Bethesda Shalom

How We Got Our Bible (Pt. 1) To say that the Bible is unique is perhaps an understatement.  No other book in the history of mankind has so served to shape and influence the lives of so many for the good than has the Bible.  Written over a period of about 1500 years; comprised of 66 books written in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) on three different continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) by more than 40 different authors most of whom never met or knew each other, coming from totally different backgrounds.  God inspired these men through the agency of His Holy Spirit to write down the exact revelation of His mind and will whilst at the same time making use of their individual personalities and characters.  You have tax-collector by the name of Matthew, a Prime Minister by the name of Daniel, a shepherd by the name of Amos, a King by the name of David and a military general by the name of Joshua.  You have a fisherman by the name of John, a cupbearer by the name of Nehemiah, a priest by the n

1 Corinthians 13:11How did men of God become such in their generation?  Answer...they grew into such!!  In this message Paul exhorts the Body of Christ to come to a place of maturity and manhood in their spiritual lives.  It is high time for Christians to grow up!  Away with childhood things; away with the carnal!  God is seeking a spiritual people who will stand as men!! This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014.  For information about future conferences please visit:http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk

Deuteronomy 6:21-25Alan shares his heart with true conviction and passion regarding the fulness and the blessings of the spirit filled sanctified life.  If you are wanting the Lord to truly examine your heart and are searching for the deeper things of God; if you are desiring to go deeper in the things of Christ as it pertains to your spiritual walk with God, then this message will certainly challenge and help you immensely!!This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014.  For information about future conferences please visit:http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk

2 Kings 3:9-20Alan brings a very powerful and heart searching word from God.  Is there obstructions and obstacles in your life that are hindering you from moving forward in spiritual growth?  Are you seeking to move forward in the things of God but for some reason you seem to be stuck in a rut?  This message hopefully will shed some light on your struggle and aid you in your quest to move onward and upward in victory!!    This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014.  For information about future conferences please visit:http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk

Contemplative spiritual practices are subtly being introduced into mainstream Christianity and many are falling prey to seemingly Christian appearance.  What's wrong with contemplative prayer?  Is it not a genuine expression of prayer to God?  In this message Ray gets under the skin of contemplative prayer tracing its roots to the New Age and clearly demonstrates that it has no place in the Body of Christ!! This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014.  For information about future conferences please visit:http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk

Many today are engaged in the practice of Reiki and other alternative energy healing and see absolutely nothing wrong with it.  Some even believe that  it is compatible with their Christian faith!  In this message Ray gives a clear warning about the dangers of Reiki and the occult spiritual roots of this eastern practice which is stooped in the New Age movement. This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014.  For information about future conferences please visit:http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk

Many different people join Freemasonry for many different reasons.  On the outward surface, there is no doubt about it that Masonry seeks to portray itself as an ethical society that exists for the propagation of good through its charitable work and ethical moral teachings.  However, as we shall see in this teaching, the ultimate goal and true purpose of Freemasonry is not chiefly one of a sociable and charitable nature or one that concerns itself with outward morality but rather that which is common all the mystery religions, namely to bring about the spiritual awakening of the initiate by imparting to him the knowledge that within himself is contained a spark of the true light of the Divine and end which Freemasonry exists to assist. In concluding this teaching on Freemasonry, an overview of some of the other societies that have been directly influenced by Freemasonry including:  The Odd Fellows, Prince Hall Masonry, Orange Order and Greek Letter Organizations. We shall see; Masonry will never and can nev

The Royal Arch is present in all Masonic systems.  During the ritual of the Royal Arch exaltation ceremony, the candidate learns the Sacred and Mysterious Name of the True and Living God Most High, namely the name JAHBULON.  What is the true meaning of this name and is it a suitable name for the God of the Bible? An unquestionable and integral part of Masonic doctrine is the principle of the Immortality of the Soul. For Masons, life does not end in death but rather Masonry teaches that the spirit of man is immortal. You will in none find mentioned in any of the many rituals or ceremonies both at Craft Masonry and beyond, the concept or the word hell. Instead, the Mason despite his religious philosophy or persuasion, whether he be a Christian or a Muslim; a Jew or a Hindu; a Mormon or a Buddhist – is promised the hope of being granted admittance into the heavenly lodge above.  Perhaps, the doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul is nowhere more clearly felt than at a Masonic funeral service.  This teaching ex

Within every Freemason Lodge across the world there is an altar and upon that altar is a Bible – that is if one finds themselves inside a lodge in the UK or the U.S. What book would one find if he were in Turkey or in India? It is most likely to be a Quran or one of the Hindu scriptures. When one see’s the Bible upon the altar it gives one a perception that the Bible and its teachings are held as the supreme authority for the Mason.  However, as we shall see in this teaching, that is not the case at all! Central to the teachings of Freemasonry is the concept of the Fatherhood of God.  Masonry is not only impartial when it comes to what religious book one might hold to as scripture, but is also impartial when it comes to which god one might choose to worship.  Is the God of Freemasonry the God of the Holy Bible? Download the notes for this teaching below http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/6d_Freemasonry_Pt4.pdf

Ritual within Masonry is an elaborate and cleverly concealed and crafted teaching system which consists primarily of allegorical drama steeped in mystery, symbolism and mythology, involving secret grips, passwords and oaths. Those being initiated into each degree are required to learn their lines so as to be able to take part in the ritual ceremony. Key to the power that ritual plays in Freemasonry is the hidden truths that are sought to be communicated through the rituals to the initiate.  In this teaching we examine the ritual of the first degree - the Entered Apprentice Degree.  We dig beneath the surface of this ritual in order to reveal its true interpretation! Download the notes for this teaching below  http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/6c_Freemasonry_Pt3.pdf

One of the more controversial areas surrounding Masonry is the oaths of secrecy that Masons are required to swear upon initiation into the various degrees and more specifically, the ritual penalties attached to the breaking of these oaths. This teaching explores these oaths as they to pertain to the first three degrees and beyond!  Should any professing Christian swear such oaths? Whenever it is put to Freemasons that Masonry is a religion, the overwhelming majority take strong objection and insist that Freemasonry is not a religion. If it follows that Freemasonry is a religion, how can a Christian be a member of both the body of Christ and the body of Freemasonry?  Indeed as we shall see, Freemasonry is the religion of universalism.  Download the notes for this teaching below  http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/6b_Freemasonry_Pt2.pdf

When one thinks of Freemasonry, what thoughts immediately spring to mind? Are they positive thoughts or are they negative thoughts? For some they think of charitable works, good citizens of society, morally upstanding individuals. For others they think of a good old boys club - you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours. For others still, they think of conspiracy, corruption and perjury, a secret society, worshippers of Lucifer! I want from the very start to be clear about the aims of this teaching. It is not my aim to delve into the many fruitless conspiracy theories that abound on the matter via the internet. It is rather my aim to answer one most important question relevant to this teaching on the cults, namely, is Freemasonry compatible with Christianity?  Download the notes for this teaching below  http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/6a_Freemasonry_Pt1.pdf

Proverbs 23:26

Hebrews 11:6

Mark 10:46-52

1 Peter 4:8  

Paul Williams spoke at The Sanctuary Conference 2013   

Roy Daniel spoke at The Sanctuary Conference 2013   

In this second part of the teaching on replacement theology, we continue to refute the position put forward by those holding to this teaching.  We end by looking at the possible implications both theologically and ethically of holding to replacement theology.  Download notes (pdf)http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/5b_Replacement_Theology_Pt2.pdf

Replacement Theology in its simplest form teaches that the Church has replaced national Israel as the new people of God.  God’s plans and purposes no longer lie with national Israel, but the Church.  Replacement Theology teaches that it is the Church that now inherits the promises formerly given to Israel.  The term Replacement Theology is fairly new in theological studies.  The more historic and traditional term is “Supersessionism”; a descriptive term denoting the superseding nature by which the Church has replaced Israel.  Proponents of Replacement Theology teaches that apart from repentance and faith in Christ thus leading to an incorporation into the Church, the Jewish people have no future, hope or calling in the plan of God.  In this teaching we take a look at the history of replacement theology and seek to define our terms looking at other variations of this teaching.  We end this teaching by looking at some of the arguments that are put forward by proponents of replacement theology and seek to refute