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NASB | Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. |
Bible Question:
I am brand new to this site. I am in urgent need of advice from fellow believers. I am a member of a church in WV. My husband is a deacon. We have a man in the church who is more highly recognized and sought out than our Pastor. He was a "founder" of the church from many years back. My problem is with him. He has some very strange doctrine. I will mention a few. 1. Paul had the same experience as the apostles at pentacost ( I don't doubt this part), but in the same upper room and 40 years AFTER his conversion on the road to Damascus! 2. Lazarus was not really dead when Christ called him out of the tomb. 3. Satan, the devil, and Lucifer are not the same being. 4. Satan has been transformed into an angel of light and is now a good angel. 5. The devil is locked away in hell and does not go to and fro through the earth seeking whom he may devour. He claims he just paces back and forth in the pit. This is just of a few of the outrages he teaches. He preaches ocassionally in the church, but he is on our radio ministry every Sat. evening. He is not overt about this in these two situations. He is more subtle. He takes young believers aside and goes into their homes and subverts them. My husband and I have talked to the pastor about this and he seems unwilling to force this man to stop. He periodically preaches the truth about these things esp. the devil part, but does not contrast the truth to the lie. (gives the doctrine of the lie and shows how it is false). He says he has told this "elder" that he does not agree with this doctrine. But the man is in rebellion and will not stop teaching it to others. The last conversation I had with my pastor I told him he need to be more careful because he is responsible for the "sheep" and is responsible for what we are fed from his pulpit and from his church. He told me that he was no more responsible than anyone else. This brings me to my question. If he is telling us, my husband and me, that we are also responsible then I cannot let this go on. I feel one of us has to confront this and present the truth. We have to tell this man to stop subverting the others or we will take him before the church. Am I correct on this process? I have spoken with other ministers and the youth pastor and the church is so divided and torn. All with any maturity know this is a lie but the young christians are saying they are so confused and don't know what to believe. Any help from anyone even if you need to correct me I need to know. I plan to act swiftly. I am ready to leave this church if this doesn't change and I don't want to do that if I can avoid it. Thank you and God Bless you all. Theresa |
Bible Answer: hello theresa. can i point out a few things if i may.satan is in heaven not hell.Revelations 12:10, he is not omnipresent, so can only be one place at a time. Lazarus was dead but not the dead that means seperated from God.But you know his doctrines are wrong. The point I want to make is;If you want to be blessed you must submit to your leadership. Jerimiah 27:9-11.Dont worry about doctrines of this man as God will do what He has to do. This is a test from God to see if you can love unconditionally, without predjudice and judgement.Guard your heart, for out of it will flow the issues of life. Love this man and let God deal with his doctrines,as long as Christ is preached and your pastor sees a gift of God in this man and uses it to Gods glory.things will be fine,trust God that He is in control of all things.God sees all that is going on and will use it for our good. Learn to be in submission to all your leadership in love. bless you |