One of the most interesting aspects of the Holy Bible scriptures -- the Word of God -- is that within there is a cloud of witnesses which attest to the love and kindness of God our Saviour. The gospels -- written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- tell similar accounts of Jesus, and His journey on this earth. The controversy that one might expect when it comes to several witnesses scribing what these saw is that one might get the message wrong, and therefore cast doubt upon the accuracy of the gospels. But in this case, all the prophets and the psalmist alike point to the coming of the Messiah. Jesus is His Name. (Matthew 1:18-23; Acts 4:12) In fact, throughout the scriptures, we understand the statement, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" (Psalm 40:7; Hebrews 10:7)
As well, it is important to note here that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8) It was His abundance of love and mercy for His beloved creation that dictated His plan of salvation -- the mystery that was beheld in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. But unlike the modern day religious culture who denies that Jesus is the Father, even when these know that Jesus said, "I and My Father are One!" these want to reduce Jesus to a third of God.
Still, the Word that was with God and was God was made flesh and dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) The Lord having come forth as a mighty man, so that we could have life in Him. (Isaiah 42:16) Indeed, when the Lord God looked around to see if any one was worthy, there was no one. Thus, He Himself became our Saviour, and He did so because He loved us from the very beginning. His purpose for our lives placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
It is here that we see the difference between the true body of Christ Church wherein Jesus is the Head and a false religious culture that denies Jesus and His power thereof. Interestingly, there are many scriptures which speak of this in the scriptures. Nevertheless, our Lord God and Saviour desires a family and regardless of the proliferation of false teachings within the modern day church, those that love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength will find the truth.
"Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
The apostles are clear on that point. Herein some scriptures that demand that we not be misled by any other gospel, which does not align with the apostolic doctrine outlined in Acts 2 -- wherein, on the day of Pentecost the body of Christ church had its beginning. Within these scriptures, we understand, as Peter standing with the eleven told the people that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) This is why the first 3,000 souls saved repented, and were baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- so that these could receive the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the Lord Jesus in their hearts. But I digress.
The following are the scriptures I alluded to above. Read and meditate on these things in your faith journey. Search the scriptures as a workman doth, so that we can accurately discern between what is right and true and just, and other teachings which have no foundation or basis in the Word.
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." (II Peter 2:20-22)
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils ... for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears ..." " (I Timothy 4:1-3)
"For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost ..." (Hebrews 6:4-8)
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition ..." (II Thessalonians 2:3)
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9)
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (II Timothy 3:1-9)
From Jesus' parable -- "They on the Rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." (Luke 8:13)
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12)
"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness." (II Peter 3:17)
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24:12)
But we have a higher calling in Christ Jesus. Remain steadfast in the Lord Jesus who loves us beyond measure. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." (Hebrews 12:12-17)
So many witnesses pointing to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant who said He will never leave us nor forsake us. This is why He said He would send us another Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- so that we would know that Jesus is God Almighty in the flesh, and that His Spirit now dwells within. See that ye refuse not Him that speaks to your very being, but instead receive a kingdom which cannot be moved. Attach yourself to the Rock which is Jesus, and let us have grace whereby we may serve Him as our God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
Stand in the offering plate.
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