Holiness Part 4 Holy Set Apart For God

We are to be holy, set apart for God. He purchased us with His own blood so that we could come out of the world and become His holy, chosen treasure. 

Holy – “Set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively his… Just as the Israelites claimed for themselves the title “holy ones,” because God selected them from the other nations to lead a life acceptable to him and rejoice in his favor and protection, so this appellation is very often in the N.T. transferred to Christians, as those whom God has selected ‘not of the world’ (John 17:14, 16), that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may be rendered, through holiness partakers of salvation in the kingdom of God:” From: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon (for the word “holy”) 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" - 1 Peter 2:9 (Exodus 19:5-6) [“peculiar” – purchased possession, one’s own property] 

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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." - Ephesians 5:25-27 

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14  

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7  

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20  

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 

 "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. 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." - Acts 2:38-39

Holiness Part 3 Be Ye Holy; For I Am Holy

"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:15-16  

What does the word “holy” mean? 

Strong’s definition of this word in Greek is, “sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.” 

*The following is from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: 

1. Properly reverend, worthy of reneration… 

"For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name." - Luke 1:49  

God, on account of His incomparable majesty, 

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." - Revelation 4:8  

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." - Isaiah 6:3  

Hence used, 

a. of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned 

"Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground." - Acts 7:33

The temple, 

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)" - Matthew 24:15  

"And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:" - Acts 6:13  

b. of persons whose services God employs; as for example, apostles, 

"Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;" - Ephesians 3:5

Angels, 

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:" - Matthew 25:31  

Prophets, 

"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." - Acts 3:21 

Worthies of the Old Testament accepted by God for their piety, 

"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," - Matthew 27:52 

Below is a link to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon and other resources for the word “holy”:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?page=1&strongs=G40&t=KJV#lexResults

 

Holiness Part 2 Chastening

It is through God’s chastening that we might be partakers of His holiness. 

"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness." - Hebrews 12:9-10  

What is chastening? 

The first meaning is “to train children”, “to be instructed or taught, to learn,” “to cause one to learn.” (From: Thayer's Greek Lexicon) 

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" - Titus 2:11-12 (The word for chastening is translated in this verse as “teaching.”) 

The second meaning of chasten is “to chastise.” This includes, “to chastise or castigate with words, to correct, of those who are moulding the character of others by reproof and admonition.” (Castigate is to reprimand, scold, rebuke). 

The following verse does not contain the word chasten, but appears to fit the description of the above definition. 

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - 2 Timothy 4:1-4 

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." - 2 Timothy 2:25-26 (The word for chastening is translated here as instructing). 

It also includes, “in bibl. and eccl. use employed by God, to chasten by the affliction of evils and calamities.” Thayer’s includes the following verses with this meaning of chasten.  

"But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." - 1 Corinthians 11:32  

"As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;" - 2 Corinthians 6:9

 

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6 

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." - Revelation 3:19  

Chasten also has the meaning, “to chastise with blows, to scourge: of a father punishing a son, Heb. 12:7, 10; of a judge ordering one to be scourged Luke 23:16, 22, [(Deut. 22:18)].”

 

 

Holiness Part 1 The Sons of God

The Bible says that if we are God’s sons, we must receive discipline, commands, instruction, and correction (“chastisement”).

"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." - Hebrews 12:7-8

How do we become sons of God?

The Bible says that sons of God are those that have turned from the world and the things of the world to live for God.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

We become sons and daughters of God by being born of water and Spirit – baptized in Jesus name and filled with His Holy Ghost.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12-13

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5

"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. 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." - Acts 2:38-39

"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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." - Romans 8:13-14

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" - Philippians 2:14-15


 

In Due Season We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." - Psalm 126:5-6

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9  

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." - Revelation 21:4-7  

"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. 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." - Acts 2:38-39

Applying the Blood of Jesus by Baptism in Jesus Name

The Passover is a holy day recalling how the Lord passed over all the Hebrew homes which had the blood of the Lamb on their door posts. Death came to all the firstborn males in Egypt that did not have the blood covering upon their house. 

Exodus 12:12 KJV - For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 

Exodus 12:13 KJV - And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 

Just as a lamb was killed to save the firstborn males in the Hebrew homes, Jesus the Lamb of God was killed to save all those that apply His blood to their “house” (their body). We apply His blood by baptism in Jesus name. Jesus is the Lamb of God.  

John 1:29 KJV - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 

Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He was crucified at the same hour the Passover lamb was killed. 

1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV - Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

Acts 2:38 KJV - 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.

 

 

Search for Chametz

Passover begins Friday night, April 22nd. On Thursday night, there is a search for chametz after dark.

Chametz is "leaven" -- any food that's made of grain and water that have been allowed to ferment and "rise." (Any food that contains grain or grain derivatives can be, and often is, chametz.)

Every crack and crevice of living space is searched to be absolutely certain there is not even a crumb of chametz.

"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten." - Exodus 13:3

"Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters." - Exodus 13:7

We can see this fulfilled in the spiritual. Jesus delivered us from the bondage of sin and death. We search our life, every crack and crevice, and repent of any sin we find.

"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; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15

Jesus was crucified for our sins. We crucify our old sinful nature.

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:6

The number seven represents completion. Leaven represents sin. We are to completely remove sin from our life. Spiritually, we are to be unleavened.

When we repent and are baptized in Jesus name, our sins are removed. When we are filled with His Holy Ghost we become a “new lump” without sin.

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." - 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

 

Stepping Out by Faith in Giving - A Comment on Philippians 4:10-20

Those that step out in faith in giving have a promise from God’s word: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Philippi letting them know how he was rejoicing in the Lord because once again they were making a sacrifice to give to his ministry. Paul knew they had cared about him all along, but had not the opportunity to help him.

"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity." - Philippians 4:10

He seemed to be reassuring them that he was not in need during those times, but had learned that in whatever state he was in to be content. He had learned to accept being humbled when he suffered need, as well as to accept abundance when it came to him.

It appears to me that Paul looked at every state he was in as a lesson from God for him for a purpose in his personal growth as well as experience for his ministry to others. Because of this it seems he could accept being full as well as being hungry, abundance as well as suffering need, because he knew that all things in his life were from God and working together for good for him, according to God’s purpose. (See Romans 8:28)

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." - Philippians 4:11-12
Knowing that all things he was going through was for God’s purpose, Paul was confident that through Christ he could do all things because He strengthened him. Jesus gives us the strength we need for whatever situation, trial, temptation or test we face.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

Paul commended the church in Philippi for their giving when he was in need, and for their giving when no other churches helped him as he ministered in the gospel, preaching salvation in Jesus name throughout the world.

"Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity." - Philippians 4:14-16

Paul knew that by their giving, they would not only be supplying his needs as he ministered in the gospel, but more importantly to Paul, by their giving the people in the church in Philippi would be blessed by God.

"Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." - Philippians 4:17

He wanted to let the church know he was greatly blessed by their sacrifice. Paul compared their gift to burnt offerings made to God. Sacrifices that were accepted by God and pleasing to Him are said to have a sweet smell. (When Noah offered burnt offerings on the altar, the Bible says, “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour” Genesis 8:20) Thus, Paul was letting the church in Philippi know that their offering to him was an acceptable and well pleasing sacrifice to God. Because they were giving to Paul as he ministered in the gospel, they were actually giving to God.

"But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God." - Philippians 4:18

Because the church in Philippi had made a sacrifice to God by supplying the needs of Paul in his ministry of the gospel, Paul let them know that God would supply all their needs. Their needs would be supplied by God’s riches which include not only material needs, but also supplying needs for ministry, “the fullness of all things in store for God’s uses” (Thayer’s). This would include enriching them with the fullness of things of salvation.

Because of the love and mercy of Jesus which the church in Philippi showed to Paul by the sacrifice of their giving, Paul lets them know that Jesus will supply all their need according to the riches of His love and mercy, which is His glory.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Philippians 4:19-20

What is the First Day of the Week and the Events Thereof?

 

Part Two: What is the “First Day” of the week and what events occurred on the “First Day” of the week?

In Genesis 1, we read that God created the heavens and the earth in six days.

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." - Genesis 2:1-2

The seventh day is called the Sabbath. It is Saturday.

The First Day of the week is Sunday.

There are a number of significant events that occurred on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.
Jesus was resurrected on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre...

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

“And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." - Matthew 28:1, 5-8

The First Day (Sunday) of the week is when news of Jesus’ resurrection was first proclaimed.

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept." - Mark 16:9-10

This is also recorded in Luke 24:1-12.

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them." - Luke 24:1

This same day, the First Day (Sunday) of the week, Jesus appeared to two of His followers on the way to Emmaus.

"And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them." - Luke 24:13-15

The First Day (Sunday) of the week is the day in which Jesus first appeared to His disciples.

"And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them... And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." - Luke 24:33, 35-36

His appearance to His disciples on the First Day (Sunday) of the week is also recorded by John.

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ... Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." - John 20:19, 21-23

This is the “Great Commission” as found in the book of John. It is recorded by John that Jesus gave His disciples this “Great Commission” as they were gathered together on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." - John 20:26

John records Jesus’ next appearance to the disciples again on the First Day (Sunday) of the week. (“After eight days”)

It was on this same day, the First Day (Sunday) that Jesus gave His disciples His “Great Commission” as found in the book of Luke.

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:46-49

Luke then records His ascension.

"And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." - Luke 24:50-51

In the book of Acts, it is recorded that the disciples were assembled together on the First Day (Sunday) of the week to break bread and hear the preaching of Paul.

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." - Acts 20:7
In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he told them to be prepared with an offering on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem." - 1 Corinthians 16:1-3

Other translations say, “On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned” and “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up.” The First Day of each week is Sunday.

John records, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." - Revelation 1:10-11

“The Lord’s day” (not the same as “The Day of the Lord”) refers to the First Day (Sunday) of the week. “The day on which Christ returned to life, Sunday therefore”. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." - Genesis 2:16-17

God gave Adam one commandment. Disobedience to God’s command would bring death.
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die…" - Genesis 3:4

Jesus revealed that the serpent, the devil, is a liar and a murderer from the beginning.

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." - John 8:44

The devil, that old serpent, lied to Eve, which led to Adam’s disobedience and death for all mankind.

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." - Genesis 3:6

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…" - Romans 5:12

Yet, because of God’s mercy, he did not kill man. Instead, God took as a substitute the death of an animal.

"Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them." - Genesis 3:21

For years, God accepted the sacrifice of innocent animals to cover man’s sin. These sacrifices could never take away man’s sin; their sins were only pushed ahead.

"But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." - Hebrews 10:3-4

While God had mercy on man in the beginning to accept the death of an animal in place of the death of Adam, the blood of animals could not satisfy. As God promised Eve in the beginning, He made a body of the seed of a woman to provide a sacrifice that would finally take away the sin of man. Now God’s grace would abound.

"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure." - Hebrews 10:5-6

The power of the devil, that old serpent, would receive a deathblow by the death of Christ, who was the seed [offspring] of the woman.

God told the devil, that old serpent:

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." - Genesis 3:15

As Adam disobeyed God in the beginning and brought sin and death upon all mankind, Jesus’ obedience to death brought righteousness and life.

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." - Romans 5:19

What animal sacrifices could not do, God’s holy human body, Jesus Christ, could finally take away our sins.

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." - Hebrews 10:10

Because Jesus is God our Father in a human body, He lives forever. When we are washed by His blood in baptism, we can receive His gift of His Holy Ghost and also live forever.
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." - Revelation 1:18

Jesus triumphed over the devil by His death on the tree, taking the power of death away from the devil. The devil can no longer justly accuse us of sin – Jesus paid the price of sin for us.
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians 2:15

The temporary covering of sins by the blood of animals is now replaced by complete remission of our sins by the blood of Jesus applied to our life when we are baptized in Jesus name. By the blood of Jesus, we are justified of sins so that we may be sanctified by His Spirit, and able to have eternal life once again as Adam and Eve had in the beginning before the fall.

"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. 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." - Acts 2:38-39

Baptism is Faith in Action

Baptized by water and the Spirit - John 3:5, Acts 2:38

His Marvelous Light of the Mercy of His Gospel.

God put on a human body in His saving name “JESUS” to bring humanity His loving mercy. Satan’s desire is that all remain in the darkness of condemnation. Jesus came to bring the world the light of His new covenant of mercy through the gospel.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them....

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-7

The gospel brings the light of God’s mercy. The apostles preached the gospel of Jesus beginning on the day of Pentecost.

"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.

“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." - Acts 2:38-39

Those that believed and obeyed came into salvation.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41

Then the Gentiles [non Jews] were added in, beginning with Cornelius and his household.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision [Jews] which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

“Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." - Acts 10:44-48

Both Jews and Gentiles came out of the darkness of condemnation to walk in the light of the mercy of the gospel.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." - 1 Peter 2:9-10

 

What more could we want?

When Jews speak of repentance, they use the word “Teshuvah”. The literal meaning of this word is “return”.

"And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." - 1 Samuel 7:3

This verse gives a good description of what repentance is. When we repent, we turn to the Lord with all of our heart. Our lives show we have repented because we put away anything in our lives that might come before God and determine to love and serve Jesus with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.

What is the next step? In our desire to live for God, the next step is to make a covenant with Him. This covenant is water baptism in Jesus name. It is a blood covenant. In this covenant, we receive God’s name.

When we are water baptized in Jesus name, He truly delivers us out of the hand of the enemy. By water baptism, Jesus gives us the authority to use His name and the power of His blood. By the name Jesus and by His blood we have authority and power over devils and diseases.

Because our sins are remitted when we are baptized in Jesus name, the enemy cannot rightfully accuse us of our sins: the blood of Jesus has washed them all away. The devil lost the keys of death when Jesus died for our sins on the cross. We have victory over death through Jesus!

And if this isn’t enough, He gives us power when He fills us with His Holy Ghost.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8

The Greek word for “power” is “dynamis” which is similar to dynamite. The Holy Ghost is the power of God in us. It is the power we need to overcome sin in our life. It is the power of God to do the miraculous. It is power of God over the devil. And, by the gift of the Holy Ghost, God gives us eternal life.

What life we have when we turn to Jesus! A life walking in His Spirit. Forgiveness. Power over sin, disease, and devils. Life eternal, and life abundant. What more could we want?

"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.

“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." - Acts 2:38-39

 

Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaketh – Hearts Changed by the Spirit of God

"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." - Matthew 12:34

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." - Luke 6:45

Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied of the New Covenant that God would make with the house of Israel.
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." - Jeremiah 31:33 (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26 (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

On the Day of Pentecost, the New Covenant began when God poured out His Spirit, writing His law in the hearts of those disciples gathered in the upper room.

Out of the abundance of their new hearts, their mouths spoke. God changed their hearts, and as a result, God changed the words of their mouths.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4

The Holy Ghost, God’s Spirit in us, is for us today, too.

"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.

“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." - Acts 2:38-39


 

Overcomers

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Revelation 12:10-11

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” = What Jesus did

“And by the word of their testimony” = What we did

What did Jesus do?

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" - Revelation 5:8-9

Jesus is the Lamb.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29

Jesus is God our Father that revealed Himself in flesh to purchase us with His own blood.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28

What do we do?

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:3-4

"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." - Acts 2:38

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16

"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." - Revelation 7:14

“And they loved not their lives unto the death” = His AND our action

"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." - John 16:33

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4


 

Church! The “First Day” of the Week

Most Christians go to church on the “First Day” of the week, which is Sunday. 

The Jews call Sunday, “Yom Rishon,” which means “First Day.” “Yom” means “Day.”  

With the exception of the Sabbath, the Jewish weekdays have no names; they are simply numbered. Thus, the number is the name of the day.

“Yom Rishon” is "First Day" which we call Sunday. “Yom Sheni” is "Second Day" which we call Monday. “Yom Sh'lishi” is "Third Day" which we call Tuesday, and so on. Saturday is the exception, which is called “Shabbat.” Shabbat is the seventh day, but it is always called “Shabbat.” 

There are some instances where the “First Day” is “Yom 'Echad”, which is “Day One.” This is the case of the “First Day” in Genesis 1:5.  

On the “First Day” of creation God said, “Let there be light.” 

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." - Genesis 1:3-5 

The light was not something that was created, for God is light. Rather, light was manifested out of the darkness from where it had been concealed.  

In the New Testament, this manifesting of light to shine out of darkness is referring to the mercy and glory of God in Christ.  

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 

Through the infilling of Jesus Spirit, the Holy Ghost, we have this same light and glory of God in us. 

Jesus is the Light, and we are to be His light to this world. The only way we can be the light of Jesus to the world, is for us to turn from sin, to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission (washing away) of our sins, and to be filled with the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Ghost. 

Thus, it seems appropriate for us to gather together as the church on the “First Day” of the week. The first day is when light appeared, and church is where we can learn about the true Light – Jesus!  

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

Church is where we can hear the gospel, where we can repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost, we too becoming light to the world! 

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14, 16 

"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.  

“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...  

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:38-39, 42  

(To be continued next week)

 

 

All of Our Heart

When we have turned our back on sin, and have been born again of water and Spirit, we are born of God.  

We have repented, we have been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and we have received the gift of God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost.  

We have become His child, and He has become our Father. (John 1:12-13, John 3:5, Acts 2:38) 

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18  

The next verse is, 

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1 

As His beloved, and because of our deep respect and awe of Jesus, we desire to be holy as He is holy. 

When we hear the preaching of the word, and when we read our Bibles, His Spirit within us, the Holy Ghost, reveals areas in our life that need correcting.  

Jesus leads us to repentance in these areas, and by His blood that we applied to our life in baptism in Jesus name, these areas of spots and blemishes are cleansed. By this process, we progress towards holiness. 

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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." - Ephesians 5:25-27  

We turn away from the lifestyles of the world to a lifestyle of holiness and faithfulness to God.  

We make sure that Jesus has all of our heart, and we are not sharing our heart with a love for the things of the world.  

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17  

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." - James 4:8 (“…for your loyalty is divided between God and the world”. NLT) 

When we truly humble ourselves before God in repentance and awe of His holiness, with the realization that our righteousness really is as filthy rags in comparison to His righteousness, we enter into another dimension with Him. 

His mercy and love surrounds us, letting us know there is nothing and no one more intimate and more caring of us than Jesus. By His love, He brings us into His glory. 

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10  

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" - 1 Peter 1:8

 

We Cannot Enter the Kingdom of God Keeping Our Sin With Us

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Mark 8:34  

We must deny our sinful desires and crucify the “lusts of the flesh.” 

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness [turn from godless living] and worldly lusts [sinful pleasures], we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world [evil world];" - Titus 2:12 

"Knowing this, that our old man [old sinful self] is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed [so that sin might lose its power in our lives.], that henceforth we should not serve sin [We are no longer slaves to sin]." - Romans 6:6  

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts [crucified the passions and desires of their sinful nature]." - Galatians 5:24  

We then follow Jesus and are “buried” with Him. 

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death..." - Romans 6:4  

Death and burial of our old sinful nature. 

"Buried with him in baptism..." - Colossians 2:12  

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27  

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:14  

We then follow Jesus and are “resurrected” with Him. 

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" - Romans 6:5  

"…That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4  

"…Wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." - Colossians 2:12  

"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: ... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:8, 11  

"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." - Acts 2:38  

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" - Ephesians 2:6 [For he raised us from the dead with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.] 

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." - Hebrews 11:24-26

Get a Refilling of His Holy Ghost!

Want more of God’s peace within?

Get a refilling of His Holy Ghost.

Want more of God’s love – shining from the inside out?

Get a refilling of His Holy Ghost.

Want more of God’s joy?

Get a refilling of His Holy Ghost!

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:3-5 

"Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit." - Colossians 1:8 [He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.]

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." - 1 John 4:7, 16  

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" - 1 Peter 1:8  

To be powerful witnesses, we need to stay full of the Holy Ghost! 

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." - Acts 4:31  

Have you received the Holy Ghost? 

The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost. 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4  

Peter preached the gospel that day, and what to do so we too can receive the Holy Ghost. 

"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.  

“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." - Acts 2:38-39

 

 

The Wind and the Spirit

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." - John 3:8

Jesus is explaining that just as the wind has a sound that accompanies it, so likewise the Spirit has a sound that accompanies it. We learn later in the book of Acts, that speaking in tongues is the sound that we hear when a person is born of the Spirit. We cannot see God’s Spirit, but we hear the sound of a person speaking in tongues as God fills them with His Spirit.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1-2, 4

Later in the book of Acts when Gentiles received His Spirit,

"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:45-46

Later, Paul witnessed to disciples of John the Baptist,

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19:6

Jesus spoke of being born again.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ... Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:3, 5

We see from our human experience, that when a baby is born there is a sound. It is when the baby inhales his first breath that the sound is emitted – the baby lets out a cry. This is how we know the baby is alive outside the womb. He must take a breath, or he will die. If there is no sound, there is a panic: the baby must breath to live.

That breath that a baby receives when he is born in the natural is like the Spirit we receive when we are born again of the Spirit. The breath a baby receives gives him life. The Spirit we receive gives us eternal life.

When the baby takes his first breath and cries out, that is not the end of the story. If he is going to survive, he MUST continue to breath, and if he is a normal baby, he will continue to make sounds. (As the baby grows, his words become more articulate, then become sentences.)

So it is in our new birth experience. If we want to stay spiritually alive, we must continue to be filled with God’s Spirit. And, as Jesus said, there is a sound accompanying the Spirit. We see in the Bible and from our experience today that this sound is speaking in tongues.

Note: “Tongues” means “language” (specially, one naturally unacquired). Tongues as the sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking in a language we do not know, as the Spirit of God speaks through us. We speak in other tongues as God is filling us with His Spirit, trusting and allowing Him to change our words of praise into a language we do not know.

Note: Speaking in tongues when receiving the Spirit is not to be confused with the gift of divers kinds of tongues, which is one of nine gifts of the Spirit given by God to MINISTER to the CHURCH BODY. The gift of faith is another of the nine gifts of the Spirit. Everyone might not have the gift of faith, and everyone might not have the gift of tongues, but EVERYONE must have faith to come to God, and EVERYONE speaks in tongues when they are filled with the Spirit.

Note: Interestingly, both the Hebrew and Greek words for “wind” is the same word used for “Spirit” and “breath.”

Godly Sorrow

It is not enough to be sorry for sin. We must turn away from sin, and not continue in it. Godly sorrow brings about a change in our life. 

Godly sorrow brings repentance, which leads to salvation. For a person who is turning to Jesus, after repentance we need to be born of the water and of the Spirit by being baptized in Jesus name for the remission (washing away/burial) of our sins and receiving the gift of His Holy Ghost. 

For a person that has already been baptized in Jesus name, the blood of Jesus cleanses us if we sin and repent of that sin. The Holy Ghost convicts us of sin so we can become more and more like Christ. The Holy Ghost also convicts us of sin that we have allowed into our life, enabling us to repent and stay clean before God.  

The sorrow of the world results in spiritual death, because there is no repentance, no changed life. Because Jesus loves us and wants us to be saved, He wants our sorrow over our sin to lead us to change our actions.  

"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10  

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." - Revelation 3:19  

"For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." - James 1:23-24  

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9  

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" - Romans 2:4  

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." - James 4:8 

"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." - 1 Timothy 2:8 

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 

"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." - Acts 2:38

Jesus' Baptism of Death

Jesus spoke to His disciples numerous times about a baptism He must be baptized with. This baptism was His death. 

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" - Luke 12:50 

"But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" - Mark 10:38  

We follow Jesus’ death by repenting of our sins, and being baptized in Jesus name for remission of sins. We crucify our old sinful life and bury it. 

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:3-4 

When we are baptized with the baptism of Jesus, we have the promise of the resurrection of Jesus – life eternal by His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. 

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" - Romans 6:5  

"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.  

“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." - Acts 2:38-39

 

 

Priorities: Jesus Name Baptism and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

“And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?

“And they said, Unto John's baptism.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve [in all]." - Acts 19:1-7

First question Paul asked, had they received the Holy Ghost?

When Paul found out no, his NEXT question was, Unto what then were ye baptized?

When he found out they had not been baptized in Jesus name, baptizing them in JESUS name was the priority!

AFTER they were baptized in Jesus name, THEN he laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.

How did Paul know that they had received the Holy Ghost?

It WASN’T because he laid his hands on them!

Paul knew the men experienced the infilling of the Holy Ghost, submitting FULLY to the power of the Spirit, because they had allowed God to even take control of their tongue, which resulted in their SPEAKING IN TONGUES as happened to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost!

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4

Peter first preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost to all those that gathered when they saw the disciples receiving the promised Holy Ghost.

"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?

“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.

“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." - Acts 2:37-39


 

Baptized into Christ

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

How do we become a new creature (a new creation) in Christ?

"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." - Acts 2:38

We are sorrowful for our past sins, and turn our back on sinful living. We are water baptized in the name of “JESUS” to wash away/bury our sins. We receive the gift of God’s Spirit, speaking in other tongues (words in another language we haven’t learned) as the Spirit speaks through us. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6) We are baptized into Christ by water and by the Spirit.

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting [wild parties] and drunkenness, not in chambering [sexual promiscuity] and wantonness [immoral living, lust], not in strife and envying [jealousy].
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof [to indulge in evil desires]." - Romans 13:11-14

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42