Here are 10 excerpts from the Ante-Nicene Fathers that support the doctrine of total depravity (the belief that human nature is thoroughly corrupted by sin and incapable of pleasing God without divine grace):
1. Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD)
“For the whole human race will be found to be under a curse. For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them.’ And no one has accurately done all, nor will you venture to deny this.”
Source:Dialogue with Trypho, Ch. 95. (ANF Vol. 1, p. 248)
2. Irenaeus (c. 130–202 AD)
“For as the human race, having been conquered by sin, was bound in the chains of death, so it was necessary that man should be set free by the victory of Christ.”
Source:Against Heresies, Book V, Ch. 21.1 (ANF Vol. 1, p. 550)
3. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD)
“For the soul, being a lover of the body, and fallen into its impure delights, is rendered blind by its pleasures.”
Source:The Instructor, Book I, Ch. 6 (ANF Vol. 2, p. 220)
4. Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD)
“Man is condemned to death from the moment of his birth; he begins to live dying, and his whole life is but a progress to death.”
Source:On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Ch. 6 (ANF Vol. 3, p. 548)
5. Origen (c. 184–253 AD)
“For the human soul is by nature inclined to sin, and unless it be healed by the grace of God, it cannot be freed from its disease.”
Source:Commentary on Romans, Book V, Ch. 9 (ANF Vol. 9, p. 446)
6. Cyprian (c. 200–258 AD)
“No one ought to flatter himself with a false persuasion, as though he were pure and innocent, since it is written, ‘No one is clean from sin, not even if his life be but one day long.’”
Source:Treatise on the Lord’s Prayer, Ch. 21 (ANF Vol. 5, p. 454)
7. Lactantius (c. 250–325 AD)
“Man is born in sin, and his nature is inclined to evil from his youth.”
Source:Divine Institutes, Book VI, Ch. 24 (ANF Vol. 7, p. 198)
8. Methodius (c. 260–312 AD)
“For the soul, being defiled by sin, is unable to approach God unless it be purified by the blood of Christ.”
Source:The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, Discourse VIII, Ch. 8 (ANF Vol. 6, p. 341)
9. Arnobius (c. 255–330 AD)
“Man is so deeply sunk in vice that he cannot even perceive his own wretchedness.”
Source:Against the Heathen, Book II, Ch. 5 (ANF Vol. 6, p. 438)
10. Novatian (c. 200–258 AD)
“The whole human race is guilty before God, and no one can be justified by his own works.”
Source:On the Trinity, Ch. 10 (ANF Vol. 5, p. 622)
Bibliographical Note:
All citations are from The Ante-Nicene Fathers (ANF), a 10-volume collection of early Christian writings edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (first published 1885–1887). The volume and page numbers correspond to the standard reprint editions (Eerdmans, Hendrickson, etc.).
Some people claim that the doctrines of predestination, and election, are products of Reformation era heretics. These people are wrong. These doctrines are as old as the One True Faith. They reach back into eternity past. They are of God. The early Church believed them. The Bible teaches them. Only a biblically ignorant person, or self-righteous Pelagians would deny them.
In Augustine’s On the Predestination of the Saints, Book I, he articulates a doctrine of God’s sovereign election, emphasizing that God’s grace is bestowed not according to human merit but according to His own will. Augustine writes:
“That the salvation of this religion has never been lacking to him who was worthy of it, and that he to whom it was lacking was not worthy… we say, by divine grace or predestination.” New Advent
This passage underscores Augustine’s belief that God’s predestination precedes human worthiness, affirming the doctrine of sovereign election.
Additionally, in Book II, Augustine further elaborates on the nature of God’s grace and predestination:
“It is therefore settled that God’s grace is not given according to the deserts of the recipients, but according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise and glory of His own grace.”
This statement reinforces the idea that God’s election is based on His sovereign will, not on any foreseen merit or action by individuals.
These writings by Augustine provide a foundational understanding of the doctrine of God’s sovereign election, emphasizing that salvation is a result of God’s gracious choice rather than human effort or worthiness.
God’s Eternal Decree of Election and Reprobation Calvin asserts that God, by His eternal and unchangeable plan, has predestined some individuals to salvation and others to destruction. This distinction is not based on human merit but solely on God’s sovereign will. He writes: “We assert that, with respect to the elect, this plan was founded upon his freely given mercy, without regard to human worth; but by his just and irreprehensible but incomprehensible judgment he has barred the door of life to those whom he has given over to damnation.”
1. Election Not Based on Foreseen Merit
Calvin emphasizes that God’s choice to save individuals is not based on any foreseen merit or actions but is grounded in God’s sovereign will. He states: “God could foresee nothing good in man except what he had already determined to bestow by the benefit of his election.”
2. Holiness as the Result of Election
Calvin explains that the holiness of believers is a consequence of God’s election, not the cause of it. He argues that if election were based on foreseen holiness, it would contradict the biblical teaching that holiness is the result of God’s election. He writes: “If he elected us that we might be holy, he did not elect us because he foresaw that we would be holy.”
These passages illustrate Calvin’s doctrine of sovereign election, emphasizing that God’s choice to save individuals is based solely on His will and not on any merit or foreseen actions of the individuals.
1. Clement of Rome (c. 96 AD) In his epistle, Clement emphasizes that God’s elect are called to salvation through Jesus Christ, highlighting the divine initiative in their calling:
“Day and night you were anxious for the whole brotherhood, that the number of God’s elect might be saved with mercy and a good conscience.” — 1 Clement 59:2(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
This passage underscores the belief in a divinely chosen group of believers. (Ante-Nicene Christianity)
2. Hermas (c. 70 AD) Hermas speaks of God’s elect being prepared for eternal life, indicating a divine selection:(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
“But the white portion is the coming age, in which the elect of God shall dwell; because the elect of God shall be without spot and pure unto life eternal.” — The Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 4(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
This reflects the concept of a predestined group set apart for salvation.
3. Irenaeus (c. 180 AD) Irenaeus discusses the predetermined number of the elect, suggesting a sovereign divine plan:(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
“When the number is completed that He had predetermined in His own counsel, all those who have been enrolled for life will rise again.” — Against Heresies, Book V, Chapter 36(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
This indicates a set number of individuals chosen by God for salvation. (Ante-Nicene Christianity)
4. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195 AD) Clement notes that while all are called, only those who respond are considered the “called,” implying a selective calling:(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
“Therefore, all having been called, those who are willing to obey have been named ‘the called.'” — Stromata, Book VI(Ante-Nicene Christianity)
This suggests that the effective calling is reserved for those whom God has chosen.
5. Tertullian (c. 200 AD) Tertullian argues that if some are made by nature bad and others good, the latter would not be deserving of praise for being good, for such were they created; nor would the former be reprehensible, for thus they were made [originally]. But since all men are of the same nature, able both to hold fast and to do what is good; and, on the other hand, having also the power to cast it from them and not to do it, some do justly receive praise even among men who are under the control of good laws (and much more from God), and obtain deserved testimony of their choice of good in general, and of persevering therein; but the others are blamed, and receive a just condemnation, because of their rejection of what is fair and good. And therefore the prophets used to exhort men to what was good, to act justly and to work righteousness, as I have so largely demonstrated, because it is in our power so to do, and because by excessive negligence we might become forgetful, and thus stand in need of that good counsel which the good God has given us to know by means of the prophets.
This passage emphasizes human responsibility and the capacity to choose good or evil, suggesting that divine election is not arbitrary but based on God’s justice.
6. Augustine of Hippo (c. 428 AD) In his treatise, Augustine addresses the Pelagian view that God elected individuals because of their foreseen holiness, asserting that God’s choice is the cause of holiness:
“Therefore, we were to be such for the reason that He has chosen us, predestinating us to be such by His grace.” — On the Predestination of the Saints, Book I, Chapter 35
This clearly supports the doctrine of sovereign election, where God’s will precedes human merit.
These citations from early Christian writings illustrate the belief in God’s sovereign election of believers, a theme that is consistent across various Church Fathers.
In Luke, Chapter 10, just after the 70 who were sent out return, and testified to the things they had done in Christ’s name, Jesus says an interesting thing. He said, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.” The word He used(Ἐθεώρουν) is a verb that is imperfect, indicative, active, and first person, singular. As the eternal Son, He was witnessing the fall of satan, but as the incarnate Son, and Word, He is recalling this activity to the men who had just returned. They were amazed at the things they had done, like casting out demons. To get them focused on the right idea, He tells them about it. Then he tells them about the authority He had given them over demons. It is obvious by the context that the serpents, and scorpions, are representing these demonic forces. It is also obvious from the context that this ability is not something that was applied to us, as we were not there as part of the 70, we were not commissioned to do what they did, and it wasn’t carried forward to us to continue doing. They had to be reminded to not rejoice in the fact that Jesus had subjected the spirits to them, but instead to rejoice in the fact that their names are recorded in heaven. For those whacky folks out there binding up satan, and casting out demons every Sunday, you need to stop. You are making fools of yourselves. You are focused on the wrong things. You should be focused on Jesus, not demons. You should be focused on what He did to justify you to God, and atone for your sins. If you are in the right spirit, you will be preaching the good news of Jesus, and rejoicing in what He has done.
Luke 10:17-24 (LSB Strong’s) The Joyful Results 17 Now the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” 21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 22 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” 23 And turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, 24 for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”
In the text below we see that after Peter’s trance vision he was prepared for the three gentile men from Caesarea arriving. He goes with them at the direction of God the Holy Spirit. He, and six other Christians arrive at the man’s house, and hear his explanation of why he called for him. Peter witnesses the the Holy Spirit coming upon the man, and he notes that it was that way with them in the beginning. Notice what he says, “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could prevent God’s way?” God gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit in the same way He did at Jerusalem during Pentecost, Samaria, and with the followers of John the Baptist. This gift was after they had already been regenerated to new life, and faith in Jesus.
It was different than the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in New Testament believers. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was special to these four separate groups. They were so different that it was necessary for God to bring them into the Church with a visit from an Apostle, and this special outpouring. This unified these groups into the one body of Christ. It doesn’t happen this way anymore. We don’t need this miraculous sign because we have the testimony of God’s Word. The main point is that they already had believed in Jesus. The circumcised who had taken issue with Peter bringing these gentile believers into the Church settled down after Peter’s testimony of what God had done. They acknowledge that the gentiles had been given the repentance that leads to life.
The only people who seek baptism are those who already been brought to new life in Christ by the Holy Spirit. The conviction of the Holy Spirit humbles them by bringing the knowledge of their sin to their mind. Their overwhelming guilt brings them to the foot of the cross, where they behold their Savior, whose body had been broken for them, whose holy blood had been shed for them, and there at the cross, they repent, and trust His justifying work. Only then do they seek baptism. For to seek baptism they must first believe that Christ is. They must also desire to be in Christ. These things must occur logically before baptism. Otherwise, any ol’ Eastern Orthodox priest, Roman Catholic priest, or Church of God apostle, could simply douse strangers with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and create new Christians by their own work, and agenda. It is preposterous, and scandalous, to think that baptismal regeneration is true.
“Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began speaking and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from heaven, and it came right down to me, and when looking closely at it, I was observing it and saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the sky. “And I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise up, Peter; slaughter and eat.’ “But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing defiled or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider defiled.’ “And this happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into heaven. “And behold, immediately three men appeared at the house in which we were, having been sent to me from Caesarea. “And the Spirit told me to go with them without taking issue at all. These six brothers also went with me and we entered the man’s house. “And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could prevent God’s way?” And when they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”” (Acts 11:1–18 Legacy Standard Bible) https://accordance.bible/link/read/LSB#Acts_11:1
In case you don’t know what an inductive study is, here is a definition from the web; Inductive study, particularly in the context of Bible study, involves a method that helps individuals understand and apply the teachings of the Bible. This method is characterized by three main steps: observation, interpretation, and application. The goal is to draw conclusions based on the evidence found in the text rather than starting with preconceived notions.
Unlike other workbooks, this one does not lead you by the hand to predetermined conclusions. This one simply allows you, the reader, to employ the guiding principles set forth in the guide’s worksheets. The author trusts God the Holy Spirit to teach you from God’s Word.
There are only a total of eight written pages, those pages are an introduction to the study, an explanation of, the right spirit, The gospel, the right tools, and an example of how to fill out the worksheets. This leaves all of the rest of the 154 pages of worksheets. Here is a picture of the example of how to use the worksheets.
You’ll notice on page 6 titled, “The Right Tools” the author includes some things that will be helpful in your study. I’ve included some pictures of the resources I like to use. You’ll have to purchase your own. I think this book could be done with a simple study Bible. You definitely don’t need all the resources I’ve put up. You can also use Bible Hub for free. It has tons of resources. Something you might notice, is that if you are using bound books, they can get pretty heavy to carry around with you. There is an alternative. You can use a Bible program like Bible Study from Olive Tree. You can purchase digital copies of all the same resources. Makes it a lot more portable. Here are the pictures.
This is a John MacArthur Study Bible in the Legacy Standard Bible(LSB) translation.
You might also need a New Testament Greek dictionary, A good commentary set, and a Greek New Testament.
Who is this workbook for? Anyone who is attempting to discover more about God, and His will for us. I would use it for a middle school, and up, homeschool curriculum. It would be helpful to keep you focused on specifics in a study if you are easily distracted. It would also be great to use in a group. It may not seem like the value it is due to there being a lot of worksheets, and hardly any written pages, but that is the point. It is inductive. I hope this helps you make up your mind to get the workbook, and learn more about you’re Creator, and Savior.
There are some arguments out there that go something like this. “We are the one true faith. We are the original Church. We are the oldest, and can trace our line back to Peter, or Jesus Himself. All other Churches are false, and cannot trace their authority back to Peter, or Jesus. You wouldn’t even have the Bible if it weren’t for us. That is why the early Church needed our traditions, because they didn’t have a Bible yet. They only had the traditions of the Apostles, and that is all our traditions are.” Some pagan cults like Hinduism, Odinism, & Native American tribal religions claim their gods were here before Jesus. So their religion is older. Older doesn’t mean true by the way. How many of you have ever heard these arguments from Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, or some other religious group? I want you to know there has always been the one true faith. Once God created man who was endowed with the ability to have that faith, there was the one true faith on Earth. Don’t forget that it was eternally established before the creation.
Ephesians 1:3-6 (LSB Strong’s) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love, 5 by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Adam and Eve had first hand knowledge of God. Their faith was one of knowing. God was with them, talking with them. They tried to hide from Him. These are not the actions of people who do not believe that they did something wrong. They were different from the angels, and demons. The angels, demons, and satan knew God is. They weren’t looking for a Savior. The Bible never talks about saving the demons, or satan. Adam and Eve were the first to hear of some hope in the future in regards to the curse of God for their sins. In Genesis 3:15 we have the protoevangelium.
Genesis 3:15 (LSB Strong’s) 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
The gospel plan of salvation is eternal. It has always been. The Son was always going to be Jesus in our fallen world. In the ancient times, man did not have much of the progressive revelation of scripture to explain the faith, but it was right there at the start. As time went on, more was revealed.
The Faith has been called different things through history. It was the faith of the patriarchs, it became known as the faith of Israel, and then the Hebrew, or Jewish faith. After the incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, it had become known as Christianity. Sometimes Christians were called people of the way. Some time between the 7th, and 8th century after the quran had been compiled, muslims began calling Christians people of the book. Earlier in the 4th century the Holy Roman Empire adopted Christianity. At the end of the 6th century around 590A.D. Pope Gregory the 1st consolidated much of western Europe under papal authority. This is when we see the Roman Catholic church start as a unified ecumenical group. The Roman Catholics have a tradition that would have you believe that they can trace their lineage back to the Peter, who they erroneously claim was the first pope. They had misunderstood a section of scripture, and put the misunderstanding into use. After a period of use, it became tradition. Whether they ignorantly made the mistake, or not, I do not know. I do know they have had centuries to repent, and double down instead.
Matthew 16:13-20 (LSB Strong’s) Peter Confesses Jesus Is the Christ 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, saying, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
It is obvious that the rock, or truth that the Church is built on is Jesus. Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus isn’t calling Peter the rock on which the Church is built, but his confession of Christ. We read in Isaiah 28:14-17
Isaiah 28:14-17 (LSB Strong’s) 14 Therefore, hear the word of Yahweh, O scoffers, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, 15 Because you have said, “We have cut a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying.” 16 Therefore thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. 17 I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level;
Does that sound like prophecy about Peter? Of course not. Let’s look at Ephesians 2:19-22
Ephesians 2:19-22 (LSB Strong’s) 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Seems pretty explicit to me. How about you? If that is not enough to seal the deal for you, Peter himself declares in 1 Peter 2:6-7
1 Peter 2:6-7 (LSB Strong’s) 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone,”
Moving on, we see that the one true faith continues on today. The apostasy of Roman Catholicism also continues. They may claim to be the one true faith, but they make an error by connecting their authority for their claims to the idea that the one true faith started with the incarnation, and Christ allegedly appointing Peter as the first pope. When we look past this further back into history, we see men like Noah, Abraham, and David, who truly believed God. They were looking ahead for God to provide salvation. The Old Testament saints were saved the same as the New Testament saints, by faith. Ours happens to be on the other side of the incarnation of the god-man who split time.
We’re going to switch gears and look at the eternality of the Word of God in both the person of the Son, and the progressive revelation of scripture.
Turn to Genesis 15, This is just after Abram’s encounter with the Prince of Melchizedek, which was a Christophany.
Read Genesis 15:1-21 Genesis 15 (LSB Strong’s) 1 After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” 2 And Abram said, “O Lord Yahweh, what will You give me, as I go on being childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Since You have given no seed to me, behold, one born in my house is my heir.” 4 Then behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, “This one will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” 5 And He brought him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your seed be.” 6 Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness. 7 And He said to him, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.” 8 And he said, “O Lord Yahweh, how may I know that I will possess it?” 12 Now it happened that when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your seed will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 17 Now it happened that the sun had set, and it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. 18 On that day Yahweh cut a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your seed I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:
You’ll notice this is not the actions of a disembodied text floating before Abram’s eyes. This is the 2nd Person of the Trinity, the eternal Son, the Word of God. We know this is so because it is the first thing John tells us in Chapter 1 of John.
Turn to John Chapter 1. John 1:1-5 (LSB Strong’s) The Deity of Jesus Christ 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
John 1:14-18 (LSB Strong’s) 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Psalms 119:89 (LSB Strong’s) 89 Forever, O Yahweh, Your word stands firm in heaven.
Isaiah 40:8 (LSB Strong’s) 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
1 Peter 1:25 (LSB Strong’s) 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was proclaimed to you as good news.
There is a distinction between the 2nd Person of the Trinity, and the physical script printed on hides, vellum, papyri, and paper. I’m not trying to convince you that the two are the same thing. What I do want you to consider is the character of our God. He did not leave us alone after creating us. He didn’t keep from us His character. He revealed Himself in both writing, and in person as well as the creation. During Jesus’ ministry, Old Testament believers recognized Him as the Savior from His written word. We get to know Him by His Word, or we know the Word of God, by the Word of God.
Through history, in different regions of the middle east, the progressive revelation of scripture was being revealed by various prophets. At the time of the incarnation the scriptures had already been compiled, and translated into Greek for approximately 250 years. It has been traditionally dated to the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt. The Septuagint had been in use before the time of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus, the Apostles, and the early Church could have very well been acquainted with the Septuagint, on top of their knowledge of the Tanakh. They had the word of God in print. Let’s remember what the scriptures primarily are. They are God’s mind for us to know Him by, with all that entails. Think about how they were conveyed being progressively revealed. Over time, there were more, and more revelations from God recorded until we had the entire canon of scripture. The Roman Catholics, and the Eastern Orthodox weren’t even around for the Septuagint. It was completed by Jewish translators who were Commissioned by Ptolemy II around 800 yeasrs before they were historically a thing.
How impoverished are the religious sects who don’t see this truth? They fight, and argue, about who was first on the scene, who has authority, or power. They practice all sorts of strange traditions that are no wheres mentioned in the Word of God. They put on all sorts of fine raiment. They cause men to bow down, and kiss their rings. They sit on gold encrusted thrones. They heap up odious labors upon their followers. They rob God of His glory. Martyrs have gone to their deaths destitute of earthly wealth, and go on to their eternal rewards which show these pious men to be spiritual paupers.
Our God, condescended from the majesty of heaven, deigned to put on human flesh, dwelt among us, and laid down His life as a sacrifice to justify us to Himself. We must repent of our sins, and trust solely in the finished work of Christ Jesus.
Numerous times I’ve read that Christianity came from Judaism, or Protestantism came from Roman Catholicism. Some even go as far to say that muslims, roman catholics, jews, mormons, and jehovah’s witnesses, all worship the same God. Well they don’t, and that is why I didn’t capitalize them. They are all cults. None of them have the true God. Only the one true faith has the one true, and living God. That one true faith has been known by different names throughout history.
At the moment God created a creature that could have faith in Him as their Creator, and Savior, there was the one true faith. That creature is man. Adam, and Eve knew God in the garden, but that knowledge was from knowing Him face to face. They talked with the preincarnate Jesus, who is the eternal Son. When they sinned, and were cursed by God, He cursed the serpent by saying that Eve’s seed would crush the head of the serpent. Whether you believe it is necessarily a reference to a singular seed, representing the protoevangelium, or that seed being the collective of elect individuals representing humanity up to the incarnation, with Christ being the culmination, and fulfillment of the protoevangelium, you still end up with the faith of antediluvian people being in the coming Savior who would set things right, and deal with their sin.
We know that Noah found favor in the eyes of the God because of his faith. How do we know he had faith? He built the ark. God in the Old Testament was followed, and worshipped by the Patriarchs. These men truly believed. People who followed them, may not have, but we know the one true faith existed in those times. It has never ceased. We follow this true faith in God, and His telling of a coming of the specific Messiah through the Old Testament. We read of Abraham, Isaack, Aaron, Jacob who became Israel, the people of Israel, and so on. Inside of the works righteousness, self-righteous, oppressive religious system the jews developed, there was always a group of them who truly believed the scriptures, and the prophecies. They were waiting for their Savior.
When the eternal Son condescended from the majesty of Heaven, deigned to put on human flesh, and live among His sinful creatures, it was to finally deal with sin, and cleanse for Himself a bride, for the glory of God. Jesus said to Thomas in John 14:6 (LSB) “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” According to Acts 4:12 (LSB) “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Jew says the Savior has not come yet, even in light of the fact that the first Christians were the Jews from Jerusalem. He loves his self-righteousness, his laws, his ceremonies, and detests the true Savior. They seek to save themselves. The muslims are the same. Of course they are. They plagiarized the Old Testament, and added all the demonic doctrines of Moo Ham Head their satanic prophet. He was nothing like Jesus. Moo Ham Head was a murderous, thieving, lying, slave owning, pervert, pedophile who died, and went straight to Hell. Jesus is alive! Jesus is thrice holy, righteous, good, true, just, and loving. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (LSB) “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Our God sacrificed Himself, His only Son, the second person of the Trinity, to justify us to Himself, for His glory, and our good! Moo Ham Head never did that. He never dealt with sin. Romans 5:8 (LSB) “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus never taught that baptism into the Roman cult saves a person. He never taught that you must be baptized to be saved, or that it has any actual efficacious results on our justification at all. His word never teaches that either. It is one of two sacraments we have as Christians. It is for the public profession of your conversion. We identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Rome, the Eastern churches, the Mormons, and many other cults, mandate a work of man, like the observance of a sacrament, to attain justification, or maintain it.
Roman Catholics make a blasphemous mockery of Christ’s atoning work on the cross with their mass. It is one of the most blatantly satanic, antichrist, man made doctrines, I’ve ever learned about. Read Romans for crying out loud. I don’t know how anyone, even a lost person, can read the book of Romans, and decide that salvation is partially caused by the works of the person claiming to be Christian. It is the most deceitful reading of the text. The text, over and over again, obviously argues for salvation being by faith alone. Works are a product of being born again, and justified by God. They are the product, not the cause. That kind of self-righteousness is disgusting, and only equaled by the other cults like mormonism, and the JW’s.
The hubris of man to think he can merit God’s favor by the work of his filthy hands. This is the pride, and self righteousness, on display for all to see. Why, they don’t even really need a Savior… They could just obey, and earn their way… Not! God says in Romans 6:23 (LSB) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All men are sinners. How are you going to deal with your sins? Are you going to try to make yourself as holy, and righteous as God? Because that is His standard of good. You’d have to be as good as God, which means you’d have to be God. You can’t!
In Christ you can have His goodness as God, imputed to you by faith in Him, and His grace. Turn from these false religions that cannot save you! They cannot deal with your sins! Only Jesus laid down His life to take the hell that you deserve. He took the punishment that His people deserve on Himself, on the cross of His crucifixion! Moo Ham Head didn’t! Joseph Smith didn’t. None of the Popes did! Marry didn’t! The watchtower didn’t! Buddha didn’t! Repent, and put your faith in the singular seed from God who finally, and thoroughly dealt with sin! You can start living eternal life today. Don’t wait for tomorrow!
Christianity is the modern name of the one true faith. It does not find it’s origins in any other religion. It is the continuance of the one true faith founded at the creation. Many people have co-opted it, renamed it, made up their own doctrines, made up their own gods to fit their needs, but nonetheless, it is apart from all the lies. The ancient self righteous jews didn’t wait for the Savior. The ones who had the true faith were already putting their faith in Him for their eternal peace. Roman Catholicism came out of the Holy Roman Empire. It co-opted Jesus from the true faith, and built a self-righteous, works righteousness system around Him. The muslims co-opted Jesus but reduced Him to be simply a profit. They too made a works righteousness system. The same is true of all the other systems that claim the name of Jesus, but make man responsible for his own justification in part, or in whole.
If you’re like me, you may be having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit. I see the evils of this world on the news, and marvel at how it doesn’t take a break, even during Advent. It shouldn’t surprise me, but it does get to me. If you are like my wife, the fact that there is no snow on the ground brings her down. During our childhoods, we both had snow by Christmas. Some folks try to get in the Christmas spirit by shopping, watching, “Christmas” movies, and listening to, “Christmas” music. Let’s face it, the movies are more about Santa then Christ. Don’t get me started on secular, “Christmas” music.
If our feelings aren’t matching the reality of Christ’s entrance into this world to seek, and save the lost, let’s remember the glory of this Advent. The eternal Son, at the will of the Father, and the work of the Spirit, condescended from the majesty of Heaven, deigned to put on human flesh, forever joining Deity to humanity, in the person of Jesus, who is righteous, without sin, He emptied Himself taking the form of a servant, suffered persecution, laid down His life, was crucified, and had the wrath of holy God poured out on Him, to cleanse us from our sins, and justify us to God, died, buried, and resurrected on the third day, conquering sin, and death, on our behalf, as the perfect fulfillment of the Passover Lamb of God. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit is now with us, indwelling those who are His, and giving them communion with God for ever.
Our efforts to, “get into the Christmas spirit” are often well intended, but misguided. We miss the forest for the trees. If we are focused on Jesus, the gospels, and singing praises to God with the carols that do the same, we will be thinking about the true reasons we celebrate Christmas. You may find the Christmas spirit there.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few decades you are aware of the moral decline in America, and the rest of the world. It should be blatantly obvious to everyone at this point. The Democrats are the party of baby murder, every type of sexual immorality, lawlessness, animosity towards Christ, and His people, worship of the creation/creature instead of the Creator, genital mutilation of children, mind altering drugs, money laundering, proxy wars, corruption and coverups, lies, coercion, blackmail, weaponization of corrupt law enforcement agencies, and so on. The Libertarian party is the party of, “Do as thou wilt.” Which is the only commandment of the satan worshippers. Then we have traitors promoting communism, and socialism, in those parties. Both of those ideologies are satanic, and rob the human being of his dignity being made in the image of God, and on a more important issue, are blasphemously attempting to impugn God’s character.
I’m not saying that Republicans are the answer. There are far too many RINOs who have been bought, and paid for. Blackmailed, or coerced into doing the bidding of the demonic globalists. We can see their influence in every local election. We get the word out, “Don’t vote for that guy! He’s a RINO.” Then big money comes in from out of state to smear the honest to goodness Christian candidate, and what do you know? The RINO wins somehow. I’m not encouraging people to give up on politics, but I am encouraging people to SHARE THE GOSPEL!!! If people become born again, and repent of their sins, their minds will be changed by God. He will put them in right order. They will, by accord with their new natures, begin to abhor evil in the world, and love righteousness. God will give us the leaders we deserve. You can see that by the things the other parties call their, “platform.” Which is really as platform of satanic ideologies.
It isn’t a matter of Californians, or New Yorkers, moving to your state. Your own public schools are brainwashing your children to hate themselves, their parents, their country, their skin color, Christianity, their gender, and their history. You have homegrown enemies that the state has formed in the image of satan. Homeschool your kids! Put them in a Christian co-op! Put them in a charter school, or classical academy! Do whatever it takes to get them out of public schools. Get on the school board! Fire the perverts!
We’ve all seen the unhinged, apoplectic, lunatic, ravings, of the pro-abortion crowd. They see baby murder as a right. They lose their minds when baby murder is made illegal. The seething, and frothing at the mouths of these exceedingly wicked people is grotesque, and disturbing. It should awaken in anyone with a conscience, the fact that these people are in deed, and purpose, satan’s slaves. They love the murder of infants. It is a unholy, blasphemous sacrament of theirs, that they communally take part, and pleasure in.
The godless have been lying to our kids, and people. They tell them that they can be whatever gender they want, and that it is not tied to the biological reality of sex. They pervert their minds, and corrupt them, young and old. They are grooming them to be their children, as they can not propagate their perverse pleasures by natural copulation alone. They reproduce in the spirit of the mind by damning lies! All of their works lead to the suffering, and death of people who were made in the image of God. These people seethe in waves of emotional duress, while lecturing us on how our words are violence! They commit actual violence! They murder our youth in the schools! The homosexual, “trans people,” pedophiles, and those who are practicing bestiality, are being normalized. It is only a mater of time before necrophilia, and cannibalism are normalized. Mark my words. I told people this was going to happen thirty years ago, if we didn’t repent, and here we are.
They encourage people to use drugs. They hate humanity. They love to see people addicted, dying in the streets, homeless, and dirty. It makes them feel superior, and virtuous simultaneously. They say, “Look how loving we are. We won’t put you in prison for using drugs. We love you.” All the while, sitting back drinking their fancy coffee drink, and watching people literally kill themselves, and others, while on the streets, using drugs. I retired from Corrections as an Officer after 26 years. I can tell you, over the years, many inmates told me prison saved their lives. I currently work part-time at a rehab. We lost a client who finished the program. After a month of being out, he overdosed. If he had been sent to prison, he would have lived. He wouldn’t be on the streets. He would have 3 hots, and a cot. He’d have health care, mental health care, chapel, training to become an electrician, plumber, cad-cam, sign shop, construction tech, and more. I ask you, who is more loving? Who cares more for the imago dei, Christians, or godless leftists?
They have convinced the kids to worship animals, plants, and the planet. They tell them not to have children because we are killing the planet. They convince them that animals are on the same level of being as humans. We are made in the image of God, and given dominion over the planet to subdue for the encouragement of human flourishing, and the reduction of human suffering. The godless cannot have this. They love human death, and suffering. God will uphold this creation until His purposes with it are completed. Then He will burn it up with fire. Don’t believe the lies. Worship God the Creator, not the creation!
The only way out, is the only way, Jesus Christ! He is the way, and the truth! No man comes to the Father, except by Him! He is our King! His word is our pleasure, and duty! We worship the God of the living! We begin truly living the life eternal upon our true birth! Repent of your sins, and trust the Savior! Communism makes everyone equally subject by force. Who are they subject to? The centralized, governing of tyrants! Someone has to be more than equal to subject others to a false equality! God makes man equally man. Communist can’t have that. They attempt to rid their society of any god who would wield supreme authority. They are satanic usurpers, and murderers! Better dead, than red, the saying used to go. Don’t fall for the lies of the evil one. The only way you can fight evil is to be born again. Otherwise, you will fight against true goodness, and think you are doing good.
It is blatant to me. It is becoming blatant to many in this hour. My hope is that you will all wake up to the fact that the world is spiritually dead, and enslaved to sin. If you are not in Christ, you are part of that. You think you are good, but you are not. You are in love with demonic thinking. You only seek to please your own fleshly desires. Even your mercy is cruelty. Your good deeds, are for your own feelings of pseudo-piety. Repent, and trust Jesus for your justification to God. Only then will your works pleas Him.
***This article deals with adult subject matter, and is not suitable for minors.***
Part of the problem is that there are Christians who are quick to point out the perversions of others, while not recognizing their own. We aren’t very good at explaining that we don’t see ourselves as better than the other perverts we see. Some of you might argue that you are not a pervert. That is part of the problem I’m talking about. A pervert is someone who has a sexual appetite that is not pure. That can take the form of a person who likes to be treated a little more rough, a person who likes to read suggestive literature, someone who likes some part of marital relations unduly, or in excess, a person who likes to use profanity, or hear profanity during, a person who uses pornography, and so on. These things may seem vanilla lite to you, but to God, they are not pure.
Since they are not pure, they are sexual immorality. Sexual immorality is sin. It doesn’t matter if you agree with me or not. I know it is true. I know that everyone is a sinner, and everyone is sexually immoral to some degree. Even if you are the most pure human being ever, you still have had sexually immoral lusts, and thoughts. Ergo, you are sexually immoral. When we see the so called trans person who has mutilated themselves, we know it is sexual immorality because it is blatantly obvious to those who are not under demonic influence, or control. Let me make a little proviso here. When I write about demons, I’m not doing so from a superstitious, or pentecostal position. Demons are spiritual beings. A person’s spirit, is that of them that God created, is the way that individual person reasons. It isn’t some ghostly apparition that mystically motivates them. There are many among the Christian denominations that make much of demonic possession. They blame demons for everything they themselves have done, sort of a, “The devil made me do it” cope/copout. We are living in a demonic world. The lost think in accord with the spirit of this world. They can’t accept what God says is perversion because it goes against every part of their person. The only way for them to be free, and to be put in their right minds is to be born again.
This is why we must preach the gospel of Jesus to them. It is almost impossible to do at a pervert rally/parade/riot. You will be spit on, assaulted, and chased around. I’m not telling you to stay home, but I am telling you that many times the better way to reach them is one on one, with the gospel, including yourself as a pervert when you talk with them. This is why I love the Way of the Master method of evangelism. It gives them the mirror of God’s moral law, so that you are not accusing them, but God’s law is. It circumvents the sociocultural elephant in the room, while getting to the heart of the issue. What do you do with your blasphemies, thefts, adulteries, fornications, lies, and hate? How will you answer back to God on judgment day? If we can see ourselves the way the Apostle Paul saw himself, as the chief of sinners, and if we can do as he did, and consider others better than ourselves, we can reach even the most depraved, purple haired, face pierced, tattooed, perverts we encounter. Because we see ourselves as even worse. If you knew the depths of my sins, and I knew yours, we couldn’t look eachother in the eyes. Demonstrate grace, and mercy, one on one. It is very difficult to do when you are being attacked by a group. If you are mature enough in your faith to do so, carry on. Many people are not. If you need to see the Way of the Master method of evangelism employed, you can watch many encounters on Ray Comfort’s Youtube channel.
Here is a specific video where Ray witnesses to a so called trans person. He stopped them from committing suicide by giving them hope in Christ.
Snyder's Soapbox 