Thursday, June 26, 2008

"THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST" part 1

I'm writing today about the Gospel. What does the Bible teach us about the gospel? Let's start with a basic definition of the gospel. Strong's definition Evangelion, 2098, originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for "the good news" itself. The Eng. word "gospel" i.e. "good message," is the equivalent of evangelion (Eng., 'evangel"). In the N.T. it denotes the "good tidings" of the kingdom of God and of salvation through Christ to be received by faith, on the basis of His expiatory death, His burial, resurrection, and ascension. This is the fundamental definition of the gospel.

In a world of over abundance of bad and negative news the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only good news in this world. My aim today is to look closer at this gospel from Jesus and his apostles perspective. What were their results when they preached the gospel as opposed to today.
The scriptures teach that part of Jesus ministry was to preach the gospel and to confirm this let's look at a few verse's.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the GOSPEL of the KINGDOM, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the GOSPEL preached to them.
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and BELIEVE the GOSPEL.

When the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached shouldn't we be witnessing the same power of deliverance all over this world. I believe that these signs are following some today but not enough to bless the masses that need it. Today mankind is in very bad shape and in need of real deliverance from spiritual oppression and sin sickness. Healing sickness and diseases was common in the ministry of Jesus Christ and his apostles in their day. Where people really believed and reached out to Jesus deaf people heard again, dead people were raised from the dead, people received their sight, people were healed, these manifestations were supernatural in nature and affected both the physical and spiritual realms. I don't know about anyone else but if these things are constantly absent in my Christian fellowship it would raise a red flag. I don't say this to criticize anyone or put someone in a bad light so please don't misunderstand me. I am just making a point. Personally, I have had some of these experiences in my past and I know God is a God of supernatural power not exclusively but he does include these blessings to believers in addition to many other things. God is a God of balance. It's not all about a one dimensional ministry.

The Apostles were promised these signs by Jesus and experienced these promises first hand.
In Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, 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. And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my NAME shall THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY shall SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; and if THEY drink any deadly thing, it shall NOT HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, and THEY SHALL RECOVER.
In verse 20 And THEY WENT FORTH, and PREACHED EVERYWHERE, the LORD WORKING WITH THEM, and CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING. AMEN.

In Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and GAVE THEM POWER and AUTHORITY OVER ALL DEVILS, and to CURE DISEASES And he sent them to PREACH the KINGDOM OF GOD, and HEAL THE SICK.

Today we have those who profess Christ and don't even remotely believe that these things can be done today. I would pray for them or run as far away from these people as possible because they really don't believe like God would have us believe and it will stunt your growth. Look at Luke 10:17 - 20 And the SEVENTY returned again WITH JOY, saying, Lord, even THE DEVILS ARE SUBJECT UNTO US THROUGH THY NAME.
And he said unto them, I BEHELD SATAN AS LIGHTNING FALL FROM HEAVEN.
Behold, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER TO TREAD ON SERPENTS and SCORPIONS, and OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY: and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.

As you see from these verses that these signs shall follow them that believe. These signs escorted the preaching of the gospel. Isaiah 61:1-4 The SPIRIT of the Lord was upon me (them) and they were anointed to preach good tidings (gospel) unto the meek; he sent them to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
As we look in Isaiah 61 we see the restoring power of God when the gospel is preached the benefits for fallen mankind are numerous.

Good tidings = Gospel (good news)
Brokenhearted people repaired/healed
Freedom to those in bondage
Prison doors opened
Comfort for mourners
In Zion (Church)
Beauty for ashes
Oil of joy (Holy Spirit) for mourning
Garment of praise for spirit of heaviness(sin burdened)
Trees of God's righteousness planted by God himself
God gets glorified not man

Other areas that would be blessed and restored:
Build the old waste
Raise up former desolations,
Repair the waste cities
Restore the desolations of many generations

These are just a few of the many blessings God produces when the true gospel is being preached and it all has to do with restoring God's creation to himself. This is why the gospel of Jesus Christ is so powerful and has to be preached. Jesus preached and people were delivered. The apostles preached and people were delivered, same results. Today it should be the same. God is the same yesterday, TODAY, FOREVER. Religious priests, preachers of today have changed things up where God is not manifesting his power because they are not preaching the true gospel. God does have his remnant that have obeyed the gospel and understand what the gospel is and their able to preach it to those who are looking for salvation.

Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for IT IS THE POWER OF GOD unto SALVATION to EVERYONE that BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel is the power of God to save those who believe regardless of race. Salvation came to the Jew first by God's promise to Abraham, but also to the Gentiles as well. The gospel is not exclusive to just one race of people. The Jews of their day had those that did not want to associate with those of other races and thought to themselves that they had exclusive rights to God because of the covenant God made with the nation of Israel. Today there are plenty of those who profess Christ but are still harboring racist bigoted postures thinking that salvation is only for their particular race. When you look around the world there are many segregated congregations. In America where there are so many races the segregation is even more striking on Sunday mornings. Apostle Peter needed a great wake up call from the Lord because he thought just like this. In Acts 10 God gave him a vision and correction and then sent him to a Centurion's house whose name was Cornelius of Italian descent. Notice when God corrects us he transforms our thinking to his. Look at the first thing Peter saids Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, OF A TRUTH I PERCEIVE THAT GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS:
Did you just hear that Peter PERCEIVED (praise the Lord!) why because the Holy Spirit can and will help us all perceive how God operates. What did he perceive look at the next verse. Acts 10:35 But IN EVERY NATION HE THAT FEARETH HIM, and WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS, IS ACCEPTED WITH HIM.
Peter said EVERY NATION and then said anyone who fears God and works righteousness is ACCEPTED by HIM.
Peter did not initially know that Cornelius was a praying man and a giver who feared God with all his house. God however did know because he knows the depths of the hearts of men and their works and answered his prayer and God made a way for him and his household to hear the gospel of his salvation because though he had good works and prayed he still needed to hear and obey the gospel to be saved.
In Acts 10:44 - 45 While Peter yet spake these words, the HOLY GHOST fell on ALL THEM which HEARD the WORD. 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.
You see they of the CIRCUMCISION (Jewish converts) were astonished because God poured on them the gift of the Holy Ghost just like he did on them, the Jews.
This is such a great lesson for us who may not have been delivered from this spiritual problem. God can free us from our separatist or racist beliefs that look at others as if God left certain ones out of his salvation. God said he so loved the world that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him should NOT PERISH, but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
You see another manifestation of the gospel being preached is the out pouring of the Holy Spirit but notice the ones who received it. Those who HEARD THE WORD did receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is a very important element hearing caused them to receive so I would venture to say that there were those who were there, that did not hear. The word saids those THAT HEARD the WORD received the Holy Spirit.
Now they knew that they received the Holy Spirit For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we. How did they know they received the Holy Ghost because they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. This is what the word of God saids no one can teach another person how to speak in tongues because its the Spirit of God that gives us the utterance. For those out there that are trying to teach tongues then you are making a mockery of yourself not God because God is not mocked. So beware of people who say they can do this!
Peter concluded preaching the gospel in Acts 10:47-48 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. . .
After people receive the Holy Ghost water baptism is included as part of their obedience to the gospel. This is not optional Apostle Peter Commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. This name is Jesus.
This is one account of the gospel being preached and it's results. I want to move to what Apostle Paul said about the gospel in Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, SEPARATED unto the GOSPEL OF GOD.
Paul said that he was separated unto the gospel of God or in other words God set him apart to preach God's gospel. God chose him, not man. If men and women are going to be effectual in the declaration of God's word they have to be chosen and set apart by God then you will see the difference because God will back up what he choses. On the other hand when people decide on their own to run when God has not told them they will bring much harm and confusion to people instead of blessing. There are those who think preaching is a profession like any other occupation but this is not so. It's a divine calling not a occupation.

Now let's go to 1Cor.15:1-4 In these verses we can see the composition or make up of the gospel.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also YE HAVE RECEIVED , and wherein ye stand; BY WHICH also YE ARE SAVED, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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:

This dear reader is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Jesus died (crucified) was buried and resurrected. The gospel is according to the scriptures. Paul told the Corinthians saints that what he delivered to them he also received and he went on to explain to them or expounded the three elements of the gospel DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION.
When we obey the gospel we will go through these three phases of the gospel. When we repent of our sins then this is our crucifiction , when we are baptized in water in his name this is our burial and thirdly when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost this is our resurrection. The Apostles understood this and preached it and applied it to those who converted to Jesus Christ.
Today unfortunately this is not what most of modern Christendom practices so they fall under the other gospel which Apostle Paul warned the Galatians.

To be continued
by Bro. Pete Mojica



















Thursday, June 12, 2008

"THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE"

Welcome,

In Matt. 18:38 Pilate saith unto him (Jesus), What is truth? It seemed like an alien concept. In today's world where we are constantly being lied too from most segments of society the truth also seems like a strange notion. To receive truth we have go to Jesus and ask him for it. Look at how David asks God in Psalm 43:3 O SEND OUT THY LIGHT and THY TRUTH: let them LEAD ME; let them bring me unto THY HOLY HILL, and to THY TABERNACLES. In Psalm 25: 4-5 David requested of the Lord SHOW ME THY WAYS, O LORD TEACH ME THY PATHS LEAD ME IN THY TRUTH, and TEACH ME . . . One thing that I'm learning is humility goes a long way in knowing who God is and how he operates. It does require giving up our ways to embrace his ways. Let's look at what Jesus said in verse 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS UNTO the TRUTH. EVERYONE THAT IS OF THE TRUTH HEARETH MY VOICE. The Apostles heard the truth and John proclaimed in 1 John 4: 6
"WE ARE OF GOD: he that KNOWETH GOD HEARETH US; he that is NOT OF GOD HEARETH NOT US. Hereby know we THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, and THE SPIRIT OF ERROR.


Now something very interesting happened when Pilate asked Jesus What is truth? Let's look closer at John 18:38 . . . And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I FIND IN HIM NO FAULT AT ALL. We see here that Pilate could not find any fault in Jesus. None of mankind can find fault or error in the truth. No lie is of the truth. Even though Jesus was innocent the people of the world back then preferred a robber to be released than an innocent man. This present world is the same way many inwardly cannot find fault with Jesus but they sure don't desire him to rule over them, they would rather have a sinner rule over them. Democracy and all other forms of humanistic rule is preferred then Theocracy. The world wants Barabbas (the robber) not Jesus. No wonder this world is so confused and all their plans fall apart.

Let's look at a definition of truth. Truth in strong's concordance; Aletheia (225) "truth", is used (a) objectively, signifying "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" e.g., (Rom 9:1) "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, (2 Cor. 11:10) "As the truth is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
Also truth is (b) subjectively, "truthfulness," "truth," not merely verbal, but sincerity and integrity of character, e.g., 3 John 3 "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou WALKEST IN THE TRUTH.

Before we look further into the truth lets look at the opposite of the truth which is the lie. In (John 8:44) Jesus was addressing a group of natural jews (void of understanding) when he pointedly told them "Ye are of your father the DEVIL, and the LUSTS of your father ye will do. He was a MURDERER from the BEGINNING, and ABODE NOT in the truth, because THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for HE IS A LIAR, and the FATHER OF IT.

When Jesus came to the world he came to witness the truth both objectively and subjectively for he spoke truth and he walked in truth. Jesus was, is and will always be the truth. He said he was the way, the TRUTH, and the life (John 14:6)
On the other hand when Satan came into the world he came as a thief, killer and destroyer (John 10:10) the foundation of how Satan operates can be discovered in the first encounter with Gods first creation. Satan's three prone plan is Steal, Kill and Destroy.

I will just highlight what I see are the key areas of his strategy against mankind.
One of the first things we see about this Serpent is he was more subtle or cunning then any beast of the field. The next thing he does is inject doubt about what God said. He said in essence "Yea, hath God really said that. He questions what God said and this is what he still does today he gets us to second guess God's word and instructions. We need to keep in mind that when God saids something to us it's a command and we can safely trust it. This is when faith towards God's voice kicks in after all "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God".
The other thing he does is become outright contrary to what God initially said "Ye shall not surely die". He just denies God's truth.
After he lays his corrupt foundation within someone the fruit of sin is ready to manifest which is death and separation from God's way of doing things. This utterly corrupt principle works in mankind today. 1.) Subtle or cunning 2.) Injects doubt 3.) Denies God's truth
It doesn't matter how he does it but we will certainly see these lying strategies in effect.
We can clearly see what the finish product was, Eve fell for the deception and was tempted and fell into transgression.
I want to visit another example of how Satan the Tempter approached Jesus in Matthew chapter 4.
In this account Jesus was led of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. The first thing he said to Jesus was "IF" thou be the Son of God. The venom of doubt was used against Jesus but Jesus simply used the the word of truth from the old testament ("it is written") to overcome this lie.
Secondly, the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, "IF" thou be the Son of God and then we see him use the word himself on Jesus because he saw Jesus use the word effectively on him, so he thought to himself Jesus would definitely follow the word if I gave it to him. What the tempter did not know is the word cannot be used to tempt someone to commit such a foolish act as casting oneself down and tempt the power of God. When the devil uses the word to tempt us he is using it from an unenlightened prospective because there is no truth in him since he abode not in the truth and he is the originator of the lies. The devil can only twist and manipulate what God is saying therefore it is ineffective. God confirms Jesus but he doesn't confirm the devil. Jesus is revelation but Satan is interpretation there is a huge difference. When we get the revelation of God's word we see the truth from God's prospective clear and pure and it leads us to liberty and life, on the other hand when we understand things from the letter of the word, it kills us. 2 Cor. 3:6 Paul said Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; NOT OF THE LETTER, but of THE SPIRIT: for the LETTER KILLETH, but the SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE.
The third temptation in Matt. 4:8-9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Jesus responded by saying Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. This temptation to me shows how deceived Satan is that he would offer something to Jesus that was already his. Let me say that Adam and Eve did relinquish the world to Satan when they disobeyed God and lost the rights, but now Jesus would eventually take it all back through the cross. In this verse Satan is attempting to bribe Jesus with the world and their kingdoms and the glory of them for worship and service to him. Once again Jesus resisted and used the sword of the spirit (the word of God) to overcome the temptation.
The lesson for us is we can use the word to overcome the attacks/temptations of the enemy. John 1:12 For as many as received him, TO THEM GAVE HE THE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name: Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they CAST OUT DEVILS; . . . In Luke 10:19 Behold, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER TO TREAD ON SERPENTS and SCORPIONS, and OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY: and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.

This is why in this age we need the truth more then ever before because the truth will ultimately makes us truly free from the centuries of lies by the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this present world and spiritual wickedness in high places. The current world establishment and all it represents is causing unprecedented oppression all over this earth. People are groaning because of the injustices, poverty, killings, diseases, hunger, greed, racism and favoritism, hypocrisies, especially all of the godless government's of this earth who are exploiting the people for their own selfish agendas and then think they will escape the righteous judgment of the Lord. These are just a few there are many more evils which would take up too much time to list. Lets look at what Isaiah 24:4 "The earth MOURNETH and FADETH away, the world LANGUISHETH and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The EARTH ALSO IS DEFILED under THE INHABITANTS thereof; because they have TRANSGRESSED THE LAWS (of God), CHANGED THE ORDINANCE, BROKEN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT. Therefore hath THE CURSE devoured the earth, and THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN ARE DESOLATE: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left". We are living in a grossly darkened world where blinded/impenitent men and women are being used of Satan as instruments of oppression because they themselves have blind hearts and minds and are ignorant of Gods supreme will and truth for all mankind. These impenitent souls are in for an eternal rude awakening. Romans 2:5 But after thy HARDNESS and IMPENITENT HEART treasurest up UNTO THYSELF WRATH against the day of wrath and revelation of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD.

So Jesus said "I came to bear witness of the truth and everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice". In the same manner God moved in the beginning on the face of the waters when the earth was without form, void and dark. His presence and voice brought light into a dark world.
So Jesus presence on earth brought light to this sinful darkened world. The world doesn't know the truth, this is why Jesus came to bear witness of the truth he is the truth on all matters. When we are of the truth we will hear his voice and not another.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by Jesus Christ.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which BELIEVED ON HIM, "If ye continue in MY WORD, THEN are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall KNOW THE TRUTH, and the TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE (John 8:31-32). You don't make something that is free free only what is captive can you make free.
This world for instance makes the bold proclamation of how free they are but when you look all around all you see is people enslaved in all sorts of bondage. Who is right the world or Jesus?
I say Jesus. We must get into his word to know the truth and we must continue in it to reap the benefit which is freedom from the world system, flesh and Satan.

John 17:17 Sanctify them THROUGH THY TRUTH: THY WORD IS TRUTH. Jesus made a separation from his people and the people of this world, the truth is what he used to sanctify them. To know the truth as God knows it we must have HIS SPIRIT as oppose to the present Pharisee spirit that permeates the present religious world. John 14:17 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.

The world cannot receive the Spirit of TRUTH because the world does not SEE or is blind to Jesus and this blindness causes them not to KNOW Jesus. Remember back in Genesis when the Serpent lied to Eve and said that her eyes would be opened and shall be as gods knowing good and evil well guess what the opposite happened their eyes became closed to the truth of God. The world with all of it's advances, intellectualism, technologies, politics of all sorts have fortified themselves in blindness to the ways of God. I want to submit this to all if Jesus was not the truth then why is then that the worlds establishment is constantly fearing Jesus, his word and his followers. The world is confederate with Satan in all it's attempts to stop the spread of Jesus Christ. In Psalm 2:1-3 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The KINGS OF THE EARTH SET THEMSELVES, and the RULERS TAKE COUNSEL TOGETHER, AGAINST THE LORD, and AGAINST HIS ANOINTED, saying LET US BREAK THEIR BANDS ASUNDER, and CAST AWAY THEIR CORDS FROM US. If Jesus was insignificant then everyone can easily ignore every word he saids without any fight. If the principle enemy of God Satan himself knows Jesus and trembles and is more powerful then fleshly men what makes these same humans think they can succeed against Jesus and his will. It is simply profound pride and deception.

I want to wind down this post by pointing out benefits of walking in the truth.

John 8:32 The TRUTH makes us free.
3 John 3 Great joy when Gods children walk in the TRUTH.
1 John 5:6 The Spirit is TRUTH.
1 John 2:21 No lie can come from the TRUTH.
2 Peter 1:12 The TRUTH establishes us.
1 Peter 1: Our souls are purified in obeying the TRUTH.
Titus 1:1 The TRUTH is according to godliness.
2 Timothy 2:25 Acknowledgment of the TRUTH can lead to repentance.
1 Timothy 3:15 The church IS THE PILLAR and ground of the TRUTH.
Ephesians 4:15 The TRUTH spoken in love will help us grow.
2 Corinthians 13:8 We can do nothing against the TRUTH, but for the TRUTH.
1 Corinthians 5:8 We are unleavened bread when we are in the TRUTH.
Romans 2:2 Judgment of God is according to TRUTH.

These are just a few verses we can meditate on and allow the Spirit of God to minister to our inward man. As someone who God has delivered from the present religious/denominational system of doing things I enjoy not following the traditions of men which make the word of God of none effect (Mark 7:13). I love to share with you what the Lord has taught me and by his grace I will continue to do so as he leads me.

I thank those who have stopped at this blog site and truly I pray that we all would see JESUS as he truly is without the mixture of man made concepts and old traditions which prevent souls from reaching their God ordained destiny's. Let's ask God for spiritual discernment so that we would avoid deception and follow God in the spirit without being hindered.

So if you really want to be FREE we must continue in HIS WORD (not the word of men) and Jesus declares then we are his disciples indeed. We will then know the truth and this truth will MAKE US FREE. Don't you want to be truly free? Then let's stop following misinformed preachers and leaders and follow Jesus.

Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost = Kingdom of God!

Yours in Christ
by Bro. Pete



Thursday, June 5, 2008

"YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN"

The subject of being "Born Again" or the new birth should be a topic that all who profess Christ should understand clearly and without controversy. It has been my personal experience with people who claim the new birth that they greatly have a misunderstanding of the true meaning of being born again. We definitely need to honestly examine ourselves by the word of God to see if we really are born again after all our salvation is to precious not to know the truth on this very important matter.

One of the major problems in modern day Christianity is that we have been assaulted by deception, lies, misinterpretation of scripture, half truths, and tradition of men all masquerading itself as God. This is why I challenge people to look at the Apostles and how they understood who Jesus is. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of TRUTH and one of the purposes of the spirit is to lead believers into ALL truth.

The first mention of "Born Again" was uttered by JESUS himself. Let's look at John 3: 1 - 9

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews:

We see in this first verse that this man was a member of a Jewish sect. Being a Pharisee he was involved with teaching his congregation
the law of Moses . This religious figure was also a ruler a leader in his day. Much like today this scenario is played over again in this present society. There are countless religious leaders in our day who are in the exact same position as Nicodemus teaching congregations the ways of God, but with a major component missing from their ministries.

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

The bible saids in John 6: 44 That NO MAN can come to ME (Jesus), except the FATHER which has sent me draw him: . . .
We can see based on this statement that Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus by the Father to him. When we are drawn to Jesus it is because we have a need that no one can meet except Jesus himself.
Nicodemus saw Jesus as a teacher come from God because he knew that miracles don't come from ordinary men but from God alone. He acknowledged that God was with Jesus. When the Spirit of God is dealing with us He will reveal Jesus to us and we will see Jesus as he truly is and not only this but Gods Spirit will reveal to us who God is truly working through and who He is not.
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because of the fear of men in his sect which did not believe in Jesus. He calculated this was a risk well worth taking specially since he felt in his heart that Jesus had something he really needed. Many times even in my own life we do have to step way from our comfort zones in order to get deeper in the things of God.
Now Jesus deflected Nicodemus view of him and went straight to the real need at hand. It was what Jesus knew Nicodemus needed.

3 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.

In this verse Jesus simply saids to him unless man is born again they will not perceive that there is a kingdom of God. The requirement is a new birth. Today all the kingdoms of this earth can only see there man made kingdoms and all of its chaos not knowing that there is a kingdom where a righteous God rules and who desires for them to enter in.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

As we look at this verse it is obvious Nicodemus had challenges with his understanding regarding being born again. He did not have the spiritual understanding of what being born again meant. The good thing about him he was humble enough to ask Jesus and did not allow his religious pride from obtaining the truth that would save him.

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you thee, Except a man be BORN OF WATER and of the SPIRIT, he CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Now Jesus clarifies it more for Nicodemus and us. Jesus makes it clear that there is a birth of flesh which we all have been born into and there is the spiritual birth which we have not all been partakers of. Jesus said we must be born of WATER AND SPIRIT to enter in the Kingdom of God.
Now what does it mean to be born of water and spirit. Let's continue to look at Jesus since it is he who is our example.
In Matt. 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway OUT OF THE WATER: AND, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the SPIRIT of GOD descending like a dove, and LIGHTING UPON HIM. We have to remember that when Jesus was baptized he submitted himself to it to FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Notice that after his water and spirit baptism in verse 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I AM WELL-PLEASED. God was pleased with this act of obedience and we can do no less. There is no such thing as a sinners prayer, or just repeat after me and you will receive Jesus into your heart, or come on down and join this church. There is no word for these lies. We need water baptism and spirit baptism. Don't let the false prophets deceive you if you really care about your faith in Christ.
For the next examples of this we have to look at the Apostles because they knew exactly what this meant because Jesus taught them directly and then through the Holy Spirit. They did not have to attend school and get worldly degrees to boost their pride they just had to be born again themselves so they could truly know what it meant and then teach it to others.

In order for them to preach the gospel of the kingdom they needed the spiritual power of God and so Jesus promised them and commanded the disciples to wait at Jerusalem. Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.
In John 15:26 - 27 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: And ye also shall bear WITNESS, because ye have BEEN WITH ME FROM THE BEGINNING. John 14:26 But the Comforter, WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST, whom the FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, he shall TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring ALL THINGS to YOUR REMEMBRANCE, whatsoever I have said unto you.

In Acts1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that HE(Jesus) through the HOLY GHOST had given commandments unto the APOSTLES whom HE HAD CHOSEN.
We can clearly see that it would be the Spirit of God that would empower them, the spirit of truth so they could teach the truth to all. This spirit would bring all the things Jesus taught them to their remembrance since the beginning of their relationship. It is the spirit that teaches us all things pertaining to God and it is the spirit that will confirm His own word. Today we have every Tom, Dick and Mary trying to preach and turning people off because God is not really with them. God does not confirm lies and religious tradition of men only His TRUTH.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the LORD WORKING WITH THEM, and CONFIRMING THE WORD with SIGNS FOLLOWING.

Acts 1: 4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive POWER, after that the HOLY GHOST is come UPON YOU: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the utter most part of the earth.
Those who are the true believers in Jesus and are his witnesses have the Holy Spirit within. The Spirit of God is the witness of who Jesus really is. So if Jesus went through water and spirit baptism and the Apostles what makes us think we can do it another way. This would be considered a perversion of the gospel and it's a curse read (Gal. 1).

On the day of Pentecost Apostle Peter proclaimed the TRUE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ
ACTS 2:37 - 38 Now when they heard this, they were PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
Then Peter said unto them , REPENT, and BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the REMISSION OF SINS, and ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST.

In this verse we see the command is to REPENT and proceeded by WATER BAPTISM done in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST and this is for the FORGIVENESS of our sins, God them promises the gift of the HOLY GHOST which gives us eternal life. For the Spirit of God is eternal.
Jesus, the Apostles and all of the past and current true saints of God are born of water and spirit as proclaimed by Apostle Peter and the rest of the Apostles in the book of Acts.
In Acts 8:36-38 when can see the Ethiopian eunuch getting baptized in water and spirit, Acts 9:17-18 we see Saul who became Apostle Paul be baptized in water and spirit, in Acts 10:44-48 we see Peter preaching the gospel at Cornelius home and the Holy Ghost fell on them while Peter was preaching and after this they were baptized in water. Also Acts 19 there is yet another account. Now many of todays so called televangelists and preachers are scared to visit this because they would be exposed as being phonies. People have the will to follow who they want but it will cost them dearly at the end if they follow the spirit of the False Prophets.
If we want to truly LIVE we must eat from the TREE OF LIFE and not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life is pure and is true, and it produces the life of God.
Jesus warned us in Matt. 24:4-5 TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU
For MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME, saying, I am Christ; and SHALL DECEIVE MANY.
The Apostles were not deceived and it is there teaching that we should heed because they taught the FULL counsel of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit they were not religious or belong to sects, denominations or any such organizations. They did not play with God they were sincere.

So are you biblically born again or man made born again? Examine yourself and see if your in the kingdom of God.
I thank those that have visited this blog and I hope you come away with something that you can use and move you forward in Jesus. You are welcomed to comment if your so lead.

Grace, Peace, Eternal Life
by Bro. Pete














Sunday, June 1, 2008

SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS IS LIFE AND PEACE

On my last post I wrote about repentance leading to life, on this post I want to share with you another element that will lead us to life. This element is spiritual mindedness.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE.
When looking at this verse we can clearly see there are two minds. One leads to death the other leads to life and peace. Carnal mindedness is one of the corrupt fruits that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil produce. Eve partook of this particular tree deceived to think that it would make her wise and that it would open her eyes and be as gods knowing good and evil. Since God said this tree would lead to death then we can see that this tree did have the carnal fruit in it since death came about to all mankind by this tree. Not only did this tree have sin and death but every other evil known to us in this present age. Being carnally minded is what Eve became and so did Adam. They rejected the tree of life for the tree of death. One tree is spiritual the other tree was carnal or natural, fleshly.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose MIND is STAYED ON THEE: because he trusteth in THEE.
To be spiritually minded requires our effort it will not just fall on us automatic. We need to understand that unless we are born of Gods Spirit we don't have the true capacity to be spiritual. There are many out there claiming they are spiritual based on their own understanding and not based on the word of God. Gods word is the authority on all true spiritual matters not us.
We must allow God to strip and then replace all we ever thought we knew and let His Spirit teach us all things. In John 14:26 But the COMFORTER , which IS THE HOLY GHOST, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE, whatsoever I have said unto you. This is what Jesus said to his disciples.
The Holy Ghost is the comforter and TEACHER who will teach them and us all things. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God. So without him living in our temple there is no way we can become "spiritual" it takes the spirit of God to make us spiritual.

One of the covenant promises can be seen in Heb. 8:10 For this the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MIND, and write them in THEIR HEARTS: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
You see in this verse being the people of God is when we have His law into our minds and heart.
This requires a new mind lets look at Rom. 12:2 And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD : but be ye TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
People of God we have to let God get the world out of our system. Today there are so many groups trying to dress up Jesus like this stinking world. They don't want to conform to the word of God because to them it's too hard so they avoid and ignore the true nature of God which is Holiness. Remember without holy living no man shall see God.
Isaiah said it like this Isaiah 55:8 For MY THOUGHTS are NOT YOUR THOUGHTS, neither are YOUR WAYS MY WAYS, saith the LORD.
We should not conform to this world because in 1John 5:19 saids "that the WHOLE WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS", 1 John 2:15 saids "if we love the world the love of the Father is not in us"
1John 2:16 all that is in the world the LUST of FLESH, LUST of EYES, PRIDE of Life is of this world in verse 17 the WORLD PASSETH AWAY. Gal. 1:4 this present world is EVIL in Rev. 12:9 the word saids that the whole world HAS BEEN DECEIVED.
People we must die to this world system and you don't have to become a monk or hermit in order to do this. Here is how it's done in 1 John 5:4 For WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMETH THE WORLD: and THIS IS THE VICTORY that OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH.
So this is why we must not be conformed to this world and must renew our minds by the word of God. So we can have the mind of Christ.

Our foundational scripture verse Romans 8:6 has a wonderful promise to us, LIFE and PEACE. Isaiah said if we keep our minds on God He will keep us in perfect peace. While the world has no peace we the people of God can experience peace now Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace with God this is what this world is forfeiting by not repenting and coming to Jesus. Jesus dying on the cross allowed us to have peace with God. Thank you Jesus!
Isaiah also said that when our minds are stayed on God it reflects we trust him. We trust him because He really loves us and has revealed Himself and taught us who He really is by the COMFORTER AND TEACHER the HOLY SPIRIT who dwells within us.

I want to add the carnal minded don't trust God or even believe in God they trust in the arm of flesh and cannot please God (Rom. 8:8) they believe in themselves their education, money, jobs, and everything under the sun except God. There is nothing wrong with these things but what are they going to do if they lose these things then what. We become spiritually minded as we engage the Holy Spirit and allow him to leads us into all truth but we must not serve our flesh.
Rom.8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, YE SHALL LIVE.
Apostle Paul taught living after our human nature will lead to death in Gal. 5:19 - 21 is the corrupt fruit of those who are not following Gods Spirit Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that THEY WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Apostle Paul taught in 1Cor. 3:3 For ye are YET CARNAL: whereas there is among you ENVYING, and STRIFE, and DIVISIONS, ARE YE NOT CARNAL, AND walk as men. It is this carnal nature that must die for us to see God move in our churches, homes, neighborhoods, cities, countries and world. These practices bring death and we cannot experience peace with God being in bondage to this nature. On the other hand if we become spiritually minded we will produce spiritual fruit and this will lead to life and the Kingdom of God.
Gal. 5:22 But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
If we are truly "Christians" the bible saids in Gal. 5:24 And they THAT ARE CHRIST'S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS. Those who are really Christians don't practice such things because they are truly dead with Christ and it is He who is living through them.
Gal. 2:20 I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: nevertheless I LIVE; yet NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the LIFE which I LIVE in the flesh I LIVE by the FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who LOVED ME and GAVE HIMSELF for ME. Thank you Jesus!

This is my post for today my prayer and hope for you all is that we would yield to this wonderful Spirit of God for Rom. 8:14 saids FOR AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD. Gods true people are not the carnal minded earthy but are truly risen from the dead and seek those things which are above.
Col.3:1 IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.

Beloved lets not err lets follow the Holy Spirit and we will become spiritually minded and LIVE FOREVER.

Grace, Peace, Eternal Life
Bro. Pete