Herein, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus was encouraging Timothy to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]." (II Timothy 3:10)
Not to vary from the faith that was established in the name of Jesus Christ. Not to believe seducing spirits and doctrines of devils but rather to continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:37-42) And to continue daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, having all things common, and enjoying favour with all the people so that the Lord would add to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (I Peter 1:21)
But what has happened over time, is that man-made religion and its form traditions have replaced the new wine with a mixture of the old covenant. Inextricably intertwining the two -- the old covenant and the new testament -- these modern day religious representatives have chosen to rely on scriptures that tickle people's ears over encouraging each and every one of us from being partakers of the Holy Ghost. As a consequence, many believers in Jesus by faith have become bound by the worldly constructs, and not coming boldly to the throne of grace so that we my obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Much of the difficulty stems from religions that have not accurately understood the Godhead, or the principles of the doctrine of Christ, so that believers would be free to move onto perfection.
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
This is why it is critical that when we believe in Jesus by faith, and ask Him to be Lord in our life, that we also follow His commandments. That we understand the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, and of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement. (Hebrews 6:1-2)
Indeed, in spite of church traditions, we need to recognize that speaking as holy men [and women] of God moved by the Holy Ghost has not changed over time -- even if/when modern day churches claim the Holy Ghost was only relevant in the days of the early church. How do we know this? Jesus said, "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." (John 14:26)
As we learned in the scriptures, the Holy Ghost could not come until Jesus had been taken up. Only then, did Jesus "through" the Holy Ghost command the apostles. (Acts 1:1-4) How many times did Jesus tell us, that He and Father are one?
Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7)
And then similarly to Philip when he asked, "Lord, show us the Father and it sufficeth us." Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you and yet, hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?" (John 14:8-9)
This was the message apostle Paul was conveying to Timothy.
"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, where unto thou hast attained." (I Timothy 4:6)
And the foundation?
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
But Timothy (and us) were also warned that there would be those who would creep in unawares, attempting to hijack the glorious message of our Lord God and Saviour "and His Christ." Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and [commanding] to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (I Timothy 3:16- I Timothy 4:1-5)
Much of the difficulty stems from religions that have not accurately understood the Godhead, or the principles of the doctrine of Christ, so that believers would be free to move onto perfection.
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
This is why it is critical that when we believe in Jesus by faith, and ask Him to be Lord in our life, that we also follow His commandments. That we understand the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, and of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement. (Hebrews 6:1-2)
Indeed, in spite of church traditions, we need to recognize that speaking as holy men [and women] of God moved by the Holy Ghost has not changed over time -- even if/when modern day churches claim the Holy Ghost was only relevant in the days of the early church. How do we know this? Jesus said, "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." (John 14:26)
As we learned in the scriptures, the Holy Ghost could not come until Jesus had been taken up. Only then, did Jesus "through" the Holy Ghost command the apostles. (Acts 1:1-4) How many times did Jesus tell us, that He and Father are one?
Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7)
And then similarly to Philip when he asked, "Lord, show us the Father and it sufficeth us." Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you and yet, hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?" (John 14:8-9)
This was the message apostle Paul was conveying to Timothy.
"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, where unto thou hast attained." (I Timothy 4:6)
And the foundation?
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
But Timothy (and us) were also warned that there would be those who would creep in unawares, attempting to hijack the glorious message of our Lord God and Saviour "and His Christ." Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and [commanding] to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (I Timothy 3:16- I Timothy 4:1-5)
This is why we should take pleasure in reading the scriptures, understanding too that if we know and believe these things to be true, and do everything in word or deed in the precious name of Jesus, we can stand firmly on His promises. (John 13:17; Romans 8:1-39)
And that we too "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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
And that we too "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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
This is why, on the day of Pentecost, Peter standing with the eleven were asked by the crowds gathered from every nation -- "What shall we do to be saved?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-38)
"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2)
Good question. One that needs to be taken much more seriously by the modern day religious who carelessly promised to take care of our souls without accurately preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. But don't believe me. Study His Word yourself as a workman does. And let "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13) Stand in the offering plate.
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