R U Kidding Me or Surely U Jest

A Commentary on Michael Boldea’s Blog, titled; “Variations On a Theme”. Taking issue with; Spurgeon, “Make this Valley Full of Ditches”

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Many will say to me; Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. My defence is this, I do not judge the man, but the words; John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

First a little information about: Charles Haddon Spurgeon,
commonly C.H. Spurgeon, (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was a British Reformed Baptist preacher who remains highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers." He also founded the charity organization now known as Spurgeon's, that works worldwide with families and children, as well as a famous theological college which after his death was called after him: Spurgeon's College. His sermons were translated into many languages in his lifetime.

Quite a stir was caused by the publication of the following document, which was erroneously called "Mr. Spurgeon's Confession of Faith," or "Manifesto":

We, the undersigned, banded together in Fraternal Union, observing with growing pain and sorrow the loosening hold of many upon the Truths of Revelation, are constrained to avow our firmest belief in the Verbal Inspiration of all Holy Scripture as originally given. To us, the Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but is the Word of God. From beginning to end, we accept it, believe it, and continue to preach it. To us, the Old Testament is no less inspired than the New. The Book is an organic whole. Reverence for the NEW Testament accompanied by scepticism as to the OLD appears to us absurd. The two must stand or fall together. We accept Christ's own verdict concerning "Moses and all the prophets" in preference to any of the supposed discoveries of so-called higher criticism.We hold and maintain the truths generally known as "the doctrines of grace." The Electing Love of God the Father, the Propitiatory and Substitutionary Sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, Regeneration by the Holy Ghost, the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness, the Justification of the sinner (once for all) by faith, his walk in newness of life and growth in grace by the active indwelling of the Holy Ghost, and the Priestly Intercession of our Lord Jesus, as also the hopeless perdition of all who reject the Savior, according to the words of the Lord in Matthew 25:46, "These shall go away into eternal punishment,"—are, in our judgment, revealed and fundamental truths. Our hope is the Personal Pre-millennial Return of the Lord Jesus in glory.

This was signed by Spurgeon and many others. It is the equivelient of the Apostles Creed by other denominations. The the casual observer may have no objection, as the general demeanor sounds unthreatening, but a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.

C.H. Spurgeon, another mans servant, walked in the light he had. He certainly was, to all outward appearance, zealous toward God. I thank God for men of his era that spread the good news of salvation through Jesus the Lord. While the Holy Spirit was given two thousand years ago, the strength and wisdom of man could not, and did not retain the truth concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, ergo, the will of God. Apollos was such a man; Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

When truth brings to light the error of the past, those whose hearts love truth move with all sincerity to the light of truth. The truth written in Bible is not hidden, but must be received by faith. The hardness of the hearts of men over ride the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Thereby, resisting God and negating the way to truth. Men as Spurgeon, no matter how well intentioned, actually take men captive into unbelief by their own lack of understanding, hence the blind leading the blind. This brings to mind this scripture; “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” As it is written; Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. The reason being; 1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Because; 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. This is true only because; John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

While many preach Christ, using the same words, the milk of the word, they are without the meat, the strength of the word, truth, evidenced by the witness of the Holy Spirit. Hebrew 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost. The outcome of faith depends on truth; wisdom is proven of her children, results. Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. One of the seven churches of Revelation are in just such a position;

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The way to watch and know what is to come is only by the Holy Spirit! This is not to say those who do not know the Holy Spirit will be castaways. But to be sure; 1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The danger arises for those who; Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! They take themselves to the very edge of the firewall, and indeed, some will go over. Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

The challenge for all men, as since Jesus, but especially this day; Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; The balance of judgment for those lacking all truth rests here; Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: Because this brings into question; Romans 2:18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

The difficulty with repeating words of other men lies in the question of who will be strengthened to what end? Our intention may be clear to us, but others who have been fed in the same trough cannot discern the food; 2 Corinthians 10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Again, the proof of the preaching truth is the result; Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. Wisdom being proven of her children not our intention; Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

L,J,P&HG
Dave