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 KJV

 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 life. 

 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).

I am Baptized in the Name of Jesus for the Remission of Sins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tongues - Part 10

   Part 10 Divers kinds of tongues

“Divers kinds of tongues” is one of the nine spiritual gifts given to believers to minister to the church body.

What does the Bible say about “spiritual gifts”?

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. ... Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ... For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:" - 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 8-10 KJV

There are nine “spiritual gifts” in this list. These gifts are given to MINISTER to the church and to help the church body grow spiritually. In order for a person to be used to minister in any of these spiritual gifts, a person must have received the Holy Ghost first, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave them the utterance.

The spiritual gift of “divers kinds of tongues” mentioned in this list is what some people call the gift of tongues. This gift, like the rest of the spiritual gifts, is used to MINISTER to the church by giving the WHOLE CHURCH BODY a message – like a trumpet. It must be ministered along with the “gift of interpretation of tongues” so the church body can understand the message in their own language, receiving comfort, exhortation, and encouragement.

A person does not need to be used in any of these spiritual gifts to be saved. A person DOES need to receive the Holy Ghost to be saved, and they WILL speak in tongues when they receive the Holy Ghost.

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

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV

Walking 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. We purpose in our heart and mind to turn our back on sin and a sinful lifestyle.

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

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

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

When we repented and came out of the world, we had our sins washed away by water baptism in the name of Jesus. It is necessary to be baptized in the name of JESUS as the Bible says (Acts 2:38), so that the blood of JESUS can be applied to our life to  remit our sins.

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

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

Just as Jesus said, Peter preached repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus among all nations beginning in Jerusalem. He preached this message on the Day of Pentecost.

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

After repentance, we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. When Jesus fills us with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus in us, we have the power to overcome the lusts of our flesh.

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." - Galatians 6:8 

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

Tongues - Part 9

 Part 9 - Tongues  Peter’s Testimony of How the Gentiles Received the Holy Ghost

The apostles and Jewish believers in Jerusalem were criticizing Peter for breaking the Jewish law by going into the home of a Gentile. Peter gave them his testimony of how God poured out the gift of His Holy Ghost on the Gentiles, just as God poured out His Spirit on them.

He told them of his heavenly vision with a voice speaking to him, three men from Cornelius a Gentile arriving from Caesarea, the Spirit directing Peter to go with them, and his taking six Jewish brethren with him to the house of Cornelius.

"And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." - Acts 11:13-14

It was Peter’s testimony of the sign of speaking in tongues that made it clear to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem that God had accepted the Gentiles for salvation.

Peter told them,

"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." - Acts 11:15

How did the Holy Ghost fall on Peter and the rest of the apostles and brethren on the Day of Pentecost?

They spoke with tongues.

("And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4)

Peter told the Jewish believers in Jerusalem,

"Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" - Acts 11:17

Based on Peter’s testimony, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem accepted the Gentile believers.

"When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." - Acts 11:18

It was that Cornelius and his household spoke in tongues that finalized Peter’s testimony to the Jewish believers at Jerusalem. The Gentiles received the Holy Ghost just like they did, speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

[To read the full account of when the Gentiles first received the Holy Ghost and were baptized in Jesus name, see Acts chapter 10.]

Tongues - Part 8

 

     Tongues Part 8 How do I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?

A person can receive the Holy Ghost before or after water baptism in the name of Jesus. Repentance, however, must come first.

“Repent” here means,  “to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

We come to Jesus by faith. 

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

By repentance, we turn our heart, mind, and life to Jesus and away from sin.

Now we can receive God’s Spirit in us.

.A good place for a person to receive the Holy Ghost is at church, when there is an “altar call”. This is a call to those that love Jesus, that want to give their life to Him, and want to receive the gift of His Spirit. 

In this atmosphere of prayer, worship, and the message of the word of God, it is easier to feel the presence of Jesus. 

When we go to the altar, we often find others who will pray with us, worshiping with us, and encouraging us as we draw closer into God’s presence.

We receive God’s Spirit when we focus our whole attention on Jesus and His love for us. By our worship and thanksgiving, we draw closer to Him and He draws closer to us. (James 4:8) 

It seems when we raise our hands in praise and worship, we are reaching out to Him. 

When we worship and talk to Him, we communicate our heart and love. 

With our mind, our heart, our hands, and our voice focused on Jesus and how much we love Him, the presence of the Lord comes upon us. We feel His love and peace. 

Sometimes there is a feeling of humility in the awesome presence of His holiness. Sometimes we have tears of thanksgiving. When we humble our self before the Lord, He lifts us up. 

To allow Jesus to fill us with His Spirit, we must allow Him to change our words, our tongue. 

This requires trust in the Lord, and letting go of pride. 

When we surrender to God, giving Him control, He fills us with His Spirit.

Church!

 

Church!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Tongues - Part 7

 

     Tongues Part 7 There is a difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues. The gift of the Holy Ghost is a promise to us when we repent of our sins and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins.

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

The gift of the Holy Ghost (the Spirit) is necessary for salvation.

"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

When people receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, they speak with other tongues.

They spoke in other tongues when they received the gift of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4

They spoke in other tongues at the house of Cornelius when they received the gift of Holy Ghost.

"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:45-46a

John the Baptist’s disciples spoke with other tongues when they received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19:6

The gift of tongues is different from the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is one of the gifts of the Spirit given to believers for the edifying of the church.

“Edifying” means, “(the act of) building, building up, a metaphorically, edifying, edification, i.e. the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, happiness” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

“It expresses the strengthening effect of teaching… (the idea conveyed is progress resulting from patient effort)”. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

It is not necessary to have the gift of tongues for salvation, or any of the other gifts of the Spirit, which are all used for edifying the church, the body of Christ.

In the following verse, Paul is speaking to the Corinthian church about two of the gifts of the Spirit. He is talking to them about the gift of tongues, and the gift of prophecy.

"I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." - 1 Corinthians 14:5

“Prophesieth” means, “to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or praise of the divine counsels, or (for the above verse), under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

"To be a prophet, to prophesy," is used (a) with the primary meaning of telling forth the Divine counsels (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

It is necessary for the gift of tongues to be used with the gift of the interpretation of tongues, in order for the church to be edified. If there is no interpretation of the message in tongues, then no one understands what has been said, and the church is not edified, which is the purpose of the various gifts of the Spirit.

"If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret." - 1 Corinthians 14:27

Tongues - Part 6

 

Part 6 The Holy Ghost in Samaria

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

"... And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." - Acts 8:1 

What Jesus said of Samaria was about to be fulfilled!

"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them." - Acts 8:5 

"And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city." - Acts 8:6-8 

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." - Acts 8:12 

They were baptized in the name of Jesus – yet they had not received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)" - Acts 8:14-16 

Receiving the Holy Ghost is so important, that the apostles sent Peter and John on a special trip from Jerusalem to Samaria to pray for the people to receive the Holy Ghost!

"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." - Acts 8:17 

"And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans." - Acts 8:25

Tongues Part 5

 Part 5 There is another place in the Bible where people speak in other tongues when they received the Holy Ghost.

In Acts 19, Apostle Paul came upon disciples of John the Baptist. These disciples had been baptized unto repentance, for this is what John the Baptist preached. They had not been baptized in the name of Jesus. Neither had they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Paul discovered this in his conversation with them.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." - Acts 19:1-2

"And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism." - Acts 19:3 

Paul found out two things. First, these disciples knew about the Holy Ghost, they just weren’t aware that the Holy Ghost had begun to be poured out. 

 John the Baptist preached about it:

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" - Matthew 3:11 

Secondly, their baptism was simply one of repentance, for John the Baptist baptized with water “unto repentance.”

"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." - Acts 19:4

"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 19:5

Here is an example of people being re-baptized. Even though they had already been baptized once, because they had not been baptized in the name of Jesus, they got re-baptized. 

These men had now been born of water.  They now needed to be born of the Spirit to fully obey the Gospel.

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19:6

Here is yet another example of people speaking in other tongues when they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

They were now in obedience to the gospel. These men had now entered into the New Covenant.

Tongues Part 3

 

Part 3 Where in the Bible did people speak in other tongues when they received the gift of the Holy Ghost?

The first place that people spoke in other tongues was in the upper room in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. 

"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

Henceforth, tongues would be the sign that a person received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Tongues were the sign to Peter and the 7 brethren that came with him to the house of Cornelius that God had also given the Gentiles the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." - Acts 11:15 (Acts 10:44-46). (See also Acts 19:1-7).

On the Day of Pentecost, Jews were gathered from nations from around the world to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple for this holy day. The Jews call this holy day Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. (Deuteronomy 16:16). These Jews most likely spoke Hebrew, their religious language, as well as likely speaking Latin or Greek, the languages of the Roman Empire. In addition, they spoke the languages of the nations they were born. (Acts 2:5-6)

"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad [the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the 120 disciples in the upper room] the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them [the disciples] speak in his own language. ."We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God...' And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?" - Acts 2:5-6, 11-12

Notice: the people heard the disciples speaking in their tongues "the wonderful works of God." These men were not preaching the gospel in their languages.

Apostle Peter, standing up with the other apostles, was the preacher. He began his Gospel message to the multitudes that had gathered by explaining that what they had just witnessed had been prophesied by the prophet Joel. (Joel 2:28)

"For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day [about 9am]. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;" - Acts 2:14-16

Henceforth, tongues would be the sign that a person had received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Tongues Part 1

 Why did God choose tongues as the sign that a person has been filled with His Spirit?

Perhaps the first reason is that it is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

"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

Paul refers to this scripture in 1 Corinthians:

"In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 

"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." - 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 

{Note: “Sign” (“as tokens of Divine authority and power”) “Prophesying” (“signifies "the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God"”) From: Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words}

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

The disciples that were gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues. The tongues were the sign they had been filled with divine authority and power.

"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

Jesus spoke of the rest in Isaiah, saying it comes from Him. When we take upon us His yoke through baptism in the name of Jesus, He promises us His Spirit, which is our rest and refreshing.

"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." - Matthew 11:28-29

"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

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.

Called, Chosen, and Faithful

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

How are we called?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is then up to us to be faithful to the One that loves us and died for us so that we might have life.

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

Halloween

 

Walking the Walk

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

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

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

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

Here are a few verses with the word “conversation”: (“conversation” means “conduct.”).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let Them Make Me a Sanctuary

 God is a Spirit. 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

 

There is hope for everyone through Jesus 

The Bible says,

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

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

What is the change?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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