Part Two: Practice

              e. Evidence From Rituals. The rituals of freemasonry when examined in the light of God's Word further confirm that freemasonry is a religion, and also that it is a false "works system" religion. Portions of the masonic rituals will be discussed below to document this fact!

              1. Initiation Introduction. The initiation ritual for a freemason discloses this works system. As part of the initiation process, the candidate is introduced to the "Senior Deacon" as follows:

_________, a poor blind Candidate, who desires to be brought from darkness to light; who wishes to receive a part of the rights and benefits of this right worshipful Lodge erected to God and dedicated to the holy Saints John, as many brothers and fellows have done before him.

One of the masons own leading authorities on freemasonry describes this ritual as follows:

"There he stands, without our portals, on the threshold of his new Masonic life, in darkness, helplessness and ignorance. Having been wandering amid the errors and covered over with the pollution of the outer and profane world, he comes inquiringly to our door seeking the new birth and asking a withdrawal of the veil which conceals divine truth from his uninitiated eyes." Albert Mackey, The Manual of the Lodge, page 20.

Freemasons say that they are the light which reveals divine truth, contrary to what Jesus Christ says about himself being the light:

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus Christ is the source of spiritual light for God's children, not freemasonry:

2 Timothy 1:10 ... Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who have abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

2. Initiation Prayer. The initiation prayer for a new mason, which is offered by the Worshipful Master, is as follows:

"Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention, and grant that this Candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to thy service. Endue him with the competency of thy divine wisdom, that by the secrets of our art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of holiness of thy holy name. Amen."

Notice that it is by the "secrets or our art" that the initiate, who was in darkness but now has the light, can display the beauties of holiness! This is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ that we are to follow him:

John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me;

Also notice, that this prayer is not in the name of Jesus Christ, as his name is not mentioned in freemasonry.

Thus, the teaching of freemasonry is that eternal life can be expected by all men of all religions, if they are masons who remain steadfast to their masonic service! They thus obviously have no need for the benefit of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, for they claim to earn eternal life through their secret masonic arts!

If masonry has a way to eternal life, why should they keep it secret! Why not share it with all about them! The fact is that contrary to their claim they do not have a way to eternal life and have nothing to share.

               3. Initiation Lambskin. Upon the completion of the initiation, the new mason is addressed by the Worshipful Master as follows:

"I'd like to present you, Brother _____, with this lambskin, or white leather apron, which is an emblem of innocence and a badge of a Mason... . He therefore who wears a lambskin as a badge of a Mason is continually reminded of that purity of life and conduct which is so essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge Above."

Notice that the mason is taught that it is "purity of life and conduct" by which one gains admission to heaven; contrary to the teaching of the scriptures that we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not or yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.

               4. Funeral Service. The standard masonic funeral service which is recited by fellow masons states:

"Masonry seeks constantly to build the temple of the soul, and thus to fit us for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. When our brother labored with us in Masonic attire, he wore a white apron, which he was taught was an emblem of innocence and a badge of a Mason. By it, he was constantly reminded of that purity of life and that rectitude of conduct so necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge Above."

Again, as in the other parts of the rituals of freemasonry, at the grave praise is given to the mason for his good life by which he has earned an eternal home; and not one mention is made of the saving work of Jesus Christ. It is masonry which claims to fit one for heaven; thus denying that salvation is by the grace of God and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. A person cannot in honesty hold to the doctrine of salvation by grace and salvation by the works of masonry, because they are contrary to each other:

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Freemasonry teaches that eternal salvation and a heavenly home are earned by the works of the freemason, and not one mention is made in freemasonry of the fact that Jesus taught that we are saved by him alone:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The Bible teaches that we get to heaven by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and not by the "secret art" revealed to one as a mason.

               f. Masonry and the Bible. Masons treat the Holy Bible as a mere "symbol" of the will of God, and for this reason they accept any "holy book" on their alter:

"The Bible is used among Masons as a symbol of the will of God, however it may be expressed. And therefore, whatever, to any people expresses that will, may be used as a substitute for the Bible in a Masonic Lodge." Albert Mackey, Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.

Thus, freemasonry denies that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and treats it simply as a "symbol" of God's will along with many other books.

              g. Summary. God's obedient children cannot fellowship within the church those who deny Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour; the mason, by his oath and rituals which teach a works system of salvation denies that salvation is solely by Jesus Christ.

There are many good men, sincere in their Christian beliefs, who are also masons and holding to a belief contrary to their Christian beliefs. They should follow the teaching of Jesus and renounce that which is contrary to his Word:

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 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; ...

To do less than this is a failure to follow the instruction of Jesus Christ!