"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" (Ezekiel 34:2)
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (I John 5:20)
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5-6) And yet, as we are witnessing all about, the modern day religious culture has entrenched a false triad, triune type God wherein God is not God Almighty but divided into thirds, reduced to three persons. What a travesty that these self-proclaiming shepherds have chosen to follow the traditions of men, even when the scriptures prove otherwise.
Certainly, the first commandment, confirmed by Jesus Himself in the New Testament should be sufficient evidence that Jesus is the One and Only true God, and from knowing Him comes eternal life. Indeed, "hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) Indeed, after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) His Name JESUS -- for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) God manifest in the flesh, and the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (I Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9)
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse ..." (Romans 1:20)
His Name in this current dispensation of grace -- JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) This is why there is no other Name given under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) Likewise, that the Name of Jesus is above every other name. (Philippians 2:9) And that every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Nevertheless, the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning (intended to fool only satan and his legions) has sadly led to the deceit of millions of souls by a compromised religious culture -- wherein the shepherds feed themselves, not knowing themselves in whom they serve. Again, as the scripture saith, should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
This is certainly the instruction that Jesus gave to Peter when Jesus said to Peter the second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" Peter saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou know that I love Thee." He saith unto him, "Feed My sheep." He saith unto him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou Me?" And he said unto Him, "Lord, Thou knows all things; Thou knows that I love Thee." Jesus saith unto him, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:16-17)
And this is the gospel message that Peter (standing with the eleven -- including Matthew) gave on the day of Pentecost when Peter not only declared that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ, but did as Jesus asked when He said to Peter -- feed My sheep. As we know, when the people were pricked in their hearts, they asked Peter and the eleven apostles what they must do to be saved.
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
This same question that Jesus asked -- "Lovest thou Me?" -- can be applied to our own salvation. Do we love our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ? Do we know Jesus as the Lord of glory -- the first man earthly, but the second, the Lord from heaven? Do we love His Word -- as it is written -- or sadly, do we reject the scriptures against ourselves -- in favour of a religious culture gone awry? (Luke 7:29-30)
It is for this reason that we who believe are "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!" (Titus 2:13)
But I digress. For the record, every single water baptism in the New Testament (after the cross) was performed in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And this same Peter has commanded every one of us to do the same. To become clothed in His righteousness -- born again of the water and the Spirit -- so that we too can receive the Holy Ghost. (Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21-22; Acts 10:44-48)
"Lo, here is water -- what hinders you from being baptized?"
It's a good question! But don't just get wet being baptized in the titles, as the religious culture will insist. Study the scriptures yourself and know that there is only One God, and in this dispensation of grace His Name is JESUS. The I AM of the old is Jesus in the New.
As Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) Why? Because (as Jesus then declares to His disciples) -- if ye have seen Me, you have seen the Father, and know Him. (John 14:7-12) In another place, Jesus said, "I and My Father are ONE!" (John 10:30)
And when He declared, "this day have I begotten Thee," it was because the appointed time for the Lord's Christ to come -- we can with assurance know that the dayspring from on high hath visited His people.
Let those with ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
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