Birth of the Church

 

We Must be Born to Give Birth

Jesus said we must believe the gospel and be baptized to 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... " - Mark 16:15-16 @

He said we must be born of water and of the Spirit.

"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 

With a birth, there is a mother and father. With our spiritual birth, there is a mother and father.

"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:6 

God as our Father is responsible for our being born of the Spirit - He fills us with His Spirit.

"And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!" - Matthew 12:49 

As our spiritual mother, believers are responsible for our being born of water - baptizing us in the name of Jesus.

"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:" - Philemon 1:10 

Of course, in the physical, before we can give birth, we must first be born.

So too with the spiritual: Before baptizing others in the name of Jesus, we must first be baptized in the name of Jesus ourselves. 

"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

"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 2:39 

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

"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." - Acts 2:42 

Forgiveness

We know that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. What about follow peace with all men?

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" - Hebrews 12:14

God made peace with us. 

"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 

God forgave us. Now it is our turn to have peace with others and forgive. (Follow peace: “to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire” - Thayer’s)

What if we do not follow peace with all men?

A servant owed the king ten thousand talents, but was unable to pay the debt. The king commanded that his family and possessions be sold to pay the debt. The servant begged for mercy.

"Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 

“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest." - Matthew 18:27-28 

The fellowservant begged for patience, promising he would pay. Yet the servant had no mercy, casting him into prison.

"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 

[Note: Because the servant was not merciful, the debt that he had been forgiven of was put back on him.]

“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." - Matthew 18:33-35

We are the servant that had a debt we could not pay. Our Lord and King Jesus forgave us of our debt of sin. It is now our turn to be merciful and forgiving, and to make peace with all.  

In the World but not of the World

We are in this sinful world, but we are not of this world. We have obeyed the gospel. We are servants of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. 

How did we 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 

"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

Jesus said,

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." - John 17:16 

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:20

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

“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 6:16-18 

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7 

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

Daniel was a servant of the Lord.  He was of those taken captive to the foreign kingdom of Babylon and made a servant of a heathen king that did not serve the Lord.  Daniel was determined to live for God no matter where he was nor what his situation.

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank..." - Daniel 1:8

In the midst of Babylon, Daniel was faithful to God, and God blessed him greatly.

Church!

Church!

Because of the mercy of Jesus, we may have all our sins forgiven and washed away so we can start our life out fresh with a clean slate.

How can we do that?

By turning our heart to Jesus, and getting baptised by immersion in the name of Jesus.

To give us the strength we need to overcome sin, Jesus promises to give us His gift of the Holy Ghost. 

The Holy Ghost is His Spirit which we can receive by opening our heart and lifting our voice in praise and love for the One who loves us so much that He suffered and died for our sins.  When we fully give ourselves to Him and trust Him with our heart, our life, and our soul, He can fill us with His Spirit. He changes our words into sounds and words that we don't recognize, showing that we have allowed Him to fill us completely.

By water baptism in the name of Jesus and Spirit baptism, we are born again with a brand new life in Jesus. The old life of sin and its sorrow is passed away, and all things become new.

Go to church. Hear the Word of God. Give your heart and life to Jesus. Be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. Be filled with his Spirit,  the Holy Ghost. Begin your new life in Jesus. He loves you!

Act 2:38 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 2:39 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.

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

To Follow Jesus

To follow Jesus…

"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 

How do we follow Jesus?

Jesus denied Himself. 

"Saying…not my will, but thine, be done." - Luke 22:42 

Jesus took up His cross and was crucified.

"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place…where they crucified him..." - John 19:17-18 

Jesus was buried.

"And laid it [His body] in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone..." - Luke 23:53 

Jesus was resurrected.

"He is not here, but is risen…" - Luke 24:6 

Then what?

Jesus was a witness.

"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 

Then,

"He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:9 

How do we follow Jesus?

We deny ourselves.

"Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts [sinful pleasures]..." - Titus 2:12 

We crucify our sinful nature by repentance.

"Knowing this, that our old man [old sinful self] is crucified with him..." - Romans 6:6 (Also: Galatians 5:24, 6:14.)

We are buried by baptism in the name of Jesus.

"We are buried with him by baptism..." - Romans 6:4 (Also: Colossians 2:12).

We are resurrected by the Holy Ghost. (The glory of the Father).

"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 6:4 

Summary so far:

"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 

Then what?

We are witnesses.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." - Acts 1:8 (Also: 2 Corinthians 5:19-20)

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

Then,

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The Universal Sign of Receiving the Holy Ghost

The Universal Sign of Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost is Speaking in other Tongues

"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 

Because there were religious Jews from all over the world in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was first poured out, they were witnesses to the fact that God had miraculously fulfilled His promise, Joel 2:28 "...I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." For they heard their own languages being spoken by Galilaeans that had just been filled with the Holy Ghost.

From this point forward to today, tongues - as the Spirit gives the utterance - is the one universal sign that a person has been filled with God’s Spirit. 

(NOT to be confused with “SPIRITUAL GIFTS” which includes “divers kinds of tongues” as one of nine “spiritual gifts” used in MINISTERING to the CHURCH BODY - 1 Corinthians 12:7).

It is by the sign of speaking in tongues that Peter recognized that God had accepted the Gentiles, filling them with His Spirit. 

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision [the Jews] which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord..." - Acts 10:44-48 

It was the sign of speaking in tongues that made it clear to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem that God had also filled the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost. 

Peter told them,

"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. ... Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." - Acts 11:15, 17-18 

God Answers Prayers

Do you know your prayers can reach around the world? Do you know they can go beyond locked prison doors, into hospital rooms, permeating dens of prostitution and human slavery, into boardrooms of corporate headquarters, throne rooms of kings, presidents, and dictators? 

What prayers are we to send up? 

Prayers that human traffickers repent and set their captives free…

Prayers for healing; prayers for deliverance; prayers for salvation for all mankind. 

Prayers that men and women turn to God and that He would grant them repentance unto life… 

Prayers that humanity receive the salvation that Jesus has freely given by believing and obeying the gospel, that lives may turn from confusion and pain, to blessings and goodness for themselves and those in their influence… (repenting of their sins, being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost)

Prayers of forgiveness of those that have done us wrong, asking God to erase their wrongdoing against us from their account so they will not be judged by God for what they did to us.

Praying the Lord of the harvest send labourers into His harvest… 

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem…

Praying in the Holy Ghost…

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…

"For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:5 KJV

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 

"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

Baptized in the Name of Jesus

One reason I am baptized in the name of Jesus is 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, condemned to 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. 

"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).

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. (Acts 1:3, 1Corinthians 15:4-8).

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).

Baptism in Jesus name and receiving Holy Ghost speaking in tongues

There were twelve men in Ephesus that had been disciples of John the Baptist. They were met by Paul the Apostle. They had heard of the baptism of the Holy Ghost from John the Baptist, but had not heard that the Holy Ghost was already being poured out. (Mark 1:7-8). 

When they heard Paul preach Christ, they were RE-BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME. They then received the gift of the Holy Ghost, SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. This is another place in the Bible where it is recorded that when people receive the Holy Ghost they speak with tongues. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:45-46, Acts 19:6).

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? 

“And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? 

“And they said, Unto John's baptism. 

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 

“And all the men were about twelve." - Acts 19:1-7

Church!

Church! 

We need to be fed! When we are born of God, we lay aside envying, and strife, and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:3), and all evil behavior. We are as new babes and need the milk of the word so we can grow. 

Then we may go on to perfection with the meat of the word, becoming mature Christians. (Hebrews 5:14; 6:1-2) For we know that Jesus loves us and wants to equip us so we can be all he wants us to be in his kingdom!

1 Peter 2:1-3 ¶Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The World

What does the Bible say about the “world” (ungodliness and sin)?

"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." - 1 John 2:15-16 

"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." - James 4:4

By the gospel, we turn our back on the world by repentance, we make a covenant to live for God by baptism in His name Jesus, and we overcome the world through His Spirit within us, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

The devil is the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

"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:" - Ephesians 2:2

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

"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

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Galatians 6:14

With the power of His name Jesus upon us, and the power of His Spirit within us, we are victorious.

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17

God is Love

The Bible says God is love.

We know this is so true.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 

A scribe asked Jesus,

"Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:28-31 

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." - Galatians 5:14  

Jesus commanded that we love one another.

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." - John 15:12 

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." - John 13:35 

How could we ever love like God loves? We surely can't do it on our own. 

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:5 

The only way is by being full of the Holy Ghost.

Apostle Peter preached how we can receive 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 

This is how we can love like God loves.

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

We must not only receive the gift of His Spirit, but stay full of His Spirit, walking in His Spirit daily. 

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." - Galatians 5:25

Before Àbraham Was, I AM

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 

“Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [Abraham lived approximately 2000 years earlier.]  

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 

“Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." - John 8:56-59 KJV

Why did the Jews take up stones to cast at Jesus? 

Because they understood that Jesus was letting them know He is God, the “I AM.”

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." - Exodus 3:14 KJV

Faith

Faith

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." - Luke 17:5-6

Jesus told His disciples, a grain of mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, yet when it is sown, it grows and becomes greater than all herbs. (Mark 4:31-32).

When faith is sown in our heart, even if it is a tiny seed of faith, it will grow and become great faith.

We hear about Jesus. We believe. A tiny seed of faith is planted. We begin praying, thanking Jesus for another day of life. We ask Him for His help with the things of life we are going through. We see Jesus answering prayer after prayer. We see Him working miracles. We see His healing touch in our life. With each prayer answered, our faith grows.

Faith is essential to our relationship with God.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

We have faith in God. We believe the Creator of the universe stepped down into humanity, taking on the form of man, so that He could pay the price of our sins.

Through faith we believe and are baptized in the name of Jesus, applying His blood to our life for the remission of our sins. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).

Because of our faith, we believe God's promise, and receive the gift of His Spirit in us, 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

Faith is the beginning. Faith grows. Faith brings us to believe and obey the gospel. Faith takes us through trials, works miracles, and takes us places as God’s hands, feet, and mouthpiece. We live by faith. We walk by faith. We stand fast in faith. And faith keeps us to the day when we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face.

Part 2

Part 2

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 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 1:10-13 

The Father, creator of the universe, walked among His people. He came manifest in flesh so He could die for our sins and save us. He is our Savior. He came in His name of salvation, JESUS (“LORD Salvation”). (Exodus 15:2, Isaiah 43:11, Luke 2:11, Titus 2:13).

"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 

He taught that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter His kingdom. He gave the keys to His kingdom to His disciple Peter. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the keys to the kingdom.

"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 

On that day, His Spirit filled His people, as He promised. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:33). 

He gave us His Spirit so we could once again be one with Him. By our obedience to the gospel, we can claim His promise and receive the gift of His Spirit within us.

Jesus is our Father. His Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin, and the power to be witnesses unto the world.

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:19-20 KJV

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

Our Father

God is our Father.

"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? - Malachi 2:10a 

"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." - Isaiah 64:8 

Isaiah prophesied that our Father would come to dwell among His people.

"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 

Our Father would bring His kingdom on earth.

"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." - Isaiah 9:7 

He would come in His name of salvation – Jesus. (“LORD our salvation”). He would be born the son of David.

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ... And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." - Luke 1:31, 33 

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." - Matthew 21:9 

Jesus revealed to His disciples that He is the Father.

"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." - John 14:7 

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." - John 14:8 

"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

"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 14:10 

To be continued…

Church!

 

Church! 

Jesus has a promise for you - it is the Holy Ghost!

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 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. 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." - Luke 24:45-49 

This is what Peter preached in Jerusalem ten days later! 

The promise of the Holy Ghost comes when we repent of our sins and when we are baptized for the remission of our sins in the name of Jesus. 

They tarried in the city of Jerusalem as Jesus told them to, and they were endued with power from on high!

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 

“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 

The promise of the Father was poured out!

"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language...we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." - Acts 2:6, 11 

Peter preached the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He then answered what they should 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 2:38-39 

Turn to Jesus! Come to church and receive the Promise!

Let’s have church! 

Called, Chosen, and Faithful

In trials and tests – the called and chosen are faithful.

When trials and tests come our way, it is our time to prove that we really are among those God has called, chosen, and that are faithful.

When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, commanded that everyone bow before the image of gold he made, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah refused to bow. (Daniel 3:1-30).

They answered the king,

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." - Daniel 3:17-18  

We have been called and chosen. When trials and tests come our way, are we willing to stand for Jesus, no matter what we must go through?

We were called when we heard the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We heard that to be saved we needed to repent of our sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins. (Acts 2:38).

We were chosen when God filled us with His Spirit. (Acts 2:4, Acts 2:39).

We are the faithful.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Mark 13:13 

"And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Revelation 12:11 

"These [ten kings] 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 

"Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 21:13 

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" - 2 Timothy 4:7 

Revealing His Identity to His Jewish Disciples

When Jesus was speaking to His disciples, He was speaking to men that believed in God. They knew God is a Spirit. They knew God as their Heavenly Father. They knew there is only one God. (John 4:24, Isaiah 64:8, Malachi 2:10, Deuteronomy 6:4).

They had seen His miracles. They had seen Him raise the dead, open blind eyes, heal the sick, cleanse the leper, multiply fish and loaves, command the wind and seas and they obeyed Him. They even saw Him walk on water.

Yet, they were still having trouble grasping that this man Jesus, that grew tired, hungry, and thirsty, was their Heavenly Father in a human body. (John 1:1, 14).

He is the Almighty God operating within a human body. The invisible God was now revealed. (Colossians 1:14-15).

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me." - John 12:44-45 

Jesus communicated that He is a man, but at the same time the Spirit of God is within Him; His body/flesh is the image of their Heavenly Father. (2Corinthians 4:4-6).

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" - John 14:8-9 

Jesus let them know that the words He spoke was God speaking to them, for God is in Him. (2Corinthians 5:19).

He reminded them of all the works that He had done that only God can do.

"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. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." - John 14:10-11 

Later, Jesus told His disciples,

"He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father." - John 15:23-24  (John 8:24, 27).

In the Midst of Trials and Problems or Blessings

You may be in the midst of trials and problems, or you may be in the midst of blessings. For those in trials, keep the faith.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, insmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." - 1 Peter 4:12-13 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 

For those that are in the midst of blessings, be careful to maintain your work for the Lord. We do not know what hour Jesus will come for His church. It is not time to ‘kick back’ but rather to be about our Father’s business. There are those around us that have not yet obeyed the gospel. (Acts 2:38).

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" - 1 Peter 4:17-18 

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." - Matthew 25:13 

"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 

“And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" - Luke 12:16-20 

We must be about our Father's business. (Luke 2:49). 

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." - John 9:4

The Spirit of Truth

God is Spirit. He created the universe. He is the Father. His name is Jesus.

The Father put on humanity and dwelt among us as the Son of God, the flesh and blood of God. (Acts 20:28).

"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 KJV

Jesus shed His blood, dying on a cross, and on the third day rose again. The blood that He shed washes away our sins when we are baptized in His name Jesus. (Acts 2:38).

With repentance and baptism in His name Jesus, He gave us a promise. Jesus promises us the gift of the Holy Ghost, His Spirit within us. (Acts 2:4). If we will receive 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. 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

After His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus was with His disciples for forty days. (Acts 1:3).

Jesus told His disciples that after He departed from them, He would come to them. He would come to them as the Spirit of truth. The Spirit of truth is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus in us. Jesus also spoke of His Spirit as the Comforter. (John 14:15-18).

After Jesus ascended in bodily form into heaven, He poured out His Spirit beginning on the day of Pentecost. His Spirit is now within all those that have received the Holy Ghost. We are now His body – the body of Christ – here on earth. (1Corinthians 12:27). 

One of these days, we too, those dead in Christ or those alive, will ascend into heaven, in what we call the rapture, to be with Jesus. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Salvation in the Name of Jesus

It is by the name of Jesus that we find salvation, for by His name our sins are remitted (forgiven) in baptism.

"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 

Our sins are washed away when we are baptized in the name of Jesus.

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

Jesus died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again the third day. (1Corinthians 15:31-4).

Baptism in the name of Jesus brings us into covenant relationship with God. 

When we are water baptized in the name of Jesus (the name of Jesus called upon us), the blood Jesus shed for us is applied to our life and our sins are remitted (forgiven).

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

In the great commission recorded in the Gospel of John, the aspect and responsibility of the church to baptize is included when Jesus spoke of the power of the church to remit sins.

"Then said Jesus to them again, 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." - John 20:21-23 

Apostle Peter preached remission of sins through the name of Jesus on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was first poured out and the church first began.

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

"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." - Acts 2:42 

The Kingdom

What does the Bible say about the kingdom?

In the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached of His kingdom. 

"... Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17 

"... Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 

Jesus gave Peter the Keys of the kingdom.

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

Jesus taught His disciples to pray about the kingdom.

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10 

It is God's will that all should enter His kingdom. 

"…Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 

Jesus spoke of His kingdom from the beginning of His ministry through His final days after His resurrection. 

"... Being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" - Acts 1:3 

Up until right before He ascended Jesus spoke of His kingdom.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…" - Acts 1:8 

On the day of Pentecost, the kingdom of God on earth fully began.

"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 

As Jesus taught,

"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:20-21 (John 3:8).

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17

While the disciples of Jesus had already been born of water, they were now born also of the Spirit, entering into the kingdom.

With the keys of the kingdom given to him by Jesus, Peter preached his first message of the gospel of the kingdom. (Matthew 24:14).

"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

Go Ye

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" - Matthew 28:19 

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." - Acts 5:42

Jesus commanded His disciples to teach all nations. His disciples were faithful to follow His command. Even when they suffered persecution, they were determined to teach and preach Jesus.

When Jesus first poured out His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel. He then told the people what they should 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 

"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." - Acts 2:42 

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:47 

The disciples continued to preach Jesus and through Him the resurrection from the dead. (Acts 4:2, Acts 4:10-12, 4:33, Acts 5:28). They were threatened and repeatedly put in jail. (Acts 4:3, 4:21, Acts 5:18-20, 5:33). They were commanded to not speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:17,18, Acts 5:40).

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 

“When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them." - Acts 5:29-33 

Gamaliel spoke to the council. 

"And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." - Acts 5:40 

"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." - Acts 5:41-42 

The Name

Jesus did not command His disciples in Matthew 28:19 to “baptize in the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” 

Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 28:19 to “baptize in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

The Bible tells us the NAME of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is JESUS.

"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." - John 5:43 KJV

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV

"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 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, when the church began, Peter obeyed the COMMAND of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 and baptized in His NAME:

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

(Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3, 1 Corinthians 1:13, Galatians 3:27, Acts 16:32-33).

God's Word

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:" - Hosea 4:6 KJV

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

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." 

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness [doesn't know how to do what is right]: for he is a babe [still an infant]." 

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil [have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong]." - Hebrews 5:12- 14 KJV