"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name." (Revelation 3:8-9)
All these to say that when Jesus came to earth and shed His precious, holy on a cross at Calvary, He did so knowing that He would rise from the dead, ascend into heaven -- the full price for salvation for our sins now paid in full. This is the miracle of the cross -- when the veil was torn from heaven to earth so that you and I might have abundant life in Him.
This is the New Testament -- when the Dayspring from on high visited His people. This is the New Testament which is the Lord's doing. This is the New Testament wherein the Lord said He would do a new thing. A changing of the guard if you will -- wherein we can have abundant life.
The New Testament Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John record the life of Jesus Christ when He walked on this earth. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. God manifest in the flesh so that we could/would behold His glory. As John the baptizer said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
Sadly, however, there are far too many who don't understand who Jesus was, and is, or even why He came. Many don't know that when you have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father and know Him. (John 14:6-12; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)
Or, "to wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)
In fact, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I AM?" The responses varied. Then Jesus asked a more revealing question, "Who do you say I AM?" Peter quickly responded, "Thou art The Christ, the Son of the Living God." Because of this answer, Peter was promised that God would build His church and that He would give him the keys to the kingdom. (Matthew 16:13-19)
Translated, what we are witnessing here is Peter being given authority BY GOD TO OPEN THE DOOR OF SALVATION TO All. You see, Peter received the Keys when he received the Gift of the Holy Ghost in Acts 2:1-4. Then Peter, having THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM used them for the first time (Acts 2:16-47) On The Day of Pentecost when he UNLOCKED AND OPENED WIDE THE DOOR OF SALVATION TO THE JEWS.
Peter, standing with the eleven in one accord, told the people that this same Jesus whom they had crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) When they were pricked in their hearts, they asked Peter, "What must we do?" Peter told them to "repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:37-41)
Later on, in Acts 8 the Samaritans had also been water baptized in the Name of Lord Jesus because (as the scripture states) these had not received yet the Gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:15) Peter and John were then sent to lay hands on those baptized and to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. Note that only those that were water baptized received the gift of the Holy Ghost! Consequently, the door of salvation was unlocked and opened wide for the Samaritans also.
Peter then was sent and preached the Gospel unto the Gentiles, and while he was preaching the Word of God, the Holy Ghost fell upon them and they began to speak with other tongues. Peter then asked, "Can any man forbid water that have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:44-448) Then he commanded that they be water baptized in the Name of the Lord. The door again unlocked and opened wide for the Gentiles as well.
So, where did this wonderful salvation message begin? In John 3:1-7, when Jesus stopped to speak to Nicodemus, a man of the Pharisees, and a ruler of the Jews.
"The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, "Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Him. Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT a man be "BORN AGAIN" he CANNOT SEE the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus then asks Jesus how someone can be born again (naturally by entering a mother's womb a second time). 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."
Clearly, Jesus is not speaking about a natural birth here. Moreover, Jesus teaching had nothing to do with being born again of the flesh. Indeed, Jesus was specifically teaching Nicodemus that he had to be born again. A spiritual birth.
Interesting thus far? There is more to come shortly. For now, meditate on these things.
Stand in the offering plate.
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