The following is a comparison of the true meaning of being Born Again, with what Mr. Arnold Murray, of Shepherd's Chapel teaches. This site deals with the abberant teachings of Mr. Murray, which you can read about HERE. Murray teaches that we lived on this earth in spirit bodies until the rebellion of Satan. That is not found anywhere in the Bible. In fact read the commentary on the three earth ages theory HERE. Murray repeats pagan ideas. These are the same pagan ideas, that God constantly warned the Israelites to reject. But, they did not. Many of the pagan ideas made their way into the Talmud and Kabballah; and now onto the airwaves via Shepherd's Chapel! Now some Christians are falling for these falsehoods! Murray teaches that spirits or "souls", who lived on earth until the rebellion of satan, are angels. And those angels are pre-mortals! He teaches, that God gave those spirits; those angels, a second chance at choosing to follow God. As a matter of fact, all angels are given the choice to be "saved"; if they would agree to being "born again" in a flesh body; give up their spirit bodies for a while, then they would be tried and maybe found worthy, to be saved. Murray says, some angels refused to be born again in the flesh, and they are the "fallen angles", who tried to usurp what Murray says was 'God's plan', by having sex with human women and having children, (according to Murray this is told about in Gen.6). Of course those beings would have had to KNOW God's plan before they could usurp it! There is no reason, given in the Bible, to think that God shares his plan with sinful creatures! Murray asserts that when Jesus was on earth, Jesus said that people must be "born again", meaning that they had to be "born again" ; this time, into flesh bodies, from our former "spirit bodies"! Murray teaches that the Bibles says in Genesis that humanbeing were created in the image of the body they had in the "first earth age". He says that modern preachers have misinterpreted the Bible to say that humans were created in the image of God. Murray teaches that Gen.1:27 clearly says that man is created in his "own" image. Of course, in reality, the Bible interprets it's own meaning, and the verse continues to say "In the image of GOD, created He him". There are many problems with the pre-mortal/angel theory. The most obvious being that Jesus was speaking to flesh men when he said it! He was speaking to people obviously already, in Murray's doctrine, born of flesh! Why would he tell those already, "born again" by Murray's doctrine...that they needed to be "born again"! Think! Also, there is always a distinction in Scripture, between humans and angels. Hebrews 1:14: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 2:5: "It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking." Hebrews 2:14-16: ......" We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels." This says that the descendants of Abraham are not angels! There is a distinction. If Angels are just pre-mortals, there would be no distinction. But there is, even in Revelation. We see the souls of those humans who were beheaded and did not take the mark of the beast, in Rev. 20:4 ---it says they have been resurrected, so they have their new bodies......yet they are not called angels, and there are still angels in Heaven! There are also the 144,000 who are marked BY an angel..How can there still be good angels, in God's kingdom, holding bowls AFTER GOD SAID "IT IS FINISHED"??? (Rev.21:9) And ANGELS are guarding the gates of the new Jerusalem?! (Rev.21:12) God said to Job: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (Job 38:4) But God says the angels were there: "......as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" vs.7 Obviously Job was not an angel or a "star"! If Angels are pre-mortals, then why does the Bibles say that we will judge ANGELS? "Know ye not, that we shall judge angels?"...1 Cor.6:3 Why the distinction? How could the Bible say that salvation is not for angels, but they are sent to minister to those of us that will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 2:5: "It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking." There is no scripture that says that angels are pre-mortals. Our creator became as his creation to save them. Hebrews 2:14-16: "Because God's children are human beings made of flesh and blood Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in humans form..." Out of pure love. It is a gift. God's free gift. To say that we could earn that gift, by being born in the flesh and dying in the flesh, and be "born again" in your pre-mortal spirit body; is insulting! That is Hindusim; Buddhism; and Mormonism, not Christianity. That teaching insults God's nature. It insults the true Gospel! Arnold Murray and Shepherd's Chapel, are NOT Christian! Do not be fooled. Listen below, and see what Arnold Murray says will Condemn a person: Murray is not speaking in a spiritual sense, as he teaches that literally Eve had sex with satan, and during the Tribulation, Christians who believe in the Rapture, will be fooled, and will also have literal sex with satan, or his other fallen angels, who he says are the "locusts". See the truth of the disgusting nature of Arnold Murray's teaching! It is wrong, and do not fall for it! Trust Jesus Christ! The Bible says: Galatians 1:9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Here is the gospel according to Murray. He spoke this on January 23, 2003 during his broadcast. The following is Murray's explaination for the reason Jesus came to earth: "Christ came to show you HOW TO GET IT DONE! .....He stood the test ...he showed you the way you should be able to stand the test also. But, ....I think it is soooo-ooo beautiful.... that He saw fit to show us; (Jesus talking here) 'hey, ---nothin' to it! That's how it's done!..And, not only am I doing this'..... Do you know what He accomplished while he was doing it? He defeated death; which is to say satan; simply because....... WHY? WHY?..... Well, it's common sense. ...Satan was in the crowd too, through the Kenites, saying, 'crucify him!' They put Him to death, so now He doesn't have to .....worry...um.. so don't you worry about it! Wade in! Wade in that ole lake---it's not too bad! In other words, He can do that and not have to ---as God---think he's doing wrong to one of his own children; for satan is his creation, (Murray's words are jumbled here, it sounds like he says, "nip him in the back" or "dip him in the bath"..unclear) Okay? That's what he overcame in doing that. The crucifixion gave him the right and then he did it to buy you..; if you want to repent. If you want to say, 'God I am sorry. I messed up big time. I'm gonna try to do better. I'm gonna try and grow in your word. And I really.....I wa...I want to be a partaker. I want to take my part.' Okay?" He guts the Gospel with this incoherent, disrespectful, blather. Go now, and find the truth in Jesus Christ. Turn off the TV and use the hours you spend listening to heresy, getting to know the true Jesus Christ! Tune into real wisdom, not the counterfeit! Friend, read the Bible, with only the commentary of the Holy Spirit. Pray and ask Jesus Christ to give you understanding...don't tune into a silly old man looking for truth! It is right there in your hands....the Bible, leading to Jesus Christ--who is truth! |
Born Again |
The following is a comparison of the true meaning of being Born Again, with what Mr. Arnold Murray, of Shepherd's Chapel teaches. This site deals with the abberant teachings of Mr. Murray, which you can read about HERE. Murray teaches that we lived on this earth in spirit bodies until the rebellion of Satan. That is not found anywhere in the Bible. In fact read the commentary on the three earth ages theory HERE. Murray repeats pagan ideas. These are the same pagan ideas, that God constantly warned the Israelites to reject. But, they did not. Many of the pagan ideas made their way into the Talmud and Kabballah; and now onto the airwaves via Shepherd's Chapel! Now some Christians are falling for these falsehoods! Murray teaches that spirits or "souls", who lived on earth until the rebellion of satan, are angels. And those angels are pre-mortals! He teaches, that God gave those spirits; those angels, a second chance at choosing to follow God. As a matter of fact, all angels are given the choice to be "saved"; if they would agree to being "born again" in a flesh body; give up their spirit bodies for a while, then they would be tried and maybe found worthy, to be saved. Murray says, some angels refused to be born again in the flesh, and they are the "fallen angles", who tried to usurp what Murray says was 'God's plan', by having sex with human women and having children, (according to Murray this is told about in Gen.6). Of course those beings would have had to KNOW God's plan before they could usurp it! There is no reason, given in the Bible, to think that God shares his plan with sinful creatures! Murray asserts that when Jesus was on earth, Jesus said that people must be "born again", meaning that they had to be "born again" ; this time, into flesh bodies, from our former "spirit bodies"! Murray teaches that the Bibles says in Genesis that humanbeing were created in the image of the body they had in the "first earth age". He says that modern preachers have misinterpreted the Bible to say that humans were created in the image of God. Murray teaches that Gen.1:27 clearly says that man is created in his "own" image. Of course, in reality, the Bible interprets it's own meaning, and the verse continues to say "In the image of GOD, created He him". There are many problems with the pre-mortal/angel theory. The most obvious being that Jesus was speaking to flesh men when he said it! He was speaking to people obviously already, in Murray's doctrine, born of flesh! Why would he tell those already, "born again" by Murray's doctrine...that they needed to be "born again"! Think! Also, there is always a distinction in Scripture, between humans and angels. Hebrews 1:14: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 2:5: "It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking." Hebrews 2:14-16: ......" We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels." This says that the descendants of Abraham are not angels! There is a distinction. If Angels are just pre-mortals, there would be no distinction. But there is, even in Revelation. We see the souls of those humans who were beheaded and did not take the mark of the beast, in Rev. 20:4 ---it says they have been resurrected, so they have their new bodies......yet they are not called angels, and there are still angels in Heaven! There are also the 144,000 who are marked BY an angel..How can there still be good angels, in God's kingdom, holding bowls AFTER GOD SAID "IT IS FINISHED"??? (Rev.21:9) And ANGELS are guarding the gates of the new Jerusalem?! (Rev.21:12) God said to Job: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (Job 38:4) But God says the angels were there: "......as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" vs.7 Obviously Job was not an angel or a "star"! If Angels are pre-mortals, then why does the Bibles say that we will judge ANGELS? "Know ye not, that we shall judge angels?"...1 Cor.6:3 Why the distinction? How could the Bible say that salvation is not for angels, but they are sent to minister to those of us that will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 2:5: "It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking." There is no scripture that says that angels are pre-mortals. Our creator became as his creation to save them. Hebrews 2:14-16: "Because God's children are human beings made of flesh and blood Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in humans form..." Out of pure love. It is a gift. God's free gift. To say that we could earn that gift, by being born in the flesh and dying in the flesh, and be "born again" in your pre-mortal spirit body; is insulting! That is Hindusim; Buddhism; and Mormonism, not Christianity. That teaching insults God's nature. It insults the true Gospel! Arnold Murray and Shepherd's Chapel, are NOT Christian! Do not be fooled. Listen below, and see what Arnold Murray says will Condemn a person: Murray is not speaking in a spiritual sense, as he teaches that literally Eve had sex with satan, and during the Tribulation, Christians who believe in the Rapture, will be fooled, and will also have literal sex with satan, or his other fallen angels, who he says are the "locusts". See the truth of the disgusting nature of Arnold Murray's teaching! It is wrong, and do not fall for it! Trust Jesus Christ! The Bible says: Galatians 1:9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Here is the gospel according to Murray. He spoke this on January 23, 2003 during his broadcast. The following is Murray's explaination for the reason Jesus came to earth: "Christ came to show you HOW TO GET IT DONE! .....He stood the test ...he showed you the way you should be able to stand the test also. But, ....I think it is soooo-ooo beautiful.... that He saw fit to show us; (Jesus talking here) 'hey, ---nothin' to it! That's how it's done!..And, not only am I doing this'..... Do you know what He accomplished while he was doing it? He defeated death; which is to say satan; simply because....... WHY? WHY?..... Well, it's common sense. ...Satan was in the crowd too, through the Kenites, saying, 'crucify him!' They put Him to death, so now He doesn't have to .....worry...um.. so don't you worry about it! Wade in! Wade in that ole lake---it's not too bad! In other words, He can do that and not have to ---as God---think he's doing wrong to one of his own children; for satan is his creation, (Murray's words are jumbled here, it sounds like he says, "nip him in the back" or "dip him in the bath"..unclear) Okay? That's what he overcame in doing that. The crucifixion gave him the right and then he did it to buy you..; if you want to repent. If you want to say, 'God I am sorry. I messed up big time. I'm gonna try to do better. I'm gonna try and grow in your word. And I really.....I wa...I want to be a partaker. I want to take my part.' Okay?" He guts the Gospel with this incoherent, disrespectful, blather. Go now, and find the truth in Jesus Christ. Turn off the TV and use the hours you spend listening to heresy, getting to know the true Jesus Christ! Tune into real wisdom, not the counterfeit! Friend, read the Bible, with only the commentary of the Holy Spirit. Pray and ask Jesus Christ to give you understanding...don't tune into a silly old man looking for truth! It is right there in your hands....the Bible, leading to Jesus Christ--who is truth! |
Isn't that wonderful to think about? That if you accept Christ, as your saviour, you become a new creature! You are "re-born", as something new! Jesus said we must be "Born Again". Now, what does that really mean? Jesus said: "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3) "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can produce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So, don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again." (John 3:5-7) Think about it, Jesus said that flesh gives birth to flesh, spirit gives birth to spirit. Jesus says that we must be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT. Water first, then Spirit. Water, meaning physically born...when the bag of waters breaks during birth. Then, born again, of the Holy Spirit. You see, Jesus was talking about things of the spirit. In the next verse, of John 3:8, He compares the Spirit with the wind. You cannot see it; you don't know where it's coming from or where it's going. But it is real, and you see its effects. You see what it does to the trees. You see the leaves that are caught up in the wind. You see the little swirls of dust. You feel the wind on your face. Jesus said, "So is every one who is born of the Spirit." You can tell they are Born Again, by the effects the spirit within them has on the world around them! The Flesh Versus The Spirit Flesh is mortal. It is subject to death, decay, and corruption. It is filled with self-pity, self-pride, self-love. An awesome fact exists about the flesh: everything we see, everything visible, even our own bodies, are perishing. Many people try everything imaginable to ignore or forget this, but the fact always remains. The Bible says that things which are visible are temporary but things which are invisible are eternal (see 2 Corinthians 4:18). The truth is that we dwell in a mortal body which will soon return to dust. The Answer Our old state, our old nature, and even all our good deeds are insufficient. God is totally and absolutely holy and righteous. He is perfect. We cannot fellowship with Him now or in the next life in the imperfection of our present nature. Perfection and imperfection are incompatible. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). By our very self-seeking nature we are sinful and imperfect. And sin results in death, and eternal separation from God. This is the result of our earthly nature. It is obvious that we need a new nature, a nature that God can look upon with acceptance. A nature that stands justified before Him. We need a new birth. You must be born again. There are four important things about this new nature, the new birth, that you must know. A Free Gift First, the new birth is free, a gift from God! We cannot earn it. We cannot work for it or else we could boast, and no one shall boast before God. An imperfect creature cannot earn or deserve such merit from a holy God. "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This free gift comes to us by grace, or unmerited favor (see Ephesians 2:8,9). Only God's supreme love makes such a free and wonderful gift possible. God did not automatically excuse our sinful condition. He paid the greatest price. You see, sin must be punished. God in His holy and righteous nature must judge sin. Not to do so would deny His very nature. He Himself has decreed that "The wages of sin is death." No Greater Love Than This The most magnificent and incomparable act of love in all of history is that God took our sins and death upon Himself. Jesus, the Son of God, took the punishment in our place. He became our substitute. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ, "although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). That is why Christ chose to die-to make the supreme love gift of taking all our punishment upon Himself, to reconcile the world unto God. He totally identified with our sinful nature when He hung on the cross, and became sin for us though sinless Himself, so that we might have the free gift of forgiveness and life. The Mystery Revealed The second important fact about this new nature is that it is actually the nature of the only perfect Person who ever lived, Jesus Christ. Only Jesus is good enough. Only He is perfect. Only His life is acceptable to God. It is only as we partake of His life that we become acceptable to God. Being "born again" is nothing less than receiving the actual life of the living Christ - His Spirit actually entering us and bringing our spirit to life. Our spirit is joined with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17). We then become one with the perfect One. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me: (Galations 2:20). "The mystery is now revealed, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26,27). Jesus' identification with us is complete. In His death, He bore our sins and suffered our death. In His resurrection, He became our life, so much so that in His Spirit we are even joined with Him. Now when the Father looks upon us He sees only the righteousness of Jesus. We are accepted. We have been born again! "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Abundant Life The third important fact is that when we are born again, we become a new creature, now. The heavenly promise is for the future and will be wonderful beyond understanding. However, at the new birth we immediately begin to experience the life of God as He guides us, walks with us, and indwells us. We experience the fruit of His Spirit such as love, joy, and peace. As we are filled with His Spirit, we experience His supernatural power manifested in life situations. Life takes on new meaning. Everything is in a new perspective. Jesus said that He came, not just to get us to heaven, but that we "might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10"10). How To Receive Him The fourth important fact to know is how to receive this gift. Doesn't every act of giving require a giver and a receiver? God, the Giver, holds out the gift to everyone. It is not His will that any should perish (see 2 Peter 3:9). But to receive a gift requires that we agree to a need. We must agree as the spirit of God shows us that we are, indeed, sinful creatures in need of God's forgiveness and grace. "Unless you repent, you will likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Repentance means to change our mind, to turn. We must change our mind about our condition and our direction away from God. And turn to Him. "But as many as received Him [Christ]. To them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). We receive Christ by an ingenious method that only God could devise. It is not by works, because our abilities would vary and everyone would not have an equal chance. It is an opportunity that is equal regardless of intelligence, sex, age, race, social status, or wealth. It is by faith. "For by grace you have been saved through faith: and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God: Not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). To receive Christ, we must acknowledge our need and who He is. Then we simply turn to Him by faith and put our trust and reliance in Him. We receive Him by invitation. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). Do you want to be born again, right now? Do you want a new nature? Do you want to receive the most wonderful gift in the whole universe, the life of Christ Himself? Then sincerely pray: "Dear heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner. I am asking you to forgive me of those sins. Please forgive me for all the times I have failed (list some if you can think of some). I believe that Jesus Christ died for me, to cover all those sins, and I accept that sacrifice. I ask you, dear Jesus to come into my life, to come into my heart and to make me a brand new person through that blood that you shed for me! Take my heart; take my life and replace them with your heart and your life....live in me, and make my life beautiful in your sight. I am at the end of my rope, I can not deal with the problems in my life, but I believe that you can. Your Word promises to give me peace of mind, it promises to renew my mind, your Word says that eveything that you are, I can be! Lead my life. Guide me and show me what you would have me to do. Give me the strength that I need, to do what you ask of me, give me your wisdom and fill my heart with your merciful love! Remove from my mind, all false and deceptive teachings; and the memory of them. Place in me, your mind and your teaching, Holy Spirit. I ask that you would fill me up to overflowing with your Holy Spirit! For your glory and honor I pray and ask it, in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, your son, .......amen!" Now What? If you sincerely prayed that prayer, God says that you have new life and that you are a member of His eternal kingdom. He desires close fellowship with you during this life and desires for you even now to live victoriously as a child of the King! Also, since He died for you, He wants you to live for Him. "And He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf" (2 Corinthians 5:15). Talk to Him frequently. And listen to his voice within you. That's what prayer is. Read and meditate upon His Word, the Bible - another way He speaks to you. Finally, He wants you to fellowship with other believers and be a functioning part of His corporate Body. That's what church is. What church should I attend? Ask God to lead you, and He will. The true test of His church is whether Jesus Christ is honored as Lord and God. And the Bible is honored as His inerrant word. |
Therefore if any person be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 |
