Bethesda Shalom

How We Got Our Bible (Pt.8) I’m sure that every Christian at some point in their experience when talking with an unbeliever about the Bible has had the accusation thrown at them that the Bible has been changed and is full of errors!!  When asked this question, I usually respond by throwing the question back at the person by asking them ‘how do you know?’  It is at this point that one is greeted wi...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt.7) By what authority did the early Christians add additional books to the canon of Holy Scripture?  How did they recognise these additional books as Scripture?  Why 27 books of the New Testament and not 26 or 28?  If the Old Testament was attested to by no less authority than Jesus Christ Himself, then by what authority was the New Testament received?  Did a council of bis...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt.6) This teaching focuses on the apocryphal books and asks the question, 'do they belong in the canon of Holy Scripture?'.  Apocrypha is the name given to the 15 additional books that appear in some Bible translations which contain Jewish religious literature.  If one was to pick up a KJV Bible today, one would turn the page from Malachi, past the page separating the Old an...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt.5) In this part of our study on how we got our Bible, we now turn to look at the canon of the Bible.  When we use the word canon, we don’t make reference to that large military weapon mounted on wheels for that is spelt cannon!  Canon is defined as a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged (Oxford Dictionaries).  When the word is used in the...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt.4) We conclude this final part on the inspiration of the Bible by looking at Isaiah 53.  This Messianic passage predicts with the most stunning precision and accuracy the person, mission and ministry of Messiah.  So staggering and graphic is this passage that many Jews, though not all have sought to deflect it away from Messiah choosing instead to assert that it applies no...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt.3)  Without question, the foremost claim to the Bible being the Inspired Word of God is prophecy.  No other religious book dares to do what the Bible does.  A staggering 27% of the Bible (just over a ¼ ) is comprised of prophecy; that is, God goes down on record to state things that will happen prior to them happening so that when they come to pass you will know that what...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt. 2) When we speak of the Bible being the inspired Word of God, how are we to understand this?   Did God dictate word-for-word what He wanted written down so the writers of the Bible became human typewriters or did He make full use of their characters and personalities making full use their literary writing styles to bring into being His Word?  Were the authors of the Bible...

Alan shares a gripping testimony about the dangers of Reiki and the spiritual implications of practicing such energy healing techniques.  This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014.  For information about future conferences please visit: http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk

Romans chapter 6 Paul brings a strong word calling the Body of Christ to holiness.  There is much misunderstanding in the Body of Christ regarding what true holiness consists of.  On one extreme there is a total absence of such a concept and on the other legalism abounds.  Paul seeks to bring the balance through the sound teaching and exposition of Romans chapter 6 and surrounding chapters.  May t...

How We Got Our Bible (Pt. 1) To say that the Bible is unique is perhaps an understatement.  No other book in the history of mankind has so served to shape and influence the lives of so many for the good than has the Bible.  Written over a period of about 1500 years; comprised of 66 books written in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) on three different continents (Africa, Asia an...

1 Corinthians 13:11 How did men of God become such in their generation?  Answer...they grew into such!!  In this message Paul exhorts the Body of Christ to come to a place of maturity and manhood in their spiritual lives.  It is high time for Christians to grow up!  Away with childhood things; away with the carnal!  God is seeking a spiritual people who will stand as men!! This message is part of...

Deuteronomy 6:21-25 Alan shares his heart with true conviction and passion regarding the fulness and the blessings of the spirit filled sanctified life.  If you are wanting the Lord to truly examine your heart and are searching for the deeper things of God; if you are desiring to go deeper in the things of Christ as it pertains to your spiritual walk with God, then this message will certainly chal...

2 Kings 3:9-20 Alan brings a very powerful and heart searching word from God.  Is there obstructions and obstacles in your life that are hindering you from moving forward in spiritual growth?  Are you seeking to move forward in the things of God but for some reason you seem to be stuck in a rut?  This message hopefully will shed some light on your struggle and aid you in your quest to move onward...

Contemplative spiritual practices are subtly being introduced into mainstream Christianity and many are falling prey to seemingly Christian appearance.  What's wrong with contemplative prayer?  Is it not a genuine expression of prayer to God?  In this message Ray gets under the skin of contemplative prayer tracing its roots to the New Age and clearly demonstrates that it has no place in the Body o...

Many today are engaged in the practice of Reiki and other alternative energy healing and see absolutely nothing wrong with it.  Some even believe that  it is compatible with their Christian faith!  In this message Ray gives a clear warning about the dangers of Reiki and the occult spiritual roots of this eastern practice which is stooped in the New Age movement. This message is part of The Sanctua...

Many different people join Freemasonry for many different reasons.  On the outward surface, there is no doubt about it that Masonry seeks to portray itself as an ethical society that exists for the propagation of good through its charitable work and ethical moral teachings.  However, as we shall see in this teaching, the ultimate goal and true purpose of Freemasonry is not chiefly one of a sociabl...

The Royal Arch is present in all Masonic systems.  During the ritual of the Royal Arch exaltation ceremony, the candidate learns the Sacred and Mysterious Name of the True and Living God Most High, namely the name JAHBULON.  What is the true meaning of this name and is it a suitable name for the God of the Bible? An unquestionable and integral part of Masonic doctrine is the principle of the Immor...

Within every Freemason Lodge across the world there is an altar and upon that altar is a Bible – that is if one finds themselves inside a lodge in the UK or the U.S. What book would one find if he were in Turkey or in India? It is most likely to be a Quran or one of the Hindu scriptures. When one see's the Bible upon the altar it gives one a perception that the Bible and its teachings are held as...

Ritual within Masonry is an elaborate and cleverly concealed and crafted teaching system which consists primarily of allegorical drama steeped in mystery, symbolism and mythology, involving secret grips, passwords and oaths. Those being initiated into each degree are required to learn their lines so as to be able to take part in the ritual ceremony. Key to the power that ritual plays in Freemasonr...

One of the more controversial areas surrounding Masonry is the oaths of secrecy that Masons are required to swear upon initiation into the various degrees and more specifically, the ritual penalties attached to the breaking of these oaths. This teaching explores these oaths as they to pertain to the first three degrees and beyond!  Should any professing Christian swear such oaths? Whenever it is p...

When one thinks of Freemasonry, what thoughts immediately spring to mind? Are they positive thoughts or are they negative thoughts? For some they think of charitable works, good citizens of society, morally upstanding individuals. For others they think of a good old boys club - you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. For others still, they think of conspiracy, corruption and perjury, a secret soci...

Proverbs 23:26

Hebrews 11:6

1 Corinthians 10:12

Mark 10:46-52