Giving Thanks Unto the Father Who Hath Delivered Us From the Power of Darkness - Part 1038

Note to self -- do not let the "supplementary" reading material that I may be using supersede and/or replace the infallible Word of God. Period!

Jesus said,"Search the scriptures" -- for not every man authored book or modern day religious culture edifies you as a believer. Neither are these credited for increasing one's wisdom and knowledge. But the scriptures will when you desire His purposes. And if we look more closely at that particular scriptural passage, Jesus actually said:

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?" (John 5:39-47)

This is one reason why Jesus repeatedly said to his disciples, "I and My Father are ONE." And to Philip in the same chapter, "Have I been so long time with you and yet you ask, "Shew us the Father and it sufficeth?" (John 14:5-10) Jesus response? "Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me or else believe Me for the very works sake." (John 14:11)

While some may doubt that God was manifest in the flesh, these same cannot deny the scriptures. In fact, there is sufficient scriptural evidence to prove the Godhead as the one and only God who was later manifest in the flesh as our Saviour (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:18; Colossians 2:9)

Just like an artist paints a picture, Almighty God (by Himself) is powerful enough to create this earth/universe. We see this clarified in Genesis, whereby the scriptures state: "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1)

Note also that the scriptures state, "God is Spirit." (John 4:24) But wait, so is the Holy Ghost Spirit. Yes? So Jesus has two Fathers? Of course not. The scriptures clearly state that which was conceived in Mary is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20) And they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

Jesus -- the only "begotten" Son began when the Holy Ghost came upon Mary and the power of the Highest overshadowed her. (Luke 1:30-35) Mark calls this the "beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1)

 And yet, many modern day religions suggest that the Son of God existed in the old covenant? Where? Give me scripture to support that claim. Other religions refer to Father God -- Daddy God. Again, without any scriptural support. The Godhead should be obvious from searching the scriptures, for therein, Jesus told us, is of Me. This explains why Jesus had to leave in order for the Comforter to be sent.

And then in Acts 1:2, "Jesus THROUGH the Holy Ghost commanded the apostles"  He had chosen. Jesus said that He was that living bread that came down from heaven -- the SAME bread that their fathers did eat in the wilderness. (John 6:43-51)

But even more important, we know that Jesus said He had come in His Father's name. If this be so, then you must agree that the redemptive name of the Father must be Jesus. (John 5:43; John 17:26) Indeed, Jesus declared His name to one and all. We also see agreement between the "name" mentioned in the changed Matthew 28:19 and the "name of Jesus Christ" in Acts 2:37-42.

This is why we can say with confidence that Jehovah of the old covenant is Jesus in the new testament. "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Hebrews 9:8) But the holiest of holiest was manifested as we now know from scriptures that can't be disputed -- scriptures such as I Timothy 3:16 and John 1:1-18.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. The King of kings and Lord of lords. "Neither is there any other name under heaven whereby ye must be saved." (Acts 4:12) By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

"One Lord, One faith, One baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:5-6)

As for Jesus' baptism, the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove was for John the Baptist to believe that Jesus really was who He said He was --  read John 1:32-34) Why? Because John the Baptist knew Him not until he saw the Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus, as it was told to him earlier. Again, as Mark wrote -- this marked the "beginning" of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:1)

"For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called." (Isaiah 54:5)

We no longer pray to an unknown God, but rather know Him by name. Jesus -- the one and only God in this current dispensation of grace. The Head of the Church. The very corner stone of our faith, and yet there are those who want to reject Him. How sad that these don't recognize how long eternity really is, and are instead willing to jeopardize their salvation by rejecting the very Author and Finisher of our faith.

But in spite of those determined to lead believers astray, there is only one husband that the bride of Christ is preparing for -- not three husbands as a tri-une God or three persons in a Godhead as false trinitarian doctrines suggest.

"I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let him that heareth say, "Come." And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:16-17)

The ONE GOD who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption and the Holy Ghost in regeneration is calling on us today to come to Him. His name is Jesus. The only name whereby we can be healed. The only name that can cast out demons. The only name in which we can find salvation and eternal life.

"But the Comforter, 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 ... And now I have told you before it come to pass that when it is come to pass, ye might believe." (John 14:26-29)

So clear. So simple. And yet we will do anything other than bow our knee before the Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father -- the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me," said Jesus. (John 15:26)

The difficulty most religious folk are having reconciling their churchanity beliefs with the good news gospel of Jesus Christ is the widespread religious dogma and traditions that have you believing that Almighty God could not do what He said He would do, and the fact that modern day religion has duped you with a trinity doctrine that simply does not exist in the scriptures. Not in the old and neither in the new.

"I am the Lord thy God, and beside Me, there is no other." (Isaiah 45:5; 9:6; 41:4)

One God showing Himself in these last days as a Son veiled in sin-prone flesh so that we who believe by faith and are baptized in the name of Jesus as the first 3,000 were on the day of Pentecost can be clothed forever in His righteousness.

"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." (I Timothy 3:16)

"For by Him were all things created ..." and not by them. (Colossians 1:12-18)

"Giving thanks unto the Father .. who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins -- who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature -- for by Him were all things created ..." (Colossians 1:12-16)

The Father translated into the kingdom of His dear Son.

This is why Jesus said, "He that has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14:9) And likewise, we need to believe this same truth too.

"Behold the Lamb of God" who taketh away the sins of the world. (John 1:36) Stand in the offering plate today with Jesus, who is our Lord God and Saviour. Blessings in Jesus name too!