In other words, the gospel of Jesus Christ -- as written in His Word -- is the only true foundation. His Word cannot be superseded by fine-sounding teachings from the pulpit, nor should we permit others (even angels) to interpret the scriptures for us. "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines, for [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (Hebrews 13:9)
Indeed, we are all made ministers of the gospel when we believe in Jesus by faith. Through this simple act of believing, He is able to forgive us of our sin (through the blood that He shed on the cross). When we seek Jesus in spirit and truth, He reveals Himself to us through His Word. This is why the apostles said, "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer AND to the ministry of the Word." (Acts 6:4)
How do we become ministers? Certainly not by appointment or accreditation through a man-made religious system, but rather, by seeking Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He chose us before the foundation of the world was formed, even knowing us in our mother's womb. It is this same God who reached out in love, becoming as one of us, so that we might truly know Him -- and the extent of His love and mercy. (John 1:1-18)
(As an aside, note also that the order of these commandments -- to love our Lord God and Saviour first, and then to love one another -- has not changed from the old covenant to the new testament.)
Getting back to my original point, Paul the apostle was chosen by the Lord JESUS to bear His name among the nations. We know this from his testimony within the scriptures -- whereby Saul, on the road to Damascus, was stopped in his tracks by the Lord Jesus Himself. (Acts 9)
We also know from the scriptures that Paul was chosen to be His apostle to the Gentiles. Paul declared that the gospel that he preached did not unfold from man’s wisdom. Neither, as Paul states, "was I taught by man." In other words, Paul asserted that he did not receive the gospel of man. Rather he received the gospel from God by means of revelation. In short, Paul was asserting that the Word of God was coming to him not from him.
All this to affirm Paul's statement to one and all. That is, "if any one think of himself as a prophet or spiritual then they had better acknowledge that the things that I write are the commandments of God." (I Corinthians 14:37)
At the time, Paul was well aware how he had in his younger life been entrapped by the religion of his day. In fact, Paul was so engulfed that he - like many today - think/thought they were doing God a great service by killing anyone with an alternative mindset other than theirs. Obviously, they had never heard or read the scripture that states men (and women) must be allowed to work out his/her destiny in fear and trembling. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)
Instead, Paul (formerly known as Saul) became a radical terrorist killer, throwing believers of the JESUS persuasion into prison. At the time, he really believed in his heart that he was doing what God wanted. Who would ever have thought that God would say to a disciple that Paul was a chosen vessel to bear His name JESUS to the Gentiles?
Yes, God has a chosen people -- a royal generation -- a people that God foreknew before the very foundation of the earth. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called." (I Peter 2:9) Similarly, in the good news gospel, it is written that God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the worldly wisdom of men -- to preach the "simplicity" of the good news gospel of His kingdom.
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ..." (I Corinthians 1:27)
Indeed, when we believe in Jesus by faith, and seek Him with all of our being, we become His chosen ministers. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
He who knew no sin became sin for us. It is He who purchased and redeemed back to Himself the sacrifice of His own body. JESUS being the child conceived of the Holy Ghost -- one other than ‘God Himself as a Son. God with us, as the Bible states. (Matthew 1:21) God with us who willingly laid down His sinless life as payment in full for His people that He foreknew at no cost whatsoever to them. For the gift of God is eternal life. God’s prescription is that you and I believe upon His name -- JESUS -- because there is no redemptive salvation under Heaven in any other name.
Note that we are not talking about religious institutions here. As an institution, religious traditions cannot save man. Why? Because as the scriptures repeatedly state in Revelation, their candlestick has been removed. Therefore, redemptive salvation is not through a church or by you adhering to long-standing institutional traditions and doctrines -- which unfortunately, in many instances are the same teachings invented by the church fathers of 300 / 400 AD. What is important is that the Holy Ghost was poured out upon believers on the day of Pentecost -- as recorded in Acts 2. Here, the people were told to repent each and every one of them and be baptized into the name of JESUS! (Acts 2:37-42)
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)
We also know from the scriptures that Paul was chosen to be His apostle to the Gentiles. Paul declared that the gospel that he preached did not unfold from man’s wisdom. Neither, as Paul states, "was I taught by man." In other words, Paul asserted that he did not receive the gospel of man. Rather he received the gospel from God by means of revelation. In short, Paul was asserting that the Word of God was coming to him not from him.
All this to affirm Paul's statement to one and all. That is, "if any one think of himself as a prophet or spiritual then they had better acknowledge that the things that I write are the commandments of God." (I Corinthians 14:37)
At the time, Paul was well aware how he had in his younger life been entrapped by the religion of his day. In fact, Paul was so engulfed that he - like many today - think/thought they were doing God a great service by killing anyone with an alternative mindset other than theirs. Obviously, they had never heard or read the scripture that states men (and women) must be allowed to work out his/her destiny in fear and trembling. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)
Instead, Paul (formerly known as Saul) became a radical terrorist killer, throwing believers of the JESUS persuasion into prison. At the time, he really believed in his heart that he was doing what God wanted. Who would ever have thought that God would say to a disciple that Paul was a chosen vessel to bear His name JESUS to the Gentiles?
Yes, God has a chosen people -- a royal generation -- a people that God foreknew before the very foundation of the earth. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called." (I Peter 2:9) Similarly, in the good news gospel, it is written that God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the worldly wisdom of men -- to preach the "simplicity" of the good news gospel of His kingdom.
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ..." (I Corinthians 1:27)
Indeed, when we believe in Jesus by faith, and seek Him with all of our being, we become His chosen ministers. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
He who knew no sin became sin for us. It is He who purchased and redeemed back to Himself the sacrifice of His own body. JESUS being the child conceived of the Holy Ghost -- one other than ‘God Himself as a Son. God with us, as the Bible states. (Matthew 1:21) God with us who willingly laid down His sinless life as payment in full for His people that He foreknew at no cost whatsoever to them. For the gift of God is eternal life. God’s prescription is that you and I believe upon His name -- JESUS -- because there is no redemptive salvation under Heaven in any other name.
Note that we are not talking about religious institutions here. As an institution, religious traditions cannot save man. Why? Because as the scriptures repeatedly state in Revelation, their candlestick has been removed. Therefore, redemptive salvation is not through a church or by you adhering to long-standing institutional traditions and doctrines -- which unfortunately, in many instances are the same teachings invented by the church fathers of 300 / 400 AD. What is important is that the Holy Ghost was poured out upon believers on the day of Pentecost -- as recorded in Acts 2. Here, the people were told to repent each and every one of them and be baptized into the name of JESUS! (Acts 2:37-42)
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)
Stand in the offering plate.
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