Water World IFB KJV Resources

20. The extreme limit of this little book precludes the possibility of saying much concerning these councils or law-making assemblies, but it is necessary to say some things.

21. The first of these Lateran or Western Councils, those called by the popes, was called by Calixtus II, A.D. 1123. There were present about 300 bishops. At this meeting it was decreed that Roman priests were never to marry. This was called the Celibacy of the priests. We of course do not attempt to give all things done at these meetings.

22. Years later, 1139 A.D., Pope Innocent II, called another of these Councils especially to condemn two groups of very devout Christians, known as Petro-Brussians and Arnoldists.

23. Alexander III called yet another, A.D. 1179, just forty years after the last. In that was condemned what they called the "Errors and Impieties" of the Waldenses and Albigenses.

24. Just 36 years after this last one, another was called by Pope Innocent III. This was held A.D. 1215, and seems to have been the most largely attended of possibly any of these great councils. According to the historical account of this meeting, "there were present 412 bishops, 800 Abbots and priors, Ambassadors from the Byzantine court, and a great number of Princes and Nobles." From the very make-up of this assembly you may know that spiritual matters were at least not alone to be considered.

At that time was promulgated the new doctrine of "Transubstantiation," the intended turning of the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper into the actual and real body and blood of Christ, after a prayer by the priest. This doctrine among others, had much to do with stirring up the leaders of the Reformation a few centuries later. This doctrine of course taught that all those who participated in the supper actually ate of the body and drank of the blood of Christ. Auricular confession--confessing one's sins into the ear of a priest--was another new doctrine seemingly having its beginning at this meeting. But probably the most cruel and bloody thing ever brought upon any people in all the world's history was what is known as the "Inquisition," and other similar courts, designed for trying what was called "heresy." The whole world is seemingly filled with books written in condemnation of that extreme cruelty, and yet it was originated and perpetuated by a people claiming to be led and directed by the Lord. For real barbarity there seems to be nothing, absolutely nothing in all history that will surpass it. I would not even attempt to describe it. I will simply refer my readers to some of the many books written on the "Inquisition" and let them read and study for themselves. And yet another thing was done at this same meeting, as if enough had not been done. It was expressly decreed to extirpate all "heresy." What a black page--yea--many black pages were written into the world's history by these terrible decrees.

25. In A.D. 1229, just 14 years after the last awful meeting, still another meeting was held. (This seems not to have been ecumenical.) It was called the council at Toulouse. Probably one of the most vital matters in all Catholic history was declared at this meeting. At this it was decreed, the Bible, God's book, should be denied to all laymen, all members of Catholic churches other than priests or higher officials. How strange a law in the face of the plain teaching of the Word, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

26. Yet another Council was called to meet at Lyons. This was called by Pope Innocent IV, in 1245 A.D. This seems to have been mainly for the purpose of excommunicating and deposing Emperor Frederick I of Germany. The Church, the adulterous bride at the marriage with the State in 313 in the days of CONSTANTINE THE Great, has now become the head of the house, and is now dictating politics of State government, and kings and queens are made or unmade at her pleasure.

27. In 1274 A.D. another Council was called to bring about the reuniting of the Roman and Greek branches of the great Catholic Church. This great assembly utterly failed to accomplish its purpose.

Following Christ's Example
Saturday, August 29, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell

"And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing."

Matthew 27:11-12

Sometimes the best response to an attack is a silent prayer for those attacking you.

Many people during the era of World War I were well-acquainted with the name of Georges Clemenceau. Known for his work on the Treaty of Versailles, the Prime Minister of France helped in much of the peace negotiations at the end of the war. On the day he was to meet with United States President Woodrow Wilson, Clemenceau was shot by French anarchist Emile Cottin. After Cottin shot at Clemenceau once, he continued to fire six more shots as Clemenceau was shoved into a car and driven away. Only one of the shots struck Clemenceau, and he soon recovered from the wound. Cottin was captured and sentenced to death for the crime, but in a surprising act, Clemenceau objected to the sentencing. He stated his reasoning as such: "We have just won the most terrible war in history, yet here is a Frenchman who misses his target six out of seven times at point-blank range. Of course this fellow must be punished for the careless use of a dangerous weapon and for poor marksmanship. I suggest that he be locked up for eight years, with intensive training in a shooting gallery."

While Clemenceau's humor permeated his request, he was sincere in his desire that Cottin not be put to death. Despite being shot and knowing the future danger he might incur from the decision, Clemenceau voiced his desire that Cottin remain alive.

What an unusual reaction for a man who had been shot at and perhaps could have died. But notice an even more unlikely reaction in our verses today. Christ was beaten, bruised, mocked, scorned, and taunted; yet He responded to these unwarranted actions with silence. Jesus had command of all the angels in Heaven and could have commanded the death of those beating Him with one breath, yet He responded in silence.

Look at how 1 Peter 2:21-23 describes the account, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Christ left us an example of how to respond to attacks-He did not respond in anger.

Have you ever been around someone who attacked you without merit? Perhaps it is someone who seems to continuously slander your name or wrongfully accuse you. Christ left us an example of how to respond in those situations-silent love. There are times when an explanation may be a necessary response, but Jesus desires that we not respond harshly or out of anger.

How do you respond to those who attack you? Do you immediately throw up a barrier and begin attacking them? Consider Christ's reaction to the attacks on Him. He reviled not, nor did He respond in anger. He opened not His mouth. Sometimes the best response is a silent prayer for those attacking you.

Take time right now to commit to following the Lord's example in your reactions. Ask God for help in responding correctly, even when your flesh wants to fight back. Remember as you go about your day today that God's desire is for you to treat others with the same love He shows you.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Mt. 5:4)

Oh the sweetness of the comforting of the Lord. No one likes affliction, but in light of God’s comfort, and if that is what it takes to get it, then we can rejoice in afflictions. Much is gained through sorrow.
Solomon teaches us that sorrow is better than laughter, (Eccl. 7:3), He says that It is better to dwell in the house of sorrow than the house of mirth. This is because we are strengthened more in sorrow than in gaiety. There is more character in the sorrow, because the gaiety is folly, it feeds the immediate, and pleases the flesh, but does nothing for the spirit. (See Eccl. 2:2 and 7:4 also). This is from the wisest natural man that ever lived! A sad countenance is better than a laughing spirit.
Most men find it hard to mourn, especially in a public place, and yet, Jesus tells us that those who mourn are “blessed”. Let us enjoy the laughter when it comes, but learn from the sorrow, and hold it in our hearts. Don’t focus on the laughter all the time, though desirable, but focus on that which builds and strengthens us through the many obstacles that life throws our way. Yes, blessed are they that mourn, because God shall see to it that they are blessed.
We too often read this as a “neutral” statement, and forget that it is a promise! God promises to bless those that mourn. It seems that we have an inroad then to obtaining God’s blessing—just learn to mourn, along with these other “be” attitudes, of course, but we are blessed for each one of them, and not necessary all of them collectively. In other words, there is a blessing for the poor in spirit, as well as they that mourn. These qualities are often hard to come by until we have grown in the Lord for many years, and been through many battles, but any of them will obtain God’s blessing, but the more we have, the greater the blessings! Oh the wonder of it all.
Mourning roots itself in compassion, while laughter is merely selfish emotion. Laughter exalts our own folly, and brings a temporary, short-lived joy to our hearts, but mourning is permanent, and reflective. Mourning builds compassion from which it came, but laughter builds only false dreams and paper ideals. Yes, sorrow is better than laughter; it is remembered longer, and makes us stronger in patience and determination. Laughter is preferred, but sorrow is the better of the two.

“Have mercy upon me, O God.”
- Psa_51:1

When Dr. Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry was made, “If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?” He replied, “Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.’“ In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:-

WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17th, 1761: DIED - -
“A wretched, poor, and helpless worm
On thy kind arms I fall.”

Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honoured of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at the best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We have need that the Lord should have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preachings, our alms-givings, and our holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled upon the doorposts of Israel’s dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be needed to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice!

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/kjvdevos

17. I again call your attention to those upon whom the hard hand of persecution fell. If fifty million died of persecution during the 1,200 years of what are called the "Dark Ages," as history seems positively to teach--then they died faster than an average of four million every one hundred years. That seems almost beyond the limit of, human conception. As before mentioned, this iron hand, dripping with martyr blood, fell upon Paulicians, Arnoldists, Henricians, Petro Brussians, Albigenses, Waldenses and Ana-Baptists--of course much harder upon some than others. But this horrid part of our story we will pass over hurriedly.

18. There came now another rather long period of Ecumenical Councils, of course not continuously or consecutively. There were all through the years many councils that were not Ecumenical, not "Empire Wide." These Councils were largely legislative bodies for the enactment or amendment of some civil or religious (?) laws, all of which, both the legislation and the laws, were directly contrary to the New Testament. Remember these were the acts of an established church--a church married to a Pagan government. And this church has become far more nearly paganized than the government has become Christianized.

19. When any people discard the New Testament as embracing all necessary laws for a Christian life, whether for the individual Christian or the whole church, that people has launched upon a limitless ocean. Any erroneous law, (and any law added to the Bible is erroneous) will inevitably and soon demand another, and others will demand yet others, without ever an end. That is why Christ gave His churches and to preachers no legislative powers. And again, and more particularly, that is why the New Testament closes with these significant words,

"For I certify unto every man that heareth the words of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in the book." Rev. 22:18, 19.

NOTE: We insert here this parenthetical clause, as a warning. Let Baptist Churches beware of even disciplinary and other varieties of resolutions, which they sometimes pass in their conferences, which resolutions might be construed as laws or rules of Church government, The New Testament has all necessary laws and rules.

I Do Not Know The Man/Friday, August 28, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man."

Matthew 26:69-72

Don't let your mouth profess Christ while your life denies Him.

There are a plethora of sports in our society. But notice something different about one of them. While there are different types of cars and different types of racing, the Indianapolis 500 speedway has a unique practice. It is no secret that racing is a dangerous sport and some drivers have even died while racing. But at the Indianapolis 500, no driver has been pronounced dead at the speedway. Drivers have crashed there and been pronounced dead later, but officials have made it a rule that no one is to be pronounced dead at the track. No memorials are set up for them, and the speedway's museum contains no list of drivers who have died at that location. As racer Scott Goodyear states, "You don't go look at where it happened. You don't watch the film on television. You don't deal with it. You pretend it never happened." In fact, track officials have embraced this idea, and when a crash occurs, the track closes for a day and crews paint over any evidence that a crash has taken place.

Many people want to ignore the fact that people have died at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While that seems sad or callous, what is even more sad is when Christians act like the crew at the speedway-painting over any sign of Christ in their lives.

Sadly, many Christians are Christians in belief only. They believe that God is Lord, that Jesus died for their sins, and are trusting Christ for salvation, yet they don't show any other signs of Christianity. They may attend church each week, but people at their workplace, or even their friends have no idea they are a Christian.

Have you ever met these types of Christians? Their mouths profess Christ yet their lives deny Him. These Christians are all too common in our world. Notice someone who also denied Jesus in our verse today. Peter had faithfully followed the Lord for three years. He had heard His sermons, studied His teachings, observed His miracles, and witnessed the lives He had changed. Yet because of the danger he faced, he denied Christ.

The devil is an expert at getting Christians to believe that claiming Christ will cost them more than they can give. He threatens their pride, reputation, comfort level, and way of life to convince them to keep Christ hidden in their lives.

If someone were to ask your friends if you were a Christian, what would their answers be? If a bystander were to observe your life for one day, would they witness your beliefs, or would your life say, "I do not know the Man"?

God shouldn't be Someone you only believe in, but Someone who has an affect on every aspect of your life. He should shine through every activity you partake in, no matter how mundane you think it is! God should be on the tip of your tongue, at the front of your mind, and constantly in your thoughts.

How well are you showing the Lord through your life? Does your life proclaim, "God has saved me and controls me!" or are your actions stating, "I do not know the Man"? Keep God in the forefront of your life. Allow Him to permeate every action, thought, and word you speak. Don't cover Him up like the pit crews, but proudly let the world know that you serve the all-powerful Creator of the world.

“Oil for the light.”
- Exo_25:6

My soul, how much thou needest this, for thy lamp will not long continue to burn without it. Thy snuff will smoke and become an offence if light be gone, and gone it will be if oil be absent. Thou hast no oil well springing up in thy human nature, and therefore thou must go to them that sell and buy for thyself, or like the foolish virgins, thou wilt have to cry, “My lamp is gone out.” Even the consecrated lamps could not give light without oil; though they shone in the tabernacle they needed to be fed, though no rough winds blew upon them they required to be trimmed, and thy need is equally as great. Under the most happy circumstances thou canst not give light for another hour unless fresh oil of grace be given thee.
It was not every oil that might be used in the Lord’s service; neither the petroleum which exudes so plentifully from the earth, nor the produce of fishes, nor that extracted from nuts would be accepted; one oil only was selected, and that the best olive oil. Pretended grace from natural goodness, fancied grace from priestly hands, or imaginary grace from outward ceremonies will never serve the true saint of God; he knows that the Lord would not be pleased with rivers of such oil. He goes to the olive-press of Gethsemane, and draws his supplies from him who was crushed therein. The oil of gospel grace is pure and free from lees and dregs, and hence the light which is fed thereon is clear and bright. Our churches are the Saviour’s golden candelabra, and if they are to be lights in this dark world, they must have much holy oil. Let us pray for ourselves, our ministers, and our churches, that they may never lack oil for the light. Truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, love, these are all beams of the sacred light, but we cannot give them forth unless in private we receive oil from God the Holy Ghost.