THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 318

In God we trust! All they that put their trust in JESUS, these people shall never be ashamed. The temple of the Lord’s House in which He is pleased to dwell began to be manifest on the day that is commonly known in the Bible as the day of Pentecost. That day was the first day that God poured forth from Himself the Spirit of His Son. As was promised earlier in the scriptures, JESUS the SEED of God which SEED was manifest in flesh, the Lord JESUS the Christ being the embodiment of God‘s own Word - this same JESUS sacrificed His pure body upon a cruel savage roman cross in order to provide a way for man’s redemption.

For it is written in Acts chapter 15 that ‘after those days (crucifixion) He will return again (in Spirit). As stated, "I will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down." JESUS Himself is the cornerstone of this temple (under construction) in which temple the Spirit of the Lord is pleased to dwell. This temple is not a brick and mortar building. Rather, this temple is a spiritual temple to be inhabited by God's Spirit.

The apostles chosen of God Himself are the foundation. The apostles being His commissioned witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. This is why it is important that we know that the spiritual temple is constructed of God’s redeemed, born again, water baptized, Spirit filled believers. Each believer added by God Himself as living stones. These living stones, jointed and fitly framed together in believing faith forming God’s temple.

The one Head of this temple is the Lord JESUS. And no, this means that the head of this temple cannot be replaced by an imposter. Indeed, there is also only one sacrifice for sin. That is, JESUS the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost.

But in some religious institutions today, some want to re-offer JESUS as if JESUS' crucifixion being the once and for all sacrifice was not sufficient. Or that by re-offering JESUS, God Himself as a Son, suggests that the death and burial of JESUS was an inadequate offering that now has to be perpetuated. Fortunately, for those that study the scriptures, this type of teaching flies in the face of the written Word of God.

For the scriptures clearly state that JESUS ascended up to Heaven and sat down. Suggesting that the sacrifice of JESUS at Calvary was incomplete begs the question - why pray tell did JESUS say on the cross that "It is finished"? Remember that upon saying this, JESUS gave up His ghostly Spirit.

Indeed, JESUS said that as often as one eats this bread and drinks this wine, you do show forth the Lord's death till He returns. We as believers need to remember that this one sacrifice - a once and for all time sacrifice provided by Jesus - means that there is no other sacrifice that can be offered to pay for our sin. What do the scriptures state?

Look to Me (Jesus) all you people who are heavy laden and burdened. Look to Me all of you who are from all over the the earth and be saved. For I AM GOD and apart from ME there is no Saviour.

As well, if we look in the scripture, there in no doctrine pertaining to transubstantiation. The bread does not become flesh (e.g cannibalism) and the wine does not become blood (for it is written in Acts chapter 15, keep yourself from drinking blood).

So where are you in all of this? The apostles identified these deviations from the scriptures as "another" gospel. Historically, as well, we know that this other gospel emanated from Rome around 300/400 AD. And as foreign to that commissioned and confirmed gospel which the Lord delivered to the redeemed living members, the Lord daily still added to His family bearing His name. Therefore, it is through JESUS - the only Name whereby any person can receive the gift of eternal life - can we receive the promised gift.

Certainly, it is a gift that is worth pursuing. In this context, ask the Lord into your life so that you too can become a habitation of God’s Spirit. Stand in the offering plate.