" Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 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 2:36-38)
Once we repent and are water baptized in the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ we begin to experience the blessings that accompany being redeemed. In other words, we enter a new dimension, leaving the worldly things in favour of the heavenly. Our heart's desire is to dine with the King of kings and Lord of lords. Although within this new world of liberty and freedom, we still face the reality of being in the same world in terms of our day to day, the difference is that after we come to know Jesus, the world as we know no longer has a hold on our heart.
Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34)
This is not to suggest that the created world has changed. It has not. The earth remains the same as before. What has happened in our moment of redemption is that you and I have changed. In our hearts, and minds, and soul. Upon reflection, I realize that this new perspective that I am experiencing had a beginning, that came about as a result of my believing and accepting the sacrifice of JESUS the Redeemer.
Herein, we begin to understand that this same Jesus (the Second Adam from heaven) is also the Lord Himself - JESUS. The very same God who had visited the first Adam in the cool of the evening similarly had a visitation with us too. However, earth was not the second Adam’s residence. For as the scriptures indicate, Heaven is His throne and earth His footstool.
In this context then, God Himself is the Second Adam -- our Redeemer, who we have only known as JESUS the Son of God whose blood reconciled us. Why is this? Because God is Spirit. And even though we have been redeemed, we cannot go into the spiritual realm unless we are born again!
The New Testament speaks of Jesus and Nicodemus and the need to be born again. In fact, Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to be saved, one had to be born again. The reason for this is that flesh is flesh and that which is Spirit is Spirit. This is why Jesus said not to marvel because I say unto you that you must be born again. (John 3:1-21)
Nicodemus, known as a man of the Pharisees and ruler of the Jews had asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, "Ye must be born again." The wind blows where it lists, and thou hears the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes; so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:4-8)
In their walk with Jesus, the disciples had witnessed all that had come to pass, beginning with the Passover supper on through to the resurrection. Even the disciple so aptly called doubting Thomas in the scriptures declared JESUS to be "My LORD and My GOD!" (John 20:25-31)
Further, JESUS appeared and disappeared, going in and out among them for a period of 40 days and 40 nights, after which JESUS ascended up into Heaven. The work of redemption was complete. At this time, JESUS told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait there until they received power from on high. (Acts 1:3, 8-9)
Interpreted, Jesus was referring to the power of His Spirit that would come upon them so that they could become His witnesses throughout the world. The gift of the promised Holy Ghost had as yet not been given. (Why not? Because JESUS was not yet glorified!) As we read in the Bible, the disciples did as they were bid and stayed there 10 more days (120 persons) until that time which is known as the day of Pentecost was fully come! (Acts 1 / Leviticus 23)
JESUS being man’s only High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. JESUS was appointed of God to be a High Priest (not after the order of Aaron). JESUS is a faithful and compassionate High Priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities!
JESUS sacrificed His pure, holy, sinless life as a once and for all offering. Yes, JESUS offered up Himself. JESUS being God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son. (I Timothy 3:16) JESUS fulfilled the prophecy in Leviticus 23. Fifty days after the sacrificial offering of Himself, once again offers, and again the offering is accepted, and the Holy Spirit of God in man begins.
No longer JESUS externally with us -- as it was in the days of the old covenant, but His Spirit coming to dwell in us! He will lead and guide us into all truth.
Jesus said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me ... and ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with Me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27)
And just as the disciples experienced, Jesus wants to fulfill the purpose He placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb. Take hold of His truth today, for there is a far greater treasure to experience than those trinkets offered in the world. Stand in the offering plate.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
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