The Godhead
The fourth word in the Bible is God's first written revelation of Himself, and He purposefully chose His unique name, Elohim: "In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) (Note: quotations from the Bible are in italics.) In that name, Elohim, the 'El' indicates singularity and the ending, 'im', indicates a plurality of three or more. If He had wanted to define the Godhead as absolutely singular, He would have used the Hebrew word El. If He wanted to show duality, it would have been Ela. He used Elohim to set forth that His nature is a plurality within unity. To reveal His characteristics to mankind, the Lord gave himself many descriptive names. Generally, those names found in the original manuscripts were simply rendered "God" in our translations. This simplified translating, but it deprived us of important information that God intended to be conveyed by those special names.
God's plurality is next established in the 26th verse as He says, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." Then, in Genesis 11:7, "Let us go down and confound their language." In using the plural words 'us' and 'our', referring to Himself, He clearly proclaims this a joint endeavor of the multiple members of the Godhead. In Isaiah 6:8, we find, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
"Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4) This can be misleading if we do not know that the Hebrew word, 'echad', translated into English as 'one', is another compound-within-unity word, and there is no accurate substitute word in English. If God had intended to convey absolute singularity, He would have used the word, 'yachid'. English has many weaknesses compared with Semitic languages, where names and terms are highly descriptive and illuminating.
John 1:1 informs us that, "The Word' was God"; then in verse 14 "The Word [God] was made flesh and dwelt among us." [Jesus]. Verses 3 & 10 then tell us that "All things were made by 'The Word', and He was in the world, but the world knew Him not." [as God, Creator, Savior]. Scriptures say God is Creator and they also repeatedly say Christ is the Creator.
"His dear Son, [Jesus] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins; Who is the visible image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth... all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things and by Him all things consist... for it pleased the Father that in Him should ALL fullness dwell... for in Him dwelleth ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Col. 1:14-19 & 2:9)
The Hebrew name of Jehovah God, 'Yahweh' (English term is Lord), means 'the self-existent, self-revealing one, literally the eternal 'I AM.' It is also the name of deity in covenant with His people. The Lord established this distinctive name, 'I AM,' at the time of the Exodus, identifying Himself as the ever-existent God, past, present, and future. Unbelieving Jewish leaders, knowing that God alone can forgive sins, accused Jesus of claiming deity as He forgave sins, healed the sick, and raised the dead. In Mark 14:61, the high priest of the Sanhedrin asked: "Art thou the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said I AM. Then the high priest rent his clothes and said, Ye have heard the blasphemy, what think ye?" He clearly confirmed to all present that Jesus claimed to be God and they would now bring about His crucifixion, charging blasphemy. In John 8:24, Christ said, "If ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins." Frightening! Verse 28 says, "When ye have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross, trusting and adoring Him as Savior and Lord], then shall ye know that I AM." In verse 58, He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM." While the implication of this could be missed today, it was fully understood by the corrupt priests, as evidenced by their reaction. In John 13:13&19, Christ said, "Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, for so I AM."... "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I AM." Over and over, Jesus identified Himself as God, the great I AM.
About Jesus, 1John 5:20 says,"This is the true God and eternal life." Christ said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." (John 14:9) In Matthew 1:23, Christ is "God with us." and in John 10:30 He said, "I and my Father are one." Is this really that hard to understand? No! When we face Jesus, who took such pains to be clear, what excuse can we offer for rejection of Him as Lord. When Jesus proved Himself to be the resurrected Christ, Thomas (the doubter) said, "My Lord and my God." (John 20:28) Remember, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteouness." (2Timothy 3:16) If this was a false and blasphemous declaration, the Lord, and God's Holy Word, would have rebuked him sharply, but Thomas had spoken truth. Christ said, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish." (John 10:28) Only God has this power!
God says, "Unto me, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess." and about Jesus: "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ... As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:10-11) Philippians 2:6-11 says, "Who [the Lord Jesus] being in the form of God thought being equal with God was not something to be grasped or clung to, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in heaven, things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord [God] to the glory of the Father." God is Judge with everyone bowing, and the Lord Jesus is Judge with everyone bowing. We shall all bow before Christ Jesus--as Savior or as Judge! (see John 5:22 and Hebrews 9:27)
"All men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." (John 5:23) In precisely the same manner, the Son and the Father are co-equal, requiring identical worship, honor, and glorification.
"The law was our school master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.... for we [believers] are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:24&26) "There is ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1Timothy 2:5) Faith in Jesus is faith in God, the only access that mankind has to the Godhead. Only God loved us enough to sacrifice Himself on Calvary, paying the ransom price for our sinful souls. (Matthew 20:28) Crucifixion was the ultimate agony and shame. Only the sacrificial blood of God could cleanse us from our sins.
The wonderful expression, "The grace of God" is proclaimed over and over; and in the same way, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ " is proclaimed eleven times - always with the title, "Lord". The Lord's grace makes an unmerited salvation available to all sinners. (Titus 2:11)
Written about 700 years before Christ's virgin birth, Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6 foretold God's incarnation as the Messiah/Sin-bearer: "Therefore, the Lord shall give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel ...and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 700 years later, Matthew 1:20-23 tells us of the angel's proclamation that this prophecy was now being fulfilled: "That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us." He is 'The Mighty God', He is 'God with us'.
Jesus perfectly fulfilled 300 Old Testament prophecies that were given many hundreds of years before His appearance for the purpose of positively identifying Messiah, the Incarnation of God. A few of the best known: 1 He would be in the direct lineage of King David, and 2 of the tribe of Judah, 3 He would be miraculously born of a virgin, 4 in the little village of Bethlehem, but 5 He would have to be taken to Egypt (to escape Herod's slaughter of Jewish babies), and 6 He would be betrayed by one of His disciples, 7 for thirty pieces of silver, 8 He would be mocked, scourged, and crucified, His hands and feet nailed to a tree, 9 He would be wounded, His side would be pierced, His blood would flow for our transgressions, but 10 not a bone of His body would be broken.
?4 Moody Institute of Science calculated that it was as impossible for Christ to perfectly fulfill just 36 clear O.T. prophecies, without His being the Messiah, as it would be for someone to pick a single 'marked dollar' from a sea of silver dollars two feet deep over the entire state of Texas.
Simon Greenleaf, a Jew, was the head of Harvard Law School and renowned as the world's most powerful protagonist for determinate court-room evidence. After thorough consideration of the evidence of Christ's resurrection, He concluded that it was unquestionable and overwhelming. Jesus had to be Incarnate God - and Greenleaf became a devoted believer, founding a Christian Law School. The vast evidence of Christ's deity cannot be refuted - but, tragically, it can be, and is, ignored/rejected.
The third member of the Godhead is the Holy Spirit, who is so active in both the Old and New Testaments it seems impossible that anyone could deny His deity. He is constantly spoken of as a person, a personality, who moves about, is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, has emotions, and self-will: "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work wherein I have called them." (Acts 13:2) "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) "The Holy Ghost moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2) In Acts 5:3-4, Ananias was told, "Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. You have not lied to men, but unto God." Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. In John 16:13-14, Jesus said, "When He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth." In 1Corinthians. 12:11, we are told: "...the Holy Spirit divides to every man severally, as He will."
"And Jesus, when He was baptized went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him; And, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him." (Matthew 3:16-17) - the Holy Trinity at this special event.
Webster defines the word 'Trinity' as: "The union of three persons or hypostases (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) in one Godhead, so that all the three are one God as to substance, but three persons or hypostases as to individuality." God made man in His own image and each of us is a trinity - soul, body, and spirit.
The above constitutes a beginning in the study of what is commonly referred to as the 'Trinity,' a term to help comprehend and communicate the fullness of God's triune nature. Use of this word is not essential to salvation, but acknowledging and accepting the concept certainly is. Depreciating the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is rejection of God's Word. "Be not deceived, God is not mocked!" (Galatiina 6:7)
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." (2Cor. 13:14) Trinity!!
UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY TRINITY
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Many find it difficult to comprehend the Triune God; therefore, denying the deity of Christ Jesus, who is Almighty God, Creator of all things, Savior of all who receive His gift of eternal life, and the Savior or Judge of every individual human being that has ever lived. The following can help in understanding how the One and only True and Living God, Jehovah, is manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Simultaneously, it will also help to more clearly understand ourselves and our relationship to our Creator.
The Holy Bible states that God made man in His own image. (Genesis 1:26-27) In the image of God, every human being is a trinity (soul, body and spirit, each with its own field of operations) - like God, three in one. 'Trinity' simply refers to the three members of the Godhead working perfectly together, as ONE, each having His own individual functions.
Though you, the reader, are a trinity, you do not think of yourself as such, nor do you refer to yourself in such manner. You are thought of and spoken of in the singular - and God is no different in this respect. How many times have you referred to an individual as them, they, those, or their? Probably never, but that doesn't change the fact that the person spoken of is actually composed of three entities so closely entwined you think of them only as one. Likewise, God is appropriately thought of and spoken of as 'One'.
Man's soul images 'God the Father,' in whom resides the Primary-Identity of God, the final authority, the decision-making 'HEAD' of the Godhead. Just as your soul does not carry out action, God the Father does not carry out action. The human soul is the invisible 'responsible head' of each individual and is accountable to its Creator, God. It is man's innermost being, his will, his mind-intellect and decision making final authority. As the Father is the Primary-Identity of God, the human soul is the primary-identity of man. The Bible says of God the Father, "No man hath seen God at any time," and correspondingly, no man has ever seen YOU - your invisible soul.
Man's body (which provides action, visibility, communication) correlates with God the Son, who carries out all Godly activities such as the creation, the redemption (salvation), and the judgment of mankind. Christ is God made visible, as your body is the visible you. He lived on the earth as sinless, perfect God-man, communicated person-to-person, and performed many omnipotent miracles: He instantly calmed a storm, healed the sick, deaf and blind, walked on water, fed thousands of people, raised the dead, paid for our sins (the reason for His incarnation), visibly ascended into heaven, etc. The promised Messiah, the Anointed, was not half-God and half-man. He was all-God and all-man. He is the 'action' ?6part of the Godhead, as the body is to every human. The body performs all manner of acts impossible for the soul or spirit.
Man's spirit correlates with the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit of God. The spirit of man exhibits itself in His physical and spiritual life force, his heart, emotions, attitudes, disposition, and personality. Although man's spirit is invisible, it is evidenced in his being joyful or downcast, humble or proud, giving or selfish, loving or hateful, compassionate or hard hearted, honorable or wicked, motivated or unmotivated, having faith and power or fear and weakness, etc. The Holy Spirit has many ministries. He gives life, love, conviction of sin (conscience), power, spiritually enlightens, teaches, comforts, and 'seals' for eternity when one receives Christ as Lord. (Ephesians. 1:13)
Man's body and his spirit are in subjection to his soul, and likewise, the Son and the Holy Spirit are in subjection to God the Father.* This, however, does not indicate inequality or inferiority. It only denotes differences in administrations. It takes your body, soul, and spirit (all three) to make YOU, and it takes all three manifestations of the Godhead to be GOD. Your body and spirit are subject to your soul; but they are of equal significance and necessity. The three Persons of the Godhead are separate, but they are not independent, being integrated in a way that is fully understood only by God, each essential one to the other and to the whole. They are ONE God as you three are one being.
These correlations are not perfect, because finite man cannot be related perfectly to the Infinite God. Our humanity is quite inadequate in trying to fully comprehend God, heaven, angelic host, Satan with his wicked and cunning deceptions, hell, demons, and other realities of eternity. However, God has provided His Holy Bible, and it is our responsibility to seek out the Truth and an adequate understanding found therein. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God," and is as faithful as the sun's rising every morning; but trustworthy and illuminating as it is, the blind will not see! (see 2Corinthians 4:3-6 and Matthew 15:8,9, &14)
Matthew 28:19 commands Trinitarian baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Believer's public immersion-baptism displays obedience and unashamed identification with Christ in His death and burial (as one goes under the water) and His resurrection (as one comes up out of the water); but like all other things than faith alone, it has no salvation merit. (see also Acts 8:26-39, Rom. 6:1-5, and Acts 4:12)
Multitudes of people believe in one God, but their God excludes Christ Jesus. This is eternal tragedy beyond imagination, because they have no Savior. With no 'Sin-bearer,' they will individually pay for their sins in hell. "Who is a liar but he who denies Jesus is the Christ. (the Messiah, the Incarnation) He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son, the same HATH NOT the Father" (1John 2:22-23) ?7God the Father, alone, is not the Savior. Christ, the Messiah, gave His sacrificial, precious blood, the only perfect life, to redeem believers from the clutches of sin, Satan, and eventual hell. Incredibly, He makes heaven a free gift to His adopted children (Rom, 8:14-17 & Gal. 3:26&4:4-7), their names being written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (Rev. 20:12-15 & 21:27) This is the Lord's family record book of all His blood-bought children, those who have put their faith in Him as their own personal Lord and Savior.**
* John 5:30&36-38, 12:49, 14:7-11, 24&31, Matthew 20:23&26:39, Mark 13:32 and 14:36
**John 1:12, 3:3-7&16-19&36, Romans 1:16-17, 3:28, 4:4-6, 5:8-9, 6:23&10:9-13, Mk. 10:45, 1Pet. 1:8-9
In both the Old & New Testaments, the reverential title, "Lord", is used interchangeably with the title, "God," but especially as God relates in a personal way with man. Jesus is called "Lord" over 300 times. He always was, and always is, "God With Us" (Mat. 1:23) and "My Lord and my God." (John 20:28) What a marvelous thing that the awesome Lord of the universe is STILL seeking out a 'FEW' for His eternal family, that He would individually love rebellious sinners like you and me, and be willing to redeem our souls with His own blood and agony on Calvary's cross. (Matthew 20:28) This is the LOVE of the Lord!! He is worthy of our worship. If you have never done so, will you NOW receive Christ Jesus, forgiveness of sins, everlasting life, joy unspeakable, and the peace of God that passes all understanding?? (Jn. 1:12, 3:16, 14:27, Eph. 1:9, Phil. 4:7 & 1Pet. 1:8)
- CERTAAINTY OF HEAVEN -
Absolutely knowing that we, and loved ones, have been saved from the torment of hell's fire (see Luke 16:19-31) and will live eternally with the Lord in heaven, is worth infinitely more than all the temporal treasures of this earth; and we CAN know, ABSOLUTELY KNOW! "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever trusts in Him shall have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Are you one of the 'whosoever'?? The Lord is still separating out a heavenly family who willfully receive Him with saving faith, not their imagined merit. Common belief is that almost everyone goes to heaven, only the very wicked are destined for hell. NOT SO!! Only a few go to heaven. God's Holy Bible, 100% dependable, says, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life eternal and FEW there be that find it. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (see also Mat. 13:36-50) When death comes, most end up deceived/distracted, ensnared by Satan.
Authentic Bible based Christianity (Messianity) is not a 'religion'. It is the unique 'relationship' of God with His few adopted children. ?8In 'religions', heaven is earned - a false premise, but this is what is taught. In true Christianity, salvation comes ONLY by the blood sacrifice, love, and grace of Christ, the Messiah, through faith alone.
Fulfilling His promise of a Messiah-Savior, God took on human flesh, miraculously born of a virgin. Living without sin, He willingly shed His sacrificial, righteous blood on the cross, taking upon Himself ALL the vile sins of those who come to Him in faith. Angels announced at His birth, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) This was the greatest event in all history, dividing time, B.C. & A.D. Essential history is His-story.
Do 'good' people go to heaven? NO! Do 'bad' people go to heaven? YES! "There is a way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12) From God's holy viewpoint, there are no good people, only bad; therefore, only bad people go to heaven. "There is no one that is righteous, no, not one... there is no one that doeth good, no not one... ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God ...There is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not." (Romans 3:10,12&23 and Ecc. 7:20) "We are all as an unclean thing, and all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6) Unfit for heaven, all of us are guilty of lies, lusts, greed, coveteousness, pride, envy, hatred, profanities, idolatry, thefts, unbelief, and other defiling sins; but "Thanks be unto God who GIVETH us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ... Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT." (1Cor. 15:57 and 2Cor. 9:15) "The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD." (Rom. 6:23) Especially note that eternal life is a GIFT of God. Wages of death are earned, but God's GIFT is not earned!! "By grace ye are SAVED through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God; not of works, so that no man can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Please read it again.
"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in Himself: he that believeth not God hath made God a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record that God hath GIVEN us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who hath the Son hath life; (present tense) and he who hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may KNOW that ye HAVE eternal life". (1John 5:10-13)
Twice, in John 3:1-7, the Lord emphatically declares that we must be "BORN-AGAIN" or we will not enter or get a glimpse of heaven: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he CANNOT enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye MUST be born again." ?9Every human being is 'water-born' of the flesh, out of a bag of water into a physical family; and (in addition) we must be born a second time, an eternal 'spiritual' birth into God's family. This second birth is just as precise an event as our first birth, taking place when we repentantly, and of our own free will, come to the Lord Jesus in trust and faith, receiving Him as our Lord and Savior. (see John 1:12) New-birth is expressed in another way, just as potently in Matthew 18:3, "Verily, I say unto you, unless ye be converted and become as little children (to God), ye shall NOT enter into the kingdom of God." Multitudes have been 'converted,' receiving "The peace of God that passes all understanding" (Phil. 4:7), absolutely KNOWING their sins are cleansed by the blood of the Lord. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin." (1John 1:7) "He hath made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2Cor. 5:21) New birth is absolutely required to enter heaven! All who die without Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, their 'Sin-bearer', pay the consequences in eternal perdition as sin-captives of Satan, the arch-enemy of God and man. Christ's resurrection provides victory over death and hell, (see 1Cor. 15:55-57) and those who are born again know that their eternal destiny is heaven - not because of their own performance, but because of the Lord's magnanimous performance on their behalf.
"Now to him who works, the payment is NOT reckoned of grace, but of debt." (Romans 4:4-5) Yes, it is DEBT!! Trying to climb an imaginary ladder into heaven by works, we effectively go DOWN the ladder instead of up. Self-justification-works are not assets, they are liabilities, actually a curse. (Gal. 3:10-11) They are counterfeit for the Lord's atonement and a rebuff of God's gracious offer of eternal life as an unearnable GIFT through Christ Jesus. Our 'filthy rags righteousnesses' (Isaiah 64:6) could never make any of us fit for heaven. Works-for-salvation, even partial, is a cruel hoax that denies God's grace and produces tormenting uncertainty of heaven and worry of hell; but pure, unadulterated redemptive grace - 'CHRIST PAID IT ALL' - provides the joy and peace of eternal-security. Christ shouted, as He released His spirit to the Father "IT IS FINISHED!" (John 19:30) He had perfectly finished man's salvation, having paid with His own blood the ransom price for our souls, (see Mark 10:45) and what the Lord FINISHED cannot be added unto! It is insulting to imply that His provision of redemption requires our help. Our Creator, has the right to demand that we live by His great laws of wisdom, benefiting everyone, but He condemns any faith in those insipid works for our justification. (see Romans 11:6, 3:19-20&27-28, 4:4-7, Galatians 2:16&5:3-4, and Titus 3:5-7)
After conversion, good works are 'converted.' No longer for self-justification, they are now expressions of love, faith, respect, obedience, and appreciation to glorify our wonderful Lord and Savior, (see James 2:26 & 2Cor. 5:17) and as such, they bring heavenly rewards. (see 1Cor. 3:11-15 & Rev. 14) ?10Every good deed by a believer, even a glass of water (Matthew 10:42) to please, to serve, to glorify our Lord Jesus is rewarded. In Colossians 1:10, we are ordered to "Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." Christian saving-faith provides available power for victory over sin and Satan, but does not provide immunity. Willful sin by a believer is not acceptable, can result in God's chastisement, loss of blessings and rewards, and will produce misery of conviction; but a truly born again child of God is never cast out of the Lord's eternal family.
"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us who are SAVED it is the power of God." (1Cor. 1:18) Deluded man believes there are many ways into heaven and most go there. NOT SO!! Christ warned us that the way is 'narrow' and "FEW there be that find it," and "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE; no man comes unto the Father, except by me." (Matthew 7:13-15 & John 14:6) Speaking of Jesus, "There is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) There is NO exception!! No one has ever been saved from hell by religion, baptism, church membership, tithes and offerings, good works and self-righteousness, living by the Golden Rule, or even a sincere worship of God. (see Matthew 15:8-9 & 7:21-23) "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1Tim. 1:15) Only Jesus saves!!
During the Old Testament period, before Christ's advent, individ-uals were saved through faith, with blood offerings, looking forward, trusting in their promised Messiah. We also are saved through faith, looking backward to that same Messiah. Jesus was perfectly authenticated by fulfilling over 300 Old Testament prophecies given over a period of several thousand years, by His claims and performance, by New Testament scriptures, and the Holy Spirit's witness in transformed lives. No human being in all history has ever been saved any other way. When He took on human flesh, the Lord simultaneously became both the 'Son of God', miracuoulsy conceived by the Spirit of God and 'Son of man', born of the virgin Mary, as was prophecied hundreds of years previous. (Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6) Jesus is Almighty God, the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
There are only two eternal destinies, heaven and hell, (Rev. 20:12-15, Mat. 13:42&50 and 25:41&46, and Luke 16:19-31) so there MUST be an immutable, one-or-the-other, knowable criteria for separating out God's few who escape the terror of eternal damnation. That criteria is simple faith with repentance, nothing more, and is available to anyone, regardless of all personal circumstances!! In the devil's deceptive, 'self-achieved-salvation' doctrine, anyone who dies and comes up a little short (of what???) would end up in hell instead of heaven. Nonsense! but it has enslaved multitudes to religious systems! Righteousness and good works are commanded by God and tremendously beneficial to everyone, but cannot save anyone.
?11 There are only two kinds of people, lost sinners and saved sinners. They are portrayed by the two malefactors (doers of evil) on the crosses beside Christ. (Luke 23:39-43) The unbelieving sinner went to hell. The other repented saying, "We are getting just what we deserve, but this man (Christ) has done NOTHING wrong." He then openly expressed faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, and Jesus replied, "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise." This wicked sinner was saved through repentance and confessed faith in Jesus - God's perfect illustration of an undeserved, unearned salvation received from the Lord's love and wondrous grace!
Jesus is the only escape, the only access to the Father and to heaven; and He is our Savior only when He is unashamedly our Lord. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:9-11) The Lord said, "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven, but whosoever denies me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Mat. 10:32-33) "He that believeth on the Son HAS eternal life; (note that this is present tense) and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him... . He that believeth on me HAS everlasting life." (John 3:36 & 6:47) If we HAVE eternal life, it cannot be lost - it is everlasting! Hallelujah!! This is eternal-security! Only our earthly, temporal flesh dies.
Unbelievers typically say, "Jesus was a prophet, a good and wonderful person, but he was not God." This statement is paradoxically impossible!! If He was not God, as He claimed and scriptures bear out, He was not wonderful or good, but the most diabolical, despicable deceiver in all history, defrauding and deluding worshippers for almost two thousand years. Jesus was liar, lunatic, or Lord! Which will you choose? "It is appointed unto every man once to die, and after this, the judgement." (Hebrews 9:27) Christ warned, "He that is not WITH me is against me." (Mat. 12:30) To neglect is to REJECT - God & heaven!
Our next heartbeat is the prerogative of our Creator, and "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul." (Mat. 16:26) Are you saved? Are you converted? Are you born again? Are you a NEW creation in Christ Jesus? (2Cor. 5:17) They all mean the same thing! ARE YOU????? Are you a regal heir, a Prince/Princess in the Royal Family of God? If there is any uncertainty, don't waste any time. Make today your spiritual birthday, receiving Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. By comparison, all else is altogether insignificant! You are very precious to our Creator! God made you, loves you, and paid the supreme price to save you! Ask for forgiveness and eternal life ?12through Christ Jesus, and express your own love and gratitude that "God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins... Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6-9 and 1John 4:10) Marvelous!! Will you pay for your sins in the eternal torment of hell (see Luke 16:19-31), or will you receive Christ as your Sin-bearer, Redeemer and your Lord?? "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3)
For spiritual growth, attend a good Bible honoring 'fundamental' church where the truthful Word of God is preached and taught, and Christ is glorified as God who came to save repentant sinners. Be wary! Many churches referred to as Christian are propagators of false doctrines (Col. 2:8, 2Tim. 4:2-4, 2Cor. 11:13-15), especially pride producing 'self earned' - or church provided - salvation. That is the primary reason why there are so many denominations, churches that have considerable Bible doctrines, but mix in man-made doctrines. "Many deceivers have gone forth in the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ (Messiah) is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." (1John 7) "In vain they do WORSHIP me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mark 7:7&13) Yes, worship of God can be sincere but altogether rejected. God makes the rules! When we rule, becoming rebels, we steal God's sovereignty. We must not deviate from the truth of God's Holy Word. With devoted prayer, study the Bible for yourself to avoid being drawn into error. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2Tim. 2:15) Start with the four Gospels (which means Good News) - the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. You may want to read the book of John first - God's book of love and salvation. Your life can be transformed with victory, love, peace, and joy unspeakable as God imputes His perfect righteousness to you, and you receive forgiveness of all sins, a close personal relationship with the Lord, and the salvation of your soul. The Lord wants YOU in His Royal Family, but He does not force anyone. THIS is the purpose of life! "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1) There cannot be a better time than now to receive Christ as your Savior!! God has provided Truth. Your destiny is your choice.
Jean Valjean Vandruff 714-531-5319 Website info: https://wwwacts17-11.com
Herein is love: Will you share this good news of God's wondrous grace with someone today?
ADDENDUM: Evolutionists say, "The earth is billions of years old." -Thinking they have eliminated God and His Word, they are "wise in their own conceits ... The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." (Prov. 26:12 & Psalm 14:1) God created 'time' and could compress light-years into a nanosecond. Adam and Eve were created mature, 'aged' adults, and if desired, He could easily pre-age the earth trillions of years, with extinct transitory plant and animal fossils, huge forests, humus, immediate light from distant stars, etc. The ultimate foolishness of rebel mankind is to deny or limit the omnipotent, eternal Creator of all things. "With God, all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)
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