Evangelist Dominic Benincasa

Apostolic Oneness Brethren, I would like to ask this question: "If you knew the history behind something you did, or found a symbol within your culture that conflicted with the Word of God, what would you do about it?"

How about a doctrine you were taught? What if you were taught something and told that it was from the Word of God, but when you tried to line it up with the Word it brought confusion?

Yes, I know dear Brothers, that we are in the truth, and within us flows the Spirit of the One true living God. However, we need to stand back from the bug on the leaf and see the forest around us. We do not live within a box, but in a world of information compiled from thousands of years of human history. We have the Holy Bible, and we have volumes and volumes of historical facts.

If we search for truth with a hunger to learn, using the most important ingredient, teach-ability, we will find golden nuggets of truth.

However, we must be mindful to never be offended by Truth. The reason people become offended by truth is pride. Pride causes pain when we find out we were wrong.

An example would be a teacher, having taught for 50 years, being approached by a younger teacher who shows him his error. The teacher has 2 possible reactions. If anger wells up towards the one bringing a truth, he may be embarrassed, feel pain, shame, or hurt. The book of Proverbs identifies this kind of man as a fool.

However, if a truth presented to him brings amazement, joy, wonder, and hunger to learn more, then we see the book of Proverbs referring to this person as a Wise Man. (Prov 1:5, 9:8-9, & 17:10)

We will sabotage our own pursuit of truth by allowing "self" to hold to traditions, our "self" being nothing more than pride. There are things in our traditions and our culture that are totally in contradiction to the Word of God. To do away with these traditions would cause some people to be ostracized from the rest of the group.

When the Hindu people in India repent and become water baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost, there are things in their culture and traditions that must be eliminated.

My wife was raised in the Eastern Greek Orthodox Church. When she came to this wonderful truth of One God Jesus name Baptism there were things she had to give up. No longer could she have (nor want) icons of saints on the walls of her home. Many of these icons had significant monetary value including a few that have been in her family for decades. She gave them up. Some people would say, "Is it such a big deal? Aren't those icons representations of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist?"

I was raised Roman Catholic. What about the Crucifix that hung around my neck? What about the statue of Jesus Christ (or what the Roman Catholic Church believed Christ to look like)? Are we being a little extreme by removing these icons or statues from our homes? Our families think so. My sister, a devout Catholic, thinks we have gone too far because I do not want my newborn daughter to have a gold crucifix. She thinks it's a little out of balance, even leaning towards fanaticism.

Apostolic Pentecostal people would say in a flash, that to have those things is wrong, and I am right for telling my family that I would not have my daughter partake in such customs.

But what about Xmas? what about wedding bands? What about the Star of David? The Star of David? Right now you must be thinking I have really gone way out.

But think about this, where is the Star of David in the Old Testament? Where did the Hebrews first pick it up? The only connection with a Star (that was held in esteem) and the Old Testament Jews is found in Amos 5:26: "But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves."

Again the scripture is repeated by Stephen in the book of Acts 7:43: "Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon."

When Stephen spoke this, the Pharisees lost their composure, and killed him. The Pharisees were not ready to give up there traditions. People will tell you that the Star of David is the symbol of Israel. I am not denying this. I am only asking, "Where did it originate?"

Look up the "Star of David," but call it by its original name instead, "The Seal of Solomon." Then you will see it's Occultist background. But, just look in the Word of God. Where are we instructed as followers of Christ to place any symbol on our clothing, vehicles, houses, books, etc?

The symbols of Jesus Christ are the seal of the Holy Ghost, Baptism in His Name for the remission of sins, and living a holy overcoming life in Christ.

A fish on the back of your car, or a dove on your lapel are NOT symbols of Jesus Christ. In fact, the fish symbols in the catacombs of Rome are not linked to early Apostolic Christianity, but were drawn in later by pagan/Gnostic believers.

Even during the era of Paul and the Apostles, there were some people bringing in damnable heresies. (2 Peter 2:1) Man is very symbol-oriented, due to his pagan fleshly nature. The children of God are not so. It is the carnal man who wants a god he can see and touch. Examine Romans 1:23: "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."

When someone sees a swastika, also known as the Flyfolt cross, they automatically envision Nazism. But the Flyfolt Cross was used thousands of years earlier in India to ward off evil spirits. No Apostolic Pentecostal in his right mind would put one on his car or letterhead. No Apostolic Church would put it over their building. Why not? To the World War II veteran it might get a rise, and to the Jewish person, it would bring disgust and hatred. In Germany it is against the law to display it. A Hindu in Germany would not understand because in India the swastika symbol is on pottery, blankets, clothing, and sculptures.

You see, we are living in a time period where the swastika is fresh in the minds of the people, but how about 3,000 years from now? What about 3,500 years from now with some rises and falls of civilizations? What then? A religion or a country may come along and use it for their symbol. So does that mean the Swastika suddenly loses its meaning, that history suddenly forgets?

Christmas trees, holly, wreaths, wedding bands, the Star of David, and Easter celebrations, are all symbolism of man's tradition.

Remember this: On the day of Pentecost, the Almighty God, Jesus Christ ,did not need to use the symbolism of pagan Judaism that He faced within the Pharisees. The Pharisees and Saducees could not recognize God in the flesh, because they were made blind by their traditions.

The day of Pentecost was an outpouring of the supernatural power of God, a life changing experience. Water Baptism in Jesus name was the mighty hand of God reaching down and delivering a soul from hell.

Brothers, Sisters, let's be big enough to ask Jesus Christ, (not our flesh) what He thinks of all of this. Did Jesus ever use a lie to preach the Truth? Did the Devil help Him win souls? The answer is no. Jesus Christ uses the power of His Spirit and the example of His saints living a clean and sanctified life in Jesus’ name.

When a sinner walks into a service, he is not looking for people who look like him. He is not looking for symbols of familiarity in a denominal church world. He is looking for TRUTH. He is looking for HELP. He is looking for POWER. He is looking for GOD ALMIGHTY, JESUS CHRIST.

Read this, and pray to Jesus for the Truth no matter what the cost. [][][][]