Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 20 August 1992 — Page 33

The Muncie Times, Thursday, August 20, 1992, Page 33

Prophets warned of those who seek to mislead the Lord's followers

The Apostles knew that “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils.” Therefore, for that reason, they warned the church of this fact. Paul said unto the elders of Ephesus: “For I have not shunned to declare into you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your won selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:27-30. The Apostle Peter said: “But there were false propBets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” II Pet. 2:1,2.

Questions & Answers By Dr. W.J. Duncan

Founder and President of Muskegon Bible Institute,

Indianapolis

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The Apostle John said: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, by try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” I John 4:1. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. I John 2:19. Jude said: “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4. Above all, Jesus warned us saying; “For there shall rise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were

possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24:24. From the Apostolic Warning, we see that many false preachers and churches would arise. I must say they have arisen and have deceived many. But, we that have the truth, must stand firmly on the word of God and refute every false church and doctrine. The best way to do this is from the written Word of God. For the scripture said: “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this work, it is because there is no light in

them.” Isa. 8:20.

To refute every false doctrine, we must do it under the light of the Word of God. The Apostle Paul said to Pastor Timothy: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, < and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;...from such withdraw thy-

self.” I Tim. 6. 3, 5. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Heb.

2:1,2.

The Apostle Peter said: “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance; That ye may be mindful of the words which ere spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior.” II Pet. 3:1,2. The Apostle John said: “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-christ. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and

abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed, for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 7-11. We therefore see from these scriptures that the Apostles knew that they had received the full truth of God’s plan of salvation, and that the church that was established in their day was the church that would remain until the rapture.

We will see as we continue this study throughout History, that a lot of other churches would be established by men contrary to the doctrine that was once delivered unto the saints. We find this coming to pass in the last part of the Ephesian or Apostolic Stage. They had lost their first love. They had become relaxed. There were some there that practiced the deeds of the Nicolatans. The admonishment was that they should repent or else he would remove the candle stick from among them.

Retirement benefits change in 8 years

If you were born after 1937 and will be retiring after the year 2000, you should be aware that scheduled changes in the Social Security retirement age could affect your financial planning. The changes are of particular interest to the 76 million “baby boomers” who will be edging closer to retirement as the changes become effective. The 1983 Social Security legislation that stabilized the long-term financing of

the Retirement Trust Fund also mandated a gradual increase in the age at which workers can receive full retirement benefits. Workers born in 1938 will have to be 65 years and 2 months to receive full benefits. The accompanying chart shows how the retirement age will increase in 2-month increments until it reaches 67 in the year 2027. The trend since 1960 has been toward earlier and earlier retirement. In fact,

about 50 percent of workers now elect to receive their first Social Security retirement check at 62 rather than 65. The early retirement option will still be there after the year 2000, only with a change that also results from the 1983 legislation. Currently, workers who retire at 62 receive 80 percent of the full benefit they would have received if they waited until 65. That percentage will be

reduced gradually after the turn of the century. For example, workers born in 1938 who retire at 62 will receive about 79 percent of the full retirement benefit. Those born between 1943 and 1954 will receive 75 percent if they retire at 62. People born in 1960 or later will receive 70 percent of the full benefit amount. Because the Social Security retirement options will be different for workers

bom after 1937, it would be prudent to factor this into retirement planning now. Social Security can help with this planning by providing workers with information about what they expect to receive in the Social Security benefits. To obtain this information, call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (business days, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and ask for a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement.