This was the conversation Jesus was having with Nicodemus in John 3. Jesus is not speaking here about a natural birth. How do we know? Because when Nicodemus asks Jesus if being born again means entering into his mother's womb a second time, Jesus tells him no. In fact, the key message that Jesus is conveying is that being born again spiritually has nothing to do with being born of the flesh.
In the gospels, we learn of the great commission wherein we are called to repent and be baptized, and to disseminate this same message across the world. The religious community has dubbed these instructions the Great Commission -- albeit, these tend to focus on Matthew's account, and not the accounts written in the other gospels. Most certainly, the latter also ignores Acts 2 wherein Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost instructs the first 3,000 souls saved on the New Testament side to repent and be water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ so they can receive the Holy Ghost, but I digress somewhat. (Acts 2:36-47; Acts 10:44-48)
Jesus said in Matthew's account: "GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)
And Jesus said, "GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE; he THAT BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; but he THAT BELIEVES NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18)
In opening their understanding, Jesus did so that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, AND THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME AMONG ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM. And YE ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS. And, BEHOLD, I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, UNTIL YE BE ENDURED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen." (Luke 24:47-53)
And from John's account -- "Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, WHEN THEY SAW THE LORD." Then SAID JESUS TO THEM AGAIN, "PEACE BE UNTO YOU: as MY FATHER HATH SENT ME, EVEN SO SEND I YOU."
And WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE BREATHED ON THEM, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, "RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST: Whose soever sins YE REMIT, THEY ARE REMITTED UNTO THEM; and whose soever sins YE RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED." (John 20:19-23)
Jesus said in Matthew's account: "GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)
And Jesus said, "GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE; he THAT BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; but he THAT BELIEVES NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18)
In opening their understanding, Jesus did so that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, AND THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME AMONG ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM. And YE ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS. And, BEHOLD, I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, UNTIL YE BE ENDURED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen." (Luke 24:47-53)
And from John's account -- "Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, WHEN THEY SAW THE LORD." Then SAID JESUS TO THEM AGAIN, "PEACE BE UNTO YOU: as MY FATHER HATH SENT ME, EVEN SO SEND I YOU."
And WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE BREATHED ON THEM, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, "RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST: Whose soever sins YE REMIT, THEY ARE REMITTED UNTO THEM; and whose soever sins YE RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED." (John 20:19-23)
These scriptures take us straight to the book of Acts. From Acts 1:1-11:
"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, UNTIL THE DAY IN WHICH HE WAS TAKEN UP, AFTER THAT HE THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST HAD GIVEN COMMANDMENTS UNTO THE APOSTLES WHOM HE HAD CHOSEN: TO WHOM ALSO HE SHEWED HIMSELF ALIVE AFTER HIS PASSION by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, "BUT WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, WHICH, "SAITH HE, "YE HAVE HEARD OF ME." For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, "BUT WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, WHICH, "SAITH HE, "YE HAVE HEARD OF ME." For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:1-11)
All these things were prophesied by the prophets from afore. The Word Himself speaking by His holy prophet Isaiah who prophesied His spoken Word of truth -- the same Word that was with God and was God. (John 1:1-)
As the Lord God speaking through Isaiah said, "When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them.
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Come now, and let us reason together," saith the LORD, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it! (Isaiah 1:12-20)
As the Lord God speaking through Isaiah said, "When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them.
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Come now, and let us reason together," saith the LORD, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it! (Isaiah 1:12-20)
What are some examples of the truth - referred to herein? Acts 22:16 and Acts 2:36-41.
In the first, Saul, after learning and accepting who Jesus is asked, "WHAT SHALL I DO"? and in the second, those dwelling at the house of Israel (after hearing Peter preach) asked, "WHAT SHALL WE DO?"
In the first, Saul, after learning and accepting who Jesus is asked, "WHAT SHALL I DO"? and in the second, those dwelling at the house of Israel (after hearing Peter preach) asked, "WHAT SHALL WE DO?"
The One and Only truth. One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.
In Saul's account -- And I said, "WHAT SHALL I DO, LORD? "And the Lord said unto me, "ARISE, and go into Damascus; and there IT SHALL BE TOLD THEE OF ALL THINGS WHICH ARE APPOINTED FOR THEE TO DO." And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, "Brother Saul, receive thy sight." And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest KNOW HIS WILL, and SEE that JUST ONE, and shouldest HEAR the VOICE of HIS mouth. For thou shalt be HIS WITNESS unto all men of what thou hast SEEN and HEARD.
And now why tarriest thou? ARISE, AND BE BAPTIZED, AND WASH AWAY THY SINS, CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD." (Acts 22:10-16)
In Saul's account -- And I said, "WHAT SHALL I DO, LORD? "And the Lord said unto me, "ARISE, and go into Damascus; and there IT SHALL BE TOLD THEE OF ALL THINGS WHICH ARE APPOINTED FOR THEE TO DO." And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, "Brother Saul, receive thy sight." And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest KNOW HIS WILL, and SEE that JUST ONE, and shouldest HEAR the VOICE of HIS mouth. For thou shalt be HIS WITNESS unto all men of what thou hast SEEN and HEARD.
And now why tarriest thou? ARISE, AND BE BAPTIZED, AND WASH AWAY THY SINS, CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD." (Acts 22:10-16)
Note the two things Saul was told to do. Be filled with the Holy Ghost after being baptized, Saul's sins washed away, calling on His Name -- the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus. This teaching is consistent with the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus.
That is, 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 saith unto Him, "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." (John 3:1-5)
And then after Jesus was risen up, Peter (standing with the eleven said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that GOD HATH MADE THAT 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. FOR THE PROMISE IS UNTO you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL." And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." THEN THEY THAT GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:36-41)
That is, 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 saith unto Him, "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." (John 3:1-5)
And then after Jesus was risen up, Peter (standing with the eleven said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that GOD HATH MADE THAT 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. FOR THE PROMISE IS UNTO you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL." And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." THEN THEY THAT GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:36-41)
They that gladly received His Word. The Acts 2:38 message marking the beginning of the New Testament church. The key to the kingdom unlocked. You see, in Matthew 28:19 Jesus told His disciples WHAT TO DO! Jesus TOLD them TO DO THAT -- to spread the good news gospel to all the world in His Name! In Mark 16:15,16 Jesus told them WHY TO DO IT! Mark gave them two choices in that they could either "BE" AS TO "BE SAVED" OR TO "BE" AS TO BE DAMNED"
In Luke 24:47 Jesus told them WHERE TO DO IT! In John 3:3-7 Jesus told them WHO NEEDS TO DO IT! Now in Acts 2:38 Peter told the first 3,000 souls how to do it. The same message has not changed since the early church -- even though modern day religious culture tries to say so.
Therefore, we can clearly see the teachings of Jesus come together in the same one accord as we witness on the day of Pentecost. So the good news gospel message again ...
What should I do? Repent,
And then what? Be baptized
Who? Every one of you
How? In the Name of Jesus Christ
Why? For the remission of sins
And what will happen? Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"
Matthew 28:19,20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24,47-53 are all the One and Same teaching that takes place on the Mount of Olives just prior to Jesus ascending into Heaven! God is not the Author of confusion. So my question -- who will you believe this day? The Word? or man-made traditions with no scriptural basis. You decide, but as for me and my house we are going to serve the Lord!
What should I do? Repent,
And then what? Be baptized
Who? Every one of you
How? In the Name of Jesus Christ
Why? For the remission of sins
And what will happen? Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"
Matthew 28:19,20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24,47-53 are all the One and Same teaching that takes place on the Mount of Olives just prior to Jesus ascending into Heaven! God is not the Author of confusion. So my question -- who will you believe this day? The Word? or man-made traditions with no scriptural basis. You decide, but as for me and my house we are going to serve the Lord!
Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment