Misled

Recently, few weeks ago, I knew one of my friends wanted to rule the members of the church he is pastoring; even the time another friend used to her devotions and time for fasting. When this pastor told me that, I said at his table: You are a nut! You are becoming crazier... How come you think she needs you to fast or in her personal devotions?...

That is not FREEDOM! He wanted to control her freewill, but he said I was wrong because I am against that moment "many" think they are todays apostles, just interpreting VERTICALLY that "teaching" Shaul Paul left on Ephe 4:11... While he sees it vertically and hierarchically, I see it horizontally, because Jesus´teachings told me so...

Just allow me to quote the Lord´s words, so you can see the way I see it:

Mat 23:8 "But you must not be called 'Teacher.' You are all equal as brothers and sisters. You have only one Teacher.

Mat 23:8 But you may not be named Teacher: for one is your teacher, and you are all brothers.

Mat 23:8 But don't make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers.

Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Jesus never meant hierarchical degrees in His Spiritual Church. He never planned hierarchical structures, except men´s, to rule and control people´s life.

Jesus came to abolish the hierarchical system Jewish had established up to His earthly ministry. How come Paul (St. Shaul Paul) came to take it over?

The pastor laughed at me! But, soon after, I knew he wanted to control her life because he liked her (and he is actually married).

Is any married man (or woman) trying to mislead another person from the BASIC and essential relationship ALL Christians had to build up and seek first?

I came to realize that, if any letter contradicts the Lord´s sayings, those are not spiritedly written. If any of those letters I have considered inspired and part of the Scripture comes along with a teaching denying the Old Testament and Jesus´words, I will put my trust in Jesus and in God´s words, but not in man-made ideas or traditions.

Here is another clear example I see. Jesus said in Matthew:

Mat 23:9 And don't call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven.

Why is this custom so widely spread inside the Catholic Church? God knows it... (I guess Paul´s ideas were twisted).

Yet, by inferences, I know Paul wanted to be loved and called as a “father”... Have a look on these things he wrote:

1Co 4:14 I am not trying to make you feel ashamed, but I am writing this to counsel you as my own dear children.

2Co 6:13 I speak to you as if you were my children. Do the same as we have done--open your hearts also.

Phm 1:10 I am asking you for my son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison.

Tit 1:4 To Titus, a true son to me in the faith we share together. Grace and peace to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

1Ti 1:2 To Timothy, a true son to me in the faith we share. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, a dear son to me. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

There´s nothing wrong when loving people so dearly but, if my loving or feelings would mislead others into a new “teaching” contradicting Jesus´ I wouldn´t keep my mouth shut. It´s OK Paul longed to love and be loved, but some of his teachings were misleading into celibacy and, I´m quite concerned when he would be contradicting Jesus in the sense of being called “father”, because he saw -himself- alike to those apostles Jesus chose, before him.

Was he wronged when he compared equal to former apostles? (2Cor. 11:5, 11)

Have a look on this ( 2Cor. 12:12 ) and make your decision.

2Co 12:12 When I was with you, I patiently did the things that prove I am an apostle--signs, wonders, and miracles.

Let´s say he did those things he did. Let´s agree he was ALSO sent as an apostle but, what I like most, it is when he said:

1Co 4:9 But it seems to me that God has given me and the other apostles the last place. We are like prisoners condemned to die, led in a parade for the whole world to see--not just people but angels too.

At this extent he is quite right with Jesus´teachings:

Mat_23:11 Whoever serves you like a servant is the greatest among you.

Mar_9:35 He sat down and called the twelve apostles. He told them, "Whoever wants to be the most important person must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else."

The Twelve were discussing who would be the first after Jesus´ death (Mar 9:34). That was coping with the hierarchical religious system He came to abolish.

In His holy life time he saw how we human are. We are so used to this worldly system of hierarchies that He intended to teach we are all equal (as sinners, as human beings and having same spiritual rank He can only level up).

Read this, please:

Mar 9:33 Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum. They went into a house, and Jesus said to them, "I heard you arguing on the way here today. What were you arguing about?"

Mar 9:34 But the followers did not answer, because their argument on the road was about which one of them was the greatest.

Mar 9:35 Jesus sat down and called the twelve apostles to him. He said, "Whoever wants to be the most important must make others more important than themselves. They must serve everyone else."

How come Paul (St. Shaul Paul) wanted to twist Jesus teaching on Eph 4:11?

I´m sure Paul didn´t want to be misunderstood. He was right when saying: “But it seems to me that God has given me and the other apostles the last place.” (1Co 4:9) But he seems doubting and unsure.

Just compare it with Jesus´ words and please, be assured of the MASTER´s principle, not men´s ideas:

Luk 22:26 But you must not be like that. The one with the most authority among you should act as if he is the least important. The one who leads should be like one who serves.

Paul, inside his letters, said:

1Co 12:29 Not all are apostles. Not all are prophets. Not all are teachers. Not all do miracles.

He was right and still being right because GOD´s always right and perfect. How come this hierarchical church structure has been modeled after misunderstood Paul´s ideas?

Ephesians clearly says that it is Christ gift (not Paul´s or any other man).

Eph 4:11 And that same Christ gave these gifts to people: He made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to care for and teach God's people.

I see these gifts at the same level or rank.

Here, on Paul´s teachings, I see no other master, no other father and no other LEADER, except Jesus Christ´s leadership.

Mat 23:8 "But you must not be called 'Teacher.' You are all equal as brothers and sisters. You have only one Teacher”.

Mat 23:9 And don't call anyone on earth 'Father.' You have one Father. He is in heaven.

Mat 23:10 And you should not be called 'Master.' You have only one Master, the Messiah.

If you feel the need to be seen or called “leader” you have a problem with self-esteem. Did you know that?

Mat 23:10 Don't make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah.

Just look at the Pharisees´visible attitude:

Mat 23:5 "They do everything to attract people's attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long.

I have seen people like that. I was called “teacher” in the Sunday school I was serving our Lord, but I didn´t know it was feeding my selfish ego.

Here are more examples:

Mat 23:6 They love the place of honor at dinners and the front seats in synagogues.

Mat 23:7 They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have people call them Rabbi.

Aren´t these things linked to the selfish ego and its low self teem?

Just imagine how Jesus dealt with it inside His own working team...

Presently, I see how several people are seeking others to be followed. I have received text messages from those who want to be heard or believed and, of course, that are problems of low self esteem.

We want to be loved -it´s quite normal- but you have a problem when you want to be followed, unless you are seeking a woman´s attention. What is it sought when you´ve called people´s attention?

Jesus called people´s attention to do His Father´s will.

Paul called people to do Jesus´ will (and not his personal loving will).

I will insist on not more hierarchical church structures. Some will feel I want to seize their roles, their positions, but I have read Ezekiel 34, John 10, and part of their fears reminded me this, in John´s gospel:

Joh 11:48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

Joh 11:48 If we let him continue what he's doing, everyone will believe in him. Then the Romans will take away our position and our nation."

I have felt these words Jesus spoke, during his lifetime:

Mat 23:28 So on the outside you look as though you have God's approval, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

How hypocritical I have been largely in my life! No doubt I´m a sinner.

But, as long as I´ve lived, How many heads are there in a house? How many fathers (or mothers) took care of one family and their children?

The church has only ONE Father, and these are very well mentioned by Paul´s letters:

1Co_8:6 yet for us there is ONE God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Eph_4:5-6 ONE Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.

Why do I have to believe on the new apostleship movement?

Why do I have to believe apostleship is “restored”, when I know He has sent all who want to serve Him in worldly fields?

Mat 28:20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. "And remember that I am always with you until the end of time."

So, each time you´ve heard “I am an apostle” you might feel what I have felt: Boasting + low self esteem.

Paul, as a man sent by the church and the Holy Spirit (along with Barnabas, Act 13:2) who also believed Jesus chose and sent him to preach the Good News, will he contradict his Lord´s teaching? If not, who are twisting his ideas? Just men!

Backing up Paul´s ministry?

Apostle Peter said:

2Pe 3:15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

2Pe 3:16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

I don´t care whom you called “leaders”. I have one Lord and LEADER.

Mat 23:10 Don't make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah.

If you wanted me to believe Paul´s letters above Jesus´ words, I know whom I chose (because He chose me first).

I disbelieved any other person than Jesus could bring more information about God, and His business, so I will not be misled.

If you are seeking GOD and His will, you already know what it is needed: Scriptures are His, not other´s men.

A.T.

La Ignorancia no es buen amigo

Quiero expresar, con nombre y apellido, algo que lamento desde hace varios años y, quizá, un par de décadas. Ignoro si lo que piense tenga importancia o transcendencia alguna,más allá de este teclado prestado o silla prestada, pero no me detendré hasta lograr la gloria a Dios y dirigir la atención a las enseñanzas impartidas por el mismo Jesucristo, quien no buscó Su gloria, sino el reconocimiento de buscar hacer la voluntad de Su Padre y el establecimiento de Su reino, entre la ya dispersa humanidad y rampante secularismo.

Cuando Dios Padre dijo que no compartiría Su gloria entre los ídolos y ningún instrumento creado por el hombre (ídolos) se tomó la molestia de aclarar y especificar el mandamiento que se refería a no hacer ninguna imagen o semejanza de lo nosotros pensásemos hubiera en el cielo y, particularmente, ordenó no hacernos ídolos de lo que hallásemos en la tierra ni debajo de esta o el mar. Simplemente, porque Él sabe qué somos y cómo somos. Hoy, nuestras inclinación idólatra no sólo va al honor que damos a los hombres, sino a la veneración a las mujeres y a ese culto que damos a la sensualidad y otros placeres terrenales que, en u sentido, no son malos, sino cuando damos culto idolátrico a cosas, en lugar de honrar a quien cierta y merecidamente lo merece: Dios Padre y Todopoderoso.

Hoy, con sinceridad de corazón, reconozco que he adorado placeres, mujeres y hasta objetos que no tiene valor ni gloria alguna, excepto por una relativa utilidad, como lo es el sexo o el dinero. Podría ahondar en mis errores, pero ello no tiene caso si no acuso o denuncio las dos vertientes que intentan apropiarse el honor que sólo corresponde a Dios y estás son dos: El liderazgo laico, secular, y el liderazgo eclesial o “espiritual”.

Este par de cosas, por convencionalismo podría llamarse gobierno, autoridad delegada de Dios, etc., pero ambas, por moralidad espiritual y méritos con matices divinos, Dios lo ha referido a Su Hijo y a Sus escogidos, no a nosotros los usurpadores, pecadores e impenitentes. Ciertamente, tal como predijo Dios al pueblo de Israel, elegir un hombre como rey es un total error: Simplemente por culto al personalismo, a su jerarquía y, entiéndase una vez más, esa jerarquización toca el ambiente del liderazgo secular como el eclesial.

Pablo es reverenciado por muchos. Sus enseñanzas son tenidas en alta estima y, de mi parte y con sospechas, considero que mucho de lo que dice tiende a darle poder a la Iglesia Catóĺica y a la iglesia secularizada por las distintas expresiones que ella ha adoptado durante siglos.

Si Saulo Pablo es verdaderamente el autor de Efesio 4:11, si de veras era judío y conocía a Jesús como autoridad y su Maestro personal, bien debió haber escrito tal texto de forma horizontal y no piramidal. Hoy, varios siglos después, se sigue insistiendo en el uso de ese modelo jerárquico “paulino” que hoy se abusa como lo hacen las autoridades civiles y militares; mientras que Cristo mismo, por Su parte, dejó constancia de haberse sorprendido cuando un militar romano le pidió que diera la “orden” que haría que uno de sus subalternos, allegado cercano, fuera rápidamente sanado.

¿En qué hallo una incómoda discrepancia? En que Jesucristo estableció un orden sin jerarquía ni otro señorío que el instruido por Dios en Jesucristo, y Pablo -por su parte- parece contradecirlo. Hoy, de manera repugnante, oigo hablar de la paternidad espiritual -hasta el hartazgo- mientras que Jesucristo mencionó en Mateo 23 que no debíamos llamar a nadie Maestro ni Padre: “Porque UNO sólo lo era”.

Si eres cristiano, verdaderamente seguidor de Jesús, te invito a tomar en consideración las enseñanzas del Maestro, y no las del rabino Shaul Pablo (particularmente cuando ellas contradigan al Cristo). Si sigues a Jesús, si has salido del Catolicismo Romano, mira lo que Jesús enseña sobre la paternidad espiritual y NO LLAMES PADRE a quien no lo sea, ni tengas otro maestro, sino al que Dios ha enviado como Su hijo unigénito.

Tengo años saliendo de la tradición religiosa legada del Catolicismo y del evangelio adulterado. Pablo mismo, supuestamente dijo “que si alguno predicase un evangelio distinto al que se haya recibido, sea anatema...” y, en su carta a los Corintios, también esgrimió una breve defensa al “apostolado” en el que éste sabiamente disertó sobre la preeminencia que los creyentes daban a Cefás (Pedro), a Apolos o su persona, litigando (consigo mismo) que “él no había bautizado -en su nombre- a muchos ni su cuerpo había sido dado en sacrificio en una cruz”. ¿Por qué dejar que las enseñanzas paulinas prevalezcan o tengan preeminencia sobre lo que ha dicho Jesús, el Hijo de Dios?

Pablo habló de su paternidad espiritual. Textualmente dijo que “él engendró” algunos hijos en el evangelio y, aunque sea una bonita metáfora “paternal”, ésta ha producido un gran error en la iglesia universal: En la iglesia Católica (donde sus feligreses llaman Padre a otros hombres que ni se casan, ni engendran hijos) y en la propia iglesia evangélica, disque “protestante”.

No me importa ser despedido de la estima de pastores, ni me importa ya no ser contratado por quienes se identifiquen con el movimiento “apostólico” internacional de “Torre Fuerte” o cualquier denominación que se identifique con la “paternidad” del “apóstol” Guillermo Maldonado, Inerio Morillo, Raúl Ávila, etc.: Ellos son pastores, pero no apóstoles.

Jesús no prescribió una paternidad distinta a la engendrada por el Padre eterno y espiritual. Jesús no dio autoridad a sus 12 apóstoles para hacerse llamar “padres” ni para que adoptaran un paternalismo hipócrita ni forma alguna de personalismo protagónico: La cabeza es Dios y Su hijo Jesucristo.

Cuando Jesús indicó que no llamásemos “padre” a nadie que usurpase la autoridad del PADRE, siendo un simple rabí o “maestro” (Mateo 23), legítimamente indicaba que la preeminencia no se diera a los hombres, que no se les entronase ni idolatrase y, en el mejor de los casos, Éste admitía que ya teníamos un Señor, un Maestro, y que no fuésemos como las otras naciones del mundo. ¿Te preside un hombre en la iglesia, del mismo modo como “preside” un impío o inconverso fuera de la iglesia?

Las autoridades, cualquiera que sean, son delegadas y, cuando no, es uno mismo que, como individuo y ciudadano, se subordina a ellas (tal cual lo hizo Jesús al gobierno de los romanos, pero no a su liderazgo pagano). ¿Por qué llamas padre a quien no lo es? Y, si lo haces, ¿sigues a Pablo o a Jesucristo?

Si entiendes que el Señor Jesús le dijo a Sus discípulos que “todos ustedes son iguales”, que los cristianos no debíamos hacer como las otras naciones en cuanto al liderazgo... ¿Por qué ese culto personalista a tantos hombres como a mujeres que se auto proclaman líderes y desean siempre serlo?

Entiendo que haya hombres y mujeres que disfrutan los beneficios de liderizar movimientos, posturas o actitudes irreverentes, pero no entiendo cuán fácil nos dejamos seducir por el halago o maniobras cliché que -claramente- manifiestan la influencia de sus promotores ¿Han notado cómo algunos imitan la forma de predicar del pastor Guillermo Maldonado (que no apóstol, insisto).

Conozco a varias personas que lo imitan en aquello de “haló” o “están aquí”. También recuerdo al pastor Raúl Ávila y la forma en que dinamizaba el modo en que enseñaba (o enseña): “Díganle al que tienen aldo tal cosa” y, de la manera más ingenua, sus seguidores repetían lo que se les dijese, para luego JURAR cualquier oración o juramento que se les insinuase a recitar de forma pública ¿Sólo yo reacciono alérgicamente a esa forma de dominación ideológica?

La ignorancia nos indujo a llamar "padres" a los curas. El vacío emocional materno nos llevó a la mentira generalizada de llamar "madre" a la mamá de Jesucristo, cuando en ninguna parte de los Evangelios Jesús enseñó eso sino, por el contrario, dijo: "Mi hermano, mi hermana y mi madre es todo aquel que hace la voluntad de mi Padre..." ¡Será que sólo yo tengo estos malos y ciegos ojos?

La iglesia del 1er siglo no habló nunca de paternidad espiritual, sino sólo aquella que Jesús dirigió EXCLUSIVAMENTE al Padre Eterno, no a ningún pastor, no a ningún hermano o ministro pero, los evangélicos lisonjeros -para vergüenza del evangelio- contradicen lo que enseñó Jesús para seguir tradiciones del hombres (que se autoproclaman apóstoles).

¡Lean Mateo 23:8 al 12! ¿No somos hermanos, al mismo nivel? ¿Instituyó Jesús lo contrario?

Por eso NUNCA seguiré a Pablo ni a nadie que ponga de forma piramidal y jerarquizada lo que Jesús puso a un mismo nivel horizontal.

Independientemente de mi postura anti-católica, anti cliché, dejo constancia de que no creo en el movimiento apostólico ni a otro hombre que no sea Cristo ni Dios mismo.

Antonio Toro

God is good.

Mat 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Probably you like X-mas season... How did you feel certain day when not receiving something you largely asked and never came under that decorated tree?

What were those feeling when being a child or a teen and those things were postponed or neglected?

Did you feel disappointed for parents or GOD, when you felt these were not heard as prayers?

You expected your parents to give you the best. They gave the best they could and, probably you have the hunch they gave you less or that someone else was more loved than you... Does this hurt you to think, even to ponder? But you were jealous at some degree...

Most of us thought we deserved the best. We don´t have an exact measure for “the best” but, my measure could be too high (or low) for many of you. I may see I´d like a new house as a home, but some believe a home is a mansion, and others have learned “home” is the place where they belong (no matter it be huge or a simple room, where they live and enjoy themselves).

Good parents love to give presents their children. They knew how they felt when they were postponed (or denied) to receive a simple present. No one knows their parents shortage -or troubles- to give them a birthday present, so that´s way many like to give and -others- like to be asked, begged and utterly get to be misunderstood: You cannot give what you don´t have. Those things you think you possess -to control others- seems to be “unwilling” to freely be given (just blame those things you´ve treasured more than an idol)

God is mighty! You cannot do anything to lure Him away. Prayers serve to tell HIM where your mind and needs are, but these do not move HIM, except to help you to be aligned with HIS will, to HIS best plan for you inside HIS eternal purpose.

When you plan to marry someone, it is proper to seek GOD´s confirmation, GOD´s approval with HIS divine guidance. If you marry without God´s guidance, too alone, that´s your choice, solely.

God can give you the best choice (but if He wills) We cannot push Him.

Many of us look after GOD at our personal convenience. We want Him to do those things we´re (or were) unable to do, hindered in so many ways; but He is not under the bond of servitude, He is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

There´s creepy belief that we can get God to do what it pleases us. It´s just the opposite!

We “modeled” God as Santa or as a good uncle we had to receive what we think (or believe) we deserve (first than many people in waiting rooms).

If you were given the power, you would help those you like, those you have loved and -perhaps- those you have heard of or felt you admire.

If you were asked to give an advice, a tip, you will help if you have learned how important is receiving it or giving it. If you were a mayor of a town I guess you will be willing to help those who come to visit your county or city. Don´t you?

God is more than a mayor, more than a Father, and He knows how to give good things (Matt 7:11). we have an idea, we´ve learned to give (because we´ve received and knew how important some things are to be received).

Did you pray (or pay) to be married? Did you asked God for a job, a position you´ve liked more than any other?

Assuming you received what you have asked (or worked for) was it good to be heard by The Giver?

Did you deserve “anything” just by asking it?

Some will be asking for a job, for a friend, for a child, for being healed, a roof or food. Some could be working hard to get access to college, a position in society or inside a family they think they belong and here is where they acknowledged God, as a giver (or troubleshooter).

Some of us -people- needed to experience pain, emotional suffering, to go to ask anything from God. To know Him somehow. Yes! Many learned He is a giver, a loyal judge and sometimes He doesn´t give the answer we thought it was the best... Does it make you to feel guilt or a human disappointment?

Someway or another, God will send you His message, His will will be known for you to know what He wants (just when you are inviting Him to show what His will is).

If you asked for a spouse, a friend, He will not send you an army of snakes... (Matt 7:11). Sometimes we are not qualified (or adequate) to receive what we´re asking for. Do we ask Him to be ready to receive His whole blessings?

He will not give you a thing (or a person) you don´t like.

Will you ask bread to receive a snake?

He knows you more than you! He sees deep inside you and there is not limit to His mind and sight.

If you think He is using people or circumstances to teach you or to tell you a thing, just ask Him to confirm what you might be thinking in your limited understanding. God is good!

Do not trust those hunches we may have so easily. “I think she is the person I needed”, “This is the job I was praying for”... How many times we were lost in those wrong decisions we made thinking we were “right”?

You may be wrong when liking the person you like.

You might be lost thinking you did right choosing a friend who ended up unfriendly, not loyal.

Be assured that GOD is all powerful to lead you to those persons you might be needing. He is strong enough to guard you and your loved ones. He is good! Beyond known measures.

If someone tells you: “God told me this and this”. Go ask GOD Himself to confirm it as true. Do not believe all that´s said, with no personal experience. God will teach you where to follow up.

These days a friend knew something she was not permitted to see and understand. I was so glad GOD sent one of His messengers to tell her things well. (Thank you, God!) Will He lead you into errors and additional mistakes? No! No! No! (That´s not His nature: His nature is love, a giving of pure love).

I´m glad He gave me a chance to have some glimpses of it. His goodness is above my limited mind and comprehension so, He is good more than I ever knew.