Apostle Paul spoke of receiving an abundance of revelations.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." - 2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV

How did Paul receive this abundance of revelations?

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 KJV

Another translation reads:

"When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

“Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God--his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

“But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit.

“And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths.

“But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

“Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.

“For, "Who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 NLT

How does one receive God’s Spirit?

By turning their heart, mind, and life to God, turning their back to sin by repentance.

This is what Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost when God first started pouring out His Spirit upon man.

"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?

“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 2:37-39 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, the church began. Peter preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. He preached Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. At the conclusion of his gospel message, the people 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

Peter had just preached the gospel to the people. Now 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. 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

If we want to be saved, we must turn from sin, have our sins removed by baptism in Jesus name, and receive the gift of God’s Spirit in us.

We cannot continue in sin, and expect to be saved.

We cannot expect to stand before God blameless if we have not had our sins covered by His blood by baptism IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Without the Spirit of God within us, we do not belong to Him.

"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 KJV

Peter pleaded with the people:

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

How did the people respond?

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

The people were now part of the kingdom of God – they had been born again of water and of the Spirit!

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

Their spiritual journey did not stop with baptism of water and Spirit. They were born again and now needed to mature.

How would they grow?

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

What do preachers preach when they preach the gospel of Jesus Christ? Part 4

We see that preachers in the Bible preached “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:” (1Corinthians 15:3-4)

We also see that next, they preached how to apply the gospel to our life by repentance, water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

Apostle Peter was the first preacher to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

God sent Peter to the home of Cornelius where he, his kinsmen, and near friends had gathered to hear all things that were commanded Peter of God.

Peter realized from a heavenly vision that he had been chosen by God to bring the gospel message for the first time to the Gentile nation.

Peter then opened his mouth and began to preach the gospel of Jesus to them, His death, burial, and resurrection.

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;" - Acts 10:38-40 KJV

He then preached that those that believe in Jesus may receive remission of sins through His name.

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

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." - Acts 10:44 KJV

The Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Ghost while Peter was preaching!

"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." - Acts 10:45 KJV

The believing Jews that came with Peter were shocked that God had accepted Gentiles into the church! When Peter first arrived at Cornelius’ house, he explained this to them.

"And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." - Acts 10:28 KJV

How did Peter and the believing brethren that came with him know that God had filled the Gentiles with His Spirit?

"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:46 KJV

Peter realized when he heard them speaking with tongues that God had given them the promise of the Holy Ghost. He knew now that God had granted them repentance and accepted the Gentiles. (Acts 11:1-18). Peter realized that he and the brethren must also accept them.

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:47 KJV

Peter also realized the Gentiles had received the PROMISE for entering into covenant with God, but they hadn’t entered into the COVENANT – they had not been WATER BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME!

"And he COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:48 KJV

Through Apostle Peter, the Gentiles first HEARD the gospel, and first OBEYED the gospel.

Our Heavenly Father put on a human body and dwelt among His creation. He came in His name Jesus, which is above every name.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" - Philippians 2:10

"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

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." - 1 Timothy 3:16

The Holy Ghost that was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, is the Spirit that is in Christ.

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:38-39

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

The Father is Spirit. The Father is revealed in flesh (humanity). The Father’s human body is called by His name, Jesus. The Father is in us when we are filled with His Spirit.

"For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:20

"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." - John 14:17

Jesus was speaking to His disciples. They knew Him. He dwelt with them. When He said He would be in them, Jesus was talking about His Spirit being in them.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" - John 15:26

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." - John 14:21

Jesus is the Father. Jesus is Spirit. Jesus has a body (the son of God/the flesh of God).

There is only one Spirit, referred to as the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of your Father, the Spirit.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." - John 14:23

"I and my Father are one." - John 10:30

The Father, the Spirit of God, is in Christ.

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

Church!

The Lord promised he would be back for His church. We can see the signs of the times.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance...

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…" - 2 Peter 3:9, 14-15 KJV

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV

Another translation:

"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. ... And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved…" - 2 Peter 3:9, 14-15 NLT

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ." - Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

How can we avoid falling into temptation?

The Bible puts temptation into three categories - lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

"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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17

Another translation reads,

"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. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." - 1 John 2:15-17 NLT

The best way to keep from falling into temptation, is to not take that very first step. This means that the moment an ungodly thought comes to mind, we must dismiss it. We must not take that first step down a path that leads to destruction.

What is the process?

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15

What kind of thoughts are ungodly? We should be on guard of unforgiving, judgmental, lustful, hateful, jealous, proud, or angry thoughts.

We must stop such thoughts and let them go immediately. It is when we keep thinking an ungodly thought, or allow our mind to go from one thought to another in the wrong direction, that it gets worse.

Unforgiving thoughts can escalate as we build a case against someone instead of forgiving them.

Prayer is always in order, asking God to forgive us of such thoughts, and to help us to clear our minds of them.

Prayer is also in order if the thought involves another person, praying for their salvation, their situation, as well as if they have committed any offenses against us, asking God to forgive them and to clear their account with Him of what they have done against us, which is true forgiveness.

Besides guarding our thoughts, we must guard what we look at, listen to, and where we go. Just as with our thoughts, the moment we recognize something as a temptation, we need to immediately turn from it to prevent being consumed by it.

Wisdom tells us to keep a distance from these things. If we allow ourselves to draw near to temptation, or to go where temptations are present, we set ourselves up for a fall. We must resist and distance ourselves from such places so we can keep the victory.

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

We have the assurance that with every temptation that our flesh is responding to, God has provided a way of escape. We also have the assurance that the temptations we are facing are not unique to us, but others are facing such temptations as well.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Another translation,

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Most of all, we have the assurance that through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can be victorious.

As a man, Jesus faced all the temptations that any man could face, and yet was without sin. How? By the power of His Spirit. This is why as our heavenly Father Jesus put on a human body and died for our sins – so that we too could be filled with His Spirit.

When we turn to Jesus by repentance, covenant with Him by baptism in Jesus name, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost, we receive the authority of Jesus name, and the power of His blood and Spirit to overcome any temptation that can come our way.

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

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

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