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All graphics and images are copyright of A True Church
Last updated 08-22-2013
There are certainly clearly stated truths found in scripture to which all believers must steadfastly adhere. A collection of individuals, each living in accord with their opinions or religious notions, can accomplish little for Christ. A gathering of men and women who have a like-minded faith in a foundational set of Biblical truths can do great things for the Lord.
We believe that water baptism is a public testimony made by the saved Christian and plays no part in salvation . . . . (bold added, www.jameswknox.org/about-us/about-bible-baptist/doctrine/)
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . . (Acts 2:38).
Why did God allow polygamy in the Bible?
This implies approval. There is no account where anyone was instructed by God to multiply wives, nor where His blessing is seen upon it. All accounts giving detailed information show that such relationships were hurtful to the married and their offspring. God permits man to do many things of which He does not approve. (www.jameswknox.org/our-ministry-to-you/faq/)
From: "Mike Bottoni" mike.j.bottoni@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2012 4:13 PM
To: feedback@atruechurch.info
Subject: It's Mike Bottoni
hello Darwin!! just took a look at some of your new beliefs and not so right on anymore i love you brother you introduced me to the Lord, and you come across as His only tool to spread His word. Give me some thoughts
hope all is well!!
Mike Bottoni
From: "Darwin Fish" darwin@atruechurch.info
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 3:52 PM
To: "Mike Bottoni" mike.j.bottoni@gmail.com
Subject: Re: It's Mike Bottoni
Thanks for writing. Good to hear from you.
Sadly, I seriously regret the influence I had upon your life and others
years ago. I was a false Christian back then. I was caught in the deceit of
this age. Even though Scripture warns us about it in 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2
Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:1-2; etc., I didn't see it then (for more on
that deception, see www.atruechurch.info/savednot.html). If I had died back
then, I would be in hell today (as in Luke 16:19-31). That's a terrifying
thought for me. Therefore, I have determined not to be deceived again (by
the grace of God, Proverbs 31:7-8). Thus, as the Psalmist, "I hate every
false way" (Psalm 119:104, 128).
I did not lead you into anything good. That "Christianity" I was involved in
is Satanic (as in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; and as the Jews of old, John 8:44;
Revelation 2:9; 3:9) and leads to nowhere but hell. When I began to discover
that (in 1993-94), it was terrifying, extremely distressful, and
horrifyingly sad. Nonetheless, I could not deny what the Bible says, and I
faced the Truth, no matter what the cost (Luke 14:26-33).
In fact, just to illustrate how totally Satanic that "Christianity" is, take
a look at our report on the preacher Charles Spurgeon
(www.atruechurch.info/spurgeon.html). He is one of the most well respected
preachers of all time. Yet, he taught the exact opposite of the doctrine of
Christ (2 John 9). Jesus said the way to life is narrow in Matthew 7:13-14.
Spurgeon taught just the opposite. He said the way to life was broad. See
the documentation in our report. What Jesus said was the way to destruction
(broad), Spurgeon said it was the way of life! Plus, Jesus said few enter
life and many go to destruction (hell). Spurgeon said just the opposite. He
said he believed there would be more people in heaven than in hell. That is
the exact opposite of the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9) found in Matthew
7:13-14. Such a man (Spurgeon) "does not have God" as 2 John 9 declares.
Whether I am now "His only tool to spread His word" or not is immaterial (1
Peter 1:24-25). The Bible says what it says and we had all better heed
"every word" (Matthew 4:4). And, in the end, we will be judged by it
(Hebrews 4:12-13; Romans 2:6-10; Matthew 12:36-37).
Noah was the only noted "preacher of righteous" in his generation (2 Peter
2:5; Genesis 6:5-8), and only he and his family were spared from the wrath
of God in the flood (Genesis 6). "Few" (Matthew 7:13-14) can mean VERY few.
It was only 8 out of the entire population of the earth in Noah's day (1
Peter 3:20). It was only 3 out of all the people in the cities destroyed
with Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19; Jude 7), and they have been suffering
the physical torment (as in Luke 16:24) of fire for the last 4000 years or
so. Christ could have saved them from this fate (Romans 9:16, 18), but He
choose not to (Matthew 11:23). He does that kind of thing often (e.g. 1
Samuel 2:25 "because the Lord desired to kill them").
For your soul's sake, I encourage you to heed Proverbs 2:1-6. Look up the
Scriptures I have cited in this email (if you don't know them). Also, please
take a serious look at our Statement of Faith
(www.atruechurch.info/statement.html), particularly the first three points.
Search "the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things" are so (Acts
17:11). I love you too. So, as the "wounds of a friend" are (Proverbs
27:5-6), know this: you are most certainly headed for hell. Unless you
repent and forsake the lies (Revelation 22:14-25 "whoever loves and
practices a lie") you will be with the rest of the "unbelieving" in the
"lake which burns with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8). How do I know
this? By what you wrote, "not so right on anymore". We proclaim the Word of
God (1 John 4:6). Those who are "of God" hear his words (John 8:47). Those
who are not, do not (John 8:47). Since you think my beliefs are "not so
right on," I can see you do not believe what the Bible says.
I would hope in the process of heeding Proverbs 2; Acts 17:11; and even Jude
3 ("contend for the faith") or 2 Timothy 2:24-26 ("correcting those") you
would begin to see we do speak His Word. I would like to see what you think
I believe is "not so right on" and the Biblical justification for your
idea(s). In that as well, for your sake, you might begin to see it is the
Word upon which I stand. Also, if I am wrong on anything before the Word of
God, I will most certainly repent and heed His Word (Proverbs 6:23).
Periodically, we are asked about the "Rapture" and the end times. Below is an email regarding such things:
There is a lot of false doctrine regarding those issues (as on many other matters). There is no such thing (Biblically) as a "7 year tribulation." There is a 3 1/2 year tribulation (e.g. Matthew 24:21; Revelation 11:3; 12:6; 13:5; Daniel 12:11; etc.), not 7. Daniel 7:25 depicts the 3 1/2 years with "time" (one), "times" (two), and "half a time" (1/2) = 3 1/2.
The "rapture" can be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:3. These words will literally be fulfilled, but there is much folly and false doctrine regarding this event. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:3 describes the very beginning of the "Day of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 5:2), that is, when Christ physically and literally returns to the earth (e.g. Zechariah 14). The timing of when this happens is discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 and Matthew 24:15-44 (Mark 13:14-37; Luke 17:24-30). 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 lets us know the "man of sin" (the Antichrist, 1 John 2:18; 4:3) must come first. Jesus describes this in Matthew 24:15 (and Mark 13:14) as "the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet" (e.g. Daniel 12:11). That event marks the beginning of the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21) and marks the return of Christ (Matthew 24:36). "That day" in Matthew 24:36 refers to the day spoken of in Matthew 24:15, and Jesus marks that day, not only as the beginning of the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21), but as the day of His return (Matthew 24:36-44). Thus, He returns at the beginning of those last 3 1/2 years, which is the beginning of the great tribulation.
Many get confused by Matthew 24:29-31 thinking those words describe the "rapture" of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:3, but Matthew 24:29 explicitly says otherwise ("Immediately after the tribulation"). Beginning from Matthew 24:15 and following Jesus is describing the "great tribulation" which equals the "Day of the Lord" (which is described in detail from Revelation chapters 6-19). In describing those days, He describes what happens at the end of that time in Matthew 24:29-31. In Matthew 24:36 He goes back to "that day and hour" (Matthew 24:36) of when "the abomination of desolation . . . [is] standing in the holy place" (Matthew 24:15), which starts the time of the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21).
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
Revelation 19 is clearly at the end of the great tribulation (see Revelation chapters 6-19) and happens immediately before Christ sets up His kingdom here on earth. See the following chapter, Revelation 20, for that.
The Tim LaHaye Left Behind series is a fable (2 Timothy 4:3-4 "fables"). First of all, Scripture does not depict millions of believers taken at His return (as described in the book and movie). In contradistinction to that, Christ questioned if there would be anyone believing in Him when He returns (see Luke 18:8b). Second, the Bible describes the last days in which we live (before His return) to be a time in which very few will actually be following Christ in truth (which is what is required, John 4:24). 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:2; etc., describe a massive false Christianity in the last days. Jesus also likened the days just before His return as the days of Noah and Lot (Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30). His point there being that life was continuing as normal, and then "sudden destruction" (1 Thessalonians 5:3) came upon them. Yet, it should not go unnoticed that both of those times also illustrated and were characterized by very few believers. Noah's day only had at the most 8 (1 Peter 3:20) out of the entire population of the earth. Likewise with Lot, out of all the "cities" (Genesis 19:25; Jude 7) that were destroyed, only Lot and his two daughters were spared (Genesis 19:22-26). That's only three out of whole cities (not just Sodom).
chrismann3030@aol.com asked,
"Does the word of God SAY that there are no more apostles or is it just a tradition of men?"
From: "Darwin Fish" darwin@atruechurch.info
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2012 2:15 PM
To: chrismann3030@aol.com
There's no direct reference on that. Ephesians 4:11 is in the past tense
("He gave") saying nothing on the present either way. Ephesians 2:20 shows
the foundation is the apostles and prophets. To follow the analogy, the
foundation is the starting point, and everything else is built upon that.
Paul did say he was the last one to have seen Christ, and this is in the
immediate context (both before and after) of the apostles (1 Corinthians
15:8-9). Christ's appearance to Paul was after His ascension (Acts 1). In 2
Corinthians 5:16 Paul notes he had "known Christ according to the flesh, yet
now we know Him thus no longer." This fits with Peter's statement in 1 Peter
1:8 in which he writes to believers, "now you do not see Him [Christ]."
Thus, Paul was truly the last to have seen Christ (as 1 Corinthians 15:8
plainly says), and this in the context of after the ascension. Mix 1 Peter
1:8 into this, and it is evident Christ is not appearing to people (as so
many claim). The next time He appears, everyone will see Him (Revelation
1:4).
Moreover, when you see that an apostle was one whom Christ specifically
appointed (e.g. Luke 6:12-16; John 6:70; Acts 26:14-18; 1 Timothy 1:1 "by
command of God," 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11 "appointed") and gave power to (Matthew
10:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12 "signs of an apostle"), and Paul marks his
apostleship with (in part) "have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord" (1
Corinthians 9:1-2), it is evident there are no apostles anymore.
So, 1 Corinthians 15:7-9 is key, but the rest of the "puzzle" of Scripture
needs to be put together to see the significance of it.
Someone asked, "Is taxation theft?" Below is how Darwin answered (edited).
Legitimate (Biblical) taxation is the receiving of funds (taxing) for "an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Romans 13:4). It is "for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good" (1 Peter 2:14). So, when it is done for and in this manner, it certainly cannot be called theft. God taxed the Israelites in the law (e.g. Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22-23). This was not God stealing, but rather, it was STEALING to NOT pay these taxes (Malachi 3:8-9). It is a legitimate requirement of the people to support the government with taxes, and for the government to require payment of taxes, for "an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Romans 13:4).
Out of these taxes, the law of Moses exemplifies another legitimate use of taxes is to help the poor and needy (see Deuteronomy 26:12). Yet, in this example, the funds went directly from the giver to the poor and needy, rather than via a government agency or third party.
Now, sadly men are wicked, and so they are sorely inclined to oppress (Amos 5:11) and tax in excess (greedy, e.g. look at our governments) and for illegitimate purposes (e.g. abortion) and illegally (many federal programs), even though it is under the guise of being legal. Tax collectors, as a group/type, are viewed in Scripture as downright evil (e.g. Matthew 5:46-47;
11:19; 18:17; 21:31-32; Mark 2:15-17). Yet, it is not because collecting taxes is, in and of itself, evil, but rather it is because it is the norm (characteristic) for a tax collector to oppress and collect illegitimately (e.g. Luke 19:2, 8). It is the same as with lawyers, Pharisees, and scribes (scholars, Ezra 7:6; Matthew 13:52). It is not that being a lawyer (e.g. Titus 3:13) or a Pharisee (e.g. Acts 23:6), or a scribe (e.g. Ezra 7:6; Matthew 13:5) is, in and of itself, evil. But, normally lawyers, Pharisees, and scribes (scholars) are/were grossly evil (e.g. Matthew 23; Luke 7:30; 11:37-54) in their occupations. And, it is no different for those who
collect taxes (tax collectors), even in our day.
Moreover, when you realize the truth of Luke 20:22-25, and realize these are Federal Reserve Notes they are asking for, then these dollars (notes) are theirs anyway. It is not stealing to require back what is already yours. Yet, being fiat, it is an unjust weight and measure (Proverbs 20:10), as they aggressively decrease its value.
"Is taxation slavery?"
Not in and of itself. We are told both to pay our taxes (Romans 13:7) AND not to become slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:3). We can obey both. But, taxation can produce slavery. See, for example, Nehemiah 5:4-5. Of course, not paying can result in "slavery plus one" (incarceration).
By the way, when men say that "faith" is not a work, that is a lie right? Having faith (believing) is an action on mans part, so it is a work, right?
From: darwin@atruechurch.info
To: ofthetruth@live.com
Subject: Re:
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 08:58:37 -0600
John 6:29 (work/believe)
From: darwin@atruechurch.info
To: ofthetruth@live.com
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 11:11:06 -0600
From: "Darwin Fish" darwin@atruechurch.info
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 12:33 PM
To: chrismann3030@aol.com
Subject: Re: wives
Any such abuse would be evil on the husband's part (of course), and this
principle illustrated in 1 Peter 2:13-3:7 of submission and non-resistance
(which includes both husband and wife, 3:1, 7 "likewise") is how any
believer is to live (Matthew 5:39). It is not unique to a marital
relationship. Nonetheless, it does not trump protecting others (e.g. Jo
29:17; Psalm 94:11; Luke 22:35-38; Ecclesiastes 3:3), which in this case may
involve children.
The world readily rejects this and twists it into something it is not (as if
someone who believes this thinks it is a good thing for a woman to be abused
[which it is not], or twists it into a dangerous place for children [which
takes prudence on the wife's part [or husband's] to properly protect her
children, when she can]). The world jumps on even "emotional abuse" and each
have their own idea of what that is. It sadly can degrade into a whole can
of worms it is not. But, such is a perverted world (Revelation 12:9).
Nevertheless, you can see an example of God ordered submission, even when
treated wrongly, in Genesis 16 where "Sarai dealt harshly with her" and "she
fled from her presence" (Genesis 16:6). Yet, God told her to "Return to your
mistress, and submit yourself under her hand" (Genesis 16:9). Later, she is
divorced by Abraham and kicked out by the prior "abuser" (Sarai) and command
of God (Genesis 21:8-21). That doesn't fit well with man, but that is no
surprise (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Granted, the example of Genesis 16 is unique and is later used as an
allegory (Galatians 4:24 KJV "allegory" Greek, ἀλληγορούμενα [allêgoroumena]) for "the two covenants" (Galatians 4:24). Nonetheless, it does illustrate the principle above.
From: "Darwin Fish" darwin@atruechurch.info
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2013 8:02 PM
To: chrismann3030@aol.com
Subject: Re: Councils and judgment?
The "judgment" is the same term used in Matthew 12:41-42. The "counsel" is
the same word used for "Sanhedrin" (NIV, found also in Matthew 10:17 [NIV
"councils"]; 26:59; Mark 13:9 [NIV "councils"]; 14:55; 15:1; Luke 22:66 [NIV
"council"]; John 11:47; Acts 4:15; 5:21, 27, 34, 41; 6:12, 15; 22:30; 23:1,
6 , 15, 20, 28; 24:20). The "counsel" of judgment in Scripture would be the
apostles (Matthew 19:28), the saints (1 Corinthians 6:2), and the Gods
(www.atruechurch.info/heisholygods.html).
All dictate judgment (which mandates hell without the blood of Christ), but
the last gives the actual specific result and exact condemnation (hell).
With the context being murder (vs. 21), Jesus is revealing a strict judgment
by God on these more "minor" matters. It is similar to Matthew 12:36-37
("every idle word").
With the rest of the counsel of God on the matter (e.g. John 5:28-29), it
shows how specific and miniscule (if you will) God's judgment will be on the
wicked. It's a fearful thing and reveals God's view of sin.
Hebrews says that He is "separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26) and James 4:4 reveals enmity with God (Jesus) for adulterers (sinners). Romans 5:10 says sinners "were enemies." Psalm 11:5 says His soul hates the wicked and Psalm 97:3 says He burns up His enemies. Yet, indeed, He died (loved) for them nonetheless (John 3:16). God loves His enemies as well. But, I have never seen that He is in truth a friend of His enemies, in the idea of what is said in Luke 7:34 (and Matthew 11:19).
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.