"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtility to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:to understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ..." (Proverbs 1:1-7)
"And ye shall know that I AM in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord thy God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit." (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:36-47)
"I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh" ... and as a consequence your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Similarly, your old men shall dream dreams and upon My servants and upon My handmaidens, saith the Lord, "I will pour out of My Spirit."
So the question is this. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you exercised your faith towards the name of the Lord JESUS? If you have not received the promised Holy Ghost according to the scriptures, then why not?
Certainly, there is only One Lord! There is only One Faith! There is only One Baptism. This is the short form confession of the faith that the scriptures render for each and every one of us in Acts 2. In this context then, we ought to examine ourselves to see whether we are earnestly contending for this confession of faith. This confession of our faith that was once, and only once delivered from JESUS to us by His holy Spirit.
The ministry of His Spirit declares that if any man has not the Spirit of JESUS the Christ then that person has not as yet accepted redemption nor has he or she obeyed the opening tongue spoken ministry of the holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2. Paul in Galatians declared, "Who hath bewitched you that you obey not the truth?" Evidently, you started out in looking at and believing in only JESUS alone! You were doing so well hungering for more of God with singleness of heart. What happened?
The ministry of His Spirit declares that if any man has not the Spirit of JESUS the Christ then that person has not as yet accepted redemption nor has he or she obeyed the opening tongue spoken ministry of the holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2. Paul in Galatians declared, "Who hath bewitched you that you obey not the truth?" Evidently, you started out in looking at and believing in only JESUS alone! You were doing so well hungering for more of God with singleness of heart. What happened?
The "what happened" -- the question of all time!
Well, in some cases you may have met a religious person who had church-ianity but had never experienced the free redemption that Christianity offers. His liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1) Sadly, what they did not tell you is that the Old Covenant is not the New Testament. Neither is the New Testament an addendum (or add-o) to the Old Covenant. The Old Testament is a covenant of works and ordinances while the New Testament is intended to be a testament of love and grace -- and forgiveness -- of which none are dependant on you or I.
Well, in some cases you may have met a religious person who had church-ianity but had never experienced the free redemption that Christianity offers. His liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1) Sadly, what they did not tell you is that the Old Covenant is not the New Testament. Neither is the New Testament an addendum (or add-o) to the Old Covenant. The Old Testament is a covenant of works and ordinances while the New Testament is intended to be a testament of love and grace -- and forgiveness -- of which none are dependant on you or I.
How can this be said?
Well, as the scriptures declare, the God of the New Testament redeems to Himself a people who previously were not a people at all. Therefore, the New Testament was necessary because God walked away from the former covenant when those He had covenanted with had walked out from the Old Covenant demands. But this New Covenant is a covenant between God who is Spirit and God Himself as a Son. This New Covenant was a ‘God In Christ covenant.' Most of all, it involved the death of the testator - JESUS.
Well, as the scriptures declare, the God of the New Testament redeems to Himself a people who previously were not a people at all. Therefore, the New Testament was necessary because God walked away from the former covenant when those He had covenanted with had walked out from the Old Covenant demands. But this New Covenant is a covenant between God who is Spirit and God Himself as a Son. This New Covenant was a ‘God In Christ covenant.' Most of all, it involved the death of the testator - JESUS.
"And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also be the death of the testator ..." (Hebrews 9:15-16)
We as believers then are the benefactors of all contained in that everlasting covenant of God in Christ. We as believers do not have a covenant. Rather, we are the recipients of all that JESUS was heir for. All of JESUS the Christ inheritance has been bequeathed to us as His LAST WILL and TESTAMENT. One does not work for an inheritance. No, an inheritance is considered a gift!
Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, "My labour that I have bestowed upon you - was it all in vain?" You started out well, but now you are endeavouring to work for salvation. Let me remind you says Paul that Christ died for all of our sins. Christ died for yesterday's sin, today's sin and even tomorrow’s sin.
This is why JESUS was raised from the grave -- for our justification! When Jesus ascended to Heaven, JESUS SAT down. So why are you still working for your salvation? Admittedly, you may work because you have salvation, but we do NOT work to "obtain" salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God!
We as believers then are the benefactors of all contained in that everlasting covenant of God in Christ. We as believers do not have a covenant. Rather, we are the recipients of all that JESUS was heir for. All of JESUS the Christ inheritance has been bequeathed to us as His LAST WILL and TESTAMENT. One does not work for an inheritance. No, an inheritance is considered a gift!
Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, "My labour that I have bestowed upon you - was it all in vain?" You started out well, but now you are endeavouring to work for salvation. Let me remind you says Paul that Christ died for all of our sins. Christ died for yesterday's sin, today's sin and even tomorrow’s sin.
This is why JESUS was raised from the grave -- for our justification! When Jesus ascended to Heaven, JESUS SAT down. So why are you still working for your salvation? Admittedly, you may work because you have salvation, but we do NOT work to "obtain" salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God!
Because He lives, we can face tomorrow!
Read Acts 2 and do as the Holy Ghost commands. That is, as for me and my house, we will by God’s grace serve none other than the God who loved us and gave Himself for us. His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Read Acts 2 and do as the Holy Ghost commands. That is, as for me and my house, we will by God’s grace serve none other than the God who loved us and gave Himself for us. His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Peace be on the ISRAEL of God! Stand in the offering plate.
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