Masons are taught to use the Square to square their actions and the Compass to circumscribe their desires and keep their passions in due bounds with all mankind.

So effectively they are saying in order to behave appropriately and limit sinful desires, Masons must somehow apply these two working tools in their day-to-day lives. Although they are never really shown how to do this, Masons are expected to study and apply Masonic principles and through their own effort “improve themselves in Masonry.”

Is this biblical? Can we, in and of ourselves, improve from our own human frailties and fallen, sinful nature? Not according to Jesus in John 15 and Romans 8. Jesus said that apart from Him, we can’t do anything and unless we surrender our lives completely to His Spirit, moment-by-moment on a daily basis, and allow Him to live His life in and through us (Galatians 2:20) we will eventually fail and hopelessly fulfill the desires of our sinful flesh (sinful nature).

What does it really mean to surrender to God? Contact us and we will help you understand what it means to surrender to God and how to do it successfully.

The Common Gavel is an instrument used by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stone, the better to fit them for the builder’s use, but we as Free and Accepted Masons use it for a more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our minds and consciences of all vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting us as living stones for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

North Dakota Monitor, page 81

First of all, this is a classic example of ‘Masonic Scripture Twisting’. Notice how the following verses were mutilated then blended together and taken completely out of context:

1 Peter 2:5 – “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:1 – “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

There is no mention of Jesus in the Masonic ritual, nor do they teach that those who are in Christ are the tabernacle or temple of the Holy Spirit. Besides, as Christ-followers, how are we to biblically “divest our minds and consciences from vice” (borrowing the Masonic terminology)? By the renewing of our minds, by the Spirit of God through the Word of God (Romans 12). This is accomplished by diligent, daily Bible study (2 Timothy 2:15) and applying to our lives the principles found in Scripture, not the principles of Freemasonry.

Finally, notice the adverb “thereby”  in the description of the Common Gavel, which signals the means to salvation. In other words, if a Mason applies Freemasonry’s Common Gavel to his life, he can expect to go to heaven. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches, that the only way to heaven is by faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6), and in His substitutionary, sacrificial atoning death on our behalf. This leads us to another symbol—that of Masonic eschatology.

My Brother, I now present you with this lambskin or white leather apron. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason – the distinguished badge of a Mason.

Nevada Ritual

The Lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence. By the lambskin, therefore, the Mason is reminded of that purity of life and rectitude of conduct is so essential to gaining admission to the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

Louisiana Monitor

The Bible teaches that faith without works, deeds, or conduct of behavior demonstrates that one’s faith is actually alive, vibrant, and true, then such faith is dead (James 2:14-26). In other words, the Bible instructs us that good works are the by-product of genuine faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-13) not a means to salvation. Freemasonry, on the other hand, teaches that good works – without the need for faith in Jesus – will get a Mason into heaven.

Where is the biblical prerequisite for salvation, of faith in Jesus Christ alone found in Masonic ritual? Don’t bother looking, because you will not find it. It doesn’t exist in Masonic rituals. Yet, clearly, the Masonic lecture of the Common Gavel and of the White Leather Apron both tell the Freemason that by applying the principles of Freemasonry and performing “good works” he can expect to gain admission to the Celestial Lodge above.

My Brother, I now present you with this lambskin or white leather apron. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason – the distinguished badge of a Mason.

Nevada Ritual

The Lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence. By the lambskin, therefore, the Mason is reminded of that purity of life and rectitude of conduct is so essential to gaining admission to the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

Louisiana Monitor

The Bible teaches that faith without works, deeds, or conduct of behavior demonstrating that one’s faith is actually alive, vibrant, and true, then such faith is dead (James 2:14-26). In other words, the Bible instructs us that good works are the by-product of genuine faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-13) not a means to salvation. Freemasonry, on the other hand, teaches that good works – without the need for faith in Jesus – will get a Mason into heaven.

Where is the biblical prerequisite for salvation, of faith in Jesus Christ alone found in Masonic ritual? Don’t bother looking, because you will not find it. It doesn’t exist in Masonic rituals. Yet, clearly, the Masonic lecture of the Common Gavel and of the White Leather Apron both tell the Freemason that by applying the principles of Freemasonry and performing “good works” he can expect to gain admission to the Celestial Lodge above.

The Plumb is an instrument used by operative masons to try perpendiculars, the Square to square their work, and the Level to prove horizontals; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use them for more noble and glorious purposes. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the Square of Virtue, ever remembering we are traveling upon the Level of Time to that undiscovered country from whose borne no traveler returns.

Grand Lodge of New Jersey & Grand Lodge of New York

If the VSL used in the second degree (Fellow Craft) is the Holy Bible, then it is generally opened on the Masonic altar to Amos 7:7-8 and reads:

Thus he showed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them anymore.

The Masonic explanation of the Plumb to the Fellow Craft Mason:

Here the Plumb as a Jewel, the Plumb as a working tool of the Fellow Craft, and the Heavenly Plumb in the hand of Jehovah, as told in ‘Amos VII’, are so inextricably mingled that, while there are many references to them in different parts of the degree, they must symbolically be considered together. The Fellow Craft learns to judge his work by his own plumb line, not by another’s; if he erects that which is good work, true work, square work by his own working tools – in other words, by his own standards – he does well.

The Electric Lodge No. 495, Grand Lodge of Canada, Province of Ontario

So, we see that a Mason is taught to go about establishing his own righteousness, that his life’s work is to be based on his own standards, and as long as he is satisfied with how he is living his life and what he has accomplished, he does well. This is reiterated in Grand Lodge Masonic Education material:

Masonry teaches the practice of all good morals, leaving the interpretation of right and wrong to the individual conscience.”

Lodge System of Masonic Education, Booklet 1, page 8 Grand Lodge of Florida

Yet, is this appropriate from a biblical perspective? Absolutely not!

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Romans 10:3

Jesus Christ is revealed as the Plumb-line in Amos 7:7-8. A plumb line is an instrument used to measure an absolutely perfectly straight vertical line. Jesus Christ is not only 100% God; He is the epitome of human perfection. Therefore, Christ alone is qualified to walk in the midst of His people, measuring and exposing good and bad, true and false (Revelation 2 and 3).

For this reason, we as Christians are to examine ourselves and live according to Christ’s standard, being transformed (Romans 12:2) and conformed to His likeness (Romans 8:28-29), being made perfect (Matthew 5:48) by Him as we submit to His Will (Job 22:21) and allow Him to live His life in and through us (Galatians 2:20) to produce His fruit (good works), not ours (Galatians 5:22-23). For our fruit (righteousness), as well as the fruit of the Mason and of all mankind is nothing more than filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) when compared to the perfect righteousness of God found only through Christ Jesus our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Finally, the last Masonic symbol we will examine here is the Trowel:

The Trowel is an instrument used by Operative Masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree.

Prince Hall Masonic Ritual

Unfortunately, man-made tools do not have the power to unite mankind. The Bible teaches us that it is God the Holy Spirit who unites (1 Corinthians 12:13) mankind into the family of God (John 1:12-13), a sacred and royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and seals us together until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13 and Ephesians 4:30) through faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

So, you can see, that the teachings of Freemasonry are very problematic from a Christian perspective. Consequently, Masons who profess to be Christian need to face the truth of the matter and resign from the lodge and renounce its heresy.

We also challenge the non-Christian Mason to reconsider his faith in light of Holy Scripture. They too should take a very close look at what they believe and compare it to the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. We also will make ourselves available to any Mason who would like to further discuss these issues in order to explore and discover God’s love so that they too can enter into a biblically-appropriate personal relationship with Him.

According to Masonic research authority, Christopher L. Hodapp, author of Freemasons for Dummies says, 46 out of 51 (92%) of White-American Grand Lodges have adopted resolutions that say Prince Hall Masonry is “regular” (orthodox, legitimate, or “duly constituted” Masonry). But look, it took nearly three centuries, 260 years, from when it began in the United States. Almost all of these, roughly 39 of the 46, have adopted “full recognition,” in the same way they recognize any other Grand Lodge, others have granted recognition only to the extent of permitting intervisitation rights, but not dual or cross membership. Or much worse, not allowing any intervisitation rights at all.

Take the Grand Lodge of Georgia for example:

As you are aware, the Grand Lodge of Georgia, during the 2021 session, voted to extend recognition to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia. To reiterate, this does not allow for visitation or cross-membership – it is recognizing the Prince Hall Grand Lodge masons as masons and brothers in the craft.

From the Grand Lodge of Georgia’s official Facebook page

In other words, we’ll acknowledge that you are legitimate Masons, but none of you are allowed to come into our lodges.

“Recognition” is the acknowledgment from one Grand Lodge of the “regularity” of another Grand Lodge. The following map by Hodapp shows the 46 states that have finally come to accept Prince Hall Masonry as legitimate. The remaining four states have yet to acknowledge Prince Hall Masonry as legitimate, and who knows if they ever will.

As for the gray-colored state of Louisiana, Hodapp explains:

It seems that the mainstream Grand Lodge of Louisiana (established in 1812) has passed joint recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of Maryland (PHA, established in 1876), NOT Louisiana. I think this may be the first time this has happened in the history of American Freemasonry regarding Prince Hall amity agreements.

However, the voting members of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana decided NOT to recognize their own state’s Prince Hall counterpart at this time. Their decision was based upon the preponderance of the evidence of ongoing irregular activities carried out by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of Louisiana (established in 1869) and its MW Grand Master Ralph Slaughter.

I’ve been told that GM Slaughter has allegedly issued charters outside of Louisiana in jurisdictions of other existing regular grand lodges with already established territories, which violates Masonic ground rules involving regularity and recognition. I’m still seeking clarifications for that.

With this development in mind, I can’t really say “And then there were four…” regarding amity agreements between mainstream grand lodges and their Prince Hall counterparts, but I can take them off the list of the last holdouts in the U.S. So I made Louisiana a neutral gray color on the map for the moment.

The last four remaining states (yellow-colored) without any recognition between mainstream and Prince Hall (PHA) grand lodges whatsoever are  Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia. This story will be updated.

The good news is the fact that membership in American Freemasonry has been on the decline since 1962. Relative to the US population, membership in the Masonic Order was at its highest in 1928, when there were 3.2 million Freemasons in a population of 106 million US citizens or 3.11%. Freemasonry in the United States enjoyed its highest membership in the mid to late 1950s when there were about 4 million Masons in the US population—at the time—of approximately 3 million people or 2%.

At this point you might ask if membership in the Masonic Order is declining so much relative to growth in the US population, doesn’t that mean that Freemasonry is fading away, and if it’s fading away why is there a need for this ministry? How much negative spiritual influence can one percent of a population of 332,403,650 people really have?

Well, let’s put that into perspective. If one bad apple spoils the whole barrel, if a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate a million gallons of water, then all it takes is one person, thing, one element of falsehood to ruin the entire group, situation, project, fact or truth. In other words, all it takes is one theologically misinformed Mason to cause other members of his family, friends, neighborhood, and even church members within their sphere of influence to embrace false beliefs that are contrary to the Word of God (the Holy Bible).

Therefore, our ministry persists to thwart Masonic heresy from creeping into the church. If any assembly of the Craft thinks we are out of our minds, it is for the sake of Christ; and if we are in our right mind, it is for the Craft. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that He died for all, including Masons, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, or the Lodge, but for Him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:11-15).

Our prayer is that all Masons we come in contact with would come to know Jesus for who He really is. And that these men may enjoy the full riches of a complete understanding of Him, in order that they may know the greatest mystery of all, namely— “Christ in you, your only hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), and in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom, knowledge, and truth.