Remember to pray for those involved with the evil activities of this season.

Remember to pray for those involved with the evil activities of this season. The spiritual wickedness in these days is dark and evil, and hidden. Though it may be difficult to fathom, there are human sacrifices that have gone on in the past at this time. Pray that those involved repent and that the innocent and deceived be set free or escape (adults and children).

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26 KJV

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" - 2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV

Jesus can save those in the deepest of sin. They need our prayers. Jesus saves.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world [satan] 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

"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

God sent Paul to the Gentiles with this mission:

"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." - Acts 26:18 KJV

God can open their eyes so they can see God’s light of mercy by obedience to the gospel – repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His body was placed in a tomb, and on the third day the Spirit of God raised His body from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-7).

Over the next forty days Jesus showed Himself alive to many witnesses, speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and then ascending up to heaven. (Acts 1:3, 9).

On the Day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus’ ascension, His Spirit returned, filling the hundred and twenty disciples that were praying in the upper room in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:15, Acts 2:1-4).

On that day, all those baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost became the temple of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19).

(To be continued)

Quenching the Fiery Darts of the Wicked

Part 2

The Bible says we have an enemy, the devil, but Jesus gives us the victory over him.

The Bible says that the devil has strategies, but we are not ignorant of his evil schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Jesus equips us with His name, the power of His blood, His Spirit, and His armor. Jesus equips us with these things when we are baptized in the name of Jesus, and filled with His Spirit. (Acts 2:38, Ephesians 10-20).

Another part of our armor is the shield of faith. Jesus gives us armor to shield us from satan’s attacks – the fiery darts of the wicked.

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

We build up the shield of our faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. (Praying in tongues).

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," - Jude 1:20 KJV

Praying in the Holy Ghost is also called praying in the Spirit. (Praying in tongues).

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

For we are not ignorant of his devices

The Bible lets us know we have an enemy – the devil – but we have the power of God to defeat him.

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

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

Our battle is not physical, but spiritual.

In order to stand firm in our battles, we must first of all believe and obey the gospel. We believe that God Himself robed Himself in flesh and dwelt among humanity, He died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose victoriously alive forevermore.

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

It is the gospel of peace – God making peace between us by the blood of His cross – that prepares us to stand in our spiritual battles. We repent of our sins, we apply the blood He shed for us by being baptized in His name Jesus, and receive the gift of His Spirit (speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives the utterance) so that we may stand in victory. (Colossians 1:19-23).

The Bible says that satan has evil schemes to outsmart us, but we are familiar with them.

One of these is forgiveness. Because Jesus has forgiven us of all our sins instead of requiring justice, we must do likewise, if we want our sins forgiven. This goes to the point of asking God to erase from their account what someone has done to us.

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV

To be continued…

The Mighty God In Christ

 

Wheel of Prophecy - There Is One God and Jesus Is His Name

Church!

Jesus is coming soon! Make sure all your sins are repented of, you’ve been baptized in the name of Jesus that washes your sins away, and that you are full of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the sign you are completely filled.

"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 10:25 KJV

When 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.

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

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

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

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

Jesus our Comforter - Our Defense Attorney

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

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

Satan wants us to face justice for our past. We call him “the accuser of the brethren.”

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." - Revelation 12:10 KJV

Jews have a similar word for Satan. “Satan” is Hebrew for “Prosecutor.” (Chabad.org).

This is where it gets interesting.  According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, one of the meanings of “Comforter” is “Defense Attorney,” or “Counsel for Defense.”

Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18).  According to Thayer’s, the meaning of “comfortless” is “orphan.” It appears Jesus is saying, I will not leave you defenseless: I will come to you. I am your Defense Attorney when Satan the Prosecutor accuses you.

Satan wants justice. He wants a person to pay the price of their sin. Our brethren - those that have obeyed the gospel by repenting of their sins, had their sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus by baptism in the name of Jesus, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost - Satan still accuses. Satan brings up our sins from our past.

This is where Jesus defends us as the Comforter – our Defense Attorney.

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

The Evidence of the Holy Ghost

The Evidence of the Holy Ghost

On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was first poured out, they all spoke with tongues, the sign they had received the Holy Ghost.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV

Speaking in tongues is the sign that a person has received the Holy Ghost.

God called Peter to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. God sent him to the house of Cornelius, where he had gathered his family and friends to hear Peter preach.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision 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." - Acts 10:44-46 KJV

Peter and the Jewish believers that came with him to Cornelius’ house knew that they also received the Holy Ghost, for they heard the Gentiles speak in tongues just as they did when they received the Holy Ghost.

After this, the believers at Jerusalem called Peter to explain why he went into the home of uncircumcised Gentiles, which was against their Jewish Law.

Peter explained how God had called him to go and preach the gospel to them.

"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." - Acts 11:15 KJV

Because Peter heard the Gentiles all speaking in tongues – the sign God filled them also with the Holy Ghost - the Jewish believers knew that God had accepted the Gentiles.

"Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" - Acts 11:17 KJV

"When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." - Acts 11:18 KJV

 

*Photo from Exploring God's Word Home Bible Study:

The Evidence of the Holy Ghost

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV

The Apostles – Acts 2

The Mother of Jesus – Acts 2

Samaritans – Acts 8

Cornelius, His Family and Friends – Acts 10

Disciples of John the Baptist – Acts 19

Paul – 1 Corinthians 14:18 & 39

"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:46 KJV

The Holy Ghost Is for Everyone - Acts 11:14-17

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:9-10

"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." - John 14:15-17

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

Peace

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

Because of sin that began with Adam, we lost the communion that God desires to have with us. This is why our Heavenly Father robed Himself in flesh and died on the cross.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself…And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…" - Colossians 1:20-23 KJV

What is the gospel? That Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and on the third day He rose again! When we obey the gospel, we take up our cross and follow Jesus by crucifying our sinful lusts, we are buried with Him by water baptism in the name of Jesus, and we rise from our old life leaving our sins behind in a watery grave to walk in new life with the infilling of His Spirit (the Holy Ghost).

When Jesus fills us with His Spirit, we have the communion Jesus desires to have with us.

Peter preached the gospel 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

The gospel is the word of reconciliation Jesus has committed to us.

"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

 We have received God’s precious mercy through His gospel. Now we proclaim His message to others so they too may be reconciled like we are! Acts 2:38

We go through things, and through it all, Jesus has a purpose for it.

Joseph went through so much, but for the PURPOSE of saving many lives.

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life...And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." - Genesis 45:5, 7 KJV

Through it all, God was preparing Joseph for his great CALLING.

"So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt." - Genesis 45:8 KJV

 ALL things work together for GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the CALLED, according to his PURPOSE. (Romans 8:28).

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." - Genesis 50:20 KJV

"And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither." - Genesis 45:13 KJV

 In EVERYTHING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Church!

 

Repentance is not when you cry, but when you change.

Jesus doesn’t leave us without help when we repent. He fills us with His Spirit so that we have HIS power to help us have the victory over sin in our life.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV

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

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

Not ignorant of His devices

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 [so that satan will not outsmart us]: for we are not ignorant of his devices [evil schemes]." - 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV

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

"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. Shockingly, 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

Why I am baptized in the name of Jesus

I am water baptized in the name of Jesus to apply the blood of Jesus to my life for the remission of my sins.

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins [everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name]." - Acts 10:43 KJV

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." - Hebrews 9:22 KJV

"For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 KJV

While the blood of animal sacrifices every year pushed ahead the sins of Israel, they could not take their sins away.

"But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." - Hebrews 10:3-4 KJV

It took our Heavenly Father robing Himself in flesh, born holy and without sin, to shed His blood for us so our sins could be taken away. God came in His name Jesus.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

Jesus told His disciples when He took the cup at the last supper before His death, that it was symbolic of the blood He was about to shed.

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

This is what Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began – baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

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

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [expose] them

Is Halloween a device of Satan? What is Halloween? A time of fun and excitement for children?

It is a day when schools, preschools, and daycares take a day to devote their activities to tales of witches and warlocks, of drawing pictures of black cats, full moons, ghosts and goblins. It is a day if carving out jack-o-lanterns, of candy and more candy. After school, when darkness arrives, it is a time of costumes and going door to door to neighbors and friends, children shouting, "Trick or treat" for candy and apples, trips through haunted houses, and parties.

The stores fill up with sections devoted to Halloween costumes and masks, scary makeup, fake blood and eyeballs, plastic jack-o-lanterns, ghost figures, witches on brooms, and more.

Is this a “holiday” where Satan appears as an angel of light? (2Cor.11:14).

Halloween has a history filled with evil, wickedness, and violence. The Spirit reveals underneath the sugar-coated celebrations, there are deadly satanic activities going on with the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world.

Years ago, Druids, coming to the door of castles threatened homes and families with satanic curses (“trick") unless the father and mother would surrender their virgin daughter as a blood sacrifice to satan on the upcoming rituals on the night of Halloween. If they surrendered their daughter, a hollowed-out squash would be lit by their door, candle light sending out beacons through its openings signaling that this home was not to be cursed: they had surrendered their child at the Druid’s threat.

Several years ago, the underground evil seeped up into the candy gathering ritual to the point where hospitals were offering x-rays of apples and candy to disclose hidden razor blades. The possibility of poison in Halloween treats lead to supervised neighborhood trunk and treat events.

Is there other evil going on the night of this satanic holiday today?

There are numerous accounts from those that have previously been involved with Satanism of the animal and child sacrifices on this night. The horror of this goes beyond one’s imagination. It is truly a night of darkness and evil spiritual activity going on in remote areas, concealed beyond the “innocent” revellings of the night.

Halloween is a time to be discerning, to not step over the line into the realm of being caught by Satan’s devices. It is a time to intercede in prayer for those caught up in satanic activities that the light of the truth of Jesus come to them and deliver them from darkness into his mercy by the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 2:38). It is a time to intercede in prayer for those that are victims or potential victims of the sexual abuse and violence that is a part of satanic rituals.

The Bible says,

"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire [human sacrifice], or that useth divination [do not let your people practice fortune telling], or an observer of times [or use sorcery], or an enchanter [or interpret omens], or a witch [or engage in witchcraft], or a charmer [or cast spells], or a consulter with familiar spirits [or function as mediums or psychics], or a wizard [or call forth the spirits of the dead], or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee [The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things]." - Deuteronomy 18:9-12 KJV (Also, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 9:21, 21:8)

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:10-12, 18 KJV

"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. […so remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.]" - Romans 13:12 KJV

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. [Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.]" - Ephesians 5:11 KJV

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV

Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only

We need to not only hear the word of God but do it.

At Mount Sinai, Israel said, “We will do.” Their willingness to obey God’s commandments brought them into covenant relationship with Him.

"And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." - Exodus 19:8

Jesus said,

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

He then told his disciples after his death burial and resurrection that it is not good enough to simply believe the gospel, we must obey the gospel. He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved.

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

Peter also said we need to be baptized to be saved.

"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

Jesus said,

"Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:46-47

Obeying the command of Jesus, Peter preached the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He then obeyed Jesus and preached how to obey the gospel - repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the promised gift of the Holy Ghost.

"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

When the people believed Peter preaching the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, they asked,

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 KJV

They were not hearers only; they were doers of the word. The same day there were added to the church about three thousand souls.

"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

I will give you the keys

When Peter realized that Jesus is God in a human body – “the Christ, the Son of the living God” – Jesus told him He would give him the keys of the kingdom of heaven and authority.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19

Jesus spoke to Nicodemus of the kingdom of God. (“The kingdom of heaven” is interchanged with “the kingdom of God” i.e. Mark 10:14, Matt. 19:14)

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

While Jesus made it clear we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God, He did not give specifics. Jesus gave Peter the keys as to how exactly we are born again. Peter revealed this on the Day of Pentecost after he received the Holy Ghost.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1, 4

When the people asked, “What meaneth this?” Peter preached the gospel, letting them know they had crucified their Messiah, the One they had been waiting for.

Then the people asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

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

Peter made it perfectly clear what Jesus meant when Jesus said a man must be born of water and of the Spirit. The keys to the kingdom of heaven are to repent, to be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We now understand what we must do.

The Eyes of the Lord

 When the Bible speaks of the eyes of the Lord, because God is a Spirit, it is letting us know that God "sees" us. Jesus is omniscient (knows all) and omnipresent (is everywhere), as well as being omnipotent (all powerful). 

 

"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men [He watches everyone closely,

examining every person on earth]." - Psalm 11:4 KJV

 

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings." - Proverbs 5:21 KJV

 

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." - Proverbs 15:3 KJV

 

The Bible speaks of each of the Old Testament kings, whether they did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, or if they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

 

"Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: because David did that which was   right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." - 1 Kings 15:4-5 KJV

 

"But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities [worthless idols]." - 1 Kings 16:25-26 KJV

 

"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 [The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him]..." - 2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV

The Eyes of the Lord

When the Bible speaks of the eyes of the Lord, because God is a Spirit, it is letting us know that God "sees" us. Jesus is omniscient (knows all) and omnipresent (is everywhere), as well as being omnipotent (all powerful). 

 

"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men [He watches everyone closely,

examining every person on earth]." - Psalm 11:4 KJV

 

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings." - Proverbs 5:21 KJV

 

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." - Proverbs 15:3 KJV

 

The Bible speaks of each of the Old Testament kings, whether they did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, or if they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

 

"Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: because David did that which was   right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." - 1 Kings 15:4-5 KJV

 

"But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities [worthless idols]." - 1 Kings 16:25-26 KJV

 

"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 [The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him]..." - 2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV

To Look Upon His Face

It appears that generally, when we may look upon God’s face, we are seeing His mercy. If His face is against or turned away from a person, His judgment is upon them.

"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

"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

"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

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:" - Numbers 6:22-25 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, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night." - Numbers 14:14 KJV

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." - Revelation 22:4-5 KJV

The Hand of God

The hand of God is an extension of the arm of God. The hand of God, just like the arm of God, represents God’s power.

God is a Spirit – invisible. God's Spirit fills the universe. He is one God, creator of the universe and savior of our souls. He is omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (everywhere at the same time).

Because He is Spirit and fills the universe, He does not have a physical right or left side, or a right or left hand. Again, the hand of the Lord, especially the right hand, is symbolic of power.

The following verses are examples of God’s hand and right hand speaking of the power of God. (Daniel 9:15, Acts 5:31, Acts 2:33, Acts 5:31).

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

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2 KJV (There is one throne in heaven, and one that sits on the throne – Christ, the image of the invisible 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 26:64 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 [“14:62a Or The ‘I AM’ is here; or I am the LORD. See Exodus 3:14”]

"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

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

"And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God... And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." - Acts 7:56, 59 KJV

To be continued…