God is a Spirit (John 4:24). We are humans. God speaks to us in our human terms so that we can understand Him.

In the Old Testament, before God made Himself a body to live and die in (Hebrews 2:14), He was invisible (1 Timothy 1:17). Yet speaking in terms that we could understand, He spoke of His arm (Deuteronomy 26:8), His eyes (Proverbs 15:3), His ears (2 Samuel 22:7), and so on.

We as humans understand that an arm speaks of strength and power (God is omnipotent), eyes speak of seeing (God is omnipresent – everywhere), and ears speak of hearing (God is omniscient –knowing all things). Each human feature used, communicates to us a feature of God’s Spirit.

In our humanity, we understand that while a man has numerous titles and features, a man is still one man. A man that has children is a father. A man is also a son. A man has the spirit of man. A man expresses himself by his word. A man has a name. With many titles and features, he is still only one man.

God through His creation is our Heavenly Father (Malachi 2:10). When God created a body of flesh to dwell in so He could be the necessary blood sacrifice for man's sin, He became the Son (Colossians 1:13-15). God is a Spirit (John 4:24) and He is holy (Psalm 99:9), so He is the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8). God expresses Himself by His Word (Matthew 4:4). God's name is Jesus - His name above every name (Matthew 1:21, Ephesians 1:21-23). With many titles and features, God is still only one God (Ephesians 4:6).

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year.  (Rosh Hashanah is Hebrew for “head of the year”).  The holiday begins at sundown September 29, 2019 and continues through nightfall October 1, 2019. It will be the Jewish Year 5780.

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." - Leviticus 23:23-25 KJV

The primary theme of the holiday is acceptance of God as King. The sounding of the shofar (a ram’s horn) represents the trumpet blast of a people's coronation of their king. The sound of the shofar is also a call to repentance, for Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary man's first sin and his repentance. It is the first of the "Ten Days of Repentance" which will culminate in Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement.

Rosh Hashanah is the day of the sounding of the shofar. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown like a trumpet. A ram is a male sheep. A horn is a symbol of strength. The shofar is a reminder of the Binding of Isaac (which also occurred on Rosh Hashanah), in which God provided a ram to take Isaac’s place when Abraham was about to offer him as a sacrifice to God.

We can see Isaac as a symbol of the people of God - a holy, living sacrifice, giving themselves in love to service to God. We can see the ram as a symbol of God providing Himself as a substitute sacrifice, because God loved Isaac and Abraham so much. The beautiful fulfillment of this is God taking on the form of man as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world – Jesus Christ - because He loves us so much. Taking our place of death, we, like Isaac, become a living sacrifice.

The Binding of Isaac is a metaphor of Jesus giving His life in our place, and we becoming a living sacrifice to Him.

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

Jesus gave His life in our place and shed His blood for the penalty of our sins. We lay down our life for Jesus and become a living sacrifice.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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." - Romans 12:1-2 KJV

One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar. A total of 100 blasts are heard over the course of the Rosh Hashanah services. The shofar's call is like a love call...it is a call to repentance, a call to return to God.

See the link below for many articles about Rosh Hashanah.

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4762/jewish/What-Is-Rosh-Hashanah.htm

Peace. Peace with God. Our Heavenly Father reconciled us to Himself when no one else could, robing Himself in flesh as the Son of God. He is the Prince of Peace.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 KJV

"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:" - Colossians 1:20-22 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

God made peace with us by the blood of His cross. We apply His blood to our life by the gospel that 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 KJV

What is “the world” and what does the Bible say about it?

One of the meanings of the “world” is “the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

The Bible says,

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." - 1 John 2:15-16 KJV

Another translation,

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” - 1 John 2:15-16 NLT

Jesus was in the world, and overcame the world.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

He made a way by His death, burial, and resurrection for us also to overcome the world. We take up our cross and follow Jesus by crucifying our sinful nature by repentance, burying our old nature by water baptism in Jesus name, and rising with the infilling of His Spirit with power to overcome the temptations of this world.

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

We have a new life in Jesus, no longer ruled by the devil and the things of this world.

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" - Ephesians 2:2

By Jesus’ name, His blood, and His Spirit, we have God’s power to overcome this world.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

Follow Me (part 5)

We follow not only Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and testimony of His resurrection and the kingdom of God, we also follow Jesus in His ascension.

"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 KJV

"And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." - Acts 1:10-11 KJV

We too, those that have followed Jesus, will one of these days also be taken up.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." - 1 Thessalonians 4:14 KJV

When the Bible says, “them also which sleep in Jesus,” it is speaking of those that have followed Jesus by repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the gift of His Spirit (Acts 2:38), and then have died. The Bible says they are asleep, because they have eternal life with Jesus name baptism and His Spirit. (Acts 7:60).

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 KJV

Just as Jesus was taken up into heaven and a cloud received Him out of their sight, we also will be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. 

And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Follow Me (part 4)

"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 12:11 KJV

Another translation reads, “And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die." - Revelation 12:11 NLT

Those in the early church risked their lives to proclaim their witness of Jesus.

Paul made the statement that he risked his life on a daily basis. (1 Corinthians 15:30-31).

"Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." - 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 KJV

"And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." - 1 Corinthians 15:30-31 KJV

Another translation:

"And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour? For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily." - 1 Corinthians 15:30-31 NLT

"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. ... Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day." - 1 Corinthians 4:9, 11-13 KJV

"As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." - Romans 8:36 KJV

"For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." - 2 Corinthians 4:11 KJV

"Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies." - 2 Corinthians 4:11 NLT

Because of their faith in Jesus, that He rose from the dead, and that we too will rise from the dead in the first resurrection, they were willing to risk their lives for their testimony of the resurrection and of the kingdom of God.

Follow Me (part 3)

The early church did not hesitate to witness of the resurrection of Jesus, and the power in His name Jesus, even when they were commanded not to. They were willing to suffer for His name, and would not cease to preach and teach Jesus.

When Peter and John healed the lame man by the power of Jesus name, Peter gave his witness of Jesus and the kingdom of God to the crowd of people. (Acts 3). The priests and Sadducees put them in jail, then the next day, "commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." - Acts 4:18

When they returned to the other believers and told them what they had said, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord.

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

By the hands of the apostles were many signs, wonders, and healings among the people, and believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of men and women.

Then the high priest rose up, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." - Acts 5:20 KJV

And they did.

"Then went the captain with the officers and brought them… and set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." - Acts 5:26-28 KJV

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29 KJV

Gamaliel then gave them counsel.

"And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." - Acts 5:40 KJV

"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." - Acts 5:41 KJV

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." - Acts 5:42 KJV

Follow Me (part 2)

What did Jesus do after His death, burial, and resurrection?

He showed Himself alive to many witnesses for forty days and spoke of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

"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 KJV

Paul also wrote of Jesus’ witness during the forty days before He was taken up into heaven. (Acts 1:9-11).

"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

"And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." - 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 KJV

When we have followed Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, we too become a witness to many - of our new life in Jesus. We speak to others about the kingdom of God, as Jesus did. This is the next step as we follow Jesus.

The Bible tells us we are overcomers by the blood of Jesus and by the word of our testimony!

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony..." - Revelation 12:11 KJV

We give our testimony of how Jesus suffered and died for us, shedding His blood for our sins. We testify of our repentance and baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and how He gloriously filled us with His Spirit to live a new life. We tell others how they too can be born again of water and of the Spirit and enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38). Just as Jesus told His disciples before He was taken up into heaven –

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

To be continued…

Follow Me

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

Where did Jesus go that we are to follow Him?

Before Jesus was taken and beaten, then condemned to die, Jesus prayed in the garden. As God, knowing what was to come, He denied His flesh, and submitted to His Spirit.

When Jesus took up His cross, He was going to His death. From His death He was taken to His burial. From His burial He was resurrected.

How are we supposed to follow Him?

We deny ourselves when we deny our flesh (ungodliness and worldly lusts) and submit ourselves to God. We don’t give into our fleshly desires, but instead do God’s will and live a holy life.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" - Titus 2:11-12 KJV

We take up our cross and follow Jesus’ death when we crucify our sinful nature by repentance. We turn our back on sin and give our life to Jesus.

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

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

We follow Jesus’ burial when we are buried with Him by baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins. We follow Jesus’ resurrection when we are filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to live a new and holy life.

"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

"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

When we repent of our sins, we become dead to sin. To be dead to sin is to be separated from sin. When we are baptized in Jesus name, our sins and our old sinful nature is buried. When we are filled with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, we are resurrected to live a new life.

This is how we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

To be continued!

Who is going to heaven?

The Bible says,

"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

Another translation clarifies some of these words: “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT

The next words are the key words: “And such were some of you”. Notice it says, WERE some of you. We have a hope! We must wake up and realize we are putting our soul at great risk to continue following after the lusts of our flesh and indulging in sin. It is time to make a change.

If we want to go to heaven, we must turn from our sins by repentance, have our sins washed away by water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus, and receive the power we need from God to overcome sin - the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) Everyone was in sin before coming to Jesus and obeying His gospel. (Romans 3:23) Because of His great mercy, we can find forgiveness and a new life.

With a new life in Jesus, we find true joy, peace, and love. He is our Savior and our God that loves us more than we could ever love ourselves. By applying His cleansing blood by baptism,  and receiving the power of His Spirit, we have the hope of going to heaven!

I believe in one God - His name is Jesus - the First and the Last

"Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he." - Isaiah 41:4 KJV ["Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he."" - Isaiah 41:4 NLT]

"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." - Isaiah 44:6 KJV ["This is what the LORD says--Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD of Heaven's Armies: "I am the First and the Last; there is no other God." - Isaiah 44:6 NLT]

"Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last." - Isaiah 48:12 KJV " ["Listen to me, O family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God, the First and the Last." - Isaiah 48:12 NLT]

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:" - Revelation 1:17 KJV

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;" - Revelation 2:8 KJV

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." - Revelation 22:13 KJV

What is water baptism in Jesus name?

It is the decision to turn our life to Jesus and our back on sin by repenting. It is being immersed in water in Jesus name for the remission of sins.

Water baptism in Jesus name, along with receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, is a covenant with Jesus. It is the New Covenant. The New Covenant is also called the New Testament.

The Old Covenant was made on Mount Sinai. It was made when God brought Israel out of Egypt.

The New Covenant was made on Mount Calvary. It was made when God brought us out of sin.

“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28 NKJV

"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

Satan has evil schemes to destroy us, but we can learn and not be tricked by him.

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV [“so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” - 2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT]

We learn from Matthew 16:21-23 that satan opposes the gospel.

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." - Matthew 16:21

Satan did not want Jesus to give His life and save all of humanity.

"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee." - Matthew 16:22

Jesus recognized that satan was speaking to Him through Peter. Jesus called Peter, one of His closest disciples, satan!

"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." - Matthew 16:23

We learn two things from this:

1. Satan opposes the gospel – Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. We can conclude that satan does not want anyone to obey the gospel either. We can expect opposition from satan anytime a person is going to repent of their sins, be baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS, and is seeking to be filled with the Holy Ghost.

"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 (Note: “the god of this world” is satan.)

2. Satan will use even those closest to us to attack us and try to keep us from doing God’s will. Knowing this is a tactic of satan makes us realize who our enemy is. It is not people! It is satan!

"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

[“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12 NLT]

"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

"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" - 2 Timothy 1:10 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

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." - Philippians 2:7-8 KJV

"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

"He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words," - Luke 24:6-8 KJV

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." - Revelation 1:17-18 KJV

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:44-49 KJV

*photo from "Exploring God's Word" Bible study

What preceded the first outpouring of the Holy Ghost and the beginning of many great outpourings?

Before being taken up, Jesus gave His disciples a last command.

"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." - Acts 1:4 KJV

"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James." - Acts 1:12-13 KJV

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." - Acts 1:14 KJV

These all CONTINUED with ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.

[Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:4,7]

60 QUESTIONS ON THE GODHEAD WITH BIBLE ANSWERS

from: http://www.globaltracts.com/

1. Is the word trinity in the Bible? No.

2. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No.

3. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes.

4. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationship to humanity.

5. Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so-I John 5:7. It speaks of the Father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying, "These three are one."

6. Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; I Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; I Timothy 2:5; James 2:19.

7. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16.

8. Has the Christian only one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.

9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for person in this verse literally means "substance."

10. Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No.

11. Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.

12. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22.

13. Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10.

14. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in heaven, for God is omnipresent.

15. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.

16. When God said, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10.

17. How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.

18. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45; 14:9.

19. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8

20. Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.

21. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the first and last. Revelation 1:17-18

22. How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.

23. If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.

24. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshipped? Yes. Matthew 4:10

25. Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.

26. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes John 1:1, 14.

27. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.

28. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16.

29. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.

30. Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.

31. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.

32. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. I kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1.

33. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (I Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.

34. Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.

35. Was there a God formed before the Lord, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10.

36. What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8.

37. What is one thing that God Cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2.

38. How many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4.

39. How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9.

40. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16.

41. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8

42. Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.

43. Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.

44. Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior.

45. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. I John 5:20.

46. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 3:16.

47. When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? "I am Jesus." Acts 9:5.

48. When Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59.

49. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.

50. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, "Beside me there is no Savior?" Because "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." II Corinthians 5:19.

51. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23.

52. Did Jesus ever say, "I and my Father are one?" Yes. John 10:30.

53. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9-11.

54. Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25.

55. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13.

56. Can Trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only one divine person was present--Jesus Christ the Lord.

57. Then what were the other two of whom Trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God descending like a dove. Matthew 3:16-17.

58. What did the voice say at Jesus' baptism? "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate.

59. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human body.

60. The Bible says that God is coming back with all his saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all his saints (I Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No. Only one is coming back--our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.

What is the definition of repent?

“To change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins” – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

Repentance is turning from sin and turning to God.

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

Another translation:

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” - 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT.

*This chart is from the Bible study “Exploring God’s Word.”

Chart from Exploring God's Word Bible Study

These verses pretty much say it all - Beware of the religious tradition of men that isn't according to the Bible. The fullness of God is in Christ. We find salvation by repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and infilling of the Holy Ghost. And we find victory over the devil through Jesus!

"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. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 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. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [made alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians 2:8-15 KJV (Acts 2:38)

The church began on the Day of Pentecost. In obedience to Jesus, one hundred and twenty of His followers were gathered in the upper room awaiting the promise of the Holy Ghost. When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, Jesus poured out His Spirit and they all began to speak in other tongues as His Spirit gave them the utterance. (Acts 2:4).

Filled with the Holy Ghost and with the keys of the kingdom of heaven given to him by Jesus, Peter preached the first gospel message. At the conclusion, he declared what we must do to be saved – “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).

From that point on, the church continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:42,47).

*This chart is from the Bible Study, "Exploring God's Word."

LOVE

The natural man wants to put God in a box. It is hard for him to comprehend spiritual concepts. It is hard for him to understand that God is a Spirit, that He is everywhere at the same time, that He knows all things including the future, and that He is able to actually dwell within man.

To understand spiritual things, a person needs to be filled with the Spirit.

God made this possible for us when He overshadowed the woman Mary and she brought forth a child, born without sin, so that God could place His name upon Him and dwell within Him from conception. His name is Jesus, the Lord our salvation.

God did this so that He himself could pay the price of the shedding of blood for the sin of the world. He wanted to do this so that He could once again dwell in man and eliminate the separation caused by the sin that began with Adam and Eve. (Acts 20:28, Colossians 1:13-23, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Hebrews 2:14)

We can now be reconciled back to God when we repent of our sins, and we apply the blood He shed for us by baptism in Jesus name. When we enter this covenant with Jesus, He promises to fill us with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are then able to begin to understand spiritual things.

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

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

With the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, we can understand spiritual things.

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon for “judgeth/judged”: to determine the excellence or defects of any person or thing]

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? ["Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?" - Isaiah 40:13 KJV. Greek version of Isaiah 40:13: “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” Also: Romans 11:34]

“But we have the mind of Christ." [But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. Thayer’s: to be furnished with the understanding of Christ] - 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 KJV (John 15:15, John 16:13-15)

Jesus cares about you. Trust Him and love Him. He wants the best for you. Listen to His voice and He will lead and guide you. Cast your cares on Him and He will help you. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. Jesus loves you.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1 KJV

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." - James 4:8 KJV

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." - Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." - John 10:11 KJV

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" - John 10:27 KJV

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

The Son of God is the body of God. It is a physical body in which God dwelt among His people. This physical body did not have its beginning in heaven. Rather, it began when God overshadowed Mary and she conceived a child. This child is the Son of God. It is the body that God created, born of a woman.

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

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." - John 1:1, 14 KJV

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not...

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:35 KJV

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 KJV

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." - Luke 1:31 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

Halloween

Thy Kingdom Come

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said to pray, “Thy kingdom come." (Luke 11:1-2, Matthew 6:10).

"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:20-21 KJV

Jesus revealed that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom.

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17 KJV

Jesus explained how to enter the kingdom of God. We are born into the kingdom by a spiritual birth of water and Spirit.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:3-6 KJV

We see later that being born of water is baptism in water in Jesus name, and being born of the Spirit is being baptized with the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost.

Jesus’ disciples, even after His death, burial, and resurrection, still did not understand that the kingdom of God is spiritual, not physical. God’s kingdom is one of power in the Holy Ghost.

"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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 1:6-8 KJV

On the day of Pentecost, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, preached how to be born of water and of the Spirit.

"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

Apostle Paul revealed further who can enter into the kingdom of God and how. It is for all those that repent of their sins, are washed and justified by the blood of Jesus by baptism in Jesus name, and sanctified by the Spirit of God by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

"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

Our Heavenly Father came to dwell among His people in flesh and blood to deliver us from our bondage of sin by dying in our place. He is our Savior and Deliverer.

"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

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." - John 1:14 KJV

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." - John 1:10 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

How are we born of God and saved from our sins?

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

"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 KJV