Come see - Go and aà tell,!

Come, see - Go and tell!

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

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

Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews that had come to Jesus at night, hearing from the Lord how he might enter the kingdom of God by being born of water and of the Spirit, brought myrrh and aloes for His burial. 

Pilate consented to the chief priests and Pharisees for the tomb to be made sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 

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

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

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

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

He is risen!!!

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

Peter preached 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. 

“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 

Jesus spoke to His disciples,

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

Go and tell!

Then came Nicodemus

And there came also Nicodemus.

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

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

"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus." - John 19:38 

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

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:." - John 3:14

When Jesus said that the Son of man would be “lifted up,” Jesus was speaking of His death on the cross. 

When Jesus was yet a young child, wise men came to worship “He that is born King of the Jews.” One of the gifts that the wise men presented to Jesus was myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 11). 

Myrrh was one of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil, used to anoint the tabernacle and all that was in it. This same holy anointing oil containing Myrrh was used to anoint and consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. (Exodus 30:23-31). 

Myrrh was also used for embalming the dead.

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

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

Good Friday

Friday March 29, 2024 is what is commonly called “Good Friday.” It was on "Good Friday" that Jesus suffered and died, crucified on a cross. Jesus, the "Lamb of God,"  shed His blood so that we could have eternal life and a more abundant life. 

In Egypt, when the Israelites were slaves and God was sending plagues to deliver them from Pharaoh, God had Moses tell the people to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to their house. The blood of the Lamb applied to their door posts would save them from the final plague of death. 

"For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD." - Exodus 12:12 

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." - Exodus 12:13 

It was not enough to simply BELIEVE the blood of the lamb would save them from death; the Israelites had to APPLY the blood to their house.

The Bible calls Jesus our Passover Lamb. (1 Corinthians 5:7) It is said that the Passover lamb was being killed in Jerusalem at the temple the same hour that Christ our Passover died on the cross. 

We too are saved when we APPLY the blood of Jesus to “our house” WHEN WE ARE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. 

It is not enough to simply BELIEVE the blood of Jesus will save us; we must APPLY His blood by baptism in the name of JESUS.

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

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

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True Complete Forgiveness

What is true and complete forgiveness?

There are people that say, "I forgave him. But he is going to have to answer to God!"

It seems they are looking forward to judgment by God of what they forgave the person of. 

Jesus gave us the supreme example of true and complete forgiveness.

He went through Roman scourging "the halfway death,"  beaten with whips that had sharp, rugged pieces of metal, wire, glass, and jagged fragments of bone that tore the flesh off of his body. While Jewish lashes could not exceed forty. Roman scourging had no limit. Blood loss during a scourging was severe. Sometimes the victim lost consciousness from extreme blood loss. This explains why it was overwhelming for Jesus to carry His cross.y

Slapped, spit on, beard plucked, a crown of thorns, and yet from the cross where He hung, with nails in His hands and feet, Jesus uttered the words, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Jesus cleared their accounts with complete forgiveness of what they had done to Him. 

Stephen, full of faith and power, doing wonders and miracles among the people, had some rise up against him, stirring up false accusers. They brought him to the council.When false witnesses testified against him, the high priest asked him, Are these things so? Stephen then testified of the Jewish people from the time of Abraham,  concluding by saying they were now the betrayers and murderers of the Just One:...

When they heard Stephen's testimony, they were cut to the heart. Finally, they cast him out of the city and stoned him. The Bible says, "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."

Stephen was requesting from God complete forgiveness of those that were murdering him, to clear their account of  their sin against him.

And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (He died).

Complete forgiveness. 

(Acts 6-7).

Forgiveness

"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 [no longer counting people’s sins against them]..." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 

God forgave us. Now it is our turn to forgive. (Matthew 5:9, Luke 6:36).

What if we do not forgive?

A servant owed a 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. 

Because the servant had no mercy, the debt that he had been forgiven was put back on him.

Jesus said,

“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 forgive our fellow servants, and to follow peace with all.

Burning Bridges

What does the expression, “Burn your bridges” mean?

One definition is, “When you burn a bridge you can't cross it again. To burn a bridge means to be completely done with something.” 

A preacher once said, “You need to burn your bridges.” He was speaking about destroying everything that could bring us back to sin and death.

When we first come to God, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:37-38).

It has been said, “What is repentance? It is a change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, that leads to a change in actions. This change involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.”

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon includes this in definition of “repent”: “…heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins…”

It is feeling deeply sorry for our sins, truly hating sin and wanting to please God with our whole heart.

It is getting rid of everything that has to do with that sin, so it won’t be easy to begin it again. 

It all needs to be “burned up” so that we are truly done forever with it.

The Bible says, 

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." - Galatians 5:9 KJV

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon includes in its definition of leaven:

"It is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing:" 

Leaven is another word for yeast that multiplies in dough until it has taken over the dough.

We need to get rid of the smallest things in our life that have to do with sin that can multiply and take over again.

All must be eliminated. 

To please God, we need to leave sin behind, “burning our bridges,” with no regrets and no ways of returning to it.

Death to Sin, Life to Righteousness

We hear the good news of 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 KJV

We put sin to death in our life.

We bury our sins and sinful nature by water baptism by immersion in the name of JESUS for the forgiveness of our sins.

We are filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives us the ability, so that we can live a holy and overcoming life.

"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine [Acts 2:38] which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness [righteous living]." - Romans 6:17-18 KJV

"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 KJV

"For if ye live after the flesh [sinful nature], ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body [sinful nature], ye shall live." - Romans 8:13 KJV

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts [put to death the passions and desires of their sinful nature]." - Galatians 5:24 KJV

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

This Sunday many are celebrating Palm Sunday. It was on this day that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event is recorded in Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; and John 12:12-19.  It is called Palm Sunday because Jesus was welcomed by multitudes cutting down branches of palm trees and spreading them on the road that He entered into Jerusalem on, riding on a donkey.

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:9), "Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Mark 11:10) “Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:13).

First of all, this ride into Jerusalem fulfilled a prophecy in Zechariah.

“All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.'" [Zachariah 9:9]

Second of all, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey it fulfilled a type and shadow from when King David showed Israel that Solomon, the son of David, was the chosen King of Israel by having Solomon ride into Jerusalem on his mule. (1Kings 1:33, 1Kings 1:5-1Kings 1:46).

Thirdly, Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem fulfilled the Mosaic Law when He went into the house of God and cleansed it before Passover of "leaven" - money changers that had come to occupy it. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon “leaven” – a metaphor of moral corruption).

"Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me…"

“So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude [that were there for upcoming Passover] spread their clothes on the road [act of homage for royalty - 2 Kings 9:13]; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road." - Matthew 21:1-8q

Palm Sunday

Jesus, our Heavenly Father, King of the Universe, manifested Himself in flesh. His flesh was born of the lineage of David, fulfilling the promise that David’s offspring would sit on his throne forever.

"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." - 2 Samuel 7:16 KJV

Because of this prophecy, when people called Jesus, “Son of David,” they were recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah.

Isaiah prophesied of the throne of David.

"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. 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. " - Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

Five days before Passover, as Jesus and His disciples were nearing Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples to a nearby village to bring Him a colt whereon yet never man sat. (Luke 19:30). There seems to be a type and shadow…Solomon, son of David, was to succeed David as King, but Adonijah tried to usurp the throne. David had Solomon ride on his mule that only David rode on to show that Solomon was the chosen King. (1Kings 1).

The disciples put their garments on the colt and Jesus sat on him. Some took their cloaks while others cut branches from palm trees and spread them on the road for Jesus as He entered the city. (“Palm Sunday”). The people shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–40, John 12:12–19). 

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was fulfillment of prophecy:

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." - Zechariah 9:9 KJV

Palm Sunday and the Sign of God’s Chosen King - 

Part One

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, He fulfilled the prophecy of Zachariah. 

""Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey." - Zechariah 9:9 NKJV

Jesus not only fulfilled Zechariah’s prophesy, He also fulfilled the type and shadow of 1 Kings 1:32-47, as the son of David that is the chosen King of Israel.

Solomon, as the son of David, is a “type and shadow” of Jesus, also called the son of David. 

Jesus is called the son of David because according to the lineage of His flesh, He is a descendent of King David. God promised King David that his throne would be established forever. This would be made possible by Messiah. Thus, the Jews look for Messiah from the lineage of King David.

"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David." - 2 Samuel 7:16-17 

"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. 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 9:6-7

Palm Sunday part 2 

When king David was on his deathbed, his older son Adonijah attempted to take over the throne of Israel, even though his other son Solomon had been chosen by God to be the next king. 

To show all of Israel that Solomon was the chosen king of Israel, David had Solomon ride into Jerusalem on his personal mule that only king David rode on. 

"And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel." - 1 Chronicles 28:5 

Bathsheba, the wife of David and mother of Solomon, spoke to David:

"And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him... 

David called Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah:

“The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon... 

“And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. 

"And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them." - 1 Kings 1:20, 33, 39-40 [See 1Kings chapter one for the complete account]

This account of Solomon is a type and shadow of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the donkey. Jesus is the promised son of David, the king of kings that brings salvation. His throne is forever, and His kingdom is forever.

To show all of Israel that Jesus is the chosen king of Israel, Jesus told his disciples to bring him a donkey that no man had ridden on. 

"And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. "And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.' "" - Luke 19:29-31 NKJV (also Mark 11:2-3)

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey, He displayed that He is the chosen king of Israel.

"The next day a great multitude that had come to the [Passover] feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written (Psalm 118:26): "Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt."" - John 12:12-15 NKJV 

"Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"" - Luke 19:37-38 NKJV

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With Jesus There Is Hope For Everyone

With Jesus, there is hope for everyone. 

Jesus loves us so much, that while we were sinners, He suffered and died in our place. (Romans 5:8).

The kingdom of God is not a place of unrighteousness. But Jesus made a way for us that are unrighteous so that everyone can enter God’s kingdom. 

Jesus said if we are born again, born of water and of the Spirit, we can enter His kingdom. (John 3:5).

If we will turn our back on our sins and repent, we can be water baptized in His name Jesus for the remission [forgiveness] of our sins, washing them away and making us just. (Acts 2:38). 

When we make this covenant by baptism with Him, He promises to fill us with the gift of His Spirit, making us sanctified, set apart and free from the guilt of sin. (Acts 2:39). When Jesus fills us with His Spirit we speak in tongues as His Spirit gives us the utterance. (Acts 2:4).

The Bible says,

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? 

“Be not deceived: neither fornicators [indulge in sexual sin], nor idolaters [worship idols], nor adulterers, nor effeminate [male prostitutes], nor abusers of themselves with mankind [practice homosexuality], nor thieves, nor covetous [greedy people], nor drunkards, nor revilers [verbally abusive], nor extortioners [cheat people], shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

“And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV (my emphasis).

Everyone has a hope in Jesus!

Purim Thought

 Purim

The Book of Esther tells of a King of Persia, Ahasuerus. At a time of celebration, when the King called for Queen Vashti to appear before him, she refused. The King’s wise men counseled him to make the decree, “... Let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.” (Esther 1:19).

Mordecai, a Jew, cared for his cousin Esther as his own daughter. Esther was taken with the other maidens for the King to choose from among them his new wife.

"Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it." - Esther 2:10 

"And the king loved Esther above all the women... and made her queen instead of Vashti." - Esther 2:17 

Later, the King promoted Haman, the Agagite,, making him the most powerful official in the empire. While it was commanded that all the people bow down before Haman, Mordecai refused to bow. Thus, when Haman saw this, he was full of wrath.

Haman learned that Mordecai was a Jew. He decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Ahasuerus.

Lots (called Purim) were cast in Haman’s presence to determine the best day and month to take action. 

Haman convinced the King he should get rid of the Jewish people. Ahasuerus issued official letters to carry out Haman’s evil plan. (Esther 3:8-13).

There is a lesson in this.

Many years before this, God commanded King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites for what they had done to God"s people when He brought them out of Egypt. Instead of obeying God, Saul kept alive the king of the Amalekites, King Agag. (Samuel later killed him.) 

In the account of Esther, the Bible tells us that Haman, that was plotting to utterly destroy the Jews, was a descendant of Agag. (Esther 8:5).

A descendant of the Amalekites that Saul was to utterly destroy, was now plotting to utterly destroy the Jewish people 

Lesson:

When God tells us to utterly destroy sin in our life (by repentance), we need to obey Him. Or else sin may utterly destroy us. 

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

(Romans 6:1-4).

Choices

 

Choices

God calls us. (Matthew 22:14). We turn our back on the world and sin, and turn to Jesus. We are sorrowful for our sins and repent. We are baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus washing away our sins (Acts 8:38, Acts 2:38, Revelation 1:5). We receive the gift of His Spirit, being filled with His Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues, as His Spirit gives us utterance. (Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38)

We have made choices. (Joshua 24:15). We love Jesus. We realize Jesus loves us. (1John 4:19). He loves us very, very much. We were facing the darkness of judgment and justice for our sins, but Jesus paid the price of death for our sins, and brought us into the light of His mercy. (1Peter 2:9-10). Jesus chose us to be His beloved, filling us with His Spirit. (2Thessalonians 2:13, Acts 2:38).

"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

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

We should not be surprised if our friends turn their backs on us, when we quit sinning and start living for God. Jesus has chosen us.

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:18-19

We have answered His call and chosen to change our life from doing the things of the world, lustful, sinful pleasures. We have chosen to live for Jesus. We have chosen eternal life. (1 John 2:17, John 10:10). We have chosen to be faithful.

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

Baptized in the NAME of JESUS

When a person is baptized in the name of Jesus (immersed in water), the name of Jesus is called upon them. 

If titles (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) are called upon a person, they are not baptized in the name of Jesus. 

We are to be baptized in the NAME of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which is JESUS. (Matthew 28:19, John 5:43, John 14:26, John 17:6, John 17:11-12, John 17:26, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, 1 Corinthians 1:13-15).

We take on His name Jesus by baptism. By baptism, we become called by His name. (Acts 22:16, Acts 9:14, Acts 9:21, Acts 15:14, Acts 15:17, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Timothy 2:19, James 2:7, Galatians 3:27).

It is by the name of Jesus that we have remission of sins. (Acts 10:43-48, John 2:12, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38). His blood is applied to us by baptism in the name of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:13-15, Romans is 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12-13, Revelation 1:5).

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

If a person is baptized in another way besides in the name of Jesus, we find in the Bible people were re-baptized in the name of Jesus. 

"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." - Acts 19:3-5

"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 

Set free

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31-32 

What is the truth that makes us free? And what are we made free from?

We are made free from sin.

"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." - Romans 6:17-18 

The truth that makes us free from sin is the gospel of Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We are made free when we believe and obey the gospel, “that from of doctrine which was delivered you.”

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," - Ephesians 1:13 

The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We repent of our sins, are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receive His holy Spirit of promise, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 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. 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 

"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 

Purchased the Church with His Blood

The Church was purchased with God's own blood.

Paul spoke to the elders of the church;

"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 

God manifested (robed) Himself in flesh so He could make the ultimate atonement for our souls. (1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:19).

Blood was necessary to free the offender from charge. (Atonement)

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 

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

Remission of sins is forgiveness, pardon, of sins (the letting them go, as if they had not been committed) remission of their penalty – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

Jesus told His disciples at the last supper, 

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

Jesus brought a new covenant by His death, burial, and resurrection. This new covenant supplied the blood that would remit sins once and for all.

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." - Hebrews 9:12 

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:47 

On the day of Pentecost the church began. The Gospel message proclaims remission of sins when we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus. With baptism in the name of Jesus comes the promise of 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 

God’s blood obtained eternal redemption for all of us – “all that are afar off.”

 

The Rest of the Story

What is John 3:16 and what is the rest of the story?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 

Many people use this verse as their doctrine for salvation. They say, ‘If you believe in Jesus, you will not perish but have everlasting life. Simply believe.’

What a lot of people do not realize is, Jesus is speaking here to Nicodemus. Jesus had already told Nicodemus “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). 

Just a few verses before John 3:16 Jesus further told Nicodemus "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 

We are born of water when we are baptized with water in the name of Jesus. We are born of the Spirit when we are baptized with His Spirit.

Jesus said we need to BELIEVE the gospel AND OBEY the gospel by baptism to be saved. 

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

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:16 

On the Day of Pentecost when the church began, Peter preached the gospel, then how to obey the gospel by being  born of water and of the Spirit. 

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24 

"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 

"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 

The Sacrifice

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

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

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

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

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

Because God came as a sacrifice, He is called the Lamb of God. (Revelation 17:14) When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). God provided Himself as a Lamb as a sinless, holy sacrifice to take our place. (Genesis 22:8, 13, 1 Peter 1:18-19)

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

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

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

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

The Holy Ghost

Have you received the Holy Ghost?

Jesus said,

"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 

Peter said,

"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 

Paul said,

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." - Romans 8:9 

*The above lesson and photo is from Exploring God's Word Bible Study

Isaiah prophesied:

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." - Isaiah 28:11-12 

Jesus said:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 

(Covenant of the 613 commandments of the Law is called the Yoke of the Commandments. The Yoke of Jesus is the Covenant of the Gospel. See: Acts 15:10, Galatians 5:1).

Peter said:

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" - Acts 3:19 

"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 Kingdom of God

“The Kingdom of God is Within You”

When Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus about the kingdom of God and being born of the Spirit, He made a comparison to the wind.

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Jesus said that you cannot tell when the Spirit comes and where it goes, except by the sound that you hear.

Acts 2:1-4 ¶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.

It does not say there was a wind; it says there came a SOUND from heaven AS of a rushing mighty wind. Just as Jesus said, they could not tell where the Spirit came from or where it went, but they heard the sound – they were all speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, 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

The kingdom of God is within us when we are filled with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God.

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

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached how we can receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38-39 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.

Nothing but the blood

What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 

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

For a time, God accepted animal sacrifices.

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect... But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." - Hebrews 10:1, 3-4 

Only Holy God revealed in a body of sinless flesh could provide a sacrifice to take away our sins. (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 9:28, 1Peter 2:22, 1John 3:5).

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." - 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 

The blood of Jesus for atonement and remission of sins is applied through His name in water baptism.

He supplied it. We must apply it.

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

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43

["He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."" - Acts 10:43 NLT]

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

Walk in the Spirit

We have repented of our sins. We have been baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins. We have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

Now what?

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. 

“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:1-4 KJV

How do we “walk in newness of life”?

We have received new life in Jesus when we received the gift of His Spirit. Now we need to walk in His Spirit, in our new life in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 3:10, 1 John 2:6).

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

When we are full of the Holy Ghost, we have God’s power within to overcome sin in our life and become a witness of our new life in Jesus.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." - Acts 1:8 KJV (Luke 24:49).

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

"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 KJV (Revelation 17:14).

Church

Church!

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." - Psalm 122:1 KJV

"To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." - Psalm 63:2-4 KJV

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing." - Psalm 100:1-2 KJV

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." - Psalm 100:3 KJV

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:4-5 KJV

I am here, Lord

A Willing Vessel for the Lord 

Those that have obeyed the gospel – have repented of their sins, are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and are filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost – have offered themselves as a willing vessel for the Lord.

To be used by God, we must keep our mind open to hear His voice.  We must stay full of His Spirit so we have the courage and the boldness to do His will. Ananias was such a vessel.

"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 

“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,  and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." - Acts 9:10-18 

If we stay full of His Spirit and listen and courageously obey His voice, Jesus can do great things through us!

The Gospel

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

What is the gospel?

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV

To be saved by the gospel, we must not only BELIEVE the gospel; we must also OBEY the gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:2).

To obey the gospel, we must be baptized with water and with the Spirit. (John 3:5).

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel of Jesus.

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24 KJV

The people asked Peter and the rest of the disciples, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter then 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 KJV

The gospel, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, is the power of salvation. If we BELIEVE the gospel and OBEY the gospel by repenting of our sins, applying the blood and Spirit of Jesus to our life by being baptized in water in Jesus name and baptized with His Spirit (speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives us the utterance). (John 3:5-8, Acts 2:2, 4, Acts 10:45-48, Acts 19:5-6).

Jesus told His disciples to preach the gospel. Those that BELIEVE the gospel and OBEY the gospel by being baptized shall be saved.

"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

The Shield of Faith

The Bible says,

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

The Bible then says,

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13 KJV

Our defense against the “fiery darts of the wicked” is “the shield of faith.”

"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

How do we get this “shield of faith”?

 We get the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked by praying in the Holy Ghost.

The Bible says, 

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

Two verses after “taking the shield of faith,” the Bible also says,

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…" - Ephesians 6:17-18 KJV

How do we pray in the Spirit / pray in the Holy Ghost?

We pray in the Spirit, pray in the Holy Ghost the same way we received the Holy Ghost: we pray speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

"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 (Acts 10:45-46, Acts 19:6, 1Corinthians 14:18).

If you are feeling attacked by the fiery darts of the wicked, take a moment out and pray in the Holy Ghost. You will find joy and peace that passeth understanding. 

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus [Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus]." - Philippians 4:7 KJV

The Arm of the Lord

What is the arm of the Lord?

God is a Spirit. The “arm of the Lord” is a metaphor for God’s power and strength. The "arm of the Lord"  saves, delivers, and redeems. 

[Capital letters added in verses:]

"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 (Also: Deuteronomy 26:8, Psalm 77:15).

While the arm of the Lord was the power of God to save and redeem His people from the bondage of Egypt, there was the much greater need for all humanity to be redeemed from the bondage of sin and death.

"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

His arm that saved and delivered His people from physical bondage in Egypt, defeating their enemies, was now going to save and deliver the souls of all humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin, defeating the devil.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15

Isaiah spoke of the arm of the Lord, foretelling of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection in Isaiah 53.

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" - Isaiah 53:1 

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5 

"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

John recognized that Jesus is the arm of the Lord.

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

All Things Work Together

God gave Joseph dreams. (Genesis 37:7-10).  In his dreams, his brothers bowed down to him. When he told his brothers the dreams, they hated him. They conspired to kill him, and threw Joseph into a pit. Then, instead of killing him, they sold him as a slave to Midianite merchantmen that were passing by. Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh's captain of the guard.

Potiphar saw the Lord was with Joseph, so Potiphar made him in charge of everything he had. The Lord then blessed Potiphar.

One day, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. He refused her. Not willing to break his trust with Potiphar, he told her he could not do such great wickedness and sin against God. (Genesis 39:9).

At the end, she accosted him, he fled, and she falsely accused him with false evidence.

Potiphar believed her lies, and put Joseph in prison. (Genesis 39:7-20).

The Lord was with Joseph, and again he had favor. The keeper of the prison put him in charge of all the prisoners. (Genesis 39:21-22).

While he was there, Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker that were put in prison had dreams, which God gave Joseph the interpretation. When the chief butler was going to be released, Joseph asked him to tell Pharaoh of his false accusation. Two years later, the chief butler remembered Joseph.

The Pharaoh also had a dream. He brought Joseph out of prison to interpret it. God, once again, gave Joseph the interpretation. Pharaoh saw that God was with Joseph, and put him in charge of all of Egypt. 

When a famine came to the land, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy bread. Just as Joseph dreamed, his brothers bowed down to him, not recognizing him. When Joseph finally revealed himself to them, they were terrified.

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

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

"Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them." - Genesis 50:21 

Jesus

Jesus answered Philip,

"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father… 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 is the name of the Father.

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

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God…" - Colossians 1:14-15 KJV

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…" - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

Our Father robed Himself in flesh, born a baby without sin, to be the sacrifice for our sins.

"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

When we repent of our sins, and we are baptized in His name Jesus for the remission of our sins, Jesus promises the gift of His Spirit. (Acts 2:38).

Jesus explained to His disciples, He had been with them, but would be in them. He would soon fill them with His Spirit.

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

After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and after He ascended up to heaven, He kept His promise. Jesus filled His disciples with His Spirit 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 KJV

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

Jesus keeps His promise.

Creator of the Universe

God, the Creator of the universe, took on flesh and blood in order to pay the price of our sins. Only by becoming a human being could He die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. As God manifest in flesh, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. 

All of us who were in bondage by the fear of death are delivered by the death of Jesus. 

We are set free when we turn from sin to Jesus, when we are baptized in the name of Jesus that washes away all of our sins by applying His blood to our life, and when we are filled with the resurrecting power of His Holy Ghost to walk in a new life.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15 

"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

Baptism in the Only Saving Name Jesus

When a person is baptized (immersed in water) in the name of Jesus, the name of Jesus is called upon him. 

If titles (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) are called upon a person, they are not baptized in the name of Jesus. 

We are to be baptized in the NAME of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which is Jesus. (Matthew 28:19, John 5:43, John 14:26, John 17:6, John 17:11-12, John 17:26, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, 1 Corinthians 1:13-15).

We take on His name Jesus by baptism. By baptism, we become called by His name. (Acts 22:16, Acts 9:14, Acts 9:21, Acts 15:14, Acts 15:17, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Timothy 2:19, James 2:7, Galatians 3:27).

It is by the name of Jesus that we have remission of sins. (Acts 10:43-48, 1 John 2:12, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38). His blood is applied to us by baptism in the name of Jesus. (Corinthians 1:13-15, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12-13, Revelation 1:5)

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

If a person is baptized in another way besides in the name of Jesus, we find in the Bible people were re-baptized in the name of Jesus. 

"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." - Acts 19:3-5