"And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open." (Isaiah 22:22)
The life of Jesus the Christ is recorded in the gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Therein, we learn about the miracles, the signs and wonders, and healings that He performed. We see how Jesus healed the brokenhearted and welcomed the children unto Himself. In so doing, Jesus showed us love both Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and from His love how to love one another.
Just as we know Jesus as the Great I AM -- the way, the truth, and the life; the bread of life; the living water wherein when we drink, we never thirst again -- we also understand that when God came to earth as our Saviour, shedding His precious, holy blood so that we might have life, He also rose from the dead, ascending into heaven, paying the ultimate price for our salvation -- in full.
The life of Jesus the Christ is recorded in the gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Therein, we learn about the miracles, the signs and wonders, and healings that He performed. We see how Jesus healed the brokenhearted and welcomed the children unto Himself. In so doing, Jesus showed us love both Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and from His love how to love one another.
Just as we know Jesus as the Great I AM -- the way, the truth, and the life; the bread of life; the living water wherein when we drink, we never thirst again -- we also understand that when God came to earth as our Saviour, shedding His precious, holy blood so that we might have life, He also rose from the dead, ascending into heaven, paying the ultimate price for our salvation -- in full.
Sadly, even then (and like now) people do not understand why God became our Saviour, giving us His salvation name whereby we must be saved -- the Name of JESUS. (Acts 4:12)
"For His name shall be called JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
The Name above every other name. (Philippians 2:9)
Then, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" There were a number of responses, varying from John the baptizer, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. Then Jesus asks a more revealing question. That is, to His disciples, "Who do you say I AM?" As we could expect, Peter quickly responds saying, "Thou art The Christ, the Son of the living God."
Because of his response, Peter was promised that God would build His body of Christ church and that He would give him the keys to the kingdom. For clarity, Jesus did not say that Peter was to build a church for his own glory or benefit. Neither did Jesus make Peter the first pope, as some in the modern day religious culture would have us wrongly believe.
Rather, what happened here is that Peter was given authority by the Lord God to open the door of salvation to both the Gentiles and the Jews. (Matthew 16:13-19) We see this on the day of Pentecost, when Peter (standing with the eleven) revealed to the first 3,000 souls saved the message of repentance, water baptism in the Name of Jesus, the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost -- so that we are on the inside, and no longer on the outside looking in.
Because of his response, Peter was promised that God would build His body of Christ church and that He would give him the keys to the kingdom. For clarity, Jesus did not say that Peter was to build a church for his own glory or benefit. Neither did Jesus make Peter the first pope, as some in the modern day religious culture would have us wrongly believe.
Rather, what happened here is that Peter was given authority by the Lord God to open the door of salvation to both the Gentiles and the Jews. (Matthew 16:13-19) We see this on the day of Pentecost, when Peter (standing with the eleven) revealed to the first 3,000 souls saved the message of repentance, water baptism in the Name of Jesus, the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost -- so that we are on the inside, and no longer on the outside looking in.
This understanding, in and of itself is instructive. For clarity, note that 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 on the day of Pentecost when he unlocked and opened wide the door of salvation. But again, Peter did no do so on his own merit but rather, in agreement with the eleven. Or, as the scriptures state, in one accord.
And as we know, what transpired on the day of Pentecost continued throughout the book of Acts. The same good news gospel message which was proclaimed on the day of Pentecost continued -- salvation, water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and receipt of the gift of the Holy Ghost -- the Comforter -- the Spirit of Jesus desiring to dwell within our hearts.
In Acts 8, the Samaritans had been water baptized in the Name of Lord Jesus but had not [yet] received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter and John were then sent to lay hands on those baptized and to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost -- only those who were water baptized received the gift of the Holy Ghost!
In Acts 8, the Samaritans had been water baptized in the Name of Lord Jesus but had not [yet] received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter and John were then sent to lay hands on those baptized and to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost -- only those who were water baptized received the gift of the Holy Ghost!
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
And the door of salvation was unlocked and now wide open for the Samaritans. 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 10:47-48) Then Peter commanded that they were to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.
The door now unlocked and wide open for the Gentiles. How did this wonderful message begin. We see in John 3:1-7 -- when Jesus had the conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews. Note that Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was more than a man because, as he states, no man can do these miracles that Jesus did, except God be with Him.
So much more to understand herein, but the point of this day, is we do not want be on the outside looking in when the Lord Jesus -- as the Lord of lords and King of kings returns. If you believe, align your understanding of the gospel with Peter and the apostles, as it was delivered on the day of Pentecost. This marked the beginning of the new testament church, when the Lord Jesus could not wait any longer to begin a family that bears His Name in all that they do.
More to come. For now, read John 3 and Acts 2 for your learning and edification.
Stand in the offering plate.
And the door of salvation was unlocked and now wide open for the Samaritans. 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 10:47-48) Then Peter commanded that they were to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.
The door now unlocked and wide open for the Gentiles. How did this wonderful message begin. We see in John 3:1-7 -- when Jesus had the conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews. Note that Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was more than a man because, as he states, no man can do these miracles that Jesus did, except God be with Him.
So much more to understand herein, but the point of this day, is we do not want be on the outside looking in when the Lord Jesus -- as the Lord of lords and King of kings returns. If you believe, align your understanding of the gospel with Peter and the apostles, as it was delivered on the day of Pentecost. This marked the beginning of the new testament church, when the Lord Jesus could not wait any longer to begin a family that bears His Name in all that they do.
More to come. For now, read John 3 and Acts 2 for your learning and edification.
Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment