In this video, Brian Anthony Bowen reveals Scriptures the Church never talks about which prove that Jesus taught that LGBT people are born this way...and that prove the Apostle Paul ordained Gay Marriage...IN THE BIBLE!
This changes EVERYTHING!
More info: http://BrianBowenMinistries.com
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As we have explored the many Scriptures that have been traditionally interpreted as blanket condemnations of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, it's important that we don't just "throw out the baby with the bathwater" when it comes to important lessons regarding morality, forgiveness, sexuality, and yes, even sin.
As we learned in Chapter 16 of The Bed Keeper, Leviticus condemned heterosexual married men engaged in adultery with other men. We know the men committing the adultery are heterosexual because of the clarifying language God uses: "as with a woman." Realizing gay men don't have sex "with women" helps us to see that Leviticus 18 is not a wholesale condemnation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, but rather condemns the adultery involved, which of course is a violation of the Ten Commandments, while same gender expressions (in and of themselves) are not. But as we'll learn from the account of the woman caught in adultery whom Jesus forgave, nobody can commit adultery all by themselves. Let's take a look at that account:
1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 Early in the morning (at dawn), He came back into the temple [court], and the people came to Him in crowds. He sat down and was teaching them,
3 When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him.
4 Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. (John 8:1-4)
NOTE: Again, how does a person commit adultery all by themselves? Where was the man? Why wasn't he brought forth for punishment as well? If this woman was caught in the very act of adultery, did the man jump out the window and run off? Most importantly, why doesn't Scripture tell us? We may not have the answers to all these questions from Scripture, but when it comes to heterosexual married men committing adultery with other men, it gives both the heterosexual man--and the homosexual men with whom they cheated on their wives--some valuable understanding that I believe will help us understand what Scripture was trying to convey.
5 Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women--offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her--what is Your sentence]? John 8:5
NOTE: I'm using the Amplified Translation here, which includes the phrase "[women--offenders]" but in actuality, the Law of Moses penalizes both the male adulterer, and the woman with whom he commits adultery:
The man who commits adultery with another's wife, even his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 20:10
When we explored the Book of Leviticus in Chapter 16 of The Bed Keeper, we learned that Leviticus 18 is a laundry list of various forms of adultery (including heterosexual men cheating on their wives with presumably homosexual men), and that Leviticus 20 lists the penalties for these offenses. We learned that the penalty for adultery being committed by a man by seeking another heterosexual woman was the same as if he committed adultery with a homosexual man; death. We also find that these penalties are listed within 3 verses of each other. While it leads us to conclude that it isn't speaking about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in general, we can't escape the fact that Leviticus 20:13 indeed addresses both the heterosexual man committing adultery and the homosexual man with whom he did so:
If a man lies with a male as if he were a woman, both men have committed an offense (something perverse, unnatural, abhorrent, and detestable); they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13
Now, before you start throwing stones, keep in mind first of all that Leviticus is written to the Israelites, not Christians: "And the Lord said to Moses, moreover, you shall say to the Israelites..." Leviticus 20:1-2
Also keep in mind that Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);, and that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its penalties by becoming the penalty for us. Galatians 3:13
So don't worry Christians, I'm not suggesting we should kill gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people (or anyone else for that matter). What I am attempting to do is draw our attention to the details and nuances of these passages in order to better understand them, just as Paul said,
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action). 2 Timothy 3:16 (Please note Paul does NOT say Scripture is profitable for condemning people, nor is it justification for imposing penalties).
Let's pause for a moment now to consider the HIV/AIDS rates in the world. Currently (2011) just more than half of all new HIV infections occur within the category of MSM (Men having Sex with Men, regardless of their sexual orientation). Nearly the entire other half of new HIV infections occur among women (especially women of color) who contract the disease from male, (presumably heterosexual) partners. I believe what God will reveal to us in this chapter of The Bed Keeper is that indeed what He (also) condemned was the sexual mixing of heterosexual and homosexual men (and quite possibly that the cure for AIDS is to bring an end to it).
In today's world, many heterosexual women do not sexually satisfy their heterosexual husbands in ways in which homosexual men satisfy each other as a matter of course. This can lead heterosexual married men to seek the company of homosexual men for specific sexual favors. While I believe all of us can see this is but one form of heterosexual adultery that Leviticus 20:13 is condemning, as a minister of the gospel it is my duty to also draw our attention to the homosexual men involved in these liaisons; not to condemn them (or anyone else), but to explain why Hebrews says,
7 For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one.
8 However, He finds fault with them [showing its inadequacy] when He says, Behold, the days will come, says the Lord, when I will make and ratify a new covenant or agreement with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Hebrews 8:7-8
The thing I find lacking in Leviticus 20:13 is that it doesn't make allowances for other reasons men may be lying with men as with a woman. While it clearly condemns both the heterosexual married man and the homosexual man with which he cheats on his wife, it doesn't make exemptions that would take into account other extenuating circumstances, such as:
Was the homosexual man being raped by the heterosexual married man? If so, would God have condemned him as well as the heterosexual married man?
Was the homosexual man unaware that the heterosexual man was married? If so, would God have condemned him as well as the heterosexual married man? Is this yet another example of why the Apostle Paul ordained single gender marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, and predicated it upon maintaining sexual purity?
Was the homosexual man knowingly engaged in cult temple prostitution (where men hired themselves out to married men who had come to worship idols through same gender sexual expressions, such as the cases in Romans 1 especially, but also Deuteronomy 23:17-18, Job 36:14, 1 Kings 14:24, 15:12, and 22:46)?
Was the homosexual man knowingly engaged in seducing a heterosexual married man as an expression of his own sexual prowess? If so, would God hold the heterosexual married man accountable in those cases?
Was the homosexual man not even homosexual? In other words was this a case of a heterosexual married man forcibly sodomizing another heterosexual married man in a prison as so many do today?
Leviticus 20:13 seems to penalize ALL cases of a man lying with a man as with a woman, but only cases wherein one of the men is heterosexual and married. But it's obvious to most thinking people that there are indeed situations of a man lying with another man as with a woman wherein only the heterosexual man is to blame. On the other hand, it is equally obvious to most thinking people that there are indeed other situations that are not delineated in Leviticus 20:13 that would hold the homosexual man to blame for leading the heterosexual man into adultery. It's also equally obvious to most thinking people that unless adultery is actually involved Leviticus 20:13 doesn't apply to any heterosexual or homosexual men, such as a homosexual married couple (such as was ordained in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 by the Apostle Paul, as we learned about in Chapter 2 of The Bed Keeper).
Further Leviticus 20:13 does not apply to two young lads (whether gay or straight) who begin their journey of sexual awareness through experimentation by acting out with other young lads, even though both are often times completely heterosexual (just as most children's first sexual experimentation naturally begins with other children of the same gender)...notice Leviticus says MEN, not simply MALES, which indicates adulthood sexuality, not childhood sexual development.
I hope to have illustrated not only how many innocent lives could be lost through a rigid, religious reading of Scripture, coupled with a too-broadly-defined-understanding of homosexuality, if not properly understood and considered on a case-by-case basis. No wonder Paul said, [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive. (2 Corinthians 3:6)
For gay men, this chapter of The Bed Keeper should bring a sigh of relief that we aren't all automatically condemned by Leviticus 20:13 under any circumstances, but I hope it also brings a clearer understanding of the spirit of Leviticus 20:13 in terms of gay men who intentionally pursue a heterosexual married man as a personal challenge and expression of their sexual prowess. While those are very few and far between in today's gay community, if we're honest about it, we can't deny it does occur, no matter how rarely so....and in such cases, we cannot deny that it is clearly sinful...yes, even an abomination. I know most gay people don't like that word, but if we're going to be honest, we have to admit that even today, a heterosexual married man cheating on his wife with a homosexual man is indeed an abomination...and we don't have to take God's Word for it....just ask his wife!
I hope it also illustrates for heterosexual men who hire themselves out as prostitutes (gay-for-pay hustlers) who engage in acts of sexual expression with other heterosexual men as a matter of financial survival (or even more frequently, to fuel a drug habit) that the spiritual repercussions are too great for the church to ignore, and must reach out to help get drug users (both male and female) off the streets and into rehabilitation. If ever there was a good use of church money, that's definitely one of them; not only to reduce the spread of disease physically, but spiritually as well. Many churches already have ministry outreach programs that assist female prostitutes in leading healthier lives, and I believe it's time for the church to consider including heterosexual AND homosexual male prostitutes in their endeavors as well.
The point I hope to make for clergy members is to encourage them to become much more specific when they speak of "a man lying with another man as with a woman," especially from the pulpits. We have all heard sermons where a minister condemned the homosexual man in those cases, and where the assumption was made that both men involved were homosexual. But never do we hear them preach about the heterosexual men involved in this form of adultery that Scripture ALSO speaks to. And that brings us back to the account of the woman caught in adultery, as we pick back up in John 8:
6 This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. John 8:6
NOTE: I heard an associate pastor at my church once proffer that as the accused woman caught in the very act of adultery stood before the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus stooped down and not only began writing on the ground with His finger....but began writing the names of all the heterosexual married men who had committed adultery with this woman; the names of which were men who also stood among the scribes and Pharisees (and the rest of the crowd) themselves!
Too often in today's church, young heterosexual men are sexually preyed upon by members of the clergy themselves. Whether it's a case of the many Catholic priests who molest altar boys, or Evangelical pastors whose armor bearers are paid to perform favors for Pastor that are most definitely NOT proscribed by Scripture. I'm not Jesus, so I'm not going to name names, but you know who you are, "pastor." And THAT type of relationship is EXACTLY what the Apostle Paul was condemning in 1 Corinthians 6:5-10 as he delivered a sharp rebuke to these preachers saying:
5 I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise and competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood,
6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before [Gentile judges who are] unbelievers [without faith or trust in the Gospel of Christ]?
7 Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?
8 But [instead it is you] yourselves who wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren [by so treating them]!
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 5:6-10
Notice the collection of particular sins mentioned here, and recognize Paul is still speaking to preachers in a letter that runs from the beginning of 1 Corinthians 5:1 all the way through until 1 Corinthians 7:40. Paul speaks loudly, and when he does an image of the failings of today's Christian priests and preachers comes into full light. These are not a list of sins like murder, or disobeying one's parents, or even lying.....no, these are lists of sins being committed by those who call themselves church leaders, who have turned the church into a golden calf, and turned God's House of Prayer into a house of ill repute instead...and are molesting young men within the very bounds of their own flock....all the while condemning the very young men they themselves are molesting....and it's quite possible that NONE of them are actually homosexuals, even if the acts are of a homosexual nature.
These are the types of preachers Malachi rebuked for robbing the tithes. These are the types of preachers who have become one flesh with a prostitute and are metaphorically sodomizing Jesus in the process.....or are literally using their positions of power and sermons against homosexuality to not only secure for themselves young men for their own personal pleasures, but then keep their sins a secret by preaching against all gay people (most of whom are not even in their church) to keep secret their own whore mongering of young men in their very own congregations. I discuss this in fuller detail in Chapter 2 of The Bed Keeper, and would refer readers to that chapter for a more detailed examination, keeping in mind that in the very same letter, Paul goes on to ordain marriage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9.
Returning back to the account of the woman accused of adultery, we saw Jesus began writing on the ground with His finger, and then:
7 However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.
8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger. John 8:7-8
NOTE: Jesus seems to have continued His writing until every name of those who had been with the woman was written on the ground, and then:
9 They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court.
10 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?
11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either.
Go on your way and from now on sin no more. John 8:1-11
So it's clear Jesus considered the woman a sinner (because Leviticus condemned both the adulterer and the adulteress), but it also seems it wasn't just the woman who was sinning. But this is an important lesson to the gay men who find themselves in similar situations.
It remains sinful (even if a forgivable sin) to seduce a married heterosexual man.
It remains sinful (even if a forgivable sin) for (gay or straight) men to engage in acts of prostitution, and hopefully this message will encourage the church to begin providing resources and reaching out to those who do so in order to bring them into a more productive life.
It remains sinful (even if a forgivable sin) for men to rape each other in prison, and hopefully this message will encourage the church to address those cases through their prison ministries (and not simply turn a blind eye) even if it means influencing laws of the land that protect inmates from violent sexual assault from other inmates while incarcerated. Jesus said "I was in prison and you did not visit Me." We can no longer simply "visit" when we know there's more to it than that. We who are free are obliged to assist humane conditions for prisoners, and are not exempted if it's to address an issue nobody is comfortable talking about.
It remains sinful (even if a forgivable sin) for a preacher to preach against "homosexuals" without getting Scripturally specific in terms of also addressing the heterosexual married men engaged in same gender liaisons, or ignoring that Paul ordained faithful marriage for homosexual men, or ignoring gay-for-pay heterosexual men, or ignoring that young heterosexual boys in their congregations may come under heavy condemnation because they touched another boy in ways that seems to be unnatural because of what the preacher is saying (even though its a perfectly normal and natural progression of child sexual identity and development even for heterosexuals).
A preacher who preaches "against homosexuality" absolutely MUST know what they are condemning, what is condemnable, and what is NOT condemnable. Failure to specify will cost preachers their own soul, and leads too many gay teens to kill themselves the first time they touch another person of the same gender, even as it leads other young people to bully gays in school because their preacher said "homosexuality is a sin" without Scripturally clarifying EXACTLY what they (and God) means by that. As we see, there is an enormous difference from one case to another.
...and may I kindly suggest that as this message and this fuller, more complete understanding comes to light for the first time in church history, that all preachers who have made enormous amounts of money off preaching against homosexuality will stop turning it into a golden calf designed to provide cover for the preacher (and all the heterosexual married men to continue in their sin unconvicted), as they place all the blame on "the homosexual caught in the very act of adultery." There's MUCH more to it than that, and if the Christian church does not take steps to correct her own teachings within the church AND denounce Christian preachers who line their wallets with unScriptural ex-gay therapy to gain influence in the political realm, let there be no doubt there are those of us in the church who WILL! Far too long, the "homosexual caught in the very act of adultery" has been portrayed as acting alone and intentionally, when in the vast majority of cases, that is simply not an accurate portrayal of the LGBT community. And lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people pay the same price of spiritual apathy.....all for a preacher to make a buck. And the whole time that's going on, Satan is using preachers and homophobia to conceal the fact that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people being excluded from Church in such a way is preventing the fulfillment of Isaiah 55:11-56:8, and the return of Jesus Christ as well. STOP! Just STOP!
Too many young teens are committing suicide. Too many innocent people are being killed by government sanctioned executions of gay people that unscrupulous and unScriptural preachers are financially and politically influencing to do so.
And let us not forget the innocent heterosexual male abuse victim, who turns his anger, shame, and rage from his own attacker--and places the blame on every gay person he ever comes in contact with, leading to widespread hate crimes against innocent gay men.
Let us pray the wisdom of God will now lead the church to bring swift, public, and permanent correction throughout Christendom to this vile traditional misinterpretation and misapplication of Holy Scripture. As Jesus and Paul said,
For the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect]. Matthew 15:6
Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing. Mark 7:13
1 Therefore you have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce].
2 [But] we know that the judgment (adverse verdict, sentence) of God falls justly and in accordance with truth upon those who practice such things.
3 And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God's judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict?
4 Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)?
5 But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God's righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed.
6 For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]:
7 To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.
8 But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath. Romans 2:1-8
As we close this chapter of The Bed Keeper, let us now read the remainder of the account of the woman caught in adultery and see what Jesus told us all after He told the woman to "go and sin no more," and continued His discourse with the scribes and Pharisees:
12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.
13 Whereupon the Pharisees told Him, You are testifying on Your own behalf; Your testimony is not valid and is worthless.
14 Jesus answered, Even if I do testify on My own behalf, My testimony is true and reliable and valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
15 You [set yourselves up to] judge according to the flesh (by what you see). [You condemn by external, human standards.] I do not [set Myself up to] judge or condemn or sentence anyone.
16 Yet even if I do judge, My judgment is true [My decision is right]; for I am not alone [in making it], but [there are two of Us] I and the Father, Who sent Me.
17 In your [own] Law it is written that the testimony (evidence) of two persons is reliable and valid.
18 I am One [of the Two] bearing testimony concerning Myself; and My Father, Who sent Me, He also testifies about Me.
19 Then they said to Him, Where is this Father of Yours? Jesus answered, You know My Father as little as you know Me. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.
20 Jesus said these things in the treasury while He was teaching in the temple [court]; but no one ventured to arrest Him, because His hour had not yet come.
NOTE: If anyone needed anymore proof of Jesus' thoughts toward preachers, exgay ministries and so-called "conservative, family values political organizations and political parties"...and the money they have made off their sinful and vile public scapegoating of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, notice of all places, Jesus is in the treasury as He continues:
21 Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come.
22 At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come?
23 He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world.
24 That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be--if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins.
25 Then they said to Him, Who are You anyway? Jesus replied, [Why do I even speak to you!] I am exactly what I have been telling you from the first.
26 I have much to say about you and to judge and condemn. But He Who sent Me is true (reliable), and I tell the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.
27 They did not perceive (know, understand) that He was speaking to them about the Father.
28 So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realize (know, understand) that I am He [for Whom you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of My own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught Me.
29 And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.
30 As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him].
31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
33 They answered Him, We are Abraham's offspring (descendants) and have never been in bondage to anybody. What do You mean by saying, You will be set free?
34 Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin.
35 Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever); the son [of the house] does remain forever.
36 So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.
NOTE: Too many preachers who condemn gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have made it seem that being gay is the only thing Jesus can set us free from, and that it is even in need of being set free from. While sin IS necessary to be set free from, it includes ALL sin for EVERY person. We learned from Chapter 3 of The Bed Keeper that Scripture refers to the eunuch as a eunuch even AFTER his baptism. Philip didn't send him to the local "ex eunuch ministry" that just happened to have a tax deductible status and just happened to be aligned with conservative political organizations.
Paul himself rejected exgay ministry telling each of us to remain in the station of life in which the summons to Christ found us in 1 Corinthians 7:24, just 15 verses after ordaining marriage for single gender couples to align with Jesus' Own teaching that exempted gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from heterosexual marriage in Matthew 19:12. After all, if gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are not affirmed in church AS THEMSELVES, the prophecy regarding us in Isaiah 55:11-56:12 cannot come to pass, and Jesus Himself said that until it does, He cannot return. Luke 24:44
Here, we now see Jesus (still addressing the scribes and Pharisees) refer to them as children of Satan themselves (NOT the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people so many preachers say are under "demonic influence."):
37 [Yes] I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.
38 I tell the things which I have seen and learned at My Father's side, and your actions also reflect what you have heard and learned from your father.
39 They retorted, Abraham is our father. Jesus said, If you were [truly] Abraham's children, then you would do the works of Abraham [follow his example, do as Abraham did].
40 But now [instead] you are wanting and seeking to kill Me, a Man Who has told you the truth which I have heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted.
41 You are doing the works of your [own] father. They said to Him, We are not illegitimate children and born out of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me and respect Me and welcome Me gladly, for I proceeded (came forth) from God [out of His very presence]. I did not even come on My own authority or of My own accord (as self-appointed); but He sent Me.
43 Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.]
NOTE: Once again be mindful of the fact that Jesus is STILL speaking to the scribes and Pharisees as He says:
44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.
45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [do not trust Me, do not rely on Me, or adhere to Me].
46 Who of you convicts Me of wrongdoing or finds Me guilty of sin? Then if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me [trust Me, rely on, and adhere to Me]?
47 Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him.
NOTE: Preachers in today's church are welcome to preach whatever they want. However, that does NOT automatically mean they are in harmony with God, nor that they belong to God. If the pulpit fits, repent and come into harmony with Him...or be exposed as the Pharisees of modern times and rejected by the church, expelled from the church in accordance with 1 Corinthians 5, and be turned over to Satan for the crucifixion of your flesh that you may learn not to blaspheme the Lord God Almighty and His Holy Word, and that your soul may be saved in the last and final Day! And don't just take my word for it! Let's see what else Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees:
48 The Jews answered Him, Are we not right when we say You are a Samaritan and that You have a demon [that You are under the power of an evil spirit]?
49 Jesus answered, I am not possessed by a demon. On the contrary, I honor and reverence My Father and you dishonor (despise, vilify, and scorn) Me.
50 However, I am not in search of honor for Myself. [I do not seek and am not aiming for My own glory.] There is One Who [looks after that; He] seeks [My glory], and He is the Judge.
51 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone observes My teaching [lives in accordance with My message, keeps My word], he will by no means ever see and experience death.
52 The Jews said to Him, Now we know that You are under the power of a demon (insane). Abraham died, and also the prophets, yet You say, If a man keeps My word, he will never taste of death into all eternity.
53 Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and all the prophets died! Who do You make Yourself out to be?
54 Jesus answered, If I were to glorify Myself (magnify, praise, and honor Myself), I would have no real glory, for My glory would be nothing and worthless. [My honor must come to Me from My Father.] It is My Father Who glorifies Me [Who extols Me, magnifies, and praises Me], of Whom you say that He is your God.
55 Yet you do not know Him or recognize Him and are not acquainted with Him, but I know Him. If I should say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I know Him and keep His word [obey His teachings, am faithful to His message].
56 Your forefather Abraham was extremely happy at the hope and prospect of seeing My day (My incarnation); and he did see it and was delighted.
57 Then the Jews said to Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?
58 Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I AM.
59 So they took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus, by mixing with the crowd, concealed Himself and went out of the temple [enclosure]. John 8:12-59
As I have discussed the Scriptural findings explored in The Bed Keeper I too have been accused of having a demon by Christians, clergy members, and ministry leaders, just as Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of His day....and as most homosexual people have been accused throughout the centuries.
So many Christians think they have to "cast out the demon of homosexuality" from people who aren't even guilty of any form of homosexuality condemned by Scripture, as we learned by exploring them in this chapter.
So many Christians think a gay person is only "set free" if he is "delivered from homosexuality."
So many Christians think they are doing God a "mighty work" by "prophesying against homosexuality."
So many Christians think they are going to make it to heaven for all the people they have "cured from homosexuality."
These are the same Christians the Holy Spirit warns the church of in 1 Timothy 4:1-3:
The [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,
Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized),
Who forbid people to marry...
These are the kind of "Christians" whom Jesus said will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].
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Dear Valued Readers,
This blog continues to be a work in progress. As recent revelations and events throughout Christendom have created an increasingly fluid situation, updates will no longer be published at the end of each post, but rather only at the beginning of the corresponding posts so impacted. As of August 1, 2013, the only updates to appear at the end of each post will be churches that are personally endorsed by The Bed Keeper as a "SAFE SPACE."
Readers may email thebedkeeper@gmail.com to discuss or comment on any posting. Please note that while all feedback is highly valued and appreciated, it may not be possible to reply to each email.
Readers may email thebedkeeper@gmail.com to discuss or comment on any posting. Please note that while all feedback is highly valued and appreciated, it may not be possible to reply to each email.
UPDATE 01.15.12:
Lakewood Church officially endorsed as a SAFE SPACE for LGBT people to worship! Details here.
UPDATE 11.22.11:
Eagle Mountain International Church officially endorsed as a SAFE SPACE for LGBT people to worship! Details here.
Lakewood Church officially endorsed as a SAFE SPACE for LGBT people to worship! Details here.
UPDATE 11.22.11:
Eagle Mountain International Church officially endorsed as a SAFE SPACE for LGBT people to worship! Details here.
THANK YOU for your generous support of this work!
Let him who receives instruction in the Word of God share all good things with his teacher, contributing to his support.
Galatians 6:6
