Kingdom life is living the abundant
life. It is experiencing the Word of God by acting upon His inspired Word.
We literally live the life Jesus taught about. His life as the living Word
revealed His standards for our lifestyles and the Holy Spirit was sent to
empower us to live the Way. The Spirit of the Lord works with us to transform
our lives and world. He uses our personal experiences to wield the mightiest
powers of all - love, prayer, and forgiveness. To live a ‘Kingdom Life’, we
need to surrender our lives and be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
The way we think about things and our speech habits will change as new
creations in Christ. We renew our minds daily through God's Word.
To live this life of "faith in God"
we look for the good things in people. We express our appreciation for
everything God does for us. When our thinking patterns change we look at
hurtful situations as an opportunity to practice forgiveness and obey Jesus'
commands. We inspire others through our example, forgiving hurtful situations
becomes a privilege and a chance to share God's love, who forgives a multitude
of sins - theirs and ours.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
- Matthew 28:18-20
"All authority has been given to me in heaven
and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you; and Lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age."
OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD
We Are To Rely Upon God For All Our Needs - MT
4:4
"It is written, ‘man shall not live on bread
alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
We Are To Trust In God, Not Put Him To A Test
- Matt. 4:7
It is written, 'You shall not put the Lord
your God to the test.'
We Are To Serve One God Only - Matt. 4:10
For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord
your God, and serve Him only.'
How Are We To Get Ready For The Gospel Of The
Kingdom -Matt.4:17
'Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
What Is Our Calling, How Are We To Serve The
King - Matt. 4:19
'Follow me and I will make you fishers of
men.'
THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF KINGDOM LIVING
'BLESSED (OR HAPPY) ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT:
FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.'
Lay Up Your Treasure In Heaven - Matthew
6:19-24
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also. "The lamp of the body is the eye.
If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. "But if
your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the
light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "No one can
serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else
he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon.”
The Greek word for poor would more
accurately be translated as one, ‘reduced to beggary' or 'one who owns
nothing'. The person who wants to enter the Kingdom of Heaven while on this
Earth needs to start living as if the Kingdom of God is all about us. We need
to rely on God for all of our needs - we need to humble ourselves before God
and start relying on Him and realize we consciously know we need Him.
If we are rich, we need to become
poor. We need to give up ownership of everything we possess and everything we
are. We need to stop ruling our lives and submit our lives to Him.
Everything we own is on loan to us, God has simply allowed us to control some
of His creations. We cannot become enslaved to what we own or it will
possess us.
And, we are not our own, we have
been purchased with the Blood of Our Savior. In everything, God is God, and
He will have no false gods before Him. And when we give away what God has
given to us, it is no blessing if we do it openly, we are robbing God of the
glory, for He created it in the first place.
Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Heb
12:1-2
OUR RELIANCE AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD
The Cure For Anxiety
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what
you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than
they? "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do
you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:
they neither toil nor spin; "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these. "Now if God so clothes the grass of
the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying,
'What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For
after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that
you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient
for the day is its own trouble. -- Matthew 6:25-34
We Are Encouraged To Ask God, Who Loves Us
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and
you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him
a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? "If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is
the Law and the Prophets." -- Matthew 7:7-12
Enter Through The Straight Gate
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the
gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go
in by it. "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to
life, and there are few who find it. -- Matthew 7:13-14
Build Upon The True Foundation
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of
Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the
rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on
that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. "Now
everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a
foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great
was its fall." And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the
people were astonished at His teaching, -- Mat. 7:24-28
Blessed Be The Children
Then little children were brought to Him that
He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And He laid His hands on them and
departed from there. -- Matthew 19:13-15
The Rich Young Ruler
Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good
Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So He said
to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if
you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." He said to Him, "Which
ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit
adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor
your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
" The young an said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What
do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what
you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come,
follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful,
for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I
say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
"And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When His disciples
heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But
Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with
God all things are possible." -- Matthew 19:16-26
The Disciples Reward
Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we
have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said
to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of
Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on
twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "And everyone who has
left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or
lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit
everlasting life. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first. -
Matt. 19:27-30
We Are Called To Serve
But Jesus called them to Himself and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are
great exercise authority over them. "Yet it shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. "And
whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; "just as the
Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many." -- Matthew 20:25-28
'BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN: FOR THEY SHALL
BE COMFORTED.'
We who mourn, those of us who
lament, are sad, and bewail our condition, who experience suffering: shall be
comforted. The Greek word for mourn refers to experience suffering, sorrow,
tribulation or grief.
We are commended to consider it all
joy, my brethren, when we encounter various trials, knowing that the testing
of your faith produces endurance. -- James 1:2
We can become obedient and accept
the trial, or, we can allow the poison to block the blessing that will
follow. The way we react to mournful circumstances is often the best way to
judge our own walks. Self-pity, resentment or anger and struggling against
God's will suggest we are only babes. Our reaction to sorrowful circumstances
should be to call upon the Comforter, submit to the trial and trust God who
loves and cares for us.
'BLESSED ARE THE MEEK: FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT
THE EARTH.'
Meekness and its cultivation is a
mark of our spiritual rebirth. The Greek word for meek means - mild, gentle,
kind, meek and forbearing. It is the exact opposite of self-assertion and
self-will. It literally means to take up our own cross and bear the burdens
of others. Even when it means we have to suffer loss unjustly.
No Reprisals For Wrong Doers, Go Beyond The
Mile
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for
an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I tell you not to resist an evil
person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him
also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your
cloak also. "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. "Give
to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn
away. -- Matthew 5:38-42
We are to actively resist taking
vengeance and accept everything. Doing good to those who do evil, praying for
our enemies, etc.. Suffering loss if it will do the evil doer good - tough
love.
God Has Given Authority To Rulers To Punish
Evil Doers.
For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is
good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you
for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in
vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to <execute> wrath on him who
practices evil. -- Romans 13:3-4
We are to use active kindness,
gentleness and forbearance (with wisdom and understanding). We know why evil
doers act that way, give them the right kind of help - even if we have to
suffer loss.
Meekness is also accepting others
for their individual uniqueness, listening to them, not just hearing them.
When we begin to try to understand each other, we will find the unity we
desire and find a friend, here and there. Not all of us express ourselves in
the light we intend others to view us or our ideas, so try to look at them
through the eyes of love. Just as God looks at us through the Blood of Jesus.
‘BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH HUNGER AND THIRST
AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.’
The Will Of God,
Teach Righteousness
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law
or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. "For assuredly, I
say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no
means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. "Whoever therefore breaks one
of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least
in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. "For I say to you, that unless your
righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will
by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. – Mat. 5:17-20
THIS PRINCIPLE IS A COUSIN TO: -- Mat 5:27-32
"You have heard that it was said to those of
old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' "But I
say to you that whoever looks at a woman to
lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. "And if
your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is
more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole
body to be cast into hell. "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it
off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your
members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. "Furthermore
it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate
of divorce.' "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason
except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a
woman who is divorced commits adultery.
We are to cut off anything immoral.
Then, we will begin to desire the fruits of the Spirit and hunger for the
knowledge of God, signifying growth. The Greek word for hunger - means to be
famished, to hunger after and desire earnestly. The Greek word for thirst
means to desire ardently. The same words are used by the Lord to refer to the
heart and soul. Our spirit and soul are capable of craving an acceptance of
God and all good things He is the Author of. The need for love is implanted
in us by the Creator. Our desire for love comes from communion with God and
satisfaction comes from abiding in the vine.
Jesus Is The Express Image Of God
God, who at various times and in
different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these
last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things,
through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory
and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of
His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand
of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He
has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. -- Hebrews 1:1-4
He Is Our Righteousness
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became
for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption
that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." -- 1
Coirinthians 1:30-31
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL: FOR THEY SHALL
OBTAIN MERCY.
The Greek word for merciful
translates in this light, as being merciful and full of pitiful compassion. A
synonym for this would be: concerned sympathy and understanding the needs of
others, their sufferings and testings. The opposite is indifference to others
and contempt of their weaknesses. We are the branches and we need to cut-off
the things that separate us from the vine, they are: criticizing or judging
others, talking spitefully or slightingly of others, and gossiping. The body
is a mirror of the inner man. Sin is the expression of symptoms of a terrible
inner disease, until we cut off those things which are impure we cannot truly
love one another.
Judge Not, Mercifulness Is An Attribute Of God
"Judge not, that you be not judged. "For with
what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you
use, it will be measured back to you. "And why do you look at the speck in
your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or how
can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck out of your eye'; and
look, a plank is in your own eye? "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from
your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your
brother's eye. -- Matthew 7:1-5
Jesus Was Moved With Compassion For Them
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved
with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep
having no shepherd. -- Matthew 9:36
Have Mercy Not Sacrifice
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire
mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but
sinners, to repentance." -- Matthew 9:13
Don't Condemn The Guiltless
"But if you had known what this means, 'I
desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
-- Matthew 12:7
‘BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL
SEE GOD.’
Keep Guard Of Your Thoughts And Intents
"You have heard that it was said to those of
old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' "But I say to you that whoever looks at
a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
"And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for
your whole body to be cast into hell. "And if your right hand causes you to
sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
--Matthew 5:27-30
Keep You Promises, And Do Not Swear
"Again you have heard that it was said to
those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to
the Lord.' "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it
is God's throne; "nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. "Nor shall you swear by your
head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. "But let your 'Yes' be
'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil
one. -- Matt 5:33-37
The Hypocrisy Of The Giver
- Matthew 6:1-18
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable
deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your
Father in heaven. "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a
trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their
reward. "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing, "that your charitable deed may be in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. "And when
you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing
in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by
men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. "But you, when you
pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father
who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you
openly. "But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
For they think that they will be heard for their many words. "Therefore do
not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you
ask Him. "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be
Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we
forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil one. for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither
will your Father forgive your trespasses. "Moreover, when you fast, do not be
like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces
that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have
their reward. "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
"so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in
the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
The Fruits Of The Tree
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their
fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even
so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good
tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore
by their fruits you will know them. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord,
Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My
Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders
in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart
from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' -- Matthew 7:15-23
The word pure means to be inwardly
clean, unsoiled, innocent, sincere or unfeigned. It is synonymous with truth
and honesty. We need to be absolutely sincere serving with integrity, having
a passionate loyalty to the truth. The opposite is expressed through the
hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees concerning their habits when tithing,
fasting and praying. Our words and actions need to be aligned with the intent
of the hearts. We need to mean what we say, and speak the truth. And the
inward motive of our heart and our will, will justify or convict us.
‘BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: FOR THEY SHALL
BE CALLED THE CHILDREN (SONS) OF GOD.’
The Greek word means to restore
harmony, unity and concord. The opposite is discord, separation, division and
disunity. It is everyone's duty to restore the unity whenever we can. This
is not as easy as it sounds. We are up against an enemy that enjoys causing
division, especially in the church. When this happens he can ravage the
congregation.
We Are To Be A Light Through Our Example
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the
salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing
but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. "You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a
lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all
who are in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. -- Matthew 5:13-16
Calming The Storms In Others Lives
"You have heard that it was said to those of
old, 'You shall not murder,' and whoever murders will be in danger of the
judgment. "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a
cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!'
shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in
danger of hell fire. "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there
remember that your brother has something against you, "leave your gift there
before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and
then come and offer your gift. "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you
are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the
judge hand you over to the officer, and you are thrown into prison.
"Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have
paid the last penny. -- Matthew 5:21-26
Our reactions in our heart lead to
anger at one another, indifference to their feelings or contempt for others.
We are commended to make peace with one another before we rest. A great deal
of physical disease has a spiritual cause. The cause can come from poor
thought habits and reactions. And these come from a wrong attitude in our own
hearts. The peacemaker will be a person who helps others deal with their
problems, helping them out of their prisons.
Here is a list of poison, our thoughts that
can affect us adversely:
1. Habitual Jealousy And Envy
2. Covetousness
3. Self-pity
4. Pride Of Life - Straining To
Obtain A Position
5. Stubborn Self Will
6. Forcing People Into A Mold
7. Refusal To Forgive
8. Brooding On Wrongs
9. Refusal To Take On
Responsibility In Life
10. Constantly Refusing To Face
Fear And Dread
11. Living With Phobias
12. Prejudice, Hatred, Distrust
And Fear
‘BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR
RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.’
Persecuted For Righteousness Sake
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for
an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I tell you not to resist an evil
person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him
also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your
cloak also. "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. "Give to
him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
-- Matthew 5:38-42
The Antidote, Love Those Who Hate Us
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall
love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your
enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray
for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, "that you may be sons of
your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. "For if you love those who love
you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? "And
if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even
the tax collectors do so? "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your
Father in heaven is perfect.- Matthew 5:43-48
Our Responsibility To Bare Persecution
For to this you were called, because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His
steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth"; who, when He
was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten,
but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our
sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. -- 1 Peter 2:21-24
There are different types of
persecution we may suffer: 1. The Wrongs Done To Us By Others; 2. Any Hatred
Or Malice; 3. Despiteful Treatment, Or, 4. Actual Persecution.
The Lord bare our sins and He was
blameless. This principle frees us to practice the doctrine of forgiveness.
And it means we are to bear the wrong and its consequences. We need to allow
the Lord's sacrifice to become an example and substitute our own sufferings as
a sacrifice up to God, it is an essential part of forgiveness. We are to
learn to be longsuffering and bear the wounds and afflictions for taking a
stand 'for righteousness sake'. Vengeance is for God!
'BLESSED ARE YE, WHEN MEN SHALL REVILE YOU,
AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SHALL SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY, FOR
MY SAKE. REJOICE, AND BE EXCEEDING GLAD: FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN;
FOR SO PERSECUTED THEY THE PROPHETS, WHICH WERE BEFORE YOU.'
Punishment Meted Out To The Innocent
"Again you have heard that it was said to
those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to
the Lord.' "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it
is God's throne; "nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. "Nor shall you swear by your
head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. "But let your 'Yes'
be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the
evil one. -- Mat 5:33-37
When we suffer sacrificially, the
persecution is defined here more clearly as character assassination: 1.
Imputation Of Evil Where There Is Only Good; 2. Distortion Of Truth Into
Falsehood; 3. Of Purity Into Impurity; 4. Slander, Defamation Of Character;
Or, 5. Lying Accusations. When we share in the sufferings of Christ, we truly
begin to understand what it cost the Lord of Glory to redeem us. He was
falsely accused yet bore its scorn, He became sin for us.
Kingdom living
can only be achieved when we lay our lives bare before the Cross of Calvary
and leave it there. Only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit can we
persevere. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth." -- Acts 1:8
By Prophecy
Now as the lame man who was healed held on to
Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is
called Solomon's, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the
people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at
us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? "The
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His
Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate,
when he was determined to let Him go. "But you denied the Holy One and the
Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, "and killed the Prince of
life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. "And His name,
through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.
Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in
the presence of you all. "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in
ignorance, as did also your rulers. "But those things which God foretold by
the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus
fulfilled. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, "and
that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, "whom heaven
must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has
spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. "For
Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a
Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever
He says to you. 'And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear
that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' "Yes, and all
the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have
also foretold these days. "You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant
which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the
families of the earth shall be blessed.' "To you first, God, having raised up
His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you
from your iniquities." -- Acts 3:11-26
No Scripture Is For Private Interpretation
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor
and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came
from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. We also have the
prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that
shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your
hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private
interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of
God spoke <as they were> moved by the Holy Spirit. -- 2 Peter 1:16-21
God, who at various times and in different
ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days
spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through
whom also He made the worlds; - Hebrews 1:1-2
Through The Gifts And Their Interpretation
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the
same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And
there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in
all.
The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to each one for the profit of all:
for to one is given the word of
wisdom through the Spirit,
to another the word of knowledge
through the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healings by the
same Spirit,
to another the working of miracles,
to another prophecy,
to another discerning of spirits,
to another different kinds of
tongues,
to another the interpretation of
tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all
these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. -- 1
Cor12:4-11
Earnestly Pursue The Gifts
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but
especially that you may prophesy.
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak
to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he
speaks mysteries.
But he who prophesies speaks edification and
exhortation and comfort to men.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but
he who prophesies edifies the church.
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even
more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks
with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking
with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by
revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
Even things without life, whether flute or
harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds,
how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an
uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
So likewise you, unless you utter by the
tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you
will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of
languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore,
if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him
who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
Even so you, since you are zealous for
spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to
excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,
but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the result then?
I will pray with the spirit, and I will also
pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing
with the understanding.
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how
will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of
thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
For you indeed give thanks well, but the other
is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet
in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I
may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Brethren, do not be children in understanding;
however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it
is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this
people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord.
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those
who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for
those who believe.
Therefore if the whole church comes together
in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are
uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is
convinced by all, he is judged by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are
revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report
that God is truly among you.
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come
together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a
revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If
anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in
turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep
silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three
prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to
another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
For you can all prophesy one by one, that all
may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are
subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace,
as in all the churches of the saints. -- 1 Corinthians 14:1-33
We Are All Equal In Christ Jesus, There Is No
Distinction Or Preference With God
For you are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if
you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise. -- Galatians 3:26-29.
The following two verses were
originally omitted from the study because of the divisions it would cause. If
we are to accept God's Word at face value then we have to consider the reason
for the following two scriptures. The church at Corinth was a very carnal
church and there was a lot of confusion. Paul penned these verses for the
sake of bringing the services to order and not to quench the ministries of the
women. We are all one in Spirit, if indeed we have been baptized into the
Holy Spirit, and we have all been given a spirit of love, power and a sound
mind.
Let your women keep silent in the churches,
for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law
also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own
husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. -- 1
Corinthians 14:34-35
Or did the word of God come originally from
you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a
prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you
are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be
ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not
forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Cor 14:36-40
In A Small Still Voice
And there he went into a cave, and spent the
night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said
to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" So he said, "I have been very
zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken
Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword.
I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." Then He said, "Go out, and
stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a
great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces
before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an
earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a
fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small
voice. -- 1 Kings 19:9-12
In An Audible Voice
When God Gave The Ten Commandments
And Moses called all Israel, and said to them:
"Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing
today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. "The LORD our
God made a covenant with us in Horeb. "The LORD did not make this covenant
with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are
alive. "The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst
of the fire. "I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you
the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not
go up the mountain. He said: 'I am the LORD your God who brought you out of
the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 'You shall have no other gods
before Me. 'You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness
of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that
is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve
them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who
hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My
commandments. 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for
the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 'Observe the
Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you
shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the
LORD your God. In it you shall not do any work: you, nor your son, nor your
daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your
donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates,
that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you. And
remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your
God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm;
therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. 'Honor your
father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days
may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your
God is giving you. 'You shall not murder. 'You shall not commit adultery. 'You
shall not steal. 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 'You
shall not covet your neighbor's wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor's
house, his field, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or
anything that is your neighbor's.' "These words the LORD spoke to all your
assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the
thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on
two tablets of stone and gave them to me. "So it was, when you heard the voice
from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that
you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. "And you
said: 'Surely the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and
we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that
God speaks with man; yet he still lives. 'Now therefore, why should we die?
For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God
anymore, then we shall die. 'For who is there of all flesh who has heard the
voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and
lived? 'You go near and hear all that the LORD our God may say, and tell us
all that the LORD our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.' "Then the
LORD heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the LORD said to
me: 'I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken
to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. 'Oh, that they had such a
heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments,
that it might be well with them and with their children forever! 'Go and say
to them, "Return to your tents." 'But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will
speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you
shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving
them to possess.' "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God
has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
"You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you,
that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong
your days in the land which you shall possess. -- Deuteronomy 5
Prior To The First Advent
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:
After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she
was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a
just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her
away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Spirit. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Now all this was done
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,
saying: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall
call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph,
being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took
to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn
Son. And he called His name JESUS. --Matthew 1:18-25
At The Mount Of Transfiguration
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James,
and John his brother, brought them up on a high mountain by themselves, and
was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes
became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for
us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You,
one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a
bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud,
saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And
when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly
afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be
afraid." And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus
only. -- Matthew 17:1-8
Before The Passover Feast
Now there were certain Greeks among those who
came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from
Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But
Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be
glorified. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into
the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much
grain. "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this
world will keep it for eternal life. "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me;
and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My
Father will honor. "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father,
save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. "Father,
glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both
glorified it and will glorify it again." Therefore the people who stood by
and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to
Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but
for your sake. "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this
world will be cast out. "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw
all <peoples> to Myself." This He said, signifying by what death He would
die. -- John 12:20-33
By Angels
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,
saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from
Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man
of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the
Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to
worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the
prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this
chariot." So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and
said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I,
unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to
the slaughter; and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so He opened not His
mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away. And who will declare
His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." So the eunuch answered
Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or
of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this
Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came
to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from
being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you
may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up
out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the
eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. - Acts 8:26-39
When Peter Was Imprisoned
Now about that time Herod the king stretched
out <his> hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the
brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews,
he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of
Unleavened Bread. So when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him
before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but
constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was
about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains
between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the
prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise
quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him,
"Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him,
"Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did
not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a
vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came
to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own
accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel
departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know
for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the
hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." So, when he
had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose
surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter
knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she
recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate,
but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to
her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So
they said, "It is his angel." Now Peter continued knocking; and when they
opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with
his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out
of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the
brethren." And he departed and went to another place. -- Acts 12:1-17
During Paul's Voyage To Rome
Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for
many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved
was finally given up. But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in
the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have
sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. "And now I urge you to
take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the
ship. "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong
and whom I serve, "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before
Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'
"Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was
told me. "However, we must run aground on a certain island." -- Acts 27:20-26
Through Visions
Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one,
And said: "I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen
from the people. -- Psalms 89:19
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus
named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said,
"Here I am, Lord." So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street
called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of
Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. "And in a vision he has seen a man named
Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his
sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man,
how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. "And here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." But the
Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name
before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. "For I will show him how
many things he must suffer for My name's sake." And Ananias went his way and
entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the
Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you
may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there
fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once;
and he arose and was baptized. And when he had received food, he was
strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. --
Acts 9:10-19
There was a certain man in Caesarea called
Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man
and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the
people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw
clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he
said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before
God. "Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He
is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you
what you must do." And when the angel who spoke to him had departed,
Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among
those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these
things to them, he sent them to Joppa. -- Acts 10:1-8
The next day, as they went on their journey
and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth
hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready,
he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet
bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it
were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping
things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and
eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common
or unclean." And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has
cleansed you must not call common." This was done three times. And the object
was taken up into heaven again. -- Acts 10:9-16
While Peter thought about the vision, the
Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. "Arise therefore, go
down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." -- Acts
10:19-20
Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful
it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation.
But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. --
Acts 10:28
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In
truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever
fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. "The word which God
sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ; He is
Lord of all; "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea,
and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: "how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about
doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with
Him. "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the
Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. "Him God raised
up on the third day, and showed Him openly, "not to all the people, but to
witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He
arose from the dead. "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to
testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and
the dead. "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever
believes in Him will receive remission of sins." -- Acts 10:34-43
While Peter was still speaking these words,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the
circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because
the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For
they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can
anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. -- Acts 10:44-48
Now the apostles and brethren who were in
Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when
Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!" But Peter
explained <it> to them in order from the beginning, saying: "I was in the
city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending
like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.
"When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the
earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. "And I heard a
voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' "But I said, 'Not so, Lord!
For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.' "But the
voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call
common.' "Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into
heaven. "At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was,
having been sent to me from Caesarea. "Then the Spirit told me to go with
them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we
entered the man's house. "And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in
his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose
surname is Peter, 'who will tell you words by which you and all your household
will be saved.' "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as
upon us at the beginning. "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He
said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the
Holy Spirit.' "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God,
saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." --
Acts 11:1-18
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A
man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia
and help us." Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go
to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to
them. -- Acts 16:9-10
Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a
vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; "for I am with
you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this
city." And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God
among them. -- Acts 18:9-11
Through Dreams
Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my
sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to
Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man
because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife." But
Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, will You slay a righteous
nation also? "Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she
herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocence
of my hands I have done this." And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know
that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from
sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. "Now therefore,
restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you
shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you
and all who are yours." -- Genesis 20:2-7
Prior To The First Advent
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:
After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she
was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a
just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her
away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Spirit. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." -- Matthew 1:18-21
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to
Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we
have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." When Herod the
king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when
he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he
inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, "In
Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 'But you,
Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.' "Then
Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what
time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and
search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back
word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king,
they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went
before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they
saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had
come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell
down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they
presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely
warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for
their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel
of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young
Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word;
for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." When he arose, he took
the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there
until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." Then Herod,
when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and
he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and
in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken
by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation,
weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be
comforted, because they were no more." But when Herod was dead, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take
the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who
sought the young Child's life are dead." Then he arose, took the young Child
and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that
Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid
to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the
region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a
Nazarene." -- Matthew 2
Through Dreams And Visions
'And it shall come to pass in the last days,
says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall
dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My
Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven
above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The
sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming
of the great and notable day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that
whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.' -- Acts 2:17-21
Through Inspiring The Mind Of His Children
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his
spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to
idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the
Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be
there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And
some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be
a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the
resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying,
"May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? "For you are
bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what
these things mean." For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there
spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new
thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; "for as I was
passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an
altar with this inscription: to the unknown God. Therefore, the One whom you
worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: "God, who made the world and
everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in
temples made with hands. "Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He
needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He
has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their
habitation, "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might
grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; "for in
Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have
said, 'For we are also His offspring.' "Therefore, since we are the offspring
of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or
stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. "Truly, these times of
ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
"because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in
righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this
to all by raising Him from the dead." And when they heard of the resurrection
of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this
matter." So Paul departed from among them. -- Acts 17:16-33
When Silas and Timothy had come from
Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that
Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his
garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles." And he departed from there and
entered the house of a certain man named Justus, <one> who worshipped God,
whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the
synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the
Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. - Acts 18:5-8
When these things were accomplished, Paul
purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go
to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." -- Acts 19:21
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God
and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be
glorified together. -- Romans 8:16-17
I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not
find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
-- 2 Corinthians 2:13
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. -- Ephesians 4:30
Do not quench the Spirit. -- 1 Thessalonians
5:19
Through Revealing Himself Through Dreams And
Visions
"I watched till thrones were put in place, and
the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of
His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a
burning fire; A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. a
thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood
before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. "I watched then
because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I
watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the
burning flame. "As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken
away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. "I was watching
in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the
clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near
before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all
peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which
shall not be destroyed. "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body,
and the visions of my head troubled me. "I came near to one of those who
stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to
me the interpretation of these things: 'Those great beasts, which are four,
are four kings which arise out of the earth. 'But the saints of the Most High
shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and
ever.' -- Daniel 7:9-18
By Sending Our Savior Jesus Christ
"Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called:
I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the
foundation of the earth, and My right hand has stretched out the heavens; when
I call to them, they stand up together. "All of you, assemble yourselves, and
hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; he shall
do His pleasure on Babylon, and His arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I,
even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way
will prosper. "Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from
the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD
and His Spirit have sent Me." Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One
of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you
by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your
peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of
the sea. -- Isaiah 42:12-18
God Sent His Son To Save The World
"For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him
is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he
has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. -- John 3:16-18
The Holy Spirit Is In The World To Lead Us
Home
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to
your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not
come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.-Jn 16:7
"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has
come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own
authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to
come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to
you. "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will
take of Mine and declare it to you. -- John 16:13-15
Through The Prophets, His Son And Ministering
Spirits
God, who at various times and in different
ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days
spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through
whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the
express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His
power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has
by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the
angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You"? And
again: "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son"? But when He
again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God
worship Him." And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits and
His ministers a flame of fire." But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God,
is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your
Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God,
Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your
companions." And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the
earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands; They will perish, but You
remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold
them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will
not fail." But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right
hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? Are they not all ministering
spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? --
Hebrews 1
Through The Mouth Of The Prophets And Apostles
"But those things which God foretold by the
mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus
fulfilled. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, "and
that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, "whom heaven
must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has
spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. "For Moses
truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet
like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He
says to you. 'And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that
Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' "Yes, and all the
prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also
foretold these days. "You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which
God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the
families of the earth shall be blessed.' "To you first, God, having raised up
His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you
from your iniquities." -- Acts 3:18-26
Through The Holy Scripture
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profit- able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work. I charge you there- fore before God and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His
kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince,
rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires,
because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and
they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, to the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry. -- 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5
The Word Of God Is Inspired With The Power To
Reveal Truth
For the word of God is living and Popular,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul
and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all
things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not
have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all
points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time
of need. - Heb 4:12-16
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