The 3 R's of Religion

We’re all familiar with the 3 R’s of Education: Reading, Riting & Rithmetic. This slang version of the originals all begin with the letter R. Reading, writing & arithmetic are considered by most Education experts as the foundation of Education - since the ability to read enables a person to research all the other genres of knowledge, writing helps us to communicate what we’ve learned & arithmetic is essential especially in the Sciences. The origin of the 3 R’s is unknown - but there are references to them in newspapers going back a couple hundred years. One of the oldest references to them is made by Augustine of Hippo, a Catholic Theologian of the 5th century - who emphasized their importance in the learning process. The aim or mark of the 3 R’s is to create Self-learners.

But are you aware of the 3 R’s of Religion? There are 3 R words that every Religion on earth revolve around. Do you know what they are? Do you know what their aim or purpose is in the Christian Religion? In today’s blog I will reveal the 3 R’s of Religion and the aim or mark God intended them to build.

“These are the regulations (RULES) the Lord gave Moses concerning relationships…” (NUM.30:16 NIV) All of the Bible’s rules, regulations or laws were given by God to show us how to build right relationships with Him, our neighbor or ourselves. Jesus Himself said that on the 2 greatest commandments (about our relationship with God, neighbor & self) hang all the Law & the Prophets. (MT.22:40) The Scribes & Pharisees of Jesus day missed the mark of these Rules, and millions of Christians are repeating it today: “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience & from sincere faith…” (I TIM.1:5) The Apostle Paul added: “Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.'“

RITUALS are what bring sanctity & regularity to our worship of God. Prayer, Meditation, Fasting, Holy Days & Fellowship - are what keep us in sync with our Creator and one another. The problem with rituals is that for some people they morph into religiosity - an outward show of Religion - and are used by some as badges of righteousness. But when used properly - with the focus on using them to keep us moving as ‘one’ with God and each other - they become a powerful tool in unifying relationships.

The Apostle Paul wrote: “So Christ Himself gave the apostles, evangelists, the pastors & teachers, to equip His people for works (or ROLES) of service, so that the ‘Body of Christ’ (the Church) may be built up until we all reach unity in the Faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (EPHESIANS 4:11,12)

While some have administrative ROLES in the Church (Pastor, Teacher) - God has given all members of the Body of Christ ROLES that help build right relationships: Ambassadors of Christ; Disciples of Christ; Evangelists; Fellowshipers; Lights of the world; Ministering to the needs of others; Salt of the earth; Watchmen; and Worshipers. All these ROLES help Christians who regularly engage in them to build right relationships with God, His Son, our brothers & sisters in Christ, Unbelievers, Angels, the earth itself, and our relationship with ourselves.

Imagine if every Christian sanctuary had those 7 RELATIONSHIPS written on the wall behind their pulpits - and the ROLES, RULES, & RITUALS that help us build those relationships written on the other 3 walls! Every week as Christians gathered to worship they would be reminded of these 3 R’s of God’s Religion that help them and their kids understand God’s great plan: “…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He (God) might gather together in ‘one’ - all things in Christ - both which are in heaven & which are on earth - in HIM (the FATHER).” (EPHESIANS 1:10)

If you want more details of how the 3 R’s build these 7 Biblical relationships - go to YOUTUBE and type in Original Christianity - and watch the program entitled: The 3 R’s of Religion.

Is 'the handwriting on the wall"?

Is ‘the handwriting on the wall’ for you personally? Have you been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and death is knocking at the door? Is the handwriting on the wall for your business or marriage, and its about to fall apart? We in the West use such Biblical sayings all the time in discourse, with many who use them, not even being aware of their source.

The origin of this saying is found in the 5th chapter of the book of Daniel. King Belshazzar, the son of the famous Nebuchadnezzar, reigned over the Bablonian empire of his father to its demise. He was a wicked person, who’s sinful nature apparently rubbed off on the whole kingdom, moving our Creator to bring jugment upon them all.

King Belshazzar threw a huge party, inviting a thousand of his lords - and they wined & dined and danced and romanced until all of a sudden the whole banquet room went quiet! All that could be heard were gasps of terror as they all beheld a disembodied hand come out of the 4th dimension of God’s realm and began writing words on the wall: Strange words that nobody recognized or could read (maybe Angelic words)!

King Belshazzar, with knees knocking and his voice trembling, immediately summoned his Astrologers, Soothsayers & wise men for an explanation. But none of them could read the words. Finally his mother reminded the King about the prophet Daniel & how he had interpreted his father’s dreams & visions. When Daniel arrived at the King’s beckoning, he told the king that this was a judgment upon him & his kingdom because he and his guests had used the sacred cups & plates of Israel, defiling them, and because he had repeated the sins of his father - including pride, insolence, and debauchery.

Daniel gave the meanings of the words to the King: “MENE - God has numbered your kingdom & finished it. TEKEL - You have been weighed in the balances & found wanting. PERES - Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes & Persians.” Before the night was over, the words came to pass and Belshazzar was slain - and Darius the Mede received the Kingdom.

Is the handwriting on the wall for Russia - a nation once thought of as 2nd in military might only to the U.S.? Its war against Ukraine has led to hundreds of thousands of young Russian men fleeing the nation - not wanting to be conscripted into the armed forces by President Putin. Its led to 12% inflation and a major drop in Russia’s Gross Domestic Product.

Is the handwriting on the wall for China? In one year this most populous of nations has declined in population by 850,000 people! The Red State has also lost over a million people from its work force since Covid struck almost 3 years ago, and its GDP is also experiencing a major drop.

Your Bible says: “When a Land sins against ME by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out MY HAND against it; I will cut off its supply of bread and send famine on it - and cut off man and beast from it.” (EZEKIEL 14:13)

God is very much aware of what goes on in the nations of this earth (PSALM 66:7)! We read in the book of JOB: “From the chamber of the South comes the whirlwind… HE causes it to come, whether for correction, or for HIS land, or for mercy.” (JOB 37:9,13) A whirlwind can be a blessing as when made a pillar of swirling clouds & fire, to lead Israel through the wilderness to where HE wanted them to go. But it can also come in the form of devastating hurricanes, tornados and storms!

Is the handwriting on the wall for America? Climate change advocates blame such devastating events on the use of fossil fuels - but realists see the hand of God upon a corrupt and unthankful nation! HE causes it to come for correction - in hopes it will wake a spiritually sleeping nation! Read AMOS 4 and see how many climate related disasters GOD brought upon sinful Israel! Natural disasters are not natural! Watch our program by that title by typing in ORIGINAL CHRISTIANITY on the YOUTUBE search button.

Babylon was weighed in the balances of God’s Morality and found wanting! What does GOD weigh? We don’t have to guess - he tells us:

“…By HIM actions are weighed.” (I SAMUEL 2:3)

“…THE LORD weighs the spirits.” (PROVERBS 16:2)

“…THE LORD weighs the hearts.” (PROVERBS 21:2)

God weighs the actions, the spirits (disposition), and the hearts of individuals and nations! And when they reach a point HE will no longer tolerate HE brings judgment! Sometimes it’s in the form of punishing weather. Sometimes HE’LL literally shake the earth under our feet. And sometimes he raises up empires to punish nations: “And in the latter time of their kingdom, WHEN THE TRANSGRESSORS REACH THEIR FULLNESS, a king shall arise , having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his power (Satanically furnished - REV.13:2); He shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty (China, Russia, Europe & the U.S.?), and also the holy people (Israel). Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule (II THESS.2). And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of Princes (Christ); But he shall be broken without Human means (Christ).”

Learn who this king & kingdom will be by watching our T.V. programs on THE BEAST, THE HARLOT, and THE FALSE PROPHET - all stored on YOUTUBE under ORIGINAL CHRISTIANITY.

Is the Handwriting on the wall for you - morally & spiritually? Then wake up now through fasting, prayer and repentance that bears the fruit of change (MATTHEW 3:8)! May GOD steer you in HIS direction!

The Majority

You’ve probably heard the saying that “There is safety in numbers…” It’s Human Nature to follow the crowd, to embrace & adopt the ‘majority view’ especially on controversial topics like religion, politics & ethics. The majority of Americans identify as Christians. The majority of voters are conservative - 37% compared to moderates who come in at 34% and Liberals who comprise only 24%. - according to a 2019 Gallup poll. The majority of people embrace & practice the ethics of their peer group.

But the MAJORITY is NOT always right! After all, the majority of Human Beings believe that it’s more beneficial to be ‘on the receiving side of things,’ than ‘on the giving side of things.’ But the truth is just the opposite as Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (ACTS 20:35) And Studies support this, showing that those who have an outward focus & a service mentality are healthier & happier than those who don’t!

The majority of Human Beings also believe that it’s more fun to be irreverent than reverent, that ‘Holy Joes & Janes’ lead boring, dull lives that are full of restrictions. But your Bible says differently: “Happy is the man who is always reverent…” (PROVERBS 28:14) Why? Because a reverent man finds favor in the sight of both God and Man because he treats everyone with respect & honor.

Mark Twain warned: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause & reflect.” That’s good advice, because the Majority View needs to be questioned & scrutinized every bit as much as a Minority View needs to be.

The majority of people living in the Pre-Flood world were wicked: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of Man was GREAT in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually.” (GENESIS 6:5) But a minority, a thin line of righteousness coexisting with the wicked, was present: “Noah was a just man, perfect (Gk. ‘Blameless’) in his generations. Noah walked with God.” (GENESIS 6:9)

It’s not easy to be in the Minority: There’s persecution, ridicule, sometimes even violence! But Abraham bucked the wicked trend of Mankind, obeying God’s voice, keeping His charge, His commandments, His Statutes & His Laws.” (GENESIS 26:5) Moses could have lived in luxury with the Majority of Egypt, but chose to live among the minority subjugated peoples of Israel.

Your Bible says: “Do not follow the Majority when they do wrong, or when they give testimony that perverts Justice.” (EXODUS 23:2 GNT)

Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate; For wide is the gate & broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate & difficult is the way which leads to life and there are FEW who find it.” (MATTHEW 7:13,14)

Israel was in the minority, being the only nation on earth that God was communicating a message to Mankind through. But Moses, Joshua, Caleb & those who did not bend the knee to Baal (7,000 I Kings 19:18) were in the great minority compared to the majority of Israelites who committed idolatry and did not have God’s favor. The Original Christians were in the great minority to the Jewish establishment of their day - who rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah. And we who practice ‘Original Christianity’ today are in the great minority to the majority of Christians who embrace the Catholic view of the ‘Nature of God’ (the Trinity), their Calendar of Holidays, their view on death & the afterlife, and their view on God’s Law.

Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My FATHER in heaven. MANY will say to Me, in that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (MATTHEW 7:21-23)

Judas cast out demons & healed in Jesus name… yet his heart was not right with God and he ended up betraying the Son of God for 30 pieces of silver…

Do you have the faith & courage to buck the trend, to swim against the tide of Pseudo -Christianity and the World? Are you walking the narrow path that leads to God’s Kingdom - or the broad path of the Majority of Human Beings that leads to destruction? Are you following the Pied Piper of False Christian Leaders - or are you walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and the Original Church? May God lead you to choose the narrow path!

Articles of Faith

The ‘Apostles Creed,’ - 1.2 billion Catholics embrace it as their ‘Statement of Belief.’ But does this Creed reflect what Jesus, the Apostles, and the original Christians believed & taught? The word ‘Creed’ comes from the Latin word ‘Creedo’ meaning ‘I believe.’ There are numerous ‘I believe’ statements recorded in your Bible - do you know who said them & where to find them?

Have you ever read & studied your congregation’s or Denomination’s ‘Articles of Faith’? Many such documents may as well be written in stone, having not been altered or updated in centuries! How does a group of Christians ‘grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ’ (II PETER 3:18), if it never revisits or questions its original ‘Statement of Beliefs’?

The word ‘Creed’ is not in your Bible - but the phrase ‘The Faith’ is - dozens of times:

“Examine yourselves as to whether you’re in ‘The Faith’ - Test yourselves.” (II CORINTHIANS 13:5)

“I (Jude) found it necessary to write to you (the Church) exhorting you to contend earnestly for ‘The Faith’ which was once for all delivered to the Saints.” (JUDE VS.3)

“Guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter & opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed & in doing so have departed from The Faith. (I TIM.6:20)

“Here is the patience of the Saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and ‘The Faith’ of Jesus.” (REVELATION 14:12)

Theologians tell us that there has been a ‘Restoration Movement’ going on in Christianity over the past few centuries among groups like the Church of Christ, the Churches of God & the Messianic movement: “The Motive behind all Restoration Movements is to tear down the walls of separation (between denominations) by a return to the practice of the original, essential & universal features of the Christian Religion.” (Rubel Shelly)

Wikipedia describes the movement this way: “The unification of all Christians in a single body, patterned after the Church of the New Testament.”

The Apostle Paul was inspired to write: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing & that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind & in the same judgment.” (I CORINTHIANS 1:10)

How should Christianity today fulfill this command in the name of Christ? Should we all unite around the Apostle’s Creed of Catholicism, or the Articles of Faith of the Lutherans, Methodists or Presbyterians? Should we unite around the teachings of Origen, Tertulian, or one of the other early Church Fathers of the 2nd-3rd Centuries? Or should we return to ‘The Faith’ once for all delivered to the Saints by Jesus & the Apostles - whose beliefs & practices are clearly recorded in the book of ACTS & the EPISTLES?

We at OUR FATHER’S HOUSE choose the latter, as it’s the simplest & most Biblically defensible position to take. If the Lord leads you to agree - come visit us some Sabbath!