Remain Steadfast in the Lord - Part 497

John chapter one states: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and this Word became flesh. If we continue to I John 5:7, we read, "For there are three that bear record in Heaven -- the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one." I Timothy 3:16 states, "And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

The Biblical scriptures did not just appear. Indeed, the Word of God was personally delivered to His chosen Apostles as outlined in the New Testament. The apostles verbally or by letter endeavoured to forward those same teachings to us believers. The Word also provides an opportunity for us to understand the truth about the God who created us. That is, God loved us so much that He Himself would become flesh so that we might have salvation.

Further, God Himself confirmed the Word with signs and wonders and gifts of His own holy spirit. In so doing, He affirmed that their spoken and written words was indeed His Word. As the scriptures say, if God confirms the signs with His own spirit, then no man can make the signs null and void. Remember too that Jesus said to the apostles, that they were to be his witnesses in all the world. And as His witnesses, the Apostles were to deliver to us the same gospel message that had been given to them.

Therefore, the Word does not originate within us. Jesus is the sole head of the church and as the head of the body of Christ, should He be glorified and acknowledged. There is no other. What do the scriptures say? When Jesus -- the Word -- had finished His earthly ministry, He sat down. In fact, He had completed His earthly mission on our behalf. This same Jesus -- the God who created us in the flesh -- continues to reach out to people today.

But there are those who want to change the gospel message. There are some who want to use a religious fallacy known as transubstantiation as a basis for elevating themselves above the Word. But transubstantiation (along with many other traditional religious teachings that have made their way into the 21st century) it does not align with the Bible. In Acts chapter 15, for example, the apostles and elders instructed believers to keep themselves from four things.

One of these things was blood. The scriptures are clear in the instructions for believers. That is, believers are to avoid blood. Keep away from blood and from flesh which still has blood in it. This instruction was not only delivered to the apostles but the instruction to refrain from blood was also agreed upon and disseminated to believers near and far. Similarly, their conclusion was further circulated throughout the assemblies either by letter or by voice. As a result, the early believers had no reason to pursue any teachings that included substantiation. So neither should we.

Later, the letters that form the Biblical scriptures commenced, and as the Apostles state, "it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. We have therefore delivered these instructions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and we. Indeed, it is the Holy Spirit pleasure (and ours) to lay upon you these necessary things. These necessary conditions. These necessary requirements that will be indispensable in ensuring that the same gospel that we have taught is taught to all believers for all generations to come.

At the end of the day, these four scriptural requirements which includes refraining from blood were confirmed in the scriptures for a reason. Keep yourself free from these things and you shall do well. You shall prosper and yes you will have done your part to ensure that believers are not led astray by so-called leader who have not read the scriptures for themselves. It is for this reason that we must adhere to the scriptural teachings of Jesus. The Word. It is also the reason that we should beware of those who present false teachings  - like the foxes who attempt to raid the sheep pen.

Instead, remain steadfast in the Lord. Be reconciled to the same God who loved you and I so much that He would shed His blood on the cross so that we might have salvation. The Bible says that there is only one name whereby we can be saved. His name is Jesus. Ask Him to take charge of your life today. Then stand in His offering plate!