Concerns
From EJ Hill & Friends
CONCERNS
by EJ Hill (1977-)
"For THE TIME HAS COME THAT JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Pt. 4v17, AKJV, p.539)
Amongst the many things that have us concerned for the Denominational Church Establishment:
Disobedience
The general misconception that we will be saved, regardless of our LONG-TERM, WILLFULL, disobedience to God.
"Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven." (Mt. 7v21, AKJV, p.424)
"Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." (Mt. 21v31, AKJV, p.432)
"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: ..." (1 Jn. 1v6, AKJV, p.541)
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 Jn. 2v4, AKJV, p.541)
The sad reality however is, that faith without works of obedience is no faith at all.
"{18} Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. {19} Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. {20} But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? {21} Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? {22} Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? {23} And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. {24} Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. {25} Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? {26} For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (Js. 2v18-26, AKJV, p.536)
Being obedient, means being Baptized (Mt. 28v19; 1 Pt. 3v21); and walking in Truth (Jn. 4v23-24, 8v32, v44, 16v13; Rom. 1v18, 2v8-9; 2 Cor. 4v2; Gal. 2v5 , v14, 3v1, 5v7; 1 Th. 2v13; 2 Th. 2v10-13; 2 Tim. 2v15, v25, 3v7-8; Tit. 1v14; Js. 5v19-20; 1 Jn. 2v21, v27, 4v6; 2 Jn. 1v4; 3 Jn. 1v3-4).
Iconography
The prevalence of iconographic idolatry sanctioned, practiced, and promoted by so many churches and ministries in both print and video; while Scripture clearly rejects making graven images of Christ's person.
Baptismal Regeneration
The doctrine of baptismal regeneration – by which the Church of England in England, thank God for regenerating every child sprinkled with a little water, effectively making them "a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven" – the Word of God allowing for no other than the baptism of believers, and that by immersion.
Tithing
The unscriptural system of Tithing, while the New Testament authorizes no other payment to ministers but free and voluntary offerings. Some even employing legal means to enforce their payment.
Schools of the Bible
In light of Spiritual Enlightenment and Apostolic Tradition, there remains no Biblical President, necessitating the establishment of Schools of the Bible - as needful to qualify those so called, for ministry.
Regarding Preaching
The lack of expository preaching - since most either copy their sermons; or forge from their imagination, a weekly lecture consisting of noble thoughts, good intentions, and stale morality; while the New Testament Gospel Church fervently expounded the whole counsel of God (Acts 20v27).
Regarding Ignorance
A virtual famine of biblical understanding; while paramount one for the New Testament Gospel Church was searching the Scriptures daily.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17v11, AKJV, p.)
Regarding Formality
Being trapped in snares of ritualism, maintaining a twice dead, spiritless formality; while the New Testament Gospel Church contended for the power
"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Cor. 4v20, AKJV, p.506)
"By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ..." (2 Cor. 6v7, AKJV, p.513)
Regarding Submission
Blind submission to majority opinion; while the New Testament Gospel Church knew of no other authoritative, infallible, rule, or standard for Christian Living, than Scripture.
Regarding Ecumenism
The existence of an ever-growing ecumenical consensus among liberal religious bodies joining hands in fellowship; while the New Testament Gospel Church considered any unity purchased at the expense of doctrinal purity as both, satanic and deceptive (2 Cor. 6v14-18; Gal. 1v8; Ep. 5v11; 2 Tim. 3v1-17, 4v1-8).
Regarding Psychology
Its unhealthy preoccupation with secular psychology, not only contradicting Scripture, but often undermining both ecclesiastical support (Gal. 6v1-2) and divine power (2 Pt. 1v3).
