And Hath Given Himself For Us An Offering - Part 1105

The preface of a book entitled, "Holiest of All" and written by A. Murray in 1921 states: "The great complaint of all who have the care of souls is the lack of whole-heartedness, of steadfastness, of perseverance and progress in the Christian life. Many of whom one cannot but hope that they are true Christians come to a standstill, and do not advance beyond the rudiments of Christian life and practice ... [but] the knowledge of Christ Jesus that we need for conversion does not suffice for growth, for progress, for sanctification, for maturity. Just as there are two dispensations, the Old Testament and the New, and the saints of the Old, with all their faith and fear of God could not obtain the the more perfect life of the New, so with the two stages in the Christian life of which the Epistle speaks. Those who, through sloth, remain babes in Christ and do not press on to maturity, are ever in danger of hardening their heart, of coming short and falling away. Only those who hold fast the beginning firm to the end, who give diligence to enter and rest, who press on unto perfection, do in very deed inherit and enjoy the wonderful new covenant blessings secured to us in Christ ..."

I find this interesting for two reasons. First, if this was the state of believers within the body of Christ in the 1920's, how should we be assessing the modern day church today? Second, it seems that even in Murray's summation, he is speaking of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ which is referred to primarily as milk. (Hebrews 6:1-2) The question that emerges is this. When will believers in Jesus by faith begin seeking Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, so that we too can inherit and enjoy the wonderful new covenant blessings secured in Christ?

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will -- that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ, in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:11-13)

However, our faith journey with Jesus should not just start and end with our salvation, and the promise of eternal life.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

We should also want to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Indeed, Romans 10:9 in context of the scriptures before and after verse 9 states:

"But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach -- that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)

In other words, salvation is only the beginning of our walk with the King of kings and Lord of lords. In fact, our minds should be renewed -- awakened from the blindness that clothed us prior to believing in Jesus by faith. (Ephesians 4:23) The place wherein we were once blind but now we see. (John 9:25-30) The state wherein we were sick but our Saviour reached out His hand in love and made us well. We should be proclaiming -- like the blind man, "Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes." (John 9:30)

For while we were sometimes in darkness, we are now light in the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8)

Jesus instructed us to further our faith, saying, "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him ... if a man love Me, he will keep My words, and My Father will love him, and we will come unto Him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings, and the Word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me. These things have I spoken unto you -- being [yet] present with you -- but the Comforter [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name -- He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:21-26)

Therefore, we are to be "followers of God as dear children and walk in love -- as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour .." (Ephesians 5:1-2)

And as Isaiah wrote -- to "rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels ..." (Isaiah 61:10)

Don't get stagnate in your faith in our Lord God and Saviour. Seek His wisdom and knowledge for your life. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Stand firm in your testimony -- as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) Stand in the offering plate. 

Come Unto A Land Flowing With Milk and Honey - Part 1104

Imagine being told that you have been fed with milk and not with meat because hitherto you were not able to bear it "neither yet now are ye able -- for ye are yet carnal." (I Corinthians 3:1-3)

If you made this statement today, the modern day religious culture would reject you as being a heretic. And yet Paul, "called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ ... unto the church of God which is at Corinth" did exactly that when instructing those sanctified in Christ Jesus (and called to be saints)." (I Corinthians 1:1-2)

As we can see from this scriptural example, Paul did not mince words. He told the saints to call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord in every place -- both theirs and ours -- so that in every single thing we do and say, we can be enriched by Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge -- "even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you." (I Corinthians 1:5-6)

So, then why did Paul tell these people that they are still carnal?

"For ye are yet carnal; for whereas [there is] among you envying and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men? For while one saith, "I am of Paul and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul and who is Apollos, "but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." (I Corinthians 3:3-8)

Interesting, and yes, I can hear the questions already. The justifications -- we go to church, we do good works, we don't intentionally do anything wrong (or sin), and we regularly pay tithes so that ordained ministers of the church can minister to us. And these, as a collective measure are all well and good except that Paul said, "according to YOUR OWN labour." He did not write "according to the minister or priest's labour, or the missionaries labour, or the Sunday School teacher's labour, or ..." Paul wrote that "every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." (I Corinthians 3:8)

As written then, this scripture puts the onus on each and every one of us to minister the gospel. Studying apostle Paul's instruction in more depth, let's look at some comparative scriptures -- the first being what Jesus said earlier:

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now -- howbeit, when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself but whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak and He will show you things to come." (John 16:13-14)

When He the Spirit of truth is come. The Comforter who will lead and guide us into all truth. Jesus told us that in order for the Comforter to come unto us, He had to first go away,

"But if I depart, I will send Him unto you, and when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement, of sin, because they believe not on Me, of righteousness because I go to My Father and ye see me no more, of judgement because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16:7-11)

But now the Comforter has come. Jesus THROUGH the Holy Ghost has given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. When we are baptized in the precious name of Jesus, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. But then, according to apostle Paul, we stagnate. We have not moved forward from the milk, desiring the meat that invites us into the land that flows with milk and honey.

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat -- for everyone that useth milk [is] unskillful in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement." (Hebrews 5:13- Hebrews 6:2)

What the author is suggesting in Hebrews is the need for each and every one of us to press into Jesus -- diligently seeking Him through His Word and then, after establishing the first principles of the oracles of God (as outlined in Hebrews) move forward unto perfection -- in order that we can become ministers of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ.

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby ..." (I Peter 2:2)

"And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ -- that we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto Him in all things -- which is the Head, [even] Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-15)

Yes, the onus is on each and every one of us to grow in His grace. Not only personally but similarly within the body of Christ.

"How is it then brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." (I Corinthians 14:26)

And in summary, Isaiah writes:
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts." (Isaiah 28:9)

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Study His Word to show thyself approved, and don't let the counterfeit modern day religions divert you from becoming what God intended you to become from the very beginning. Stand in the offering plate.

And In His Name Shall the Gentiles Trust - Part 1103

"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44)

Jesus said, "Also, I say unto you, "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues and unto magistrates and powers take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." (Luke 12:8-12)

In another example, Jesus said, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (Matthew 12:28)

Herein, we note that great multitudes followed Jesus and He healed them all. But He also charged them that they should not make Him known that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet. (Matthew 12:15-21; Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:3) Then, as Matthew writes, "there was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil -- blind and dumb -- and He healed him, insomuch as the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed and said, "Is not this the son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard, they said, "This doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils." (Matthew 12:22-24)

Note that Jesus "healed" the man that was blind and dumb. He did not cast out devils as occurs in other scriptural examples.

Herein, however, Jesus knew their thoughts and said unto them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if satan cast out satan, he is divided against himself. How shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast [them] out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil the house. He that is not with Me is against Me, and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad. 

Wherefore I say unto you, "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy [against the Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come. Either make the tree good and his fruit good or else make the tree corrupt, for the tree is known by [his] fruit." (Matthew 12:25-33)

The same observation was reached by the Pharisees in Matthew 9. "As they went out, behold, they brought Him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake and the multitudes marvelled, saying, "It was never so seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew 9:32-35; Matthew 4:23)

Basically, the Pharisees were accusing Jesus of casting out devils through the prince of the devils, or as in the scripture from Luke, beelzebub, the chief of devils. Ironically, these Pharisees did not view the man's sight and speech as a healing. They still referred to the miracle as "casting out devils through the prince of devils." (Matthew 9:32-35)

Further, the example of Jesus casting out of the devil was also recorded by Luke. "And [Jesus] was casting out a devil and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake and the people wondered. But some of them said, "He casteth out devils through beelzebub, the chief of the devils." But He knowing their thoughts said unto them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house [divided] against a house falleth. If satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because ye say that I cast out devils through beelzebub, and if I by beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? Therefore, shall they be your judges. 

But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with Me is against Me and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, "I will return unto my house whence I came out." And when he cometh, he findeth [it] swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first." (Luke 11:14-26)

We have all heard the scripture, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24-34)

Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven, but whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

There has never been a more urgent time to press into Jesus. Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate. 

The Gift By Grace Which By One Man Jesus Christ Hath Abounded Unto Many - Part 1102

Romans 10:1-4 states: "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved, for I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge -- for they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God -- for Christ is the END of the law for righteousness to every one that believes." 

Today, rather than me presenting the gospel, I thought I would present a series of scriptures that pertain to our walk with Jesus, our salvation, and the extent of God's mercy and grace that He would care enough about you and I to shed His precious holy blood on the cross -- who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (II Corinthians 1:22) Note that these scriptures should serve as a starting point for your learning and understanding and not the end. As you read, rejoice in Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Romans 8: " There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us -- who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit ... for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry "Abba Father" ... and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified together."

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yolk of bondage. Behold I Paul say unto you that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law -- Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law -- you are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but faith which worketh by love .... but if ye be led of the Spirit ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5:1-18) 

"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 of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood ... so 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 ... for the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect ... then said He, "Lo I come to do Thy will O God. he taketh away the first that He may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:1-24)

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord .... For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you, being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness ... For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:1-23)

And so it is written, "The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit ... the first man is of the earth -- earthy, the second man is the Lord from heaven ... but thanks [be] to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:45-57)

"Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (for until the law sin was in the world but sin is not imputed when there is no law,. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression -- who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many ... for if by one man's offence death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ) Therefore, as by one [judgement came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto the justification of life." For as by one man's disobedience were many made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offence might abound .. but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound -- that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:12-21)

"For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified -- the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us; for after that He had said before, "This IS the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:14-17; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 9:8-12) 

Jesus satisfied the law once and for all when He shed His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say -- His flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20; John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; John 14:6-11)

Let him who hath an ear to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.

But Ye Have an Unction From the Holy One And Ye Know All Things - Part 1101

"Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (I John 2:15)

Moreover, John writes, "Little children, it is the last time, and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists -- whereby we know that it is the last time, They went out from us, but they were not of us. [No doubt] have continued with us but [they went out] that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it and that no lie is of the truth." (I John 2:18-21)

In other words, if ye seek Jesus through His Word, you will know all truth because when you believe in Jesus by faith, you have an unction from the Holy One. For those who may not know, the word "unction" is defined in the modern day religious system as "the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture as a monarch" OR "religious or spiritual fervor or the expression of such fervor." But again, this definition (and the subsequent religious ceremony that emerges from it) is a worldly/religious response. In the case of those who believe completely in Jesus by faith, the unction that Jesus refers to comes directly from the Holy One. It is not man-made oil.

"This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them ..." (Hebrews 10:16)

How?  Jesus said, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement; of sin because they believe not on Me. Of righteousness because I go to My Father and ye see Me no more. Of judgement because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me for He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine; therefore, said I, that He shall take of Mine and shall show it unto you. A little while and ye shall not see Me, and again a little while and ye shall see Me because I go to the Father ..." (John 16:16)

What does this mean? It means that when Jesus ascended once and for all, He would send unto us the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of truth that will lead and guide us into all truth. The same Holy Ghost who impregnated Mary with that "holy thing." (Luke 1:35) 

"The [same] Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holies of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing -- which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience -- [which stood] only in meats and drinks and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to day, not of this building ... 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 ..." (Hebrews 9:8-18)

Remember too that after Jesus was taken up -- "after that He THROUGH the Holy Ghost had give commandments unto the apostles He had chosen -- to whom He also showed 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  .. ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." (Acts 1:1-8) 

In other words, Jesus the Christ was not a third person of the trinity -- again, as religion would have you believe -- but the one and only God Almighty in the flesh. "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... He 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 -- to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-18)

But who is a liar "but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ. He is an antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son." (I John 2:22) Further, "whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father, [but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.]." (I John 2:22-23)

Jesus said, "I and My Father ARE one." (John 10:30) 

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." (John 17:21)

Thomas knew who Jesus was when he said, "My Lord and My God." (John 20:28)

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest int he 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)

"Wherefore He saith, "Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light." (Ephesians 5:14)

Jesus answered and said unto the Pharisees, "I am the light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Jesus said unto His disciples, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day. The night cometh when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:4-5)

Jesus said unto the people who stood by and heard, "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest the darkness come upon you; for He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither He goeth. While ye have light believe in the light that ye may be the children of light." (John 12:35-36)

"For ye were sometimes darkness; but now light in the Lord, walk as children of light. (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord -- and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove ..." (Ephesians 5:8-11)

Don't fall for the antichrist teachings. Rather, reprove false doctrines with the Word. Reprove knowing that all doctrine (religious, worldly or otherwise) must align with the Word spoken in the scriptures.

"Whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." (I John 2:5) Know that we are the sons and daughters of God -- "Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is." (I John 3:2)

Let him that hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate. 

He That Believeth On Me - Part 1100

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect -- thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16)

"In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise ..." (Ephesians 1:13)

In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39)

Jesus also said, "But the Comforter [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) 

Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter that He may abide with you for ever -- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world seeth Me no more but ye see Me because I live, ye shall live also. " (John 14:16-19)

Jesus said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement, of sin -- because they believe not on Me, of righteousness because I go to My Father and ye see Me no more, of judgment because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16:7-11)

Jesus said, "Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, shall He speak, and He will show you things to come." (John 16:13)

You see, unlike the modern day religious/worldly cultures would have you believe, the Holy Ghost is NOT a third person in the trinity. Indeed, for those who may not be aware, the trinitarian formula is a dogma created by the roman catholic church -- as a counterfeit response to the principles of the "doctrine of Christ" spoken of in Hebrews 6:1. A counterfeit doctrine from a counterfeit religion that continues to make a mockery of the Word of God -- but I digress.  Let's return to the gospel of John.

Note that the disciples in John 16 were somewhat confused by Jesus sayings, particularly when Jesus said, "A little while, and ye shall not see Me, and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me, and, because I go to the Father." (John 16:17)

The disciples were desirous to ask Jesus about His words, "A little while?"

Jesus, knowing what they wanted to ask, said unto them, "Do you enquire among yourselves of that which I said -- A little while and ye shall not see Me, and again, a little while and ye shall see Me? Verily, verily I say unto yo, that ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoice and ye shall be sorrowful but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow because her hour is come, but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day, ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you -- Whatosever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give [it] to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name; ask, and ye shall receive that your joy may be full.

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs but the time cometh when I shall nor more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in My name, and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you." (John 16:17-26)

Note the change. Note how Jesus is transitioning here. "At that day ye shall ask in My name and I say not unto you -- that I will pray the Father for you." (John 16:26)

But rather, Jesus said, "For the Father Himself loveth you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world; again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (John 16:27-28)

Jesus as the only begotten of the Father is readying Himself to return to the Father -- as He was before. In the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (John 1:1-18)

"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)

He was returning to the original state before He was made flesh. (John 1:1-14) "But while he [Joseph] thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto Him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 1:20)

"And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name JESUS; for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and they shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is -- God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:31, 35)

Yes, the Holy Ghost impregnated Mary. The angel said,  "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men but holy men of God spake [as they were moved] by the Holy Ghost." (II Peter 1:21)

This is why Jesus "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." (Acts 1:2) This is why Jesus said, 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 parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Jesus said, "For John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ..." (Acts 1:5)

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ..." (Titus 3:5)  

This is why Jesus instructs us not to follow the traditions of men, but rather to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Search the scriptures, Jesus said, for therein we will learn of Him. 

And how do we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Peter said unto them who asked, "What must we do?" --- "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." (Acts 2:38)

"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God -- which things also we speak, not in the worlds which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man -- for who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (I Corinthians 2:13-16)

Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.

The Holy Ghost Said - Part 1099

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers -- and also those which had been brought up with Herod the te-trarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where unto I have called them." And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent [them] away." (Acts 13:2-3) Indeed, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, they departed unto Seleucia,  Cyprus and Salamis where they preached the Word of God. (Acts 13:5)

When they reached Antioch in Pisidia, they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and sat down. (Acts 13:14) After the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, "Men, brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." (Acts 13:15)

Standing, Paul said:

"Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought He them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness. And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, He divided their land to them by lot. And after that, He gave judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

And afterward, they desired a king, and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when He had removed him, He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said, "I have found David of Jesse -- a man after Mine own heart" which shall fulfill all My will.

Of this man's seed, hath God according to promise raised unto Israel a Saviour - Jesus. When John had first preached before His coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, and as John fulfilled his course, he said, "Whom think ye that I am? I am not [He]. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of feet I am not worthy to loose. Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the Word of this salvation sent.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets; which are ready every sabbath day -- they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [Him]. And though they found no cause of death [in Him] yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took [Him] down from the tree and laid [him] in a sepulchre. But God raised Him from the dead.

And there, He was seen many days of them which came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem who are His witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers -- God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children -- in that He hath raised up Jesus again." (Acts 13:16-33)

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. "Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:6)
As it is also written in the second psalm, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee." (Acts 13:33; Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5)

And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, [now] no more to return to corruption, He said on this wise, "I will give you the sure mercies of David." Wherefore He saith also in another [psalm], "Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption." (Psalms 89:28; Isaiah 55:3)

"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption -- but He, whom God raised again saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men, brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you -- which is spoken of in the prophets. "Behold, ye despisers and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." (Acts 13:41; Hab 1:5)

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those thins which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, "It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you, but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." (Acts 13:42-46; Romans 1:16; Exodus 32:10; Acts 18:6)

"For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], "I have set Thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that Thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." (Acts 13:47; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the Word of the lord was published throughout all the region." (Acts 13:47-49)

But the Jews were not happy. Instead they stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. What did Paul and Barnabas do? They shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples? They were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost." (Acts 13:50-52)

A couple of points worth noting here.

First, the new testament confirms the old covenant. This is why scripture from the old covenant is cited, so that we will recognize the prophecy to be true. Note also that the scriptures in Acts are confirmed by other witnesses in the gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Second, the word "Him" is an added word when Paul referred to Jesus being condemned, put to death and laid in a sepulchre. Luke specifically refers to Jesus in this state as an "it" which might be a more accurate observation.

Third, when He was raised from the dead, He was seen many days of them which came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem "who are His witnesses unto the people." (Acts 13:30) Earlier, in Acts 1:2, we are reminded that "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."

Fourth, the last to see Jesus was Paul. Quoting from I Corinthians 15:1-8: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received and wherein ye stand, by which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received , how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ... and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according tot he scriptures. And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve, after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that. He was seen of James; then of all the apostles, and last of all He was seen of me also, as one born out of due time." (I Corinthians 15:1-8) This confirms from scripture that individuals (including Joseph Smith from the mormon church) could not have possibly seen Jesus because the last to see Him was apostle Paul.

Fifth, the original Word of salvation was sent to the children of the stock of Abraham, "and whosoever among you feareth God -- to you is the Word of this salvation sent." (Acts 13:26) Who is the Word? "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made ... and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ..." (John 1:1-18)

Sixth, "Of this man's seed hath God according to promise raised unto Israel a Saviour -- Jesus." (Acts 13:23) Peter had earlier stated: "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us -- as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified His Son Jesus Christ -- whom ye delivered up and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [Him] go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just;  and desired a murderer to be granted unto you -- and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.  And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong ..." (Acts 3:12-16)

Seventh, the apostles were sent forth by the Holy Ghost. (Acts 13:4) "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 13:52) Not the "Holy Spirit" as modern day religion wants us to believe, but the Holy Ghost. The same Holy Ghost that impregnated Mary.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost .... but while he [Joseph] thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21)

"And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:2)

The same gift of the Holy Ghost which believers in Jesus by faith receive when they repent, and are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38-42)

Jesus told His disciples,  "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)

Jesus said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not on Me. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew [it] unto you." (John 16:7-15)

"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." (Acts 1:8)

"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I Corinthians 2:13)

The first chapter of Ephesians elaborates further on this point.

There is much more to come on this topic. For now, continue searching the scripture for therein you will find our blessed Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Stand in the offering plate.

God in Christ Invites Us to Partake in His Plan of Redemption - Part 1098

God in Christ came to teach us of Himself. In so doing, God in Christ came to sacrifice His own flesh body so that He could provide men and women with a means of redemption from sin. This means all sin from the moment of man’s original disobedience in the Garden of Eden and even until now.

Indeed, God who is love and mercy took upon Himself man’s sin at no cost whatsoever to sinful man. He who knew no sin became sin for you and I. For God who never sinned offered His sinless body as a sacrifice. A body consisting of sin prone flesh though tempted even as we are but remained sinless. God offered to man redemption as a free gift, thereby permitting man to return to the sinless mindset of Adam and Eve prior to their encounter with the camouflaged, sweet talking, lying lips of the devil - who is the father of all lies.

We, who through God’s redemptive plan can by our choice be brought back to our original innocent minds because we are more advantaged than Adam and Eve because of the sacrifice of Jesus. In the beginning, Adam and Eve had no previous encounter with the devil but we, being their offspring have been exposed to the devil’s enticing ways for generations. Therefore, if we have had enough of the devil’s roller coaster ride called life, it should be relatively easier to embrace Jesus and His offer of redemption which leads to salvation and eternal life.

Then we could return to the original grass-root teachings of Christianity, remaining steadfast in the apostles' doctrine, eliminating the add-on traditions of modern day religions. This is why it is important to search the scriptures as a workman doeth -- so that everyone can read the New Testament teachings and understand how very much the God who created us loved us.

Also, it is important to note that the New Testament is not an add-on to the Old Covenant. Indeed, put the Old Covenant on the shelf. Why? Because as the name implies, it is old. As well, traditional religious institutions ushered in by the so called church fathers of 300/400 AD introduced false teachings that are counteractive to the teachings brought from Heaven to earth by the Lord God Himself.

In this context, there was no one else who could be entrusted with such a mission, which mission caused the Lord JESUS' body to become a curse. This is why God brought to man His glorious gospel -- the same gospel message that shook up the sandy foundations of all religions of the time including Judaism whose very religious temple structure was prophesied by JESUS to be demolished.

Further, as a consequence, the Spirit of the Lord does not live in temples made with man’s hands. God was in Christ and from the very beginning, God had every intention of living within the innermost being of man. Yes, man becoming the temple in which the Lord is pleased to dwell. Temples redeemed and purchased from all sin by the outpouring of His own blood!

But men since their expulsion from the Garden of Eden have lost the nature of God turning instead to religion and the traditions of men in a vain effort to appease their consciousness of sin. But as the scriptures reveal (which again is indicative of one's need to read the New Testament) Christianity commenced in Acts chapter 2. On the day of Pentecost, whereby the first 3,000 were saved.

It is for this reason that we all should return to God’s prescription for the remission of sin, permitting a return to the nature of God so that we can also receive God’s promised gift of His Holy Ghost. 3000 persons believed initially in the message presented in Acts 2, being then baptized into a watery grave, willingly being buried into JESUS grave, arising a new justified creation!

Peter said, "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 ..." (Acts 2:37-42)

Romans chapter 6 elaborates further on this message. Stand in the offering plate.

Almighty God Loved Us Enough To Shed His Holy Blood on the Cross For Us - Part 1097

In the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1) To form an earth that was without form, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light and there was light." (Genesis 1:1-3) 

Throughout the first chapter of Genesis, we learn about God's ability to create. Indeed, God created man in His own image -- in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them. And God blessed them and God said unto them, "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:27-28)

In Genesis, we also become privy about our role as His human creation. We learn that Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air and to every beast of the field. But Adam also needed a help meet for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and while he slept, God took one of His ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Genesis 2:20-22)

Again, throughout these first chapters, we learn of God as our Creator. One God, and beside Him there is no other. This is true with one exception. That is, Genesis 1:26. 

Genesis 1:26 -- a single verse that many people can't seem to get past in terms of understanding God. And because of this single scripture, men have been deluded by a lie. In fact, the modern day religious culture uses the reference to "Let us" to justify a "triune God" and/or the "trinity".

How dark is the darkness when Genesis 1 alone refers to God or the Spirit of God (as one God) 28 times -- not counting the additional references to He -- but instead we choose to believe the words "let us" in one specific verse to mean more than one God. Or as the trinitarian doctrine proposes, there is God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost -- separate persons but co-equal in power and authority and majesty. 

Note also that the false modern day religious culture have taken the false doctrine of the trinity further by repeatedly changing Holy Ghost to Holy Spirit in the scriptural text. Again, the words Holy Spirit is not what the Bible say. When the apostles wrote Holy Ghost, they meant Jesus commanding them through the Holy Ghost as in Acts 1:4 but I digress.

In terms of the non-existing trinity, it is believed a Latin early church theologian Tertullian (155-230) was first to use the term trinity and God as "persons" to describe the One God of the Bible. Note that the word trinity cannot be found in the scriptures anywhere so its origin had to come from something other than the written Word of God. No systematic presentation of the doctrine can be found in the New Testament. 

But it gets worse. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicea officially defined the relationship of the Son to the Father, blatantly ignoring the scriptures that define Jesus as God in the flesh.

"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)

"He 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 ... and the Word was made flesh" -- the same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God. (John 1:1-18)

Having said that, note that Hebrews 6:1 refers to the" doctrine of Christ" as one of the first principles that we as believers need to understand. Sadly, the difficulty new believers face is that the majority of religions today have sided with the Roman Catholic church and adopted a trinitarian doctrine -- a most holy trinity as the central mystery of the Christian faith -- rather than believing that the one and same God who was in the beginning loved us enough to be made flesh and dwell among us. (John 1:1-18) 

And as we see today, churches have followed Catholicism without ever questioning why the trinity or three distinct persons or one triune God or the eternal triune God revealing Himself as Father Son and Holy Spirit with distinct personal attributes or unity in this Godhead are three persons does not align with the scriptures. 

I can tell you why this is. There is no truth in them. Even the Jews who remain inherently familiar with the Old Testament scriptures (while rejecting the new covenant under Jesus Christ) still believe in only one God. In the beginning, God.

Jesus said, "And this is life eternal that they might know Thee, the true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world ..." (John 17:3-6)

This is why Jesus told the disciples that the Comforter could not come unless He went away. "Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth for He shall not speak of Himself but whatsoever He shall hear, shall He speak and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me for He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you." (John 16:7-14)

Jesus said, "... because I go to My Father and ye see Me no more." (John 16:10)

Why? Because Jesus is Almighty God in the flesh. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21)

So, getting back to Genesis 1:26, the stumbling block that has led to so much doctrinal confusion. Moreover, we need to ask ourselves -- Who is God? What is His name?

If we note that throughout history, God always had a name, it makes sense that the last name given to men whereby you and I can be saved is Jesus. There is no other name under Heaven whereby men can be saved. (Acts 4:12) None. Jesus is the ONLY name whereby salvation can be obtained. The apostles knew this. This is why every individual they baptized in the scriptures was baptized in the name of Jesus. (Acts 2:37-42) In the precious name of Jesus.

Again, there is a reason why Genesis begins with "in the beginning God." At the same time, John chapter 1 provides the New Testament (or looking back perspective). John 1 opens with "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Then scroll down to John 1:14 where the scripture states "And the Word became flesh." In other words, God became flesh so that we might be saved! 

We need to stop praying to the unknown God, and instead embrace the only One who cared enough to shed His precious holy blood on a cross. His name is Jesus!

Here are more scriptures that will help guide you as you seek Jesus in your day to day faith journey.

Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.  (John 8:58)

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," (Hebrews 1:1)

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life ..." (I John 1:1)

"I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2:14) 

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)  

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (I John 3:16 )

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And 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 1:1-18)

Jesus was the visible image of the invisible God. Only one God who did not share His glory with another -- it is He that in Genesis 1:26 (as we read throughout the book of Hebrews) counseled with Himself. Seek Jesus today -- while the day of the Gentiles is still open. Search the scriptures, Jesus said, for within the scriptures, you will find Me. 

Stand in the offering plate.

In Doctrine Showing Uncorruptness, Gravity, Sincerity - Part 1096

If it be as the church fathers of 300/400 AD declared -- that God is three distinct and separate persons -- then the question that needs to be asked is which one of these three became my Saviour? For if they were all one, there should be no need of them to be three. Or as some religions present, the three all sat together (meaning the Father, Son and Spirit) at a conference table, banging their heads together trying to decide which one of the three should become man‘s Saviour.

Yes, surely God has sent these religious institutions strong delusion so that they should believe lies. What does the scriptures state? Who has bewitched them, for most certainly to believe such foolishness one must not be of stable mind. What else do the scriptures state? Save yourself from this untoward generation of artists who from their theatrical performances proliferate their message even though it is devoid of a scriptural foundation. The only seed that they plant is to plant the thought into your head that by giving money to them, you are sowing into the work of God. In so doing, they attempt to lure us into their den of deceptiveness.

However, the good news is that the SEED that JESUS sowed amongst us -- the Word of reconciliation -- came at no cost to anyone. JESUS, the Lord Himself from Heaven left Heaven for our sake. Indeed, He became poor for it was not with pomp or money that He brought us redemption. Rather, it was His reconciliatory Word that He Himself brought down from heaven, being the Word of God. As a consequence, we are now restored to unbroken fellowship with God because God our Saviour personally delivered salvation sealed with His blood -- which blood was the blood of the Holy Spirit! After JESUS had completed His redemptive reconciliatory mission wherein He delivered to all the KEY to the Kingdom of Heaven, JESUS then ascended into Heaven and SAT down.

JESUS breathed upon His followers of His Spirit, which Spirit is the Holy Spirit, saying to believers that His Spirit would lead and guide us into ‘all truth’ and that His Spirit would not speak contradictory to the message which He had imparted. JESUS added that His Spirit would bring all things to our remembrance. "Whatsoever He has said."

This is why JESUS told us to test the spirits in the latter times. For if someone says they are of God and does not adhere to the Word which He personally delivered and confirmed, then we ought to - as the scriptures state - to distance ourselves from them. Shake the dust off our feet as a testimony.

Why? Because no one can add to the Word of God and no one can take away from the Word of God for God’s Word is God.

To recap, God entered into His created world at a particular time, and delivered His message in the Greek language. There are no New Testament manuscripts to be found written in any other language. There are none in Hebrew, for example. So rest assured that by learning Hebrew one does not become more acquainted with the Scriptures. The old covenant does not reveal the New Testament. It is the New Testament that reveals the old types and shadow meanings. The New Testament reveals the only name whereby any man or woman can be saved. That is, JESUS the ‘given’ name never translated into Hebrew as yeshua.

As the scriptures state, continue in my WORD so that then you will be my disciples! Three thousand of the early believers obeyed Acts 2:36-42 and so should we. Stand in the offering plate.