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Beware, the founder, a "former" JW. A "former" Anglican priest teaches doctrines many JW doctrines with a succesionist methodology like salvation by Baptism. Like ransom atonement. They reject Hebrew old testament. Saying that people are losing faith because of the Hebrew texts, rather the Greek old testament is more accurate. They recommend Orthodox Bibles with the added books rather than the truly historical books. The examples they give will be loaded with an apriori bias. Anecdotally chosen. They hate the Reformation and sew the seeds of doubt masking it as scripture just as Satan did when tempting Christ. They point you to early Christians rather than the scriptures as their reference. Remember, even Moses gave the writ of divorce, but in the beginning it was not so. Tertulian Said that you should not be baptized too early because if you do the sins you commit after cannot be forgiven. Folks judge for yourselves. Be not deceived by every wind of doctrine. Be like the Bereans who searched the SCRIPTURES daily to see if what they were told was true. May God give you wisdom.

Origen castrated himself and walked around barefoot in order to earn his salvation. The Bible didn't teach that.

A couple points of feedback from a protestant perspective. 1. The requirement of growth in holiness is affirmed by most classical and evangelical denominations. In Protestantism this is called sanctification. The Wesleyan denominations classically believe in entire sanctification in which one is able to attain sinless perfection, which the Dordrecht confession seems to advocate for. In some Lutheran circles this growth is called Christification. In Orthodox churches this process is called theosis. So, the suggestion that holiness is a strictly Mennonite doctrine is not rooted in historic theological realities. Passages like John 15:4, 1 John 3, James 2, Romans 12:2, Titus 3:5, and 1 John 5 seem to suggest a radically transformed life in Christ. If you are a faithful Christian, obedient to God's word you will believe something similar, Mennonite or not. 2. Justification and sanctification seem to be conflated in the Dordrecht confession. As a rule, Justification is the process by which we are declared righteous before God by Christ's death on the cross. Sanctification is the way in which one is being made more holy and like Christ daily. In this way, the confessions could be said to be different. However, the mechanics of both soteriologies are not different. Both protestant and anabaptist theology seems to recommend an outgrowth of good works as proof of purchase by God. I don't think Anabaptists are unique in regards to growth in Holiness. While I will admit that the Protestant churches have bought into the cultures sins either in part or in whole, I do not believe this is due to an absence of a doctrine on Holiness or Sanctification.

Menno simmons wasnt a protestant, he attacked protestant doctrines. Menno Simmons ruthlessly denied the doctrine of the incarnation, he had a gnostic view of christ where Jesus wasnt really a human. MENNO SIMMONS DENIES THAT CHRIST BECAME MAN FROM THE VIRGIN MARY Why would anyone follow a christological heretic and name their denomination afted him?

I'm curious what David might say to someone who says that he shouldn't call himself Anabaptist. The challenge might go something along these lines. You (David) hold to baptismal regeneration which is not a historically Mennonite teaching, you hold to real presence in the Eucharist, also not historically Mennonite/Anabaptist. Neither of the positions held by David are supported by the Dortrecht Confession even though they both get their own article. Perhaps I am mistaken on David's own views (in which case I apologize) but I am curious to how he would respond.

I would like to share a lengthy quote from Menno Simons REPLY TO GELLIUS FABER page 95 in the second part of Menno Simons Complete Works. This begins with Menno quoting Faber's accusation "In the second place he accuses us, saying, "they have an obdurate faith; one half of which is founded on the merits of Christ, and the other upon their own merits. For Obbe Phillips (as he says) does plainly assert that the justification of man is not brought about by faith alone, but by faith, love, and good works" Answer. I would humbly ask Gellius this question: Does it follow that because Obbe Phillips formerly taught this doctrine, Menno and the others also teach it? If he answer in the affirmative I would say that he does us an injustice, as, alas, he often does. For our doctrine and publications abundantly testify that we and the church of God are not thus minded, BUT THAT WE SEEK JUSTIFICATION ALONE IN THE RIGHTEOUS AND CRUCIFIED CHRIST JESUS." But hey, that's just Menno Simons and what did he know about early Anabaptist doctrine?

for by faith are ye saved through faith not by works lest any man should boast

I worked through these courses during a time of my life when I had so many questions about truth and who’s right. Like how could all these church groups think they were? It seemed hopeless. What I learned in these courses changed my life! I had heard the Bible all my life and the teaching in these courses made so much sense of so much I had wondered about. I have learned to read the Bible simply for what it says. Praise God.

Amen 👏

The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter the "rock " of his Church. He gave him the keys to his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. The office of "binding" and "loosing" which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head. This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belong to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.

There were a lot of different Gnostic sects. What you quoted there was from a very small, obscure sect that contradicted all the others.

Responding to the comment made by roddumlaug: David & the early Christian writings don't support Apostolic Succession & he has done CD's on this issue.

As the first Scripture proclaims, the oral tradition and written, must be passed down.....doctrine and lifestyle. Doctrinally, foremost, baptismal regeneration (even to infants), the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the other Sacraments....all of the things/issues which David notes in his "Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs"....also including confession, sign of the cross, interest and usury, the list goes on. David has shed so much light on the Early Church. Thanks to him I am now ordained in Apostolic Succession as a Franciscan Deacon !

I don't believe God desires us to participate in a lie. Lying to people that masks help against diseases when their own science says otherwise and seeing them change their minds over abd over about matters that simply are not true when we know them not to be true is taking part in their lies. Telling the truth is part of following Christ. And any doctor that says wearing a mask prevents covid is either lying or he does not know how harmful it is to wear a mask all day long especially if you have a respiratory disease already, like asthma, bronchitis, or the like.

Amen! Share share share

22:44 it was not 430 in Egypt. But 430 total including Egypt. But they were not in Egypt for that long.

[Ephesians 2:20] 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, [1 Corinthians 3:11] 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [Revelation 21:14] 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

One hears a lot about the early Christians not being inspired scripture, etc, etc, but I wonder how often we know and confess something but still end up going directly against it? Knowingly or unknowingly. I have a genuine concern that the early Christian writings are replacing the role of the Holy Spirit as "teacher" and "guide to all truth" on this channel. I do hold the early Christian writings in high regard, and I believe we have been richly blessed in being able to access such a treasure box of writings. Along with the writings of the early Anabaptists. But we stand in danger of bypassing the Spirit of Christ and turning Christianity into an academic venture. Should the Holy Spirit not have the power to bring us to the same conclusions as the Early church and the first Anabaptists? Using the early Christian and Anabaptist writings and doctrines as a means to bring us to the "supposed" conclusions of Christ and the Apostles is faulty and not good. And I believe you stand in danger of doing so on this channel. Sincerely.... Neil Byler

Very well done and very well stated!! Love it!!

This is so true! I would like to add this scripture Luke 14:27-30 "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." If, "once saved always saved" were true, then why would anyone mock? What is it that he must "finish"? Why would we need to "bear our cross" to be a disciple? Wouldn't we just be one if we said a prayer in belief? And of course, there's sooooo much more that proves what David is saying.

Thank you David, very good. One question I have you mentioned a few times about a documentary your church watched, what is the title of the documentary?

Can't wait to hear more! Thank you!

So now the Mennonites aren't really Mennonites. Coming from someone who has changed his identity a half a dozen times. Sowing the seeds of division using a lot of scriptural sounding things. This methodology is consistent with the Jehovah's witnesses. Mixing in Catholic/ Anglican successionist teachings up to the Nicene council. This is where of course it all went wrong for the JW's. They hate the Protestant Reformation. Rather than relying on the scriptures as our source of Truth. Just as Paul was shocked that there were those that were requiring the addition of circumcision to their salvation. So likewise the adding this and that to obtain your salvation. We are saved by grace through faith and not of works lest any man should boast. But we are sanctified and we go on to perfection by the working of the spirit. An apple tree doesn't have to try to make apples. It does by its nature.

Luther preached that we are saved by grace through faith, what does easy believism mean? 🤔

As a Christian who has turned away from worldly desires and opposes shallow faith, I boldly proclaim that salvation is solely through grace. God’s grace (charis) encompasses every aspect of life in Christ, from start to finish. Receiving grace at baptism unites us with Christ and his Spirit, and it is through the expression of that grace that we perform good works and acts of charity. The believer’s ability to do the impossible comes from the grace and empowerment of Christ. Sadly, a majority of Christians wrongly view grace as an excuse to sin, rather than a motivation to break free from sin.

The most conservative Mennonite churches--especially Nationwide and Eastern--have not lost this understanding from the Dordrecht Confession when it comes to their theology regarding salvation. When visiting these churches they teach a theology of faith and obedience coupled with a transformed life emphasizing "walking with Christ" for salvation. I wonder if this is more of an issue among moderate conservative Mennonite churches that are being more influenced more by Protestant views via media etc. They do, however, need to work on having the same zeal for evangelism that the early anabaptists had.

What is the documentary referenced around the 26 minute mark?

😅I agree, the thief on the cross is definitely burning in hell. Jesus just don’t understand Anabaptist theology.

I think a lot of the early anabaptists believed you were born again before baptism and that remains one of their major errors.Protestants separate the Blood of Christ from the will of the living God therefore cannot see a connection between baptism and salvation;John 3:5. God withholds the blood of Christ until one is immersed in water as an appeal for a good conscience.1 Peter 3:21 New American Standard Bible and Acts 22:16

Patriarchy is the strength of Islam. When Christianity abandoned patriarchy, it sealed its own fate. Original Christianity was a form of gentle patriarchy, and that is one major factor as to why it was able to revolutionize the civilized world.

I love that you are challenging this view, PSA, that is so popularly held by so many today and sadly, a false teaching I have come to believe is leading many to an eternal death. It certainly was for me less than a year ago. I would like to address something you talked about. God did not pay Himself or Satan a debt we owed. The scripture never says either. In regard to the idea of ransom, one must understand what the word means. Basically, a simple definition might be “a price paid to free someone or something”. Christ paid a price to free us from sin and death. The price paid wasn’t paid to someone, but it was certainly paid by someone. What did He pay? 1. He left His comforts in heaven 2. He emptied Himself and became human 3. He lived a life in service to others 4. He went hungry 5. He experienced grief 6. He lived a life while under the threat of people wishing to kill Him 7. He was constantly being challenged by those who opposed Him 8. He was mocked, betrayed, beat, spit on and killed 9. He lives to intercede for all those who are in Him forever He paid a heavy price, but just like a soldier doesn’t pay a debt owed to someone when they pay the ultimate price protecting their country or a firefighter pays the ultimate price rescuing human beings from a burning building so Jesus didn’t pay a debt owed to anyone as well.

When did Jesus ever say to get your identity from a group of people? Our identity should be in Christ alone .A big chunk of the teachings of Christ are also left unsaid such as “ without Me You can do NOTHING “ I notice no speaking of walking in the Holy Spirit of Christ so yo will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. There is a reason they are called “ The Fruits of The Spirit” . Also a vital and I mean VITAL PART OF THE OVERALL GOSPEL is left unsaid by all the churches “ IF YOU BELIEVE NOT THAT “I AM” YOU WILL DIE IN YOUR SINS!” The churches have universally accepted the Catholic teachings of dividing God into 3 parts Revelation 16:19 Christ is that great city ! Taught in Genesis 28:19!

One thing that I think has majorly formed Christian thinking is Christian radio. The theology of the teachers is mostly PSA affirming so I can understand why Christians made the shift over time.

VHTC looks like a thought-provoking way of looking at churches and Christian denominations. It should be a useful framework. I think David is right on the money when he identifies the problem in modern evangelical Protestantism. I wonder, though, if there might be a risk of an overreaction. For example, the modern evangelical practice of sola fide as a sort of “easy-believism” or “once saved always saved” is certainly a dangerous error to be warned against. Yet, if we define “faith” and “grace” in the same way as the New Testament defines these terms, I don’t see how an Anabaptist could simply categorically deny that we are saved by faith alone and grace alone. Can’t we show that Biblical “faith” is to be seen as synonymous with “faithfulness” and underscore the imperative of obedience to Christ and still recognize that we will only ever be saved because we are forgiven by the grace of God? If an unbeliever sins, he will only be forgiven if he believes, repents, and gets baptized. If he sins after his baptism, he is once again in need of forgiveness, which he attains by confession and repentance. Yet the necessity of confession and repentance does not diminish the fact that our sins are only ever forgiven by God’s grace. And indeed, if we might view sin as an expression of a lack of faith, or as a lack of faithfulness, you could say that repentance itself is to come back to faith. What convinces me of this is that in so many of Christ’s miracles we are told “your faith has made you well”. Even though these people DID things (maybe you could call them works) to reach Christ or call out to him, it was their faith that made them well because their faith was “living” enough to inform their actions. I’m sorry I ended up rambling. I appreciate David’s teaching very much and I think he’s right in pointing out the problems in evangelicalism. I just worry that we can lose sight of the gospel if we overreact and categorically eliminate the idea that our own merits aren’t good enough. As if our good works can outweigh our sins, instead of recognizing that works are necessary for a living faith that saves us from our sins that we can not atone for.

What I find interesting about these early Confessions; they say nothing about hardcovers for the sisters. Yet, that is the litmus test for modern day Amish and mennonites.

Thank the Lord & you for a wonderful teaching!

I have a question and maybe someone can help me answer this. I have for a long time gone to this Baptist church but in recent years I came to an understanding of the historic faith and the true nature of salvation by faith and works taught from the Anabaptist. I see myself all the time in disagreement in the Baptist church and wonder if I should even bother to still go? Especially given everything they usually preach I see myself not aligned with and not only that but many of them would arguably not even consider me a christian for probably not holding to sola fide. What should I do?

Great! Thank you!

I would very strongly disagree that they are talking about a 2 stage redemption. I would argue In fact the primary premise of Of all the quotes that you listed Is that works are a fruit of salvation, a result of redemption, a proof if you will.

We need to get back to the Bible and what it teaches. We have to denounce the pagan holidays of the world, we have to obey the Sabbath (4th commandment), and honor our roles. We must denounce the pagan trinity and get back to their real names. It’s all of it. 🙏🏻 HalleluYah! 🙌🏻

I prefer to stick with passover.

Christians in name only.

I would disagree thus far, except on infant baptism.

8Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise? 9He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? 10He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? 11YHVH knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile. 12Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O YHVH, And teach out of Your Torah, 13That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the disobedient. 14For YHVH will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. 15But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it. 16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of lawlessness?

1) "So by removing the requirement to obey the Law," Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 2) "Jesus was not teaching disobedience." Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 3) "That doesn't mean that God is unable to change what commands he requires of his people" Malachi 3: 6“For I am YHVH, I DO NOT CHANGE; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the YHVH TSAVAOT. 4) "After all, he changed what commands were required when he instated the Law of Moses in the first place!" Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the YHVH Eloheka is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Psalm 119:89Forever, O YHVH, Your word (TORAH) is settled in heaven. 90Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 1PETER 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth (TORAH) through the Spirit (JER 31:33/EZE 36:27) in sincere love of the brethren (LEVITICUS 19:18), love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God (TORAH OF YHVH) which lives and abides forever , 24because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25But the word of the Lord (TORAH OF YHVH) endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (THE GOSPEL IS THE TORAH - A GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE TO TORAH)

1 Corinthians 11:16-18 KJV But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, The Bible is what you should read King James Version your problem is you're following behind men that are not the apostles. The Bible is clear we don't have a custom that is why people do not wear head coverings. The Warhead coverings was to show others they were married now we have a ring that represents that, but either way the Bible tells us we don't have any such custom in none of the churches, so women do not have to wear their head covering unless their husbands want them to. The women who are single do not have to wear head coverings regardless of what you're reading from Men that are telling you Society is going to become in the future, like the divorces rate in the broken homes. The Bible also tells you that the world is going to wax it also goes in detail about things that's going to come. But when people stop following man and start following Christ this world would be a better place stop putting people in bondage because Christ would never do that you have to choose Christ, but you are making these men God you should be reading more scripture only who are making Heaven by only reading the Bible from the KJV you are holding women for your lust, instead of seeking help from God, Your following men that's why these issues never get a dress within you. But when you leave this life you're going to stand before the almighty God have to give account as to why you want to put bondage on his people instead of seeking help for your lust. I am a virgin waiting for marriage my brother was also a virgin waiting for a marriage he is now married and befor got married he went to beaches, he went to water parks. And whatever he was dealing with in his flesh, with whatever issues that he was battling and the same as myself, we had to take it to God in prayer and fasting because you need to go to Christ because when we are weak in the flesh God is the one that can take things from us or increase in us so that way we can overcome and become stronger in him but we have to be careful we do it the way that Christ tells us. Christ word tells us curse is he that put his trust in men. Bible tells us we have no such custom anything else is not of God pointing out all people's sins that need to come to Christ. Don't make women adjust to your lustful tendencies I pray that you seek truth from the word of God and ask God to give you understanding and I hope that you come out of pudding your trust in men. Because when you don't Then will you stray and will be deceived into thinking that you are doing the will of God in the will of God is not that you put bondage on any woman or man people belong to God please take whatever I'm saying to you to God because if you don't you will answer for it when you stand before God it will be too late. I do not wear my head cover and I received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and many other gifts you have to go to God for your self and not man when you're talking to these Bishops and pastors and reading what they say that makes you a follower of man you have to read your word and have more conversation and a better relationship with God and the way to do that is the same way you started a relationship with a wife or friends or family is the same way you build a relationship with God almighty I pray God guide you and give you understanding I pray you continue and I pray that you seek more of God almighty and that he opened the eyes to your understanding.

Instead of arguing about these extra-Biblical commandments like headcoverings, why don't you worry more about keeping commandments actually found in Torah like Tzitziot? Too Jewish for you, perhaps?

How would a Berean validate this teaching? By searching the Tanakh for agreement. However, your position is found in neither Torah nor the Prophets.

1 Corinthians 11:15 .. YOUR HAIR is your covering .. SCRIPTURE!! 🥰

I love that he said “would God be upset if we put a head covering on? No. Would he be upset if we didn’t?” I honestly think that is a very good answer to the whole issue.