The Great Commission

Jesus gave His great commission to His disciples before ascending into heaven in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 

Matthew 28:19-20:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." 

Mark 16:15-18

"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. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues...." 

Luke 24:47-49

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." 

John 20:22-23

"Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." 

Jesus sent out His disciples. Matthew -go and teach; Mark -go and preach the gospel; Luke -go and preach repentance and remission of sins; John -go with the message of peace/reconciliation.

Jesus commissioned them to baptize in His name for the remission of sins. Matthew -there is one name in baptism; Mark -baptism saves; Luke -there is remission of sins through His name; John -peace (reconciliation) and authority to remit sins by baptism.

Matthew -the Holy Ghost is Jesus; Mark -the Holy Ghost comes with the sound of tongues; Luke -the Holy Ghost is the promise and would come with power; John -the Holy Ghost would come like breath and needs to be received.

The Great Commission began its fulfillment in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. On that day, the Holy Ghost was first poured out, the gospel was preached, and souls were baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:1-41).

For we are not ignorant of his devices

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

One of these schemes is unforgiveness. 

When we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, Jesus has forgiven us of all our sins. Instead of requiring justice, Jesus has erased them from our account. In order for us to keep our sins erased from our account, we must forgive likewise. Complete forgiveness is when we ask God to erase from their account what someone has done to us.

This is the kind of forgiveness that Jesus gave when he was dying on the cross.

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. 

“And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." - Luke 23:33-34 KJV 

Stephen also gave complete forgiveness. 

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 

“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen." - Acts 6:8-9 KJV

These men falsely accused Stephen, stirred up the people, brought him before the council, then set up false witnesses against him. (Acts 6:11-14).

"Then said the high priest, Are these things so?" - Acts 7:1 KJV

Stephen then testified. (Acts 7:2-53). 

The council was furious, stoning Stephen to death.

“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. 

“And when he had said this, he fell asleep [died]." - Acts 7:60 KJV

Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,

"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

Sunday - the First Day of the Week

Sunday is the first day of the week. It is the day we assemble for church. 

What happened in the Bible on Sunday, the first day of the week?

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ... And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." - Genesis 1:3, 5 

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

When God was manifest in flesh to die for the sins of the world, He brought mercy and came as the light.

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” – John 1:4

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - John 8:12 

It was on the first day of the week (Sunday) that Jesus was resurrected. 

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils." - Mark 16:9 

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." - John 20:19 

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." - John 20:26 

The early church assembled together on Sunday, the first day of the week. (1Corinthians 16:2).

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." - Acts 20:7 

The church today continues to assemble together on Sunday, the first day of the week. 

"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 

Church!

The Shield of Faith

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

The The Gospel is a Message of Mercy

The Gospel is a message of mercy –

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

Our Father, the Creator of the universe, made Himself a temple of a human body to be born, to walk among His creation, to die on a tree, and to rise from the grave the third day.

"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 

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. ... But he spake of the temple of his body." - John 2:19, 21 

"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 

As the final sacrifice for our sins, He made peace between Himself and humanity.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." - Colossians 1:20 

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 

We receive God’s mercy by obeying the Gospel.

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

The Gospel is obeyed by repentance, water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and receiving the 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. 

"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 Arm of the Lord

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

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

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

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

Because there was no man without  sin to redeem man, God Himself would manifest Himself in flesh - the arm of the Lord revealed - to die for our sins, (Acts 20:28, 2Corinthians 5:19).

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

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

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? ...He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:1, 3, 5 

In the New Testament, Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled.

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

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

Part 2 The Comforter ... The Defense Attorney

Part 2 of The Comforter… The Defense Attorney

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." - John 16:7

"When we repent of our sins, and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, we too can receive the Comforter –  the Spirit of Jesus in us.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26

Satan does not want souls to be forgiven of their sins. This is why satan does not want people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus: he does not want the blood of Jesus that brings forgiveness to be applied to our lives.

Satan does not want people to receive the Holy Ghost because he does not want them to have the power to resist sin and stay in God’s mercy.

Satan wants a person to pay the price of their sin. Those that have obeyed the gospel and have had their sins forgiven, he still accuses. He brings up the sins of their past and does not want to recognize that the blood of Jesus has washed away their sins.,, 

Satan is “the accuser of our 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

The word “satan” is Hebrew for “Prosecutor.” Satan brings charges against people, accusing them of their sins.

The word “Comforter” means “Counsel for Defense.” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) The Comforter (the Holy Ghost/Jesus in us) defends us from the Prosecutor’s accusations.

"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

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

The Love of God

 Love is not a substitute for Acts 2:38 salvation; it is a result of our Acts 2:38 salvation. It is only by our turning away from sin (repentance), being cleansed from sin (by water baptism in the name of Jesus), and by the infilling of God’s Holy Spirit (the gift of the Holy Ghost) that we can actually love with God’s kind of love. Before we knew God, the kind of love we had for others could only amount to our own works – it was not the love of God because God was not IN us until after we received the Holy Ghost. (He was WITH us, but not yet IN us.) We love with God’s love BY His Spirit.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." - 1 John 4:7 KJV

Church! Together!!

 

Examine Yourselves

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17 

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" - James 4:4-5 

We covenant with God when we turn our back on the world and sin and are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins. (Acts 2:38). When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are filled with God’s Spirit and joined to Him. If we look back to the world and sin, we are like an adulterer or an adulteress; we are unfaithful to God that bought us with His blood. God’s Spirit within us becomes jealous of the love we have for the world.

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 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]." - James 4:6-8 

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1 

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

I will come to you

 

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

Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise that,  "I go away, and come again unto you."  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 Jesus departed from His disciples up to heaven forty days after His resurrection, He reassured them that He would come to them again, but this time in an even greater capacity. 

"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 

"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. SixI will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:16-18

O the depth of the riches...

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" - Romans 11:33 

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" - Romans 11:34

And yet, God put on flesh and lived among us, and man beheld His glory. As many as received Him, He gave them power to become His sons, even to them that believe on His name, JESUS. (John 1:12-14, Acts 2:38)

Because of His great love for His creation, the Great Creator became our Savior, taking our place and dying on a cross for our sins. On the third day, He raised His flesh up by the power of His Spirit, revealing to the world that through Him there is victory. 

His depths and His riches are revealed to us by His Spirit. Through the baptism of the Holy Ghost, we now have a glimpse of God's awesomeness. Through His love for us and our love for Him in return, Jesus has given us life beyond this mundane existence. Through Him, we have a life more abundant. And more than that, we have life eternal, a place prepared for us in heaven. (John 10:10)

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." - 1 Corinthians 2:10 

When we turn away from sin by repentance, have our sins washed away by baptism in Jesus name, Jesus promises us the gift of His Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 2:16 

With the gift of His Holy Ghost we receive the mind of Christ, getting a glimpse of the endless treasures available to us in Him.

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" - Ephesians 3:8

The Word of Reconciliation - The Gospel

"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 

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 KJV

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

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

When you are looking for God you want to know the way. You want to know the truth. You want to know how to find a better life and how to find eternal life. (John 10:10).

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 

If we follow the way of the flesh of Christ, we will come to the Spirit of Christ, the Father.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24 

We follow Christ by denying our flesh. We deny our flesh by repentance, regretting the sins of our past, turning from sinful desires to pleasing God, crucifying our old lustful nature. 

We follow Christ’s burial by water baptism in the name of Jesus. 

We follow Christ’s resurrection by receiving the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

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

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man [old sinful nature] is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:3-6 

Peter preached this message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began. 

This is truth, and this is the way to God. This is how to find a better life and eternal life. This is how we can come unto the Spirit of Jesus, the Father within Him. (John 14:7, Colossians 1:19-20, 2Corinthians 5:19).

"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 

Church!

Church! ...And so much more as you see the day approaching!

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:23-25

The What, Who, How, and Why

"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

Doers of the Word

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:

"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 

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

Binding and Loosing

Binding and Loosing

Besides giving Peter the keys to the kingdom, Jesus also gave Peter authority to bind and loose.

"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 

The meaning of "bind" and "loose" in this scripture, using the Thayer's lexicon, appears to do with apostolic authority. Thayer's lexicon defines these Greek words in the context of the verse:

The definition of "bind" is “to forbid” (“by a Chaldean and rabbinical idiom (equivalent to אֲסַר), to forbid, prohibit, declare to be illicit: Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18.)”

The definition of "loose" is: "to declare lawful" (“by a Chaldean and Talmudic usage (equivalent to אַתֵּר, שְׁרֵא (cf. Winer's Grammar, 32)), opposed to δέω (which see 2 c.), to declare lawful: Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18”).

Thus, to “bind” and “loose” in this verse has to do with law and doctrine.

Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then said whatever Peter would “declare unlawful” on earth would be unlawful in heaven, and whatever Peter would “declare lawful” on earth, would be lawful in heaven. 

Thus, Peter was given authority to establish law (doctrine). 

Peter acted in this authority after he was filled with the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.

"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 

The multitude that gathered said, what meaneth this? 

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:" - Acts 2:14 

When Peter preached the gospel to the people, they responded. 

"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 

With the authority given to him by Jesus, Peter then declared what would become doctrine.

"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 

Upon This Rock

 When Jesus asked His disciples, 

"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" 

Peter answered that Jesus is God manifest in flesh - "the Christ, the Son of the living God."

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."  (John 8:24 I AM).

Jesus then said, 

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - (Matthew 16:13, 16-18).

“Peter” is the Greek word ‘petros,’ while “rock” is the Greek word ‘petra.’  

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states, “Matthew 16:18 (some interpretations regard the distinction… between πέτρα, the massive living rock, and πέτρος, a detached but large fragment, as important for the correct understanding of this passage…)” 

When Jesus said, “upon this rock I will build my church;” He was speaking of building His church upon Himself. Jesus is ‘the massive living rock,"  (Petra"), while Peter ("Petros") is "a detached but large fragment."

Not only will we not fall, but the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. By the preaching of the church of the gospel of Jesus, souls are set free from hell, saved and delivered. The Gates of hell cannot prevail against the gospel preached by the church! (Acts 2:38-42).

As the song, "I thank God" says - "Hell lost another one I am free, I am free, I am free."!

The gospel of Jesus is that He died for our sins, He was buried, and on the third day He rose again (The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus).

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 (speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance).

"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 

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

Keys of the Kingdom

 

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. (John 8:24).

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven...And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…" - Matthew 16:17, 19a

Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus of the kingdom of God. (“The kingdom of heaven” is interchanged with “the kingdom of God” e.g., Mark 10:14 and Matthew 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.

"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

Peter made it perfectly clear what Jesus meant when He 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 for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We now understand exactly what we must do.

Our Foundation

Jesus laid our foundation by His death, burial, and resurrection. When we apply His foundation to our life by becoming dead to sin by repentance, buried with Him by water baptism in Jesus name, and resurrected by the infilling of His Spirit to live a holy life, we are ready to build a new life in Christ.

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

There was no man that was without sin that could pay the price of our sins to set us free from our death sentence. For the wages of sin is death. G

God, in His love and mercy, put on human flesh so that He could pay the price for us. He came in His name “Jesus”. 

He could pay the price because He is holy, born without sin. So by His death, burial, and resurrection, God provided a way for us to once again, as in the beginning, have eternal life with Him. 

We find eternal life by repentance, baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and by receiving the gift of God’s Spirit within us, His Holy Ghost. 

It is on this foundation, the gospel, that only Jesus could lay, that we begin building a new, holy life. 

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" - Romans 3:10

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23 

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

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." - 1 Peter 2:24 

"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:25 

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23 

"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

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

Conference!

This week is REVIVAL NOW Empowering through Faith and Prayer Conference at First Church Hawaii - Hilo.

In person at 1842 Kino'ole Street Hilo, Hawaii

Online on Facebook Live First Church Hawaii - Hilo

Services are on Hawaii standard time: 7pm Friday October 13 Speaker Elias Garcia,  6pm, Saturday October 14 The Kanehailua's Pastoral Installation Service Speaker and Officiant Bishop Richard McGriffin, 5pm Sunday October 15 Speaker Pastor Klayden Kanehailua. 

All are welcome!  

Church!

Church!

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

In the last day, that great day of the feast

Is the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) mentioned in the New Testament? What does Jesus say?

"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand." - John 7:1-2 KJV

When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, starting with the second night of the feast, there was a nightly “Water Drawing Celebration.” The Feast of Tabernacles has a commandment to offer a water offering on the altar that the other feasts do not have, in addition to the wine offering that accompanied all the sacrifices throughout the year. The water would be drawn the evening before. At this event there was great fanfare, singing, and celebration.

The seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles is called Hoshana Rabbah ("Great Salvation"). This is the day that Jesus stood and cried to the people:

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:37-39 KJV

The Talmud states that "one who has not witnessed the Festival of the Water Drawing has not seen joy in his lifetime!"

And the joy of the Holy Ghost is greater than that!!

And on that day, the last day of the feast Jesus chose to prophecy of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, which he would pour out! Like RIVERS of LIVING water! 

And how significant that Jesus would choose the seventh day of the feast to stand and prophesy, the last day, that great day of the feast that is called "Great Salvation!" 

Friday, October 6, 2023 was Hoshana Rabbah. 

The Gospel

What is the gospel?

Many say it is simply the good news.

What does the Bible say about the gospel?

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that he preached unto them the gospel, they received the gospel and they stand in the gospel. 

Paul wrote to them that they are saved by the gospel if they keep in memory what he preached on to them, unless they believed in vain. 

In vain means "without success or effect."  

When we believe the gospel there needs to be some action on our part or it is in vain

Paul then describes how he delivered to

them that which he also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Simply put, the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

What action is required on our part to be saved by the gospel?

Paul wrote to the church at Rome saying that our action requires becoming dead to sin, burial with him by baptism, and raised up by the glory of the Father to walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-23).

Peter made it very clear what we must do when he preached on the day of Pentecost.

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

Just as Jesus said, we must be born of water and of the Spirit. (John 3:5).

Jesus makes it very clear that it is not enough to believe the gospel. There must also be action on our part. We must obey the gospel. We must be baptized - born of water and of the Spirit. 

"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  KJV

Here are some verses speaking about obeying the gospel: Romans 10:9-16, 1 Peter 4:17, 2Thessalonians 1:3-10.

The Original Plan of Salvation - Jesus

"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 

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 KJV

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” – Acts 2:41 KJV

"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

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

How Do We Walk in the Spirit?

How do we walk in the Spirit?

The first step is repentance – we are sorry for our sins and purpose in our heart and mind to turn our back on a sinful lifestyle.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…" - 2 Corinthians 6:17

When we were in the world, we fulfilled the lusts of our flesh and had for our destiny the wrath of God.

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation [conduct] 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 2:2-3

When we repent and come out of the world, we can have our sins washed away by water baptism in the name of Jesus. It is necessary to be baptized in the name of JESUS as the Bible says, so that the blood of JESUS can remit our sins.

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

After repentance, we can also receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Jesus that gives us eternal life and the power to overcome the lusts of our flesh.

As Jesus told His disciples in Luke 24:47, repentance and remission of sins was preached in His name among all nation beginning at Jerusalem:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39

When we receive God’s gift of His Holy Ghost, we can walk in His Spirit.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1 

The Right Hand

 

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

The Arm of the Lord

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

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

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

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

Because there was no man without  sin to redeem man, God Himself would manifest Himself in flesh - the arm of the Lord revealed - to die for our sins, (Acts 20:28, 2Corinthians 5:19).

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

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

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? ...He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:1, 3, 5 

In the New Testament, Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled.

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

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