THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
The Fullness
of
“ Christ “
John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
My Prayer For You
I believe if the church of the Living God, that is we who call ourselves Christians, The people of the name, the body of Christ. If we could ever come to the understanding of God’s desire for us and the potential he has placed within us and the power that comes from unity of the faith and the divine revelation of the fullness of Jesus Christ. There would be nothing or no one that could stop the mighty out pouring of the Holy Ghost that would be unleashed on this world. Now in this late hour of this dispensation of time, I believe God is calling us to come together in the unity of the faith and God is sending forth a divine revelation by his Spirit of truth, that Jesus himself spoke of in John 16:13 . I believe like never before God is calling his people to be as they were on the day of Pentecost. That is to be in one mind and one accord. Today like never before, there is a shaking in the land. But it is written “ The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” From his Holy word, I believe God is calling us to a unity of Spirit and Faith, through a revelation of the fullness of Christ. Ie: Who he was and is and what he did on the Cross of Calvary and the power and authority of his Holy name. As it is written in Ephesians 3 and 4, by the Apostle Paul .
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
It is my prayer for you and all who God has led to this study that you read and study it prayerfully.
Our Father O Holy One, we come before you in the name that is above every name the name of JESUS CHRIST. LORD GOD I pray that you open our minds and understanding that we may understand your scriptures. Help us LORD to rightly divide your word of truth. Let your Spirit , the Spirit of truth lead us and guide us into all truth. Let there be a divine revelation of your word, your fullness and the saving power of your Holy Name. As it is written what so ever we bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever we loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. In the Name of Jesus Christ I ask you to bind ideology, and spiritual blindness. LORD JESUS I pray that you send forth your Spirit of truth unto us to open blinded eyes to your fullness and glory. May the power of the Holy Ghost quicken our eyes to see, our minds to understand and our hearts to receive your word, may the gift of discernment operate in our midst to the deep things in your word that are spiritually discerned. As we open our hearts and minds to your word so open our understanding to the finished work of the cross of Christ. LORD GOD, I pray as it was on the day of Pentecost on those who came out of that upper room that you quicken our lips and our tongues to tell it to all we meet. I pray that all who may not know you be brought to a saving knowledge of you. Let it happen as happened in Acts 10 While Peter yet spake your word the Holy Ghost fell on all that believed. May it be so that everyone who reads or hears your words in this study that your spirit fall on them and may all who read and believe be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. May we never be the same again.
In JESUS Name I Pray.
Amen
Shama Yisrael YEHOVAH Elohiym YEHOVAH echad.
HEAR O ISRAEL THE LORD IS OUR GOD THE LORD IS ONE
THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
When I first came to God it was with the simplicity of a child . I believed in God and I believed that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh and the Holy Ghost was the spirit of God Hence I believed in one God. It wasn’t until I got in church, that I heard that there was any belief that was different. When I first heard of the belief in three persons in the Godhead. I began to pray and I told God. I said LORD I want to know you, I want to know the truth. I want to know that what I believe is the truth. As I prayed and fasted and sought God he began to give me words or phrases in prayer and I would go to his word and he would lead me to the scriptures. The above passages of scripture were some of the first he led me to. So as I prayed and sought him I began to pray LORD open my understanding. He is truly a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The following is simply an account of how God began to and continues to reveal himself to me.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.
The Apostle Paul in his writings to the church at Corinth penned these words.
1 Corinthians 2 :1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
In other words what he was saying was Jesus Christ (Who he was and is) and him crucified. (What he did on the Cross ). It is with this same spirit and humbleness that I write to you now. In this study of the word, I present to you, Jesus Christ and him crucified. God’s plan of salvation from the foundation of the world.
CHAPTER 1
ONE GOD IN CHRIST
FEW IF ANY PEOPLE, WHO CLAIM ANY TYPE OF CHRISTIANITY WILL DENY CHRIST' PART IN THE OFFICE OF THE SON OF GOD. WE SHOULD ALL KNOW THE STORY OF HOW HE FILLED THAT ROLL. BUT THE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T GRASP IS THAT HE WAS BOTH GOD AND MAN. THE MAN CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS. BUT THE SPIRIT THAT GAVE THAT BODY LIFE LIVES FOREVERMORE. THAT BEING THE SPIRIT OF THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE SPIRIT OF THE ONLY ONE TRUE GOD WAS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD OR HUMANITY BACK TO HIMSELF, PAYING THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR OUR SINS ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY. AS RECORDED IN 2 CORINTHIANS.
II Corinthians 5:18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
JUST AS THE BIBLE AND JESUS HIMSELF PROCLAIMED HIM TO BE THE SON OF GOD. HE AND THE BIBLE ALSO PROCLAIM HIM TO BE THE FATHER AND ALSO THE COMFORTER OR THE HOLY GHOST WHICH WAS TO COME AND NOW IS. THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES MAY HELP US TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT INSTEAD OF A CATHOLICISM ORCHESTRATED TYPE OF TRIUNE GODHEAD WITH THREE SEPARATE PERSONS. THERE IS IN REALITY ONE GODHEAD WITH THREE OFFICES OR POSITIONS , OCCUPIED BY ONE SPIRIT. THAT SPIRIT BEING THE SPIRIT OF THE ONE AND ONLY LIVING GOD, WHO'S NAME IS JESUS.
1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
THE OFFICE OF THE SON OF GOD.
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And 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.
JESUS CHRIST THE MAN WAS THE SON OF GOD .THE OLD TESTAMENT PROCLAIMED IT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT RECORDS IT’S FULFILLMENT. THERE ARE OVER 300 PROPHESIES IN THE BIBLE THAT PROPHESY THAT GOD WOULD COME IN THE FLESH, OR THE COMING MESSIAH. WE HAVE LISTED BUT A FEW OF THEM IN THIS STUDY AND I CHALLENGE YOU, NOT TO SIMPLY ACCEPT THESE LISTED BUT PRAYERFULLY STUDY THEM ALL OUT IN THE WORD OF GOD AND ALLOW HIM TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. :19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
IT IS IMPORTANT HERE TO TAKE NOTE THAT THE WORD CHRIST MEANS ANOINTED ONE AND THE WORD LORD WHERE IT IS CAPITALIZED IN THE KING JAMES IS THE WORD USED FOR JEHOVAH. SO WHAT THE ANGEL WAS SAYING HERE WAS THE ONE THAT WAS BORN UNTO US THAT NIGHT, WAS INDEED THE LONG AWAITED SAVIOUR. THE LONG AWAITED MESSIAH, THE ANOINTED ONE, JEHOVAH. THE SAME SELF EXISTENT ALMIGHTY ETERNAL ONE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, COME IN THE FLESH IN THE FORM OF MAN TO REDEEM AND RECONCILE FALLEN MAN TO HIMSELF THROUGH THE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY.
JOHN 1 ALSO EXPLAINS CHRIST ONENESS, AND HOW HE IS THE LIVING WORD INCARNATE.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. 9 [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].
GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH;
NOTICE IT SAID THE WORD WAS GOD, AND IT SAID IN VERSE 10 HE WAS IN THE WORLD THE WORLD WAS MADE BY HIM AND THE WORLD KNEW HIM NOT. WE HAVE TO ASK WHO CREATED THE WORLD. GENESIS 1 SAYS IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE WORLD. WHO WAS IN THE WORLD AND WHO WAS CRUCIFIED? NO ONE ELSE BUT JESUS. THE BABE BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY THAT LAY IN THE MANGER WAS THE MIGHTY ETERNAL GOD OF CREATION OF GENESIS 1. HE WAS GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH .
I Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
II Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
JESUS WAS AND STILL IS THE ONLY ONE THAT FITS THE PROFILE.
ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST DO WE FIND A FULFILLMENT OF EVERY OLD TESTAMENT PROPHESY CONCERNING THE MESSIAH. TRULY AS PAUL WROTE IN COLOSSIANS 2, IN HIM STILL DWELLS ALL THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
GOD IS A SPIRIT AND THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. HE IS OMNIPRESENT. THAT IS HE CAN BE AND IS IN MORE PLACES THAN ONE AT THE SAME TIME. THE MAN JESUS OR THE BODY OF JESUS WAS AND STILL IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. HENCE THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. AS WAS PREVIOUSLY STATED CHRIST MEANS ANOINTED ONE OR MESSIAH (SAVIOR).
THE BODY THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD CREATED IN THE WOMB OF A WOMAN. TO COME AND DECLARE THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL SPIRIT OF ALMIGHTY GOD. AND TO PAY SINS PRICE ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY. RECONCILING A LOST CREATION BACK TO HIMSELF. HE WAS IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US IN THE FLESH. BECAUSE OF THE PRICE HE PAID, THE DOOR WAS OPENED FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD (HOLY GHOST) TO DWELL IN EACH OF US. AS WE WILL SEE A LITTLE FURTHER IN THIS STUDY, WE ARE NOT COMPLETE UNTIL WE RECEIVE THAT SPIRIT . ONLY BY RECEIVING HIS SPIRIT DO WE BECOME COMPLETE IN HIM.
THE DUAL NATURE OF CHRIST
SON OF MAN AND SON OF GOD
SOME ONE ASK ME ONE TIME IF JESUS WAS GOD WHO WAS HE PRAYING TO IN THE GARDEN. WHAT THEY AND MOST DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS THE FACT THAT HE WAS BOTH GOD AND MAN. HE HAD A DUAL NATURE, THE MAN STILL HAD TO SUBMIT THE FLESH TO THE SPIRIT JUST AS WE DO.
WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT MAKES A PERSON A PERSON? IS IT THEIR BODY OR IS IT THEIR SOUL, THEIR HUMAN SPIRIT ? OR IS IT BOTH BODY AND SOUL? MOST WOULD AGREE IT IS BOTH BODY AND SOUL. BUT OUR PERSON IS NOT COMPLETE WITH OUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN OUR SOUL. JESUS WAS THE MOST COMPLETE PERSON THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. BECAUSE HE WAS NO MERE MAN, HE WAS A GOD MAN. HE WAS BOTH FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN. BECAUSE AS WE HAVE READ, IN HIM DWELLS ALL THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY. HENCE AS WE WILL SEE IN THIS SECTION HE HAD A DUAL NATURE.
1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering
thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me .
A LITTLE OVER 2000 YEARS AGO IN A SMALL PROVIDENCE OF JUDEA CALLED BETHLEHEM THE MIRACLE OF MIRACLES WAS ABOUT TO UNFOLD. FOR NINE MONTHS PRIOR, THE SPIRIT OF THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD HAD OVERSHADOWED A YOUNG VIRGIN GIRL BY THE NAME OF MARY. DEITY HAD FUSED HIMSELF WITH HUMANITY AND A BABY BEGAN TO FORM IN THE WOMB OF A WOMAN. BUT NOT JUST ANY BABY, NOT JUST ANOTHER HUMAN, BUT A GOD MAN. A BODY THAT FOR THIRTY THREE AND A HALF YEARS WOULD HOUSE OR BE THE DWELLING PLACE FOR THE SPIRIT OF ALMIGHTY GOD, ON THIS EARTH. WHO HAD COME TO REDEEM MANKIND FROM HIS SINS AND SHAKE THE WORLD FROM CENTER TO CIRCUMFERENCE..
WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME AS A HEAVENLY HOST BEGAN TO SING AND THE LIGHT OF A STAR IN THE HEAVENS SPLIT THE SKIES OVER A STABLE IN BETHLEHEM. IMMANUEL (GOD WITH US) WAS BORN. AND THEY CALLED HIS NAME JESUS, THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. IMMANUEL WAS BORN. NO MORE WOULD HE DWELL IN AN EMPTY BOX OF GOLD MADE BY HUMAN HANDS, BUT A LIVING BREATHING ARK OF THE COVENANT. GOD WAS WITH US IN THE FLESH AND THE WORLD WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.
BECAUSE OF THIS MIRACLE, THIS DIVINE ACT , JESUS HAD A DUAL NATURE. AS MAN HE WAS BORN OF A WOMAN OF THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, FROM THE LINAGE OF DAVID. AS GOD THE FATHER OF THAT BODY AND ALL THINGS THAT BE, HE WAS FROM BEGINNING TO EVERLASTING. AS MAN HE FELT PAIN AND SORROW. AS GOD HE TOOK IT AWAY. AS MAN HE WALKED THIS EARTH SHOWING FORTH THE GLORY OF GOD. AS GOD HE CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. AS MAN HE WAS TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS LIKE US, BUT OVERCAME SIN. AS GOD HE COULD KNOW NO SIN. AS MAN HE CRIED OUT WHILE HE WAS ON THE CROSS ” I THIRST”. AS GOD HE IS THE LIVING WATER THAT TAKES AWAY THE THIRST OF OUR SOULS.
AS MAN HE ATTENDED A MARRIAGE IN CANA OF GALILEE. AS GOD HE CHANGED THE WATER TO WINE. AS MAN HE CROSSED THE WATERS IN A BOAT. AS GOD HE WALKED ON THE WATER THAT HE CREATED. AND SPOKE TO A TEMPEST PEACE BE STILL AND THE STORM CEASED. AS MAN HE WAS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL. AS GOD HE WENT ABOUT GIVING SIGHT TO THE BLIND, HEALING THE SICK, CAUSING THE LAME TO WALK AND CASTING OUT THE DEVILS. AS MAN HE WEPT AT THE ENTRANCE OF LAZARUS’ TOMB. AS GOD HE WAS AND IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE AND SPOKE THE WORDS, LAZARUS COME FORTH AND RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. (IT’S A GOOD THING HE CALLED HIM BY NAME OR THERE WOULD OF BEEN AN ENTIRE RESURRECTION).
AS A MAN HE PRAYED IN THE GARDEN IF IT BE POSSIBLE LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME BUT NEVER THE LESS NOT MY WILL BUT THY WILL BE DONE AND THEY LED HIM AWAY CAPTIVE. AS GOD HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE. AS MAN HE TOOK ON THE SINS OF THE WORLD.(That is he became the only acceptable sacrifice for the sin of mankind.) AS GOD HE FORGAVE AND STILL FORGIVES SIN. AS MAN THEY MOCKED, BEAT AND NAILED HIM TO A CROSS AND WHEN HE CRIED IT IS FINISHED AND GAVE UP THE GHOST, THEY BURIED HIM IN A TOMB. AS GOD ON THE THIRD DAY HE CAME FORTH VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH HELL AND THE GRAVE, WITH THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL AND HE LIVES FOREVER MORE.. TRULY AS WE HAVE READ IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF.
BEHOLD THE LAMB
Jn 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE GREATNESS OF THIS ACT OF LOVE, LET US GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING. WHEN ADAM AND EVE FELL IN THE GARDEN. GENESIS 1. THE SIN NATURE ENTERED INTO MAN AND BECAUSE OF THIS EVERY HUMAN THAT WOULD BE BORN FROM THAT TIME ON WAS AND IS BORN WITH THAT SIN NATURE. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. SO DEATH ENTERED INTO THE WORLD THROUGH THE FALL OF MAN. FROM THAT TIME ON GOD REQUIRED BLOOD AS A TEMPORARY ATONEMENT FOR SIN. WHICH REQUIRED THE DEATH OF A SPOTLESS LAMB. THAT IS GOD IMPLEMENTED A WAY FOR THOSE SINS TO BE ROLLED AHEAD FOR A YEAR THROUGH THE BLOOD OF A LAMB THAT WAS WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH. WHICH WAS A TYPE AND SHADOW OF THE ONE THAT WAS TO COME AND PAY SINS PRICE ONCE AND FOR ALL, THROUGH THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD. JESUS WAS THAT ONE. EVERY TIME A LAMB WAS OFFERED FROM THAT DAY FORWARD THEY WERE LOOKING TO THE ONE THAT WAS TO COME, THAT IS THEY WERE PLACING THERE FAITH IN GOD FOR THE ONE HE HAD PROMISED TO SEND.
JESUS WAS THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH. WITHOUT THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE CROSS THERE COULD NOT OF BEEN ANY RECONCILIATION FOR SIN. HERE ME WHEN I SAY. IT’S STILL THE CROSS. IT’S STILL THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THAT TAKES AWAY SIN. WITHOUT THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS THERE WOULD STILL BE NO FORGIVENESS FOR SIN. THERE WAS NOT THEN NOR IS THERE TODAY ANY OTHER WAY TO BE SAVED. WHAT CAN WASH AWAY OUR SINS ? NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS. HE IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. THE CHIEF CORNER STONE. THE MORTAR THAT HOLDS IT TOGETHER. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH MUST REST SOLELY IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY. IT IS THE THING THAT SAVES US AND IT IS THE THING THAT WILL KEEP US . SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION ONLY COMES THROUGH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, THAT HE SHED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY. AND OUR FAITH IN HIM WHO HE WAS AND THAT SACRIFICIAL ACT, WHAT HE THERE DID.
WHEN HE HUNG THERE ON THAT CROSS AS HIS BLOOD FLOWED FOR SINS ATONEMENT AND HIS BODY THAT HAD NEVER KNOWN SIN BEGAN TO TAKE ON THE SINS OF THE WORLD THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT COULD KNOW NO SIN DEPARTED FROM THAT BODY, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS NATURAL LIFE HE FELT THE HOPELESSNESS OF A LOST HUMANITY WITHOUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD, AND THE WORLD WONDERED AT THE WORDS, “FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO”. THAT BODY, THE MAN JESUS CRIED OUT IN DESPERATION “ ELI ELI LAMA SABACHTHANI “ THAT IS TO SAY MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME? THEN CAME THE WORDS THAT I BELIEVE TO THIS DAY SHAKES HELL TO IT’S CORE. HE CRIED “ IT IS FINISHED “ THUS BECOMING THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
LIKE WISE WE HAVE A DUAL NATURE. IT IS WRITTEN THAT TO EVERY MAN IS DEALT A MEASURE OF FAITH. WE ARE BORN WITH A SIN NATURE AND A FAITH NATURE. JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS. WE HAVE TO CHOOSE EACH DAY WHICH NATURE TO FOLLOW THE SIN NATURE OR THE FAITH NATURE. IE: THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH. THEY BOTH WAR CONTINUALLY AGAINST EACH OTHER. ONLY BY OUR ACCEPTANCE OF WHAT CHRIST DID FOR US ON THE CROSS AND OUR CONTINUALLY PLACING OUR FAITH IN HIM AND WHAT HE THERE DID FOR US, DO WE ATTAIN VICTORY OVER THE SIN NATURE IN OUR LIVES. THERE BY OPENING THE DOOR TO THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WORKS EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS. IT IS ONLY THROUGH OUR PLACING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. THAT SIN IS REMITTED AND IT IS ONLY THROUGH A CONTINUED FAITH IN HIM AND HIS SACRIFICE THAT WE WILL GAIN VICTORY OVER THE SIN NATURE. THROUGH THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF GOD, THROUGH THE WORKING OFFICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHICH WORKS EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS. HE EVER LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US.
JESUS CHRIST THE MAN DIED FOR OUR SINS AND THEY BURIED HIM IN A TOMB. BUT WAIT HE HAD A DUAL NATURE. AS IS WRITTEN SUDDENLY ON THAT THIRD DAY, THE SPIRIT QUICKENED THAT MORTAL BODY. THE PRICE HAD BEEN PAID VICTORY HAD BEEN WON AND DEITY CAME BACK TO CLAIM WHAT WAS HIS. THE EARTH QUAKED AND A STONE WAS ROLLED AWAY AND THE SON OF GOD, GOD IN THE FLESH CAME FORTH VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH HELL AND THE GRAVE . THUS JESUS FILLS THE OFFICE OF THE SON OF GOD.
CHAPTER 2
THE OFFICE OF THE FATHER;
JESUS PROCLAIMED HIMSELF AS THE FATHER, AS RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE.
John 10:30 {I and [my] Father are one.} 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, {Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?} 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, {Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?} 35 {If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;} 36 {Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?} 37 {If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.} 38 {But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.}
IF JESUS HAD MERELY BEEN STATING THAT HE AND THE FATHER WERE ONE IN AGREEMENT THE JEWS WOULD NOT HAVE TRIED TO STONE HIM. THEY KNEW HE WAS PROCLAIMING HIMSELF TO BE THE FATHER, THE EL-SHADI OR ALMIGHTY GOD. THE ETERNAL ONE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT . THE THING THAT THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND IN THAT DAY AND STILL MANY TODAY DO NOT UNDERSTAND, IS THAT MAN DID NOT BECOME GOD. BUT RATHER GOD BECAME MAN. AS WE HAVE READ IN 1 TIMOTHY 3:16 AS JESUS HIMSELF AND THE SCRIPTURES PROCLAIM.
John 12:45 {And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.} 46 {I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.}
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.} :7 {If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also; and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.} :8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. :9 Jesus saith unto him, {Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?} :10 {Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.} :11 {Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.}
IF I HAD TO PICK ONE SCRIPTURE THAT SAYS IT TO ME. IT WOULD BE THE ONE WE JUST READ. HOW MUCH PLANNER CAN YOU GET THAN THE STATEMENT JESUS MADE TO PHILIP IN VERSE 8. IF YOU SEE JESUS YOU’VE SEEN THE FATHER. FOR THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME. BODY AND SPIRIT FUSED TOGETHER FOR ONE PURPOSE, OUR SALVATION. NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED. THAT NAME IS JESUS.
THE NAME OF GOD
THE OLD TESTAMENT GIVES ACCOUNT, THAT GOD WOULD COME AND DWELL WITH HIS PEOPLE. IT ALSO DECLARES THAT THE ONE THAT WOULD COME WHICH WAS THE MESSIAH, WOULD DECLARE THE NAME OF GOD. ONE SUCH ACCOUNT IS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH.
Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore [they shall know] in that day that I [am] he that doth speak: behold, [it is] I.
JESUS HIMSELF PROCLAIMED IT IN John 5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
I’D LIKE TO STATE HERE THAT THE JEWS, THOSE RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THAT DAY KNEW WHO HE WAS. BUT THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT HIM, BECAUSE HE DID NOT LINE UP WITH THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. NO MATTER THAT HE DID LINE UP WITH THE WORD OF GOD. MOSSES AND ALL THE PROPHETS BORE HIM WITNESS. HE WAS THE LIVING WORD INCARNATE. I’M AFRAID THE MODERN CHURCH IS AT THE SAME PLACE TODAY. THEY CLING MORE TO TEACHINGS THAT HAVE LEFT THE TRUE WORD OF GOD. WITHOUT THE FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS THERE IS NO SALVATION. IF YOU LEAVE THE TRUE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. THERE IS NO HOPE NO MATTER HOW MANY PROGRAMS YOU COME UP WITH. GOD ONLY HAS ONE PROGRAM, JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.
BACK TO OUR STUDY ANOTHER ACCOUNT IS FOUND IN,
Ezekiel 43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
AND YET ANOTHER PROPHECY OF THIS
Zechariah 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughters of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. 11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee
Zechariah 8:3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
Zechariah 8:8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING , MAN HAD SOUGHT THE NAME OF GOD. THEY HAD ONLY A GROUP OF LETTERS THAT COULD NOT BE PRONOUNCED, YHWH. IN WHICH THEY GOT THE NAME YEHOVAH OR JEHOVAH WHICH MEANT THE SELF EXISTENT ETERNAL ONE. THEY CALLED HIM IN THEIR LANGUAGE EL WHICH MEANT GOD, ABRAHAM CALLED HIM EL-SHADI OR ALMIGHTY GOD. JACOB WHEN HE WRESTLED WITH HIM AT PENIEL, IN GENESIS 32, ASK, SAYING; TELL ME I PRAY THEE THY NAME. IN WHICH HE REPLIED WHY DO YOU ASK AFTER MY NAME SEEING IT IS SECRET. MOSES ALSO ASKED IN EXODUS 3 IN WHICH GOD REPLIED EHEYAH ASHER EHEYAH OR I AM THAT I AM. BUT STILL NO NAME. ISAIAH SPOKE THE NATURE OF IT WHEN HE PROPHESIED OF HIS COMING, WHEN HE SAID THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL WHICH MEANT GOD WITH US.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
STILL THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE NAME SO THEY ADDED SUBTITLES TO PROCLAIM WHAT HE DID AND WHAT HE WAS TO THEM. WHICH WERE MERELY TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP.
JESUS FILLS THE ROLE OF THE SUBTITLES OF GOD
IN THE LIFE OF JESUS WE FIND FULFILLMENT OF THE SUBTITLES OF THE LIVING GOD. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THEY CALLED HIM, JEHOVAH; THE ETERNAL ONE, THEY ADDED SUB TITLES AND CALLED HIM, JEHOVAH-Jireh; THE LORD WILL PROVIDE, OR THE PROVIDER OF THE SACRIFICE. WE FIND A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS IN GENESIS 22. WHEN ABRAHAM AND ISAAC WERE ON MT. MORIAH. ISAAC LOOKED AT HIS FATHER AND SAID I SEE THE FIRE AND THE WOOD BUT WHERE IS THE LAMB FOR THE SACRIFICE ? IN WHICH HIS FATHER IN FAITH REPLIED, MY SON GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF A LAMB FOR THE SACRIFICE. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT JESUS DID FOR US SOME 2000 YEARS AGO. WE HAD NO HOPE, WE WERE DOOMED. SIN HAD SEPARATED US FROM GOD OUR CREATOR. BUT THE GOD OF GLORY STEPPED DOWN FROM HIS THRONE OF GLORY, IN THE FORM OR OFFICE OF THE SON (MAN) AND BECAME THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, WHEN HE STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS AND THEY NAILED HIM TO A CROSS FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
DAVID PROPHESIED OF THIS IN, Psalms 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
PAUL REMINDED US OF IT IN, Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
IF YOU WANT AN EXPLANATION OF SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, THERE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF TRUE GRACE. IT WAS THROUGH THE DEVINE GRACE OF GOD THAT JESUS DIED FOR US. AND IT IS THROUGH OUR CONTINUED FAITH IN THAT ACTION. THAT DEVINE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS THAT GRACE IS CONTINUALLY EXTENDED TO US.
IN JESUS WAS MANIFESTED EVERY OLD TESTAMENT SUBTITLE THAT WAS
GIVEN. THEY ALSO CALLED HIM JEHOVAH-nissi, THE LORD MY BANNER, OR VICTORY. THEY SAID HE WAS JEHOVAH-rapha, THE LORD THAT HEALS. JEHOVAH-shalom, THE LORD OUR PEACE. THIS IS JUST A FEW WE COULD GO ON AND ON AND STILL IN JESUS WE WILL FIND A FULFILLMENT OF THEM ALL.
ISAIAH PROPHESIED ABOUT HIM IN; Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
HE IS JEHOVAH-jireh BECAUSE HE BECAME THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, HE IS JEHOVAH-nissi BECAUSE ON THE THIRD DAY HE CAME FORTH VICTORIOUS FROM THE GRAVE WITH THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL. HE LIVED WAS CRUCIFIED AND BURIED, BUT NOW HE LIVES FOR EVER MORE. HE IS JEHOVAH-shalom BECAUSE HE CARRIED THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE UPON HIM THUS HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE. HE IS JEHOVAH-rapha BECAUSE WHEN THEY TIED HIM TO A WHIPPING POST AND BEAT HIM THIRTY NINE TIMES WITH A CAT OF NINE TAILS, HE BORE THE STRIPES FOR OUR HEALING . ONLY IN HIM IS DISPLAYED THE TRUE NATURE OF AN ALMIGHTY EVER LOVING EVER CARING, ALL KNOWING, SELF EXISTENT, ETERNAL LIVING GOD. HIS NAME IS JESUS AND HE IS OUR SALVATION . AS WE HAVE SAW AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS STUDY AND AS STATED IN HIS HOLY WORD.
Colossians 2 :9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
“NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER. FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED. “
IN ISAIAH 7:14 HE STATED THAT HE WOULD BE CALLED IMMANUEL WHICH MEANT GOD WITH US. THEY CALLED HIM JEHOVAH WHICH WAS PRONOUNCED JESHUA, WHICH MEANT THE SELF EXISTENT, ETERNAL ONE. BUT IT WASN'T THE NAME. WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME WAS COME GOD FULFILLED THOSE PROPHESIES, WHEN HE ROBED HIMSELF IN FLESH AND CAME BORN OF A VIRGIN. AS WE HAVE READ IN THE PROPHESIES OF ISAIAH AND AS IS RECORDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women. 29 And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
IN ALL ACTUALITY WHEN THE ANGEL PROCLAIMED IT TO MARY HE SAID THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME JEHOSHUA. WHICH MEANT JEHOVAH SAVES OR THE ETERNAL ONE HAS BECOME YOUR SALVATION. THE LORD THAT SAVES. IN ENGLISH, THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS. HE HAS BECOME YOUR SALVATION. AGAIN JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO COULD POSSIBLY FULFILL THOSE PROPHECIES. BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO'S BIRTH, LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION, FITS THE PROFILE OF WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE. HENCE JESUS FILLS THE OFFICE OF THE FATHER. AND PROCLAIMS THE NAME OF GOD. IT’S NO WONDER PETER COULD MAKE SUCH A PROFOUND STATEMENT IN ACTS 4:12 WHEN HE SAID “ NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN WHERE BY WE MUST BE SAVED.
SPEAKING OF JESUS PAUL IN HIS LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI PENNED THESE WORDS
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
IN HIS LETTER TO THE HEBREWS HE WROTE THESE WORDS:
Hebrews 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
NOTICE IN VERSE 3 PAUL LET US KNOW JESUS WAS THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD THE SAME BRIGHTNESS THAT MOSES SOUGHT AFTER WHEN HE SAID SHOW ME THY GLORY. IN WHICH GOD SAID KNOW MAN HAS SEEN ME AND LIVED SO HE PUT HIS HAND OVER MOSES’ EYES AND ALLOWED HIM TO SEE HIS BACK SIDE AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD MOVED BY. IT GOES ON TO SAY JESUS WAS THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON, NOT ONE OF THE PERSONS BUT THE EXPRESS OR ONLY IMAGE OF GOD’S PERSON. ONE GOD ONE PERSON. COMPARE THAT TO WHAT JESUS TOLD PHILIP IN JOHN 14:8-11 THAT WE READ AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CHAPTER. HENCE JESUS FILLS THE OFFICE OF THE FATHER. HE WAS THE FATHER COME IN THE FLESH AND HE PROCLAIMS THE TRUE NAME OF GOD SOUGHT AFTER BY MAN SINCE THE BEGINNING.
THAT NAME IS HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER NAME BECAUSE THAT NAME REPRESENTS THE GOD THAT PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR OUR SINS AND GAVE US THE VICTORY OVER ANY THING THE DEVIL OR THIS WORLD CAN THROW AT US. TRULY IT IS IN HIM WE LIVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD. THE ALPHA AND OMEGA THE BEGINNING AND THE END. AS ISAIAH SO WONDERFULLY WROTE TO US . THE WONDERFUL COUNSELLOR THE MIGHTY GOD THE EVERLASTING FATHER AND THE PRINCE OF PEACE. IMMANUEL GOD WITH US IN THE FLESH! HIS NAME IS JESUS. THE ETERNAL ONE HAS BECOME OUR SALVATION. AGAIN TRULY PETER STATED IT CORRECTLY IN ACTS 4 WHEN HE STATED:
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
THAT NAME IS JESUS CHRIST!!
CHAPTER 3
THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY GHOST IE: HOLY SPIRIT
THE WORKING OFFICE OF CHRIST (GOD”S) SPIRIT IN MAN
JESUS PROCLAIMED HIMSELF TO BE THE COMFORTER OR THE HOLY GHOST WHICH WAS TO COME AND WAS FULFILLED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST. JOHN RECORDS HIS PROPHECIES OF THIS GREAT EVENT.
John 14:13 {And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.} 14 {If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].} 15 {If ye love me, keep my commandments.} 16 {And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;} 17 { [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.} 18 {I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.} 19 {Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.}20 {At that day ye shall know that I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.} 21 {He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.}
AFTER THIS HE COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO WAIT FOR THIS PROMISE. WHICH IS ALSO ANOTHER SCRIPTURE THAT DECLARES HIM TO BE THE FATHER. ACTS 1:4 RECORDS THE ACCOUNT.
Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, {which,} [saith he], {ye have heard of me.} 5 {For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.}
HE ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE POWER AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST AND THAT THEY WOULD BE WITNESSES TO THE WHOLE WORLD OF THE HAPPENING, (ACTS 1:8). ACTS 2 RECORDS THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROMISE. THINK ABOUT THIS. JESUS COULD OF TALKED ABOUT ANYTHING THAT DAY. BUT THE LAST WORDS OF GOD BEFORE HE ASCENDED BACK INTO HEAVEN WAS WAIT FOR THE PROMISE. HIS LAST COMMANDMENT TO HIS TROOPS WAS WAIT FOR THE RESURRECTING POWER OF MY SPIRIT. THE WORD FOR COMMAND WE FIND HEAR IS FROM THE GREEK WORD paraggelloô par-ang-gel'-lo to transmit a message, that is, (by
implication) to enjoin:—(give in) charge, (give) command (-ment), declar .
IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A MILITARY COMMAND. THAT WAS THE IMPORTANCE FOR THEM TO RECEIVE IT THEN AND IT IS THAT IMPORTANT FOR US AS BELIEVERS NOW.
ACTS 1 GIVES US THE RECORD OF WHO WAS ASSEMBLED IN THAT UPPER ROOM PRIOR TO THE OUT POURING OF THE HOLY GHOST. ONE OF THEM WAS MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS. NOW HERE’S A BRAIN TWISTER FOR YOU. SHE WAS OVERSHADOWED BY THE HOLY GHOST, HE WAS INSIDE HER WHEN HE WAS BORN HE CAME OUT OF HER. BUT WHEN SHE WAS BORN AGAIN SHE WAS FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT. HE WAS BACK INSIDE HER AGAIN AND SHE WAS IN HIM. THERE IS NO WAY NICODEMUS COULD OF UNDERSTOOD THE WEIGHT OF THE QUESTION HE ASK JESUS IN JOHN 3. WHEN HE SAID LORD HOW CAN A MAN BE BORN AGAIN? CAN HE ENTER A SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHERS WOMB. JESUS PROBABLY THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, I’M GOING TOO. PRAISE GOD WHEN WE RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES AS HIS SPIRIT GIVES THE UTTERANCE, WE ARE IN HIM AND HE IS IN US. GLORY TO HIS NAME. NOW THAT’S SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT.
LETS LOOK AT ONE OF THE PROPHESIES CONCERNING THIS. THE MOST NOTABLE ONE PROBABLY BEING FOUND IN THE BOOK OF JOEL.
Joel 2:27 And ye shall know that I [am] in the midst of Israel, and [that] I [am] the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. :28 And it shall come to pass afterward,[that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: :29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. :30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. :31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. :32 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
ACTS 2 RECORDS THE FULFILLMENT;
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day. 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 2:21 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 2:29 Men [and] brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 2:37 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
NOTICE IN VERSE 32 THAT PETER STATED THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. INTERESTING WHEN COMPARED TO JESUS’ ON WORDS IN JOHN 2:19 WHEN HE TOLD THE PHARISEES “ DESTROY THIS TEMPLE AND IN THREE DAYS I WILL RAISE IT UP AGAIN “.
PAUL WROTE IN ROMANS 8 “IF ANY HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST HE IS NONE OF HIS”. HE THEN WENT ON TO SAY “BUT IF THE SPIRIT OF THE ONE THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD BE IN YOU, HE SHALL IN LIKE MANNER QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES”.BY THIS WE CAN CLEARLY SEE HOW JESUS IS NOT ONLY FULLY GOD AND MAN, BUT HOW HE HIMSELF AND THE BIBLE DECLARES HIM TO BE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST.
IT'S NO WONDER THAT PAUL WROTE IT LIKE THIS IN HIS LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS.
Ephesians 4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
AND ITS NO WONDER THAT MOSES COULD WRITE IN Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: OR AS GOD SPOKE THESE WORDS, ISAIAH COULD WRITE IN, ISAIAH 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].
THE ONLY THING THAT THE OMNI POTENANT , OMNI-PRESENT , ALL CARING ALL-KNOWING GOD DOES NOT KNOW, IS ANOTHER GOD. FOR THERE TO BE MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE GODHEAD WOULD BE A DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO HIS WORD AND NATURE . HE IS A JEALOUS GOD AND WILL NOT SHARE HIS THRONE WITH ANOTHER.
Hosea 13:4 Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no savior beside me.
WITH THESE THINGS IN MIND WE CAN TRULY SEE HOW AS WE HAVE READ IN 2 CORINTHIANS GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF. WHEN JESUS WAS BORN, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS COME TO PAY SINS PRICE. THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO RECONCILE A LOST HUMANITY BACK TO HIMSELF.
THERE IS NO SAVIOR BESIDES HIM. HE IS THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLY GHOST, THE COMFORTER WHICH WAS TO COME AND NOW IS. HE IS A GOD OF HIS WORD, TRULY AS HE PROMISED, HE WILL NOT LEAVE US COMFORTLESS BUT AS HE DID THEN HE IS STILL INFILLING HUNGRY SOULS, THAT HE PAID THE PRICE TO REDEEM BACK TO HIM WITH HIS ON BLOOD. HE IS STILL FILLING US WITH HIS SPIRIT. THE HOLY GHOST. CHRIST IN YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY.
GOD IS A SPIRIT,
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN GOD, ACCEPT THROUGH CHRIST. AS WE HAVE READ WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME WAS COME, DEITY FUSED HIMSELF WITH HUMANITY IN THE WOMB OF THE VIRGIN WHO’S NAME WAS MARY AND JESUS WAS BORN. IMMANUEL, GOD WAS WITH US IN THE FLESH.
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].
I John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
LIKE A SONG OF OLD STATES, HE'S JESUS CHRIST THE FATHER, HE'S JESUS CHRIST THE SON, HE'S JESUS CHRIST THE HOLY GHOST AND ALL THESE THREE ARE ONE. I KNOW GOD IS GOD AND HE ALWAYS WILL BE GOD.
THE SCRIPTURE DECLARES HIM THE FATHER IN CREATION FOR HE CREATED (IS THE FATHER) OF ALL THINGS. AS WE HAVE SEEN IN JOHN 1:3. HE WAS THE SON IN MANIFESTATION , REDEMPTION AND RECONCILIATION AS DECLARED IN 1st TIMOTHY 3:16 AND HE IS THE HOLY GHOST IN REGENERATION AND SANCTIFICATION , AS HAPPENED IN ACTS 2,ACTS 8,ACTS 10,ACTS 19, AND AS STATED IN TITUS 3. AND WHICH IS STILL HAPPENING TODAY.
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
IN HIM IS THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY. AND WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM WHO HAS PURCHASED US BACK WITH HIS OWN BLOOD. HE IS THE HEAD OVER ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
REALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT JESUS WAS EITHER GOD OR A BLASPHEMER . IF JESUS WASN’T GOD, THEN WHY DID HE ALLOW PEOPLE TO WORSHIP HIM AS GOD ?
WHEN JESUS RODE INTO JERUSALEM ON THE BACK OF A DONKEY IN WHAT WE KNOW NOW AS PALM SUNDAY. FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALMIGHTY GOD WAS PHYSICALLY ENTHRONED BEFORE HIS PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE RECOGNIZED IT AND BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM AS SUCH AND CRY OUT HOSANNA HOSANNA, BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZED THAT A KING HAD COME INTO THEIR MIDST. AND THEY WORSHIPED HIM.
THOMAS IS KNOWN AS DOUBTING THOMAS AND EVEN HE, WHEN JESUS APPEARED TO HIM AND SAID THOMAS REACH FORTH THY HAND AND STICK IT INTO MY SIDE WHERE THEY PIERCED ME AND SEE THAT IT IS I. IT SAYS THOMAS SAID MY LORD AND MY GOD.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
EVEN MORE THAN THAT THE ANGELS WERE CREATED TO WORSHIP AND SERVE GOD AND EVEN THE ANGELS WORSHIP HIM.
HEBREWS 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE ANSWER . HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD. HIS NAME IS JESUS AND HE IS MIGHTY! TO HIM BE GLORY AND HONOR FOR EVER AND EVER, AMEN.
HE IS THE COMFORTER OR HOLY GHOST THAT WAS TO COME AND NOW IS. HE IS OUR REDEEMER BY HIS ON BLOOD. HE IS OUR SANCTIFIER THE ONE WHO’S BLOOD SAVES AND SANCTIFY’S US. AS WE PLACE OUR CONTINUED FAITH IN HIM. WE CANNOT LIVE A HOLY ENOUGH LIFE TO DO IT ON OUR OWN. WE CANNOT PLACE OUR FAITH IN OUR WORKS. THEY MUST CONTINUALLY BE PLACED IN HIM AND HIS FINISHED WORK ON CALVARY’S CROSS. AS WE DO HIS BLOOD IS APPLIED AND HIS SPIRIT THROUGH THE WORKING OFFICE OF THE HOLY GHOST WORKS IN US. THUS THE ON GOING PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION .
CHAPTER 4
THE SOVEREIGNNESS OF THE GODHEAD
ONE THRONE AND ONE GOD ON THAT THRONE
Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SCRIPTURES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT TELL OF THE SOVEREIGNNESS OF THE GODHEAD. IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS WE CONCENTRATED ON HOW JESUS WAS AND STILL IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD FILL THE OFFICES OF THAT ONE GOD. IN THIS CHAPTER WE WILL LOOK AT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SCRIPTURES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT PROCLAIM HIS SOVEREIGNNESS.
GENESIS 1 BEGINS AS FOLLOWS, Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
AND SO ON IT GOES, NOTICE IT STARTS OUT AS GOD SAID. NOT THE gods SAID. EVERYWHERE WE READ IT'S GOD SAID THIS OR THAT. NOWHERE DO WE READ OF HIM TAKING COUNSEL OR ASKING ANYONE ELSE ADVICE. BUT IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS GOD AND IN THE END IT WILL BE GOD. ALONE AND SOVEREIGN.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SCRIPTURAL ACCOUNTS OF GOD PROCLAIMING HIS SOVEREIGNNESS TO AND THROUGH HIS SERVANT MOSES, AND HIS PROPHET ISAIAH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Deuteronomy 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he [is] God; [there is] none else beside him.
Deuteronomy 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider [it] in thine heart, that the LORD he [is] God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: [there is] none else.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou[art] mine. Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior: I gave Egypt [for] thy ransom, Ethiopia
and Seba for thee.
Isaiah 43:10 Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no savior. 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God.
Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.
THIS PARTICULAR SCRIPTURE IS INTERESTING WHEN WE COMPARE IT TO JOHN'S WRITING IN Revelation 1:8 {I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,} saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:11 Saying, {I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:} and, {What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.}
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, {Fear not; I am the first and the last:} 18 {I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.}
THESE TWO WRITERS UNDER THE ANOINTING OF GOD PROCLAIM THE SAME THING. INTERESTING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THEIR WRITINGS ARE NEARLY 1000 YEARS APART. NOTICE IN ISAIAH 43:11, GOD REFERS TO HIMSELF AS OUR ONLY SAVIOR. THE ONLY SAVIOR THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN WAS AND STILL IS JESUS CHRIST. REVELATION 1:18 STATED HE WAS THE ONE THAT LIVED WAS DEAD BUT IS ALIVE FOR EVER MORE. WHO ELSE BUT JESUS FITS THE DESCRIPTION HERE. AS THE SCRIPTURE ITSELF SAYS NONE ELSE. HE IS THE GREAT I AM. AT THIS POINT WE WILL CONTINUE OUR STUDY OF HIS REVELATION TO HIS PROPHET ISAIAH. Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Isaiah 45:5 I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.
Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.
Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; [there is] none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.
Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me,
Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, [even] for mine own sake, will I do [it]: for how should [my name] be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. 12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I [am] he; I [am] the first, I also [am] the last.
Isaiah 48:17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER SCRIPTURES THAT SPEAK MUCH THE SAME THINGS. BUT BY THESE WE CAN SEE HOW GOD SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING OF TIME PROCLAIMED HIS SOVEREIGNNESS. HE IS A JEALOUS GOD, AND HE WILL NOT SHARE HIS THRONE OR GLORY WITH ANY ONE ELSE. IN ALL ACTUALITY THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE INSTANCE TO WHERE ANYONE TRIED TO EXALT HIMSELF TO THE THRONE OF GOD AND WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM. IT WAS HIS UGLY SPIRIT THAT BEGUILED EVE, WHEN HE SAID, IF YOU EAT THIS FRUIT YOU SHALL BE LIKE GOD. BUT INSTEAD SIN AND DEATH ENTERED INTO THE WORLD AND THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE SUFFERED.
AGAIN IT WAS THIS SPIRIT THAT CONTROLLED THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE IN GENESIS 11, WHEN THEY SAID WE WILL BUILD US A TOWER THAT REACHES UNTO HEAVEN. GOD CAME AND SAW THEIR WICKEDNESS AND CONFOUNDED THEIR LANGUAGE AND SCATTERED THEM.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT IN THE BIBLE IS FOUND IN 2 CHRONICLES 26. AT THIS TIME UZZIAH WAS KING OF JUDAH, GOD HAD BLESSED KING UZZIAH GREATLY, BUT THE BIBLE LETS US KNOW, HIS FAME WENT TO HIS HEAD. AND HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP TO HIS DESTRUCTION. HE BEGAN TO THINK HE WAS EQUAL TO GOD, SO HE WENT INTO THE TEMPLE IN DIRECT REBELLION TO GOD'S COMMANDMENTS. THE PRIEST BEGGED HIM NOT TO, BUT IT SAYS EVEN AS THEY SPOKE, LEPROSY APPEARED ON HIM. GOD SMOTE HIM AND HE DIED OF LEPROSY. GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD, HE WILL NOT SHARE HIS THRONE WITH ANYONE OR ANYTHING ELSE. THERE IS STILL ONE THRONE AND ONE SITTING ON THAT THRONE AND THAT ONE IS THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, WHO'S NAME IS JESUS.
IT'S NO WONDER ISAIAH WROTE IN Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.
IF YOU WANT AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY, THERE IT IS. HE IS A THRICE HOLY GOD. OPERATING AND REACHING OUT TO MAN IN THE OFFICES OF FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST. ONE PERSON, ONE SPIRIT, ONE GOD ALONE AND SOVEREIGN.
THE VERY WORD SOVEREIGN IS DEFINED IN THE WEBSTERS DICTIONARY AS MEANING, CHIEF, SUPREME, ABOVE ALL OTHERS, HAVING SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY.
WE CAN SEE BY THIS DEFINITION THAT FOR THERE TO BE MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE GODHEAD WOULD BE A DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO THE VERY NATURE OF GOD HIMSELF. GOD STATED IN ISAIAH 48:11 THAT HE WOULD NOT GIVE HIS GLORY TO ANOTHER. HE ALONE IS SUPREME, HE ALONE IS HOLY, AND HE ALONE HAS ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY. SO IF JESUS IS BUT A PART OF A TRIUNE GODHEAD HOW COULD HE PROCLAIM TO HAVE ALL POWER AS WRITTEN IN, Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, {All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.}
NOTICE HOW THIS COMPARES TO WHAT DAVID SAID WHEN HE PRAYED TO GOD IN I Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness; and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
DAVID STATED GOD HAD ALL POWER, JESUS PROCLAIMED TO HAVE ALL POWER, ONLY ONE BEING CAN POSSES ALL POWER IT CANNOT BE DIVIDED. NOTICE IN VERSE 12 DAVID SAID GOD REIGNS OVER ALL .
LETS COMPARE THIS TO WHAT THE ANGEL PROCLAIMED TO MARY.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. :32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? :35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
ONLY ONE PERSON CAN REIGN OVER ANY ONE THING, YOU GET MORE THAN ONE TRYING TO BE BOSS YOU'VE GOT TROUBLE. FURTHERMORE GOD WON'T STAND FOR IT. SATAN TRIED THAT AND LOOK WHERE IT GOT HIM. ANOTHER INTERESTING THING WE SEE HERE IS WHEN MARY ASK THE ANGEL HOW THIS WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE, SEEING SHE KNEW NO MAN. HE SAID THE HOLY GHOST IS GOING TO COME UPON YOU, AND THE POWER OF THE HIGHEST SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU. MATTHEW'S ACCOUNT SAYS THE THING WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY GHOST. NOW IF THERE IS REALLY THREE SEPARATE PERSONS AS THE TRIUNE THEORY SUGGEST. IF THERE REALLY IS THREE SEPARATE BEINGS AND GOD THE FATHER IS JESUS' FATHER, AND HE BEING HIS SON IS ANOTHER SEPARATE DEITY, AND THE HOLY GHOST IS YET ANOTHER DEITY IN THE GODHEAD. WHY DID MARY CONCEIVE OF THE HOLY GHOST ?
WHO THEN WOULD BE JESUS' FATHER? THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE ANSWER, THERE IS ONE GOD THAT OCCUPIED THREE OFFICES.
THE FATHER IN CREATION, BECAUSE HE CREATED ALL THINGS. THE SOVEREIGN, SELF EXISTENT, ETERNAL ONE. TRULY AS HE PROCLAIMED “BEFORE ALL THINGS WAS I AM” .THE SON IN MANIFESTATION AND REDEMPTION BECAUSE IN HIM WAS MANIFEST TO ALL MANKIND THE FULLNESS OF GOD AND BECAUSE HIS BLOOD THAT WAS SHED ON CALVARY’S CROSS PAID REDEMPTIONS PRICE. BECAUSE IT WAS THE PURE BLOOD OF A SINLESS GOD. THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH THAT HAD BECOME FLESH DWELT AMONG US AND TOOK ON HIMSELF THE SINS OF THE WORLD. THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO NOTE HERE, THAT WITHOUT THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE CROSS THERE WOULD BE NO HOPE OF REGENERATION. ONLY THE SINLESS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST COULD OF PAID SINS PRICE AND OPEN THE DOOR THAT ALLOWED GRACE TO FLOW FROM THE THRONE OF GOD. HE IS THE DOOR AND HIS BLOOD IS THE KEY THAT OPENS IT. ONLY WHEN A PERSON ACKNOWLEDGES HIM AND ACCEPTS WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY REPENTING OF OUR SINS CAN WE BE RECONCILED TO A HOLY GOD.
THE HOLY GHOST IN RECONCILIATION AND SANCTIFICATION.
BECAUSE THROUGH THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (THE BLOOD OF CHRIST) AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST (Titus 3:5)THAT LOST HUMANITY IS RECONCILED TO A HOLY GOD. AS IS WRITTEN IN COLLOSIANS 2:10, WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM WHICH IS HEAD OF ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER. HIS NAME IS JESUS HE IS GOD AND HE IS MIGHTY.
TO RENEW SOMETHING MEANS TO RECEIVE SOMETHING BACK THAT ONE PREVIOUSLY HAD. IT IS A RESTORATION TO AN ORIGINAL STATE. THAT SOMETHING WS THE BREATH OF LIFE. THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT WAS LOST IN THE GARDEN WHEN MAN FELL FROM GRACE.
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
NOTE: THE WORD FOR WASHING WE FIND HERE IS; G3067 ëïõôñüí , loutron , loo-tron' From G3068; a bath, that is, (figuratively) baptism:—washing.
THE WORD FOR REGENERATION IS; G3824 ðáëéããåíåóßá , paliggenesia , pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah . (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), that is, spiritual renovation; specifically Messianic restoration:—
regeneration.
Collosians 1: 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
NOTICE VERSE 13 IF WE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH WE SHALL DIE . THIS GOES FAR BEYOND NATURAL DEATH (THE FIRST DEATH). IT IS TALKING ABOUT THE SECOND DEATH THAT IS RESERVED FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED CHRIST. IT ALSO GOES BEYOND LIVING A LIFE OF SIN. THAT IS A WAY OF THE FLESH. BUT TO LIVE AFTER THE FLESH IS PUTTING OUR FAITH IN THE WORKS OF OUR OWN FLESH. THEREBY MAKING THE CROSS OF CHRIST OF NONE EFFECT IN OUR LIVES. THAT IS WHERE WE FIND A LOT OF THE MODERN CHURCH TODAY. IT IS WHERE WE GET THE MENTALITY OF WELL I DON’T DO THIS OUR I DON’T DO THAT. GREATER THAN THAT SIN, IS THE ONE WELL I DO THIS OR I DO THAT. IE: I DON’T SMOKE, I DON’T DO DRUGS, I DON’T DRINK. I’M A GOOD PERSON, I GO TO CHURCH, I PAY MY TITHES. FAITH IN OUR OWN WORKS. HONEY THOSE ARE DEAD WORKS WITHOUT CHRIST. THEY WILL LEAD TO SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND CONDEMNATION. OUR FAITH MUST REST SQUARELY AND SOLELY IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. YES WE MUST BY THE LEADING OF THE HOLY GHOST DO THE WORKS HE COMMANDS US TO DO. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. BUT OUR FAITH IS NEVER TO BE IN THOSE WORKS. THEN DO WE THROUGH THE SPIRIT MORTIFY (TO KILL TO OVERCOME) THE WORKS OF THE FLESH, (THE DEEDS OF THE BODY). THUS THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE CROSS THROUGH THE OPERATION OR OFFICE OF THE HOLY GHOST. CHRIST SPIRIT IN YOU. HE DOES THE WORK. THE HOPE OF GLORY.
CHAPTER 5
THE MISSION,
IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED, THE SOVEREIGNNESS OF GOD, AND HOW THAT SAME GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIM. HENCE JESUS CHRIST (WHO HE WAS AND IS). WE’VE SEEN HOW THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD REST IN HIM AND HOW HE FILLS THE OFFICES OF FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST. IN THIS CHAPTER WE HOPE TO REVEAL TO YOU THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST' MISSION ON EARTH. (JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED)( THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS).
AS WE HAVE SAW. GOD'S HOLY WORD PROCLAIMS GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF. JESUS HIMSELF STATED IN, Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
WE WERE CREATED TO HAVE COMMUNION WITH GOD, IT WAS HIS PLAN AT THE BEGINNING, TO CREATE A BEING TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH AND SO AT THE BEGINNING AS RECORDED, GOD CREATED MAN.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
AS IT IS WRITTEN GOD WOULD COME DOWN AT THE COOL OF THE EVENING AND WALK IN THE GARDEN, AND HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS CREATION. BUT SUDDENLY ONE DAY SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT. THAT SOMETHING WAS THE SIN WHICH THEY HAD COMMITTED. THAT SIN SEPARATED THEM AND BROKE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
CHRIST MISSION IN COMING, WAS TO RECONCILE A LOST CREATION WITH THEIR GOD. WAY BACK AT THE BEGINNING, GOD IN HIS INFINITE WISDOM, FORESAW THE FALL OF MAN AND HE ALREADY HAD A PLAN TO RESTORE US TO HIM.
THE THING THAT SEPARATED US FROM THE REST OF THE THINGS GOD CREATED, WAS WHEN GOD CREATED US HE CREATED US IN HIS IMAGE . HE GAVE US A SOUL OR A DWELLING PLACE FOR HIS SPIRIT. HE BREATHED INTO MAN'S NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL. THAT BREATH OF LIFE WAS THE BREATH OF GOD. THAT IS IT REPRESENTS HIS SPIRIT.
THE HEBREW WORD FOR BREATH THAT WE FIND HERE IS; NESHAMAH, WHICH MEANS, A PUFF, WIND, BREATH, DIVINE INSPIRATION, A SOUL , OR A SPIRIT. THUS, WHEN MAN SINNED, GOD'S SPIRIT BEING THAT OF A HOLY RIGHTEOUS GOD, WHICH COULD KNOW NO SIN, DEPARTED. THAT BREATH OF LIFE DEPARTED. LEAVING MAN'S SOUL LOST, SEPARATED FROM GOD, AND EMPTY.
THAT'S WHY THERE IS A LONGING IN EVERY SOUL THAT IS BORN. A VOID THAT CAN NEVER BE FILLED NOR SATISFIED, UNTIL THEY SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO GOD. THROUGH FAITH IN WHO JESUS WAS AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS. (WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS). IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. THE ACCEPTED SACRIFICE FOR LOST CREATION. IT IS THE SAME TODAY ,THAT SACRIFICE IS STILL A FINISHED AND ACCEPTED WORK OF REDEMPTION. CONTINUED FAITH IN THAT FINISHED WORK IS THE ONLY MEANS OF SALVATION. AND THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE DOOR TO THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF CHRIST SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER .
TO NOT ACCEPT THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS, AND LOOK FOR ANOTHER WAY OF SALVATION IS BLASPHEMY . THAT’S WHY GOD’S WORD TELLS US IF ANY ONE TRY’S TO COME UP ANOTHER WAY HE IS A THIEF AND ROBBER. IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SAYING I AM ABOVE GOD. THAT’S WHY THOSE JEWS AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THAT DAY COMMITTED THE HIGHEST OF BLASPHEMY. WHEN THEY REJECTED CHRIST, THEY WERE PUTTING THEMSELVES ABOVE GOD. REJECTING A SACRIFICE THAT GOD HAD ACCEPTED.
THAT IS WHY THE ONLY MEANS OF SALVATION IS TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST WHO HE WAS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US. SUBMITTING OURSELVES TO HIM AND RECEIVING HIM INTO OUR HEARTS AND LIVES. BY PUTTING OUR FAITH COMPLETELY IN HIM, REPENTANCE (DYING OUT TO THEIR SINS). THE WORD REPENT LITERALLY MEANS TO TURN FROM ONES PRESENT WAYS AND RETURN TO GOD.
BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF THE GOD THAT SHED HIS BLOOD AND DIED FOR THOSE SINS,(WASHING OF REGENERATION). WHICH IS THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
ASKING OR SEEKING FOR AND BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, WHICH IS CHRIST' SPIRIT. (THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST).THE BREATH OF LIFE THAT RECONCILES A LOST CREATION TO THEIR GOD. JESUS SAID IT LIKE THIS;
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened
TO HELP US TO UNDERSTAND THIS BETTER, LET’S AGAIN LOOK AT THE FIRST PLACE RECORDED OF THIS HAPPENING.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. :2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. :4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NOTICE THE WORDS WIND ,HOLY GHOST, AND SPIRIT THAT ARE USED HERE. THE WORD WIND COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD PNOE, WHICH MEANS; A BREEZE OR A BREATH. THE WORDS GHOST AND SPIRIT, BOTH COME FROM THE SAME GREEK WORD PNEUMA, WHICH MEANS; A CURRENT OF AIR, A BREATH, BREEZE, A SPIRIT, A SOUL, AND IT ALSO NOTES AS MEANING CHRIST'S SPIRIT.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTING WHEN WE COMPARE THIS TO THE HEBREW WORD FOR BREATH FOUND IN GENESIS 2:7, WHICH IS LISTED ABOVE. WITH THESE THINGS IN MIND WE CAN CLEARLY SEE CHRIST MISSION, AND HOW IT WAS EXPEDIENT FOR JESUS TO GO AWAY OR DIE AND BE RESURRECTED, THAT THE COMFORTER WHICH WAS AND STILL IS HIS SPIRIT, MIGHT COME. AS HE STATED IN JOHN 16 :7
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
WHEN JESUS HAD SAID THIS HE HAD ALREADY PROCLAIMED HIMSELF TO BE THE COMFORTER AS IS RECORDED IN JOHN 14:16 AND 19.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
TRULY BECAUSE HE LIVED, WAS CRUCIFIED, BURIED , RESURRECTED AND RECEIVED UP INTO GLORY. THAT WE THROUGH HIS BLOOD HAVE HOPE OF LIFE EVERLASTING. NO WONDER PETER COMMANDED THEM IN; Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
WHEN WE REPENT TO GOD OF OUR SINS. HE FORGIVES US AND THE DOOR TO OUR SALVATION IS OPENED TO THE BLOOD HE SHED ON CALVARY’S CROSS THAT CLEANSES US OF SINS. THE WORDS FOR CONVERTED AND REPENTANCE ARE TRANSLATED AS MEANING MUCH THE SAME THING. THE WORD FOR REPENT MEANS TO TURN AROUND OR TO RETURN BACK TO GOD. TO HAVE A CHANGE IN MIND SET. TO HAVE A REPENTANT HEART. THE WORD FOR CONVERTED MEANS TO TURN AROUND OR RETURN TO GOD AND OR TO BE CHANGED MENTALLY PHYSICALLY OR MORALLY. HENCE WE ARE CONVERTED AT REPENTANCE, FROM SIN AND OR A SINFUL LIFE. WE ARE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST AND GRACE IS EXTENDED AND OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN. SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. FAITH IN WHAT? FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. THEN WE ARE COMMANDED TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS.
THE WORD WE FIND IN ACTS 2:38 FOR REMISSION COMES FROM 3 GREEK WORDS WHICH ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS;aphesis af'-es-is freedom; (figuratively) pardon:—deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission. (to send; an intensive form of. åqìé eimi (to go)); to send forth, in various applications:—cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up. apo' A primary particle; “off”, that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively):—(X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
HENCE REMISSION MEANS A COMPLETE DELIVERANCE OF OR REVERSAL OF OUR SINS. JESUS TOOK ON OUR SINS ON THE CROSS. AS NOT TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD HERE HE DID NOT BECOME A SINNER. HE HIMSELF WAS WITHOUT SIN. BUT RATHER HE BECAME THE SACRIFICE FOR SIN. AS IT IS WRITTEN “ THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH”. BUT GLORY BE TO GOD, THE GIFT OF GOD IS LIFE THROUGH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS. AS HIS BLOOD FLOWED, THE PRICE WAS PAID FOR OUR SINS. BUT IT WASN’T UNTIL HE WAS BURIED THAT THOSE SINS WERE BURIED WITH HIM. WHEN WE ARE BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM OUR SINS ARE BURIED AS WELL . THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR US TO BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME . BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE WHO’S BLOOD PAID SINS PRICE HE IS THE ONE THAT DELIVERS. HE IS THE ONE THAT TOOK THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL BACK FROM SATAN, THAT ADAM SOLD OUT IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN. WE DIE OUT TO SIN AT THE CROSS, THROUGH REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINISHED WORK JESUS DID FOR US ON THE CROSS. HE DIED IN OUR STEAD. THE WAGES OF SIN PAID IN FULL BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB.
THROUGH OUR ACT OF FAITH GRACE IS EXTENDED AND WE ARE PARDONED (FORGIVEN). OUR SINS ARE JSUTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD AND WE ARE SAVED FROM THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS.
THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, THE LAW CALLED JUSTICE TO BE SERVED BUT A MAN WITH NAIL SCARED HANDS TOOK OUR PLACE. BEING BURIED WITH JESUS AT BAPTISM THOSE SINS ARE BURIED WE ARE DELIVERED. THE OLD MAN DEAD AND BURIED. THE SCRIPTURE AND THE LAW FULFILLED THROUGH HIS OBEDIENCE UNTO DEATH. HENCE THE BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING. WHEN WE REPENT, AND ACCEPT HIM AS OUR SAVIOR. WE ARE PUTTING OUR FAITH IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US AT CALVARY. THE BLOOD THAT JESUS SHED ON CALVARY'S CROSS (THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS). THAT BLOOD IS APPLIED TO OUR SOUL AND OUR SINS ARE COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. CLEANSING US AND MAKING US ACCEPTABLE FOR THE SPIRIT OF THAT SAME HOLY GOD (THE BREATH OF LIFE) TO ENTER INTO OUR SOUL AND FILL THE VOID THAT WAS CREATED WAY BACK IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN, WHEN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD. THUS CHRIST MISSION, WHICH WAS TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST BECOMES COMPLETE IN US, AND WE ARE RECONCILED TO OUR GOD AND CREATOR. BEING REGENERATED AND SEALED WITH HIS SPIRIT.
IN SOME INSTANCES IN THE BIBLE GOD FILLED THEM WITH THE HOLY GHOST BEFORE BAPTISM AND IN SOME INSTANCES IT WAS AFTER . SIGNIFYING THAT SALVATION IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE PHYSICAL ACT OF BAPTISM. HE TOLD PETER AS RECORDED IN ACTS 10 THAT WHICH I HAVE CLEANSED CALL THOU NOT UNCLEAN. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THEY HAD RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST WE FIND THAT IT WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO BE BAPTIZED. AS RECORDED IN ACTS 10 AND AS WE WILL READ A LITTLE LATER IN THIS STUDY. THUS WE ARE TO BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME FOR THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS. AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE ON OUR PART TO HIS WORD, AS A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK HE HAS DONE IN US. BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM. THE OLD MAN WHICH WAS FULL OF SIN IS BURIED. AND THE NEW ONE IS RESURRECTED TAKING ON HIS NAME IN BAPTISM.
PAUL STATED IT LIKE THIS 4 DIFFERENT TIMES;
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,and renewing of the Holy
Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That
being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life.
NOTE: THE WASHING OF REGENERATION IS SPEAKING OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. WHAT CAN WASH AWAY OUR SINS NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS. PETER STATED IT THIS WAY IN; 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
IT IS IMPERATIVE TO NOTE HERE. OUR FAITH MUST BE IN CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. WHO HE WAS AND THE FINISHED WORK HE DID ON THE CROSS. OUR FAITH IS NOT IN THE ACT OF BAPTISM. IT IS NEVER TO BE A WORK OF SALVATION BUT RATHER AN ACT OF FAITH OR AS PETER STATED THE ACT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD.
BAPTISM ALONE DOES NOT NOW NOR HAS IT EVER SAVED ANYONE. IT IS ONLY TO BE ADMINISTERED AS AN ACT OF AN INDIVIDUALS FAITH UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST (WHO HE WAS) AND HIM CRUCIFIED, (WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS).
IE; THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS.
AS MANY DO, YOU MAY ASK , SHOULD YOU BE BAPTIZED THEN? THE ANSWER IS YES. THE BIBLE AND JESUS HIMSELF TAUGHT BAPTISM AND BAPTISM IN HIS (JESUS) NAME FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN. WHICH WE HAVE SEEN IN PART AND WHICH WE WILL COVER MORE IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. AS JESUS TOLD JOHN THE BAPTIST AT HIS BAPTISM: IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. MATTHEW 3:13
UPON SALVATION IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST ACTS OF A OBEDIENCE OR A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD, THAT HE HAS COMMANDED US TO DO. A FULFILLING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS OR SCRIPTURE. IT WAS IMPERATIVE THEN AND NOW AS AN OUTWARD ACT THAT THEY HAD ACCEPTED CHRIST AND HIS BLOOD HAD REDEEMED THEM. AN ACT THAT THEN AND TODAY PEOPLE STILL DO AT GREAT PERILS TO THEIR OWN LIVES.
CHAPTER 6
WHAT MUST WE DO?
2 Peter 3 : 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
SEEING THAT JESUS HAS FULFILLED ALL THINGS FOR US. WHAT SHOULD WE DO ? JESUS SAID IN : John 14:15 If ye love me keep my commandments.
Hebrews 11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
BELIEF UNTO REPENTANCE
OUR FIRST STEP IS BELIEVE AS IS WRITTEN John 3: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Acts 10: 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
SIMPLY BELIEVING IS NOT ENOUGH AS IT IS WRITTEN THE DEVIL BELIEVES BUT NOT WITH THE KIND OF BELIEF THAT BRINGS SALVATION. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT WILL TELL YOU THEY BELIEVE IN GOD AND THAT THEY BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR THEIR SINS BUT ARE NOT LIVING A LIFE THAT PROFESSES TRUE BIBLICAL BELIEF.
JESUS STATED IN MATTHEW 7:2 BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven
JAMES ALSO WARNS OF THIS KIND OF FAITH OR BELIEF.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; not withstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE AS THE DEVIL BELIEVES, IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE AS THE WORLD BELIEVES. WE MUST BELIEVE WITH A FAITH THAT REALIZES WE ARE HOPELESSLY LOST IN SIN. PUTTING THAT FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. WITH A REPENTANT OR SORROWFUL HEART CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD AND TURNING OUR LIVES OVER TO HIM. BEING OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD AND COMMANDMENTS AS HIS WORD DECLARES AND COMMANDS US TO DO. JOHN THE BAPTIST WARNED THE PHARISEES AND COMMANDED THEM TO BRING FORTH FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE. (MATTHEW 3:7). PAUL TESTIFIED TO KING AGRIPPA AND PREACHED THE SAME THING ACTS 26:20.
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Acts 26:20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
IT IS THIS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED
IE; WHO HE IS AND THE WORK HE DID ON THE CROSS. THAT SAVES US AND KEEPS US IN HIM. UPON THE PROFESSION OF THAT FAITH AND IN OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD WE ARE TO BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME.
BAPTISM BY IMMERSION IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
THE WORDS WE FIND IN THE BIBLE FOR BAPTIZE, BAPTISM, BAPTIZING ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS.
baptizoô to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:—baptist, baptize, wash.. baptismos bap-tis-mos' ablution (ceremonially or Christian):—baptism, washing. baptoô bap'-to A primary verb; to whelm, that is, cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or specific sense, that is, (literally).
BY THESE WE CAN SEE IT IS TO BE DONE BY IMMERSION AS A TESTAMENT OF OUR SALVATION, IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD. NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE DO WE FIND IT BEING DONE BY SPRINKLING, NOR DO WE FIND IT BEING DONE TO INFANTS FOR CEREMONIAL CELEBRATION OR DEDICATION. BUT RATHER UNTO BELIEVERS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, HENCE THE WASHING AND ONLY IN A QUALIFIED OR SPECIFIC WAY. THE ONLY WAY WE FIND IN THE BIBLE WAS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. THAT IS WHY AS PETER COMMANDED IN ACTS 2:38 IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR US AS BELIEVERS TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AS A VITAL PART OF OUR SALVATION. IT IS OBEDIENCE THRU FAITH TO GOD’S HOLY WORD. AN OUTWARD STATEMENT OF FAITH TO AN INNER COMMITMENT AND WORK OF GRACE IN OUR LIFE.
WHILE IT IS TRUE, AS THE SCRIPTURE DECLARES WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH AND NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE FLESH. TRULY AS JAMES STATED FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. THERE ARE ACTS OF FAITH THAT GOD’S WORD COMMANDS US TO DO .
ONE MIGHT ASK WHAT MUST WE DO. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST THEY ASK PETER THE SAME THING, WHAT SHALL WE DO? ACTS 2:37 - 39
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do ? Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
MATTHEW HENRY’S CONCISE COMMENTARY OF THE BIBLE MAKES THIS COMMENT ON PETERS SERMON AND WHAT FOLLOWED THAT HISTORIC DAY ;From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter’s words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but feel an inward uneasiness. The apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins, and openly to avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, by being baptized in his name. Thus professing their faith in Him, they would receive remission of their sins, and partake of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked people, is the only way to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins, and give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity by breaking off from the wicked. We must save ourselves from them; which denotes avoiding them with dread and holy fear. By God’s grace three thousand persons accepted the gospel invitation. There can be no doubt that the gift of the Holy Ghost, which they all received, and from which no true believer has ever been shut out, was that Spirit of adoption, that converting, guiding, sanctifying grace, which is bestowed upon all the members of the family of our heavenly Father. Repentance and remission of sins are still preached to the chief of sinners, in the Redeemer’s name; still the Holy Spirit seals the blessing on the believer’s heart; still the encouraging promises are to us and our children; and still the blessings are offered to all that are afar off.
THAT SAME COMMANDMENT IS JUST AS TRUE TODAY. NOT JUST A COMMANDMENT, BUT A PROMISE AS WELL. DO YOU BELIEVE? DO YOU FEEL OR HAVE YOU FELT THE SPIRIT OF GOD CALLING YOUR HEART TO REPENTANCE? HAVE YOU ACCEPTED HIM AS YOUR SAVIOR REPENTING OF YOUR SINS ? IF NOT, FRIEND YOU CAN RIGHT NOW. WHEN WE DO GOD IS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE AND IT IS A WONDERFUL FEELING TO FEEL THAT FORGIVENESS. BUT IT DOESN’T STOP THERE. WE ARE TO BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME FOR THE REMISSION (DELIVERANCE, TAKING AWAY) OF THOSE SINS. BAPTISM IS JUST AS MUCH A VITAL PART OF SALVATION AS REPENTANCE. IN FACT SO IMPORTANT IS BAPTISM THAT IN EVERY INSTANCE WE FIND OF IT IN THE BIBLE IT WAS DONE IMMEDIATELY UPON ONE’S REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST AND OR THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST. THEY DID NOT WAIT FOR A SPECIAL DAY OR SET ASIDE A DAY LATER TO DO IT. THEY DID IT IMMEDIATELY. AS JESUS TOLD JOHN THE BAPTIST WE MUST FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
IF THERE EVER WAS ANYONE THAT DIDN’T NEED TO BE BAPTIZED IT WOULD OF BEEN JESUS HIMSELF. BUT JESUS LED BY EXAMPLE, THUS SHOWING US THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM. HE ALSO COMMANDED IT, AS IS RECORDED IN MATTHEW 28 AND AGAIN IN LUKE 24.
Matthew 28 :18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
AND WHAT WAS THAT NAME AS WE HAVE LEARNED IN HIS WORD ?
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY NAME GIVEN. ACTS 4:12 SAYS IT LIKE THIS Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
LUKE 24 RECORDS THE SAME COMMANDMENT WE READ IN MATTHEW LIKE THIS BEGINNING AT VERSE 45;Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
ACTS 1 AND ACTS 2 RECORDS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE. AS DOES ACTS 4 ACTS 8 ACTS 10 ACTS 19. THE ONLY WAY ANYONE WAS EVER BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF THEIR SINS, THAT IS THE WASHING AWAY OR DELIVERANCE OF THEIR SINS IN THE BIBLE WAS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY SAVING NAME GIVEN FOR SALVATION. JEHOVAH SAVES! THE ETERNAL ONE HAS BECOME OUR SALVATION. IT’S NO WONDER PAUL DECLARES IN Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
THEN WE ARE TO SEEK FOR AND RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD, CHRIST IN US THE HOPE OF GLORY. IN EVERY INSTANCE OF PEOPLE BEING FILLED WITH OR RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE EVIDENCE OF IT. THAT EVIDENCE WAS SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM THE UTTERANCE . AS WE READ IN MARK 7 ONE OF THE SIGNS OF BELIEVERS WAS THEY WOULD SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES. ISAIAH PROPHESIED OF IT WHEN HE SAID IN Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
AS WE HAVE READ THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST AS RECORDED IN ACTS 2. THE FIRST OF MANY TO FOLLOW AND CONTINUES TO THIS PRESENT DAY. ONE OF MANY SUCH INSTANCES IS FOUND IN ACTS 10 WHEN PETER PREACHED IT FOR THE FIRST TIME UNTO THE GENTILES IN THE HOUSE OF CORNELIUS . WE WILL BEGIN AT VERSE 33.
Acts 10:33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
AGAIN HOW DID THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST? THEY HEARD THEM SPEAK IN TONGUES. AND SHOWING THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE BAPTIZED PETER COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED EVEN AFTER THEY HAD RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST. AND HOW WERE THEY BAPTIZED? IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. WHAT IS THAT NAME ? AS WE HAVE READ IT IS THE ONLY NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED. THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
YET ANOTHER ACCOUNT IS FOUND IN ACTS 19 WHEN PAUL FOUND CERTAIN DISCIPLES OF JOHN. WHICH IS ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS. BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED UNTO JOHNS BAPTISM THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE. BUT THIS WAS A NEW DISPENSATION. LETS READ THE ACCOUNT.Acts 19: 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.
PAUL BAPTIZED THEM IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS AND GOD FILLED THEM WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND THEY SPAKE IN TONGUES AND PROPHESIED.
Colossians 3 : 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
WE MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS. WE MUST REPENT OF OUR SINS AND ACCEPT HIM AS OUR SAVIOR. TURNING FROM OUR PAST SINFUL NATURE, RETURNING TO GOD, MAKING HIM LORD OF OUR LIVES. WE ARE COMMANDED TO BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME FOR THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS, PUTTING OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE CROSS. KNOWING THAT HIS BLOOD PAID THE PRICE AND THUS WASHES OUR SINS AWAY. LIKEWISE WE ARE TO SEEK FOR AND RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OR GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, WITH THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GIVES THE UTTERANCE. NOTE: THE SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS NOT THE HOLY GHOST BUT RATHER THE EVIDENCE THAT GOD HAS CHOSEN TO REVEAL TO HUMANITY THAT HIS SPIRIT HAS TAKEN BACK POSSESSION OF THE CREATION THAT HIS BLOOD HAS REDEEMED. TRULY AS IT IS WRITTEN IN Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. SUPERNATURAL EMPOWERMENT OF A NATURAL IMPOSSIBILITY. GIVEN TO US AS AN OUTWARD HOLY EVIDENCE OF AN INNER SPIRITUAL WORK . EVIDENCE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL HAS COMPLETELY GIVEN THEM SELVES OVER TO GOD. ACCEPTING HIM AS LORD OF THEIR LIVES. THE BREATH OF LIFE (CHRIST SPIRIT). GIVEN TO US NOT BY WORKS OF OUR FLESH BUT BY THE GRACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
John 1: 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
ACTS OF FAITH (NOT FAITH IN THE ACTS, BUT RATHER ACTS BECAUSE OF FAITH .) SYMBOLIC OF HIS DEATH BURIAL AND RESURRECTION. THE PRICE HE AND HE ALONE PAID FOR OUR SINS. BUT MORE THAN MERE SYMBOLICAL ACTS. ACTS OF FAITH IN OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD. BY THIS WE DIE OUT TO OUR SINS ARE BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM AND RESURRECTED A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
2 Corinthians 5 : 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Romans 1 :16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.
Ephesians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
NOTICE IN VERSE 13 PAUL SAID WE ARE SEALED WITH THE HOLY GHOST. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST HAVE CHRIST IN OUR LIFE. THAT IS THE INFLUENCE OF HIS SPIRIT IN OUR LIFE. IT HAS TO BE INSIDE US, WE NEED TO BE FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT. WE NEED TO ALLOW IT TO GET DOWN TO THE HEART OF OUR SOULS OUR VERY BEING. NOT ONLY IS IT THE THING THAT IS GOING TO DIRECT OUR LIVES ON THIS EARTH, GIVING US POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE OF OUR FLESH AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE WORLD, BUT IT IS THE THING THAT IS GOING TO QUICKEN OUR MORTAL BODIES WHEN HE CALLS US HOME TO BE WITH HIM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION. NOTICE VERSE 14 LETS US KNOW WE ARE HIS PURCHASED POSSESSION. AS RECORDED IN ACTS 20, PURCHASED BY HIS OWN BLOOD.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
BY THIS WE CAN SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. WITH THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES THE UTTERANCE. THE ETERNAL GIFT PAID FOR BY GOD’S ON BLOOD AND GIVEN TO ALL THAT WILL RECEIVE HIM.
AS JESUS TOLD NICODEMUS , WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN. WE MUST BE BORN OF THE WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
IT IS WRITTEN UNTO EVERY MAN IS DEALT A MEASURE OF FAITH (ROMANS 12:3) WHEN WE READ OR HEAR THE WORD OF GOD, THAT WORD STIRS UP THAT MEASURE OF FAITH AND EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE A CHOICE TO RECEIVE IT OR REJECT IT. BY FAITH DO WE RECEIVE IT. THUS OBTAINING GRACE OR DIVINE FAVOR OF GOD. AS HIS SPIRIT BEGINS TO DRAW US TO HIM, IT IS THROUGH THIS FAITH BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE BELIEVE ON HIM REPENT OF OUR SINS ASKING HIM TO FORGIVE US AND ACCEPTING HIM TO BE LORD OF OUR LIVES THAT IS GIVING OUR SELF WILL OVER TO HIM. ALLOWING HIS WILL TO BE WORKED IN OUR LIVES. BY FAITH WE ACCEPT HIS WORD, BELIEVE IT AND OBEY IT. NOT JUST PART OF IT BUT ALL OF IT AS IT IS MADE MANIFEST UNTO US BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
THAT IS WHY I REITERATE UNTO YOU. WE MUST BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, REPENTING OF OUR SINS. HIS WORD THEN COMMANDS US TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS. AS HE COMMANDED THE APOSTLES HIS WORD COMMANDS US TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES THE UTTERANCE. WHY ? BECAUSE GODS WORD DECLARES AND COMMANDS US TO. AS WE HAVE ALREADY READ IN HIS WORD. AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE NOT WORKS OF OUR FLESH. BUT OBEDIENCE BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. GIVEN TO US BY THE GRACE OF GOD THROUGH HIS DEATH BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
JUST AS WHEN WE TAKE COMMUNION THE BREAD AND WINE ARE SYMBOLIC OF HIS BODY THAT WAS BROKEN AND HIS BLOOD THAT WAS SHED FOR US. THIS HE COMMANDED US TO DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIM. LIKEWISE HE ALSO HAS COMMANDED US TO FOLLOW HIS PLAN OF SALVATION. AS LAID OUT IN HIS HOLY WORD. JESUS SAID IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS AND THEY ARE NOT GRIEVOUS TO YOU
THEN WE ARE COMMANDED TO COME OUT FROM AMONG THE SINFUL NATURE OF THIS WORLD AND LIVE A SEPARATED CONSECRATED LIFE FOR GOD. IN OTHER WORDS BRINGING FORTH THE FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE. ALLOWING THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST SPIRIT TO WORK IN US, SANCTIFYING US AND MOLDING US INTO HIS IMAGE. THROUGH OUR CONTINUED FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIS FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS.
Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. 8And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
THE WORD WE FIND HEAR FOR HOLINESS IS THE GREEK WORD; hagioôsuneô PRONOUNCED hag-ee-o-soo'-nay . WHICH COMES FROM THE WORD hagios , hag'-ee-os WHICH MEANS ; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
EASTON’S BIBLE DICTIONARY NOTES THESE COMMENTS ABOUT HOLINESS
Holiness In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3 Rev. 15:4) and to Christians as consecrated to God’s service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19) Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30).
Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. 8And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.
THUS HOLINESS IS THE NATURE OF GOD. THEREFORE IT COMES FROM GOD AS WE SEEK HIS WILL IN OUR LIVES. WE CANNOT IN OUR SELF, LIVE A GOOD ENOUGH LIFE TO BE HOLY ON OUR OWN. AS IT IS WRITTEN OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIKE FILTHY RAGS. BUT AS WE PUT OUR FAITH IN HIM AND THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE CROSS AND SUBMIT OURSELVES TO HIM. BY HIS GRACE HIS HOLINESS WILL SHOW FORTH UNTO US. HIS SPIRIT WILL MOLD US INTO THE THING HE DESIRES. IT IS THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST WORKING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY GHOST INSIDE OF THE BELIEVER. THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD WILL LEAD US AND GUIDE US. WE MAY NOT DO CERTAIN THINGS ANYMORE, WE MAY NOT WEAR SOME OF THE SAME CLOTHES OR GO TO SOME OF THE SAME PLACES. BUT IT IS NOT BY DOCTRINES OF MAN BUT RATHER AS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST CONVICTS AND CONVERTS US INTO HIS IMAGE.
SOME AND AGAIN I EMPHASIZE “SOME” OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE CALLING HOLINESS TODAY ARE DOCTRINES OF MEN. FAITH IN WHAT WE DO OR DON’T DO IS NOT HOLINESS. IT BECOMES SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WORKS OF THE FLESH. FAITH IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED FOR SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION, IS FALSE FAITH. OUR FAITH CAN NOT BE IN OUR OWN WORKS. LET ME BE CLEAR RIGHT HERE. YES WE ARE COMMANDED TO REPENT, TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS AND TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GIVES THE UTTERANCE AND YES WE ARE TO SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE SINS OF THE FLESH AND WORLD ALLOWING THE HOLY GHOST TO WORK THE WORK OF HOLINESS IN OUR LIVES. BUT OUR FAITH CAN NOT AND MUST NOT BE IN THOSE WORKS. IT HAS TO BE PLACED SOLELY IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS THAT ALL THE APOSTLES PREACHED.
JESUS SAID I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE NO ONE COMES UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME. HE ALSO WENT ON TO SAY IF ANYONE COMES UP ANY OTHER WAY HE IS A ROBBER AND A THIEF. TRUE HOLINESS COMES BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. BEING OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD AND SUBMITTING OUR SELF WILL TO HIM THAT HIS WILL CAN BE WORKED IN OUR LIVES. THE SAME THING WE SAW IN THE LIFE OF JESUS WHO KNEW NO SIN. WE ARE NEW CREATURES IN HIM. TRUE HOLINESS COMES FROM GOD IT IS HIS NATURE.
IT’S NOT SIMPLY THE PUTTING ON OR NOT PUTTING ON OF APPAREL, BUT THE PUTTING ON OF HIS SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS. THAT IS THE SUBMITTING OF OUR SELF WILL TO CHRIST, THROUGH A CONTINUED FAITH IN HIS FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS. THAT HIS WILL MAY BECOME DOMINANT IN OUR HEART AND LIFE THROUGH AN ONGOING SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST, CHRIST SPIRIT. THUS THE SPIRITUAL ADORNING OF THE INNER MAN THAT WILL SHOW FORTH ON THE OUTSIDE AS WELL .
A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK. WHAT ABOUT 1 PETER 3 ? LETS LOOK AT IT IN CONTEXT
1Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
THE WORD FOR CHASTE WE FIND HERE IS; hagnos hag-nos IT MEANS innocent, modest, perfect:—chaste, clean, pure. AND THE WORD FOR CONVERSATION IS; anastropheô AND IT MEANS ; behavior:—conversation..
IN OTHER WORDS DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE OUTSIDE AS MUCH AS LETTING THEM SEE JESUS IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU. THAT THEY MAY BE WON TO CHRIST. THEN THEY WILL SEE TRUE BEAUTY. VERSES 1 AND 2 LETS US KNOW THAT THIS IS ESPECIALLY DIRECTED TO FEMALE BELIEVERS WHO ARE MARRIED TO HUSBANDS THAT ARE NOT YET CHRISTIANS, THAT THEY MAY BE WON BY THE CHANGE THEY SEE IN THEIR WIVES BY THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT, AFTER THEY HAVE BECOME CHRISTIANS. WE CONTINUE AT VERSE 5
5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
THIS IS NOT JUST FOR WOMEN BUT MEN AS WELL. WE ARE TO SEEK TO PERFECT HOLINESS IN OUR HEARTS. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE HEART OF THE LAW. IT DOES NO ONE ANY GOOD TO CLEAN UP THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT LETTING GOD CLEAN UP THE INSIDE. IT BECOMES A WORK OF THE FLESH AND ULTIMATELY SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. WE SAW THIS KIND OF SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE PHARISEES IN WHICH JESUS CAME DOWN ON HARDER THAN ANY ONE, FOR THEIR HYPOCRITICAL MENTALITY.
MATTHEW 23 : 23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
GRACE DOES NOT GIVE US AN EXCUSE TO CONTINUE IN SIN BUT THE POWER TO OVERCOME SIN THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST BY THE POWER OF JESUS, BECAUSE HE OVERCAME SIN. LET ME SAY RIGHT HERE AS THE APOSTLES SAID I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS). JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED (WHO HE WAS AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS) FOR IT IS STILL THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION. JESUS IS STILL THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED FOR THE JEW OR THE GENTILES, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SOME MODERN RELIGIONS TEACH.
THE DOCTRINES OF MEN HAVE PERVERTED THE TRUE MEANING OF GRACE LEADING ENTIRE GENERATIONS TO BELIEVE THAT IF THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO THE LORD ONE TIME, THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO AFTER THAT THEY ARE STILL SAVED.(THE DOCTRINE OF UNCONDITIONAL ETERNAL SECURITY). THIS IS SIMPLY AND PURELY A LIE FROM THE DEVIL.
WHILE IT IS TRUE AS WRITTEN IN HIS WORD NO MAN CAN PLUCK US FROM HIS HAND. WE ARE ALL STILL IN THE FLESHLY BODY WE ALL STILL HAVE A SELF WILL. WE CAN TURN AND WALK AWAY. GOD WILL NOT FORCE HIS WILL ON US. BUT WE MUST CONTINUALLY SUBMIT OUR WILL TO HIM CONTINUE TO PUT OUR FAITH IN HIM AND THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE CROSS . ALLOWING AND ACCEPTING HIS WILL IN OUR LIVES. AS THEY DID ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST AND THROUGH OUT THE NEW TESTAMENT AFTER PENTECOST , THEY CONTINUED STEADFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE FOR IT WAS THEN AND STILL IS THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST.
IF IT IS TRUE THAT WE CAN LIVE ANYWAY WE WANT TO AND STILL BE SAVED AND THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BACKSLIDING WHY DOES THE BIBLE WARN US THAT MANY WILL DEPART FROM THE FAITH (THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS)(JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED AS RECORDED IN REVELATION 2:5 AND THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,
GODS WORD WARNS US OF SUCH DOCTRINES,
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
TRULY WE HAVE LIVED TO SEE THIS DAY COME. BUT GOD’S WORD NEVER CHANGES NOR DOES HIS PLAN OF SALVATION, WHICH HE PAID THE PRICE TO GIVE US. NOT ONLY ARE WE TO FOLLOW IT, WE ARE TO BY HIS GRACE AND STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES DAILY.
HE HAS CHARGED US TO WATCH AND PRAY.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Galations 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
SEEING NOW THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS SUFFERED AND PAID THE PRICE FOR US AND THAT IT BEHOVED (WAS NECESSARY FOR) HIM TO FULFILL ALL THINGS FOR US. HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY FOR US TO SUBMIT OUR LIVES OVER TO HIM AND PRAY AS HE DID IN THE GARDEN “ NEVER THE LESS NOT MY WILL BUT THY WILL BE DONE”. TRULY AS PAUL WROTE “ HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT A SALVATION”.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
CHAPTER 7
HIS CHURCH IN THIS WORLD
1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
WE ARE CHRIST CHURCH IN THIS PRESENT WORLD. THE BODY OF CHRIST THAT HE HAS PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD. WE ARE HIS REPRESENTATIVES TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD. THE WORLD SHOULD SEE THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST WORKING IN US. NOW MORE THAN EVER IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR US NOT ONLY TO HAVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST WORKING IN US BUT IN OUR CHURCHES AS WELL. FOR WE HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR SUCH AN HOUR AS THIS.
THROUGHOUT THIS STUDY WE HAVE LEARNED OF CHRIST FULLNESS HOW HE WAS THE LIVING WORD INCARNATE. THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD TO BRING SALVATION TO A LOST CREATION “MAN”. IF YOU REMEMBER ONE THING IN THIS CHAPTER REMEMBER THIS, “ SALVATION IS NOT INTENDED SIMPLY TO TAKE MAN TO HEAVEN. HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PROMISE BECAUSE OF SALVATION. BUT RATHER SALVATION IS INTENDED TO BRING HEAVEN DOWN TO MAN”.
HE PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR SINS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT AND CAN NOT PAY THE PRICE FOR SIN. AND WHEN WE GIVE OUR HEARTS AND LIVES TO HIM AND RECEIVE HIS SPIRIT INSIDE OF US, THE PRICE FOR OUR SOULS THAT HE PAID AT CALVARY IS CASHED IN. THUS OUR SALVATION ONLY BECOMES COMPLETE WHEN HIS SPIRIT ABIDES IN US. OUR HEARTS ARE GOD’S HOME. THE TEMPLE THAT HE DESIRED TO INHABIT FROM THE BEGINNING.
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
IT IS THEN THAT THE WORK OF SANCTIFICATION REALLY BEGINS IN US. WE ARE TO STRIVE DAILY TO YIELD OUR WILL TO HIS AND ALLOW HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO MOLD US INTO WHAT HE DESIRES US TO BE. I HAVE HEARD IT SAID THAT SALVATION IS FREE. I BEG TO DIFFER, SALVATION IS NOT FREE. IT COST JESUS CHRIST EVERY DROP OF BLOOD IN HIS BODY TO PURCHASE IT FOR US AND IT WILL COST EACH ONE OF US OUR ON SELF WILL TO KEEP IT. AS JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID I MUST DECREASE AND HE MUST INCREASE. PAUL SAID IT LIKE THIS I DIE DAILY. SALVATION IS AN ON GOING SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST, “CHRIST SPIRIT” IN OUR LIVES MOLDING US INTO A MIRROR IMAGE OF HIMSELF. PAUL SAID IT LIKE THIS IN;
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
THE HOPE OF OUR SALVATION
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Ephesians 21And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
AS I STATED IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS CHAPTER WE ARE CHRIST CHURCH. WHEN HIS SPIRIT ABIDES WITHIN US AS THE BODY OF CHRIST WE ARE HIS REPRESENTATIVES IN THIS WORLD. THE APOSTLES UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING THAT I AM AFRAID WE DO NOT GRASP IN THIS DAY. THEY UNDERSTOOD AS THE BODY OF CHRIST HIS REPRESENTATIVES, THEY WERE ACTING IN JESUS’ STEAD. IT WAS NOT THEM THAT DID THE MIRACLES BUT RATHER THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST THAT ABIDED IN THEM WORKING THROUGH THEM AS BELIEVERS THAT DID THE MIRACLES. THEY UNDERSTOOD AS JESUS HAD PROMISED THEM THAT WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST THEY RECEIVED THE POWER AND AUTHORITY THAT CAME WITH IT.
AS IT IS WRITTEN IN; Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
PEOPLE WE ARE SITTING ON THE GREATEST THING THAT THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. THATS RIGHT I SAID SITTING ON IT. IF YOU HAVE REPENTED OF YOUR SINS BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS AND BEEN FILLED WITH THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING WITH OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES THE UTTERANCE. YOU HAVE BEEN INDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.
AS IS RECORDED IN ACTS 2 . YOU ARE HIS REPRESENTATIVE HIS AMBASSADOR, A REPRESENTATIVE OF HEAVEN, A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. CALLED TO GO FORTH IN THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF HIS NAME AND LET THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST ( THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS) RADIATE THROUGH YOU TO THIS WORLD. CALLED TO CARRY ON HIS MINISTRY TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH IS LOST.
HE HAS COMMISSIONED EVERYONE OF US IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, TO GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? IT’S THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS. JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. THE DEATH BURIAL AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. REPENTANCE , WATER BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME AND THE IN FILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES THE UTTERANCE. GOSPEL MEANS GOOD NEWS AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE’S HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST, THERE’S HOPE IN THE CROSS.
THE SCRIPTURE THAT WE HAVE JUST READ SAYS “ THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE “ ARE YOU A BELIEVER ? IF YOUR ANSWER IS YES THEN THAT PROMISE IS FOR YOU. AS PETER STATED IN ACTS 2:39 FOR THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU AND TO YOUR CHILDREN AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF EVEN TO AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL . I BELIEVE THAT NOW LIKE NEVER BEFORE GOD IS CALLING HIS CHURCH, HIS CHILDREN TO TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD AND ALLOW HIS SPIRIT TO WORK THROUGH US TO WIN THE LOST, HEAL THE SICK AND SET THE CAPTIVE FREE THROUGH THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS, JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED BAPTISM IN HIS NAME AND THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST.
THE APOSTLES AND THE EARLY CHURCH UNDERSTOOD THIS AND THEY ACTED ON IT AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD MOVED THROUGH THEIR SIMPLE FAITH AND BELIEF. THAT’S WHY PETER COULD SAY TO THE LAME MAN AT THE GATE “SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE BUT SUCH AS I HAVE GIVE I THEE. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST RISE UP AND WALK”. HE HAD THE POWER WITHIN HIM. HE TOOK JESUS AT HIS WORD. FAITH REACHED OUT, THE POWER OF GOD MOVED AND THE MAN WAS HEALED.
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
I REMEMBER A PARTICULAR REVIVAL I WAS PREACHING IN. GOD HAD BEEN MOVING MIGHTILY IN THE SERVICES IT WAS ON SUNDAY MORNING AND THE HOLY GHOST IMPRESSED ON ME TO TELL THE CONGREGATION TO COME THAT NIGHT EXPECTING. BECAUSE GOD WAS GOING TO PREFORM A MIRACLE IN THE NIGHT SERVICE. THAT EVENING AS THE CHOIR PRACTICED THE PASTOR AND I WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE ALTER WITH OUR BACKS TO THE DOOR TALKING. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE BOTH FELT THE POWER OF GOD SO STRONG THAT WE LITERALLY TOOK A STEP FORWARD, WHEN WE TURNED AROUND THE BACK DOORS HAD OPENED AND THEY WERE CARRYING A WOMAN IN. I KNEW IN MY SPIRIT AT THAT MOMENT, THAT WAS THE MIRACLE THAT WAS COMING . THE SERVICE BEGAN AND I BEGAN TO PREACH WHAT GOD HAD LAID ON MY HEART. SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERMON AS I NORMALLY DO I HAD MADE MY WAY DOWN OUT OF THE PULPIT PREACHING THIS MESSAGE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HOLY GHOST STOPPED ME DEAD IN MY TRACTS, I REMEMBER I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE SAT THAT WOMAN. THE POWER OF GOD CAME ON ME AND THESE WORDS CAME OUT “ SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE BUT SUCH AS I HAVE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST RISE UP. BEFORE I COULD FINISH, BEFORE I COULD LAY HANDS ON HER, SHE SPRANG UP OUT OF HER SEAT RAN AROUND THE CHURCH AND FELL OUT IN THE FLOOR SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT OG GOD GAVE THE UTTERANCE. THE CHURCH BROKE LOOSE THERE WAS PEOPLE REPENTING AND PRAYING THROUGH ALL OVER THE PLACE. I DID NOT KNOW HER OR HER SITUATION . LATER SHE WOULD RELATE HER STORY. SHE HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF THAT CHURCH AND HAD THROUGH DIFFERENT LIFE SITUATIONS, FELL OUT OF CHURCH A COUPLE OF YEARS PRIOR. SHE HAD BEEN FLAT OF HER BACK FOR 2 WEEKS AND THE DOCTORS DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. BUT THE HEALER WAS IN THE HOUSE. FOR THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS TO THEM THAT PERISH IS FOOLISHNESS BUT TO US THAT BELIEVE IT IS THE POWER OF GOD. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION.
GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER. THE BIBLE DECLARES HE IS NOT A RESPECTER OF PERSONS WHAT HE DOES FOR ONE HE WILL DO FOR ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THE ONLY REASON WE DON’T SEE MORE OF THE MIRACLES THAT WE READ ABOUT IN THE BIBLE TODAY IS BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF. NOT AS MUCH ON THE PART OF THE WORLD BUT ON THE PART OF US THE CHURCH. I FILL SO STRONG IN THE HOLY GHOST THAT GOD IS CALLING US IN THIS HOUR TO TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO HIM AND STEP OUT IN FAITH EXPECTING AND ALLOW HIM TO WORK THROUGH US. HE IS CALLING US TO ALLOW THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST TO WORK THROUGH US AS WE GO FORTH IN THE POWER OF HIS NAME. MAY IT BE SAID OF US AS IT WAS SAID OF THEM OF OLD, “ THEY THAT HAVE TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN WITH THEIR DOCTRINE, HATH COME HITHER”. I FEEL THIS STRONG IN THE HOLY GHOST RIGHT NOW. I BELIEVE GOD IS IMPRESSING ON ME TO SAY TO ANY PREACHERS, TEACHERS, PASTORS OR EVANGELIST THAT MIGHT BE LEAD TO THIS STUDY. “ CONTINUE IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE”. IT DON’T MATTER WHAT THE WINDS OF DOCTRINE ARE BLOWING, IF IT’S NOT THE CROSS OF CHRIST, IT’S HOT AIR. IT DON’T MATTER WHAT’S COMING DOWN THE PIPE OF YOUR DENOMINATION IF IT’S NOT JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED, IT’S NOT SOUND DOCTRINE . I FEEL THE HOLY GHOST SCREAMING OUT INSIDE OF ME. PREACH THE CROSS! PREACH THE CROSS!! PREACH THE CROSS!!! HOLD FAST IN SOUND DOCTRINE, CONTINUE IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE. IT’S THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST. IT ‘S THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION
2 Corinthians 4 1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
YES YOU WILL BE PERSECUTED, YES YOU WILL BE SHUNNED, YES YOU MAY BE OSTRACIZED BUT STAND FAST AND PREACH IT. IT’S MORE THAN A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. IT’S A MATTER OF SALVATION OR DAMNATION!
CHAPTER 8
HIS AMAZING GRACE
I BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS DIRECTED ME TO INCLUDE THIS CHAPTER AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IN THIS STUDY. BECAUSE WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD ALL THAT WE HAVE LEARNED IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS WOULD BE OF NONE EFFECT. WITHOUT GRACE THERE WOULD OF BEEN NO SAVIOR, WITHOUT GRACE THERE WOULD OF BEEN NO REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE CROSS. WITH OUT GRACE THERE WOULD BE NO REPENTANCE, WITHOUT GRACE THERE WOULD OF BEEN NO NAME GIVEN TO US. UNTO WHICH THERE WOULD BE NO SALVATION. WITHOUT THE WORKING OF GRACE AND HIS SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES WE COULD NOT LIVE A HOLY ENOUGH LIFE TO MAKE IT TO HEAVEN.
TRULY AS HIS HOLY WORD DECLARES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST DO WE FIND THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES.
THE WORD GRACE APPEARS IN THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE 161 TIMES. IT IS NOTED IN THE EASTON’S BIBLE DICTIONARY AS MEANING TO OBTAIN DIVINE FAVOR FROM GOD. OBTAINED BY US THROUGH FAITH. AS WE HAVE LEARNED HOLINESS IS THE NATURE OF GOD. HIS LIVING WORD IS COMPLETE AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH. THE LAW OF GOD TO DIRECT AND CORRECT US. BUT GRACE IS THE HEART OF GOD. EXTENDED TO US THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
TRULY JESUS MADE THE GREATEST STATEMENT OF GRACE IN JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
PETER STATED IT LIKE THIS; 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
THERE ARE COUNTLESS STORIES IN THE BIBLE THAT TELL OF GODS GRACE TOWARD HUMANITY. THE FIRST TIME WE READ OF IT IS IN GENESIS WHEN IT SAYS NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD. BUT THERE ARE 2 STORIES THAT HAVE KEPT COMING TO MY MIND TIME AND TIME AGAIN . WHICH I FEEL IMPRESSED OF THE HOLY GHOST TO INCLUDE.
SHE WAS CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF ADULTERY.
SHE WAS DRAGGED BEFORE HIM BY THE HYPOCRITICAL SO CALLED CHURCH LEADERS OF THAT DAY AND ACCUSED. AS A RAGING MOB WAITED TO STONE HER. AS THE PHARISEES TRIED TO USE HIS OWN LAW AGAINST HIM AND HER. HE STOOPED DOWN AND WROTE ON THE GROUND. ONE COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT HE WROTE, WITHOUT LOOKING UP HE SPOKE THE WORDS THAT CUT DEEP INTO THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO WERE THERE. “HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE“.
THE LIVING WORD HAD SPOKEN, CONVICTION FLOODED THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO HEARD IT AND THEY FLED IN THEIR OWN SHAME. WHEN HE LOOKED UP SHE WAS LEFT THERE ALONE. HE SAID WOMAN WHERE ARE THINE ACCUSERS? TREMBLING SHE SPOKE, THEY ARE GONE. WHAT WOULD HE DO ?
SHE STOOD THERE TREMBLING HER SIN LAID BEFORE HIM. THE ONE WHO HAD SPOKEN THE LAW INTO EXISTENCE HIMSELF. THE ONLY ONE THERE WITHOUT SIN THAT COULD OF CAST THE FIRST STONE OR COULD OF MERELY SPOKE THE WORD AND HER LIFE WOULD OF BEEN OVER. THEN CAME THE WORDS. “NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE GO AND SIN NO MORE “ . THE LAW CALLED FOR DEATH, THE MULTITUDE CRIED STONE HER, THE PHARISEES DEMANDED HIM TO JUDGE HER. BUT GRACE THE HEART OF THE LIVING GOD FORGAVE HER. AND SUCH WERE SOME OF US! AS WITH THAT WOMAN THAT DAY THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE THE TRUE GOD OF GLORY LOOKED PASSED OUR PITIFUL EXISTENCE OF INIQUITY, SIN AND FAILURE AND SAW A HEART AND SAID I CAN MAKE SOMETHING OF THEM. NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE GO AND SIN NO MORE. AND BY HIS GRACE THROUGH OUR FAITH HIS HAND WAS EXTENDED AND HIS BLOOD WAS APPLIED.
HE WAS KNOWN AS A MAN AFTER GODS OWN HEART.
HE FIRST FOUND FAVOR IN THE EYE OF GOD AS A LOWLY SHEPARD BOY TENDING HIS FATHERS FLOCK. HE HAD SLEW THE GIANT THE ENEMY OF GOD’S PEOPLE WITH JUST A SLING AND A STONE. GOD HAD ANOINTED HIM KING, THEY HAD SANG SONGS SAUL HAS SLAIN HIS THOUSANDS AND DAVID HAS SLEW HIS TENS OF THOUSANDS. GOD HAD DELIVERED HIM FROM THE HANDS OF SAUL AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN GIVEN HIM THE VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY. HE HAD DANCED BEFORE THE LORD AS THEY BROUGHT THE ARK INTO JERUSALEM. GOD HAD BLESSED HIM WITH WIVES AND FAMILY. BUT HE HAD BECOME COMPLACENT IT SAID IT CAME TO PASS AT A TIME WHEN KINGS WENT OUT TO WAR, DAVID REMAINED AT HOME. THEN ONE EVENING WHILE GAZING OUT A WINDOW. HE SAW HER A WOMAN SO BEAUTIFUL IT TOOK HIS BREATH AWAY AND LUST FILLED HIS HEART. AS IT IS WRITTEN LUST BRINGTH FORTH SIN AND SIN WHEN IT IS CONCEIVED BRINGTH FORTH DEATH. LUST HAD FILLED THIS ONE TIME MIGHTY WARRIOR’S HEART. HE TOOK HER. THE WIFE OF ANOTHER MAN, ONE OF HIS MOST FAITHFUL WARRIORS AND SHE WAS PREGNANT. WHEN THE NEWS GOT TO HIM HE TRIED TO COVER IT UP. SHE WAS ANOTHER MANS WIFE THIS COULD NOT BE. SO HE TRIED TO COVER IT UP AND WHEN THIS DIDN’T WORK HE DEVISED ANOTHER SCHEME AND HER HUSBAND WAS PUT IN THE FRONT IN THE HEAT OF THE BATTLE AND KILLED. ONE SIN LEADS TO ANOTHER. EACH TIME GETTING WORSE. THE THING SEEMED HID TO THE WORLD BUT I BELIEVE IT STILL GNAWED LIKE A RABID DOG AT THE HEART OF DAVID. UNTIL ONE DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS COURT WALKS THE MAN OF GOD. HE RELATES A STORY TO THE KING, OF A MAN WITH A EWE LAMB AND ANOTHER MAN THAT TAKES IT AND SLAYS IT. AND THE KING IN HIS HYPOCRISY PRONOUNCES JUDGEMENT . THEN COMES THE TERRIFYING WORDS OF TRUTH “THOU ART THE MAN”.
HISTORY SAYS DAVID IN FRONT OF HIS ENTIRE COURT STEPPED DOWN FROM THE THRONE, PULLED THE CROWN FROM HIS HEAD AND FELL ON HIS FACE BEFORE GOD AND CRIED AND PRAYED UNTO GOD.
Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
AT THIS POINT, IT SAYS THE PROPHET LOOKED AT DAVID AND SAID GOD HAS PUT AWAY YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS. BY GOD’S OWN LAW WHAT DAVID HAD DONE CALLED FOR DEATH. BUT I BELIEVE WHEN DAVID CLIMBED DOWN FROM THAT THRONE, PULLED OFF THE CROWN, FELL BEFORE HIS GOD IN REPENTANCE AND CRIED.” AGAINST THEE AND THEE ONLY HAVE I SINNED. CAST ME NOT FROM THY PRESENCE AND TAKE NOT THY HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME”. HIS FAITH WAS IN THE ONE THAT WAS TO COME AND THOUGH HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT IN THE PRICE THAT, THAT ONE WOULD PAY ON THE CROSS.
GOD DIDN’T SEE A TRANSGRESSING KING. HE SAW A BROKEN LITTLE SHEPARD BOY AND HE WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HIM AND SAID THOU WILL NOT DIE. GOD PUSHED ASIDE HIS OWN LAW TO SAVE DAVID. THE LETTER OF THE LAW REQUIRED DEATH, QUICK AND SWIFT RETRIBUTION FOR SIN. BUT GRACE, BUT GRACE! BUT GRACE! THE HEART OF THE LAW, THE HEART OF GOD STEPPED IN AND SIN WAS PUT AWAY. AND SUCH WERE SOME OF US.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
SOME OF US OUGHT TO BE SHOUTING RIGHT NOW. BECAUSE LIKE A WOMAN BROUGHT BEFORE HIM IN SHAME. LIKE A KING STRIPED OF PRIDE BEFORE HIS WHOLE COURT BY SINS GRIP. WE WERE LOST WITH NO HOPE. AS DAVID SAID WE WERE SHAPED IN INIQUITY. INTO THE ORIGINAL SIN OF ADAM WERE WE BORN. BY OUR OWN NATURE WE WERE HOPELESS . BUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVED US AND THE GOD OF GLORY STEPPED DOWN FROM HIS THRONE OF GLORY, TOOK OFF HIS ROYAL CROWN AND TRADED IT FOR A CROWN OF THORNS AND WAS NAILED TO A CROSS THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT FIND THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE . THE GREATEST ACT OF GRACE MAN HAS EVER KNOWN.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
LIKEWISE WE WERE LOST WITH NO HOPE. THE WAGES OF OUR SIN CALLED FOR DEATH. THE LAW CALLED FOR SWIFT AND CERTAIN RETRIBUTION. BUT WHEN WE WENT TO OUR KNEES IN PRAYER THERE WAS A NAIL SCARED HAND THAT REACHED WAY DOWN TO WHERE WE WERE AND LIFTED US UP INTO THE BOSOM OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WHO PAID THE PRICE FOR SIN ON A CROSS SOME 2000 YEARS AGO.
WHEN THE SAVIOR REACHED DOWN FOR ME, HE HAD TO REACH WAY DOWN FOR ME. ARENT YOU GLAD HE REACHED DOWN FOR YOU? PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME.
AS A SONG OF OLD GOES; “ ON A HILL FAR AWAY STANDS AN OLD RUGGED CROSS THE EMBLEM OF SUFFERING AND SHAME. FOR IT WAS THERE ON THAT CROSS THAT THE DEAREST AND BLESSED. FOR A WORLD OF LOST SINNERS WAS SLAIN.
OUR SINS CALLED FOR DEATH. THE LETTER OF GOD’S LAW HAD PRONOUNCED OUR FATE. BUT THE HEART OF THE LAW, THE HEART OF AN EVER LOVING EVER CARING GOD, WHO’S NAME IS JESUS. THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. GOD MANIFEST IN FLESH TOOK OUR PLACE. AND HIS GRACE WAS EXTENDED TO US. HIS AMAZING GRACE IS STILL REACHING TO WHERE WE ARE. STILL HE CALLS TO A LOST HUMANITY AS HIS WORD RECORDS.
Matthew 11:22 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I WILL CLING TO THE OLD RUGGED CROSS UNTIL MY TROPHIES AT LAST I LAY DOWN. I WILL CLING TO THE OLD RUGGED CROSS AND EXCHANGE IT SOME DAY FOR A CROWN.
WHEN YOUR FLESH TRIES TO AVAIL CLING TO THE CROSS! WHEN THE STORMS OF LIFE ASSAIL CLING TO THE CROSS! WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES TELL YOU IT’S OVER CLING TO THE CROSS! WHEN EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING SAYS THERE’S NO HOPE, CLING TO THE CROSS! THERE WILL BE A NAIL SCARED HAND REACHING THROUGH YOUR STORMS AND IN HIM, THERE YOU WILL FIND GRACE. YOU WILL FIND STRENGTH. YOU FIND VICTORY. YOU WILL FIND HEALING. FOR IT WAS THERE WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS THAT THE ETERNAL ONE BECAME OUR SALVATION. GOD PROVIDED HIMSELF A LAMB FOR THE SACRIFICE. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME.
THE APOSTLE PAUL BEST SUMMED IT UP IN HIS LETTERS TO THE ROMANS AND EPHESIANS.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so,
but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive
abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
IN SUMMARY THIS IS MY TESTIMONY TO ALL .
AS FOUND IN THE WORD OF GOD, IN THE WRITINGS OF PAUL .
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
IN CLOSING NO ONE BOOK CAN CONTAIN THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. BUT IT IS MANIFEST IN AND THROUGH HIS WORD THE HOLY BIBLE BY HIS SPIRIT. WORKING IN AND THROUGH THE HEARTS OF HIS CHILDREN, UNTIL THE DAY HE CALLS US HOME. HIS WORD SAYS WHEN WE SEE HIM WE WILL BE LIKE HIM. GLORY TO HIS PRECIOUS NAME. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF OUR WALK WITH HIM. NONE OF US HAVE ARRIVED YET. WE ARE ALL AN ONGOING WORK IN PROGRESS. NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE IN OUR WALK WITH GOD, GOD HAS MORE FOR EACH OF US.
AS WE DAILY LOOK TO JESUS CHRIST. THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. TRUSTING IN HIM AND THE FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS , PUTTING OUR FAITH TOTALLY IN HIM(WHO HE WAS AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS). SUBMITTING OUR WILL AND OUR LIVES TO HIM DAILY, ALLOWING THE SANCTIFYING POWER OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO MOLD US. THROUGH AN HONEST AND OPEN HEART CONTINUING STEAD FAST IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE(IE: JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED). IN A SPIRIT OF HUMBLENESS THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING AND STUDY OF HIS HOLY WORD. SEEKING TO LIVE PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT THROUGH OUR FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIS FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS. THE GRACE OF GOD WILL REACH TO WHERE WE ARE AND THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST WILL BE MANIFEST IN US AND HIS SPIRIT OF TRUTH WILL LEAD US INTO ALL TRUTH.
1 Corinthians 13:9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
2 Corinthians 3: 1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
MAY THE ETERNAL GOD OF GLORY RICHLY BLESS YOU AND OPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES AS YOU STUDY HIS WORD AND DRAW CLOSER TO HIM. AND MAY HIS SPIRIT OF TRUTH LEAD AND GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. MAY THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST BE MANIFEST IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU FOR THE GLORY OF HIS KINGDOM.
IN JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN.
IN CHRIST NAME AND SERVICE
BRO. TIM FLOYD
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