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This book of the bible is frequently and
erroneously
referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ".
99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors
embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is
primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of
her program. |
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These books of the bible are where believers in this dispensing
of God's grace should go for their day-to-day doctrine on
living. These books contain the revelation of the mystery,
otherwise known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
Click here to
contact LMM
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For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is
committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that,
when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1
Corinthians 9:16-18
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REMEMBER,
THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS
CHRIST WERE WRITTEN
TO
ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:
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SINCE
PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE
TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?
Doctrine
for
The
Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ:
Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the
imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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1 For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of
the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye
read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the
same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose
which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory -
Ephesians 3:1-13 |
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REPENTANCE: No need for confusion!
By Curt Crist
What a
wonderful topic of discussion! Repentance!!
Who needs it and why? Much of the controversy over the issue of
repentance comes about first of all because of the "misguided
notion" often being
taught in religious circles as to the definition. Many believers
and unbelievers alike seem to erroneously already have that
issue settled pretty soundly. Repentance simply means "a change
of mind". Repentance has always meant "a change of mind". As you
well know, most bible teachers say repentance means a change of
direction in life style. While repentance might lead to a change
of direction, a change of mind can indeed take place without a
change of direction.
Another misconception is that the word repentance means "Godly
sorrow". This usually comes from the passage found in 2
Corinthians 7:10: Here,Paul says that "Godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation (deliverance) not to be repented of."
Repentance is not "the sorrow" Paul has in mind here! Of course
"Godly sorrow" (this has to do with believers) oftentimes leads
to a change of mind. But "sorrow" need not be present for "a
change of
mind" to take place. We must understand that "repentance" simply
means "a change of mind" sorrow and performance not
withstanding!
IN THE
AGE OF GRACE, the word "repentance" means the same thing
"a change of mind". In every age the application of that word is
distinctly different depending upon the economy and the context
under which it is being used. For instance, when dealing with
God under "a law contract" repentance from sin was an absolute
requirement! And why not?
 The
law contract demanded obedience. So the Israelites while under
the law would of a necessity have to "change their minds about
their behavior" and get back to the contract! In other
words...they would have to see their behavior as wrong. Not an
easy thing to do when "self-justification" is a constant
companion. And they were always "justifying themselves"! But
"under the contract" they would need ANOTHER change of
mind as well. And that change of mind would have to do with the
fact that they were continually unable to live up to the
dictates of the contract.
The
confession of Leviticus 26:40 and 1 John 1:9
Leviticus
26:40-43
1
John
1:1-9
In these verses, there are two different "changes of mind" that
would have to take place in connection with Israel and the
contract under which they were operating. In addition, there is
a third application of repentance where Israel was concerned!
They
would have to change their minds about "who Christ was". You
see, Israel did NOT believe Jesus Christ was "their
messiah" much less "the very Son of God"! They would certainly
have had to change their minds about that.
How about "repentance today"? Under God's special dispensing of
grace committed to the apostle Paul, repentance would have to do
with "a change of mind" for those who are ALREADY SAVED!
To be SAVED...does not always mean "from the debt and penalty of
ones sins". As an example, to be "delivered from false doctrine"
a grace believer would require a "change of mind" if "incorrect
doctrine" had been the previous mindset. So, here is an
application of repentance for "BELIEVERS" of this present age.
Paul uses this application in his epistles.
The issue that really lies at the crux of the matter is whether
or not "repentance" is necessary for salvation today. Keeping
in mind again the meaning of the word repentance is simply 'a
change of mind'. Here is the long and short of the
issue: If an individual is simply unaware of what Christ
accomplished at Calvary and has no preconceived ideas about
God's righteousness and salvation then I suppose one could say
that "hearing the gospel" and "believing the gospel" would
require no change of mind simply an acceptance of truth. On the
other hand...if an individual has had "an association with
modern day "religianity", he or she has most likely "BELIEVED
THE FALSE GOSPEL SATAN'S MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE
PROPAGATING TODAY". After all, this false gospel (a gospel
devoid of the justification aspect of Paul's gospel) is pretty
much accepted across the "religianity" board in our day.
Forgiveness
on the installment plan is the main course of denominationalism.
One group seeks forgiveness on a weekly basis at what they call
"mass". Another group on a nightly basis when the jammies are on
and bedtime arrives. Another group...continually throughout the
day...because they believe salvation can be lost and regained
should that (imaginary) line be crossed and God decide to "give
up on them"; The "short accounts people".
Problem is...no matter how we try to get around it...these folks
have never really understood Paul's gospel have they? "THE
GOSPEL" by which folks can be DELIVERED TODAY...from
the debt and penalty of their sins... should they simply
BELIEVE IT. But you see... believing....in these
instances will indeed require "A CHANGE OF MIND" from what these
folks had previously held as truth. Sometimes, (not always) the
acceptance of truth requires we discard what we had previously
believed to be true... which we at some point find to be...not
true at all! If I believe that my righteous deeds (church
membership, baptism, commitment, re-commitments, tithing,
turning....etc., etc., etc.)..is that which establishes my
righteous standing with God today....then I must change my mind
about those things in order to "adopt the truth of Paul's
gospel". I must discard those false beliefs and replace them
with "God's way of approaching Him".
This by the way... is the only application of "a change of
mind"...where "the issue of salvation from the debt and penalty
of one's sins" is concerned in this age of grace! Not "turning
away from sin". Not "changing
life-style direction'. Not hot scalding tears where the past is
concerned. While all those may be beneficial in their proper
place, none of them are a change of mind that brings salvation
for heaven. In fact...there is NO CHANGE OF MIND...pertaining
to ANY BEHAVIOR WHATSOEVER...required for the deliverance
from the debt and penalty of sins in this age of grace. A change
of mind from "PREVIOUSLY HELD ERRONEOUS BELIEFS"...is the
only application of "repentance" that can be made.... where
believing Paul's gospel is concerned. And believing Paul's
gospel is the only thing God requires for heaven. Hope this
helps. Sometimes I can do more to cloud the issue than to clear
it up. If such is the case here...I don't mind trying again.
Just let me know where the confusion lies...as this computer
never seems to 'run out
ink'! Luv ya all.....Pastor Curt
You can
visit Welcome To Grace Ministries at:
www.welcometograce.net
www.welcometograce.com
THE REVELATION OF JESUS
CHRIST
by
Cornelius R. Stam
The last
great book of the Bible opens with the words: "The revelation of
Jesus Christ," and from these words it derives its title: "The
Revelation." In this book St. John deals largely with the return
of Christ in glory to judge and reign.
II Thes. 1:7,8 tells us that one day "the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is
what the book of the Revelation is basically about. But this
phraseology is also used in Paul’s epistles, for in Gal. 1:11,12
he says:
"I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by
me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither
was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Surely this is not the same "revelation of Jesus Christ" of
which John wrote. St. Paul refers not to "the revelation of
Jesus Christ" in glory, but to "the revelation of Jesus Christ"
in grace while He delays the judgment; not His revelation to the
world in person, but His revelation to the world through Paul
the chief of sinners, saved by grace. In Verses 15,16 of Gal. 1,
the Apostle says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son in
Me." What a revelation of grace to a sin-cursed world when God
saved Saul, His bitter, blaspheming enemy! He tells about it in
I Tim. 1:13-16, where he says:
"[I] was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious...
Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS
CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM
WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING."
This is why Paul says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son
in Me." By saving the chief of sinners (as Paul calls himself in
I Tim. 1:15), God would show us that He is willing to save any
sinner, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13).
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Today's World News
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The
unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When
in the Course of human events it becomes
necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of
Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation.
We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any
Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long
established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and
accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to
suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train
of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a
design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is
their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for
their future security.
— Such has been the patient
sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which
constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history
of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries
and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an
absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be
submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for
the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing
importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should
be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend
to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large
districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of
Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and
formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records,
for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his
measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with
manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others
to be elected, whereby the Legislative
Powers, incapable of
Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise;
the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of
invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that
purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing
to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the
conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent
to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their
offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of
Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the
Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the
Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to
our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to
their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders
which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring
Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging
its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument
for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and
altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested
with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and
destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to
compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with
circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most
barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to
bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their
friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to
bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages
whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all
ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in
the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by
repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act
which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have
warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend
an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the
circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to
their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the
ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have
been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must,
therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation,
and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace
Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in
General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world
for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority
of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That
these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent
States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown,
and that all political connection between them and the State of Great
Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and
Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace,
contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and
Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support
of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes,
and our sacred Honor.
- John Hancock
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge
Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart,
Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George
Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison,
Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur
Middleton
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
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COFFEE
CORNER
May I Say......
By J. Vernon McGee
When a
Christian Falls
Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an
one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted. - Galatians 6:1
Who is the man mentioned in this verse? It’s a generic term and
refers to any man or woman who is a Christian. The word “fault,”
taken from the Greek paraptoma, means “a falling aside or
mishap.” The word used for fault in this verse is the same word
used to describe the Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of
Gethsemane when he fell on His face and prayed (see Matthew
26:39). It means to stumble. If a man be overtaken in a fault,
he stumbles. He may commit a small sin or an awful blunder.
Now what is to be done to a person who is overtaken in a fault?
Well, the “spiritual” folk interpret this as meaning they are to
beat him on the head with a baseball bat because he has done
something wrong. There is a danger of not really wanting to
restore him. We would much rather criticize and condemn him.
However, the believer does not lose his salvation when he sins.
If a Christian is overtaken in a fault, a spiritual Christian is
to restore that one in the spirit of meekness. Meekness is one
of the fruits of the Spirit.
One of the wonderful things said about the Lord Jesus in
prophecy is found in Isaiah 63:9, “In all their affliction he
was afflicted….” The better manuscripts say, “In all their
affliction. He was not afflicted.” I like that much better. The
Lord Jesus goes along with me through life, and when I stumble
and fall down He does not fall. He is not afflicted. He is there
beside me and He picks me up, brushes me off, and tells me to
start out again. It is a comforting thing to know that I have
One near me who is not afflicted in my affliction.
The word used for “restore” in this verse means “to set a broken
bone.” If a fellow falls down and breaks his leg, what are you
going to do? Are you going to walk off and leave him in pain?
God says, “You who are spiritual set the broken bone. Get him
back on his feet again.” And it is to be done in the spirit of
meekness.
What to expect in response from God...
The
saints at Philippi had the same questions as many
Christians do today concerning what they should pray for
and what to expect in response from God. The very
subject of prayer has caused arguments and divisions
between many believers. Let's examine what Paul had to
say about this topic when he wrote to the faithful at
Philippi.....
Starting in verse 3 of the 1st chapter,
Paul tells these dear saints of his prayer of thanks to
God for them. He gives thanks for their fellowship being
'confident that whatever Christ has started in the lives
of these saints would be completed through Him' (verse
6)! Paul continues in verse 8 when he
speaks of how he longed to see his dear friends and
prays that their love may abound more and more in the
knowledge of Jesus Christ. In the Greek, Paul uses
several words that are noteworthy. One word: perisseuo
{Greek -per-is-syoo'-o} which is the for "abound" means "to exceed a fix
number of measure". Through the Holy Spirit, Paul chose
this word when speaking of his prayer to God on behalf
the the Philippians. He wanted their knowledge to exceed
beyond measure. More important is the Greek word that Paul
used to describe "knowledge". The word epignosis {ep-ig'-no-sis}
transcends above what we would think knowledge alone
would indicate. Here, this knowledge is not merely
academic but instead divine, perfect and complete
"knowledge" and it is what Paul uses on many occasions
in describing all that we have available to us! Friends,
we have perfect and complete knowledge of God's word
through the guidance and council of the Holy Spirit.
In verse 10, he prays that they may
approve (examine and test what they have heard) things
that are excellent and that they be sincere without
offense until the day of Christ occurs all the while
being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are
by Jesus Christ. Please understand that these are
statements and not something we work for friends; it is
a given we have the fruits of righteousness and that we
are without offense in Christ Jesus!
In Chapter 4, Paul specifically tells us what he
received from the risen Lord Jesus Christ concerning
prayer. In verse 4 he tells us to always
rejoice. Next he tells us to let our moderation or
gentleness be evident among men for the Lord is coming
soon.
In verse 6, Paul tells us not to worry
about what we bring to God. There is no need to be
careful in what you discuss with God beloved! He already
knows about it but wants to discuss it with you through
His word regardless! With all prayer, supplication
(need) and thankfulness let your requests be made known
unto God. What will be the result you may ask?
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God's peace which passes all of man's understanding
shall be kept in our inner most part as well as our mind
through Jesus Christ! Although we may not understand
God's plan for us concerning the issues of life, He
does.
One may ask, how then practically speaking can we
accomplish this? Paul gives us this answer too friends,
as he tells us we should think on:
In
verse 8 he tells us we are to think upon 6 things:
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Whatsoever things are true - truthfulness itself and
/ or those who love the truth
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Whatsoever things are honest - honorable;
venerated for character / person or deeds
-
Whatsoever things are just - righteousness,
innocent, faultless, guiltless; those things
approved or acceptable by God
-
Whatsoever things are pure - clean, pure from
carnality, chaste, modest
-
Whatsoever things are lovely - remember 1
Corinthians 13!
-
Whatsoever things are of good report - sounding
well, good words
The
apostle tells us we have learned, received, heard and
seen these things in his Godly testimony. But notice how
he again reminds us how the God of peace shall be with
you if through the strength of Jesus Christ we can put
this into our lives!
"I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
JEHOVAH IS HIS NAME
by Russell S. Miller
In
Genesis 15:5,6, God told Abraham to look up and count the
stars, for "So shall thy seed be", and Abraham "believed in
the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness". But
who is the "God" in whom Abraham believed, what is His name?
When
the Israelites were in the bondage of Egyptian slavery and
Moses was commanded to deliver them out of Egypt, he also
inquired about God's name:
"...Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and
shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me
unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name?, what
shall I say unto them?
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent
me unto you" - Exodus 3:13,14
Now
in Exodus 6:3, the Lord again spoke to Moses:
"And I
appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the
name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known
to them".
So it
was Jehovah, the Lord God Almighty, in whom Abraham
believed, the same Lord who "made Heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that in them is" (Gen.1:1; Ex.20:11; Eph.3:9).
In
John 8:56 Christ spoke to the Jews of His day about
Abraham's God: "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day:
and he saw it, and was glad". How often in John's gospel the
Lord speaks this truth, that "...Before Abraham was, I AM"
(8:56; 6:35; 8:12; 10:7-11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1-5). This is
most interesting, because, in the darkness of that night of
Christ's betrayal and arrest, they fell over "backward" upon
hearing those two little words, "I AM" (John 18:5,6). The
Eternal God was in their presence! And they could only
arrest Him, as He voluntarily surrendered to God's purpose.
So,
Jehovah, of the Old Testament, is the Lord Jesus Christ, of
the New Testament.
In
his epistles, the Apostle Paul relates that this same JESUS
"took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men:
"And
being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" -
Philippians 2:7,8
Thus,
the Apostle points peoples of all nationalities to the
Christ of Calvary's cross as the only means of salvation
today:
"For
what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was
counted unto him for righteousness.
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt.
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for
righteousness"
-
Romans 4:3-5
Jehovah means Saviour, Jesus Christ is our only Saviour,
consequently, God will also "count" your "faith" for
"righteousness", if you will simply believe what the Bible
says about Jesus Christ:
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith
in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission
of sins ... that He might be just, and the Justifier of him
which believeth in JESUS"
Romans 3:24-26
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
|
A
Letter from a Friend
been revoked".
Joe
knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able
to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after
further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was
not the intended recipient but instead "copied" or "cc'd" as a
reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost
his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to
be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO
mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for
those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for
Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!
In a much similar example, when
we
read the bible, identifying our TO
mail is very important lest
we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without
understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our
"cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently
"read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend.
The result when this happens: confusion!
(see
