Because so many think that God’s elect are never to criticize their brothers in Christ, I have been compelled to present the scriptures in this exchange. God’s elect “come out from among her” (Babylon) and “are separate.” That is right! God’s elect separate themselves from those who have already separated themselves from “the doctrine of Jesus Christ.” And yes, as this detractor points out, we…

“will be held responsible (No, not responsible but “accountable.” The word ‘responsible’ is nowhere to be found in the scriptures.) by God for any and all teachings, responses, etc. that you post.”

If we, as God’s elect fail, from fear of rejection by the majority, to be faithful to these verses of scripture, then we might find that instead of “iron sharpening iron” we are rather being dulled by the clay and the dust of Satan’s ministers who appear as sincere seekers of Truth.

2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world [ church], who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

To all of those who think that it is such a dastardly thing to separate oneself from heretics, I want to know what you think of this verse. Are you going to simply call John an ‘Armstrongite?’ Was John a cult member? Do you “bid heretics God speed?” Do you “bid them into your spiritual house?” When you do, you are “partaking of their evil deeds.” Wake up and familiarize yourselves with “the doctrine of Christ” or this delusion will deceive you also. Separate yourself from them. Bid them not into your spiritual house. Don’t even eat with them. Don’t bid them God speed. Know how to discern the spirit of Truth and the spirit of error. Know the voice of the Good Shepherd, and be able to distinguish that voice from the voice of a stranger.

Joh 10:3 To him [ the good shepherd] the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee [ separate] from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Gen 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors [ our brothers in Christ] unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Can you, or any other detractor, repeat these words with John? If not, then there is no way for you to distinguish Truth from error! You are more concerned with being considered a cult than you are with pleasing Christ. That “glass darkly,” that “prophecy in part,” is not “another Jesus.” It is all “The doctrine of Christ.” It may become clearer “from glory to glory”, but it will never be clearer from lie to lie or from heresy to heresy. You will indeed hear more from that voice tomorrow than you have heard today. But you will have no doubt about whose voice you are hearing. “My sheep know My voice and a stranger they will not follow.”

He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Are you the ‘we’ of 1Jn 4:6? Are you the ‘us?’ Are your words Gods litmus test for Truth? Are you “abiding in the doctrine of Christ” or are you afraid to admit to that doctrine? Are you afraid of being separated from all of your friends on the forum or in other parts of Babylon?

Luk 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant.

I hope that you have grown as a result of this exchange. But this is a spirit which must be dealt a death blow in all of us. It was only yesterday that this was my own heresy. It took years to burn this spirit out of me. This is all given in love. But God is love and “He chastens every son He receives.” I for one appreciate every stripe I have been blessed with. Where the sin of heresy abounds, chastening grace does much more abound. Thank God for His fiery “chastening grace” and for His patience! Thank God for the litmus test of “abiding in the doctrine of Christ,” so we can know the spirit of Truth and distinguish that voice from the voice of a stranger.

Mike

The exchange Mike refers to is posted below.

T____ wrote:

Have you read any of the posts on the bible- truths website? I was directed there, but haven’t had a good experience just because I don’t agree with all there. The question had come up there regarding a statement that you raise people from the spiritual death. Where is God in this? T____

Mike Vinson wrote: Hi T____, Thank you for your question. Tell me now, to whom you think this statement by our Lord is addressed?

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

What are these “greater works” which you and I should be doing? If we are doing greater works than Christ, then I would say we are obeying Him. And you ask “where is God in this?” I am not the only one who can raise the spiritually dead. You could too, were you willing first to separate yourself from that “defiling dead body,” that “unclean thing” and all those death- dealing doctrines of Babylon. Mike

T___ wrote: Mr. Vinson, I meant no offense, just a question regarding the site many are directed to. The verse you quoted in this e- mail is Jesus Christ speaking to us. Our belief in Jesus does indeed give us powers or abilities others may not have . We love the unlovable (by the world’s standards), we put others first and so on. The world’s view of things may tell us we are crazy, but we do these things with the Holy Spirit in us. Please go to the site and read the quote that was made. I ask this not to be difficult but because it is really troubling me.

Thanks for your time.

T____

Mike wrote:

Hi T____, You are right. Joh 14:12 is speaking to us.

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

But you apparently overlooked the fact that Christ said “Greater things shall ye do.” What are these “greater things?” I went to the forum, and the only person I saw who agreed with the twisting of words to make them appear to say that only I am capable of raising the spiritually dead, was someone named T____:

“I have to admit… it does sound prideful. I don’t think it is wise to judge a t. v. preacher, a pastor or anyone else. We are not God and we should be humble. Jesus shows us a picture of humility when He did the lowest task of the day… washing the disciples’ feet.”

Does a humble person who is “the picture of humility” refrain from calling a hypocrite a hypocrite? Is it a ‘lack of humility’ to point out where the ministers of Satan are “appearing as angels of light?” And yet you admit: “The verse you quoted in this e- mail is Jesus Christ speaking to us.” Now perchance this ‘T___’ is not you, are you able to concede that Christ has indeed told “us” that we are to do “greater things than these” things which our Lord Himself accomplished? If you are able to agree with our Lord, that we are to accomplish “greater things than” the things which He did, what exactly could possibly be any greater than raising the physically dead? What are “greater things than these?” ‘Truth seeker ‘S____’ saw right through the rhetoric. I have cut and pasted his entry below. I don’t know him from Adam, but I do know that he has three fingers pointing to himself. ‘Hillsbororiver’ also got the point of Ray’s e- mail. There is nowhere on my site where I claim to have a corner either on having a relationship with Christ or on the persecution that such a relationship necessitates. You too, can raise the spiritually dead if you are faithful to Christ and to His word. But when you are faithful to Christ and to His Word, then this twisting of your words is what you will encounter. If you do not encounter this, then either you are not being faithful to Christ and to His Word, or else His Word is not true:

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all [ church] men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

And from whom will this hatred always proceed?

Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they [ who is this ‘they?’ but the people of God’s own church?] have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? [ So thank you ‘Steved.’]
Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own [ spiritual] household.

Luk 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of [ spiritual] Jerusalem.

I do not hate any of the false prophets of spiritual Jerusalem. Christ did not hate the scribes and the Pharisees, yet He labeled them as the hypocritical, blind serpents which they were. Whenever you read the word ‘Pharisee’, you should be understanding that Christ is speaking of today’s “historical orthodox Christian” ministers who, to this very day, teach contrary to the doctrine of Christ:

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven [ the “doctrine of Christ] against men: for ye neither go in [ yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses [ with your unscriptural doctrine of tithing], and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Mat 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
Mat 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Mat 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Mat 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Mat 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
Mat 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
Mat 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [ men’s] bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous,
Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Mat 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Mat 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Mat 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

Are we to ignore the same spirit of the scribes and Pharisees which has been enthroned in the church since the days of the apostles?

Rev 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat [ Greek- throne] is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Satan’s throne is in the church. We cannot ignore it when the teaching of the Adversary are the doctrines of the church. Twelve times Christ calls the ministers of His day “blind… fools [ and] Pharisaical hypocrites” and concludes with this question: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Tell me if you think we are doing anything greater than Christ who physically healed multitudes of people, yet He never even converted one person while still in the flesh.

I hope this is all of some help to you. Mike

T___ wrote:

Dear Mr. Vinson, We should all keep in mind that judgment of others is not our job, that belongs to God alone. I don’t have a website or anything like you do. I do believe that you will be held responsible by God for any and all teachings, responses, etc. that you post simply because you are leading many. So I think you bear a greater responsibility to the outcome. From things I have read , there is a great deal of defensiveness towards anyone who disagrees or questions anything on the sites. There are many hurting people who come across your site. You have the opportunity to reach out to people in the love of Christ instead of coming across in a less than loving manner. Sincerely,

T____

Mike Vinson wrote:

Hi T____, It is in love that I take the time to share with others what God is showing me in His word. I have taken of my time to do this with you. It takes time to “study to show oneself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed but rightly dividing the word of truth.” You are yet to respond to one single scripture I have pointed out to you in love. You whole mission is to make anyone who is serious about God’s word appear to be “unloving.” To your mind, chastening is a lack of love. Look closely at this verse:

Pro 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

The love of which you speak is nothing more than the “kisses of an enemy” who wants to direct the eyes of God’s people away from all of the scriptures I have been showing you because I am your “faithful friend.” So unless you are willing to comment on these two verses at the very least, then please do not be wasting our time with each other. You have made it clear :

“And regardless of any argument, I don’t think we should judge and categorize people”

“Regardless of any argument?” Does that include all the scriptures I have sent to you telling us to try the spirits and :

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your [ spiritual] house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Who is judging people? I don’t know you from Adam. But I am very familiar with your “kisses of an enemy” doctrine. What I do is to “try spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world [‘s churches]. Do you despise these verses of God’s Word? If you are not willing to carry on a dialogue “regardless of any argument” and answer these questions and comment on these very applicable scriptures, then please don’t bother with any more of your “kisses of an enemy.” These are faithful words of love though you no doubt consider them to be simply “wounds.’

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

All of the chastening I have ever received from the Lord has been through the agency of my fellow man. I never enjoyed it at the time, but I am thankful to God for every stripe. Your faithful friend, Mike

T____ wrote:

Not really helpful. If you read what I wrote you will see that it “sounds prideful,” not that I am saying you raise people from the dead. And regardless of any argument, I don’t think we should judge and categorize people. You don’t know me any more than I know you. You may judge me as a heretic because I attend a church. Should I judge you as a heretic because you don’t attend a church? and by the way, if you gather in the name of Jesus with even 2 or 3, He is there. That is what makes a church. If I have people to my house for Bible study and we are sincere in our worship and education… there is the church. Good Evening to you, T____

Mike wrote:

Hi T____,

Thank you for your concern for my spiritual welfare. But the Truth is that I do not judge you. All of God’s people “come out of Babylon.” That is where I came from. I do “try the spirits” of Babylon and have discovered that according to God’s Word, “many false prophets have gone forth into the [ church] world.” Where do these verses belong in the life of God’s elect? Where and how would you ever apply these verses of scripture? Answer that question and we will go from there:

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [ spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Is the apostle John full of a…

“great deal of defensiveness towards anyone who disagrees or questions anything [ in his epistles?]”

How do you “know the spirit of truth as opposed to the spirit of error?” Do you “try the spirits”? Who is the ‘they’ of verse 5? Who is the ‘we’ and the ‘us’ of verse 6? Is that you? How do you know the spirit of truth from the spirit of error if you are unwilling to even try the teaching of the ministers of “historical orthodox Christianity” against the “doctrines of Christ?” Christ taught “love thine enemies”. Christ taught that He spoke in parables to keep the multitudes of Christians from understanding His message. Christ taught that many would be called and do many wonderful works in His name and yet never know Him. Christ taught that billions would be called, but that very few would be chosen. Christ asks us this question?

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? [“Love thine enemies etc.?”]

Who do you know who teaches these doctrines? Who?

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1Jn 4:6 (b) Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Don’t worry about what I think of you. And don’t impute to me what you think I think of you. Here is all you or I need concern ourselves with:

Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words [“the doctrine of Christ”], hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken [“the doctrine of Jesus Christ”], the same shall judge him in the last day.

I will close by repeating a verse I mentioned above:

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the [ church] world.

When you have tried the spirits and have found them wanting, it is incumbent upon you and me to:

Isa 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Are you unwilling to do this? If you are, then please don’t criticize and categorize me because God has given to me this commission. Israel’s greatest sin is not physical fornication. Witness how conciliatory Christ was toward the “woman caught in the very act of [ physical] adultery.” “Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” But who is it that the scriptures portray as the real villains in this story? It is those who are accusing Christ of thinking that He is guilty of being less than loving. It is those who are accusing Christ of thinking that He has a special relationship with His father. It is those who hate a doctrine which proclaims that “many are called [ to be saints] but few are chosen” to be elect. It is always those who are more than willing to accommodate the heresy which teaches that a lack of toleration of heresy is really a lack of love. I pray that God will give you ears to hear the voice of the true shepherd and deliver you and all who read my page from this lie of the Adversary.

2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1Jn 4:6 We [ who abide in the doctrine of Christ] are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Mike