Let’s have church!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." - Colossians 3:16 KJV

The music we listen to can affect our spiritual walk with God.

We have covenanted with Jesus to love Him with our whole heart, soul, and mind. Music of the world can turn our thoughts from the things of God to the things of the world, shaping our values and attaching itself to our minds.

Music that builds us up spiritually can increase our faith and help keep our mind on the things of God.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

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

As the Bride of Christ, baptized in His name Jesus and filled with His Spirit, we have heard His voice and have answered. We are called, chosen, and faithful. We hear His voice by the Word of God, by the preaching of His Word, and by the sound of His voice within us.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20 KJV

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." - Revelation 17:14 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." - Acts 2:38 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?

“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 6:1-6 KJV

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

["Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there." - Galatians 5:24 NLT]

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

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22 KJV

It is human nature to be affected by people, places, and things around us. Our choices of who our friends are, places we go, what we look at, and what we listen to affects the person that we are. It effects our attitudes, our vocabulary, our values, our lifestyle.

It is no wonder that God calls us to come out from influences that affect us in a negative way, and to concentrate our time, the things we do, and the people we choose to spend time with, that are positive influences.

Our decisions lead us either to Jesus, His love and righteous, and ultimately life and heaven, or to the world and its web and its rulers, ultimately leading to darkness and death.

The devil is a liar, deceiver, murderer from the beginning, and the god of this world with its systems. We can choose to be programmed by the world or by God. We make this choice by what we read, watch, and listen to.

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

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15 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 KJV

How can we escape? Jesus offers a fresh start to anyone that will turn from the world and choose to live for God. We have this new start when we are born again of water and of His Spirit by baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and receiving the gift of His Spirit, His Holy Ghost. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

It is called a new birth because it is a fresh start with a brand-new life. Jesus gives us power to live for Him giving us His Spirit to lead and guide us. He is with us and in us and will never leave nor forsake us, with our destiny now being heaven. (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49, Acts 2:38-39, John 14:17, Hebrews 13:5).

Need help in an emergency? Call on Jesus

Need help in a crisis? Call on Jesus

Need comfort in times of pain? Call on Jesus

Need help with the big things in life? Call on Jesus

Need help with the little things in life? Call on Jesus

"In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone." - Psalm 86:7-10 KJV

Trials and testing develops our patience. It also gives us experience, and through this wisdom. If God didn’t love us, as He does love us, I don’t believe He would bother perfecting us through trials and testing. We are His children. We have covenanted with Him to turn our back on the world and live for Him. He has washed away our sins when we were baptized in His name Jesus. And He has filled us with the most precious gift on earth, His Holy Ghost. Yes, Jesus loves us!

Through our faith in the power of Jesus blood to take away our sins, faith in the power of His name that applies His blood to our life by baptism, and faith in the resurrecting power of His Spirit that gives us new life, we are brought into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand. We have great joy, looking forward to the hope of His glory! (Romans 5:2 NLT)

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

["We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." - Romans 5:3-5 NLT]

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" - Colossians 1:26-28 KJV

And this is the mystery – when we have received the gift of His Holy Ghost, Christ lives in us. This gives us assurance of sharing His glory. And by the preaching of His word, along with tests and trials, we can be presented perfected in Christ.

Prayer

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6

We have many cares and concerns that we face each day.

Jesus can take care of life’s problems. We have the privilege of taking everything to Him in prayer. Every problem that we face, Jesus can help us through it, giving us the words to say, what to do, and giving us favor with those we need to face.

Every burden that we carry, Jesus can lift it. Jesus brings salvation, deliverance, and healing.

We can go to Him in prayer for everything, and we should. He is not only the Mighty God that can move mountains, He is also our Savior that humbled Himself and took our place on a cross, suffering and dying in our place because He loves us that much.

With our requests, we give Him thanksgiving: thanking Him for the prayers He has already answered in our life and in our loved ones’ lives, but also thanking Him in advance for what we are requesting, to make sure He gets the praise and the glory, lest we forget to give Him thanks after He has answered our prayer!

When we go to Jesus, we can give our burden to Him and have peace that the problem is being taken care of.

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

God, our heavenly Father, loves us so much, that He made for Himself a body to die for our sins.

Our heavenly Father overshadowed Mary to make a sinless human body so that He Himself could give His life in our place as payment for our sins. (Luke 1:35)

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." - 1 John 3:5 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

The Father’s physical body is called the Son of God. We do not worship the physical body of God; we worship the Spirit of God that dwells within this physical body. “Christ” refers to this anointed physical body of God.

"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

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

God revealed His name, through which He would bring salvation to His people and all the world, when the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV

"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

We receive His salvation through His name by remission of sins, and the promise of His Spirit, when we turn to Jesus, turning away from sin by repentance, 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 KJV

"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 2:40-42 KJV

Old Things Are Passed Away – Part 2

We have repented, been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)

One of the deeds of our old sinful nature is unforgiveness. We need to let unforgiveness pass away.

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

God has not only forgiven us of our sins, He has forgotten them.

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." - Hebrews 10:16-17 KJV

All the sins we did have passed away. We have a fresh start, walking in newness of life.

Jesus has forgiven and forgot. We need to do the same. We need to let those old things pass away.

When we feel we cannot forgive, Jesus supplies the forgiveness we need for others by His Spirit, the Holy Ghost within us.

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." - Colossians 3:12-13 KJV

Old Things Are Passed Away – Part 1

We have repented of our sins, been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave us the utterance. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4)

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

Our old nature became dead, and all the sins that we repented of were buried when we were baptized in Jesus name. When we received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we were resurrected to live a new life in Christ.

Romans 6:3-4 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.

Our old nature, the “old man” has passed away. God has wiped the slate clean of our past sins. He has forgotten them.

Psalms 103:12 KJV - As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25 KJV - I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Romans 8:1 KJV - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our old nature, the “old man” with his sinful deeds has passed away. We must walk daily in the “new man,” the new nature that Jesus has given us when He filled us with His Spirit.

Colossians 3:9-10 KJV - Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him [be renewed as you learn to know Jesus and become like him]:

Ephesians 4:22-23 KJV - That ye put off concerning the former conversation [former behavior] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind [let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes];

Ephesians 4:24 KJV - And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

What Part Do We Have in the Kingdom of God?

God has called us. (Matthew 22:14) We have answered. (Revelation 17:14) We have turned from the pleasures of sin and committed ourselves to a life of pleasing God. (Hebrews 11:25 Colossians 1:10, 1John 3:22)

We have repented and had all our sins washed away in the name of Jesus. (Acts 22:16) God has mercifully filled us with His Holy Ghost so we can walk in His Spirit (Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:16, 22-25).

At creation, the first commandment God gave to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 1:27-28)

When we are in Christ (Acts 2:38), we are a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17 NKJV, Eph.4:24). The first command God gave to us as the newborn church is to be fruitful and multiply. (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8, John 20:21-23)

The church is fruitful and multiplies by the gospel. (Acts 2:38-39, Mark 16:20, 1Corinthians 4:15, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:7, Acts 8:12, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:23-24)

We are laborers together with Jesus. (1Corinthians 3:9) When we are in Christ we have obeyed the gospel, taking His yoke upon us. (Ephesians 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30, 1Peter 4:17)

Yoked together with Jesus by the gospel, we labor together with Him in the field of souls in the world (Matthew 13:37-38, 1Peter 1:23) bringing them the gospel of salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

"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." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 KJV

Every child of God has a testimony. (Acts 22:18, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 12:10-11, Revelation 19:10)

Every child of God can be a witness of Jesus. (Acts 1:8)

Every child of God can pray for souls to be saved. (Galatians 4:19, Ephesians 6:18-20)

"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

Quenching the fiery darts of the wicked

(Note: verses noted are written out at end of post for convenience)

When we enter the kingdom of God by being born again of water and of the Spirit, we become warriors for Jesus. Our eyes are opened to see the reality – the spiritual world – which is actually more real than the physical, because it is eternal. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 2Cor.10:3-5, Eph.6:12, Heb.11:1, 2Cor.5:7).

When we enter the kingdom of God, we step into eternal life, with heaven as our destination. We step into the love of God, which we had not experienced the fullness of until we were filled with His Spirit, and all our sins were washed away in His name Jesus. (Col.1:5, Rom.5:5, 9).

We find peace that passes understanding, and joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. When life hurls its pain and sorrow at us, we can find comfort, reassurance, and understanding, praying in the Spirit. By praying in the Spirit (praying in the Holy Ghost) we build up our shield of faith. When we are faced with temptation, we have the power of the Spirit of Jesus to strengthen and deliver us. (Phil.4:7, 1Pet.1:8, Jude1:20-21, 1John 5:4, Phil.4:13, 2Pet.2:9).

All of this comes from our faith that first brought us to God, and that led us to believe and obey His gospel. We have faith that God put on flesh to pay the price of our sins to save us. God came in His saving name Jesus. We have faith that God not only saved us from our sins when we turn to Him in repentance and apply His sin cleansing blood by water baptism in Jesus name, but also that He is able to deliver us, heal us, and help us through every situation we face. (Heb.1:6, Mark16:15-16, John1:12-13, Heb.2:14-15, Matt.1:21, Acts2:38, Rev.1:5 2Tim.4:18)

This faith is our shield. The devil can come to us with our past failures, accusing us and throwing lies at us saying we are not saved, but the shield of faith quenches all these fiery darts from the wicked. Our Defense Attorney – our Advocate – the Spirit of Jesus in us – pleads the precious holy blood that we applied in Jesus name baptism. Satan – the Prosecutor – has nothing on us because we have been baptized in Jesus name! That name, through faith in that name, has the power to not only heal us physically and emotionally, but the name of Jesus is the only name with power to heal our souls and save us. (Eph.6:16, Rev.12:10, John15:26, John16:7 [Note: “Comforter” is “Defense Attorney”], Acts 3:16, Acts 4:10-12)

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." - Ephesians 6:16 KJV

Verses from above in parenthesis written out:

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 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

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 KJV

"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" - 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;" - Colossians 1:5 KJV

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ... Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." - Romans 5:5, 9 KJV

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

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

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." - Jude 1:20-21 KJV

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

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

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" - 2 Peter 2:9 KJV

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6 KJV

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:15-16 KJV

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

"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

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV

"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 KJV

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18 KJV

"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 KJV

"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 KJV [Note: Comforter is Defense Attorney/Advocate]

"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 KJV [Note: Comforter is Defense Attorney/Advocate]

"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." - Acts 3:16 KJV

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:10-12 KJV

In the description of the armor of God, the church is told to have their feet shod with the “preparation of the gospel of peace.”

"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. ... And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" - Ephesians 6:13, 15 KJV

What does the Bible say about “the gospel of peace”?

Apostle Paul explains what the “gospel” is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

"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 KJV

Thus, the gospel is “how that Christ died for our sins”, “that he was buried”, “and that he rose again the third day”. In other words, it is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul tells us that he delivered to them what he also received. He declares the gospel…he preached the gospel… they received the gospel…and they stand in the gospel. He also tells us that they are saved by the gospel, IF they keep in memory what he preached to them, unless they believed in vain.

It is by preaching that the gospel of Jesus Christ is declared. It is in the preaching of the gospel that the name of Jesus is revealed for salvation.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:13-16 KJV

Here in this last verse, the feet are mentioned again with the gospel of peace, just like in Ephesians and the armor of God. Here it is speaking of those that preach the gospel. But first, we need the preparation of the gospel.

When Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:2, “By which also ye are SAVED…” “UNLESS ye have believed in vain” it appears Paul is saying that if we hear the gospel and believe, but then we don’t OBEY the gospel, we have believed in vain. It is for nothing – we are not saved without obedience.

Paul makes this clear in Romans 10:16. "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:16 KJV

The hearing of the gospel is in vain if we don’t do something about it after we have heard it. We must not only HEAR the preaching of the gospel; we must also OBEY the gospel.

When we OBEY the gospel, we have our “…feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”.

Making preparation.

We understand we must obey the gospel to be saved. But how do we obey what Paul said the gospel is, “that Christ died for our sins”, “that he was buried”, “and that he rose again the third day”.

Paul wrote to the church at Rome,

"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

Here, Paul ties together how we obey 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

We follow Jesus’ death, by becoming “dead to sin” by repentance…we follow Jesus’ burial by being “buried with him by baptism into death”, and we follow Jesus’ resurrection by being “raised up” by the Holy Ghost, which is “the glory of the Father” to walk in a new life in Jesus. (The Greek word for “glory” in this verse is “doxa” which seems to be most accurately translated as “the Holy Ghost.”)

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

The “old man” here is our old sinful nature…

"For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:7-11 KJV

This is how we OBEY Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Peter summed this up on the day of Pentecost.

First Peter PREACHED the gospel, then he told the people how to OBEY the gospel.

Peter had made preparations. He was baptized in Jesus name, and had now received the Holy Ghost. The preparation of the gospel of peace was upon his feet. Now, he is preaching the gospel of peace:

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:22-24 KJV

Here Peter preached of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Peter concluded his gospel message with:

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." - Acts 2:36 KJV

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 KJV

Peter declared the gospel, the people believed the gospel, now Peter is going to answer them what they must do to obey 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. 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." - Acts 2:38-40 KJV

Next we see, their belief was not in vain…they OBEYED the gospel.

"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 2:41-42 KJV

When we obeyed the gospel, His blood washed away our sins through His name Jesus. We have a testimony. Now, satan, the accuser of our brethren, no longer has anything on us. In Revelation 12:10-11 the Bible says,

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Revelation 12:10-11 KJV (One translation says, “They did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.” NLT)

By the gospel we have the blood of the Lamb - which is Jesus - and we have the name of Jesus applied to our lives by our water baptism in Jesus name. We have the Holy Ghost within us – which is the Spirit of Jesus – to give us power to overcome sin, the power we need to fight the good fight of faith. By our preparation of the gospel of peace, our feet are on a sure foundation, on Jesus Christ, so that along with the whole armour of God, we “may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

In two verses now, Ephesians 6:15, and in Romans 10:15, we see the gospel referred to as, “the gospel of PEACE.”

What would the gospel of PEACE be referring to?

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they had communion with God. When they disobeyed God, sin broke that communion.

God made peace between us and Himself when He took on the form of man and died, was buried, and rose again. He paid the debt we owed for our sins when He gave His life on the tree, for the wages of sin is death.

"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. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" - Colossians 1:20-23 KJV

Thus, we have peace with God by the gospel of peace.

"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…" - Romans 16:20 KJV

Because God has made peace with us by the gospel and by our obedience to the gospel, He will bruise satan under our feet.

It seems quite fitting that satan is bruised under our FEET. We have the preparation of the gospel on our feet. Ephesians 6:15 says, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” And, by the whole armour we STAND against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Also, the second part of Romans 10:15 says, “…As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” So, it makes sense how that God shall bruise satan under our feet.

Because we have obeyed the gospel and our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, we have the authority of the name of Jesus and the power of His blood and Spirit.

We have power to tread on serpents and power over the enemy. Most importantly, by our preparation of the gospel of peace, we have our names written in heaven, in the Lamb’s book of Life.

Jesus told his disciples,

"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." - Luke 10:19-20 KJV

It is by the gospel that we have peace with God. We were separated from God by sin, and by His sacrifice and His blood, we are brought back to God. When we have obeyed His gospel by repentance and baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, we are filled with His Spirit to walk in peace with Him.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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 in him." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV

We have made preparations for ourselves to be saved; what about others? Jesus has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. We are now ambassadors for Christ. Because of God’s love for the world, that He gave his life for it, it is as though God were pleading through us for those in the world to come back to Him, to be reconciled to God by obeying the gospel.

We have the preparation of the gospel of peace on our feet so that we can spiritually stand. Now that we are filled with God’s love by His Holy Ghost, we can go forth and be a witness of the gospel to others.

What is righteousness? And what is the breastplate of righteousness?

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

The breastplate covers the vital organs of the body. The righteousness of God is our breastplate that protects our very life. By His death on the cross, Jesus has made us right with Him, having our sins washed away by baptism in Jesus name and filling us with His righteous holy Spirit, giving us victory over sin and death.

“Righteousness,” according to Thayer’s Lexicon, is “…The condition acceptable to God…The doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain to a state approved of God.”

We find that by the doctrine of salvation through the gospel that we can obtain righteousness.

The gospel declares the death of Jesus on a cross paying the penalty for our sins, his burial, and resurrection. (1Corinthians 15:1-4)

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

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

When we obey the gospel, we repent, are buried with Him in baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and resurrected to a new life in righteousness by the infilling of His Spirit. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-4)

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" - Romans 5:17 KJV

Another translation: “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:17 NLT

When we have obeyed the gospel, our old sinful nature is buried. We put on a new nature when we are filled with God’s Spirit, righteous and holy.

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ... And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." - Ephesians 4:22, 24 KJV

Another translation: “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception… Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” – NLT

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:9-11 KJV

"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 in him." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 KJV

We enter the kingdom of God when we are born of water – baptism in Jesus name, and of the Spirit – baptism of the Holy Ghost. (John 3:4-5, Acts 2:38)

We no longer belong to the world. (John 15:19)

By our new birth, we are sons and daughters of God. (John 1:12-13, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

Our battles are not physical; our battles are spiritual. We wrestle against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against the devil and demons of the darkness of this world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We see the spiritual influences in our physical world and respond with the methods of the Spirit.

We are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We have the authority of the name of God – “JESUS,” and the power of God’s Spirit – the Holy Ghost, to combat any temptation, and any device of satan that might trip us up. By the name of Jesus and by His Spirit, we stand and we fight.

To do this, Jesus has equipped His children with armor. When we put on the whole armor of God, we can stand against the methods and deceptions of satan and advance the kingdom of Jesus.

We are commanded to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..”

In the physical, the loins are the place of reproduction. Thus, in the spiritual, the loins represent spiritual reproduction. We reproduce spiritually by preaching the gospel, which is the new birth experience. (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

We are to go into all the world with the gospel and make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21-23, Acts 13:47)

"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

In the physical, to gird is “to fasten garments with a girdle or belt.” (Thayer’s) It has the meaning of being ready to serve. (Luke 12:35-37) Girding the loins metaphorically is, “of girding the "loins" in readiness for active service for the Lord.” (Vine’s)

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." - Luke 12:35-37

To have our loins girt about with truth is figuratively, “to equip one's self with knowledge of the truth, Ephesians 6:14” (Thayer’s)

Thus, we are to equip ourselves with the knowledge of the truth in readiness for active service for the Lord. The truth is, there is only one God that robed Himself in flesh, suffered and died for our sins, and on the third day rose again. His name, which is above every name is Jesus. (Deuteronomy 6:4, 1Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Ephesians 1:21, Philippians 2:7-11)

"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

It is by this truth and spiritual reproduction - the new birth of souls by water baptism in Jesus name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost - that satan’s kingdom is defeated and the Kingdom of God goes forth into all the earth. “…And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. (Matthew 16:18-19)

"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. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…" - Ephesians 6:10-14

The Two Marriage Covenants of Pentecost (Part 8 continued)

How can the Jewish people be released from their marriage covenant of the Law that they entered into at Sinai?

Paul answers this question in Romans 7:1-6.

"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? [The law applies only while a person is living, not after he is dead.] 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. [The laws of marriage no longer apply to her.] 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. [But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.]" - Romans 7:1-3 KJV

The only way that the Jewish people could be released from their marriage covenant of the Law with God was for God to die. Therefore, God robed Himself in flesh, and His flesh died on the cross. By the death of God’s flesh, the Jewish people were set free from their Sinai marriage covenant with God of the Law.

The Jew becomes dead to the Law and His first marriage covenant with God by repentance and burial with Christ in baptism in Jesus name.

"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. [He then becomes the Bride of Christ who is risen from the dead, bringing fruit unto God acceptable to Him.] 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. [Controlled by our old nature, sinful desires aroused by the Law were at work within us, producing fruit of sinful deeds resulting in 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. [Released from the Law, for we died to it, no longer captive to its power, we serve the new way of living in the Spirit, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the Law]" - Romans 7:4-6 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." - Romans 6:3-4 KJV

On the day of Pentecost, Peter gave the message of the New Covenant that set the Jews free from the marriage covenant of the Law to become the Bride of Christ. (John 3:29, 2 Corinthians 11:2).

"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

That day, the Day of Pentecost, there were added into the New Covenant and the Bride of Christ about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41). And that was just the beginning. (Acts 2:47).

The Two Marriage Covenants of Pentecost (Part 8)

The Jews made a covenant with God at Mount Sinai in which they agreed to keep all of His Law. The Old Testament calls this day feast of weeks. (Deuteronomy 16:16). The New Testament calls this day Pentecost. The Jews call this day Shavuot (the Hebrew word for weeks).

The Jews look at the day they entered their covenant of the Law with God as the day they became married to Him. Just as a bride says, “I do,” the Jewish people said, “We do.” This day was Pentecost.

"And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do." - Exodus 24:3 KJV

God also recognizes the Day of Pentecost as the day He became married to the Jewish people. In Jeremiah 31:31-32, God refers to Himself as their husband.

"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

God speaks here of making a new covenant with the Jewish people. God ordained a new and better covenant, a marriage covenant of mercy. God said, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more”.

Also, in this new covenant there would be a closer relationship between God and His people. Because He was forgiving their iniquity, God could fill them with His Holy Spirit. It is by God filling us with His Spirit that we know Him.

"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 31:33-34 KJV

There is one issue, however. How can God and the Jewish people be released from their marriage covenant of the Law that they entered into at Sinai?

To be continued…

Today, June 9, 2019, the Christian world is celebrating “Pentecost Sunday.”

After Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, then witnessing for 40 days of His resurrection, and before He ascended to heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples:

"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 KJV

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 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

Religious Jews were gathered in Jerusalem from around the world to appear before the Lord at the Temple for Pentecost. When they heard those that had just been filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues in their languages, they were amazed, and wondered what was happening.

Peter then stood up with the other eleven apostles and revealed the prophesy of Joel that had minutes before began its fulfillment.

"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" - Acts 2:16-18 KJV

Peter then began preaching to them the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 KJV

Jesus had given Peter the keys to the kingdom, and on the Day of Pentecost, for the very first time, Peter used these keys. Peter preached what Jesus taught, to enter the kingdom we must be born again of water and of the Spirit. (John 3:5).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:38-40 KJV

On this Day of Pentecost, with the first preaching of the gospel, came about 3000 souls, obedient to the gospel!

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

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

Part 6 The Blood Covenants of Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost is the day in which the Holy Ghost was poured out on the followers of Jesus that were praying in an upper room in Jerusalem. This was the fulfillment of the promised new covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

The Day of Pentecost is also the Jewish holy day celebrating the giving of God’s Law at Mount Sinai.

Each covenant was confirmed with blood.

At Mount Sinai Moses said, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." – Exodus 24:8 KJV

"And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." - Exodus 24:5-8 KJV

In Jerusalem Jesus said, "For this is my blood of the new testament [new covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV

The blood of Jesus for the remission of sins fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah of the new covenant.

"…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 31:34 KJV

Peter preached the new covenant on the Day of Pentecost, which was on the same day that the Jews made their covenant of the Law years earlier. This time the blood applied would not be animal blood that could not take away sins. This time the blood would be God’s blood, applied through His name “Jesus” in baptism by immersion for the remission of 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 KJV

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

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:47 KJV

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ... And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." - Acts 10:43, 48 KJV ["He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."" - Acts 10:43 NLT]

"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 (Revelation 1:5)

Those that entered into the new covenant on the Day of Pentecost confirmed it with the blood of Jesus by water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins.

"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 2:41-42 KJV

Part Five On the Day of Pentecost, when the followers of Jesus were gathered in the upper room awaiting the promise of the Holy Ghost, there were Jews, devout men, also in Jerusalem, “out of every nation under heaven,” for the Day of Pentecost. The Pentecost they were celebrating was the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. (Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:5).

It was not by accident that God chose the Day of Pentecost to pour His Spirit out and begin His new covenant church. There are important correlations between the two events.

The Day of Pentecost was a fulfillment of what took place on Mount Sinai on that first Day of Pentecost, which the Jews call “Shavuot.”

On Shavuot, God’s Law was written on tables of stone. (Exodus 24:12)

On Pentecost God wrote His law on hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33)

On Shavuot the Jewish people accepted God's covenant and became His wife. (Exodus 19:7-8, Jeremiah 31:32)

On Pentecost those in the upper room accepted God's covenant and became His wife. (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:23-32)

On Shavuot the Jewish people became a peculiar treasure [special possession] from among all peoples, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6)

On Pentecost New Covenant Believers became a peculiar people [“special possession”], a chosen generation [“a chosen people”], a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. (1 Peter 2:9)

Each covenant was confirmed with blood. (Exodus 24:5-8, Matthew 26:28, Revelation 1:5, Acts 2:38).

To be continued…

Part 4 On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel message to the Jews that were “out of every nation under heaven” and in Jerusalem for that special day.

"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." - Acts 2:5 KJV

These Jews spoke the language of the country they were from. As religious Jews, they would have also spoke Hebrew.

When the Holy Ghost was poured out that Pentecost morning, what did these Jews hear?

"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ...we do hear them speak in our tongues [languages] the wonderful works of God." - Acts 2:6, 11 KJV

The Jews there for Pentecost heard the people that had just been filled with the Holy Ghost “speaking in tongues.” The Jews were witnesses that it was God speaking through those from the upper room, because they were Galileans, not educated to know the languages of other nations. The words they were speaking, glorified God, declaring His “wonderful works.” (Acts 2:7-11).

"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." - Acts 2:12-13 KJV

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;" - Acts 2:14-16 KJV (See Acts 2:17-21).

Peter proceeded to preach the gospel - Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. (See Acts 2:22-36). There was no need for Peter to speak in all the languages of the Jews that were come from around the world for Pentecost, because they were all religious Jews, that spoke and understood the Hebrew language.

After preaching the gospel, Peter, with the other eleven apostles standing with him, then preached how to obey 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.

To be continued…

Part 3 Why did God choose the Day of Pentecost to first pour out His Spirit?

The day of Pentecost, also called the feast of weeks, was one of God's three chosen holy days that His people were to come to Jerusalem to appear before the Lord and offer a sacrifice.

"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

Because it was Pentecost, there were Jews at Jerusalem from all over the world.

"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." - Acts 2:5 KJV

These Jews spoke the language of the country they were from. As religious Jews, they would have also spoke Hebrew. Considering that the Roman Empire was in place in that day, they would have also spoke the common languages Greek and Latin.

Jesus had commanded His disciples that they should wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:4-5). They probably numbered about a hundred and twenty. (Acts 1:15).

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

"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 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?" - Acts 2:6-8 KJV

It was only because God chose this holy day of Pentecost, in which Jews from all over the world were present, that it was apparent this was the miraculous power of God. Otherwise, this great event of the outpouring of His Spirit would have been dismissed as nothing but a group of drunken Galilaeans. (Acts 2:6-18).

"We do hear them speak in our tongues [languages] the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?" - Acts 2:11-12 KJV

To be continued…

The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the New Covenant, God's Covenant of Grace.

In the Old Testament, the day of Pentecost (“Shavuot”) was the beginning of the old Covenant, when the Jewish people accepted God’s law at Mount Sinai.

The Prophet Jeremiah prophesied of God's 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

In God’s Old Covenant, His law was written on tables of stone. In God’s New Covenant, God's law would be written in the heart of His people. And, in His New Covenant, God would remit the sins of His people.

The new covenant that Jeremiah prophesied of began on the Day of Pentecost with the outpouring of God’s Spirit, God writing His law on the hearts of His followers in the upper room, and Apostle Peter preaching the gospel of the new covenant for the very first time.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 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

Peter proceeded to preach the gospel to all the Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the holy day of Pentecost (Shavuot). He preached the gospel of Jesus – that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Peter then preached how to obey the gospel.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

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

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

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:37-40 KJV

To be continued...

Pentecost Sunday is this coming Sunday, June 9, 2019. What is Pentecost Sunday? It is one of the three holy days in the Old Testament that God commanded His people to appear before Him. They would appear before the Lord at 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

We know the feast of unleavened bread as Passover, and the feast of weeks as Pentecost. The Hebrew names for these three holy days are Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

Shavuot means “Seven Weeks.” Pentecost means “the fiftieth day.” Pentecost is fifty days after Passover.

Shavuot is the celebration of the wheat harvest and the ripening of the first fruits, (the "Day of the First Fruits" the "Harvest Festival"), but it’s primary celebration is commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. (The Jewish people call the Law, which is the first five books of the Old Testament, the Torah.)

Jewish sages have compared Shavuot to a wedding between God and the Jewish people. It is said that Shavuot also means “oaths,” for on this day God and the Jewish people made an oath to each other.

Exodus 19:5-6 KJV - "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure [my own special 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 19:7 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."

Exodus 19:8 KJV - "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."

We can see why God chose the Day of Pentecost as the day to first pour out His Spirit and begin His New Covenant church.

To be continued…