| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Dwight Mckinney" |
| Date: |
22 Nov 2003 10:58:27 AM |
| Object: |
DENYING JESUS |
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"Distributing the Good Gospel Materials of the Pioneer Tract Society"
=20
PO Box 2392 Daly City, CA 94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 =
Fax: 1-650-757-5750
Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com E-Mail:
=20
Denying Jesus
"Now Peter sat outside, in the palace; and a damsel came unto him, =
saying, `Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied before =
them all, saying, `I know not what thou sayest.' And when he was gone =
out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were =
there, `This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.' And again he =
denied with an oath, `I do not know the man.' And after a while came =
unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, `Surely thou also art =
one of them, for thy speech betrayeth thee.' Then began he to curse and =
to swear, saying, `I know not the man.' And immediately the ***** crew. =
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, `Before the =
***** crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.' And he went out, and wept =
bitterly." - Mt.26:69-75
In the pre-dawn chill, impetuous Peter warmed himself by the fire =
in the courtyard of the high priest's palace and vehemently denied =
knowing the Lord. Doubtless he made himself believe that doing so was =
his only escape. It will not stretch the imagination too far to suppose =
that in his dark hour of reasoning he was thinking, "If I am killed or =
thrown into prison, how can I help the Master?" He could even have been =
planning to rescue Jesus by organizing his friends. Whatever his =
thoughts were, they seemed logical to him; that is, until the ***** =
crowed and "the Lord turned and looked at Peter." It was then that Peter =
for the first time saw himself as he really was: a poor, wilted, =
backslidden apostle.
Earlier that evening Peter, in the high optimism of faith, =
declared to Jesus, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny =
thee." Now, a few hours later, we find this same apostle to be of =
another persuasion, his faith gone, and he in the bondage of fear. It =
was when he began to chart his own course that he began to doubt and to =
become fearful of his enemies. The conclusion of a dying faith is fear. =
The heart that trusts in God has a shield through which neither fear nor =
doubt may pass.
As a fisherman, Peter had many times matched his courage against =
the winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee. He did not run from danger so =
long as he was familiar with the dangers which confronted him. How =
boldly he drew his sword to defend Jesus when the soldiers and servants =
of the high priest came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemene! But =
the little maids in the palace confronted Peter with another type of =
warfare - the uncertainties of a trial before the council and the =
bitter, merciless questions of the elders. How was he to fight these =
experienced rulers? How foolish they would make him appear before all =
the people! He would have died for his Master in a physical contest, but =
in a battle of spirits he fled before the probing questions of little =
girls. Peter was neither the first or the last to fail this test.
The only hope for Peter was that he had not lost faith in the =
forgiving love of his Master. What a change awaited this faint-hearted =
disciple! In only a few weeks, he possessed the spiritual strength to =
stand in Jerusalem and proclaim the gospel to the same angry mob that =
now was having his Lord sent to the cruel cross of Calvary. When the =
time came, thank God, he wasn't afraid. There is no room for anxiety in =
the heart which is filled with God's Spirit. Where there is faith, there =
cannot be fear. Peter's fear and unbelief had so dominated him that he =
disobeyed openly, and God had to refuse his service. Then Peter proved =
his sinful condition by denying the Lord outright. But, as we have =
stated, a few weeks later Peter was a completely different man.
On Pentecost morning, Peter was transformed by the grace of God =
which is greater than all sin, and he fearlessly proclaimed, "Let all =
the house of Israel assuredly know that God hath made that same Jesus =
both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). This apostle need weep no tears of =
remorse for his actions now. He could face danger and death joyously, =
for his works and words were in accord with Him who had restored to him =
the joy of his salvation.
Yes, men saw a new Simon Peter that day, no longer behind "locked =
doors for fear of the Jews", but boldly standing in the temple =
courtyard, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Twice he was brought =
before the council and warned to stop preaching. His boldness astonished =
the leaders of Israel, for even to them as they sat in their judgment =
seats he preached Christ as man's only hope of salvation (Acts 4:5-12). =
Neither prison nor the lash could stop this reclaimed apostle. Once, =
after being beaten, he departed from the council rejoicing that he was =
worthy to suffer shame for the sake of Jesus (Acts 5:40-41).
"In Works They Deny Him"
Thousands are today denying their acquaintance with this same Lord =
that Peter once denied. Their denial may not be as obvious as Peter's =
was, perhaps, for he denied our Lord in both works and words. But notice =
that the works came first. On the night of Jesus's betrayal and arrest, =
Peter attacked the high priest's servant with a sword. This was not the =
behavior of a faithful follower of the meek Son of God. Later that same =
night, Peter's verbal denial of Jesus was no greater a denial of the =
Lord than was his attack on those who arrested Jesus; it was merely =
another way of denying him.
It would be difficult to find anyone who has been forgiven of sin =
by Christ who has backslidden so far as to verbally deny him; at the =
same time, there are many who deny Jesus by the way they try to do him =
service, just as Peter denied him by taking up the sword in the garden. =
Paul speaks of such brothers by saying, "They profess that they know =
God, but in works they deny him" (Tit.1:16). May God give us grace to =
see that if we fail to obey His Word, we are already denying Him in =
works, our continued lip-service notwithstanding. "Faith without works," =
wrote James, "is dead" (Jas.2:17). Worship without obedience is nothing =
more than flattery.
Yes, indeed, my reader, we can by our works deny the Lord we claim =
to serve and be just as far from God's approval as Peter ever was. For =
instance, Paul declared, "But if any provide not for his own, and =
especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is =
worse than an infidel" (1Tim.5:8).
As we view this generation of pleasure-loving believers we are =
made to recall Paul's description of them: "Having a form of godliness, =
but denying the power thereof." He further warns us, "From such turn =
away" (2Tim.3:5). Peter, in describing this same class of unholy =
believers says, "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" =
(2Pet.2:1). Jude comments on this same group by telling us, "For there =
are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to =
this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into =
lasciviousness [lustfulness], and denying the only Lord God, and our =
Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you =
once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved [rescued] the people out =
of the Land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not" (Jude =
4,5). Please note that none of these verses refer to believers who =
verbally deny Jesus; on the contrary, they claimed to speak for him. =
Nevertheless, their denial of the Lord was real.
Reader, are you among the multitude of those who worship the Lord, =
but deny Jesus by your works? Having found many such worshippers among =
His Old Testament people, the Lord lamented, "This people draweth nigh =
unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips, but their =
heart is far from Me", adding the dreadful statement, "In vain do they =
worship Me" (Mt.15:8-9). Jesus was referring to more than a verbal =
denial when he said, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I =
also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Mt.10:33). This warning =
was repeated by Paul in his second letter to Timothy, when he wrote, "If =
we deny him, he will also deny us" (2:12).
Do you have the witness of the holy Ghost that your life is free =
from sin? Or does your life proclaim, "I know him not"? Are you =
uncertain - this very moment - that your heart is free from evil? If you =
are not sure, it is time for you to realize that as long as you remain =
in this condition you are denying the Son of God openly.
When all sin is confessed, and all doubt is removed from our =
lives, when we submit to the divine will instead of following our own, =
when the love of God rules our hearts, and when we wholly submit to the =
Word of Truth, then - and not before - we do no longer deny the Lord, =
the one who bought us with his own blood. The true followers of Jesus =
Christ are distinguished not merely by their speaking well of Jesus, but =
also by their submission to his will. For this reason Jesus said, "By =
their fruits [works] ye shall know them."
Questions? Log onto the Internet, Click Here,
and you can E-mail them to: GSAVELLI@aol.com=20
=20
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<CENTER><FONT face=3Darial size=3D3><B>"Distributing the Good Gospel =
Materials of=20
the Pioneer Tract Society"</B></FONT></CENTER>
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<CENTER><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D1>PO Box 2392 Daly =
City, CA=20
94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 Fax:=20
1-650-757-5750<BR>Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com =
=20
E-Mail: </CENTER></FONT>
<P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D600 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><IMG height=3D241 hspace=3D10=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
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OF HEADER *************** --><A name=3Dtop></A><FONT=20
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<CENTER><FONT color=3Dpurple>
<H1>Denying Jesus</CENTER></H1></FONT>
<P><B><I>"Now Peter sat outside, in the palace; and a damsel came =
unto=20
him, saying, `Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied =
before=20
them all, saying, `I know not what thou sayest.' And when he was =
gone out=20
into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were =
there,=20
`This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.' And again he denied =
with an=20
oath, `I do not know the man.' And after a while came unto him =
they that=20
stood by, and said to Peter, `Surely thou also art one of them, =
for thy=20
speech betrayeth thee.' Then began he to curse and to swear, =
saying, `I=20
know not the man.' And immediately the ***** crew. And Peter =
remembered the=20
word of Jesus, which said unto him, `Before the ***** crow, thou =
shalt deny=20
me thrice.' And he went out, and wept bitterly." - =
Mt.26:69-75</B></I>
<P>In the pre-dawn chill, impetuous Peter warmed himself by the =
fire in=20
the courtyard of the high priest's palace and vehemently denied =
knowing=20
the Lord. Doubtless he made himself believe that doing so was his =
only=20
escape. It will not stretch the imagination too far to suppose =
that in his=20
dark hour of reasoning he was thinking, "If I am killed or thrown =
into=20
prison, how can I help the Master?" He could even have been =
planning to=20
rescue Jesus by organizing his friends. Whatever his thoughts =
were, they=20
seemed logical to him; that is, until the ***** crowed and "the =
Lord turned=20
and looked at Peter." It was then that Peter for the first time =
saw=20
himself as he really was: a poor, wilted, backslidden apostle.
<P>Earlier that evening Peter, in the high optimism of faith, =
declared to=20
Jesus, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." =
Now, a=20
few hours later, we find this same apostle to be of another =
persuasion,=20
his faith gone, and he in the bondage of fear. It was when he =
began to=20
chart his own course that he began to doubt and to become fearful =
of his=20
enemies. The conclusion of a dying faith is fear. The heart that =
trusts in=20
God has a shield through which neither fear nor doubt may pass.
<P>As a fisherman, Peter had many times matched his courage =
against the=20
winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee. He did not run from danger =
so long=20
as he was familiar with the dangers which confronted him. How =
boldly he=20
drew his sword to defend Jesus when the soldiers and servants of =
the high=20
priest came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemene! But the =
little=20
maids in the palace confronted Peter with another type of warfare =
- the=20
uncertainties of a trial before the council and the bitter, =
merciless=20
questions of the elders. How was he to fight these experienced =
rulers? How=20
foolish they would make him appear before all the people! He would =
have=20
died for his Master in a physical contest, but in a battle of =
spirits he=20
fled before the probing questions of little girls. Peter was =
neither the=20
first or the last to fail this test.
<P>The only hope for Peter was that he had not lost faith in the =
forgiving=20
love of his Master. What a change awaited this faint-hearted =
disciple! In=20
only a few weeks, he possessed the spiritual strength to stand in=20
Jerusalem and proclaim the gospel to the same angry mob that now =
was=20
having his Lord sent to the cruel cross of Calvary. When the time =
came,=20
thank God, he wasn't afraid. There is no room for anxiety in the =
heart=20
which is filled with God's Spirit. Where there is faith, there =
cannot be=20
fear. Peter's fear and unbelief had so dominated him that he =
disobeyed=20
openly, and God had to refuse his service. Then Peter proved his =
sinful=20
condition by denying the Lord outright. But, as we have stated, a =
few=20
weeks later Peter was a completely different man.
<P>On Pentecost morning, Peter was transformed by the grace of God =
which=20
is greater than all sin, and he fearlessly proclaimed, <B><I>"Let =
all the=20
house of Israel assuredly know that God hath made that same Jesus =
both=20
Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).</B></I> This apostle need weep no =
tears of=20
remorse for his actions now. He could face danger and death =
joyously, for=20
his works and words were in accord with Him who had restored to =
him the=20
joy of his salvation.
<P>Yes, men saw a new Simon Peter that day, no longer behind =
"locked doors=20
for fear of the Jews", but boldly standing in the temple =
courtyard,=20
preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Twice he was brought before =
the=20
council and warned to stop preaching. His boldness astonished the =
leaders=20
of Israel, for even to them as they sat in their judgment seats he =
preached Christ as man's only hope of salvation (Acts 4:5-12). =
Neither=20
prison nor the lash could stop this reclaimed apostle. Once, after =
being=20
beaten, he departed from the council rejoicing that he was worthy =
to=20
suffer shame for the sake of Jesus (Acts 5:40-41).
<P>
<CENTER>
<H3>"In Works They Deny Him"</CENTER></H3>
<P>Thousands are today denying their acquaintance with this same =
Lord that=20
Peter once denied. Their denial may not be as obvious as Peter's =
was,=20
perhaps, for he denied our Lord in both works and words. But =
notice that=20
the works came first. On the night of Jesus's betrayal and arrest, =
Peter=20
attacked the high priest's servant with a sword. This was not the =
behavior=20
of a faithful follower of the meek Son of God. Later that same =
night,=20
Peter's verbal denial of Jesus was no greater a denial of the Lord =
than=20
was his attack on those who arrested Jesus; it was merely another =
way of=20
denying him.
<P>It would be difficult to find anyone who has been forgiven of =
sin by=20
Christ who has backslidden so far as to verbally deny him; at the =
same=20
time, there are many who deny Jesus by the way they try to do him =
service,=20
just as Peter denied him by taking up the sword in the garden. =
Paul speaks=20
of such brothers by saying, <B><I>"They profess that they know =
God, but in=20
works they deny him" (Tit.1:16). </B></I>May God give us grace to =
see that=20
if we fail to obey His Word, we are already denying Him in works, =
our=20
continued lip-service notwithstanding.<B><I> "Faith without =
works,"=20
</B></I>wrote James,<B><I> "is dead" (Jas.2:17).</B></I> Worship =
without=20
obedience is nothing more than flattery.
<P>Yes, indeed, my reader, we can by our works deny the Lord we =
claim to=20
serve and be just as far from God's approval as Peter ever was. =
For=20
instance, Paul declared, <B><I>"But if any provide not for his =
own, and=20
especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, =
and is=20
worse than an infidel" (1Tim.5:8).</B></I>
<P>As we view this generation of pleasure-loving believers we are =
made to=20
recall Paul's description of them: <B><I>"Having a form of =
godliness, but=20
denying the power thereof." He further warns us, "From such turn =
away"=20
(2Tim.3:5). </B></I>Peter, in describing this same class of unholy =
believers says, <B><I>"But there were false prophets also among =
the=20
people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who =
privily shall=20
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought =
them"=20
(2Pet.2:1).</B></I> Jude comments on this same group by telling =
us,<B><I>=20
"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of =
old=20
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of =
our God=20
into lasciviousness [lustfulness], and denying the only Lord God, =
and our=20
Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though =
you=20
once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved [rescued] the =
people out=20
of the Land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not" =
(Jude=20
4,5). </B></I>Please note that none of these verses refer to =
believers who=20
verbally deny Jesus; on the contrary, they claimed to speak for =
him.=20
Nevertheless, their denial of the Lord was real.
<P>Reader, are you among the multitude of those who worship the =
Lord, but=20
deny Jesus by your works? Having found many such worshippers among =
His Old=20
Testament people, the Lord lamented,<B><I> "This people draweth =
nigh unto=20
Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips, but their =
heart is=20
far from Me"</B></I>, adding the dreadful statement,<B><I> "In =
vain do=20
they worship Me" (Mt.15:8-9)</B></I>. Jesus was referring to more =
than a=20
verbal denial when he said, <B><I>"Whosoever shall deny me before =
men, him=20
will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" =
(Mt.10:33)</B></I>.=20
This warning was repeated by Paul in his second letter to Timothy, =
when he=20
wrote,<B><I> "If we deny him, he will also deny us" =
(2:12)</B></I>.
<P>Do you have the witness of the holy Ghost that your life is =
free from=20
sin? Or does your life proclaim, "I know him not"? Are you =
uncertain -=20
this very moment - that your heart is free from evil? If you are =
not sure,=20
it is time for you to realize that as long as you remain in this =
condition=20
you are denying the Son of God openly.
<P>When all sin is confessed, and all doubt is removed from our =
lives,=20
when we submit to the divine will instead of following our own, =
when the=20
love of God rules our hearts, and when we wholly submit to the =
Word of=20
Truth, then - and not before - we do no longer deny the Lord, the =
one who=20
bought us with his own blood. The true followers of Jesus Christ =
are=20
distinguished not merely by their speaking well of Jesus, but also =
by=20
their submission to his will. For this reason Jesus said,<B><I> =
"By their=20
fruits [works] ye shall know them."</I></B>
<P><! -- ************ BOTTOM HEADER *********** -->
<P><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D2><I><A=20
href=3D"mailto:GSAVELLI@aol.com">Questions? Log onto the Internet, =
Click=20
Here,<BR>and you can E-mail them to: =
GSAVELLI@aol.com</A></I></FONT>=20
</P></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<P>
<HR>
<P>
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<H3><I><A=20
href=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
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| User: "Libertarius" |
|
| Title: Re: DENYING JESUS |
22 Nov 2003 07:07:38 PM |
|
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===>Shows what a poor judge of character Jesus was!
Alternatively, it is anti-Peter propaganda by the disciples
of Saul/Paul of Tarsus. Peter obviously sided with the
Jewish followers of Jesus and his brother and successor
James the Just. He and Saul/Paul did not get along, but
he was chosen by the REAL LIVE JESUS, unlike
the version that supposedly appeared in the hallucinations
of Saul/Paul.
Of course Saul/Paul and his Christos Cult anyone
denying the validity of Paulinism was considered a denier
of "Christ", the sacrificial deity invented by Saul/Paul himself..
Libertarius
============
Dwight Mckinney wrote:
"Distributing the Good Gospel Materials of the Pioneer Tract Society"
[Image]
PO Box 2392 Daly City, CA 94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752
Fax: 1-650-757-5750
Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com E-Mail:
[Image] Denying Jesus
"Now Peter sat outside, in the palace; and a damsel came unto him, saying,
`Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied before them all,
saying, `I know not what thou sayest.' And when he was gone out into the
porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, `This
fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.' And again he denied with an oath,
`I do not know the man.' And after a while came unto him they that stood
by, and said to Peter, `Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech
betrayeth thee.' Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, `I know not
the man.' And immediately the ***** crew. And Peter remembered the word of
Jesus, which said unto him, `Before the ***** crow, thou shalt deny me
thrice.' And he went out, and wept bitterly." - Mt.26:69-75
In the pre-dawn chill, impetuous Peter warmed himself by the fire in the
courtyard of the high priest's palace and vehemently denied knowing the
Lord. Doubtless he made himself believe that doing so was his only escape.
It will not stretch the imagination too far to suppose that in his dark
hour of reasoning he was thinking, "If I am killed or thrown into prison,
how can I help the Master?" He could even have been planning to rescue
Jesus by organizing his friends. Whatever his thoughts were, they seemed
logical to him; that is, until the ***** crowed and "the Lord turned and
looked at Peter." It was then that Peter for the first time saw himself as
he really was: a poor, wilted, backslidden apostle.
Earlier that evening Peter, in the high optimism of faith, declared to
Jesus, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." Now, a
few hours later, we find this same apostle to be of another persuasion,
his faith gone, and he in the bondage of fear. It was when he began to
chart his own course that he began to doubt and to become fearful of his
enemies. The conclusion of a dying faith is fear. The heart that trusts in
God has a shield through which neither fear nor doubt may pass.
As a fisherman, Peter had many times matched his courage against the winds
and waves on the Sea of Galilee. He did not run from danger so long as he
was familiar with the dangers which confronted him. How boldly he drew his
sword to defend Jesus when the soldiers and servants of the high priest
came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemene! But the little maids in
the palace confronted Peter with another type of warfare - the
uncertainties of a trial before the council and the bitter, merciless
questions of the elders. How was he to fight these experienced rulers? How
foolish they would make him appear before all the people! He would have
died for his Master in a physical contest, but in a battle of spirits he
fled before the probing questions of little girls. Peter was neither the
first or the last to fail this test.
The only hope for Peter was that he had not lost faith in the forgiving
love of his Master. What a change awaited this faint-hearted disciple! In
only a few weeks, he possessed the spiritual strength to stand in
Jerusalem and proclaim the gospel to the same angry mob that now was
having his Lord sent to the cruel cross of Calvary. When the time came,
thank God, he wasn't afraid. There is no room for anxiety in the heart
which is filled with God's Spirit. Where there is faith, there cannot be
fear. Peter's fear and unbelief had so dominated him that he disobeyed
openly, and God had to refuse his service. Then Peter proved his sinful
condition by denying the Lord outright. But, as we have stated, a few
weeks later Peter was a completely different man.
On Pentecost morning, Peter was transformed by the grace of God which is
greater than all sin, and he fearlessly proclaimed, "Let all the house of
Israel assuredly know that God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and
Christ" (Acts 2:36). This apostle need weep no tears of remorse for his
actions now. He could face danger and death joyously, for his works and
words were in accord with Him who had restored to him the joy of his
salvation.
Yes, men saw a new Simon Peter that day, no longer behind "locked doors
for fear of the Jews", but boldly standing in the temple courtyard,
preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Twice he was brought before the
council and warned to stop preaching. His boldness astonished the leaders
of Israel, for even to them as they sat in their judgment seats he
preached Christ as man's only hope of salvation (Acts 4:5-12). Neither
prison nor the lash could stop this reclaimed apostle. Once, after being
beaten, he departed from the council rejoicing that he was worthy to
suffer shame for the sake of Jesus (Acts 5:40-41).
"In Works They Deny Him"
Thousands are today denying their acquaintance with this same Lord that
Peter once denied. Their denial may not be as obvious as Peter's was,
perhaps, for he denied our Lord in both works and words. But notice that
the works came first. On the night of Jesus's betrayal and arrest, Peter
attacked the high priest's servant with a sword. This was not the behavior
of a faithful follower of the meek Son of God. Later that same night,
Peter's verbal denial of Jesus was no greater a denial of the Lord than
was his attack on those who arrested Jesus; it was merely another way of
denying him.
It would be difficult to find anyone who has been forgiven of sin by
Christ who has backslidden so far as to verbally deny him; at the same
time, there are many who deny Jesus by the way they try to do him service,
just as Peter denied him by taking up the sword in the garden. Paul speaks
of such brothers by saying, "They profess that they know God, but in works
they deny him" (Tit.1:16). May God give us grace to see that if we fail to
obey His Word, we are already denying Him in works, our continued
lip-service notwithstanding. "Faith without works," wrote James, "is dead"
(Jas.2:17). Worship without obedience is nothing more than flattery.
Yes, indeed, my reader, we can by our works deny the Lord we claim to
serve and be just as far from God's approval as Peter ever was. For
instance, Paul declared, "But if any provide not for his own, and
especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infidel" (1Tim.5:8).
As we view this generation of pleasure-loving believers we are made to
recall Paul's description of them: "Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof." He further warns us, "From such turn away"
(2Tim.3:5). Peter, in describing this same class of unholy believers says,
"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" (2Pet.2:1). Jude comments on this
same group by telling us, "For there are certain men crept in unawares,
who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning
the grace of our God into lasciviousness [lustfulness], and denying the
only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in
remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved
[rescued] the people out of the Land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them
that believed not" (Jude 4,5). Please note that none of these verses refer
to believers who verbally deny Jesus; on the contrary, they claimed to
speak for him. Nevertheless, their denial of the Lord was real.
Reader, are you among the multitude of those who worship the Lord, but
deny Jesus by your works? Having found many such worshippers among His Old
Testament people, the Lord lamented, "This people draweth nigh unto Me
with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far
from Me", adding the dreadful statement, "In vain do they worship Me"
(Mt.15:8-9). Jesus was referring to more than a verbal denial when he
said, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
Father which is in heaven" (Mt.10:33). This warning was repeated by Paul
in his second letter to Timothy, when he wrote, "If we deny him, he will
also deny us" (2:12).
Do you have the witness of the holy Ghost that your life is free from sin?
Or does your life proclaim, "I know him not"? Are you uncertain - this
very moment - that your heart is free from evil? If you are not sure, it
is time for you to realize that as long as you remain in this condition
you are denying the Son of God openly.
When all sin is confessed, and all doubt is removed from our lives, when
we submit to the divine will instead of following our own, when the love
of God rules our hearts, and when we wholly submit to the Word of Truth,
then - and not before - we do no longer deny the Lord, the one who bought
us with his own blood. The true followers of Jesus Christ are
distinguished not merely by their speaking well of Jesus, but also by
their submission to his will. For this reason Jesus said, "By their fruits
[works] ye shall know them."
Questions? Log onto the Internet, Click Here,
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===>Shows what a poor judge of character Jesus was!
<br>Alternatively, it is anti-Peter propaganda by the disciples
<br>of Saul/Paul of Tarsus. Peter obviously sided with the
<br>Jewish followers of Jesus and his brother and successor
<br>James the Just. He and Saul/Paul did not get along, but
<br>he was chosen by the REAL LIVE JESUS, unlike
<br>the version that supposedly appeared in the hallucinations
<br>of Saul/Paul.
<p> Of course Saul/Paul and his Christos Cult anyone
<br>denying the validity of Paulinism was considered a denier
<br>of "Christ", the sacrificial deity invented by Saul/Paul himself..
<p> Libertarius
<br>============
<p>Dwight Mckinney wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><style></style>
<center><b><font face="arial"><font size=+0>"Distributing the Good Gospel
Materials of the Pioneer Tract Society"</font></font></b><
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<center><font face="verdana"><font size=-2>PO Box 2392
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<h1>
<font color="#800080"><font size=+1>Denying Jesus</font></font></h1></center>
<b><i><font size=+1>"Now Peter sat outside, in the palace; and a damsel
came unto him, saying, `Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied
before them all, saying, `I know not what thou sayest.' And when he was
gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that
were there, `This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.' And again he
denied with an oath, `I do not know the man.' And after a while came unto
him they that stood by, and said to Peter, `Surely thou also art one of
them, for thy speech betrayeth thee.' Then began he to curse and to swear,
saying, `I know not the man.' And immediately the ***** crew. And Peter
remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, `Before the ***** crow,
thou shalt deny me thrice.' And he went out, and wept bitterly." - Mt.26:69-75</font></i></b>
<p><font size=+1>In the pre-dawn chill, impetuous Peter warmed himself
by the fire in the courtyard of the high priest's palace and vehemently
denied knowing the Lord. Doubtless he made himself believe that doing so
was his only escape. It will not stretch the imagination too far to suppose
that in his dark hour of reasoning he was thinking, "If I am killed or
thrown into prison, how can I help the Master?" He could even have been
planning to rescue Jesus by organizing his friends. Whatever his thoughts
were, they seemed logical to him; that is, until the ***** crowed and "the
Lord turned and looked at Peter." It was then that Peter for the first
time saw himself as he really was: a poor, wilted, backslidden apostle. </font>
<p><font size=+1>Earlier that evening Peter, in the high optimism of faith,
declared to Jesus, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny
thee." Now, a few hours later, we find this same apostle to be of another
persuasion, his faith gone, and he in the bondage of fear. It was when
he began to chart his own course that he began to doubt and to become fearful
of his enemies. The conclusion of a dying faith is fear. The heart that
trusts in God has a shield through which neither fear nor doubt may pass. </font>
<p><font size=+1>As a fisherman, Peter had many times matched his courage
against the winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee. He did not run from
danger so long as he was familiar with the dangers which confronted him.
How boldly he drew his sword to defend Jesus when the soldiers and servants
of the high priest came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemene! But
the little maids in the palace confronted Peter with another type of warfare
- the uncertainties of a trial before the council and the bitter, merciless
questions of the elders. How was he to fight these experienced rulers?
How foolish they would make him appear before all the people! He would
have died for his Master in a physical contest, but in a battle of spirits
he fled before the probing questions of little girls. Peter was neither
the first or the last to fail this test. </font>
<p><font size=+1>The only hope for Peter was that he had not lost faith
in the forgiving love of his Master. What a change awaited this faint-hearted
disciple! In only a few weeks, he possessed the spiritual strength to stand
in Jerusalem and proclaim the gospel to the same angry mob that now was
having his Lord sent to the cruel cross of Calvary. When the time came,
thank God, he wasn't afraid. There is no room for anxiety in the heart
which is filled with God's Spirit. Where there is faith, there cannot be
fear. Peter's fear and unbelief had so dominated him that he disobeyed
openly, and God had to refuse his service. Then Peter proved his sinful
condition by denying the Lord outright. But, as we have stated, a few weeks
later Peter was a completely different man. </font>
<p><font size=+1>On Pentecost morning, Peter was transformed by the grace
of God which is greater than all sin, and he fearlessly proclaimed, <b><i>"Let
all the house of Israel assuredly know that God hath made that same Jesus
both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).</i></b> This apostle need weep no tears
of remorse for his actions now. He could face danger and death joyously,
for his works and words were in accord with Him who had restored to him
the joy of his salvation. </font>
<p><font size=+1>Yes, men saw a new Simon Peter that day, no longer behind
"locked doors for fear of the Jews", but boldly standing in the temple
courtyard, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Twice he was brought before
the council and warned to stop preaching. His boldness astonished the leaders
of Israel, for even to them as they sat in their judgment seats he preached
Christ as man's only hope of salvation (Acts 4:5-12). Neither prison nor
the lash could stop this reclaimed apostle. Once, after being beaten, he
departed from the council rejoicing that he was worthy to suffer shame
for the sake of Jesus (Acts 5:40-41). </font>
<center>
<h3>
<font size=+1>"In Works They Deny Him"</font></h3></center>
<font size=+1>Thousands are today denying their acquaintance with this
same Lord that Peter once denied. Their denial may not be as obvious as
Peter's was, perhaps, for he denied our Lord in both works and words. But
notice that the works came first. On the night of Jesus's betrayal and
arrest, Peter attacked the high priest's servant with a sword. This was
not the behavior of a faithful follower of the meek Son of God. Later that
same night, Peter's verbal denial of Jesus was no greater a denial of the
Lord than was his attack on those who arrested Jesus; it was merely another
way of denying him. </font>
<p><font size=+1>It would be difficult to find anyone who has been forgiven
of sin by Christ who has backslidden so far as to verbally deny him; at
the same time, there are many who deny Jesus by the way they try to do
him service, just as Peter denied him by taking up the sword in the garden.
Paul speaks of such brothers by saying, <b><i>"They profess that they know
God, but in works they deny him" (Tit.1:16). </i></b>May God give us grace
to see that if we fail to obey His Word, we are already denying Him in
works, our continued lip-service notwithstanding.<b><i> "Faith without
works," </i></b>wrote James,<b><i> "is dead" (Jas.2:17).</i></b> Worship
without obedience is nothing more than flattery. </font>
<p><font size=+1>Yes, indeed, my reader, we can by our works deny the Lord
we claim to serve and be just as far from God's approval as Peter ever
was. For instance, Paul declared, <b><i>"But if any provide not for his
own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith,
and is worse than an infidel" (1Tim.5:8).</i></b></font>
<p><font size=+1>As we view this generation of pleasure-loving believers
we are made to recall Paul's description of them: <b><i>"Having a form
of godliness, but denying the power thereof." He further warns us, "From
such turn away" (2Tim.3:5). </i></b>Peter, in describing this same class
of unholy believers says, <b><i>"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"
(2Pet.2:1).</i></b> Jude comments on this same group by telling us,<b><i>
"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained
to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness
[lustfulness], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how
that the Lord, having saved [rescued] the people out of the Land of Egypt,
afterward destroyed them that believed not" (Jude 4,5). </i></b>Please
note that none of these verses refer to believers who verbally deny Jesus;
on the contrary, they claimed to speak for him. Nevertheless, their denial
of the Lord was real. </font>
<p><font size=+1>Reader, are you among the multitude of those who worship
the Lord, but deny Jesus by your works? Having found many such worshippers
among His Old Testament people, the Lord lamented,<b><i> "This people draweth
nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips, but their
heart is far from Me"</i></b>, adding the dreadful statement,<b><i> "In
vain do they worship Me" (Mt.15:8-9)</i></b>. Jesus was referring to more
than a verbal denial when he said, <b><i>"Whosoever shall deny me before
men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Mt.10:33)</i></b>.
This warning was repeated by Paul in his second letter to Timothy, when
he wrote,<b><i> "If we deny him, he will also deny us" (2:12)</i></b>. </font>
<p><font size=+1>Do you have the witness of the holy Ghost that your life
is free from sin? Or does your life proclaim, "I know him not"? Are you
uncertain - this very moment - that your heart is free from evil? If you
are not sure, it is time for you to realize that as long as you remain
in this condition you are denying the Son of God openly. </font>
<p><font size=+1>When all sin is confessed, and all doubt is removed from
our lives, when we submit to the divine will instead of following our own,
when the love of God rules our hearts, and when we wholly submit to the
Word of Truth, then - and not before - we do no longer deny the Lord, the
one who bought us with his own blood. The true followers of Jesus Christ
are distinguished not merely by their speaking well of Jesus, but also
by their submission to his will. For this reason Jesus said,<b><i> "By
their fruits [works] ye shall know them."</i></b></font>
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