Loyalty to Christ Must Surpass Loyalty to Family: “I Did not Come to Bring Peace, but a Sword”

September 13, 2021

Loyalty to Christ Must Surpass Loyalty to Family: “I Did not Come to Bring Peace, but a Sword” – Jesus

by Brian Shilhavy
Editor, Health Impact News

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law– a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. – Jesus (Matthew 10:34-38)

Loyalty to Jesus Christ must exceed loyalty to our own family members. This is not a popular teaching in the modern day corporate Christian Church, but the words of Jesus recorded in the Bible are very clear on this matter, as this passage in Matthew chapter 10 clearly shows.

Luke’s gospel records even stronger language from Jesus:

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

I established the fact in a previous article that Jesus most certainly was no pacifist. At times he actually told his disciples to carry a sidearm weapon, usually translated into the English word “sword,” but would have represented many types of similar weapons, including knives, daggers, etc.

He and his followers on at least two different occasions took over the Jerusalem Temple during a major feast celebration, chasing out the Jewish merchants and bankers, either by overpowering the Temple Guard, or possibly working together with them. See:

Jesus Repeatedly Broke the Law and Told Others to do the Same Thing – The Biblical Basis for Righteous Resistance

Many members of Corporate Christianity emailed me in protest to that article, some even demanding that I take it down and issue a public apology, stating that Jesus would never break the law.

But they were failing to understand the different meanings of the English word “law,” especially in the Biblical context, where it can mean the Mosaic Law that was dictated to Moses, or it can mean man’s laws, or man’s interpretation of the Mosaic Law, which is clearly what Jesus was doing – defying man’s laws and the interpretation of the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament section of the Bible.

It is easy to see how watered down modern Corporate Christianity has become, as their leaders so willingly obey the State today, urging their members to submit to government authority and line up to get the COVID shots, often times right there in their own churches where they get government kickbacks for injecting people with these Satanic injections.

So if these “Christians” got so bent out of shape in presenting the truth that Jesus continually broke the government laws of his day, I can only imagine how enraged they are going to be with this article which is highlighting the teaching of Christ to have no loyalty to family members who do not follow Jesus.

Loyalty to Jesus Christ, and the “Household of God”

The common Christian teaching on loyalty goes something like this: God first, Family second, Job/Career third.

And because of this teaching, most devout Christians seek out employment where they can put in their minimum 40-hour work weeks, and use their evenings and weekends to do what they really feel is important, which is serve in their local churches.

As a result, a “Christian man” who is a husband and father is looked down upon in Corporate Christianity if he spends too much time at his place of employment and does not participate in all the various programs of his local church and bring his family to all those programs also.

For years I have had various people refer to me as a “Christian Businessman,” and I have always rejected that title. I am a businessman, period. And I don’t have Corporate Christians working in my businesses, at least not in management.

I have tried to work with some Corporate Christians in my over 20+ years I have run my own businesses, but inevitably their commitments to Corporate Christianity have always interfered with what it takes, at least at a management level, to operate a successful small business in the U.S., at least with the standards that I demand to make those businesses successful and to be able to compete in the marketplace.

Most “Christian businessmen” only work within the structure of corporate Christianity, serving other corporate Christians. It has become an entire sub-culture with their own market, and to be part of it, you have to “belong” and follow their priorities to make the whole system work. And that includes placing a high priority on biological family relationships, and what they term “family values.”

Without this hierarchical system of values and priorities that state God first, family (biological) second, and job third, the whole corporate Christian system falls apart.

Not only is this teaching not found in the Bible, it is crystal clear that it contradicts the teaching of Jesus who demanded 100% loyalty, above biological family relationships, as the two passages I quoted above, in Matthew and Luke, clearly teach.

Jesus not only taught this, he demonstrated it in his own life.

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.

But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”

For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”

Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. (John 7:1-10)

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.

Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50)

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62)

What has replaced the biological family for those who follow Jesus, is the “family of God,” or “household of God.”

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

But if I delay, I write so you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God—which is the community of the living God, a pillar and foundation of truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

The Corporate Churches are Now Basically Synagogues of Satan, and Very Dangerous

Many of the corporate churches are now becoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics, and if you yourself do not want to take the shots, or do not want your children to take them, the time has now come to leave Corporate Christianity.

Most of these corporate churches give more respect and reverence to those employed in the medical system, such as doctors and nurses, than they do to their own Pastors and other church leaders.

Here is a recent comment that was made in our network:

There was an RN at my brother’s church who requested to speak. The pastor agreed.

She stated the rhetoric she was taking care of many hospitalized patients with covid and that none of them had received the “v”.

She of course implored all the parishioners to get the “v”. She is obviously misinformed by her employer. The hospitals are not including in the count anyone who’s received only one “v” and or if it’s under 2 weeks of receiving the second “v”.

Also this “v” does not immunize a person from contracting any virus at all. The hospitals, administration, infection control RN, nurses and physicians are going to be held accountable for administering this injection and following the AI protocols causing the illnesses, conditions of each person.

This RN (sorely misinformed, blindly following orders) pleading with people in a church setting is inappropriate. She has probably received the “v” herself and is convinced.

She may remain in cognitive dissonance the rest of her life. This is very sad for her but it is much sadder that she spoke to a group of people giving the impression she’s knowledgeable when she is not.

To remain in Corporate Christianity today, is to risk losing your children if you have children and have no intention of forcing them to take a COVID-19 shot.

Corporate Christianity has been complicit with child trafficking for many years now already. See:

Christian Churches Redefine the Meaning of “Orphan” to Justify Participating in Child Trafficking

But now that they are showing their true colors and becoming vaccination centers for the COVID-19 shots, the risk of having someone in their organizations deem you as an unfit parent and report you to the government authorities in the child welfare system is exponentially higher now.

And if you are labelled as an “Anti-Vaxxer” parent, you can pretty much guarantee you will never get your children back again. They will medically kidnap them and force them to get the shots, turning the custody over to someone else through the foster care child welfare system.

So what I am attempting to communicate with this article, as long as I have a platform to publish on, is that you are in obedience with the commands of Jesus Christ if you resist friends and family members and their pressure to make you take a COVID-19 shot, or give them to your children.

You may lose your friends, you may have to keep your children away from certain family members, but you will be able to fully identify with Jesus Christ as one of his disciples, and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the household of God, if you trust in him more than you fear your family and “Christian” friends.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” – Jesus (Mark 8:34-38)

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law– a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. – Jesus (Matthew 10:34-38)

Published on September 13, 2021

Tags: Christ, Sword|

31 Comments

Brian Carlson January 19, 2022 at 2:44 pm - Reply

Thank you Brian so much for the courage of your convictions, they have helped me to reconcile many issues that I have observed in the modern corporate church.  

As far as labels are concerned, I have chosen to refer to myself as a ‘bond servant of Christ’.  Since the term ‘the way’ has been co-opted by Arian gnostics, I do not want to confuse anyone as to who it is that I worship and call Lord, and that is Jesus Christ.  When people have asked me what my religion is, I have many times in the past simply told them that I simply believe in and am a follower of my Lord Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible.  Church membership and dues are NOT required.

May The Lord bless you all!

tylerpaulanderson July 22, 2022 at 9:02 am - Reply

It may be helpful to consider the Roman’s 13 power-trip used by so many Church people.  As a believer and a Veteran I would recommend checking out the UCMJ (Uniformed Code of Military Justice) to understand that, by Law, within the Armed Services of the US, no person is obligated or can be compelled in subjection to an UNLAWFUL ORDER.  Please see: British Maritime Law as precedent.
   Given the above it should be very easy to see and understand Christ and His disciples would rightly be called “law breakers,” to which I say “Amen! and count me in.!”

Liesl December 20, 2021 at 10:19 pm - Reply

Thank you for posting about this. One of my friends has to shop for a new church after her ministers begin advocating for Covid Vaccination within church services, AND they even subdivided the pews for the Vaccinated people & Unvaccinated people to be separated. How crazy is that??!!… She was having to sit on one side with her children (one still nursing!), while her spouse was supposed to sit across the aisle (he did not do so!).. It sounded so disturbing!. She may not be vacc’d., but she is a full member, who regularly volunteered for the church, Bible studies, cooking efforts, etc. And she’s totally healthy!!.. I can’t believe this is happening in the modern world in 2021!!.. So glad that she has not relented, nor plans to do so!..
Thanks to everyone here for upholding the Word of God, in spite of the reality of the situation, sadly.

Jo December 8, 2021 at 7:53 am - Reply

Franklin Graham is a blasphemer saying Lord Jesus would’ve taken the shot. Sin tolerated in the church (no Biblical loving discipline) and we wonder why people aren’t healed, I never hear of demons being cast out…the lukewarm church is not of God Almighty. You can’t serve 2 masters. Some preachers gain wealth (although so many suffer in poverty) and lie to Christians that look, you CAN serve two masters…since I got saved out of a cult I have been shocked that most people claiming to know Jesus do not follow or believe in the whole Bible.

I was a pastors wife and there are very few humble, non greedy pastors. The ones who lived as the disciples did….Paul didn’t buy mansions…the original Acts Church was our template. Meet in homes, give food to the widows,  etc. Now churches look like the world…worship teams dressing in ways ti make men lust (which is adutery according to Jesus)

Spiritual abuse is rampant as pastors force their will on people like a cult!

There are a few ppl I have met that really are BIBLICAL Christians

Justin Read October 12, 2021 at 10:21 am - Reply

Excellent write up. Couldn’t agree more. Not taking some silly jab so some freemason loonie run pharmaceutical corporations can grow richer at my expense and have valuable clinical data from me, if any… Health is from the Lord, why its conferred through Natural Immunity, HIS own proven designs.

grainofwheatblog September 25, 2021 at 6:03 am - Reply

Hi Brian,

I totally concur re the fact that we are to love the Lord 100 % above all else and all others.  It totally thrilled my heart to come accross another believer stating this obvious truth (as you say, it is rarely to never mentioned in churchianity).

I have had to deal with siblings and parents and sons all being “enemies of God”.  I believe that it is a painful, but needful, process that all true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ must go through.

I wrote in 2018:-

“God is truth and there is no lie in Him.  Since truth divides, then Jesus naturally divides His followers away from those who reject and hate God’s truth, even one’s own natural family members.  We will no doubt feel some emotional pain and distress when this is happening to us.  But the Lord is testing us to see who we love most. ”

I too have noted in the UK (where I live) that some church buidings are being used as “injection centres”!!!  This reveals the state of play, the sign of the evil days in which we are now living.  Time feels short, as the evil agenda is ramping up at great speed, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand firm against the “great delusion” that is upon the world at large.  But stand firm we MUST.  I know the Lord will give His people the strength and wisdom to do so.  We take courage from those who went before us recorded in our precious Bibles.

Blessings in the name of Christ,
Helen

Deborah October 1, 2021 at 4:32 am - Reply

I can’t be involved with corporate Christianity either. IMO I think getting the jab sends that soul to everlasting hell! Bringing that into the church is satanistic! I quit my church after finding out 80% got the jab cheeping happily about getting it without any remorse! They chose satan and stabbed Christ in the back yet keep saying “I believe!” Sure you do, NOT! The pastor keeps on about the jab being a great thing yet I asked in prayer if this was a good idea yet heard NO! 3 times I asked yet each time heard, NO! Thinking they might have asked yet were told YES? I don’t think so as God doesn’t deviate! So getting the mark is ones last decision-they’ve chosen hell over Christ. Bye!

Christian September 17, 2021 at 6:25 am - Reply

I am so grateful for finding this site.  Your wisdom is boundless, and your enthusiasm to share is a gift to all who find it.  I really appreciate your efforts and will return often, as long as you are able to keep this Lighthouse alive.  True Christian Soldiers are getting hard to find, but this seems to be a good meeting place.  Glad to see that you upset the fakes.  They are many in this age, and we are few.  But we all know who is left in the end.  Peace to you, my brother!

Lucho September 16, 2021 at 8:30 am - Reply

Hola a los 18 años me compartieron el evangelio de Jesús ,mi alma estuvo 3 meses en conflicto (lo puedo describir ahora que tengo 44 ,no es ese momento) hasta que un día por gracia y amor del Señor acepte a Cristo como mi Salvador ese mismo día algo acaparo por completo mi ser .Era su presencia ,al punto que no podía pararme del piso húmedo del garage de mi casa .quien trajo el mensaje fueron personas como tantos que iban cada por casa por casa llevando las buenas nuevas ,ese mensaje como semilla encontró en mi corazón tierra buena y crece y crece aún, pero de mis 26 años asistiendo a la misma congregación a la que pertenezco,siempre he peleado con “sistemas” o con “relaciones públicas” etc etc etc …aún no se ha impuesto ningún “free pass” ni “green pass” ,si hubo una presión sutil como por debajo de la mesa en presión por la “V” ,aún espero ver los resultados de como los hechos en estos tiempos van aconteciendo ,y porque no el que me digan :si no estás vacunado no puedes entrar en la “iglesia” ,ese día sabré que Dios mismo me está indicando el camino que debo tomar ,ni el temor ,ni la incertidumbre que quiera poseerme por momentos podrá con aquella marca (sello) que aquel día recibí en el piso húmedo de mi garage .le sigo a El ,confío en El porque El nunca me abandonará .el es mi unico  pastor que dió y da su vida por mi ..pase lo que pase ,sin importar si me equivoco ,puedo volver una y otra vez y reconocerle mi error ,mis pecados El es fiel y justo para perdonar si confieso , no confío en hombres ,ni en mi propio proceder ,confío en Dios mi Salvador

English translation using DeepL:

Hello, when I was 18 years old I was told the gospel of Jesus, my soul was in conflict for 3 months (I can describe it now that I am 44, it is not that moment) until one day by grace and love of the Lord I accepted Christ as my Savior that same day something completely captured my being, it was his presence, to the point that I could not stand up from the humid floor of the garage of my house. who brought the message were people like so many who went from house to house bringing the good news, that message as a seed found in my heart good soil and still grows and grows, but of my 26 years attending the same congregation to which I belong, I have always fought with “systems” or with “public relations” etc etc etc …. no “free pass” or “green pass” has been imposed yet, if there was a subtle pressure as under the table in pressure for the “V”, I am still waiting to see the results of how the facts in these times are happening, and why not to be told: if you are not vaccinated you cannot enter the “church”. That day I will know that God himself is showing me the path I must take, neither fear nor the uncertainty that wants to possess me at times will be able to destroy that mark (seal) that I received that day on the wet floor of my garage. I follow Him, I trust Him because He will never abandon me. He is my only shepherd who gave and gives his life for me…no matter what happens, no matter if I make a mistake, I can come back again and again and acknowledge my mistake, my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive if I confess, I do not trust in men, nor in my own actions, I trust in God my Savior.

Lizzie December 3, 2021 at 6:17 pm - Reply

Lucho – I am in the same circumstances as you. I still belong to a church – one where I feel is a good fellowship and enables me to grow spiritually. It is, however, part of a bigger structure, and I know in my heart that a day will come – probably soon – when I will have to choose. When that day comes, I will be sad to leave but will gladly choose my Saviour over the church.

Liesl December 20, 2021 at 10:27 pm - Reply

“I do not trust in men, nor in my own actions, I trust in God my Savior.”  Yes, that sums it up!!-
It’s not easy to be discerning now, but I recommend that every sincere Believer Pray when the pressure or confusion is on from work, community, church, family, friends, TV- even Public Health Dept. calls & emails!!.. You should get a very clear, reliable answer!!.. As found in The Word, you cannot rely on “man”– not even your doctor or family, in the end. It’s between you & God!!-

saintangel2013 September 15, 2021 at 1:09 pm - Reply

I agree wholeheartedly with this article.  My daughter is also a nurse and she stated that the nurses pushing the vaccine on people are a disgrace to the profession.

I have lost ‘Christian’ friends over this – who actually tried cajoling me into getting the vaccine after they made the foolish choice. I warned the pastor of our bible study and he said petulantly “I’ll be first in line to get it!”  It made me really think about the ve rse “Many are called but few are chosen” and “Wide is the road that leads to destruction narrow is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it.

At some point I think we are all going to have to network as there is strength in numbers.  Is anyone else thinking this?

Earl Smith September 14, 2021 at 8:56 pm - Reply

Thank you for clarifying that Jesus broke the manmade laws and false interpretations of Moses Law. 
You are truly a voice in the wilderness of this medical tyranny and kidnap. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

KJ September 14, 2021 at 3:21 pm - Reply

Amen! I feel it goes deeper than the vaccine though, although that is very important. But as the last bits of time are coming to pass, we must let go of this worldly life and be ready to leave it all without looking back. I am preparing myself for that, which is something significant for me to work on. I have put my husband and children first for a long time and made them my life, so much that I mourned greatly over my children growing into adults, but God is helping me let go little by little I am seeing things from a different perspective. And this world has brought me much heart ache so it’s not that hard to put it behind me. The next age and the honor of being in God’s Kingdom family will be so much more amazing. I can’t wait to see it! 
By the way, thank you for the last article. Through your articles I am understanding idolatry a bit more. At first I thought it was just worshipping statues and it didn’t make sense to me, but now I know that it’s anything that can take the place of God in our hearts. 
God bless you and thank you once again. These articles help me to not feel alone.

DebS September 14, 2021 at 2:51 pm - Reply

I work for a “Corporate Church” and their biggest concern is how much money they can bring in!!! The previous pastor they had didn’t believe in Hell and was all for “Woke” culture. He had no concern for the congregation, only visited those who could benefit him. I don’t believe any in the congregation are saved, many don’t even know the meaning of the word or know the Bible. Most of the “Corporate Churches” today only give “feel good” sermons, so as not to offend anyone.

Alastair September 14, 2021 at 12:15 pm - Reply

Being new to this site and wanting to “believe” is very difficult when looking at all these corporate religions. Can anyone please advise on how to proceed with religion in today’s climate. And thanks for another great article Brian.

Brian-Admin September 14, 2021 at 12:34 pm - Reply

Thank you Alastair. I am not sure I understand your question though. What do you mean by “how to proceed with religion in today’s climate?”

KJ September 16, 2021 at 9:16 pm - Reply

Alastair, I would suggest that the most important thing to concentrate on is prayer, ask for wisdom, start reading the Bible with the new testament. Do you believe Jesus died for your sins? If so, all you need is prayer, your Bible and a sincere heart. We are given the holy spirit and so the only teacher we need is Jesus.

Lizzie December 3, 2021 at 6:29 pm - Reply

Alistair – there’s a huge difference between religion and true Christianity. The two really don’t compare. Google it – there are several explanations. One I like is this from Christian Ministries International: “this is the key difference between Christianity and every other religion in the world: Christianity is not a religion!  What are religions?  Religions are about human attempts to make our lives right with God, through our good works, sacrifices, rituals, and money. However, Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is about God entering human history to graciously save men and women through His Son Jesus Christ. It is only by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and submitting to his Lordship that we will be saved.

A relationship with God will never be found in any religion, because religions only offer swimming lessons to people drowning in the sea of sin. And it doesn’t matter how sincere or devout you are in your religious faith and practice, because the sea of sin is eternally immense. The only hope for men and women drowning in the sea of sin is Jesus Christ. God entered human history in the person of Jesus Christ; he dove into the sea of sin in order to save desperate and drowning people by dying for us on the Cross. If you’ll allow him, he’ll hold you in his loving arms and bring you safely to shore. And after arriving safely to shore, then your swimming lessons begin, so that you can go back and rescue others!

By Jason Carlson and Dr. Ron Carlson of CMI

God bless you, and I pray you will find this living faith in Christ.

Brian-Admin December 3, 2021 at 6:33 pm - Reply

“Christianity” most certainly IS a religion. The word is never used in the scriptures. It’s beginning can be traced back to the 4th Century when Constantine declared it the official religion of Rome, and hence the start of the Catholic Church.

In the New Testament, the believers are said be part of “The Way,” which is taken from the words of Jesus in John 14:6. It was considered a “sect” of the Jewish religion, but they most certainly did NOT start a new religion called “Christianity.”

https://created4health.org/fact-check-christianity-and-the-christian-religion-is-not-found-in-the-bible-the-person-jesus-christ-is/

George September 14, 2021 at 11:39 am - Reply

I have 2 passages that need explained to me…
Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Then in Acts I find this…

Acts 4:19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

(It seems that we the Gentiles are loosed from all but those 4 things mentioned)
I do believe we should follow the 10 Commandments + the 4 that are mentioned in Acts.
Am I correct?

Brian-Admin September 14, 2021 at 1:24 pm - Reply

George,

James the half brother of Jesus wrote: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” 
(James 1:5)

The verses you quoted in Acts are actually from chapter 21.

The two verses in Matthew are perhaps best understood by Jesus’ words in John 8:47: “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47)

Jesus, when he walked the earth in a human body, stated: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19) and: “he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” (John 8:26)

This is what we are to strive for. To hear from God what he specifically has to say to us, which is our “daily bread,” and then to act upon that and tell others. 

Seeking a personal relationship with God is perhaps a better approach than deciding which commands to follow. Jesus summed up the entire law like this: 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Also, please consider using a more modern translation of the English Bible. See: https://created4health.org/make-reading-the-bible-a-new-year-resolution-it-could-change-your-life/ where I discuss some issues with the King James version of the English Bible.

Skye September 14, 2021 at 11:25 am - Reply

Thank you, Brian. Like the commenter above, GP, I scan for your email amongst the scores I receive each day. I devour them, and I never want them to end. Thank you so much for them. They give such clarity and insight. With love always, Skye

Bil September 14, 2021 at 11:11 am - Reply

Very true… not only is the corporate church corrupt, but its structure makes following the commands to love your Christian brothers and sisters impossible.

Cheryl Sauer September 14, 2021 at 10:04 am - Reply

Just wanted to say thank you for your columns.  I don’t necessarily agree with everything you say, but you raise many questions I myself ask.  Questions – questions are very often unpopular, but they are the ONLY way in which we can even begin to think for ourselves.

Desmond Aubery September 14, 2021 at 9:42 am - Reply

Thank you. Excellent article. I wholeheartedly agree.

Michael Ross September 14, 2021 at 9:41 am - Reply

Corporate Christianity has been the bane of Christ and the true remnant believers who make up the functional church, and this corporate hijack began with the Roman Empire declaring the Christianity to be the religion of the Empire back around 400AD.  They stole the public realm of Christianity from the primitive 1st and second and third generation believers in TLJC who worshipped in houses and personal settings with no elevated platform for clergy and no special buildings, accouterments, show or programs.  Catholicism changed all that, and added corruptions all their own to the pot.  Then Protestantism and Evangelicalism recovered facets of truth related to salvation by faith in Christ, but the carried forth the corporate church mentality, which produced what we have today in so-called bible-believing churches that are based on false models and corrupted, misplaced teachings!!  The remnant disciple believers are setting up primitive local fellowships with none of these traps, and getting back to truth and fellowship that prepares us to live in the Light in this present darkness!  till He comes again!!

Suzie September 15, 2021 at 11:39 am - Reply

I left Corporate Church years ago, and I am amazed at how much Yeshua has “grown me up” since then.  My fellowship with like believers has been scanty, hit and miss, but wonderful and inspiring nonetheless.  I have had to repent (joyfully) for having been a purveyor (bible teacher) of false information, teaching and believing what I had been taught from childhood.  But God, in His infinite mercy and loving kindness, rescued me and has given me years to grow in wisdom, truth and knowledge.  I have miles to go, but God is patient and steadfast, and He waits for me to “get” the way He wants me to go. At 84 years of age I’m loving growing in Yeshua!  He is  my greatest joy! 
So happy for you, Nicole!  Your brightest days are yet to come!

Nichole September 14, 2021 at 8:33 am - Reply

So much truth here. I just left my role as a Director in Children’s Ministry (7 years) because the senior pastor made a public announcement that he believes everyone should receive the jab. Incredibly irresponsible and questionable. He did ‘interviews’ with people from the CDC during sermons and the whole church was seeping from the inside with the ‘false narrative.’ As a staff, we were financially incentivized to get the jab and those who did were so incredibly self righteous about it. I was so disgusted and disheartened by it all. Our children, 2 and up, were also required to cover up. Personally, I believe masks on children is child abuse, but nonetheless, this is a decision that should have always been left to the parent, not the church. I could go on and on with so many poor leadership decisions, but all to say… this article is spot on, especially for one of the largest churches in the US that I use to be part of. The church “big C,” has missed the greatest opportunity during this generation to be a beacon of light in immense darkness, yet they have chosen the world. Wrong side of history for sure. I absolutely loved my job and walked away with a heavy heart… but, we all have our line in the sand. Now is the time to make those heavy sacrifices for what you know is right, no matter the cost! I have faith that God will honor our decision as a family and continue to provide, as He always has.

Erik September 14, 2021 at 8:01 am - Reply

Right on the mark, it might not be easy to follow but it is certainly required. You can not foĺlow a master half-hearted.

GP September 14, 2021 at 6:44 am - Reply

Brian, another great article. A fitting chapter and verse that goes along with your article about Jesus Christ breaking the commandments of men is found in Matthew 15:1-9. The “Corporate Christianity” more than likely will not touch this as well because their hierarchical structure will crumble.

How fitting this article was because I brought this very subject up with my wife who took the jab. It broke my heart when she finally told me the reason. It was because she wants to keep seeing her mother. Though I have not been a follower of Lord Jesus Christ for very long, He’s shown me throughout the Scriptures how to follow Him. I told my wife that I’ve drawn my line in the sand and will never cross it even for our marriage. Lord Jesus Christ comes first before everything else. He saved my soul and my debt to Him can never be repaid, neither in this life nor the life to come. I now pray for my wife more than ever before because I know the Satanic poison she believing it could help see her mother.

May our Lord and Savior keep you going in publishing your articles because they cut to the bones while holding nothing back. I always look for your articles because I know you keep up with what this Satanic world is perpetuating on the sheeple.