Save Yourselves From This Untoward Generation, That Would Deceive Us From The Truth - Part 2785

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, "Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 1:14-21)

Herein, Peter is referring to a prophecy in Joel, wherein the Lord brings to pass on the day of Pentecost an experience whereby He pours His Spirit on all flesh -- so that young men see visions, and old men see dreams, and on His servants and handmaidens, will He pour out His Spirit so they prophesy. (Joel 2:28) Moreover, at the same time, there will be wonders in heaven and signs in the earth before that great and notable day of the Lord comes. 

But Peter (standing in one accord with the eleven) does not stop there. Peter continues, saying, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it. For David speaks concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before My face, for He is on My right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance." (Acts 2:21-28) 

Again, a prophecy from David the psalmist indicating that every prophecy given of the Lord unto the prophets of old will (and does) come to fruition In this case, we see the culmination of old testament prophecy aligning on he day of Pentecost -- which marks the beginning of the new testament church. (Acts 2:22) 

It's also critical to note that the Acts 2 message was not just given to one nationality (as some claim), but to all those who dwell in Jerusalem -- including the Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians. 

As we read in the scriptures, Peter begins to speak freely, regarding David's prophecy specifically, and of the patriarch David, that is both dead and buried. 

"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but He saith Himself, "The Lord said unto My Lord, Sit thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

In other words, in prophesying, God had swore an oath to David, that from his loins (according to the flesh) God would raise up Christ to sit on His throne. And David was seeing all of this prior to the prophecy being fulfilled. We also see this clarified in the lineage of Jesus, as outlined within the gospels. This same Christ that followed the Israelites through the Red Sea (the Rock which was Christ) was going to become our Saviour, and upon His throne, all the house of Israel would know assuredly that this same Jesus, whom they crucified is both Lord and Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-4)

That this same Jesus, as both Lord and Christ would reign as King of kings and Lord of lords throughout this New Testament dispensation of grace. The risen Jesus -- Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. 

"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 (Jesus - the Word made flesh and dwelt among us) were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:36-41)

The key here is the question -- what must we do? 

And as we see from Peter's response, we need to believe and understand that this same Jesus (whom all of us at one point or another has crucified in our hearts) needs to repent, and be water baptized in His precious holy name so that He can clothe us in His righteousness, filling us too with His Spirit of love and mercy and grace. 

What was the response? The first 3,000 souls saved adhered to the message of the apostles. If we read further in Acts 2, we see the fruits, wherein the people went breaking bread from house to house, ensuring that no one was without. This is the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus -- that He would love us so much that He would become our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16) 

Don't miss out in His wondrous plan of salvation, wherein we will sit with Him in heavenly places forevermore. Stand in the offering plate. 

If I Be Lifted Up, Saith Jesus, I Will Draw All Men Unto Me - Part 2784

All they that put their trust in JESUS, these people shall never be ashamed. The temple of the Lord’s house (in which He is pleased to dwell) began to be manifest on the day of Pentecost. On this day -- the beginning of the New Testament church -- was the first day that God poured forth from Himself the Spirit of His Son. As was promised earlier in the scriptures, JESUS the SEED of God which SEED was manifest in flesh, the Lord JESUS (the Christ) being the embodiment of God‘s own Word - this same JESUS sacrificed His pure body upon a cruel savage Roman cross in order to provide a way for man’s redemption.

For it is written in Acts chapter 15 that ‘after those days (crucifixion) He will return again (in Spirit). As stated, "I will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down." JESUS Himself is the cornerstone of this temple (under construction) in which temple the Spirit of the Lord is pleased to dwell. This temple is not a brick and mortar building. Rather, this temple is a spiritual temple to be inhabited by God's Spirit. 

The apostles chosen of God Himself are the foundation. The apostles being His commissioned witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. This is why it is important that we know that the spiritual temple is constructed of God’s redeemed, born again, water baptized, Spirit filled believers. Each believer added by God Himself as living stones. These living stones, jointed and fitly framed together in believing faith forming God’s temple.

The Head of this temple is the Lord JESUS. Therefore, the head of this temple cannot be replaced by an imposter, or a man elevated by a religious system. No. As the scriptures state, the Head of this temple is JESUS -- the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost.

But in many religious institutions today, some want to re-offer JESUS as if JESUS' crucifixion being the once and for all sacrifice was not sufficient. Or that by re-offering JESUS, God Himself as a Son, suggests that the death and burial of JESUS was an inadequate offering that now has to be perpetuated. Fortunately, for those who study the scriptures, this type of teaching flies in the face of the written Word of God.

For the scriptures clearly state that JESUS ascended up into Heaven and sat down. Suggesting that the sacrifice of JESUS at Calvary was incomplete begs the question - why pray tell did JESUS say on the cross "It is finished"? Remember that upon saying this, JESUS gave up His ghostly Spirit.

Indeed, JESUS said that as often as one eats this bread and drinks this wine, you do show forth the Lord's death till He returns. We as believers need to remember that this one sacrifice - a once and for all time sacrifice provided by Jesus - means that there is no other sacrifice that can be offered to pay for our sin. 

What do the scriptures state?

Look to Me (Jesus) all you people who are heavy laden and burdened. Look to Me all of you who are from all over the the earth and be saved. For I AM GOD and apart from ME there is no Saviour.

But again, there are those within the modern day religious culture who are not satisfied that our debt has been paid once and for all (by the blood of Jesus), and thus, determined that we would compromise the faith. As well, if we look into the scriptures, there in no doctrine pertaining to transubstantiation. The bread does not become flesh (cannibalism) and the wine does not become blood (for it is written in Acts chapter 15, keep yourself from drinking blood).

Again, the sacrifice necessary for our sins to be forgiven was paid on the cross, once and for all. And it was a hefty price that was paid. 

So where are you in all of this? The apostles identified these deviations from the scriptures as "another" gospel. Historically, as well, we know that this other gospel emanated from Rome around 300/400 AD. And as foreign to that commissioned and confirmed gospel which the Lord delivered to the redeemed living members, the Lord daily still adds to His family bearing His name. Therefore, it is through JESUS - the only Name whereby any person can receive the gift of eternal life - can we receive the promised gift of salvation.

Certainly, it is a gift worth pursuing. In this context, ask the Lord into your life so that you too can become a habitation of God’s Spirit. Stand in the offering plate.