DARE TO TREAD

Matthew 22 (8 - 9)

Then He said to His servants, the wedding is ready,

but those who were invited were not worthy.

Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, 

invite to the wedding.

An observer of all things unholy in the dying Church of England came across an article in one of the British newspapers "Welby casts out sin from christenings"  (another word for infant baptism)

The watchman then suggested "It is a total disgrace, but the band plays on as the Titanic sinks beneath the waves, wrecked on the iceberg of apostasy and deception.  I congratulated him on his poetic stance and informed him I was totally unaware of this previously undisclosed talent, which comment he will hopefully put down to my dry wit.

This watchman continued "It is all about rewriting the baptismal service to make it more accessible to the casual worshipper.   Basically it is a dumbing down of the essential elements of the service.   Repentance and Lordship of Christ as well as a rejection of the devil and sin.

A brief survey of the original baptismal statement and the new consumer friendly - or as they put it pastoral version - is quite interesting.

Original Version:  snippets only.
 
To follow Christ dying to sin.
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
Do you repent of sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ against sin, the world and the devil and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.
May Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness.

Just a brief glance at the full service but sin, the devil, the world, darkness.   It was all there.   

And where that adorable little baby is concerned it is more about pageantry and party.  However it is the God parents (who takes that seriously these days) who make the vow to "renounce the devil - etc and walk alongside the tiny soul.

Many years ago I refused to be God parent to my sister's baby.   I had no connection with my birth church and to put it simply at that time in my life I was on "the run" and strongly opposed to the damaging dogma of that particular denomination.     Thankfully the Lord chased after me, and I answered His call, albeit after thirty wasteful years in the wilderness.    Truly a repentant prodigal daughter.   

Does the new marketing man for the state church read his bible.   Does he understand he is answerable to a HIGHER POWER for his pathetic leadership, or is this merely just a question of "bums on pews equals revenue" any which way, just get the money in lads or we are all going down.    YES YOU ARE along with the replacement theology junk.   The charge for a certificate of baptism was £11.00 its hardly going to solve the church's financial problems, but snatch them young and further down the line the costs go sky high for a wedding or funeral.

When this was a truly Christian nation we prospered - now the restraining spirit has been removed.    We are sinking fast.    However the leader re-writing age old ceremonies to make them more consumer friendly might like to consider the following. 

   

The word SIN (in the bible concordance (references to text) is mentioned 45 times.

SATAN, THE DEVIL - 14 times and that is without the references to "THE EVIL ONE" another label for "old nick"

HELL - 14 entries - and that also is without references to Hades and Sheol and those who twist scripture will surely arrive at the destiny they deny.

REPENT AND REPENTANCE - 14 times.    John the baptist shouted it out loud enough.

Yeshua believed in the devil and was sorely tempted by him.   He also warned his followers of hell.

And those who challenge scripture call themselves by His Holy Name.   I don't think so.

One might ponder just where this particular pied piper goes for inspiration but he will undoubtedly be followed by a merry band of jerking, jiving, tattooed minions who have absolutely no intention of repenting from any of their preferences, perversions and sinful lifestyles that are in direct conflict with the Holy Word of God.   Because we see - we all sin - and the biggest sin of all is pride.   

God is merciful and forgiving he created man with all his fleshly weaknesses.   The bible is full of examples of wonky sheep showing that with repentance comes a true and genuine revulsion for our previous sinful state.   Accepting Yeshua's Lordship you are cleansed, fit for purpose, and worthy to enter His house.

Those who gather to worship in His holy place but continue to commit what is an abomination in His eyes are literally sticking two fingers up at a Holy God - but their real intention is to weaken and divide and contaminate the few precious souls left. 

Happily the denomination that had the dubious pleasure of baptising one shipwrecked sheep will not allow baptism until the applicants are old enough to understand the commitment they are making.   Usually around eighteen years old.   There is no charge for this blessing it is a wonderful celebration.   However parents do dedicate their babies in a simple ceremony and accept that it is their responsibility to raise the child in accordance with biblical teaching, grounding them in faith before the sirens of this world attempt to contaminate and take control.   

Most committed Christians are certainly not of the "hatch, match and dispatch" brigade whatever denomination.

FEAR NOT - says the Lord  (according to a dear Christian sister - 30 times in the bible.)

There are still good shepherds, obedient spirit filled Christians and the Lord will bless them mightily for their stand in these end days.   It is always the antics of the sons and daughters of darkness that grab the headlines.

So hear THE GOOD NEWS -  Yeshua HaMashiach - Jesus the Messiah -  is coming soon.   Google location.   Mount of Olives - Jerusalem - to His land - His people.    But this time around he will deal with the Pharisees

corrupt leaders and those who beat His sheep.  As a Christian gentile and true follower of Yeshua you are grafted into the vine - REJOICE - we long for that blessed day.   And he will not be requiring the services of corrupt clergy - he already knows their works.

Ezekiel 34 - 11

FOR THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

And for all those who would divide Israel:

Ezekiel - 11 - 17-25

Thus says the Lord God "I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

And still they dare to argue with the Word of God.

Matthew 22.24

For many are called but few are chosen.

Only those who are righteous, faithful and obedient to the Will of God

will sit at His table.