God Was Manifest in the Flesh - Part 916

Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord is my strength and my song. He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. The scriptures state that in that day shall we say, “Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted.” 

Isaiah 9:6 states, “For unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulders and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Yes, Jesus is God in the flesh. The same Word that was with God in the beginning is God in these latter times. Jesus is the last name given among men whereby we can be saved. It was His sacrifice on the cross, His blood shed for you and I that opened the door so that we might have salvation. So that we might abide fully in His grace.

Yes, the same God who created this world loved us enough that He Himself would become flesh. His humanity dying on the cross for us. "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world and received up into glory.” (I Timothy 3:16) All this so that you and I might know our Lord God our Saviour. The greatest love story ever told. Stand in the offering plate!

Jesus! The Author and Finisher of Our Faith - Part 915

"Looking unto Jesus -- the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus said to the Jews who were seeking to kill Him, "Search the scriptures for in them, ye think you have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me --[but[ you will not come to Me that you might have life. I receive not honour from men but I know you, that you have not the love of God in you." (John 5:39-42)

At the time, the Jews wanted to kill Jesus because He had not only broken the Sabbath (for healing a man who had an infirmity for 38 years) but because Jesus said that God was His Father. When He said this, the Jews accused Jesus of making Himself equal with God." (John 5:18) 

But Jesus did not leave them without a response. Indeed, Jesus followed by sharing many insights into who He was, and why His salvation message of the Kingdom was one that every person needs to take hold of.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for what things soever He does, these also does the Son likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that Himself does, and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens whom He will. For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honours not the Son honours not the Father which has sent Him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself ... AND hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man." (John 5:21-27)

Jesus then said, "Marvel not at this for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." (John 5:28-30)

If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another that bears witness of Me; and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not." (John 5:31-45) 

This is why we are encouraged to search the scriptures because as Jesus said -- they testify of Me. Believe in Jesus today. Believe His words for your sustenance. He is the author and finisher of our faith. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Stand in the offering plate.

For a Testament is of Force After Men Are Dead - Part 914

Only when one begins to study the scriptures -- as a workman might do to show himself or herself approved to a superior -- is it possible to see how the Word is being changed to say something that was never intended. A prime example can be found in Colossians 2:9.

The King James version states: "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" referring to Him "who has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son in whom we have redemption through His blood  even the forgiveness of sins -- who is the image of invisible God the firstborn of every creature -- for by Him were all things created." (Colossians 1:13-16)

Note that the scriptures here are singular, confirming that Jesus is Almighty God in the flesh.  God Himself had become as one of us. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Jesus repeatedly states that He and His Father are one. Indeed, the scribes and Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus for blasphemy - declaring that He was the great I AM. They knew who Jesus was. Who else could heal the brokenhearted, the blind, and the lame? Who else could feed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes? 

His name is Jesus -- meaning God with us. (Matthew 1:21) The "only" name given under heaven whereby we can be saved. The very name that we are instructed to do everything that we do in word or deed -- in the name of Jesus. This is why every one who was baptized in the Bible was baptized in the name of Jesus. This is why healing is performed in the name of Jesus ... because simply put --- there is no other. God Himself became flesh so that we might be have life eternal. He paid the price for our sin once and for all.

Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.(Hebrews 9:28)

But the authors of the NIV renders the same scripture as if the Father and Son were separate persons. The revision states: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." (Colossians 1:26 NIV). Like the word trinity, deity does not exist in the scriptures. Never is the Godhead referred to as a deity or trinity. The religious culture of this day has sadly bought into the Roman Catholic revision of Matthew 28:19.

Thank the Lord that we do not have to do the same.  We don't have to accept anything that does not align with the scriptures. God is not the author of confusion. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us: nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others ... for then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world -- but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9:26)

Search the scriptures for yourself. Let His Spirit guide you and direct you into all truth and wisdom. Stand in the offering plate.

Wherein We Greatly Rejoice - Part 913

We have so much to be thankful for. Peter elaborates on the many blessings that we can enjoy because we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord God and Saviour. From the first chapter of I Peter:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead -- to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you [and I], who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot -- who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you -- who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away ... but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:1-25)

Stand in the offering plate.

Breathe on Me, Lord Jesus -- Part 912

And when He had said this, Jesus breathed on them, and said unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost." (John 20:22)  

That is, the holy Spirit within Jesus' body breathed life to those that believed in Him, seeking His righteousness -- in the same way that the holy Spirit -- Almighty God breathed life into Adam in the beginning. " And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

In fact, Jesus was the embodiment of the Father. "For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one." (I John 5:7) There is no scriptural place found in the holy Spirit revelations of Himself that offer any justification for advancing that God is three distinct and separate persons.

JESUS is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of God is JESUS. JESUS is the Word of the Spirit of God and the Word of the Spirit of God is JESUS! God is one Spirit who has manifested (or revealed) Himself in the face of JESUS. (John 1:1-18) Therefore, as God stated so many times, "I am the Lord thy God and Saviour." (Isaiah 43:3; Hosea 13:4) There is no other Saviour beside me. No deity or trinity, as the worldly cultures teach. 

Just God Almighty who loved us enough to become as one of us and take our place on the cross. One God, one faith, one baptism.

Therefore, JESUS is the fruit and offspring of the Spirit of God. God Himself (as a Son in whose crucifixion we were to be born again) to be fathered by the Seed body of the Holy Spirit being crucified. The shell of the body (the veil of His holy Spirit died and in death has brought forth an innumerable amount of offspring.) We are His offspring. We are the JESUS people.

What do the scriptures say? Except that a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone. But when it dies it brings forth multitudes of offspring. In this same way, JESUS the shell -- wherein the Seed life of the holy Spirit died -- brought forth SEEDED people who then become JESUS' offspring.

Therefore, no man "took" JESUS' life. At any time, JESUS could have called for a legion of angels to deliver Him. But as we now know, JESUS came to lay down His life as a Son in order that we - the fallen sons of God - should be proclaimed free. For he who is set free by the sacrificial offering of the sinless body of the holy Spirit is really free. Born again into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

The true light of the glorious gospel of God in the face of Jesus the Christ -- forever more shines. A light much brighter than even the noon day sun. Have you received His holy Spirit since you believed? If not repent and be baptized into the name of JESUS, going down into the water in the ‘likeness’ of JESUS' death and being raised up out of the water in the ‘likeness’ of JESUS' resurrection --- so that you too shall receive the promised gift of the holy spirit of JESUS as He breathes His eternal life upon you! (Acts 2:38-42)

Stand in the offering plate.

You Are Precious In His Sight - Part 911

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee ... "Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43:1-2)

Why? "For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.Fear not: for I am with thee." (Isaiah 43:3-5)

"I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth -- even every one that is called by My name: for I have created Him for My glory, I have formed Him; yea, I have made Him ... bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled. 

Who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, "It is truth. Ye are My witnesses," saith the Lord, "and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He." (Isaiah 43:6-10)

Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no Saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses," saith the Lord, "that I am God." (Isaiah 43:11)

Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who shall let it? Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; "For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King." (Isaiah 43:12-15)

Thus saith the Lord, which makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters, which brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour Me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen.

This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise. But thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of Me, O Israel.

Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured Me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought Me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled Me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made Me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities.

I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put Me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against Me. Therefore, I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches." (Isaiah 43:25-28)

Let him that has an ear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus IS God's Word Manifest in the Flesh - Part 910

The question for this day is this -- who is the Spirit that gives us wisdom and knowledge? Who is the Spirit that comforts us, and leads us into all truth? We know that the scriptures confirm that “In the beginning was the Word.” (John 1:1-18) We also recognize that the Word reveals that Jesus (the prophesied Christ) is the embodiment of the Word. This same Word was with God but also the Word was God. (John 1:1-18) Indeed, the scriptures state:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-5)

John also writes: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was NOT that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that comes into the world."  (John 1:6-9)

This Light "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. But as many as received Him -- to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:9-10)

"For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9) " To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself in Christ, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19)

And then the mystery that was from the beginning is further revealed unto us in these latter days. That is, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."  (John 1:14)

"Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints ... to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:26-27)

John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, "This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He WAS before me. And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." (John 1:1-18)

In other words, the Word was veiled in flesh and dwelt among us -- in human flesh as we. Therefore, JESUS is God’s Word manifest in the flesh. One cannot separate the word(s) from the person whose word it is. This is why "in JESUS did ALL the fullness of the Godhead" (divine nature or essence) "dwell bodily." 

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

Since God is Spirit, it is in God that we live and move and have our being. But as the scriptures attest, this also means that God (being an unseen Spirit) was manifest in the flesh. His appearance is as a Son --- His name is JESUS. 

If we take this one step further, we note that JESUS was conceived of the Holy Ghost. The blood in JESUS' veins was not of Adam’s sin prone race. Rather, the blood within JESUS' veins was the blood of the Holy Spirit.

Does that mean that the Holy Spirit purchased our redemption with His own Blood? It sure does. More importantly, it means that we were not redeemed with corruptible things but with the precious blood of a Lamb. JESUS, the Lamb of the Spirit of God.

So, yes, God laid down His life for us. When JESUS was crucified, He was declared -- even then -- to be the Lord of Glory! Jesus dwelt within a sin prone body, for redemption required the death of a righteous man from Adam's race. However, there was not a righteous man to be found. Why not? Because as the Bible has stated, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

So why did God have to become a man? Because judgment demanded that a man had to pay the price of redemption. This is why the Word which was with God -- being God’s own Word and not that of another person -- became man. In this context, God ‘SEEDED’ His own spiritual Word into Mary's womb whereupon the child -- the Son of the Spirit of God named Jesus, was veiled in sin prone flesh.

God whose Word is spirit and truth was veiled in a sin prone body that also housed - for all intents and purposes - a dead soul. Inside Jesus' body did dwell the life of God’s own Holy Spirit - which Spirit is pure and notably untainted humanity. God’s own pure humanity. God with us! Therefore, God manifest Himself in the flesh - which flesh is destined to be crucified in order that we could obtain a means of salvation - whereby sin prone fallen sons and daughters of God could be redeemed.

Ask Jesus to be Lord in your life today. Believe in His name. Give thanksgiving that through His precious blood shed on the cross, we might have life eternal. Let him who has ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.

Knowing Your Election of God - Part 909

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when you received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth -- the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)

When we ask Jesus to become Lord of our life, and seek His righteousness in what we do, we begin to show our joy by giving thanks to God always, remembering without ceasing our work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ ... knowing your election of God." (I Thessalonians 1:1-4)

Why is this? Because our gospel came not to us in Word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost, and as a consequence, "ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." (I Thessalonians 1:56) Moreover, we become ambassadors for Christ, praying you in Christ's stead so that you can be reconciled to God.

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:21)

We then as workers together with Him beseech you, also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For He saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Corinthians 6:1-2)

Therefore, give no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed, but in all things approving ourselves -- as the ministers of God -- in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left ... behold, we live as chastened and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (II Corinthians 6:4-10)

For now we live, if we stand fast in the Lord Jesus. (I Thessalonians 3:8) Stand in the offering plate.

Whosoever Will, Take the Water of Life Freely - Part 908

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

And He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." 

And He said unto me, "Write: for these words are true and faithful."

And He said unto me, "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Revelation 21:1-7)

Later in the book of Revelation, Jesus states: "And behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me -- to give to every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:12-13)

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let him that heareth say, "Come." And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely ... for I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." (Revelation 22:17-21)

Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Stand in the offering plate.

I Have Set Thee To Be A Light of the Gentiles - Part 907

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, "I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth ... to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." (Acts 13:47; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6)

There is an interesting passage in the fourteenth chapter of Acts. It occurred in Iconium. Therein, both Barnabas and Paul entered into the synagogue of the Jews, wherein a great multitude of believing Jews and Greeks had gathered. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, turning their minds evil against the brethren.

"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." (Acts 14:3)

But the multitude of the city was divided. Some held to the traditions of the Jews and others with the teachings of the apostles. As a consequence, persecution against believers increased -- "an assault made both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews with their rulers to use them despitefully and to stone them."  (Acts 14:5; II Timothy 3:11) The apostles were aware of what was happening and travelled elsewhere to preach the gospel.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. The same heard Paul speak; who stedfastly beholding him and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet." (Acts 14:8-11; Acts 3:2) And the man who was lame leaped and walked.

When the people had witnessed what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." This is not the only time that men wanted to worship the apostles instead of the only true God -- our Saviour Jesus Christ. Previous to this, Cornelius had met Peter and fell at his feet, and worshipped him. (Acts 10:25) Even under the old covenant, we read that King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel, so the idea of worshipping men is longstanding. (Daniel 2:46)

But note the differing responses from these examples in the scriptures. Even though the people wanted to worship Peter as a god, or in today's religious culture as a saint or first pope, Peter took Cornelius up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:25-26)

In the second example, King Nebuchadnezzar, who had commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto Daniel said, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou could reveal this secret." (Daniel 2:47)

In Acts 14, the apostles Barnabas and Paul rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out and saying, "Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth and the sea, and all things that are therein; who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:14-17)

The other point worth noting here is that these men were willing to accept the apostles as "gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." (Acts 14:11) However, when the apostles pointed to the one true God that did come in the likeness of men -- His name being Jesus the Christ, the religious rulers wanted to stone them. (Acts 14:19; John 1:1-18)

Still, this is exactly what God did do. The same God who created us in the beginning loved us enough to become our Saviour. He delivered His redemption plan first hand so that we might experience His abundance of love and mercy.

"For God so loved the world." (John 3:16) Believe on Jesus today, and seek His righteousness. Continue in the faith even when we first have to go through much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22-23) Stand in the offering plate.