Why Women Should Not Wear Head-Coverings

1Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Cor 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 1Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Cor 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Cor 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 1Cor 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1Cor 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Cor 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1Cor 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
1Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Some people have misinterpreted 1 Corinthians 11 and believe that it is commanding women to wear hats or "head-coverings" of some kind. In this chapter, God is dealing with gender roles and the authority that a man has over his wife. In verse 3, the authority that a man has over his wife is likened unto the authority that God has over a man. God is the "head" (authority figure) of the man, and the man is the "head" (authority figure) of the woman. This matches perfectly with what the Bible says in Ephesians 5:

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

As we continue in 1 Corinthians 11, verses 4-6 state:

1Cor 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 1Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Cor 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

According to these verses women should have their heads "covered," and men should not. In fact, if a woman's head is not covered, that is just as bad as if she were "shorn" or "shaven." Notice that the Bible says that it is a "shame" for a woman to be shorn or shaven. We all know what "shaven" means, but what does the word "shorn" mean? The Bible uses the word "shorn" one other time in the New Testament:

Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

The vow that the Bible is referring to here is a Nazarite vow from the Old Testament. Notice what the Bible commands about the Nazarite vow in Numbers 6:

Num 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.

Num 6:18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

Once again, the Bible is its own dictionary. Being "shorn" is another word for being "shaven." Paul having his head shaved with a razor is referred to as him being "shorn." Therefore God is saying that a woman being "uncovered" is just as shameful as her shaving her head completely bald as Paul did in Acts 18.

So, what is this "covering"?

1Cor 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

According to verses 13-15, a woman is "uncovered" if she does not have "long hair." A woman is therefore commanded to have long hair, and a man is commanded not to have long hair.

Those who believe in women wearing external "head-coverings" or bonnets on their heads will argue that even though long hair is a covering (indefinite article), women still need to wear an additional covering or bonnet on their heads. This is easily disproved with the Bible. The same passage that tells women to be covered tells men not to be covered. Therefore, if this were talking about something other than long hair (i.e. a "head-covering" or bonnet), it would be a sin for a man to wear it while praying or prophesying. This is directly in contradiction with many Old Testament passages that command the Old Testament priests to wear bonnets and mitres while ministering in the priests office:

Exo 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exo 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Exo 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exo 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

Lev 8:13 And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Eze 44:17 And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Eze 44:18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

Notice that the priest's clothing consisted of coats, britches (pants), and bonnets. Why would God tell us that "nature itself" teaches us that a woman should wear a head-covering, and that men should not, when he commanded over and over again that the priests (who were men of course) were required to wear bonnets when they prayed and prophesied in the priests office! The covering referred to in 1 Corinthians 11 is long hair, as defined in the passage itself; it is not a bonnet or head-covering.

This is consistent with the Old Testament, which commanded the priests not to have long hair:

Eze 44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.

They were commanded to be neither completely bald nor long-haired, but rather to "poll" (i.e. cut short the hair on) their heads.

Other proponents of "head-coverings" on women will say that if you "go back to the Greek," you'll see that the word for "covering" in verse 15 is different than the other words used for "covering" in the passage. Of course, they are not fluent in Greek, but because the words look a lot different, they assume that they must be talking about completely different things. However, there are many examples in our language of words that look completely different as different parts of speech, but that are actually the same. Here are a few examples:

- having faith (noun) means that you believe (verb).
- being undressed (adjective) means you aren't wearing any clothes (noun).
- doing something manually (adverb) means that you did it by hand (noun).
- thing that are lunar (adjective) have to do with the moon (noun).

You see how identical words can look completely different as different parts of speech. Therefore a woman can be uncovered (adjective - ακατακαλυπτω) because she is not wearing a covering (noun - περιβολαιου). Just because the words look the same in English does not mean that they will look the same in Greek. Apparently these head-covering advocates who couldn't even order a meal in a Greek restaurant think they know more than the KJV translators. This is why one should always beware when anyone has to "go back to the Greek" to prove their doctrine.

Now that we understand what "covering" is referring to in 1 Corinthians 11 (i.e. long hair), let's go back and look at the passage with this definition in mind:

1Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Cor 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered (i.e. having long hair), dishonoureth his head (i.e. dishonours Jesus Christ - see previous verse).
1Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered (i.e. with short hair) dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (i.e. if a woman doesn't have long hair, she might as well be bald!)
1Cor 11:6 For if the woman be not covered (i.e. she has short hair), let her also be shorn : but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. (i.e. in God's eyes, it is just as much of a shame for a woman to have short hair, as it is for her to be completely shaved bald).

You may say, "Okay, Pastor Anderson, I get it. Women do not have to wear head-coverings, but they do have to have long hair. But can't they wear head-coverings if they want to? Why are you against head-coverings?"

I am against head-coverings on women for two reasons:

1. I am against head-coverings because they associate you with the wrong crowd spiritually. Every church or pastor I have ever seen or known that taught that women were commanded to wear head-coverings was wrong on the Gospel. I have never seen or heard of a church that taught that women must wear head-coverings that believed that salvation was by faith alone. The churches and teachers promoting head-coverings on women teach a works-based salvation in one of the following forms:

- some teach you can lose your salvation
- some teach you must repent of your sins in order to be saved
- some teach you must surrender your life to Christ in order to be saved
- some teach Calvinist doctrines of "grace" which teach that if you don't have works, you aren't saved, and that God is the one who chooses who will be saved and who will be damned (TULIP).

The Bible on the other hand states that salvation is by faith alone:

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I have never seen or heard of any church that preached Bible salvation that taught women to wear head-coverings. Therefore, wearing a head-covering will lump you in with unsaved false teachers such as the Amish, Pentecostals, etc.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1Thess 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

2. I am against head-coverings because they are not modest apparel. Yes, you got that right, I said that they are not modest apparel:

1Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

The word "modest" in these verses is often misinterpreted to only mean "not revealing" or "not promiscuous." However, there is nothing revealing or promiscuous about broided hair, gold, or pearls. This passage is telling ladies not to dress in a way that draws attention to themselves. Their good works should be what stand out, not their appearance, clothing, hair, or jewelry. Instead of a "Christian uniform," it should be the good works of Christian ladies that stand out to the world.

mod·est

/ˈmɒdɪst/ Show Spelled[mod-ist]

–adjective

1.having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.

Women who wear head-coverings or Amish-looking dresses are doing so in order to purposely look different and stand out. There are many beautiful and stylish dresses for women to wear that are very modest and and not revealing whatsoever, but that do not purposely draw attention and cry out, "Look at me! Look how 'modest' I am!" Purposely drawing attention to yourself is neither modesty nor humility!

If ladies who practice "head-covering" were truly just trying to obey scripture and not draw attention to themselves, then why not wear a "head-covering" something like this:


or this:


Instead, this is what you usually see:


or this:

Conclusion:

Ladies are commanded by the Bible to have long hair. They are not commanded to wear an external head covering of any kind. If they do wear one, people will probably associate them with religions that preach a false Gospel.

Pre-trib Chart Debunked

Let me point out some major problems with this bogus chart that independent fundamental Baptists have been using to prop up their false pre-tribulation rapture doctrine:

1. This chart shows the first 3.5 years of the "tribulation" as a time of "temporary peace." According to them, that is when the 7 seals will be opened. This is typical teaching of pre-tribulation rapture teachers, but does it line up with scripture?

Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

Does that sound peaceful? What about this:

Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Is that a time of "temporary peace"? NO

2. Nowhere does the Bible mention "bowl" judgments. The King James Bible talks about seven "vials" of judgment, not "bowls." Whoever made this chart was not reading a King James Bible, so why do KJV-only Baptists use it?

Debunking Missionary Mike Mislan's "Problems with a Post-trib Rapture"

Missionary Mike Mislan has said that there are a lot of "problems with the post-trib rapture position." I asked him what they were, and he sent me this list. Here are my responses to each of his "problems."

Missionary Mike Mislan: Here's [sic] a few problems with a post-trib rapture.

1. The trump to announce the rapture is not the same as the trump of Revelation. One is the trump OF GOD (1 Thes 4:16) while the other is the seventh trump OF ANGELS (Rev 8:6) God is not angels nor angels God.

I agree that the rapture doesn’t take place at the 7th trumpet

2. By placing a post trib rapture at this seventh trump, the unknowability and eminent return of Christ is removed (Mk 13:32)

I don’t place a post-trib rapture at the 7th trumpet. Also, the verse that you are quoting to say that Christ’s coming is “imminent” (Mark 13:32) is taken from a passage that pre-tribbers claim is not about the rapture because he just finished saying it was after the tribulation (Mark 13:24). Which one is it?

3. Pre-Tribulationalists have never interpreted the "falling away" of 2nd Thes 2:3, as being the rapture. Instead they have traditionally understood it to mean apostasy as the Greek says (Strongs G646) - a precursor to the rapture. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.." (1 Tim 4:1)

How is this a problem with a post-trib rapture?

4. In Rev 20:4-6, this phrase "part in the first resurrection" reveals this first resurrection was in "parts" or "phases" (1 Cor 15:22- 24, Mat 27:52-53) which implies that a previous resurrection of first fruits had preceded it, such as the rapture (1 Thes 5:1-11)

Here you erroneously call the rapture “the firstfruits” and then put 1 Cor 15:22-24 in parenthesis to support your point. Those verses prove that the rapture is NOT the firstfruits! Those verses also prove that the resurrection of believers is only in 2 phases: at Christ’s coming and after the millennium.

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

5. The fact that Christ returns WITH His saints to set up His Kingdom (Rev 19:11-14), shows the "rapture" was a previous "part" of this first resurrection.

I agree that he returns with the saints in Revelation 19 to set up his kingdom. The first resurrection (rapture) already took place over 3 years before that. Not a problem for post-trib. God’s wrath being poured out is AFTER the tribulation and AFTER the rapture.

6. Passages where the "Day of Christ" occur do not state a post-trib rapture (Cor 1:8, 1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 1:14, Phil 1:6, Phil 1:10, Phil 2:16)

How is this a problem with a post-trib rapture? Do they state a pre-trib rapture? Does ANY verse state a pre-trib rapture? Also, you conveniently removed one mention of the "Day of Christ" (2 Thess 2:1-4) which DOES state a post-trib rapture!

7. In order to prove a post trib rapture, post-tribbers must take all "Day of Christ" passages and improperly link them to Mat 24:29-31 which does not contain this phrase and was in reference to the Jew not the church.

You can’t prove that Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, and Luke 21 are all “in reference only to the Jews.” Didn’t you quote Mark 13 early to prove the rapture of the “church” was imminent? Do you only apply Mark 13 when it is convenient for your doctrine, and at other times you say that it's only for the Jews?

8. The "Day of Christ" which Post-Tribbers assert is the rapture, may also refer to the Judgment Seat of Christ and the awarding of crowns: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which.. the righteous judge, SHALL GIVE ME AT THAT DAY... (2 Tim 4:8) " Who shall.. confirm you unto the end, that ye may be BLAMELESS IN THE DAY of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 1:8), Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain… (Phil 2:16) " that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. (Phil 1:10).

Still not a problem for post-trib.

9. While 2 Thes 2:1-4 implies a mid-trib rapture, additional factors must be considered. These are: (a) such phrases as "be not soon shaken" "troubled" and "deceived" along with the context of many believing that "day of Christ is at hand" shows many had falsely believed that Christ had already come and Paul was simply stating that since these things have not yet taken place, they could have not missed His coming, (b) This phrase [that day shall not come] cannot be used as a conclusive proof for it was a clarification by the KJV translators, (c) the positive closing of this chapter indicates the tribulation would be avoided "hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts." (2 Thes 2:16-17), (d) NT Scripture teaches in a Pre-Trib rapture.

You said: “(b) This phrase [that day shall not come] cannot be used as a conclusive proof for it was a clarification by the KJV translators,”

So now the KJV is wrong?! I guess you know more than the translators!”

You also said: “(d) NT Scripture teaches in a Pre-Trib rapture.”

Nice circular reasoning!

10. The order of events as they unfold in chapters 19 and 20 in Rev confirm the traditional view of a pre-tribulation rapture with all subsequent events properly falling into place…

Can you be a little more specific? haha

11. The different features between Christ coming to meet His saints in the air (Lk 17:22-30, Mat 24"36-39, Lk 21:34-36, Eph 5:1-8, Joel 2:31, 1 Thes 5:1-11, Isa 2:12-21, Rev 6:12-17) as compared to His coming at the Judgment of Nations (Rev 19:11-14, 20) reveals two separate and distinct events which cannot take place at the same time…

I don’t believe that his coming in the air is the same as his coming to judge the nations. Strawman.

12. Rom 1:18 and Jn 3:17 make it clear that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who.. believeth not the Son" (Rom 1:18, Jn 3:16). Being "justified" we have been saved through this wrath through Him (Eph 5:15)

The tribulation is not God’s wrath.

13. Christ promised His church in Philadelphia that He would keep them from the hour of temptation, and the church is absent during the tribulation (Rev 3:10, chaps 4-22).

Actually, the church at Philadelphia no longer exists so it is already “absent.”

14. Christ loved His church, gave Himself for it (Eph 5:15) and a post-trib rapture is inconsistent with the love that Christ has for His Church (2 Tim 1:72, 1 Thes.5:9, Pet 2:9, Tit 2:13, 1 Tim 6:14, Ja 5:8, Phil 4:5, Jn 1:1-3, 1 Thes 4:17-18)… (11) The purpose of the tribulation is to judge ungodliness, to fulfill God's promises to the Jew, and to prepare Israel for Christ's return (Jer 30:7, Dan 9:20-27), NOT to punish Christ's future bride (Eph 5:27)…

So basically you’re saying that if God loves us we won’t endure tribulation?

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

15. Like the word "trinity" or "Deity," while this English word "rapture" is not specifically found in the Bible, it's doctrinal truths are still there.

How is that a problem for post-trib? We believe in the rapture.

16. The early church, our Christian forefathers, most mainline Christian churches in the U.S., as well as protestant churches in Europe all believe in a Pre-Trib Rapture. The post-tribulation-rapture theory is taught by the Catholic Church, and other Eastern Orthodox church cults, and is held by only five percent of evangelical and/or Baptist churches.

There is no evidence of a single human being believing the pre-trib rapture before 1830. In addition, most of the pre-trib believers you just mentioned are also on their way to Hell. Let’s stick with the Bible.

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Well, there you have it folks. Those are all the numerous "problems" with the post-tribulation rapture position.

The "Falling Away" of 2 Thessalonians 2

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” – Thessalonians 2:1-4

2 Thessalonians 2 is a passage in the Bible that warns us not to be deceived about the second coming of Christ. I have often used this passage to show people the truth about when the rapture will take place, but lately I have been shocked at the response that some people have given me. Apparently, those who believe that the rapture takes place before the tribulation actually believe that the “falling away” mentioned in verse 3 is referring to the rapture!

First of all, things don’t fall up! How can anyone actually believe that the “falling away” is referring to believers being “caught up together” in the clouds?! Not only that, but the Bible uses the term “falling away” in other places, and the meaning is clear:

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” – Luke 8:13

Is this a passage on the rapture? No, it is clearly referring to people falling away spiritually, which is a bad thing. This may seem basic, but when something falls it goes down, not up.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” – Hebrews 6:4-6

Again, this passage is definitely not referring to the rapture. This is talking about people falling away spiritually.

In an article entitled “Left Behind at the Rapture,” David Stewart of the website “Jesus is Savior dot com” writes:

“The word ‘rapture’ is not found in the Bible, but the phrase ‘falling away’ certainly is. Though some theologians have concluded that the ‘falling away’ is only referring to ANARCHY, this erroneous teaching does not harmonize with the rest of the Bible. ‘Falling away’ in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 in the Greek simply means ‘a departure.’” – David Stewart

Here is an excerpt from his article “The Pre-tribulation Rapture:”

“I also believe that the word ‘Rapture’ does NO injustice to the Scriptures. The word ‘Rapture’ means ‘to be caught away.’ In the following Scriptures (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4), we read the term ‘a falling away.’
“The Greek meaning for this phrase is ‘a departure.’ I believe this that this term refers to the departure of the Saints.” – David Stewart

Since things don’t fall up, David Stewart has decided to “go back to the Greek” to tell us what the Bible REALLY says. Since I believe that the King James Bible is the preserved word of God, I don’t think it is necessary at all to “go back to the Greek” since the term “falling away” is used repeatedly in our English Bible, and it is very clear what it means.

Mr. Stewart here deceitfully uses the Greek as a justification for changing what the Bible says. He claims that the Greek word simply means “a departure.” What he fails to mention is that the Greek word here is “αποστασια” or in Latin letters “apostasia.” If he had mentioned that, it may have been a little too obvious that the Bible is referring here to apostasy, i.e. falling away from the faith, not the rapture! The “departure” being referred to is a departure from the faith which is exactly what “apostasy” is!

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” – 1 Timothy 4:1

The Greek word “apostasia” is used in only one other verse in the Bible:

“And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.” – Acts 21:21

"Forsake" is the English translation of the Greek word "apostasia." Again, this is a forsaking of doctrine, which is the definition of “apostasy.” This deception illustrates why you should always take everything you hear with a grain of salt when preachers are “going back to the Greek.” Usually they are just trying to change what the Bible says, as is the case here with a “falling away” being twisted into being “caught up” to the clouds.

Now that we have seen how the Bible itself defines “falling away” (departing from the faith), look at the passage again:

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” – Thessalonians 2:1-4

The passage clearly states that the Day of Christ is not at hand, and that we should not allow people to deceive us that it is at hand. It goes on to say that the Day of Christ shall not come until AFTER there is a falling away, and AFTER the man of sin (antichrist) is revealed by sitting in the temple of God and claiming to be God. This event is referred to in the Bible as the Abomination of Desolation (see Daniel 11, 12 and Matthew 24).

Anyone who tells you that the Day of Christ is at hand is deceiving you according to the Bible. What is the Day of Christ? The "Day of Christ" is referred to 7 times in the Bible:

1 Cor 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Cor 1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

The rapture cannot occur until the day of Christ since that is when the good work of sanctification he began in us will be complete, and we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Phil 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Phil 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

2 Thess 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

The Bible is very clear that the rapture takes place AFTER the tribulation:

Matt 24:29 Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Matt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matt 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Why Baptist Kids Grow Up and Go to Charismatic Liberal Churches

Why Most People who are Saved through Soul-winning will not Come to our Church

Many critics of door-to-door soul-winning say that soul-winning "doesn't work" or is a fraud because so few of the people who get saved in the process ever end up coming to church. Therefore, they say that these people "must have never really gotten saved." Here is a list of 11 reasons why most of the people who are saved through the soul-winning of Faithful Word Baptist Church will never come to church, even though they are truly saved.

1. They don't speak English.

About 50% of the people that I personally win to the Lord speak only Spanish. Although I speak Spanish well enough to effectively preach the Gospel and dialogue about Biblical doctrine, our church does not offer services in Spanish. Our church will never offer services in Spanish. However, it is our goal to preach the Gospel to every single person in the greater Phoenix area. We do not want the Spanish-speakers in our area to go to Hell without getting a chance to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. There are several people in our church who are able to speak Spanish, and I would estimate that about 20% of the people who are saved through our soul-winning efforts don't speak English.

2. They are older children or teenagers.

Many of the people we win to the Lord out soul-winning are teenagers or children and are therefore not in a position to drive themselves to church. Since they are not the decision maker in their home, they will probably not be able to get their family to go to the church of their choice.

3. They live too far away or have no vehicle or gas money.

Our goal at Faithful Word Baptist Church is to knock every single door in the greater Phoenix area, which includes approximately 4 million people. Therefore, we do not only knock doors in the immediate vicinity of our church. As we radiate outward with our soul-winning, we find ourselves knocking doors that are 20, 30, or more minutes away from our church. Let's face it: someone that we win to the Lord in a ghetto 30 minutes away from our church is probably not going to make the 1 hour round trip drive to come to our church. But does that mean that they are not really saved? No!

In addition, our church does "Small Town Soul-winning Marathons" every few months, and dozens are saved in small towns across Arizona that are usually about 1.5 hours from our church. These people will probably not make a 3 hour round trip commute each Sunday to be a part of our church. However, if we don't bring them the Gospel, who will?

4. They are too shy to visit.

I have been in church my entire life and am by nature an outgoing person, and yet many times I have been very shy and nervous walking into a new church for the first time and not knowing anyone. One time, there was a young lady in her twenties who came to visit our church. She had been in church her whole life, and her father had been a Baptist pastor. After talking with me a little bit, she told me that she had actually come to visit the week before but had chickened out when she got to our parking lot and saw "the crowd.," so she turned around and drove off. She worked up enough courage to come back the next week and come to the service. Some people are just too shy to walk into a church where they don't know anyone - especially if they have never even been to church before.

5. They already go to church somewhere else.

Many of the people who get saved through our soul-winning efforts already go to church somewhere. Many of them are already even attending a Baptist church. Once they get saved, they may continue to attend a liberal Baptist church or a new-evangelical church because of the fact that they have ties with friends and family there.

6. They are recruited to another church by friends or family.

Often I have won someone to the Lord who has family or friends who are already saved. Although these watered-down Christian family members or friends never took the time to get their loved one saved, they will jump all over them to get them plugged into their church, now that they are saved. People are much more likely to go to a church where they already know people than to a church where they don't know anyone. Also, a new believer may not know all the specific things they should be looking for in a church, and therefore, they may easily end up going to an inferior church because they already know people there.

7. They are too lazy to come to church.

Because as a church we knock every door in each area we go soul-winning, much of our time is spent knocking doors in slums and ghettos. Many of the people who get saved have very little character and are very unreliable people. Many of them want to come to church and have every intention of coming to church but do not have the character to get themselves out of bed in the morning and drag themselves to church. Many of them can't even hold down a job, let alone come to church on Sunday.

8. They are physically disabled.

As we knock doors out soul-winning, we are able to preach the Gospel to many people who would otherwise never hear it because they are physically disabled and almost never get out of the house. Many are hooked up to machines, crippled, very elderly, or in some other way too impaired to get to church. Thank God, we are able to bring the Gospel to them and give them the opportunity to place their faith on Jesus Christ for salvation.

9. Their spouse does not want them to come.

Obviously they should come anyway:

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29

However, many who are saved will allow this to keep them from coming to our church.

10. They are offended by something in our church invitation.

At Faithful Word Baptist Church, we are very clear about who we are and do not pretend to be something that we are not. We want people to know what kind of a church we are. Therefore, our church invitations are filled with information that we want people to have, and that will give them a clear picture of our church. These are the three invitations we hand out:

FWBC Invitation - KJV

FWBC Invitation - Mesa

FWBC Invitation - General

Because our nation has become so wicked, our church seems extreme to the world. Many people will take offense to something in the invitations we hand out, and therefore decide not to visit our church.

11. They consider our church "too extreme."

Our church is considered "radical" and "extreme" simply because this world has become "extremely" different from the standards set forth in God's word. When people hear real Bible preaching, it can sometimes be shocking to them because the television has brainwashed them their entire life with messages that are contrary to the Bible. A person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ still may be worldly and not able to handle hard preaching.

Conclusion:

Does soul-winning work? Well, it depends on what you consider the goal of soul-winning to be. I believe that the goal of soul-winning is to get people saved. Therefore, it works! If your goal is to have a larger church attendance, then it may not work as well as other methods. Jesus Christ promised that HE would build the church, and so I will leave that to him. He never commanded us to build the church; he commanded us to preach the Gospel to every creature.

Now, reader, if you have read through these 11 reasons and are still not convinced, then I have two questions for you:

1. Are you saved?
2. Do you want to attend Faithful Word Baptist Church?

If you answered "yes" to question 1 and "no" to question 2, then you may have just discovered the 12th reason why many of the people who we save* out door-to-door do not end up joining our church!

*Epilogue:

Many Calvinists and other non-soul-winning hypocrites will object to my terminology here because they are ignorant of the following scriptures:

"To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." - 1 Corinthians 9:22

"If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them." - Romans 11:14

"And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." - Jude 22, 23

"For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" - 1 Corinthians 7:16