and mature properly! Stymied by these strange words? Please, unfurrow your brow, and allow me to explain. Continue reading “Shocking Claim! False Teaching And False Prophesy Can GREATLY Strengthen Today’s Christian!”