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As I concluded in part one, the Jews have an extremely long history -- thousands of years, in fact -- of ignoring the Lord's warnings, and going their own stubborn way. In part one, I shared with you many verses which are found in the Old Testament which emphasize this very point. Sadly, this stubborn attitude of rebellion and disbelief did not change during the New Testament period. Just as they had rejected and murdered the Prophets in the Old Testament, tragically, many of the Jews continued to reject Jesus and the Apostles in the New Testament as well, preferring to adhere to their own traditions, beliefs and human wisdom instead. Here again are some verses which verify this point. In this group of verses, these unbelieving Jews are exposed for the synagogue of Satan and antichrists that they truly are:

"And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom [the Jews who falsely claim to be God's "Chosen People"] shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."


". . . Did ye [speaking to the unbelieving Jews] never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected [meaning the Jews rejecting Jesus], the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, [from the Jews] and given to a nation [God's new born-again Christian nation] bringing forth the fruits thereof. [meaning the fruits of true repentance]"


"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."


"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."


"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"


"For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."


"When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."


"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."


"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."


"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."


"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."


"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."


Continuing our discussion, another reason why there was such strict adherence to Jewish law and tradition, is because the ancient framework had been weakened by Hellenistic attitudes which had swept across not only Israel, but across much of that area of the world at that time. As I mention in some of my other articles, following the Second Diaspora, which, as you may know, occurred as a result of the invasions by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, dozens of thousands of Jews were forcefully dispersed into the surrounding lands and countries where they adopted the customs, dress and language of their hosts.

This is precisely who the Hellenists were. That is to say, they were Grecian Jews. They were the same philosophical Jews who clashed with the Apostle Paul time and time again. In fact, as is born out in my article "A Biblical Cafeteria, Or the Whole Course?", they were the very people who tried to kill Paul on several occasions, such as during his first return to Jerusalem following his conversion on the road to Damascus. These Grecian Jews are mentioned in verses such as the following one:

"And he [Paul] spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him."


These were not all Grecians, or Greeks, in the truest sense of the word. Rather, they were Hellenists who perceived the words of Paul as being contrary to the Torah. In addition, these were Jews who were not only well-versed in the Laws of Moses, but who were also highly educated in the doctrines and teachings of the Greek and Roman philosophers of the preceding few centuries.

Sadly, it was precisely because of their very background in the worldly wisdom of men, that they were thoroughly blinded to the Truth of the Scriptures, and the revelation of Jesus Christ. In his Epistle to the Church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul also chided the Gentiles who were likewise spiritually blind due to this worldly way of thinking. He referred to it as the "vanity of their mind", as we see by this verse:

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"


In fact, as I point out in the "A Biblical Cafeteria, Or the Whole Course?" article, these Gentile Ephesians were staunch worshippers of Diana, the Roman goddess of chastity, hunting and the moon. She finds her equivalent in the Greek goddess Artemis. Consider the following group of verses where the Ephesian idol merchants all turn against Paul, because as a result of his faithful witnessing about Jesus Christ, people are coming to know Jesus, and thus abandoning their worship of the false idols. Of course, this disrupted the Ephesians' brisk idol selling business, so they were obviously not too pleased with Paul:

"And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians . . . But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."


Just imagine. These were people who were supposedly highly educated with regards to the doctrines and teachings of the greatest Roman and Greek philosophers who had ever lived. Sadly, as we can easily see by the previous example, despite that fact, such worldly wisdom of men did not lead them to the truth, which can only be found in the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. In their utter foolishness, as well as due to their desire for profit, they preferred their idols to Jesus. In fact, in the Gospel of John, Jesus even said that such people are not even capable of receiving the Spirit of Truth. Consider these two verses:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."


In similar fashion, in his two Epistles to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul wrote that because the people of the world consider themselves to be so wise in their own eyes, and because they do not have the Spirit of God, they are unable to even begin understanding the true wisdom which is being conveyed to them through the preaching of the Gospel. As he writes in the following verses, they consider the Gospel to be pure foolishness:

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God . . . For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."


"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."


Furthermore, the Apostle Paul writes in this same chapter that it is because of this very same empty, worldly wisdom with which they have chosen to fill their minds and hearts, that God is unable to even use such people in His service, as we see by the following verses:

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."


Clearly then, the idea of being wise in our own eyes is not being very wise at all. In fact, it is quite foolish, vain, and is a product of human pride. This very same message is conveyed in the following group of verses:

"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."


"Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"


"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."


"‭‭‭Be‭ of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.‭"


"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."


". . . we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."


What we see then, is that it is only those people who can accept the Spirit of Truth with the faith and meekness of a child, who are capable of not only receiving true wisdom, but in the end, Salvation as well. I likewise discuss this same subject in the article entitled "The Faith of a Little Child". Consider the following group of verses:

". . . I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes"


". . . Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."


"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."


Please understand that it really doesn't matter whether these ancient traditions and philosophies of men are of Jewish or Gentile origin. The end result is still the same; and that is that such traditions, philosophies and human wisdom do not and cannot lead a person to the One who paid the price for our Salvation. They in fact work against and weaken faith in God and His Word. If you doubt that this is so, consider how many young people enter college as Christians of one flavor or another, but then graduate a few years later as complete atheists, because they were bombarded with so many lies which caused them to doubt their faith.

The aforementioned disciplines basically elevate man to the status of being his own god. It all amounts to pretentious head-stuffing which inflates one's pride and ego, resulting in one placing confidence in themself, instead of in God and His Word. It is secular humanism through and through. As the Apostle Paul wrote "knowledge puffeth up." This is something I discuss in the series "John Lennon's 'Imagine' and Secular Humanism". However, God will accept anyone who is willing to forsake these foolish things of the world, humble himself, and sincerely express faith in the Sacrifice of His dear Son. Why? Because God is no respecter of persons. Consider the following group of verses:

"And if ye call on the Father, who WITHOUT RESPECT OF PERSONS judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"


"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"


"For there is no respect of persons with God."


"And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."


While due to their own ignorance and hardheartedness, the ancient Jews rejected the Words of Life, we know from the Scriptures that God does not make mistakes. He has a purpose and a plan for everything that He does. In his Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul brings out this very point when he writes the following. In these verses, Paul explains that the Jews' rejection of their own Messiah, actually worked towards the Salvation of the Gentiles. Then, because the Gentiles have accepted Christ, they can then turn back to the unbelieving Jews and reach them with the Gospel as well:

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"


Perhaps one of the most demonically-deceptive lies I have heard, which has been circulating within New Age circles for a number of years now, concerns a personage by the name of Apollonius of Alexandria. I really don't know whether or not such a man ever really existed. However, it is what is being said regarding this man which should alarm every Christian. Without going into a lot of detail, suffice it to say that, according to the people who have swallowed this lie, Jesus Christ was only a mythological figure who was styled after the "true christ", whom they claim was in reality Apollonius of Alexandria.

This man is said to have performed great miracles, possessed great strength, and is purported to have travelled all over the known world conversing with, and learning from, the greatest philosophers and sages of his time. In fact, within the material I read, an attempt is made to either equate him with the Apostle Paul, or else to say that he is the "Apollo" who is mentioned by Paul in some of his Epistles. This idea is the furthest thing from the truth and is merely a satanic, damnable lie! This man's fame became so widespread that some folks eventually equated him with Hercules of Roman and Greek mythology. In short, he was given the status of a god. If you ever come across this material, I strongly urge you to not even read it, being as it will definitely test your faith in the one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is full of extremely strong delusion.

The previous examples from both Jewish and Gentile history regarding the Hellenistic Jews, the Ephesians and Apollonius of Alexandria, clearly demonstrate the negative effects of such worldly wisdom and philosophies. As I said, these ideas are very dangerous, because they discredit God, can totally rob one of their faith in Jesus Christ, and purposely exalt man as his own type of god without any real need of the true God of Heaven. Such philosophies and ideologies are a very secular, humanistic approach to life. Let me remind you one more time of what the Apostle Paul wrote:

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."


It is precisely for these reasons that it can be extremely difficult to reach those people who have involved themselves in such studies for any appreciable amount of time. Before the Lord can even begin to use such people, He sometimes has to tear down and root out all of the crap with which they have foolishly filled their minds and hearts. It reminds me of what the Lord told the young boy Jeremiah when He first called him to be a Prophet over the nations. Consider the following verse:

"See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant."


Before such people can even be established in the faith, it is first necessary to tear down and to get rid of all of the false, philosophical ideas and erroneous misconceptions which have been stuffed into their heads by "well-meaning" worldly teachers, philosophers and theologians. Once that original foundation has been re-discovered, and once all of the mental rubble has been cleared from their heads, then the process can begin to re-establish their faith upon a more sure Word of prophecy. Then they can be rooted and built up on the one true foundation of Jesus Christ. This is precisely what Paul writes in the two verses preceding Colossians 2:8. Consider the following group of verses:

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."


"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"


The Apostle Paul referred to this mental rewiring process on a few different occasions in his Epistles as a renewing or washing of the mind and Spirit, or putting on the mind of Christ. Consider the following group of verses:

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."


"For to be carnally minded ‭is‭ death; but to be spiritually minded ‭is‭ life and peace.‭"


"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."


"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"


"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"


"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"


"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."


In contrast to the above, the Apostle Paul likewise informs us that to think on the things of the flesh, to dwell upon the things of human understanding and reasoning, is to be carnally-minded and not spiritually-minded. He tells us that this will not only put one at odds with God, but that it is also the way of death, and that God will have no part with such a person. Consider the following verses:

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."


This entire process of being cleansed, renewed and sanctified -- that is, set apart and dedicated to God's service -- is of course a work of God's Spirit, which is accomplished through a careful, diligent study of His Word. This is simply because the more that we allow the Truth of the Light of God's Word to penetrate our minds and hearts, the more the spiritual darkness must flee. Consider the following group of verses which confirm this point:

"BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."


"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."


"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."


Please go to part three for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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