Tract Number 15

  There are only two institutions in the Bible that have been established and ordained by the Lord.  One is marriage and the other is the Church.

Genesis 2:21,22,24: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

     If we give all our devotion to these two institutions, we will not have time for any other.  There are several reasons why every Christian should avoid being a member of any secret organization.

1.  Every Christian is commanded not to swear or take any oath.

Matthew 5:33-37: Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

 2.  Every Christian is commanded not to yoke up with unbelievers.  Many in the Lodge know about God but have never been blood washed and born again.  Thus, for a Christian to join hands with them is wrong.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 3.  Every Christian is commanded to avoid showing partiality to others.  Special favors, handshakes, and dealings with people because they are members of the same order or club is against the Word of God.

 James 2:2-4: For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

     Ask God to show you the truth about Lodges and allow Him to direct your life.  The Bible is the final authority on all things.  Please allow God to speak through His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate your heart concerning secret orders.