2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1

MASONRY I. MASONRY IS RELIGIOUS (Gal. 1:6-9). “Masonry is not a religion but Religion – not a church but worship, in which men of all religions may unite.” (J.F. Newton, The Religion of Masonry: An Interpretation p. 11) (Joseph Fort Newton 1880 – 1950) - Episcopal minister. - Recognized Masonic authority. “If Freemasonry were not religion, what would have to be done to make it such? Nothing would be necessary or at least nothing but to add more of the same.” (Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, p. 512) (Henry Wilson Coil 1885) - Author of Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia. - Another recognized Masonic authority.

MASONRY I. MASONRY IS RELIGIOUS (Matt. 15:8-9). "The tendency of all true Masonry is towards religion. If it makes any progress, its progress is to that holy end. Look at its ancient landmarks, its sublime ceremonies, its profound symbols and allegories — all inculcating religious doctrines, commanding religious observance, and teaching religious truth, and who can deny that it is eminently a religious institution?... Masonry, then, is indeed, a religious institution; and on this ground mainly, if not alone, should the religious Mason defend it.“ Albert G. Mackey, a Masonic scholar (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, pg )

MASONRY Toasts listed in the official ritual: 2. Most Worshipful Grand Master and the M.W. Grand Lodge 3. The Worshipful Master ( May include all Sitting Masters ) 4. The Wardens ( May include all present Wardens ) 5. Past Worshipful Masters I. MASONRY IS RELIGIOUS (Mt. 23:5-12).

MASONRY II. CONSIDERS ITSELF THE ULTIMATE RELIGION & KEEPER OF ALL TRUTH (Jn 17:14, 17, 20-22). Albert Pike, 33 rd Degree Masonic scholar wrote in his “Morals and Dogma”: "Masonry around whose altars the Christian, the Hebrew, the Moslem, the Brahmin, the followers of Confucius and Zoraster, can assemble as brethren and unite in prayer to the one God" (pg. 266). "To the Mason, God is our Father in Heaven... He is our Father, and we are all brethren" (pg. 227). “It is the universal, eternal, immutable religion, such as God planted it in the heart of universal humanity” (P. 219).

Albert Pike, 33 rd Degree Masonic scholar wrote in his “Morals and Dogma”: “The Bible is an indispensable part of the furniture of a Christian Lodge, only because it is the sacred book of the Christian religion. The Hebrew Pentateuch in a Hebrew lodge, and the Koran in a Mohammedan one, belong on the Altar; and one of these, and the Square and Compass, properly understood, are the Great Lights by which a Mason must walk and work.” (p. 11) MASONRY II. CONSIDERS ITSELF THE ULTIMATE RELIGION & KEEPER OF ALL TRUTH (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Carl Claudy, in his “Introduction to Freemasonry”, tells the Entered Apprentice (1 st Degree Mason): “A lodge wholly Jewish may prefer to use only the Old Testament; in Turkey and Persia the Koran would be used as the V.S.L. of the Mohammedan; Brahmins would use the Vedas” (P. 111). Where multiple backgrounds exist, some lodges provide several holy books. Apparently what book is unimportant, as long as you use what you consider holy & keep your oaths of Freemasonry. MASONRY II. CONSIDERS ITSELF THE ULTIMATE RELIGION & KEEPER OF ALL TRUTH (2 John 9).

“Masonry, when properly expounded is at once the interpretation of the great book of nature, the recital of physical and astronomical phenomena, the purest philosophy, and the place of deposit, where, as in a Treasury, are kept in safety all the great truths of the primitive revelation, that form the basis of all religions.” (p. 625). Albert Pike, 33 rd Degree Masonic scholar wrote in his “Morals and Dogma”: MASONRY II. CONSIDERS ITSELF THE ULTIMATE RELIGION & KEEPER OF ALL TRUTH (Col. 1:9-20).

“It is the province of Masonry to teach all truths – not moral truth alone, but political and philosophical, and even religious truths, so far as concerns the great and essential principles of each.” (p. 148). Albert Pike, 33 rd Degree Masonic scholar wrote in his “Morals and Dogma”: MASONRY II. CONSIDERS ITSELF THE ULTIMATE RELIGION & KEEPER OF ALL TRUTH (Col. 2:8-10).

“The Bible is used, among Masons, as the symbol of the Will of God, however it may be expressed; and therefore, whatever expresses that Will may be used as a substitute for the Bible in other countries… it everywhere Masonically conveys the same idea – that of symbolism of the Divine Will revealed to man”. J. P. Lightfoot, Manual of the Lodge, p. 217 MASONRY II. CONSIDERS ITSELF THE ULTIMATE RELIGION & KEEPER OF ALL TRUTH (1 Cor. 2:10, 12-16).

MASONRY III. EQUATES GOD WITH IDOLS (Is. 44:6-20). Claudy, Introduction to Freemasonry, Vol. II, p. 109 “God, Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Artificier, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Above, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or Great Geometer…” Before acceptance into Masonry, one must declare his faith in a Supreme Being. But as Claudy says: “But note that he is not required to say, then or ever, what God. He may name Him as he will, think of Him as he pleases… Freemasonry cares not” (Ibid. p ).

MASONRY IV. DISCREDITS JESUS CHRIST (John 14:6). Referring to Hindu reincarnation & the Hebrew idea of an afterlife; George H. Steinmetz writes: “Neither philosophy has ever taught the coming of an INDIVIDUAL who would be the “Savior,’ the ‘Messiah’ or ‘Redeemer.’ When properly understood these great philosophies teach that through many incarnations and the slow process of evolution the ENTIRE HUMAN RACE is rising toward perfection. The Messiah, then, will be the final achievement of that ‘plan’ of the Supreme Architect – NOT AN INDIVIDUAL, but – THE PERFECTION OF THE RACE!” (The Lost Word, p )

MASONRY IV. DISCREDITS JESUS CHRIST (Jn. 8:12). George H. Steinmetz adds: “It is not our intention to review the endless arguments as to the divinity of either Krishna or Jesus. Regardless of whether or not they were mystically conceived, there is little room for argument that the stories told about them and their legendary background partake of the incidents and are of the essence of the legend of the ‘Dying God,’ and it has been determined that the origin of that legend is the journey of the sun through the zodiacal signs of the heavens.” (The Lost Word, p. 136)

MASONRY V. DISCREDITS CHRIST’S CHURCH (Eph. 5:23). I spoke with a man years ago who called in response to a radio sermon on Masonry. He wanted me to stop preaching against Masonry. He said he was also a member of the church of Christ. I asked him about the other members of Masonry, and he said there were Baptists and others. I asked him if he thought they were saved. He said yes. Masonry teaches that only Masons will be saved: “Let him who toils complain not, nor feel humiliated! Let him look up and see his fellow-workmen there in God’s Eternity; they alone surviving there” (Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 343).

MASONRY V. DISCREDITS CHRIST’S CHURCH (Acts 20:28). “…and if man yields himself to it [Masonry], he will need neither churches nor ordinances, except for the expression of his homage and gratitude” (Albert Pike, “Morals And Dogma”, p )

MASONRY CONCLUSION: 1. Masonry is a false religion. 2. Masonry claims to be the truth behind all religions. 3. Masonry puts Jehovah on the same level as pagan deities. 4. Masonry dismisses the Deity of Christ & His role in salvation. 5. Masonry dismisses the importance of the Lord’s church (Acts 2:38, 47; 20:28; Eph. 5:23). There are MANY other errors in Masonry. Clearly, a faithful Christian CANNOT be a Mason. (2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1)