Letter to our Friends - November 19, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Central Florida.

Another full week of serving our friends and reaching the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ with the glorious good news of the soon-coming Kingdom of God!

So far our last ‘Letter to our Friends’ has reached 1.1k people with 163 engagements and 127 people either loving or liking it on Facebook! It did well in Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, South Africa. Thank you so very much!

Prophecy Is Moving Forward

As I myself had mentioned back in 2016 – if Donald Trump were to win the US presidential election (which he did), he would be “apocalyptic.” Indeed, many prophecies are being fulfilled already! There were two which began early in his presidency.

1) The Europeans had called for rising up and appear to believe that they have the obligation to lead the West (Here were some early articles concerning this: ‘An Inside Look at the EU's Raging Power Struggle’ along with ‘EU development aid to finance armies in Africa’).

2) The United States of America has had a lot of protests and civil unrest (Here were some early articles concerning this: ‘Today’s racial violence has long roots in the past’ and ‘Police Assassinations ‘An Attack on Nation,’ SBA President Says’).

And, as it was January 20th, 2017 – there is the ever-growing DEADLY nuclear deal with Iran! A true terrorist leader of the Islamic State!

Now, there are other grave matters that we have been posting about also for the past year-and-a-half as well. Properly understood BIBLICAL prophecies are coming to pass!

Though we do not wish to make certain physical aspects of this final 11:58 hour – this end-time – our primary focus. Our utmost focus is on the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God – along with indeed, God’s love, our testimony of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, the building of righteous character and seeking first and foremost the Kingdom of God!

God’s Word does teach:

“… ‘For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’”

World News Items – again checking my news teletype

In the United States of America – the nation has basically been credited for the motivation of the Gentile BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in getting together to work on their agenda to lay aside the US dollar as the world’s dominant currency. BRICS again had a meeting last week concerning this and other aspects of their ultimate plan to increase their influence (See: ‘Have the BRICS hit a wall?’).

In the Vatican City State, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (a.k.a. Pope Francis) continues to make his ecumenical and interfaith agenda changes that have been concerning to Catholics (See: ‘Theology in 'dialogue with cultures' renews humanity, Pope Francis says’). Now, Europe is rather nonreligious in many ways, yet, look for a ‘united Europe’ to begin arming herself as well as falling for a changed version of Catholicism! (See: ‘Third round of PESCO projects approved, with pause in 2020 to assess process’ as well as ‘EU unveils new cooperation projects in training, cyber operations, naval warfare’).

In the Middle East, an Islamic group has threatened to attack Jerusalem (See: ‘After Bombarding Tel Aviv, Islamic Jihad Now Threatens to Attack Jerusalem’). Friends, I noticed that when I had posted an article entitled ‘Nothing Will Be Left of Israel’: Iran Says It Now Has the Power to Wipe Israel ‘Off the Map’ on our Facebook Page there was laughter heard. The Bible indeed shows that God will soon remove His protection from the tiny nation of Israel (which is called Judah) and that the damage will be great:

“He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9) You also saw the damage to the City of David [which is Jerusalem], That it was great; …” – Isaiah 22:8-9.

This prophecy in Isaiah 22 indicates the involvement of Iran and Syria. It may also be those in Gaza, which will align themselves with them against the nation of Israel. So, is this Islamic Jihad making more than just an idle threat!? Friends, let us pray for the peace of our brethren – Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), even though true peace won’t come until the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Again speaking of Europe – military development has been in the news (See: ‘Macron marks Armistice Day in homage to dead soldiers,’ as well as ‘The End of NATO? Macron Laments ‘Brain Death’ and Pushes for a European Military’). Brexit as well as the US President Donald Trump has been credited for this (See: ‘EU army threat: New chief Von der Leyen wants bloc to ‘flex its muscles’ and ‘Von der Leyen: 'Europe must learn the language of power’).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s suggested Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is What’s It All About?
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Get Wisdom by Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/).
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, friends, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast sermons so that you won't miss our latest podcast distributed via RSS (Rich Site Summary) format!

Concluding Comments

Prophet Micah was inspired by God to write:

“Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At mornings light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They cover fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance.

Therefore, the LORD says, 'I AM planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity. In that day men will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: 'We are utterly ruined; my people's possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors’” —Micah 2:1-4; NIV.

Friends, often it looks as if Satan the devil’s liars and his workers of iniquity are ‘getting away’ with their behavior. But that will soon change. And, so will the pride of the nations. Do not believe that all will continue as it is – for God’s Word is true and sure!

As always, you can contact us at garrett158@roadrunner.com or write to the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ 2800 Aldersgate Drive Owensboro, KY 42303.

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

Leonard V. Johnson

Letter to our Friends - November 12, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Spring Hill, Florida.

For this letter, I would like to check up on the GRIEVOUS STATE OF WORLD CONDITIONS AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME – especially since in January 2018, the Doomsday Clock was adjusted to 2 minutes before midnight – meaning that the Doomsday Clock’s status TODAY is the closest it’s been since it began in 1947! So, what is prophesied in your Bible is SURE to come in the very near future. And, let us not forget the STATE OF AND DIVINE PLANS OF JESUS CHRIST AND GOD ALMIGHTY!

Friends, just where are we in the panoramic view of biblical PROPHECY? Let’s look first at what has happened in my lifetime alone – the past 10, 20, and even 30 years. Look at how freedom of speech and freedom of action has so radically changed our whole life. And, the known fact that radical Islam has been infiltrating our schools and colleges in the US for centuries!

Our new “freedoms” in speech were getting started even as far back as 1917!

As Bill Lind of Accuracy in Academia writes:

“If we look at it analytically, if we look at it historically, we quickly find out exactly what it is. Political Correctness is cultural Marxism. It is Marxism translated from economic into cultural terms. It is an effort that goes back not to the 1960s and the hippies and the peace movement, but back to World War I. …

First of all, both are totalitarian ideologies. The totalitarian nature of Political Correctness is revealed nowhere more clearly than on college campuses, … where the student or faculty member who dares to cross any of the lines set up by the gender feminist or the homosexual-rights activists, or the local black or Hispanic group, or any of the other sainted “victims” groups that PC revolves around, quickly find themselves in judicial trouble. …

Second, the cultural Marxism of Political Correctness, like economic Marxism, has a single factor explanation of history. Economic Marxism says that all of history is determined by ownership of means of production. …

For the cultural Marxist, it’s deconstruction. Deconstruction essentially takes any text, removes all meaning from it and re-inserts any meaning desired. So we find, for example, that all of Shakespeare is about the suppression of women, or the Bible is really about race and gender. All of these texts simply become grist for the mill, which proves that “all history is about which groups have power over which other groups.” So the parallels are very evident between the classical Marxism that we’re familiar with in the old Soviet Union and the cultural Marxism that we see today as Political Correctness.”

(Read More: https://www.academia.org/the-origins-of-political-correctness/).

Just today, I believe I was watching a “Marxist” YouTube channel called Grunge – in which the show blatantly changes history concerning the Missile Cuban Crisis! The host unapologetically stated:

“For decades Americans have received the Cuban Missile Crisis … as a ‘game of apocalyptic chicken’ that started when an unprovoked Soviet Union placed nuclear weapons in Cuba. … But it turns out that that entire narrative is rather misleading.”

He goes on to state – as if all that he says is factual:

“The truth is that JFK inflamed the Cold War by placing missiles in Turkey and Italy …”

After this, I turned the channel off.

Now, I’ve lived some. And, I’m closing in on five decades. I can clearly remember learning about the Cuban Missile Crisis in school and learning all about the communist tactics of the Soviet Union. I – like Minister Michael Garrett – believe that the then President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, had received some guidance from God.

The Marxists, Communists – or Socialists – whatever you wish to call this Leftist agenda is indeed trying to rewrite American history!

Walter E. Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University wrote:

“George Orwell said, “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” …

Today there are efforts to rewrite history in the U.S., albeit the punishment is not so draconian as that in the Soviet Union. …

These history rewriters have enjoyed nearly total success in getting the Confederate flag removed from state capitol grounds and other public places. …

The job of tyrants and busybodies is never done. When they accomplish one goal, they move their agenda to something else.

If we Americans give them an inch, they’ll take a yard. So I say, don’t give them an inch in the first place.

The hate-America types use every tool at their disposal to achieve their agenda of discrediting and demeaning our history.”

Read More: https://www.dailysignal.com/2017/06/14/left-trying-rewrite-american-history-must-stop/).

The Atlantic – a Left-leaning magazine (and if you’re wondering their political thought – in 2016, the editorial board endorsed a presidential candidate, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton) wrote recently:

“The Real Cuban Missile Crisis - Everything you think you know about those 13 days is wrong.

Scholars, however, have long known a very different story: since 1997, they have had access to recordings that Kennedy secretly made of meetings with his top advisers, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (the “ExComm”). Sheldon M. Stern—who was the historian at the John F. Kennedy Library for 23 years and the first scholar to evaluate the ExComm tapes— …

His new book marshals irrefutable evidence to succinctly demolish the mythic version of the crisis.

(Read More: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/01/the-real-cuban-missile-crisis/309190/).

Sadly, the Left has made it so that our history books are now being rewritten and sanitized so that people will forget what real history is. If you change your history and you do not remember it the way it was, you will be doomed to repeat it!

But what of the STATE OF THIS WORLD TODAY!?

Friends, we need to understand that biblical pre-history reveals that once a universal-ruling GOVERNMENT was placed upon this planet. There was an ‘anointed cherub which covered’ commanded by God to administer His GOVERNMENT (Isaiah 14:13) until iniquity (lawlessness) was found in him (Ezekiel 28:14-15). Then God – the very One we now know of as Jesus Christ – renewed the face of the earth (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30) and created mankind (Genesis 1:2-31).

Yet, sadly, our very first parents rejected the very GOVERNMENT OF GOD and rejected God’s Spirit (Genesis 3:6). And, GOD – the great Elohim – adopted a “hands-off” policy for six-thousand earth-years – to be followed by a one-thousand-year period (recall God’s commandment, ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy’) when the glorified returning SAVIOR will establish the GOVERNMENT OF GOD, ruling in the KINGDOM OF GOD over all nations. It will be the beginning of lasting PEACE, of HAPPINESS, and of TRUE JOY (Revelation 11:15; 20:4).

GOD has allowed mankind to rule themselves. And human leaders – from the time of Nimrod the mighty hunter (against) the LORD (Genesis 10:8-11-12) – have set up every kind of government that they have been able to devise – Communism, Confederacy, Democracy, Ecclesiastical, Theocracy, Marxism, Oligarchy, Socialism, Republic, Totalitarian, etc. None has brought true lasting peace, happiness, or joy.

And now, friends, as we are approaching the very END of this six-thousand-year age, socialism is indeed taking a foot-hold in the consciousness of our Generation Z!

So what is the STATE OF THIS WORLD today?

Well, as an example, we read in World News Daily:

November 10th, 2019: “A Chinese government publication has Jesus spouting human maxims that come straight from the playbook of the Chinese Communist Party.

Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China, reports the government's Tian Feng publication is comparing the Bible to "The Maxims of Master Zhu."

"For example, the Confucian saying, 'There is nothing more shameful than being jealous of the wealth and power of others; there is nothing lowlier than looking down on poor people' corresponds to 'He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.' (Proverbs 14:21)," the report says.”

(Read More: https://www.wnd.com/2019/11/truly-sinister-jesus-words-twisted-promote-communism/).

Indeed, Satan the devil is ramping up his hatred! Twisting our own Savior’s words for their communist agenda! Perhaps you missed this fringe headline.

As we ‘watch and pray’ – as Jesus told us to – we witness the beginning of sorrows in this end-time! Sadly, most people do not grasp HOW FAST THINGS ARE CHANGING!

But what about the world in this 11:58 Hour!?

Turkey is going to free ISIS fighters and send them to Europe – so says Erdoğan. This – alone - may trigger a seventh-resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire in the form of a UNITED STATES OF EUROPE (or a FEDERATION OF EUROPE). A new, stronger, leader of a ‘united’ Europe will indeed want a political-military UNION. The grave influx of radicalized Islamic immigrants into Europe is gravely adding to this biblical prophecy.

The religion of Islam is the dominant religion in the Maldives, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. And, India has the largest Muslim population outside any other Muslim-majority country with over 200 million people! And as we proclaim and WARN – the coming final ‘king of the South,’ the end-time federation of Islamic countries – will indeed counterattack with an estimated 200 million man army! So says, biblical prophecy (Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16).

Violence in the small nation of Israel continues – daily! Rockets from Gaza continue to rain down after Israel killed an Islamic Jihad commander. It is indeed prophesied in your Bible that Israel – the city of Jerusalem – will be viciously attacked! Possibly by a combined effort of Iran and Syria!? (cf. Isaiah 22:6-9).

Yes, in one way or another, I personally for some thirty-eight-years have been very aware of the troubled state of this world! And the state of this world is rapidly becoming more and more troubled! You will do well to notice – and heed – some of the numerous biblical prophecies which foretell this very end of the age.

When this world’s Savior walked on this earth, His disciples – soon to be apostles – asked Him privately when the end of this present age would end and what would be the true sign of His coming. And in answer, He first warned them - as well as all of us - of false gospels and false prophets, ministers, and teachers proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Christ and deceiving many. Even during the end of the first century A.D., the true Gospel Message – which is Heaven – the throne of God, the Kingdom of God – is coming to the Earth! The Kingdom of God will be established, and Jesus Christ is your Savior and is your great High Priest! was highjacked – and the world at large turned to another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:4). But, Jesus continued, ‘you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.’ But then, the final end-time begins … ‘nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.’ – a direct reference to the final holy-war between the end-time ‘king of the South’ and the ‘king of the North’ (cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16). ‘there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’ And even all this is but ‘the beginning of sorrows.’ EVEN MORE, IS TO COME!

It is at or around this time period that the end-time prophets appear on the scene. As Jesus says, ‘And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’ And they – possibly twelve end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years! Having the power from GOD to heal, to ‘shut up the atmosphere from rain, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth will all plagues as often as they desire (see: Revelation 8:7-12).

And this ‘gospel’ is the announcement of the coming Kingdom of God! The Kingdom of God is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD – of which Christ was born to be the KING (Luke 1:30-33; Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 11:15).

So in all of this, it’s a step by step progress – over here something happens, over there something happens. And as you read the Bible you sort-of get the feeling that it grows in intensity!

And, as these end-time prophets – under the direct inspiration of God’s Spirit - are proclaiming this soon-coming WORLDWIDE GOVERNMENT, ‘the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet,’ will be set up ‘standing in the holy place’ – talking about the temple – Jerusalem. And this will come about when European forces invade the Middle East to put down Islamic resistance – to crush it militarily.

’For then …’ – when you see this great military force enter Jerusalem from the North – Europe – and take over the temple, and a great holy man claims that he is now God – and that is the ‘abomination that makes desolate’ – Jesus says, ’there will be great tribulation, …’ – many, many horrible globe-girdling problems! …’ such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’

’And unless those days were shortened, …’ – except this end-time trauma be shortened, …‘no flesh would be saved; …’ – and as some translations say, ‘saved alive; but for the elect’s sake …’ – a certain group of people who are very near and dear the hearts of God the Father and Jesus Christ – referring to the physical people of the House of Israel. Once named Jacob.

The Book of Daniel talks about the “king of the North,” being EUROPE, and the “king of the South,” the Islamic Middle East, including North Africa. And there will be a World War III – and it will plunge the world into a day that the Bible calls ‘great tribulation.’ GREAT TROUBLES! The worst period of time in the history of mankind!

We are rapidly heading into this time of ‘great tribulation’!

The prophet Jeremiah also foretold of this coming great trouble (Jeremiah 30). The apostle John foretold it coming as the ‘sixth angel sounded’ his trumpet – cf. Revelation 9:13-16. The prophet Daniel foretold this grave time happening BEFORE the SEVENTH TRUMP OF GOD – “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people [the spiritual saints of God] shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the Book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some [those who have committed the ‘unpardonable sin’] to shame and everlasting contempt” – Daniel 12:1-2.

Friends, GOD WARNED – that if the nations of Israel obeyed not His commandments and breaks His covenant, He would ‘appoint terror’ over the nations! And TERROR WE DO HAVE! Speaking of our people, the Eternal living God says:

“’ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: ‘I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; 3) The ox knows its owner And the [ass] it's master’s crib; But ISRAEL [the House of Israel] does not know, My people do not consider.’

4) Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward.” – Isaiah 1:2-4.

“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” – Ezekiel 33:11.

There is an old adage, first accredited to Thomas Fuller, “It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn.”

And, in many parts of this world, it is very DARK.

Let us dear friends pray for our brothers and sisters WORLDWIDE – with whatever end-time mission they are doing to help fulfill God’s will – and to PRAY earnestly that Jesus Christ and God Almighty will continue to bless the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ with increased membership and income for His Work!

To give what I have written here a much wider circulation, I will be boosting this letter with Facebook for seven days to the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ Let us also pray that it reaches as many people as possible!

World News Items

The Europeans, as well as some in Asia, are displeased with aspects of the US trade policy and are hoping to work with China to essentially bypass the United States (See: ‘US, China spar at Southeast Asian regional summit’). There is coming a time, very soon, when the world at large will look towards Europe as the dominator in world trade instead of the US (cf. Revelation 17-18).

On the 1st of November, the Vatican announced yet another of their holidays – or rather ‘holy-days’ – for its version of Mary - the mother of our Savior (See: ‘Pope Francis Adds New Marian Feast to Roman Calendar’). Will it be that some of the ‘signs and lying wonders’ prophesied by the Apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) will be associated with their version of Mary!?

In India’s air pollution crisis, a million gas masks were given out (See: ‘Millions of masks distributed to students in 'gas chamber' Delhi’). On the 4th, the United States officially informed the United Nations that she is pulling out of the climate accords agreed to in Paris by then US President Barack Hussein Obama II. The Europeans are not pleased – to say the least (See: ‘US Notifies UN It Will Withdraw From Paris Climate Deal’).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s suggested Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is Salvation OFFERED To All.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Fake Food vs. Real Food by Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/).
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, friends, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast sermons so that you won't miss our latest podcast distributed via RSS (Rich Site Summary) format!

Concluding Comments

Prophet Micah was inspired to record the following:

In the last days the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.

Many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob. He will teach us His Ways, so that we may walk in His paths.'

The Law will go out from Zion, the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore"—Micah 4:1-3.

O' praise the great and merciful GOD, the GOD of gods—physical people are going to flow into His AWESOME Kingdom! You see, all this terrible bad news will lead right into THIS! "In the last days." See!? "In that day," "In those days," all of this terrible disgusting vile—like Kayla Mueller defending her faith and testimony of our living Christ! —and being MURDERED for it!—all of this vile is going to lead right into this-most inspiring Good News you could ever hear! PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!

Now... that's what it's all about!

And who will these physical nations learn from?

GOD Himself! He will decide for strong nations, "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." So, this is a symbol of peace. A time of peace and plenty.

Now... remember... these are physical nations. Verse 4: "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree: and none shall make them afraid:" nobody is going to make anyone afraid anymore. "for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it." GOD cannot lie. It HAS to come to pass! It MUST happen! It MUST happen! There's no other way that things can develop and conclude. There's no other way.

Friends, I went to Father God and Jesus Christ in prayer and spent much time in a study over this following Scripture. And in prayer, Their Spirit reminded me of what our living Christ had said to the Jews in John 10:29-36! Micah 4:5: "For all other nations shall walk every one in his own way, but we will walk in the Name of the Lord our GOD forever and ever"—Greek Septuagint.

Let's continue growing in the grace and knowledge of our GOD (2 Peter 3:18), and overcoming, so we can have the right to sit with our King of kings and Lord of lords on His throne (Revelation 3:21).

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

Leonard V. Johnson

Letter to our Friends - November 5, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings again from Owensboro, Kentucky.

Might I suggest you read this week - along with watching the suggested sermon - Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma, which teaches on the white horse and its rider of Revelation 6. While many – especially those of the tradition of the Worldwide Church of God – may disagree, we strive to teach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God which only comes from the Bible (cf. Romans 12:6), and understand that even the prophet Jeremiah was hesitant to believe straightway something he felt God may have told him until a later time (Jeremiah 32:6-8).

And indeed, you could possibly say that this white horse and its rider is a mighty false religion in the guise of the “Mother Church of Europe” plunging this world into all-out chaos and world war! But, could it not possibly be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ beginning – in this end-time – setting forth events preparing for His return as a Conquering Warrior!?

YouTube

We thank you immensely for your continued support and subscription to our YouTube channel! We currently have 1,342 views since July 16th, 2018!

Even though YouTube has changed their algorithms – which are not in our favor – we have continued to have success on YouTube, despite what appears to be biased against those who hold to biblically-approved positions. And, this seems mainly to have affected those who might be searching to find our Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ YouTube channel, though it affects our other two channel’s as well.

Now, we originally chose YouTube ‘television’ because it was convenient and basically free. It also has a wide viewership all over the world. As of this morning, we have 11 subscribers to the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ channel. Our other two channels are:

The Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwFd99BM0EXyAdM7MWtKcjw.

Trevor Koonce - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtjCCj7CArb_-6i09tV2Ng.

YouTube says that “Subscribers watch more,” meaning that they typically watch even more of what is on the channels of which they have subscribed to than non-subscribers. So, if you haven’t subscribed be sure to subscribe to one of our channels and ring the bell to get notified of our latest sermons. You have the option to be notified of occasional sermons or all of them. And, if you’re on your cell phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notification. We have never promoted getting ‘subscribers’ to our YouTube channels.

And, as far as our blog site – Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ – we have reached over 50 countries and territories since July 16th, 2018 – with a current daily average view of 10, with over 80 return viewers!

Facebook Commentary on “Conversion” – Minister Guy C. LaMar

Recently - a debate came up at church where the host minister and I had a moment of disagreement.

I am no stranger to debates.

I’ll never debate anything unless I’m totally assured of myself over the subject. There are opinions and then there are facts. When I see the facts being right before me without any room for doubt then for me it becomes a matter to share with the proper individuals.

This debate we had in church was over the meaning and word “convert” or “conversion”. Certainly, the subject must look at the context of the situation also.

I’d stated that the first possible conversion that Jesus made was to the woman at the well. Because she went into the town to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah showing that she believed. Who’s to say the woman didn’t repent once she saw her life’s errors through living contrary to God’s ways?

The host preacher at the church said that conversion happened at Pentecost with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. He said they had to repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit in order for conversion.

Was Samson baptized? Yet, he had God’s Spirit. Was the man on the cross next to Jesus baptized? Yet he was promised by Jesus to be in ‘Paradise’ with Him that very day.

Did the host minister at church study properly point out what ‘conversion’ means? I do not believe that he did.

The word “Worship” in the Greek Is .... proskynéō. Meaning: “Giving a token of reverence.”

The word “Convert” in the Greek is ... epistréphō. And just some of its meanings are: “To turn back. To turn to the worship of the true God - to the love and obedience of God. Turn to His love wisdom and righteousness. Turn and believe in God. To proclaim the true God. To obey the true God.”

The point is: To be converted is to believe! To turn back to the faith once delivered from the start given by God to all called to the understanding of it.

The woman at the well was obviously called to understand due to her proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.

Conversion is a process and the starting point is to believe.

The lady at the well started her process of belief by proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah after communication with Him at the well. She was converted!

It’s as simple as it gets.

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church on the Day of Pentecost it was by where the order of the salvation process, by way of dedication, was formed. You gotta start by believing. Which is converting - turning away from a former way of thinking to this new way of thinking.

Although I greatly respect the host minister at the church I attended, I do NOT see eye to eye with him on this topic of conversion.

To convert is to fix something by change and in this context, it means to believe and to hold on to that belief.

The lady at the well proved she was a changed person because she believed, or was converted, by Jesus so much that she went to proclaim Him to be the Messiah.

World News Items – I checked my teletype machine

In the US – the media is focused on chasing the holy grail of impeachment for US President Donald Trump – while Russia, China, and India just made a deal to bypass more use of the US-dominated international financial system (See: ‘Russia, China & India to set up alternative to SWIFT payment system to connect 3 billion people’). Friends, others are also taking steps to bypass the US dollar and US-dominated financial system – like the Europeans. As Minister Michael C. Garrett has been WARNING through the living Word of Jesus Christ: “I know there are people out there – church groups – that in the past would talk about forces from Europe coming across the Atlantic and drive their mechanized vehicles up onto the shores of America and would overtake America. Well folks, I always thought that was a foolish idea. I didn’t know just exactly why it just didn’t … it just never rang true to me. Just something flawed in that reasoning. But, hey, why do you need a bunch of militant Europeans when you flood our country with maybe a hundred million strangers – a hundred and fifty million illegal strangers!? Two hundred million strangers!? And we cease to be the nation that God Almighty intended us to be.” The US dollar is quickly losing its status as the world’s primary reserve currency which will result in severe economic problems for the United States of America, as well as other nations of the House of Israel. Many nations are working hard to topple the great United States – without firing a single military weapon.

Also in the US – President Trump has stated that the so-called leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed (See: ‘IS Leader Dead, Trump Announces’). No worries, another will take his place - if he is dead. And, according to biblical prophecy, such a leader shall rise (Daniel 11:40-43) known as the final ‘king of the South’ – a leader of an end-time Islamic confederation. As Minister Michael C. Garrett has stated: “Well, I’m gonna offer today an idea maybe you’ve never thought of. And this is just a thought – just a possibility. And with time, we’ll know. But I’m asking you to sort-of consider the possibility. What if this ‘pushing’ of this Islamic confederation at the king of the North – what if it were indeed attacked by Islamic terrorists upon Israel and Britain, and the United States!? You know we really don’t appreciate the fact that Europe really is our ally! And we have close ties with them! And I know in the old days, there was always this idea that Europe and the United States would come to hate each other! But I don’t know that that is necessarily true. I’m just offering this as an idea – what if this ‘pushing’ were a series of Islamic terrorist nuclear explosions, electromagnetic pulse weapons, explosions which would wipe out our infrastructure!? And what if then, the Islamists said, “Europe, now we’re coming after you!” Maybe that is the pushing, maybe that is the threat!? But we do know for sure – it says the king of the North will come at him (the ‘king of the South’) with powerful military forces!”

Turkey’s Erdoğan has upset a great many in Europe, along with US relations, with its incursions into Northern Syria. A new poll now shows that the majority of Germans want Turkey out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (See: ‘Turkey's Syria Operation Sees Crackdown on Kurdish Party’ along with ‘Majority of Germans want Turkey kicked out of NATO: survey’). The US administration imposed sanctions against Turkey for this, as well as condemning what the Turks atrociously did to the Armenians over a century ago (See: ‘US House Lawmakers Rebuke Turkey for Syria Invasion’ as well as ‘US lawmakers recognize killing of Armenians as genocide’). Bible prophecy shows us that Turkey will soon turn against the US as well as Israel, and align with a resurrected United States of Europe (cf. Psalm 83:4-8) despite what the polls might say. Be sure to read our online booklet Turkey is going to Betray His Brothers!

Another delay for the Brexit. The European Union has agreed to a delay to the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU (See: ‘EU Grants New Brexit Delay to Jan. 31’). Be sure to read our online article’s – God’s Promises To Abraham – a seven-part series. The United Kingdom will exit the EU – this will have great economic ramifications that will not turn out favorable for the UK (cf. Daniel 8:24-25).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s suggested Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is The Last Crusade.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is The Rest of the Dead by Michael C. Garrett. An accompanying online booklet – The Confusion About Death! (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/).
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, friends, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast sermons so that you won't miss our latest podcast distributed via RSS (Rich Site Summary) format!

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness” – Titus 1:1.

That means people who have GOD’S Spirit and whose names are written in the Book of Life. It’s not determined by where your rear-end sits in a church service. “Well, I belong to this church, or I belong to that church. My rear-end sits in this church on the weekend.” Whatever it is, that’s not what’s IMPORTANT. It’s how GOD views you, it’s whether or not you truly have GOD’S Spirit and it’s whether or not your name is or is not written in the Book of Life.

He also wrote, under the inspiration of God’s Spirit:

“not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth” – Titus 1:14.

‘Not giving heed to Jewish fables’ – because indeed, there are church groups which are deep into this – somehow trying to merge Christianity with Judaism. Some calling themselves Messianic Jews! I just say, ‘They’re messed up!” Theologically speaking. Because they don’t know what they’re talking about. You CAN’T merge the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. IF you live under the guise of the Old Covenant, you are destined to die. There are people, in churches, of which I am familiar, who keep the Old Covenant, who keep the Day of Atonement as an Old Covenant celebration. They miss the mark. The true meaning, two significant meanings:

1.  Humble yourself before God Almighty and Jesus Christ.
2.  Has a powerful significance in prophecy.

Friends and fellow brethren – Messianic Judaism rejects Jesus Christ as the Messiah – the Christos. Messianic Judaism also rejects the God-given truth that a begotten child of God can become a God – of which this glorious revealed truth can be found in the Bible – the ultimate Plan of God!

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

                                                               24:34

Why do you keep the feasts of the LORD!? And, if you don't keep them - why!?

God says, 'these are My feasts,' and they are to be kept throughout the generations of the children (or rather the nations of Israel, as well as the Gentile nations) forever.

Here, Minister Leonard V. Johnson - in Owensboro, Kentucky - covers some of the basics (the FOUNDATION) of the feasts of the LORD, and asks - Why do you keep the Feast of Tabernacles!?

Is God a TRINITY? (Booklet)

You can now listen to this booklet. Just click on the play button below.

COJCOM · Is God a TRINITY? - Audio Booklet

Greetings dear Brethren and Friends - Hello. The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are pleased to present our latest free online PDF booklet "Is God a TRINITY?"

Is God a Trinity of a family? Is the Holy Spirit a being or the creative power of the Godhead? These questions about the very nature of God are answered in this booklet.

Here is a direct LINK to this amazing booklet - "Is God a TRINITY?"

Additional Items of Interest

Should Christians Celebrate St. Patrick's Day? - Does it make any difference if true Christians observe St. Patrick's Day? Does God's living word - the Holy Bible - establish whether we, as Christians, are to keep certain God-ordained holy days? Were these holy days ONLY given to the Jews!? Does Leviticus 23:1 say, "'The feasts of the children of Israel'"!? Hence, the feasts of the Jews!? Are these God-ordained holy days binding TODAY on true Christians? WHICH DAYS SHOULD TRUE CHRISTIANS KEEP!?

God's Children Are Of The Light! - Well it’s good to be with all of you again … everything which we are doing, everything which we are producing, is based upon the concept that it will follow the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God. 

Are We To Listen To Others? Sermon - Is it wrong to listen to others that diss or disagree with one of God's ministers!? Is it wrong to attend other churches!? Or, to listen to the many religious broadcasts on radio and television!? Or, inviting one into your home to discuss religion or Scripture with a different gospel or doctrine!?

Is God a Trinity?

Is God a Trinity or a family? Is the Holy Spirit a being or the creative power of the Godhead?

If you would turn to 2nd Corinthians 3. This is a powerful statement, and the churches and the religious peoples of this world seemingly don’t know it! It’s right there in their Bible! And I dare say – many people from the tradition of the Worldwide Church of God don’t know it either. Yet, it’s right out there for you!

2nd Corinthians 3:17 – it says in black & white, underlined and highlighted in yellow so that I don’t miss it – “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” The Lord is the Spirit.

So, how many times have you gone to your neighborhood church, or turned on your television to watch some Sunday morning comedy hour, and they go on and on about the word the trinity? And the churches of the world teach “the trinity.” There’s even a so-called Christian television broadcasting company Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). And there are people who believe that if you do not believe in the trinity you are not of God! And, the churches of the world teach the trinity as being the absolute truth of God.

Let’s go to 1st John. A “proof” text that poorly educated religious people use is in 1st John 5. Notice verse 6 – “This is He who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ; …” Alright, the water meaning what? He was baptized by John the Baptist, and He was murdered – He was tortured to death where He bled profusely. “ … not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

The Origin of 1st John 5:7-8

                                                                                                                                                                 Photo from Wikipedia

The above drawing is used by some Trinitarians to explain the trinity, even though it clearly violates laws of logic. It was basically developed because although most who profess Christ claim to believe in the Greco-Roman trinity, it is a concept that is contradictory, so trying to show it in a drawing supposedly makes the illogical easier to understand.

Now again, what did we just read in 2nd Corinthians 3:17? “The Lord [Jesus Christ] is the Spirit.” That’s why Jesus Christ can live in us – because a part of His mind is with us. Even though He is presently located in the third heaven next to the throne of God the Father. He can share His mind with us and therefore we have the mind of Jesus Christ within us – we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ within us. We have Christ in us.

Now the next verse. Any reputable Bible or Bible help will plainly tell you that verse 7 does not appear in the original Greek manuscripts.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one” - 1 John 5:7; King James English.  

Verse 7 was added by the people who had been assigned the job of translating it, who were Catholic priests and dignitaries. The trinity was formally adopted at the Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381 – though many in the Roman and Orthodox churches believed in different versions of it prior to this – even in 381 it was not exactly the same trinity doctrine as now understood by the vast majority of this world’s churches.

But, when did this added statement get added to the Bible? Well, notice the most accepted view:

“ … the earliest manuscript, codex 221 (10th century), includes the reading in a marginal note which was added sometime after the original composition. Thus, there is no sure evidence of this reading in any Greek manuscript until the 1500s; each such reading was apparently composed after Erasmus’ Greek NT was published in 1516. Indeed, the reading appears in no Greek witness of any kind (either manuscript, patristic, or Greek translation of some other version) until AD 1215 (in a Greek translation of the Acts of the Lateran Council, a work originally written in Latin). …

The Trinitarian formula (known as the Comma Johanneum) made its way into the third edition of Erasmus’ Greek NT (1522) because of pressure from the Catholic Church. After his first edition appeared (1516), there arose such a furor over the absence of the Comma that Erasmus needed to defend himself. He argued that he did not put in the Comma because he found no Greek manuscripts that included it. …

In reality, the issue is history, not heresy: How can one argue that the Comma Johanneum must go back to the original text when it did not appear until the 16th century in any Greek manuscripts?”

(Wallace, Daniel, B., professor of New Testament Studies. The Textual Problem in 1 John 5:7-8).

 The trinity is considered so important that The Catholic Encyclopedia states:

“The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion.”

(The Blessed Trinity, 1912).

And so, for over sixteen centuries people have used verse 7 – and yet, any authority on the Bible and many translations will plainly tell you verse 7 was not, should not, be a part of the Bible! In most modern translations of the Bible verse 7 isn’t there.

Let us notice what Jesus Christ Himself taught:

“’ All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.’” – Matthew 11:27.

So, only the Father and Son know each other. He does not mention the Holy Spirit. According to Jesus’ own words, it is obvious that the Holy Spirit is NOT an equal member of “the trinity.”

The very terms trinity, or threeness, or trinitarian are not in the Bible.

On page 1509, the Jamieson Fausett and Brown Commentary of the Whole Bible remind everyone, while referring to the KJV:

“The only Greek MSS. In any form which support the words, ‘in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one; and there are three that bear witness in earth,’ are the Montfortianus of Dublin, copied evidently from the modern Latin Vulgate; the Ravianus, copied from the Complutensian Polyglot; a MS. At Naples, with the words added in the margin by a recent hand; Ottobonianus, 298, of the fifteenth century, the Greek of which is a mere translation of the accompanying Latin. All the old versions omit the words.”

In other words, ‘For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth’ is not inspired by God and not supposed to be in the Bible.

The New International Version (NIV) translates 1st John 5:7-8 right:

“For there are three that testify: 8) the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”

There are other translations that do as well.

The Codex Sinaiticus, or the “Sinai Bible” is one of the four great uncial codices, ancient, handwritten copies of the Greek Bible correctly translated 1st John 5:6-8 - δι' ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος καὶ πνεύματος (through water and blood and spirit).

American New Testament scholar, Bart D. Ehrman, states:

“As a striking example … (1 John 5:7-8) … represents the most obvious instance of a theologically motivated corruption in the entire manuscript tradition of the New Testament.”

(The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament, Ehrman, B.D., Oxford University Press, 1993, pg. 60).

Now, the second passage often “proved” by Trinitarians is Matthew 28:19:

“’ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’” - Matthew 28:19; King James English.

But, it does not teach the trinity.

Jesus taught that ‘baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ is because being begotten by the Holy Spirit through baptism (Luke 3:16), we will ultimately be born into the family of God – and this is a part of the relationship between us, His Spirit, the Son, and the Father.

The Godhead as taught by 2 Clement

The oldest known complete Christian sermon which has survived is erroneously called The Letter of 2 Clement. It was given perhaps a year or so of the Apostle John’s death, and begins with:

“Brothers, we must think about Jesus Christ as we think about God, as about the Judge of the living and the dead … So my brothers, let us do the will of the Father who called us, that we may live; …” – 2 Clement 1:1; 10:1.

(Lost Scriptures Books That Did Not Make It Into the New Testament, Ehrman, B.D., Oxford University Press, 2003, pg. 186, 189).

So, the oldest surviving sermon outside of the Bible says to think of Jesus Christ as God and that the Father is God – but never indicates nor mentions the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul Did Not Recognize Nor Teach the Trinity

The Apostle Paul is probably considered a blasphemer by many Trinitarians today, because with all of his greetings to the churches of God he does not mention the Holy Spirit. In his introduction to the church in Corinth, he begins:

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, … Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Corinthians 1:1, 3.

The same greeting is repeated in his second letter to the Corinthians as well as Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1st Thessalonians 1:1, 2nd Thessalonians 1:2, 1st Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, and Philemon 1:3.

And, all of these greetings are the same – the Holy Spirit is not mentioned.

Only in 2nd Corinthians 13:14 is the Holy Spirit mentioned with God the Father and Jesus Christ – and only in connection with communion and fellowship.

Just What is the Holy Spirit?

Is the Holy Spirit a being, just like God the Father and Jesus Christ – as the doctrine of the trinity teaches? Let’s examine some plain, clear testimony to see just WHAT God’s Holy Spirit is.

1. It is the power of God. “ … ‘Not by might nor by power [of any human], but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts” – Zechariah 3:6. “But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, And of justice and might, …” – Micah 3:8.

2. It is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear (reverent fear) of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).

3. It is a gift. After baptism, you are to receive ‘the gift of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2:38). And, it is poured out – “’ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; …” – Acts 2:17. “ … the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also” – Acts 10:45.

4. The Holy Spirit must be stirred up to be effective. “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you,” Paul reminds Timothy (1 Timothy 1:6).

5. The Spirit of God can be quenched. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4:30. “Do not quench the Spirit” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

6. It is the begetting power of God (Matthew 1:18; Romans 8:9).

7. It is God’s guarantee to us that He will fulfill His promise to us. “[Which] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, …” – Ephesians 1:14.

8. It sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. “… the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit …” – Romans 5:5.

9. It must be renewed. “ … and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” – Titus 3:5-6.

Notice that in all of these Scriptures there is not one characteristic which implies a ‘being.’ Does a being do any of these things? Is a being ‘poured out,’ ‘quenched,’ ‘renewed’!?

Conclusion

So, what are we to think about all of this? The trinity is a lie. It is a lie put forth by Satan and sucked up – as it were – by the religions of the world to the point where some people will want to fight you if you were to say, ‘the trinity is not a Biblical doctrine.’ The Lord is the Spirit.

So, what is to be said of the nature of God? God, or Elohim. Recall back in the Book of Genesis – “’ Let Us [a plural word] make man in Our [a plural word] image.” The family of God – right now – is composed of two beings or two personalities. We now call the One – God the Father, and we now call the other One – Jesus Christ. Sometimes He is referred to as the Logos or the Word. Those are the only two members of the family of God – right now.

The doctrine of the trinity says – that the Godhead they say, ‘is God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.’ However, they also go on to teach that there never will be another being that becomes a part of this Godhead.

Now, if that is true, you would be denied the many benefits of being an eternal resurrected being. Because you truly wouldn’t be a son or a daughter, a member of the family. You would just sort of be an outcast of the family of God, but I guess you have eternal life.

Well, here’s the truth. What God is offering to us is full membership in the family of God.

We in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – but as the Bible teaches, not any human council or human tradition. There simply is no verse in the Bible that supports the false doctrine of the trinity.

There are verses in the Bible which teach that the Father is God (cf. John 4:23-24; 6:27), and that the Word (Jesus Christ) is God (cf. John 1:1-3), and that the Holy Spirit is the power by those in the Godhead (cf. 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 139:7; Jeremiah 23:24; Acts 2:38-39; also John 15:16 (God’s Word Translation).

We in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ do indeed believe in the Father (who is God), the Son (who is God), and the Holy Spirit (which is the power, the mind, emanating from the Father and the Son), we do not accept the trinitarian definition of the Godhead – as it is not biblical. ■