Acts 2:38

 

Called, Chosen, and Faithful

I am baptized in the name of Jesus because I love Him. (John 14:15).

I have turned my back on the world by repentance, forsaking all for Jesus. (1John 2:15-17).

When I was baptized in His name, I made a marriage covenant with Jesus to love Him with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind. (Luke 10:27, James 4:4, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Romans 7:4, James 1:27, Titus 2:12).

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27 [”others take “word/rhema” here as equivalent to 'the gospel'” - Thayer’s]

When I was baptized, the name of Jesus was called upon me. (James 2:7, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Acts 2:21, Acts 9:14, Acts 9:21, Acts 15:17, 1Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 3:27, Romans 10:13-17, 1Corinthians 1:2, Acts 4:12).

Because I love Jesus, have turned my back on the world by repentance, and covenanted with Him by water baptism in His name, Jesus promised me the gift of His Spirit.

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

Jesus called me by the preaching of the gospel by a preacher sent by God. He called me to be His and to turn my back on sin. He washed away my sins, placing His name upon me when I was baptized in His name. Jesus chose me, filling me with His Spirit. I am faithful to Him. (Romans 10:13-17, 1John 4:4, Philippians 4:13).

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

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

Because I have been called, chosen, and faithful, I will be in heaven with my beloved.

"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine:" - Song of Songs 6:3 

I am baptized in the name of Jesus so that I may have remission of my sins.

     

 According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the meaning of “remission” as found in Acts 2:38 is: forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly, the letting them go, as if they had not been committed… remission of their penalty

How absolutely wonderful that I can have a brand-new start on my life, TOTALLY cleansed of all my sins!

This did not come easy. Yes, it is easy for me, but God – our Heavenly Father, stepped down into humanity, manifesting Himself in flesh and blood like the rest of us humans. Not that this humbling was all He did. No. He went through betrayal by a friend, condemnation of crucifixion by the people He came to redeem, then unimaginable torture of a Roman whipping (not a Jewish whipping of 40 lashes minus one) by a metal embedded Roman scourge - the “half-way death” because of blood loss. Pilate must have assumed the people would cry to release Jesus, but instead they cried “Crucify Him!” After all, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy and paying dearly the price of our wretched sins. Jesus came to save us. Not just His people the Jews; Jesus came to save us all. He took the stripes for our healing, then hung on a cross made from a tree so that He would become cursed for us, to bring us salvation.

And now, when the name of Jesus is called upon me in water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus, my sins are washed away. Forgiven. My sins, through His name Jesus, are let go. As if they had not been committed.

The best part of this true story is that the grave did not hold Him, because Jesus is God in a human body. On the third day, His Spirit raised His body from the grave, alive forevermore. Jesus witnessed of His death, burial, and resurrection to multitudes for 40 days, speaking to them of His kingdom. After giving His disciples His great commission (recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), He commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised outpouring of His Spirit. (Acts 1:1-9).

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43 (Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:38-39, John 1:10-13, Hebrews 2:14-15, Romans 6:3-4, 1Peter 2:24).

Church! Exhorting one another!

             

Church!

Peter exhorted the people on the Day of Pentecost when he was preaching.

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort [strongly urging], saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40 KJV (Acts 2:38).

"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 [let us not neglect our meeting together], as the manner of some is; but exhorting [encouraging] one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day [of His return] approaching." - Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV

In this day, we need exhorting!

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting [encouraging] one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25 KJV

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [urge] you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." - 1 Thessalonians 4:1 KJV

"I exhort [urge you] therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;" - 1 Timothy 2:1 KJV

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort [encourage] with all longsuffering and doctrine." - 2 Timothy 4:2 KJV

"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort [encourage] and to convince the gainsayers." - Titus 1:9 KJV [exhort – “instruct, teach” (Thayer’s)]

"But exhort [warn, encourage] one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:13 KJV

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [urging] you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." - Jude 1:3 KJV

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

*church locator for the United States: upci.org

Part 3 - I am baptized in the name of Jesus to bury the “old man” of sin

                                                     

The “old man” is our old sinful nature.

We “put off the old man with his deeds” by crucifying our old sinful nature. We do this by repenting of our sins.  (See: Colossians 3:5-10, Ephesians 4:20-32).

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:3-4 KJV

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

It is not enough to crucify our old man of sin: our old sinful nature must be buried. We bury our old nature when we get baptized in the name of Jesus.

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

"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" - Colossians 3:9-10 KJV

When we put on the new man, we’ve put on Christ.

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

We “put on Christ” by taking His name in water baptism, and by being filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

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

*Photo from Exploring God's Word Bible study

Part 2 - I am baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with His Spirit so that I may become a son of God

 

                                                            

Jesus is the only BEGOTTEN Son of God, BORN the Son of God from His mother Mary’s womb.

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

The Son of God is the human body of God. (John 1:1,14,18).

WE must be born AGAIN to BECOME a son of God.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:11-13

We are born of God when we repent of our sins, we are baptized in His name Jesus for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Galatians 4:6, 1 John 5:4).

We get God’s name by water baptism in His name JESUS. (Acts 15:17, James 2:7).

"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

"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

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" - Philippians 2:15

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." - 1 John 3:1-2 

Part 1 - I am baptized in the name of Jesus so that I am born of water.

                                                 

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night.

"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." - John 3:3

"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?" - John 3:4

"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

Jesus said to enter the kingdom of God I must be born of water and of the Spirit. He was not talking about the water that comes out in a natural birth – born of the flesh; He was talking about a spiritual birth. Jesus said, we must be born AGAIN.

Jesus answered Nicodemus,

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." - John 3:6-7

How am I born of water?

I am born of water when I am water baptized by emersion in the name of Jesus.

On the Day of Pentecost, the door of the kingdom was opened when Peter preached how to be born of water and of the Spirit. (Matthew 16:19).

Peter preached the gospel.

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

"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

That day, those that received the word were born again of water and of the Spirit.

"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

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:42, 47 

What is water baptism in the name of Jesus?

                                             

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

Water baptism in the name of Jesus, along with receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, is a covenant with God. It is the new covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

The old covenant was made on Mount Sinai. It was made when God brought Israel out of Egypt.

The new covenant was made on Mount Calvary. It was made when God brought us out of sin.

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

On the Day of Pentecost, when the Jewish people were gathered to celebrate the giving of God’s Law on Mount Sinai, written on tables of stone, the disciples of Jesus were gathered in an upper room awaiting the giving of God’s Spirit, the Law of God written in their hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33).

"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 KJV

On that day, Peter preached the first Gospel message, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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

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

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

That day about three thousand Jews were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with His Spirit, entering into the new covenant. (Romans 7:1-6).

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:42, 47 KJV

"I am the first and I am the last"

                                

 In the Old Testament, God declared He is the first and the last.

"Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he." - Isaiah 41:4 KJV

He made it clear that beside Him there is no God.

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

"Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last." - Isaiah 48:12 KJV

In the New Testament, God manifested Himself in flesh and declared He is the first and the last.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8 KJV

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book..." - Revelation 1:10-11 KJV

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

"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." - Revelation 21:6 KJV

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." - Revelation 22:12-13 KJV

There is only one God. His name is Jesus. He is the first and the last. 

Jesus the Prince of Peace

 

                                                    

The Bible speaks of Jesus as, “the Prince of Peace.”

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

Jesus brought peace by the gospel:

Ever since Adam, sin divided us from God.

Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and on the third day He rose from the grave. Jesus made peace between us and Himself when He 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 [separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions], yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable [without a single fault} in his sight: [James 4:4].

There is an IF in the following verse:

"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

We have the hope of the gospel when we repent of our sins, we are baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, and we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

It is by the gospel that we find the peace of God.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [sinful nature], but after the Spirit [Holy Ghost] ...

“For to be carnally minded [letting your sinful nature control your mind] is death; but to be spiritually minded [letting the Spirit control your mind] is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.]

“So then they that are in the flesh [under the control of their sinful nature] cannot please God.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." - Romans 8:1, 6-9a KJV

Church!

                                                      

Church!

Paul spoke to the church at Rome of the prophecy of Joel:

"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:11-16 KJV

We are saved by the gospel.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV

It is not enough to believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again; we must also obey the gospel, or else we have believed in vain.

The gospel is the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION of Jesus.

Repentance is DEATH to sin. Water baptism in the name of Jesus is BURIAL of old nature. Holy Ghost infilling is RESURRECTION to new life.

"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

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

There is only one God - Jesus is His name

                                                    

 God is a Spirit. (John 4:24a) He is the Creator. (Genesis 1).

Because man sinned, God, for a time, accepted the innocent blood of animals to cover man's sins. (Genesis 3:21, Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22).

However, the blood of animals could not take away man's sin. (Hebrews 10:4). Only a man without sin could pay the price.

God saw there was no man without sin. (Romans 5:12). This is why God made Himself a human body. God Himself would pay the necessary blood sacrifice that was without sin, the price for our sins, and redeem us back to Himself. (Isaiah 59:16, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:12, 2Corinthians 5:19).

God’s body is called “the arm of the Lord.” God uses the arm as a metaphor (symbol), because it is with our arm that we have power. (Compared to our eyes, our ears, etc.) The Bible speaks of the “arm” of the Lord when He redeemed Israel from Egypt, and then when He redeemed all humanity from sin and death. (Isaiah 53; John 12:37-38; Romans 10:16, Hebrews 2:14-15).

Because God came as a sacrifice, He is called the Lamb of God. (Revelation 17:14) 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 provided Himself as a Lamb, a sinless, holy sacrifice to take our place. (Genesis 22:8, 13, 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Because God gave this overwhelming sacrifice of love for mankind by the offering of His own flesh, He gave His body a name that would be above all other names, the name JESUS. (Matthew 1:21, Philippians 2:9-11).

“JESUS” means the ‘Lord Our Salvation’ (‘Lord-Savior’). (Isaiah 12:2, Acts 4:12).

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" - John 14:9 KJV

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:10-11 KJV

The Birth of the Church

The church began on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-4, 47). In obedience to Jesus, one hundred and twenty of His followers were gathered in the upper room awaiting the promise of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:4-5, 15). When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, Jesus poured out His Spirit and they all began to speak in other tongues as His Spirit gave them the utterance. (Acts 2:1-4).

Filled with the Holy Ghost and with the keys of the kingdom of heaven given to him by Jesus, Peter preached the first gospel message. (Acts 2:4, Matthew 16:19, Acts 2:14-40). 

At the conclusion, he declared what we must do to be saved – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38).

At the conclusion, he declared what we must do to be saved – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38).

"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 [wicked] generation.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls [3,000 were added to the 120 people in the upper room that were already baptized]." - Acts 2:39-41 KJV

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:42, 47 KJV

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

Halloween is not accepted by Christ

 

What is the definition of repent?

                                       

                                                                            Chart from Exploring God's Word Bible study

What is the definition of repent?

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

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." [For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.] - 2 Corinthians 7:10 

We are not to continue in sin, every day repenting and continuing to sin. One person said of repentance, “It is a change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, that leads to a change in actions. This change involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.”

Apostle Paul said,

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" [Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?] - Romans 6:1-2

When Jesus healed the man that had been sick for thirty-eight years He told him, Now you are well; so stop sinning:

"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more..." - John 5:14

Jesus told the woman taken in adultery, go and sin no more:

"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." - John 8:11

In the Great Commission in Luke, Jesus spoke of repentance:

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

In Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached repentance:

"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

Part 8 God's New Covenant

                                        

Part 8 God’s New Covenant

The rest of Ephesians 5:22-33 continues to give us insight on our New Testament Marriage covenant relationship with God.

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

(The church is the body of Christ. We are called by His name. When we are baptized in the name of Jesus the name of Jesus is called upon us. We are filled with His Spirit when we receive the gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, James 2:7)).

(“Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," - Revelation 1:5 (Matthew 26:28)).

“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

("So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." - Romans 12:5 (Also: 1Corinthians 12:12-13, 27)).

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

(The Bible speaks of Adam and Eve being one flesh. (Genesis 2:23).  When God made Eve, a great sleep came upon Adam. Eve was taken out of Adam’s side. Jesus is referred to as “last Adam.” God’s wife, the church, symbolically came out of Christ’s side. She came out of His side when Christ was in a “deep sleep” (temporarily dead). "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." - John 19:34).

(The Bible says, when we are filled with God’s Spirit, we become one with Him. (John 14:16-26, John 17:11, 21-23, Acts 2:38-39)).

("And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." - John 17:22-23).

“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." - Ephesians 5:22-33

 

Part 7 God's New Covenant

 

Part 7 God’s New Covenant

In Ephesians 5:22-33 God, through writer Apostle Paul, gives us insight on our New Testament Marriage covenant relationship with Him.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

God is our husband. We are the church, His wife. He is head of the church and our saviour. We are subject unto Him.

“Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

It was necessary for Christ to die for His wife so that she could be sanctified and cleansed by the gospel.

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Notice here that He says that He sanctifies and cleanses the church with the “washing of water by the word.”

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, “word” (rhema) in this verse means “the gospel.” [“Ephesians 5:26 (others take ῤήματι here as equivalent to 'the gospel,' cf. Ephesians 6:17, Romans 10:8; (see Meyer at the passage));” – Thayer’s]  

With “word” meaning “gospel” we can understand how the “washing of water by the word” can cleanse a soul of every spot and wrinkle, and make us holy and without blemish.

The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (1Corinthians 15:1-4). We obey the gospel by repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus FOR the remission of sins, and being filled with His Spirit, speaking in other tongues as His Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

To be continued…

Part 6 God's New Covenant

                                                               

Part 6 God’s New Covenant

God’s New Covenant marriage was such a priority, that His first miracle in the book of John was at a marriage.

At this miracle God revealed His ultimate mission – His death on the cross.

"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:" - John 2:1 KJV

Throughout the New Testament, the “third day” refers to the resurrection of Jesus after His death and burial. (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, 27:64, Mark 9:31, 10:34, Luke 9:22,18:33, 24:7, 21, 46, Acts 10:40, 1Co 15:4). This first verse immediately connects the marriage at Cana with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

"And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage." - John 2:2 KJV

The New Covenant marriage is between Jesus and the church (His disciples, including His mother).

"And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." - John 2:3-4 KJV

Wine (or fruit of the vine) and water can represent both the blood of Jesus and the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 26:27-28, John 19:34, 1John 5:6,8, John 4:10-14, John 7:37-39). It wasn’t yet time.

Only one other time in the Bible did Jesus speak to His mother calling her “woman.” This other time was at the cross. (John 19:25-27).

Jesus used the word His “hour" many times, referring to His suffering and death on the cross. (Matthew 26:45, Mark 14:35, 41, John 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 27, 12:23, 27, 13:1, 17:1).

"His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." - John 2:5 KJV

Just do it.

"And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

“Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

“And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it." - John 2:6-8 KJV

(#6=man; Filled with the Spirit: Acts 2:4, Acts 4:8, 31, 9:17, 13:9, 52, Ephesians 5:18; Isaiah 12:3).

At the conclusion of the miracle, the final statement is, “Thou hast kept the good wine until now.” The New Covenant truly is the good covenant. (Hebrews 8:6-13).

To be continued…

Part 5 God's New Covenant

 

Part 5 God’s New Covenant

God's marriage covenant of the Law to His people was a very important reason why He manifested Himself in flesh: He came to die for His wife Israel to release her from her marriage covenant of the Law. (See Parts 1, 3, and 4). His death would release His people from the marriage covenant that brought death (the Law), so they could enter the marriage covenant that brought life (the Gospel). [Romans 7:5-6].

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." - John 10:10 KJV

At the same time, God manifested Himself in flesh so that He could pay the price for her sins, and for the sins of the world. For He saw that only He could accomplish this. (Isaiah 59:12, 16, 53:1, 52:10, 63:4-5).

John the Baptist recognized Jesus as not only the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world, but also as the Husband that had come for His bride. (John 1:29, Isaiah 61:1,10).

"Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him." - John 3:28 KJV

"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled." - John 3:29 KJV

"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30 KJV

Apostle Paul also recognized God’s New Covenant marriage.

"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 11:2 KJV [For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride[virgin] to one husband—Christ.]

To be continued…

Part 4 God's New Covenant

 

Part 4 God’s New Covenant

According to the Law, as Apostle Paul explained, the only way Israel could be released from their marriage covenant of the Law, was for their husband – God – to die. (The Law and marriage covenant was a binding blood covenant to last as long as the parties lived.)

We know that God is a Spirit that is eternal and cannot die.

The only way God could release His people from their covenant of marriage with Him with the strict justice of the Law was for Him to manifest Himself in the flesh of a human body.

God overshadowed Mary, a virgin, and she conceived. The baby she gave birth to was all human, and at the same time all God. He came in His name of salvation - Jesus – for He would not only release Israel from their marriage covenant and His Law, but He would also die for their sins, bringing His new covenant of grace.

With Israel released from their marriage to God and His covenant of the Law by His death, they would be free to marry God again, only this time with His new blood covenant of grace.

Jesus not only died for the Jews, but also for “all those afar off” - the Gentiles - as God said He would do throughout the Old Testament.

Both Jew and Gentile enter into God’s new covenant by the gospel. It is by the gospel that we become married to God, becoming His wife, the bride of Christ.

It is by the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus - that God died to release Israel from their marriage covenant of the Law, and the whole world from the penalty of sin.

It is by obedience to the gospel by repentance, baptism in His name Jesus for the remission of sins and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost that we enter into the new covenant marriage with Jesus.

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." - Romans 7:4 KJV (Our fruit is our offspring of souls born from water baptism in the name of Jesus by the church - the mother, and Spirit baptism by Jesus - the Father.)

 To be continued…

Part 3 God's New Covenant

 

Part 3 God’s New Covenant

While Christians look at the first Pentecost as being described in Acts chapter 2, the holy day actually began at Mount Sinai when God gave His Law through Moses to Israel. The Jews call Pentecost “Shavuot.”

The Jews look at this holy day as the day God became their husband. When Moses presented God’s Law to the people, just as in a marriage between man and woman, the people said, “We will do.” (Exodus 19:8). From that point on, God considered Himself as Israel’s Husband. (Ezekiel 16:8, Jeremiah 3:20, Ezekiel 16:31-32, 36).

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called." - Isaiah 54:5 KJV

"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:" - Jeremiah 3:14 KJV

The marriage covenant at Mount Sinai was a binding blood covenant to last as long as the parties lived.

"And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." - Exodus 24:8 KJV

Jeremiah prophesied, "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah…”

How could Israel be released from their blood covenant of marriage to God and their covenant to keep the Law (613 commandments) received at Mount Sinai?

Apostle Paul explains.

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

“So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man." - Romans 7:1-3 KJV

To be continued…

Part 2 - God's New Covenant

 Part 2 God’s New Covenant

The New Covenant began with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Father manifest in flesh. [manifest: “made visible on earth as a man among men” - Thayer’s]

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

While we see Jesus preaching the kingdom of God and baptizing, we see the fulfillment of the gospel on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out His Spirit on all His disciples for the very first time.

"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 KJV

With the outpouring of God’s Spirit, we see fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy.

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." - Jeremiah 31:33 KJV

Peter preached the gospel to the Jews that were confounded: For they heard the believers speaking in their own languages.

Upon hearing they had crucified their Messiah, they were cut to 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

With water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins along with Holy Ghost baptism, we have the second fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy:

“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:34 KJV

We “know the Lord” when He fills us with His Spirit. He forgives our iniquity and remembers our sin no more when we are baptized in the name of Jesus. (Acts 2:38).

To be continued…

God's New Covenant

 

God’s New Covenant

The prophet Jeremiah prophesied of the New Covenant God would bring to His people.

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

The Old Covenant was the covenant of the Law, given through Moses at Mount Sinai after God brought Israel out of Egypt. At Mount Sinai, God became a husband to the Jewish people when they covenanted to keep all the Laws God gave to them. There were 613 commandments, summarized by the 10 commandments. "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 KJV Shortly thereafter, they broke their covenant when Moses delayed returning from the Mount and Aaron made a golden calf for the people to worship.

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV

We find that the New Covenant is the gospel. By the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the price was paid for our sin and iniquity. "For this is my blood of the new testament [new covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV We obey the gospel by repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. With the gift of the Holy Ghost, we know Him.

To be continued…

Called, Chosen, and Faithful

 

In Revelation, the Bible says that those that are with Jesus are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14).

How are we called?

Jesus calls us to turn to away from the world with its sin, and to turn to Him. Jesus calls us to repent. (1John 2:16, James 4:4, 1Thessalonians 2:12, 2Thessalonians 2:14, 1Peter 1:15).

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded [for your loyalty is divided between God and the world].

“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep [let there be tears for what you have done. let there be sorrow and deep grief]: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness [let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy].

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord [before the Lord], and he shall lift you up [in honor]." - James 4:7-10 KJV

When we have repented, we choose to be baptized in the name of Jesus to enter into covenant with Him, to take His name, and to have our sins washed away. (1Thessalonians 2:12, 2Thessalonians 2:14, 1Peter 1:15, 2Timothy 2:4).

"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

Jesus chooses us when He fills us with the gift of His Holy Ghost. (1Peter 2:9, John 15:16, John 15:19, 2Timothy 2:4, Acts 2:4).  

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning [among the first] chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV

It is then up to us to be faithful to the One that loves us and died for us so that we might have life. (Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:13).

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

Church!

 

                                                    

The name of Jesus is powerful. When we are baptized in the name of Jesus, His blood is applied to our life and our sins are washed away.

"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

His name Jesus is worthy, by which we are called when we are baptized in His name.

"That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." - Acts 15:17 KJV

"Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?" - James 2:7 KJV

Before Paul was converted, he persecuted the church – the church being those that called upon the name of Jesus when they baptized new souls to the faith.

"And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." - Acts 9:14 KJV

The church fulfills the prophecy of the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Acts 2:21 KJV

Thankfully, and much to the surprise of the church, Jesus had mercy on Paul and he was converted, the name of Jesus also called upon him when he was baptized.

"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

"But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" - Acts 9:21 KJV

Conduct

 

There are expressions about “talking the talk and walking the walk.”

If you say that someone “talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk,” it means that their actions don't agree with what they say. “Actions speak louder than words.”

While we understand the word “conversation” to be our talk, the meaning of “conversation’” in the King James Version is our walk.

The definition of conversation by Thayer’s Greek Lexicon in the following verses is: “properly, 'walk,' i. e. manner of life, behavior, conduct (German Lebenswandel): Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 4:22; 1 Timothy 4:12; James 3:13; 1 Peter 1:15, 18; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:1f, 16; 2 Peter 2:7; plural ἅγιαι ἀναστροφαί the ways in which holy living shows itself, 2 Peter 3:11. Hence, life in so far as it is comprised in conduct, Hebrews 13:7.

Here are few verses with the word “conversation.” “Conversation” means “conduct.”

"Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." - Ephesians 2:3 KJV

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;" - Ephesians 4:22 KJV

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." - James 3:13 KJV

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." - 1 Peter 2:12 KJV

"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;" - 1 Peter 1:15 KJV

"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." - 1 Peter 3:1-2 KJV

"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." - 1 Peter 3:16 KJV

"And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:" - 2 Peter 2:7 KJV

Let them make me a sanctuary

 

God is a Spirit. In order that He might dwell among His people, God inhabited a tabernacle in the wilderness.

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, ... And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." - Exodus 25:1, 8 KJV

Years later, King Solomon built a temple in Jerusalem for God to dwell in.

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" - 1 Kings 8:27 KJV

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV (2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

 Now, beginning when He created a sinless body to dwell in when He overshadowed Mary and she conceived, God dwells in human bodies. (Luke 1:35, Colossians 2:9, Colossians 1:19, John 1:1, 14).

"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

By Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we are able to become the temple of God when we repent, are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Ephesians 2:21-22).

"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

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" - 1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV

There is hope for everyone through Jesus -

The Bible says,

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators [sexual sin], nor idolaters [worship idols], nor adulterers [commit adultery], nor effeminate [male prostitutes], nor abusers of themselves with mankind [practice homosexuality], nor thieves, nor covetous [greedy people], nor drunkards, nor revilers [abusive], nor extortioners [cheat people], shall inherit the kingdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV

THEN, the Bible says, “And such WERE some of you…”

What is the change?

"…But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV

We are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God when we repent of our sins, we are water baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and we are filled with the Spirit of our God, the Holy Ghost. 

 "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

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" - Titus 3:5 KJV

"That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost." - Romans 15:16 KJV

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," - Ephesians 5:26 KJV [Thayer’s Greek Lexicon for “word:” (others take ῤήματι here as equivalent to 'the gospel,' cf. Ephesians 6:17, Romans 10:8; (see Meyer at the passage))]    

"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