At what point are our sins forgiven? You are forgiven at the point in which you are justified.
When is one justified?
Let's see:
Ephesians 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Romans 3:25-26
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which BELIEVETH in Jesus.
Romans 4:5-8
But to him that worketh not, but Believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4:16-25
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we BELIEVE on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
We are justifed, forgiven and made righteous before God, in Christ, at the point we believe what God has done for us by way of Christ's death for our sin and ressurection for our justification. No confession, no pleading, just simply in trust, believing what Christ has accomplished.
What about baptism? Well we MUST BE BAPTIZED; understanding that it's Not water submersion, but rather an operation of God.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Galatians 3:27-28
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
God's wrath against sin was completely satisfied by Christ's death. By believing in Jesus Christ and his finished work by death and the ressurection, we are placed into Christ (baptism) by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are saved, forgiven, and Justified before God if we are in Christ.
Will you believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?
Friday, October 31, 2014
Saved, yet denying your forgiveness? How does that work?
Question....
If you are forgiven, can you be unforgiven?
Not understanding Christ's work on the cross is very evident in CHRISTIAN CULTURE today.
The moment you are saved, you are forgiven and atoned for. Meaning, you are no longer in a position to seek God's forgiveness, but by understanding your position in Christ, you know that what Christ accomplished is not for one sin- but ALL SIN.
2 Corinthians 5:19
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.
God is not imputing sin to our account today. You are not being charged with your past failures, nor your sins today. Rather, you are exhorted to walk out the new life you have been given in Christ.
In fact... you are dead.....
Galatians 2:20-21
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Your righteousness is not a product or your goodness, but rather Christ's justification by His Ressurection.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Not water-resistant 1 Cor. 12 : 13)
See Romans 4:25
People honestly are ignorant of the new position they have once they have trusted the gospel.
This mistake comes from the inability to rightly divide our bibles.
John, being one of the 12 apostles, was not in a position to say, "I am Forgiven." (1John 1:9)
He, along with all the rest of the remnant of Israel were anticipating the forgiveness that was to come.
Peter preached that Israel would be forgiven when?
Acts 3:19-21
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; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
This is why confusion about salvation runs rampant from pulpits of every denomination today. There are books in your bible that you can "learn" from, but that does not mean they are for your participation.
Early Acts is not the beginning of the Body of Christ, it is the fulfillment of prophecy. Read Peter's sermon in Acts 2. Go and see what message was preached. You know what you won't find? You won't find the Gospel of the cross there. You will not hear Peter say, "hey guys. .. Jesus died for your sins. And his resurrection. .. that was for our justification."
Opposite of Paul’s gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Nope. You will see Peter preach a murder indictment towards Israel. Then you will see Peter continuing the gospel of the kingdom message (Which is found in M,M, L &J) Which doesn't contain the information OF WHY Christ died Or ressurected.
Unless you understand that Paul was given further revelation from Christ, you will not be able to make sense of scriptures that obviously contradict one another, especially if not rightly divided.
If you are forgiven, can you be unforgiven?
Not understanding Christ's work on the cross is very evident in CHRISTIAN CULTURE today.
The moment you are saved, you are forgiven and atoned for. Meaning, you are no longer in a position to seek God's forgiveness, but by understanding your position in Christ, you know that what Christ accomplished is not for one sin- but ALL SIN.
2 Corinthians 5:19
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.
God is not imputing sin to our account today. You are not being charged with your past failures, nor your sins today. Rather, you are exhorted to walk out the new life you have been given in Christ.
In fact... you are dead.....
Galatians 2:20-21
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Your righteousness is not a product or your goodness, but rather Christ's justification by His Ressurection.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Not water-resistant 1 Cor. 12 : 13)
See Romans 4:25
People honestly are ignorant of the new position they have once they have trusted the gospel.
This mistake comes from the inability to rightly divide our bibles.
John, being one of the 12 apostles, was not in a position to say, "I am Forgiven." (1John 1:9)
He, along with all the rest of the remnant of Israel were anticipating the forgiveness that was to come.
Peter preached that Israel would be forgiven when?
Acts 3:19-21
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; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
This is why confusion about salvation runs rampant from pulpits of every denomination today. There are books in your bible that you can "learn" from, but that does not mean they are for your participation.
Early Acts is not the beginning of the Body of Christ, it is the fulfillment of prophecy. Read Peter's sermon in Acts 2. Go and see what message was preached. You know what you won't find? You won't find the Gospel of the cross there. You will not hear Peter say, "hey guys. .. Jesus died for your sins. And his resurrection. .. that was for our justification."
Opposite of Paul’s gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Nope. You will see Peter preach a murder indictment towards Israel. Then you will see Peter continuing the gospel of the kingdom message (Which is found in M,M, L &J) Which doesn't contain the information OF WHY Christ died Or ressurected.
Unless you understand that Paul was given further revelation from Christ, you will not be able to make sense of scriptures that obviously contradict one another, especially if not rightly divided.
Should we ask for forgiveness of sins?
I received this great question through the website.
“Why do we no longer need to ask for forgiveness for a sin?”
Sin is sin and we should never take it lightly (Eph 5:6). Grace does not take it lightly in that it requires the perfect blood of the Son of God to pay the penalty for our sins. Just one sin condemns us to death. Christ saves us from that judgment with the work he finished by the cross.
The reason we do not need to ask God to forgive is that he already has forgiven us. The work is complete. He is offering it to you already. Our conversation to God should be belief and gratitude that he has forgiven us through Christ’s blood.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” –Colossians 1:14
Praying for God to do something he has already done only shows a lack of faith in his finished work. A child would not ask a parent for lunch if the plate is sitting in front of them. Their response should be “thank you”. In the same way, we thank God for his forgiveness handed to us on the platter of grace.
God has already forgiven those who trust the gospel of Christ.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ” – Ephesians 4:32
God offers this forgiveness to everyone in the world. They need not ask him to forgive, but merely trust that his offer is valid through the blood of Jesus. This is the gospel that saves. This is the ministry of reconciliation. God is reconciled to you, be ye reconciled to God!
“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 Cor 5:19
From Justin Johnson at graceambassadors.com
graceambassadors.com
“Why do we no longer need to ask for forgiveness for a sin?”
Sin is sin and we should never take it lightly (Eph 5:6). Grace does not take it lightly in that it requires the perfect blood of the Son of God to pay the penalty for our sins. Just one sin condemns us to death. Christ saves us from that judgment with the work he finished by the cross.
The reason we do not need to ask God to forgive is that he already has forgiven us. The work is complete. He is offering it to you already. Our conversation to God should be belief and gratitude that he has forgiven us through Christ’s blood.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” –Colossians 1:14
Praying for God to do something he has already done only shows a lack of faith in his finished work. A child would not ask a parent for lunch if the plate is sitting in front of them. Their response should be “thank you”. In the same way, we thank God for his forgiveness handed to us on the platter of grace.
God has already forgiven those who trust the gospel of Christ.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ” – Ephesians 4:32
God offers this forgiveness to everyone in the world. They need not ask him to forgive, but merely trust that his offer is valid through the blood of Jesus. This is the gospel that saves. This is the ministry of reconciliation. God is reconciled to you, be ye reconciled to God!
“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 Cor 5:19
From Justin Johnson at graceambassadors.com
graceambassadors.com
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Three Churches in our Bible(Audio Lesson)
Thursday night Bible Study...
There are 3 churches mentioned in the scriptures. This lesson strives to show that we can properly distinguish the different groups that God has operated with and in what ways he has operated with them according to the dispensation that the group was participating in.
Click the link below to listen.
Three Churches in our Bible
There are 3 churches mentioned in the scriptures. This lesson strives to show that we can properly distinguish the different groups that God has operated with and in what ways he has operated with them according to the dispensation that the group was participating in.
Click the link below to listen.
Three Churches in our Bible
What is the Mystery?
https://app.box.com/s/4sufpd23uxxemirbfzna
Check out this message from Jeremy Johnson on explaining what the Revelation of the Mystery is and how it effects us today!
This was recorded a few weeks ago when Justin and his family came to visit us from Indiana.
For more lessons like this, feel free to check out Graceambassadors.com
Check out this message from Jeremy Johnson on explaining what the Revelation of the Mystery is and how it effects us today!
This was recorded a few weeks ago when Justin and his family came to visit us from Indiana.
For more lessons like this, feel free to check out Graceambassadors.com
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Did Peter Preach Paul's Gospel at Pentecost?
Before his death, Jesus told the twelve that he had to die and that he would rise on the third day. Looking back upon this passage we see this as Jesus speaking of an event that would change the history of the world. However, it is unquestionable that the disciples were ignorant of its meaning.
“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,…And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. “ – Luke 18:31-34
After his crucifixion, instead of anxiously waiting his resurrection, the apostles were still ignorant, disheartened at the death of their redeemer, and did not even at first believe the testimony of his resurrection (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:19-24).
It was not until after his resurrection that Jesus appeared to the apostles and ‘opened their understanding’ to the scriptures regarding the necessity of the death, burial, and resurrection (Luke 24:44-47).
However, we must be careful to equate this ‘understanding’ of the cross to the understanding that was given to Paul concerning the meaning of the cross today. As we will see from Peter’s testimony, the apostles did not preach faith in the cross as the means of salvation. Rather the necessity of the crucifixion was revealed as it pertained to the prophetic program and the covenants – the massacre of an unworthy lamb.
Peter’s Murder Indictment
After their understanding was opened in Luke 24, forty days of teaching from the resurrected Jesus, and the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Ghost, surely the glories of the cross and the atoning work of the blood would be expounded by Peter at Pentecost.
Yet, Peter did not preach the cross as a means of salvation, but as a murder indictment against the men of Judea and Israel. Peter testified how that Jesus was approved of God by his works.
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: “ – Acts 1:22
Yet it was to the shame of Israel that their long-awaited Messiah would come only to be crucified by their wicked hands.
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” – Acts 1:23
Peter continues to explain how that God raised Jesus up to sit on the throne as a fulfillment of the promise given to David. So, then Peter again summarizes by saying:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
What an accusation and message of indictment presented against Israel! It is no wonder that many were ‘pricked in their heart’ (Acts 1:37)
‘Repent and Be Baptized’
Subsequent to the appeal of these frightened men at hearing their egregious mistake Peter tells them what to do.
“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
Suprisingly, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost does not mention the free redemption by the grace of God as Paul does in Romans 3. Instead he gives them nothing new – repent and be baptized.
We may remember that this was the message that was taught by John the Baptist and the twelve while they were still ignorant of the cross.
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” – Mark 1:4
To the message of the baptism of repentance, Peter simply adds the promised gift of the Holy Ghost that has now been sent from Christ in heaven.
Done In Ignorance
In the following chapter Peter again is preaching to Israel and again accuses them of murdering the Holy One. However, this time he drops the charge due to ignorant manslaughter.
“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. “ – Acts 3:14-15
“And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. “ – Acts 3:17
Just as Jesus prayed to God to ‘forgive them they know not what they do’, Peter offers this forgiveness by the mercy of God towards Israel (Luke 24:34).
So then, Israel has a second chance opportunity to believe Jesus is the Christ as Peter continues:
“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; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” – Acts 3:19-20
It is here that we gain the crucial element to answer our question, did Peter preach the cross for salvation?
Peter vs. Paul
We have read where before Peter offered the baptismal remission of sins through repentance (Acts 2:38). Here Peter says that their sins will be blotted out at the future times of refreshing. In neither instance does he offer faith in the blood for righteousness. Nor is his offers of salvation unconditional or free, but are accompanied with baptisms and repentance.
In contrast Paul preaches the cross ‘according to the revelation of the mystery’ not revealed or known to Peter (Rom 16:25, Eph 3:4). Paul preaches salvation to a man who ‘worketh not’, receives atonement immediately, and is separate from the message of baptism taught by John the Baptist (Rom 4:5, Rom 5:11, 1 Cor 1:17).
Furthermore, whereas Peter preaches the cross as a murder indictment, filled with shame and guilt, Paul preaches glory in the cross!
“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.” – Gal 6:14
It was this glorious message of salvation based upon the necessary death of Jesus by the cross that was kept hidden from the foundation of the world until revealed to Paul!
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
If it were revealed or made available to the evil princes of this world or the Prince of darkness, he would not have plotted the death of the promised Messiah.
Peter’s Teaching
Peter testified to what was revealed to him as far back as Mathew 16 – that Jesus was the Christ. It was this same Christ that was crucified, and would return to seek vengeance. For salvation, Peter taught belief in the name of Jesus as the Messiah, repentance, and baptism for the remission for sins.
What is left conspicuously absent, or more properly hidden, from Peter at Pentecost is the glory of the cross as a redemptive act necessary for the salvation of us all! It is this manifold wisdom of God that was kept hid in God until revealed to us through Paul.
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” – Eph 3:9-10
This is an article written by Justin Johnson from the Grace Ambassadors ministry.
Check out graceambassadors.com for more great resources on rightly dividing the word of truth!
“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,…And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. “ – Luke 18:31-34
After his crucifixion, instead of anxiously waiting his resurrection, the apostles were still ignorant, disheartened at the death of their redeemer, and did not even at first believe the testimony of his resurrection (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:19-24).
It was not until after his resurrection that Jesus appeared to the apostles and ‘opened their understanding’ to the scriptures regarding the necessity of the death, burial, and resurrection (Luke 24:44-47).
However, we must be careful to equate this ‘understanding’ of the cross to the understanding that was given to Paul concerning the meaning of the cross today. As we will see from Peter’s testimony, the apostles did not preach faith in the cross as the means of salvation. Rather the necessity of the crucifixion was revealed as it pertained to the prophetic program and the covenants – the massacre of an unworthy lamb.
Peter’s Murder Indictment
After their understanding was opened in Luke 24, forty days of teaching from the resurrected Jesus, and the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Ghost, surely the glories of the cross and the atoning work of the blood would be expounded by Peter at Pentecost.
Yet, Peter did not preach the cross as a means of salvation, but as a murder indictment against the men of Judea and Israel. Peter testified how that Jesus was approved of God by his works.
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: “ – Acts 1:22
Yet it was to the shame of Israel that their long-awaited Messiah would come only to be crucified by their wicked hands.
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” – Acts 1:23
Peter continues to explain how that God raised Jesus up to sit on the throne as a fulfillment of the promise given to David. So, then Peter again summarizes by saying:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
What an accusation and message of indictment presented against Israel! It is no wonder that many were ‘pricked in their heart’ (Acts 1:37)
‘Repent and Be Baptized’
Subsequent to the appeal of these frightened men at hearing their egregious mistake Peter tells them what to do.
“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
Suprisingly, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost does not mention the free redemption by the grace of God as Paul does in Romans 3. Instead he gives them nothing new – repent and be baptized.
We may remember that this was the message that was taught by John the Baptist and the twelve while they were still ignorant of the cross.
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” – Mark 1:4
To the message of the baptism of repentance, Peter simply adds the promised gift of the Holy Ghost that has now been sent from Christ in heaven.
Done In Ignorance
In the following chapter Peter again is preaching to Israel and again accuses them of murdering the Holy One. However, this time he drops the charge due to ignorant manslaughter.
“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. “ – Acts 3:14-15
“And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. “ – Acts 3:17
Just as Jesus prayed to God to ‘forgive them they know not what they do’, Peter offers this forgiveness by the mercy of God towards Israel (Luke 24:34).
So then, Israel has a second chance opportunity to believe Jesus is the Christ as Peter continues:
“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; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” – Acts 3:19-20
It is here that we gain the crucial element to answer our question, did Peter preach the cross for salvation?
Peter vs. Paul
We have read where before Peter offered the baptismal remission of sins through repentance (Acts 2:38). Here Peter says that their sins will be blotted out at the future times of refreshing. In neither instance does he offer faith in the blood for righteousness. Nor is his offers of salvation unconditional or free, but are accompanied with baptisms and repentance.
In contrast Paul preaches the cross ‘according to the revelation of the mystery’ not revealed or known to Peter (Rom 16:25, Eph 3:4). Paul preaches salvation to a man who ‘worketh not’, receives atonement immediately, and is separate from the message of baptism taught by John the Baptist (Rom 4:5, Rom 5:11, 1 Cor 1:17).
Furthermore, whereas Peter preaches the cross as a murder indictment, filled with shame and guilt, Paul preaches glory in the cross!
“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.” – Gal 6:14
It was this glorious message of salvation based upon the necessary death of Jesus by the cross that was kept hidden from the foundation of the world until revealed to Paul!
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
If it were revealed or made available to the evil princes of this world or the Prince of darkness, he would not have plotted the death of the promised Messiah.
Peter’s Teaching
Peter testified to what was revealed to him as far back as Mathew 16 – that Jesus was the Christ. It was this same Christ that was crucified, and would return to seek vengeance. For salvation, Peter taught belief in the name of Jesus as the Messiah, repentance, and baptism for the remission for sins.
What is left conspicuously absent, or more properly hidden, from Peter at Pentecost is the glory of the cross as a redemptive act necessary for the salvation of us all! It is this manifold wisdom of God that was kept hid in God until revealed to us through Paul.
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” – Eph 3:9-10
This is an article written by Justin Johnson from the Grace Ambassadors ministry.
Check out graceambassadors.com for more great resources on rightly dividing the word of truth!
Our "Great Commission" (some written here is exerted from "One Lord")
Our commission, is it found in Matthew and/or Mark?
Many people contend that our Great Commission for today is found in Matthew 28.
Matthew 28:19-20- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Let’s outline quickly and simply what all is packed into this "Great Commission" that is supposedly that of the church, the Body of Christ, today.
Teach All Nations- these men in attendance of Jesus’ command was instructed to go to ALL nations. Did this happen? Nope. See Galatians 2:7-9 for more study, but in short, Paul was the one to go to the Gentiles, while Peter and the other Apostles confined themselves to the Jew ONLY. It is noted in Acts 10 that Peter went to a Gentile, but it was clearly against his own will and conscience. It actually took a vision from Christ before he would even talk to Cornelius the Italian.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you- To say that this is our commission today would make us responsible to do exactly this. Teach and preach ALL that Jesus commanded. Would the average preacher today preach all that Jesus commanded? Let’s see:
Matthew 23:1-3- Then spake Jesus to the multitudes, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do…
When is the last time you heard a protestant preacher commanding that his congregation follow the law of Moses? Paul make clear in Galatians 2:19 that we are “dead to the law.” Big difference… Not a contradiction, just a change in instructions.
Luke 12:33- Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
This one actually does happen, but not often. How many would preach the necessity of selling all things? Notice what Paul tells Timothy to instruct in
1 Timothy 5:8-But if any providenot for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
And in Thessalonica
2 Thessalonians 3:10- For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
This is MUCH different than
Matthew 6:25- I say unto you,Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
And
Matthew 6:31-33- Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Is it any wonder why many sold all they had and met everyday in the temple, instead of working, in the early Acts period?
While many would neglect these as important passages of distinction, there truly is no denying the difference between what Jesus said in the four gospels as compared to what HE instructed Paul to write.
OUR COMMISSION IS NOT JEWISH (ISRAEL) WATER IMMERSING & MOSAIC COMMANDMENT INSTRUCTING!
Our commission today is found in an epistle of Paul...
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We are not preparing men and women for a promised kingdom to come. We are ambassadors of Christ and a heavenly place.
Fulfil your commission, Christian.
Many people contend that our Great Commission for today is found in Matthew 28.
Matthew 28:19-20- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Let’s outline quickly and simply what all is packed into this "Great Commission" that is supposedly that of the church, the Body of Christ, today.
Teach All Nations- these men in attendance of Jesus’ command was instructed to go to ALL nations. Did this happen? Nope. See Galatians 2:7-9 for more study, but in short, Paul was the one to go to the Gentiles, while Peter and the other Apostles confined themselves to the Jew ONLY. It is noted in Acts 10 that Peter went to a Gentile, but it was clearly against his own will and conscience. It actually took a vision from Christ before he would even talk to Cornelius the Italian.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you- To say that this is our commission today would make us responsible to do exactly this. Teach and preach ALL that Jesus commanded. Would the average preacher today preach all that Jesus commanded? Let’s see:
Matthew 23:1-3- Then spake Jesus to the multitudes, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do…
When is the last time you heard a protestant preacher commanding that his congregation follow the law of Moses? Paul make clear in Galatians 2:19 that we are “dead to the law.” Big difference… Not a contradiction, just a change in instructions.
Luke 12:33- Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
This one actually does happen, but not often. How many would preach the necessity of selling all things? Notice what Paul tells Timothy to instruct in
1 Timothy 5:8-But if any providenot for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
And in Thessalonica
2 Thessalonians 3:10- For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
This is MUCH different than
Matthew 6:25- I say unto you,Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
And
Matthew 6:31-33- Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Is it any wonder why many sold all they had and met everyday in the temple, instead of working, in the early Acts period?
While many would neglect these as important passages of distinction, there truly is no denying the difference between what Jesus said in the four gospels as compared to what HE instructed Paul to write.
OUR COMMISSION IS NOT JEWISH (ISRAEL) WATER IMMERSING & MOSAIC COMMANDMENT INSTRUCTING!
Our commission today is found in an epistle of Paul...
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We are not preparing men and women for a promised kingdom to come. We are ambassadors of Christ and a heavenly place.
Fulfil your commission, Christian.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Church Defintion
The church can be defined as "the pillar and ground of truth." It is overwhelmingly discouraging to see that many groups calling themselves "churches" are attempting to go outside of their definition.
For the intent of being inviting/welcoming, family friendly, comfortable and seeing attendance multiply, many ministries are willing to stray from being bold for the truths of the bible and the clear doctrines portrayed for the Body of Christ. If you find yourself attending this or that church primarily for
Preaching Style over Preaching Content
Music(Contemporary vs. Traditional)
Status
Youth Groups
Activities
Outings
Trips
Hype
Socializing
Eating
Games
Carnivals/Fests
family church
habit
accessible
location
atmosphere
friendly
fun
exciting
while allowing never seeking out to see whether or not the assembly you are spending time with is standing on God's Word, rightly divided. Do you ever consider whether or not your church is efficiently fulfilling it's purpose according to God's instruction? Examine the list above to see if any of the items are the reason you find yourself weekly attending and operating in either your current place of meeting, or even what you are looking for in a church. Although most of those listed are what we like simply because we are human, allow me to point out that we are instructed to set our minds on heavenly thing... things above. Carnal pleasure feels good to satisfy, but our satisfaction is not what, according to 1 Cor. 3, we will be judged according to. Rather, we will be judged according to how we build upon the foundation of Christ.
I hope you are weekly participating in a local assembly that is striving with a biblical pursuit of acting out its function as the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:14-15
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
For the intent of being inviting/welcoming, family friendly, comfortable and seeing attendance multiply, many ministries are willing to stray from being bold for the truths of the bible and the clear doctrines portrayed for the Body of Christ. If you find yourself attending this or that church primarily for
Preaching Style over Preaching Content
Music(Contemporary vs. Traditional)
Status
Youth Groups
Activities
Outings
Trips
Hype
Socializing
Eating
Games
Carnivals/Fests
family church
habit
accessible
location
atmosphere
friendly
fun
exciting
while allowing never seeking out to see whether or not the assembly you are spending time with is standing on God's Word, rightly divided. Do you ever consider whether or not your church is efficiently fulfilling it's purpose according to God's instruction? Examine the list above to see if any of the items are the reason you find yourself weekly attending and operating in either your current place of meeting, or even what you are looking for in a church. Although most of those listed are what we like simply because we are human, allow me to point out that we are instructed to set our minds on heavenly thing... things above. Carnal pleasure feels good to satisfy, but our satisfaction is not what, according to 1 Cor. 3, we will be judged according to. Rather, we will be judged according to how we build upon the foundation of Christ.
I hope you are weekly participating in a local assembly that is striving with a biblical pursuit of acting out its function as the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:14-15
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Come to Reality
When the self justification of your sin and hopes of gaining your preferred eternal destination due to your good works is as natural to you as breathing without thinking, your understanding that Christ fully accomplished everything necessary for your salvation and Him having made payment for your inadequate ability to stand before God righteousness is as foreign to you as living everyday life without gravity.
Come to reality. Realize your need for Salvation. Realize your eternal destination without Christ. Trust what Christ has done for you by way of the cross and His ressurection.
Trust Him today!
Be Saved!!!
Come to reality. Realize your need for Salvation. Realize your eternal destination without Christ. Trust what Christ has done for you by way of the cross and His ressurection.
Trust Him today!
Be Saved!!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
One Hope
One
Hope
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
Hope is a pretty popular word in the
English language. It is probably used almost as much as the word love in
everyday use. Although it is so common, it is often a word that is misunderstood
when it comes to its context and use in the Bible. When used in casual
conversation, “hope” is most commonly used to imply a desire that something
will take place.
Example:
I hope I did well on my test.
I hope I am not late.
I hope she is okay.
Not to be repetitive, but it is necessary
to make clear of its normal use so that one can understand how different the
biblical use of the word really is. Unlike this use of hope, the Bible uses
this word to express the understood assurance and anticipation of something
that is sure to take place. Especially
from the Apostle Paul, hope is used to express the contentment that is
experience due to trusting in the faithfulness of God.
For instance,
Romans
8:24- For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope:
for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Paul here says that we are saved by
hope, even though we know that Ephesians 2:8-9 says that we are, “saved by
grace, through faith.” How is it
possible that Paul can say both and not contradict himself? Well, some say that
we are saved by “many” different things.
Actually, we really are saved by grace, but Paul refers to this grace by using the term hope. Simply stated, we can trust in what God says, or rather we can hope in what He says. Paul uses the same flow in addressing the physical resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection we look forward to in his address to the Corinthian believers.
1
Corinthians 15:19- If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we
are of all men most miserable.
Paul say that if only in this short
life we live we have assurance and confidence in Jesus, then we are worse off
than any atheist who could care less about Jesus. Paul uses this statement to intensify
the truth of how faithful God is to His word.
2
Timothy 1:12- For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless
I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I have committed
unto him against that day.
Notice in the verse above where Paul’s
confidence is found, even in the midst of his sufferings. He says that he is “persuaded”
that the Lord is “able” to do something. Do what? To keep. To keep what? That which
Paul has committed.What has Paul commited? His hope…
Paul understands what Christ has done
for his salvation. He possesses salvation, which contains forgiveness, atonemement,
reconciliation, justification and a new life of daily sanctification.
“as
ye are called in one hope of your calling”
What is our calling? If there is one
hope for all according to one calling, what is this calling? Without being able
to rightly divide, many would like to spend the rest of their lives looking,
not only for what his or her “personal calling” is, but also how to fulfill his
or her calling. This is where it is important to know your bible in context of
the dispensation you are participating in.
-
Ephesians 4:1- I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk
worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called…
The calling of God is an invitation
to a vocation, due to our salvation.
Our
calling and vocation –
Salvation
and Understanding 1 Tim 2:4,
Our
job title: ambassadors - 2 Cor 5:20
We are encouraged in Eph. 4:1 to walk
worthy of the vocation that we have been called to. To operate in this Christian
life according to God’s word, we must operate by hope. We must understand what
God has done by giving us salvation. We know that we are saved by placing our
faith in Christ’s death for our sins and resurrection for our
justification(Rom. 4:25, 1 Cor. 15:1-4).
If we continuously find ourselves
focusing on what Christ has done and accomplished on our behalf, we can
experience this “one hope” of your calling every single day. No matter the
trial or sufferings, our hope is found, not in earthly matter, but in God’s
faithfulness to complete that which he has promised.
Mid Acts Dispensationalism Right Division offers so much clarity that is not found in much of today "bible study."
Ephesians 2:15
Monday, October 13, 2014
One Lord
One
Lord
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all.
- Ephesians 4:5-6
Before we are able to do a satisfactory overview of
understanding Paul’s statement of “one Lord,” we must first be able to point out
some elementary steps of who this Lord is.
Without a doubt, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but
it is necessary while reading scripture to take a contextual approach. Meaning,
we must always correctly identify the speaker(writer), the audience being addressed,
and ask the question, “Am I in the audience?” While it may be the habit of many
to try and claim all of scripture as their own for application, we must be
bible students and not so gullible. If you are not being addressed, then the
verse does not apply to you; every promise in the bible is not yours, nor is
every warning. We must always take a Pauline approach in understanding
scripture, simply because Paul is the individual who not only was sent to the
Gentiles, but is the one who’s sole purpose was “to make all men see the
mystery.(Eph.3:9).” If you do not know what the “Revelation of the Mystery” is,
then you may want to pause here and spend some time in Ephesians 2 & 3, Colossians
1, and read Romans 16:25.
I want to first point out that Jesus’ earthly
ministry (the 3 years he spent preaching, teaching, and showing signs and
wonders) was geared toward only one group of individuals; Israel was His
audience.
- Romans 15:8- Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for thetruth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
- Matthew 15:24- But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
It is very important to note that unless you are a
member of one of the 12 tribes of Israel and in the first century, before the
mystery has been revealed, it is impossible for you to be an audience member of
Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Also, it is necessary to note Paul’s description of
the Lord we serve today.
- 2 Corinthians 5:16- Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Paul says that we have known Christ in the flesh(as an earthly man), but we are not to any
longer view Christ as a fleshy man, but instead as a resurrected Savior.
While Jesus taught even in Matthew,
- Matthew 6:10- Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
He gave a different set of instructions to Paul;
this is also known as progressive revelation. Progressive Revelation is the
biblical truth that not all of God’s wisdom is revealed in one dose, but
instead God has in past time revealed to man what was necessary to fulfill His
purpose. This is important to note when you find two scripture you see to be
contradictory. The writer of Hebrews states that Jesus is the same, always. Note
that although Jesus never changes, this does not mean that His instructions never
change.(Compare Luke 10:4-5 with Luke 22:35-36 to see a very simple example of
Jesus changing His instructions.)
Jesus later reveals to Paul that instead of praying
that Heaven would come to the earth in the form of a kingdom (this does not
mean that God does not still have plans for this), he instructs men to focus on
heavenly things.
- Colossians 3:1-2- If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
While I would be more than happy to
agree with anyone that there is only One Lord that we serve, I would also be
just as willing to contend as to how it is we are to serve this Lord; we judge
this by identifying what dispensation we are in. As participants in the “dispensation
of grace,” we must accurately identify what instructions we have received for
this dispensation. I would mention, just as C.I. Scofield did almost 100 years
ago, that in Paul’s epistles alone do we find the doctrine and
instruction for today’s church (Scofield’s Reference Notes 1917).
Many people contend that our Great Commission
for today is found in Matthew 28.
- Matthew 28:19-20- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Let’s outline quickly and simply what all is packed into this Great Commission that is supposedly that of the church, the Body of Christ, today.
Teach All Nations- these men in attendance of Jesus’ command was instructed to go to ALL nations. Did this happen? Nope. See Galatians 2:7-9 for more study, but in short, Paul was the one to go to the Gentiles, while Peter and the other Apostles confined themselves to the Jew ONLY. It is noted in Acts 10 that Peter went to a Gentile, but it was clearly against his own will and conscience. It actually took a vision from Christ before he would even talk to Cornelius the Italian.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you- To say that this is our commission today would make us responsible to do exactly this. Teach and preach ALL that Jesus commanded. Would the average preacher today preach all that Jesus commanded? Let’s see:
- Matthew 23:1-3- Then spake Jesus to the multitudes, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do…
When is the last time you heard a protestant preacher commanding that
his congregation follow the law of Moses? Paul make clear in Galatians 2:19 that we are “dead to the law.” Big
difference… Not a contradiction, just a change in instructions.
- Luke 12:33- Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
This one actually does
happen, but not often. How
many would preach the necessity of selling all things? Notice what Paul tells Timothy
to instruct in
- 1 Timothy 5:8-But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
And in
Thessalonica
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10- For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
This is MUCH
different than
- Matthew 6:25- I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
And
- Matthew 6:31-33- Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Is it any
wonder why many sold all they had and met everyday in the temple, instead of
working, in the early Acts period?
While many would neglect these as important
passages of distinction, there truly is no denying the difference between what
Jesus said in the four gospels as compared to what he instructed Paul to write.
Now that we have laid the groundwork for
understanding how we are to observe commands according to what dispensation we
are in(we are not under the law, but under the dispensation of grace), we can
now begin to build a case for how we are to serve our One Lord. We acknowledge
a little earlier that there are a couple things that are impossible to for us
to observe according to the Great Commission, but this is not all we struggle
with in accomplishing if we are to remain true to what Christ later revealed to
Apostle Paul. Let’s examine a few examples of how we are to follow a Pauline pattern
and not one from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
- “Following Jesus”
God tells us to follow Paul – 1
Cor 4:16, 11:1, Phil 3:17, 2 Thess 3:7. If you say “follow Paul”, the response
will be, “you make too much of Paul.”
How ought we to follow Jesus? John 13:36,
under the Law of Moses? Mat 23:3
You cannot follow Christ today
unless you are following Him according to the pattern Paul has set.
- “Preaching Jesus”
Paul did not know Christ not
after the flesh – 2 Cor 5:16. He relished in the wisdom of God in the mystery –
1 Cor 2:7-8. He built on the foundation of Christ (according to the mystery) –
1 Cor 3:10-1.
He was a faithful steward of the
mysteries – 1 Cor 4:1-2.He sought God’s glory according to the mystery – Col
1:27, 1 Cor 10:33.
You cannot preach Jesus as Lord
today unless you know exactly how he is Lord. Unless you have fully grasped
what the mystery is, you will not be able to correctly preach Jesus.
- “Accomplishment of Jesus’ Death”
Jesus shed his blood for the New
Testament - Hebrews 9:13-17. The NT could not be fulfilled without the shedding
of blood – Heb 9:18.
He said his blood would be shed
for the NT in Matt 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luk 22:20. Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies
(including his death) – Mat 1:22, 26:56. When Jesus shed his blood, nobody understood
what it did.
-----Paul
and the Blood of the New Testament-----
Salvation was once of the Jews – John 4:22,
Rom 9:1-5. Gentiles partake of salvation that was once promised to Israel – Rom
15:27. God revealed a mystery to Paul about what his blood accomplished – Eph
1:7. We are made night by the blood of Christ - Eph 2:12-15. We receive all
spiritual blessings/ higher callings by the blood– Eph 1:3,3:8-12,19.We stand
in grace by faith in… his blood – Rom 5:2 _ Rom 4:24-25, Rom 3:25. The mystery
gospel required blood be shed, but it was not promised - Col 1:20. The blood
was shed for the NT, but accomplished something more… the mystery.
In Conclusion, I hope it is plain to see that there really is only One Lord. This one Lord is Jesus Christ. He is not only the Messiah of Israel to fulfill the New Covenant, but is also the savior of all due to the shedding of his blood and the giving of salvation to all, freely. Many would say that since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then it should also be true that whatever Jesus said in one place is applicable, always. It is so IMPORTANT to understand that Jesus gave Paul, in the form of the mystery, something that was entirely new.
Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2
Timothy 2:15
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Preacher Parrots
There is something quite noteworthy in being able to not only share what you believe with others, but to be able to clearly articulate "why" you believe what you believe. Within God's amazing list of crelated things, there is a well known creature called a Parrott. These birds are not only known for being able to speak clearly, but some possess quite an extensive vocabulary. While being able to repeat what they have heard, we wouldn't quite deem them as deep philosophical thinkers. This same trait is found in many of today's Christians.
Tons of believers are willing to give an opinion on a hot topic or even share a thought on what could be better; I wonder how many of these are finding their words from something they've heard over what they have discovered from God's word. Now I will be the first one to say, good teachers are necessary. I would even say that good teachers are not the main group being found absent. Rather, I would say the hardest individuals to find would be "faithful men."
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
One of the biggest things that can take place in a Christian's life is that moment when he or she realizes the personal responsibility that we have from God to Study, Learn and Spread His word. When the idea of "that's the preacher's job" leaves ones mind and the idea of (2 Corinthians 5:20)
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ" enters in, that is when we begin to see the body of Christ fulfilling its purpose. We each hold a,s spiritually, political position of an ambassador. We have the duty of spreading the gospel and making "all men see the fellowship of the mystery"(Eph.3:9). For this to happen, we have to take the offensive and begin to apply ourselves as "workmen that needeth not to be ashamed"(2 Tim.2:15).
Let's start learning and stop mimicking.
Alan
Tons of believers are willing to give an opinion on a hot topic or even share a thought on what could be better; I wonder how many of these are finding their words from something they've heard over what they have discovered from God's word. Now I will be the first one to say, good teachers are necessary. I would even say that good teachers are not the main group being found absent. Rather, I would say the hardest individuals to find would be "faithful men."
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
One of the biggest things that can take place in a Christian's life is that moment when he or she realizes the personal responsibility that we have from God to Study, Learn and Spread His word. When the idea of "that's the preacher's job" leaves ones mind and the idea of (2 Corinthians 5:20)
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ" enters in, that is when we begin to see the body of Christ fulfilling its purpose. We each hold a,s spiritually, political position of an ambassador. We have the duty of spreading the gospel and making "all men see the fellowship of the mystery"(Eph.3:9). For this to happen, we have to take the offensive and begin to apply ourselves as "workmen that needeth not to be ashamed"(2 Tim.2:15).
Let's start learning and stop mimicking.
Alan
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Christian Extremists
I find it ironic seeing the phrase, "Muslim Extremist..."
The only reason an individual of the Muslim religion can be called that is because he or she is acting out the beliefs outlined in the Quran. It's extreme because many are part of a religion they do not fully understand or believe.
Today, we should start calling Saved individuals who preach correct doctrine, the gospel of Grace (Christ's death for our sin and ressurection for our justification) practice love and compassion, and who walk by faith not by sight, "Christian Extremists."
The only reason an individual of the Muslim religion can be called that is because he or she is acting out the beliefs outlined in the Quran. It's extreme because many are part of a religion they do not fully understand or believe.
Today, we should start calling Saved individuals who preach correct doctrine, the gospel of Grace (Christ's death for our sin and ressurection for our justification) practice love and compassion, and who walk by faith not by sight, "Christian Extremists."
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