As did Mary (the mother of Jesus), we who believe in Jesus by faith are instructed to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour -- in all things. (Titus 2:10; Hebrews 6:1-2)
" ... the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness: in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1:1-3)
Yes, the Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) God became our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-14) He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) His Name is Jesus -- Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
Therefore, salvation is wholly dependent upon what we do in our hearts with Jesus the Christ. Why is this so? Because JESUS is the culmination of the promised Seed (the seed spoken of in Genesis) along with the promised Seed implanted into Abraham. These two seeds were NOT after the fashion of Adam’s natural seed. No, these two Seeds were the Seeds of the Spirit of God. These two Seeds of promise continued down the genealogical pathway until these two Seeds arrived in a young virgin girl named Mary.
Herein, the Spirit of God brought the two SEEDS together in Mary's womb and Mary became a willing surrogate mother, as evidenced from her salutation in Luke 1:41-56.
Continuing in Acts chapters 1 and 2 we read that King David was also a prophet. David knew that God had sworn an oath with him -- of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh, that God in Christ would sit upon his throne. As we know, David the prophet regularly spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ, and prophesying that the Christ’s soul would not be left in the grave. Nor would the flesh of the Christ enter corruption.
Then Peter along with the other eleven apostles elaborates on these prophesies saying to his audience that God indeed has fulfilled these prophetic words spoken through David -- saying that God positively raised up Christ, and that, the apostles are/were eye witnesses to these events.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." (I John 1:1-4)
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:23-24)
Continuing, Peter said, "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on His throne. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
For David is not ascended into the heavens; but He saith Himself, "The Lord said unto My Lord -- Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool." Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:29-36)
Yes, JESUS was raised from the grave and exalted by the right hand of God. JESUS having received of the Father the promised outpouring of His holy Spirit. What you now observe and hear is that promise actuated. David prophetically said concerning JESUS, “The Lord said to my Lord - sit at My right hand UNTIL I make your enemies Your footstool” (Acts 2:34-35; Psalm 68:18; Psalm 110:1; John 14:26; Acts 2:1-11, 17; Acts 10:45)
Therefore, believers are to declare to all nations that God has declared that the same JESUS crucified on a Roman cross is and remains today both LORD and CHRIST! The audience upon hearing that they had in ignorance crucified the Lord of Glory were immediately pricked in their heart’s saying to the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" The Apostles replied, "Repent and be baptized every one of you into the Name of JESUS the Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the [promised] gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
The promised gift of the Holy Ghost is to you and similarly to your children and to all those that are afar off. Indeed, the gift of salvation is promised to everyone who repents of their sins and is baptized into the name of JESUS. All those who believed in their heart on the day of Pentecost were gladly baptized without delay. In fact, they were baptized that very same day - 3,000 persons were baptized according to Acts 2. Needless to say, these new believers continued steadfastly in the apostles' teachings. So should we likewise desire His Spirit in our hearts, gladly receiving the Word.
As a consequence, we can rejoice, because the God of hope can now "fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound [as well] in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)
Stand in the offering plate.
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