A covenant made unto them, wherein the Lord God Himself would come forth as a mighty man and take away the sins of the world. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. God in Christ. When God willingly and because of His love for His people took on sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we could find abundant, everlasting life in Him.
However, when we look for faith in our modern day culture, what do we often see? A multiplicity of religions and denominations in the midst. Apostle Paul addresses this phenomena in Corinthians, wherein he is writing to the saints who call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Corinthians 1:1-2)
Therein, Paul writes that we who believe are enriched by Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ is confirmed in us. Indeed, God is faithful, by whom we were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul writes, "Now I beseech you brethren, by the NAME OF OUR LORD Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly fitted together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (I Corinthians 1:9-10)
Sadly, as Paul acknowledges, there were contentions. One says that they are of Paul. Another states that they are of Apollos. In today's language, we would say that we are of this denomination or that denomination. To such a profession, the scripture would interject that you are yet carnal, and walk and talk as men, apart from the Lord.
Indeed, Paul continues, asking, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:12-13) In other words -- is Christ fractured? No sir. Christ is not fractured.
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness: but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God: because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:18-25)
This is why 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; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Why? Because we are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Thus, when we glory, let us glory only in the Lord. (I Corinthians 1:27-31) It is He that deserves all the honour and glory and praise. The Great Shepherd, who died for you and I whilst we were still His enemies.
Unfortunately, the multiplicity of modern day religious denominations that exist have let go of these apostolic teachings. And, as a consequence, we are missing the wisdom of God, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory. For those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and have been water baptized in His Name -- the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, God does reveal Himself unto us by His Spirit. (Acts 2:36-38)
Therefore, don't get misled by the so-called wise of this world. Rather, take hold of His truths today. Study His Word to show yourself approved unto God, as a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
Why? Because JESUS is the vine! And for us who abide in the vine Jesus bring forth abundant, everlasting, eternal life. This is why we are the Jesus people! Because we know in whom we serve! Yes, Christ has died and risen for our sins so that we might have salvation and manifold much in Him.
Thus, we do not follow a man-made institutional denomination. Instead, we adhere to the written Word of God --"as it is written" -- the Holy Ghost within the Word inspiring believers to continue therein. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Word of God is the sole authority for scriptural teachings.
"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us." (II Timothy 1:13-14)
Peace be to all, who are earnestly contending for the faith, that was delivered to us of the Lord! Stand in the offering plate.
Therein, Paul writes that we who believe are enriched by Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ is confirmed in us. Indeed, God is faithful, by whom we were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul writes, "Now I beseech you brethren, by the NAME OF OUR LORD Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly fitted together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (I Corinthians 1:9-10)
Sadly, as Paul acknowledges, there were contentions. One says that they are of Paul. Another states that they are of Apollos. In today's language, we would say that we are of this denomination or that denomination. To such a profession, the scripture would interject that you are yet carnal, and walk and talk as men, apart from the Lord.
Indeed, Paul continues, asking, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:12-13) In other words -- is Christ fractured? No sir. Christ is not fractured.
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness: but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God: because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:18-25)
This is why 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; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Why? Because we are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Thus, when we glory, let us glory only in the Lord. (I Corinthians 1:27-31) It is He that deserves all the honour and glory and praise. The Great Shepherd, who died for you and I whilst we were still His enemies.
Unfortunately, the multiplicity of modern day religious denominations that exist have let go of these apostolic teachings. And, as a consequence, we are missing the wisdom of God, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory. For those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and have been water baptized in His Name -- the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, God does reveal Himself unto us by His Spirit. (Acts 2:36-38)
Therefore, don't get misled by the so-called wise of this world. Rather, take hold of His truths today. Study His Word to show yourself approved unto God, as a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
Why? Because JESUS is the vine! And for us who abide in the vine Jesus bring forth abundant, everlasting, eternal life. This is why we are the Jesus people! Because we know in whom we serve! Yes, Christ has died and risen for our sins so that we might have salvation and manifold much in Him.
Thus, we do not follow a man-made institutional denomination. Instead, we adhere to the written Word of God --"as it is written" -- the Holy Ghost within the Word inspiring believers to continue therein. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Word of God is the sole authority for scriptural teachings.
"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us." (II Timothy 1:13-14)
Peace be to all, who are earnestly contending for the faith, that was delivered to us of the Lord! Stand in the offering plate.
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