Robert Dallmann

Is there any verse of Scripture that explicitly says that a believer cannot depart from the faith? (If so, please quote the verse.)

What is the primary sign of the Lord's return?

1 John 3:16 - Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us... Who laid down His life for us?

Which Covenant do followers of Jesus live under? Quote Scripture that supports your vote.

Which translation is correct? Who FAILED to give rest? Jesus or Joshua? KJV - Hebrews 4:8 - "For IF JESUS had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day." ESV - Hebrews 4:8 - "For IF JOSHUA had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on."

Jealous Ministers ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2) " I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 1:4) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Do We "Get It" Godly people—especially genuine, God-ordained ministers and leaders—are deeply jealous for God’s people. Like shepherds protecting their flock from wolves, bears, and lions, true ministers diligently watch over those entrusted to their care, guarding them from spiritual danger. God Himself is so jealous for His people that He declares that His very name is Jealous: "(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)," (Exodus 34:14) If you or your spiritual leaders are not diligent in faithful obedience to Scripture and in loving the truth, then there is serious spiritual danger—from within your own heart and from those who lead you. Followers of Christ should deeply desire that their leaders would be able to say of them, “I have no greater joy” than knowing they are walking in the truth. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Concern Is Satanic Deception "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons," (1 Timothy 4:1) Demonic deception is one of the great signs of the end times. In 2 Corinthians 11:2 (quoted above), Paul says that believers are espoused to Jesus Christ. Yet in verse 3, he expresses fear that they could be satanically deceived. This is an almost unfathomable thought: the Bride of Christ can be seduced away from devotion to Jesus. The definitions of several words in this passage make the warning even more sobering. "Subtlety" is defined as trickery or cunning deception. It commonly manifests through the twisting of God’s Word—just as Satan twisted God’s Word in Eden. There is truly nothing new under the sun: God clearly speaks, and Satan distorts what He has said. The word "minds" refers to purpose, understanding, or intellect—whether our own or that of others. This deception often begins when people rely upon human wisdom and understanding rather than the truth of God. Scripture plainly warns that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God..." (1 Corinthians 3:19) The word "corrupted" means to spoil, ruin, wither, or morally deprave. Scripture repeatedly warns that many false christs and deceivers will arise, and believers are commanded not to follow them. "And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them." (Luke 21:8) God’s repeated warnings about spiritual seduction were taken with utmost seriousness by the writers of Scripture, and they should be taken seriously by us as well. The Apostle John agrees with Paul and warns that many antichrists are already present among us. "Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. (26) These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you." (1 John 2:18, 26) These antichrists present themselves as followers of Jesus, but they are deliberate deceivers. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ False Teachers Claim To Offer More "For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. (6) Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. (7) Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? (8) I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you." (2 Corinthians 11:5-8) Legitimate ministers of the Gospel are often placed in a difficult position. Paul states that he is not inferior to the so-called “super-apostles.” In his time, polished and trained orators were highly valued—sophisticated, persuasive, and financially supported for their public speaking. Paul’s reference to being “unskilled in speaking” likely reflects a contrast with these rhetorically trained speakers who were admired for their oratorical ability. From a purely human perspective, Paul appears unable to “win.” He preached the Gospel free of charge (2 Corinthians 11:7), while the “super-apostles” implied that his message therefore lacked value. Yet if Paul had charged for his ministry, he likely would have been accused of being a charlatan exploiting people for gain. This tension reflects a broader principle Paul later addresses to Timothy: people often prefer messages that align with their desires and will accumulate teachers who affirm what they want to hear. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;" (2 Timothy 4:3) This pattern of so-called ministry can also be seen in modern television ministries, where communication is polished, appealing, and tailored to audience expectations. In such settings, persuasive presentation can sometimes be mistaken for spiritual authority or truth. Note: Paul is not referring to Peter, James, John, or the other apostles when he speaks of “super-apostles.” Additionally, while caution is warranted regarding deception in ministry contexts, not all modern broadcast or television ministry is illegitimate or misleading. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Paul's Boasting - I Never Burdened You "And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. (10) As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. (11) Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! (12) But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast." (2 Corinthians 11:9-12) Paul emphasizes that he did not become a financial burden to the Corinthians. Instead, his needs were supplied by believers from Macedonia. He deliberately chose this approach and states that he will continue in it. This “boasting,” as Paul describes it, is not self-promotion in the modern sense, but a defense of his ministry integrity. His concern is not personal gain, but the preservation of the credibility of the Gospel message he preached among them. By refusing financial support from the Corinthians, Paul removes any grounds for accusation that his ministry was driven by profit. In doing so, he distinguishes his work from those who claimed apostolic authority while operating under different motives and methods. His intention is twofold: to protect the Corinthians from deception and to challenge their thinking, drawing them away from worldly assumptions about ministry and influence. As Jesus warned, deception within religious contexts is a real danger (see Luke 21:8 quoted above). Paul’s approach also serves as a contrast in integrity. While others claimed to operate on the same terms as the apostles, Paul demonstrates a consistent pattern of self-denial and transparency in order to reinforce the truth of his message and the sincerity of his calling. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Ministers Of Righteousness" - Watch Out "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (15) Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) Ministers who are genuinely called by God have a deep concern that fellow believers walk faithfully in accordance with the truths of Scripture. These servants are zealous for the protection, growth, and spiritual maturity of God’s people. As Paul stated in verse 3, he feared that followers of Jesus could be deceived by false teachers. As verse 13 clearly states, false leaders are deceitful, and it is their mission as “workmen” to lead people away from the true Christ revealed in Scripture. Their deception is intentional. Paul writes that they disguise themselves as genuine apostles. A disguise is not accidental; masquerading as something you are not is a deliberate act. These false apostles and deceitful ministers are not merely mistaken about doctrine; they intentionally distort the truth. The difference between someone who sincerely misunderstands Scripture and someone who seeks to deceive becomes evident when they are confronted with God’s Word. The misled person will receive the Word of God and study it with humility to better understand the truth. The intentionally deceptive person will redefine the clear meaning of Scripture and continue promoting false teaching. The Bible is the Sword that divides truth from error. Sincere believers love the Word of God and conform their lives to it. Deceivers twist Scripture to manipulate and mislead others. Do not be deceived by slick, polished, and often money-driven false teachers. True ministers, like Paul, have zealously warned us. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ You Gladly Put Up With Fools "For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face." (2 Corinthians 11:19-20) The Apostle Paul pulls no punches. He sarcastically remarks that the Corinthians considered themselves wise, yet they willingly tolerated fools and even embraced their foolish teaching. Paul’s condemnation of their arrogance, despite their lack of spiritual discernment, is unmistakable. The church in Corinth was embracing the teachings of these eloquent ‘super-apostles,’ which were leading believers into spiritual bondage. Yet many in the church willingly embraced it. There are still those today who behave like these “super-apostles,” and many continue to embrace their teachings, which become spiritual shackles. In Paul’s time, he may have been addressing the legalism of the Judaizers, who sought to place Christians back under the Law of Moses. He may also have had in view authoritarian forms of spiritual leadership that sought excessive control over believers. Both of these dangers continue to threaten the body of Christ today. Legalism is resurging in many places, with some teachers insisting that Old Covenant practices are binding under the New Covenant. Likewise, authoritarian leadership movements—such as the Shepherding movement, which was more prominent in previous decades but still influences some churches today—can elevate spiritual leaders into positions of unhealthy control over believers. Neither of these doctrines can be supported Biblically without distorting the broader teaching of Scripture. More broadly, Paul’s warning applies to any teaching that twists, contradicts, or distorts the Word of God. We must not fall into the folly of embracing fools while mistaking them for wise and trustworthy teachers. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Conclusion: Be Jealous — Be Vigilant — We Have Been Warned It has been said that many heresies arise when Biblical truths are isolated from the broader teaching of Scripture and then overemphasized. This is part of what makes false teachers so dangerous. They often teach partial truths. In some cases, the words they use may sound entirely Biblical, yet they subtly redefine those words so that they no longer carry their true Scriptural meaning. Just because someone appears to be a godly minister does not mean they should be trusted unquestioningly. Believers must carefully examine what is taught and diligently search the Scriptures to determine whether those teachings are true. We should follow the example of the Bereans: "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11) ____________________________________ Watch the sermon version of this message on our ChristLife YouTube Channel here: youtu.be/bVvxiEuM4zY?si=umjV… Please subscribe to our channel. Join our no-cost email list and receive encouraging messages ~ monthly. Click here to subscribe: christlife.online/#footer

What is the source of a believer's rest?

How can it be unscriptural to quote the Bible? Just quote it? no commentary?

Three-part quiz. * How many wives did Joseph Smith have? * How many were teenage little girls? * How many were 14-year-olds?

John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: What does this mean?