“Shavuot” is the Hebrew word for Feast of Weeks. In the New Testament, the Feast of Weeks is called Pentecost. Shavuot is a holy day that commemorates the giving of the Law to the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai. It begins this year on Tuesday May 30^th at sunset, and concludes at sunset on Thursday June 1^st.  It is one of the three holy days that God commanded all Jewish males to present themselves before the Temple in Jerusalem.

"Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:" - Deuteronomy 16:16 KJV

On Shavuot the Ten Commandments are read in synagogues, just as they were read in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago. Shavuot is celebrated by staying up all night to learn Torah. The Torah is the Jewish Bible. It is what we call the Old Testament. Torah can also mean the first five books of what we call the Old Testament.

Sages compare “Shavuot” to a wedding oath between God and the Jewish people. The Jews consider this day as their marriage to God.

"And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." - Exodus 19:3-6 KJV

"And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." - Exodus 19:7-8 KJV

Israel’s response is compared to the oath of a bride to a groom when she says, “I do.” The Jewish people responded, “We will do.”

God often referred to Himself as Israel’s Husband, and considered her as His wife.

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:" - Jeremiah 31:31-32 KJV

"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:" - Jeremiah 3:14 KJV

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called." - Isaiah 54:5 KJV

Part 3

The Father is Spirit. Throughout the Old Testament, God used metaphors to describe His power, redemption, salvation, omnipresence, reception, acceptance, mercy, judgement, and authority. These metaphors include the arm, eyes, ears, nose, face, back, and hand. God used these metaphors so we could better understand and relate to God, as we are physical beings.

God’s arm is a metaphor of His power, redemption, and salvation.

"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:" - Exodus 6:6 KJV (Deuteronomy 9:29, Psalm 44:3)

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah. Humanity needed a redeemer. Humanity needed a savior. More than redemption from Egyptian bondage, all mankind needed redemption from the bondage of sin and death.

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." - Isaiah 59:1-2 KJV

There was no man that could redeem mankind from sin, for all were born in sin. The Father Himself was the only one that could step in and save the world. He describes His salvation as “His arm”

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke." - Isaiah 59:16-17 KJV

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah foretelling of the revealing of His arm to save.

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? ... He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ... But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:1, 3, 5 KJV

We now know the arm of the LORD is Christ – the Father in a human body – our Savior and Redeemer.

"The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." - Isaiah 52:10 KJV

The Father’s body would be born of a woman, but she would conceive by the power of the Father. This human body that the Father would dwell in would be called the Son of God.

"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:34-35 KJV

The arm of the LORD – the power of God to save and redeem mankind – the Father revealed in flesh – was born.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matthew 1:21-23 KJV

To be continued...

Part 2

Why is it so important to believe Jesus is the Father?

Only the Father could die for our sins. Why? Only the Father is holy and without sin. Because of this, any other sacrifice than the Father Himself could not be acceptable to take away our sins.

How could the Father die for our sins when the Father is Spirit?

The only way the Father could die for our sins, was for Him to robe Himself in flesh.

His flesh had to be in the form of man. Sin entered into the world by first man Adam. It was necessary that a second man pay the price of blood for this sin.

"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: ... For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." - Romans 5:12, 19 KJV

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." - Hebrews 10:4 KJV

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." - Hebrews 9:22 KJV

Jesus said,

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV

"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 KJV

To be continued…

Part 1

When Jesus was speaking to His disciples, He was speaking to men that believe in God. They knew God is a Spirit. They knew God as their Heavenly Father. They knew there is only one God. (John 4:24, Isaiah 64:8, Malachi 2:10, Deuteronomy 6:4)

Jesus had been with these men for quite some time. They had seen His miracles. They had seen Him raise the dead, open blind eyes, heal the sick, cleanse the leper, multiply fish and loaves, even command the wind and seas and they obeyed Him. They even saw Him walk on water.

Yet, they were still having trouble grasp that this man Jesus, that grew tired, hungry, and thirsty, was their Heavenly Father in a human body. (John 1:1, 14)

It appears that in His attempt to bridge the span of their understanding, Jesus used language to transition His disciples thinking to understand He is the Almighty God operating within a human body. The invisible God was now revealed. (John 1:18)

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me." - John 12:44-45 KJV

"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." - John 12:49-50 KJV

Jesus communicated that He is a man, but at the same time the Spirit of God is within Him. He was letting His disciples know, His body/flesh is the image of their Heavenly Father. (Colossians 1:15, 2Corinthians 4:4-6)

Jesus said to Thomas,

"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." - John 14:7 KJV

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" - John 14:8-9 KJV

Jesus let them know that the words He spoke was God speaking to them, for God is in Him. (2Corinthians 5:19)

He reminded them of all the works that He had done that only God can do.

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." - John 14:10-11 KJV

Then later Jesus told His disciples,

"He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father." - John 15:23-24 KJV

Jesus let them know,

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. ... They understood not that he spake to them of the Father." - John 8:24, 27 KJV (Exodus 3:14)

Why does the devil, the enemy of our souls, want to keep us from obeying the gospel?

Because when we obey the gospel we have forgiveness of sins. The devil no longer has the power of death over us.

"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 KJV

By Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the gospel, Jesus destroyed the devil and his power of death. (Heb.2:14-15, 2Tim.1:10, Eph.1:13-14, Rom.1:16)

How do we obey the gospel? By faith in Jesus we repent, becoming dead to sin. We are buried in water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins. We receive the gift of God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to live a new, holy life. (1Cor.15:1-4, Rom.6:1-4, Heb.4:2, 1Pet.4:17, 2Th.1:3-12)

"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 KJV

We are justified [made righteous in God’s eyes] by the name and blood of Jesus. We are sanctified [made holy, separated unto God] by His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. We are redeemed [set free from wrath by Jesus paying the price] by His blood. Our sins are forgiven. (1Cor.6:11, Eph.1:7, Col.1:14)

"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 [God’s mercy, forgiveness] of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV

"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness [the wrath of God] to light [the mercy of God], and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified [made holy, separated unto God] by faith that is in me." - Acts 26:18 KJV

After we have obeyed the gospel, the devil can no longer accuse us of the sins we have repented of - they have all been washed away by the blood of Jesus. (Rom.1:16, Rev.12:10, Rev.1:5)

"And the God of peace shall bruise [crush] Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." - Romans 16:20 KJV

Leaving Egypt

For the children of God, Egypt was a place of burdens and bondage. They looked to the Lord to save and deliver them, and he answered their cry.

Exodus 6:6 KJV - Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Sin is like Egypt – it is a burden that is a heavy weight and bondage that only Jesus can save and deliver us from.

Just as Pharaoh ruled Egypt, the devil is the ruler, the god of this world (2Cor.4:4).

Just as the Lord’s stretched out arm - God’s power to redeem, brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, the arm of the Lord – God in a human body – is able to bring us out of sin.

Isaiah 53:1, 5 KJV - Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? … He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Just as God judged Egypt, God judged his own flesh on the cross. It was through water – the Red Sea – that the children of Israel were saved, and Pharaoh and his armies destroyed (Ex.15:19).

When we leave Egypt – a life of sin – by repentance, we are on the path to God’s promised inheritance of eternal life with Jesus in heaven (Rom.6:23, Acts 26:18).

Jesus saves us by water – baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins – destroying sin and the devil in our life (Mark 16:16, 1Pet.3:21, Heb.2:14-15, Rom.6:3-6, Acts 2:38).

Jesus promises us the gift of his Holy Ghost to give us power to live holy (Acts 2:38, Acts 1:8). The Holy Ghost is God’s Spirit in us, to lead and guide us in righteous living (John 14:26). It is the earnest of our inheritance (Eph.1:13-14).

To leave Egypt, we need to leave all the things of the world that would drag us back to our old life of sin. The god of this world, the devil, would like to keep us blind to the ways of God (2Cor.4:4, Acts 26:18).

To keep from failing and to become stronger in Jesus daily, we must guard what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, and where we go (1John 2:15-17, Luke 9:23-26, Heb.12:1).

Jesus has equipped us with His name, His blood, and His Spirit. Through Jesus we have the victory!

Jesus gave His life for us, dying for us, because He loves us.

We give our life for Jesus, dying to sin, because we love Him.

Verses:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" - Ephesians 5:25 KJV

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us…" - 1 John 3:16 KJV

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." - Luke 22:19 KJV

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." - Galatians 5:24 KJV

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." - Philippians 3:7 KJV

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Galatians 6:14 KJV

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" - Romans 6:1-2 KJV

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:11 KJV

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." - 1 Peter 4:1-2 KJV

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" - Romans 6:3 KJV

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." - 1 Peter 2:24 KJV

"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." - 2 Corinthians 5:15 KJV

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" - Ephesians 1:4 KJV

"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 KJV

God is a Spirit. He is the Spirit of truth. He is our Father. His name is Jesus.

The Father created a sinless human body for Himself so that He could pay the price of death for our sins and reconcile us back to Him. (2Cor.5:19, 21)

Jesus revealed to His chosen disciples that He was the Father in a human body. They knew Him as a man that had flesh and blood like themselves, grew tired and hungry, and prayed. They also knew Him as the Mighty God that caused the winds to cease, multiplied the fish and the loaves, raised the dead, healed the sick, forgave sins, cast out devils, and answered prayers. (John 14:7-11)

Jesus told His disciples it was necessary for Him to suffer, be killed, and be raised again the third day. The Father’s only begotten flesh would die. By His death, He would make peace between Himself and man so that man could once again be filled with His Spirit. (Matt.16:21, Isaiah 9:6-7, Col.1:19-23)

He had dwelt with them; soon He would dwell in them. (2Cor.6:16, 1Cor.6:19-20)

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:16-18

After Jesus ascended in bodily form up to heaven, Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost preached the gospel message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When the people heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and asked what they should 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." - Acts 2:38

The Spirit of truth that had been with them, Jesus Christ, the Father revealed in flesh, would now be in them.

"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 2:39

Here are the verses:

Jesus Died

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-3

Jesus Was Buried

"And that he was buried…" - 1 Corinthians 15:4

Jesus Rose Again

"And that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:4

We Must “Die”

"God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" - Romans 6:2

We Must Be “Buried”

"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..." - Romans 6:3-4

We Must “Rise Again”

"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 , "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:2

ACTS 2:38

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

Why did God put on a human body of flesh and dwell among His creation? Part 2 of 2

A second reason that God put on human flesh is to end His covenant of the Law with His people and to bring them His new covenant of Grace.

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace [merciful kindness] and truth [the truth which is the gospel or which the gospel presents] came by Jesus Christ." - John 1:17 KJV

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:2 KJV

God considered the Jewish people His wife because of their covenant of the Law on Mount Sinai. The only way the Jewish people could be free of their marriage covenant of the Law is for their husband (God) to die. God is an eternal Spirit that cannot die. So, He put on human flesh and died.

"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 KJV

The covenant of the Law was finished. In His resurrection, He made a new covenant of Grace – the Gospel – with His people. Those that obeyed the Gospel (Acts 2:38) became God’s wife.

Peter declared the gospel on the Day of Pentecost – Shavuot – the same day as when the Jews made their covenant of the Law on Mount Sinai many years earlier.

"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 KJV

Paul addressed this change of covenants that was made possible through the death of Christ and the gospel.

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." - Romans 7:1-6 KJV

Jeremiah had prophesied of this new covenant:

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 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. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV

The Jewish people were made free to covenant, once again, with God as their husband as Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-27, John 3:29, 2Corinthians 11:2)

Why did God put on a human body of flesh and dwell among His creation? Part 1 of 2

Why did God put on a human body of flesh and dwell among His creation?  (Part 1 of 2)

One reason is to provide a sinless blood sacrifice for man's sins. Sinless animal sacrifices were accepted by God for a time period, but these sacrifices could never take away sins, they could only roll them forward to the next year (the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement – “Yom Kippur” - once a year for the sins of the people of Israel). This is because it would take a man without sin to pay the price for man's sin.

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 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 10:1-4 KJV

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

Jesus made us just (right with Him) by His blood He shed when we are baptized in Jesus name.

"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

"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." - Romans 5:9

"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.

“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.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God [made right with God] in him." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-21

We were unrighteous, but Jesus makes us right with Him when we repent, turn our back on sin, and are washed by baptism in His name Jesus. (We are sanctified – made holy – when we receive His Spirit, the Holy Ghost).

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

“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 6:9-11

When God made Himself a human body to dwell in, that flesh had the desires of flesh just as our flesh has desires. Because the power of the Holy Ghost, God’s Spirit, was within His body, Jesus remained without sin.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15 KJV

When we receive the Holy Ghost, we have the will of our flesh to deal with, just as when God made Himself a human body to dwell in, there was the will of His flesh.

Flesh does not want to suffer. Because Jesus is the Father in a human body, He knew of the suffering and death that was ahead of Him when He was praying in the garden of Gethsemane.

It was by prayer and by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus was able to overcome the will of the flesh of His body and bring salvation to humanity.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus as a man prayed in heaviness and exceeding sorrow three times, asking the Father in Him to let the cup of suffering and death pass from His flesh. Each time He prayed, “not as I will” – the will of His flesh – “but as Thou wilt” – the will of the Father’s Spirit within Him.

Finally He said, “It is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Matt. 26:39-44, Mark 14:33-41, Luke 22:44)

When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38) we face the same struggle as Jesus did – our flesh does not want to die. Our flesh wants to continue in sin, enjoying the “pleasures” of sin for a season. (Heb. 11:24-26)

However, if we want eternal life in heaven with Jesus, and a more abundant life while living on this earth, we must take up our cross and follow Him, crucifying our flesh and the lusts thereof. (John 10:10, Luke 9:23, Gal. 5:16-25, Eph. 2:1-3)

We must pray as Jesus prayed, “not as I will” - the will of our flesh – “but as You will” – the will of the Father’s Spirit within us.

We too can overcome the will of our flesh by prayer and the power of the 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 KJV

What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," - Revelation 1:5b

When we repent of our sins, and are baptized in Jesus name, the blood of Jesus washes away all of our sins.

"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 once were lost in sin, but Jesus had mercy on us, and paid the price of death so that we could be saved, no matter what our sin was. Jesus loves us, while we were yet sinners.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." - Romans 5:8-9

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, (those who indulge in sexual sin) nor idolaters (who worship idols), nor adulterers (commit adultery), nor effeminate (are male prostitutes), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (practice homosexuality), nor thieves, nor covetous (greedy people), nor drunkards, nor revilers (are abusive), nor extortioners (cheat people), shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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 6:9-11

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" - Ephesians 2:4-6

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

H

ere are the verses:

"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 KJV

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

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" - Colossians 2:12-13 KJV

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" - 1 Peter 3:21 KJV

"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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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 6:3-6 KJV

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:26-27 KJV

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV

"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. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 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 KJV

The Temple of God

God is Spirit. His Spirit fills the universe. Yet, because of His love for His people, He desired to dwell among them.

At first, He dwelt among them in a tent in the wilderness. Then, King Solomon built Him a magnificent Temple in the city of Jerusalem. Even though God dwelt in a temple on earth, His Spirit was not contained within that temple. At the same time, God’s Spirit still filled the universe.

1 Kings 8:27 KJV - But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Exodus 29:45 KJV - And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Although God dwelt among His people in a tent and in the Temple, He desired a closer relationship with His people. The problem is, our sins separate us from God (Is.59:2).

Only God could solve this problem. He did this by making Himself a temple of flesh and dwelling among His people as a man.

While the tent in the wilderness and the holy Temple in Jerusalem were both places of sacrifice (2Chron.7:12), God’s temple of flesh became the sacrifice that would take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29, Col.2:14, 2Cor.5:19)

Because of God’s sacrifice of His temple of flesh, we can become a temple of God’s Spirit. (2Cor.5:19-20) When we love Jesus with all of our heart, soul, and might, turning away from sin, we can wash away the sin that separates us from God by being baptized in Jesus name. With a clean temple, we can receive His Spirit to live a holy life. (Acts 2:38) We become the temple of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV - 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.

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." - Proverbs 31:26 KJV

"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." - 2 Timothy 3:15 KJV

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 KJV

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:" - Proverbs 1:8 KJV

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV

God is a Spirit. He is the Spirit of truth. He is our Father. His name is Jesus.

The Father created a sinless human body for Himself so that He could pay the price of death for our sins and reconcile us back to Him. (2Cor.5:19, 21)

Jesus revealed to His chosen disciples that He was the Father in a human body. They knew Him as a man that had flesh and blood like themselves, grew tired and hungry, and prayed. They also knew Him as the Mighty God that caused the winds to cease, multiplied the fish and the loaves, raised the dead, healed the sick, forgave sins, cast out devils, and answered prayers. (John 14:7-11)

Jesus told His disciples it was necessary for Him to suffer, be killed, and be raised again the third day. The Father’s only begotten flesh would die. By His death, He would make peace between Himself and man so that man could once again be filled with His Spirit. (Matt.16:21, Isaiah 9:6-7, Col.1:19-23)

He had dwelt with them; soon He would dwell in them. (2Cor.6:16, 1Cor.6:19-20)

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:16-18

After Jesus ascended in bodily form up to heaven, Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost preached the gospel message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When the people heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and asked what they should 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." - Acts 2:38

The Spirit of truth had been with them, Jesus Christ, the Father revealed in flesh. Now the Spirit of truth would be in them!

"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 2:39

When Jesus forgives us, a load is lifted off our shoulders.

When we forgive others, a load is also lifted off our shoulders.

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." - Psalm 32:1

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:31-32

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

The Bible instructs to teach a child the way he should go.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

Timothy was an apostolic preacher that assisted Apostle Paul in establishing many churches in the faith. He had been taught from a child the Word of God.

"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." - 2 Timothy 3:15

Apostle Paul recalled the genuine faith in Timothy, for he shared the faith that filled his grandmother and mother. This strong faith impacted Timothy’s life and ministry.

"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." - 2 Timothy 1:5

These mothers of faith impacted the life of not only Timothy - their son and grandson - but also the lives of many, as Timothy went forth to minister with Paul the Apostle.

"And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily." - Acts 16:5

The Crown

It is significant that Jesus wore a crown thorns at the height of his suffering and before his death.

A crown represents Glory. So why a crown of thorns?

Thorns are first mentioned in the scripture when Adam sinned.

"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; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 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." - Genesis 3:17-19 KJV

Because Adam disobeyed God’s command, the ground was cursed. In sorrow would he eat of it. It would bring forth thorns and thistles. In the sweat of his face would he eat bread, till he would return to the ground. For out of the ground was he made and would return.

"And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, ... Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" - John 19:2, 5 KJV

"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 KJV

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup [of suffering] from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ... And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." - Luke 22:42, 44 KJV

Christ, second man Adam, was cursed for us.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree [cross]:" - Galatians 3:13 KJV

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. ... And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." - 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45 KJV

In His obedience, Jesus became cursed for our disobedience. He was a man of sorrows.

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." - Isaiah 53:3-4 KJV

The thorns of pain, suffering, and death upon His head was His crown of glory and honour, for it brought us as sons unto glory.

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." - Hebrews 2:9-10 KJV

"What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position "a little lower than the angels"; and because he suffered death for us, he is now "crowned with glory and honor." Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone." - Hebrews 2:9 NLT

Those that love and obey Jesus (Acts 2:38), enduring temptation, trials, suffering, and tribulation, will be given a crown of life, a crown of glory.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12 KJV

"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." - 1 Peter 5:4 KJV

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." - Revelation 2:10 KJV

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;" - Romans 5:3 KJV

The thorn brings pain and suffering, but we glory in our infirmities [weaknesses], taking pleasure in them, in reproaches [insults], necessities [hardships], persecutions, and distresses [troubles] for Christ’s sake.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV

The promises of Abraham are fulfilled in Christ

Because of Abraham’s obedience, God promised him that He will multiply His seed [offspring] as the starts of heaven, and as the sand upon the sea shore, and that his seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.

"That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." - Genesis 22:17-18 KJV

The promises of Abraham are fulfilled in Christ.

"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ... For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ... And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:16, 26-27, 29 KJV

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18 KJV

"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 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. 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 KJV

"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." - Revelation 19:6-8 KJV

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 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 24:44-49 KJV

The Old Testament is the Jewish Bible. Throughout the Old Testament, starting from the very beginning of Genesis in the Garden of Eden, it was written of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. It was here that God gave the promise that one day, the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil.

"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 KJV

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." - Galatians 4:4-5 KJV

God said that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the devil. Christ – God manifest in flesh – was the seed of the woman. He gave a deathblow to the head of the devil when His heel was bruised by His suffering and death on the cross, and then on the third day rising from the dead.

"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 KJV

*This chart is from the Bible Study, "Exploring God's Word." The teacher's manual is available at: http://www.calvarygospelchurch.org/cms/download/biblestudies/Exploring_Gods_Word_TE.pdf  Color charts are available at: http://www.riveroflifeupc.org/our-beliefs.php

The House of God is more than just a place where the Gospel is preached and obeyed. It is more than a place of preaching and instructing. It is a place of praising the name of Jesus in spiritual songs with thankful hearts, rejoicing in the Lord and the power of His might.

When King David brought the ark of the Lord into the city of David, he danced before the Lord. He and all the house of Israel brought the ark up with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.

"And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." - 2 Samuel 6:13-15 KJV

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing." - Psalm 107:21-22 KJV

Time for Church!!

The Old Testament is a pattern and shadow of the New Testament.

"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." - Hebrews 8:5

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things…" - Hebrews 10:1 [Another translation: “…a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves.”]

The Old Testament points to God coming in the form of man in God’s name of salvation – Jesus. It points to heavenly things. It points to baptism in Jesus name for remission of sins, and to the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus. It points to the rapture…

Ironically, it is not the physical that is the reality; it is the spiritual that is the reality. The spiritual is what is real and eternal.

"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

*This chart is from the Bible Study, "Exploring God's Word." The teacher's manual is available at: http://www.calvaryokc.org/Websites/calvarydemo01/files/Content/4319078/Exploring_God%27s_Word_Teacher_Notes_PDF.pdf Color charts are available at: http://www.riveroflifeupc.org/our-beliefs.php

"And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;) ... And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: ... And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven." - 1 Kings 8:14, 22, 54 KJV

"Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle." - Psalm 28:2 KJV

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." - Psalm 134:2 KJV

"Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." - Lamentations 3:41 KJV

"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;" - Hebrews 12:12 KJV

“Spring up old well, within my soul, spring up old well and overflow, spring up old well, flow out through me, spring up old well, and set me free.”

"And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:" - Numbers 21:16-17 KJV

The LORD said of the well to Moses, I will give them water. Jesus told the woman at the well, I will give them water.

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:10, 13-14 KJV

The Bible speaks of the rock in the wilderness. That Rock was Christ.

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; ... And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." - 1 Corinthians 10:1, 4 KJV

"Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. ... And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them." - Numbers 20:8, 11-12 KJV

This account of Moses striking the rock to make the water come out instead of believing and speaking to the rock, as God commanded, is what Jesus was referring to when He stood and cried on the last day of the feast. This was the last day of the feast of tabernacles, during the water drawing ceremony which commemorated the giving of water from the rock in the wilderness. Jesus, being the Rock, pours out His Spirit – “living water” – to those that believe and “honor Him as holy” – believing that Jesus is God revealed in flesh.

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:37-39 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, after Jesus was glorified, He poured out His Spirit on the believers that were gathered in the upper room.

"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 KJV

The LORD had become our salvation. The believers recognized that Jesus was the Holy One of Israel in their midst. With joy they drew water from the wells of salvation – Jesus had begun to pour out His Spirit!

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' "["Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD, the LORD, is my strength and song; and he has become my yeshu`ah." - Isaiah 12:2 HNV (“Yeshu’ah” is the Hebrew word for “Jesus”. It means “LORD-Salvation”)] Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: "Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!"" - Isaiah 12:2-6 NKJV

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," - Jude 1:20 KJV

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ... And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? ... we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." - Acts 2:4, 7-8, 11 KJV

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities [ helps us in our weakness]: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought [we don't know what God wants us to pray for]: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered [groanings that cannot be expressed in words] - Romans 8:26 KJV

"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth [strengthens] himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." - 1 Corinthians 14:4 KJV

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you," - Galatians 4:19 KJV