Jesus has all power. (Matthew 28:18)

Luke 4:14-15 “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.”

Jesus has power over satan.

Luke 4:31-37 “And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

“And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

“And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.”

Jesus gave power to His disciples.

Matthew 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

Luke 10:1, 17-20 “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come…

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus has power to give eternal life.

Even greater power than authority over the devil, is the power and authority to give eternal life to those that He has called, has chosen, and are faithful.

John 17:2 “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”

Because Jesus paid the price of death for our sins on the tree, we are able to receive eternal life by our repentance, our baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and by receiving His gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

Even greater than having power over satan, we may rejoice because our names are written in heaven!

The Arm of the LORD

God is Spirit. The arm of the LORD is a metaphor of God’s power and strength. The arm of the LORD delivers, redeems, and saves.

Exodus 6:6 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:

Deuteronomy 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

Psalms 77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

Then, the Lord speaks of power and redemption by his arm in a much greater way. His arm that saved and delivered his people from physical bondage in Egypt, defeating their enemies, was now going to take on form.

Not as a literal arm, but as a holy human body that would save and redeem all humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin and death, defeating the enemy of man’s soul, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14-15). This body would contain God himself, with all power and authority to deliver, redeem, and to save. (Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9, Matthew 28:18)

God had looked for a man that could redeem mankind, but there was none righteous, without sin, that could pay the price. So God himself stepped in to pay the price. He did this by the power of his redeeming and saving arm, making himself a body without sin, the arm of the Lord.

Isaiah 59:16 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.

Isaiah 53 describes the arm of the LORD and how Jesus saved and redeemed humanity.

Isaiah 53:1 - Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Isaiah 53:3 - He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not…

Isaiah 53:5 KJV - 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 53:6 KJV - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:7 KJV - He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:8 KJV - He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken…

Isaiah 53:10 - Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Isaiah 53:11 - He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities…

We find the arm of the Lord to be JESUS CHRIST!

John 12:37-38 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: that the saying of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Isaiah 52:10 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.

The power of God’s holy arm is revealed to the world. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to all the nations, reaching to the ends of the earth. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Acts 2:38)

Jesus as the arm of the LORD is the power of God that reaches out to humanity, redeeming us from sin, bringing us back to himself. (2Corinthians 5:19). There was no man that had the power to do this. Only the mighty power of Jesus, the arm of the LORD could deliver us.

Becoming the Temple of God - Part Two

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

“Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

“But he spake of the temple of his body." - John 2:19-21 KJV

It is by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that WE are able to BECOME the temple of God. To become the temple of God, we must go through a similar process.

We must become dead to sin, crucifying our old sinful nature in repentance. We are buried in a watery grave of baptism in Jesus name. By the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Jesus in us, we are resurrected to live a new holy life in Jesus. (Acts 2:38)

Apostle Peter preached this 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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

As the temple of God, we have the name of Jesus called upon us, and the Spirit of Jesus in us.

We are reminded in the scriptures that we have become the temple of God.

"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 KJV

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 KJV

"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 KJV

The Body of Jesus - the Temple of God (Part One)

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

“Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

“But he spake of the temple of his body.

“When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." - John 2:19-22 KJV

Jesus’ body is the temple of God’s Spirit. All the fullness of God is in His body.

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:9 KJV

When we worship Jesus, we are not worshipping a man – flesh – but rather the Spirit of God that dwells within the man.

In other words, we are not worshiping the temple, but rather the Spirit of God that dwells within the temple.

Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” “This temple” which Jesus spoke of is His body.

Jesus’ body was “destroyed” when He suffered the half-way death of the Roman flogging, followed by suffering final death by the excruciating Roman crucifixion.

His body was placed in a tomb, and on the third day the Spirit of God raised His body from the dead.

Over the next forty days Jesus showed Himself alive to many witnesses, then ascended up to heaven.

On the Day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus’ ascension, His Spirit returned as promised to fill the hundred and twenty disciples praying in the upper room in Jerusalem.

On that day, the disciples of Jesus became the temple of God.

(To be continued)

Prayer and Revival

Jesus has given us the privilege to be part of His kingdom by our obedience to the gospel.

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

The battles we fight for the kingdom of God are not against people but against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Our weapon is prayer.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12 KJV

"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." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

We can pray and by the power of God and by the authority of His name Jesus, principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world are dismantled and rendered powerless. Minds that have been blinded by the devil are opened to receive the gospel, and there is revival.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

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

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12 KJV

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18 KJV

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." - Matthew 21:22 KJV

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." - 1 John 5:14-15 KJV

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

"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 KJV

Another translation:

"So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT

What is an “adulterer”?

“Denotes one "who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another,"” - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Jesus said,

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." - Matthew 5:27-28 KJV

"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." - Matthew 5:29-30 KJV

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,

"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." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Paul continues by telling us of the hope we have. We can be part of the "And such WERE some of you" by the gospel! Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again so we could have our sins washed away and receive the gift of the Spirit of Jesus in us!

"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

We are washed, sanctified, and justified when we OBEY the gospel by turning our back on our sin by repentance, being baptized in JESUS name for the remission of our sins, and being filled with the Spirit of God, which is the Holy Ghost!

Peter preached this gospel message on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began -

"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 with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

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

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

The word “Godhead” means “divine power,” “divinity,” “divine,” “deity,” “divine nature.”

“Godhead” describes the SPIRIT of God.

The “Father” describes the SPIRIT of God.

The “Holy Ghost” describes the SPIRIT of God.

“Son,” on the other hand, describes the FLESH of God.

Clearly, FLESH should not be considered part of the Godhead, for FLESH is not the SPIRIT of God. The concept that the “Son” (the FLESH of God) is in the Godhead is a concept that is a tradition of men.

Rather, as the BIBLE states, the Godhead is IN the body (flesh) of Christ.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:8-9 KJV

["Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body." - Colossians 2:8-9 NLT]

God was IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF.

"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." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

Jesus is our Heavenly Father, revealed in flesh/bodily.

"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

"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 14:9 KJV

"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." - John 14:10 KJV

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:9 KJV

There is only ONE God, His name is JESUS.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 KJV (Acts 2:38)

Part 2 of The Comforter… The Defense Attorney

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." - John 16:7

What was Jesus talking about?

Jesus was telling His disciples it was best for them that He go away – that He go to the cross and die for our sins – so that He could come to them.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:18

If Jesus had not suffered and died to pay the price for our sins, He could not have come to His disciples and dwelt in them. Jesus needed to take care of the sin problem first that separated us from His Spirit.

On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus poured out His Spirit – the Comforter that He promised.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ... 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, 4 KJV

When we repent of our sins, and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, we too can receive the Comforter –  the Spirit of Jesus in us.

"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

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26

Satan does not want souls to be forgiven of their sins. This is why satan does not want people to repent and be baptized in Jesus name: he does not want the blood of Jesus that brings forgiveness to be applied to our lives.

Satan does not want people to receive the Holy Ghost because he does not want them to have the power to resist sin and stay in God’s mercy.

"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

Satan wants a person to pay the price of their sin. Those that have obeyed the gospel and have had their sins forgiven, he still accuses. He brings up the sins of their past and does not want to recognize that the blood of Jesus has washed away their sins.

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," - Revelation 1:5

"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

Satan is “the accuser of our brethren.”

"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." - Revelation 12:10

The word “satan” is Hebrew for “Prosecutor.” Satan brings charges against people, accusing them of their sins.

The word “Comforter” means “Counsel for Defense.” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) The Comforter (the Holy Ghost/Jesus in us) defends us from the Prosecutor’s accusations.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" - John 15:26

The Holy Ghost – Jesus in us as the Comforter - our Counsel for Defense - "pleads the blood" reminding satan that our sins are forgiven and he has nothing to accuse us with!

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:18

Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise that He would never leave them nor forsake them. Though He would die and be buried, on the third day He would rise again.

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" - Acts 1:3

When He departed from His disciples up to heaven forty days after His resurrection, He reassured them again that He would come to them in an even greater capacity, in “not many days hence.” (John 14:12).

"And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." - Acts 1:4-5

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:9

On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus came to His disciples as He said He would. The Father that was in Christ doing the works, would now dwell in His disciples. (Acts 2:4).

Before when Philip had asked Jesus to show them the Father,

"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? 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." - John 14:9-10

"If ye love me, keep my commandments. 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." - John 14:15-17

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:18

Next: Part 2 of the Comforter… the Defense Attorney

 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" - Romans 11:33

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" - Romans 11:34

And yet, God put on flesh and lived among us, and man beheld His glory. As many as received Him, He gave them power to become His sons, even to them that believe on His name, JESUS. (John 1:12-14, Acts 2:38)

Because of His great love for His creation, the Great Creator became our Savior, taking our place and dying on a cross for our sins. On the third day, He raised His flesh up by the power of His Spirit, revealing to the world that through Him there is victory.

His depths and His riches are revealed to us by His Spirit. Through the baptism of the Holy Ghost, we now have a glimpse of God's awesomeness. Through His love for us and our love for Him in return, Jesus has given us life beyond this mundane existence. Through Him, we have a life more abundant. And more than that, we have life eternal, a place prepared for us in heaven. (John 10:10)

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." - 1 Corinthians 2:10

When we turn away from sin by repentance, have our sins washed away by baptism in Jesus name, Jesus promises us the gift of His Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 2:16

With the gift of His Holy Ghost we receive the mind of Christ, getting a glimpse of the endless treasures available to us in Him.

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" - Ephesians 3:8

Building on the Foundation of Jesus Christ

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." - 1 Corinthians 3:10

Paul laid the foundation on the Rock (1Cor.10:1-4), which is Jesus Christ. How did he lay the foundation? By preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"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; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The church in Corinth was saved because they received the gospel and OBEYED the gospel, for they did not “believe in vain.” They followed Jesus’ death by crucifying their sinful nature in repentance, turning their back on sin; they followed Jesus’ burial by being buried with Him by baptism in Jesus name for the remission of their sins; they followed Jesus’ resurrection by receiving His gift of His Holy Ghost, the power of God’s Spirit to walk in a new life, overcoming sin.

We have laid the foundation of Jesus Christ in our lives by obeying the gospel. Now it is time to go on to “perfection.” In other words, it is time to spiritually grow up.

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." - Hebrews 6:1-2

The next step is building on our foundation.

"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." - 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

We must be careful how we build on our foundation after we are baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. We must build with “good works.” We must shine the light of God’s love and mercy to all.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 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

One way to share the love and mercy of Jesus, which we are called to do, is to share the gospel. It is by the gospel that the mercy and love of God is passed on to others. WE “have received mercy” when we obeyed the gospel; now by love we will pass on the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ.”

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; ... 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." - 2 Corinthians 4:1, 3-4

"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 KJV

It is time to build on our foundation “good works” that will survive the holy fire of God. It is time to make prayer part of our life. It is time to live a life of mercy and love for others. It is time to live a holy life. As we have received from Jesus, let us give.

When you are looking for God you want to know the way. You want to know the Truth. You want to know how to find eternal life, and a better life. (John 10:10).

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 KJV

If we follow the way of the flesh of Christ, we will come to the Spirit of Christ, the Father.

"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

We know the way of the flesh of Christ. He had to deny His flesh and allow the Spirit of God that was in Him to accomplish His mission to save the world which would take suffering and death on a cross.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24 KJV

We follow Christ by denying our flesh, saying no to sinful desires. We crucify this lustful nature by repentance. We follow Christ’s burial by water baptism in Jesus name. We follow Christ’s resurrection when we receive the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

"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

This is the way to God.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

Because sin separates us from God, He put on a sinless human body to pay the price of death for our sins so that we could return and have peace with Him.

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself..." - Colossians 1:19-20 KJV

Peter preached this message on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began.

This is truth, and this is the way to God. This is how to find eternal life, and a better life. This is how we can come unto the Spirit of Jesus, the Father within Him.

"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

When a person repents, is baptized in Jesus name, and is filled with the Holy Ghost, God forgives all this:

"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 KJV

God forgives - we should too. If we truly have the love of God in us, we will forgive.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 KJV

When we have “enemies”, we will not look forward to God's justice and judgment upon them. Instead, we will pray for God's mercy and that He forgives them, just as He forgave us.

"And such were some of you..." - 1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV

How did we escape God’s judgment for the sins we committed? We turned from our sin and applied the blood He shed for us by baptism in His 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. 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 be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep [died]." - Acts 7:59-60 KJV

Stephen gave complete forgiveness: he asked God to “lay not this sin to their charge.” In other words, Don’t charge them for this sin; erase it from their account.

"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

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:" - Luke 6:36-37 KJV

While Jesus’s disciples were sorrowful for His death, Jesus promised them joy at His resurrection.

"A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." - John 16:21-22 KJV

Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection is like the new birth of water and of the Spirit. When we pray the kind of prayer that is like a woman in travail (labor), we can expect joy, knowing souls are going to be born into the kingdom of God.

Travailing prayer births souls. This kind of prayer is in sorrow, with weeping, consuming physically. Yet when a soul is born, the joy is the reward that no man can take from us!

Sometimes, there must be travail again for the soul that has turned from God.

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

Travailing prayer, once again, is worth the sorrow and the labor, for the joy we share when the backslider returns to God!

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." - Luke 15:7

Isaiah prophesied of the rest that Jesus has for those that answer His call.

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." - Isaiah 28:11-12

This rest Isaiah spoke of is the Holy Ghost. We speak in tongues when we receive the Holy Ghost.

"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 (See also: Acts 10:44-46 and Acts 19:6)

Jesus told us if we come to Him, take His yoke upon us, and learn of Him, we will find this rest.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

When Jesus calls us and we come to Him, we turn our back on the world. We love Him with all of our heart, soul, and might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

We take His yoke of the gospel upon us when we are baptized in water in His name Jesus, and receive the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

When we are joined to Jesus, and full of His Spirit, we find rest for our souls.

Jesus promises His Holy Ghost to us when we repent and 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

"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

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them [no longer counting people’s sins against them].; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation [And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation]." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

What is this message of reconciliation that God has given us?

It is the gospel – that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again! When we obey the gospel, we take up our cross and follow Jesus by putting our sinful desires on the cross, being buried with Him by water baptism, and by rising leaving our sins behind in a watery grave to walk a new life with the infilling of His Holy Spirit. This is what Peter preached 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

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us [God is making his appeal through us] : we pray you in Christ's stead [we speak for Christ when we plead], be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20

We have received Divine Mercy, and now by the Gospel - repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus for remission of sins, and the promise of the infilling of God's Holy Spirit - we proclaim this wonderful message of Divine Mercy and reconciliation with God!

Upon this rock I will build my church

Matthew 16:18 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.

What is this rock?

Thayer's Greek Lexicon differentiates between "Peter" ("petros"): "a detached but large fragment" and "rock" ("petra"): "the massive living rock."

Peter was like a “large fragment” off of a “massive living rock”.

Jesus spoke of relationship here. Peter would be a partner with Jesus in building the church. As the bride of Christ, all of Christ’s body has a part in building the church.

1Corinthians 3:5-11 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 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. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

What is this “massive living rock”?

1Corinthians 10:1-4 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 were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

This Rock is Christ.

Exodus 17:3-6 KJV - And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

When the people of Israel thirsted for water, God gave them water out of the rock. God had told Moses he was to smite the rock. He told Moses to take “thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river.”

What was God talking about?

Before God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, God told Moses to go to Pharaoh. Moses told Pharaoh,

Exodus 7:17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

Exodus 7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

When God told Moses to take the rod that he had smote the river with, God was making a connection between when Moses would strike the rock to bring forth water and when Moses struck the river. Because this connection was made, when Moses struck the rock and the water came forth, there was the remembrance of a river of blood.

The rock in the wilderness that was smitten was a type of Christ’s death on the cross. Out of Christ’s side there came blood and water.

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

The smitten rock that water came out of with the remembrance of blood is also a type of water baptism. When we are baptized in water for remission of sins by the name of Jesus called over us, there is the remembrance of Jesus’ blood in the water.

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

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

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

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.

The second time Moses smote the rock, Moses was to speak to the rock for the waters to come forth.

Numbers 20:2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron…

Numbers 20:7-11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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 took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 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.

Unlike the first time that God brought water out of the rock, Moses was to speak to the rock instead of smite it.

Instead, Moses got angry, calling the quarreling people “rebels” and asking them, “must we fetch you water out of this rock?”

Instead of acting in faith, Moses responded with the works of the flesh. He responded with anger, and spoke like he and Aaron were going to bring the water out of the rock, instead of God. Then, to top it off, Moses “lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice.”

Why did Moses smite the rock a total of three times?

Because the number “three” represents “peace.” Jesus’ death on the cross brought peace (reconciliation) between God and man.

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

The first time God brought water out of the rock, it represented Christ being smitten on the cross. The second time God brought water out of the rock, it represented Christ pouring out his Spirit.

The Holy Ghost is compared to water.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast [the feast of tabernacles, commemorating their forty years in the wilderness] 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.)

The key to the water to flow is, “He that believeth on me.”

Moses and Aaron did not believe the LORD.

Numbers 20:12 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.

Instead of believing the LORD with FAITH that He would bring forth water by their speaking, in anger Moses smote the rock twice.

This is a type of the gift of the Holy Ghost, for it is by BELIEVING (faith) AND SPEAKING that we receive the Holy Ghost. We do not do works for the Holy Ghost, it is a gift from Jesus. When he spoke of receiving his Spirit he said, “Which they that believe on him should receive.”

We receive his Spirit by faith and trust in God. It is by speaking words of praise and worship that God fills us with his Spirit. Through complete trust in him, we allow God to control our tongue and speak in a language we do not know.

Just as God told Moses to “speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water,” we are to do the same to receive the Holy Ghost.

It is because Moses did not believe and have faith that he could not enter into the Promised Land.

Only those of FAITH, BELIEVING God, could enter into the land, which God had given them. Joshua and Caleb, the faithful witnesses that spied out the land, would enter, while Moses would not. It is by faith, not works, that we receive the promise of the Holy Ghost.

Receiving the Holy Ghost is like entering into the Promised Land. It is our promise.

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 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Thus, the rock is more than a revelation that Jesus is God incarnate: the rock represents the smiting of Christ, out of whom pours water, blood, and Spirit. (1John 5:8). It is by the water, blood, and Spirit that the gates of hell cannot prevail! And it is upon Christ – His blood, water, and Spirit - the gospel - that His church is built.

What does the verse mean that God sends rain on the just and on the unjust?

Jesus is saying that our Father in heaven DOES GOOD to the just AND the unjust!

Jesus is teaching that it WAS said, you shall love your neighbour, and HATE your enemy. Jesus said, INSTEAD of hating our enemies, we are to LOVE our enemies. We are to BLESS them that curse us, DO GOOD to them that hate us, and PRAY for them which despitefully use us and persecute us. We are to DO GOOD not only to the just, but also to the unjust! We are to DO GOOD not only to the good, but also DO GOOD to the evil!

Why?

Because we are to be as our Father which is in heaven.

Jesus explains our Father makes His sun to rise on the evil AND on the good, and sends rain on the just AND on the unjust. God DOES GOOD to BOTH the just AND to the unjust! He BLESSES BOTH with His sun and His rain, whether they are GOOD or EVIL, JUST or UNJUST! God does not keep back His rain from the unjust – He BLESSES them, just as He BLESSES the just with His rain!

               

 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48 KJV

Jesus spoke,

"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." - Luke 24:46-47

Peter preached of Christ’s suffering, death, burial, and resurrection to Jews from all nations on the Day of Pentecost at Jerusalem. He then preached of repentance and remission of sins 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

Verses from the photo:

Acts 2:38, 41 "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. ... Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Acts 8:16 "(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)"

Acts 10:47-48 "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 19:4-5 "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."

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

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

1 Corinthians 1:13-15 "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name."

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

Colossians 2:11-12 "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 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."

Our heavenly Father put on a human body and dwelt among His creation. He came in His name Jesus, which us above every name.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" - Philippians 2:10

"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 14:9

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." - 1 Timothy 3:16

The Holy Ghost that was poured out on the Day of Pentecost is the Spirit that is in Christ.

"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 7:38-39

"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 Father is Spirit. The Father is revealed in flesh (humanity). The Father’s human body is called by His name, Jesus. The Father is in us when we are filled with His Spirit.

"For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:20

"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." - John 14:17

Jesus was speaking to His disciples. They knew Him. He dwelt with them. When He said He would be in them, Jesus was talking about His Spirit being in them.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" - John 15:26

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." - John 14:21

Jesus is the Father. Jesus is Spirit. Jesus has a body (the son of God/the flesh of God).

There is only one Spirit, referred to as the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of your Father, the Spirit.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." - John 14:23

"I and my Father are one." - John 10:30

The Father, the Spirit of God, is in Christ. When we receive the Holy Ghost, we receive the Father in us.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:4-6

Love for the Truth

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 KJV

How is Jesus the way? Jesus is the way by the gospel: by His death, burial, and resurrection. It is only by the gospel and by our obeying the gospel that we can come to the Father. We become dead to sin by repentance, buried with Jesus by water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and resurrection by the infilling of His Spirit to walk in newness of life. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-7, Acts 2:38). It is by the gospel that we are able to come to the Father, because by the gospel we are reconciled back to Him. (Colossians 1:20-23).

How is Jesus the life? It is by Jesus’ death burial and resurrection - the gospel - that we have eternal life, and a more abundant life, when we repent, are baptized in Jesus name, and are filled with His eternal Spirit. (John 10:10).

Jesus is the truth. It appears that the truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:18 KJV

We are born again (begat) by the gospel when we repent and are born of water by baptism in Jesus name, and born of the Spirit when we are filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." - 1 Peter 1:22-25 KJV

These verses speak of obeying the truth, being born again by the word of God, which by the gospel is preached unto you.

The following verse speaks of the judgment of God on those that obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness. Again, it appears that the truth refers to the gospel, which we must obey to be saved.

"But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath," - Romans 2:8 KJV

Here are more verses:

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." - 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 KJV

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." - 1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV

And finally, we need a love for the truth to be saved. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again – the gospel. We must repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive His Holy Ghost. We need a love for this truth to be saved!

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." - 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 KJV

Heaven - Making preparation

If we want to go to heaven, we need to make preparation.

What do we do to make preparation?

The Bible says,

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13 KJV

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" - Ephesians 6:14-15 KJV

This last verse tells us that we are to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

We must have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace in order to stand for God in this world, and to stand before Him in heaven.

Paul wrote that it is by the preparation of the gospel that we stand.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;" - 1 Corinthians 15:1 KJV

It is by the preparation of the gospel we are also saved.

"By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:2 KJV

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV

We prepare ourselves with the gospel when we obey the gospel of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

"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 KJV

It is called the gospel of peace, because by the gospel we have peace with God.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself;" - Colossians 1:20 KJV

We put on our feet the preparation of the gospel as Peter preached 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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

By the preparation of the gospel of Jesus, we have applied His blood, are called by His name, have received His Spirit, and by His power are able to stand and to keep from falling.

We have made preparation for heaven by His gospel of peace so that He can present us faultless before the presence of His glory.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." - Jude 1:24-25 KJV