Proclamation to the Christian Churches

http://ericbarger.com/articles/christianproclaim.htm

PROCLAMATION

To the Christian Churches

Regarding the Participation of Christians in Freemasonry

Whereas, Freemasonry declares that its Deity, the "Great Architect of the Universe," can be worshipped by all men, whether they be Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, or Hindus, without controversy; while the Bible teaches that only through Jesus Christ can God be worshipped (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:22-23); and

Whereas, Freemasonry refuses to acknowledge the unique Godhood of Jesus Christ or that He died for our sins and rose from the dead; while the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is truly God Almighty come in the flesh who died for our sins and rose again (John 1:1-14, Col.1:15, 2:9; 1 Cor.15:4); and

Whereas, Freemasonry denies the unique and inerrant character of the Holy Bible as the Word of God by saying that it is no better or worse than any other holy book; while the Bible teaches of itself that it is truly the inspired Word of God (2 Tim.3:16, Mt.5:18, 1 Pet.1:25, Ps.119:89; 12:6-7; 19:7-8); and

Whereas, Freemasonry declares than man can be saved by his own labors without faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross ; while the Bible teaches that a person can only be saved by grace, through faith in Christ (Rom.10:9-10, Eph.2:8-9); and

Whereas, Freemasonry blasphemes the name of God by associating it with pagan fertility gods such as Ba'al; while the Bible affirms the absolute holiness, separateness and majesty of God's name (Ex.20:2-7, Deut.6:4, Ps.8:1, 29:2); and

Whereas, Freemasonry refuses to warn its members about the dangers of an everlasting hell; while the Bible is insistent and urgent in its warnings concerning the dangers of damnation (Matt.13:49-50, 25:31-46; 2 Thess.1:7-9); and

Whereas, Freemasonry requires that men swear oaths on a Bible in the name of God involving mutilation and murder of human beings; while the New Testament forbids the taking of oaths (Matt.5:34-37, Jas.5:12) and the Bible forbids taking God's name in vain and committing murder (Ex.20:7, 13); and

Whereas, Freemasonry links its members in solemn, spiritual bondage to one another, irrespective of members' creeds; while the Bible forbids Christians from being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers (2 Cor.6:14-17, Rev.18:1-4); and

Whereas, Freemasonry forbids a Christian Mason from witnessing Jesus Christ to his fellow lodge members who are unsaved; while Jesus Himself commands His Church to preach the gospel to everyone (Matt.28:19, Mark 16:15); and

Whereas, Freemasonry aims at the improvement of the natural man only (1 Cor. 2:14, Col.2:8); thus, incorrectly channeling by bad interpretation vital spiritual terms (2 Pet. 3:16); and

Whereas, Freemasonry insists on keeping its supposedly valuable truths bound under the most serious of secret oaths and available only to a very few, while the Bible does not allow for such secrecy (Matt.10:26-27; John 18:20; Acts 26:26) and

Whereas, Freemasonry demands that its members call its leaders titles like "Worshipful Master," and kneel before them; the Bible commands us to call no one master, save Jesus (Matt.6:24; 23:8-10) and to worship none, save God (Matt.4:10; Acts 10:25-26; Rev.22:8-9); and

Whereas, Freemasonry absorbs the loyalties (Luke 9:62), time (Eph.5:16), emotional and spiritual resources and finances of Christians Masons away from the God-ordained tasks of the Church such as overseas missions, evangelism, and taking care of the poor to the glory of Jesus' name (Matt.6:1-3, 28:19; Luke 6:38; Jas.1:27)

Therefore, we, as humble servants of Jesus Christ and ministers of His gospel call upon all pastors and Christian leaders of all denominations to take a firm stand in their preaching against the cult of Freemasonry-a rival religion to Christianity which has too long been winked at, tolerated, or even praised with Christian churches! "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God follow him: but if Ba'al, then follow him" - 1 Kgs 18:21.

Albert Pike 33o Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 1966, p.226 and Albert Mackey, 33o Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 1966, pp.8-9.

ibid., p.525; also see Henry Clausen 33o Practice and Procedure for the Scottish Rite, 1981, pp.75-77, R.S. Clymer, The Mysticism of Masonry, 1900, p.47; and J.D. Buck, Symbolism of Mystic Masonry, 1925, p.57.

Manly P. Hall, 33o The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, 1976, p.90-91.

Pike, op.cit., p.539.

Mackey, op.cit, p. 133; also Henry W. Coil, Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia; 1961; p.520; and Oliver Day Street, Symbolism of the the Three Degrees; 1924; pp 44-45 .

Simmons and Macoy, Standard Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason, 1984, p.111, 125; also C. H. Lacquement, “Freemasonry and Organized Religions,” The Pennsylvania Freemason (February, 1989), p.7.

Malcolm C. Duncan, Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor, 1974, p.224-5, 250-51.

Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason (F.& A.M., Arkansas), 1983, p.15

Duncan, op.cit, pp.35, 65, 96.

ibid., p.36.

Pike, op.cit., p.167; Mackey, op.cit, 1:192; and J. Blanchard, Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated, 1979, 2:47.

Duncan, p.13

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