full transcript )
Restored Doctrines: Sermon begins....
"Greetings, everybody! This afternoon I want to speak on the mission of the Philadelphia Era of the Church - this Church today in comparison to the first Church - or the first era of the Church - the Ephesus Era of the Church.
It's been seeming more and more to me, as the years go by, that the Bible was written primarily for the Philadelphia Era of the Church...
(2min 7sec) ...Most prophecy in the bible referrs to our time now, and is concerned with our time - not with the time back in the first century, not in the Middle Ages. How many times do you find in the bible "In that day - such and such will happen - in that day - in that day?" Again and again, especially in the Old Testament prophecies. And it is referring to the time now - leading on into the second coming of Christ. The coming of Christ the Messiah.
And these events - and these days - just preceeding, when there is the greatest mission of the Church: and that is the mission that has devolved down on us. Today's mission of the Church you will find in Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom - that is the same gospel that Jesus preached - shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
What Christ Will Restore:
(46min 28sec) "...Verse 19, the third chapter of Acts. Peter said, 'Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LORD, and He shall send - the time when He shall send - Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom the heavens must receive, Now He's ascended up to heaven and the heavens would receive Him UNTIL a certain time; until the times of restitution of all things, which God had spoken to them out of the mouth of His Holy prophets since the world began.
Now 'restitution.' Look that word up in the dictionary. Restitution means restoring to a former condition, a former state or condition. Restoring what had been taken away, restoring what had been taken away. So now I ask you, what is Christ coming to restore that had been taken away? What had been taken away was the government of God, the government of God. And if you know the whole bible, that's the whole story of the bible - that's the whole purpose - everything!..."
Elijah To Restore All Things:
(1hr 9m 25sec) ...But what are the protestant preachers preaching? 'Just receive Jesus Christ and you're already born again!' POPPYCOCK!! They are WRONG! They are in ERROR! THAT is the teaching that Satan the DEVIL has given them! That ALONE - is not enough! That's a start, but it's not enough. It takes far more.
The world has lost the purpose of God. They have lost all knowledge of the Gospel of Christ - which is the Kingdom of God. They have lost all of these things...
(1hr 10m 30sec) ...Elijah was to come and restore things. Jesus is going to come and restore the Government - and through the Government, everything. But WHAT was Elijah to restore? And brethren, HAS it happened yet? HAS it been restored? And what was restored?
The Restored Truths Listed...
1. True Gospel(1hr 10m 55sec)
The world had lost the Gospel. They didn't know what the Gospel was: I came among the True Church of God of the Sardis Era, They didn't know what the Gospel was, they thought it was what they called the third angel's message. They didn't know what the gospel really was. They called it a third angel's message. God revealed it to me and through me, to the Church.
That the gospel is the Kingdom of God, that is the gospel Jesus preached, that's the gospel Paul preached to the Gentiles, that's the gospel that Peter and John preached. You'll find when Jesus sent them out and sent out 70, He said preach the Kingdom of God. That is the only gospel, is the gospel OF Jesus Christ.
The world preached and has a gospel ABOUT Christ. Now the first thing to be restored to the Church is the true gospel.
2. Purpose of God(1hr 11m 57sec)
"The second thing to be restored is the PURPOSE of God. And the gospel has to do with that. That God IS reproducing us and that MAN CAN BECOME God! No other Church on earth believes that, brethren. And now let me tell you, I'm going to reveal to you, now, things that have been restored in this Church.
And let me tell you, these are all things that some of those who have been ministers in this Church - in high office - have gone out and now are saying, and saying publicly, that we are departing from the faith and that we are going farther and farther into error. Because they will not receive the Truths that God has been restoring into the Church!
God's purpose is that He's reproducing Himself and that we, ultimately, become God."
3. God's Plan Through the Holy Days(1hr 12m 54sec)
"Now another thing that has been restored is, through the Holy Days, God's plan, His Master Plan for accomplishing that purpose, and the annual Holy Days. And no other Church has had those Holy Days, and understands them...."
4. Government(1hr 14m 48sec)
"The government of God has been restored to the Church, and the government of God has been placed in the Church. You read that in Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12. Christ is the head of the Church and under Christ in the administration of the government are an apostle or apostles, then evangelists, then pastors, then all are called elders, all ministers all the way up clear down to the lowest. So then there are teachers and elders both speaking elders and preaching elders, deacons and deaconesses. And the Church is restored in that form of government. The Sardis Church even didn't have the right form of government"...
5. Who and What Is God(1hr 15m 46sec)
"Who and what God IS. NO RELIGION ON EARTH KNOWS WHO AND WHAT GOD IS! NO RELIGION ON EARTH! ... GOD IS NOT A TRINITY! GOD IS NOT A SINGLE PERSON! God is a Family of persons, and the Family began with God and the Word. You read of that in John 1:1-5. You read of it in Genesis 1 beginning with verse 1.
You should learn about God first, and it begins first both in the New Testament and the Old, because many experts feel that - errh, so-called experts let me add - that the book of John should be placed first in the New Testament, although it was not written first. That God is a family and it began with the two, and we can be born into that family."
6. What and Why is Man?(1hr 17m 4sec)
"Now the next thing that's restored to the Church - what and why man is! WHAT IS MAN? WHY DID WE COME TO BE ON EARTH? The Sardis Church didn't know, they didn't know in the Middle Ages. Man was made from the dust of the ground. Man was made with one spirit and he needs another Spirit, the Spirit of God which unites him with God, and is the impregnation of God-life in him, and he will be born of God."
7. Spirit in Man(1hr 17m 35sec)
"Next the human spirit IN man. No other Church knows about that. That has been revealed to the Church. That is knowledge that has been restored to the Church of God. And this Church has that knowledge."
8. First-Fruits(1hr 17m 51sec)
"Another, the next piece of knowledge that has been restored to this Church, that the rest don't know and no other Church knows it: that this Church is the first-fruits. That God is not trying to save the whole world now. He's calling us out now and He'll use us as teachers to help save the others in THEIR turn, and they in turn, from the Millennium, will help save all the rest in the great White Throne Judgment.
And ultimately, God's going to go after the saving of everybody who ever lived. But no Church understands that, that we are the first-fruits, we are the embryo of the Kingdom of God. The fact that we have to be called by God, and that salvation is not open to just anyone, whosoever will. The whosoever will may come is found in the last chapter of the Bible, and does not pertain to this time at all. And no other Church seems to know that. That knowledge has been restored to this Church."
9. Knowledge of What the Millennium Is(1hr 19m 0sec)
"The knowledge of the Millennium and what it is. Now the Sardis people knew that Christ would rule a thousand years. They knew it would be a Millennium. They had NO IDEA IN THE WORLD about what would happen in the Millennium. They HAD NO IDEA WHAT IS THE PURPOSE of the Millennium.
We know when we assemble at the Feast of Tabernacles, that's what we're celebrating, and we know what's going to happen in the Millennium and that salvation will be open, then, to all that are still alive. But it is not open to all now. No other Church knows that. These are things that YOU, brethren, are privileged to know. YOU, God has blessed you with this knowledge, has restored this knowledge to you."
10. Truth About the Holy Spirit(1hr 19m 48sec)
"Now truth regarding the Holy Spirit -"
Added from: Mystery of the Ages, pages 56-57: "The Holy Spirit came from heaven, audibly, sounding like a mighty wind, "and it [the Holy Spirit] filled all the house where they were sitting." Next, the Holy Spirit appeared--WAS VISIBLY SEEN--manifested--"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it [the Holy Spirit in the form of divided tongues] sat upon each of them" (Acts 2:2-3). In verse 18, Peter is quoting from the prophet Joel: "I will pour out...of my Spirit...."
The Holy Spirit, like water or a fluid, can be "POURED OUT." Can you pour out a person from one into another--as from God into those assembled there? John 7:37-39: "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 [Spirit] was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" Again in Acts 10:45, "...on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy [Spirit]."
11. Begotten Now(1hr 19m 54sec)
"And the fact that we are begotten now. You're not born yet, only begotten".
Added from: Mystery of the Ages, pages 260-261: "Now, as the physical male sperm finds its way to, and unites with the nucleus in the ovum, so God's Spirit enters and combines with the human spirit and MIND! There is, as explained before, a spirit IN man. This human spirit has combined with the brain to form human MIND. God's Spirit unites with, and witnesses with our spirit that we are, now, the children of GOD (Romans 8:16). And God's Holy Spirit, now combined with our human spirit in our MIND, imparts to our mind power to comprehend SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE (I Corinthians 2:11) - which the carnal mind cannot grasp.
"Now we have the presence of ETERNAL LIFE - God-life - through God's Spirit. In like manner the human embryo was an actual human life as yet undeveloped. But we are not yet immortal spirit beings - not yet BORN of GOD - just as the human ovum was not yet born of its human parents--not yet inheritors, and possessors, but physical HEIRS (Romans 8:17). But IF God's Holy Spirit dwells in us, God will, at the resurrection, "quicken" to immortality our mortal bodies BY his Spirit that "dwelleth in us" (Romans 8:11; I Corinthians 15:49-53)"
12. Born-Again at Resurrection(1hr 19m 59sec)
"That we will become born at the time of the second coming of Christ, when this mortal puts on immortality, when we won't be human any longer, we'll be divine. The knowledge that he that is born of the flesh IS flesh, mortal, that's what we are. That is when you're born in the Spirit you will BE Spirit."...
13. Identity of Israel(1hr 20m 27sec)
"Another thing restored to us is our own roots, our identity, who we are. We [within the USA] are the tribe of Manasseh of the lost ten tribes of Israel, and no other Church on earth knows it. That knowledge has been restored into this Church, and God restored that to me 53 years ago."
14. Identity Opens Up Understanding of Bible Prophecy(1hr 20m 51sec)
"Our identity. And that opens all the doors of one third of the whole bible - prophecy - you can't understand without that knowledge. That opened a whole third of the bible which is prophecy, that's a third of the bible. and so a third of the bible, and the understanding of prophecy has been opened to this Church. That has been restored to this Church."
Has God sent someone to restore knowledge to this Church brethren? I'm not tooting any horns, I'm just telling you what has actually happened! And you know it's happened. The fact that the annual festivals - that they represent Gods Plan.
15. Second and Third Tithe(1hr 21m 41sec)
"The second and third tithe, what other Church knows about that? And that was restored by this Church, that knowledge restored by this Church."
16. Identity of Babylon and Her Daughters(1hr 21m 50sec)
"Then the great deception, the counterfeit of Revelation 17:5, Babylon, the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, her daughter churches and who they are."
17. Satan is the Guilty Party(1hr 22m 8sec)
"And the fact that Satan, the devil, has deceived the whole world. Brethren, Satan is the one who is guilty. Those people in the Catholic Church and the Protestant churches have been deceived. And I think they really believe. God just hasn't opened any more truth to them. We don't sit in judgment of them. We're not judging them yet. We're going to do it and when we judge them, then all truth will be opened and God will take away the blindness from their eyes so they can understand if they're willing. Today they couldn't understand it, even if they're willing. I don't think they're willing, either, as far as that goes."
18. We Are to Be Separate(1hr 22m 53sec)
"And how in Revelation 18:4 that God has called us out from among them, to be separate."
19. Correctly Placing the Emphasis on God the Father(19m 9sec) (Bible Study 21 Jan 1984)
"...This opposition put an emphasis on Jesus as the Messiah and it had a tendency to DEemphasise God the Father. Now bear that in mind. Because I didn't mention that Sabbath. That's another truth. I don't know that I've mentioned that before. Perhaps some of you never thought of that. Let's say we're revealing that truth then - right now. And so the de-emphasising of God the Father came on and they began to look on Jesus ..." (also see last paragraph of closing comments below...)
Conclusion of the Sermon:
(1hr 23m 4sec) "Well, brethren, all those things have been restored and there is a mission for this Church that never applied, and has never been done by any other Church. This gospel of the kingdom has been restored and shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. Has that been done? Has that been restored? Is that gospel going out to the world?...
...But thanks and praise to God, He has restored knowledge. That is all God's doing. None of us can be anything more than human instruments. If I have been willing to do anything, it is only because God Himself brought about circumstances to compel me and make me willing whether I wanted to be or not. And even then, I can take no credit whatsoever. It was all the doing of God. Through Jesus Christ.
But remember this - the Protestant Churches, they just have Christ. We have to come to God by way of Christ. And Jesus taught us: when you pray, pray our Father which art in heaven - and we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. He said, whatsoever we ask The Father in His Name - the Name of Christ - God will do. If we ask in faith, believing - we must ask what God has promised to do. Remember that faith is simply believing that God will not lie. And that what God has promised He will perform. So, let's be thankful. Let's praise God for it. Let's give all thanks to God Almighty - The Father.
Note: The above sermon provides a few of the high spots of our beliefs. However, what God requires of His people is far, far more extensive than merely believing a few doctrines. For a partial explanation, please see the "Articles" section, where an article entitled: "That Way" appears.
However, the greatest source of information - that explains why we believe as we do - can be be found within the booklet "Just What is an APOSTLE?" In addition to being able to read it online, this booklet is also available in printed form - FREE on request. Order it from:
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office@cogiw.org.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
An Open Letter To Our Newly Begotten Brethren Recently Baptised
Good News - Personal March 1981
An Open Letter
To Our Newly Begotten Brethren Recently Baptised
by Herbert W. Armstrong page 1 Good News March 1981
GREETINGS! newly baptized brethren in Christ Jesus: This year again there is joy and rejoicing among the angels in heaven over your repentance and having been begotten to a lively hope as children of God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
And there is new joy in the hearts of ALL our true brethren and co-workers in Christ over your recent conversion from the desires and will of the flesh and the ways and customs of the world, to the government of God in your life now, that you may have reward in His Kingdom at the coming of Christ, in the world tomorrow!
You will meet trials
You have entered upon a new life — a life of great happiness and joy — a life to continue FOREVER — yet, in this present evil world it will not be an easy life.
As a matter of fact, you have left behind the "easy way" — the popular, broad road that leads to destruction. You have passed the crossroads and turned off onto the narrow, rutty, bumpy, rocky and HARD and DIFFICULT road that very few people in this world ever are willing to enter — but that leads to SUCCESS, to USEFULNESS, to HAPPINESS, JOY and ETERNAL LIFE.
It leads to rewards — not of idleness and ease, but to usefulness and service and accomplishment and success — so great that I know your mind can't possibly grasp it, now, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE!
It won't come easy! All your temptations, trials, persecutions and hardships will come from other people — or from the devil — or from the consequences of sin, which means violations of God's laws and ways. You must remember you still have to live IN a world organized and living in disregard of God's laws — a world governed by the sway of Satan, and according to the impulses of pride and vanity, the lusts of the flesh and the greed and tempers of human nature.
If you were still OF this world, the world would love its own. But because you have renounced this world and its ways, and are no longer OF it, the world will hate you, persecute you, turn against you, even as it hated and persecuted your Savior before you.
Why you must suffer
"My PEACE I give unto you . . . that my Joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full," said Jesus (John 14:27, 15:11). "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
You will meet many afflictions — trials, tests, troubles — even more than before. But, if you trust in Him, the Eternal will deliver you out of them ALL (Ps. 34:19). ALL who will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12).
But WHY? Because God has called you to surrender your life to HIM — to GIVE your life into His HANDS — that He may transform you into a perfect, holy, righteous CHARACTER. God is CREATOR!
And now, with your consent, according to your own free will, you have placed yourself in His hands to CHANGE you — to CREATE out of you the supreme masterpiece of all His creation!
What is character?
And CHARACTER means SELF-DIRECTION, WITH GOD'S HELP, INTO GOD'S WAY OF LIFE. You'll find it is a new and different way of life from the way you have lived up to now. It means SELF-DENIAL! It means SELF-DISCIPLINE! It means resisting all that is evil or wrong in your nature. It means breaking up wrong habits — rooting them out of your life — and instilling into your life NEW habits — and making these newer right ways fixed HABIT.
This is not easy. It takes WILL-POWER. It requires DETERMINATION.
Besides all this, God will permit trials and tests to come upon you — severe problems. He will permit CIRCUMSTANCES to drive you to HIM for HELP — for deliverance! You may soon think no one in the world is troubled like you are. You will begin to wonder why you have greater trouble to face than anyone else on earth not realizing that all other real Christians are going through the same tests! Perhaps closest relatives will turn against you, probably because of the Word of God — the TRUTH you have embraced and started to live.
But, if you learn the lesson of FAITH — and if you have PATIENCE you may KNOW that you will be delivered out of every trouble that comes up. God has PROMISED to deliver you from every trial —if you obey and trust Him. You see, you are now His very own child — actually begotten of Him just as much as you were begotten of your human father.
God gave you the precious gift of His Holy Spirit — placed His Spirit within you to renew your mind, give you a sounder, more understanding mind, fill you with His love, faith, patience, power, goodness — His own character. In short, you became an actual begotten SON — or daughter — of God. Not merely a creature or being He created — but His very own child, actually begotten of Him by His seed, so to speak — His SPIRIT, entering within you. He is now your FATHER! Not figuratively, but actually — REALLY!
Now you can go to Him just as any child can go to his father, for counsel and advice, for wisdom, for direction, for HELP in any time of need. Would a good human father deny his own child any good thing the child might really need? Neither will your heavenly Father deny you anything that is really for your good. If a human father heard the screams of his child, ran and found his child imprisoned in a burning building, would he break inside and rescue his child from danger? Your heavenly Father has given you His written PROMISE to deliver you from every danger, trouble or trial —if you call on Him, obey Him and RELY on Him!
Since you are now a real begotten child of God — now one of the FAMILY of God, which is His true Church you are one of His heirs. Angels are not sons, but servants. And a servant is not an heir like a son. You are now a coheir with Christ, to inherit, with Him, ALL THINGS — eternal life, this earth as an everlasting possession, eternal happiness and joy!
Think of what that means!
But we are now only heirs — only begotten sons. And just as it was necessary for us to grow physically from the time we were begotten in our mothers' wombs until we developed ready to be born, finally separated from the dependence on the mother for nourishment and sustenance, and coming into individual and separate existence, so the begotten spiritual infant must grow and develop spiritually, being fed the spiritual food, the Word of God, by the mother of us all, the true Church, until, at the coming of Christ, we shall be CHANGED, finally BORN of God, to have eternal life inherent in ourselves, and to be actual INHERITORS and POSSESSORS of the wonderful Kingdom of God!
In order to GROW in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord (II Pet. 3:18) — in order to develop spiritually and overcome, and have perfected in you the CHARACTER of God ready to be fully BORN of God — you must do two things daily without fail!
You must not only read, but eagerly, earnestly STUDY the Word of God to learn how to live — you must live according to God's teachings in His Bible — you must make it your guide for everything you do. In this way, God talks to you!
But you must also talk to Him! You must go to a private place, alone with God, and have long talks with Him — yes, EVERY DAY! Unburden your heart to Him. Take all your problems, your interests, your plans, your troubles to Him. Talk over everything with Him, continually. Then, even when going about your work — when walking down the street — when driving your car, or wherever you are or whatever you do, talk with God as you work, or as you drive or walk along. Go to a private place, and kneel in prayer (on both knees) as often as you can, and at least once every day. But talk with God often in between. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!
Keep close to Him. You can't afford to be without the SECURITY of His constant guidance and protection.
An Open Letter
To Our Newly Begotten Brethren Recently Baptised
by Herbert W. Armstrong page 1 Good News March 1981
GREETINGS! newly baptized brethren in Christ Jesus: This year again there is joy and rejoicing among the angels in heaven over your repentance and having been begotten to a lively hope as children of God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
And there is new joy in the hearts of ALL our true brethren and co-workers in Christ over your recent conversion from the desires and will of the flesh and the ways and customs of the world, to the government of God in your life now, that you may have reward in His Kingdom at the coming of Christ, in the world tomorrow!
You will meet trials
You have entered upon a new life — a life of great happiness and joy — a life to continue FOREVER — yet, in this present evil world it will not be an easy life.
As a matter of fact, you have left behind the "easy way" — the popular, broad road that leads to destruction. You have passed the crossroads and turned off onto the narrow, rutty, bumpy, rocky and HARD and DIFFICULT road that very few people in this world ever are willing to enter — but that leads to SUCCESS, to USEFULNESS, to HAPPINESS, JOY and ETERNAL LIFE.
It leads to rewards — not of idleness and ease, but to usefulness and service and accomplishment and success — so great that I know your mind can't possibly grasp it, now, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE!
It won't come easy! All your temptations, trials, persecutions and hardships will come from other people — or from the devil — or from the consequences of sin, which means violations of God's laws and ways. You must remember you still have to live IN a world organized and living in disregard of God's laws — a world governed by the sway of Satan, and according to the impulses of pride and vanity, the lusts of the flesh and the greed and tempers of human nature.
If you were still OF this world, the world would love its own. But because you have renounced this world and its ways, and are no longer OF it, the world will hate you, persecute you, turn against you, even as it hated and persecuted your Savior before you.
Why you must suffer
"My PEACE I give unto you . . . that my Joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full," said Jesus (John 14:27, 15:11). "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
You will meet many afflictions — trials, tests, troubles — even more than before. But, if you trust in Him, the Eternal will deliver you out of them ALL (Ps. 34:19). ALL who will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12).
But WHY? Because God has called you to surrender your life to HIM — to GIVE your life into His HANDS — that He may transform you into a perfect, holy, righteous CHARACTER. God is CREATOR!
And now, with your consent, according to your own free will, you have placed yourself in His hands to CHANGE you — to CREATE out of you the supreme masterpiece of all His creation!
What is character?
And CHARACTER means SELF-DIRECTION, WITH GOD'S HELP, INTO GOD'S WAY OF LIFE. You'll find it is a new and different way of life from the way you have lived up to now. It means SELF-DENIAL! It means SELF-DISCIPLINE! It means resisting all that is evil or wrong in your nature. It means breaking up wrong habits — rooting them out of your life — and instilling into your life NEW habits — and making these newer right ways fixed HABIT.
This is not easy. It takes WILL-POWER. It requires DETERMINATION.
Besides all this, God will permit trials and tests to come upon you — severe problems. He will permit CIRCUMSTANCES to drive you to HIM for HELP — for deliverance! You may soon think no one in the world is troubled like you are. You will begin to wonder why you have greater trouble to face than anyone else on earth not realizing that all other real Christians are going through the same tests! Perhaps closest relatives will turn against you, probably because of the Word of God — the TRUTH you have embraced and started to live.
But, if you learn the lesson of FAITH — and if you have PATIENCE you may KNOW that you will be delivered out of every trouble that comes up. God has PROMISED to deliver you from every trial —if you obey and trust Him. You see, you are now His very own child — actually begotten of Him just as much as you were begotten of your human father.
God gave you the precious gift of His Holy Spirit — placed His Spirit within you to renew your mind, give you a sounder, more understanding mind, fill you with His love, faith, patience, power, goodness — His own character. In short, you became an actual begotten SON — or daughter — of God. Not merely a creature or being He created — but His very own child, actually begotten of Him by His seed, so to speak — His SPIRIT, entering within you. He is now your FATHER! Not figuratively, but actually — REALLY!
Now you can go to Him just as any child can go to his father, for counsel and advice, for wisdom, for direction, for HELP in any time of need. Would a good human father deny his own child any good thing the child might really need? Neither will your heavenly Father deny you anything that is really for your good. If a human father heard the screams of his child, ran and found his child imprisoned in a burning building, would he break inside and rescue his child from danger? Your heavenly Father has given you His written PROMISE to deliver you from every danger, trouble or trial —if you call on Him, obey Him and RELY on Him!
Since you are now a real begotten child of God — now one of the FAMILY of God, which is His true Church you are one of His heirs. Angels are not sons, but servants. And a servant is not an heir like a son. You are now a coheir with Christ, to inherit, with Him, ALL THINGS — eternal life, this earth as an everlasting possession, eternal happiness and joy!
Think of what that means!
But we are now only heirs — only begotten sons. And just as it was necessary for us to grow physically from the time we were begotten in our mothers' wombs until we developed ready to be born, finally separated from the dependence on the mother for nourishment and sustenance, and coming into individual and separate existence, so the begotten spiritual infant must grow and develop spiritually, being fed the spiritual food, the Word of God, by the mother of us all, the true Church, until, at the coming of Christ, we shall be CHANGED, finally BORN of God, to have eternal life inherent in ourselves, and to be actual INHERITORS and POSSESSORS of the wonderful Kingdom of God!
In order to GROW in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord (II Pet. 3:18) — in order to develop spiritually and overcome, and have perfected in you the CHARACTER of God ready to be fully BORN of God — you must do two things daily without fail!
You must not only read, but eagerly, earnestly STUDY the Word of God to learn how to live — you must live according to God's teachings in His Bible — you must make it your guide for everything you do. In this way, God talks to you!
But you must also talk to Him! You must go to a private place, alone with God, and have long talks with Him — yes, EVERY DAY! Unburden your heart to Him. Take all your problems, your interests, your plans, your troubles to Him. Talk over everything with Him, continually. Then, even when going about your work — when walking down the street — when driving your car, or wherever you are or whatever you do, talk with God as you work, or as you drive or walk along. Go to a private place, and kneel in prayer (on both knees) as often as you can, and at least once every day. But talk with God often in between. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!
Keep close to Him. You can't afford to be without the SECURITY of His constant guidance and protection.
Growing While Holding Fast
Split Sermon - Mr Jonathan Bowles - 21 January 2006 (NB Headings are not part of original, but are added for clarity)
Growing While Holding Fast
By Jon Bowles
21 January 2006
(PLAY FROM START)
It’s interesting: Mr. Henderson talked about what areas we are needing to be watching, and he was talking in there as well about one area is, not just churches outside, but it’s the true church as well—what’s happening within the true church. And there’s certainly, when you look at the various factions that there have been, there are the 101 varieties? Ha, we should be so lucky. Three hundred, four hundred, five hundred and one, whatever number it is, at this particular time. And there has, indeed, been an incredible shattering that’s taken place.
But I saw a letter last week that was sent out to the membership of another organization, and I would not, normally, comment on letters that go out to other people. However, I also know that certain ones of us have actually received this letter. And so I am going to go ahead and make a comment, because I feel that it’s direct attack, in some ways, on what we believe and stand for. And I’m not going to go and deal with it all. I’m not going to go and read through the letter. I want to take one paragraph, merely as an introduction, to show you the type of material—or this one particular point that is being dealt with.
And it goes in and it says: “It is therefore sad that some teach, in effect, the unbiblical concept that since the time of Mr. Armstrong’s death, the Church of God cannot and must not grow in understanding.”
Now, I know nobody—and I mean nobody—that would actually say that the Church of God cannot and must not grow in understanding. Now that, it’s near the truth. You can say, “Well, we’ve got to go ahead and keep aligned to the foundations.” But to say that we cannot grow in understanding? I don’t know anybody that actually says that.
“They falsely claim that Mr. Armstrong restored all knowledge to the Church...”
Now, again, these are straw men being erected. They’re straw men being erected—they’re near, but they’re not quite there; and it’s something that… Remember what happened before, in Worldwide? This is exactly what happened. Straw men would be erected; and then straw men would be knocked down and at the same time other concepts, which they then linked to it (the straw men).
He says: “…restored all knowledge to the Church, and that nothing can be changed since his death in 1986. [Now you see the other thing linked to the straw man.] They overlook that it is Christ who will restore all things (Acts 3:21). Mr. Armstrong would be the first who would, with his thundering voice, dismiss this totally unsound concept that we don’t have to grow in knowledge and understanding. [You see how it’s so near and yet twisted?] He encouraged us to change when we find error. He said that he was willing to continue to change, when he was proven to be wrong from Scripture.”
And that is true. But, you see, what is Scripture? Scripture is the Word of God. The living Word of God is Jesus Christ—that led the Church; that was leading the Church under him.
“Those who think and teach that the fullness of God’s truth was restored to the Church during Mr. Armstrong’s life …”
Does anybody say that the fullness of God’s truth was restored? We say that the truth that we need for this time was restored. But the fullness of God’s truth? What’s the fullness of God’s truth? You see, again, it’s straw men going through it.
“…[They] refuse to follow one of Mr. Armstrong’s most fundamental instructions—that of CHANGE when one is found to be wrong. We must change, when proven wrong by the Bible.”
Now, on the surface of it, it certainly sounds valid, except that there are slight twists all the way through the paragraph. And that’s just one paragraph. I don’t want to read all the letter. I’m not going to go ahead and just try and answer the letter. I just want to talk about this concept, because it’s still around. It’s still going. It’s still something that all of us are going to be coming across. And I know that I’ve talked about it before, but I think it is very important that I do so today.
And what I want to do today is:
really just show in what areas we have got to grow. (What areas do we have to grow? We do have to grow! There’s no question of that. But what areas do we have to grow?)
And, secondly, in what areas must we hold fast? (How do you differentiate?)
You know, how do you grow on one side and hold fast on the other? Unless you know what you’re going to grow in and what you’re going to hold fast, you can get completely and totally confused. So you’ve got to make sure that you can sort these areas out. If we’re going to be obedient to God, it’s essential—because these two things are commanded. We’re commanded to grow, and we’re also commanded to hold fast.
So if we don’t know what to grow in, we don’t know what to hold fast in, we get the two mixed up, we can be up the river without a paddle. So the three points I have—because it’s only a cut-down sermonette, a sermon rather. Split sermonette, yes, there we go.
The first is (because you see, what in fact is happening, the problem with this letter that I used as an introduction is) that it doesn’t ask the right question. It doesn’t deal with the right question. The right question is “Who humanly has the right to go ahead and change, or to decide, what God places is in His church? Who humanly does that? And that’s not even addressed. Nothing whatsoever, throughout the entire letter, deals with that question—because that is the question! And really the first question I want to deal with is:
Who is this “we” that has the right to make the change? (Who humanly can decide what God places in His Church? That’s the first area I want to go into.)
Secondly, then, I want to talk about what we must grow in; and,
thirdly, what we must hold fast to.
And those are the three areas I want to deal with.
First - A Caution: (PLAY FROM 6:16)
So let’s turn over to Romans chapter 14, just as a caution by and large (because in Romans chapter 14, there is something that we do need to be aware of in examining this question, “Who humanly has the right to decide, or to change, what God places in His church?”) to disassociate it from our own personal responsibility. There is a personal responsibility that I want to just deal with very briefly here; and you’ll find it in Romans 14, where it says:
Romans 14:1-2 Him that is weak in the faith receive…, but not to doubtful disputations. [not to arguing with him] (2) For one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats [vegetables].
Now the reason why is because they, at that particular time, they went to the market; and they tried to get meat. And they couldn’t buy meat that they knew had not been offered to an idol. That was the problem. It’s meat offered to idols, which is the subject matter of this section. And Paul actually came along and said, “Look, as long as you don’t ask the question, you go ahead and eat what is sold in the shambles; and asking no questions for conscience’ sake.” So you don’t have to go ahead and ask, “Has this been offered to an idol, or hasn’t it?” in every case. If it’s actually not said, you can go ahead and eat it in good conscience. But, you see, some of them were saying, “No, I’m not going to do that; because, if it’s offered to an idol, I don’t want anything to do with it.” (And it might possibly have been.) Now I want you to notice that, in the discourse here, at the end in verse 22 it says:
Romans 14:22 Have you faith? Have it to yourself before God [You don’t cram it down somebody else’s throat]. Happy is he that does not condemn himself in that thing which he allows. [In other words, whether he allows himself to eat meat that he doesn’t know for sure whether it has ever been contaminated by being offered to an idol.] (23) And he that doubts [In other words, if somebody honestly believes that they should eat no meat unless they absolutely know, categorically, that it’s never been offered to an idol, then he…] is damned if he eat [If he goes ahead and knowingly, or thinking that that is wrong, and yet he goes ahead and does it; then he’s damned if he eats, because it says…] because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Why is that? So, in other words, if we’re doing something which we believe to be wrong (even though we may be weak, even though we may be going down a wrong area), it destroys our character. So, I use this just as a precursor to this subject—you know, “Who humanly has the right to decide, or change, what God places in His Church?” If you genuinely think that something is wrong (that you should not be doing it)—regardless of what you know the Church may say—if you genuinely feel that something is wrong, you can destroy your character! And it says “whatever is not of faith is sin.” So you’ve got to be aware of that, just that precursor.
DOCTRINE WITHIN THE CHURCH (PLAY FROM 9:26)
But let’s turn over, then, to Matthew 18; and go into this particular subject. In Matthew 18:19, it says:
Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Ah, there you go. It’s perfectly all right: the Church has the full right to go ahead and change whatever it wants. As long as two or three are gathered together, all agreed, that’s it. Well, that’s not it; and the reason it’s not it is that you’ve got to put this particular section into context. And the context that you find here, notice in verse 17, it says:
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them [It’s talking about somebody who transgresses against you. You go to them alone; you then go with some others; and, if he doesn’t hear either, you then go… It says:] , tell it unto the church [In other words, the authorities within the Church.]: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican [He then gets disfellowshipped.]
So, in other words, there’s a certain step and procedures that actually we’ve got to go through; and then it says:
(Matthew 18:18) Whatsoever you shall bind…
Talking to the Church leaders at that time. “The Church”—the people that were the ministry at that particular time, the apostles as it was at this time. “Whatever you bind.” And if two or three of “you” agree in this area, then it shall be done. [Verse 19.]
And this is where you have a case where you’ve got somebody that needs to be disfellowshipped. That’s what it’s talking about. That’s the context of this particular verse. It is not talking about doctrine within the Church. It has nothing to do with doctrine within the Church. It is talking to the apostles at that particular time—the disciples—the people who are going to become the very ministers of the future.
When you are looking at doctrine within the Church, Christ was quite specific. If you turn back to Matthew chapter 16, He says in verse 15:
Matthew 16:15-19 He said to them, But whom say you that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to thee [Now, I want you to notice the tenses here. The tense is “to thee,” that’s singular.], but my Father which is in heaven. [So it’s dealing specifically with Peter at this particular time.] (18) And I say also unto you, That thou [singular] art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [Now it’s not just Peter. It was Peter and Him as the Rock, Christ Himself as the Rock. But notice,] (19) And I will give unto thee [singular—Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou [singular] shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou [singular] shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [And then it goes on.]
So, it’s clear that He’s talking specifically to Peter. And Peter was the head of…or he was later the chief apostle, basically. He was the chief apostle. He was the one who was over the other apostles to decide in certain cases. You even find that in Acts 15. But this particular case, it’s not talking about somebody…I want you to notice, however, that in verse 23, it’s not saying that Peter can go out and do whatever he likes. It’s because the Father was selecting him. It says, “ flesh and blood hasn’t revealed this.” The Father selected him. The Father revealed it because, in verse 23, it says (to Peter):
Matthew 16:23 … Get thee behind me, Satan: you are an offence unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men
So, in other words, there is a time; even with Peter, He had to make sure that he was directly under the authority that was coming down from God; but within that authority he had the right to bind and to loose. Within that authority, he had that right to bind and to loose.
WHO IS THE “WE”? (PLAY FROM 13:53)
You see, there is a problem with the concept that the “we” that decides to bind and loose, the “we” that decides to go ahead and make a change, can be anybody or any Church. Who is the “we”? Is it a council of elders? Is that the “we”? Is it a self-appointed prophet? Is that the “we,” who makes that decision? Is it a chief evangelist that makes that decision? Or a self-appointed evangelist that makes the decision? Or a senior pastor? Or a local elder? Or a Church member for that matter? You know, who is it that actually makes that particular decision?
It’s interesting, I got an e-mail yesterday, it was. It says: “This Friday we’re showing the movie, ‘Called to be Free.’ It’s the story of the Worldwide Church of God’s miraculous journey from the bondage of heresy to freedom in Jesus Christ. It will bring deep encouragement to believers; and those in bondage in cults, legalism and heretical movements will find hope and good news in the inspiring story. Childcare is provided. Bring your friends.”
I don’t think I’ve got the actual invite but that was sent out. You see people (when I read part of that letter, and I’ve talked about straw men being erected), they tried to justify what the changes were through Scripture, if you remember. They tried to justify it. And they’ll be adamant that it’s justifiable through Scripture to change to Sunday. They’ll say it’s justifiable through Scripture. Who makes the decision on that?
Another one, let’s just read… This one was from a member who reckoned he had all the answers in the real problems within the Church. He says: “Now we go to the book and the chapter of what really puts it in true perspective, Ezekiel 34. Notice verse 5, ‘No shepherd.’ It says ‘no shepherd.’ Not one or a few, but ‘no’ (or none). There’s no shepherd there. [And it talks about the shepherds of Israel. It says:] This whole chapter [I’m having to jump about within this. It says:] is about the failure of God’s ministry to feed His flock. But here is the good news. God goes on here in Ezekiel 34 to show that He will do from this point on, because His ministers have failed. Here’s the good news, notice it in verse 11 [he says], ‘For thus says our Lord God, indeed, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out.’ How exciting is that! Notice this again in verse 12 and really on through the rest of the chapter, God says over and over again that here it is: ‘I myself will do this.’ Why? Because the ministry have failed. In verses 12 and 13, God says He Himself will gather together His flock and deliver us and feed us. How awesome!”
In other words, all membership. They just sit at home by themselves, no ministerial guidance whatsoever. And this is one of the ideas that is floating out there. Again, taken from a website.
I can read you another one: “We are the true Church of God that the God of Israel, El Eloha Yisrael, is using at the end of time for the ingathering of the scattered people of Israel all over the world. Among all the offshoot Churches of God from the Worldwide Church of God founded by Mr. Herbert Armstrong, we are the only ones that truly represent God and Jesus Christ; and there is no other remnant from the Philadelphia Era but us. [So, pretty plain and straightforward.] All the other offshoot Churches of God organizations are simply trying to follow and copy the Work of the former Worldwide Church of God, that God has already given up on, to the wolves in sheep’s clothing. In keeping with the commandment of Jesus Christ that is written in Matthew 6:33, ‘But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,’ we are pursuing zealously and wholeheartedly the righteousness of God through our faithful observance and study of all the 613 commandments of God written in the law of Moses. [Okay, you see, the answer—the answer to all our problems. Okay?] This is the reason why we no longer need to repent. As you will notice in the message of Jesus Christ to the Church in Philadelphia, we’re not being admonished to repent unlike the other Churches and congregations of God, for we’ve already become like God. [This is a genuine website. I kid you not!] The law of Moses has made us pure, holy, and perfect spiritually, and the sacrificial death of Yeshua maintains our righteousness before the eyes of God. It’s like God had already given us eternal life...”
Who is “WE”? That’s the question! And that is the problem with people that go ahead and say, and use Scriptures, that you must grow in grace and knowledge. THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THE BASIC FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION! That’s the problem. And this is the solution. Why did I go on to that website? Because he e-mailed me with some “wonderful new revelation.” And I thought, “I’ve never heard of this guy before.” And I went on the website, and he’s got pages of this stuff (prophecies, and all this kind of stuff). There are hundreds and hundreds of these things.
Who is the “we”? Who has the right? Is God in the chaos? God has allowed it. He’s allowed a sifting process to take place. But is He the organization? As far as He is concerned, is He the author of chaos? You have got to have a standard somewhere. And we’ll go on, and we’ll have a look at that. You see, in case of Peter, he was told in John 21 (I haven’t got time to turn there, but in John 21 it’s taught): “Feed My sheep. Feed My lambs.” You know nurture, look after the Church. This was what he was actually given. If you’ll turn over to II Peter 1:12:
II Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance.
You see Peter was given the job towards the Church. He was put into a place of authority by Jesus Christ, over the other apostles, to make sure that there was a consistency within the Church. To make sure that the authority was there, that the decision-making within doctrine was not just a willy-nilly approach. That this piece and this group of council over here, a self-appointed prophet over there, some kind of a local Church… I mean, I’ve had local Church elders writing to me, convinced that they’ve got this wonderful new truth about the calendar. How we’re all completely off the wall as far as the calendar is concerned. I get it all the time!
II Peter 1:12-15 I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (13) Yes, I think it [fitting], as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shown me. [And we can go to “Mystery of the Ages;” and we can see what Mr. Armstrong wrote in the introductory comments, and find him using almost identical type of languages within those comments.] (15) Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
It doesn’t end when the apostle dies. If the truth is the truth during his life, then the truth is the truth goes on after his death! There are foundations there; and it is the foundation—a spiritual heritage—that we align our teaching to, that we remain submissive to, so that we all speak the same thing. That’s what it’s for. That’s what it’s all about.
II Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
In chapter two, in II Peter 2, it says:
II Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
So we see, in this particular section, that there was a problem at that time. People were teaching things which were different. But Peter said, “Look, you’ve got to hang on to what I have taught you. You’ve got to go back to what the revelation was that was given to us.” And, at this time, that revelation did come through a human being. We did not understand these things all on our own. We just didn’t do it! And it wasn’t Mr. Herbert Armstrong that did this. It was God Himself inspiring, because you don’t get “the meaning of life” by just out of a human mind.
II Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation [and so on]
But, you know, I have another one here. Another e-mail from somebody who wrote to me about postponements; absolutely convinced that the postponements were, you know, “wrong”—we should “not” have postponements. (Within the calendar, they should be postponed when you have certain situations.)
And, you know, you will find that continually: That if you find people going back and saying, “You know, we must grow in the grace and knowledge” and trying to lead you (and everybody else away in the Church generally) away from the foundation, the question is not about whether we grow in grace and knowledge, or whether we don’t.
Of course we grow in grace and knowledge! But the question is “Who is the ‘WE’?” Who is it that has the right to make the decisions within the Church? And in this shattered fragmented time that we find ourselves in today, there is no human “right” anywhere. There simply isn’t. They’ve all got their own ideas.
WHAT MUST BE GROWING? (PLAY FROM 24:55)
So, what must be growing? Well, here in II Peter, let’s read what it actually says over in II Peter 3. Notice right at the very end. The very end, the last thing that he leaves the Church with. Now remember, here he is, he’s the one that Christ did put in authority. He said, “Look, you are the one that can bind and loose.” And he says (in verse 18, it says):
II Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
That’s the Scripture that is being quoted, and it’s so often being quoted out of context because, when you start putting into the context… First of all, notice the two things you are growing in is in the grace and in the knowledge. Of what? “Of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”. That’s what it says. “The grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” And the context, let’s pick it up from verse 13:
II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we…
Now remember, we’ve been talking about the “we” as talking about “for we have not followed cunningly devised fables” And it talks about how “I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease.” This “we”. Okay?
II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
So, what must we grow in? Well, this righteousness is one area; because we’re not there, ready yet to be able to administer that righteousness for that Kingdom.
II Peter 3:14-16 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
So they can take words; and they can pull words out of Paul and say, “Hey, look at this! Look at the other.” And then start twisting the actual words.
II Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory [and honor].
When you put it into context, the context says the exact opposite. In other words, don’t let people go ahead and twist the words and to twist the meaning and to lead you down the garden path; but, instead, get your mind focused on growing in the knowledge—in the grace and knowledge—of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is the important thing. And if you notice what it’s talking about, the way he actually begins the very book itself, in II Peter 1, where he says in verse 3, it says:
II Peter 1:3-8 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [In other words, you’re looking again to Jesus Christ] (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, [There’s the righteousness—the very nature that God has. That’s what it’s talking about.] having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [This is the growing process. And here he then starts to explain how we grow.] (5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith [which is the initial thing; the faith in God. Do you trust in God in the process, that He’s working with us? You add to the faith] virtue [or warrior-like courage—the courage, the courage of our convictions. You have faith in God. You’ve then got to stand up and be counted.]; and to virtue [this courage] knowledge; [You’ve got to learn about what God’s way is. We’ve got to learn the way in which God is.] (6) And to [this] knowledge temperance [and self control. You’ve got to be not only just charging here, there, and everywhere; but there’s a certain control that is necessary, a self control.]; and to temperance patience [So you endure through this Christian life that we have.]; and to patience [good worship] [That this relationship with God… It’s not “godliness.” The word is better translated as “good worship.” This relationship with God is established and continues.]; (7) And to [This relationship with God; this “good worship.”] brotherly kindness [This “philia.” This love between brethren.] ; and to [that, this love of God. This] charity [The “agape”, which is the kind of love that God has.] (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What’s it say we must grow in? “Grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And here he said how it’s done. “And I will keep you always in remembrance of these things.” And this is what it’s talking about. So, what must we grow in? It’s a personal development, a personal relationship with God, so that we are righteous—ready to assume the role that God has for us in the future. That is what is important.
II Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off [He can’t see the purpose of the life that we have.], and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
He hasn’t even gone really back to where the beginning of that process has taken place. Let’s go on just a little bit more. Let’s turn back to Ephesians 4. In this subject of “what must we grow in,” what is it that we must develop? What must we grow in? Here in Ephesians 4, notice this verse 11. He says:
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
So there are offices within the Church. The ministry may well have gone ahead and gone off the rails, as this member was talking about. Many of them have. But the offices have been put into the Church for a purpose. Here in Ephesians 4:12, it says:
Ephesians 4:12-15 For the perfecting [Why? It says for the perfecting—the maturing] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ [For teaching the Church, so that the Church has the correct kind of teaching.]: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: [We grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. That’s what it’s talking about. We have the same kind of stature as the Elder Brother that’s gone before us. That’s what it’s talking about.] (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [You can tell the difference between.] (15) But speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up [So, what must we grow up in? We must grow up…] into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
So, it is in all the facets of our existence that we grow up to the same level and stature. That is the aim. That is the growth. That is the way we grow in grace and knowledge. The idea that we grow in grace and knowledge as a Church to destroy the revelation that was given to the Church is just not right! And, as I say, the reason that’s not right is they are not asking the right question. The question is: Who is the “we?” Who makes the decision? Who has the right to make the decision within the Church?
GOD’S PURPOSE IN IT ALL (PLAY FROM 33:25)
Now if we just turn back a page here in Ephesians, to Ephesians 2. Again, what’s the purpose of this growth? As it says in verse 18:
Ephesians 2:18-21 For through him we both [That’s Jew and Gentile.] have access by one Spirit to the Father. [This relationship with God.] (19) Now therefore you [That’s the Gentiles.] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [And that “apostles and prophets” are the apostles of that time, and the prophets are the Old Testament prophets], Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [The One to whom all the foundation is aligned, where the foundation originates from.] (21) In whom [That’s in Christ.]all the building fitly framed together grows to a holy temple in the Lord.
So what must we grow in? We grow in the knowledge and the grace of Jesus Christ, to become a holy temple. A single holy temple. That’s what we grow in. We grow in righteousness. We grow in God’s mind, His character. That’s the area of growth.
Ephesians 2:22 In whom you also are builded together [Notice: built together. That’s with Jew and Gentile—the entire Church] for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
That is what it’s all about—so that the Godhead has reproduced Himself; that habitation of the Godhead in the Spirit, working within our minds. That’s the purpose of life, the meaning of life. You know, we talk about this, that the Godhead is actually reproducing His character in human flesh. That is awesome! Absolutely awesome!But it’s been revealed to the Church. It is reproducing godly character (holy, righteous, perfect godly character) in human flesh. And we’ve got to grow. It’s like a child in the womb. What happens with a child in the womb? A child in the womb has got to grow. It’s got to grow.
HOLD FAST TO WHAT? (PLAY FROM 36:00)
Okay, let’s ask the question: “What must we hold fast to?” Now, it talks about… I won’t actually turn there, but Revelation 3:11. It says YOU hold that fast which YOU have. That’s what the actual verse says. It’s Revelation 3:11. It’s a prophecy for our time. It’s talking about the Church at this time. And it’s talking about the remnant, if you like, of the Philadelphia Era. And here we’re looking at, it says:
Revelation 3:11 Hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.
Turn over to I Corinthians 4. Here the people of Corinth also were going across to various different people who were making decisions independently of each other. “I’m of Paul.” “I’m of Apollos.” “I’m of Cephas.” “I’m of Christ.” All competing. And it wasn’t that one was actually of Paul, Apollos, or whatever. They had their own ideas, and they were competing together. And here, Paul brings out, in I Corinthians 4, notice in verse 7 it says:
I Corinthians 4:7-16 For who makes you to differ from another? And what have you that you didst not receive? [You know, what is it that you’ve got that you didn’t receive? What is it that we have that we haven’t actually received in the spiritual sense?] Now if you did receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it? [What are you doing as if you suddenly came with this Truth all by yourself? We didn’t. We simply didn’t come up with The Truth by our self at all! And he goes on. He goes into this. Again, he becomes very sarcastic. He says:] (8) Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us [“You’re already there. You’ve already made it.” Almost like this guy I read from. You know, “We don’t need to repent, we’re already there!” Why? “Because we keep the six hundred and what-ever-it-is laws of Moses.” And it says:] (9) For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. (10) We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, [oh] but we are despised. [Sarcastic as he can possibly can be to these people! And he says in verse 14, he says:] (14) I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. (15) For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. [He was the one that Christ used to open their mind—through his words, through his preaching.] (16) Therefore I beseech you, be you followers of me. [That is, the apostle Paul—because he was the apostle being used at that particular time.]
Now if we go over to Matthew 17, turn over to Matthew 17, coming after (ha), amazingly, Matthew 16, where in Matthew 16 it’s saying “You are Peter, and upon this Rock,” it says, “I will give you the keys (It’s “the” singular. “The keys…”) to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind and whatever you loose” (as far as setting doctrine within the Church—as long as he is under that authority of God; and God the Father is working through him—because it’s clear from the context, but there’s no indication that anything else was the case). He then flows into Matthew 17 (which Peter himself refers back to, in II Peter) where He is actually transfigured before them; and Peter is a witness to that. And right after this, he goes in and actually has the question asked in verse 10:
DEFINING “ALL THINGS” (PLAY FROM 40:01)
Matthew 17:10-11 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that [Elijah] must first come? (11) And Jesus answered and said unto them, [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Now, does that mean to say everything? All knowledge within the Church? It’s not a case of all knowledge! It’s all knowledge that is needed for this end time. It’s “everything that is needed for this end time” he will be instrumental in establishing. Now let’s face it: The meaning of life, you don’t get more than that! There is not more than that.
Matthew 17:11 [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.
And, in this particular section, the question is: “Has he come, or hasn’t he come?” If he hasn’t come already, if this verse is not true as of now, then it has got to happen again, doesn’t it? People are going to have to look for somebody else. And the ‘somebody else’ they’re looking for has got to be greater than the knowledge than we’ve already got.
Now, I’ve covered all this before. I’m “teaching grandmother to suck eggs” in many ways. But, realistically, when I read something like the letter that I used in the introduction, all of these things come back. It’s going back to our basis. It’s going back to the roots. It’s going back to the foundational things we went through all those years ago—three, four, five years ago (Well, more than that.)—when we first started to understand how we need to get back on track. We need to start going back and understanding just what it was that we were taught. And you talk about “growing in grace and knowledge.” We do grow in grace and knowledge. We never got it! That’s the problem! And we GROW IN the grace and knowledge that was there—that was given to us.
But, you know, what do we hold fast to? If you go over now to II Peter 1. Go back to II Peter again. It says, remember, it says Elijah was going to restore all things, wasn’t he? This end-time Elijah was going to restore all things. And people make a great deal about that. But, notice, it says:
II Peter 1:1-3 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things [All things, what? “All things…”] that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
We’re going back to that same thing! What do we have to hold fast to? All things that relate to life and godliness. It’s the foundation areas. We grow in that. But the basis, the foundation areas, remain constant. They remain constant. All the things that we need at this particular time. In II Peter 1, notice in verse 19, it says:
II Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy [And that word “prophecy” means more than just foretelling the future. It’s forth-telling. It’s speaking forth under inspired perspective.]; whereunto you do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [There is when the fullness will come. But until that time comes, you take notice of what, in fact, we’ve been taught.] (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [And this is a problem. This is the problem within the Church.] (21) For the prophecy came not at any time [as it says in the margin] by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
And as it says over in chapter 3, verse 2:
II Peter 3:2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [Because, at that time, there were problems coming into the Church.]
If we just look at a couple of final Scriptures: Jude chapter 1, just go over a few pages to Jude. In Jude 1 it says:
Jude 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: (2) Mercy to you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. [Notice: Mercy, peace, love “be multiplied”—grow. So there’s your area of growth!] (3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend…
Now that word is actually one word. “Earnestly contend” is one single Greek word; and it means, you know, you earnestly fight for. The actual same word (that is part of that word that is used for the contending) is where you find in I Corinthians 9:25, where it says “and every man that strives for the mastery (the word “strives”) is temperate in all things.” That word “strive,” it’s like being in a competition in the Greek games. I Timothy 6:12, it says, “fight the good fight.” That word “fight” is this word “contend.” II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course.” The word “fight” is this word “contend.” “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many shall say unto you, seek to enter in and you will not be able to.” That’s over in Luke 13:24. That “strive” is this word, where it says “strive earnestly”—“earnestly contend,” rather.
So you earnestly contend. You fight for something. And what is it that we have to fight for? What is it that we have to hold fast for? And what is it that we have to contend? It says:
Jude 3 … for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints [The ones that were a part of the Church.]
“The faith that was once delivered.” That word that is once, also it has a bit more than just “once.” It’s a case of once with a finality about it. You find it over in Hebrews 6:4, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, …to fall away to be renewed again.” Hebrews 9:27, “It’s appointed unto man once to die.” There’s a finality about it. Hebrews 9:28, Jesus Christ was once offered to bear the sins of [so] many.”
And, again, what’s it saying here? That you contend, you fight for, the faith that was once delivered to the saints. You go back to what was delivered to us. And that, in fact, is something that God Himself did for the Church, that Christ actually led the Church, in the past.
So, the question is… So many times these questions that are posed are straw men. They are questions that are not really the question at hand. The question is not whether the Church must change or not. Of course the Church must change. But who is the “we” to decide what the revelation is? Who is it that makes that decision? That is the question! And, as I say, the question has never even been broached at all within that letter—not a single, solitary time; and this really is something that we’ve got to understand.
What areas do we grow in? Well, we grow in the fact that we are reflecting the divine nature. It is the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We’re reflecting that divine nature. Remember… Turn over to II Corinthians 3, final scripture. It says in verse 18:
II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord [So we are looking in a mirror.], are [being] changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Now, what does it mean? “From glory to glory.” Why “glory to glory”? How is that image being changed? The glory that is Christ, the Godhead (The glory that is the Godhead—His perfect, righteous character). That’s the glory! TO the glory that will be ours, because we’ve taken on the same mind. So it’s from glory to glory; and it is a reflection that grows, that develops.
So what, in fact, is it that we must grow in? It’s in reflecting that divine nature that is mentioned over in II Peter 1. That’s what it’s all about. That’s the growth. That’s the growth area. It’s like child in the womb. A child in the womb has got to grow! We are a child in the womb. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to develop in…to become a God being. Become a being, the same as Jesus Christ was “born again.” We must be “born again” as He was. He was not born again in the human flesh, He was born again as a spirit being. That’s what we’re aiming towards. That’s what we’re actually going towards—to be actually a God-being, as Christ is. “Changed into the same image, from glory to glory.”
And what areas do we hold fast? We “hold that fast which [we] have.” What we have - what we have been given — the revelation that has been given to us. A child in the womb does not change how it grows. It has got to change. It has got to grow. But it doesn’t change how it grows. It doesn’t change the foundation of the growth process. That does not change! And that is what we have. That is what we have to hold fast - is what we have. Now that is the revelation of God. That is the revelation of God, given at this end time, through the apostle that God sent.
Transcribed by KDO January, 2006
Growing While Holding Fast
By Jon Bowles
21 January 2006
(PLAY FROM START)
It’s interesting: Mr. Henderson talked about what areas we are needing to be watching, and he was talking in there as well about one area is, not just churches outside, but it’s the true church as well—what’s happening within the true church. And there’s certainly, when you look at the various factions that there have been, there are the 101 varieties? Ha, we should be so lucky. Three hundred, four hundred, five hundred and one, whatever number it is, at this particular time. And there has, indeed, been an incredible shattering that’s taken place.
But I saw a letter last week that was sent out to the membership of another organization, and I would not, normally, comment on letters that go out to other people. However, I also know that certain ones of us have actually received this letter. And so I am going to go ahead and make a comment, because I feel that it’s direct attack, in some ways, on what we believe and stand for. And I’m not going to go and deal with it all. I’m not going to go and read through the letter. I want to take one paragraph, merely as an introduction, to show you the type of material—or this one particular point that is being dealt with.
And it goes in and it says: “It is therefore sad that some teach, in effect, the unbiblical concept that since the time of Mr. Armstrong’s death, the Church of God cannot and must not grow in understanding.”
Now, I know nobody—and I mean nobody—that would actually say that the Church of God cannot and must not grow in understanding. Now that, it’s near the truth. You can say, “Well, we’ve got to go ahead and keep aligned to the foundations.” But to say that we cannot grow in understanding? I don’t know anybody that actually says that.
“They falsely claim that Mr. Armstrong restored all knowledge to the Church...”
Now, again, these are straw men being erected. They’re straw men being erected—they’re near, but they’re not quite there; and it’s something that… Remember what happened before, in Worldwide? This is exactly what happened. Straw men would be erected; and then straw men would be knocked down and at the same time other concepts, which they then linked to it (the straw men).
He says: “…restored all knowledge to the Church, and that nothing can be changed since his death in 1986. [Now you see the other thing linked to the straw man.] They overlook that it is Christ who will restore all things (Acts 3:21). Mr. Armstrong would be the first who would, with his thundering voice, dismiss this totally unsound concept that we don’t have to grow in knowledge and understanding. [You see how it’s so near and yet twisted?] He encouraged us to change when we find error. He said that he was willing to continue to change, when he was proven to be wrong from Scripture.”
And that is true. But, you see, what is Scripture? Scripture is the Word of God. The living Word of God is Jesus Christ—that led the Church; that was leading the Church under him.
“Those who think and teach that the fullness of God’s truth was restored to the Church during Mr. Armstrong’s life …”
Does anybody say that the fullness of God’s truth was restored? We say that the truth that we need for this time was restored. But the fullness of God’s truth? What’s the fullness of God’s truth? You see, again, it’s straw men going through it.
“…[They] refuse to follow one of Mr. Armstrong’s most fundamental instructions—that of CHANGE when one is found to be wrong. We must change, when proven wrong by the Bible.”
Now, on the surface of it, it certainly sounds valid, except that there are slight twists all the way through the paragraph. And that’s just one paragraph. I don’t want to read all the letter. I’m not going to go ahead and just try and answer the letter. I just want to talk about this concept, because it’s still around. It’s still going. It’s still something that all of us are going to be coming across. And I know that I’ve talked about it before, but I think it is very important that I do so today.
And what I want to do today is:
really just show in what areas we have got to grow. (What areas do we have to grow? We do have to grow! There’s no question of that. But what areas do we have to grow?)
And, secondly, in what areas must we hold fast? (How do you differentiate?)
You know, how do you grow on one side and hold fast on the other? Unless you know what you’re going to grow in and what you’re going to hold fast, you can get completely and totally confused. So you’ve got to make sure that you can sort these areas out. If we’re going to be obedient to God, it’s essential—because these two things are commanded. We’re commanded to grow, and we’re also commanded to hold fast.
So if we don’t know what to grow in, we don’t know what to hold fast in, we get the two mixed up, we can be up the river without a paddle. So the three points I have—because it’s only a cut-down sermonette, a sermon rather. Split sermonette, yes, there we go.
The first is (because you see, what in fact is happening, the problem with this letter that I used as an introduction is) that it doesn’t ask the right question. It doesn’t deal with the right question. The right question is “Who humanly has the right to go ahead and change, or to decide, what God places is in His church? Who humanly does that? And that’s not even addressed. Nothing whatsoever, throughout the entire letter, deals with that question—because that is the question! And really the first question I want to deal with is:
Who is this “we” that has the right to make the change? (Who humanly can decide what God places in His Church? That’s the first area I want to go into.)
Secondly, then, I want to talk about what we must grow in; and,
thirdly, what we must hold fast to.
And those are the three areas I want to deal with.
First - A Caution: (PLAY FROM 6:16)
So let’s turn over to Romans chapter 14, just as a caution by and large (because in Romans chapter 14, there is something that we do need to be aware of in examining this question, “Who humanly has the right to decide, or to change, what God places in His church?”) to disassociate it from our own personal responsibility. There is a personal responsibility that I want to just deal with very briefly here; and you’ll find it in Romans 14, where it says:
Romans 14:1-2 Him that is weak in the faith receive…, but not to doubtful disputations. [not to arguing with him] (2) For one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats [vegetables].
Now the reason why is because they, at that particular time, they went to the market; and they tried to get meat. And they couldn’t buy meat that they knew had not been offered to an idol. That was the problem. It’s meat offered to idols, which is the subject matter of this section. And Paul actually came along and said, “Look, as long as you don’t ask the question, you go ahead and eat what is sold in the shambles; and asking no questions for conscience’ sake.” So you don’t have to go ahead and ask, “Has this been offered to an idol, or hasn’t it?” in every case. If it’s actually not said, you can go ahead and eat it in good conscience. But, you see, some of them were saying, “No, I’m not going to do that; because, if it’s offered to an idol, I don’t want anything to do with it.” (And it might possibly have been.) Now I want you to notice that, in the discourse here, at the end in verse 22 it says:
Romans 14:22 Have you faith? Have it to yourself before God [You don’t cram it down somebody else’s throat]. Happy is he that does not condemn himself in that thing which he allows. [In other words, whether he allows himself to eat meat that he doesn’t know for sure whether it has ever been contaminated by being offered to an idol.] (23) And he that doubts [In other words, if somebody honestly believes that they should eat no meat unless they absolutely know, categorically, that it’s never been offered to an idol, then he…] is damned if he eat [If he goes ahead and knowingly, or thinking that that is wrong, and yet he goes ahead and does it; then he’s damned if he eats, because it says…] because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Why is that? So, in other words, if we’re doing something which we believe to be wrong (even though we may be weak, even though we may be going down a wrong area), it destroys our character. So, I use this just as a precursor to this subject—you know, “Who humanly has the right to decide, or change, what God places in His Church?” If you genuinely think that something is wrong (that you should not be doing it)—regardless of what you know the Church may say—if you genuinely feel that something is wrong, you can destroy your character! And it says “whatever is not of faith is sin.” So you’ve got to be aware of that, just that precursor.
DOCTRINE WITHIN THE CHURCH (PLAY FROM 9:26)
But let’s turn over, then, to Matthew 18; and go into this particular subject. In Matthew 18:19, it says:
Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Ah, there you go. It’s perfectly all right: the Church has the full right to go ahead and change whatever it wants. As long as two or three are gathered together, all agreed, that’s it. Well, that’s not it; and the reason it’s not it is that you’ve got to put this particular section into context. And the context that you find here, notice in verse 17, it says:
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them [It’s talking about somebody who transgresses against you. You go to them alone; you then go with some others; and, if he doesn’t hear either, you then go… It says:] , tell it unto the church [In other words, the authorities within the Church.]: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican [He then gets disfellowshipped.]
So, in other words, there’s a certain step and procedures that actually we’ve got to go through; and then it says:
(Matthew 18:18) Whatsoever you shall bind…
Talking to the Church leaders at that time. “The Church”—the people that were the ministry at that particular time, the apostles as it was at this time. “Whatever you bind.” And if two or three of “you” agree in this area, then it shall be done. [Verse 19.]
And this is where you have a case where you’ve got somebody that needs to be disfellowshipped. That’s what it’s talking about. That’s the context of this particular verse. It is not talking about doctrine within the Church. It has nothing to do with doctrine within the Church. It is talking to the apostles at that particular time—the disciples—the people who are going to become the very ministers of the future.
When you are looking at doctrine within the Church, Christ was quite specific. If you turn back to Matthew chapter 16, He says in verse 15:
Matthew 16:15-19 He said to them, But whom say you that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to thee [Now, I want you to notice the tenses here. The tense is “to thee,” that’s singular.], but my Father which is in heaven. [So it’s dealing specifically with Peter at this particular time.] (18) And I say also unto you, That thou [singular] art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [Now it’s not just Peter. It was Peter and Him as the Rock, Christ Himself as the Rock. But notice,] (19) And I will give unto thee [singular—Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou [singular] shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou [singular] shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [And then it goes on.]
So, it’s clear that He’s talking specifically to Peter. And Peter was the head of…or he was later the chief apostle, basically. He was the chief apostle. He was the one who was over the other apostles to decide in certain cases. You even find that in Acts 15. But this particular case, it’s not talking about somebody…I want you to notice, however, that in verse 23, it’s not saying that Peter can go out and do whatever he likes. It’s because the Father was selecting him. It says, “ flesh and blood hasn’t revealed this.” The Father selected him. The Father revealed it because, in verse 23, it says (to Peter):
Matthew 16:23 … Get thee behind me, Satan: you are an offence unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men
So, in other words, there is a time; even with Peter, He had to make sure that he was directly under the authority that was coming down from God; but within that authority he had the right to bind and to loose. Within that authority, he had that right to bind and to loose.
WHO IS THE “WE”? (PLAY FROM 13:53)
You see, there is a problem with the concept that the “we” that decides to bind and loose, the “we” that decides to go ahead and make a change, can be anybody or any Church. Who is the “we”? Is it a council of elders? Is that the “we”? Is it a self-appointed prophet? Is that the “we,” who makes that decision? Is it a chief evangelist that makes that decision? Or a self-appointed evangelist that makes the decision? Or a senior pastor? Or a local elder? Or a Church member for that matter? You know, who is it that actually makes that particular decision?
It’s interesting, I got an e-mail yesterday, it was. It says: “This Friday we’re showing the movie, ‘Called to be Free.’ It’s the story of the Worldwide Church of God’s miraculous journey from the bondage of heresy to freedom in Jesus Christ. It will bring deep encouragement to believers; and those in bondage in cults, legalism and heretical movements will find hope and good news in the inspiring story. Childcare is provided. Bring your friends.”
I don’t think I’ve got the actual invite but that was sent out. You see people (when I read part of that letter, and I’ve talked about straw men being erected), they tried to justify what the changes were through Scripture, if you remember. They tried to justify it. And they’ll be adamant that it’s justifiable through Scripture to change to Sunday. They’ll say it’s justifiable through Scripture. Who makes the decision on that?
Another one, let’s just read… This one was from a member who reckoned he had all the answers in the real problems within the Church. He says: “Now we go to the book and the chapter of what really puts it in true perspective, Ezekiel 34. Notice verse 5, ‘No shepherd.’ It says ‘no shepherd.’ Not one or a few, but ‘no’ (or none). There’s no shepherd there. [And it talks about the shepherds of Israel. It says:] This whole chapter [I’m having to jump about within this. It says:] is about the failure of God’s ministry to feed His flock. But here is the good news. God goes on here in Ezekiel 34 to show that He will do from this point on, because His ministers have failed. Here’s the good news, notice it in verse 11 [he says], ‘For thus says our Lord God, indeed, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out.’ How exciting is that! Notice this again in verse 12 and really on through the rest of the chapter, God says over and over again that here it is: ‘I myself will do this.’ Why? Because the ministry have failed. In verses 12 and 13, God says He Himself will gather together His flock and deliver us and feed us. How awesome!”
In other words, all membership. They just sit at home by themselves, no ministerial guidance whatsoever. And this is one of the ideas that is floating out there. Again, taken from a website.
I can read you another one: “We are the true Church of God that the God of Israel, El Eloha Yisrael, is using at the end of time for the ingathering of the scattered people of Israel all over the world. Among all the offshoot Churches of God from the Worldwide Church of God founded by Mr. Herbert Armstrong, we are the only ones that truly represent God and Jesus Christ; and there is no other remnant from the Philadelphia Era but us. [So, pretty plain and straightforward.] All the other offshoot Churches of God organizations are simply trying to follow and copy the Work of the former Worldwide Church of God, that God has already given up on, to the wolves in sheep’s clothing. In keeping with the commandment of Jesus Christ that is written in Matthew 6:33, ‘But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,’ we are pursuing zealously and wholeheartedly the righteousness of God through our faithful observance and study of all the 613 commandments of God written in the law of Moses. [Okay, you see, the answer—the answer to all our problems. Okay?] This is the reason why we no longer need to repent. As you will notice in the message of Jesus Christ to the Church in Philadelphia, we’re not being admonished to repent unlike the other Churches and congregations of God, for we’ve already become like God. [This is a genuine website. I kid you not!] The law of Moses has made us pure, holy, and perfect spiritually, and the sacrificial death of Yeshua maintains our righteousness before the eyes of God. It’s like God had already given us eternal life...”
Who is “WE”? That’s the question! And that is the problem with people that go ahead and say, and use Scriptures, that you must grow in grace and knowledge. THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THE BASIC FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION! That’s the problem. And this is the solution. Why did I go on to that website? Because he e-mailed me with some “wonderful new revelation.” And I thought, “I’ve never heard of this guy before.” And I went on the website, and he’s got pages of this stuff (prophecies, and all this kind of stuff). There are hundreds and hundreds of these things.
Who is the “we”? Who has the right? Is God in the chaos? God has allowed it. He’s allowed a sifting process to take place. But is He the organization? As far as He is concerned, is He the author of chaos? You have got to have a standard somewhere. And we’ll go on, and we’ll have a look at that. You see, in case of Peter, he was told in John 21 (I haven’t got time to turn there, but in John 21 it’s taught): “Feed My sheep. Feed My lambs.” You know nurture, look after the Church. This was what he was actually given. If you’ll turn over to II Peter 1:12:
II Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance.
You see Peter was given the job towards the Church. He was put into a place of authority by Jesus Christ, over the other apostles, to make sure that there was a consistency within the Church. To make sure that the authority was there, that the decision-making within doctrine was not just a willy-nilly approach. That this piece and this group of council over here, a self-appointed prophet over there, some kind of a local Church… I mean, I’ve had local Church elders writing to me, convinced that they’ve got this wonderful new truth about the calendar. How we’re all completely off the wall as far as the calendar is concerned. I get it all the time!
II Peter 1:12-15 I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (13) Yes, I think it [fitting], as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shown me. [And we can go to “Mystery of the Ages;” and we can see what Mr. Armstrong wrote in the introductory comments, and find him using almost identical type of languages within those comments.] (15) Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
It doesn’t end when the apostle dies. If the truth is the truth during his life, then the truth is the truth goes on after his death! There are foundations there; and it is the foundation—a spiritual heritage—that we align our teaching to, that we remain submissive to, so that we all speak the same thing. That’s what it’s for. That’s what it’s all about.
II Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
In chapter two, in II Peter 2, it says:
II Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
So we see, in this particular section, that there was a problem at that time. People were teaching things which were different. But Peter said, “Look, you’ve got to hang on to what I have taught you. You’ve got to go back to what the revelation was that was given to us.” And, at this time, that revelation did come through a human being. We did not understand these things all on our own. We just didn’t do it! And it wasn’t Mr. Herbert Armstrong that did this. It was God Himself inspiring, because you don’t get “the meaning of life” by just out of a human mind.
II Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation [and so on]
But, you know, I have another one here. Another e-mail from somebody who wrote to me about postponements; absolutely convinced that the postponements were, you know, “wrong”—we should “not” have postponements. (Within the calendar, they should be postponed when you have certain situations.)
And, you know, you will find that continually: That if you find people going back and saying, “You know, we must grow in the grace and knowledge” and trying to lead you (and everybody else away in the Church generally) away from the foundation, the question is not about whether we grow in grace and knowledge, or whether we don’t.
Of course we grow in grace and knowledge! But the question is “Who is the ‘WE’?” Who is it that has the right to make the decisions within the Church? And in this shattered fragmented time that we find ourselves in today, there is no human “right” anywhere. There simply isn’t. They’ve all got their own ideas.
WHAT MUST BE GROWING? (PLAY FROM 24:55)
So, what must be growing? Well, here in II Peter, let’s read what it actually says over in II Peter 3. Notice right at the very end. The very end, the last thing that he leaves the Church with. Now remember, here he is, he’s the one that Christ did put in authority. He said, “Look, you are the one that can bind and loose.” And he says (in verse 18, it says):
II Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
That’s the Scripture that is being quoted, and it’s so often being quoted out of context because, when you start putting into the context… First of all, notice the two things you are growing in is in the grace and in the knowledge. Of what? “Of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”. That’s what it says. “The grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” And the context, let’s pick it up from verse 13:
II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we…
Now remember, we’ve been talking about the “we” as talking about “for we have not followed cunningly devised fables” And it talks about how “I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease.” This “we”. Okay?
II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
So, what must we grow in? Well, this righteousness is one area; because we’re not there, ready yet to be able to administer that righteousness for that Kingdom.
II Peter 3:14-16 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
So they can take words; and they can pull words out of Paul and say, “Hey, look at this! Look at the other.” And then start twisting the actual words.
II Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory [and honor].
When you put it into context, the context says the exact opposite. In other words, don’t let people go ahead and twist the words and to twist the meaning and to lead you down the garden path; but, instead, get your mind focused on growing in the knowledge—in the grace and knowledge—of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is the important thing. And if you notice what it’s talking about, the way he actually begins the very book itself, in II Peter 1, where he says in verse 3, it says:
II Peter 1:3-8 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [In other words, you’re looking again to Jesus Christ] (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, [There’s the righteousness—the very nature that God has. That’s what it’s talking about.] having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [This is the growing process. And here he then starts to explain how we grow.] (5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith [which is the initial thing; the faith in God. Do you trust in God in the process, that He’s working with us? You add to the faith] virtue [or warrior-like courage—the courage, the courage of our convictions. You have faith in God. You’ve then got to stand up and be counted.]; and to virtue [this courage] knowledge; [You’ve got to learn about what God’s way is. We’ve got to learn the way in which God is.] (6) And to [this] knowledge temperance [and self control. You’ve got to be not only just charging here, there, and everywhere; but there’s a certain control that is necessary, a self control.]; and to temperance patience [So you endure through this Christian life that we have.]; and to patience [good worship] [That this relationship with God… It’s not “godliness.” The word is better translated as “good worship.” This relationship with God is established and continues.]; (7) And to [This relationship with God; this “good worship.”] brotherly kindness [This “philia.” This love between brethren.] ; and to [that, this love of God. This] charity [The “agape”, which is the kind of love that God has.] (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What’s it say we must grow in? “Grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And here he said how it’s done. “And I will keep you always in remembrance of these things.” And this is what it’s talking about. So, what must we grow in? It’s a personal development, a personal relationship with God, so that we are righteous—ready to assume the role that God has for us in the future. That is what is important.
II Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off [He can’t see the purpose of the life that we have.], and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
He hasn’t even gone really back to where the beginning of that process has taken place. Let’s go on just a little bit more. Let’s turn back to Ephesians 4. In this subject of “what must we grow in,” what is it that we must develop? What must we grow in? Here in Ephesians 4, notice this verse 11. He says:
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
So there are offices within the Church. The ministry may well have gone ahead and gone off the rails, as this member was talking about. Many of them have. But the offices have been put into the Church for a purpose. Here in Ephesians 4:12, it says:
Ephesians 4:12-15 For the perfecting [Why? It says for the perfecting—the maturing] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ [For teaching the Church, so that the Church has the correct kind of teaching.]: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: [We grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. That’s what it’s talking about. We have the same kind of stature as the Elder Brother that’s gone before us. That’s what it’s talking about.] (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [You can tell the difference between.] (15) But speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up [So, what must we grow up in? We must grow up…] into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
So, it is in all the facets of our existence that we grow up to the same level and stature. That is the aim. That is the growth. That is the way we grow in grace and knowledge. The idea that we grow in grace and knowledge as a Church to destroy the revelation that was given to the Church is just not right! And, as I say, the reason that’s not right is they are not asking the right question. The question is: Who is the “we?” Who makes the decision? Who has the right to make the decision within the Church?
GOD’S PURPOSE IN IT ALL (PLAY FROM 33:25)
Now if we just turn back a page here in Ephesians, to Ephesians 2. Again, what’s the purpose of this growth? As it says in verse 18:
Ephesians 2:18-21 For through him we both [That’s Jew and Gentile.] have access by one Spirit to the Father. [This relationship with God.] (19) Now therefore you [That’s the Gentiles.] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [And that “apostles and prophets” are the apostles of that time, and the prophets are the Old Testament prophets], Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [The One to whom all the foundation is aligned, where the foundation originates from.] (21) In whom [That’s in Christ.]all the building fitly framed together grows to a holy temple in the Lord.
So what must we grow in? We grow in the knowledge and the grace of Jesus Christ, to become a holy temple. A single holy temple. That’s what we grow in. We grow in righteousness. We grow in God’s mind, His character. That’s the area of growth.
Ephesians 2:22 In whom you also are builded together [Notice: built together. That’s with Jew and Gentile—the entire Church] for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
That is what it’s all about—so that the Godhead has reproduced Himself; that habitation of the Godhead in the Spirit, working within our minds. That’s the purpose of life, the meaning of life. You know, we talk about this, that the Godhead is actually reproducing His character in human flesh. That is awesome! Absolutely awesome!But it’s been revealed to the Church. It is reproducing godly character (holy, righteous, perfect godly character) in human flesh. And we’ve got to grow. It’s like a child in the womb. What happens with a child in the womb? A child in the womb has got to grow. It’s got to grow.
HOLD FAST TO WHAT? (PLAY FROM 36:00)
Okay, let’s ask the question: “What must we hold fast to?” Now, it talks about… I won’t actually turn there, but Revelation 3:11. It says YOU hold that fast which YOU have. That’s what the actual verse says. It’s Revelation 3:11. It’s a prophecy for our time. It’s talking about the Church at this time. And it’s talking about the remnant, if you like, of the Philadelphia Era. And here we’re looking at, it says:
Revelation 3:11 Hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.
Turn over to I Corinthians 4. Here the people of Corinth also were going across to various different people who were making decisions independently of each other. “I’m of Paul.” “I’m of Apollos.” “I’m of Cephas.” “I’m of Christ.” All competing. And it wasn’t that one was actually of Paul, Apollos, or whatever. They had their own ideas, and they were competing together. And here, Paul brings out, in I Corinthians 4, notice in verse 7 it says:
I Corinthians 4:7-16 For who makes you to differ from another? And what have you that you didst not receive? [You know, what is it that you’ve got that you didn’t receive? What is it that we have that we haven’t actually received in the spiritual sense?] Now if you did receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it? [What are you doing as if you suddenly came with this Truth all by yourself? We didn’t. We simply didn’t come up with The Truth by our self at all! And he goes on. He goes into this. Again, he becomes very sarcastic. He says:] (8) Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us [“You’re already there. You’ve already made it.” Almost like this guy I read from. You know, “We don’t need to repent, we’re already there!” Why? “Because we keep the six hundred and what-ever-it-is laws of Moses.” And it says:] (9) For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. (10) We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, [oh] but we are despised. [Sarcastic as he can possibly can be to these people! And he says in verse 14, he says:] (14) I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. (15) For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. [He was the one that Christ used to open their mind—through his words, through his preaching.] (16) Therefore I beseech you, be you followers of me. [That is, the apostle Paul—because he was the apostle being used at that particular time.]
Now if we go over to Matthew 17, turn over to Matthew 17, coming after (ha), amazingly, Matthew 16, where in Matthew 16 it’s saying “You are Peter, and upon this Rock,” it says, “I will give you the keys (It’s “the” singular. “The keys…”) to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind and whatever you loose” (as far as setting doctrine within the Church—as long as he is under that authority of God; and God the Father is working through him—because it’s clear from the context, but there’s no indication that anything else was the case). He then flows into Matthew 17 (which Peter himself refers back to, in II Peter) where He is actually transfigured before them; and Peter is a witness to that. And right after this, he goes in and actually has the question asked in verse 10:
DEFINING “ALL THINGS” (PLAY FROM 40:01)
Matthew 17:10-11 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that [Elijah] must first come? (11) And Jesus answered and said unto them, [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Now, does that mean to say everything? All knowledge within the Church? It’s not a case of all knowledge! It’s all knowledge that is needed for this end time. It’s “everything that is needed for this end time” he will be instrumental in establishing. Now let’s face it: The meaning of life, you don’t get more than that! There is not more than that.
Matthew 17:11 [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.
And, in this particular section, the question is: “Has he come, or hasn’t he come?” If he hasn’t come already, if this verse is not true as of now, then it has got to happen again, doesn’t it? People are going to have to look for somebody else. And the ‘somebody else’ they’re looking for has got to be greater than the knowledge than we’ve already got.
Now, I’ve covered all this before. I’m “teaching grandmother to suck eggs” in many ways. But, realistically, when I read something like the letter that I used in the introduction, all of these things come back. It’s going back to our basis. It’s going back to the roots. It’s going back to the foundational things we went through all those years ago—three, four, five years ago (Well, more than that.)—when we first started to understand how we need to get back on track. We need to start going back and understanding just what it was that we were taught. And you talk about “growing in grace and knowledge.” We do grow in grace and knowledge. We never got it! That’s the problem! And we GROW IN the grace and knowledge that was there—that was given to us.
But, you know, what do we hold fast to? If you go over now to II Peter 1. Go back to II Peter again. It says, remember, it says Elijah was going to restore all things, wasn’t he? This end-time Elijah was going to restore all things. And people make a great deal about that. But, notice, it says:
II Peter 1:1-3 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things [All things, what? “All things…”] that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
We’re going back to that same thing! What do we have to hold fast to? All things that relate to life and godliness. It’s the foundation areas. We grow in that. But the basis, the foundation areas, remain constant. They remain constant. All the things that we need at this particular time. In II Peter 1, notice in verse 19, it says:
II Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy [And that word “prophecy” means more than just foretelling the future. It’s forth-telling. It’s speaking forth under inspired perspective.]; whereunto you do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [There is when the fullness will come. But until that time comes, you take notice of what, in fact, we’ve been taught.] (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [And this is a problem. This is the problem within the Church.] (21) For the prophecy came not at any time [as it says in the margin] by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
And as it says over in chapter 3, verse 2:
II Peter 3:2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [Because, at that time, there were problems coming into the Church.]
If we just look at a couple of final Scriptures: Jude chapter 1, just go over a few pages to Jude. In Jude 1 it says:
Jude 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: (2) Mercy to you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. [Notice: Mercy, peace, love “be multiplied”—grow. So there’s your area of growth!] (3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend…
Now that word is actually one word. “Earnestly contend” is one single Greek word; and it means, you know, you earnestly fight for. The actual same word (that is part of that word that is used for the contending) is where you find in I Corinthians 9:25, where it says “and every man that strives for the mastery (the word “strives”) is temperate in all things.” That word “strive,” it’s like being in a competition in the Greek games. I Timothy 6:12, it says, “fight the good fight.” That word “fight” is this word “contend.” II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course.” The word “fight” is this word “contend.” “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many shall say unto you, seek to enter in and you will not be able to.” That’s over in Luke 13:24. That “strive” is this word, where it says “strive earnestly”—“earnestly contend,” rather.
So you earnestly contend. You fight for something. And what is it that we have to fight for? What is it that we have to hold fast for? And what is it that we have to contend? It says:
Jude 3 … for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints [The ones that were a part of the Church.]
“The faith that was once delivered.” That word that is once, also it has a bit more than just “once.” It’s a case of once with a finality about it. You find it over in Hebrews 6:4, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, …to fall away to be renewed again.” Hebrews 9:27, “It’s appointed unto man once to die.” There’s a finality about it. Hebrews 9:28, Jesus Christ was once offered to bear the sins of [so] many.”
And, again, what’s it saying here? That you contend, you fight for, the faith that was once delivered to the saints. You go back to what was delivered to us. And that, in fact, is something that God Himself did for the Church, that Christ actually led the Church, in the past.
So, the question is… So many times these questions that are posed are straw men. They are questions that are not really the question at hand. The question is not whether the Church must change or not. Of course the Church must change. But who is the “we” to decide what the revelation is? Who is it that makes that decision? That is the question! And, as I say, the question has never even been broached at all within that letter—not a single, solitary time; and this really is something that we’ve got to understand.
What areas do we grow in? Well, we grow in the fact that we are reflecting the divine nature. It is the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We’re reflecting that divine nature. Remember… Turn over to II Corinthians 3, final scripture. It says in verse 18:
II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord [So we are looking in a mirror.], are [being] changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Now, what does it mean? “From glory to glory.” Why “glory to glory”? How is that image being changed? The glory that is Christ, the Godhead (The glory that is the Godhead—His perfect, righteous character). That’s the glory! TO the glory that will be ours, because we’ve taken on the same mind. So it’s from glory to glory; and it is a reflection that grows, that develops.
So what, in fact, is it that we must grow in? It’s in reflecting that divine nature that is mentioned over in II Peter 1. That’s what it’s all about. That’s the growth. That’s the growth area. It’s like child in the womb. A child in the womb has got to grow! We are a child in the womb. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to develop in…to become a God being. Become a being, the same as Jesus Christ was “born again.” We must be “born again” as He was. He was not born again in the human flesh, He was born again as a spirit being. That’s what we’re aiming towards. That’s what we’re actually going towards—to be actually a God-being, as Christ is. “Changed into the same image, from glory to glory.”
And what areas do we hold fast? We “hold that fast which [we] have.” What we have - what we have been given — the revelation that has been given to us. A child in the womb does not change how it grows. It has got to change. It has got to grow. But it doesn’t change how it grows. It doesn’t change the foundation of the growth process. That does not change! And that is what we have. That is what we have to hold fast - is what we have. Now that is the revelation of God. That is the revelation of God, given at this end time, through the apostle that God sent.
Transcribed by KDO January, 2006
Notes
phil 4:13-There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me njb
1 Pet 4:10-11-use your abilities for God's glory and to show people God.
1cor.10:31-Whatever we do whether we eat..drink...etc..do all for God.
eph 4:29-Let no corrupt thing proceed out of you mouth.....watch how you conversate...do not get dragged down into base conversations..keep conversations pure.
1cor 6:19- Body is temple of Lord's. His home...should not make as clean as possible.Do not dishonor God's gift of life that he has given you. Train my body as well as mind. Show proper honor for God's gift of life. God's temple....keep holy...do not defile. Treat like real temple. Keep clean...immaculate as priests did physical temple of old....these things are not an option..;;but a duty.We not only diet for outselves,but for God.Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your paths.What values do I hold dear....'world's', or God's. Which do I use to make decisions on a daily basis Ps 32:8…God promises to make us wise and show us where to go…..to guide us and watch over us.Prov. 14:12- Your "values" will end this way in death. What you think is right and wrong.Prov.13:5 – Lean not on your own understanding, but God's. Especially in "grey areas" of well…..if I go ahead, then…… type of things…if not clear on something then search God's word and pray for solution…do not trust your own "ways" of what is right and wrong.1 pet 1:16- Be ye holy for I am holy- you are more alert and better able to concentrate when you are healthy. Makes you better at your spiritual pursuits.We please God when we try to be the best we can be!
1 Pet 4:10-11-use your abilities for God's glory and to show people God.
1cor.10:31-Whatever we do whether we eat..drink...etc..do all for God.
eph 4:29-Let no corrupt thing proceed out of you mouth.....watch how you conversate...do not get dragged down into base conversations..keep conversations pure.
1cor 6:19- Body is temple of Lord's. His home...should not make as clean as possible.Do not dishonor God's gift of life that he has given you. Train my body as well as mind. Show proper honor for God's gift of life. God's temple....keep holy...do not defile. Treat like real temple. Keep clean...immaculate as priests did physical temple of old....these things are not an option..;;but a duty.We not only diet for outselves,but for God.Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your paths.What values do I hold dear....'world's', or God's. Which do I use to make decisions on a daily basis Ps 32:8…God promises to make us wise and show us where to go…..to guide us and watch over us.Prov. 14:12- Your "values" will end this way in death. What you think is right and wrong.Prov.13:5 – Lean not on your own understanding, but God's. Especially in "grey areas" of well…..if I go ahead, then…… type of things…if not clear on something then search God's word and pray for solution…do not trust your own "ways" of what is right and wrong.1 pet 1:16- Be ye holy for I am holy- you are more alert and better able to concentrate when you are healthy. Makes you better at your spiritual pursuits.We please God when we try to be the best we can be!
Scriptures
BAPTISM
BORN AGAIN
CHRISTIAN, WHAT IS
CHURCH--CIVIL GOVERNMENT
CHURCH NAME
COMMANDMENTS, LAW--OBEDIENCE
COVENANT--OLD, NEW
FAITH
FASTING (SPIRITUAL) STUDY
GOSPEL
GRACE, LAW
HEALING
HELL
HOLY DAYS
HOLY SPIRIT
KINGDOM OF GOD
LAYING ON OF HANDS
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, CHILD REARING
MILLENNIUM
OVERCOMING, CHANGING
PRAYER
PROPHECY
REPENTANCE
RESURRECTION
SABBATH
SALVATION (Not Only Day)
SATAN, DEMONS, ANGELS
SIN
SOUL
TITHING
TRIALS
WORLDLINESS
BAPTISM
WHAT: Rom. 6:3-7; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12
WHEN-PREREQUISITES: Acts 2:38; Acts 2:39; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:4-6; Acts 13:24; Acts 16:31-35; Acts 19:4; Acts 20:21; Acts 22:16; Mark 1; Luke 3:3
COUNTING COST: Luke 9:23-25; Luke 14; Luke 22:42; Acts 5:29; Acts 5:32; Rom. 12:1-2; I Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:22
WHY--TO RECEIVE SPIRIT: Matt. 3:1; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 11:15; Acts 19:1-6; Rom 8:9; Rom. 14-17; Gal. 2:20; II Pet. 1:1-10
WHY--WASH AWAY SIN: Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31-32; Acts 22:16
WHY--PART OF SALVATION: Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:1-10; Rom. 6
COMMAND: Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 10:48
HOW--WATER: Matt. 3:13-17; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:46-48; Acts 11:16; Acts 19:1-6
HOW--INTO CHRIST: Matt. 18:19-20; Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:48; Rom. 6:3
BY WHOM: Jn. 3:22; Jn 4:2; Acts 2; Acts 8:5-6; Acts 8:26-33; I Cor. 1:13-17
BORN AGAIN
WE AREN'T NOW: Rom. 7:14-25; Rom. 8:18-19; Heb. 1:2; I Jn 1:8-10; I Jn. 3:9; I Jn.2
WE ARE BEGOTTEN: I Cor. 4:15; Heb. 1:5
SHOULD READ "BEGOTTEN": I Jn. 2:29; I Jn. 3:9; I Jn. 4:7; I Jn. 5:1-4, 18
WE NEED TO BE BORN AGAIN: Jn. 3:5-8
STATE THEN: Jn. 4:24; I Jn. 3:1-2
CHRIST FIRST BORN: Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15-18
HOW BORN: Rom. 1:4
WHEN: I Cor. 15; Phil. 3:20-29
CHRISTIAN, WHAT IS
FIRST CALLED CHRISTIAN: Acts 11:26
WHAT IS NOT: Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46; Rom. 8:9; James 2:19; I Jn. 2:4
WHAT IS: Rom. 8:14
FOLLOW CHRIST: I Pet. 2:21-22; I Jn. 2:6
HOW TO BECOME: Matt. 4:4; Matt. 19:16-17; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:32
WAY OF LIFE: Acts 19:9; Acts 22:4; Heb. 3:1; Heb 4:14
CHRIST IN YOU: Gal. 2:20
FRUITS--A DESCRIPTION: Matt. 5:1-10; Luke 22:39-42; Gal. 5:22-23
CHURCH--CIVIL GOVERNMENT -CHURCH GOVERNMENT:
Luke 6:12-13; Acts 1:22-26; I Cor. 11:1-3; I Cor. 12; Eph. 4:11-12; Eph. 5; Col. 1:18-29; I Tim. 3; Titus 1; I Pet. 5:1-3
CHRIST HEADS: Matt. 4:19; Matt. 16:18; Jn. 15:16; Eph. 1:22; Eph. 2:19-20; Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:16
AUTHORITY: Rom. 1:1-5; I Cor. 1:1; I Cor. 9:3-4; II Cor. 1:1
OUR LIFE NOT OUR OWN: Rom. 14:7-8; I Cor. 6:19-20
EXAMPLES: Num. 12; Num. 16; Acts 10; Acts 15; Acts 19:11-12; I Cor. 5:1-5
GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY: I Sam. 26:9; Dan. 2:21; Dan. 4:17; Eccl. 10:20; Jn. 19:10-11; Rom. 13:1-3; I Tim. 2:1-3; Titus 3:1-2; I Pet. 2:13-14
OBEY, SUBMIT: Matt. 23:2-4; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:40
TAXES: Matt. 17:24-27
CHURCH NAME
Jn. 17:11-12; Acts 20:28; I Cor. 1:2; I Cor. 10:32; I Cor. 11:16, 22; I Cor. 15:9; II Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; I Thes. 2:14; II Thes. 1:4; I Tim. 3:5,15
COMMANDMENTS, LAW--OBEDIENCE
KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS: Lev. 22:31; Ps. 103:18; Ps. 111:10; Eccl. 12:13; Ezek. 37:24; Matt. 5:17-20; Matt. 7:21; Matt. 19:16-18; Matt. 22:37-39; Luke 1:16; Luke 6:46; Jn. 13:34-36; Jn. 15:10, 14-21; Acts 5:29-32; Rom. 3:31; Rom. 6:1-2, 16; Rom. 13:8; I Cor. 7:19; James 1:22-23; James 2:8-12; I Pet. 1:16; I Jn. 2:3-6; I Jn. 3:22; I Jn. 5:2-3; II Jn. 5-6; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 14:12
IF SO, RESULTS: Lev. 26; Deut. 11:27-28; Deut. 28; Ps. 111:10; Ps. 119:172; Jn. 15:10; Rom. 10:5; Rom. 13:10; Heb. 5:9
IF NOT: Deut. 28; Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:7; Heb. 10:26-31
PURPOSE: Rom. 3:20; Rom. 7:7
GOOD: Ps. 119; Rom. 7:7; I Tim. 1:5-6; James 1:25
CHRIST TO MAGNIFY: Isa. 42:21; Matt. 5:17-20; Rom. 10:2-4
IN OUR HEARTS: Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10; Heb. 10:16
BEFORE MOSES: Gen. 2:16; Gen. 4:7; Gen. 6:1-3, 5; Gen. 20:1-8; Gen. 26:5; Gen. 35:1-4; Gen. 39:7; Ex. 16; Lev. 16:5, 21, 27; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:15; Rom. 5:12-13
COVENANT--OLD, NEW
OLD COVENANT -- WHAT IS IT?
MARRIAGE AGREEMENT: Ex. 19:5-8; Ex. 24:7; Jer. 31:32; Ezek. 16:8
TERMS--PEOPLE: Ex. 19:5-8; Ex. 24:3-8; Ex. 34:12-17; Jer. 7:22-23
GOD: Lev. 26; Deut. 7:9; Deut. 28
TEN COMMANDMENTS: Ex. 20; Deut. 5; Deut. 9:9-11
PROMISES--CURSES: Deut. 28; Ex. 19; Lev. 26; Num. 25:13
FOR WHOM: Rom. 9:4
ISRAEL BROKE: Deut. 29:25-29; Jer. 3:8; Jer. 11:10; Jer. 31:32; Hosea 8:1
SACRIFICES ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS: Jer. 7:22-23; Gal. 3:19
NEED FOR NEW: Deut. 5:29; Heb. 8-9; Rom. 8:3
HOW FAULT TO BE CORRECTED: Heb. 8:6-10; Jer. 31:33; Rom. 5:5; II Cor. 3:3
NEW COVENANT: WHAT IS IT?
MARRIAGE AGREEMENT: Eph. 5:22-23, especially 32; II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7
TERMS--PEOPLE, GOD: Ezek. 36:25-27; Heb. 8
PROMISES--ETERNAL--PRIESTHOOD: I Pet. 2:9
CONFIRMED BY CHRIST: Dan. 9:27; Mal. 3:1; Heb. 12:24
TESTAMENT: Heb. 9:19-21
NOT YET COMPLETED: Dan. 9:27; Heb. 8:10; Jer. 31:31-34
FOR WHOM: Eph. 2:11-13, 19; Gal. 3:29; Rom. 11:17-18
DIFFERENCES--MINISTRATION OF DEATH: II Cor. 3:6-7; Ex. 21:23-24; Heb. 8-9; Gal. 3-4
FAITH
WHAT?: Heb 11:1; James 2:14-26
WHY NEED IT? FOR SALVATION AND JUSTIFICATION: Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16; Gal 3:24
SALVATION: Luke 7:50; Acts 20:21; Gal. 3:22-26; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 3:9; II Tim. 3:15; I Cor. 13:2-13; Heb. 4:2; Heb. 6:1; I Pet. 1:5
WE ARE TO LIVE IT: Hab. 2:4; Jn. 20:27; Rom. 1:17; Rom. 4:19-20; Rom. 4:22-23; II Cor. 3:7; II Cor. 5:7; Gal. 3:7-11; I Thes. 5:8; I Tim. 6:11-12; II Tim. 2:22
IMPORTANT: Mark 11:22; Luke 17:5-6; Luke 22:32; Acts. 26:8; Rom. 4:15-16; I Cor. 2:5; I Cor. 15:14-17; I Thes. 1:5-10; II Thes. 1:3; II Pet. 1:5; James 2:13; Rev. 13:10; Rev. 14:12
HEALING: James 5:14-15; Matt. 9:29
HOW TO GET IT, KNOW GOD'S WILL: Eph. 5:17; Rom. 10:17
GIFT, FRUIT OF SPIRIT: Rom. 12:3, 6; I Cor. 12:9; II Cor. 4:13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:8; Eph. 3:17; Eph. 5:14-15
OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES: Heb. 11; Dan. 3; Rom. 4:18-22; Gen. 6-7; II Chron. 20
NEW TESTAMENT (HEALING): Matt. 8:7-10; Matt. 15:28; Mark 5:25-34; Matt. 9:22; Luke 8:48; Luke 17:19; Acts 14:9; Matt. 14:25-31; Heb. 12:1-4; Acts 11:24; Rom. 1:8; Eph. 1:15; Col. 1:4
UNBELIEF: Matt. 13:58; Matt. 17:17; Luke 18:8; Ps. 78:5, 20-22
FASTING (SPIRITUAL) STUDY
WHAT: Ex. 34:28
COMMANDED: Lev. 23:27, 29; Matt. 6:16-18; Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:33-35
WHY: Isa. 58:3-9; Ps. 35:13; Ps. 69:10; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 17:21
HOW: Matt. 6:16-18; Isa. 58:3-4
HOW NOT: Luke 18:12
EXAMPLES: Judges 20:26; I Kings 21:27; I Sam. 7:6; I Kings 19:8; II Sam. 12:16-23; Neh. 1:4; Ps. 109:24; Matt. 4:2; Luke 2:37; Acts 17:11; Acts 13:2-3; Ex. 34:28
STUDY: I Cor. 4:16; II Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11; Acts 18:24
GOSPEL
WHAT IS IT? KINGDOM OF GOD: Mark 1:14-15; Matt. 4:23; Matt 9:35
GOD SPELLS: (GOOD NEWS): GOSPEL OF CHRIST--KINGDOM: Jn. 12:49-50; Jn. 14:24; Markk 1:1; Rom. 15:16; I Tim. 1:11
KINGDOM OF GOD PREACHED: Luke 9:1-2; Luke 16:16; Matt. 24:14; Acts 8:12; Acts 20:21-25; Acts 28:30-31
GOSPEL PREACHED: Mark 16:15-16; Mark 13:10; Acts 15:7; Phil. 2:22; Phil. 4:3; I Thes. 2:2; Matt. 24:14; Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:8; Luke 7:27; Luke 9:6; Acts 8:25; Acts 14:7, 21; Acts 16:10; Rom. 1:15-16; Rom. 10:15; I Cor. 1:17; I Cor. 9:14-18; II Cor. 10:14; II Cor. 11:7; I Pet. 1:12-25; I Pet. 4:6
OBEY: Rom. 10:16; II Thes. 1:8; I Pet. 4:17
HOW MANY: Gal. 1:8-9
GRACE, LAW
WHAT IS IT? UNDESERVED PARDON: Rom. 3:6; Ps. 51:1-2; Gal. 5; Eph. 1:6-7; Eph. 4:7; II Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:7; I Pet. 1:10, 13
TERMS: Rom. 11:5-6; Rom. 12:6; Rom. 15:15; I Cor. 10; I Cor. 10:30; II Cor. 8:7
MERCY OF GOD: Ga. 2:21; Eph. 3:2, 7; II Cor. 9:14; Col. 1:6; I Pet. 4:10
SAVED BY GRACE: Eph. 2:8-10; John 1:17; Rom. 3:6; Acts 15:11; Titus 2:11
DOESN'T ABOLISH LAW: Ps. 119:92; Rom. 7:12; James 2:8-10; Rev. 12:17
STILL SIN: Rom. 5:15; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 3:19; Rom. 4:15
WORKS STILL NEEDED: Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 3:6; James 2:20, 26; II Cor. 9:8; I Jn. 2:3-4
NOT LICENSE: Jude 3, 4, 8
UNDER LAW: I Cor. 9:20, 21; Gal. 3:22-25; Rom. 3:6
HEALING
GOD DOES HEAL: Ps. 103:2-3; James 5:14-15; Ex. 23:24-25; Deut. 32:39; Isa. 6:10; Isa. 53:5; Isa. 57:18-19; Jer. 30:17; Eccl. 3:3; Matt. 9:35; Matt. 10:1, 8; Matt 11:5; Matt. 13:15; Mark 3:15; Mark 16:17-18; Luke 9:1-2; Luke 10:9; Acts 28:27; I Cor. 12:9; I Cor. 12:28-30; I Pet. 2:24
IT IS GOD'S WILL: Luke 5:11-13; Matt. 8:3; Heb. 13:8
WHAT IS IT? FORGIVENESS OF SIN: Matt. 9:2-8; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26
HOW? BY WHAT?: (CHRIST'S SACRIFICE): Isa. 53:5; Matt. 8:16-17; Matt. 5:23-29; I Cor. 11:27-30; I Pet. 2:24
HOW? (ANOINTING): James 5:14-15; Acts 28:8-9; Mark 5:23-29; Mark 6:13; Luke 13:13-14
SIN NO MORE: Jn. 5:14
PREREQUISITES (FAITH): Matt. 9:29; Mark 5:20-34; Luke 7:7-9; Luke 8:48-50; Luke 18:42; Acts 14:8-10; James 5:14-15
ASK: I Jn. 3:22
EXAMPLES OF OLD TESTAMENT: Gen. 20:17; Ex. 15:23-26; I Sam. 6:3; II Kings 1; II Kings 5; II Kings 20; II Chron. 16:12-14; II Chron. 30:20; Ps. 30:2; Ps.. 107:20; Jer. 17:14
EXAMPLES IN CHRIST'S TIME: Matt. 4:23-25; Matt. 8:6-13; Matt. 9:2-8; Matt. 9:20-35; Matt. 12:15-16; Matt. 14:14; Luke 7:21-22; Luke 9:1-2, 6; Luke 13:11-16; Luke 17:15-19; Luke 22:50-51; Jn. 5:13
EXAMPLES OF APOSTLES: Acts 3:1-16; Acts 4:9-14; Acts 5:15-16, 22, 30; Acts 8:7; Acts 9:33-41; Acts 14:9-10; Acts 8:5-7; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 28:1-9; James 5:14-15
MAY ASK THREE TIMES: II Cor. 12:7-10
ALL WEREN'T HEALED IMMEDIATELY: II Tim. 4:20
EXTRA REFERENCES: Ps. 67:2; Jer. 8:15; Matt.13:58; Luke 6:10
HELL
WHAT: Mark 9:43-48; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:33; Rev. 20:13-15; Rev. 21:8
THREE WORDS:
SHEOL (HEBREW) OLD TESTAMENT "GRAVE": Gen. 37:35; Gen. 42:38; I Sam. 2:6; Job 14:13HELL: Deut. 32:22; II Sam. 22:6; Job 11:8; Job 26:6; Ps. 18:5; Ps. 9:17; Ps. 16:10; Ps. 55:15; Ps. 86:13; Ps. 116:3; Ps. 139:8; Prov. 5:5; Prov. 7:27; Prov. 9:18; Prov. 15:24; Prov. 27:20-27; Isa. 5:14; Isa. 14:9; Isa. 23:14; Isa. 28:15; Isa. 57:9; Ezek. 31:16-17; Ezek. 32:21-27; Amos 9:2; Jonah 2:2; Hab. 2:5NEW TESTAMENT: HADES "GRAVE": Acts 2:27, 31; Matt. 11:23; Matt. 16:18; Luke 10:15; Luke 16:23; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 6:8; Rev. 20:13-14
TARTAROS (RESTRAINT OF FALLEN ANGELS): II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6
GEHENNA (REPRESENTS VALLEY OF HINNOM): Neh. 11:30; II Kings 23:10; Jer. 19:6; Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 13:30; Matt. 18:9; Matt. 23:15, 33; Mark 9:47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6
WICKED CONSUMED: Mal. 4:1-3; Ps. 37:9, 12, 22, 29; Ps. 104:35; Obadiah 16; Isa. 66:24; Rom. 6:23; Jude 7
FIRE NOT QUENCHED: Jer. 17:27; Jer. 52:13; Mal. 4:1-3; Mark 9:43-45, 47-48; II Pet. 3:10, 13; Jude 7; Rev. 14:9-14; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:8, 13-15; Rev. 21:8
JUDGMENT: I Sam. 2:6; Jn. 5:28-29; Jn. 12:48; Heb. 9:27; Heb. 10:26-27; II Pet. 2:9; Rev. 20:13
WAGES OF SIN (DEATH): Matt. 7:17-18, 23; Luke 13:3; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 10:26-27
AFTER DEATH: Ps. 6:5; Ps. 146:4; Eccl. 3:19-20; Eccl. 9:10
WORM DIETH NOT: Isa. 66:24; Mark 9:44-48
HOLY DAYS
COMMAND OLD TESTAMENT: Lev. 23; Deut 16; Num 28-29; Ex. 34:18-27
COMMAND NEW TESTAMENT: Jn. 7:37; Luke 2:41-43; Mark 14; Matt 26; Luke 22; Jn. 13; Acts 12:3-4; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:16; Acts 27:9; I Cor. 5:7-8
FUTURE: Zech. 14:16-19
HOW? OFFERING: Deut. 16:16-17; Ex 23:14-18; Ex. 34:23
NO SACRIFICES TODAY: Jer. 7:22-23; Ps. 51:16-17; I Sam. 15:22; Gal. 3:19; Ex. 40:17
PASSOVER (CHRIST'S SACRIFICE):
OLD TESTAMENT: Ex. 12:1-10; Ex. 13:1-10; Ex. 34:20; Lev. 23:4-5; Num. 28:16; Num. 33:3; Num. 9:2-14; II Kings 23:21-23; Ezek. 45:18; II Chron. 30:1-5
NEW TESTAMENT (SACRIFICES, NEW SYMBOLS): Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; Jn. 13:1-5; I Cor. 11:20-34; Jn. 6:53-55
WHO? Ex. 12:43-44; Rom 2:28-29; Gal. 3:27-29
DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD:
PUTTING SIN OUT: Ex. 12:1-10; Ex. 13:1-10; Ex. 23:14-15; Ex. 34:18; Num. 28:17-25; Lev. 23; Deut. 16:3-8; Ezra 6:22; II Chron. 8:13; II Chron. 30:13-27; Ezek. 45:21-23; Matt. 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:1; Acts 12:3; Acts 20:6; I Cor. 5:2-8
LEAVEN IN SIN: Luke 12:1; Matt. 16:6, 11-12
PENTECOST: Ex. 23:16; Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:9-22; Num. 28:26-30; Deut. 16:9-12; II Chron. 8:13; Acts 2:1; Acts 20:16; I Cor. 16:8
CHRIST--WAVE SHEAF: Jn. 20:17; Matt. 28:9; I Cor. 15:20, 23; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18
WE--THE FIRST FRUITS: James 1:18; Rom. 8:23; Rom. 11:26; Isa. 11:11; Isa. 66:15-19; I Cor. 15:22-23
A DAY OF SALVATION: Isa. 49:8; II Cor. 6:2; Rom. 11; I Tim. 2:4-6
COMING OF HOLY SPIRIT: (See Holy Spirit)
TRUMPETS: Lev. 23:23-25; Num. 29:1; Neh. 8:2-9, 12
ALARM OF WAR: Jer. 4:19-21; Num. 10:8; Ezek. 33:2-7; Rev. 7; Joel 2:1-2
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: I Thes. 4:14-17; I Cor. 15; Rev. 11:15-19; Isa. 27:13; Zech. 14:4-5
HOW: Acts 1:9-10
ATONEMENT: Lev. 23:26-32; Lev. 16; Num. 29:7; Ps. 81:1-4; Acts 27:9
BINDING OF SATAN: Rev. 20:1-10; Zech. 13:2
ATONEMENT WITH GOD: Isa. 11:9; Zech. 14
TABERNACLES: Ex. 23:16; Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:33-44; Deut. 16:13-17; Num. 28:12; I Kings 12:19-33; Neh. 8:11-18; Hosea 12:9; Jn. 7:2, 14; Acts 18:21; II Chron. 8:13; Ezek. 45:25; (See Millennium) Zech 14:16-19
LAST GREAT DAY: Lev. 23:39; Num 29:35; Jn. 7:37
MEANING OF 100 YEAR PERIOD: Rev. 20:5-12; Ezek. 37; Isa. 65:17-25
EVERYONE TO BE SAVED: Rom. 11; Rev. 21:1-4; I Tim. 2:3-4
HOLY SPIRIT
WHY NEED IT?: Eph. 3:18; Eph. 6:8; James 2:26; I Cor. 6:11; Jn. 8:28; Rom. 6:23-24; Jn. 5:30; Jn. 14:10; Rom. 8:9-17; I Jn. 5:11-12; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 2:20
WHAT? (POWER): Gen. 1:2; Matt. 12:28; Phil. 4:13; II Pet. 1:4; Ps. 89:7-8; Rom. 15:13-14; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2; Acts 3:12
DESCRIPTION (HOW DOES IT WORK?): Jn. 4:10; I Cor. 12
ONE SPIRIT: I Cor. 12; Eph. 4:4, 30; I Sam. 10:6-10; I Jn. 4:1-8; Rom. 8:5-17; I Cor. 6:11
TRUTH PRODUCES CHANGES, LEADS TO SALVATION: Gal.3:17-24; Eph. 1:14; Eph. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:19; Rom. 12:1-2; I Cor. 2:11-14
CHRIST IN US: Gal. 2:20; I Cor. 3:16; Jn. 14:17; II Pet. 1:3-4; Col. 1:27; Ga. 4:19; I Cor. 2:16; I Cor. 6:20; II Cor. 3:3; James 4:5
SPIRIT IN US: Ezek. 36:27; Ezek. 37:14
HOW DO WE GET IT?: Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32; Phil. 1:19; Isa. 44:3
RECEIVE MORE: II Cor. 4:16; Jn. 7:37-38; Eph. 4:23
ASK: Luke 11:13;
WORD OF GOD: Gal. 3:1-5, 14
GIFT OF GOD: Jn. 4:10; Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17; Rom. 6:23; I Cor. 12
WHEN DO WE GET IT: Acts 2:38; Acts 8:17; Acts 19:1-6
HOW MUCH DO WE GET?: Rom. 8:23; II Cor. 4:16; II Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
FUTURE: Joel 2:3, 28, 32
FRUITS: Matt. 7:20; Acts 4:31; Rom. 5:5; Rom. 8:6; Rom. 15:13; I Cor. 12:1-11; I Cor. 13; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Phil. 4:13; I Pet. 1:22
FLESH VERSUS SPIRIT (SANCTIFICATION): Rom. 8:5-17; I Cor. 2:10-16; I Cor. 6:11; Gal. 5:16-18; Eph. 3:5; I Pet. 1:2; II Pet. 1:4; I Jn. 4:1-8; Jude 19
PRODUCES CHANGE: I Sam. 10:10; Ezek. 11:19; Ezek. 36:26-27; Rom. 2:6; I Cor. 2:11-14; I Cor. 12; II Pet. 1:4-8
LEADS TO SALVATION: Gen. 3:17-24; Jn. 3:5-8; Rom. 6:1-11; Rom. 8:23-26; Eph. 1:14; Eph. 2:22; Eph. 4:30; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 1:19
BEGOTTEN NOW: I Pet. 1:23
HEIRS: Rom. 8:17
SONS OF GOD: Rom. 8:14, 29; Gal. 3:26; Heb. 12:9; I Jn. 3:1
KINGDOM OF GOD
WHAT IS IT? (See Gospel): Dan. 2:44-45
RULER: CHRIST!: Dan. 2:44-45; Dan. 7:14; Zech. 14:9; Matt. 4:1-11; Matt. 28:18; Luke 1:31-33; Luke 19; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 19:15-16
SAINTS WITH HIM: Dan. 7:18, 21; Zech. 14:5; Luke 22:30; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 20:4
TERRITORY: Isa. 2:2-4; Jer. 3:17; Dan. 2:35; Zech. 14:4; Micah 4:1, 2, 7; Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:10-11; Rev. 20:4; Rev. 22:12
CITIZENS: Isa. 2:2-4; Isa. 24:1, 5, 6; Isa. 30:21; Dan. 12:2; Zech. 14:16-17, 19; Jn. 5:28-29
LAWS: Ps. 111:8; Isa. 2:2-4; Isa. 11:9; Zech. 14:17; Micah 4:1, 2, 4; James 4:12; (See Commandments)
WHEN?: Luke 21:25-32; Jn. 18:36-37; Acts 3:21; Rev. 12:10; Rev. 21:1
FOR HOW LONG: Ps. 145:12-13; Luke 1:33
HOW CHRIST WILL RETURN: Zech. 14:4; Matt. 16:28; Matt. 24:26-30; Luke 17:24; Acts 1:6-9
WHAT IS IT? MYSTERY: Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10
PARABLES: Matt. 13; Matt. 18:23-25; Matt. 20:1-16; Matt. 22:2-13; Matt. 25; Mark 4; Luke 13:18-21
CHRIST REPRESENTED: Matt. 12:28; Luke 17:20-21
WHO IN KINGDOM?: Zech. 14:5; Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:18-29
SPIRIT: Mark 12:25; Luke 7:28; Jn. 3:3-8; Jn. 4:24; Jn. 17:4-5; Rom. 6:4-8; Rom. 8:29; I Cor. 15:50; II Cor. 5:2; Heb. 1:2; I Jn. 3:1-2
SONS OF GOD: Luke 20:35-36; Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:17-19, 29; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 1:2
OUR GOAL: Matt. 6:10, 33; Mark 9:47; Mark 12:34; Luke 12:31; Luke 16:16-17; Col. 4:11; I Thes. 2:12
DIFFICULT TO ENTER: Matt. 7:13, 14, 21; Matt. 19:24; Matt. 21:31; Matt. 25; Mark 10:24-25; Luke 9:27, 62; Luke 18:16-29; Acts 14:22; II Thes. 1:5
ATTRIBUTES TO ENTER: Matt. 5:3-10, 19; Matt. 11:12; Matt. 18:3; Mark 10:14; Luke 6:20; Rom. 14:17
THOSE WHO WON'T: Rom. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5
LAYING ON OF HANDS
Heb. 6:2
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT: Acts 8:17-19; Acts 19:6
ANOINTING: Mark 5:23; Mark 6:5; Mark 16:18; Luke 4:40; Luke 13:13; Acts 28:8; James 5:14
ORDINATION: Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; I Tim. 5:22
OLD TESTAMENT SETTING APART: Gen. 48:13-16; Num. 8:6-11; Num. 27:18-23; Deut. 34:9
BLESSING OF CHILDREN: Matt. 19:13; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, CHILD REARING
WHO INSTITUTED MARRIAGE?: Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:18; Mark 10:6-7; Heb. 13:4
DIVORCE: Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Luke 16:18; Jn. 4:16-18; Rom. 7:2-3; I Cor. 7
ANNULMENT: Deut. 24:1-4; Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19:3-9
ADULTERY: Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18; Deut. 22:22; Jer. 3:8; Jer. 7:9; Matt. 5:27; Matt. 15:19; Matt. 19:18; Mark 7:21; Jn. 8:3-4; Rom. 2:22; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:19; James 2:11; II Pet. 2:14; Rev. 2:22; Rev. 9:21
FORNICATION: Deut. 22:13-30; Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; Jn. 8:41; Acts 15:20, 29; Acts 21:25; Rom. 1:29; I Cor. 5:1-10; I Cor. 6:9, 10, 18; I Cor. 7:2; II Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; I Thes. 4:3; Heb. 12:16; Jude 7; Rev. 2:21
RESPONSIBILITIES--HUSBANDS: Gen. 3:16; Eccl. 9:9; I Cor. 11:3-9; Col. 3:18-19; I Tim. 3:4-5; I Tim. 5:8
RESPONSIBILITIES--WIVES: Prov. 21:19; Prov. 18:13, 22; Prov. 25:24; Prov. 31; Isa. 3:12; I Cor. 11:3-12; I Tim. 2:9-12; I Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:5; I Pet. 3:1-6
CHILD REARING: Deut. 4:6-9; Deut. 6:6-7; Deut. 11:18-19; Ps. 127:3-5; Ps. 128:1, 2, 6; Prov. 1:7-9; Prov. 13:24; Prov. 19:18; Prov. 22:6, 15; Prov. 23:13-14; Prov. 29:15; Ezek. 14:11-14; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21
MILLENNIUM
WHAT: Rev. 11:15-19; Rev. 20:1-9
WHERE (EARTH): Jer. 3:17; Jer. 23:5; Jer. 33:17; Dan. 2:34, 35, 44; Dan. 7:27; Isa. 2:2-3; Micah 4:1, 2, 7; Matt. 5:5; Luke 1:30, 33; Luke 22:30; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:7-9; Zech. 14
WHOLE WORLD TO BE CONVERTED: Ps. 49:8; Isa. 2:3; Isa. 11:11-12; Joel 2; Rom. 11:25-26; II Cor. 6:2
GOVERNMENT--CHRIST WILL RULE: Ps. 2:7-9; Isa. 11:4-5, 10, 12; Isa. 40:10-11; Micah 4:7; Rev. 2:27; Rev. 11:15-25
SAINTS WITH HIM: Prov. 29:2; Isa. 30:20-21; Isa. 32:1; Dan. 7:13-14, 18, 22; Zech. 14:5; Luke 19:17-19; Luke 22:30; I Cor. 6:2; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:4-6
DESCRIPTION (KNOWLEDGE OF GOD): Isa. 2:1-2; Isa. 30:20-21, 30; Isa. 11:9; Isa. 25:8; Hab. 2:14; Micah 4:1-2; Zech. 14
PROSPERITY: Isa. 27:6; Isa. 30:23-24; Isa. 32:14-16; Isa. 35; Hosea 2:22; Amos 9:13-14
HAPPINESS: Isa. 25:8; Isa. 35:10; Zech. 8
PEACE: Isa. 2:4; Isa. 32:18; Ezek. 21:25-26; Micah 4:3-7; Zech. 8
TAME ANIMALS: Isa. 11:6-9; Isa. 35:9; Hosea 2:18
OVERCOMING, CHANGING
NEED TO: Matt. 5:48; II Cor. 10:5; Eph. 4:11-13; Heb. 6:1-3; James 5:10; I Pet. 5:10; II Pet. 3:18
IF SO: Matt. 25; Luke 19; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 21:7
IF NOT: Matt. 25; Luke 19; Rev. 3:14-19
CHRIST OVERCAME: Jn. 16:33; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 5:8; Rev. 3:21
HOW TO RESIST SIN: Eph. 6; Col. 3:5-8; Heb. 12; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:6-9; I Jn. 2:13-14
GET MIND ON SPIRITUAL THINGS: Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-10
PRAY, FAST, STUDY: Ps. 19:7; II Cor. 4:16; II Pet. 3:18
HELP OF GOD: Phil. 4:13; Heb. 4:14-16
PRAYER
ASK GOD: Matt. 6:8; Matt. 7:7; Matt. 21:22; Luke 11:9, 13; Jn. 11:22; Jn. 15:7; James 1:5-6; James 4:2-3; I Jn. 3:22
WHY? NEED TO GROW: II Cor. 4:16
COMMANDED: Matt. 6:5; Luke 11:2; Luke 18:1; Luke 21:36; I Tim. 2:3; Rev. 5:8
GOD WILL HEAR: Job 33:26; Ps. 65:2; Ps. 66:19; Ps. 102:17; Prov. 15:8, 29; Jer. 29:12; Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24-28; Luke 1:13; Heb. 5:7; I Pet. 3:12; I Jn. 3:22
GOD WILL ANSWER: Gen. 20:17; Ex. 32:7-14; II Kings 20:1-11; James 5:16-18
POSITION: I Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5-6; Luke 18:13; Luke 22:41; Jn. 11:41; Jn. 17:1; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5; I Tim 2:8; Heb. 11:21
WHERE: Matt. 6:6; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12-13; Luke 9:18
HOW OFTEN: Ps. 5:3; Ps. 55:16-17; Ps. 88:13; Ps. 119:62, 164; Dan. 6:10; Dan. 9:4; II Cor. 4:16; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; I Thes. 5:17; I Tim. 5:5
WHAT TO PRAY FOR: Matt. 6; Luke 11
MORE MINISTERS: Matt. 9:38; Luke 10:2; Rom. 15:30; Heb. 13:18
OTHER BRETHREN: Jn. 17:9-20; Rom. 1:9; Phil. 1:4-9; Col. 1:3; Col. 4:12; James 5:16
IN AUTHORITY: I Tim. 2:1-2
ENEMIES: Matt. 5:44
ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: Matt. 26:41
WISDOM: James 1:5-6
SIN CUT OFF: Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:9; Isa. 59:1-2
FRICTION, CONFUSION CUTS OFF: Matt. 5:24; I Cor. 14:33; I Pet. 3:7
EXAMPLES IN OLD TESTAMENT: Gen. 20:17; Ps. 5:2; Ps. 55:1, 17; Ps. 72:20; Ps. 88:2; Jer. 42:4
CHRIST: Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Mark 14:32; Luke 5:16; Luke 9:28; Luke 11:1; Luke 18:10; Jn. 17:9
APOSTLES: Acts 10:9; Acts 12:12; Acts 14:23; Rom. 1:9; I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:9
HOW NOT: Ps. 109:7; Matt. 6:7; Matt. 23:14
SEVEN ANSWERS:
SEEK GOD'S WILL: Jn. 5:30; Eph. 5:17; II Tim. 2:15; James 4:1-4; I Jn. 5:14-15
BELIEVE GOD: Rom. 4:20-21; James 1:5-7; James 2:20; James 5:14
BE FERVENT: Hosea 7:14; Luke 22:44; Col. 4:12; James 5:16
FEAR AND HUMILITY: Ps. 111:10; Isa. 66:2; Luke 18:12-13; Heb. 5:7; I Pet. 5:5
BE PERSISTENT: Luke 18:1-8; James 1:3
OBEY: Rom. 6:16; I Jn. 2:4; I Jn. 3:4; I Pet. 3:12
USE CHRIST'S NAME: Jn. 15:7; Jn. 16:23-29
PROPHECY
ISRAEL OVER ALL: Lev. 26; Deut. 28; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; Rev. 6-9
ISRAEL DECADENCE: Isa. 5; II Tim. 3:1-5
BEAST: Dan. 2 & 7; Rev. 17-18; Rev. 19:20
CATHOLIC CHURCH: Isa. 47; Rev. 17-18
FIRST FOUR SEALS PRECEDING SEALS--WILD BEASTS: Ezek. 5:17
GREAT TRIBULATION: Jer. 30:1-9; Ezek. 5
CAPTIVITY: Jer. 30:1-9; Ezek. 5
HEAVENLY SIGNS: Isa. 13:10-13; Isa. 24:15-20; Isa. 64:1-4; Joel 2:10; Rev. 6:12-17
DAY OF THE LORD: Isa. 13:6-22; Isa. 24:18-23; Jer. 25:30-33; Joel 1-3; Zeph. 1:14-18; Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 14:12; Rev. 6:12-17; Rev. 16; Rev. 20
EXODUS: Isa. 11:11-15; Isa. 27:12-13; Jer. 23:7-8; Jer. 30:10
FALL OF BEAST: Jer. 50-51
REPENTANCE
UNCOVERTED STATE: Isa. 55:8-9; Isa. 64:6; Prov. 14:12; Eccl. 1:2; Jer. 10:23; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Rom. 1:28-32; Rom. 3:10-18; Rom. 7:21-23; Rom. 8:7, 20; Gal. 5:19-20
OF WHAT: Job 42:6; Ezek. 36:31; Acts 2:38
WHAT: Job 42:6; Ps. 51; Jer. 3:13; Luke 10:13; Luke 15; Acts 5:29; Acts 20:21; II Cor. 7:9-10
WHY WE NEED TO: Ps. 14:2-3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 8:9
GOD COMMANDS: Deut. 30:18-19; Isa. 55:7; Ezek. 14:6; Ezek. 18:30; Zech. 1:4; Matt. 3:2; Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:15; Mark 6:12; Luke 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20; Rom. 6:3-6; Rev. 3:19
IF NOT: Ezek. 18:20; Ezek. 33:9; Luke 13:3-5; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 20:15
IF SO: Ezek. 18:21; Matt. 7:21; Acts 2:38; Gal. 2:20
WHEN: Isa. 55:6; Mark 1:15
HOW: Acts 5:30-32; Acts 11:18; Rom. 2:4; II Cor. 7:9-10; II Tim. 2:25
WORKS MEET FOR REPENTANCE: Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20
GOD WANTS: Matt. 9:13; Mark 2:7; Luke 15:7-10; II Pet. 3:9
RESURRECTION
WHAT? (FROM DEAD TO LIFE): Isa. 26:19; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 4:2; Acts 17:31-32; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15, 21; Phil. 3:10-12; Heb. 6:2
JUDGMENT: Dan. 12:2; Luke 14:14; Heb. 11:35
FOR EVERYONE: Dan. 12:2; Jn. 6:28-29; Acts 24:15; Rev. 20
DESCRIBES: I Cor. 15; I Thes. 4:17; Rev. 20
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IN RELATION TO US: Jn. 11:24-26; Rom. 5:8-10; Rom. 6:11; Rom. 8:29; I Cor. 15:14-18; Col. 1:18; I Pet. 1:3; I Pet. 3:21
HOW, WHEN: Dan. 7; I Cor. 15, especially verse 52; I Thes. 4:13-17; Rev. 11:15
FIRST WHO: I Cor. 15; I Thes. 4:17
GENERAL: Rev. 20:4-6
SECOND: Isa. 65:11-25; Ezek. 37; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-42; Matt. 25:31-34; Luke 16; Jn. 5:28-29; Rev. 20:11-13
THIRD: Mal. 4:3; Rev. 20:13-15
PURPOSE, SPIRIT, RULE: Dan. 7:18, 27-28; I Cor. 6:2; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:1-6
WHAT WE WILL BE LIKE (SPIRIT TO ENTER KINGDOM): Jn. 3:3-8; Jn. 4:24; Jn. 17:4-5; Rom. 6:4-5; Rom. 8:11, 29; I Cor. 15:44, 50; II Cor. 5:2
SONS OF GOD: Luke 20:35-36; Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:17; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 2:11-12; I Jn. 3:2
ABILITIES OF SPIRIT: Dan. 12:3; Matt. 16:26; Matt. 17:1-2; Luke 24:31; Jn. 20:17-19; Rev. 7:13-16
CAN CHANGE: Isa. 30:20; Mark 16:12; Luke 24:4-43
NO SEX: Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:35-36; Gal. 3:28
SABBATH
CREATED: Gen. 2:2-3
FOR WHOM: Mark 2:27-28
GENTILES: Rom. 1:1-6; Rom. 2:28-29; Rom. 11:23-26; Gal. 3:28-29; Eph. 2:11-12
SIGN: Ex. 31:12-17; Ezek. 20:12, 20
COMMAND: Ex. 16:4-30; Ex. 20:8-11; Ex. 23:12; Ex. 31:12-17; Ex. 34:21; Ex. 35:1-3; Lev. 19:3; Lev. 23:1-3; Lev. 26:1-2; Deut. 5:12-15; Neh. 9:14; Isa. 56:2-6; Ezek. 44:24; Luke 23:56; Heb. 4:4-9
IN FUTURE: Is. 66:23
IF NOT: Num. 15:32-36; Neh. 10:31; Neh. 13:15-22; Ezek. 20:13-21; Ezek. 22:8, 26; Ezek. 23:38
KEPT IN CHRIST'S TIME: Mark 1:21; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16, 31; Luke 6:1-10; Luke 13:10-16; Jn. 5:9, 16
APOSTLES KEPT IT: Acts 13:42-44; Acts 15:21; Acts 17:2; Acts 18:1-4
ASSEMBLY, FELLOWSHIP: Lev. 23:1-3; II Cor. 6:14; Heb. 10:25; I Jn. 1:3, 6-7
FIRST DAY OF WEEK--SUNDAY: Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:2-3; Luke 24:1-2; Jn. 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2
SALVATION (Not Only Day)
NOT ALL CALLED NOW: Deut. 29:2-4; Isa. 28:11-13; Ezek. 20:24-26; Matt. 7:13; Mark 4:11-12; Jn. 6:44; Rom. 1:28-29; Rom. 11:5-7; I Cor. 1:26; Eph. 2:11-12; Rev. 12:9
WHY: Rom. 11:32
ALL TO HAVE CHANCE: Deut. 5:29; Isa. 9:2-7; Isa. 25:7; Matt. 10:5; Matt. 11:22; I Tim. 2:3-4; II Pet. 3:9-10
WHEN: Isa. 65; Ezek. 37; Rev. 20
SATAN, DEMONS, ANGELS
SATAN, LUCIFER, ANGELS: Job 38:4-7; Isa. 14; Ezek. 28
FALL: Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:4
POWER: Acts 26:18; II Thes. 2:9-10; Heb. 2:14
DESCRIPTION (GOD OF THIS WORLD): Luke 4:5-7; Jn. 12:31; Jn. 14:30; Jn. 16:11; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:9
NAMES: Matt. 9:34; Matt. 12:24; Luke 11:18; Jn. 8:44; Eph. 2:2; Eph. 6:12; I Thes. 3:5; I Jn. 3:8-10; Rev. 12:9; Rev. 20:2
HOW WORKS: Gen. 3; I Sam. 28:13-20; Job 1-2; Matt. 13:39; Mark 1:13; Luke 22:31-32; Jn. 13:2, 27; Acts 5:1-5; I Cor. 7:5; II Cor. 2:11; II Cor. 11:4-13, 15; I Thes. 2:18; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12
FATE: Matt. 25:41; Rom. 16:20; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, 13; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:1-3; Rev. 21:27
DEMONS, HOW BECAME: II Pet. 2:4
DESCRIPTION: Luke 8:28; Acts 8:7; James 2:19
POWERS, HOW WORK: Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:2-13; Mark 9:20-29; Luke 11:18-26; Acts 16:16-18; I Tim 4:1-3; Rev. 16:14; Rev. 18:2
POSSESS, ENTER: Matt. 9:32; Matt. 4:24; Matt. 8:16, 28-33; Matt. 15:22; Mark 1:32; Mark 5:2-13; Luke 7:33
FATE: Matt. 25:41; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, 13
ANGELS, WHAT ARE THEY: WE--GREATER: I Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1-2
SIN
WHAT IS: Mark 7:20-22; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 5:13; Rom. 7:7-13; James 1:14-15; James 4:17; I Jn. 3:4
RESULTS, DEATH: Deut. 21:22; Ezek. 18:4, 20; Rom. 5:12-13, 21; Rom. 6:16, 23; James 1:15
PUNISHMENT: Gen. 6; Lev. 26; Isa. 40:2; Jer. 16:18; Jer. 40:3; Ezek. 14:13
SEPARATION FROM GOD: Isa. 59:1-2; Jn. 9:31
ENORMITY OF SCOPE: Num. 32:23; Ps. 51; Matt. 9:13; Jn. 8:34; Rom. 2:12; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:16; James 2:9-10; I Jn. 1:8; I Jn. 3:8-10
HATE IT: Ps. 7:11; Ps. 119; Prov. 6:16-17; Prov. 8:13; Prov. 15:9; Jer. 44:4; Amos 5:15
AGAINST GOD: Gen. 39:9; Num. 32:23; Ps. 51:4; Luke 15:18, 21
HOW TO PREVENT: I Cor. 15:34; Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2; Heb. 12:1-4; I Jn. 2:1
UNPARDONABLE: Matt. 12:22-24, 31-32; Mark 3:28; Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26
HOW TO BE DELIVERED: Isa. 1:18; Isa. 43:25; Rom. 5:8, 21; Rom. 6:16-23; Rom. 7:15-25; I Jn. 2:1-2
FORGIVENESS: Jer. 36:3; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Luke 15:7-10; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 22:16; Rom. 4:7; Rom. 6; Rom. 11:27; Heb. 8:12; Heb. 10:17; I Jn. 1:7-9; I Jn. 2:1-2; I Jn. 3:9
CHRIST DIED: Isa. 53:12; I Cor. 3; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 1:3; Heb. 4:15; I Pet. 2:22-24
SOUL
NOT IMMORTAL: Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:19; Gen. 37:34; Job. 17:13-14; Ps. 6:5; Ps. 115:17; Ps. 146:3-4; Eccl. 9:5, 10; Ezek. 18:4, 20; Mal. 4:1-3; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 25:46; Luke 13:3-5; Jn. 3:13; Acts 2:29-34; Rom. 6:23; I Cor. 15:53; Heb. 9:27
SOUL CUT OFF: Ex. 12:15; Lev. 22:3; Lev. 23:30; Num. 15:31
RESURRECTION: I Cor. 15; Phil. 3:10-11; I Thes. 4; Jn. 5:25-29
NEPHESH, MORTAL LIFE: Gen. 1:24-27; Gen. 2:7, 19; Gen. 9:4, 10, 12, 15-16; Gen. 19:17, 19; Gen. 21:23; Gen. 32:30; Gen. 44:30; Ex. 4:19; Ex. 21:30; Lev. 17:11-14; Lev. 21:11; Num. 6:6; Num. 9:6-7, 10; Num. 19:11, 13, 16; Deut. 12:23; Isa. 53:10-12; Hag. 2:13
INDIVIDUAL: Gen. 2:7; Lev. 4:15; Lev. 17:12; Lev. 23:30; Num. 9:13
BEING: Deut. 6:5; Deut. 11:13; Deut. 13:3
PSUCHE, BREATH: Matt. 10:28
LOWER ANIMALS: Rev. 8:9; Rev. 16:3
AS INDIVIDUAL: (14 times) Acts 2:41; Acts 27:37; I Pet. 3:20; III Jn. 2; Rev. 18:14
LIFE OF MAN: (58 times) Matt. 22:25
HUMAN SPIRIT: Eccl. 3:21; Acts 7:59
IMMORTALITY: (only 5 places) Rom. 2:7; I Cor. 15:53-54; I Tim. 6:16; II Tim. 1:10
TITHING
Malachi 3
GOD OWNS EVERYTHING: Ex. 19:5; Deut. 10:14; Job 41:11; Ps. 24:1-2; Ps. 50:10-12; Hag. 2:8; I Cor. 10:26
COMMAND: Gen. 14:17-20; Gen. 28:22; Lev. 27:27-30; Deut. 14:22; Mal. 3:5-9; Matt. 23:23; Luke 18:12; I Cor. 9; Heb. 7:1-9
OFFERINGS: Deut. 16:16; Ezek. 20:40; Mal. 3:8
GOD WANTS US TO PROSPER: Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:10; III Jn. 2
RESULTS OF TITHING: Gen. 14:19-20; Mal. 3:5-10; Heb. 7:6
WHO TO RECEIVE TITHES: Num. 18:20-28; Deut. 12:6, 11, 14; Neh. 10:37; Neh. 12:44; Neh. 13:5; I Cor. 9; Heb. 7:6-18
WHAT GOD DOES WITH IT: Matt. 24:14
SECOND TITHE: Deut. 12:6, 11, 17-18; Deut. 14:28-29
THIRD TITHE: Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 26:12-15
THIRD IN CYCLE OF SEVEN: Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15
FIRST BORN: Ex. 13:12-15; Num. 18:17-18; Deut. 14:23
FIRST FRUITS: Ex. 23:19; Num. 18:12; Deut. 26:2
TRIALS
WE WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION: Ps. 34:19; Ps. 73:3-14; Jn. 15:20; Jn. 16:33; Jn. 17:14; Acts 9:16; Acts 14:22; II Tim. 2:12; II Tim. 3:12; Heb. 10:32; Heb. 11; Heb. 12:6; I Pet. 4:12-13
PURPOSE: Job; Ps. 73; Rom. 5:3-5; II Cor. 8:2; Heb. 2:10; Heb. 5:8; Heb. 12:11; I Pet. 1:7
WE WILL BE DELIVERED: Ps. 34:19; Matt. 11:28-30; Jn. 16:33; II Cor. 1:4-7
BE WILLING TO ENDURE: Matt. 10:32-39; Luke 14:26-33; I Cor. 4:12
REJOICE: Ps. 94:12; Matt. 5:10-11; Acts 5:41; Rom. 5:3-5; Rom. 8; Rom. 12:14; I Cor. 7:4; II Cor. 11:23-27; II Cor. 12:10; I Pet. 1:6-7; I Pet. 4:12-16
EXAMPLES: Job; Acts 3:18; II Cor. 11:23-27; Heb. 11
CORRECTION: Prov. 3:11-12; Prov. 15:10; Prov. 24:12; Jer. 10:24; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 3:19
WORLDLINESS
WHAT IS IT: Luke 15; Jn. 10:10; III Jn. 2
DRINKING NOT WRONG: Gen. 14:18; Isa. 55:1; Matt. 11:19; Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11
WINE--PURPOSE, MAKE MERRY: Gen. 43:34; Deut. 14:23, 26; Judges 9:13; Ps. 104:15; Prov. 31:6-7; Eccl. 10:19
HEALTH: Luke 10:34; I Tim. 5:23
IN MILLENNIUM: Jer. 31:12; Amos 9:11-15; Zech. 10:6-7; Mark 14:22-25
TEMPERANCE: Gal. 5:23; I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; Titus 2:2
DRUNKEDNESS CONDEMNED: Gen. 9:21; Gen. 19:32-35; Prov. 20:1; Prov. 23:29-30; Isa. 5:11; Isa. 28:1; Rom. 13:13; I Cor. 5:11; I Cor. 6:10; I Cor. 11:20-21; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18
DANCING: Ex. 15:20; I Sam. 18:6; II Sam. 6:16; Ps. 149:3; Ps. 150:4; Eccl. 3:4; Jer. 31:1-9, 12-13; Luke 15:25
MUSIC: I Sam. 18:6; Ps. 87:7; Ps. 149:3; Isa. 35:2; Amos 6:5; Luke 15:25; Rev. 18:22
JEWELRY, NICE CLOTHING: Ex. 3:22; Ezek. 16:2-14; Luke 15:22
SIN IS NOT THING, BUT USE OF IT: James 1:15; James 4:1-4; I Jn. 3:4
"LOVE NOT THE WORLD": II Cor. 6:17; I Jn. 2:15-17; Rev. 18:4
A FEW SCRIPTURES TO KEEP INMIND CONCERNING GOD'S GOVERNMENT
Matt. 16:18 -- Built in Christ, Rock!! (Petra)
Acts 7:38 -- Church in Wilderness
Ex. 16:3
Acts 19:37 -- Should be translated "robbers of temples"
Acts 11:26 -- "Synagogued themselves"!
Matt. 26:3
Lev. 4:13 -- Elders
Matt. 28:16, 18, 19 -- To teach, to baptize
I Tim. 3:15 -- Church of God, Pillar of Truth
Eph. 3:10
I Cor. 12:14-28:
Diversities of Operations (Greek=Energies)
But one body; baptized in one body
God has tempered the body together. GOD HAS! (No Independent Christians!)
See also:
Rom 12.
Eph. 1:20; Eph. 4:4
Col. 1:23 -- THE Faith
Acts 13:3 -- Deacons
Acts 15 -- Elders
BORN AGAIN
CHRISTIAN, WHAT IS
CHURCH--CIVIL GOVERNMENT
CHURCH NAME
COMMANDMENTS, LAW--OBEDIENCE
COVENANT--OLD, NEW
FAITH
FASTING (SPIRITUAL) STUDY
GOSPEL
GRACE, LAW
HEALING
HELL
HOLY DAYS
HOLY SPIRIT
KINGDOM OF GOD
LAYING ON OF HANDS
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, CHILD REARING
MILLENNIUM
OVERCOMING, CHANGING
PRAYER
PROPHECY
REPENTANCE
RESURRECTION
SABBATH
SALVATION (Not Only Day)
SATAN, DEMONS, ANGELS
SIN
SOUL
TITHING
TRIALS
WORLDLINESS
BAPTISM
WHAT: Rom. 6:3-7; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12
WHEN-PREREQUISITES: Acts 2:38; Acts 2:39; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:4-6; Acts 13:24; Acts 16:31-35; Acts 19:4; Acts 20:21; Acts 22:16; Mark 1; Luke 3:3
COUNTING COST: Luke 9:23-25; Luke 14; Luke 22:42; Acts 5:29; Acts 5:32; Rom. 12:1-2; I Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:22
WHY--TO RECEIVE SPIRIT: Matt. 3:1; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 11:15; Acts 19:1-6; Rom 8:9; Rom. 14-17; Gal. 2:20; II Pet. 1:1-10
WHY--WASH AWAY SIN: Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31-32; Acts 22:16
WHY--PART OF SALVATION: Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:1-10; Rom. 6
COMMAND: Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 10:48
HOW--WATER: Matt. 3:13-17; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:46-48; Acts 11:16; Acts 19:1-6
HOW--INTO CHRIST: Matt. 18:19-20; Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:48; Rom. 6:3
BY WHOM: Jn. 3:22; Jn 4:2; Acts 2; Acts 8:5-6; Acts 8:26-33; I Cor. 1:13-17
BORN AGAIN
WE AREN'T NOW: Rom. 7:14-25; Rom. 8:18-19; Heb. 1:2; I Jn 1:8-10; I Jn. 3:9; I Jn.2
WE ARE BEGOTTEN: I Cor. 4:15; Heb. 1:5
SHOULD READ "BEGOTTEN": I Jn. 2:29; I Jn. 3:9; I Jn. 4:7; I Jn. 5:1-4, 18
WE NEED TO BE BORN AGAIN: Jn. 3:5-8
STATE THEN: Jn. 4:24; I Jn. 3:1-2
CHRIST FIRST BORN: Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15-18
HOW BORN: Rom. 1:4
WHEN: I Cor. 15; Phil. 3:20-29
CHRISTIAN, WHAT IS
FIRST CALLED CHRISTIAN: Acts 11:26
WHAT IS NOT: Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46; Rom. 8:9; James 2:19; I Jn. 2:4
WHAT IS: Rom. 8:14
FOLLOW CHRIST: I Pet. 2:21-22; I Jn. 2:6
HOW TO BECOME: Matt. 4:4; Matt. 19:16-17; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:32
WAY OF LIFE: Acts 19:9; Acts 22:4; Heb. 3:1; Heb 4:14
CHRIST IN YOU: Gal. 2:20
FRUITS--A DESCRIPTION: Matt. 5:1-10; Luke 22:39-42; Gal. 5:22-23
CHURCH--CIVIL GOVERNMENT -CHURCH GOVERNMENT:
Luke 6:12-13; Acts 1:22-26; I Cor. 11:1-3; I Cor. 12; Eph. 4:11-12; Eph. 5; Col. 1:18-29; I Tim. 3; Titus 1; I Pet. 5:1-3
CHRIST HEADS: Matt. 4:19; Matt. 16:18; Jn. 15:16; Eph. 1:22; Eph. 2:19-20; Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:16
AUTHORITY: Rom. 1:1-5; I Cor. 1:1; I Cor. 9:3-4; II Cor. 1:1
OUR LIFE NOT OUR OWN: Rom. 14:7-8; I Cor. 6:19-20
EXAMPLES: Num. 12; Num. 16; Acts 10; Acts 15; Acts 19:11-12; I Cor. 5:1-5
GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY: I Sam. 26:9; Dan. 2:21; Dan. 4:17; Eccl. 10:20; Jn. 19:10-11; Rom. 13:1-3; I Tim. 2:1-3; Titus 3:1-2; I Pet. 2:13-14
OBEY, SUBMIT: Matt. 23:2-4; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:40
TAXES: Matt. 17:24-27
CHURCH NAME
Jn. 17:11-12; Acts 20:28; I Cor. 1:2; I Cor. 10:32; I Cor. 11:16, 22; I Cor. 15:9; II Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; I Thes. 2:14; II Thes. 1:4; I Tim. 3:5,15
COMMANDMENTS, LAW--OBEDIENCE
KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS: Lev. 22:31; Ps. 103:18; Ps. 111:10; Eccl. 12:13; Ezek. 37:24; Matt. 5:17-20; Matt. 7:21; Matt. 19:16-18; Matt. 22:37-39; Luke 1:16; Luke 6:46; Jn. 13:34-36; Jn. 15:10, 14-21; Acts 5:29-32; Rom. 3:31; Rom. 6:1-2, 16; Rom. 13:8; I Cor. 7:19; James 1:22-23; James 2:8-12; I Pet. 1:16; I Jn. 2:3-6; I Jn. 3:22; I Jn. 5:2-3; II Jn. 5-6; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 14:12
IF SO, RESULTS: Lev. 26; Deut. 11:27-28; Deut. 28; Ps. 111:10; Ps. 119:172; Jn. 15:10; Rom. 10:5; Rom. 13:10; Heb. 5:9
IF NOT: Deut. 28; Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:7; Heb. 10:26-31
PURPOSE: Rom. 3:20; Rom. 7:7
GOOD: Ps. 119; Rom. 7:7; I Tim. 1:5-6; James 1:25
CHRIST TO MAGNIFY: Isa. 42:21; Matt. 5:17-20; Rom. 10:2-4
IN OUR HEARTS: Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10; Heb. 10:16
BEFORE MOSES: Gen. 2:16; Gen. 4:7; Gen. 6:1-3, 5; Gen. 20:1-8; Gen. 26:5; Gen. 35:1-4; Gen. 39:7; Ex. 16; Lev. 16:5, 21, 27; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:15; Rom. 5:12-13
COVENANT--OLD, NEW
OLD COVENANT -- WHAT IS IT?
MARRIAGE AGREEMENT: Ex. 19:5-8; Ex. 24:7; Jer. 31:32; Ezek. 16:8
TERMS--PEOPLE: Ex. 19:5-8; Ex. 24:3-8; Ex. 34:12-17; Jer. 7:22-23
GOD: Lev. 26; Deut. 7:9; Deut. 28
TEN COMMANDMENTS: Ex. 20; Deut. 5; Deut. 9:9-11
PROMISES--CURSES: Deut. 28; Ex. 19; Lev. 26; Num. 25:13
FOR WHOM: Rom. 9:4
ISRAEL BROKE: Deut. 29:25-29; Jer. 3:8; Jer. 11:10; Jer. 31:32; Hosea 8:1
SACRIFICES ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS: Jer. 7:22-23; Gal. 3:19
NEED FOR NEW: Deut. 5:29; Heb. 8-9; Rom. 8:3
HOW FAULT TO BE CORRECTED: Heb. 8:6-10; Jer. 31:33; Rom. 5:5; II Cor. 3:3
NEW COVENANT: WHAT IS IT?
MARRIAGE AGREEMENT: Eph. 5:22-23, especially 32; II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7
TERMS--PEOPLE, GOD: Ezek. 36:25-27; Heb. 8
PROMISES--ETERNAL--PRIESTHOOD: I Pet. 2:9
CONFIRMED BY CHRIST: Dan. 9:27; Mal. 3:1; Heb. 12:24
TESTAMENT: Heb. 9:19-21
NOT YET COMPLETED: Dan. 9:27; Heb. 8:10; Jer. 31:31-34
FOR WHOM: Eph. 2:11-13, 19; Gal. 3:29; Rom. 11:17-18
DIFFERENCES--MINISTRATION OF DEATH: II Cor. 3:6-7; Ex. 21:23-24; Heb. 8-9; Gal. 3-4
FAITH
WHAT?: Heb 11:1; James 2:14-26
WHY NEED IT? FOR SALVATION AND JUSTIFICATION: Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16; Gal 3:24
SALVATION: Luke 7:50; Acts 20:21; Gal. 3:22-26; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 3:9; II Tim. 3:15; I Cor. 13:2-13; Heb. 4:2; Heb. 6:1; I Pet. 1:5
WE ARE TO LIVE IT: Hab. 2:4; Jn. 20:27; Rom. 1:17; Rom. 4:19-20; Rom. 4:22-23; II Cor. 3:7; II Cor. 5:7; Gal. 3:7-11; I Thes. 5:8; I Tim. 6:11-12; II Tim. 2:22
IMPORTANT: Mark 11:22; Luke 17:5-6; Luke 22:32; Acts. 26:8; Rom. 4:15-16; I Cor. 2:5; I Cor. 15:14-17; I Thes. 1:5-10; II Thes. 1:3; II Pet. 1:5; James 2:13; Rev. 13:10; Rev. 14:12
HEALING: James 5:14-15; Matt. 9:29
HOW TO GET IT, KNOW GOD'S WILL: Eph. 5:17; Rom. 10:17
GIFT, FRUIT OF SPIRIT: Rom. 12:3, 6; I Cor. 12:9; II Cor. 4:13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:8; Eph. 3:17; Eph. 5:14-15
OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES: Heb. 11; Dan. 3; Rom. 4:18-22; Gen. 6-7; II Chron. 20
NEW TESTAMENT (HEALING): Matt. 8:7-10; Matt. 15:28; Mark 5:25-34; Matt. 9:22; Luke 8:48; Luke 17:19; Acts 14:9; Matt. 14:25-31; Heb. 12:1-4; Acts 11:24; Rom. 1:8; Eph. 1:15; Col. 1:4
UNBELIEF: Matt. 13:58; Matt. 17:17; Luke 18:8; Ps. 78:5, 20-22
FASTING (SPIRITUAL) STUDY
WHAT: Ex. 34:28
COMMANDED: Lev. 23:27, 29; Matt. 6:16-18; Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:33-35
WHY: Isa. 58:3-9; Ps. 35:13; Ps. 69:10; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 17:21
HOW: Matt. 6:16-18; Isa. 58:3-4
HOW NOT: Luke 18:12
EXAMPLES: Judges 20:26; I Kings 21:27; I Sam. 7:6; I Kings 19:8; II Sam. 12:16-23; Neh. 1:4; Ps. 109:24; Matt. 4:2; Luke 2:37; Acts 17:11; Acts 13:2-3; Ex. 34:28
STUDY: I Cor. 4:16; II Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11; Acts 18:24
GOSPEL
WHAT IS IT? KINGDOM OF GOD: Mark 1:14-15; Matt. 4:23; Matt 9:35
GOD SPELLS: (GOOD NEWS): GOSPEL OF CHRIST--KINGDOM: Jn. 12:49-50; Jn. 14:24; Markk 1:1; Rom. 15:16; I Tim. 1:11
KINGDOM OF GOD PREACHED: Luke 9:1-2; Luke 16:16; Matt. 24:14; Acts 8:12; Acts 20:21-25; Acts 28:30-31
GOSPEL PREACHED: Mark 16:15-16; Mark 13:10; Acts 15:7; Phil. 2:22; Phil. 4:3; I Thes. 2:2; Matt. 24:14; Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:8; Luke 7:27; Luke 9:6; Acts 8:25; Acts 14:7, 21; Acts 16:10; Rom. 1:15-16; Rom. 10:15; I Cor. 1:17; I Cor. 9:14-18; II Cor. 10:14; II Cor. 11:7; I Pet. 1:12-25; I Pet. 4:6
OBEY: Rom. 10:16; II Thes. 1:8; I Pet. 4:17
HOW MANY: Gal. 1:8-9
GRACE, LAW
WHAT IS IT? UNDESERVED PARDON: Rom. 3:6; Ps. 51:1-2; Gal. 5; Eph. 1:6-7; Eph. 4:7; II Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:7; I Pet. 1:10, 13
TERMS: Rom. 11:5-6; Rom. 12:6; Rom. 15:15; I Cor. 10; I Cor. 10:30; II Cor. 8:7
MERCY OF GOD: Ga. 2:21; Eph. 3:2, 7; II Cor. 9:14; Col. 1:6; I Pet. 4:10
SAVED BY GRACE: Eph. 2:8-10; John 1:17; Rom. 3:6; Acts 15:11; Titus 2:11
DOESN'T ABOLISH LAW: Ps. 119:92; Rom. 7:12; James 2:8-10; Rev. 12:17
STILL SIN: Rom. 5:15; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 3:19; Rom. 4:15
WORKS STILL NEEDED: Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 3:6; James 2:20, 26; II Cor. 9:8; I Jn. 2:3-4
NOT LICENSE: Jude 3, 4, 8
UNDER LAW: I Cor. 9:20, 21; Gal. 3:22-25; Rom. 3:6
HEALING
GOD DOES HEAL: Ps. 103:2-3; James 5:14-15; Ex. 23:24-25; Deut. 32:39; Isa. 6:10; Isa. 53:5; Isa. 57:18-19; Jer. 30:17; Eccl. 3:3; Matt. 9:35; Matt. 10:1, 8; Matt 11:5; Matt. 13:15; Mark 3:15; Mark 16:17-18; Luke 9:1-2; Luke 10:9; Acts 28:27; I Cor. 12:9; I Cor. 12:28-30; I Pet. 2:24
IT IS GOD'S WILL: Luke 5:11-13; Matt. 8:3; Heb. 13:8
WHAT IS IT? FORGIVENESS OF SIN: Matt. 9:2-8; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26
HOW? BY WHAT?: (CHRIST'S SACRIFICE): Isa. 53:5; Matt. 8:16-17; Matt. 5:23-29; I Cor. 11:27-30; I Pet. 2:24
HOW? (ANOINTING): James 5:14-15; Acts 28:8-9; Mark 5:23-29; Mark 6:13; Luke 13:13-14
SIN NO MORE: Jn. 5:14
PREREQUISITES (FAITH): Matt. 9:29; Mark 5:20-34; Luke 7:7-9; Luke 8:48-50; Luke 18:42; Acts 14:8-10; James 5:14-15
ASK: I Jn. 3:22
EXAMPLES OF OLD TESTAMENT: Gen. 20:17; Ex. 15:23-26; I Sam. 6:3; II Kings 1; II Kings 5; II Kings 20; II Chron. 16:12-14; II Chron. 30:20; Ps. 30:2; Ps.. 107:20; Jer. 17:14
EXAMPLES IN CHRIST'S TIME: Matt. 4:23-25; Matt. 8:6-13; Matt. 9:2-8; Matt. 9:20-35; Matt. 12:15-16; Matt. 14:14; Luke 7:21-22; Luke 9:1-2, 6; Luke 13:11-16; Luke 17:15-19; Luke 22:50-51; Jn. 5:13
EXAMPLES OF APOSTLES: Acts 3:1-16; Acts 4:9-14; Acts 5:15-16, 22, 30; Acts 8:7; Acts 9:33-41; Acts 14:9-10; Acts 8:5-7; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 28:1-9; James 5:14-15
MAY ASK THREE TIMES: II Cor. 12:7-10
ALL WEREN'T HEALED IMMEDIATELY: II Tim. 4:20
EXTRA REFERENCES: Ps. 67:2; Jer. 8:15; Matt.13:58; Luke 6:10
HELL
WHAT: Mark 9:43-48; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:33; Rev. 20:13-15; Rev. 21:8
THREE WORDS:
SHEOL (HEBREW) OLD TESTAMENT "GRAVE": Gen. 37:35; Gen. 42:38; I Sam. 2:6; Job 14:13HELL: Deut. 32:22; II Sam. 22:6; Job 11:8; Job 26:6; Ps. 18:5; Ps. 9:17; Ps. 16:10; Ps. 55:15; Ps. 86:13; Ps. 116:3; Ps. 139:8; Prov. 5:5; Prov. 7:27; Prov. 9:18; Prov. 15:24; Prov. 27:20-27; Isa. 5:14; Isa. 14:9; Isa. 23:14; Isa. 28:15; Isa. 57:9; Ezek. 31:16-17; Ezek. 32:21-27; Amos 9:2; Jonah 2:2; Hab. 2:5NEW TESTAMENT: HADES "GRAVE": Acts 2:27, 31; Matt. 11:23; Matt. 16:18; Luke 10:15; Luke 16:23; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 6:8; Rev. 20:13-14
TARTAROS (RESTRAINT OF FALLEN ANGELS): II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6
GEHENNA (REPRESENTS VALLEY OF HINNOM): Neh. 11:30; II Kings 23:10; Jer. 19:6; Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 13:30; Matt. 18:9; Matt. 23:15, 33; Mark 9:47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6
WICKED CONSUMED: Mal. 4:1-3; Ps. 37:9, 12, 22, 29; Ps. 104:35; Obadiah 16; Isa. 66:24; Rom. 6:23; Jude 7
FIRE NOT QUENCHED: Jer. 17:27; Jer. 52:13; Mal. 4:1-3; Mark 9:43-45, 47-48; II Pet. 3:10, 13; Jude 7; Rev. 14:9-14; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:8, 13-15; Rev. 21:8
JUDGMENT: I Sam. 2:6; Jn. 5:28-29; Jn. 12:48; Heb. 9:27; Heb. 10:26-27; II Pet. 2:9; Rev. 20:13
WAGES OF SIN (DEATH): Matt. 7:17-18, 23; Luke 13:3; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 10:26-27
AFTER DEATH: Ps. 6:5; Ps. 146:4; Eccl. 3:19-20; Eccl. 9:10
WORM DIETH NOT: Isa. 66:24; Mark 9:44-48
HOLY DAYS
COMMAND OLD TESTAMENT: Lev. 23; Deut 16; Num 28-29; Ex. 34:18-27
COMMAND NEW TESTAMENT: Jn. 7:37; Luke 2:41-43; Mark 14; Matt 26; Luke 22; Jn. 13; Acts 12:3-4; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:16; Acts 27:9; I Cor. 5:7-8
FUTURE: Zech. 14:16-19
HOW? OFFERING: Deut. 16:16-17; Ex 23:14-18; Ex. 34:23
NO SACRIFICES TODAY: Jer. 7:22-23; Ps. 51:16-17; I Sam. 15:22; Gal. 3:19; Ex. 40:17
PASSOVER (CHRIST'S SACRIFICE):
OLD TESTAMENT: Ex. 12:1-10; Ex. 13:1-10; Ex. 34:20; Lev. 23:4-5; Num. 28:16; Num. 33:3; Num. 9:2-14; II Kings 23:21-23; Ezek. 45:18; II Chron. 30:1-5
NEW TESTAMENT (SACRIFICES, NEW SYMBOLS): Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; Jn. 13:1-5; I Cor. 11:20-34; Jn. 6:53-55
WHO? Ex. 12:43-44; Rom 2:28-29; Gal. 3:27-29
DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD:
PUTTING SIN OUT: Ex. 12:1-10; Ex. 13:1-10; Ex. 23:14-15; Ex. 34:18; Num. 28:17-25; Lev. 23; Deut. 16:3-8; Ezra 6:22; II Chron. 8:13; II Chron. 30:13-27; Ezek. 45:21-23; Matt. 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:1; Acts 12:3; Acts 20:6; I Cor. 5:2-8
LEAVEN IN SIN: Luke 12:1; Matt. 16:6, 11-12
PENTECOST: Ex. 23:16; Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:9-22; Num. 28:26-30; Deut. 16:9-12; II Chron. 8:13; Acts 2:1; Acts 20:16; I Cor. 16:8
CHRIST--WAVE SHEAF: Jn. 20:17; Matt. 28:9; I Cor. 15:20, 23; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18
WE--THE FIRST FRUITS: James 1:18; Rom. 8:23; Rom. 11:26; Isa. 11:11; Isa. 66:15-19; I Cor. 15:22-23
A DAY OF SALVATION: Isa. 49:8; II Cor. 6:2; Rom. 11; I Tim. 2:4-6
COMING OF HOLY SPIRIT: (See Holy Spirit)
TRUMPETS: Lev. 23:23-25; Num. 29:1; Neh. 8:2-9, 12
ALARM OF WAR: Jer. 4:19-21; Num. 10:8; Ezek. 33:2-7; Rev. 7; Joel 2:1-2
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: I Thes. 4:14-17; I Cor. 15; Rev. 11:15-19; Isa. 27:13; Zech. 14:4-5
HOW: Acts 1:9-10
ATONEMENT: Lev. 23:26-32; Lev. 16; Num. 29:7; Ps. 81:1-4; Acts 27:9
BINDING OF SATAN: Rev. 20:1-10; Zech. 13:2
ATONEMENT WITH GOD: Isa. 11:9; Zech. 14
TABERNACLES: Ex. 23:16; Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:33-44; Deut. 16:13-17; Num. 28:12; I Kings 12:19-33; Neh. 8:11-18; Hosea 12:9; Jn. 7:2, 14; Acts 18:21; II Chron. 8:13; Ezek. 45:25; (See Millennium) Zech 14:16-19
LAST GREAT DAY: Lev. 23:39; Num 29:35; Jn. 7:37
MEANING OF 100 YEAR PERIOD: Rev. 20:5-12; Ezek. 37; Isa. 65:17-25
EVERYONE TO BE SAVED: Rom. 11; Rev. 21:1-4; I Tim. 2:3-4
HOLY SPIRIT
WHY NEED IT?: Eph. 3:18; Eph. 6:8; James 2:26; I Cor. 6:11; Jn. 8:28; Rom. 6:23-24; Jn. 5:30; Jn. 14:10; Rom. 8:9-17; I Jn. 5:11-12; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 2:20
WHAT? (POWER): Gen. 1:2; Matt. 12:28; Phil. 4:13; II Pet. 1:4; Ps. 89:7-8; Rom. 15:13-14; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2; Acts 3:12
DESCRIPTION (HOW DOES IT WORK?): Jn. 4:10; I Cor. 12
ONE SPIRIT: I Cor. 12; Eph. 4:4, 30; I Sam. 10:6-10; I Jn. 4:1-8; Rom. 8:5-17; I Cor. 6:11
TRUTH PRODUCES CHANGES, LEADS TO SALVATION: Gal.3:17-24; Eph. 1:14; Eph. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:19; Rom. 12:1-2; I Cor. 2:11-14
CHRIST IN US: Gal. 2:20; I Cor. 3:16; Jn. 14:17; II Pet. 1:3-4; Col. 1:27; Ga. 4:19; I Cor. 2:16; I Cor. 6:20; II Cor. 3:3; James 4:5
SPIRIT IN US: Ezek. 36:27; Ezek. 37:14
HOW DO WE GET IT?: Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32; Phil. 1:19; Isa. 44:3
RECEIVE MORE: II Cor. 4:16; Jn. 7:37-38; Eph. 4:23
ASK: Luke 11:13;
WORD OF GOD: Gal. 3:1-5, 14
GIFT OF GOD: Jn. 4:10; Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17; Rom. 6:23; I Cor. 12
WHEN DO WE GET IT: Acts 2:38; Acts 8:17; Acts 19:1-6
HOW MUCH DO WE GET?: Rom. 8:23; II Cor. 4:16; II Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
FUTURE: Joel 2:3, 28, 32
FRUITS: Matt. 7:20; Acts 4:31; Rom. 5:5; Rom. 8:6; Rom. 15:13; I Cor. 12:1-11; I Cor. 13; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Phil. 4:13; I Pet. 1:22
FLESH VERSUS SPIRIT (SANCTIFICATION): Rom. 8:5-17; I Cor. 2:10-16; I Cor. 6:11; Gal. 5:16-18; Eph. 3:5; I Pet. 1:2; II Pet. 1:4; I Jn. 4:1-8; Jude 19
PRODUCES CHANGE: I Sam. 10:10; Ezek. 11:19; Ezek. 36:26-27; Rom. 2:6; I Cor. 2:11-14; I Cor. 12; II Pet. 1:4-8
LEADS TO SALVATION: Gen. 3:17-24; Jn. 3:5-8; Rom. 6:1-11; Rom. 8:23-26; Eph. 1:14; Eph. 2:22; Eph. 4:30; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 1:19
BEGOTTEN NOW: I Pet. 1:23
HEIRS: Rom. 8:17
SONS OF GOD: Rom. 8:14, 29; Gal. 3:26; Heb. 12:9; I Jn. 3:1
KINGDOM OF GOD
WHAT IS IT? (See Gospel): Dan. 2:44-45
RULER: CHRIST!: Dan. 2:44-45; Dan. 7:14; Zech. 14:9; Matt. 4:1-11; Matt. 28:18; Luke 1:31-33; Luke 19; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 19:15-16
SAINTS WITH HIM: Dan. 7:18, 21; Zech. 14:5; Luke 22:30; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 20:4
TERRITORY: Isa. 2:2-4; Jer. 3:17; Dan. 2:35; Zech. 14:4; Micah 4:1, 2, 7; Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:10-11; Rev. 20:4; Rev. 22:12
CITIZENS: Isa. 2:2-4; Isa. 24:1, 5, 6; Isa. 30:21; Dan. 12:2; Zech. 14:16-17, 19; Jn. 5:28-29
LAWS: Ps. 111:8; Isa. 2:2-4; Isa. 11:9; Zech. 14:17; Micah 4:1, 2, 4; James 4:12; (See Commandments)
WHEN?: Luke 21:25-32; Jn. 18:36-37; Acts 3:21; Rev. 12:10; Rev. 21:1
FOR HOW LONG: Ps. 145:12-13; Luke 1:33
HOW CHRIST WILL RETURN: Zech. 14:4; Matt. 16:28; Matt. 24:26-30; Luke 17:24; Acts 1:6-9
WHAT IS IT? MYSTERY: Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10
PARABLES: Matt. 13; Matt. 18:23-25; Matt. 20:1-16; Matt. 22:2-13; Matt. 25; Mark 4; Luke 13:18-21
CHRIST REPRESENTED: Matt. 12:28; Luke 17:20-21
WHO IN KINGDOM?: Zech. 14:5; Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:18-29
SPIRIT: Mark 12:25; Luke 7:28; Jn. 3:3-8; Jn. 4:24; Jn. 17:4-5; Rom. 6:4-8; Rom. 8:29; I Cor. 15:50; II Cor. 5:2; Heb. 1:2; I Jn. 3:1-2
SONS OF GOD: Luke 20:35-36; Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:17-19, 29; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 1:2
OUR GOAL: Matt. 6:10, 33; Mark 9:47; Mark 12:34; Luke 12:31; Luke 16:16-17; Col. 4:11; I Thes. 2:12
DIFFICULT TO ENTER: Matt. 7:13, 14, 21; Matt. 19:24; Matt. 21:31; Matt. 25; Mark 10:24-25; Luke 9:27, 62; Luke 18:16-29; Acts 14:22; II Thes. 1:5
ATTRIBUTES TO ENTER: Matt. 5:3-10, 19; Matt. 11:12; Matt. 18:3; Mark 10:14; Luke 6:20; Rom. 14:17
THOSE WHO WON'T: Rom. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5
LAYING ON OF HANDS
Heb. 6:2
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT: Acts 8:17-19; Acts 19:6
ANOINTING: Mark 5:23; Mark 6:5; Mark 16:18; Luke 4:40; Luke 13:13; Acts 28:8; James 5:14
ORDINATION: Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; I Tim. 5:22
OLD TESTAMENT SETTING APART: Gen. 48:13-16; Num. 8:6-11; Num. 27:18-23; Deut. 34:9
BLESSING OF CHILDREN: Matt. 19:13; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, CHILD REARING
WHO INSTITUTED MARRIAGE?: Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:18; Mark 10:6-7; Heb. 13:4
DIVORCE: Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Luke 16:18; Jn. 4:16-18; Rom. 7:2-3; I Cor. 7
ANNULMENT: Deut. 24:1-4; Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19:3-9
ADULTERY: Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18; Deut. 22:22; Jer. 3:8; Jer. 7:9; Matt. 5:27; Matt. 15:19; Matt. 19:18; Mark 7:21; Jn. 8:3-4; Rom. 2:22; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:19; James 2:11; II Pet. 2:14; Rev. 2:22; Rev. 9:21
FORNICATION: Deut. 22:13-30; Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; Jn. 8:41; Acts 15:20, 29; Acts 21:25; Rom. 1:29; I Cor. 5:1-10; I Cor. 6:9, 10, 18; I Cor. 7:2; II Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; I Thes. 4:3; Heb. 12:16; Jude 7; Rev. 2:21
RESPONSIBILITIES--HUSBANDS: Gen. 3:16; Eccl. 9:9; I Cor. 11:3-9; Col. 3:18-19; I Tim. 3:4-5; I Tim. 5:8
RESPONSIBILITIES--WIVES: Prov. 21:19; Prov. 18:13, 22; Prov. 25:24; Prov. 31; Isa. 3:12; I Cor. 11:3-12; I Tim. 2:9-12; I Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:5; I Pet. 3:1-6
CHILD REARING: Deut. 4:6-9; Deut. 6:6-7; Deut. 11:18-19; Ps. 127:3-5; Ps. 128:1, 2, 6; Prov. 1:7-9; Prov. 13:24; Prov. 19:18; Prov. 22:6, 15; Prov. 23:13-14; Prov. 29:15; Ezek. 14:11-14; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21
MILLENNIUM
WHAT: Rev. 11:15-19; Rev. 20:1-9
WHERE (EARTH): Jer. 3:17; Jer. 23:5; Jer. 33:17; Dan. 2:34, 35, 44; Dan. 7:27; Isa. 2:2-3; Micah 4:1, 2, 7; Matt. 5:5; Luke 1:30, 33; Luke 22:30; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:7-9; Zech. 14
WHOLE WORLD TO BE CONVERTED: Ps. 49:8; Isa. 2:3; Isa. 11:11-12; Joel 2; Rom. 11:25-26; II Cor. 6:2
GOVERNMENT--CHRIST WILL RULE: Ps. 2:7-9; Isa. 11:4-5, 10, 12; Isa. 40:10-11; Micah 4:7; Rev. 2:27; Rev. 11:15-25
SAINTS WITH HIM: Prov. 29:2; Isa. 30:20-21; Isa. 32:1; Dan. 7:13-14, 18, 22; Zech. 14:5; Luke 19:17-19; Luke 22:30; I Cor. 6:2; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:4-6
DESCRIPTION (KNOWLEDGE OF GOD): Isa. 2:1-2; Isa. 30:20-21, 30; Isa. 11:9; Isa. 25:8; Hab. 2:14; Micah 4:1-2; Zech. 14
PROSPERITY: Isa. 27:6; Isa. 30:23-24; Isa. 32:14-16; Isa. 35; Hosea 2:22; Amos 9:13-14
HAPPINESS: Isa. 25:8; Isa. 35:10; Zech. 8
PEACE: Isa. 2:4; Isa. 32:18; Ezek. 21:25-26; Micah 4:3-7; Zech. 8
TAME ANIMALS: Isa. 11:6-9; Isa. 35:9; Hosea 2:18
OVERCOMING, CHANGING
NEED TO: Matt. 5:48; II Cor. 10:5; Eph. 4:11-13; Heb. 6:1-3; James 5:10; I Pet. 5:10; II Pet. 3:18
IF SO: Matt. 25; Luke 19; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 21:7
IF NOT: Matt. 25; Luke 19; Rev. 3:14-19
CHRIST OVERCAME: Jn. 16:33; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 5:8; Rev. 3:21
HOW TO RESIST SIN: Eph. 6; Col. 3:5-8; Heb. 12; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:6-9; I Jn. 2:13-14
GET MIND ON SPIRITUAL THINGS: Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-10
PRAY, FAST, STUDY: Ps. 19:7; II Cor. 4:16; II Pet. 3:18
HELP OF GOD: Phil. 4:13; Heb. 4:14-16
PRAYER
ASK GOD: Matt. 6:8; Matt. 7:7; Matt. 21:22; Luke 11:9, 13; Jn. 11:22; Jn. 15:7; James 1:5-6; James 4:2-3; I Jn. 3:22
WHY? NEED TO GROW: II Cor. 4:16
COMMANDED: Matt. 6:5; Luke 11:2; Luke 18:1; Luke 21:36; I Tim. 2:3; Rev. 5:8
GOD WILL HEAR: Job 33:26; Ps. 65:2; Ps. 66:19; Ps. 102:17; Prov. 15:8, 29; Jer. 29:12; Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24-28; Luke 1:13; Heb. 5:7; I Pet. 3:12; I Jn. 3:22
GOD WILL ANSWER: Gen. 20:17; Ex. 32:7-14; II Kings 20:1-11; James 5:16-18
POSITION: I Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5-6; Luke 18:13; Luke 22:41; Jn. 11:41; Jn. 17:1; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5; I Tim 2:8; Heb. 11:21
WHERE: Matt. 6:6; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12-13; Luke 9:18
HOW OFTEN: Ps. 5:3; Ps. 55:16-17; Ps. 88:13; Ps. 119:62, 164; Dan. 6:10; Dan. 9:4; II Cor. 4:16; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; I Thes. 5:17; I Tim. 5:5
WHAT TO PRAY FOR: Matt. 6; Luke 11
MORE MINISTERS: Matt. 9:38; Luke 10:2; Rom. 15:30; Heb. 13:18
OTHER BRETHREN: Jn. 17:9-20; Rom. 1:9; Phil. 1:4-9; Col. 1:3; Col. 4:12; James 5:16
IN AUTHORITY: I Tim. 2:1-2
ENEMIES: Matt. 5:44
ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: Matt. 26:41
WISDOM: James 1:5-6
SIN CUT OFF: Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:9; Isa. 59:1-2
FRICTION, CONFUSION CUTS OFF: Matt. 5:24; I Cor. 14:33; I Pet. 3:7
EXAMPLES IN OLD TESTAMENT: Gen. 20:17; Ps. 5:2; Ps. 55:1, 17; Ps. 72:20; Ps. 88:2; Jer. 42:4
CHRIST: Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Mark 14:32; Luke 5:16; Luke 9:28; Luke 11:1; Luke 18:10; Jn. 17:9
APOSTLES: Acts 10:9; Acts 12:12; Acts 14:23; Rom. 1:9; I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:9
HOW NOT: Ps. 109:7; Matt. 6:7; Matt. 23:14
SEVEN ANSWERS:
SEEK GOD'S WILL: Jn. 5:30; Eph. 5:17; II Tim. 2:15; James 4:1-4; I Jn. 5:14-15
BELIEVE GOD: Rom. 4:20-21; James 1:5-7; James 2:20; James 5:14
BE FERVENT: Hosea 7:14; Luke 22:44; Col. 4:12; James 5:16
FEAR AND HUMILITY: Ps. 111:10; Isa. 66:2; Luke 18:12-13; Heb. 5:7; I Pet. 5:5
BE PERSISTENT: Luke 18:1-8; James 1:3
OBEY: Rom. 6:16; I Jn. 2:4; I Jn. 3:4; I Pet. 3:12
USE CHRIST'S NAME: Jn. 15:7; Jn. 16:23-29
PROPHECY
ISRAEL OVER ALL: Lev. 26; Deut. 28; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; Rev. 6-9
ISRAEL DECADENCE: Isa. 5; II Tim. 3:1-5
BEAST: Dan. 2 & 7; Rev. 17-18; Rev. 19:20
CATHOLIC CHURCH: Isa. 47; Rev. 17-18
FIRST FOUR SEALS PRECEDING SEALS--WILD BEASTS: Ezek. 5:17
GREAT TRIBULATION: Jer. 30:1-9; Ezek. 5
CAPTIVITY: Jer. 30:1-9; Ezek. 5
HEAVENLY SIGNS: Isa. 13:10-13; Isa. 24:15-20; Isa. 64:1-4; Joel 2:10; Rev. 6:12-17
DAY OF THE LORD: Isa. 13:6-22; Isa. 24:18-23; Jer. 25:30-33; Joel 1-3; Zeph. 1:14-18; Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 14:12; Rev. 6:12-17; Rev. 16; Rev. 20
EXODUS: Isa. 11:11-15; Isa. 27:12-13; Jer. 23:7-8; Jer. 30:10
FALL OF BEAST: Jer. 50-51
REPENTANCE
UNCOVERTED STATE: Isa. 55:8-9; Isa. 64:6; Prov. 14:12; Eccl. 1:2; Jer. 10:23; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Rom. 1:28-32; Rom. 3:10-18; Rom. 7:21-23; Rom. 8:7, 20; Gal. 5:19-20
OF WHAT: Job 42:6; Ezek. 36:31; Acts 2:38
WHAT: Job 42:6; Ps. 51; Jer. 3:13; Luke 10:13; Luke 15; Acts 5:29; Acts 20:21; II Cor. 7:9-10
WHY WE NEED TO: Ps. 14:2-3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 8:9
GOD COMMANDS: Deut. 30:18-19; Isa. 55:7; Ezek. 14:6; Ezek. 18:30; Zech. 1:4; Matt. 3:2; Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:15; Mark 6:12; Luke 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20; Rom. 6:3-6; Rev. 3:19
IF NOT: Ezek. 18:20; Ezek. 33:9; Luke 13:3-5; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 20:15
IF SO: Ezek. 18:21; Matt. 7:21; Acts 2:38; Gal. 2:20
WHEN: Isa. 55:6; Mark 1:15
HOW: Acts 5:30-32; Acts 11:18; Rom. 2:4; II Cor. 7:9-10; II Tim. 2:25
WORKS MEET FOR REPENTANCE: Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20
GOD WANTS: Matt. 9:13; Mark 2:7; Luke 15:7-10; II Pet. 3:9
RESURRECTION
WHAT? (FROM DEAD TO LIFE): Isa. 26:19; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 4:2; Acts 17:31-32; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15, 21; Phil. 3:10-12; Heb. 6:2
JUDGMENT: Dan. 12:2; Luke 14:14; Heb. 11:35
FOR EVERYONE: Dan. 12:2; Jn. 6:28-29; Acts 24:15; Rev. 20
DESCRIBES: I Cor. 15; I Thes. 4:17; Rev. 20
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IN RELATION TO US: Jn. 11:24-26; Rom. 5:8-10; Rom. 6:11; Rom. 8:29; I Cor. 15:14-18; Col. 1:18; I Pet. 1:3; I Pet. 3:21
HOW, WHEN: Dan. 7; I Cor. 15, especially verse 52; I Thes. 4:13-17; Rev. 11:15
FIRST WHO: I Cor. 15; I Thes. 4:17
GENERAL: Rev. 20:4-6
SECOND: Isa. 65:11-25; Ezek. 37; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-42; Matt. 25:31-34; Luke 16; Jn. 5:28-29; Rev. 20:11-13
THIRD: Mal. 4:3; Rev. 20:13-15
PURPOSE, SPIRIT, RULE: Dan. 7:18, 27-28; I Cor. 6:2; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:1-6
WHAT WE WILL BE LIKE (SPIRIT TO ENTER KINGDOM): Jn. 3:3-8; Jn. 4:24; Jn. 17:4-5; Rom. 6:4-5; Rom. 8:11, 29; I Cor. 15:44, 50; II Cor. 5:2
SONS OF GOD: Luke 20:35-36; Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:17; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 2:11-12; I Jn. 3:2
ABILITIES OF SPIRIT: Dan. 12:3; Matt. 16:26; Matt. 17:1-2; Luke 24:31; Jn. 20:17-19; Rev. 7:13-16
CAN CHANGE: Isa. 30:20; Mark 16:12; Luke 24:4-43
NO SEX: Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:35-36; Gal. 3:28
SABBATH
CREATED: Gen. 2:2-3
FOR WHOM: Mark 2:27-28
GENTILES: Rom. 1:1-6; Rom. 2:28-29; Rom. 11:23-26; Gal. 3:28-29; Eph. 2:11-12
SIGN: Ex. 31:12-17; Ezek. 20:12, 20
COMMAND: Ex. 16:4-30; Ex. 20:8-11; Ex. 23:12; Ex. 31:12-17; Ex. 34:21; Ex. 35:1-3; Lev. 19:3; Lev. 23:1-3; Lev. 26:1-2; Deut. 5:12-15; Neh. 9:14; Isa. 56:2-6; Ezek. 44:24; Luke 23:56; Heb. 4:4-9
IN FUTURE: Is. 66:23
IF NOT: Num. 15:32-36; Neh. 10:31; Neh. 13:15-22; Ezek. 20:13-21; Ezek. 22:8, 26; Ezek. 23:38
KEPT IN CHRIST'S TIME: Mark 1:21; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16, 31; Luke 6:1-10; Luke 13:10-16; Jn. 5:9, 16
APOSTLES KEPT IT: Acts 13:42-44; Acts 15:21; Acts 17:2; Acts 18:1-4
ASSEMBLY, FELLOWSHIP: Lev. 23:1-3; II Cor. 6:14; Heb. 10:25; I Jn. 1:3, 6-7
FIRST DAY OF WEEK--SUNDAY: Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:2-3; Luke 24:1-2; Jn. 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2
SALVATION (Not Only Day)
NOT ALL CALLED NOW: Deut. 29:2-4; Isa. 28:11-13; Ezek. 20:24-26; Matt. 7:13; Mark 4:11-12; Jn. 6:44; Rom. 1:28-29; Rom. 11:5-7; I Cor. 1:26; Eph. 2:11-12; Rev. 12:9
WHY: Rom. 11:32
ALL TO HAVE CHANCE: Deut. 5:29; Isa. 9:2-7; Isa. 25:7; Matt. 10:5; Matt. 11:22; I Tim. 2:3-4; II Pet. 3:9-10
WHEN: Isa. 65; Ezek. 37; Rev. 20
SATAN, DEMONS, ANGELS
SATAN, LUCIFER, ANGELS: Job 38:4-7; Isa. 14; Ezek. 28
FALL: Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:4
POWER: Acts 26:18; II Thes. 2:9-10; Heb. 2:14
DESCRIPTION (GOD OF THIS WORLD): Luke 4:5-7; Jn. 12:31; Jn. 14:30; Jn. 16:11; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:9
NAMES: Matt. 9:34; Matt. 12:24; Luke 11:18; Jn. 8:44; Eph. 2:2; Eph. 6:12; I Thes. 3:5; I Jn. 3:8-10; Rev. 12:9; Rev. 20:2
HOW WORKS: Gen. 3; I Sam. 28:13-20; Job 1-2; Matt. 13:39; Mark 1:13; Luke 22:31-32; Jn. 13:2, 27; Acts 5:1-5; I Cor. 7:5; II Cor. 2:11; II Cor. 11:4-13, 15; I Thes. 2:18; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12
FATE: Matt. 25:41; Rom. 16:20; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, 13; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:1-3; Rev. 21:27
DEMONS, HOW BECAME: II Pet. 2:4
DESCRIPTION: Luke 8:28; Acts 8:7; James 2:19
POWERS, HOW WORK: Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:2-13; Mark 9:20-29; Luke 11:18-26; Acts 16:16-18; I Tim 4:1-3; Rev. 16:14; Rev. 18:2
POSSESS, ENTER: Matt. 9:32; Matt. 4:24; Matt. 8:16, 28-33; Matt. 15:22; Mark 1:32; Mark 5:2-13; Luke 7:33
FATE: Matt. 25:41; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, 13
ANGELS, WHAT ARE THEY: WE--GREATER: I Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1-2
SIN
WHAT IS: Mark 7:20-22; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 5:13; Rom. 7:7-13; James 1:14-15; James 4:17; I Jn. 3:4
RESULTS, DEATH: Deut. 21:22; Ezek. 18:4, 20; Rom. 5:12-13, 21; Rom. 6:16, 23; James 1:15
PUNISHMENT: Gen. 6; Lev. 26; Isa. 40:2; Jer. 16:18; Jer. 40:3; Ezek. 14:13
SEPARATION FROM GOD: Isa. 59:1-2; Jn. 9:31
ENORMITY OF SCOPE: Num. 32:23; Ps. 51; Matt. 9:13; Jn. 8:34; Rom. 2:12; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:16; James 2:9-10; I Jn. 1:8; I Jn. 3:8-10
HATE IT: Ps. 7:11; Ps. 119; Prov. 6:16-17; Prov. 8:13; Prov. 15:9; Jer. 44:4; Amos 5:15
AGAINST GOD: Gen. 39:9; Num. 32:23; Ps. 51:4; Luke 15:18, 21
HOW TO PREVENT: I Cor. 15:34; Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2; Heb. 12:1-4; I Jn. 2:1
UNPARDONABLE: Matt. 12:22-24, 31-32; Mark 3:28; Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26
HOW TO BE DELIVERED: Isa. 1:18; Isa. 43:25; Rom. 5:8, 21; Rom. 6:16-23; Rom. 7:15-25; I Jn. 2:1-2
FORGIVENESS: Jer. 36:3; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Luke 15:7-10; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 22:16; Rom. 4:7; Rom. 6; Rom. 11:27; Heb. 8:12; Heb. 10:17; I Jn. 1:7-9; I Jn. 2:1-2; I Jn. 3:9
CHRIST DIED: Isa. 53:12; I Cor. 3; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 1:3; Heb. 4:15; I Pet. 2:22-24
SOUL
NOT IMMORTAL: Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:19; Gen. 37:34; Job. 17:13-14; Ps. 6:5; Ps. 115:17; Ps. 146:3-4; Eccl. 9:5, 10; Ezek. 18:4, 20; Mal. 4:1-3; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 25:46; Luke 13:3-5; Jn. 3:13; Acts 2:29-34; Rom. 6:23; I Cor. 15:53; Heb. 9:27
SOUL CUT OFF: Ex. 12:15; Lev. 22:3; Lev. 23:30; Num. 15:31
RESURRECTION: I Cor. 15; Phil. 3:10-11; I Thes. 4; Jn. 5:25-29
NEPHESH, MORTAL LIFE: Gen. 1:24-27; Gen. 2:7, 19; Gen. 9:4, 10, 12, 15-16; Gen. 19:17, 19; Gen. 21:23; Gen. 32:30; Gen. 44:30; Ex. 4:19; Ex. 21:30; Lev. 17:11-14; Lev. 21:11; Num. 6:6; Num. 9:6-7, 10; Num. 19:11, 13, 16; Deut. 12:23; Isa. 53:10-12; Hag. 2:13
INDIVIDUAL: Gen. 2:7; Lev. 4:15; Lev. 17:12; Lev. 23:30; Num. 9:13
BEING: Deut. 6:5; Deut. 11:13; Deut. 13:3
PSUCHE, BREATH: Matt. 10:28
LOWER ANIMALS: Rev. 8:9; Rev. 16:3
AS INDIVIDUAL: (14 times) Acts 2:41; Acts 27:37; I Pet. 3:20; III Jn. 2; Rev. 18:14
LIFE OF MAN: (58 times) Matt. 22:25
HUMAN SPIRIT: Eccl. 3:21; Acts 7:59
IMMORTALITY: (only 5 places) Rom. 2:7; I Cor. 15:53-54; I Tim. 6:16; II Tim. 1:10
TITHING
Malachi 3
GOD OWNS EVERYTHING: Ex. 19:5; Deut. 10:14; Job 41:11; Ps. 24:1-2; Ps. 50:10-12; Hag. 2:8; I Cor. 10:26
COMMAND: Gen. 14:17-20; Gen. 28:22; Lev. 27:27-30; Deut. 14:22; Mal. 3:5-9; Matt. 23:23; Luke 18:12; I Cor. 9; Heb. 7:1-9
OFFERINGS: Deut. 16:16; Ezek. 20:40; Mal. 3:8
GOD WANTS US TO PROSPER: Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:10; III Jn. 2
RESULTS OF TITHING: Gen. 14:19-20; Mal. 3:5-10; Heb. 7:6
WHO TO RECEIVE TITHES: Num. 18:20-28; Deut. 12:6, 11, 14; Neh. 10:37; Neh. 12:44; Neh. 13:5; I Cor. 9; Heb. 7:6-18
WHAT GOD DOES WITH IT: Matt. 24:14
SECOND TITHE: Deut. 12:6, 11, 17-18; Deut. 14:28-29
THIRD TITHE: Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 26:12-15
THIRD IN CYCLE OF SEVEN: Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15
FIRST BORN: Ex. 13:12-15; Num. 18:17-18; Deut. 14:23
FIRST FRUITS: Ex. 23:19; Num. 18:12; Deut. 26:2
TRIALS
WE WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION: Ps. 34:19; Ps. 73:3-14; Jn. 15:20; Jn. 16:33; Jn. 17:14; Acts 9:16; Acts 14:22; II Tim. 2:12; II Tim. 3:12; Heb. 10:32; Heb. 11; Heb. 12:6; I Pet. 4:12-13
PURPOSE: Job; Ps. 73; Rom. 5:3-5; II Cor. 8:2; Heb. 2:10; Heb. 5:8; Heb. 12:11; I Pet. 1:7
WE WILL BE DELIVERED: Ps. 34:19; Matt. 11:28-30; Jn. 16:33; II Cor. 1:4-7
BE WILLING TO ENDURE: Matt. 10:32-39; Luke 14:26-33; I Cor. 4:12
REJOICE: Ps. 94:12; Matt. 5:10-11; Acts 5:41; Rom. 5:3-5; Rom. 8; Rom. 12:14; I Cor. 7:4; II Cor. 11:23-27; II Cor. 12:10; I Pet. 1:6-7; I Pet. 4:12-16
EXAMPLES: Job; Acts 3:18; II Cor. 11:23-27; Heb. 11
CORRECTION: Prov. 3:11-12; Prov. 15:10; Prov. 24:12; Jer. 10:24; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 3:19
WORLDLINESS
WHAT IS IT: Luke 15; Jn. 10:10; III Jn. 2
DRINKING NOT WRONG: Gen. 14:18; Isa. 55:1; Matt. 11:19; Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11
WINE--PURPOSE, MAKE MERRY: Gen. 43:34; Deut. 14:23, 26; Judges 9:13; Ps. 104:15; Prov. 31:6-7; Eccl. 10:19
HEALTH: Luke 10:34; I Tim. 5:23
IN MILLENNIUM: Jer. 31:12; Amos 9:11-15; Zech. 10:6-7; Mark 14:22-25
TEMPERANCE: Gal. 5:23; I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; Titus 2:2
DRUNKEDNESS CONDEMNED: Gen. 9:21; Gen. 19:32-35; Prov. 20:1; Prov. 23:29-30; Isa. 5:11; Isa. 28:1; Rom. 13:13; I Cor. 5:11; I Cor. 6:10; I Cor. 11:20-21; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18
DANCING: Ex. 15:20; I Sam. 18:6; II Sam. 6:16; Ps. 149:3; Ps. 150:4; Eccl. 3:4; Jer. 31:1-9, 12-13; Luke 15:25
MUSIC: I Sam. 18:6; Ps. 87:7; Ps. 149:3; Isa. 35:2; Amos 6:5; Luke 15:25; Rev. 18:22
JEWELRY, NICE CLOTHING: Ex. 3:22; Ezek. 16:2-14; Luke 15:22
SIN IS NOT THING, BUT USE OF IT: James 1:15; James 4:1-4; I Jn. 3:4
"LOVE NOT THE WORLD": II Cor. 6:17; I Jn. 2:15-17; Rev. 18:4
A FEW SCRIPTURES TO KEEP INMIND CONCERNING GOD'S GOVERNMENT
Matt. 16:18 -- Built in Christ, Rock!! (Petra)
Acts 7:38 -- Church in Wilderness
Ex. 16:3
Acts 19:37 -- Should be translated "robbers of temples"
Acts 11:26 -- "Synagogued themselves"!
Matt. 26:3
Lev. 4:13 -- Elders
Matt. 28:16, 18, 19 -- To teach, to baptize
I Tim. 3:15 -- Church of God, Pillar of Truth
Eph. 3:10
I Cor. 12:14-28:
Diversities of Operations (Greek=Energies)
But one body; baptized in one body
God has tempered the body together. GOD HAS! (No Independent Christians!)
See also:
Rom 12.
Eph. 1:20; Eph. 4:4
Col. 1:23 -- THE Faith
Acts 13:3 -- Deacons
Acts 15 -- Elders
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