An Examination of the Mormon Godhead

An Examination of the Mormon Godhead

 

By Shaun Aisbitt

 

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to look at the Mormon Godhead though the writings of Mormonism. It is written expressly for the purpose of those who would consider Mormons to be Christian, without researching the background to Mormonism. This article is written by a Bible believing Christian, with no denominational bias. It is not written to criticize or 'Bible-bash' Mormons, just to warn of their false and dangerous teachings, and help us gain an insight into the Mormon's theology of the Godhead. In writing this article, I will use various Mormon writings to expound on their doctrine of the Godhead, and any other related doctrines that fall within the scope of the Godhead (eg: The Incarnation, Holy Spirit, the Trinity, God's immutability). If a discrepancy appears due to a contradictory statement expressed or taught elsewhere in their writings or their Scriptures (as there are many!) I will include both.

As the writings and doctrines of Mormonism could easily fill many large books, I have limited this article to just one area of doctrine, the doctrine of the Godhead.

I must state at this point that Mormons claim they are the only true Christians who have the restored Gospel, especially to the unaware and prospects that their way is the only way, and every other church is apostate. I also purposely chose to examine Mormonism due to it's claims in section eight of it's "Articles of Faith", which state "...the Book of Mormon is also the Word of God (1)". Many of their writings they claim has the stamp of Divine Authority. Alongside these claims is their belief that the current Prophet (head of their organization) speaks on behalf of God, and his word is also regarded as Scripture. I shall let the reader see Mormonism is not a Christian denomination based on the material presented.

 

Mormon Godhead

The founder of Mormonism, the late Joseph Smith (1805-1844) ridiculed the Trinity, believing it to be an invention of man. Whenever he preached on God, he spoke in the plural, as is evident in one of his books of Scripture the 'Book of Abraham'. He is recorded as saying in one of his public speeches:

Many say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God anyhow- three in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization all are crammed into one God according to Sectarianism [Christian faith]. It would be the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God- he would be a giant or a monster.(2)

He further made this claim which was recorded in the Mormon Scriptures "Doctrine and Covenants" section 130:22

"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones but is a personage of spirit...Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him, and not tarry with him.(3)"

So according to the founder of Mormonism, God has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's. This is a revelation to Mormons supposedly from God, as are all the prophecies prefaced in the publication 'Doctrine & Covenants'. Another revelation of Mormonism's founder appears in his recorded teachings:

"I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods"(4)

A later revelation was received by Joseph Smith's successor Brigham Young which reveals to us a little more about the God whom Mormons worship:

"Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, saint and sinner, When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body and brought eve, one of his wives with him. He helped to organise this world. He is our Father and our God and the only God with whom we have to do."(5)

For many years the Mormon church have denied this awesome revelation was ever given, even though it was restated as doctrine by other Mormon leaders. The Adam-God doctrine is a touchy subject to Mormons, some break-offs believe it still, though the official stance is that Brigham Young was misunderstood, or had a few of his own unique ideas. The problem is, it is a doctrine of the Mormon church that when the current prophet, or any of their past prophets speak, what proceeds out of their mouths is to be regarded as scripture!. Therefore there are some who believe still in the Adam-God doctrine. The Mormon Apostle and modern day theologian Bruce R. McConkie allows us a better insight into the Mormon view of the Godhead in his work "Mormon Doctrine" this way:

"Mormons do in fact have many gods"(6)

He further goes on to state

"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, comprise the Godhead. As each of these persons is a God, it is evident, from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of Gods exists. To us, speaking in the proper finite sense, these three are the only Gods we worship. But in addition there is an infinite number of holy personages, drawn from worlds without number, who have passed on to exaltation and are thus gods" (7)

McConkie simply seems to say that Mormons worship three gods, a sort of tritheism, rather than Trinitarianism. His questioning of the Christian view of the Godhead, almost seems like a mockery, questioning and ridiculing the orthodox stance:

Who or what is God? Is he the incomprehensible, uncreated, immaterial nothingness described in the creeds of Christendom. A three-in-one nothingness, a spirit essence filling immensity, an incorporeal, uncreated being incapable of definition or mortal comprehension, an unknown God who does not appear to men? (8)

The current Mormon theologian James E. Talmage having studied the creeds of Christianity which speak of God having an immaterial nature had this to say:

The immateriality of God as asserted in these declarations of sectarian faith is entirely at variance with the scriptures, and absolutely contradicted by the revelations of God's person and attributes. We affirm that to deny the materiality of God's person is to deny God; for a thing without parts has no whole, and an immaterial body cannot exist. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints proclaims against the incomprehensible God, devoid of "body parts, or passions," as a thing impossible of existence, and asserts its belief in and allegiance to the true and living God of scripture and revelation.(9)

Bruce McConkie gives us a clue as to why Mormons don't agree with the orthodox definition of the Trinity, or Godhead. Included in this quote from his 'Mormon Doctrine' book, is a glimpse of the "Inspired Version" of the scriptures, as 'edited' by Joseph Smith:

False creeds teach that God is a spirit essence that fills the immensity of space and is everywhere and nowhere in particular present. In a vain attempt to support this doctrine, formulated by councils in the early days of the great apostasy, it is common for apologists to point to the statement in the King James Bible which says "God is a Spirit" (John 4:22-24). The fact is that this passage is mistranslated; instead, the correct statement, quoted in context reads: "The hour cometh, and, now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. For unto such hath God promised his Spirit. And they who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth, (The Inspired Version, Joseph Smith Editor. John 4:25-26).(10)

 

The Mormon belief of God the Father

At this juncture I believe the Mormon view of the Godhead get very blurred. So I have systematically divided the Mormon view of each member of the Trinity into single sections.

Regarding God the Father, Joseph Smith explained,

God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form. I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see. He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ Himself did"(11)

A descendant of his, by the same name, and holding the title of Prophet, Joseph Feilding Smith went even further to reveal more about this Mormon God:

"God the Father is married and there is a Mother God"(12)

Orson Pratt, one of the original founders of Mormonism had this to say regarding the day to day business of the Mormon God:

In the Heaven where our spirits were born, there are many Gods, each one of whom has his own wife or wives which were given to him previous to his redemption, while yet in his mortal state. Each God, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family of sons and daughters. As soon as each God has begotten many millions of male and female spirits, he in connection with his sons, organizes a new world, after a similar order to the one we now inhabit, where he sends both the male and female spirits to inhabit tabernacles of flesh and bones. The inhabitants of each world are required to reverence, adore and worship their own personal father who dwells in the Heaven which they formerly inhabited.(13)

 So to summarise this section on God the Father of the Mormons, God has a body of flesh and bones, and wasn't always eternal, but is an exalted man. His name is Elohim, and was possibly at one stage Adam. There are many other Gods with him. He is married, possibly with many wives, and has had millions of spirit children. He organized (NB: He Didn't 'Create') the planet earth, and populated it with these spirit children. Spirit children which were born of this god's procreation with one of his wives!

 

The Mormon Jesus

At this point I believe it is necessary to look at the Mormon doctrines regarding Jesus. Brigham Young second prophet of the church stated:

"The birth of the Saviours was a natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood, was begotten of his Father, as we were of our father"(14)

 Note the plural 'Saviours', no clues are given for this wording. Further revelations come from Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie where he explains:

"And Christ was born into the world as a literal Son this Holy Being; he was born in the same personal, real, and literal sense that any mortal son is born to a mortal father. He was begotten, conceived and born in the normal and natural course of events. There is nothing figurative about his paternity; for he is the Son of God, and that designation means what it says"(15)

 In the same work he also states:

"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers"(16)

 The question that begs to be asked is "Was Jesus even born of a virgin?", according to these quotes, God 'procreated' him in the normal sense of the word. Who was His mother, Mary or some unknown God-Mother?. Apparently Jesus was not the only Son of God, in fact He is the brother of Lucifer according to Milton Hunter of the LDS First Council of the Seventy.

"The appointment of Jesus to be the Saviour of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Saviour of mankind"(17)

This Mormon Jesus was also polygamously married and 'procreated' according to Orson Hyde, one of the original founders and witnesses to the Book of Mormon:

"I discover that some of the Eastern papers represent me as a great blasphemer, because I said, in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children. All that I have to say in reply to that charge is this - they worship a Saviour that is too pure and holy to fulfil the commands of his Father. I worship one that is just pure and holy enough 'to fulfil all righteousness;' not only the righteous law of baptism, but the still more righteous and important law 'to multiply and replenish the earth.' Startle not at this! for even the Father himself honoured that law by coming down to Mary, without a natural body, and begetting a son; and if Jesus begat children, he only 'did that which he had seen his Father do"(18)

Where are these children of Jesus'?. Does He have anyone who claims to be a descendent of Him?. Joseph Smith's successor Brigham Young also made this claim when he explained:

 "This same truth is borne out by the Saviour. Said he, when talking to his disciples:`He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;' and, `I and my Father are one.' The Scripture says that He, the Lord, came walking in the Temple, with His train; I do not know who they were, unless His wives and children"(19)

 Why do Mormon teachers teach this about Jesus?. The answer lies in the Mormon scriptures where no-one can be exalted to "eternal lives" without being married in this lifetime (Doctrine & Covenants 132:7, 13, 15-16, 19-22). And that had to include the Mormon Jesus.

Now on to the reason Jesus came, to redeem mankind through His sacrifice on the Cross according to the Bible. Unfortunately the extent of Jesus' atonement for sins is not enough for the Mormons. The Mormons have an ineffectual sacrifice in Christ Jesus, according to Joseph Feilding Smith, 10th Prophet of the church:

"But man may commit certain grievous sins - according to his light and knowledge - that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone - so far as in his power lies - for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail. Do you believe this doctrine? If not, then I do say you do not believe in the true doctrine of the atonement of Christ!"(20)

 Thus, in Mormon theology, Jesus is not the final and sole provider of salvation. This doctrine elevates the blood of the worst of sinners above the blood of Christ. He further gives us an insight into the mystery of Jesus' incarnation, and why Jesus' sacrifice wasn't really enough:

The Saviour did not have a fullness [of deity] at first, but after he received his body and the resurrection all power was given unto him both in heaven and on earth Although he was a God, even the Son of God, with power and authority to create this earth and other earths, yet there were some things lacking in which he did not receive until after his resurrection. In other words, he had not received the fullness until he got a resurrected body.(21)

 Can Mormons actually say this is the same Jesus of the Bible?. This Mormon Jesus cannot be the sinless sacrifice for mankind if He sinned, and He did according to Orson Hyde's quote. And if the Fullness of Deity did not dwell in Him bodily, then how much of deity did actually dwell in Him?.

 

The Mormon Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost

We now turn to the Holy Spirit, or as in Mormon belief, the doctrines of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost. In Mormonism a distinction is drawn between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit. I quote for further clarification Mormon President Joseph Feilding Smith as published in Bruce McConkie's Mormon Doctrine, regarding the churches understanding of the difference between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost:

 "The Holy Spirit is not a person but rather an impersonal force. The Holy Ghost as a personage of Spirit can no more be omnipresent in person than can the Father or the Son. It is not the Holy Ghost who in person lighteth every man who is born into the world, but it is the light of Christ, the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the source of intelligence, which permeates all nature, which lighteth every man and fills the immensity of space. You may call it the Spirit of God, you may call it the influence of God's intelligence, you may call it the substance of his power; no matter what it is called, it is the spirit of intelligence that permeates the universe and gives to the spirits of men understanding, The Spirit of God which emanates from Deity may be likened to electricity, which fills the earth and the air, and is everywhere present"(22)

 McConkie further stated in his volume on Mormon Doctrine:

"The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a Personage of Spirit, a Spirit Person, a Spirit Man, a Spirit Entity. He can be in only one place at one time, and he does not and cannot transform himself into any other form or image than that of the Man whom he is" (23)

 Thus, according to Mormon theology, the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who is not omnipresent; rather, He is a deity capable of being in only one place at one time. The Holy Spirit, frequently used in many Mormon writings interchangeably with the terms Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of God, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Christ, Light of Christ, etc., is an inanimate force - likened to electricity - which itself has no thought, compassion or sense of holy purpose, but as a power is employed by the Holy Ghost to accomplish His purposes. This power or force is said to be everywhere present, much like "the Force" in the Star Wars movies, thus allowing the Mormon's finite Holy Ghost to exert His influence throughout the universe. Our last quote regarding the Mormon Holy Ghost gives us an insight of the function of the Holy Ghost. The Mormon author and authority on Mormon Scriptures James Talmage, asserts that the Holy Ghost is the sole possession of the Mormon higher priesthood of Melchizedek to confer as they choose:

The Holy Ghost may be regarded as the minister of the Godhead, carrying into effect the decisions of the Supreme Council [of Gods]. The power of the Holy Ghost is the spirit of prophecy and revelation. God grants the gift of the Holy Ghost unto the obedient, the authority to so bestow the Holy Ghost belongs only to the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood.(24)

 So the Holy Ghost is a person, regarded as the minister of the Godhead, and limited to the personal space that a human may have. His 'influence' is the Holy Spirit, also known as the spirit of prophecy and revelation, which isn't a person but just what it says, an 'influence'.

 

Mankind's relationship to the Godhead

Lastly, in order to understand the Mormon's God's relationship to man, and man's relationship to the Mormon God, I believe these quotes will help to enlighten the reader. Bruce McConkie pulls back the veil of uncertainty regarding man's pre-existence with God, and his being born as a 'spirit child' or the term Mormon theologians use 'atman':

Spirit entities as such, in their organized form as the off-spring of Deity, have not existed as long as God has, for he is their Father, and he begat them as spirits. Thus, there are two principals: 1) That "man was also in the beginning with God," meaning that the spirits of men were created, begotten, and organized, that they came into being as spirits at the time of their spirit birth; and 2) That "intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither can be" (D&C, 93:29), meaning that spirit element, "the intelligence of spirits, 'the substance from which they were created as entities, has always existed and is as eternal as God himself.'" (25)

 The Mormon Prophet Lorenzo Snow when asked to sum up Mormonism and man's destiny gave this quote in the Mormon monthly magazine 'Ensign':

"As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be."(26)

This means that every worthy married male, according to the standards of Mormonism, will become a god and rule over their own planet. But what about the women? That question was answered by Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth prophet of the Church, when he spoke of Man's salvation or exaltation as it is called in Mormonism.

"The Father has promised us that through our faithfulness we shall be blessed with the fullness of his kingdom. In other words we will have the privilege of becoming like him. To become like him we must have all the powers of godhood; thus a man and his wife when glorified will have spirit children who eventually will go on an earth like this one we are on and pass through the same kind of experiences, being subject to mortal conditions, and if faithful, then they also will receive the fullness of exaltation and partake of the same blessings. There is no end to this development; it will go on forever. We will become gods and have jurisdiction over world, and these world will be peopled by our own offspring. We will have an endless eternity for this"(27)

So Mormon faithful's are to become gods, with full godly powers, god-wives and associated attributes of godhood according to the Mormon definition of God. On a personal note, I do recall if I'm not mistaken, a serpent telling Eve that she and her husband Adam would become like gods, if they would just ignore God's commands and follow his (the serpents) suggestions, seems like the devil never really changes his script.

 

Conclusion

To conclude this article, I would like to review and summarise the major points of Mormonism's Godhead. I draw no conclusions, I leave such a task to the reader, to decide if Mormonism can be regarded as Orthodox Christianity.

1. There is no Trinity, just three Gods who work together to rule over this planet.

2. God the Father has a body of flesh and bones, was a man at one stage, and has God-wives. He brought Jesus into being through normal procreation with one of his God-wives, and when it was time for Jesus to come to earth, he procreated with Jesus' natural earth mother, Mary.

3. Jesus was polygamously married and had children. He is the spirit brother of Lucifer, the Devil. His blood, shed on the cross is not effectual for some sins. He didn't have the fullness of deity while here on earth, he earned that later.

4. The Holy Spirit is a force or influence, guided by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is not omnipresent, rather he limited to personal space as occupied by a person.

5. Man, if he becomes a Mormon and fulfills his duties diligently, will become a god, with god wives. They will procreate millions of spirit children who will help to form and populate their own planet for all eternity.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Footnotes:

1 Smith, Joseph: Articles of Faith: Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1981

2 Smith, Joseph F. The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1984 ed (p.372)

3 Smith, Joseph. Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1990.

4 Smith, Joseph F. The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1984 ed.(P.370)

5 Brigham Young: Journal of Discourses Vol.6 pg.50 : Desert Book Company / Salt Lake City, UT. 1992 (Reprint)

6 McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1977.

7 IBID.

8 McConkie, Bruce. The Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Matthew - Revelation. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1976-1977 (3 Vols.) (Vol.2 p.113)

9 Talmage, James E. A Study of the Articles of Faith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1977. (P.48)

10 McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1977. (P.318)

12 Smith, Joseph F. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1973. 8.Vols. (Vol.6 P.305)

12 Smith, Joseph F. Answers to Gospel Questions. Compiled by Joseph Feilding Smith Jr. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1976. 4 Vols. (Vol.3 pp 143-144)

13 Pratt, Orson. The Seer. Washington, DC. Photo Reprints, 1853-1854. (Pp.37-38)

14 Young, Brigham. Journal of Discourses. London: Latter-Day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-56 8 Vols. (Vol.8 P.115)

15 McConkie, Bruce: Mormon Doctrine, (p.742)

16 IBID (p.547)

17 Hunter, Milton R. The Gospel Through the Ages. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1958. (P.15)

18 Hyde, Orson. Journal of Discourses. London: Latter-Day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-56 (Vol.2 P.210)

19 Young, Brigham. Journal of Discourses. London: Latter-Day Saints' Book Depot, 1862-66 (Vol.13 P.309)

20 Smith, Joseph F. Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Feilding Smith, Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft (3 Vols.) (Vol.1, Pg.134)

21 Smith, Joseph F. Doctrines of the Gospel: Student Manual. Salt Lake City, UT: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1986 (Texts for Religion pp.231-232)

22 McConkie, Bruce. Mormon Doctrine. (pp. 752-753)

23 IBID. (p.359)

24 Talmage, James E. The Articles of Faith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1982 (p.160)

25 McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, (p.77)

26 Snow, Lorenzo. Ensign. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert News Press. (February 1982 pp.39-40)

27 Smith, Joseph F. Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Feilding Smith, Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft (3 Vols.) (Vol.2, Pg.48)

 

Bibliography

 

All of this article's research comes from primary source Mormon publications:

 

 Bruce R. McConkie (comp). Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Feilding Smith, Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft (3 Vols.) n.d

________________ Mormon Doctrine. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1977

________________The Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Matthew - Revelation. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1976-1977 (3 Vols.)

Brigham Young. Journal of Discourses. London: Latter-Day Saints' Book Depot,

James E. Talmage A Study of the Articles of Faith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1977.

______________The Articles of Faith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1982

Joseph Smith. Articles of Faith: Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1981

___________ Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1990.

Joseph Feilding Smith Jr. (Comp.) Answers to Gospel Questions. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1976. 4 Vols.

Joseph Feilding Smith. Doctrines of the Gospel: Student Manual. Salt Lake City, UT: CHURCH of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1986 (Texts for Religion Series, Brigham Young University)

__________________History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1973. 8.Vols.

__________________ The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1984

Lorenzo Snow. Ensign. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News Press.

Milton R. Hunter The Gospel Through the Ages. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1958.

Orson Pratt. The Seer. Washington, DC. Photo Reprints, 1853-1854.

Can A Christian Be A Freemason?

By

Shaun Aisbitt

 

 

 

Freemasonry

Or

The Masonic Lodge

Known in America as:

Shriners

Or

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
 

And in

Northern Ireland as:

The Orange Lodge or The Orange Order
 

Also associated with:

The Society of Oddfellows

 

 

 The Masonic Lodge worldwide is a highly influential organization claiming some 23 million members. Masonic leaders argue the lodge is not a religion but merely a fraternal body that seeks to better society and also assist the Christian church. It does this, they publicly claim, by helping Christians become better members of  their own faith. The real truth though, is that Masonry is a distinct satanic religion, a religion that promotes teachings incompatible with Christian faith in the areas of God, salvation, and other important doctrines clearly taught in the Bible. It is therefore inconsistent for any Christian to swear the oaths of Masonry to uphold and support the Lodge when Masonry's own  ritual, doctrines, and impact in history have denied and opposed biblical teaching.

 

 

Millions of men throughout the world, including six million Americans, look to  the Masonic Lodge for brotherhood and fellowship. They are proud to be part of  an organization that engages itself in worthwhile causes, such as children's  hospitals. Many of them feel strongly about the Masonic tenets of the Fatherhood  of God, the brotherhood of man, and the immortality of the soul. Masonry (or Freemasonry) claims to be the friend of Christianity, and yet it  contains doctrines that are contrary to biblical teaching. As unpleasant as it  may be, it is the obligation of the discerning Christian to point this out, both  for the sake of the hundreds of thousands of Christian Masons and for those who  might yet become Masons. The Masonic ritual (i.e., Masonry's ceremonial rites of  initiation that all Masons must pass through) of the First, Second, and Third  Degrees teach all Masons exactly what God condemns as a false gospel, namely  that a person is saved and goes to heaven as a result of his or her personal  character and good works. As all Christians know, the Bible places such a teaching under God's curse. Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9:

”But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” 

What is that Gospel? The only place where this Gospel is clearly defined in The Bible is 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (NIV)

 

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

 

The Bible clearly teaches how we are saved:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9. See also John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47; Rom.3:28-29; 4:6; 11:6).


  

Proof of Masonry's false gospel can be found in standard "Monitors" the official textbooks containing authoritative Masonic ritual which are more or less uniform for each state. In the ritual, the Masonic symbol of the lambskin or white  leather apron is explained, in part, to each candidate as follows:

 

"The lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence; he, therefore, who wears the lambskin as a badge of Masonry, is thereby continually reminded of  that purity of life and conduct, which is essentially necessary to his gaining  admission into the Celestial Lodge Above, where the Supreme Architect of the  Universe [God] presides" {Code Revision Committee, Masonic Manual of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Free and Accepted Masons, 10th ed. (n.p.: Grand Lodge of the State of Georgia, 1983), pg.17.}

 

In the Second Degree (the Fellow Craft Degree) and elsewhere the candidate is instructed further in the importance of the lambskin as follows: "You are to wear it as an emblem of that purity of heart and conscience that is necessary to obtain for you the approval of the Grand Architect of the Universe”. Moreover, as even some Masonic authorities have admitted, Masonry has, in all, some 33+ degrees implying or teaching its candidates salvation by personal merit.

Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Below are some quotes of leading Masons throughout it’s history:

Albert Mackey: “Religion and Masonry are the purest form of Theism” (Masonic Lexicon)

Albert Pike: “Every Masonic lodge is a temple of religion, and its teachings are instructions in religion” (Morals and Dogma. Pg.213)

J.S.M.Ward: ”I consider Freemasonry is a sufficiently organized school of  mysticism to be entitled to be called a religion” (Freemasonry, Its Aims and Ideals. Pg. 185)

Frank C.Higgins: “It is true that Freemasonry is the parent of all religions” (Ancient Freemasonry. pg. 10)

Norman Vincent Peale: “I consider Masonry to be the purest form of religion on earth” (Masonic Monitor, May 1992 pg.17) {NB: Norman Vincent Peale was a 33rd Degree Freemason and held the title of “Worshipful Master”}

 

 

Degrees of Freemasonry

In this diagram are listed all the degrees. Only the Scottish Rite lists it’s degrees by number,  the York Rite designates it’s degrees by name. Only where there are differences in level titles I have included both York and Scottish.

	Blue Lodge
	1. Entered Apprentice
	2. Fellow Craft
	3. Master Mason
York Rite (Chapter Capitular Degrees)	Scottish Rite (Lodge of Perfection)
Mark Master	4. Secret Master
	5. Perfect Master
	6. Intimate Secretary
Past Master	7. Provost & Judge
	8. Intendant of the Building
	9. Elu of the Nine
	10. Elu of the Fifteen
Most Excellent Master	11. Elu of the Twelve
	12. Master Architect
	13. Royal Arch of Solomon
Royal Arch Mason	14. Perfect Elu
	Chapter Rose Croix
	15. Knight of the East (or Sword)
Council (Cryptic degrees)	16. Prince of Jerusalem
Royal Master	17. Knight of the East & West
	18. Knight Rose Croix
	Council of Kadosh
	19. Grand Pontiff
Select Master	20. Master of the Symbolic Lodge
	21. Noachite (or Prussian) Knight
	22. Knight of the Royal Axe
Super Excellent Master	23. Chief of the Tabernacle
Commandery (Chivalric Degrees)	24. Prince of the Tabernacle
	25. Knight of the Brazen Serpent
	26. Prince of Mercy
	27. Knight Commander of the Temple
	28. Knight of the Sun
Order of the Knights of Malta	29. Knight of St.Andrew
	30. Knight Kadosh
	Consistory
	31. Inspector Inquisitor
Order of the Knights Templar	32. Master of the Royal Secret
Commandery	33. Active (or Honorary)

 

 

What Do Churches Say?
Interestingly, throughout Bible believing Christian churches, Freemasonry is warned against. Throughout Bible believing churches, Masonic converts are instructed to sever ties with Masonry and repent of worshiping at strange altars. Only ‘nominal’ or liberal churches worldwide don’t appear to care if their members are Masons. The Unitarian and Universalism cults almost encourage members to join. In the late 1990’s the Assemblies of God churches put together a 700 page report outlining their reasons for banning Freemasonry from among Christian Churches and distributed literature throughout churches in America to make people aware of the evils of Masonry. As a result many churches put together  papers stating why their members cannot be Christians as well as Masons. The Board of the Southern Baptists on the other hand have made being a member of Freemasonry a matter of conscience, (about 35% of Southern Baptists are Freemasons). The Roman Catholic church’s ban on Freemasonry was lifted by Papal decree on 25 Jan 1983, allowing members to join if they so wished.

 

 

‘First Day of Issue’ cover envelope from Vatican City announcing the ban on Freemasonry lifted by Papal decree

It is also estimated that roughly 30% of the Church of England members and leaders are Masons. The previous Archbishop of Canterbury has come out against Freemasons and will not allow Masons to hold any high offices within the church (that is above Bishop!). This same Archbishop was ceremonially ordained and anointed a ‘High Druid’ in Wales on the day before his inaugural ceremony, such confusion!.

What Does Freemasonry Teach?
Masonry teaches that individuals may be saved by being good members of their respective religions, whether Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, or other. For example, Dr. Jim Tresner, director of the Masonic Leadership Institute, affirmed that Masonry “..leaves the member to devote himself to his own religious faith to receive salvation.” {Jim Tresner, Conscience and the Craft, The Scottish Rite Journal, February 1993, pg.23.}

The Masonic God
During the ritual, Masonry has its candidates swear that they believe in God, typically called the "Great Architect of the Universe." or G.A.O.T.U. It also informs them that all Masons are to bow before the sacred name of Deity, and explains that all Masons of every country, religion, and opinion are united in the belief that they have been created by one Almighty Parent. The question is, Is this Almighty Parent or Great Architect the God of the Masonic Lodge also the God of the Bible? The answer is clearly No.
In the "Masonic Bible," (published by the A. J. Holman Press), we are told this "Almighty Parent is the one true God that all men worship. This is so regardless of the name by which He is identified: Jehovah, Krishna, Buddha, Allah, or some other". The Masonic Bible is actually the King James Version bound with a special cover stamped with the Masonic insignia. In the front of this Bible there is a lengthy preface made up of articles concerning Masonry and the Bible. One of these articles is entitled, "The Great Light in Masonry," written by Masonic authority Joseph Fort Newton, who states:
"For Masonry knows, what so many forget, that religions are many, but religion is one, therefore, it [Masonry] invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that, if they use different names for 'the nameless one of a hundred names,' they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all" {Joseph Fort Newton, "The Great Light in Masonry" "The Words of a Great Masonic Divine: The Bible and Freemasonry, "The Holy Bible: The Great Light in Masonry (Nashville: A.J.Holman, 1940), pg.3&4.}

But when a Hindu prays to Vishnu or Shiva, is he really praying to Jesus? When a Muslim prays to Allah, is he really praying to Yahweh? When Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons pray, are they really praying to the same God the Christian prays to? The answer is no, because all their doctrines, beliefs and 'revelations' of their god or gods are diametrically opposed to the concept of God as revealed in the Bible.

Another Masonic authority, Carl H. Claudy, writes:
"The Mason must declare his faith in a Supreme Being before he may be initiated. But note that he is not required to say, then or ever, what God. He may name him as he will, think of him as he pleases; make him impersonal law or personal and anthropomorphic; Freemasonry cares not, God, Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Artificer, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Above, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Vishnu, Shiva, or Great Geometer." {Carl H. Claudy, Introduction to Freemasonry, vol. 2 .Washington: The Temple, 1984, pg.110.}

And Carl H. Claudy also says elsewhere:
"Masonry does not specify any God of any creed; she requires merely that you believe in some Deity, give him what name you will. A belief in God is essential to a Mason, but any God will do, so long as he is your God." {Carl H. Claudy, "Belief in God" in "A Master's Wages," Little Masonic Library, vol.4 Richmond: Macoy Publishing, 1977, pg.32.}

Masonry therefore claims all people of varying faiths are really praying to the one true God, the universal Father of humankind, regardless of the name they give him. Nevertheless, this "Almighty Parent" of Masonry is a different God than Christianity teaches, a fact conceded by both Masonic sympathizers as well as Masons themselves. This is the ‘public face’ that Masonry gives of the god it worships. In his encyclopaedia on Masonry, Masonic authority  Henry Wilson Coil refers to the Christian's Biblical God as:

 "a partisan, tribal God" and implies that such a God concept is far inferior to the God of Masonry, which is: "A boundless, eternal, universal, undenominational, and international, Divine Spirit, so vastly removed from the speck called man, that He cannot be known,  named, or approached. So soon as man begins to laud his God and endow him with the most perfect human attributes, such as justice, mercy, beneficence, etc., the Divine essence is depreciated and despoiled. The Masonic test  [for membership] is a Supreme Being, and any qualification added is an innovation and distortion." {Henry Wilson Coil, Coil's Masonic Encyclopaedia. New York:Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply, 1961,pg. 516 & 517).

Coil even admits that:

 "monotheism violates Masonic principles, for it requires belief in a specific kind of Supreme Deity" {Ibid. pg. 517}.

 

Of course, at this point Coil has just excluded the God of Biblical teaching and Christian faith for being too specific despite the fact that he has ascribed a specific doctrine of God (eternal, unknowable, etc.) to Masonry!.

Albert Pike, Masonry’s ‘Theologian’ and writer of the standard work of Freemasonry ‘Morals & Dogma’ held simultaneously the offices of Grandmaster of  the Central Directory of Washington, Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of  Charleston and Sovereign Pontiff of Universal Freemasonry. As a Masonic authority he also denies the Christian's Biblical view of God. He argues that:
"If our conceptions of God are those of the ignorant, narrow minded, and vindictive Israelite, we feel that it is an affront and an indignity to God."

 {Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Charleston, SC: Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, 1927, pg.223}

Anyone who has ever read what Albert Pike and other Masons have taught about God in the higher degrees of Masonry knows that the God of Masonry has nothing whatever to do with the God of the Bible. For example, Pike categorized the Biblical Christian view of God as:

 "a false god and an idol"

when he wrote that:
"Every religion and every conception of God is idolatrous, insofar as it is imperfect, and as it substitutes a feeble and temporary idea in the shrine of that Undiscoverable Being of Masonry." {Ibid.516}

One of the disturbing ceremonies of the entrance to the ‘Royal Arch Degree’ is when the candidate is asked “Brother Inspector, what are you?”. To which the candidate must reply “I Am that I Am”. Why is this disturbing? Read the reply God gives to Moses in Exodus 3:14:- “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” When the Israelites heard the Divine Name they knew Moses was sent from God. When Jesus said He was the I AM in John 8:58 the Pharasees picked up stones to kill Him. Why? because He was claiming to be God, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.”. Jesus claim to Deity wasn’t a lie, He was, is, and always will be God, and there is no other who can say they are the “I AM” except God. So Masonry makes a candidate to the Royal Arch Degree claim he is God? Very disturbing and not a title any real Christian or Jew could ever claim.

{As a side note, some false religious teachers like Shirley McClaine and ‘pseudo christians’ like Robert Schuller (who incidently is a 33^rd degree freemason),  Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn all encourage the chanting of a mantra saying “I AM” and believing we are a God, equal in all ways to Jesus. This is a serious matter and I wouldn’t include it unless I could back it up so here’s the evidence:

 

Kenneth Copeland says: When I read in the Bible where He says, "I AM I just smile and say, Yes, I AM, too." Believers Voice of Victory broadcast July 9 1987

 

Benny Hinn says: Don't tell me you have Jesus. You are everything He was and everything He is and ever shall be..... Don't say, 'I have.' Say "I AM, I AM, I AM, I AM, I AM". (Our Position in Christ

#2-The Word Made Flesh audiotape Side 2 1991)}

 

If Masonry rejects the God of Christianity, how can it logically claim to be the true friend of Christian faith? to say that it is a friend of the Christian faith is a bare faced lie. Further, if it offers an unknowable, unapproachable, and undiscoverable God beyond the different concepts of God found in other religions, how can it appropriately or logically ask the men of those religions to join its local lodges? Masonry does this because it seeks to develop a worldwide religious brotherhood beyond the sectarian religious beliefs of humankind. To further this goal it must, at one level, accept all religions, while simultaneously pointing and leading to a "higher" truth beyond separatist religion, a truth that is capable of uniting all men in a common universal brotherhood, that is, the fraternity of Masonry. Masonry therefore encourages all members of different religions to pray to and worship their own respective gods: Brahma, Krishna, Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, L.Ron Hubbard, Vishnu, Jesus, and so forth. This is the means by which Masonry can appeal to the members of all the different religions in the world and attempt to unite them in a universal "common brotherhood."

But then Masons cannot possibly all be praying to the same God because all these gods are different in nature and in what they expect of humans (if they expect anything). In other words, the Masonic doctrine of the spiritual "Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man" is only valid if there is some larger God beyond the contradictory lesser gods that people worship. On the one hand Masonry claims it is an organization of tolerance that accepts the different religions of all people; on the other hand, it offers a supreme God that is supposedly the one true God that all people are really praying to, who is beyond the inferior, primitive concepts of individual religion whether Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, or any other.

At whatever level Masonry approaches God, however, its theology presents irresolvable conflicts for the Christian. If the Christian God is merely an
inferior and false concept, then Masonry denies that the God of the Bible is the one true God. Further, if Masonry points Christians to an unknowable "Almighty Parent beyond all religion", then it encourages Masons to worship a false god, and this is idolatry. This violates the first commandment in which God warned His people, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus. 20:4 & Deut.13:1&5). Another interesting point Christians have noted is how the name of Jesus is not allowed to be mentioned in prayers, and His Deity is denied.

At the 28th Masonic degree the Mason cannot advance further unless he swears an oath to turn his back on any of his previous religious beliefs and call them pagan superstitions. Again one must ask "Is Freemasonry the friend of Christianity it claims to be?" The answer is a definite and resounding "NO".

A Small Sampling of Masonic Secret Oaths:
As Freemasonry is a secret society with its secret rituals and symbols, many of their doctrines and beliefs are hidden and revealed only to those who are worthy enough and have reached the higher degrees of 30+. Many of the teachings are not recorded, but passed on from mouth to mouth and are memorized. The long held secret of the god whom the Masons worship, began to surface only within the last decade. The reason for this is that Masons swear they will have their tongue ripped out and their entrails spilled if they reveal any of the secrets of the craft. Here is an example of an Entered Apprentice’s Oath:

"I [NAME] of my own free will and accord. in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge, erected to Him and dedicated to the Holy Saint John. Do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts, parts, or points of the hidden mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry. which have been heretofore, may at this time, or shall at any future period be communicated to me as such, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be a true and lawful brother Mason, or within a regularly constituted Lodge of Masons. and neither unto him or them, until by strict trial, due examination, or legal information I shall have found him or them lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not. write, print, paint, stamp, stain, cut, carve, make, nor engrave them, nor cause the same to be done upon anything movable or immovable, capable of receiving the least impression of a word, syllable, letter or character, whereby the same may become legible or intelligible to any person under the canopy of heaven, and the secrets of  Freemasonry be thereby unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness. To all of  this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep and perform the same without any equivocation, mental  reservation, or secret evasion of mind whatever, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots and buried in rough sands of the sea at low water mark where tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly or willingly violate this my solemn oath or obligation as an Entered Apprentice Mason. So help me God, and keep me stead­fast in the due performance of the same.”
(Duncan, Masonic Ritual and Monitor pg 35-36).

 

The Master Mason’s Oaths include these vows: I furthermore promise and swear, that I will stand to and abide by all laws, rules and regulations of the Master Mason’s Degree, and of the lodge of which I may hereafter become a member as far as the same shall come to my knowledge; and that I will ever maintain and support the constitution, laws, and edicts under which the same shall be holden. Further, that I will acknowledge and obey all the signs and summonses sent to me from a Master Masons’ Lodge, or given me by a brother of that degree. Further, that I will keep a worthy brother master mason’s secrets inviolable, when communicated to and received by me as such, murder and treason excepted. Binding myself, under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile and wicked a wretch as I would be, should I ever, knowingly violate this my Master Mason’s obligation. So help me God. (Duncan, Masonic Ritual and Monitor pg.95-95)

 

An Excerpt taken from the Initiation of the 10^th  Degree of the Scottish Rite: I do promise and swear on the Holy Bible to keep exactly in my heart all the secrets that shall be revealed to me. And in failure of this my obligation , I consent to having my body opened perpendicularly, and to be exposed for eight hours in the open air, that the venomous flies may eat of my entrails, my head be cut off and put on the highest pinnacle of the world, and I will always be ready to inflict the same punishment on those who shall disclose this degree and break this obligation. So may God help and maintain me. Amen. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .1. Pg 196)

NB: During the above initiation ceremony, a dagger (or poniard) is pointed at the chin and drawn down the chest to the waist as if the abdomen was being ripped open to symbolise the seriousness of the oath.

 

From the 17^th Degree initiation of the Scottish Rite: I ____________ do promise and solemnly swear and declare in the awful presence of the Only One Most Holy Puissant Almighty and Most Merciful Grand Architect of Heaven and Earth that I will never reveal to any person whomsoever below me  the secrets of this degree which is now to be communicated to me, under the penalty of not only being dishonoured, but to consider my life as immediate forfeiture, and that to be taken from me with all the torture and pains to be inflicted in manner as I have consented to in the preceding degrees. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .1. Pg 448)

NB: During this ritual a skull is placed on a blood stained cloth and the Initiate is told this: “The skull is the image of a brother who is excluded from a Lodge or Council. The cloth stained with blood, that we should not hesitate to spill ours for the good of Masonry”.

 

From the 18^th Degree of the Scottish initiation Rite: I ___________ do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear under the penalty of all my former obligations which I have taken in the preceding degrees, never to reveal directly or indirectly, the secrets or mysteries of  this degree under the penalty of being forever deprived of the true word, to be perpetually in darkness, my blood continually from my body, to suffer without intermission the cruel remorse of soul; that the bitterest gall, mixed with vinegar, be my constant drink; the sharpest thorns for my pillow and that the death of the cross may complete my punishment should I ever infringe or violate in any manner or form the laws and rules which have been, are now, or may be hereafter made known or prescribed to me. And I do furthermore swear, promise and engage on my sacred word of honour, to observe and obey all the decrees which may be transmitted to me by the Grand Inspectors General in Supreme Council of the thirty third degree. So help me God and keep me steadfast in this my solemn obligation, Amen. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .1. Pg 473)

NB: For this oath the candidate kneels on the step to the altar with his right hand on a Bible or whatever holy book he chooses (Quran, Vedas, Dianetics, Teachings of Buddha etc.)

 

Excerpt from the 30^th Degree initiation rite of the Scottish Rite: I ____________ of my own free will and accord, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear to keep faithful the secrets of the sublime degree of Knights Kadosh and strictly to obey the statutes of the order. All of which I promise to do, under the penalty of death. So help me God. (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .2. Pg 269-270)

 

NB: During this initiation the Grand Provost of Justice holds the point of his sword to the heart of the candidate who is taking the oath. He then says:

“When your rashness prompted you to enter this awful sanctuary, you were no doubt informed of the danger which threatened you, and of the trials which still await you. Swear therefore, upon your word of honour, never to reveal what you have seen or heard hitherto. Forget not that the slightest indiscretion will cost your life. Are you still willing to proceed?” (Blanchard. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, Vol .2. Pg 275)

 

 

The head of baphomet, a powerful symbol of Freemasonry, Satanism and Witchcraft, seen among many of the badges of Masons, check the picture of Albert Pike above.

 

 

The True god or gods of Freemasonry
The secret name for the god of the Freemasons is “Jahbulon” or “Yahbulon” or even G.A.o.T.U (The Great Architect of The Universe) The first two names  are a compound name taken from “Jehovah or Yahweh” the Christian God, “Bul” from the ancient pagan fertility god “Baal” and “On” from the ancient Egyptian god "Osiris". Albert Pike let ‘the cat out of the bag in his secret instructions for 30th 31st and 32nd degree Freemasons:

That which we must say to the crowd is - We worship a God, but it is the God one adores without superstition. To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say  this, that you may repeat it to the Brethren of the 32nd, 31st, and 30th degrees - the Masonic religion should be, by all us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Lucifererian doctrine. If Lucifer were not God, would Adonay (The God of the Christians) whose deeds prove his cruelty, perfidy, and hatred of man, barbarism and repulsion for science, would Adonay and his priests calumniate him? Yes, Lucifer is God and unfortunately Adonay is also God. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two Gods: darkness being necessary to light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive. In analogical and universal dynamics one can only lean on that which will resist. Thus the universe is balanced by two forces which maintain its equilibrium: the force of attraction and that of repulsion. These two forces exist in physics, philosophy and religion. And the scientific reality of the divine dualism is demonstrated by the phenomena of polarity and by the universal law of sympathies and antipathies. That is why intelligent disciples of Zoroaster, as well as, after them, the Gnostics, the Manicheans and the Templars have admitted, as the only logical metaphysical conception, the system of two divine principals fighting eternally, and one cannot believe the one inferior in power to the other. Thus, the doctrine of Satanism is a heresy; and the true and philosophic religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal Adonay; but Lucifer, God of Light and God of Good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the God of Darkness and Evil.
  

This pretty much shows that the Freemasonry is satanic. It doesn’t hold to the doctrine of the Trinity, but believes in a dualistic god / devil balance of power in the universe, like the pagan Gnosticism. Also since Lucifer or Satan is nothing more than a created and fallen angel according to the Bible, it appears freemasonry elevates him to godhood, worshipping and calling the Devil 'God'. Again remember this isn't an opinion, it comes from the Masonic Authority Albert Pike himself in his own words.
  

Sample ‘PublicOaths’
This is the first degree charge, an oath that the public are allowed to see and believe the Masons to be a normal fraternal organization, a lie really considering what is shown here in this article. Masons don’t mind this oath being seen by the public, but compare it to the blood curdling secret oaths listed above. This clearly shows the deception that Freemasonry is willing to foist on the unsuspecting public in order to make themselves appear to be nothing but a fraternal and beneficial men’s organisation.

Brother __________, as you are now introduced into the first principals of Masonry, we congratulate you on being accepted into the ancient and honourable fraternity; ancient as having existed from time immemorial; and honouring as tending in every particular so to render all men who will be conformable to its precepts. No institution was ever raised on a better principal or more solid foundation, nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated in several Masonic lectures. The greatest and best of men in all ages, have been promoters and encouragers of the art, and they have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the fraternity, extend their privileges and patronise their assemblies. There are three great duties, which as a Mason, you are charged to inculcate; to God, to your neighbour and to yourself. To God in never mentioning His name, but that reverential awe which is due from a creature to his creator, to implore his aid in all your laudable undertakings, and to esteem him as the chief good; to your neighbour in acting upon the square, and doing unto him as you wish he would do unto you; and to yourself, in avoiding all irregularity and intemperance which may impair your faculties or debase the dignity of your profession. A zealous attachment to these duties will insure public and private esteem. In the state you are to be a quiet and peaceful subject, true to your government and just to your country. You are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live. In your outward demeanour, be particularly careful to avoid censure and reproach. Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with your necessary vocation, for these are on no account to be neglected, neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who through ignorance may ridicule it. At your leisure hours, that you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are to converse with well-informed brethren, who will always be as ready to give as you will be to receive instruction. Finally, keep sacred and inviolable the mysteries of the fraternity, as these are to distinguish you from the rest of the community and mark your consequences among Masons. If, in the circle of your acquaintances you find a person desirous of being initiated into Masonry, be particularly attentive not to recommend him unless you are convinced he will conform to our rules, that the honour, glory and reputation of the institution may be firmly established and the world at large convinced of its good effects.”

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Jesus The Only High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek

By Shaun Aisbitt (c)

Introduction

In this paper I intend to examine one of the least grasped titles of Christ by Christians and cults, Christ - the High Priest. Understanding that Jesus is the Lord of all, and all things were created through Him and by Him we can grasp that He is God. Understanding that He took on the form of man, was tempted in every way, died sinless for the sinners, and rose again, and now is exalted at the right hand of God, we can see that He is our one and only Living Saviour. But how does the title and position of Jesus, the High Priest of the New Covenant affect us in our daily walk with the Lord?  I intend to concentrate solely on the passages in the Epistle to the Hebrews, and various other passages in the Old Testament. In order to grasp what exactly the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews is saying about Christ's present ministry, and how it affects us.

 

As a side note, I also have put this paper here because of the alarming amount of false teaching going around for those who believe they are priests in the order of Melchizedek including Catholic Priests, Mormons, New Age groups, Trance channellers, etc, or believe the Melchizedek is a race that comes from outer space (The Urantia Book!, Raelians etc). Hopefully it will give you a better understanding of WHY NO ONE BUT JESUS CAN EVER HOLD THE ETERNAL OFFICE OF MELCHIZEDEK.

 

The Priesthood of Christ

It is important to ask why, and for what reason is the Priesthood of Christ is depicted in the Epistle to the Hebrews. It is believed the reason for the letter is that the Hebrew Christians were in danger of backsliding, spiritual deterioration and apostasy. The Epistle was probably written to combat this problem, and the means of achieving it was personal experience of the priesthood of Christ. It appears that the writer of the Epistle somehow linked the Priesthood of Christ with spiritual steadfastness, progress and assurance. By truly understanding and accepting these truths, the secret of Christian growth, spiritual growth and maturity of experience will be found.

It appears that those who the Epistle is addressed knew Jesus as Lord and Saviour, but had a childlike understanding of redemption (6:1), and they did not realize what it meant to have Him as a High Priest The difference between the two may be seen by an examination of time and circumstances under which the priesthood emerged with regard to Israel. Except for foreign priesthood's like those of Egypt and Midian (Gen. 47 & Ex. 3), the first mention of priesthood in Israelis at Sinai. There was no priesthood in Egypt, only redemption. There was none at the Red Sea, where deliverance was the one thing needed. At Sinai they realized for the first time their true relation to God, and God's relationship to them as dwelling among them (Ex. 19:4-6 & 25:1-8). The priesthood was appointed to provide the means of access to God and prevent fear in approaching Him. Essentially then the priesthood is based on gaining access to God on an already existing redemption. The Hebrew Christians knew Christ as redeemer; they were now to be taught the certainty, privilege and joy of free access to God in Him, and with this, the removal of fear and disfavour. Any sense of unworthiness would be met by His worthiness, all fear removed by His nearness to them and to God, as He is the Son of Man and Divine High Priest at the same time. There is therefore a world of difference in knowing Christ as Savior and as Priest. Knowing Him as Saviour alone may cause spiritual childishness, knowing Him as Priest must include spiritual maturity (5:10-14). This is one of the biggest differences between Romans and Hebrews. The Epistle to the Romans appears to concern itself with redemption, which makes access possible (Rom 5:2), while with Hebrews, access is possible by redemption. This practical purpose of Hebrews with regard to spiritual growth and maturity should be kept in mind. This is where the present-day and enduring value of the Epistle is in Christian life and service, with its constant stress on the phrases 'Draw near (10:22), 'Don't draw back' (10:39) and 'Let us go on' (6:1)

 

The Essential Meaning of Priesthood

In order to examine the idea of the Priesthood of Christ, I believe it is important to examine the essential characteristics of priesthood. What were the functions the priest carried out as priest, those which only he alone could perform under any circumstances?. The best definition is in Hebrews 5:1 where we are told that "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." that is, he represented man to God. What was included in this representation I will look at later in this paper, but meanwhile it should be clearly seen that the priesthood meant the representation of man to God, and was the opposite yet complementary to the prophet which was to represent God to man. The priest went from man to God, while the prophet went from God to man. The two ideas are seen in Hebrews 3:1" Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whom we confess." Christ is called Apostle and High Priest, Apostle because He was sent, sent from God to man, High Priest because He comes from man to God. In His dual ministry He is the perfect Mediator. If the priest did other duties such as teaching and receiving tithes and blessing the people, they were added functions and not intrinsic to the priesthood. The Levites could teach and kings could bless, but by no means possibly could either do the essential duties of the priesthood in representing man to God. This specific idea is clearly taught as the essence of priesthood both in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament also where the Godward aspect of priesthood is always stated and emphasized (Ex 28:1, Num 16:40, 2Chr 26:18, Ezk 44:15, Heb 6:20, 7:25, 9:24). The essential idea of priesthood as representative of man to God carries with it the right of access to and of remaining in the presence of God. In earlier times families were represented by the father (see Job) or head of the clan, but as the sense of sin grew and the Divine purpose of redemption was gradually unfolded, it became necessary to have men entirely separated for this office. The fact that there was priesthood was then the admission of sinful worldly living that is inherent in mankind, and the holiness of God, and the need of conditions to approach God. I Believe it is important to define and keep clear these central characteristics of the priesthood. They can be summed up in the general ideas of drawing near to God by means of an offering and dwelling near God for the purpose of intercession (Ezk 44:16, Lev 16:17, Exo 28:30 & 30:7-8, Lk 1:9-10).

 

The Special Order of Christ's Priesthood

The outstanding thought in the Epistle to the Hebrews is the association of Christ's Priesthood with that of Melchizedek. Three times in the Scriptures Melchizedek is mentioned, and each time the reference is important. In Gen ch.14 he meets Abraham and is called at that time 'Priest of God Most High'. His second mention is in Psalm 110, a Psalm that is regarded as Messianic, and is applied to Himself by Jesus in the three Synoptic Gospels (Mat 22:44, Mk 12:36 & Lk 20:42). The underlying thought of Psalm 110 is of a priesthood, not Aaron's though, and suggests a grasping, on the part of spiritually minded Jewish, hope for something beyond and better than the Aaronic priesthood. The very mention of another priesthood is significant and striking. The last mention of Melchizedek is in Hebrews, where he is shown as a type of Christ. The account of Gen ch.14 is related and expounded on to symbolize and mirror some of the elements of the Priesthood of Christ. The position of Melchizedek as king indicates the royalty of Christ's Priesthood. The meaning of the name Melchizedek is used to suggest the thought of righteousness, while his title 'King of Salem', suggests the idea of peace. The order and combination of righteousness and peace are noted in Hebrews.

 

First comes righteousness as the basis of relationship to God, and peace as the outcome of righteousness. Righteousness without peace vindicates the law and punishes sin, while peace without righteousness ignores the law and condones sin. Righteousness and peace when combined honor the law while pardoning sin (1)

 

The lack of mention in Gen ch. 14 of any earthly connections, whether by descent or tribal is used in Hebrews to symbolize the timelessness of Christ's Priesthood. What was true of the record about Melchizedek is present in actual fact in Christ. One point of great importance not to be overlooked is that in Gen ch. 14 no priestly functions are attributed to Melchizedek. The gift of bread and wine to Abraham had of course nothing essentially priestly in it. In the account he is called 'priest of God Most High', without any characteristically priestly acts being stated. This corresponds to the use of the Melchizedek priesthood in Hebrews, which does not speak of any priestly acts or functions, but the order of the priesthood. The underlying thought of the Melchizedek priesthood in Hebrews refers to the person of the priest, not his acts. The functions or acts of the Aaronic priesthood are contrasted with the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is seen in the person not the act. It is the priestly person rather than the priestly works that are emphasized in the Melchizedek priesthood. He was a royal person, Aaron wasn't, an enduring person, Aaron wasn't, a unique person. Aaron wasn't. It is the personal superiority in these respects. over the priesthood of Aaron that is dwelt on regarding Melchizedek. These is no comparison drawn between Melchizedek and Christ, but use is made of Melchizedek to symbolize the personal superiority of Christ's priesthood over all others, a priesthood that is older, wider and infinitely more lasting than that of Aaron.

 

Functions Relating to Christ Alone

It is with regard to the Aaronic priesthood, that the work of Christ's priesthood is considered. A contrast is made as is shown by the recurring word 'better' (7:22 & 8:26 etc.). Christ was never a priest in the Aaronic line (7:13-14, 8:4), but it was necessary to use the illustration of the Aaronic priesthood to denote Christ's priestly functions, because no characteristic priestly functions were recorded of Melchizedek. A series of comparisons between Aaron's and Christ's priesthood needs careful attention. First generally in 2:17-18 with reference to personal qualification. Then after bare mention in 3:1, and more fully in 4:14-16. But it is in chapter 5, verses 1-10 we have the first definite comparison. In verses 1-5 the requirements of the Aaronic priesthood are stated in regard to (a) Office 5:1, (b) Character 5:2-3(c) Divine appointment 5:4-5. Then in Chapter 5 verses 6-10 we have the fulfilment of these requirements in Christ, stated in reverse order (c) Divine appointment, verses 5-6. (b) Character, verses 7-8. (a) Office, verses 9-10.

Then in chapter 7 we have the comparison and contrast between Melchizedek and Aaron, with the superiority of Melchizedek on three points: Aaron was not royal: Aaron 5 priesthood wasn't timeless due to his mortality: Aaron had many successors. The superiority of the person gives superiority to the functions.

Then in chapters 8-10 the superiority of the work of Christ in compared with that of Aaron under three aspects: A better covenant in chapter 8 because it's spiritual, not worldly: A better sanctuary in chapter 9 because it's heavenly, not earthly: A better sacrifice in chapter 10, because it's real not symbolical.

As the Epistle unfolds, several elements of superiority emerge. A superior order (7:1-17), a superior tribe (7:14), a superior calling (7:21), a superior holding (7:23-24), a superior character (7:26), a superior sanctuary and a superior covenant (Heb 9), a superior sacrifice (Heb 10).

After chapter 10 there is nothing priestly in the terms used, though chapter 13 refers to the functions connected to the priesthood. These functions of the priesthood can be seen in three areas. The priest had access to God for man, offering to God for man, and intercession with God for man.

Also summed up in chapter 13 is the superiority of Christ's priesthood as shown in the following particulars:

 

(A)  it is royal in character,

(B)   heavenly in sphere,

(C)   spiritual in nature,

(D)  it is continuously effective,

(E)   everlasting in duration,

(F)    universal in extent,

(G)   efficient in results.

 

At this point there are a few questions that I believe should call for attention. The first is why is there no distinction between priest and high priest. Christ is both (5:6,10 I 6:20 I 7:1,3,15,17,21.). The difference is one of rank only, the high priesthood being one of specialized form. The term 'high priest' occurs only nine times in the Old Testament, and it is never applied to Aaron. This clearly shows there is no real distinction between the two offices, for if there had been an essential difference from the first, then Aaron would have been called 'high priest'. Jesus is never called 'High Priest' in the discussions regarding Melchizedek, only when the discussion turns to Aaron is the title mentioned. I believe that because there a difference at the time of writing, it was probably necessary to show that Christ fulfilled both offices.

 

The second question that begs to be asked is why is the resurrection ignored in the Epistle? The Epistle discusses Christ's offering with His death on the cross, and His entrance into heaven with regard to His Ascension. There is only scant reference in 13:20, why?  I believe that it wasn't necessary to dwell on that point in the Epistle, as both the priestly sacrifice of the animal outside the camp on the day of Atonement (13:11 - 12), and entrance into the Holiest place with the blood is what the writer is more concerned with. Stress is laid on the Ascension because that is the moment when our Great High Priest entered into heaven on our behalf (9:12&24). It is the close association of these two parts that explains 8:3 "Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer." The idea that Christ is now continually offering Himself to God in heaven is inconsistent with the rest of the Epistle, which lays such stress on the association of the offering with Christ's death, and which dwells on the uniqueness and completeness of the offering [Grk. Έφάπξ ephapax, once for all (2)] 7:27& 9:12 & 28), and while seated at God's right hand, He is a victor, not an offerer. Further, the great and essential characteristic of the New Covenant is forgiveness of sins (8:8 /10:11-12), and this was possible only after the offering was completed (4:16 I 9:14-22). The aorist tense in (8:3) seems decisive in associating the offering with the death. It may be timeless, but at least it is not continuous. Christ only needed to be offered once, it seems only natural the conditions are fulfilled that at the moment of ascension when Christ first appeared before God for us, and then sat down at the right hand of God, having fulfilled all the requirements of the work of offering and presentation of Himself on our behalf The offering in Hebrews is associated with sin, not consecration, with Christ's death, not His life, and offering is thereby shown to be the characteristic work of a priest. To regard Jesus as now offering, or representing or re-presenting Himself in heaven, is to think of Him in the attitude of worshipper instead of on the throne. His work of offering and presentation was finished before He sat down, and it is significant that what the writer calls the 'crowning point' [ κεφάλαιον,  kephalaion = chief or main point, principal thing (3)] of the Epistle (8:1) is a 'high priest who is set down'. This exactly answers to the 'type' on the day of Atonement. When the high priest had presented the blood, his work was complete, and if you could imagine him able to remain there in the presence of God, he would stay on the basis of the complete offering and not as continuing to offer or present anything. Besides there was no altar in the Holy of Holies, and there could be therefore no real sacrificial offering. Christ is not now at an altar or a mercy-seat, but on the throne. If it is said that intercession is an inadequate idea of His priestly life above, it may be answered that offering and intercession do not exhaust His heavenly life. His presence there on our behalf as our Representative includes everything. He Himself is (not merely His death was) the propitiation (1 John 2:2). Does it not indicate a lack of spiritual thought, to demand that Christ should always be doing something? Why can't we be content with the thought that He is there, and that in His presence above is the secret of peace, the assurance of access, and the guarantee of a permanent relationship with God?

  Just at this point I need to point out a difference between type and anti-type. The high priest went into the Holy of Holies with blood, but when Christ's entrance into heaven is mentioned, He is said to have gone through His own blood, i.e. His access is based on the offering on Calvary (9:12). It seems impossible therefore to extend the idea of Christ's offering to mean "A present and eternal offering of His life in heaven", a quote I discovered in a book called "Ascension and Heavenly Priesthood of Our Lord" written by W.Milligan (4). Such a view finds no vindication in the whole Epistle, quite the opposite as the emphasis is laid on Christ's offering with His death (7:27/9:13-14, 24-28/10:10-14), and the uniqueness and entirety of that as climaxing in the entrance into heaven. The death of Christ meant propitiation; the Ascension emphasizes access based on the propitiation. (5)

 

The last question is about the use of the two priesthoods, Meichizedek's and Aaron’s which are not to be interpreted as two aspects of priesthood, one on earth and the other in heaven successively realized by Christ, because this would be the opposite to what the Epistle says in 7:18 & 8:4. It means that there is one priesthood, of which Melchizedek is used for the person, and Aaron for the work. If Christ's death is associated with the Aaronic priesthood (against 8:4), then the entrance into heaven must be associated with Aaron (against 6:20 etc.), which would leave no room at all for the Melchizedek priesthood. It is impossible for the death to be associated with one priesthood, and the ascension with the other. The order or nature of the priesthood according to Melchizedek gives validity and perpetuity to the acts which are symbolized in the Aaronic priesthood.

  

 The Personal Qualifications of Christ as Priest

The practical and spiritual use made of priesthood in Hebrews gives special point to the emphasis laid on the personal qualifications of Jesus as High Priest. These are dealt with mainly from the human side up to Ch.5:9, and then afterwards from the Divine side, Both the human and the Divine side are shown to be necessary. Regarding His human qualifications we have His manhood, allowing us to identify with Him, and He with us, (Heb 2). His perfect sympathy, (4:14-16). His perfect training by obedience through suffering, 5:1 - 10).

 

Then His Divine qualifications are:

(A)  Divine appointment (5:10).

(B)  His indestructible life, (7:16), involving an uninterrupted tenure of office as compared with the constant deaths of the Aaronic priesthood.

(C)  His sacred, or unchangeable priesthood, (7:24), involving the impossibility of succession or delegation [αράβατον, aparabaton= this word is used only once in the New Testament, and means absolutely unchangeable or untransferable (6)]

(D)  His perpetual life of intercession, (7:25).

(E)   His fitness through character, (7:26).

(F)   The Divine guarantee in the Divine oath of appointment, (7:28).

(G)  His position on the throne, (8:1).

(H)  His perfect offering, (9:12,24 /10:12). These Divine and human qualifications are based upon His Divine Sonship (Heb 1). His priesthood exists in His position as Son of God. It is this uniqueness as Son that gives Christ His qualifications for the priesthood.

 

 

   The Spiritual Work of Christ as Priest

The many aspects of His priestly work can be seen in the Epistle through His propitiatory sacrifice, (2:17), His ability to suffer, (2:18), His ability to sympathize, (4:15), His ability to save, (7:25), His present appearance in heaven for us, (9:24), His kingly position on the throne, (8:1), His coming again, (9:28). These are the elements connected with His priestly work, though there are others that are more associated with His work as Redeemer. The work is at once perpetual and permanent, He offered Himself through an eternal spirit, (9:14), He has made an eternal covenant, (9:13,14), He is the cause of eternal salvation (Praise the Lord!), (5:9), He obtained eternal redemption, (9: 12} which culminates in eternal inheritance (9:15).

 

The Practical Uses of Christ's Priesthood

The definitely practical purpose of the truth of priesthood is what must be kept in view. It is by means of the experience of Christ's priesthood that Christians come out of spiritual infancy into spiritual maturity, (6:1 & 10:1). Nowhere is the practical character more clearly seen than in the various statements and exhortations that have to do with the daily life of the believer. In particular there are the associated phrases 'we have', and 'let us'

(A) (4:14) Having a high Priest, let us hold fast.

(B) (4:15-16) Having a sympathetic High Priest, let us come boldly.

(C) (10:19) Having confidence of access, let us draw near... Another aspect of the exhortation are the three words faith. hope and love which are repeated throughout the Epistle, E.g.; Let us draw near with faith, having a High Priest let us hold fast hope, let us consider one another in love. These three exhortations to faith, hope and love are amplified in three respective chapters of the Epistle, Ch.11=faith, Ch.12=hope, Ch.13=love.

(D) (12:28) Receiving a kingdom, let us have grace.

(E) (13:12-13) Jesus suffered, let us go forth.

(F) (13:14) We seek a city to come, therefore let us offer a sacrifice of praise.

The Epistle emphasizes one truth above all others, "..that Christianity is religion of free access to God" [7]. It might be summed up in the exhortations 'Draw near' 'Hold fast 'Don't draw back'. It is characteristic that the word for believers is [οί προσερχόμενοι = those who come right up to God] (8), and it's corresponding exhortation is [προσερχώμεθα = "let us come right up, to God"] (9). Christianity is the better hope by which we draw near to God, and Christ in the certainty of a better covenant, that is, One who ensures our permanent access to God. In proportion as we realize this privilege of nearness, and respond to these exhortations to draw near and keep near we shall find that element of free and fearless courage which is one of the essential features of a strong Christian life. It is this, above all that the priesthood of Christ is intended to produce and to perpetuate, to guarantee and guard. This truth of priesthood, as taught in Hebrews, is absolutely necessary for a vigorous life, a mature experience, a joyous testimony and an overflowing work.

 

 

 

Ref:

1. Stirling, John (Ed): Hebrews, A Little Library of Exposition: (Cassell & Co. Toronto): Pg 85

2.Thayer, Joseph H: Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament   [strong’s 2178]

3. i.b.i.d. [strong’s 2774]

4. Milligan,W: Ascension and Heavenly Priesthood of Our Lord, (pg 116)

5.Westcott, B.F: The Epistle to the Hebrews, The Greek Text With Notes & Essays

6. Thayer, Joseph H: Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament

7. Bruce, Alexander Balmain.DD: The Epistle to the Hebrews, The First Apology For Christianity (pg 290)

8. Thayer, Joseph, H: Thayer's Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament

9. Thayer, Joseph, H: Thayer's Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament