Are Baptists Protestants? (Part Two) "The Mason Connection"

The Baptist's claim that they are not and never were Protestants may become moot as one wonders whether or not their evolution toward Paganism will in the future even merit the term "Christian Body". How is it that Baptist Pastors, Deacons and Laymen defend with all their might that the Baptist Church is the Original New Testament Church, and yet Baptists make up over 37% of the Masonic membership in the United States? Why do 14% of the SBC Pastors and 18% of the SBC Deacons, worship at the altar of a pagan God as Masons and why are they unequally yoked with other religions who make up the Masonic brotherhood and why do they find fellowship in a pagan Masonic Temple? Something is amiss. Could it be that the autonomy of which Baptists are so proud, is actually a result of the rebellion born of the Reformation and has opened wide the door to deception? The Orthodox Church, which is the historically verifiable unbroken Church of the Apostles, does not allow membership in a secret society, especially the Masons. To their credit, many Baptist writers and theologians recognize the nature of the Masonic order as a false religion with oaths, creeds, temples, and secret initiations dating back to the Pagan Babylonian Religions. Though it be cloaked in good deeds, the Masonic order is a type of the biblical wolf in sheep's clothing. It is a lion roaming to and fro seeking whom it may devour. My challenge to Baptists who claim to be the one, true, church of the Apostles, is to go to your own Baptist Bookstore, now called Lifeway, and pick up a good book on the Masonic order. You will find it in the "cult" section. If you are the true church, there is a cancer among you. Every individual Baptist who practices the Masonic Religion should renounce any association with it. Should they refused to do so, they should be driven out from among you, especially the Pastors and Deacons who do "feed the flock".

Notes on The Masonic Order by former Mason Charles Finney

Masonic Oaths Procured by Fraud

"I found that in taking these oaths I had been grossly deceived and imposed upon. I had been led to suppose that there were some very important secrets to be communicated to me; but in this I found myself entirely disappointed. Indeed I came to the deliberate conclusion that my oaths had been procured by fraud and misrepresentations; that the institution was in no respect what I had been informed it was; and as I have had the means of examining it more thoroughly, it has become more and more irresistibly plain to me that Masonry is highly dangerous to the State, and in every way injurious to the Church of Christ."

Features of an Anti-Christ
"Judging from unquestionable evidences, how can we fail to pronounce Freemasonry an unchristian institution? We can see that its morality is unchristian. Its oath-bound secrecy is unchristian. The administration and taking of its oaths are unchristian and a violation of the positive command of Christ. And Masonic oaths pledge its members to some of the most unlawful and unchristian things:

1. To conceal each other's crimes.
2. To deliver each other from difficulty, whether right or wrong.
3. To unduly favor Masonry in political action and in business matters.
4. Its members are sworn to retaliate and persecute unto death the violators of Masonic obligations.
5. Freemasonry knows no mercy, and swears its candidates to avenge violations of Masonic obligations unto death.
6. Its oaths are profane, taking the Name of God in vain.
7. The penalties of these oaths are barbarous, even savage.
8. Its teachings are false and profane.
9. Its designs are partial and selfish.
10. Its ceremonies are a mixture of puerility and profanity.
11. Its religion is false.
12. It professes to save men on other conditions than those revealed in the Gospel of Christ.
13. It is wholly an enormous falsehood.
14. It is a swindle, obtaining money from its members under false pretenses.
15. It refuses all examinations, and veils itself under a mantle of oath-bound secrecy.
16. It is virtual conspiracy against both Church and State."

Don’t think the Masonic Lodge is a church? Read this:

From the
Entered Apprentice Degree of Freemasonry

“The word Lodge is analogous to that of church, referring not so much to the place of meeting as to the persons assembled. A lodge may therefore at this time be defined as a certain number of Free and Accepted Masons, duly assembled, furnished with the Holy Bible, the Square and the Compasses, together with a Charter, or Dispensation, from one Grand Body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work.”

Based on this ceremonial Masonic Oath, the Lodge is a church which uses the Bible with the Square and Compass and a Charter or Dispensation. It is the Charter and Dispensation that should give every Baptist pause. By whose dispensation do you worship and take oaths? By whose charter do you order your life? Even the seemingly reverential kissing of the Holy Scriptures is done through the Masonic Square and Compass that is lain on top.

I challenge you to research further the truth of what I say. The site below is the best that I have found that lays bare the this pagan society's secrets. Baptists, until you have removed yourself from paganism and removed the paganism from your midst, your claim to be the original church in faith and doctrine will fall on deaf ears.

Finally, lest you are too angered by my diatribe, know that I am a fourth generation Southern Baptist who found out only a few years ago that my own highly respected Baptist Pastor Grandfather was a 33rd Degree Mason. I have earned the right to speak frankly on this matter.


To read further click on: www.Ephesians 5-11.org
For a "Church of Christ" Perspective Click Here

Are Baptist Protestants?

In an attempt to validate their authenticity and their very existence, some Protestant denominations acknowledge the importance of having a historic line to the New Testament Church. Much of their foundation is built around proving that they are that Church. Growing up a Baptist I was well aware that we believed we were the "one true church", the original, and that all others were tainted, but it was not until after I became Orthodox that I heard the words "Baptists are not Protestant." This was especially surprising to me because I first heard it from the mouth of my Baptist Pastor Father. I had attended a Baptist University and had earned a baptist degree in Religion and had not heard it. I knew that the Baptist seminaries didn't teach it. The existence of the belief that Baptists are not Protestant should not have taken me by surprise since there are hundreds of different types of Baptist groups all with varying "baptist" doctrinal views. It follows that there would be differing views as to the history and origins of baptists. The problem lies with the fact that few Baptist pastors are theologians and even fewer are historians. These less than scholarly men are quick, however, to embrace the writings of a fellow pastor whose pamphlet, "The Trail of Blood", written in the 1930's has been elevated to a status, it seems, greater than that of the councils of the church, the church fathers or the great church historians. Their entire premise is based on a belief that Baptists have always existed but at times were persecuted and driven underground, their documents and verifiable proof of their existence destroyed by the Roman Church. They point to several groups who they say were Baptists. Rather than cover territory that has already been thoroughly charted I refer you to the article by Steve Ray. If after reading his article you can still believe that Baptists existed before the 1500's, then your greatest attribute is faith...blind faith.

Praying to the Saints

Okay, yes, it is semantics. The usage of the word "pray" has been altered in today's American vernacular. Keep in mind that Orthodoxy has not been Americanized, thanks be to God, neither has it been culturized. The old English usage may help to understand how we as Orthodox have the audacity to "pray" to anyone other than God. Do you remember the old "pray tell"? It simply means "please do tell". The root usage is to talk to or speak. Praying to the saints is to talk to them. It does not suggest that they have the independent power to answer or move matters on earth or take on any of the attributes of God. Now, what do we talk to them about? We ask them to pray for us. They are not dead. They are the faithful of all the ages who exist around the throne of God. It is these same saints who are present in the Liturgy as the "windows of heaven" open to touch we who are in earthen vessels through the Eucharist. They are worshiping with us and we with them. The most common objection I receive from my Protestant friends is, "Why do I need them to pray for me when I can go to God directly?" My answer has never been misunderstood nor rejected by the questioner, "Do you ever ask anyone to pray for you? Why do you do that if you can go directly to God?" These same questioners go to counselors or ask advise of others. Why do they do this if they can go directly to God? The fact is that we all recognize that we need each other. We bear one another's burdens. We are to "confess our faults to one another". We are to "pray for one another", and the Saints are not dead! They remain that "great cloud of witnesses' to all that occurs in the Kingdom of God, including that which occurs to we who are still in our mortal bodies. Who better to pray for us than those who have "run the good race, and fought the good fight" and who now dwell in their heavenly bodies? So, we who are Orthodox stand before an Icon or picture of a Saint who we know may have endured the same that we are going through and ask them to "pray to God for me". My prayer to my patron Saint is:

"O saint of God, Paul, pray to God for me, for my home and my family. Amen. Pray to God for me, O Saint Paul, well-pleasing to God, for I readily recommend myself to you, who are the speedy helper and intercessor for my soul. Amen."

The Spirit Of Lent

O Lord and Master of my life take from me

the Spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of
power, and idle talk.

But give rather the Spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King grant me to see my
own sins and not to judge my brother; for
Thou art blessed unto the ages of ages.

Amen