Fact Check: “Christianity” and the Christian Religion is NOT Found in the Bible – The Person Jesus Christ Is

January 9, 2022

Fact Check: “Christianity” and the Christian Religion is NOT Found in the Bible – The Person Jesus Christ Is

Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Zagreb, Croatia

by Brian Shilhavy
Editor, Health Impact News

Over 11 years ago I published an article on the English word “Christian,” explaining how I had stopped using that term to refer to myself, since it is a term with very many different meanings and understood in probably thousands of different ways.

I wrote how the term “Christian” is only found 3 times in all of the New Testament writings, and it is never used by the believers and followers of Jesus Christ to refer to themselves in the New Testament.

But as things unfold in the current Post-COVID culture, it is time to update that teaching and expand upon it, showing that the larger term of “Christianity” or the “Christian religion” is found nowhere in the Bible, and is actually a religious cult that is part of the Satanic world system, and that can be used to enslave the masses.

So while 11 years ago I wrote:

Should believers of Jesus Christ today use the name “Christian” to describe themselves, even though the earliest disciples did not?

There is probably no right or wrong answer to that question.

I am not sure that is still true today, in the Post-COVID world, because the word “Christian” and “Christianity” is clearly associated today with being Pro-Pharma and Pro-Vaccine, and therefore Pro-Satan and his world system.

COVID has revealed (not caused) the very deep corruption in the American Christian Church and its idolatry in serving the ruler of this world, as opposed to serving the current ruling King who sits on the throne in the Kingdom of God.

Who Were the Followers of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

The Way

The original disciples (students) of Jesus Christ were all men from the nation of Israel, so they were referred to as “Jews” in respect to their nationality as citizens of Israel, and in respect to their religion, the Jewish faith.

As Jesus’s teaching and influence spread, these Jewish believers were sometimes referred to as a “sect” of the Jewish religion, sometimes referred to as the “sect of the Nazarenes” (see Acts 24) because Jesus and many of his followers came from the town of Nazareth.

This was a designation used by those outside the “sect” who were not among the followers of Jesus.

When non-Jews (Gentiles) began to believe in and follow Jesus, they could no longer be called a “sect” of the Jewish religion, and this is the origin of the term “Christian” in Acts chapter 11 where it is first used.

Again, this was a designation given to the believers by those outside their groups, not from those within.

Paul was the apostle (ambassador or emissary) to the Gentile believers, but most of the groups meeting to learn more about Jesus during Paul’s ministry were mixed groups of both Gentile and Jewish believers, and Paul referred them all as a single group belonging to “The Way.”

The Greek word in the original texts is hodos, meaning a “road” or sometimes the “route” or “journey/trip” on that road leading to a destination.

It is used frequently in just its literal sense as a physical “road,” such as this verse:

Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him (Mark 10:32)

“The Way” is also used metaphorically. We see it used of John the Baptist, the forerunner to Jesus Christ who was also his cousin.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” (Matthew 3:1-3)

It was also used frequently by Jesus himself.

Jesus used it metaphorically to refer to two different “ways/roads” in life that people can follow. Here are two different English translations of the same verses, one using “the way” and the other using “the road”:

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 – ESV)

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 – NIV)

One might be tempted to think that the “narrow” way here is referring to “Christians.”

But Jesus states “few” find and travel down this road, and Christianity today is the most populous religion in the world, and the majority of Americans refer to themselves as “Christians.”

Is it possible that most “Christians” only believe they are on the straight and narrow “road,” but are in fact on the highway to destruction?

Jesus actually answers this question for us a little later in this same chapter in Matthew:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23 emphasis added.)

The context here is where Jesus is warning about “false prophets” who appear to be “good” because “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

This group of people, who claim to be Jesus’s followers, are actually the “majority.”

In John chapter 14 during the upper room discourse on the night before his execution, Jesus makes it very clear that he IS The Way to God and to the Kingdom of God in Heaven.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:5-6 emphasis added.)

This term then, The Way, became the term that was used of those who followed Jesus, as it came directly from his own teaching. It has nothing to do with their ethnicity, or religious beliefs, as it was used for both Jews and non-Jewish (Gentiles) believers in Jesus.

In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, the term is used frequently to distinguish the true believers in Jesus.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.

He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:24-26)

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.

So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. (Acts 19:8-10 Note: I emphasized the fact that Paul left the meeting of “believers” in the “synagogue,” a word that is also translated in the English as “assembly” in James 2:2, because they did not belong to “The Way.”)

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. (Acts 19:23)

However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.

I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (Acts 24:14-15)

Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” (Acts 24:22)

So this common term used in the First Century to refer collectively to the believers in Jesus Christ, was clearly not a new “religion” called “Christianity,” but was used to designate the true believers from the false believers.

Individually, the believers were referred to among themselves by such terms as “disciples,” “brethren,” or just “believers.”

Only those who did not belong to The Way used the term “Christian,” which is only found in 3 places in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16.

When did the Christian Religion Begin?

The answer to the question “When did the Christian Religion Begin” will depend upon how one defines “religion.” Most Christians will answer this question by stating the Christian Religion began with Jesus Christ in the First Century.

But there is no new religious institution that began in the First Century, according to the Scriptures.

If we define “religion” as an institution with clearly defined doctrines of belief, then the Christian Religion began in the Fourth Century under the Roman Emperor Constantine.

This time period would also be the same time that the Catholic Church and the office of “the Pope” began.

Constantine was a Roman emperor from 306 to 337, and became the sole emperor of the Roman Empire in 324 after defeating his rivals.

He allegedly was “baptized” as a “Christian” around the year 312, and then issued the Edict of Milan in 313 giving protection to “Christians.”

In 325 the First Council of Nicaea met to deal with doctrinal issues, which produced the Nicene Creed, which defined the “doctrine” of “Christianity,” which was then declared to be the official religion of Rome in the year 380.

So for the definition of “religion” that I am using here in this article, which is an “institution” with a set of “doctrines” defining who is part of that religion and who is not, based on some “government authority” who decrees it so, then this is where I would place the beginning of “Christianity” as an officially sanctioned “religion.”

I fully understand that others have different definitions of “religion” and will therefore disagree as to when the Christian religion began.

The Corporate “Christian Church” and the Corrupt English Bible

From the time “Christianity” was declared to be the “religion” of the Roman Empire in the Fourth Century, the history of the Christian Religion for the next several hundred years can be said to be synonymous with the history of the “Catholic Church.”

Of course I have just used two English words, “Catholic” and “Church,” that people today speaking modern English probably never give any thought to, so widespread is the accepted meaning of these two English words.

Of course, English was not spoken or used in the Fourth Century. The Roman Empire was transitioning from the Greek language to the Roman language, which was “Latin,” during the First Century when the New Testament was written in Koine Greek (the common Greek language of the people.)

The word for “catholic,” which is not found in the New Testament writings of the Bible, comes originally from the Greek word katholikos, which means “according to the whole.” It developed into the Latin as catholicus.

Today it is used as an adjective describing “church,” or as a noun referring to people who belong to the “Catholic Church” (Catholics.)

The English word “church,” is found in very many verses in today’s English Bibles, but you might be surprised to learn that it actually does not exist in the original language, Koine Greek, of the New Testament portion of the Bible.

The history of the English word “church” starts with the Greek word kurios and its cognates, which means “Lord” or “Sir” or in the feminine case “Madam” or “Lady.”

The Greek word kurios is found throughout the New Testament writings, as well as the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, but it is never translated “church,” but in most cases “Lord.”

It is most often used for Jesus, and in the Septuagint is often used to translate the “Divine Name” of God, Yahweh or Jehova. In the English translations of the Old Testament, “lord” is in all caps (LORD) when referring to the “Divine Name” of God, although some translations do use “Yahweh” or “Jehova.” (The Hebrew has no vowels.)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 – King James Version)

Jehovah is my shepherd, I do not lack. (Psalms 23:1 – Young’s Literal Translation)

Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. (Psalms 23:1 – World English Bible)

But the English word “church” does not come from “kurios” in the Bible. It apparently comes by way of the Germanic languages, Old English cirice, circe, from Proto-Germanic *kirika (source also of Old Saxon kirika, Old Norse kirkja, Old Frisian zerke, Middle Dutch kerke, Dutch kerk, Old High German kirihha, German Kirche). (Source.)

So when we read the English word “church” in the English translations of the Bible, which word in the original Greek is it being used as a translation?

The word in the original Greek is ekklesia, which has the meaning of an “assembly,” specifically a “called out” assembly, such as is used in legal terms to meet to conduct legal business.

It is the word used in Acts 19:32, 39, 41 where it is translated “assembly” because there is no “church” here. It was an assembly, an unruly mob actually, gathered together to try and kill Paul.

Wycliff is credited with first using the English word “church” as a translation not of the Greek text, but from the Latin Vulgate used in the Catholic Church at that time.

Another translator who did translate into English from the Greek and Hebrew texts, was William Tyndale in the early 1500s.

He rejected the word “church” for ekklesia and used “congregation” instead because:

Of grievous concern to Tyndale was the misuse of ill-gotten wealth by clergy, monks, and prelates (whom Tyndale often called the ‘spirituality,’ as here):

“What good conscience can there be among our spirituality to gather so great treasure together, and with hypocrisy of their false learning to rob almost every man of house and lands … seeking in Christ nothing but lucre?”

Tyndale said the monks and clergy crept into people’s consciences, robbed them of the faith of Christ, and caused them to give their money to build new churches and cloisters through a false faith in such works, by which all suffered:

“… the building of [churches and steeples] and such like, through the false faith that we have in them, is the decay of all the havens in England, and of all the cities, towns, highways, and shortly, of the whole commonwealth.

For since these false monsters crept up into our consciences, and robbed us of the knowledge of our Saviour Christ, making us believe in such pope-holy works, and to think that there was none other way unto heaven, we have not ceased to build them abbeys, cloisters, colleges, chauntries, and cathedral churches with high steeples, striving and envying one another, who should do most.”

Therefore, by using ‘congregation’ in his New Testament, Tyndale was both being faithful to the Greek and avoiding a usage that would contribute to the continuing exploitation or deception of the people.

Indeed this, Tyndale’s translation, together with his books and writings, have led some to credit him with “breaking the spell attached to the word church,” and “breaking the suffocating power of the medieval church.” (Source.)

However, just to make a point, Tyndale did use the English word “church” in one place: Acts 19 and the secular mob assembly, which I quoted above. He used it in verse 37:

You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. (Acts 19:37)

The Greek word for “robbed temples” is hierosulos, and Tyndale translated it as “robbed churches.”

The King of England presiding over the Church of England and the Pope presiding over the Catholic Church were not amused.

Tyndale was considered a heretic and eventually was burned at the stake.

So James Charles Stuart, the King of England (King “James”), decreed in 1611 that the only “authorized” English translation of the Bible must use the word “church” to translate ekklesia, because it reinforced his authority over the “Church of England,” as well as the Pope’s authority over the “Catholic Church.”

This error in the English translation of the Bible continues on to this day in most modern translations of the English Bible, because the largest segment of our society purchasing bibles today are those employed by the American Corporate Christian Church, and their clergy, which is a $TRILLION dollar industry.

A study conducted in 2016 estimated that religion in America (which is primarily the Christian religion) was “worth $1.2 trillion, more than the combined revenue of the top 10 technology companies in the country, including Apple, Amazon, and Google.” (Source.)

Ekklesia in the New Testament is simply the congregation or assembly of those who belong to The Way.

So whenever you see the incorrect word “church” used in the Bible, you can use the word “congregation” or “assembly” instead.

A few English translations (those not copyrighted by the large Christian publishing houses), such as the World English Bible, and Young’s Literal Translation, will dare to translate ekklesia without using the word “church.”

The False Church Leaders versus The Head of The Body of Christ

Not only is the concept of a “Christian” religion and the institute of the “Church” not found among the followers of The Way in the New Testament congregations, neither is there any centralized authority figure as we find today among the “clergy,” the professional Christians referred to as “pastors,” “priests,” and other honorary titles.

All the leaders in the early meetings of those belonging to the way, including the “apostles” who spent the most time with Jesus while he walked on the earth, were referred to by their first names, with no official title before them.

Jesus said:

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:8-12)

“Rabbi” was the common title put before a religious leader’s name during the days of Jesus, but today you can substitute “Rabbi” (a Jewish term) for the Christian ones, such as “Pastor.”

The English word “Pastor” is typically only used in one verse in the New Testament, in Ephesians 4:11 (we can thank King Jimmy and his “authorized version” for that word too), and it is mistranslated, because every other place where the Greek word in that verse is used, poimēn, it is translated as “Shepherd.”

Jesus used it to refer to himself:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.

So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:11-16 – emphasis added)

I have an entire article on this topic which conclusively shows from both the Old Testament and New Testament usage of the word “Shepherd,” that human shepherds always fall short and are usually corrupt, and that God has always desired to be the sole Shepherd of his people. See:

Is “Pastor” A Biblical Title for Church Leaders?

We have also documented over the years that there are just as many pedophiles and predators among these Christian leaders as there are among the general population.

Southern Baptist Church: Leader in Foster Care and Adoption – Home to Pedophiles

Pedophilia Crimes Against Children Inside and Outside the Church – Time to Acknowledge the Child Sex Trafficking Problem

The Catholic Church and Pedophilia: Trafficking Children as Sex Slaves

In contrast, the New Testament portion of the Bible teaches that all believers who are part of The Way are members of a “body” where Jesus Christ is the “Head.”

He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)

He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Colossians 2:19)

Christ is the head of the assembly, his body, of which he is the Savior. (Ephesians 5:23)

For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
(1 Corinthians 12:12)

The human leaders within the Body of Christ who belong to The Way, are referred to as “elders” (older men who showed maturity and wisdom) and “deacons” (literally “servants” who were trustworthy, especially with handling finances), but they never ruled in an official “office” or carried a “title” before their name.

They are to lead by example, as servants.

Jesus said:

But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

And then, on his last night together with his disciples, just before his execution, he demonstrated this kind of leadership by example.

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments.

He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”

For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”

So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them:

“Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’

You say so correctly, for so I am.

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:1-15)

Is It Time to Leave the Christian Cult?

As I wrote in the introduction of this article, the word “Christian” and “Christianity” is clearly associated today with being Pro-Pharma and Pro-Vaccine, and therefore Pro-Satan and his world system.

I know there are still good people who belong to the Christian religion and churches, just as there are still some honest and good people probably still working in the Satanic medical system.

But just as the medical system is thoroughly corrupt, so too is the Christian religion and their “churches” thoroughly corrupt as a “religious system.”

And so many people, especially those who earn their living from being leaders in the corporate Christian church, are so dependent on corporate Christianity, that it is very difficult to break away, even if they do see the corruption and acknowledge some of the things I have written here today as true.

If you are comfortable with your associations within your Christian organization, then this article is not for you. You need to continue seeking God’s specific direction and plan for your life from Jesus Christ himself, and not something that Brian Shilhavy writes.

But this article is for those of you who are standing firm against the medical tyranny around you, and you see it in your church as well, but you feel guilty about leaving the church, because you have been taught your whole life that to be a good “Christian,” you need to join and be part of a local church.

I hope that what I have written here today will show that you are NOT bound to that false teaching, and that not only are you free to leave the Christian Cult called “The Church,” but God may very well be calling you to shake the dust off of your shoes as you leave, as a testimony against the idolaters, and the judgment that soon awaits them.

Everything that has been prophesied for the end of the ages seems to now be coming true, especially Revelation 18:23:

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. (Revelation 18:23)

The English words “magic spell” used here represent pharmakeia in the original Greek, which should be translated medicine/drugs/vaccines.

And the “merchants” are clearly the Globalists and Big Pharma who are committing mass murder and genocide in order to reduce the world’s population.

If we want to escape the judgment that is soon coming, there is only One Way forward.

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – Jesus Christ

Related:

To “Save” America will the Foundation of the Corporate American Christian Church Need to be Destroyed?

Published on January 9, 2022

Tags: Christian, christianity, church|

52 Comments

Peach January 20, 2024 at 9:52 pm - Reply

This article came as a very prompt reply from God to me.  I have been praying asking for His truth through His word to be revealed to me.  I have been struggling attending my church, especially when they closed the doors during the plan demic and then upon returning we had to set 6 feet apart and where masks.  I didn’t go back until the “all clear” came through because I found it sad, hypocritical and down right satanic.  Very disappointed indeed.  So I began to question A LOT of things about what I have been taught from the pulpit.  When I read my Bible, I felt such a conflict about everything you have revealed in this article….somehow the “truth” was not being shared in church, a few people that go to this church believe that the societal beliefs that are running a muck right now are in fact, ok.  So as I read this article, and look forward to the other articles, I feel I am being given the insight from Jesus to be able to make a decision on whether or not to stay at this church. And especially the amount of money I give each month.  Thank you very much Brian for taking the time and writing the truth!!  Because that is what I am seeking.  May God bless you!! I join you in spirit to praise His Holy Name!!

Emogene Coblin October 24, 2023 at 10:47 am - Reply

Brian, God lead me to you about two years ago. I had always had my doubts about the leaders in the Christian church. I’m out of the church because they don’t stand up for Jesus. I reference to my self as a believer in Jesus Christ I stay in Gods word, and I pray for his guidance. I look forward to your articles every day or week. You have been a great blessing and you have given me great insight into other nationalities. I am trusting in Jesus. I also thank you for the articles on the war that is going on in Israel. You have given me great insight into what is going on in Jerusalem. I know God is in control  And I think God for you every day and his blessings upon you so you can keep giving us insight into God’s word. Thank you Emogene Coblin.

Jessica September 6, 2023 at 4:56 am - Reply

HI!

Found the content on your site as truly connecting and engaging and very truthful.  However, I belong to the Catholic Church and I have suspected pretty much the same things you’ve written here. Worse still I live in a developing country, where Christianity is mixed with the local traditions and even the Bishops stay quiet because they don’t want to be see as “Divisive”.  Very few people speak up for Christ. More than anything else – it makes we feel we live in a “cowardly” era.  People have no courage or they prefer “minding their business” as being tolerant and inclusive etc. instead of telling the truth. I asked my Archbishop why he agreed to change the Holy Communion distribution on the instruction of a local government to which he replied that he didn’t want Christians to be seen as an “Non-compliant” community because the Muslim community was already being hounded to spreading the virus in the country.  So there.  

Coming back to being a real Christian.  Having studied the History of the Church and finding newer evidences everyday, I have now realized it is better to stay where I am as the time is short. I know the institutionalized religion I believe in is corrupted – but not by God – by Man’s power and greed and that is true of all religions today.  So it’s not a Christian problem alone.  The Catholic Church has been infiltrated and destroyed centuries ago, it’s nearing it’s death-knell and that itself it an indication that Christ will be back as he promised as the “gates of hell will not prevail against it”. We have however for ourselves the most powerful intercessor and guide “the Holy Spirit”   So I pray for our people everywhere – May we be found worthy when he returns for His bride.

Gabe Johnson November 14, 2022 at 1:53 pm - Reply

I appreciate Health Impact News and the essential research provided.  This article in particular is essential as it challenges folks to honestly look at their faith.  Everyone needs to do that. I unfortunately believe there are many who think they will go to heaven when they die, but won’t because they have not trusted in Christ, but they have done some form of “church” al their life. What we call ourselves in my opinion is irrelevant when we can only be saved by our faith in Christ.  In particularly I respectfully disagree with you statement, “only those who did not belong to The Way used the term “Christian,” which is only found in 3 places in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16.”  If you read 20 or so verses above these versus it is clear the term Christian is referring to disciples of Christ. What matters in Acts is you clearly see the struggles of the early church and see that you indeed must “leave” a church or group if they are teaching falsely or living in sin and wont’ change their teachings or behavior.  I think us Americans in particular have a harder time “leaving” or standing up for our values even in the church.  We end up not doing what is needed to save face.  The church as a whole has done a fine job of destroying the label Christian, and I agree it must be used carefully.  By God’s grace I put my faith in Him in College and my college pastor said we don’t belong to a particular church, we may attend ____ church, but we are a new creation who has a relationship with Christ.  I’ve always tried to maintain that as my identity when sharing my faith with others.  Thank you again for this amazing work you do to expose lies and speak truth.

Rodolfo November 13, 2022 at 8:56 pm - Reply

This article brings out very good points. One more to consider is Jesus, Paul, Peter and John never mentioned a pre tribulation rapture and only John mentions a Millennium in Rev 20.  These two beliefs in the Christian doctrines rob average Christians of an active relationship with the spirit of God. Christ came promoting the Kingdom of God and in every generation there are those that actively participate in that Kingdom and those that sit on the bench waiting for a rapture and future relationship.

Michael October 1, 2022 at 2:58 pm - Reply

You are right, we are all sinners and can only be saved by the grace of Jesus and not by our works.
Due to the plan demic I decided I have to come back to Jesus but I also decided to attend the local church (catholic in the desert of sw France) just because it totally fell for the plan and in a quite depressing way but that is the reason people that see the (at least more obvious) deviation from The Way should attend and be that voice whenever they can until the Holy Spirit gives one a clear instruction.

Kathryn October 22, 2023 at 11:36 pm - Reply
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Bless you. Bon courage!
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Rodolfo September 26, 2022 at 12:48 am - Reply

Good article. I would add that the biblical narrative of the first 1850 years is very different from what is touted as gospel over the last 170 years. False doctrines such as a pre trib rapture, separating the 69th week of Daniel from the 70th, and God having a special plan for the Jews , all rob Both God and believers of intimacy of a spirit filled life. The modern church has done the same as the ancient Hebrews in making a house of lies their abode.

Lisette September 17, 2022 at 2:30 am - Reply

Thank you the article is eye-opening! Praise God 🙌🏻

Julia Bustos August 12, 2022 at 8:13 am - Reply

It´s amazing how most people are blind.  They don´t check the ingredients that compose the vaccine and they don´t question the religious group that their parents belong to.  I am amazed that hardly no one notices that the Roman Church does everything so differently than what Jesus stands for and instructs us how to live.  For example the fish hat that most hierarchies in the Catholic Church wears when they perform the mass is the Dagon headwear of the fish-god of the Philistines and Babylonians, who wore a fish hat that is still seen today with Roman Catholic Church’s pope and bishops.  Unbelievable!  David fought Goliath the giant who was a Philistine and the Roman Catholic Church is openly declaring that they are part of the pagans who came against God´s Commandments and what Jesus the Messiah represented.

Jamie Climo May 23, 2022 at 2:41 pm - Reply

I guess this is what happens when men use religion as a means to rule. Looks like, all satan has to do is kick back and let men do his work.

Andrew Towne April 29, 2022 at 11:23 am - Reply

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to go to a church that did the absolute minimum to comply (and sometimes didn’t comply) with the stringent lockdown requirements in California. No service was canceled, but 20 or so were held outdoors. Reading between the lines of the pastor’s sermons, it is clear that he didn’t believe all the Covid nonsense, and certainly didn’t believe that the church should be shut down over it. 

There is no sense of hierarchy in this church. My only objection has been to some of the absurd end-times prophecy teachings (premillennial Scofield futurism, rapture, God’s supposedly happy that the anti-Christ Jews are in Palestine persecuting Palestinian Christians, etc.), and I have made a comment about it (but received no reply). 

Apart from that, I find the senior pastor to be well-meaning and credible in most everything else he says. 

I don’t limit myself to this church. I take most of my instruction over the internet from Pastor Chuck Baldwin in Montana. I also like Dr. Lorraine Day and Trunews (New Zion Assembly). Are any of these people perfect? Of course not. I read the bible (in small bits), do research on the internet, sharpen my mind by debating other people (Catholics are the most fun; poor things), and I’ve read Eusebius on the early history of “the way”. 

It would be nice to find a “church” that met all my needs and was easily accessible, but that is not realistic. Just take the good and leave the rest. Your true guide is the holy spirit who you received when you were born again and committed yourself to Jesus. The true “church” is the “body of Christ”, which means all sincere believers and followers of Jesus. Jesus alone is the true head of the church.

One Servant August 21, 2024 at 12:04 pm - Reply

“I’ve been lucky enough to be able to go to a church that did the absolute minimum to comply (and sometimes didn’t comply) with the stringent lockdown requirements in California. ”

That’s ONLY the “most visible” outward part of THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN (calling themselves “Jews”/”Catholics”/”Christians” …) but SATAN’S part – as allowed by YHVH 

>>> The Parable of the Weeds

24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matt 13, 24-30) <<<

goes WAY DEEPER ….

GOD ALMIGHTY'S CHILDREN ARE SURROUNDED BY THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN … right into the core of GOD ALMIGHTY'S IMAGE – the heart – by the way of the family EVE carrying most of the poison into it.

DON'T BE FOOLED ESPECIALLY "THE BEST MEANING" of them all (the "learned"/ pharasaic ADAMS AND EVES of THE GARDEN OF EDEN)

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST looks for SINGLE EARNEST HEARTS ready to take up their cross ….

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

mack March 12, 2022 at 11:19 pm - Reply

What should believers in the Way of Jesus Christ called themselves? Thank you

Brian-Admin March 13, 2022 at 11:27 am - Reply

It seems you answered your own question by writing “believers in the Way of Jesus Christ”….

Sandy August 19, 2023 at 8:29 pm - Reply

Mack, funny you asked. My granddaughters and I were having this very conversation a few hours ago. I explained that I no longer want to be referred to as a Christian. You should of seen their faces. I then explained the corruption within churches and that religious people are the ones that killed Christ. I don’t want to be known as followers of either. I’m a servant of Jesus. I follow God’s law’s first not Man’s laws. They come second. All these government churches do not lead me. They follow Government first before anything that the Lord says. Definitely not the God I know.

Doc January 26, 2022 at 3:59 am - Reply

This absolutely confirms the new direction/road/way I will be heading in.  I recently met a great new friend and we have had a few great conversations regarding these two issues…the corrupt and deceptive “church” and the need to separate from it.  It is very difficult, as you said, simply for being brought up to believe attendance at the “big box” church was a necessity.  I have been so let down by great “pastors” because of their incredible hypocrisy.  While their teachings are quite solid, their incessant book writing and conference attending and horrendous affiliations with false teachers have become glaring.  How can two walk together except they be agreed?  Thank you for the clear and concise article.  I was just turned onto this site and was reading about the foster care system and divinely stumbled onto this…Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!!  God Bless You!!

Prudy January 20, 2022 at 8:59 pm - Reply

Thank you so much for writing this! I don’t want to say I’m a Christian because way to many Christians and churches are the most evil people. I’ve been calling myself a believer. My family left an IFB cult church a couple years ago. God led us out! Since God has made me see clearly I realize this church honors satan, God isn’t welcome there. I can’t believe I ever fell for the false teachings. I won’t ever step foot in another church the rest of my life. I know God will lead me and use me and will speak right to me I don’t need to be under a pastor to be serving God.

Andrew Miles January 16, 2022 at 5:30 am - Reply

Very good article. I belonged to a mainstream congregation for over 30 years – serving a lot of that time in what could be called a deacon role. We appointed a new leader and initially all went well, but then it became very clear to me that he was a narcissist as he would build people up, but as soon as they showed any initiative then he would see them as a threat to him and would squash them down often very publicly. 

I went to him man to man and challenged his behaviour, but just ended up receiving the same treatment I had seen him give out to others. Eventually I was summoned to a meeting of the whole leadership and formerly thrown out of the leadership team. None of this bothered me as in my mind I had only ever tried to serve God, but it was a massive wake up call. In the years since I have increasing realised how many narcissists and self proclaiming people there are even in what I used to call the evangelical church. I finally left the congregation a few months later.

That was over 10 years ago and I have not been part of this church charade since. I occasionally attend a very small Methodist congregation as I felt that they were a small group of very godly people trying to reach out locally but I would never again serve in any “leadership” role. But even they have largely been caught up in the covid cult and shut down almost all activity over the last two years. Even when they have rarely met they are insisting on wearing masks all the time if you attend any meeting on their premises and they are very pro vax. Early in 2021 God warned me in a dream not to take the vaccine as it has a “marker” in it (not exactly sure what this means – not the mark of the beast but sinister) so I feel an outsider and excluded by my fellow “Christians”. 

Anyway think you have hit the nail on the head. I think that as humans we crave structure and that when any group comes together they tend to start to impose structure/leadership and this is the exact opposite of what Jesus intended.

One Servant August 21, 2024 at 12:12 pm - Reply

Let me share this with everyone coming across this thread …

Prophecy against Israel’s Shepherds

1And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 4The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. 5And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 8As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; 9Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 10Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

The Good Shepherd

(Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:1-21)

11For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

17And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. 18Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.

20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. 21Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; 22Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.

23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.

The Covenant of Peace

25And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. 26And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. 28And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. 29And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. 30Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. 31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezek 34

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

JoeA January 14, 2022 at 2:54 pm - Reply

Thank you for a very meaty article. It’s giving me a lot to think about and I have sensed a similar issue with the church I am attending. I am thinking of leaving it but will wait a little longer to see how they react to the growing Satanic medical tyranny being built around us. If they turn around and wake up to what’s happening then I will stay. If they they don’t and join hands with the evil psychopaths and sociopaths then I will leave.

snuffydog January 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm - Reply

One thing I know, whether in church or assembly, or not; all those who were chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world….. are secure in Him! We did not chose Christ, but He chose us, that we should be holy, without blame before Him, (declared righteous, justified and blameless by His unmerited grace, favor, through His gift to us of faith in His shed blood.) In love having predestined, (chosen) us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will!  Eph chapter 1 gives all the glory to God for our salvation, new birth, spiritual growth and position in Christ!  “And we know that all things work together for good to them, THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE!  Rom 8:28  Again all glory to God!

There but for the grace of God go we!  It’s all of God!  We can take no credit for being smarter than others by wrangling over terminology; or words!  Humility is the fruit, of a true believer! Truth can stand the test of differences of interpretation, or disagreement…. without offense, censorship, or one up man ship!! Truth doesn’t have to protect it’s self to be defended….. just let loose!  

Appreciate very much all the truth you provide on this sight, Brian!  You’re a blessing to the body of Christ!

Brian-Admin January 11, 2022 at 7:37 pm - Reply

“We can take no credit for being smarter than others by wrangling over terminology; or words!”

“Wrangling” is not the word I would use. Language is important when it comes to knowing the Truth.

The fact that Tyndale gave up his life for an accurate English translation of the Scriptures shows how important he thought it was, to expose the tyranny of the Corporate Christian Church by using inappropriate English words like “church.”

It is a life or death matter….

Don January 11, 2022 at 8:51 am - Reply
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Very well written article!
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Doc January 10, 2022 at 7:50 pm - Reply

WOW!  Amazing piece of historical reference!  I appreciate the time and thought it took to write this missive!  It pushed a few buttons as I was one of the young trusting acolytes in the episcopal church (capitals deleted) abused by a pedophile priests assistant.

ACM January 10, 2022 at 6:54 pm - Reply

The TRUTH the TRUTH the TRUTH!  I feel closer to Jesus every day because he said you will find the truth when you seek the Way (Jesus).  Brian, you have outdone yourself on this one!

I feel so foolish and ignorant to think we have been deceived and fooled all this time.  But, we cannot blame these churches or religion.  We are to blame for allowing imposters of the faith (ie wolves in sheep’s clothing, devils in disguise) to deceive, manipulate, poison, and destroy those seeking Jesus as their Savior.  Especially our youth.

Speaking for myself, I was NOT seeking the truth and put faith in pastors, churches, social gatherings, friends, belief systems (a church setting) instead of the Jesus, plus or minus NOTHING!

It’s time to revive the truth in Jesus, the WAY, NOT a revival in a God-forsaken cult known as the corporate church of America.  The truth in Jesus.  We are an assembly of set-apart saints who love, follow, trust, obey and serve the one true God and Redeemer, Jesus the Messiah.  Still sinners no doubt but a body in Jesus Christ NOT a building or church setting that is as shallow as they come.  No wonder the church turns people off.  This is no doubt Satan deceiving (again) by erecting these mega churches (and all 501c3 churches) on the breastbone of the world and its fleshly desires.  Thanks again for this truth!

Brian-Admin January 10, 2022 at 6:58 pm - Reply
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Very eloquently written ACM. Thank you!
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Janet Boese January 10, 2022 at 5:04 pm - Reply

Thank you Brian for a great article – agree with you completely. Keep up the good work!

SERVIO August 31, 2022 at 4:49 am - Reply

Dear Brother Brian,
Over 6 months now after you published this enlightening article I have little expectations of getting any response. However, upon reading ALL the comments, I feel a strong desire of leaving here my own impression.
I do fit the type of folks you’re writing to because I’m just now going through this decision of not attending anymore the “church” I used to be part of.
I would love to be able to write down here all my many different experiences in various denominations throughout my over 40 years of knowing the Lord, but I don’t think it’s appropriate.
I do want to call for help in regards to fellowshipping… being far away down here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! I’m really feeling so lonely to the point of almost falling into depression…
It is my prayer that this comment will reach you or any other fellow brethren willing to send me any support.
Reach me at 
        
            sf*****@gm***.com

Nadir Martello January 10, 2022 at 4:47 pm - Reply

Some years ago, I have written a similar article myself; but saying that the term ‘church’ is not compatible with the “Way” the disciples of Jesus Christ were following, is totally wrong. I think this article is misleading, to say the least, because Christ Himself use the word “Church,” here: “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (see Matthew 16:18).

Brian-Admin January 10, 2022 at 5:25 pm - Reply

No Nadir, Jesus did NOT use the word “church” because it is an English word, and Jesus did not speak English.

So you missed the whole point here. Jesus used the word “ekklesia” as is recorded in Matt. 16:18, although when he actually spoke this he may have used an Aramaic word which was then recorded in Koine Greek as”ekklesia.”

But he most certainly did NOT use the English word “church” because that word did not even exist when Jesus was around in the First Century. We have King Jimmy to thank for that word.

Ekklesia in this verse should be translated as “congregation,” or “assembly.”

Here is the WEB translation:

I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 
(Matthew 16:18)

Guy January 10, 2022 at 1:19 pm - Reply

Bill, Brian, or anyone reading this, have you received the white stone with a new name written on it? Or does it symbolise a change of identity, a new name upon receiving the gift of the holy spirit?

rogerasnz January 10, 2022 at 12:47 pm - Reply

Thanks Brian for this..   like others here, we too were called out of the institutionalised ‘church’ many years ago and once we fully realised we would be taught by Lord Jesus through His indwelling Spirit, we were able to start shedding the baggage and lies that had been placed upon us.  He showed us His truth through Scripture – we need no more than that.

We too use E-Sword, and read across various modules, seeking and searching with prayer for His teaching.  Jesus told His disciples He would leave them, but He would send a Comforter, Counsellor and Teacher who would only speak words from our Heavenly Father – those who are spiritually regenerated have His indwelling Spirit as that person. John 14 & 16

Ron Abbott January 10, 2022 at 12:12 pm - Reply

I use the KJV mostly. I searched through chapter 13 that you claim originated the term “Christian,” first. I found nothing! Could you please enlighten me as to what verse contained the reference? – DrRon

Brian-Admin January 10, 2022 at 12:18 pm - Reply

Sorry about that Ron. It is Acts 11. I did have the full reference (Acts 11:26) later in the article, but in the beginning I had chapter 13 instead of chapter 11.

This is corrected now.

mvpappas January 10, 2022 at 9:45 am - Reply

Excellent presentation ! Thank You you have just confirmed my belief about this apostate christianity – christian

KB January 10, 2022 at 9:42 am - Reply

So which version of the Bible? Looking to buy one, but stuck on all the many versions.

Brian-Admin January 10, 2022 at 9:51 am - Reply

I get asked this question quite a bit, but there is no correct answer. All translations have bias and issues. As I wrote in this article:

Should You Read the Ancient Bible? Is The Bible Accurate or Corrupted?

I use a Parallel Bible with 4 translations, and a digital Bible software that gives me dozens of translations, as well as the original languages to cross reference. E-Sword electronic Bible, which is free for the basic modules, is the one I recommend. Then compare translations and choose the one you are most comfortable with and just do deep dives into specific passages to really find out what the original text was saying.

And while all of the major translations have issues, they are also very good scholarly works (including the KJV), if they were translated by teams of scholars from the original text. So here are some of the main ones I use:

NIV84
NASB
KJV
MKJV
NET
WEB
ESV
LEB

There are some good translations that are not translated from the Greek and Hebrew, mainly targeting non-native English speakers with a more easily understood English translation. That would include the Good News Bible (GNB), which I don’t use for serious study, but do look at it to see how they handle certain passages.

The ones that are less focused on making the English easier to understand and try to stick closer to the original texts, would be the NASB (New American Standard Bible) and the KJV.

One that I have used frequently over the years that seems to be a good compromise between the two general translation philosophies (make the English easy to understand, or stick closer to the original text) is the New International Version, 1984. They have newer versions that target certain groups of readers, but I prefer sticking with the 1984 version. But even that version has issues, taking too many liberties in some places to make the English easier to understand which leads to more interpretation rather than translation.

Hope that helps. It is a complicated topic, and I encourage everyone to investigate the translations for yourself, and then choose the one(s) that you are most comfortable with.

Deborah January 10, 2022 at 9:16 am - Reply

Thank you so very much for clearly stating just exactly how I feel about the words, “Christian and Christianity”. Well done sir! I too am NOT a Christian and get highly offended when called one. I follow my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I’ve seen way too much before, during, and the fallout of this bioweapon with all these self-proclaimed Christians lining up gleefully to get this poison stick after stick while still proclaiming their faith as they brought in the vax nurse into the church. That offends me too celebrating satan in the supposed Lord’s house. The Lord’s candlestick has been removed. I hear in my spirit such disappointment, “Oh yea of little faith!” And NO this poison & “if everyone gets it the Lord will come back” nonsense is just that! Of course, this is all my opinion yet stand by this everyday as the “winter of death” marches on. Time always tells & again IMO we shall see who is left standing this time next year. I used to pray for their quick & painless death yet heard again in my spirit, “Stop, leave them to me!” Yes Lord… Again, thank you.

William Wiseman January 10, 2022 at 8:38 am - Reply

Thank you for bravely speaking the truth. It may be hard for some to accept this scholarly report, but Jesus never promised us that the way would be easy. From personal experience, when I served in Israel in the 80s, I found that it was much better to introduce myself as a Believer rather than a Christian, because many associated Christians with the atrocities committed by the Church during the Holy Wars. People understood that a Believer was a follower of Christ and not just part of some religious organization.

Brian-Admin January 10, 2022 at 8:56 am - Reply

I encountered something similar in the 1980s and 1990s when I lived in Muslim countries (Turkey and Saudi Arabia).

The way my Muslim friends understood the term “Christian” did not at all reflect my own faith and beliefs, so I began calling myself a believer in Isa Al Mesih, Arabic for Jesus Christ. In many of these countries “Christianity” is associated with the CIA and regime change (and they are mostly correct.)

Language is important, and we need to consider how our language affects those we speak to. Too many Christians have a blind obedience to what they were taught, and not to what they actually learned themselves through critical thinking.

This is a result of our Western educational system. It produces obedient slaves, rather than critical thinkers.

Someone from the KJV Only cult tried to comment here condemning me for using other translations other than the “authorized” King James version. I doubt that this person even read much of this article, because I clearly point out that it was King Jimmy himself who authorized many of these false translations, using “church” and “pastor” for example, to keep the power and authority of the Corporate Church.

I think some of these KJV Only cult members actually believe that King Jimmy wrote the Bible, and that is why any other translation, according to what they were taught but probably never investigated to see if it were true, is considered evil by them.

Prudy January 20, 2022 at 9:06 pm - Reply

Brian, which Bible do you think is the most accurate? The cult we left was KJV only and I refused to read that version. It doesn’t take long to find out how that version came to be and it’s not a good story.

Brian-Admin January 20, 2022 at 9:19 pm - Reply

Prudy,

This is how I have answered that question in other comments on other articles:

I get asked this question quite a bit, but there is no correct answer. All translations have bias and issues. As I wrote in this article:

Should You Read the Ancient Bible? Is The Bible Accurate or Corrupted?

I use a Parallel Bible with 4 translations, and a digital Bible software that gives me dozens of translations, as well as the original languages to cross reference. E-Sword electronic Bible, which is free for the basic modules, is the one I recommend. Then compare translations and choose the one you are most comfortable with and just do deep dives into specific passages to really find out what the original text was saying.

And while all of the major translations have issues, they are also very good scholarly works (including the KJV), if they were translated by teams of scholars from the original text. So here are some of the main ones I use:

NIV84
NASB
KJV
MKJV
NET
WEB
ESV
LEB

There are some good translations that are not translated from the Greek and Hebrew, mainly targeting non-native English speakers with a more easily understood English translation. That would include the Good News Bible (GNB), which I don’t use for serious study, but do look at it to see how they handle certain passages.

The ones that are less focused on making the English easier to understand and try to stick closer to the original texts, would be the NASB (New American Standard Bible) and the KJV.

One that I have used frequently over the years that seems to be a good compromise between the two general translation philosophies (make the English easy to understand, or stick closer to the original text) is the New International Version, 1984. They have newer versions that target certain groups of readers, but I prefer sticking with the 1984 version. But even that version has issues, taking too many liberties in some places to make the English easier to understand which leads to more interpretation rather than translation.

Hope that helps. It is a complicated topic, and I encourage everyone to investigate the translations for yourself, and then choose the one(s) that you are most comfortable with.

Michael February 14, 2022 at 5:50 pm

There is no need to post this, just a greatful comment to you to say thank you.  

From a young child I was brought up in the Mormon religion.  As a teenager I began to question why to be back with God there were countless things I had to do to earn my way into His presence.  Including bringing a W2 and if I did not give 10% I could not get a temple recommend to go to the temple to perform rituals to earn my way to God. 

I was sorely disturbed and prayed to be given an answer.  One day I was mostly flipping through the Bible praying to get an answer when it suddenly opened to John and my eyes landed on:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:5-6 emphasis added.)

Thus began a very deep dive into The Way.  As compared to Momon teachings.  One thing that stood out early on is found in Genesis.  Satan said to Eve that by eating the fruit she would be as God.  That to me is through works can we earn our way to God.  Right off the bat, the Word tells us the great lie in Genesis. 

Yet the truth of the way is we can do nothing on our own as we have all sinned cannot save ourselves.  Jesus explains the way.  Only through Him do we come to our Father. 

Your article gives me great joy as you are one of the very, very few who energize me in my faith in Jesus and the meaning of The Way.  Thank you.

Bil January 10, 2022 at 7:38 am - Reply

I imagine you’ll catch a lot of flack for this one. No matter. The blind, led by the blind, will continue to be blind. Continue spreading the truth. Let me tell a story about what I have witnessed in the “church,” which lends support to your article.

My wife and I were the lead element of a church planting in a community south of Medellin, Colombia until April of 2020. When the lockdowns began, I had already spent two months studying what was really going on. Consequently, we had no intention of staying locked in our homes when the individuals in our bible study groups needed our love, support, encouragement and the truth. 

Long story short, we were ordered by the mother church leadership, the pastors, to only deliver food and supplies. We were not to fellowship with them, we were to remain 6 feet apart, were directed to wear masks during the entire encounter and refrain from shaking hands or hugging. I responded to these “hirelings” by informing them that we were not to be afraid of doing the Lord’s work. I encouraged them to stop hiding in their homes and using YouTube and Zoom to conduct meetings, asserting that the flock needed the physical connection of assembling together. I encouraged them to create small groups from those who lived close to each other and continue to assemble. That’s when I discovered these hirelings did not really care for the flock. I wrote several letters. One was 15 pages long, detailing the truth about the CV hoax and encouraging small assemblies. I was visited for counseling, because I refused to follow the directives of the “pastors.” Meanwhile, my wife and I continued to meet with those in our study groups without masks or social distancing, reading Psalms with them, breaking bread together, encouraging them in the faith, etc. (essentially, what is listed in Hebrews 10).

We removed ourselves from our position of leadership in the church and resigned our membership in the church thanks to the grace of God, who demonstrated to us that “pastors” and leaders, even in what I consider to be a doctrinally sound church by most standards, are still primarily focused on the money that maintains their lifestyle and allows them to put on their Sunday morning, Wednesday evening and Saturday morning shows. Those to whom we had shown the true love of Christ continue to seek us for counsel to this day, though we have not been in their presence for more than a year and a half. We now live near a missionary couple who is sharing the gospel with a native tribe in Colombia. There is no brand label to our assembly of about 20 people. We sing together, pray together, study the word together, break bread together, support and encourage each other, but we don’t take an offering. God blesses Andres, Viviana and their family in many different way, and they never go without what they need, though they are affiliated with no church. That is what a true assembly is supposed to look like. This type of assembly, whether it is two families or a dozen, is far more in line with what the New Testament teaches and will be critical as we move forward with the true gospel.

Our marching orders in Matthew 28 included going to all nations, making disciples, baptizing (immersing them in the name, or characteristics, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and teaching the words of Christ. Included in that order, the teachings of Christ, is loving each other and serving each other. We are not to be building an institution or an empire. We are not ordered to engage in dominionism, or even thinking that way. Our true home, kingdom, country is in heaven, we are but ambassadors in a foreign land. The God grants us various gifts of food, clothing and shelter, we are not to be wrapped up in a worldly lifestyle, seeking and striving after worldly things. Find a couple or a few friends or family that are in Christ and assemble with them as often as you can. Reach out and draw in others and make them disciples of CHRIST, not disciples of a church.

Great Job Again, Brian.

Brian-Admin January 10, 2022 at 9:44 am - Reply

“I imagine you’ll catch a lot of flack for this one.”

You got that right! The curses and attacks are flying this morning, and will probably continue throughout the day. Very similar to when we publish anything negative about the “Christian” President Donald Trump, and his cult followers then attack me viciously.

That’s the power of Satanic cults. They’ve been duped into believing their view is the only correct one, and that everyone else who disagrees is their enemy and needs to be attacked.

In my experience, Christians are the worst ones, because they talk down to me, stating that I obviously don’t know ________fill in the blank______ and then they proceed to “educate” me. 

In fact just since I started typing out this response, a Michael Nielsen tried to comment stating: “Stick to your health comments as they are more factual.” and then telling me why I am wrong about the term “Christian.” 

Michael is probably also going to complain that his comment was not approved, and accuse me of “censorship” and being no better than “Facebook and Google,” which is the other complaint I get frequently from these puffed up arrogant Christians who don’t get to voice their opinions on this platform. 

They are fools, all of them, and they have no appreciation for just what a truly independent media source looks like, as they try to  force their views upon me, thinking wrongly that I owe them something like letting their voices be heard in opposition.

But I don’t owe them anything. This is a free service, and I am not here to please them. I am here to please my Lord and Savior, and to point people to him, showing them they don’t need the Corporate Christian Church cult to know Christ, or read the Bible.

Just look at the comments here from people who obviously love the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow him. They are attacking the true believers, and don’t even realize it, or even worse, they don’t care because they are too selfish and arrogant.

Jeff Callarman January 10, 2022 at 9:30 pm - Reply

Brian, I must honestly say that I truly feel very close to you as my genuine brother thru Christ Jesus our LORD. Why is making that known become so important?
Because everything that you write being factual truth concerning worldwide buildings of man falsely named churches is so very true. I’m almost 67 and have never been a church member nor part of any religious organisations. Through about 15 years I lernt well to never trust in man, or even mine own self without being fully committed to living on the path directed by the will of our FATHER.
Going back into 2007 as newbie in the Philippines after leaving USA, I began creating websites having no cost. Because I have history of fasting, prayer, faith, endurance, plus living on near nothing; I felt surly help would come for my wife and me thru endless writings based on scriptures.
Matthew 22:37-40, 25:31-46, Luke 6:44-46 with many more regarding the important value of our faith because without we cannot please GOD, YAHWEH
Sadly all that I could ever find within Christianity was the assembly of extremely selfish individuals calling me a judge or any wicked words as their excuse for not even knowing their own dead faith made clear in James 2:14-20.

The bottom line is this—>

Billions have absolutely no idea they are in the wide gate leading to their own death, even if out and away from this world of totally corrupted religions and Christian cults.

Whats my point?

Endless words of love toward our LORD have zero meaning without works for making them true.

Thanks so much for your crystal clear message Brian, because this world of misled believers really do need a wakeup call.

jeames din January 10, 2022 at 7:01 am - Reply

Thank you for speaking the truth in love Brian. Years back, I thought I was mad to leave the organised church and everyone told me I had bitterness in my heart and made me think something was wrong with me. Well, the Lord certainly lead me and many many others I am glad to see, out of the Babylon whore and into His perfect Will. Thank you Lord!

sblair2087 January 9, 2022 at 9:14 pm - Reply

That was an awesome article!  Thank you for sharing!   And I’ve known all this in my heart for a very long time.  Very simply put…
”Religion” was made by man.   If we are to be 1 body of Christ/1 Bride of Christ, then why so many religions?   Of course, people never think twice about that.   One will never find peace in any given “denomination”.     We certainly don’t need to forsake “assembling” together, but the “corporate church” is completely infiltrated by the satanic system & so often employs “obedience & subservience” to ritualistic behaviors.   That’s why Jesus said “come out of her my people” lest you take part in her sins.   
God continues to remind us to have patience…”this calls for patience on the part of the saints”.   All I can say is, DO NOT BOW to the “beast system” in any shape form or fashion.  Period!! We need to Pay close attention and stay in God’s Word, & keep on the FULL armor of God!  because the deception is running very deep!!!   God is in control & HIS plan will be carried out!!  🙏🏻

Brian-Admin January 9, 2022 at 9:16 pm - Reply
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Thank you sblair!
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Brian-Admin January 9, 2022 at 8:59 pm - Reply

Since I have had to decline several comments already, let me make the first comment and explain that the purpose of this article is to help people who are struggling right now, and point them to a person named Jesus, rather than a religion or religious person.

So I am not going to approve any comments that simply want to disagree and argue. That’s not our purpose in allowing comments on our articles.

Paul wrote to Timothy about people who liked to argue and contradict him as having:

“an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth.” 1 Timothy 6

Someone named Sherri just began her comment with this:

“The true fact of the Matter is that there was Never anyone named “Jesus” born some 2,000 years ago; however, there was a man named Yeshua (Yahweh is salvation) and it was He who healed Lepers, walked on water and performed countless miracles.”

Sorry Sherri, but you are showing your linguistic ignorance. “Yeshua” is an English translation just as any other name written in the English alphabet is.

The original language that the NT was written in writes his name like this: Ἰησοῦς

But this isn’t even an article about the different ways to spell Jesus’ name….

Bil January 10, 2022 at 8:32 am - Reply

Nailed it again, Brian.

It is time we stop thinking that the name Jesus, Yeshua or Christ is some magic charm. We have to stop thinking that pronouncing His name invokes some magic spell. Jesus’ name is the full set of characteristics that define Him, not the letters, Greek, Hebrew, English, Russian, Chinese, etc. used to make reference to Him. Look at Exodus 34:5-7:

Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God (I am who I am), merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

God declares His name through His characteristics. When the bible speaks of doing anything in “the name of the Lord, Jesus, Christ, etc.” It means, declaring His character and submitting to His directive. Look how Moses responded to His name in verses 8-9:

So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. Then he said, “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”

Moses fell on his face and begged God to go with them. The power of the name of the Lord is in His character and our submission to Him, not the group of letters we use for His name. If you’ll take a look at Revelation 19:12:

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

In Revelation 2:17, Christ promises to give those who overcome “a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except him who receives it.” Put this together with Matthew 7:21-23. When Jesus says, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” He names you as a member of the family of God, and that name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It is not the set of letters to which you refer to yourself or distinguish yourself from others, but the characteristics of your faith.