By Steve A. Hamilton

Galatians 1:6-10

Introduction: This is an informational lesson on Freemasonry.  Most of my material comes from A Study of Masonry and Masonry and the Christian by Robert L. McDonald.  This is not an all inclusive study.

          Freemasonry is a man made religion that is promoted as a supplemental religious organization that is not meant to replace whatever an individual believes.  Therefore, members of the Masons come from all beliefs to include atheism.  They claim their beliefs and practices complement God or whatever deity one believes.

          However, if Freemasonry is contrary to God’s word then no person who is trying to serve God would embrace it and still be pleasing to Him (Gal. 1:6-10).

I. One appeal to Masonry is the claim to secrecy.  People are told that they can not know anything about Masonry unless they are a Mason. 

          A. However, all the secrets are in print.  Our major sources which reveal these secrets are Lightfoot’s Manuel of the Lodge; Morals and Dogma – Shriners; and Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. 

          B. Masons are to keep Masonic secrets from all people; even their spouses.

          C. Jesus kept no secrets (John 18:20).

          D. Masons take an oath to keep Masonry a secret. 

               1. Therefore, Masons could not sanctify God in their hearts (1 Pet. 3:15). 

               2. Sanctify means “to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). We are to set ourselves apart for God’s use as a Christian and we are expected to give a defense of God’s word.            

II. In order to keep their secrets, lying is approved and even taught!

          A. Catholics have a similar doctrine they call “mental reservation.” 

               1. “We are also under an obligation to keep secrets faithfully and sometimes the easiest way of fulfilling that duty is to say what is false, or to tell a lie” (Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. X, p. 195).

               2. “So a false statement knowingly made to one who has not a right to the truth will not be a lie” (Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. IX, p. 471).

          B. The same philosophy is found in Freemasonry.

               1. “Masonry like all the religions, all the mysteries, Hermeticism and alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the adepts and sages, or the elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be mislead; to conceal the truth, which it calls light, from them, and to draw them away from it.  Truth is not for those who are unworthy or unable to receive it, or would pervert it” (“Lectures to Master Mason,” Morals and Dogma, pgs. 104-105).

               2. Christians don’t keep secrets nor do they lie to each other (Eph. 4:25).  Lying is forbidden by God (Col. 3:9).

III. Freemasonry is a religion.

          A. Many Masons claim it is not a religion.  Their official statement is “Masonry is not a religion” (Morals and Dogma, p. 161).

          B. However, a little later the same book says, “The ministers of this religion are all Masons who comprehend it and are devoted to it” (Morals and Dogma, p. 219).

          C. “Masonry, then, is indeed, a religious institution; and on this ground mainly, if not alone, should the religious Mason defend it” (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p. 729).

          D. The Lord’s position on Freemasonry is found in Matthew 7:21-23.

IV. The Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion.

          A. “Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instruction in religion…  Here we meet as brethren, to learn to know and love each other…  This is the true religion revealed to the ancient patriarchs; which Masonry has taught for many centuries, and which it will continue to teach as long as time endures” (Morals and Dogma, pgs. 213-214).

          B. If God didn’t establish it, God will destroy it (Matt. 15:3).

          C. Jesus established the temple as the members of His church (Eph. 2:19-22).

          D. What does the Lord’s temple have to do with idols which Masons use in their worship (2 Cor. 6:16)? 

V. Freemasonry is a type of worship.

          A. “That rite raises a corner of the veil, even in the degree of apprentice; for it there declares that Masonry is a worship” (Morals and Dogma, p. 219).

          B. “Masonry is a worship; but one in which all civilized men can unite” (Morals and Dogma, p. 526).

          C. They talk of God but they worship in vain (Matt. 15:8-9).

          D. All worship must be done through Christ (John 14:6).

VI. Masonry promotes its own creed.

          A. “Masonry propagates no creed except its own most simple and sublime one: that universal religion, taught by nature and by reason.  It’s lodges are neither Jewish, Moslem, nor Christian temples.  It reiterates the precepts of morality of all religions.  It venerates the character and commends the teachings of the great and good of all ages and of all countries.  It extracts the good and not the evil, the truth and not the error, from all creeds; and acknowledges that there is much which is good and true in all” (Morals and Dogma, p. 718).

          B. Christians follow God’s law; not man’s law (Gal. 1:11-12).

          C. To follow and participate in another doctrine is to transgress Christ’s law (2 John 9-11).

Conclusion: We have already proven that Freemasonry is contrary to God’s word.  What we have covered so far is bad enough but it gets worse.  In our next lesson we’ll learn that Freemasonry claims all truth while they deny Christ as our Savior. In fact, they teach that only Masons will go to Heaven.

Last modified: 05/02/08