No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment
Matthew 9:16...

That's right, no man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment! Unless that man has another agenda outside the truth of course, and exploits the truth in order to set up his own pseudo empire, replacing the kingdom with this new reformed version, for his own means.

Hence, the old covenant is somehow resurrected again, patched up and now takes on the guise it is a new thing with fresh appeal.  Also, under the pretence the obsolete system has somehow reformed itself, and therefore can no longer be considered out-of-date but relevant for our day and age.

Let's get right to the point:  During Jeremiah's day, when Judah was taken in apostasy (like old wine offered as new wine), chapter 10:21 says (in regards to the leaders), "For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered."

Isn't  the word "brutish" for the shepherds of God's flock a little harsh here?  Especially in this day and age of "reconciliation" and "bridge building"?  Maybe it is a translation hiccup or something?  Maybe it's some archaic phrase or some other textual glitch overlooked?  I wonder what the Hebraic root word or the original autographed script might mean here?

That's if you want to get technical or bamboozle the naive, the novice, or the unsuspecting!  Or (in the words of Paul) handle the word of God deceitfully!

Here's what the dictionary calls brutish ...  "savage and cruel"!  Make sense?  Do we really want man's meaning though?  The word of God takes it even further ...  to someone "that hateth reproof"!  Oh, and how many would rather correct the word than let the word correct them?

Furthermore, in regards to the eleven verses that mentions the name brutish in scripture, over half of theses verses come coupled with the word fool or foolish.  Check it out!

The most foolish thing someone can do is reject or correct God's word and thereby reject or correct the truth!  Can you now hear the words of Paul rightly correcting the coerced Galatians?:

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth"

Or Paul reasoning with these coerced Galatians:

"For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor."

However, in regards to "bridge building", apostate Christendom appears to have a problem at this point in time.  This problem being that scripture only presents one bridge; His name being JESUS of course!  Who happens to be the only way back to God our Maker by the way, and the only one worthy to say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"! 

This means God does not recognise any other way other than His rugged, splintery crude bridge, made from an ugly dead tree, and erected as a torturous execution pole.   An all too non squeamish way of God bridging the gap, made by man's transgression, back to God Himself!  Yes, the reason scripture refers to this propitiating act as base and foolish, when verbally proclaimed by those very few who have embraced it, and adhere to it.  Also, as a no-alternative way whereby man can be saved!

This completely places the emphasis back on God's remedy of course. On His terms. Pointing the onus back to man in regards to responsibility and taking the blame for his own actions and thoughts, whereby he can cry in desperation to God ...  "what must I do to be saved?" 

Furthermore, this also means there is no beating around the bush when an individual responds to God.  Simply because the only access available into His presence, is through the sacrificial atoning work of His lamb provided.  Any other way is a man-made substitute, executed in vain, and falling flat on its face.

Because, the hard and fast cold facts are ...  without reconciliation to God first, there is no true, worked out, reconciliation between man.  Or putting it another way ...  unless man is at peace with God first, he can never truly be at peace with himself and his fellow man.  Any attempt on his own, is only superficial and short lived, and ends in disaster anyway.

Yes, repentance (that's including a contrite and broken heart towards the Lord) is the name of the game (so to speak)!  The cross!!  The cross!!  The cross!!  There is no substitutes, or short-cuts, or deviations.  Jesus is the way!!  Anything else is man getting in the way, resulting as the worst travesty.  Especially when a man disguising himself as being 'truly spiritual' or 'sincerely qualified', in pointing to his method (whether in rules or franchise, or in an interpretation technique) as being a bona fide way for others bridging Almighty God to a lost world. 

These men who makes these hideous claims by the way, are none other than liars and frauds.  Nothing more than clever religious professionals, complicating the way back to God, that the recipient would have to depend on some form of human agency (like them) and reliance on their method or some private interpretation of the truth, to be right with his Maker.  

The more becomingly, sincere, acute, and appealing the leader, the more deceitful and damaging would be his "noble" cause.  Moreover, when these men rely on manipulation to enhance and press their position, the word "brutish" (without feeling for their flock) fits the slot accurately.  Jesus had another title by the way, and it was not Reverend or Pastor, but Hireling!

Scripturally, judgement is always greater for those that are bursting at the seams to lead, or corrupt, or deny the truth to, or deceive others in the process, in order to secure or reinforce their leadership position. Very serious stuff indeed!  Therefore, lookout leaders (of all kinds - qualified and non qualified) and would-be leaders (whether in the system or claiming to be outside the system) ... you could be in very hot water!  Or even those like myself who bring the word to others, or believe they have a ministry on the net!

Yes, look out and beware!  Scripture is very clear and precise about trusting no man, and letting no man deceive you, when it comes to things concerning salvation and His word.  Moreover, scripture is very clear about keeping a diligent watch for wolves in sheep's clothing being raised from within.  As well as end-time tricksters and seducers slipping in or gatecrashing the event.  Even if these blokes (or blokesses) are an apparent leader of high respect, of a very successful movement, a good cause, or a humanly credible enterprise.  Didn't Jesus say ...  "for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God"?

It's got nothing to do with whether they have a gigantic TV ministry, have made an enormous impact on history, or go around the world claiming to house the poor, or even moving in the "supernatural" gifts. If their roots are in the wrong place or producing the wrong fruit, they will inevitablely be cut down by God Himself, and discarded forever.

Therefore, dear saint, beware of those that are highly esteemed among men and see themselves as a tab above others, as the pinnacle of success and blessing, because of their wealth or huge following! Moreover, resist those who think they are God's hotshots due to their academic or ecclesiastical achievement, or their skilful flare in charming the crowds, and remarkable gift of the gab!  When it comes to making it with God, all human proxies are at best ...  totally superfluous, and at worst ...  brutish!!  Scripture is clear and straight to the point.  1 Tim. 2:5 says: 

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus".

Meaning, there are no high priests, human proxies, guru figures or chief sharangs, when it comes to ministering in any way under the new covenant.  In the kingdom we are all supposed to be in the same boat together as servants together, where there is no ecclesiastical dignitaries or religious figureheads.

Here's more, from 1 Pet. 5: 2-3, when it comes to being a leader God's way and contrary to the 'control skills' of the hired religionist elitist:

"Feed (not educate, condition or indoctrinate) the flock of God (God's people, not a classroom or seminar) which is among you (not under you), taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint (not press ganged into service), but willingly (that's exercising your will and not being a puppet, a yes man, or a clone); not for filthy lucre (not loving the dough instead of the people), but of a ready mind (absent of calculation, scheming and weighing up the pros and cons);  Neither as being lords over God's heritage (not being a bully or brutish), but being ensamples (blazing the trail first, then leading through example) to the flock (that's not confusing the word flock with the three C's - constituency or clients or customers)." 

Some say I am anti leadership!  Nope ... I am merely against elitist priesthood and religious monopoly.  Those that hijack the chair of Moses.  Or resurrect or reinvent it, in other words, for their own sake, and not the flocks sake, or the Lord's sake!  It is scriptural to have caring elders (not 'one man bands', hierarchy, nor clerical systems cracking the whip), and scriptural to promote the priesthood of all believers.  Did not Jesus say, apart from being servants, that we are all just brothers?

Some say I am anti structure, anti organization, or anti establishment.  I also say phewy to this as complete and utter nonsense!  How can I be when I depend and use these things everyday?  Paul said to use the world but not abuse it.  That's banks, magistrates, companies, civil services, governmental departments, infra structures, and so on!

The only time I have a problem with an institution is when it gets itself in the way and substitutes itself for the kingdom.  That's when it comes between the individual (you or me) and God, and replaces Jesus as the bridge.  No group, or persons, or individual has this right to do this of course.  Although countless do.  Unfortunately, many love it so. They prefer a 'head and shoulders' king that will spoon fed and mollycoddle, and even think for them.  That's more than a spiritual king who has departed, and gone on a long journey, while promising to return.  Or a lowly servant hitch-hiking into town on a borrowed ass, to an ultimate humiliating showdown.  Not many want to follow Him or heed His words!

Just like the Serpent in the Garden, replacing the Lord in the cool of the evening, to bring "God's" word to the hearer, many would rather be memorized by him.  Furthermore, when the "nice guy" approach fails, look out!!  That's when malicious tactics kick in!  It's human failure all the way ...  when man does things his way without God. That's the good cop interchanging with the bad cop scenario; whatever suits the occasion.  Both working for the same boss and the same end, nevertheless!

Control is the name of the game!  Control to gain and preserve prestige, position, and a good livelihood, in the name of "caring", "being qualified" and "called".

In essence, because the system qualifies and licences a man for the task of subtly replacing the Holy Ghost and to take over the role of leading the way (even being a substitute for a woman's head - her husband - "move over hubby" - but that's another message, for another time).  This nullifies the inspired words of the writer of 1 John 2:27: 

"But the anointing which ye have received of him (Jesus) abideth in you (the Holy Ghost), and ye need not that any man teach you (which includes religious professionals and modern day scribes): but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie (no ulterior motives, half truths or other agendas in this department), and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him (Jesus, as our teacher)."

It always boils down to trusting Him (that's God Almighty), or trusting mere man.  Jesus said to His disciples to call no man father, or teacher, or master, or rabbi ...  "all ye are brethren."

Why all the titles and hero worship today?  Why all the emphasis on using the teachings of the Reformers or the so-called church fathers for back-up, and not the scriptures themselves? 

Reason:  Because the Reformers and so-called "great men" of God backed institutional reform to one degree or another.  Moreover, by using them or quoting them, can justify denominationalism.  Hence, the heretical teaching of "church membership" and the unscriptural practices of being locked into Sunday or Sabbath tradition.  As well as the existence of the religious institution down the road, and all the unnecessary paraphernalia and mumbo jumbo that goes with it.

I use to read countless books, from modern soft covers, to old worn out hard covers.  Not to forget to mention, listening to all the videos and audio tapes I could get my hands on.  All with the purpose of looking for the perfect man of God (whether deceased or living), who God "apparently" used so much (and probably did to a degree), who could have all the (easy) answers.  Or help blaze out my earthly pilgrimage with dazzled sprayed signs ...  "This is the way, walk ye in it!"

Hunger is great, but it must be channelled to the right place (the scriptures) for the right reason (the Lord).

It's so easy to get sidetracked!  It's so much easier to follow a 'head and shoulder' man than Him whom is invisible, and with whom we have to do.  Or lean on what is tangible or palpable, than the promises of an unseen God.  How easy it is to function as a member of an institution than be a candidate for a kingdom unseen.  Or feed from someone's dripping lips than have to dig deep into motives and intentions of our own personal life.  That's using the word of God in order to expose and cut out the weeds, instead of being entertained through niceties and lovely quotations. Scripture calls this "handling the word of God deceitfully" or being a hearer and not a doer of the word!  It is the reason for the great emphasis on pulpit ministry above personal revelation, and "going to church" instead of discerning the church, which always begins in the home first.

However, you are not suppose to be aware of this, or notice it.  The very reason I am writing to you.

Yes, it comes back to beholding flesh and blood as spiritual mentors or walking in the Spirit.  Or choosing feeling and familiarity rather than living by faith.  Simply ... man or God?  Or simply ...  heroes or Jesus? There's simply no middle ground of compromise!

All these things I discovered in my journey, were a way of receiving warm fuzzies, by the thought of adventure and being "commissioned". However, in actual fact, they were all divorced from reality.  Unless they became personal experiences through applying the word and the cross on a daily basis, in one's own personal life.

I praise the Lord He has delivered me from such false hope and mere wishful thinking, where (hopefully) I place my trust completely in Him.  There are no heroes out there, except Jesus.  Man will let us down no end.  But God will never let us down.  Everything else is either fantasyland stuff or our imaginations gone wild.  Books, tapes, articles (like this one you are reading) and testimonies, can be an encouragement or inspiration (can be - is the line), but that's all!  To duplicate a man, or his walk, or a method of reform, or a past revival, will never work.  Nor can it ever be a substitute for simply being obedient to the word. 

In all my attempts at writing, I very rarely quote anyone, except the scripture.  In debates, I very rarely quote this manuscript or that manuscript, or this text or that text.  Or gloat over some past "move of the Spirit" or spiritual "experience", whether early on, or borrowed from someone else.  Why settle for second-hand revelation?

If God has kept and preserved His word, for this generation, and forever, then surely the scriptures should speak and support themselves!  Moreover, it should be the individuals life being revived in the here and now, not just dreaming about it in a general sense, through some presumed or falsely anticipated great move of the Spirit, supposedly promised for the future, duplicating some past fuzzy event.  It just wont happen!  Is it happening with God, now?  Just plain simple obedience is the issue!

Today, Christendom is full of eloquent quotations and religious rhetoric, justifying the Reformation, the Reformers, and Protestantism in general.  All for the purpose of "identity" and "ministry" preservation, and justifying the existence of a group or doctrine, or both.

Never trust in the mainline spin on religion or history.  The scriptures are the only fully reliable texts around for now and all time.  What does unofficial history (if you can find it) try and reveal between the lines?  Is the legacy of a man really his legacy or has it been reinvented after his death, because he is no longer around to confirm it?  Better to put your trust in Jesus, and Him only, when it comes to biblical doctrine and faith.

The most dangerous men around today for Bible believers are not 'secular' politicians (although many Christians are preoccupied with them) but 'religious' politicians.  Men who use their ecclesiastical qualifications as a cover, or excuse, to hold or wield positions of power and control the people.  Or as clout to "bug off" or disarm their opponents.  After all, who set Jesus up for His ultimate betrayal and death?  Who persecuted the remnant during the early days?  Or the Anabaptists soon after?  Or the non conformists (including many so-called conscientious objectors) later?  What's more, who is it who deny you the truth today, in order to not jeopardise their ministry today?

When one delves into the past of the Reformation, with an unbiased approach (brushing aside nostalgia and works with "good" intentions), one does see a different picture emerge from the pages of (censored) history, and realize why so much written record has been distorted, or destroyed, with usually a one angled view left.

Ask yourself ...  who has the monopoly over religious publishing (past and present)?  Even many celebrated preachers (excluding the modern apostates) show up with inconsistencies and traits, which would disappoint some today, if they were their pastor.  Not to forget to mention without exaggeration, the collection of applauded and celebrated "Christian" personalities who have turned out to be adulterers, paedophiles, alcoholics, or substance abusers, in a lot of cases.  Let alone hucksters and charlatans.

Or, not to forget to mention the many who choose to place their ministry before their families.  All the while, their families run riot and fall apart while they are out saving the world, enchanting and impressing "the family of God" (their spiritual clientèle), yet unable to save their very own!  Moreover ...  still promoting and hanging onto so much tradition or new ideas, and pushing it as gospel, or reinventing it. 

Furthermore, with many being taught and believing God created most people with the sole intention of throwing them into hell, before they had a chance to choose life above death.  Where God has apparently created a selected, special, chosen elite, before they too had the choice of salvation through the cross.

Let's take a brief look at the so-called father of the Reformation (a man who promoted this unconditional election): 

Sure Martin Luther promoted, "the just shall live by faith".  Until we discover "the just" and "the elect" were those who ascribed to his doctrine, unconditionally.  Sure he wrote the German Bible unifying the German language, and laying the foundation for a German nation.  However, his work also laid the foundation for a German anti Semite totalitarian state, during the Nazi era.  The reason being because Martin Luther just happened to be a Jew hater as well as being responsible (along side other Protestants) of the brutal persecution of the Anabaptists (part of the remnant church of the day). 

Instead of walking away from Catholicism totally, Luther set up his own reformed version, with dictatorial rule of Church and State as one, and children's baptism and church attendance as a condition for "being right with God".  Proving Protestantism was only a reformed and water down brand of the Catholic version, and an unscriptural reformed way of Christianizing a heathen nation. 

Bend or be punished severely, was the choice he enforced (although he did not believe in choice).  Unless Martin Luther repented through Christ just prior to his death, by expressing remorse and renouncing his religion, this man died with blood on his hands.

Mentioning unconditional election:  Another chief Reformer of the day was John Calvin, who has swayed much of Western Christendom to this day, by his thinking:

John Calvin was made an offer he couldn't refuse ...  to go and Christianize vice ridden Geneva as its supreme head.

This position he took up effectively and ruthlessly, by outlawing everything from jewellery to not being able to be a Christian unless it was done on his terms, without leeway.  Look out if you were not his friend!  You could be slowly and tortuously burnt to death in public, after being turned down for requesting a quick death by beheading. 

He also brutally persecuted Puritans and other Christians who would not conform to his religious politics.  He was responsible for 58 executions during his iron reign, and did not show witches the love of Jesus, but burned them instead.  Look out if you spoke against infant baptism.  Or if you did not attend church on Sunday.  For this grave sin you were banished from the land, or worst.

In his country, according to John Calvin and his political system, if you were not a Calvinist, there was no place for you as a Christian.  In other words ...  one could not be a Christian without being a Calvinist.

John Knox, that "great" "famous" Scottish Protestant leader and Reformer, called Geneva "the most perfect school of Christ."

Yes, it's true!  Many buy into this junk by buying into Protestantism one way or another.  Or even refuse to give it much thought, let alone compare all this religious tyranny with scripture.  Because to them, conversion is coming to a Protestant Jesus as opposed to a Catholic Jesus (unless they recant and convert to ecumenism, and get the new age Jesus).

Calvin had blood on his hands too and would have also gone to the grave in deep trouble if he had not repented through Christ, renouncing and expressing remorse for his counterfeit, ruthless and aggressive form of Christianity he set up and imposed on his subjects. Or those who did not want to be his subjects! 

Conclusion:  These brutish men presented God as a tyrant and executioner, who would be severely harsh with you if you did not toe the national line and conform with the new system.

We could go on, mentioning King James I (see more) and others, but I think I am getting the point across.  These blokes, plus a few others, were the daddies of the Protestant Movement (protesting against the corruption of the papacy), which countless evangelical leaders and writers quote today to justify and accommodate their "pastoral" positions and organizations, as well as what they teach.

The whole existence of their cause is to improve the system, "for Jesus".  If one system rejects you for being a dissident, go and build a better one in opposition, calling it "God's place of Dwelling" (or the Church) instead, with its own form of similar creeds, rules, and religious adornment and beatification.  Not to forget to mention, its brutish or manipulative methods.  Or tactics against those that question or challenge them.

No wonder there is so much political skulduggery and corruption behind Cowards Castle (the clerics pulpit) and the stained glass of today's fraternities!  Even to the degree of sexually abusing helpless and innocent children.

Jesus said, if the root is corrupt, cut it out!  For every plant that is man-made will be rooted up (Matt. 15:13) anyway, and every work not done in the Spirit will be burnt up (1 Cor. 3: 13-15)!   Hey, I never said this ...  but the scriptures do! 

True Bible believers are to purge out the leaven, not improve the ingredients!  They are to drive out the bond woman, not reform her!  They are to throw out the old wine skins, not patch them up!  God is not into the patching up business.  Nor is He into beefing things up, like reinventing or redefining 'church'.  Furthermore, when God says new ...  He means, brand-smacking-new!  Total and complete!

Where does He start?  Is it not with the individual heart?  Was not David's prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God"?  As the veil is rent (permanently) and the new temple replaces the man-made one!
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Reiterating the last line ...  ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW!

Dad's will is for every blood bought saint to chuck in their "Christian" gurus and systems of men, and make Him Lord over all things and His word final!  Then, and only then, will you get the new life God promises you and not the counterfeit.

Other sources of interest (as always, discernment is desired):

John Calvin.....The Gospel Truth.....Church History..... Protestant Reformers
His Ashes Cry Out.....Calvinism