One God Jesus is His name

 

God is a Spirit (John 4:24). We are humans. God speaks to us in our human terms so that we can understand Him.

In the Old Testament, before God made Himself a body to live and die in (Hebrews 2:14), He was invisible (1 Timothy 1:17). Yet, speaking in terms that we could understand, He spoke of His arm (Deuteronomy 26:8), His eyes (Proverbs 15:3), His ears (2 Samuel 22:7), and so on.

We as humans understand that an arm speaks of strength and power (God is omnipotent), eyes speak of seeing (God is omnipresent – everywhere), and ears speak of hearing (God is omniscient –knowing all things). Each human feature used, communicates to us a feature of God’s Spirit.

In our humanity, we understand that while a man has numerous titles and features, a man is still one man. A man that has children is a father. A man is also a son. A man has the spirit of man. A man expresses himself by his word. A man has a name. With many titles and features, he is still only one man.

God through His creation is our Heavenly Father (Malachi 2:10). When God created a body of flesh to dwell in so He could be the necessary blood sacrifice for man's sin, He became the Son (Colossians 1:13-15). God is a Spirit (John 4:24) and He is holy (Psalm 99:9), so He is the Holy Spirit (1Thessalonians 4:8). God expresses Himself by His Word (Matthew 4:4). God's name is Jesus - His name above every name (Matthew 1:21, Ephesians 1:21-23). With many titles and features, God is still only one God (Ephesians 4:6).

Church!

 

Church! Exhorting one another!

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

After Peter preached the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection ofJesus), he 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)

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

The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

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

In this day, we need exhorting!

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

*Church locator for the United States: upci.org

Acts 2:38 Salvation

 

"Now when they heard this [the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus], 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 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

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

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

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them [the church] about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

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

Receiving the Word

 

 Satan does not want a person to be saved.If a person has made it into the kingdom of God by being born again of water and of the Spirit (Acts 2:38), satan does not want that person to grow up in Christ to become fruitful and used by the Lord in ministry. 

One way to keep a believer from growing in the Lord, is to keep them from the acknowledgment of sin in their life. 

 Sin is revealed by the Holy Ghost working in a person’s life and directing them in paths of righteousness and holiness. 

"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

Sin is also revealed by the preaching of the word. 

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." - 1 Corinthians 1:21

Both of these ways make it clear to a person what things in their life are sin, allowing them to repent, turn away from these things, and to remove sin from their lifelif.Receiving the Word

If a person refuses to recognize something in their life as sin that has been revealed to them as sin, that sin is not repented of; it remains in their life. That person’s growth in the Lord is stifled. Their use in the kingdom is limited. They risk shutting the door for entrance into ministry and even on their  salvation. 

 According to the Bible, it is satan that takes away the preached word sown in a person’s heart. 

"And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." - Mark 4:15 KJV

How does satan take the word that was sown in their heart? By tempting and lying to a person, which can result in that person's rebellion, disobedience, lack of submission, pride, arrogance, being contentious, being offended at the word…

In the garden of Eden, the word of God was sown in Eve's heart. Satan came and said to her, "...hath God said...?"questioning God's Word. (Genesis 3:1). 

Jesus said the devil was a murderer and a liar from the beginning, which we see in the case of Adam and Eve. (John 8:44). The devil lied to Eve, resulting in her disobedience to God's word, which resulted in Adam's disobedience to God's word, which resulted in death coming upon man. (Romans 5:12).

 God calls the ministry His gifts to men. (Ephesians 4:8). 

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

The ministry is for the perfecting (maturing) of the saints (believers). The ministry is for the purpose of helping believers to grow up spiritually. The ministry is for equipping believers so they will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and not be deceived by false doctrines. The ministry is to teach believers to operate in love as one body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-16).

What is "the world"?

What is “the world” and what does the Bible say about it?

One of the meanings of the “world” is “the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) 

The Bible says, 

"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 KJV 

Another translation,

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” - 1 John 2:15-16 NLT

Jesus was in the world, and overcame the world.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

["the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ"] 

He made a way by His death, burial, and resurrection for us also to overcome the world. We take up our cross and follow Jesus by crucifying our sinful nature by repentance, burying our old nature by water baptism in Jesus name, and rising with the infilling of His Spirit with power to overcome the temptations of this world. (Romans 12:2).

"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 

We have a new life in Jesus, no longer ruled by the devil and the things of this world.

"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 

"In whom the god of this world [the devil] 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 4:4 KJV

By the name of Jesus, His blood, and His Spirit, we have God’s power to overcome this world.

"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

The Prosecutor

 Satan is known as the Prosecutor. We understand this, as he accuses the brethren. 

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

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When Jesus died for our sins, Satan lost his power. Jesus took from him the keys of hell and death. 

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Hebrews 2:14 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;

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Satan opposes the gospel which brings the mercy of God by the blood He shed on the cross. (Act 20:28)

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

We receive life through the gospel when we follow what Peter preached on the day of Pentecost.

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.

Jesus appeared to Paul and made him a minister and witness and sent him to the Jews and Gentiles,

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

 

By the gospel, we have been brought out of the darkness of judgment into the light of God’s mercy.

Ephesians 5:6-8 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1 Peter 2:8-10 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

We no longer are subject to Satan’s accusations. When we were baptized in Jesus name, all our sins were washed away. The Prosecutor has nothing against us anymore!

Jesus promises that when we are baptized in his name he will give us His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is not only power to resist sin, the Holy Ghost also acts as our Defense Attorney. Defense Attorney (“counsel for defense”) is a meaning of the Greek word translated to “Comforter”! 

John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove [convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

Jesus, as our defense attorney, "pleads the blood" reminding Satan he has nothing to accuse us with!

Walk in the Spirit

 

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

How do we walk in the Spirit? 

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

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

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

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air ["satan" also lnown as the "devil"], the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." - Ephesians 2:2-3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repentance

 

What is the definition of repent?

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

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

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

Apostle Paul said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Photo from Exploring God's Word Bible study)

God’s New Covenant - Part 8

 

Part 8 - God’s New Covenant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part 7 - God's New Covenant

 

Part 7 - God’s New Covenant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To be continued…

Part 6 - God’s New Covenant

Part 6 - God’s New Covenant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just do it.

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

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

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

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

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

To be continued…

God's New Covenant Part 5

 

God’s New Covenant - Part 5

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

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

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

The Old Covenant was the covenant of the Law, given through Moses at Mount Sinai after God brought Israel out of Egypt. At Mount Sinai, God became a husband to the Jewish people when they covenanted to keep all the Laws God gave to them. There were 613 commandments, summarized by the 10 commandments. 

"And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." - Exodus 19:8 KJV Shortly thereafter, they broke their covenant when Moses delayed returning from the Mount and Aaron made a golden calf for the people to worship.

Jeremiah prophesied:

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

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

We find that the New Covenant is the gospel. By the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the price was paid for our sin and iniquity. "For this is my blood of the new testament [new covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV 

We obey the gospel by repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. With the gift of the Holy Ghost, we know Him.

To be continued...

Church!

 Church!

God's New Covenant - Part Three

 

 

Part 3 God’s New Covenant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apostle Paul explains.

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

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

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

To be continued…

God’s New Covenant - Part Two

 

God’s New Covenant - Part Two

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

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

While we see Jesus preaching the kingdom of God and baptizing, we see the fulfillment of the gospel on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out His Spirit on all His disciples for the very first time. (John 3:5, 22, 26, 30, 4:1-2).

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

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

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

Peter preached the gospel to the Jews that were confounded: For they heard the believers speaking in their own languages. (Acts 2:6).

Upon hearing they had crucified their Messiah, they were cut to their heart and asked, “What shall we do?”

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

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

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

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

To be continued…

God's New Covenant - Part One

 

God’s New Covenant - Part One

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

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

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

The Old Covenant was the covenant of the Law, given through Moses at Mount Sinai after God brought Israel out of Egypt. At Mount Sinai, God became a husband to the Jewish people when they covenanted to keep all the Laws God gave to them. There were 613 commandments, summarized by the 10 commandments. 

"And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." - Exodus 19:8 KJV Shortly thereafter, they broke their covenant when Moses delayed returning from the Mount and Aaron made a golden calf for the people to worship.

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

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

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

To be continued…

Seek the Lord

 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1 KJV

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10 KJV

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

I AM

 Jesus declared numerous times that He is I AM. 

"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." - John 8:58 KJV

The Jews knew Jesus was saying He is God.

"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

This is why the Jews took up stones to cast at Jesus for blasphemy. 

People ask, How can Jesus be God when He is clearly a man?

God manifested Himself as a man so that He could pay the price of blood for our sins, reconciling us back to Himself. (1 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 1:15, John 14:7-11, Collosians 2:9).

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

This is why it is necessary not only to believe and obey the gospel, but also to believe that Jesus is God - our Heavenly Father revealed in flesh. 

For only God is without sin. If Jesus was not God, He would not be without sin and could not pay the price of our sins for us. 

"And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world." - John 8:23 KJV

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 KJV

"Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning." - John 8:25 KJV

In the King James Version, the word "he" in "I am he" is italisized. This means the translators added this italisized word because they thought it would make the sentence clearer. Other translations make a notation connecting when Jesus said "I am" to the "I AM"  in Exodus 3:14.

Just say No

 

In the world not of the world

"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 KJV

We are in the world, but we are not of the world. (John 15:19, John 17:14-16). 

"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 2:16 KJV (Galatians 5:19-21).

We have turned our back on sin, have had our sins washed away by baptism in the name of Jesus, and are filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43, Acts 2:4). 

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

We must daily purpose in our heart that we will not defile ourselves with the things of this world.

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

Temple of God

 

God is a Spirit. He inhabited the tabernacle in the wilderness, then the Temple in Jerusalem, then as Christ, inhabited a human body, each time dwelling among His people.

The Sanctuary in the wilderness –

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

The Temple in Jerusalem –

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

The Temple of Christ -

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." - John 1:14 

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body." - John 2:19-21 

By Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, WE are able to become the temple of God when we repent, are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost. (The gospel).

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1Corinthians 6:19-20 

"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," - 2Corinthians 6:16-18

Church!

Church!

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

As a believer, we need the preaching of the Word to be saved.

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." - 1 Corinthians 1:21 

What kind of preacher can save us?

"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:11-16 

As a believer, we needed to hear the gospel from a preacher sent by God – a preacher that preaches the true gospel that brings peace and reconciliation between us and God - so that we could obey the gospel and be saved! (Acts 2:38).

When Esaias (Isaiah) said, Who hath believed our report? He proceeded to prophecy of the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (Isaiah 53). Peter preached this gospel on the Day of Pentecost. When the people asked, What shall we do? Peter answered 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. ... And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:38, 40 

"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