Baptist and Freemasonry

Praise the Lord!

 

Perhaps you do know that up until 1992 the model for the RA's initiation was almost exactly like free masonry. It was modelled after that. I can remember when the books were pulled from the shelf.

I find it interesting about what you said about those who tried to get rid of you. They were successful with me when I pastored a SBC not far from you. The people invited the Mormon bishop to preach at the CBMc in the community. SWo as pastors we ganged up on that and some of the deacons made life quite rought for me from that point on.

Plus the deacons (against my advice) sought to invest almost all of the tithe money in the BFA and you know what happened to that as well.

 

I haven't ever been a Mason, nor looked into joining. I would have to start looking into it if asked to join. I do however have and have had several men in my church who are (were) Masons and wouldn't trade them for anything. I think one of the men who investigated the Masons for the SBC ended up joining, for whatever that is worth. It just doesn't seem to be something that has come up in the places I have ministered. BTW most of these men were older if that means anything.

 

I know an individual, who claims to be a believer, who was just accepted into the masons. It seems that they are very anxious to get some young blood into the organization and will take anyone. This person has very poor character and told me that the main reason he joined was that he heard that when you get into any kind of trouble they will help you. (This person has claimed personal bancruptcy about 4 times and has a couple of DUIs.)
I dont think the masons are what they used to be.

 

As one that once was a 32degree, freemasonry is just another from of Mormanisam. ( doctrin of demons)

I give God the praise for getting me out and letting me see what I had gotten into.

by HIS GRACE
mike

 

I have learnt a few things about Freemsasontry after having spent some time condemning them.

One thing that I have learnt is that most stuff reported about them is false. They do not "worship satan" nor have any power over governments etc etc. All of which are falsified accounts made to sell books.

Why I didnt like masons the most was the writings of Albert Pike claiming that Lucifer was God, pretty scary stuff until I discovered that the letters in question were not even proved to be authentic, and that the masons openly state that Pike is no spokesperson for them. It is like saying that Herbert Armstrong of the Worldwide COG is a spokesman for the Christian Church. A ridiculous notion.

There are no secrets in Freemasonry, the so called secret 33rd degree along with all the others are published in numerous places online and in librarys. It occured to me that if the 33rd degree masons were really into the occult, wouldent that part of the degree be published in the anti type literature?

Another thing I have considered is how it feels for a Freemason to be told to choose between masonry and his church. That is at best mean. Freemasons that I have met are usually some of the nicest people in churches and I dont think that attaching stigmas to them is at all fair.

Freemasons swear an oath, various christians have a problem with that, yet I have sworn on the Bible in a court before and dont see that doing that was a problem for me.

As I see it there are two sides to the argument, and it is all to easy to make seeping statements. If Freemasonry is said to be bad for Christians then it is not unreasonable to ask for proven facts rather than unsubstanciated allegations.

 

Dear Friend,
I can agree with you that many of the Masons are delightful people,full of compassion and good works. My friend drives a Van to Chicago now and then to take kids to the Shriners Hospital there. Many of them put their money where their mouth is and that is an admirable characteristic in any man,but in a Mason get together,they declare that the Bible,the Koran,and other religions of the world are on equal par with the Lord God Almighty.
I do not have an axe to grind nor do I elevate my religious beliefs higher than the next man,he is entitled to follow the dictates of his conscience,and he should. The friction arises because there isn't room in the heart of man for more than One God. If you are acquainted with the writings of the Old Testament,then you are aware that the Lord's controversy and judgement on His people Israel was that they were always serving other gods along side of or in the place of Him.
Can you with a clear conscience get on your knees and declare to the Lord that you believe the God of Abraham and Isaac is the same as Allah in the Koran and will worship Him as such?
For me that is the bottom line. If it wasn't for this particular notion of theirs about the equality of religions,then perhaps I could be tolerant towards them.

 

I don't know the official Mason teachings. I am not a mason, never have been, but here is what I know:

When I was a young teenager in New Orleans, my step-father was arrested for counterfeiting and later convicted. The authorities took all that we had. My mother had 4 other children, We were destitute. The masons somehow heard of our plight.

They arranged for us to get into the housing project (not good but better than homeless) for next to nothing, they brought us food and clothing, they gave us some helpful names and connected us with the Salvation Army and an official of the Catholic Church who dispensed food and clothing through St. Vincent DePaul.

HankD

 

It's really refreshing to find an SBC pastor take a stand like this. In our area, not only are we surrounded by "tongue-babblers", but the Masonic Lodge, as well.

Here is one sight we find useful: http://www.ephesians5-11.org/

 

Hank, did any of your family join the Masons?

 

No, I believe one of the social workers who knew of our case gave them our name.

I believe they were Shriners, high ranking Masons,

My step-father's family might have had a Mason background being from the aristocratic south.

HankD

 

My dad was a 32nd degree mason and a shriner. I was asked to join many times and declined each time.

Yes, they do a lot of good deeds. They are a religion of good works. Children's hospital etc.

I have several writings on masonary - Hyrum -

Our church by laws do not allow any one to become a member if they are a member of any lodge. If one should join, we will discipline them out of the church.

JBO = Jehovah - Osirus - Baal - 3 gods of masonary.

Their oaths etc. are ungodly and un Scriptural.
You can join the line of Jewish rite - the Moslem rite etc.

Notice the symbols on the Shrine Mosque ... That is MOSQUE --- I am not saying they are nor become moslems but they use the symbols etc from that ungodly religion.

hanging tow ropes around one's neck - one pant leg on & one off etc. going through childish initiations ... taking oaths to have your tongue cut out if you reveal any of the secrets of the lodge etc. etc.

I am brief here ... but the lodge is not Christian any more than the mormans - or any other cult

Mortenview