   |
    |
|
|
|
D. D.'s – Doctors of Divinity or Dumb DogsBy: Joseph H. MurrayTruly, a real man of God is a doctor of the divine things of God and hence a Doctor of Divinity. Those who are merely talking about that which is divine and do not possess it are dumb dogs. Isaiah gave us a description of these false teachers in these words: “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant” (Isa. 56:10–12). “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie,” said the angel to John on the Isle of Patmos (Rev. 22:13–15). The dog was an unclean animal, and a person who has not been touched by the divine and cleansed is also an unclean animal and hence can be called, in scriptural terms, a dog. We are warned to be aware of these unclean animals in Philippians 3:2: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” Listen how this scripture reads in Good News for Modern Man: “Watch out for those who do evil things, those dogs, men who insist on cutting the body (circumcision). For we, not they, are the ones who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by His Spirit, and rejoice in our life in Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies” (Phil. 3:2–3). I take notice in reading Foxes Book of Martyrs that most of those who were burned at the stake were burned for not participating in external ceremonies, especially the taking of the wine and crackers, the Lord’s supper, so called–but not really. “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matt. 7:6). Jesus speaking, He is not speaking of a natural dog, nor is He speaking of a natural hog or pig but of a filthy, dirty animal who is not worthy of that which is divine, nor does he or she want to be. The enemies of Jesus are classified as dogs. The Spirit of the Lord cried through the psalmist David and said these words: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not Thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste Thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog (or from the hand of wicked men)” (Ps. 22:16–20). Who are the dogs of our day? And how can we know them? Why, the crucifiers of Christ, of course, those that are in opposition to that which is divine and are persecuting the supernatural, miracle working power of God and are satisfied to only talk about what Jesus and His first disciples did and not do the works of Jesus themselves. The world is overflowing with these false pretenders who are trying, with fair speeches, to present the Lord Jesus Christ instead of surrendering to God and let the signs that are supposed to follow the believer come forth. “These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17–18). These dumb dogs of our day would rather spend their time criticizing and persecuting those that are doing the works of the Lord, rather than repenting and receiving this heaven sent power of God themselves, for they like to have favor with man instead of having the honor of God. They say receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. This is a false conception, for no one can receive Him personally except through the person in whom He is living through the Holy Ghost, and this can only be an outward acceptance. The only true way to really receive the Lord is to receive what He sent back to earth to take His place with His people. Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed (Acts 19:2)? Maybe your excuse is the same as these believers in Acts 19:2: “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” Well I’m telling you there is such a thing, and it’s for every one whom the Lord our God has called, and those that are afar off – sons and daughters alike. If you are called of God, the Holy Ghost is for you. If you have never been called, quit trying to volunteer. The Lord doesn’t want you to choose Him, but if He sees in you what He wants and can use, He will choose you for service in His Kingdom work – Amen! A dog is almost always biting or chewing on something, and this can be true of God’s people once they depart from the commandments and the true way of Holiness. They talk about everybody and his brother, always seeing the wrong in everybody else except themselves. We should be warned of this condition by this scripture: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:14–15). “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Remember, a wolf is a member of the dog family. |
 |
|
|
