Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed

 

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed [when we became believers].

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. [the day of the Lord’s return is at hand “So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”]

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.”]

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” [“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”] - Romans 13:11-14 KJV

Make sure, to begin with, you have “put on Christ” and you are not making “provision for the flesh.”

You do this by repenting of your sins, being baptized in the name of “JESUS” for the remission of your sins, and being baptized with His Spirit (being filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives you the utterance).

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

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16 KJV

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

Acts 2:38 Baptism 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

Therefore my beloved brethren -

 

Continually Giving Thanks to His Name - JESUS

 

We gave thanks to Jesus for our many blessings on the day of Thanksgiving. Many gave thanks throughout the month, recalling blessings from God in their life. Yet, we should not let our praise and thanksgiving to Jesus end with Thanksgiving. The Bible says, Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God CONTINUALLY…giving thanks to His name.

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." - Hebrews 13:15 KJV

Give Thanks!!

 

"O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." - Psalm 107:1 KJV

 

With Thanksgiving

 

In EVERY THING give thanks

 

There is a story about a certain Rabbi (From: Jewishhistory.org):

“Rabbi Akiva’s favorite maxim was, “All that God does He does for the good.” Once, after he was unable to find any place to sleep in a certain city, he passed the night alone in the forest and repeated his maxim calmly, “All that God does is for the good.” Then, one after another, a lion devoured his donkey, a cat killed his rooster and the wind extinguished his candle. Each time he said, “All that God does is for the good.” When dawn arrived he discovered that a band of robbers had fallen upon the city and carried its inhabitants into captivity. Only he had escaped because his donkey and rooster were not around to make any noises and his extinguished candle did not give away his location (Berachos 60b).”

"Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and into His courts with praise: be THANKFUL unto Him and bless His Name."

 

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:1-5 KJV

Give thanks unto the LORD - JESUS

 

Part 6 Disciples of John the Baptist and Baptism

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, the LORD God from heaven revealed in flesh. (Isaiah 40:3-5).

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea...For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias [Isaiah], saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." - Matthew 3:1, 3 KJV

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" - Matthew 3:11 KJV

When Paul was traveling through Ephesus, he came upon disciples of John the Baptist.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." - Acts 19:1-2 KJV

John the Baptist told his disciples that Christ would baptize them with the Holy Ghost. What they were telling Paul was that they had not heard that the Holy Ghost was being poured out yet. For John said,

"I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." - Mark 1:8 KJV

Paul continued to check where these disciples were at in their spiritual walk.

"And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." - Acts 19:3-4 KJV

When did these disciples of John the Baptist get baptized in Jesus name?

"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 19:5 KJV

Paul had just let John’s disciples know that Jesus had come and He was pouring out the Holy Ghost.

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19:6-7 KJV

Part 5 The Keeper of the Prison and Baptism

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." - Acts 16:9-10 KJV

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days." - Acts 16:12 KJV

While there, Paul and Silas were beaten then thrown into prison for casting a spirit out of a girl that brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." - Acts 16:25 KJV

"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." - Acts 16:26 KJV

"And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here." - Acts 16:27-28 KJV

"Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" - Acts 16:29-30 KJV

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house." - Acts 16:31-32 KJV

When was the Philippian keeper of the prison and his household baptized after Paul and Silas preached the gospel to them?

They were baptized the same hour after they heard the word of the Lord.

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." - Acts 16:33 KJV

"And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." - Acts 16:34 KJV

At what point did the early church baptize new converts? Part 4 The Gentiles Come into the Church

 "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." - Acts 10:1-2 KJV

We find out with all these spiritual attributes, we need to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and receive the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of Jesus) in order to be saved.

We also find out that we need a preacher to preach the gospel to us and to baptize us in Jesus name.

God gave Cornelius a vision and a message to accomplish this mission. (Acts 10:3-8).

"And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." - Acts 10:5-6 KJV

Next, God gave Peter a vision to let him know He was opening the door of the church to the Gentiles. (Acts 10:9-20).

"And on the morrow Peter went away with them [with the men Cornelius sent to Peter], and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him… And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends." - Acts 10:23-24 KJV

Peter then preached Jesus and His gospel to them. (Acts 10:36-43).

"And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;" - Acts 10:39-40 KJV

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43 KJV (Acts 2:38).

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed [the Jewish believers] were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:44-46 KJV

We find that when Peter and the Jewish believers heard the Gentiles all speaking in tongues -  the sign they had received the Holy Ghost - Peter COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord!

"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:46-47 KJV

"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:48 KJV

At what point did the early church baptize new converts? Part 3 Saul of Tarsus

 

Saul (Paul) was persecuting the church.

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" - Acts 9:3-4 KJV

"And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." - Acts 9:5-6 KJV

"And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus." - Acts 9:8 KJV

"And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." - Acts 9:9 KJV

"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord." - Acts 9:10 KJV

"And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." - Acts 9:11-12 KJV

"Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." - Acts 9:13-14 KJV

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" - Acts 9:15 KJV

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." - Acts 9:17 KJV

"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." - Acts 9:18 KJV

According to the Bible, Ananias baptized Paul three days after that Paul was on a mission to persecute the church. The Lord sent Ananias to pray for Paul - telling him that Paul was a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Paul later testified that Ananias told him, "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

At what point did the early church baptize new converts? Part 2

 

Philip baptized in Samaria.

The Bible records,

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." - Acts 8:12 KJV

We see by this verse that when the new converts believed the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38).

When the Lord called Philip to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch that was traveling through the desert, we find the man was reading Isaiah 53, the prophecy of Christ and His death.

"And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." - Acts 8:34-35 KJV

By the next verse, we know that Philip preached the gospel to the man - that God revealed Himself in flesh, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We also know that Stephen preached to the man how to obey the gospel - by repentance, baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." - Acts 8:36-37 KJV

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." - Acts 8:38-39 KJV

The Bible shows that new converts were baptized by Philip at the point when they believed the preaching of the gospel.

To be continued…

Church! At what point did the early church baptize new converts?

The first mention of the early church baptizing is on the Day of Pentecost, Acts chapter two.

Peter preached the gospel, that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

"…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 2:23-24 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?

In answer to their question, "What shall we do?" Peter 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.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:37-39 KJV

Peter preached repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the Holy Ghost.

Peter then continued to preach.

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

"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

This first mention of the church baptizing reveals new converts were baptized the same day after hearing the preaching of the gospel.

To be continued…

The Day is at Hand

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." - Romans 13:12 KJV

"The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living." - Romans 13:12 NLT

What should we pray for?

 

The Lord is soon coming. There are many that have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ that are unprepared. Jesus told his disciples that the harvest out there of souls is truly great, but there are few labourers that are bringing them the gospel.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:38

Living in these last days, we are in perilous times. There are many temptations. Evil men and seducers are growing worse and worse. Those of us who are living for God need one another’s prayers. Praying in the Spirit is powerful praying. We should stay alert to pray for everyone and everything that the Lord puts on our minds.

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

With the turmoil that is going on today in the political arena, we must remember to pray.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

By keeping an attitude of prayer and being sensitive to all that is going on around us, we can be used by the Lord to accomplish His will on earth. Knowing the Lord is working through us, the cares and worries that those in the world are weighed down with are for us replaced with God’s peace. We can trust that Jesus is working everything out according to His purpose. Our part is in everything to pray. 

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

God relates to man – Part 6 Christ and the Hand of God - A Metaphor of God’s Power

God is a Spirit. (John 4:24). While God dwells in a human body (the Son of God), He is not limited to that body. (2 Chronicles 6:18, John 1:1, 14). God is in the body of Christ, and at the same time, His Spirit fills the universe. (2 Corinthians 5:19). Not only is the Spirit of God in the body of Christ which is in heaven, but also in the body of Christ – the church – here on earth. (Acts 1:9-12, Ephesians 5:29-30).

Because God is a Spirit, He does not have a right or left hand. With man, we understand the right hand is power. Thus, the right hand of God is a metaphor of God’s power.

"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." - Mark 16:19 KJV

After the Lord spoke to His disciples, He was received up into heaven in power.

"But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." - Acts 7:55-56 KJV

Stephen saw Jesus standing in power.

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." - Acts 7:59 KJV ["As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."" - Acts 7:59]

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." - Romans 8:34 KJV

God robed Himself in flesh to pay the price of death for our sins. God ‘sits’ in power reminding the devil, the accuser of the brethren, that our sins are covered by His blood.

 

God relates to man – Part 5 The Hand of God - A Metaphor for God’s Power

It appears that the hand of God is a metaphor for God’s power. Just as there is power in a man’s arm, by extension, there is power in a man’s hand, particularly a man’s right hand.

"And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go." - Exodus 3:20 KJV

"O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?" - Deuteronomy 3:24 KJV

"But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them." - Exodus 7:4-5 KJV

"That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever." - Joshua 4:24 KJV

"And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man." - 2 Samuel 24:14 KJV

"And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." - 1 Kings 18:46 KJV

"And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me." - Ezra 7:28 KJV

"The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly." - Psalm 118:15-16 KJV

To be continued…

Wheel of Prophecy Who is God?

 

God relates to man – Part 4 The Arm of the Lord – A New Dimension of Strength, Salvation, and the Power to Redeem

The arm of the Lord revealed God’s power when He saved and redeemed the children of Israel out of Egypt.  

Then, the Lord speaks of power and redemption by His arm in a much greater way. His arm that saved and delivered His people from physical bondage in Egypt and defeated their enemies was now going to take on form. God would save all humanity, delivering mankind from the bondage of sin and defeating man’s enemy, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14-15). 

God would do this by His arm – a metaphor of His power to save and redeem.

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16 KJV

Only holy God could pay the price of man’s sin. The arm of the Lord, a metaphor of God’s strength, salvation, and the power to redeem, would pay the price. Not as a literal arm, but as a human body. This holy body would contain God Himself, with all power and authority to deliver, redeem, and to save.

"And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me." - Isaiah 63:5 KJV

The 53rd chapter of the book of Isaiah begins with these words:

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

In this chapter, Isaiah prophesied of Christ, His suffering, and His sacrifice of death for our sins. 

John referred to this prophecy:

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

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

Church! The Five-Fold Ministry and Spiritual Maturity

The Bible says that Jesus gave gifts for the perfecting of the saints, to preach and teach believers how to grow up in Christ and become mature Christians.

"And gave gifts ... and he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 KJV  [“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”]

When our Heavenly Father revealed Himself to His creation as the Son of God – the Father in flesh – He revealed to us what it means to be holy. It is by the ministry, and by the Holy Ghost within us, that we mature and strive to become holy like Christ.

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:13 KJV [“This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”]

We are given warnings, wisdom, and knowledge by our pastor and the five-fold ministry so that we will not be deceived by those that do not walk in the Spirit and Truth, that try to influence us with false doctrine and clever lies.

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" - Ephesians 4:14 KJV [“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”]

Instead, we will be strong in doctrine, bringing the kingdom of God with love to the lost, becoming more like Christ as we daily walk in His Spirit.

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" - Ephesians 4:15 KJV [“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”]

God relates to man - Part 3 The Arm of the Lord - Strength, Salvation, and Power to Redeem

 It appears that the arm of the Lord is a metaphor of God’s strength, salvation, and power to redeem.

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

"Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased." - Exodus 15:16 KJV

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

"But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice." - 2 Kings 17:36 KJV

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

"And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;" - Jeremiah 32:21 KJV

"For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them." - Psalm 44:3 KJV

To be continued…

God relates to man - Part 2 Looking upon His Face in His Mercy

It appears that face is a metaphor of God’s mercy. When a person looks upon God’s face, he is in God’s mercy.

"And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." - Genesis 32:30 KJV

"And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them…" - Numbers 14:14 KJV

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." - Exodus 33:11 KJV (Also: Deuteronomy 5:4, 34:10).

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." - 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

The priestly blessing included, "The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:" - Numbers 6:25 KJV (See: Daniel 9:17).

If God’s face is turned from us, hid from us, or set against us, we are in God’s judgment.

"In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer." - Isaiah 54:8 KJV (Also: Deuteronomy 31:17-18, 32:20, Micah 3:4, Leviticus 17:10, 20:3, 5, 6, 26:17).

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." - 1 Peter 3:12 KJV

Those that are part of the church – that have repented of their sins, have been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of their sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, living a holy life, look forward to forever “look upon His face, there to sing forever of His saving grace!”

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

"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." - Revelation 22:4 KJV

God relates to man - Part 1

 

God relates to man – Part 1

God is a Spirit. (John 4:24). There is only one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Malachi 2:10, Mark 12:32, James 2:19).

God uses metaphors to describe His many aspects. Because we are human with a human body, God uses metaphors such as face, back, hand, finger, arm, eyes, ears, nose, and feet, so we can relate.

When God manifested Himself in flesh and blood as the man Christ Jesus, He was just like us, with eyes, ears, hands, and feet, looking like we look. 

As the Spirit of God that fills the universe, He does not have, for example, literal eyes traveling around the world in the sky watching everyone.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." - 2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV

Rather, we understand from our own eyes that God as a Spirit 'sees' and is AWARE of everyone on the earth “whose heart is perfect toward Him.” As a Spirit, God is not limited to His human body.

When the Bible speaks of God’s ears, again, God as a Spirit does not have literal ears. Rather, ears are a metaphor of God ‘hearing,’ being aware of our voice.

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears." - 2 Samuel 22:7 KJV

When the Bible speaks of God’s nose or smelling, it is a metaphor for God being pleased or disgusted, as a good or bad smell is pleasing or disgusting.

"And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours [I will take no pleasure in your offerings that should be a pleasing aroma to me]." - Leviticus 26:31 KJV

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

To be continued –

Do not let any...

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk ...