One God

 There is only one God. His name is Jesus. He is our Heavenly Father that robed Himself in flesh to die for our sins, reconciling us to Himself.

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

One God His Name is Jesus

 The word “Godhead” means “divine power,” “divinity,” “divine,” “deity,” “divine nature.”

“Godhead” describes the SPIRIT of God. 

The “Father” describes the SPIRIT of God. 

The “Holy Ghost” describes the SPIRIT of God.

“Son,” on the other hand, describes the FLESH of God.

Clearly, FLESH should not be considered part of the Godhead, for FLESH is not the SPIRIT of God. 

The concept that the “Son” (the FLESH of God) is in the Godhead is a concept that is a tradition of men. 

Rather, as the BIBLE states, the Godhead is IN the body (flesh) of Christ.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:8-9 KJV

["Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body." - Colossians 2:8-9 NLT]

God was IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF.

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

Jesus is our Heavenly Father, revealed in flesh/bodily.

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

"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

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:10 KJV

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:9 KJV

There is only ONE God. His name is JESUS. 

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 KJV (Acts 2:38)

Be not Weary in Well Doing

 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

"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.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:7-10 KJV

I AM HE

 

Peace and Reconciliation

 In the Bible, many times numbers have symbolic meanings. For example, it is said that the number seven represents completion, or perfection. God created the world in seven days. There are seven colors of the rainbow and seven musical notes. Naaman the leper became clean after dipping in the river Jordan seven ti

Three represents peace and reconciliation. Three times in the year Jewish males appeared before the LORD at the temple in Jerusalem making peace with sacrifices to God. Jonah was reconciled back to God when he was in the belly of the whale for three days. Joseph interpreted the dream of the butler: the vine of three branches was three days, and the butler was restored to his position as butler.

The question may be asked, why did Moses strike the rock in the wilderness three times?

The first time Moses struck the rock, he struck it one time and at God’s commandment. This was in Rephidim which Moses called Massah, and Meribah (which means “striving” or “arguing.”) This was at the beginning of the forty years in the wilderness.

The second time Moses struck the rock, he struck it two times, in disobedience to God’s command to speak to the rock. This was at the very end of the forty years in the wilderness. This brings the total times the rock was struck to three times. This place was called the waters of Meribah, because the children of Israel again strove with the LORD.

Why would the rock be struck three times?

The Bible says that the rock was Christ. The number three represents peace and reconciliation. By Christ being smitten, the smitten rock, by His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus brought peace and reconciliation between Himself and the world.

"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 KJV

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:" - Colossians 1:21-22 KJV

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

The What the who the how the why

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

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Baptized in the Name of Jesus

 Why I am baptized in the name of Jesus 

I am water baptized in the name of Jesus to apply the blood of Jesus to my life for the remission of my sins. 

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins [everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name]." - Acts 10:43 KJV  Our sins are forgiven through His name by water baptism in His name of Jesus.

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

"For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 KJV

While the blood of animal sacrifices every year pushed ahead the sins of Israel, they could not take their sins away. 

"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 10:3-4 KJV

It took our Heavenly Father robing Himself in flesh, born holy and without sin, to shed His blood for us so our sins could be taken away. God came in His name Jesus.

"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 KJV

Jesus told His disciples when He took the cup at the last supper before His death, that it was symbolic of the blood He was about to shed.

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

This is what Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began – baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of 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 KJV

Halloween

 Is Halloween a device of Satan? What is Halloween? A time of fun and excitement for children? 

It is a day when schools, preschools, and daycares take a day to devote their 

activities to tales of witches and warlocks, of drawing pictures of black cats, full moons, ghosts and goblins. It is a day if carving out jack-o-lanterns, of candy and more candy. After school, when darkness arrives, it is a time of costumes and going door to door to neighbors and friends, children shouting, "Trick or treat" for candy and apples, trips through haunted houses, and parties. 

The stores fill up with sections devoted to Halloween costumes and masks, scary makeup, fake blood and eyeballs, plastic jack-o-lanterns, ghost figures, witches on brooms, and more.

Is this a “holiday” where Satan appears as an angel of light? (2Cor.11:14).

Halloween has a history filled with evil, wickedness, and violence. The Spirit reveals underneath the sugar-coated celebrations, there are deadly satanic activities going on with the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world.

Years ago, Druids, coming to the door of castles threatened homes and families with satanic curses (“trick") unless the father and mother would surrender their virgin daughter as a blood sacrifice to satan on the upcoming rituals on the night of Halloween. If they surrendered their daughter, a hollowed-out squash would be lit by their door, candle light sending out beacons through its openings signaling that this home was not to be cursed: they had surrendered their child at the Druid’s threat.

Several years ago, the underground evil seeped up into the candy gathering ritual to the point where hospitals were offering x-rays of apples and candy to disclose hidden razor blades. The possibility of poison in Halloween treats lead to supervised neighborhood trunk and treat events.

Is there other evil going on the night of this satanic holiday today?

There are numerous accounts from those that have previously been involved with Satanism of the animal and child sacrifices on this night. The horror of this goes beyond one’s imagination. It is truly a night of darkness and evil spiritual activity going on in remote areas, concealed beyond the “innocent” revellings of the night.

Halloween is a time to be discerning, to not step over the line into the realm of being caught by Satan’s devices. It is a time to intercede in prayer for those caught up in satanic activities that the light of the truth of Jesus come to them and deliver them from darkness into his mercy by the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 2:38). It is a time to intercede in prayer for those that are victims or potential victims of the sexual abuse and violence that is a part of satanic rituals.

The Bible says,

"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire [human sacrifice], or that useth divination [do not let your people practice fortune telling], or an observer of times [or use sorcery], or an enchanter [or interpret omens], or a witch [or engage in witchcraft], or a charmer [or cast spells], or a consulter with familiar spirits [or function as mediums or psychics], or a wizard [or call forth the spirits of the dead], or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee [The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things]." - Deuteronomy 18:9-12 KJV (Also, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 9:21, 21:8)

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. ... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:10-12, 18 KJV

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. […so remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.]" - Romans 13:12 KJV

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. [Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.]" - Ephesians 5:11 KJV

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV

Bind and Loose

 Apostle Peter and Binding and Loosing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The multitude that gathered said, what meaneth this? 

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

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

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 KJV

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

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

Speaking in Tongues

 "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." - John 3:8 KJV

Jesus is explaining that just as the wind has a sound that accompanies it, so likewise the Spirit has a sound that accompanies it. We learn later in Acts, that speaking in tongues is the sound that accompanies the Holy Ghost as Jesus fills an individual with His Spirit.

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

Act 10:45-46 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 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

We see from our human experience, that when a baby is born there is a sound. It is when the baby inhales his first breath that the sound is emitted – a cry! This is how we know the baby is alive outside the womb. He must take a breath, or he will die. 

That breath that a baby receives when he is born in the natural is like the Spirit we receive when we are born again of the Spirit. 

Speaking to Nicodemus, 

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3 KJV

And then,

"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 KJV

So it is as Jesus said, when we are born of the Spirit there is a sound. 

We see in the Bible and from our experience today that this sound is speaking in tongues. 

[Note: Tongues is a language. Tongues as the sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking in a language we do not know, as the Spirit of God speaks through us. We speak in other tongues as God is filling us with His Spirit, trusting and allowing Him to change our words of praise into a language we do not know.]

The Wind

 "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." - John 3:8 KJV

Jesus is explaining that just as the wind has a sound that accompanies it, so likewise the Spirit has a sound that accompanies it. We learn later in Acts, that speaking in tongues is the sound that accompanies the Holy Ghost as Jesus fills an individual with His Spirit.

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

Act 10:45-46 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 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

We see from our human experience, that when a baby is born there is a sound. It is when the baby inhales his first breath that the sound is emitted – a cry! This is how we know the baby is alive outside the womb. He must take a breath, or he will die. 

That breath that a baby receives when he is born in the natural is like the Spirit we receive when we are born again of the Spirit. 

Speaking to Nicodemus, 

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3 KJV

And then,

"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 KJV

So it is as Jesus said, when we are born of the Spirit there is a sound. 

We see in the Bible and from our experience today that this sound is speaking in tongues. 

[Note: Tongues is a language. Tongues as the sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking in a language we do not know, as the Spirit of God speaks through us. We speak in other tongues as God is filling us with His Spirit, trusting and allowing Him to change our words of praise into a language we do not know.]

The Eyes of the Lord

 The Eyes of the LORD

The Bible speaks about the eyes of the LORD.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. [The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.]" - 2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV

The eyes of the LORD are not spoken of here as physical eyes. The LORD had physical eyes when He walked among His creation in the form of man as Jesus Christ. Yet He was not limited to what He saw through His human eyes, for God was not limited within that body during the 33 years He dwelt on this earth.  That was His temple. (John 2:19-21). God still remained omnipresent [present everywhere] throughout the universe, and omniscient, knowing and seeing all things. 

Solomon recognized that God could not be contained within a physical temple. When Solomon dedicated the magnificent temple He built, He said these words:

"But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" - 2 Chronicles 6:18 KJV

Yet, the presence and glory of God dwelt within Solomon’s temple, the house of the LORD.

"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. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 KJV

Later, the presence and glory of God dwelt within Christ, His new temple that was made of flesh.

"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 KJV

Both temples (Solomon’s temple, and Christ as God’s temple) had the name of the Lord placed upon them. They both were a place of sacrifice. They both were a place of God’s presence.

"And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: ... That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place." - 1 Kings 8:22, 29 KJV

Because Jesus is God, He was not limited to His physical body of flesh. Nor was He limited to His physical eyes of His human body. Rather, Jesus as God saw all things.

"And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" - Matthew 9:4 KJV

Peter spoke of the eyes of the Lord.

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers..." - 1 Peter 3:10-12 KJV

Jesus as God is everywhere, seeing His people and hearing our prayers. 

Call on His name, whatever you are going through. Jesus is our healer, our deliverer, our savior, our comforter, our strength and our every present help in time of trouble.

"The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." - Psalm 34:15

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 are 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 then 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. We obey the gospel by repenting of our sins, applying the blood and Spirit of Jesus to our life by water and Spirit baptism. We are 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). We are baptized with water by immersion with the name of Jesus called upon us which applies the blood of Jesus for the remission of our sins. (Acts 8:38-39).

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

Church!

 

The Right Hand of Power

 The hand of God is an extension of the arm of God. The hand of God, just like the arm of God, represents God’s power.

God is a Spirit – invisible. God's Spirit fills the universe. He is one God, Creator of the universe and Savior of our souls. He is omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (everywhere at the same time).

Because He is Spirit and fills the universe, He does not have a physical right or left side, or a right or left hand. Again, the hand of the Lord, especially the right hand, is symbolic of power.

The following verses are examples of God’s hand and right hand speaking of the power of God. (Daniel 9:15, Acts 5:31, Acts 2:33, Acts 5:31).

"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." - Luke 22:69 KJV

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2 KJV (There is one throne in heaven, and one that sits on the throne – Christ, the image of the invisible God.) 

"Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." - Matthew 26:64 KJV

"And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." - Mark 14:62 KJV [“14:62a Or The ‘I AM’ is here; or I am the LORD. See Exodus 3:14”]

"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." - Mark 16:19 KJV

"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." - Luke 22:69 KJV

"And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God... And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." - Acts 7:56, 59 KJV