Essential Doctrines of the Bible
Copied from Pentecostal Publishing’s Word Aflame Bible 2014
Published by Word Aflame Press, 8855 Dunn Road, Hazelwood, MO 63042
This is not word for word from the Word Aflame product: This is a product from and printed by Lord’s Way Ministries International and Bible College;
Publications & Printed
By Brother
Gary L. Boyett
Of
Lord’s Way Ministries International & Bible College:
Printed in the United States of America, All rights reserved.
All scripture quotations in this book are from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted:
The first verse of the Bible introduces God as our creator of the universe; and all that is in existence and nothing exists without it being of the One True God’s will who allows it. As shown in verse 2; And the Spirit of God moved upon the waters (See Jn.4:23-24 & 1 Tm.3:16 here as well, as well as Jn.1:1-14-18 in the Greek original writing it speaks of Monogenis and even monogenous Theos!).
The Bible does not try to prove the existence of God; it assumes His existence is fundamentally known by one and by all, as He is the Creator of all, Ac.2:36 & 10:36, and we the beings and creatures of His creation Col.1:16-17! All creation bear witness to this as well; that there is in fact a loving, omnipotent, omnipresent, all wise, all intelligent, Holy Spirit, who has made Himself known to us as the Father, the Originator of all that is seen and that is not seen. It is by God our LORD that all things can exist and consist for His delight and use. (Col.1:16-17; Jn.17:1-5) In fact the Bible is the History of Mankind and his offspring (Gen.1:1-Jn.21:1-25, then the New Testament starts in the book of Acts chapter 1-28 & 29? See Ro.1:1-20 also.).
As stated in the Word Aflame documents; it shows there can be only three ways the universe came to be known; (1) it has always been in place and existed; (Eternal Universe); (2) it came into existence by its own power (A self creating universe, the Big Bang theory.) or (3) God Created it and is Lord God of His creation! We can only accept any of these suggestions (Hypotheses) by having faith and believing in one or all of them or even none of them and having a theory of your own, that hopefully is based on sound fact and a reasonable axiom that is based on a logical explanation, and not at all like those of the CERN system, looking for a god particle! The building block of all creation! I am sure there maybe even more theories in the world but we have not the time to dwell on such nonsense , if, we know who God is and what He has done, if we are any kind of intelligent human beings. It is more plausible to realize our God transcends time, logic, and scientific proof!
It is more plausible to understand a God who is an omnipotent creator, with vast intelligence far superior to that of non rational matter accumulating in a reasonable fashion, which makes sense and appears to be rational and is an oxymoronic statement. That is an illogical assumption. Much as taking a wrist watch or timepiece and taking it all apart and putting all the pieces in a sack or paper bag and then shaking it for thousands of years and hoping all the pieces would put themselves together to make a watch that will keep correct time. All that and more, is what they would have us believe if their theories were true. Or that you put one particle, a god particle that was all intelligent and it went around the universe hoping to find more god particles to build upon to make the chemical bonds of all atomic material and then that too would go on for years upon years until it was smart enough to build; so that all astronomical lunar and solar systems called galaxies, that we see today could exist. On and on until even after a few billion years it would design itself a human being as we are today, what are the chances of all that happening? Unarguably incalculable! It is much easier to acknowledge and intelligent creator and supreme designer, who has not only made Himself known to mankind many times by many supernatural acts of kindness and benevolence. To those who love Him; for that is why He made all things to show His love; for He is love 1 Jn.4:1-21.
The orderliness and design of the universe makes it mandatory that there is the existence of a Designer a Creator. The smallest creatures and the complexities of all the substances relate to us that they were established by a maker that has unsurpassed knowledge and knows the end from the beginning! An all wise God, who knows what any system will need before it needs it and puts all that it will ever need available for its survival. Just as we see in Gen.1:1 throughout the Holy Scriptures! God always had what something else was going to need before it was created, even mankind! God’s design is much more reasonable that a Darwinist’s Theory of Evolution! Which has been disproven numerous times; that it is not even feasible or reasonable explanation: Which is no better than a blind chance that unintelligent matter that is unreasonable, has assembled itself over time in a reasonable manner, by chance! We are left with God being our Designer and Creator, our Sovereign God, and we His servants, made in order to take care of His world and universe and to have dominion over it as per His instructions to us!
This is in fact much more reasonable and logical explanation, as well as much simpler: Even the Simplicity that we find in Him when He comes to be our Saviour from our own sins of disobedience to His commandments 2 Cor.11:1-5. Even man’s divine nature has a quality to it that was made in the Image of a God that is beyond anyone’s imaginations. For we are as it says in scripture wonderfully made! This God of ours even knows our secret parts, or mind which is our very heart, He sees us entirely, spiritually and physically, nothing is hid from Him. All humanity that is of God has a moral and ethical understanding that was inherited and put in us by a creator so that we can be made in His image. With an understanding that life is the highest reason for existing, to love and be loved and to have offspring that will grow up and to love and be loved by us; who created life in His image and has given all that to us, for us to do for Him as well, Lk.17:7-10. Otherwise Love could not exist unless love could be given away freely; just as He did for us Himself that was beyond a price, Ac.20:28. For this reason God has given all of us an intelligence to comprehend what is reasonable service to the Lord and to all mankind as well (Ro.2:1-15).
How could mankind, the temporal man, have an inclination of an omni-existant (infinite), omnipresent, omnipotent, and a Perfect omniscient God that has always been and will always be, unless it was from Him who has Himself imparted that revelation in the minds of His children see Mt.16:17 & Jn.8:47 & 51. Every society in history has expressed its beliefs in a Supreme Being they understood to be God and some of the pagans have had many gods in their belief systems but most religious systems that are fundamentally sound in their reasoning’s have always been Monotheistic in nature, all through history.
The testaments and covenants have always been established by Sacred Scriptures given between one person or group to another, which both sides have established and agreed upon the conditions and or terms; we have learned this from our God as well. He has done the same and set forth His terms and conditions called commandments for all humanity to follow or they will be in their own sin. This is the sin of disobedience! For this reason God has made Himself known to mankind and participates in and throughout all history, our God has been involved in His creation and His servants’ lives. The testimony of all scripture is sacred for this reason, it is inspired of God, 2 Pt.1:19-21 & 2 Tm.3:14-17, so that mankind will know how he is to conduct himself and those in his life who live with him. Otherwise there would be fighting and wars that we see today; with much bloodshed, if they live in sin, just as the scriptures tell us will happen in the last days, that the world will be in its own wickedness 1 Jn.5:19 and in sin all around us, just as it is today as it has been prophesied, Mt.24:1-51, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Thus showing us scripture is reliable and trustworthy, for a God to be a true God, He must never lie and His words to us must always be true, from which we can base all truth upon; which is His word to us! Thus the Holy Bible does hands down to us what no other publication has ever done; because it is not inspired of God, unless a modern Apostle today has been given a word from God to write to His people called by His name, seen in Gal.3:26-27; and then it must match all the other scriptures in existence too, or that will be a false prophet or false apostle, see Ac.17:10-11. For it is written that we cannot add to this sacred word and we cannot detract away from it either, Deu.4:2 and Rev.22:18-19, tells us this, it is a fact!
The Bible
Now then that we have established that God does exist, His Holy Sacred Word to us must exist as well. Our God would not have created all this and us without wanting to communicate with us or we would not be liable for any sin but that sin which we have established among ourselves! This is why we must understand that these words of God are inspired and are from Him our one true God, Deu.6:4. Since God is a rational all intelligent Supreme Being, He had to make us intelligent and rational beings as well: Capable of understanding His will for us that is found in His words to us. Otherwise how can we fulfill His purposes for Him creating us? He has put everything in place for us to succeed and to multiply; surely He would have given us enough sense to communicate with Him and Him to us. Thereby knowing how to bless God and so He in turn can bless us as well, Jn.1:16 so grace is found to be reciprocal in nature. As long as we love Him and obey Him we in turn find His benevolence and Grace, His Royal Favour! His Blessings to us! His merited favour by obedience to His every word Mt.4:4 from Deu.8:3 because our God changes not, Mal.3:6 and see 16-18, as well as Ecc.12:7-14!
For this reason God made us intelligent beings in His image able to understand and fulfill all His commandments, precepts, judgments, statutes and sayings, line upon line and line upon line of this Holy Script, Is.28:9-12, so that we can find His peace and rest; otherwise all life will be nothing but torment and disturbance after disturbance as seen in verse 13 of Is.28 and Mt.7:15-23 as well as what is seen in Mt.24:1-51.
This is the reason we find His writings to us handed down to us by His chosen children called by His name, Ro.3:1-3. He has given His words to us to help make our lives better, not to hinder them but to allow us to have peace. To propagate from one generation to the next so they in turn could live in peace and comfort by having a relationship with God, as a Holy people, as a Holy Nation, called by His name Ex.19:5-6; Lev.11:44-45 and 1 Pt.1:1-16! And the following evidence convincingly demonstrates that the Bible is the uniquely written Word of God to man: 1) its unique claims, 2) self-vindicating authority, 3) testimony of the apostles and prophets, 4) integrity of Jesus Christ, who endorsed the O. T. and commissioned the writers of the New Testament, 5) nature and quality of its content, 6) moral superiority, 7) unit, despite more than 40 writers over 1,600 years, 8) lack of a creditable alternative, 9) agreement with history, archaeology and science, 10) indestructibility, 11) universality, 12) influence on society, 13) witness of the Spirit, 14) life-changing power, 15) fulfilled promises and fulfilled miracles, 16) fulfilled prophecies, and 17) lack of an alternative explanation for its origin.
With all this said we see that the Word of God is infallible and that it is the only Inspired Writings known to man that doesn’t refute itself but in fact supports all other scripture in and of itself, which none other book known to mankind can say all of this! All these listed things above, cannot be said about the Koran! The world’s most moral book, called the Holy Bible, the Sacred Words of God would never promote a lie or contradict itself but instead would proclaim that God Himself robed (1 Tm.3:16) in flesh would come to be the only logical spotless, blameless and perfect sacrifice for all the sin of the world and of mankind, Mt.1:23 God with us did this for us: That is what the Bible proclaims to be if translated correctly. Showing us yet again that God is our only logical conclusion to this Sacred Holy Bible, written by others but authored by His Holy Spirit to us, by His Holy men of God, 2 Pt.1:19-21 & 2 Tm.3:14-17, so we too can be found thoroughly furnished unto all good and perfect works, that can only be found in His scriptures to us! None but God could have done that; create a Holy and Godly Moral Writings to us. The Bible is literally God-breathed to us and comes from one source, His mind, His will, for all sacred beings to comply with, if they are going to be sacred at all, which is of God, Jn.8:47 & 51 (31, 32, and 36), if we are to be His Disciples, that are taught of God, Jer.31:31-34, Is.54:13, Ezek.37:1-28, that He God would teach us, Heb.8:8-13 and 10:16-17 as seen in Jn.6:44-47 as well as 63 & 68, because His words are eternal, Mt.24:35; Is.55:1-13 and Is.40:8 etc. No other book or writings can say all these things and be true in God’s Word, but His own words and His words alone are all that we need for salvation 2 Tm.3:14-17!
These verses shows all the words of God are tied together and cannot be broken, Jn.10:35, Is.28:9-12; Is.55:1-13; Jn.6:63 & 68; Jn.8:47 & 51; and 2 Tm.3:14-17, as well as Mt.12:31-32 and 46-50 as seen in Jn.12:45-50, for only His words to us brings us everlasting eternal life, none other can say that and accomplished it! This too is seen in Mal.4:5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. This was done before His coming to us, Is.40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make strait in the desert a highway for our God! See Mt.11:1-15 and Mt.17:10-13 as well. Showing us God and His words to us are reliable and trustworthy! This was all carried out in Matthew chapter 3 and Luke in the third chapter as well; Jn.1:19-28 and even in Jn.3:25-36why God is the Christ, Ac.2:36 and who is Lord and God of all Ac.10:36 came to be with us to remove us from sins effects and to allow us to have power over sin and the flesh and to go and sin no more, Jn.8:11 and 5:14 or a worse thing will come upon us as well.
All through the ages each writer wrote as he was used of the Lord for their time period; with terminology that was for that time period that they were in, so all that the Lord said could be understood with the etymology or the word usages, that were current for that time period could be clearly understood by all, and their words agreeing with all the words that had already been given before by others. This way we always knew it was of God and not of man’s doing. Every word agrees with all the other before it and after it so that none can doubt if it were of God or not! Different styles of writers and sometimes different languages were involved but all had the same effect, all knew it was of God’s doing it not mans! The Holy Bible is His word to His creation, so that we could know Him and His will and mind, otherwise there would be no accountability unless He made Himself clear, as to what He wanted us to do in serving Him. As a result the Bible is infallible, inerrant and its own authority for Doctrine, Correction, and Reproving the children of God, in Christian living, 2 Tm.3:14-17.
The Books of the Bible
There are thirty nine books recognized as Scripture by the ancients of antiquity who kept the historical writings from the ancestors, who gave them for safe keeping to their descendants of the Hebrew and the Jews from Israel clear back to Samaria and to Adam and Eve who God made with His own hands and breathed life into them and they became a living (spiritual) Soul made in His image, a Holy being which was imputed as Righteous! All of these thirty nine books were commonly quoted from in the New Testament by the Apostles and even Jesus Himself, who was and is God with us, Rev.4:8 and Mt.1:23. Twenty New Testament books qualify for us as written records of all that was said before and kept alive for the New Age as the real active words of God to His children called by His name, Lk.24:47; Jn.14:14 and Ac.2:37-40; Ro.6:4 and Col.2:12 to name just a few verses which proclaim this testimony as our only way to be known by Him as His child; unless we are in fact born again unto Him and His name Ac.4:12! For no other name is given by which we must be saved, for no other name brings with it Salvation, Jn.5:39-44 that is of God’s doing it, Jn.1:12-13! We are commanded to keep all His words to us and to keep growing in Grace, His Grace, and the Knowledge of who Jesus Christ is, 2 Pt.3:18 by keeping His words in our hearts and minds and always before our faces! Not only hearing His words to us but living them in our own lives, not being hearers only but doers of the words of God Col.3:17.
Errors can come to us sometimes from different copings or transcripts from one language to another we lose some of its depths and intents as to Godliness or Divinity as seen from the NIV, from the KJV even to leaving out some scriptures because they were not found in every manuscript but found in a few others, this doesn’t mean it should be excluded as long as other scripture back it up and doesn’t disagree with it or any other scriptures in the Holy Bible. This was found many times when the ancient writings were being assembled into what we know as the Canonized Scriptures, as an assembled collection of the 66 books of the Holy Sacred words of God; given for those who wish to make themselves known as His children called by His name and baptized in His name, the true church of the living God! Born again of the Water and of His Holy Spirit Jn.3:3-8 and blown wherever He needs us to go for His service, to make disciples of all nations and then the end will come, Mt.24:14. We have all these books of the Old Testament given to us from the scribes who are religious and are kept under a zealous standard of authenticity and accuracy that is unparalleled in history, even which is seen in the Septuagint of Alexandria in Egypt that was carried forth by those coming out of Babylonian captivity. They kept the written words of the prophets of God to their people. Even when other manuscripts are found they match with great accuracy to the original older manuscripts showing just how accurate they really were in their record keeping skills. We see this today as well in the Dead Sea scrolls. The accuracy of the Greek texts were extremely accurate in over 5000 manuscripts which verify and cancel out errors in any missing parts of the Greek language if there is any. We have others that show us what was really intended to be written in these cases.
The King James Version is the most popular English Bible, it was translated or commissioned to be translated by King James in 1604; he commissioned 47 theologians for the work and it took them seven years to complete it. You see the old translations used were the Bishop’s Bible it was clumsy and did not flow well as well as huge, clunky and inelegant as Barbara Bradley Hagerty says in her piece on this subject. (http://www.npr.org/2011/04/18/135437890/king-james-bible-now-400-still-echoes-voice-of-god).
The New King James version is using modern terminologies or vernaculars to make the original archaic language easier to read and interpret without a course on Etymology or Philology. With any translations we ought to be able to compare it back to the original source and compare and see for ourselves if they indeed kept the ideologies of the source intact. Especially when we are talking about Eternal Soul Issues, when it is an eternity in Hell or God’s Kingdom is at stake.
Bible students should use the literal method of interpretation, of all scriptures whenever possible, following the natural implications of the scriptures themselves. Although we must learn to use idioms of languages in the times they were written to us, of which some are called Hebraisms, meaning something other than what is said, such as “to lay with” it is have marital relations with one spouse or wife, another one is, “to be at the right hand of God” is to sit in all authority or all power is bestowed upon you or the one spoken of in this passage: See Mt.28:19, this is what is said about Jesus, but only to understand that Jesus is God in the flesh and has all authority and is said to be at the right hand of power, see Mk.14:62 as our examples will show. Whenever possible we are to keep to the literal translations without looking for hidden spiritual meanings that are called allegorical, or figurative: Such as parallel, metaphorical, nonliteral, symbolic, representative and emblematic as seen in Parables; these are for analogy alone or moral references, such as seen in the Proverbs and the Parable stories of Jesus’, which explained Biblical Truths to the common people of Israel, which they could relate to everyday life in their countries. It is important to use sound logic and to study what the words meant at the time when they were used, in order to understand the meaning of the passage as it was meant to be understood. This is done by using topic word studies for subject matter, especially for doctrinal issues that contribute to eternal matters. Such as Deu.8:3 and Mt.4:4; Lk.4:4 Jn.8:47 & 51 seen in Lk.11:28, in order to stay in His graces. See Jn.14:15 and 15:20 for example; these are all important heaven or hell issues, to a child of the Most High God. This too is called staying on context, with the background of the historical times or the people who the word is being talked about or to in these cases; this is called Hermeneutics, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeneutics), this article will explain the methodologies. Which include styles, history, geography, culture, figures of speech, symbols, parable, and types of literary styling of the ancient writers etc.
When studying the Bible, which is the Holy Word of God, it must be interpreted by the Holy Spirit who wrote it or it will be miss understood by those who are unconverted and they will lose out on all its subtleties and innuendoes. This too is seen in the Epistles of the New Testament, they were originally written for one set of people only; they who are baptized in Jesus’ name and those who have had the Holy Spirit’s baptism seen in Ac.2:1-4 and Eph.1:1-14 and then 15-22 by which we receive spiritual blessings and spiritual gifts, seen in 1 Cor.12 and again in Eph.4:1-fs. These are all given to us after we have repented and gone a new direction away from sin and the desires of the flesh, that wars against the Spirit, see Gal.5:17 and Ro.8:13, which must be mortified by the indwelling Spirit of God in us, after we come out from among the unclean generations Ac.2:40 and 2 Cor.6:14-18 and then He will be our God and instruct us and teach us His mind 1 Cor.2:1-16. Then and only then can we correctly translate His given words to us. The Bible is plain and meant to be understood, when done so correctly it will give a response to the reader that they must seek salvation that only comes from Jesus Christ. By following all His commandments to us and those of His ordained apostles we too can find salvation such as Cornelius found in chapter 10 of Acts. He was the first uncircumcised Gentile of Rome to be baptized with the Holy Spirit of God Ac.11:1-18 as a sign to the church of God that he Cornelius was God’s property, for God filled him with His own Spirit; a Roman soldier who sought God with his whole heart, mind, strength, and soul. (See Mt.5:8 & 48).
Scripture interprets scripture and all truth is progressively found from Old Testament to the New Testament, because God changes not Mal.3:6 and Heb.13:8, God stays the same and His words stay true over time. Societies might change, with their styles of clothing and styles of speech and even moral decay will increase over time as all prophecy of God has shown us: This will happen until His return for those called in His name! Our God will stay and remain the same through all generations, even though all in the world may become more and more sinful, His children will remain sin free, or they have fallen off the narrow way to His strait gate, Mt.7:13-14; 1 Cor.15:33-34; 1 Jn.5:17-18, Jn.8:11 and Jn.5:14 as well as Ro.12:1-21, this is seen in Mt.5:1-48 as well, Eph.5:26-27 and 2 Pt.3:1-18, these are commandments to His children called to be Holy as He is Holy, Jn.14:6; 1 Jn.2:1-6 & 3:1-6 even 4 :1-6-fs.! From Gen.1:1 to Rev.22:21, we are to keep all of His words to us that are found in His Holy scriptures, for His word cannot be broken, Jn.10:35; Is.55:1-13 and will never come back void from that which it was sent out to do. That is why we must know His words to us so that if someone comes in preaching or teaching another gospel, we will know they are a false teacher, prophet or apostles, if they leave the narrow Word of God for an example, see Mt.7:15-23, for these scriptures are the teachings we have been talking about, that Jesus calls to our attention in His words to us, for few there will be that find that narrow way to His strait gate, see Mt.20:16 and Mt.22:14 as well as the word Luke uses in his parallel version in chapter 13:22-30, Luke uses the word strive to enter in at the strait gate, this word strive in the Greek is (agonizesthe Strong’s concordance number 75), from which we get our word agonize from, that is how we too must work to stay in His will, and to stay on His narrow way called the scriptural way to heaven, called the Gospel word the good news, the instructions for life with God in His Holy Kingdom, was brought forth for one and for all and whosoever will Ac.2:37-40, all are called but few will be chosen, Mt.20:16 and Mt.22:14.
The Bible uses unified theology from the Old Testament to New Testament, the doctrines of the Bible has many supporting scriptures, we never base doctrine on a single scripture. Never will a doctrine stand by one scripture alone. The Bible is written by men of a right mind and is to be received of men of a right mind as well; this cannot be done without the baptism and the regeneration of the heart and mind of a man into a New Creature 2 Cor.5:17, of a right mind! Before the Lord can blow anyone anywhere for the Lord’s service, they must have a right mind, Jn.3:3-8 & Tit.3:1-8 and 2 Tm.3:14-17 living in us before we are ready for His service. The Word of God is designed to reach anyone who is thinking with a mature mind. This age is also seen in scripture as well, see Num.14:20-35. The Epistles are to Saints of God who have been converted by the Holy Spirit already; these scriptures teach saints of God how to live correctly as told to do by Jesus Himself in Jn.15:20, If we love Him we will keep His commandments as well as those He commissioned and sent out to teach His instructions to the world, called the Gospel, the good news, the directions to God’s Kingdom and our Mansions, Jn.14:1-fs. We can have all the confidence in the word and scriptures of God, that He has not concealed anything that would hinder us from being one with Him, see Jn.17:1-26, to be One with God and in Him as he is one with us and in us, Lk.17:20-21. If truly born again of God His way Jn.1:12-13, seen in Jn.5:39-44; 3:3-8; and Ac.2:1-4 & 37-40! He alone is the author of His Bible, 2 Pt.1:19-21.
The Doctrine of God
Our God is a Spirit, as seen in Jn.4:24 that is a Spirit of Truth as seen in Jn.1:16-17 of Grace and Truth, who is Holy as we have been called to be Holy as He is Holy, which is also found in scripture in 1 Pt.1:16 and in the Old Testament in Lev.11:44-45; Lev.19:2 and even in 20:7; which is called out in Revelations too, Rev.4:8, who was and is and is to come is Holy, making our God the Holy Spirit, that was incarnated into man, Jn.1:1-14-18 and 1 Tm.3:16, clearly shows that God became man in Jesus Christ Ac.2:36 and who is LORD God of all Ac.10:36 as well. This is true Monotheism, One true God whose name is Jesus the Christ, and Jn.5:39-44 and Jn.17:1-26 shows this more than adequately for any scholar to see.
God is the power of the Highest, Luke 1:35, that can do anything Luke 1:37 as well as Mt.19:26 and many other verses show, such as when we find God asking us questions like this one, “Is the arm of the Lord’s shortened that it cannot do what He has said would come to pass?” See (NIV & KJV Is the Arm or Hand of the Lord shortened, that it cannot do what it was sent forth to do? No!), Num.11:23; Is.59:1 and Is.50:2 as well, there are more that can be found as well. God chooses to reveal Himself from time to time to His people in many ways. As a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passes between those pieces of sacrificed animals the Lord told Abraham to prepare for Him before the covenant was given to him from the Lord God, Gen.15:7-17; we have our Lord God appearing as an Angel of Light in Gen.1:3 (See Jn.8:12 as well and Jn.12:35-36-fs. too), let us return to Genesis in the 18th chapter and we see three angles that appeared to be men and Sarah and Abraham washed their feet and prepared food for them and they did eat; one which was as we read in the scriptures was even the Lord God’s angel He prepared for Himself to be, a actual physical being, which Abraham knew from past times who came before him. See Jn.16:28 and Jn.17:1-26 as well and it will give you an idea of whom and what Jesus is talking about in those verses as well. God chose to reveal Himself in the seed of Mary to fulfill all prophecy as seen in Mt.5:17-20 and Heb.12:9 & 14. God is Holy and called all of His children to be Holy as well, see Eph.5:26-27 and 2 Pt.3:1-18 as well we are to be blameless, without spot or wrinkle, just as He is sinless, we are to be likewise, Jn.14:6, 2 Cor.5:19-21. God in His individuality is self existent, rational, and has a personality that is without change Mal.3:6 and Heb.13:8 show us this in the Holy Spirit and in Jesus as well: He is self existent and unchanging, eternal, and omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), omniscient (all knowing and all wise as well as all Understanding, the doing of all the aforementioned things), omnipotent (all powerful).
God’s moral nature is included in His personality, He is a pure example of these traits; He is pure Holiness; He is pure rational and reasonable Justice for one and for all without partiality to anyone’s person. He is Righteousness and pure Holiness which makes up His Godliness or His Divinity as some have miss translated Godhead, His Divinity (Theotetos, Strong’s # 2320), is His Sovereignty, having all dominion over all that exists, without forcing Himself on anyone. All are to come to know Him as their God and Ruler and King as Lord of all on their own, out of love for Him and for no other reason, if it is to be seen as pure of heart, for only they will see God Mt.5:8 & 48. God is merciful, and shows His favour to them who show grace to Him, Jn.1:16 as it is written in the scriptures. God is faithful and true and a loving God, who is always leaning towards us, wanting to meet with us to show us His goodness and that He is absolutely perfect in every way! 1 Jn.4:8 tells us God is Love, no other religion on earth can say that about their God!
Our God is a Holy God and being so He cannot have fellowship with sin or sinful people, God demands justice and righteousness in order to remain Holy in all Godliness! God’s justice demands retribution for all sin, the known and the sin committed in ignorance, the sin done in ignorance is forgivable and the sin that is done willfully is not, that sin of rebellion demands death to the sinner, as we read all of chapter 15 in the book of Numbers: And we read the story of the man found picking up sticks on the Sabbath after being warned already not to come out of their tents to do any Manuel Labor; verses 32-36 and then the law of tassels was brought forward for this reason so all would see the tassels and remember to keep all the commandments of God; verses 37-41. But in God’s love and mercy, He came to us in the flesh so that His very blood, the blood of God could cover the sin from before His eyes and cover it and so that those who would accept Him and His sacrifice, Ac.20:28 and Jn.20:28 could be cleansed by obedience to all His words to us, Jn.15:1-3-14-20 and those words of His ordained Apostles’ words to us as well, seen in their Epistles to the Saints of God; because that is who the epistles were written to, those who had been Born Again Jesus’ way, Jn.3:3-8 seen in Lk.24:47 and done in Ac.2:37-40 as seen in Ac.4:12 as well for no other name is given by which all Salvation comes to us in but One Name, the Name of our God with us, Jn.5:39-44, seen in Mt.1:23, Jesus’ name our Immanuel’s (Saviour’s) name! Those who repent and ask Jesus for forgiveness with a repented heart and mind that is pure for the reason of love and servant-hood will be rewarded for with eternal life with our Master, the LORD God of all, Ac.10:36 as seen in Ac.10:1-48 as well. This was amply shown to us in scripture, as we see in Ac.2:1-40, when about 3000 souls were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and were then baptized in Jesus’ name, this then is the birth of the church of God in Christ Jesus, it was birthed about 1983 years ago in Jerusalem in Israel at the feast day called Pentecost meaning 50 days after the Passover and the days of unleavened bread, this is the feast of weeks or Shavuot.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost)
Those who reject the gracious acts of our God’s own Salvation will face His wrath come the Day of Judgment upon the universe for all sin that has entered into the Kosmon #2889, Jn.3:16-18 & 1 Jn.5:19! God’s Holy nature will not allow God to love, condone or ignore sin, all sin must be answered for. Even the Idle word we speak we will have to give an answer for Mt.12:36-37 and if our words do not match His words; will we not be found as liars? Mt.7:15-23 & Ro.3:1-4-fs tell us our answer to these questions.
God is absolute and indivisibly One, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deu.6:4), His eternal nature contains no essential distinctions or divisions: All names and titles of the Deity of God such as the word God, Jehovah, Lord, Father, Word, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost, refer to one and the same divine being, without taking on any personages, see Jn.3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. And Jesus is the only begotten God of Himself, who is in the bosom of the Father which He is still in His omnipresence Jn.3:13 that is in Heaven as well, see 1 Tm.3:16 & 6:13-16 for further clarity of this understanding of how Jesus can be on earth and in the heavens as well by the Spirit in Him, Jn.14:7-18-26 shows us very well; see Jn.16:28-29 for further edification. Any plurality in the Hebrew language is a Hebraism, showing God is a multiple (Supernatural) power and is either repeated in the same verse or used the plural noun but with a singular verb showing us it is an act of the all powerful God in a singular tense verb that are spoken of in those actual God verses, such as haelohim (el-o-heem’) # 430, meaning of God, where we see the plural ending “im” being present, but in this case meaning a singular God, in Monotheistic Jewish Hebraisms of religion. And we are to be grafted into that olive tree, Ro.11:1-36 of Monotheistic understanding see Ex.3:14 and Jn.8:58 & then verse 24 and understand or you will continue to be in your sin for not being in Truth Jn.4:23-24 that is required of us in knowing Jesus as the I Am, not one of the we are, of a pagan theology of the philosophers and of the “Universal Church” of Rome!
Any plurality of God is only in His attributes, natures, titles, roles, manifestations, and modes of activity, or His relationship with mankind; there are many scriptures to show us His oneness; Is.42:8; 43:10-11; 44:6-8 & 24; 45:21-23; 46:6-9; Mk.12:28-30; Gal.3:20; 1 Tm.1:16-17 and 2:5; Jms.2:19 and many, many, more as well.
The title of the Father describes God as the Creator and Father of all creation from which the Universe was birthed or brought to a beginning. He is the Father of it and all of us as seen in Col.1:16-17 as well as Jesus the Christ who is God and man the begotten God Jn.1:18 as is translated correctly when seen in the Greek original verses! God became man the Son who is Man, Num.23:19, who became flesh 1 Tm.3:16, so the world could see His glory that cannot be given to another but God alone, see Is.42:8 and 48:11-19, this was evident in many verses showing us who Jesus really was in the flesh, he was God with us Mt.1:23 seen in His glory time and time again in scriptures as well; look at some of these for examples, 2 Cor.4:6; Lk.17:18; Jn.11:25-26 & 40; Mt.5:6; Mt.14:33, you see it was a sin to worship anyone but God or to bow down before anyone who was not God, and If Jesus were not God in the flesh, He would have been sinning to let anyone worship Him after healing them, which we see in scriptures every time He showed the people His glory, the Glory and power of God only! See 1 Cor.2:8, if they had known Christ as the Lord of Glory they would not have crucified him, but He had blinded their eyes so that they could be forgiven in their ignorance, as well as forgiving them on the cross and even those who had committed sin that only God can do, see these verses that show this; Ps.103:3; 130:7-8; Ex.15:26 and Num.14:17-19 etc.
God is the Father of all Born Again believers Ac.11:1-18, which is only found when we know the truth of who Jesus really is seen in Jn.8:24 or we are in our sins still! See verse 58 as well here, this explains the I Am seen in Ex.3:14 as well, as a title of God alone, singular! See Deu.32:1-12, there was no strange god with them but the LORD! Him alone all by Himself, He alone bought them for Himself, verse 6-9-fs.
The title Son only shows God becoming flesh and the fulfilling prophesies of the Sure Mercies of King David’s House and his heirs sitting on the throne of the Kingdom of Israel forevermore, this can only be done if God sits there and that was accomplished in Jesus! See Mt.5:17-fs. Jesus is the fulfillment of all prophesy see Rev.19:10, for only He is the Spirit of all prophecy, this showing us He alone is God Almighty Is.9:6-7. This is seen in Jn.10:30; Jn.12:45-50; Jn.14:6-18-26 Jn.15:1-3-14-20-27 & 27 to Jn.16:1-33 and 1 Jn.2:1-6 & 4:1-fs, for if we keep His commandments the world will hate us as it hated Him, as he warned us when we became His disciples to serve Him in word and deed, Col.3:17, and Jn.16:33! Because His word and the scriptures are Spirit and Truth; and they will war against the flesh, Ro.8:1-13 through further verses as seen in Jn.6:63 & 68 and Jn.5:39-44 as well. God the baby Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, see Jn.4:24 and Lk.1:35 & 37, the power of the Highest will come upon Mary and the Lord God will use that seed in Mary to constitute or incarnate Himself in that seed that was of a Levite seed, which was adopted into the line of Judah by Joseph the heir to the Kingdom of Israel and was the son of King David’s house in the tribe of Judah: Thus fulfilling roles and title to the High Priesthood and the King of Israel at the same time by heritage and relation. As seen in Ps.110:1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
God with us will fulfill all these scriptures and these too when he returns for those called by His name: Ps.2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
These and many more will all be fulfilled by the time Jesus sits on His throne before the world and the New Earth and Jerusalem comes down from the Father above that is of Himself, see 1 Tm.3:16 & 6:13-16 to understand these passages, as well as Jn.3:13 too.
To know Jesus is to have seen God and to know Him, Jn.12:45-50 and Jn.10:30 as well as Ex.3:14, Jn.8:24 and Mt.3:3 and Is.40:3 and Jn.3:34 and Col.2:1-12.
Jesus was actually conceived of Himself as seen in Lk.1:35 & 37 and Mt.1:18, 20 and 23! This is true Monotheism, which only God with us could accomplish in and of Himself, Rev.4:8. The Holy One became the Holy Deity and Divine Man Theanthropos, Greek for God and man, actually it should be spelled God is Man and we that are they who are made in His Image, see Num.23:19. As the Son of Man speaking of Jesus to come in the future advent!
The Spirit (Holy Spirit), who was literally Jesus’ Father and God which is conceived of God in and of Himself with the help of Mary’s blessed seed, became The Son who is Tou, n, e, even us, or Ho, He or To, number 3588, as the direct article not “OF” anything 3588 is not a possessive pronoun but a direct article that must be used that way or there is confusion and that is an Abomination to God! See Deu.22:5 for example or 1 Cor.11:1-16 or Ro.12:1-21, we are to behave as a Holy People of a Holy and Righteous nation of Godly principles and Commandments! The Holy Spirit then is called the Father, see Gen.1:1-2 & 3 as well as Jn.8:12 and Jn.12:35 Jesus is the Light of the world, showing us His God qualities in Him alone! The Holy Spirit identifies the qualities of God’s Holiness and forms the basis of His normal activities, particularly His anointing, regeneration, gifting, and indwelling Spirit in His children who are taught of Him, Jn.6:44-47; Mt.10:20, Lk.12:11-12; Mk.13:9 and Lk.21:14-15 seen in Jn.14:7-18 & 26 Jn.15:1-3-14-20 & 26 and they all who are His will be taught of God, Jer.31:31-34, Heb.8:8-13, 10:16-17 and Is.54:13 and all of Ezekiel chapter 37!
The gifting of the Holy Spirit are first seen in Joel.2:28 and Ac.2:14 described by Peter in Ac.2:16-21 and seen also in 1 Cor.12:1-31 and in Eph.4:1-32. Born Again children of God are to have gifts of the Spirit and are to be able to be tested, as seen in 1 Jn.4:1-fs. If we have separated ourselves from the unclean generation see Ac.2:40 and 2 Cor.6:14-18, then God will be our God and dwell in us as we are to be His Temples 1 Cor.3:16-17 and 6:19-20 and 2 Cor.6:14-18 as told earlier.
These terms can also be understood by God’s own revelations in and to us by Himself Mt.10:20, Lk.12:11-12, Mk.13:9 and finally in Jn.6:44-47 and in His words to us when read daily; He keeps imparting new understandings to us as we mature Spiritually, 2 Pt.3:18. The term Father relays the idea of God to us in a family way as our creator and we His children who are Born Again or regenerated by His doing Jn.1:12-13 and not man’s doing it but God with His indwelling Spirit Ac.2:1-4 and Ac.11:1-18, this is being sealed for the earnest of redemption, Eph.1:3-14. With power and Spiritual wisdom; verses 15-22. To have in fact His mind in us, 1 Cor.2:1-16 if we pursue Him to His final end, in us. So that it is not us who live but Him in us, to shine a light unto a lost world still in its darkness see Mt.5:14-16. So the sons of God can bring glory to their Father which is in heaven, just as Jesus said in Jn.17:1-26 and Jn.8:29 as we are to do in Him, 31, 32 and 36, if we are disciples of God in Christ Jesus 2 Cor.5:19-21!
The Son of man or the Son of God, is a miss translations to begin with, it should be the Son who or Himself is God as seen in the definite article of ton or tou or one of the other versions of that word number 3588, if studied correctly and translated correctly: Which would clear up a great deal of confusions and false doctrines! God in order to forgive sin required a blood sacrifice to be draw from a sinless source that was clean without Spot or Wrinkle in other words it has to be without blemish! And remission of sins cannot come about without the shedding of blood Heb.9:15-28 as seen starting in Ex.24:1-to Lev.14 and even in chapter 17:1-16. Without blood of a sinless sacrifice there can be no remission of sins! God had to robe Himself in flesh and come to be our Sacrifice, not one would worship a God who would send His own son to do something only God could do anyways, see Jn.4:35, Jesus and the Father are One Jn.10:30 and it is by Jesus, that the very flesh of God 1 Tm.3:16, was given for this very reason seen in Jn.10:1-18 as well. If God could not do that Himself, He could not be all powerful then could He (Lk.1:37), as seen in Lk.1:35 the Holy One, which is the Holy Spirit manifested in the flesh as the Son and God with us, Mt.1:23? Even though man can be a father, a son and his own person as well as a husband to a wife, God can be the same and only be One Deity and Divine Holy Person of all Godliness! That my friend is who Jesus is and will always be, Rev.4:8, Jn.17:1-26: Told repeatedly in the scriptures from the O. T. to the N. T. even though God became flesh He remained the same, Mal.3:6 and requirements of God remained the same as well, we are to serve Him, Mal.3:16-18 and keep His Commandments, Jn.14:15 and those of His appointed and commissioned apostles who were sent out by Him, Jn.15:20 that is our Job to Do, without blemishes, Eph.5:26-27 seen in Mt.5:8 & 48 as well as Gen.17:1, He changes not!
The Identity of Jesus
Jesus the Christ is both God and Man who is LORD of us! He alone is the One True God 1 Jn.5:20, incarnated in the flesh, Jn.1:1-14-18, seen in other scriptures as well being identified in them as seen in 1 Tm.3:16 and Jn.10:30 and 14:7-19 and Jn.12:45-50, when you have seen Jesus you have seen God, when the Father draws us to Him we find Jesus, Jn.6:44-47 and He reveals Himself to us Mt.11:27; Lk.10;22, Jn.3:34-35; Jn.13:3; 1 Cor.15:27-18 and Jn.6:44-47 just as it is in Jn.4:34! Only God can finish His work, which only God can do. Only in God can all the fullness of all Deity and Divinity dwell in Jesus bodily, Cor.2:1-12. That is why we must be baptized in Jesus’ name Ac.4:12; Ro.6:4; Gal.3:26-27 and Col.2:1-12 and Lk.24:47; because there is no other name we MUST be submitted to, the very one who died and had the power to raise Himself up from the grave by Himself, Jn.10:1-18. Only God with us could do that, only God has power over death, hell, and the grave as well as being born of a miracle birth, being born of a virgin, putting Himself inside the seed of Mary with the Spirit without measure, Jn.3:34 and having the words from heaven because it is He who came down from heaven, Jn.6:38; 8:23, 24 & 58! Only God can be the Holy Manna that came down from heaven from God above, Jn.6:51! It was God in Christ Jesus who was reconciling the whole world unto Himself by Jesus and making us new creatures by His regeneration, 2 Cor.5:16-2; it is God in Jesus which does the works, Jn.14:7-18-26 that is by Jesus’ Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (Jn.1:17), who will work through us, as we become One with Him, Jn.17:1-26, if we are truly His, Mk.16:15-20. This too is seen all the way through the book of Acts. God’s words to us are true, because He cannot be found a liar, Tit.1:2 and Heb.8:16 as seen all the way back in Num.23:19 and 1 Sam.15:29; Num.11:23; Is.50:2; 59:1; Is.55:1-13, you shall not take away from His words to us or add to them, they are all sufficient and all we will ever need for salvation, Deu.4:2; 12:32; Prov.30:6; Deu.5:32-33; 17:20; 28:14; Josh.1:7; Prov.4:27; 2 Tm.3:14-17 and Rev.22:18-19. Or you will be as those found in Jud.2:10 as seen in A.D.325 even as early as 150 A.D. Ac.20:25-38 came to pass, even in St. John’s times as well, seen and talked about in his first Epistle, as well as some others as well as seen in Jude’s writings. Antichrists were already coming into the churches drawing away men of God for the lucre of their own bellies. This fulfilling Jesus’ own words to us in Mt.24:1-51. Because God is the Spirit of all Prophecy Rev.19:10, Is.55:1-13 and His words to us are forever, Mt.24:35. Only Jesus is the image of the invisible God, manifested in the flesh as God and our Saviour, the express image of His person (substance), see 2 Cor.4:4’ Col.1:15-17; 1 Tm.3:16; Tit.2:10-15; Heb.1:3; 2 Pt.1:1-11 as seen in 2 Pt.1:19-21.
He is not the incarnation of one part of a trinity, but the incarnation of all the character, quality, and personality of the one true God, 1 Jn.5:20.
Acknowledging Jesus is to acknowledge the Deity of His substance and the very nature of His active will; without knowing who Jesus is, is to find one’s self without salvation! Without Truth in our lives there is no salvation, without knowing Jesus as God with us, the One True God, of all in all who fills all in all in Heaven and in earth and under the earth: He is the one Spiritual and now physical Immortal flesh a Glorified Essence that is inter-dimensional, time nor can space hold Jesus or contain Him, Col.1:16-17 nor could all the Psalms ever told even start to tell all that there is about our God, just as St. John said in the last verse of his Gospel account, Jn.21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen! See Jn.8:24 and understand! These men could not become disciples of Jesus anymore than anyone else who doesn’t know Him as the I Am; talking about the Sanhedrin the members of the High Priesthood of Israel, they had no Spiritual discernment of who Jesus is and without this knowledge, Mt.11:27; Lk.10:22; Jn.3:34-35; 13:3; 1 Cor.15:27-28; Jn.1:18 and 6:46, this is revealed to us by His Spirit in us, Ac.2:1-4, 8:16-17; 10:44-48 Ac.11:1-18 seen in 19:1-7 and even in Ac.22:16 and twice more at Paul’s own testimonies to the men of the Temple in Jerusalem and at the Roman Courts as well as in front of King Agrippa, all in the same book of Acts. All of these testimonies were told by Paul, but it was the Spirit of Jesus Christ in him who gave him the words to speak Lk.21:14-15! We see this here too in Mt.10:20, Lk.12:11-12 and Mk.13:9 and Jn.14:18 & 26 to 15:26 and in Jn.16:1-28 & 29. Our God will give to you what we are to say with His anointing, not man’s teaching can never come close to that, Jn.1:12-13!
Only if Jesus is the One True God, He only can have the power to save from sin, for only God has that power to be our one and only Saviour. He can forgive sin, Is.43:25-28; 44:22; 45:21-22; Jer.50:20; Ac.3:19; see Eze.36:22-38, only God can do all this and much, much, more as we have seen in Jesus alone. Jesus is He who accomplished this all by Himself and His sacrifices, as He healed the poor and the down trodden, opened eyes of one born blind and the deaf ears from birth and raising the dead, no one but our God is able to do all that (See Jn.21:25). Only God can heal and tell them on the Sabbath to take up their beds and go home, none but God can give that order and not be in sin, because He alone is Lord of the Sabbath and Sovereign God who will and does give mercy and grace upon whomever He will, Ex.33:19, Ro.9:15 & 18 & Mk.2:7.
All the titles of Deity can only be applied to God our Jesus; He shared these titles as well, all through the bible showing us time and time again, only He is God with us or Immanuel, Mt.1:23. See Jn.20:28; Lord in Ac.9:5; Jehovah in Is.45:23; with Phil.2:10-11; I Am is used of Jesus in Jn.8:24 & 58; Father Is.9:6; Rev.21:6-7; Word was used of Jesus in Jn.1:14 & 18, the begotten God, monogenes # 3439 meaning from one Gene, Theos is that Gene from which that Holy One came from, see Theos # 2316, the Almighty God, Is.9:6 became the Prince of Peace, the Eternal Father and Almighty God are all one in the same person, our Immanuel!
God the Father dwelt in the man Jesus Christ Jn.14:7-18 without measure Jn.3:34 because God is that One Holy Spirit Jn.4:23-24 seen in Jn.1:16-17-18! Jesus is that Grace and Truth which will live forevermore, that was in God from the beginning just as we all were, see Heb.12:9 and to who we all will return Ecc.12:7!
From the Word Aflame Publications: They explain it this way:
God the Father dwelt in the man Christ. Jesus said, “I and My Father are One” (Jn.10:30), “He that hath seem Me has seen the Father (Jn.12:45 & 14:7-9-18 to 26) …The Father that dwelt in Me, He doeth the works” (Jn.14:7-10). The Divine nature of Jesus Christ is the Holy Spirit (Gal.4:6; Phil.1:19; see Jn.16:5-13 and then look to Jn.1:16-17 this is Jesus’ Spirit as well as. Jn.4:23-24 & Rev.19:10), which is the Holy Spirit which is the Father see (Jn.4:24; Mt.1:18-20 & 23 see chapter 10:23). “The Lord is that Spirit” (2 Cor.3:17; Rev.4:8 and 1 Tm.6:13-16), Jesus is the One on the Heavenly Throne, as we see by comparing the description of Jesus in Revelation chapter 1 seen in verse 8, 11, 17-18 is the same exact one who sits on the throne in Heaven see Rev.4:1-11; and by noting that “God and the Lamb” are titles, but is One Being in Rev.22:3-4.
Jesus is also the Lamb of God as well as the Son of God miss translated or the Son (who is) or (one who is) God, correctly translated! Or simply put The Son, The God of us. This is the only true way to translate the word of God Monotheistic-ally! Most other ways only leads to a Polytheistic way, Which God is not! He knows no other gods besides Him, see Is.43:1-28. There are many chapters in many other books of the bible that back up this theology, if one has eyes to see and ears to hear with, that are of the Lord Lk.21:14-15.
The Son, the God of us, did not die on the cross, He gave up the Ghost and stepped into another dimension, just as He told the man on the cross that was next to Him, “Today you shall be with me in paradise,” (Lk.23:43), after all God with us cannot lie at any time, His word is true, Jn.1:17!
You cannot separate the Deity that is in Christ Jesus, whether His body has life in it or not it is Divine property of God and is now eternal in Spirit and in nature, it will be one with the Spirit after He makes His point( Jn.10:1-18), that He alone is God, The Almighty over Death, Hell, and the Grave, nothing can bind the Lord but Holiness and Righteousness, which is His Godliness! He alone is God now Eternal as well in a glorified body, sitting on the throne in heaven, while His Spirit reigns with us on earth and dwells in the Saints of God, 1 Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20 and 2 Cor.6:14-18, and Lk.21:14-15; where He will be our God as long as we stay on His narrow way and do not deviate off of that narrow way, not to the right hand or to the left Deu.5:32-33 & Mt.7:13-14! And few that there will be that even find His narrow way, Mt.20:16 and 22:14!
The union with humanity of a blessed seed of Mary in its purity, due to God blessing that seed, will result in a blessed Holy One that is conceived of the Highest power available that has ever been known, a pure Holy Godman a Theanthropos, a Divine Being of pure human Deity, merged into a New Thing, Lk.1:35 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 (H)holy thing(ONE) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of (Which should be omitted and nothing in its place, it should read Son God or Son, God: Or even maybe this verse should be translated this way; Son our God), God. Many things have to be remembered here in the History of the Church and the ages of development it went through especially after the Apostles were killed off being the first Martyrs for Jesus and His Teachings to us! Which He warned us would happen if we stayed on His narrow way, they would kill us thinking they were dong God a favour, when they would be helping the god of this world, called Satan! The Prince of the Air which will mimic anything God has already done, to appear to be an angel of light, see 2 Cor.11:1-(12-15).
Jesus is no longer the Christ but Glorified God of Heaven and of this earth and the new one to come, after He judges this one, (seen in 2 Pt.3:1-13), nevertheless we must keep to Jesus’ words to us and never deviate off that narrow way called the scriptures of God to His children called by Jesus’ name, Gal.3:26-27, those who have been buried with Him in baptism will be with Him for eternity if we walk in all His words to us, Jn.14:15 and Jn.15:20, just that simple.
Jesus was never the eternal Son, for that would lead to Polytheism which would mean more than one god, which comes to us from pagans, who had many gods in their religions as well as in Mythology of the Hellenistic Greeks and many others as well: (http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/greek-mythology). Many of these stories and even modern-day philosophies have evolved off of these times such Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, to modern times as well that try to get into the Bible by integration of ideologies! We see this today with more and more translations of the Holy Bible, each one brings in its own ideologies and theologies, which are heresy, which simply means a belief, see this site for the etymology of that word, not that it means it is right or wrong just a belief at one time but now has taken on the role of a negative connotation, to be called a heretic is not anything good in most eyes, unless you are fixed sure and fast to truth in Monotheism of One God, 1 Jn.5:20 whose name is Jesus, then you are right on target and hitting the bulls eye, in the center of the target!
(http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=heresy&allowed_in_frame=0)
heresy (n.)
“doctrine or opinion at variance with established standards” (or, as Johnson defines it, “an opinion of private men different from that of the catholick and orthodox church”), c. 1200, from Old French heresie, eresie “heresy,” and by extension “sodomy, immorality” (12c.), from Latin hæresis, “school of thought, philosophical sect.” The Latin word is from Greek hairesis “a taking or choosing for oneself, a choice, a means of taking; a deliberate plan, purpose; philosophical sect, school,” from haireisthai “take, seize,” middle voice of hairein “to choose,” a word of unknown origin, perhaps from PIE *ser- (5) “to seize” (source of Hittite šaru “booty,” Welsh herw “booty”).
The Greek word was used by Church writers in reference to various sects, schools, etc. in the New Testament: the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and even the Christians, as sects of Judaism. Hence the meaning “unorthodox religious sect or doctrine” in the Latin word as used by Christian writers in Late Latin. But in English bibles it usually is translated sect. Transferred (non-religious) use in English is from late 14c.
The Scriptures proclaim emphatically that Jesus the Christ is in fact a complete Human but so much more than the first Adam was, or the world would never had sinned at all because Jesus was human and without sin, 2 Cor.5:19-21 but became the punishment of sin for us, so we would not have to suffer His wrath to come, when He comes to judge the church first 1 Pt.4:17-19 and then the world, 2 Pt.3:1-13. Jesus is much, much, more than just another human being, see Is.9:6-7. Jesus has a human body, The Holy Spirit for His eternal soul and the active will of the flesh, which will war against the Spiritual things that pertain to God alone as seen in the Garden of Gethsemane or as seen in Mt.16:23, the things of this world are the things that will pass away but the things that are Spiritual are eternal, so one human being is to be separated from the Holy things of God! Such as this saying by the Apostles Paul, “ Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s Table, and of the table of devils.” 1 Cor.10:14-21 or 22. Jesus is a perfect human when He was with us on earth, with supernatural authority over all the elements of any physical universe manifestations! Which only God could do and have that authority, to forgive even sin. He could show mercy on whoever He wanted to show mercy on, Ex.33:19 and Ro.9:15-18 as well seen in the scriptures of God. Jesus’ humanity doesn’t mean He ever had a sinful nature, Jesus was baptized so to show His followers what He wanted them to do as well, so all Righteousness could be done unto them as He established with John the Baptist, in the Prophecies Is.40:3 and Mal.4:5-6 seen in Mt.3:1-17 and Jn.3:25-36, these were some of the prophecies that were fulfilled in the Gospels of Jesus Christ; He was man and without sin; Heb.4:15; 1 Pt. 2:22; 1 Jn.3:5. Jesus came with a kind nature not willing that any should be lost 2 Pt.3:9, this too must have been how Adam and Eve were at the beginning in a purity that comes from being made of and by our God who makes all thing good or perfect Mt.5:8 & 48!
Belief in Christ’s true humanity is essential to salvation (Jn.4:23-24; and 1 Jn.4:3). If God did not truly come in the flesh, there would be no salvation without His pure blood; a sinless blood for a sacrifice or we would then still be in our sins! There is no remission of sin without the shedding of innocent blood, Jesus is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world, even before the foundations of the Universe! God had always known He would have to come and save mankind from itself and its own sins, before He ever said the first “Let there be”; this is the very purpose for the incarnation, it was for this same reason. He knew by allowing freewill to exist so Love could be manifested and come to life in us, we had to have the opportunity to fall short and fail in disobedience to His words to us, which Adam and Eve did; it doesn’t make any difference if it was the very same day the Lord made them and gave them the ordinances or command not to eat of that tree of “Good and Evil”, which is the tree of Knowledge many say, which today some hold as the greatest good; is to have all knowledge. This of course is impossible unless we are one with God and have His mind in us 1 Cor.2:1-16 by having His Holy Spirit in us as it was in Jesus! Only by God stepping into humanity can He grasp and pull the living dead away from a fiery wrath of God, from humanities own sin and awaiting death sentence! 1 Tm.2:5; Gal.3:20 and Eph.4:30 grieve not the Holy Spirit by which we are to be sealed! Or there is no Salvation without having His mind in us and being taught of Him, 1 Jn.2:1-20 -27-fs. Unless we have His mind 1 Cor.2:1-16, we do not know how to please Him do we?
It is necessary to distinguish clearly between Deity and humanity of Christ, without some manmade preconceived ideologies or Dogma! Jesus was much more than just a human He was a Human Deity a sinless vessel of God’s own Spirit in Him, making Him Jesus the first Theanthropos, or God-Man, 1 Tm.3:16! This is called out in scripture as well, look to Is.9:6 and Jn.8:58 as Jesus explained to the Sanhedrin just who He was and is, see Jn.8:24, if we do not understand Him to be saying that he was before Adam as the Holy Spirit who is God the I Am revealed to Moses in Ex.3:14 is the same God who revealed Himself to humanity to take away our sins and to be our propitiation for all past sin, Ro.3:25 and that we are to be filled with His Spirit, Jn.3:3-8 in water baptism in His name only Ac.4:12 or we are in our sin still, Jn.8:24! We either receive Salvation His way or we cannot be saved by any other way! No church, no priesthood and for sure no man made organization can save anyone, no matter how many ritual cleansings or baths or baptisms you go through unless Jesus prescribed it in His scriptures and the gospel is the plan of salvation, it is much more than just the “Good News” as many proclaim, it is the complete instructions on how to find God’s own Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness of our sins, and to learn of Him, so we know how to please Him and go and sin no more, or a worse thing will come upon you as well, Jn.8:11 and 5:14 reveal this to most who know God and the power of His Spirit to live a Holy and Righteous life style that is in Him and He is us, Jn.14:6 and 2 Cor.6:14-18! That is why God came to us in the flesh to save His own and to be the Holy One of Jacob the Mighty One, Is.49:26! Many times Jesus spoke in His humanity as an example to show us what to say or how to act in a human standpoint but always still being in the Spirit with Truth in all things: Showing us His divine viewpoints so we too can know how to walk with Him Amos.3:3: Even as the Father Jesus spoke in His divine consciousness; just as Jesus did in His human consciousness giving us again a righteous viewpoint from a sinless side of humanity. Only as a man, could Jesus our God with us, grow and be tested of the devil, (Remember God cannot be tempted, Jms.1:13, so God cannot be tempted either!), although we can be tested, as even Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days, one day for each year Israel was in the wilderness, so was God in the flesh to prove Himself to us as well as mankind that He too is willing to endure everything He put us through for Him; even to die on the cross for sins of others, Jn.15:13-17.
Only by God becoming flesh could He experience all that we do; to hunger, to be tired and need to sleep, to thirst, and to need to pray, even to Himself in the Spirit to protect His flesh and to get strength to endure to the end, for only those who endure to the end will be saved, those who overcome as He has shown us in Jn.16:33, will be His forevermore! This too is brought out in chapters 2 and 3 in the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John.
While Jesus was on earth He was fully God and man, not just another anointed prophet, He was the Almighty God, who could do all things Lk.1:37 and only by His word could anyone be saved, or healed, or forgiven. Jesus possessed all authority and even knew the thoughts of others when they only thought something about Him, as in Lk.7:36-50. Jesus is God by right, nature, and identity; He is not merely deified by an anointing or indwelling; unlike a Spirit filled believer; the humanity of Jesus is or was inextricably joined with all the fullness of the Holy Spirit who is God, Jn.4:24! Here is the entirety of Jesus; God is fully God and still fully God in Christ Jesus because there is no God or any God formed after Him, Is.43:10-11-13! That is the long of it and that is short version of it!
The long version of it: Jesus is the fullness of God dwelling in perfect humanity and manifesting Himself as a perfect human being. He is not a transmutation of God into the flesh, the manifestation of a portion of God, or the animation of a human body of God, or God temporarily dwelling in a separate human person; Jesus Christ is the incarnation—embodiment, human personification—and the One True God 1 Jn.5:20! The actual manifestation of the word of God and His name Jn.5:39-44 that cometh from God alone, Jn.1:12-13!
Angels and Demons
Our One True God created all substances and even the Heavens and the Universe and all Spiritual (HOLY) and spiritual (fallen and in their sin) beings. Heb.12:9; Gen.1:1 and Rev.4:11 are just a few that show these scriptures that support these facts. Scripture must always back up our claims, teachings, and or dogma, decrees and symbols! Before the creation of this world God created angels, who are Spirit beings with personalities. They too have free will and some chose to be their own masters and not to follow the commands of God these are the fallen spirits. Only the Holy Ones are to be capitalized in their names or figurative speaking or literal speaking of them. Just as only the true Saints of God who are Holy in His eyes are to be capitalized. Unless talking about them in the Epistles for only the Epistles are written to no one but the Saints of God, who have had the upper room experience Ac.2:1-4, for this is God’s repentance towards us, when He redeems us from the wrath of sin, see Ac.10:1-48 and Ac.11:1-18 those verses explain this very well.
There are different types of angels, such as Archangel, Seraphim, and Cherubim are some that are mentioned in the Bible, there are bound to be others as well. The fallen angels came unto the sons of men and used their daughters to bring into the world beings called demons. Offspring of the fallen angels that were allowed to destroy themselves for five hundred years. The fallen angels could do nothing but watch their own young destroy themselves; for there was nothing good in them and they turned on anyone without cause or reason, this was part of the punishment of God on all of them. These fallen demons are the ones that roam the world looking for the weak to inhabit, see in Mk.5:1-20. 2 Pt.2:4, the fallen angels are reserved and bound to Hell but the demons their offspring are they which cause havoc in the world today. Much more is told in the bible but the study of angels is not important! Some religions even worship them and even the fallen saints of God (Catholicism), which is not tolerated of the Lord, He is a Jealous God and all worship is due to be given to Him alone! The only study that is important is to know that we have dominion over them and sin, but we have to take authority over them and sin itself see Gen.4:7, even Cain was warned of God about this too. So we have two types of angels, the fallen; and the holy ones still serving God and helping the Lord as servants to Him alone. See Col.2:18, we do not need to worship them or study them, they are the Lord’s servants and Jesus said some day we too will be as the angels as well, see Mk.12:24-25. Anymore than this is a waste of time.
Humankind
God created man and woman in His image He created them, in His spiritual, intellectual, moral, and ethical image, (Gen.1:1-27), humans are made of body and in that body they have life or spirit that is in the blood, even in animals the spirit or life is in the blood (Lev.17:11-13), we are not to eat anything with the blood in it see Ac.15:1-(18-21)-35. We are a spiritual being as well that has an eternal soul, just as God is eternal we too are now made in His likeness and are eternal, which cannot be destroyed by God or we would not be in His image and the apple of His eyes or have dominion over all that He has created for us and His enjoyment, as well as ours. This living soul of ours is headed for Hell’s fires unless we find Jesus our deliverer, our redeemer, our very own Saviour, that has purchased us with His own blood, the very blood of God Ac.20:28 and Jn.20:28. See 1 Thes.5:23, we are to be found blameless, just as seen in Eph.5:26-27, or we too cannot be with Him for eternity! For the children of God keep themselves from all sin 1 Jn.5:17-18. See also 1 Cor.15:33-34, these are our commandments to us Jn.14:15 & 15:20! Only a Born Again child of the Most High God can have power over the flesh and sin in their own lives Ro.8:1-13 and mortify the flesh that wars against the Holy Spirit, Gal.5:17, only with a regenerated heart of God manifested in us can we show His love to all mankind and fulfill all the law with a perfect heart that is pure, Gal.5:14 seen in Mt.5:8 and 48! The word has inherited the sin nature from Adam and sin has entered into the world and it is in its own wickedness 1 Jn.5:19. The whole world needs to be redeemed or it is going to be found in Hell’s fires seen in Is.66:24 and 2 Pt.3:1-13-18, for that is what this world will be; the pit of Hell with no bottom in it, with no sides, just a bottomless pit. With a gulf that none can cross over once there; as in the story of the Rich man and Lazarus, Lk.16.
Man’s soul is comprised of many parts and has many functions such as these: The souls and spirit comprise the eternal part of man which are intellect, personality, emotions, will, self-consciousness, intuition, conscience, and God-consciousness.
Originally, human nature was sinless and pure or innocent of all sin; with a total amount of freewill. We still have freewill today but unless we are regenerated back into His likeness we are still in our sin and bound for His wrath to come. Adam and Eve chose to eat that which was forbidden to eat of and brought sin into the Cosmos called the Universe and the earth was cursed due to this sin, and so this earth and this universe will one day face a purification process as well as our soul or we to will be in God’s Wrath with this world. This too is foretold to us in many scriptures of prophecy, Mt.24:1-51, Dan.12:1-3, and the book of Revelation: Which is found in many of the prophecies of the prophets of God to His people; trying to prepare them for what is to come. The Lord would that none should perish in Hell’s fires, 2 Pt.3:1-9, see 10-18 as well! Everyone now who is born has been born under a sin nature; the impulse to sin generally is compulsive without even thinking about our actions first; generally we think if we are not hurting anyone in our sin, we tend to think it is alright; but today’s evilness that has been proclaimed in the Holy Scriptures such as seen in the books to Timothy from St. Paul, tell us why such evil is in the world today, 2 Tm.3:1-9. It is caused by the sinful flesh and nature of mankind in general after the fall. This is the age of the dominion of sin, see Ro.3:9; 5:12, and 19; and 7:14, with many, many, more scriptures to chose from in the Bible, that would amount to a study all of its own! This sinful nature inevitably leads to sinful acts, the resulting in condemnation, Ro.6:23.
The Bible emphatically declares that all humans are sinners, 1 Kin.8:46; Prov.20:9 and Is.64:6. Everyone is under the curse of sin and is guilty before the Lord our God, who is Holy and pure! See Ro.3:9-19, there is none righteous no not one, for all have come short of the glory of God, Ro.3:1-23.
As a result of sin entering into the world and into humanity, the whole human race is condemned to die for the punishment of sin is death to the sinner, Ro.6:23, for the wages of sin is death, Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death and the ultimate separation from God and eternal life with Him, our Lord Jesus who died for us!
Everyone needs salvation from sin and the nature of sin, to have power over that nature by being born again of God and His salvation is only found in Jesus Christ.
The Saving Work of Jesus Christ
God came in the flesh as Jesus Christ to save His creation from sin as seen in Jn.3:16-18, this is the main purpose for God becoming man, so that He could have blood to shed for the sacrifice for sin, as you know God is a Spirit Jn.4:24, so He had to come in the seed of a virgin to show that this was a supernatural birth of God not man, Jn.1:12-13, that was of God’s doing and not man’s! This was done by Mary, a willing vessel, the Handmaiden of God, not the mother of God; she was a tool, a means to a teleological means of Salvation to a world and universe that is cursed due to sin entering through man, Gen.3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
For this reason God came to us in the last age of His grace, that was the gospel, the good news, that God had come to mankind to lead it into salvation, that is why Jesus came preaching the Gospel that the Kingdom of God was with man, Mt.12:28; [Dan.2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever; 7:14; Lk.1:33]; 11:20; Lk.11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.; [Lk.17:20-21; 1 Jn.3:8]; This is the reason God had to come in the flesh, no one other than God could finish His work He had to do see Jn.4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
None other than God manifested in the flesh could have words that are eternal and cannot be broken, Jn.10:35; Mt.24:35 and Is.55:1-13 and Is.40:8. His words are eternal and no one can change them or add to them or take away from them, Deu.4:2; Gal.1:8-9; to Rev.22:18-19, God stays the same, Mal.3:6 and Heb.13:8 show us this and it is by His words to us we receive His grace, which is His favour and love for obedience to His every word to us, Mt.4:4 from Deu.8:3 to Lk.4:4; Lk.11:28; Mt.12:31-32; to 46-50 and Jn.8:47 & 51, we abide in His words to us that were taught to His Apostles Jn.15:20 and abide with their teachings only or we fall short of our calling don’t we? There is no such thing as once saved always saved, see 2 Pt.2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
God is not deceived, He will not be mocked, you will reap what you sow, Gal.6:1-7! See Jn.8:34 and Ro.6:16, you serve sin and you will reap the whirlwind! God demands Holiness and Righteousness in His house, Mt.5:17-20 and Heb.12:14, without both holiness and righteousness that is only found in His truth to us there can be no sanctification, Jn.17:19 by truth we are sanctified in Him Jn.4:23-24, it is required of us to grow in His Grace and the Knowledge of who Jesus the Christ really is, 2 Pt.3:18! That is our purpose to serve Him as a loving servant of God Lk.17:7-10, that is our duty, and if done right we will then become His friends, Jn.15:1-27 and know of the Father in Him, Mt.11:27; Lk.10:22; Jn.3:34-35; 13:3; Jn.14:7-18 & 26; 15:1-3-20-26; 16:28; if done correctly we too will have overcome this flesh and the world of wickedness, Jn16:33 as He did as a witness to us; to show us to follow Him in word and deed Jn.14:6 and Col.3:17 according to all His teachings to us; so we too can be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect Mt.5:1-8-48! See what a spouse to the Lord is to be like in Eph.5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish!
The saving work of Jesus Christ as our God with us, keeps us from all sin, if we abide in Him and His words of eternal life abide in us, Jn.6:63 & 68, for His word to us is eternal and it is life giving! Only God has the words of Eternal life to and for us, who are called by His name: His Words are powerful in defeating all sin, for all those who walk in the Spirit (Word of God) and in Truth, Ro.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (WORDS OF TRUTH! THEY ARE HIS SPIRIT TO US! HIS MIND AND HIS WILL FOR US SO WE KNOW HOW TO WALK BEFORE HIM JN.8:29, TO PLEASE HIM!)
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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.
11 But 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.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For 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.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Read unto the end to verse 39.
It is required for all men to die once for sin, due to Adam and Eve’s sin that entered into our realms of living, and it is up to us to be born again from this death sentence, by the words of God done His way, as only found in His words to us seen in Lk.24:47, which answers Mt.28:19 and the question in Ac.2:37, when one asked men and brethren what shall we do to be saved? Peter gave the correct answer in Ac.2:38-40 and with many more words did Peter and the Apostles testify to the people. Who then were all baptized in Jesus’ name for there is no salvation outside of Jesus’ name Jn.14:14, Ac.4:12 for there is no other name given by which we, MUST BE SAVED! This is the only Salvational baptism found in the Bible which speaks of Eph.4:4-5 that is the one spiritual baptism found in Ac.2:38-40; 8:16-17; 10:44-48 (The first Gentile uncircumcised household, of a Roman Soldier. His name is Cornelius.); then we see Paul in Ephesus in Ac.19:1-7 and even Paul himself in Ac.22:16 being baptized in Jesus’ name calling upon the name of the Lord! Which Paul gave witness to in the courts of Jerusalem, Caesarea, and then all the way to Rome; Paul’s life was a witness of all that God had done for him in Jesus the true KING of kings and LORD of lords! There is no other God besides Him and never will there be! He came to cleanse for Himself a people who He knew would answer the call, FOLLOW ME!
There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ, and there is only one way to follow Him, Jn.14:6 explains this quit well! He alone is the only way; He alone is the only Truth; and He alone is the Life we are to live with Him as our example! In purity and sinless as He is sonless, see Mt.5:8 & 48, even do a word search on the word teleios, meaning complete, lacking nothing; Perfect and Good, are considered lacking nothing! See 2 Tm.3:14-17 for an example here.
The Old Testament foreshadowed Christ’s death by animal sacrifices, without blood being shed or death coming upon the recipient there can be no satisfaction or justice, for justice demanded death for the offences of all sin. This was God’s ordinance, the blood of the sinner is required and the only way to get around it was for innocent blood to be shed for the sinner or the sinner himself was to be taken. He was to be taken outside the camp and stoned to death, and if he was to be cursed they were to hang him on a tree after stoning, for all to see. This was to act as a deterrent for all to know what would happen to them if they broke the commandments of their God. He demands justice and Holiness and Righteousness to live with Him in their camp. Just like He is to live inside of us, we are to be His Holy, Righteous Temple, 1 Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20 and 2 Cor.6:14-18 demands this from us in order for Him to live in us, Ac.2:1-4! The animal’s death in the Old Testament was just an atonement for the sins of that person for that year, for the known sins and even the unknown sins, and any time a sin became known it had to be atoned for with a sacrifice, this was demanded. There were other sacrifices which represented a right relationship with God such as freewill offerings, with all these offerings there was one important thing about them, they were only for a temporary duration; that is what atonement means, it atones for that year and must be repeated next year, for all sins were just rolled ahead to the next Day of Atonement (Lev.23:27-31, then comes the Feast of Tabernacles on the 15 day of the seventh month. Atonement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur), came before to rid them of their sin so they could feast in the Tabernacle with God, for seven days, this is First Fruits and then the next day will be the eighth and it will be a Sabbath day, Lev.23:36-44.), (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover): Always rolling the sin forward never actually forgiven, just thrown forward till next year’s fast of atonement preparing for the feat of Passover and First Fruits and Booths or Tabernacles Feast, then comes Pentecost (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost),
See chapter 23 of Leviticus for the Fasts and Feast Days and their Holy-Days; these are only celebrated in remembrance only, there is not any atoning value to them anymore see Ro.14 and Col.2:1-fs. Jesus is our Propitiation once and forevermore for all the sins of the world or Cosmos, Universal sin. That is why God came to be a man for us to die as a propitiation for all sin, so He would not have to destroy us with the Universe that is still in its wickedness and curse of sin, for this reason it must be purified with water or cleansed by fire and the Lord told Noah with a covenant that He would never destroy all mankind and the animals, ever again with a flood. The rainbow is that seal to give a remembrance of that covenant with Noah, Gen.9:1-17.
Only by obedience to His every word can we be found as Righteous and Holy and He is Holy, for any unrighteousness is a sin, 1 Jn.5:17-18 and God’s Children keep themselves from all sin, as seen in 1 Jn.3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
We now have the power over sin and the flesh that wars against the Holy Spirit and God’s Ordinances, Statutes, Covenants, Sayings, and Precepts; every line upon line and line upon line for a reason, it is the path and the narrow way to His rest, Is.28:9-12 or you find yourself with all the rest of the Hypocrites seen in verse 13 here in Isaiah or as seen in Mt.7:13-14 & 15-23, one headed for Glory and the other headed for Hell’s fire that is never quenched, seen in Mk.9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
See Is.66:1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
2 For all those things hath mine handmade, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
5 Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
For this reason God came to us so we could be partakers of His blessing and not His wrath to come upon all wickedness! For this reason we worship Jesus as Lord God and our Saviour, the Mighty One of Jacob, Is.49:26 and Is.9:6 the Almighty God, the Eternal Father and the Prince of Peace that is who Jesus is! If we do not know Him in that way we are in our sin still and under a strong delusion that is given out in these last days! 2 Thes.2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
For that reason Jesus is our God manifested from the seed of Mary His own Handmaiden, not the mother of God, but a willing servant of God! Used to bring glory to mankind and the Kingdom of God down to mankind!
The Bible describes Christ’s death several ways;
- Redemption or a ransom, Mt.20:28; Gal.3:13-14; 1 Tm.2:5-6. To redeem means to deliver by paying a price; ransom is the price paid. Christ’s blood the blood of God Ac.20:28 & Jn.20:28; Christ’s blood is life & it is Spirit for the spirit of any creature is in the blood of that animal, even mankind. This was required for the price of sin, life or the death of an animal in our place, but the animal never took sin away forevermore, it only rolled the sin ahead till next year but God’s Blood was all sufficient to cover sin that is past, Ro.3:25 and the power to go and sin no more by His Holy Spirit being imparted upon us after purification of our hearts, Mt.5:8 so it is He who can make us His perfect workmanship by creating in us a new heart and mind, 1 Cor.2:1-16, if we are truly born again of Him and His Spirit in us, Ac.2:1-4 seen in Joel 2:28 through further verses here as well. See also, 1 Pt.1:18-20 & 1 Pt.4:17-19; Rev.5:8-10.
- Propitiation3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
1Jn.2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
We either walk before God the way He showed us to walk before Him or we are still in our sins! We only deceive ourselves to disobey God and worship Him any other way but the way He told us to, see 1 Jn.5:21! In Vain would it be to worship God without being in His Truths, it is required of us, Jn.4:23-24.
This propitiation allows God to pardon sin without jeopardizing His Holiness and it satisfies the requirements of the law, which God has established for one and for all, He is not a respecter of persons! All are required to find salvation through the redemption of Jesus Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross at Calvary. Christ’s death fulfilled this requirement and those who seek salvation in His commandments to us are they who will abide in His every word to us and to those given to us by His Authorized Commissions and sent forth to teach all; that He taught them to teach in His words, to all the nations! The Apostles of Jesus Christ are those who are the only ones we are allowed to follow, and those of the Prophets of God, who have a word from God for the children of God, and those Evangelists who make disciples of Jesus Christ by following the words of the prophets and the Apostles and Jesus Himself, for all of their words are to agree with each other and with Jesus’ or they are false Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Preachers and Teachers! The Bible is our only source of teaching and all other must agree to it: Or be a heretic! Jesus is the only one who can purchase us unto Himself by His purchased price the atoneing blood of God, Ac.20:28 and Jn.20:28, must be preached and taught or it is we who have failed to teach correctly. See Jms.3:1, for this reason not many should try to be teachers. Ro.3:1-4 tell us why. Mt.26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 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.
- Reconciliation Only Jesus is the mediator between God the Holy Spirit, and man, who is in his sin; man who is polluted being in a sinful environment, in a sin filled world that is in its own wickedness 1 Jn.5:19. Let us look to these scriptures; Ro.5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For 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.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
2 Cor.5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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;
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.
20 Now 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.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Christ is the man who is the only Mediator (1 Tm.2:5 and Gal.3:20) because God is One. And only a sinless man Christ Jesus can mediate between a Holy Spirit which is God by being the Holy Vessel for God to dwell in to bring to us His own Salvation, that is worthy of Himself, for all cleansing to occur, that is only found in His words to us Jn.1:1-3-14-20-26 that are given to us by His Holy Spirit, Lk.21:14-15 in Himself without measure Jn.3:34. That is how Jesus can be our Mediator as well as Redeemer, and Saviour, to finish a work in us, Tit.3:1-8, so we too can have good works that are thoroughly furnished unto perfection and of a Godly Goodness. Then and only then can we have fellowship with God.
- Substitution In Isaiah chapter 53 we see the Prophet showing us the future events in Jesus’ own life that will occur for our own salvation and redemption. As well as 2 Cor.5:1-21 show us that we too must become new creatures transformed into His image that is of God’s doing and none other, see Jn.1:12-13 to see this too; as well as 1 Pt.2:1-25, shows us that we too are to reside in Him and His actions are to be our actions, while He lives in us, or how is it we can say we are transformed into His likeness? Without being a new creature in Christ Jesus! No one will be found as Righteous, not without His Spirit in us, can we have His mind to show us the narrow way, His narrow way, that is by His Spirit and word living in us that cleanses us Jn.5:3 found all the way to Rev.22:21 and from Gen.1:1 clear into the other works that were not even published. We find much that can agree with the Holy Bible in the Pseudepigrapha and even in the Apocrypha the lost writings and the writings of unknown authors; even Hebrews has an unknown author and is in the Canon and it has some errors found in it as well, showing it is not all inspired words of God but from a disciple of the Apostles, see Heb.2:1-4. But the book of Hebrews can still be gleaned and find some truths that are righteous and worthy of passing on, just not all of it, as seen in the Epistles of the Apostles; which is inspired of the Holy Spirit as seen in 2 Pt.1:19-21 and 1 Pt.1:9-11 seen even in Zech.12:10, which is The Holy Spirit speaking to the Prophet 530 years before the actual fact happened because Jesus is that Holy Spirit of all Prophecy Rev.19:10! One in the same! We see this here too; Mt.10:20; Lk.12:11-12; Mk.13:9 and Jn.6:44-47 and Lk.21:14-15. One in the same Spirit without measure Jn.3:34. Because He comes from above and He has the words of God within Him, Jn.8:23-24! Jesus is the one who bore our sins and by His bloody back with many stripes that released His blood upon the alter of the cross of shame, being the cursed One bearing our shame upon His back, we became the righteousness of Him if we follow Him in word and deed, Jn.14:15, if we love Him, we will do that for Him, so we too can be one with Him and return to the very one we serve, Ecc.12:7-14 seen in Jn.8:34 and Ro.6:16 and Mal.3:16-18, who are you going to serve, with all your heart, mind, spirit, soul, and strength? That is what is going to make the eternal difference, Mt.16:24-27-28; Mk.8:34-38; Mt.12:31-32 & 46-50 as well as Jn.12:45-50! Jesus is He who we owe everything. 1 Cor.5:6-8-13, we are not to eat with fornicators, those who are un-Godly, for bad manners corrupt and bring forth evil communications see 1 Cor.15:33-34, that is why we are not to be in sin, to our own shame. Jesus did not die and shed His Holy Blood so we could continue in our shame and sin; He came to put sin away and the power of death that is found in all sin. See Jn.8:11 and Jn.5:14 or a worse thing will come upon us as well: To have known the good way of God and His Righteousness; then to go back into the world, so it would have been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness, than to go back into the world of wickedness, just because of material gains or lusts of the flesh or the pride of life, 2 Pt.2:1-22; 1 Jn.2:15-17; Mt.13:1-51.
After Christ died (when He left His flesh and went back to being God, Jn.16:27-28, this is seen in 1 Tm.6:13-16 as well, Jn.13:3. Jesus told the man who was on a cross next to Him that today he would be in Paradise with Him, Lk.23:43, to show Jesus did not really die as we know death.), scripture shows what Jesus was doing while they were burying His body and it was in the ground for three days and nights; such as this one, 1 Pt.4:5-6, Ac.10:41-44, that those dead in their sins can be forgiven, even those who were preached to that were after Noah, 1 Pt.3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water; through to verse 22.
After three days Jesus reappeared with a glorious body as told to them in Mt.16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. This was done in Jn.20:28 as well and Ac.1:1-26. Even by Paul on his way to Damascus, Ac.9. Jesus has proven Himself victorious over the entire world and what makes it up, nothing is bound to Him but His word, that even He must keep, Jn.10:1-18, that He by His own power raised Himself from death, hell, and the grave, even to go into Heaven and fill it over all, Jer.23:24; [Ps.139:7]; Amos.9:1-3-15 yet to be fulfilled. [1 Kin.8:27]; as is the same in Ps.139:7 before. The effect of overcoming the flesh; having immortality in Christ Jesus alone; Ro.4:23-25. 1 Cor.15:1-23, though fs. He will come for those called by His name and live unto Him so that the Son’s of God can bring glory to God by them and their works of faith abiding in all His words to us.
After forty days Jesus ascended up into heaven, and told the Apostles to return to Jerusalem and wait till they had been endued with power from on high, which is the promise of the Father seen in Jn.14:7-18 & 26, that happened in Ac.2:1-4 seen also in Joel.2:28, that Peter preached on the day the church was sealed and born of the Holy Spirit in them. For this is the sign of His sealing us for eternal life, Eph.1:1-14. Because of the power of the Holy Spirit we have power to become new creatures in righteousness of God in Jesus in us 2 Cor.5:17-21 and now Christ Jesus is exalted forevermore, Eph.1:20-21; Phil.2:9 and it is to Him we will give an answer to in verse 10, that is why it is mandatory for each of us to work out our own salvation, Phil.2:12 and abide in Christ’s words to us. Many times Jesus hid His glory, from the public, but many times He revealed it to His Apostles then disciples and to those who He healed and to those who He brought back to life in a private setting so the fame of Him would not be because of the miracles so much but for His teachings instead. That was the most important part of His ministry to teach the world a right way to go; bound and locked in truth, righteousness, and Holiness which is Godliness, with contentment is great gain, 1 Tm.6:1-6! Striving for Spiritual gains, 1 Tm.4:1-16, these things lead us to salvation, those who will endure to the end, will be saved, as promised in the words of our God with us, Mt.24:13. We who are now baptized in the Holy Spirit of God in us, are not only blessed, but we have been given authority to preach and teach this gospel to all nations being good disciples of Jesus Christ, and not only that it gives us direct access to the Throne of all Glory, by that one and only sacrifice Jesus did for us on the cross, Heb.10:12-17, when He put His laws and wrote them upon our heart, when He gave us His mind, 1 Cor.2:1-16, so that we too can go forth and bring this Gospel to all nations and all who draw breath, for He knows who He has called and when this gospel is preached to all nations, then the end will come Mt.24:14. For access to the throne of God see Ro.8:31-37; Heb.4:14-16; and 1 Jn.2:1-29, it takes all scripture living in us to be found pure of heart and Perfect as he is perfect Mt.5:8 & 48 seen in Eph.5:26-27 and 2 Pt.3:1-18, being complete in all knowledge of Him and His words to us 2 Tm.3:14-17 unto salvation and good works.
The cross shows us what happens to sinners, they will die the death of the cursed of God. The cross and the blood of Jesus Christ reversed all that shame and guilt if we love the Lord and ask for His forgiveness with a pure heart that has repented and gone a new direction! And walk in His statutes for us, Jn.14:15 And Jn.15:20 and those of the Apostles! Everything the human race lost due to sin, the assemblies of the Saints of God will more than make up and regain in Christ Jesus in the end; when He comes to gather his flocks scattered all over the world, from the north, to the south, and from the east to the west, He will bring them Home to Himself, all those who are called by His name walking in His Truths! See Jn.1:16-17 and Jn.14:6 for His directions to eternal life with Him!
Believers of His Truths will enjoy the blessings which are the results of His working in us and through us for our God and the Kingdom’s good. Walking in His directions and in His commandments is like being protected from all harm; His words to us not only keep us cleansed from all sin but it is a strong tower that none can penetrate; we are protected from the world and its wickedness! The blessings of the Lord are too many to go into great details on, so I will only mention a few; the benefits of living for God in Christ Jesus is eternal life in joy unspeakable; we will receive the fullness of all that God has to offer, things so glorious we are not allowed to say. But most of all is the forgiveness of sins and the curse that sin brings has vanished as long as we stay on His narrow way, to His strait gate. We will have His power over sin and the flesh, to have power to walk in Jesus’ light and to be a light unto all nations, a light set on top of His Hill. Is.53:5, we are healed to walk before Him in purity, in His grace in us, so we too can give it to others, by laying on of hands. Ro.8:19-26, walking in the Spirit, so that we too will never have to have condemnation ever again. If we abide in the Holy Scriptures! All of them, Jn.14:15, Jn.8:47 & 51, seen in Luke too, Lk.11:28 and Mt.12:31-32 & 46-50 as seen in Jn.12:45-50 as well! This cannot be done without His Holy Spirit and His power seen in Lk.1:37, Mt.19:26; Jer.32:17-19-fs. Col.1:14-23, there is always and “IF”, 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24-29. Heb.2:14 Forasmuch 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;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore 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.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
There is an ever acting work of salvation, and it has several aspects to it; which a person receives by faith as he repents and goes a new direction away from sin towards the glorious light of Jesus’ Truths in a New Life as a New Creature in Christ Jesus, this is true Repentance that is worthy of good works Ac.26:19-20!
We must have works (Just as Jesus worked, even on the Sabbath, we too must have works of righteousness!), that the Lord said He would reward us for, Mt.16:27 and Rev.14:13 and Rev.22:1-21! We are not saved by works but as it says in James (Jms.2:1-26) we cannot be one with the Lord Jesus and do as he has shown us to walk in His Righteousness and not have works that are perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tm.3:14-17, due to Abraham’s faith in all that the Lord told him He would do for him. Abraham was found righteous, due to his beliefs in all that the Lord had Promised him, that they would come to pass, just as we are to walk in all the scriptures in the same way for us to be found in faith in His words to us as well, Heb.11:1-fs!
The benefits of Christ’s work include forgiveness of sin, new spiritual life, and power over the devil, healing for the body, and ultimately liberation of all Righteousness and Holiness to a new Heavenly Kingdom that will come down from the Father above, the New Jerusalem, told to us in Rev.21:1-27. Other like verses include some of these as well, Is.53:5; Ro.8:1-23; Col.1:14-20; Heb.2:14as well as gifts of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor.12:4-11; and Eph.4:1-32, keeping all thoughts under control by having dominion over your thoughts and actions by the leading of the Spirit into all truths, to those things that are eternal in nature, to keep us without spot or wrinkle, totally blameless and without blemish: Kept in God’s Grace by obedience to His everlasting words to us!
The present work of salvation has several aspects a person receives by faith as he repents, is baptized in Jesus’ name, and receives the Holy Spirit, for you know that unrighteousness will not inherit the Kingdom of God! 1Cor.6:9-11.
- Justification See Ro.3:24-26, to justify means to be found guiltless, without iniquity, even to reckon someone as righteous. This involves forgiveness of sin, including the removal of all guilt and punishment, by imputation of Jesus Christ’s work at Calvary, as the debt paid in full, so the sinner now can be found righteous by imputation, see Ps.32:2 and Ro.4:8.
- Regeneration or new birth, Jn.3:3-8; the person cannot be found to be blow where the Holy Spirit needs them to go without the Holy Spirit being present in them can they? Without the sealing of the Holy Spirit there is no salvation or regeneration. Ac.11:1-18, this is God’s doing not man’s see Jn.1:12-13 as well as Jn.5:39-44, seen in Ac.2:1-4. This is more than just a reformation, it is an impartation of something that is divine, to really have the very mind of Christ Jesus, one anointed and commissioned for His service, being led by Him in Spirit and in Truth, Lk.21:14-15. This too is seen in 2 Cor.5:17-21 as well.
- Adoption Born-Again into the family of the King of Glory, able to have all rights just as an heir, a real son or daughter of the Most High God. This is seen in Ps.2:7; 2 Sam.7, King David is adopted by the Lord and given a covenant, that his descendants would be on the Throne of Israel forevermore, this was and is being fulfilled by Jesus Himself, who is adopted into King David’s family tree, being from the seed of a Levite, a cousin to Elizabeth, the daughter of Aaron’s seed. Mary being her cousin and near kinswoman. Only the daughters of Aaron or one who is the daughter of another High Priest could marry into the High Priesthood. This Jesus is according to the law able to hold that position as well. Both King and High Priest is His office. See Ro.8:14-17; Gal.4:1-7; and 1 Kin.3:1-28, The Lord sets up another covenant with an heir to David’s Kingdom, who was Solomon the wisest man in the Old Testament, ever to be known, till Theanthropos, was created in the seed of Mary, our God with us Mt.1:23, Immanuel came to be with mankind. Only when we abide in the words of God can we too be adopted into His Kingdom. This comes by being Sanctified in Truth, Jn.17:19.
- Sanctification is a separation from all falsehoods and from all unrighteousness, only they who have been born again of a right mind can be found to have a right philosophy of life, grounded upon the Truth that is in the mind of God, 1 Cor.2:1-16 in us! This can only be found in the scriptures given to us by Godly men who were moved and carried along by the Holy Spirit of Truth Jn.1:17 & Jn.14;18 & 26 seen in Jn.15:1-3-14-20-26 & 27, through to Jn.17:1-26. All scripture is by the inspiration of God and is for us; 2 Tm.3:14-17, so we too can go into the world with a right heart and mind to serve one and all! The least who serves all will be the greatest in the Kingdom of our Lord God. Sanctification is much like the Lord’s Consecration where He puts you into another class of ministerial work, set apart just for His calling, to be His Evangelist, Prophet, or His anointed Apostle. These are they who are going to bring revelation to the church and to assure the church of God is still in full control and everything is going as planned. They are the ones who have the gifting that are needed when called upon, due to their walk with God and walking in His authority because they live with Him and know His will. God will always answer prayer when it is directed in His will and is according to His scriptures. Not to give material blessing but Spiritual ones that is eternal.
Christ’s atoning and anointing work is based on Salvation and being truly Born Again of Him and of His Holy Spirit in us, Rev.19:10. Jesus’ Salvation is for any age; salvation always originated in God’s Grace, which is His favour for following all His commandments, Deu.8:3 and Mt.4:4; Lk.4:4; Lk.11:28; Mt.12:46-50 and Jn.12:455-50 as seen in Jn.8:47 & 51 for we always are to do all things that please Him, Jn.8:29! This is only done by living every word of this bible in our own lives if we want to be found perfect in Him and Him in us, 1 Cor.15:10 should be in us! God’s Grace is found in Jn.1:16 as a reward for grace given, when we abide in Him out of love for Him and His words to us which keep us cleansed from all wrong: His words to us are what sanctify us in His Truth, Jn.17:19 and keep us with a right heart and mind, to store up the treasures given to us from Him in our heart. Jesus died for us once and for us all forevermore, but came back again to show Himself strong and all powerful, even over death, hell and the grave, to take up His body now glorified to show to one and to all that He is the Almighty God Is.9:6, who was made a way by John the Baptist in Is.40:3 with the Spirit of Elijah, Mt.11:1-15 and Mt.17:10-13 as called out in scriptures, for only He is able to see the end from the beginning, who is, who was, and is to come again, Rev.4:8 for those who have put him on Gal.3:26-27 in baptism, Ro.6:4 and Col.2:1-12. Only Jesus can take away the sins of the world; Jn.1:29; 1 Tm.2:5-6; and 1 Jn.2:1-6- fs to 1 Jn.5:17-18 & 20. His Propitiation is applied to one and to all who apply by faith in all His words to us in their own lives Co.3.17 in word or deed, be not just a hearer of His words but a doer of them as well, Ac.26:19-20, Mt.16:27 and Rev.14:13, see also in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation!
New Testament Salvation
In the context of Scripture, salvation means deliverance from all the power and effects of sin, and it has past, present, and future aspects of imputation, Ps.32:2 and Ro.4:8, but this must be studied out as it is seen in Numbers chapter 15 as well. The known sin and unknown sin as seen in Hebrews chapter 10-12:29. This is a very complicated subject that cannot be summed up in a few verses to blanket all sin by grace and faith alone! This is Lutheranism, which is condemned in scripture itself and Jesus’ word altogether; remember that all scripture must be taken into consideration before it can be true doctrine, just as I will show here in a few lines from now.
Here in the Word Aflame ministries books, they show that they believe in Martin Luther’s doctrine of “Faith and Grace alone!” but is that what the Bible shows? No! Even Jesus came preaching the Gospel, see Mt.4:17. That is what Jesus came preaching and His first lesson was this: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. See what was said in Deu.4:2; 12:32; Prov.30:6; Deu.5:32-33; 17:20; 28:14; Josh.1:7; Prov.4:27; Gal.1:8-9 and Rev.22:18-19. We are not to change one word of doctrine already taught; only Jesus in the Old Testament could do that before He was crucified, when He taught us all the law was to be in our hearts and minds not written on paper but on our hearts, even seen in Mt.5:1-48 to be found perfect as He is perfect and without sin, not leaving one teaching neglected or forsaken in our own lives. This too is what Peter taught in the Day of Pentecost, Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and then ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, Ac.2:37-40: This is how it reads in the KJV; 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?
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.
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.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Our knowledge of all that was said to them, who were saved that day, are in the following epistles to the Saints of God, that were all written for them and them alone! So that all the new disciples of Jesus Christ had knowledge of all that is required of them to live a Holy and Righteous lifestyle, being children called of God. All children who are disciples of Jesus Christ will follow His way, His truths, and even His own lifestyle, as seen in the Holy Words of God to us, Jn.14:6; Jn.14:15; Jn.15:20 and all the Holy Words of God written and said by His anointed Apostles, who He used for our examples too, see 1 Cor.11:1 and Ro.12:1-21, even 1 Cor.13:1-13 on the Love of God, that is the Highest Excellence of God’s own works in us! This was all talked about in the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ, Mt.5:1-48 to Mt.16:24-28 to Rev.22:21, all these scriptures are for us today as well. We cannot add to them or take away from them or it is we who have left that narrow way, called the Narrow Way of God’s Truths and Eternal Life with Him in His Glory. We either take all that He has given us and put it to practical use in our own lives and live in Faith believing this is what He wants for us to do, so we can be found in His grace to us; or we fail just that simple! We cannot leave this truth called the Holy Sacred Words of God called the Holy Bible; if we do we are still most miserably lost! You cannot drink of the cup of this world and the cup from off the Lord’s Table! This is what the doctrines of others would have you to believe when they say you are saved by Faith and Grace alone! They used these verses to back up their claim, Eph.2:8-9, let us take a look at those right now; Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. But here is what they left out: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore 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;
12 That 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:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having 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;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
This definitely shows that there are many other words we are to adhere to if we are to be obedient servants of God! Remember we cannot leave one word undone in all scriptures given to us for our salvation see 2 Tm.3: 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
This word was written to Timothy by Apostle Paul before the canon as we know it existed and all that they had at this time was the collection of scriptures called the Septuagint or the Old Testament because the Synoptic Gospels were still part of the Old Testament until the death of the New Testament Testator (Jesus Christ) was dead, so that His Testament could be transferred to the rightful heirs of the New Testament seen in the Book of Acts. That is when the New Testament really starts with the promised given to them who inherited the New Testament from the Testator, who was translated to glory, to fill all Heaven! This too (The pouring out of the Holy Spirit), was foreseen in Joel’s prophecies in chapter 2 and verse 28, which was preached by Peter in Ac.2:16-21. The New Testament Church was birthed on that day when the New Testament Church came to be, when about 3000 souls were baptized in Jesus’ name! With many more words that Peter and the others Apostles did exhort, to them that heard them agreed to the terms of the scriptures and the New Testament given to them that day, for them to follow or there would never have been Repentance would there? They had to agree to go a new direction, away from the Old Testament Laws of sacrifice for atonement. They had to understand that Jesus was their once and forevermore Holy Sacrifice that is the Holy Lamb of God and God Himself (Is.9:6-7, their Immanuel, Mt.1:23; Ex.3:14, see in Jn.14:6, that I Am!), or they were not saved at all, Jn.8:24; 1 Jn.5:20! They had to know Jesus as the One True God and man 1 Tm.3:16, in their One God mentality called Monotheism. Or they were not saved at all! Who went back to Glory, Is.42:8 and Is.48:11-12, seen in 2 Cor.4:6; Lk.17:18 and Jn.11:25-26 & 40, seen in 1 Cor.2:8 as well, the glory of God only seen in Jesus Christ, He alone is now back as the Father sitting in Glory, 1 Tm.6:13-16, sitting in the Shechinah Glory!
So you see, there can never be one catch all phrase that we all can be saved by; our salvation is an eternal embrace, to live unto the end in His words to us, is to be in His Kingdom; for those who endure to the end will be saved. When will the end for a Saint of God be? Our souls are Eternal in our nature as God who made us in His likeness is Eternal. So we who endure to the end of the age of Grace will be those who are saved. Only if we abide in His every word to us leaving nothing undone, this too cannot be done without His Holy Spirit in us, Jn.1:12-13, that is of His doing not ours! But it is we who have to prepare this vessel for Him to dwell in 2 Tm.2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
You see only they who have a heart that is pure will see God, Mt.5:8, those who have become perfect as he is perfect, Mt.5:48, will be in His Kingdom, 2 Cor.6:14-18, that have left this ungodly world of wickedness, to rest in the words of our Lord to keep His inherited promises alive in us who keep His every word in perfect or complete obedience! They are the real Saints (Holy Ones, Hagios, Strong’s # 40), of God! See Ac.26:19-20, we are to do something first and then God will answer our request if we put Him first in our lives, with a pure heart and motive, to serve Him as He sends us forward, Jn.3:3-8 not how we think He should, but How He matures us into that Holy Thing He needs us to be, for Him, Lk.17:7-10, for that is all that is required of us and our only duty to Him as well! We are only saved and Sanctified in Him as long as we are in His Truths to us! Otherwise we only deceive ourselves, and worship a god we have made up in our own mind, 1Jn.5:21!
Many translate Eph.2:8, with it saying God’s gift of His grace is free to us, well the word eleutheroó (Strong’s # 1659) is the word for free, it is never found in Eph.2:8-9 & 10 either. They say to believe in Jesus’ sacrifice is enough but believing is not enough, for even the demons believe in One God and tremble and are not saved, Jms.2:19, how many today tremble at the words of God? Without the fear of God there cannot be any wisdom, Prov.9: 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
We see in the other verses of the Word Aflame Publishers, that would have us to believe or understand, all that is required for Salvation is seen in a very few verses, that is what other Trinitarian churches use as well (The Baptist), such as these in Romans; “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith” (Lutheran Doctrine), see Ro.3:24-28 & 4:22-25. In those verses does it say anywhere it is as free gift of Grace? Just as Jesus worked we too must work, will we not be known by our fruits, which is our works, which we will be rewarded for or condemned for! Gal.6:1-7, you will reap what you sow! See Rev.14:13 and chapter 22:1-21 of Revelation! Rev.22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Does Martin Luther’s Doctrine line up with using one little piece of doctrine for justification by faith are ye saved? No! “If” Ye keep His (Jesus’) commandments, Jn.14:15, then are you saved by faith. Did Paul ever violate that commandment in his teacher’s teachings? Never! If one will use all the scripture used in that book, unto the end of it, to glean the context of all the Bible, of the overall massages, there would be no errors! Otherwise it is Eisegesis! Making doctrines by reading into the doctrines you want to establish by picking scriptures that will say what you want them to say without understanding the full intent of the scripture used in that contextual agreement! Or in this case disagreement! It must agree with all scripture past and present, as Jesus called for us to believe, or we have like so many before us miss translated Paul to their own destruction, 2 Pt.3:16! Paul’s teachings never contradicted James or anyone else’s! That is why Martin Luther wanted to have James and other books of the synoptic Gospels removed from the Canonical Works! They did not fit with his theologies! So why are so many listening to them today? Because it is easier than understanding the real Word of God by His designs and revelations with good study habits and translation skills! No one wants to take the time to read the original languages and understand them thoroughly, like the Bible says in 1 Tm.2:15! It is so much easier to listen to someone spoon feed them cruel, mush, rather than feed them those strong meats they would have to chew through!
Saving Faith: Now let us get to some of Jesus’ meats, strong food for full grown adults, mature Christians! Faith cannot be faith unless we believe unto obedience to every word written in this Holy Bible, but here is the hard part, when our lives match up with every scripture! Then and only then can we be a victorious Saint of God! Holy and Righteous as well as True, following Jesus in Truth, Sanctified and then Consecrated for God’s own uses! This cannot be done until we know for ourselves what the Bible really says, that is our instruction book to the Promised Land! We had better use it wisely! Keeping unto that narrow way to His Strait gate called Jesus, Jn.14:6, Jesus’ Way, His Truths, and His Life, we must also live in servant hood just as He did for others! Remember, the least will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God, and the last will be first, just as the first will be last, but all the house of Jesus Christ will be judged first, 1 Pt.4:17-19 and if the Righteous scarcely be saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear, or where will they go? The Bible says nothing about purgatory, but it speaks volumes about Hell! The Eternal Fires of God’s region called hell speaks volumes if one will only read the original text with the facts of the way the words were meant to be translated at the time when they were written to us, with its Etymological Values intact! Not as this watered down version others today try to preach and hold over everyone’s heads! Se Phil2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!
Once we have received the Holy Spirit we are to be taught of God, Jer.31:31-34; is.54:13; Heb.8:8-13; 10:16-17, and seen in chapter 37 of Ezekiel 37:1-28. Then will chapter 39 come to pass! Which is any day now, Mt.24:14 and then will the end of this age come to pass! Who in the world doesn’t know about Christmas and what it means? So for that very fact, His coming will be a thief in the night, which will leave so many who are called by His name totally flabbergasted when they are left behind, Mt.7:15-23, and hear His words to them “Depart from Me, for I know you not!”, Lk.6:46. Depart from Me you workers of iniquity, Lk.13:27! Depart from Me I know not from wince you come, Mt.25:1-13. Faith is more than mental assessment and assent; intellect, acceptance or verbal profession; it includes and involves trust and reliance, commitment, appropriation, and application of the Words of God being applied to every aspect of our lives, from now on. This is Repentance that is worthy of all perfect and thoroughly furnished good works 2 Tm.3:16-17 according to all scripture, verses 14-15! Faith and Righteousness goes hand in hand with Godliness seen in His Holiness, which is never seen without Faith! Faith cannot exist without Obedience to Every Word of God! When people really abide in His every word to them, they will receive power from on High, with multiple gifts as they mature in Faith! More and more of their prayers will be answered when they know the will of God, and His will for mankind. God will not reward sinful actions of men; He will chastise them, Heb.12:1-29, if they are His or He will turn them over to their own lusts of the flesh and even give them strong delusions when they turn their backs on His words to them, 2 Thes.2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Faith will always seek the Holy Spirit, which is the Word of God to us, Jn.6:63 & 68, which will bring with it Eternal Life! When Obeyed in truth in everything we say and do, Col.3:17.
Here are some other scriptures on Faith; Ac.6:7; Ro.1:5; 2:6-11; 12:1-21; 16:26; Heb.11:1-39, the Faith chapter, just as James is a Faith chapter as well; 2:1-26. Without Work that are perfect and good, 2 Tm.3:14-17, there can be no faith at work, without works. Faith produces fruits bearing good fruits and seed for future generations. Mt.13:
The Parable of the Sower
(Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-15)
1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
How can we hear without the Lord giving us His ears to hear with, or to know Him without His mind being one with ours? Without His Holy Spirit to lead us into all truths there is no salvation or faith that is required for us to do His works or have His favour, gifts, and loving Kindness, without obedience to Him and what He has told us to do! Salvation is required to bring with it fruits, we are to test the spirits as called out in scriptures 1 Jn.4: 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. See Ac.17:10-11 and search the scriptures daily and see if everyone is walking in truth or not, for you shall know them by their fruits, they who cater to the lusts of the flesh, have not learned how to overcome, 1 Jn.2:15-17, the lusts of the world. See Ro.8:13; Gal.5:17, and 2 Tm.3:1-9! From Old Testament to the New the real word of God changes not, Mal.3:6 & 16-18, to them who are called of God who do His work in them and through them consecrated for that purpose!
Obedience to God cannot be stressed enough; our eternal lives with God demands it from us as well. It is absolutely necessary for Salvation to exist in Truth; Mt.7:21-27; Jn.14:15 & 23-24; as seen in Jn.3:24 for the Spirit is the Word without measure, Jn.6:63 & 68, seen in Jn.8:47 & 51, only they who are of the Lord will hear His Words to them! Who are doers of the word not just hears of them. Ro.6:17-23; 15:18; 2 Thes.1:7-12; Heb.5:9; 1 Pt.1:13-23; 4:17-19; 1 Jn.2:1-6; 5:1-18, for any unrighteousness is a sin to us, 1 Jn.2:1-28. Faith is a living thing, it can only live in truth and in action by being used in truthful living, which is also called conversation 1 Pt.1:15, which is all manner of ἀναστροφῇ Strong’s # 391, behavior (6), conduct (4), manner of life (2), way of life (1), used in the Bible 13 times; Gal.1:13; Eph.4:22; 1 Tm.4:12; Heb.13:7; Jms.3:13; 1 Pt.1:15; 1 Pt.1:18; 1 Pt.2:12; 1 Pt.3:1-2 & 16; 2 Pt.2:7 & 2 Pt.3:11. We are to have Holy Conduct in all manners of everyday living for faith to be found true and sanctified of the Lord’s doing!
By Faith in action can we tap into the covenants of God’s Grace and receive His flowing Spirit that will nourish us so we too can grow into full grown, mature, and blessed children of the Most High God! And then on the other hand: It is possible to have an initial degree of faith in Christ and still not be saved, if there is not a complete acceptance, commitment, and obedience to His every word to us, there is no victorious living then is there? All true Children of God will be abundantly victorious, in all aspects of Holiness and Righteousness or they are not really of God at all! They are only deceiving themselves, 1 Jn.5:21!
Faith is the means of appropriating God’s grace. It is the means by which people yield to God, obey His word, and allow Him to perform His saving work in their lives: Saving Faith is then; acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation and obedience to that gospel (Instructions of the Scriptures all of them in all applications of our lives.).
The Gospel and New Birth:
Most churches would have you believe that the Gospel is this; The Death, the Burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Jesus came preaching the gospel before at that even happened to Him, see Mt.4:17, the Gospel is the good news that the Kingdom of God is with man! See Lk.17:20-21, if one is born again of Jesus’ doing, Jn.1:12-13! See Ac.2:1-4, now all that is of God’s doing, when we keep His instructions or commandments from Him, Jn.14:15 and walk in His name as he did, Jn.14:6 and then we can come to the Father in Him, 14:7-18-26 in us! Our being Born Again is not through rituals or traditions but by Obedience to His words to us in faith and love of God for His salvation given to us in forgiveness of our sins! When we repent and go a new direction towards God and no longer away from Him, but we are headed for His kingdom with a pure heart, the heart of a faithful servant in love with their Master, Lk.17:7-10, that is required of us, Lk.9:62, never looking back, always keeping our eyes on Jesus! Here are some scriptures to study; Ac.2:1-4 & 37-40; Ro.6:1-14, review the doctrines of sin, for the wages of sin is death! Ro.6:15-23. See Ro.7:1-25; and 8:1- to chapter 16 and through to verse 27.
Jesus said, “Except a man be Born Again of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God”, Jn.3:3-8. When someone believes on and in Jesus Christ and obeys His commandments and obeys His plan of salvation Lk.24:47 seen and carried out in Ac.2:1-4 & 37-40, they are born of the water in Jesus’ name that brings salvation, Ac.4:12 and Jn.14:14 will bring truth of revelation of His eternal words to our own lives, by faith believing in all that He has told us to do; Repent (go a New Direction for a new beginning), 2 Cor.5:17-21 in righteousness of obedience to His ordinances, Is.28:9-12 so we can find His rest for us, in His Kingdom to come, to those who obey Him Jn.14:15. And the words of His anointed Apostles, Jn.15:20. Otherwise there is no real salvation, no victory over the flesh that wars against the Holy Spirit, Gal.5:17. To be actually a new creature we have to leave that sinful life behind us, 1 Jn.2:15-17 and walk in the Spirit Ro.8:1-9 and put to death the flesh and put it under subjection, Ro.8:13. God will not be mocked Gal.6:1-7, for He is no respecter of persons! See 1 Jn.5:17-18, a child of God keeps themselves from all sin. At repentance we are then baptized and put to death the old man in a watery grave, 1 Pt.3:21: and raised with a clear clean conscience towards God, because we have done what he told us to do, if we want to be one with Him, and he with us the vessel must be purified, 2 Tm.2:19-22, with a pure heart so His Holy Spirit can come and reside in us to teach us a new way of life in His Likeness, Jn.6:44-47 & 63 through 68! His word cannot be broken Jn.10:35; Mt.24:235 and Is.55:1-13, Is.40:8 for it is truth and it stands forever! Not until someone believes in Ac.2:1-4 &37-42, can it be said they have been born again of a new creature seen in also in 2 Cor.5:17-21 & Jn.3:3-8 and ready to be blown by the Spirit wherever it listeth them to go.
On the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the New Testament Church of the living God in Jesus Christ, Ac.20:28 who purchased the church with the very blood of God; He gathered that day about 3000 souls. We see in History this was about the same number that was lost when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the ten commandments of God on two tablets of stone that God had cut out with His finger Ex.31:18; Ex.32:1-28, the same number that received the Lord by the commandments of the Apostles that day, when the church of God was birthed!
Speaking in tongues was the gift of the Lord, just as in the days of Babel when He took and separated every man’s tongue, this day the Lord brought in the interpreter so every man woman and child could speak in another tongue as the Spirit gave them the utterance; this was God’s doing it, Jn.1:12-13, see in Ac.11:1-18 as determined in the council at Jerusalem, when Peter had baptized a Roman Soldier named Cornelius and his household with him. Ac.10:1-48 tells the story of the first uncircumcised Gentile entering into the church of the living God in History without circumcision. When they heard them all speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them the utterance, what was Peter to do? So he believed that the Lord gave them the gift just as He had done to them in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. Who was Peter to stand against God’s doings? Peter baptized them in Jesus’ name, as all that were done before, according to the Lord’s commandment, Lk.24:47. The Lord does the calling and the Lord does the equipping, for those He brings into service. Not man; all man can do is preach the word of truth and let God work and He alone will provide the increase.
The New Testament and the New Testament Church didn’t come into being until or after Christ’s ascensions (Jn.16:28). The Old Testament people were saved under the old covenant of John the Baptist’s, Lk.7:28 & 24:47-49; Jn.7:39; 16:7-fs; Ac.1:4-8; Heb.9:14-17. With all this said, Acts is the New Testament documents of doctrine set forth by the Apostles of Jesus Christ, which brought in Salvation into the New Covenant Church of Jesus Christ, in the New Testament epoch in the “Age of Grace”. This too is seen in Jms.2:1-26 but mainly this one verse: For the temporary time being God will show mercy before judgment: 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. But woe unto them who are not in the New Covenant of His Grace when He comes: For it would have been better if they had not been born! Thus, if any ask what they must do to be saved; Ac.2:38-41 is the only answer we too can give them, that is the proper response to that question asked.
Not only did the Jews on the Day of Pentecost receive Ac.2:38-41 experience, but so did the Samaritans, the Apostle Paul, and the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house with his family and friends. The Disciples of John the Baptist also in Ephesus, Ac.19:1-7. Which prophesied, see Rev.19:10 for the Spirit of Christ Jesus is the Spirit of all Prophecy: For only God knows the end from the beginning, and is the Spirit of Grace & Truth. Here are the related verses: Ac.2:1-4; 37-41; 8:12-17; 9:17-18 with 22:16; 10:44-48; Ac.11:1-18 and then Ac.19:1-7. So in this we set forth doctrine of the teaching of salvation with these instructions; Repent, turn away from sin and a sinful lifestyle, ask for forgiveness of all past sins, Ro.3:25 and go and sin no more, Jn.8:11 and Jn.5:14 calling upon the name of the Lord and He will give you a right mind, be baptized in water calling upon the name of the Lord Jn.14:14 and Lk.24:47 as required of us in the scriptures Ac.4:12 and 38-41, see in Jn.15:20 as well, with a pure heart; and ye shall receive the Holy Spirit, after the Lord looks into your heart and sees it is pure with a servants heart, Lk.17:7-10, to serve the Lord and walk in His Light, Jn.14:6 as He has shown us to go as He walked with us, Mt.1:23 in person. Walking in all the scriptures, which are seen in 2 Tm.3:14-17 that work for us unto Salvation, if we endure to the end, Mt.24:13!
Full Repentance: Repentance is a turn from a life of sin to God. To live a life of Righteousness and Holiness, without which none shall enter into His Kingdom, Mt.5:17-20 & Heb.12:14. Godliness is a required lifestyle of a Saint of God or His name will be blasphemed by others who observe our actions if we are anything less than Holy and Pure of heart, Eph.5:26-27, 1 Pt.1:1-16, seen also in Lev.11:44-45 and in 1 Jn.5:17-18, we are to go and sin not but walk as He walked with us on earth, 1 Jn.2:1-6, so we too can be as he is when He comes for those called in His name, Gal.3:26-27 and have put Him on in and at Baptism, calling upon His Holy Sacred Name, Jn.14:14, believing in faith for it is impossible to please Him without faith, Heb.11:6; Mt.21:21-22.
Repentance according to the Pentecostals has three aspect to it; 1. An intellectual change (a Change for service and a willingness to help others before themselves): 2. an emotional change (A change of feelings, an over abundance of Joy unspeakable): 3. And a Volitional change (A change in ones Purpose!). It includes recognition of sin, Mk.2:17 & Mt.4:17, as seen in Jms.4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin! Any unrighteousness is a sin, 1 Jn.5:17-18 and a child of God keeps them self from all sin. See 1 Cor.15:33-34 as well. So we confess our sins to God Prov.28:13 so our prayers will not be hindered, (see Prov.15:8, 21:27 & 28:9), Here are a few more scriptures that show the idea of repentance, 1 Jn.1:9; Ro.3:24-31; Ps.51:1-19; 2 Cor.7:10; be in RIGHTEOUSNESS before you give an offering of praise, worship, and or prayer! True Repentance is willingness and a conscious effort to depart from all sinful lusts of the flesh 1 Jn.2:15-17 and live a sanctified life consecrated to God and His word to us! That is it, or we have not repented at all! With repentance is willingness to make restitution for all past sins if possible, Mt.5:21-26; Lk.19:8-10. For God is come to save a repented heart who has lost their way, he is willing that none should be lost, 2 Pt.3:9.
Repentance is the first response of faith to the call of God, Jn.6:44-47; Mt.4:17 and Mk.1:17; those who hear the words of God will respond to His calling, with a repented heart of sorrow, which is broken and a contrite heart that He will exalt and heal and lift up a sorrowful heart; a heart that only He can cleanse with His word Jn.15:3. Repentance is absolutely required Lk.13:3 & 5; Ac.17:30 as well as Ac.26:19-20; 2 Pt.3:9: Without repentance baptism is not effective; and without repentance a person cannot receive the Holy Spirit, Ac.2:38-41 & 3:19. Simply put, there is no salvation without Godly repentance and a change of heart first.
At first in repentance the person will let God come into their lives and let Him start making some changes in their nature and characteristics. They will allow God to remove the lusts of the flesh that seeks pleasures that are harmful even to itself such as gluttony for example, because our bodies are not our own anymore; they have been purchased by the very blood of God. We are all bought and paid for by Jesus Christ who purchased us at Calvary, with His own blood, Ac.20:28; Jn.20:28. As a part of turning away from sin God allows us to break away from sinful habits and desires. As a part of repentance when we turn towards the Lord and away from sin and the world of wickedness, when we start wanting more of the Lord and His ways. The closer we move toward the Lord the closer He moves towards us, Jms.4:1-10. As the repented person draws closer to God He will draw closer to them and bring with Him His Holy Spirit, His wisdom, His compassion, His mercy, His goodness, and His Imputation of Righteousness. Then the guilt will begin to roll off the sorrowful heart, preparing the way for baptism; to put to death the old man and the old sinful lifestyles of the world around us. After Baptism and death to the old self and sin natures we used to have, we can move on into living for God with a heart and mind that has come up out of the watery grave in newness of life, to be a new Creature, ready to be born again by the Holy Spirit, Lk.11:13; Jn.3:3-8 and Ac.2:38-39, for those who ask for it. Without the Holy Spirit in us there is no real conversion to a right mind, 1 Cor.2:1-16 without his Holy Spirit in us to teach us all truths, Jn.14:26 and Jn.15:26, talked about in Jn.16:1-15, remember Jn.10:30 here as well. The Father is the Holy Spirit Lk.1:35 and all powerful, Lk.1:37, who can do all things even in us, to regenerate us Tit.3:1-8, into His likeness. So when they see our good works they will glorify the Lord, this way the Sons of God bring glory to the Father, who gave them a new birth and a new life as a new creature; made in His image.
Water Baptism:
Water baptism is part of salvation, just as Jesus gave for us an example so all righteousness can be fulfilled in us as well, Mt.3:13-17; 1 Pt.3:21. Our obedience to this water baptism expresses faith in the process of cleansing us from the past life of sin; with a good conscience towards God. By coming up out of the watery grave, we too in likeness of Christ are risen in symbolic form, into a new life, a resurrected life in Christ Jesus! Baptized in His name and we have been raised with Him and put Him on Gal.3:26-27, to begin a new life with Him, with power over the lusts of the flesh and the power over sin. To go and sin no more as called out in Scripture, to be perfect, as he is perfect, Mt.5:8 & 48 with a pure heart and a right mind! Without the mind of the Lord in us we cannot have a right mind, or a right philosophy, without a right psychology, 2 Tm.1:7; Jn.14:27; 8:12-17; 1 Jn.4:15-21! Without the love for all mankind we will have enemies but in God we will have none to fear (Mt.10:28) and not one enemy but Satan and sin 1 Jn.5:17-18! Water baptism is a rite of passage that is commanded of God and in obedience to that command we have faith in His words that are for a promise of greater things to come. By obedience to these commands to us we show our faith by believing His words by our own actions and verifying our Faith, Mk.16:15-20; Ac.2:41; Jn.14:15 & 15:20. The spiritual mode of baptism is immersion in water (See Baptizo, Strong’s # 907), to submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; by the authority of the word of God, I baptize you name placed here; for the remission of your sins, in the only name by which all Salvation comes Jn.14:14 & Lk.24:47, in the glorious name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of your sins.
This method of baptism is immersion in water, and it is the only method that retains the biblical symbolism of baptism as a burial, Mt.3:16; Ac.8:36-39; Ro.6:3-4; Col.2:12; Gal.3:26-27; Ro.10:12-13; Faith in Christ and repentance from sin are necessary to its validity; thus for this reason infant baptism is not valid or proper, due to the mind of the infant is unable to realize the need for baptism, when it cannot understand the principles of sin and disobedience. This is the reason the children are the greatest in the Kingdom of God because of their innocence and pureness of heart Mt.5:8.
The Biblical significance of water baptism is as it is seen here;
- God remits sins at water baptism (Ac.2:38; 22:16). God cancels out all past sins Ro.3:25; and all penalties that justice demands for sins. He washes away sins and buries them in that watery grave, and remembers them no more:
- Baptism is part of the New Birth, Jn.3:3-8; Tit.3:1-8;
- Baptism identifies that person as a child of God and co heir with Jesus in all that the Father has for the sons of God. This baptism also identified the believer with the burial of Jesus, Ro.6:3-4; Col.2:12; it indicates the person baptized has died to sin by repentance and is burying his past sins; the dominion of sin is past as well as the sinful lifestyles of the past.
- This is the water part of the One baptism seen in (Eph.4:1-16), that places the believer into Christ, Ro.6:3-4; Gal.3:26-27; Eph.4:4-5; it identifies them personally with Jesus and is part of the entrance into His Kingdom, Lk.17:20-21.
- Baptism is part of spiritual circumcision, Col.2:11-13.
The Bible teaches us that baptism must be done in Jesus’ name only, Ac.4:12, Lk.24:47 and Ac.2:37-41 that is seen in Jn.14:14 and 14:15 as well as Jn.15:20. This means invoking the name of Jesus orally, Ac.22:16; Jms.2:7, and re-baptizing those who have been baptized some other way, Ac.19:1-5. There is only one correct way to baptize anyone and it MUST be in the name of Jesus Christ, Ac.4:12, according to the scriptures. Baptism in Jesus’ name expresses His authority for we know Him for who He is, as our God with us, Immanuel, Mt.1:23; Rev.4:8; Jn.8:24, 58, 47, & 51 and 29 (see verses 31, 32, and 36 as well)! By baptism in Jesus’ name we identify with His true identity, His work of atonement, and His saving power and authority. The name of Jesus is the only saving name given to us in the scriptures; Jesus is the only name by which we receive remission of sins because it is the Highest name given, Ps.138:2 that gives the words of God their authority and power, Jn.5:39-44 that is of God and is His name, Jn.17:1-3. Because Jesus is Lord of all Ac.10:26 and is both LORD and the Christ, Ac.2:36; Ac.4:12; 10:43; Phil.2:9-12; Col.3:17; Jn.14:14. Calling upon the name of Jesus is the only way to ask of God for anything, and if we want His forgiveness of our sins, we had better use the name of the only Holy man that ever existed who died for us and our sins! There is only one name who did all this and who is God and a Deity as well as a Divine Man, the man Christ Jesus! Therefore it is the only name that will ever bring Salvation to all mankind because it is by Him we even exist, Col.1:16-17. It is by Him that all remission of sin can come and be imputed, Ps.32:2 and Ro.4:8. Blessed are they whose sins have not been imputed against them. Only Jesus’ name fulfills all the purposes of Baptism!
We see in the scriptures that the Bible gives us at least five biblical accounts of baptism in the New Testament Church; These all show using the name of Jesus or calling out the name of the Lord, Ac.22:16, see Ac.2:38-41; 8:16-17, Ac.10:44-48, Ac.19:1-7, all of these scriptures given to us for our only Biblical examples! All of this is to prepare the vessel to be His Holy Temples, 1 Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20 and 2 Cor.6:14-18, so He can be our One and only True God 1 Jn.5:20, whose name is Jesus! The Epistles written to the saints of God are all alluding to this Jesus name baptism as well; Ro.6:3-4; 1 Cor.1:13-31; 6:11-20; Gal.3:26-27; Col.2:1-12-fs. This is seen in Mt.28:19 as well asking for us to use the name, singular of the titles used here in this verse, what is that name? Jesus told us in Jn.5:39-44 and Jn.17:1-3, that he declared the only name of God, which is Jesus, the Redeemer, Saviour the Mighty One of Jacob, Is.49:26; Is.9:6 Our Wonderful, Councilor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace, seen in 1 Tm.3:16 7 6:13-16 as well. He who resides in the Shekinah Glory which no man can approach or even look at! For further review see and study these scriptures as well; Zech.14:9; Mt.1:21 & 23; Jn.5:39-44; 14:7-26-fs; Rev.22:1-4 & 16, He is the Morning Star, the Day Spring, The Holy Font (fountain) that comes from under the Throne of Glory and fills the universe! Moreover, Jesus is the name described in the other Great Commission accounts, Mt.28:19-10; Mk.16:15-20; Lk.24:47; Dan.9:24-27 and Isaiah chapter 53 to chapter 66 and these final verses:
God’s Final Judgments against the Wicked
15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. 19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. 21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die; neither shall their fire be quenched and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
All of these scriptures can only point to One God in Christ Jesus reconciling the whole world unto Himself by Himself and for Himself, 2 Cor.5:19-21. We either agree to all His commandments for us in His New Testament, confirmed to us by His anointed Apostles, or we will find ourselves with all those who listen to other voices seen in verse 24 of Isaiah chapter 66.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Holy Ghost, is the baptism of God’s own essence in us, Jn.4:24 because God is that Spirit which has called us to be Holy as he is Holy Lev.11:44-45 and 1 Pt.1:13-16, this too is seen in Rev.4:8, without knowing who Jesus is as the Holy Spirt, manifested in the flesh, 1 Tm.3:16 & 6:13-16, we have no salvation without this Truth. For only they who God has revealed Himself to are His children, Mt.11:27, Lk.10:22; Jn.3:34-35; 13:3; 1 Cor.15:27-28; Jn.1:14, 18; and 6:44-47 & 63 and 68! Only Jesus has the Eternal Words of Life, Jn.11:25-26 & 40! He alone is the glory that can be given to no other, Is.42:8 and Is.48:11-12, see 2 Cor.4:6; Lk.17:18; Jn.11:40; and 1 Cor.2:8! There can be no glory outside of Jesus Christ, for He alone resides in that glory 1 Tm.6:13-16 that none can even look at. Our Salvation and Redemption rests on Jesus alone and His Spiritual rebirth in us, Ro.8:9 or we are none of His yet still! If we are in the flesh we cannot please the Lord of all Glory!
We are sealed for adoption by His spirit in us, Eph.1:1-(13-14)-23; 4:30: For the infilling of the Holy Spirit is seen and talked about in these verses, Ac.1:4-5; 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 11:1-18; 19:1-7; it is a promise that was prophesied by Joel in chapter 2 and verse 28, that Peter Quoted from on the Day of Pentecost, Ac.2:16-21, Baptism of the Holy Spirit is sometimes stated with some of these terms; The were filled, in, with, by, or immersed in, and filled with God’s Spirit. Sometimes these terms apply to these terms as well; baptized, filled, received, fell on, came upon, and poured out the gift upon or on, all these terms describe the baptism of God’s own Repentance upon us as He imputes us as His Righteousness and Holiness, Ac.11:1-18 in that, it is of God’s doing, Jn.1:12-13 and not of man’s. It is a supernatural act of God. Without the baptism of His Spirit in us there is no regeneration, Tit.3:1-18 or good works, fruits or deeds, Col.3:17; or rewards, Rev.14:13, 22:1-21. Without the baptism of His Spirit in us we cannot be a Saint of God, a Theos tois hagiois, mono-haiois a Holy One of God’s own children, pistois en Christo Iesou (faithful in Christ Jesus). All of these terms are revealed when someone starts speaking in other known languages that were not before known to them by His Supernatural Spirit giving us the utterances of other known and natural languages, that are used today around the world. There are other languages too; a multiplicity or duplicity of tongues of many countries and dialects. This gift of tongues is intended for everyone to have, Lk.11:13; Ac.2:1-4 and Ac.2:38-30 as told to us in Mk.16:17 as well (see Ac.2:1-11).
We have shown many accounts of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in other tongues as this unique sign given to us for that purpose, to give an outwardly sign of an inwardly regeneration! Unspeakable joy is not enough as seen in Samaria, they were baptized in Jesus’ name and had unspeakable joy but did not speak in other tongues, until Peter and John came down from Jerusalem and laid their hands on them, Ac.8:5-19, this was such a site that even Simon the magician wanted to buy this gift, this is called Simony today. To buy ones place into an official bishopric or pastoral position. Even Paul mentions having had this experience in 1 Cor.14:18.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the normal, basic New Testament experience with God, the birth of the Spirit and Regeneration, capable of doing all things through us and even in us. The Spirit of God is our Rest, Is.28:9-12; our guide to all Truths, Jn.1:17 seen in 1 Cor.2:1-16 for us to be taught of God and to have His mind because it is Him who is teaching us, Jer.31:31-34, Is.54:13; Heb.8:8-13 and 10:16-17 that is called out in chapter 37-38 of Ezekiel and Jn.6:44-47, that is seen in Jn.5:39-44 and Jn.6:63 & 68, giving us the eternal words of eternal life with Him, Mt.24:35, Is.40:8 and Is.55:1-13, His words to us cannot be broken Jn.10:35! The Spirit is our Intercessor, our Councilor, is our Wonderful, our adopter, our seal of the earnest hope of salvation, is our gift and inheritance; the Holy Spirit is our Sanctification by which we are consecrated for God’s own use, Jn.3:3-8, to be blown where He needs us to go for Him (see these verses as well, Is.28:9-12; Jn.16:13; Ro.8:9 & 15-26; Eph.1:13-14 and Eph.4:4-5 as the One Baptism that is most important or there is no entrance into His Kingdom, Lk.17:20-21 in us, and 1 Pt.1:2 & 13-16, we cannot be Holy without the Holy Spirit in us.
Someone can receive the Holy Spirit as seen in Ac.10:1-48 just by having faith and repenting from sin with a pure heart. When this happens they are still demanded to be baptized in the water in Jesus” name, Ac.10:44-48, and Mk.16:15-20 seen in Lk.9:23-27; 14:25-35 and Mk.8:34-38 which is taught by Paul in 2 Tm.2:19-26 which all disciples of Jesus Christ are to do. This is the only way to receive power over the flesh and the carnal nature of sin, Ac.1:8 and to receive a witness that none shall ever be able to gainsay Lk.21:14-15, the power to be overcomers required in Revelation chapter 2 & 3, see Ro.8:1-9 to 13-fs. Etc. Jn.3:3-8 and Gal.5:16-26; see 1 Jn.2:1-6 and we too will be able to walk as Jesus walked while here on earth, in a sinless life, Gal.3:26-27, 1 Jn.5:17-18! When we walk in the Spirit we will produce fruits some 30 some 60 some even a 100 fold Mt.13:1-ffs.
Conclusion:
If we are one with God we shall never reject anyone, just because they have not had the baptism of the Holy Spirit and are not in the Truth yet. We should be as God is and always leaning towards them with mercy and loving kindness, to show the attributes of God to a lost world around us so we too can be that light at the top of that Holy Hill of God in the distance for everyone to see so they too will see the goodness in us and give the glory to God. In this way we as the true Son’s of God can give glory to the Father who resides in us, Lk.17:20-21, which is the Kingdom of God in us! We should encourage one and all to come and be mature children of God, with His own special gifts for those who are called by His name and born again in His name, who are filled with His Spirit, or they will never be one with Him and Him with them, until they are Ro.8:9 and Jn.3:3-8, as the scriptures tell us so in His own words to us; and we know He doesn’t lie, Tit.1:2, Heb.8;16, Num.23:19; 1 Sam.15:9; Mal.3:6 & Heb.13:8; Mt.24:35; Is.40:8 and Is.55:13, His word will not come back void of what it was sent out to do, Rev.19:10! His Spirit and His words is the Spirit of all prophecy! Just as Apollos was ministered to by Aquila and Priscilla and shown a better baptism than John the Baptists in Ac.18:24-28 and taught Apollo of the Holy Spirit’s Baptism in Jesus’ name, a more perfect way. This too is called out for us in Jms.5:19-20, that we too are to pick up a weaker brother and get them back on the narrow way, Mt.7:13-14 or they too will end up as those in verses 15-23 here as well! We are to instruct one and all to receive everything God has for them, 1 Cor.12:1-31 & 13:1-13 as in Ro.12:1-21, be ye found perfect Mt.5:48, Perfect and Thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tm.3:14-17, abiding in all the scriptures, Deu.4:2 & Rev.22:18-19, or be found in Is.66:24!
There are many who need to be lead further along in the truth just like the disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus and Apollos who knew only the baptism of Repentance, even he had to be shown a better more perfect way, 1 Pt.4:8-11. If we speak at all let it be done as an oracle of God, knowing this, that every idle word we will have to give an account for Mt.12:36-37! This New Testament doctrine must be taught right or it is we who have failed the Lord! A person’s theology, teachings, and doctrines must line up with all scripture or it is not inspired of God. Without the Holy Spirit we have no way to be lead to the right scriptures in the right order and to know the intent of His heart without having His mind 1 Cor.2:1-16 and we cannot have His mind or hear from Him unless we are one with Him in Spirit and in Truth, Jn.4:23-24 and One with Him, Lk.21:14-15 so that none will be able to say anything against us and our doctrine or teachings. Let no man put any dogma or decrees upon anyone, unless it originates and is currently taught in the New Testament Epistles to us. Then we are never to add to them or take anything away from them either. If we do we will be teaching another gospel, Gal.1:8-9 and will bring a curse upon us, Deu.4:2; Rev.22:18-19, Mal.3:6 & 16-18 see Ecc.12:7-14. We are to serve Him in Spirit and in Truth or it is we who have gotten off that narrow way to His strait gate! Those who endure in the truth will be saved, Mt.24:13; 10:16-42. Let us be found as that servant who will open up to his Master at midnight when He returns from His trip, they will be the ones who are rewarded for faithful service Lk.12:35-38. All who seek not the “Apostolic Pattern” will give an account to God, Phil.2:10-12, therefore work out your own salvation by the very word of God and not man! Those who seek God’s perfect will with a pure heart in righteousness will be rewarded, Mt.6:33 and 7:7-8 as the Lord has promised to us in His words. Without Truth to the word of God there is no salvation of any kind! We all must act on Truth, Jn.4:23-24 it is required of us to grow in Grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ and all that He wants for us to know about Him, Jn.8:24 as the I Am or we are still in our sins! This is how important Truth, His Truth, is to the world and all mankind, Jn.3:16-18!
In Summary:
God demands obedience before we can ever see His favour and grace, see Jn.1:16 where it says we have all received His Grace for (or anti # 473, in place of Grace!) grace. It is a reciprocal action and a requital. Substitution and a correspondence to an action by us toward Him. Mt.6:33 and 7:7-8 let us see this point more clearly. If we obey Him in all the things He has told us to do, we too will find His favour, His mercy, and His loving kindness! Jn.14:15 & Jn.15:20 seen in and done in Col.3:17 as well as 2 Tm.3:14-17, so we too can be found perfect as He is perfect, Mt.5:48 with a regenerated heart like His, full of love for one and all, bound to walk as He walked while here among us, 1 Jn.2:1-6 so we too can be like He is when He comes for us! Jn.16:33, He promised we would have life and have it more abundantly as in forevermore with Him.
Holiness and Christian Living,
Holiness of God is what we compare all Holiness to:
Holiness in a Child of the most High God must come from that child’s daily walk with God, which comes from God showing that child how to walk as He did while He was with us, Mt.1:18, 20 & 23; facing all the same trails we do today, Lk.2:49, we too are to overcome these trials just as He did, Jn.16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
A Christian’s daily walk is an act of “Faith,” we take each scripture in the Bible and we use it as our guide and His words will keep us cleansed from all wrong, Jn.15:3, “If” we love Him and keep His commandments to us, Jn.14:15 and those of His anointed Apostles, Jn.15:20. Without the Holy Spirit in us to bring the scriptures to remembrance, Lk.21:14-15, Mt.10:20; Lk.12:11-12; 2 Sam.23:2; as seen in Ex.4:10-16, God will put His words in our mouths and have them in our hearts and minds so we can always find His narrow way, Mt.7:13-14, that many will not even be able to see or find, Mt.20:16 and 22:14 and few that there will be that will find that narrow way to His strait gate! Only by His Holy Spirit in us can we too have the power to find His narrow way and to live it. It takes a supernatural power to have a supernatural walk with God, there is no other way to His Kingdom and for His Kingdom to be found in us, Lk.17:20-21! That is the only way to have a Holy walk with God and that is according to His words to us, not man’s dogmas!
A Holy Child of God;
Is to never walk with the world or do as they do, because the world doesn’t even know it is in its own wickedness, Jms.4:1-4; 1 Jn.5:19, and anyone who goes along with them is an enemy of God! Because they are still in their own sins and have not had the rebirth experience yet, they are not Born Again of the Most High God! Neither can they know Him or have His Spirit in them Jn.14:17 Even the Spirit of truth (see Jn.1:17); 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. This Jesus said to them who had followed Him, through His trials. Those who do not know Jesus as the I Am cannot have this Spirit in them, for He reveals Himself to His own, Mt.11:27, Lk.10:22; and Jn.6:44-47 and they who the Father calls, all come to Jesus because the Father and Jesus are one in the same, Jn.10:30, and when you have seen Jesus you have seen God in the flesh, 1 Tm.3:16, Jn.12:45-50 and only those who know Him will love Him and keep all His commandments. Jn.14:15 and those of His Apostles, Jn.15:20! Only these will have His Spirit the Spirit of God without measure, if we too walk in a way that is found Holy and righteous to Him alone; and then He will add all things unto us as well because we too will know what to ask for when we pray to Him, Mt.6:33 & 7:7-8. Many today have their prayers hindered due to their own lifestyles that do not agree with the words of God! See Prov.15:8; Prov.28:9 and the worse of them all is seen in Prov.21:27 as one who has a lying heart and a willingness to try and mock God by leveraging or manipulating God to do your will in trade for a service rendered; God will never be bribed or mocked, Gal.6:1-7 and we all will reap what we sow! You will be rewarded for your own works, Mt.16:27; Rev.14:13 and Rev.22: 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
There is only One Book of Eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven; and it is to those who have kept themselves Holy as He is Holy and Righteous as He is Righteous! Just that simple, live according to all the words given to us or we are not in faith at all or His grace! This is why He gave us His words to us so we in turn could know Him and have His mind and know what it is that pleases Him. So we could be the recipients of His endless loving kindness, to those who turn to Him and walk in His Light not their own! Which is according to His every word to us, not taken away and none added to, just walk before Him with a pure heart, Mt.5:8 in perfection, Mt.5:48 & Eph.5:26-27, having put on Christ Jesus in Baptism in His name, Gal.3:26-27 seen in 2 Cor.5:17-21 and Jn.3:3-8, Born Again of Him, His way Jn.1:12-13 that is of His doing, Ac.2:1-4 & 2:38-41, and live a new life in Him, Lk.17:20-21 and His Spirit in us, showing and leading us into all truths, Jn.4:23-24 that is required of a child of God to walk in, that is Holy and Righteous, in order to be found in His Godliness! Faith to God and His words is only answered by obedience to Him and His words to us! Or there is no salvation or pleasing Him, Heb.11:6.
We in our Christian walk with God, who have His Spirit in us need to be the Kings of this world and seek out the hidden treasures of God, for those who are willing to seek God Himself, Prov.25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter! Only they who are of His Holiness, will in fact keep God first in all areas of their own lives. They will constantly be asking themselves this question; “Is this what Jesus would do?” Or “Did Jesus do this, but is this the way He would have me do this?” You see Jesus is Sovereign God and is able to do all things without sinning, we are not Him! We must only obey His examples when we are acting in loving kindness, because God is Love 1 Jn.4:1-21! If we did that, we would not have any wars ever again! No man can have a war with His brother that he loves! Thus Holiness is the Love of God seen in us, as children of God are love just as He is love to us. We too will love all mankind in all nations, tribes and people. We then in return will try to show them a better way to live their lives in Christ Jesus, Ac.18:24-28 a more perfect understanding of redemption, through repentance, and baptism in Jesus’ name, Lk.24:47; Ac.2:37-41 & Ac.4:12 as told to do in scripture, not as a tradition or ritual of men! Do as the Lord commanded or be in your own sin, just that simple!
Holiness is keeping the words of God that are eternal and that cannot ever be broken. We either keep them with every part of us in heart, soul and strength of us or we will be corrupted with every whim of a doctrine! Just as Paul warned the Corinthians, who will come preaching another gospel; 2 Cor.11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
If we keep not all the scriptures we only lie to ourselves that we are saved, for if our own words to not match up with our lives we have falsified ourselves and made us to be known as a Hypocrite and a liar and thief to the words of our Almighty God, Ro.3:1-4 and God will be true and we found as a liar! No liars will be found behind His Heavenly Gates! Holiness and Righteousness is a mandatory requirement for a child of the Most High God! Or we are still seeking salvation and regeneration and have not really been born again have we? That is why without Repentance first turn away from sin and towards God or there is no salvation, 2 Tm.2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will!
Scriptures to study: 1 Thes.5:17; Jude 20-21; Mt.6:33; 7:7-8; 17:20; 21:22; Jn.14:14; Jn.15:1-3 to 14 to 20 to 26 & 27; Ro.8:1-9-13-Ro.14:1-23; 1 Cor.10:13; Phil.4:6 & 19; Prayer will be answered when we ask for the things that are not carnally consumed, 1 Jn.2:15-17 but are in the will of God! See Jms.4:1-4 on this topic too. To receive these promises from God, we must ask in faith believing we have the things we ask for already, with a repented heart that is seeking the things of God not of this world, we are to have dominion over this world already; we are to be seeking spiritual things God has for us, see Ps.66:18; Jms.1:5-8 & 16-17; 4:2-3; and 5:16; 1 Jn.3:20-27 to the end; 1 Jn.5:14-18 & 20 or you too will be found in verse 21 as well as those in the world who worship God there way and not His way!
Giving, Prayer and Fasting: Mt.6:16-18; 9:14-15; 17:21; Deu.15:7-11; Lk.11:1-4; & Mt.13:44-46; Lk.11:33-36: Don’t worry; Mt.6:25-24; Lk.12:22-34.
See Mt.6: covers giving, praying and fasting as well as many other topics that cover Holiness and Righteousness which make up Godliness in a child of God.
Have a Bible and a reading plan:
so that the whole Bible is read once a year and studied on by topics. A good Strong’s Concordance and study the language the Bible is written in to make sure any translation or transliteration is correct with the etymology of the words and the context for the way they are used in the Bible addresses for who they are talking to or what reason that the words of God have been put together in the first place. Never hunt and pick scriptures and make them fit your doctrine even when they were not intended for that topic! That is called Eisegesis no Exegesis which is the correct translation of scripture by using Hermeneutics.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeneutics),
See these scriptures as well; Ps.119:11, 16, 105; 2 Tm.2:15; 3:14-17.
Faithfully assembling each week for studying and worshipping God:
This is not necessarily an organized governing body of believers but a simple Home Church, where coming together with friends and neighbors to worship and praise God, to give Him glory, and to read the scriptures and discuss them. To speak in tongues and to prophesy and to interpret and hold church without disruption or confusion but orderly as required in the Bible. That is the way to come and have church and to come together when there is a need that the community of believers must take care of when another is poor and destitute; all of us must come to their rescue and help them to be all they can be in the Lord, for that is what we are all called to do. No man lording over another, all sharing in unity of brotherly love to one and to another without respecting persons! The least of us will be the servant of all and the greatest in the Kingdom of God! So let us all be found serving one another respectfully! See these scriptures; Ac.2:42, Ro.14: and Col.2:1-fs. We are not bound to any Holidays, but to one day that the Lord called for Himself, for He is the Lord of the Sabbath day because God changes not Mal.3:6! And as He worked on that day so should we who are made in His image, we too should be out doing what He did as seen in Jn.14:6, each Sabbath day that we have left is to be dedicated for His use not ours!
Giving Tithes and offerings:
See these scriptures; Mal.3:8-12; Mt.6:1-4; Lk.6:38; 16:10-13; Ac.20:35; 1 Cor.9:1-14; 2 Cor.9:6-9: This is the plan of God for us who have to visit and give to them that cannot obtain, the widow and the orphaned, Jms.1:1-27, if one is to have a perfect religion. Not a hearer of the word of God but a doer of it all! God has always had a plan for making sure none are without it is up to us to keep it active in our own lives and teach it to our children too so His ways are not lost to another generation who knew not their own God, Jud.2:10! If we do not teach these things to our children it will be lost to the next generation who will end up going to hell with the world around them in its wickedness of unregenerated LOVE to and for God!
Worship:
Where two or more are gathered, Jesus is in the midst of them and when they are filled with His Holy Spirit; where they are He is too Lk.17:20-21! So just as Paul was alone in his jail cell in Rome, just before he was taken home to glory, he spent many days worshipping the Lord in his jail cell alone! No matter what our situation is; we too ought to bring a praise and worship continually before the Lord just as our prayer life ought to be continually before the Lord so should our worship life too! Everything we do and say, ought to have Jesus all over it and when the world sees us they ought to see Jesus not us!
Reference verses for worshipping: Ps.100:1-5; 111:1-10; Jn.4:23-24; 1 Cor.14:26-33 & 40; 2 Cor.3:17, and worship must be done in Spirit and in His Truth, Jn.4:23-24 it is required of us! Without Truth we have nothing! Not even Salvation!
Here are some further references to worshipping in our services; let them be seen as some of these scriptures here: Ps.33:1-4; 47:1; 141:2; 149:1-9; 150:1-6; Ac.4:24-31; 1 Tm.2:8; Eph.5:19-27! Here is what this church of our age should be, it is to be in us, we are that temple that the Lord will dwell in; so as it is done in heaven it should be done in us as well, with every moment we have it should be given to praising God.; as it is done before the throne in Heaven should it not, Rev.4:8?
Fasting:
Has already been covered somewhat so we will not spend much time on this here; see Mt.6:16-18; 9:14-15; 17:21; fasting doesn’t win favours from God, it doesn’t mean we are to abuse the body thinking we will get merit before the Lord, it is to put the body under subjection, to mortify it Ro.8:13 for the flesh wars against the Spirit Gal.5:17 and tries to keep us from reaching higher maturity in the Spiritual things of God by distracting us with worldly things and pleasures of the carnal world and the philosophies of men and the wisdoms of the world instead of Godly realms and Spiritual wonders that are for us if we reach for them, the secret things of God Prov.25:2, that a nation of Kings and Priests are to look for, Ex.19:5-6; Lev.11:44-45, Holy Things of God doings, Jn.1:12-13, so we too can be just like Him. Worthy of all dominion over all that He has made!
Holiness of Life:
We have spoken much about this topic already; following Holiness is a lifestyle and is as important as new birth. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord” Heb.12:14.
God commands His people to be Holy in all conduct because He is Holy, 1 Pt.1:13-25: Those called of God are to obey this command as well as all the others; we are to seek Holiness at all times and fulfill all scripture in our lives, in order to be found righteous and Holy that is bound in truth of the words of God for all mankind! Otherwise Holiness is just a figment of a vain imagination, 1 Jn.5:21!
Holiness is separation from the world and sin and the lusts of the flesh and all carnal thoughts and habits. We keep our Lord’s commandments because it pleases us to please Him and His commandments are not grievous to us either, 1 Jn.5:13-18! We are dedicated to God and His will for us, Ro.12:1-21, see 1 Cor.13:1-3 because His love demands that we are one with Him in truth or we cannot be consecrated for His use!
Christians will not love this ungodly world system of capitalism or materialism, these are vain philosophies of men and the works of the devil, by having men and all mankind bound to money! Which as we know: “That the Love of money is the root of all Evil!” 1 Tm.6:10. We are not to be bound by the activities of this world system or what it has to offer as entertainment! We are to be a called out people a peculiar treasure, Deu.7:6; 1 Pt.2:9! We are called for God’s use only, not man’s use or for his military uses either. No Child of God will shed blood needlessly, we are called to forgive the sinners, Ac.7:60, just as Jesus did, we are to do as well. If we do not forgive them, then why should we be forgiven if we will not forgive them who have offended us, Mt.6:12-15? Holiness to a consecrated life sanctified to Christ in Truth is not of this world’s system that is founded on its own wickedness, so how can a Child of God go to their entertainments? See 1 Jn.2:15-17, that is all the world knows how to entertain is the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life! Those who lift themselves up will be abased and those who exalt themselves will be brought low, Mt.23:12; Lk.14:11; A true Christian learns humility, Lk.14:7-14; Prov.25:23; Ps.18:27; Mt.23:12; Lk.18:9-17; Jms.4:6 and 1 Pt.5:1-9! The true child of God will abstain from all appearances 1 Thes.5:22! When we do that we have thought about our actions before we say or do anything, thus letting the Lord have a chance to direct us and our steps, Ps.119:129-136 (1-176), let us be found walking in His True Light according to His Testaments!
Holiness is both outward and inward 1 Cor.3:16-17 (18-23); 6:19-20; 2 Cor.6:14-18 & 7:1; 1 Thes.5:12-24, keep all scripture and be found cleansed, holy, and righteous in all the words of God, Eph.5:26-27 and found blameless, without spot or wrinkle, when we abide in Him and His Holy Words abide in us, that is the effects of being One with God!
A life of Holiness is striving for perfection, Lk.13:23-24, Mt.7:13-14 see Mt.20:16 and Mt.22:14 for few there will be that find that narrow way and strive to enter thereat! Mt.5:48 & 8; 2 Cor.7:1; Phil.3:1-21, walk worthy of our High Calling of God! We should be as perfect and as perfect as we can be, always growing in His Grace (Pleasing God and finding His favour and His blessedness), for all who are called by His name and have put Him on in baptism Gal.3:26-27, so we really need to strive to be just like Him in word and deed, Jn.14:6; Col.3:17; see all of Jn.15:1-27, this was written to the friends of God, to warn them of what to expect from the world, who will hate us because if they never knew Jesus as the I Am, therefore they will not understand the Holiness of Oneness people: Who walk as Christ did on earth, trying to love everyone and to save the lost sinner and teaching the gospel; that salvation has come to mankind, Mt.4:17; Lk.24:47 and Ac.2:1-4 & 37-47 and 2 Pt.3:18, this is one of the most important commandments of them all, to grow in Grace and the Knowledge of Jesus Christ. For He is the Glory both now and forevermore. Amen! This too shows us that Jesus is the Glory of God manifested in Jesus Christ as God can only have, Is.42:8; Is.48:11-12; 2 Cor.4:6; Lk.17:18; Jn.11:40; and if they would have known who Jesus is as the LORD of GLORY they would not have crucified Him, 1 Cor.2:8! Knowing this, let us glory in Christ Jesus and bring Him praise continually for all He has done for us at Calvary. Who purchased us all with His own blood, Ac.20:28 and given us the Holy Spirit of the earnest hope of salvation Eph.1:1-23!
A Christian’s daily goal is to overcome sin and to keep the flesh under subjection, which wars against the Spirit, Gal.5:17; see Jn.5:14 & 8:11, we too are to go and sin no more by the power of the Holy Spirit who is the power of the Highest, Lk.1:35 & 37, see 1 Jn.5:17-18, for any unrighteousness is a sin to us.
Holiness comes with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit because God is Holy, Lk.11:44-45 and has called us into fellowship with Him and called us to the same standards He resides in; as children of God we too must be Holy inside and out, just as He is. Or we only fool ourselves into thinking we are one with the Lord, for He will have nothing to do with uncleanness or sinful lifestyles! Holiness comes by practical Faith being applied to every aspect of our daily lives as our only nature and characteristics all the time. This is the New Birth of being Born Again of God’s doing it, Jn.1:12-13, seen in Jn.5:38-44 as well by knowing who God is in our lives and walking as He walked when He was with us, as our Immanuel, Jn.14:6 is our life too; so we too can bring glory to the Father by us the sons of God!
Holiness comes by Faith and is a result of Salvation. Holiness brings forth more faith, love, and walking according to the Spirit (Scriptures, see Jn.6:63 & 68, for the words of God are Spirit and they are Truth, Jn.1:16-17), remember we are all called to live according to Spirit and Truth, Jn.4:23-24, because our God is that Spirit of Truth seen in 2 Tm.3:14-17, in His every word to us, 2 Pt.1:19-21! If we find that we have sinned in error of the scriptures, we can approach the throne of all glory and ask for forgiveness as soon as that sin has come to knowledge, 1 Jn.1:9 & 1 Jn.2:1 so that we too can be found as he is when He comes for us, 1 Jn.2:1-6 has called out to us by His Apostle John, for our own edification! As we walk after the Spirit of Truth, in everything we say and do for the Lord’s glory!
All aspects of sanctification are the residual of the baptism of the Holy Spirit’s works in us, which came by our faith in the Lord’s words to us, Eph.2:8-10. If we truly believe God, we will truly believe all His words to and for us in His Holy Bible, collected for our edification and understanding, so that we too can know how to please Him and walk in His likeness and image! This is why obedience is so important to us or our words are meaningless, unless our own actions line up with His words to us! Without the love of God in us we will never be able to keep all His commandments, unless we truly love Him, Jn.14:15 & 23; 1 Jn.2:1-29, for those who are His, keep themselves Righteous as He is Righteous, because any unrighteousness is a sin to us, 1 Jn.5:17-18 and any child of God keeps themselves from all sin!
Love is far stricter than the written law, for the intent of the Spirit in the written word is the heart of all that matters, and the real truth of all things discussed. If they are not believed and put into action by our faith, where is the faith seen by others so they can believe or report or testimonies? That is why being born again of the Holy Spirit is mandatory for salvation, for only the Holy Spirit can bring and create in us that kind of powerful love that only God can create in us again after the fall of the first Adam. This is done through the Holy Spirit’s guidance upon our minds to reveal truth that is not of a lie so that we can reveal the words of God from the words of the world; which will sound to us just as a missed note in a musical will sound off key, so will all words that are a lie, we will hear them right away, by the giftings of the Holy Spirit; by that Spirit we will test all spirits, 1 Jn.4:1-21, according to the words given to us in the Holy Bible Ac.17:10-11, that will be our standard. With that word (Holy Bible) in our hearing we will hear all other words to us and we will judge them according to that mark of excellence, by the Holy Spirit’s ear in us! That is how we will have power over all sin, with a clear and right mind that is sound of hearing, Ro.8:1-13; Gal.5:14-16; 1 Thes.4:1-12, that we lack nothing, so that we too can give to them who are without, Spiritually and materially who are lacking the necessities of life. For a child of God must be willing to give to them who are in serious need always. Would not our Lord do this for us? Amen!
The Holy Spirit in us Lk.21:14-15, teaches us all things especially Holiness that is of Him; by the inspired words to us; anointed preachers and teachers, (See 1 Jn.2:20 & 27 though, we are to have those giftings in us as well!), who proclaim and apply the word and from internal promptings and convictions, which will never deviate from the Holy Bible! Holiness requires a real physical effort that is from the heart, and after many years it will be our natural way of doing all things in our daily lives! As we learn to feel the Holy Spirit leading us into all truths, just as Jesus said to us in His word! We do all these things in our daily lives by implementing all of the commandments or principles of God that are taught to us by His Spirit in the Holy Bible as we live this truth, Ro.6:11-16; Phil.2:10-12, we will give an account for our works or actions, Mt.16:27, Gal.6:1-7 & Rev.22:1-21, scriptures show us we must bear fruits worthy of repentance Ac.26:19-20; Mt.3:8; Lk.3:8-9, see Jn.15:1-27, the root that abides not in the tree or vine is cut off and thrown into the fires of God’s wrath, just as it is seen in Ro.14:-1-12-fs & 11:1-36! We find all that we need for a very successful life in Christ Jesus’ commands to us, called this Holy Bible! With all this said only they who have the baptism of the Holy Spirit can have the mind of Christ Jesus, 1 Cor.2:1-16, that is Holy!
The Christian life is one called to Liberty, in the sense that we are no longer bound by sin, death, the grave and hell. We establish the law in us as we walk according to the Spirit which is the words of God to all the Saints of God! That is our liberty to not allow sin to have any power over us or to dominate our existence anymore! By the power of God in us with His Holy Spirit in us, we now have a predestined outcome by the constant leading of our steps by the Holy Spirit, leading us into all Truth, Jn.4:23-24, that is required of Him in us! These truths are in fact, will be all of our Righteous principles based on sound theology that is fundamentally sound build on all axioms of that Holy Scripture, called the Holy Bible, for that reason it is Holy for us and to us; and will be usable in everyday situations, for all eternity!
Christian liberty and so called non-moral matter do not exist in a Holy Child of God, we all have a creator we will all give an account to, and He will judge us first, 1 Pt.4:17-19 and we had better have a proper account to give for every idle word we speak see Mt.12:36-37, how much more will we give an account for our every action, that had better be Righteous and Holy as He is Righteous and Holy or how can we say we are one with Him? This Holy Word of God is to be lived in all aspects of our lives or we have not established the law at all, Ro.3:1-31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law! Or how can we judge them who are within the church as seen in Paul’s writings to the Corinthians, 1 Cor.5:9-13, if we have not the law of God upon our hearts and minds, 1 Cor.2:1-16, unless we have the very mind of Christ Jesus’?!
To a Christian there is no such thing as nonmoral matters: We are bound to do all to the glory of God in all matters whatsoever they are, 1 Cor.10:31; and Col.3:17, see Ro.6:16 and Jn.8:34 & 29 and do just as Jesus did, Gal.5:1-25 and Eph.5:26-27, let us all be found without spot or wrinkle, perfectly blameless and without one blemish!
Doing everything to glorify God will keep us from all wrong and lead us to watch carefully all doctrines, commandments, precepts, sayings, and statutes, and all lines upon all lines, Is.28:9-12 or be found like those in verse 13 here and those in Mt.7:15-23, not knowing God at all! Avoid anything that will conflict with the word of God in our lives, therefore it is mandatory that we know this world inside and out or we will be found going back into the world by accident, not knowing the love of God in His words to us, that are for our protection and so we have length of life with Him as He promised, if we keep His commandments, with a pure heart, Mt.5:8 and a perfect heart, Mt.5:48 as His is. Without Holiness and Righteousness no man will see God or enter into His Kingdom or have any part with Him in our lives, Lk.17:20-21, for the Kingdom of God is within you, or is supposed to be!
We are to never allow anything to gain dominance in our lives that the flesh craves for, 1 Cor.6:12-20; 10:23; Heb.12:1-3; our body is to be His Temple that is Holy and glorious for Him to live in! See 1 Cor.3:16-17; Heb.8:8-13 and 10:16-17, Mal.3:6 & 16-18, for all those who serve Him, He will bring with Him into His Eternal Kingdom! We are never to harm another human being; Mt.5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
See Ro.14:1-23; We are not to destroy another with our own faith in what we allow in food or drink, or as to Holidays and Sabbaths which are all shadows of things to come, Col.2:1-23, for we are to use all scriptures in our lives or be found as they of the world; who are a law unto themselves, because they know not God or His ways!
Here are some important areas in which biblical, and therefore universal and unchanging, principles of Holiness apply:
- Attitudes: see Gal.5:19-23; Eph.4:23-32; Christians must put away evil attitudes, including hatred, malice, bitterness, wrath, envy, strife and discord, jealousy, pride, prejudice, vengeance, and Covetousness of anything even food, let not gluttony dominate your life 1 Jn.2:15-17, it is covered under the lusts of the flesh! Holiness people have specific dominate traits such as these; bearing fruits (worthy of repentance) of the Holy Spirit; which are love, peace, joy, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithful, meekness, and temperance in all things, even in modesty and moderation with limited amounts of anything. Christians forgive so they in turn can be forgiven as well, just as Grace for Grace Jn.1:16, Christians must be obedient to His word and authority of the government(s) of God’s authorities in which He has placed in leadership in secular or religious positions. As long as they are in the Truth of all His words say to us! If they are not in the truth we are to correct them and bring it to light in front of them all, unless they are an elder, just as Paul taught Timothy in 1 & 2 Timothy, with the order of deacons and bishops! We are to get along with everyone, and if they will not hear us let them be in their ignorance, 1 Cor.14:37-38-40 inside and outside of church, let all things be done decently and orderly! We are not to offend in other’s lives and not be busybodies and get caught in the affairs of others! We let none offend us and we offend none either!
- Thoughts: See Mt.15:18-20; 2 Cor.10:1-6, we are to be as Paul is, 1 Cor.11:1 for he is our example in Christ Jesus! Just as Paul follows after Jesus hard, let us do the same, Phil.4:8-9 & 10-20 on giving of ourselves for those who work in the ministry, to support them with our material goods and wealth for those who support us with Spiritual things of God; for this too is pleasing to God and He will reward us for our correct responses to His words by His Grace to and in us! A person is what he thinks and what he allows his mind to dwell on. Christians are to think upon these things; truth, honest, just, pure, lovely, reputable, virtuous, and praiseworthy things. We must chase out all evil thoughts and think of Godly things in praise and worship and then those things cannot enter into our thinking, when we are thinking upon Godly Things, our thoughts must remain on God and His will for our lives, and those of our children’s lives as well.
- The Tongue: As called out in Jms.1:26; 3:1-2; 4:1-11; and 5:12. Christians will never speak untruthfully or be a talebearer, or backbiter, never slander, or sow discord, neither by swearing oaths, Mt.5:33-37; neither let your words never use the Lord’s name in vain; or pronouncing curses, reviling, lying, idle or suggestive words, Mt.12:36-37, or indecent words or obscene speech.
- The Eye: The eye is the gate to the soul, guard it. Ps.101:2-3; Ps.119:37; Mt.6:22-23. The eye is the gate unto the soul so we must always keep our sight on Godly things and never have pleasure in this world and its activities and luxuries and sights that cause us to error in thoughts and nakedness of the human body as art, in paintings of statues. This would be cause for sensual and vulgarity even in media and entertainments from Hollywood or radio and T.V. over public airways, because the world is always laying in its own wickedness, 1 Jn.5:19 and will always try to promote itself in a prideful manner! We cannot even watch their commercials over public airways due to violence, illicit sex, sinfulness and vanity and pride of life issues that dominate this media!
- Appearance: The Bible talks about adornment of dress for women, even back in Deu.22:5, women are not to wear things that pertain to men that have a crouch in them, for that is the garments of the Priests first of all under their robes, and this too would cause confusion. Just as a man is not to have long hair, 1 Cor.11:1-16 and women are never to cut their hair for it their glory, for this reason the angels look into these matters, due to submission and following ordinances and keeping commandments of our God and His Apostles as well, Jn.14:15 and 15:20. We have scripture that tries to keep us from being prideful due to a natural carnal nature that must be mortified, Ro.8:13, 1 Pt.3:1-5; 1 Tm.2:8-10, we are to control these tendencies that even this world tries to justify by its endeavor to try and make us think nothing is wrong with showing more and more skin all the time! Even costly jewelry and hair adornments or costly arrays which say look at me, am I not beautiful, so everyone will cast their eyes upon you or to show all that you have material wealth, as to cause covetousness between one another. This is warned about in Jms.2:1-13, see Ac.10:34, God is not a respecter of persons for their wealth; for it is hard for the wealthy to enter into the Kingdom of God, as Jesus told His disciples, Mt.19:23-30; Lk.18:24.
Our appearance reflects our inner self, both to God and to those around us. Ungodly attire is unseemly as well it promotes the desires of the flesh and lustful and leads to thinking that is most uncomely, as Jesus said, “they have already committed adultery within them, if they look upon them with lustful eyes and thoughts!” Matthew chapter 5 and 27-30; Lk.18:1-30 as well. All of this just promotes ungodly thinking that the world strives to create in us to lead us away from God and toward their philosophies of capitalism and materialism so they can grow wealthy of illicit gains! All of those issues just promote pride of life issues that will lead to self-exaltation and our destruction due to haughtiness! They who exalt themselves will be abased and brought low!
Some basic Biblical principles on this subject are these: 1. Modesty 2. Rejection of ornamentation 3. Moderation on costs 4. Distinction between male and female wardrobes and of the sexes 5. Separation from the world connotations; such as some of these, Christians should abstain from immodest clothing, ornamental jewelry, cosmetics and or hair dyes, very expensive and extravagant or gaudy attire or hats for women; her hair is her covering, she need not wear a hat to cover her head! Dresses are for women not men, and vice versa, women are never to wear pants it causes confusion which is an abomination, no long hair on me (Lev.19:27 & Lev.21:5 on beards, see Mal.3:6 & Heb.13:8.) and no carnal wear with sexual connotations or immodesty. All of this comes under the heading of Discipleship and Stewardship, which will be the next topic.
- Stewardship of the body: 1 Cor.3:16-17; 1 Cor.6:12 & 19-20; 2 Cor.6:14-18 & 17:1; The child of God is the Temple of the Holy Spirit (Jn.4:23-24), which is to reside in us, Lk.17:20-21; We are not to ever use anything that will injure the body, which is to remain Holy at all times. The use of drugs that cause intoxication or cause addiction or are harmful to maintaining a right mind should be abstained from; as well as illegal drugs and excessive consumption of alcohol beverages, tobacco, or anything that causes addictions, violate this principle. Even dangerous sports should be abstained from due to injury that will cause us to medicate ourselves due to pain of physical abuses during high impact sports, this is God’s body not ours, we have been purchased for greater uses, to take this gospel to all nations first and foremost!
- Sanctity of Marriage between a Man and a Woman: The Bible condemns all sexual relations outside of a lifelong marriage, between man and woman. It condemns and opposes lustful thoughts and actions. See 1 Cor.6:9-10; Col.3:5; Heb.13:4.
- Sanctity of Human life: Christians should not participate in violence or taking of human life, including warfare, abortion, and suicide. See Jn.15:13; Gal.5:14; Ex.20:13; Mt.5:39 & 44.
- Honesty: The Bible rejects all dishonesty, including lying, theft, defrauding or refusing to remit a payment owed, or bribery, extortion, and cheating!
- Fellowship:2:40 says we are to come out from among the unclean generation as well as 2 Cor.6:14-18 and 7:1 as well! Christians should not be identified with sinful attitudes, or lifestyles. They should not fellowship with so called believers who continually indulge in sinful activities. They must resolve internal disputes by the laws that are given to us by Christ in the Epistles and the Beatitudes and must bring them before the church if they will not hear us, we are to get two or three and tell the matter and if they will not listen then bring them to the house of God and let the church decide the matter! A Christian is not to be unequally yoked in marriage with unbelievers, 1 Cor.5:9-6:8; 15:33.
- Worldly Activities: Christians must maturely regulate amusements, music, sports, and games. Avoid worldly atmosphere and appearances. Some amusements are inherently worldly, such as gambling, dancing, hard rock music, and the occult and their activities, rituals and even some traditions of the Universal Church of Rome. See 1 Thes.5:22; Tit.3:1-8 to 11; 1 Jn.2:15-17.
In Summary:
Holiness is to imitate Christ, Jn.14:6; and to be Christ like! A Holiness person will not gratify the flesh nature, Ro.8:13; or the lusts of the flesh either; we have power over our emotions and our bodies. We will have the personality of Jesus the Lord of us, if we love Him we will keep to His commandments; His commandments are not grievous to us! See Ro.13:14 AND Gal.4:19; The Christian will judge every action and word by what Jesus would do, Jn.14:6!
Holiness is an integral part of wisdom and the fear (Reverence Aw) of the Lord; without that there is no wisdom and understanding at all! Without the Holy Spirit power how can we go and have victorious battle against the power of the adversary, the Price of the Air? We need power that is only obtained through complete study of all that God gives us in His words to us, they are our weapons because they are authorized for our defenses by His name that covers us with His blood, giving us the identity of a purchased price, we belong to Him alone and the Prince of the Air has lost dominion over us and all power! Thus, we too can order Satan to get thee behind us just as Jesus did in Mt.16:23, for we do not care for the things of this world but for the things of the Spirit! Holiness is the only life a true Christian will have, it is the true essence of being one with God in His blessing abound in grace when we love Him and walk with Him in truth! It is a joyful life to walk before the Lord and know we are His blessed ones unto all eternity. We should abound in His abundance, and His Holiness in us fulfills His original intent for all human fellowship with Him in purity and Righteousness! Mt.5:17-20 and Heb.12:14 is the completion of all His work of redemption in Salvation! Holiness is our normal mode of life and our only way to live in this world. It is Christian life at its fullest in perfection, Mt.5:48, just as He is perfect so shall we be when we keep His words to us in our lives!
The Church
The Church is the Ecclesia (ekklesia, Strong’s # 1577), is an assembly of Christian believers who know Jesus as the I AM, they meet in Home Church buildings for this specific use, and many men try and make organizations of different sects of religious bodies, called denominational churches and even now today called non-denominational churches, meaning they have no doctrinal creeds or symbols. Others know these are their Statement of Faith, this is no more than just another creed or decree or dogma of man’s doing. Jesus told us not to swear an oath, let our yea be yea and our nay be nay, anything more than this is of evil, Mt.5:33-37.
The Church body is described as the Bride of Christ, not an organization! Where two or more are gathered together He will be in the midst of them, Mt.18:20; Lk.17:20-21, He is in us, not in a building or an organization, Christ is in us and we are His Temple! We the believers are a universal body if we know Jesus is the I Am, if not we are in our sin yet still, for not understanding His truths, Jn.8:24 & 58, that is required in Jn.4:23-24, for all of us to be believers in God in Christ Jesus, reconciling the universal world unto Himself by Jesus, 2 Cor.5:19-21! The Churches mission and our commissions from Jesus is to bring this gospel to all we meet and come to worship in Spirit and in His Truths! Till we all come to the perfection of Christ Jesus in us, Eph.4:13 & 2 Pt.3:18! Our mission is to worship and glorify God, evangelize the world, neighborhoods, families, and friends. To develop disciples to become Saints of God and to go into the world and spread this gospel truth, as mature Saints of God, 1 Jn.2:20 & 27, who needs no teacher! They will be all taught of God, Jer.31:31-34; Is.54:13; Heb.8:8-13 & 10:16-17, as it is seen in chapter 37 of Ezekiel. Being led by the Holy Spirit in us, Lk.21:14-15, that none can gain say against!
Each believer is his own priesthood, and priest to God, who can communicate directly with God, as long as they keep sin out of their own lives, Prov.15:8; 28:9 and 21:27 the worst one! That will keep our prayers from being heard in the Throne Room of God! Prayers from the sinful that are willingly sinful are a stench in the nostrils of the Lord! Each member of the Bride of Christ has his or her jobs to do, there are many levels of maturity and room for growth always 2 Pt.3:18 shows us this in His word to us, let us do as Paul said seek after and covet the best gifts, 1 Cor.12:1-fs but the best is seen in 1 Cor.13:1-3 by love and walking as a Saint of God in Ro.12:1-21! When we truly love the lord and want to be His servant, He will equip us for His calling and His positioning! Then He will give the increase as we stay in His will for our lives! We are never to recreate another Sanhedrin of Priests or orders of Priests over the laity, for that is against the structure of the first church, and the people are to choose the deacons who distribute the necessities of wealth through the church to those who are really in need of it. The pastors, evangelists, prophets, and apostles are to work as Paul had shown us to do, so that we too can care for our own and are never a burden to the church of God, if at all possible we too should work with our own hands as well as they who tithe to the church! The Lord hates an organization that lord’s over its people as the Nicolaitans did. See Revelation chapter 2 & 3 in order to be overcomers and never a Nicolaitan! Or part of an organization that lord’s over its members and causes ministers to pay a bribe price to minister in their organization (licensing fees)! With fees and dues just to obtain authority to baptize in their churches! This is not what God intended for us to do! Gal.6:1-2; Col.4:3, 12.
Each member of God’s organization will always bear each other’s burdens. Each member has a position of service that God has commissioned them to. It is up to each of us to learn what our calling and giftings are! We are called to be instant in prayer and service, at any time, if we are to have a ministry, 2 Tm.4:2. We are all to be well equipped and trained up, able to translate the word of God, 2 T.2:15 studying the word and being able to give an account as to why we believe what we believe, 1 Pt.3:15. Some are Apostles and far fewer than they that call themselves so! The same is true for Prophets, Evangelists, even preachers and teachers, see Jms.3:1, for teachers and directors of the governments of God and His ways to the brethren will face a higher judgment and standard is upon them, Mt.23:1-12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. They who are servant to all will be the greatest among them. Never give honor to yourself always let others give you the honor as Jesus said, always sit in the lower seat. With a humble and contrite heart will anyone seek the offices of minister or deacon.
Prophets; see Rev.19:10, we who have the Spirit of Jesus Christ in us have the mind of Christ and can have His revelations given to us before they come to pass, which will match up with all that is already given to us in His words to us Ac.17:10-11.
Evangelist; preacher to the unsaved and always abounding to one place to another that the Lord will have them go where the Lord knows they are ready to receive His words to them, Jn.6:44-47, those He has already called, so the evangelist will always produce a harvest, if he has an ear tuned to what thus sayeth the Lord to him.
Preacher/Teacher; is one who trains the disciples up to mature accountability in the services of the Lord, according to the Spirit, so the church is always ready to send out missionaries to start more home-churches and daughter works! That is a pastor’s and teacher’s job to do, if they are not doing this they need to be replaced. A true Apostle will not allow this to happen and bring a council against the leadership of that church!
Deacon; see 1 Tm.3:1-8-fs are very similar for Bishops as well, which are no more than preachers/teachers. Who are responsible for taking care of the needs of the community church and the needs of the elderly and orphaned. They are the servants of the pastors and are to keep the church running smoothly and are beneficial for special sessions or meeting. On occasion they can fill in for the pastor or until another one is elected into office.
God has ordained church government for organizational function only and to keep order and to stop confusion in the church body. They are never to Lord over the members of the body, they are to bring the truth of the things of God and the heart of that matter always! We are to obey them as long as they are consistent with their scriptures and there are no errors in the transliteration of the Holy Bible! See Ro.12:4-8; 1 Cor.12:28; 1 Thes.5:12-13; Heb.13:17; The servants of God are never to be dictators, they are to be examples of all that the Lord has shown us, Jn.14:6 just as Jesus walked so should we all! Last verses, Mt.20:25-28; 1 Pt.5:3.
The Church members are the ones who have the gifts of the Spirit, it is not all on the pastors only, and the whole body is to work to make the body whole and functional! Very rarely will an Apostles be in the church and have all the giftings of an Apostle, which is why the whole body is to be in place and operational at all times. Just as called out in 1 Cor.12:1-31 and Eph.4:1-32. We all have a job to do for the church assembly, let each find their own way with the leading of the Holy Spirit! This is also a pastor’s job to assist in this as well so all have a chance to worship and minister to each other.
The giftings of the Lord will remain until His coming for us as He has called us to serve Him; as long as we come to Him in faith believing; it is impossible to please Him without faith, and the faith to move mountains is a gift of God. It is we who have to make ourselves available for Him to work through us in faith activated, then He can use us in the way He feels is necessary. The key is to know His will in these special needs at any given time. The gifts of the Spirit are never contrary to what is seen in the Bible. Godly leadership will always make sure that the people’s enthusiasm is not seen as a move of the Spirit of God, for the Spirit of God and the manifestations of the Lord are not carnal, but supernatural. The leadership will always respect the Holy Spirit and let the Spirit of God have its way but there is always order and never confusion. See 1 Cor.1:2, 7; 12:8-10; There is only one way to use the gifts of the Spirit and that is in love, and for edification of the whole body. We are to expect the supernatural healing and the working of the gifts of understanding, and knowledge also, with tongues and interpretation, if there is no interpretation the tongues must be kept to themselves, for self-edification or that person must give the interpretation, but we are to seek the best gifts and pray that the Lord use us for these, such as giving prophetic utterances.
Gifts of revelation; 1. Word of Wisdom divine guidance, direction, or insight for a specific situation, Ac.27:9-11; 2. Word of Knowledge; divine revelation of a fact otherwise unknown to the recipient, Ac.5:1-11.
Discerning of Spirits; 3. Perceiving whether something is motivated by God, an evil spirit, or the human spirit. Ac.16:16-18.
Gifts of Power; 4. Faith, a special endowment of trust in God for particular crisis or a seemingly hopeless situation, Ac.27:21-25; 5. Gifts of healing; divine healing, either instantaneously or progressive, for various types of physical and mental diseases Ac.5:12-16; Christ’s power was due to the Supernatural Spirit that is in Him; that is the Father, for it is He who doeth the works, see Jn.3:34 and Jn.14:7-18, that Spirit is to be in us as well and by His stripes we are healed in remission of sins and made whole once again, so that we can be a Holy Vessel 2 Tm.2:19-22, with a pure heart that can be the container for Him to dwell in us, Lk.17:20-21, so we are the Temporary Kingdom of God in us 2 Cor.6:14-18 & 17:1; which has power that is in Jesus, this is the same power that is in all of us, if we are Born Again. All we have to do to activate it is to believe and have faith the size of a mustard seed and we too can move mountains! See Mt.21:21-22; Mt.17:20; Jms.1:16-18; but remember 1 Cor.13:1-13 especially verse number 2: And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Gifts of Miracles: 6. We still have the power to lay hands on the sick and they recover Mt.8:16-17 and Mk.16:17-20, the elders are to anoint with oil and to pray over them and with the laying on of hands, Jms.5:13-18, shows us that we to must exercise our faith for faith to grow and become stronger. We are to expect works of miracles; with direct interventions by God in many kinds of situations, which transcend the natural realms and the physical limitations of human beings! See Ac.20:7-12; 28:1-6 and 7-10.
Gifts of Utterance; 7. Prophecy; meaning a message from God in the known language, 1 Cor.14:1-40, let all things of God be done in a decent and orderly fashion. Generally every anointed testimony, preaching, or praise can be called prophecy see Lk.21:14-15, Jesus’ Spirit is us gives us that ability see Rev.19:10.
- Kind of tongues; messages from God in a language not known by the speaker or the audience, can still by the Spirit be given to another in a word of interpretation of that tongue, for the edification, correction, reproving the congregation or even a warning, that can lead into prophetic utterances. But that is by the Holy Spirit and God will direct the speaker, at any time the interpretation doesn’t line up with scripture the Pastor or Bishop is to break off all communications with this spirit, and not allow them to keep using the host. All our words will edify what has already been given to us in His Holy Bible and through prophecy or interpretations; all our words will always be truthful and agree with scripture Ac.17:11. Never will there be a New Revelation given, unless it agrees with what is already written in the words of God to us. We are not to forbid the speaking of tongues in the churches. See 1 Cor.14:4, 14-15, 18, and 29.
- Interpretation of tongues; this is to give the meaning of the message of tongues in public; 1 Cor.14:5, 27-28.
Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper and footwashing to be done in remembrance of Him, many churches usually do this about the time of Passover each year with Communion service being first each year at New Year’s Eve night. Here are your verses to study on this matter; Lk.22:14-20; Jn.13:2-17; 1 Cor.10:16-17; 11:23-34. The Lord’s Supper consists of eating unleavened bread and drinking the fruit of the vine, which symbolizes Christ’s broken body and His shed blood, for the remission of sin. The church is to partake of this service with extreme reverence and worthily as seen in 1 Cor.11:17-34, let us all remember to keep to what the Apostles have instructed us in their epistles to the Saints of God! Just as footwashing will teach us humility, to be a servant to our brothers and sister, for we are always in the sight of our God. That is why we are always to examine ourselves, even before giving grace at each meal that our Lord has bestowed upon all of our tables. You never know when it will be your last supper with Him on earth that He has provided for us. Eat it worthily!
The local church should meet regularly as often as they can, one can never get too much fellowship with those of the Christian community, and I would say that our lives should be surrounded by other Christians in daily activities that cause the whole community to survive and flourish so that it is self-sufficient whenever possible so as to minimize the contact with outsiders of the world and their carnal ways and Ideologies and Philosophies as well! The Christian communities need to start working for their own communities and stores and banks as well as hospitals and orphanages as well as old folk’s homes and care centers! We need to have our own courts of law and our own municipalities, water, sewer, gas, wood lumber mills and concrete companies for buildings and homes! Our own farms with non-hormone raised foods and non GMO grains and flours. If the church doesn’t stand together and do this it will never survive in the wickedness of the world around us, 1 Jn.5:19, were we not called to come out from among the unclean? Ac.2:40, 2 Cor.6:14-18 & 17:1. That is enough scripture for me to see that we need our own institutions and men of God leading the community of believers back into the Holiness and Righteousness that is only found in the scriptures lived in our own lives for God who is in us, Lk.17:20-21, if we are to be His Holy Temples!
