SPIRIT and the 7 churches: September 2024

1 Peter 5:8

King James Version

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,

walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Is it really that difficult to understand GOD's laws?

Doesn't SPIRIT and Scripture make the LORD's laws clear?

Hasn't the LORD JESUS given specific commands?

Why, then would a respected pastor, like Alistair Begg, agonize over a simple question?

Wherein a grandmother asks if she should attend her grandson's wedding to a transgender.

Not only did Begg encourage her to go.

He also told her to bring a gift.

This rocked the Christian world seven months ago.

Many pastors have given their Biblical piece on the matter.

"In January 2024 Begg received criticism for advising a grandmother to attend her grandson's wedding to a transgender person.[9][10] Critics included Owen Strachan, provost of Grace Bible Theological Seminary,[10][11] and the American Family Association;[12] the latter removed Begg's Truth for Life broadcasts from its American Family Radio network."

-- Wikipedia

I, a five-year born again, feel sad, too.

For I've enjoyed Begg's teachings.

And that lovely, Scottish voice that rings clear, and true.

But I agree with the pastors.

We must not condone acts that are abominations to GOD.

Same-gender marriage is not acceptable to GOD.

We already wrote something about genders here.

Actually, we already wrote many articles on that.

Please see the related links at the bottom of this page.

GOD's laws are pure, perfect, and precise.

We abide by His laws.

This is the thing about being born again.

You become subject to GOD's laws -- happily.

If a pastor calls your attention to an error (which my pastor-friend has done, on several occasions), I immediately turn to Scripture.

And because I was wrong, I immediately edit any erroneous material because I don't want to mislead anyone.

Such is our love for the WORD.

We must be true to GOD's WORD.

We must be teachable.

But it seems Begg refuses to to see other pastors' Biblical view.

I feel it is the sin of "pride".

With regards to criticism from John MacArthur, this verse applies to Begg:

1 Peter 5:5

King James Version

5 Likewise, ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

A born again's heart is open to correction.

The HOLY SPIRIT corrects us all the time.

For He is GOD's "Spirit of truth".

John 14:16-17

King James Version

16 And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 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.

Scripture corrects us all the time, too.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The pastors were kind, and gentle, towards the esteemed Begg.

But they were surprised, and disappointed, at the advice he gave that grandmother.

Many couldn't even believe Begg would give such an advice, considering his role as wonderful Bible teacher.

This is the latest on Begg:

"On September 8, 2024, Alistair Begg announced to the congregation of Parkside Church that he will be concluding his time as senior pastor in September of 2025. He will continue his pastoral and ministry work at Truth For Life. Alistair informed the Parkside Elders about his decision in August of 2024, and the Elders will nominate a candidate for senior pastor in the year ahead."

-- Parkside Church

I believe pastors are not ganging up on him.

They're merely staying true to the WORD of GOD.

It is because we love Alistair Begg that we point things out to him.

That we may not cause others to stumble.

Romans 14:13

King James Version

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more:

but judge this rather,

that no man put a stumblingblock

or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

We take great responsibility that way.