The Gospel According To John

by Richard St.James

Council’s Beget Inquisitions

We need to spend time here. A believer in Jesus Christ [Christian] will be beset upon by a council, a deacon committee or the religious crowd a some point [or points] in his sojourning [life] here on this earth. It’s par for the course, as they say.

1. Jesus Christ did.
2. Stephen did.
3. Peter did.
4. John did.
5. Paul did.

INQUISI'TION, n. s as z. [L. inquisitio,inquiro. See Inquire.]
1. Inquiry; examination; a searching or search. Ps.9.
2. Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county.
3. Examination; discussion.
4. In some catholic countries, a court or tribunal established for the examination and punishment of heretics. This court was established in the twelfth century by father Dominic, who was charged by pope Innocent III. with orders to excite catholic princes and people to extirpate heretics.

The word council shows up the first time in the Bible in [Psalms 68:27]. “There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.” The phrase: “their council” is mentioned in association with the princes of tribe of Judah. With the passing of time and with human nature [such as it is] that certain men became the elite. Thus we have it. The “council” [the Pharisees and the Sadducees] became the aloof elite. [Jealousy][Envy] are the reasons that the Jewish council, the religious elite of their day, stood against THE SON OF GOD and THE BOOK OF GOD. We can learn more about this jealousy and this power grab in the parable in [Luke 20:9-15].

“Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?” Those forty-two months Jesus Christ ministered on this earth two thousand years ago involved a council getting together in an inquisition against Jesus Christ … in order to kill him.

Religious Councils are always associated with jealousy, and with power struggles - between man and GOD [or with God’s Prophets, Messengers or HIS SON – Jesus Christ]. Are ready? The proof is in the pudding!

Jesus Christ There is six references to a council trying to get rid of Jesus Christ – remember six is the number of man.

1. “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.” [Matthew 12:14]

PHAR'ISEE, n. [Heb. to separate.] One of a sect among the Jews, whose religion consisted in a strict observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders,and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves as a sect, considering themselves as more righteous than other Jews.

2. “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;” [Matthew 26:59]
3. “And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.” [Mark 14:55]
4. “And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.” [Mark 15:1]
5. “And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,” [Luke 22:66]
6. “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.” [John 11:47]

Peter and John There is five references to a council trying to get of Peter and John the Apostles – five is the number of death.

1. “But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,” [Acts 4:15]
2. “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.” [Acts 5:21]
3. “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,” [Acts 5:27]
4. “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;” [Acts 5:34]
5. “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” [Acts 5:41]

Stephen There is two references to a council that got rid [MURDER]of Stephen.

1. “And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,” [Acts 6:12]
2. “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” [Acts 6:15]

Paul There is eight references to a council that attempted to get rid of Paul.
1. "On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.” [Acts 22:30]
2. “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” [Acts 23:1]
3. “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.” [Acts 23:6]
4. “Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.” [Acts 23:15]
5. “And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.” [Acts 23:20]
6. “And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:” [Acts 23:28]
7. “Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,” [Acts 24:20]
8. “Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.” [Acts 25:12]

Every reference to a council in the Bible is a reference to the religious elite. Now be aware … councils can be cloaked in other titles and terms, such as a convention, or as a presbytery or as a denominational headquarters. The ultimate goal of the religious elite [or council] is to rid themselves of the AUTHORITY of THE BIBLE, and therefore, the authority of the GOD of the Bible, and all the while … lording it over the people.

For Example [and I have three examples here]:

1. We have here [in history] the Council of Trent. The Council of Trent was a Catholic council held from 1545-1563. Its purpose was to destroy the progress [of the Protestant Reformation] back to the Bible. This council denied every Reformation doctrine, including Scripture alone [the Bible plus nothing] and grace alone [salvation by grace through faith]. The Trent Council mandated 125 anathemas (eternal damnation) against Bible-believing Christians.
2. The invention by the scholars … hired by the religious elite [councils] of multiple versions [translations] of the Bible utilizing corrupt Greek Texts. Note the use of the word “council” in The National Council's Division of Christian Education that promotes the RSV. The Devil is behind them [The Scholars] … using the over two hundred translations of the Bible since 1885 to destroy the faith of the people in the authority of the Bible. Look at the fruit of their effort over the last one hundred and twenty years. It’s all around us.
3. The persecution of the saints [true believers in Jesus Christ]. Learn from history!
The following is quoted from Fox’s Book Of Martyrs. “Pope Paul III, a furious bigot, ascending the pontifical chair immediately solicited the Parliament of Turin to prosecute the Waldenses, as the most pernicious of all heretics. To this the Parliament readily assented, when several were suddenly seized and burnt by their order. Among these, was Bartholomew Hector, a bookseller and stationer of Turin. He was brought up a Roman Catholic, but some treatises written by the reformed clergy having fallen into his hands, he was fully convinced of their truth, and of the errors of the Church of Rome. A consultation [COUNCIL] was again held by the Parliament of Turin, in which it was agreed that deputies should be sent to the valleys of Piedmont with the following propositions:
1. That if the Waldenses would return to the bosom of the Church of Rome, they should enjoy their houses, properties, and lands, and live with their families, without the least molestation,
2. That to prove their obedience, they should send twelve of their principal persons, with all their ministers and schoolmasters, to Turin, to be dealt with at discretion.
3. That the pope, the- King of France, and the Duke of Savoy, approved of, and authorized the proceedings of the Parliament of Turin upon this occasion.
4. That if the Waldenses of Piedmont rejected the propositions, persecution and death should be their reward.
In answer to these hostile articles, the Waldenses made the following noble replies:
1. That no consideration whatever should make them renounce their religion.
2. That they would never consent to entrust their best and most respectable friends to the custody and discretion of their worst enemies.
3. That they valued the approbation of the King of kings, who reigns in heaven, more than any temporal authority.
4. That their souls were more precious than their bodies.
As may be conjectured, these spirited and pointed answers greatly exasperated the Parliament of Turin; in consequence of which they continued with more zeal than ever to kidnap such Waldenses as fell into their hands, who were sure to suffer the most cruel deaths. Among these it unfortunately happened that they caught Jeffrey Varnagle, minister of Angrogna whom they accused of being a heretic, and committed to the flames."

I Must Decrease

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The Gospel According To John

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that
thou doest, except God be with him.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

John 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison.

John 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

John 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the
bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.