A Quick Review
In Parts 1-3 we have seen the description of a cult leader manifested in Peter Ruckman. Cult leaders typically harshly criticize any who dare disagree with their position. Cult leaders also frequently claim to be given special knowledge not known to anyone else. Cult leaders tend to control their devotees by threats and public ridicule. Peter Ruckman is guilty of all three.
We have also looked at Mr. Ruckman’s twisted, false Bible teaching. We have noticed how the Holy Scriptures have been twisted to meet Mr. Ruckman’s perverted, personal interpretation of the Scriptures. II Peter 1:20 explains, ” Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” This verse tells us that the purpose of Scripture is not for us to make up our interpretation, but that the truth is revealed. Sometimes it takes much study to come to the truth, but nevertheless, Scripture says what it means, and means what it says. The Scriptures are clear when correct principles of hermeneutics and exegesis are applied.
Part 3 we have seen examples of his false teaching as in the following examples:.
- All women will become 33-year-old men at the rapture.
- The invisible soul is sewn to the body, thus having the same shape. This is in direct contradiction to Biblical teaching,
- Ruckman concludes that sexual intercourse constitutes marriage. Of course, this is coming from a man who has been divorced and remarried at least three times. Many wives is also a sign of a cult leader.
- He further claims that Christians will be carried away by angels to populate the universe. He also teaches that in the afterlife, Christians will be sent on missions to other planets to “be fruitful and multiply.” This belief is also found in Mormon doctrine.
Moving forward, in his arrogant, one-sided teaching we shall see his most troubling error. Let’s move on?
God’s Simple Truth
What is the Truth?
Peter Ruckman is unable to grasp the simple truth of the salvation God supplies for every man who chooses it. The sin debt of all mankind was paid when Jesus from the cross cried, “It is finished.” Only a human could pay for the sin of another human, and only a perfect, pure human, one without sin, could pay for another;s sin, In short, the only acceptable sacrifice by God’s standard, is God in human flesh. Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us) became our sin-bearer when He gave up His life on the cross of Calvary, shedding His precious, pure, innocent blood for the wickedness of mankind. We are told in Hebrews 9:22. “. . . and without shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness].
Out of more than 2,000 religions, how are we to know which one is true? It has been said that all the religions of the world are like a bicycle wheel, The various religions are the spokes, all leading to the same destination, the hub of the wheel. This can’t be true as the various beliefs of these many religions contradict the beliefs of others. Some say Jesus was a prophet. Some say He is the Son of God. Some say He is an angel. Some say salvation is by different forms of human works – perhaps by being a good church member, or by being baptized. Maybe by keeping the ten commandments (have you?), or loving your neighbor. Some would say there is a hell to shun. Others would say hell is here on earth, and still, others would deny its existence at all. So what is the truth?
If truth exists, and it does (does tow plus two equal four?), then how are we to know? Jesus said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” So can we know the truth?
First, let me say that true Christianity is not a religion. It is a personal relationship with the God of the universe. Jesus Christ claims to be that One. Religion, on the other hand, teaches that there is something we must do to earn God’s favor – with the emphasis on, . . . we must do. . . . But the truth that will make you and me free is that there is nothing we can do to merit God’s forgiveness. If I commit one sin, 100 good acts won’t take it away. One sin is enough to keep us from God’s holy, righteous presence. We so often use someone else as the standard, but God’s standard is perfection. Let’s face it. We have all missed the mark of perfection, and there’s nothing we can do about it.
The truth is we are so ugly, we can never measure up to God, who is the proper standard. If I’m to say that true Christianity is the truth, then there must be something that distinguishes it from the other 2,000 untrue religions. Let me list four things that make true Christianity stand out.
- God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, claims to have founded the truth. Jesus promises to build His church in Matthew 16:18. The beginning of that promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. No other religion claims to be founded by God Himself. Allah did not claim to be the initiator of Islam, but Mohamed, Gautama Buddha, who by his own admission, was a mere man, founded Buddhism. Joseph Smith is given the credit for introducing Mormonism to the world, and Charles Russell gave us the Watchtower organization, better known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The same holds true for the many other religions that exist. Christianity alone makes the claim to be founded by God.
- The Christian Holy Book, the Bible, makes the claim to be directly given by God to man. No other holy book makes this claim. The Bible claims for itself that it was delivered by God Himself to His creation. It was not a mere book written by man but was directed by God to man. II Timothy 3:16 tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration [spoken] of God.” II Peter 1:21 goes on to say, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
- Thirdly, Christianity is the only spiritual discipline that teaches that its founder who was God, sacrificed Himself for His creation. That event took place at Calvary some 2,000 years ago. It was necessary for a pure sacrifice to be made for the impure.
- Fourthly, the founder, who is God Himself, who gave us His Word, and died for us, also resurrected from the dead for us conquering death once for all, to deal with the sin problem of mankind. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
The way to man’s eternal salvation is extremely narrow. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He is the only door to Heaven. All other doors open in hell. Again, we read in Acts 4:12, ” Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” We are clearly told in Ephesians 2:8 and 9 that salvation is a gift and there are no works available to pay for a gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”.
The truth that will make us free is simple and explained over and over in the Bible. The truth is Jesus Christ is the only way, narrow but true. We come to Him simply by faith in His shed blood.
Ruckman’s sad twisting of God’s Salvation
Although Ruckman would claim to believe this, does he really? He divides salvation into three time periods or dispensations. The Bible does teach dispensations. God moved in different ways at different times to bring His people to salvation, but the bottom line is found in Malachi 3:1, “For I am the LORD, I change not;. . . ” Hebrews 13:8 further states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” God’s way of salvation has never changed.
Ruckman would teach than the Old Testament saints were saved by faith plus works. My friend, that cheapens the precious blood of my Saviour that was shed for me. I can, in no way, do a work to impress God although pride would say I can. The Old Testament saints were saved by faith alone as they looked forward to the sacrifice the Messiah would someday make.
During this time period known as The Church Age or The Age of Grace, Ruckman would hold to the biblical teaching of salvation by grace through faith alone, just as the Bible teaches. Bible prophecy tells us that a terrible time will soon surface on the earth known as
Bible prophecy tells us that a terrible time will soon surface on the earth known as The Tribulation. Ruckman takes the liberty here to teach that salvation during the Tribulation will be by works alone. I have read a statement by Mr. Ruckman that basically says that if a person commits one sin during The Tribulation period that will go to hell. Again, the blood of Saviour has been attacked as it was shed for all men – past, present, and future. The Bible is meticulous in its teaching that all men are sinners and that some will survive The Tribulation. You can’t have one without the other, Mr. Ruckman.
Hebrews 11 is known as The Faith Chapter, or The Hall of Faith. This is a list of Old Testament saints that were clearly saved by faith. Among those mentioned are Moses, Abraham, Noah and many others. Ruckman uses poor exegeses when it comes to interpreting this chapter. In light of all other Scripture, salvation has always been based on the blood sacrifice of Christ. In the Old Testament, they looked ahead. In our time period, we look back. In the Tribulation, they will also look back at the finished work of the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he meant that it was finished. Neither Ruckman nor anyone else has the authority to change Scripture.
We leave this man to be judged by his own words before God. Sadly, he is only one of many who perverts the Scriptures for their own gain and purposes. The man is gone, but his wicked errors live on in the minds of the many he has corrupted.
Knees for the Nations 