The following is provided by The Bible Study Center of Irvine, Kentucky as a thought starter from one of over 2200 in-depth Bible Studies we have available. If you would like more Info, write to us at P.O. Box 1, Irvine, Kentucky 40336 or call our computer bulletin board at (606) 744-6079 OR (606) 723-3333 to download files of ascii text Bible Studies which you can use with any type of computer. Most of the Bible studies on the BBS get into much deeper areas of the scriptures including many aspects of REVELATION and prophecy for today covered in deep detail. If you like more depth to your studies than most people are used to getting, give the board a try. YOU WILL NEVER BE ASKED FOR DONATIONS, ETC. We offer NO OBLIGATION Bible Studies WITHOUT anyone pestering you for money or anything else. Our studies will only interest SERIOUS Bible students and will DOWNRIGHT BORE anyone else. Over 2200 studies available; 300/1200/2400/9600/14400 baud (v.32/v,32bis/HST/v.42bis) 24 hours a day. This study may be freely posted on other bbs' and distributed to others provided this leader remains with the study text at all times. ********************* WHO AM I? ********************* THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BELIEVE WHAT I SAY; THOUGH OFTEN I LIE AND I TEACH THE WRONG WAY. MOST ARE TOO BLINDED TO EVER SUSPECT ME; THEY GIVE ME THEIR MONEY SO I LIVE IN LUXURY. IT IS SO AMAZING HOW MUCH I CAN SIN; YET WHEN I SPEAK OF THE OF SOULS I WILL WIN, AND SHED A FEW TEARS WITH A "PRAISE GOD" THROWN IN; THEY SEEM TO FORGET WHAT A BAD GUY I'VE BEEN. THEY POUR IN THEIR OFF'RINGS AGAIN AND AGAIN, SO I WILL PRAY FOR THEM OR SEND THEM A PIN. I SHOW THEM THE STARVING, THE NAKED, THE SHUT-IN; I TELL THEM THEIR TAX SAVING OFF'RING WILL HELP THEM. THEY WANT TO BE HEALED SO I SEND THEM A LETTER; IF THEY SEND ME MONEY, THEY'RE SURE TO GET BETTER. I SEND THEM A BIBLE, A RECORD, A BOOK; THE PRICE THAT THEY PAID, THEY REALLY GOT TOOK. BUT THEY NEVER STOP TO CONSIDER THESE THINGS; SO I AND THOSE LIKE ME CAN LIVE JUST LIKE KINGS, "PLAYING" THEIR EMOTIONS WHEN "SO AND SO" SINGS; WILL KEEP US IN "BLESSINGS" TIL ETERNITY BRINGS TO LIGHT THE DECEPTIONS AND EVIL I'VE DONE; AND THOSE WHO HAVE "PAID" ME TO HAVE ALL THE FUN, WILL STAND THERE BESIDE ME TO HEAR WHAT IS DUE. THE LORD UP IN HEAVEN WILL TELL US HIS VIEW; "DEPART FROM ME PHONEYS - I NEVER KNEW YOU." SO IF AS YOU READ THIS, YOU THINK OF A FEW FALSE PREACHERS JUST LIKE THIS, THERE ARE OTHERS TOO; THE SCRIPTURES INSIDE WILL SOON GIVE YOU A CLUE, PLEASE STUDY AND LET GOD YOUR SPIRIT RENEW. Lately there have been many newspaper editorials describing some of the ridiculous methods (usually social or political) that some of the famous preachers have been using to fill their pockets financially. What many people fail to realize is that these men are operating on a larger scale, but using the same devilish tactics as hundreds of thousands of preachers around the world today. Please read this entire document as there is so much at stake. Here is what the Bible has to say about the multitudes who claim to preach from it, yet primarily use it as a means of income more than a means to SERVE GOD'S ELECT. II Peter 2:1-3 say: 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. The phrase feigned words means "prepared speeches that declare MAN'S WISDOM rather than TRUE, SPIRITUAL, GODLY WISDOM." Therefore, preachers "make merchandise of you" when they use various methods to PUSH people into giving money. Just think friend; if you donate money to a church simply because you love the Lord, then God will reward you! Your love for Him is the means of inspiration. However, if some preacher pushes, pleads, or pressures to get you to give, then you are ONLY GIVING TO THE PREACHER'S CAUSE; NOT TO GOD! One of the best ways to identify a PHONEY preacher is his constant pull for money. He may use the excuse that it is for some good cause, but if you will check up on these guys, you will find that they get a big "CUT." The Bible gives us many ways to spot the FALSE PREACHERS. Notice Matthew 7:17 and the context; especially verses 21-23: 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Notice that just because a preacher declares Jesus to be "LORD" does not mean he is even saved, much less called to preach. Verse 22 shows that just because a preacher claims to prophesy or preach God's word does not mean he is truly sent by God. Even if he casts out devils or works miracles such as healings in Jesus' name, it does not give evidence that he is a true man of God! You are probably thinking, "Then how can I tell who is false?" We will use the remainder of this leaflet to briefly outline some scriptures to partly answer that question. If you would like more detailed studies, just ask for our FREE books. 1) Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 16:15: TRUTH WILL BE REJECTED BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE. 2) Matthew 7:15-20; Acts 20:28: THE PREACHER'S FRUIT IS WHAT HE TEACHES OR "FEEDS" LISTENERS. 3) Romans 16:17-18: BY TELLING PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, THEY DECEIVE THOSE WHO ARE IGNORANT OF TRUTH. THEIR REAL PURPOSE IS TO GET MONEY (SERVE "THEIR OWN BELLY"). 4) II Corinthians 11:13-15: THIS TEXT SAYS THAT SATAN'S MINISTERS "TRANSFORM" (MEANS TO "DISGUISE") THEMSELVES TO APPEAR TO BE TRUE PREACHERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 5) James 1:18; I Peter 1:23; John 6:63; Romans 10:17: IT IS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD WHICH IS THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL CONCEPTION, BIRTH, AND GROWTH. WITHOUT GENUINE TRUTH WE ARE ONLY COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANS. 6) I Corinthians 2:7 and 14: 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. IF WHAT YOUR PREACHER TEACHES YOU IS REALLY TRUTH, THE "NATURAL MAN" (UNSAVED OR NON-SPIRITUAL PERSON) WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND IT. IT WILL BE "HIDDEN WISDOM" THAT IS VERY DEEP AND MYSTERIOUS AND CERTAINLY NOT BELIEVED BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE AND CHURCHES. IT WILL BE TRUTH THAT IS HIDDEN JUST LIKE BURIED TREASURE (PROVERBS 2:1-4) AND WILL THRILL TRUE HONEST HEARTS MORE THAN ANY MATERIAL TREASURE. WHEN THE SAINTS "FEED" ON GENUINE TRUTH, THE PREACHER NEVER NEEDS TO BEG FOR MONEY. In spiritual matters the MAJORITY is ALWAYS WRONG! God's people must greatly beware the preachers and the denominations with many thousands of supporters. Even Jesus' ministry only produced a little over 500 followers of which only about 120 really were devout enough to obey His command to "tarry" (I Corinthians 15:5-8 and Acts 1:15). Certainly, Jesus meant it when he said FEW THERE BE THAT FIND LIFE. The Bible shows clearly that MOST people who profess Christianity do not even WANT THE TRUTH. They are more interested in "churches" which are SOCIAL and have various rituals. I have had the privilege of pastoring this congregation for 14 years, and God has taken care of ALL our needs without any begging or fund raising. In fact, he has provided so we can give away FREE Bible Study books and we do not have to even hint or hope for any offerings to be sent in. We also have a FREE library of VIDEO and AUDIO TAPED Bible Studies that anyone may borrow AT NO COST OR OBLIGATION WHATSOEVER. Friend, millions of people today are being deceived by phoney preachers. Our existence as a church is for the purpose of warning HONEST HEARTS. We have all "come-out" of many different denominations where we were being deceived. We want so badly to help others find the wonderful depths of the scriptures that have been such a blessing to us. We are independent and therefore not bound by denominational creeds. If we find something to be solid scriptural TRUTH, we stand for it. People who regularly attend our congregation live all over the greater Dayton, Ohio area from Union to Cincinnati. There are also several families who live from 90 to 125 miles from the church-house and attend all services. There is one main reason that has brought us all together. A common love to study and "feed" on the DEEP TRUTHS in GOD'S WORD. We invite you to come and visit us anytime.