1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?.

This passage does not say one word in the direction that John the Baptist doubted the identity of Christ, but some come to the conclusion that there was no mistaking the fact that John wanted to know for sure if Jesus was indeed the Expected One. But as I read and examine the scriptures many passages of the Bible make it clear that John the Baptist was a true believer, so the general context of the Bible teaches us that John the Baptist would never doubt the identity of Christ and would never make God a liar by refusing the testimony that He gave about His Son and which John himself declared:

Created by; Roger Beck

This is an old cycle that has made its rounds many times down through the ages, but Satan seems to have found it so effective that he never grows weary in propagating it. One generation looks at a passing generation on one hand and an oncoming generation on the other. The passing generation is usually considered too strict, and the oncoming generation too lenient. The one in the middle may be temptedto compromise. We must consider that the Word of God is older than any of us, and that Word has never changed. Fashions and customs have varied from generation to generation and from nation to nation. But our unchanging -God spoke His Word to all nations and generations without respect of persons. There is nothing in It which any nation, in any era of time, cannot obey. Your General Overseer has lived to see fashions change from one extreme to another for over half a century, but the Word of God reads and means the same as it did 50 years ago. Since the written Word has stood the test for almost 6,000 years, blessing every generation that has obeyed It, it seems unreasonable and dangerous to contend for some of the radical changes which even the religious world is trying to thrust upon us in the last one or two generations.

We must guard against following customs, traditions, and fashions which violate the principles of Christ. That which is a necessity in one part of the world must not become an excuse in other parts of the world where the necessity does not exist. For example, economic conditions in some areas have made millions of people almost destitute, and sufficient clothing is very difficult to obtain; but where clothing is available, our people should clothe themselves modestly. Although wedding rings seem to have more significance in some countries than in others, nowhere are they more than traditional symbols and are no part of lawful marriage. According to the Bible, it is the covenant that joins a man and a woman together in matrimony, and we must stay with the Word of God. The Church is against members wearing gold for ornament or decoration. The thought behind this teaching is that our ornament of holiness must be in immaterial things; such as, a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price. That which is unbecoming to a saint of God would be cause for shame, in that it substitutes something else for the beauty of holiness.

It is interesting to note that about all of history’s sweeping revivals have led the people back to stricter Bible standards. Just before the Church arose in these last days, God saw fit to gather a few modest, holiness people together to form the body that would become the Church. They were not prominent according to worldly standards, but they did fear God and were determined to walk in the light as He shined it on their pathway. God could have chosen another group—one that would have been accepted by a larger segment of the population, or one that had fewer scruples about self-will, worldliness, and shameful habits. But, He chose a people who were willing to suffer persecution rather than cater to the more lenient practices of those around them.

The Church of God has been reasonably successful in maintaining its high standard of faith and doctrine. From time to time, some of the membership have preferred a looser rein and have taken the liberty to indulge their preference, even in the face of the Assembly’s advice against it. Others, momentarily led astray, became ashamed of their ways and have prayed through; while the more contentious ones have lost the victory and left the Church of God for an easier way. At this present time, there seems to be a spirit that is working in a more cunning way for the destruction of souls. It seems to be a companion spirit to the unrestrained fleshly freedom that is running rampant among the worldly element. It takes its liberty without apology and without blushing. Prior to Judah’s downfall and captivity, the Prophet Jeremiah spoke these words: “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. ‘Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 6:13-15. From these verses, it seems that people of all age levels had become engaged in covetousness and other abominable things. Even the ministry had lowered its standard. God warned them of the impending destruction because of their sin and shame, but the prophets and priests pacified the people, encouraging them in their evil ways and ignoring Jeremiah’s preaching. Sin had become so commonplace and acceptable with the majority that it was not counted sin, and the people couldn’t blush for shame.

Jeremiah continued with an appeal, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Since God and His Word have not changed, we know He is pointing His erring people to the old paths, the good way, yet today. Wherever there is sin, worldliness, and disrespect for the teachings of the Church and the kindly advice of the Assembly, there is cause for shame. But it is possible to ignore the preaching of our faithful ministers andto persist in our own way until the cunning spirit of this evil day will deafen us to the warnings. There has been a frightening decline in morals in the last few years. We would not like to say that our moral standards in the Church have changed, but ft behooves us to be careful to shun the very appearance of evil. Shameful appearances among the members of the Church would speak against us to those looking toward the Church. If appearances are shameful, yet so acceptable that we cannot blush over them, it could indicate that the worldly desire accompanies the outward appearance. Jesus said that evil things proceed from the abundance of the heart. Despite for the Chbrch government and its holy doctrine, immodest dress, unbecoming behavior, suggestive and vulgar conversation are more than harmJess appearances. A permissive society condones these things and condemns modesty as prudish and Victorian, but it would be well for every member of the Church of God to be more careful to hear and heed the advice of the Church and the enduring demands of the Bible. It will be all right to blush when we need to blush, but it is dangerous to say that we will not walk in the old paths, where is the good way.

When Ezra found abominations among the people and the priests because they had not separated themselves from the people of the land, he fell on his knees and cried out, “. . . O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.” Ezra 9:6. Ezra was not guilty of these shameful practices himself, but he knew that whatever the people did was a reflection on the whole house of God, and his prayer indicates that he suffered the shame right along with those who were guilty. The wonderful thing was that the people were ready to forsake their shameful ways. They sat in the streets in the rain listening to Ezra’s instructions, trembling over their sins. The Church of God has labored hard and long to establish the truth in the world. The early Church fathers sealed it with their life’s blood. Jeremiah cried, “. . . shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers…” Jeremiah 3:24. This must not be said of the lastdays Church. We must keep ourselves separate from the compromising world, both secular and religious, and hold fast the pure and holy doctrine which our fathers have given us, both in faith and in practice.

Which is in our Basic Bible Beliefs

Sanctification, like salvation, ultimately spans the entire life of the believer. Initially, it is a work of grace subsequent to being justified, regenerated, or born again. It is an instantaneous work, which both sets one apart for God (1 Corinthians 1:2) and crucifies and cleanses the old nature, enabling the believer to be free from the dominant rule of sin: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For, he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6, 7). “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). This dethroning of the old nature, this cleansing, this setting apart, places upon the believer the scriptural demand to “mortify the deeds of the body” through the Spirit (Romans 8:12, 13) and to “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication [sexual immorality],uncleanness, inordinate [abnormal] affection, evil concupiscence [desire for earthly things], and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Second Peter 3:17, 18 further encourages growth in God’s grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ: “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” There is then in sanctification, a responsibility on the part of the believer to “put off” some habits and practices, and to “put on” others, which means there must be intentionality to holiness (Ephesians 4:22–32). Sanctification empowers us against sin’s control; the believer responds with a renewed mind to be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:1, 2) and to be holy in life and conduct (2 Corinthians 7:1).

This part is from a COGOP Ministerial Seminar, by Pastor Bruce Sullivan. Which I hope will give us come insight and a clearer understanding of what sanctfication is and does witin our lives.

Sanctification is the recognition of the call to purity, the accepting of the power to live pure by faith, and the consecration to the source of that purity – the Holy Spirit.  Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts…”  We want to tell people they can receive an experience where they are victorious over sin without explaining the need to consecrate themselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit and that is not true and it will not work!!!

Some people define Sanctification as one of the three but forget about the other two.  They believe they are called to live pure but you can’t live pure without consecration.  They believe God has called them to purity but they don’t believe God has given them the ability to live pure.  They don’t believe God has called them to purity.  They don’t believe they have to be consecrated to be saved (its just a matter of time).  Sanctification is perpetual.  It is a commitment which must be walked in. 

It was designed to take place at Salvation but many times, through ignorance or deception, it is postponed until the knowledge (through the Word) comes.  “Faith cometh by hearing…”

What is the “sin nature?”  It is the physical body with its desires without the control and influence of the Holy Spirit.  It is eradicated only by true Salvation.  It can reform or regroup if Sanctification is rejected (consecration). 

You may be called to holiness (separation and purity) but not be submitting to that.  Either through ignorance of the requirement or ignorance of the ability to do so. 

Sanctification is then a gift of grace whereby one receives into their heart the ability to live holy and the recognition of such by faith.  The ability to live a Holy life may be imparted at Salvation but it is not activated until faith grabs it and a person submits to the Holy Spirit who gives them that strength.  Paul’s call to holiness and submission to be led by the Holy Spirit are calls to Sanctification.

The confusion comes when people mix up God’s imputing of Holiness (saints) and God’s impartation of Holiness (the ability to live a holy life).  A truly converted person will readily accept the call to holiness while not always submitting to the Spirit (consecrating) and thus not living consistently. 

Cleansing is not Sanctification.  Something can be clean but unless it is consecrated to the service of God, it is not sanctified.  Something which is consecrated must be clean and, in fact, it is sacrilege for something consecrated to be used for unclean purposes.

I do believe man has a sin nature and I do believe it must be eliminated, I believe we have done a very poor job of explaining the sin nature, how it is removed, and how Sanctification does the job.  Therefore, we have been ill equipped to teach or preach on this subject and to defend it from the scripture.

Some misunderstanding arises from a timeline man has put in place.  God can rush one through Salvation, Sanctification, & Baptism in the Holy Spirit so they happen so close as to appear simultaneous.  This is seen in the experience in Cornelius’ house in Acts 10.  If this can happen, it is probable it is not God who withholds but the believer either through ignorance, deception, unbelief, or the struggle of a rebellious heart.  God’s intent was for the new convert to accept God’s call to purity and consecrate their lives at the same time they accepted Christ as their Savior.

At Salvation God forgives us for our sins but He does nothing regarding our sinfulness and thus our future sins.  The belief is that the root of sin still remains and the prospect of sinning in the future is bleak.  Therefore we must ask God for a second definite work of grace, whereby the root or sin nature is eradicated and therefore we can live without sin. 

At Salvation you receive a new influence, namely, the Holy Spirit.  You still have the old influence of the flesh. Which nature controls you, depends on which influence you are committed to.  If you are committed to the flesh, you have the old nature which leads to sin.  If you are committed to the Holy Spirit, you have the new nature which leads to holiness.  Sanctification is a crisis point in which you crucify, mortify, put to death, the old nature by once and for all consecrating your life to the leading of God’s Spirit

Prophetic statements sometimes apply to more than one fulfillment, a principle call duality. A prime example of duality is Christ’s first coming to atone for our sins and His second coming to rule as King of Kings.

Such dual themes are common in Scripture. The apostle Paul, for example, wrote about the first man Adam and the last Adam [Jesus Christ]

God inspired much of prophecy to relate to the first and second appearances of Jesus as the Messiah. Prophecy explains the necessity of both His first and second comings in God’s plan for mankind. The apostles often referred to prophecies Jesus had already fulfilled to prove that He was the Messiah. But they also often spoke of His second coming.

Therefore, the first important key to an understanding of biblical prophecy is to recognize that almost all prophecy directly relates to the intervention in human affairs of one key player: Jesus the Messiah

Jesus made this clear to His disciples after His resurrection: “Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).

Jesus specifically alluded to the dual application of some prophecies in Matthew 17:11-12. Asked about the prophecy of “Elijah,” who would precede the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5), Jesus responded: “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already.” The disciples understood that the “Elijah” who had come already was John the Baptist (verse 13). But Christ’s clear implication was that another “Elijah” would precede His second coming, announcing His return just as John the Baptist preceded Christ’s first coming.

Another prophecy with dual application is Jesus’ Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21), so named because He gave it on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem. Many conditions described in this prophecy existed in the days leading up to the Romans’ siege and destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. But Christ makes it clear that similar conditions would prevail shortly before his return, his second coming.

In the Olivet prophecy, Jesus spoke of an “abomination of desolation.” Daniel’s prophecy about the abomination of desolation was fulfilled in 167 B.C. by Antiochus Epiphanes, but Jesus pointed out that the prophecy would have a future fulfillment or would be fulfilled in that generation.

In His most detailed prophecy of the end time, Jesus said, “When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16).

Daniel’s prophecy warned of Antiochus: “And they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31).

“On the fifteenth day of the month Kislev in the year 145″  which corresponds to 168/167 B.C., “they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar” of the temple. This appears to have been a pagan altar, probably with an image representing the Greek chief god Zeus, as 2 Maccabees 6:2 tells us that Antiochus defiled the Jewish temple “by dedicating it to the Olympian god Zeus” 

Jesus revealed to us the time for this prophecy’s ultimate fulfillment in Matthew 24:21 when He explained what would immediately follow it: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time.”

We can learn a great deal about this end-time prophecy from the original abomination of desolation Daniel foretold. Antiochus Epiphanes was a forerunner of the end-time king of the North, the world dictator the book of Revelation refers to as the “beast.” No doubt this end-time ruler will employ the same deceitful and underhanded methods that marked the reign of Antiochus

As Jesus fortold about the abomination of desolation to come, to him that have a ear to hear.(whoso readeth, let him understand) understanding because of the first fulfillment of the prophecy by Antiochus Epiphanes and the second fulfillment by Titus in 70 AD. and another to come.

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Over the years and over changes within the church through our teachings have we become a social club? If we stop teaching or preaching the truth, then by the way of changing we become no more than a social club. Jesus said, to dust off our shoes when one would not receive the truth and move on.

Today our mentality is to tell them what they want to hear. The church has changed to accommodate the world. It should be the other way, We should be that light unto this dark world.

Lets look at the early church. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.

Today’s church is far different.

As a social club the church would be saying; Come and be apart of us, but give no guidence of teaching the truth.  Many go to church as if it were a social club to sing and dance and even shout, but live a life that show’s not fruit of a christian. For some go to the club on Saturday night and live it up then turn and go to church on Sunday thinking every think is alright.

The church has become a place of Money Maker, Celebrity Ministers, Sexually Immoralities, Lover of lies rather than the Truth. 

In changing our teachings of divorce and remarriage it has opened doors to these immoralities. I can only look around and see these changes that have taking place and I see it as a social club. To know the church has fallen from what she once were unto a mistress.   It makes me think of Revelation 18:3 which speaks of the end time about the “Great Whore” which deceive many by her fornication.

My hope is that the church will rid ourselves of the social club mentality and become “The pillar and foundation of the Truth!”

Scripture shows that even if a single person married a divorced woman both would be committing adultery.

Divorce and remarriage is classified as breaking of a vow and it is but it is more. Jesus didn’t say, “Whoever puts always his wife and marries another is a covenant breaker” He said, “He is an adulterer.” That makes all the difference in the world. Adultery means I am having an affair. If I ask forgiveness for cheating on my spouse can I then continue to cheat on my spouse? You can ask forgiveness for it, but you can’t continue or remain in that sin in which you have asked forgiveness from.  God still recognizes the first marriage therefore it is seen as an affair.    

So then why is the church COGOP teaching this? “These marriage partners would not be called as adulterers even though remarried. If persons were divorced and remarried for any reason prior to their personal salvation and have demonstrated a willingness to seek restitution (forgiveness from the offended spouse) and restoration where possible.”

Would not that be a man taken another man’s wife and then repents and keeps the wife.

1 Corinthians 7:27 KJV

Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

In context of these scriptures Paul is referring to the principles of the unmarried starting with verse 25 that concerns the virgins. Then in verse 26 he suppose that it is good in this present distress, that a man remain as he were “That it is good for a man so to be”

Art thou (bethrothed) bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed (divorce, put away). Art thou loosed (unmarried, single, widow) from a wife? Seek not a wife.

The problem becomes with many the word “loosed.” How to understand what Paul is meaning? The way it should be understand is that Paul with in this chapter would not be contradicting himself, but this scripture would have to be understood in context of all the others. For instinct verse 10, 11 “but and if she depart (leave, separate), let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.”

 Also verse 39 “The wife is bound by law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”

So as we get a better understanding of the word “loosed” it is in context of the unmarried, single or widowed . If that person should get married they are not sinning.  Paul had said; in verse 8, 9 “I say therefore to the unmarried and the widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I, But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”  We see Paul now express that if they the unmarried (single) and widows (ones that are not bound,”loosed”) should get married it isn’t a sin this is in agreement with all others scriptures.

Paul is responding to questions he received in a letter from the Corinthians (7:1). Obviously some of the questions pertained to marriage, and whether or not the apostle deemed it advisable. What many people overlook is that the questions were asked, and Paul’s responses were offered, in light of “the present distress” that the Corinthians were facing. Likely, the members of the church at Corinth had asked him whether or not it was proper for a Christian to marry in their present circumstances. In 7:26, Paul wrote: “I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress —that it is good for a man to remain as he is [single]” . Exactly what “the present distress” was at this time is unknown, but it likely involved oppression and persecution at the hands of the Romans (possibly Emperor Nero). After all Paul makes these statements of singleness one would think he was against marriage, but he was not.

“It is good for a man not to touch a woman” (7:1)“I wish that all men were even as I myself” (7:7).“I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am” (7:8).“It is good for a man to remain as he is” (7:26).

Some take the “loosed” to mean that a divorced person now has the right to remarry, but that would be in conflict with Paul, Luke, Mark and Jesus in which Jesus said “whosoever put away a wife and married another committed adultery.” Matthew 5:32 

 So why does Paul say this? 1 Corinthians 7:35

“And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”

What Paul means by this is that he would that one stay single (unmarried) so to attend to the Lord’s affairs.

 Marriage is based on both of those concepts together. Biblically a covenant is always made first, and then the two become one physically and are “married.” In Old Covenant marriages the covenant was made well in advance (often a year) of the two becoming one physically. They lived separate lives calling one another “husband” and “wife” but weren’t yet “married”. This was called the betrothal period where they were bound legally to this person but not physically. Then at the end of the betrothal they became one physically as well and were then “married”. In modern times of course we make the covenant and consummate it immediately after. In either case it is the covenant that makes it legally binding while the consummation is just the physical manifestation of the two becoming “one flesh.”  The old covenant marriage would show the “blood of the covenant” with the consummation.  Again it is the covenant or vow that binds the marriage.

 Then understanding that a marriage is bonded by the covenant “vow” from the start of the marriage they are called husband and wife. 

 The example of betrothal and marriage is an example of the covenant made between God and mankind. God’s “church/bride” is betrothed to Jesus the “bridegroom” in which Christ consummated the covenant on the cross with his blood and will come into its fullness when he returns for his bride and they are married and have the marriage supper of the lamb.

This is the number 3 statement in which my church COGOP classification of one that would not be classed as an adulterer even if divorce and remarry.

3.  If divorce occurred because of spousal or child abuse, such as incestuous behavior that seriously endangers the life and health of the spouse or family and violates the sanctity of holy matrimony.

The use of the words “such as” in speaking about incestuous behavior is that nonrestrictive or restrictive? In other words would that be open to other behavior’s that seriously endanger the life of the family or is it restrictive to incestuous behavior only. Such as imply that there are more to apply and that would mean it’s nonrestrictive.

Have the church open the door for nonrestrictive exceptation that wouldn’t be classed as adultery?

Where in scripture is this exception for abuse ?  I think the church with all love for the hurting people in these positions is trying to find away to help, but by misinterpertation.