The right hand of the power of God and Stephen the first martyr

When Stephen, the first martyr, looked up to heaven, he saw Jesus.

"But he, 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

When the Bible speaks of the right hand of God, it does not speak of a physical location next to God, for God is Spirit and is everywhere at once, filling the universe. Jesus was not standing next to another god, for Jesus is God. The Bible speaks of the right hand of God as the power of God. Stephen saw Jesus standing in the place of power.

"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." - Luke 22:69 KJV

Stephen recognized that Jesus is God.

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

Stephen saw Jesus in heaven, just as Jesus said He would be, on the right hand of power. In this verse, Jesus is also saying He is God – I AM:

"And Jesus said, I am [See Exodus 3:14]: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." - Mark 14:62 KJV

While other verses speak of Jesus sitting, Stephen saw Jesus standing.

According to Thayer’s Lexicon: “Christ is once spoken of… as though in indignation at his adversaries [according to others, to welcome his martyred servant] he had risen from his heavenly throne, Acts 7:55 sq.”

According to Thayer’s Lexicon, “That these expressions are to be understood in this figurative sense, and not of the fixed and definite place in the highest heavens…will be questioned by no one who carefully considers Revelation 3:21.”

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." - Revelation 3:21 KJV (throne representing power and authority).

Sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven – Jesus is God

 After the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, He was led away to Caiaphas the high priest. The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death.

"And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace.

And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." - Matthew 26:62-64 KJV

When Jesus said he would be sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven, the high priest knew Jesus was saying He is God.

"Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy." - Matthew 26:65 KJV

What the high priest and the rest of the Jews did not understand is that Jesus was not a man that was making Himself God: Jesus is God that made Himself a man.

To be continued…

The right hand of God

When the Bible speaks of the right hand of God, it is not speaking of a physical location next to God, for God is Spirit, filling the universe, and is everywhere at once.

The right hand of God speaks of God’s power, authority, righteousness and salvation.  

"O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory." - Psalm 98:1 KJV

"Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy." - Exodus 15:6 KJV

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." - Psalm 138:7 KJV (Psalm 44:3).

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10 KJV (Psalm 48:10).

The right hand also has the meaning of special honor. In addition, “the right hand in Hebrew, same as in Greek, is connected with the idea of success, and thus denotes prosperity…” (Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon).

"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." - Luke 22:69 KJV

"And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." - Mark 14:62 KJV

Strong’s Definitions of Majesty: “greatness, i.e. (figuratively) divinity (often God himself):—majesty.”

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" - Hebrews 1:3 KJV

Jesus, the beginning and the end, the author and finisher, God Almighty, suffering the shame of the cross, accomplished His mission, sitting down in the right hand of power in His throne.

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

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled

The arm of the Lord is not only mentioned throughout the Old Testament, the arm of the Lord is also mentioned in the New Testament.

When Mary visited Elizabeth to share with her the news of her conception, Mary spoke of the arm of the Lord. The arm of the Lord represents God’s power.

"He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts." - Luke 1:51 KJV

When Jesus spoke to the people of His death and they didn’t believe He is Christ, John remembered the prophecy of Isaiah.

"But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: that the saying of Esaias 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

Paul wrote to the church at Rome and spoke of the prophecy of Isaiah of the arm of the Lord revealed. Jesus fulfilled His mission – He died, was buried, and rose again. The apostles were preaching the gospel and how to obey the gospel by repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the Holy Ghost with the sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. The question remained in Isaiah’s prophecy, Who hath believed our report?

"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 10:15-16 KJV

The redeeming power of God – the arm of the Lord – was revealed at the birth of Christ. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying,

"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

God robed Himself in flesh in order to bring salvation to this world (Isaiah 59:16), the arm of the Lord revealed. As Isaiah prophesied,

"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

To Whom is the Arm of the Lord Revealed?

Throughout the Old Testament the arm of the Lord represents God's power, especially God’s redeeming power.

It was the arm of the Lord - the mighty redeeming power of God - that brought the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. (Exodus 6:6).

Then, Isaiah prophesied of the arm of the Lord bringing a much greater redemption. God would redeem all mankind out of the bondage of sin and death. (Hebrews 2:14-15).

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

"Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment [justice]." - Isaiah 59:15 KJV

God saw that there was no man that could redeem, for there was no man that was without sin. God Himself would robe Himself in flesh -the arm of the Lord revealed - to die for our sins, reconciling us back to Himself. (Acts 20:28, 2Corinthians 5:19).

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

When we read Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53, we see the arm of the Lord revealed is Christ, God robed in flesh.

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

To be continued…

God is Spirit - The hand and arm of the Lord

 God is a Spirit. As a Spirit, He is invisible. As a Spirit, He fills the universe.

As a Spirit, He does not have a physical arm or hand, eyes or ears.

We as humans have physical attributes. We understand that our arm and our hand is where our strength and power is. We see with our eyes and hear with our ears.

The Bible uses our physical attributes (as metaphors) to describe God’s spiritual attributes. By this we can better understand and relate to Him.

When the Bible speaks about the arm and hand of the Lord, it is speaking about God’s strength and power. The arm of the Lord especially speaks of God’s redeeming power.

"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 (Also: Deuteronomy 7:19, 26:8, 1 Kings 8:42, 2 Kings 17:36, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 63:12, Jeremiah 21:5, 32:17).

"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

"Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm." - Deuteronomy 9:29 KJV

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

"O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory." - Psalm 98:1 KJV

"O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble." - Isaiah 33:2 KJV

To be continued…

Therefore, my beloved brethren...

 

How soon did people in the Bible get baptized after they heard the Gospel?

 How soon did people in the Bible get baptized after they heard the Gospel?

On the day of Pentecost when the church first began, Peter preached the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When he got to the end of his message, the Bible says they were pricked in their heart and asked, “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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

Those that received his word were baptized the same day!

"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

When God opened the prison doors for Paul and Silas, the keeper of the prison was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried, Do not harm yourself - we are all here! Trembling, the prison keeper said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

"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 they heard the word of the Lord, they wanted to be baptized. When did Paul baptize the prison keeper and his household? The same hour of the night!

"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

After Phillip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, he asked Phillip if he could be baptized. They were by water. Philip did not postpone – he baptized him then and there!

"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. 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." - Acts 8:37-38 KJV

When God sent Ananias to pray for Saul to receive his sight, Ananias did not delay to baptize Paul! He prayed for him and then told Paul,

"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

"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

When Peter saw that the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost, he commanded them, then and there, to be baptized!

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord..." - Acts 10:47-48 KJV

When Paul came to Ephesus, he asked John the Baptist’s disciples how they were baptized. As soon as Paul preached to them Jesus, they had him baptize them in the name of Jesus!

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

The Bible reveals that there was never any delay when it came to water baptizing people in the name of Jesus after they heard the gospel.

"Wheel of Prophecy Who is God?"

 

"From henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him"

 Jesus spoke to His disciples,

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

“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?

“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:7-10 KJV

Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), the Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19), Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13), all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9), Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

"Know the Word of God, Know the God of the Word!"

 As Christians we are to grow in our knowledge of God's Word, growing in our knowledge of God. 

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" - Colossians 1:10 KJV

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:18 KJV

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalm 119:11 KJV

The people of Berea were eager to receive the word of God. They then searched the scriptures to find  Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Because of this, many Jews believed, as well as many of the prominent Greek women and men.

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." - Acts 17:11-12 KJV

Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith. He told him to study the word so that he could correctly explain the truth and receive God's approval.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." - 1 Timothy 4:16 KJV

Timothy had been taught the word from childhood. Timothy's knowledge of the word gave him the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Jesus.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:15 KJV

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

"The Complete Experience of the Gospel as in the Day of Pentecost"

 The Gospel

The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

"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...

“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

The gospel was preached to us, we received it, we stand in the gospel, and we are saved by the gospel.

We are saved by the gospel when we apply to our own life the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6).

Repentance is death to sin.

Water baptism in Jesus name is burial of old nature.

Holy Ghost infilling is resurrection to new life.

Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus on the Day of Pentecost when the church began. The people were pricked in their heart, then asked, “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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

Apostle Paul said of the gospel,

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16 KJV

Sunday Blessings - Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing

"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

One Name One God - JESUS

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" - Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV

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

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

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

(John 5:43, Matthew 1:21, John 14:26, Acts 4:12).

THE COVENANT NAME - JESUS

The following is from the Home Bible Study "Search for Truth #2" (Lesson 8 Chart 5):

THE COVENANT NAME - JESUS

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" - Matthew 28:19 KJV [caps my emphasis]

The name of the Father is JESUS

"I am come in my Father's name..." - John 5:43 KJV

The name of the Son is JESUS

"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

The name of the Holy Ghost is JESUS

"The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name..." - John 14:26 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

Examples of water baptism in the book of Acts:

3000 believers baptized 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. ... Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:38, 41 KJV

The Samaritan believers:

"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. ... Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)" - Acts 8:12, 14-16 KJV

Cornelius, his family, and friends:

"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)...Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:36, 47-48 KJV

Disciples of John the Baptist:

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

Taught in the Epistles:

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

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:3-6 KJV

"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." - Colossians 2:11-12 KJV

Life Instruction Manual - What must I do to be SAVED?

 Here are the verses:

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

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

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

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

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:3-6 KJV

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

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

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:3-5 KJV

Out of the Darkness of Condemnation into His Marvelous Light of Mercy

Our Heavenly Father put on a human body in His saving name “JESUS” to bring humanity His loving mercy. Satan’s desire is that all remain in the darkness of condemnation. Jesus came to bring the world the light of His new covenant of mercy through the gospel.

"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.

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 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.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-7

The gospel brings the light of God’s mercy. The apostles preached the gospel of Jesus beginning 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

Those that believed and obeyed came into salvation.

"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

Then the Gentiles [non-Jews] were added in, beginning with Cornelius and his household.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision [Jews] which believed 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.

“Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." - Acts 10:44-48

Both Jews and Gentiles came out of the darkness of condemnation to walk in the light of the mercy of the gospel. 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." - 1 Peter 2:9-10

Our Worship

 When God tested Abraham, he obeyed.

"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." - Genesis 22:2

 When Abraham went to offer his son as a sacrifice, he called it worship.

"And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." - Genesis 22:5

"And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." - Genesis 22:8

Abraham proved his obedience and his faith in God. (Hebrews 11:17-19). Just as Abraham stretched forth his hand with the knife to slay his son, God called to Abraham, telling him to not harm the lad. (Genesis 22:11-12).

Isaac, a young man, willingly laid down his life on the altar to be a sacrifice to God. God indeed provided a sacrifice to take Isaac’s place. He provided a ram, a male sheep, caught in a thicket by his horns, which Abraham offered instead of his son. (Genesis 22:13).

Years later, God literally provided Himself a lamb for an offering. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). God laid down His own flesh as a sacrifice in our place. (1John 3:16).

Our worship is to offer ourselves (as Isaac became) a living sacrifice to God.

"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

We offer our heart, soul, mind and strength to God. We turn away from the world with its sinful lusts and turn to God in holiness, allowing Him to transform our minds. This sacrifice is truly our worship to Him.

One translation of Romans 12:1 reads, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” (NLT)

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Paul had a powerful encounter with the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. From this experience, Paul had full confidence in the resurrection. Paul knew that by his obedience to the gospel, he too will rise again when Jesus returns for His church. (Acts 9:1-22,27; 1Corinthians 15:8; Acts 22:3-16; Acts 26:8-18, 1Thessalonians 4:13-17).

Because of His faith in the resurrection, and because he had been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost, Apostle Paul was willing to face death on a daily basis. (“I die daily”- 1Corinthians 15:30-32).

"And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket." - Acts 9:23-25 KJV

"And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus." - Acts 9:29-30 KJV

"For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me." - Acts 26:21 KJV

"And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city..." - Acts 14:19-20 KJV

"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. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." - 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 KJV

Church! God gives us pastors

 

Church!

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." - Jeremiah 3:15 KJV

"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 4:11-12 KJV

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV

The Presence of God

 God said to Moses,

"My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." - Exodus 33:14 KJV

Moses would not settle for less than God’s very presence.

"And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." - Exodus 33:15 KJV

"For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth." - Exodus 33:16 KJV

When God was made flesh and dwelt among His creation, Jesus spoke again of His rest. In His new covenant, His presence would not just be with us, but be in us. (John 1:14, John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9, Colossians 1:27).

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

We find this rest to be the Holy Ghost.

Isaiah prophesied,

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing..." - Isaiah 28:11-12 KJV (Acts 2:4, Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12).

Jesus promises to fill us with His presence, the Holy Ghost, when we yoke ourselves together with Him. His yoke is His covenant of 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. 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

 By His presence, we become separated unto God, “out of darkness into His marvellous light.” (1Peter 2:9).

"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

With a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump [trumpet call] of God

After Jesus commanded His disciples to not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Holy Ghost, Jesus was taken up into heaven.

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 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 1:9-11 KJV

When we have repented of our sins, been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can look forward to being resurrected from the grave as Jesus was, and going to heaven with Him when He returns for His church. (Acts 2:38, 1Thessalonians 4:14-17).

"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 [give life to] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:11 KJV

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [who have died], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.]

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [believers who have died] will God bring with him.

“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 [have died]. [We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.]

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump [trumpet call] of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first [First, believers who have died will rise from their graves]:

“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. [Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.]

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words. [So encourage each other with these words.]" - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV

After the great the commission - witnesses

After the great commission, Luke records that for forty days Jesus showed Himself alive to His apostles and spoke to them about the kingdom of God.

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion [crucifixion] 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

Jesus did His part: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again. Then for forty days He witnessed of His resurrection and talked about the kingdom of God. (1Corinthians 15:3-7, Acts 1:3).

Now we do our part: we repented of our sins, were baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and received the gift of His Spirit. (Acts 2:38). This is our testimony. Now we witness of our new life in Jesus and we talk about the kingdom of God. (John 3:5).

"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

"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 5:20

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." - John 20:21 KJV

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

We are witnesses to the world of what Jesus has done and by the word of our testimony, and then finally at the end, this is how we defeat the devil.

We overcome the accuser of our brethren (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb – His death, burial, and resurrection – and by the word of our testimony – our repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and our infilling of the Holy Ghost.

"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

On Resurrection Sunday Jesus Gave His Great Commission

 According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the same day that Jesus was resurrected He gave His disciples His “great commission.” (Matthew 28:5-20, Mark 16:9-18, Luke 23:55-56, 24:1-49, John 20:1-23).

The “great commission” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all contain the essential elements that were found on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21-23).

In His great commission, Jesus told His disciples to Go, baptize, and He would fill with His Spirit.

Go: Matthew and Luke - going to “all nations,” Mark - “to all the world and to every creature,” John - “send I you.” Baptize: Matthew, Mark, and Luke - His “name,” Luke - “remission of sins,” John - “sins ye remit,” Mark - “saved.” His Spirit: Matthew - “I am with you always,” Mark - “new tongues,” Luke - “the promise of my Father” and “power from on high,” John - “the Holy Ghost.”

On the Day of Pentecost, the great commission was explicitly revealed by Peter, while the rest of the apostles stood with him. It was Peter that Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:19, Acts 2:14).

When Jesus poured out His Spirit on all His followers on the Day of Pentecost, they spoke in tongues. (Acts 2:4). When all the people that were gathered for Pentecost that were from all nations heard their own languages being spoken by the believers from the upper room, they asked, What meaneth this?

Peter told the people that this was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel (Acts 2:16-18). He then preached the gospel to them. (Acts 2:22-36).

"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

Peter obeyed Jesus and the “great commission.” 

"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

This was only the beginning. Believers are obedient to Jesus and preaching the gospel today.

"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

Acts 2:38

 

He is Risen! Resurrection Sunday

 On Sunday, the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went early in the morning to see the tomb. There was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord had come, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. (Matthew 28:1-4).

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

“And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." - Matthew 28:5-8

The good news is not only that Jesus died for our sins, but that He rose again!

"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 1:18

This is the message that we are to tell the world - Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again. This is the gospel message.

"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

When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4), we have the same power over death and the grave by His Spirit dwelling in us.

"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 8:11

Jesus spoke to His disciples,

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15

Jesus is risen!

And there came also Nicodemus - the Burial

 They had stood at the cross, watching the Lord suffer the painful death of crucifixion. This was after Jesus suffered the merciless half-death of Roman scourging and the cruel mocking and torment.

Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a disciple of Jesus, pleaded Pilate for the body of Jesus so that he could lay it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of a rock.

"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus." - John 19:38 KJV (See also: Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-56).

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, brought myrrh and aloes for His burial. This is whom Jesus told we must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5). Jesus also that same night told Nicodemus of His death.

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:14-15 KJV

The message Jesus gave to Nicodemus that night was the gospel message. Jesus told him He would die so that the world could be saved. When Jesus told Nicodemus that the Son of man would be “lifted up,” Jesus was speaking of the death of His human flesh on the cross. The Spirit of God WITHIN the “Son of man” lives forever. This same Spirit within His human flesh would raise Him from the dead. (See Romans 8:1-11, Acts 2:38-39).

"And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." - John 19:39-40 KJV

An observation was made about the hundred pound weight of myrrh and aloes that Nicodemus brought to embalm Jesus’ body: "The quantity of the balm is extraordinary and exceeds all normal proportions. This is a royal burial."

When Jesus was yet a young child, wise men came to worship “He that is born King of the Jews.” One of the gifts that the wise men presented to Jesus was myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 11). Myrrh is burned as incense and used in perfume. It was also used for embalming the dead.

How fitting the gift of myrrh: Jesus was born King of the Jews, born to die for the sin of the world. Just as the wise men offered Jesus the gift of myrrh at Jesus birth, Nicodemus also offered the gift of myrrh at Jesus death, making sure Jesus had the burial of a King.

The Suffering and Death of Jesus

 The night before Jesus was crucified, Jesus’ disciples followed Him to the garden of Gethsemane. ‘Gethsemane’ means, “an oil press.” There Jesus prayed with intensity, committing His flesh to be the sacrifice that would satisfy the death requirement for our sins.

From there, after accepting the cup of suffering, Jesus was betrayed and taken by the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders to the high priest’s house where He was mocked and smitten. (Luke 22:54, 63-65).

Then they led him to Pilate, who sent Jesus to Herod. After Herod also mocked Him, he sent Jesus back to Pilate (Luke 23:11). Pilate said he found no fault in Jesus of the things He was accused. (Luke 23:14).

“I will therefore chastise him, and release him.” - Luke 23:16

The Romans had no legal limit as to how many lashes they could administer. Only the Jews were limited by God’s commandment to 40 stripes. (Deuteronomy 25:3).

Pilate turned Jesus over to receive the Roman whipping that was called the “half way death.” This whipping shredded the back during which there was so much blood loss, the victim was left half way dead. (Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 53:5).

It is said it was not usually done that a person would suffer both the whipping of the half way death as well as crucifixion. Pilate, intending to release Jesus, had Him scourged, thinking this would surely satisfy the Jews. (John 19:1-16).

“But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” - Luke 23:21

Because Jesus would become cursed for us, it was necessary that He also be crucified, hanging on a tree. (The cross was fashioned from a tree).

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” - Galatians 3:13 (Deuteronomy 21:23, 1Peter 2:24).

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” - Luke 23:33

“Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.” - John 19:29

Jesus was crucified at the time of Passover. In Egypt during the time of Moses, when the Israelites were enslaved, the Passover lamb was sacrificed and its blood applied to the house to save them from the final plague. (Exodus 12:12-13).

The Bible calls Jesus our Passover Lamb (1Corinthians 5:7). We too are saved when we apply His blood to ‘our house’ when we are baptized in Jesus name.

Not a bone was to be broken of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:46). While the legs of thieves on the other crosses had their legs broken, because Jesus was already dead, His bones were not broken (John 19:36).

It appears that the Passover lamb was slain the same hour that Jesus died on the cross.

The Passover supper was eaten with bitter herbs (some dip them in vinegar) along with the lamb to remind them of their bitter bondage in Egypt (Exodus 12:8).

Jesus ended our bitter bondage to sin and death when He died on the cross. (Hebrews 2:14-15).

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” - John 19:30

The bondage to sin and death is finished for us when we apply Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to our own life. When we repent of our sin, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost, we are set free from sin and death.

"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

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them

After Jesus had His last supper with His disciples, before His death, burial, and resurrection,

"He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself." - John 13:4 KJV

"After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." - John 13:5 KJV

"Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit..." - John 13:8-10 KJV

"So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?" - John 13:12 KJV

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." - John 13:13-15 KJV

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." - John 13:16-17 KJV