CHRIST & HIS EKKLESIA

   By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

      In his work on Ekklesia Translations, Cooper P. Abrahams,111 states that the Greek word 'ekklesia' which means 'called out assemblies or congregations’ had been in use since 5 B.C. It was also used for gatherings of Christians since the First Century, A.D. The word ‘church’ is taken from the Greek word ‘kyriakon’ which correctly refers to ‘the house of the Lord’.

     What is masquerading in this 21st Century as Christian Churches in various parts of the globe is very confusing and disturbing, indeed. Although there are millions of God-fearing and true Christians gathering in Assemblies around the world, there are many who are not truly ‘called out from the world and sin and paganism’.

     My prayer is that this paper on Christ and His Church will help bring clarity to those who are struggling in their Christian walk and those who have been led astray by the false teachings of those who have substituted the slippery slope of the “wide and broad way” for the “straight and narrow way” that our Lord Jesus Christ taught! (Matt.7:13, 14)

     The Bible says: "If ye then be RISEN with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ Who is our Life shall APPEAR, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." (Col.3:1-4)

      When Christ died, we died with Him. When Christ was buried, we were buried with Him. When Christ arose, we arose with Him. When Christ sat down on His Father's right hand, we sat down with Him. When Christ returns, we will return with Him. When Christ reigns, we will reign with Him. We will be with Him eternally!

      St. Paul states: "Know ye not, that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. Therefore, we are BURIED with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was RAISED up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life.

       "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His RESURRECTION: Knowing this, that our old man is CRUCIFIED with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from SIN.

     "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also LIVE with Him: Knowing that Christ being RAISED from the dead, dies no more: death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin ONCE: but in that He lives, He lives unto God." (Rom.6: 6-10)

                           POPISH MASS: STRIKING THE ROCK!

      Roman Catholic priests crucify Jesus Christ repeatedly in their mass, much like Moses striking the Rock instead of speaking to it. Moses paid a high price because of his anger and irritation with the Israelites, when he disobeyed Almighty God.

     In the first instance where they were without water at Massah, he cried out to God and the Lord told him to strike the Rock (Ex.17:6) and when he did, water gushed out quenching their great thirst. On the second occasion at Kadesh (Nu.20:11), God commanded Moses to speak to the Rock (Type of Christ). He disobeyed and in anger he twice struck the ROCK.

      Water gushed out, however, God was sore displeased and would not allow the great Lawgiver to enter the Promised Land! WHY? The ROCK represented CHRIST! The first strike against the ROCK was a TYPE of Christ being CRUCIFIED to meet our great need of Salvation. On the second occasion, Moses dishonoured Almighty God by striking the ROCK twice instead of speaking to it. You CANNOT Crucify Christ again. All you need to do is to SPEAK to Him in prayer!

     Martin Luther, refuted the Popish Mass as follows: "First, the blood of Christ remains the blood of the same Christ. For we believe and hold that the BLOOD of Christ that is at the right hand of God was shed for us only once." (Church and Works, Vol.40, P.215)

    The Bible  is clear on the fact that CHRIST'S vicarious death on our behalf satisfied the Demands of Divine Justice and that He will NEVER die again: "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

     Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now ONCE in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Heb.9: 24-28)

           THE PURE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

 The Bible says: "But God, who is rich in Mercy, for His great Love wherewith He loved us; even when we were Dead in sins hath quickened together with Christ, by grace are ye saved. And hath raised us up together and made us to SIT together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His Grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph.2: 4-7)  

     When Christ died on the cross, our sins died with Him. When Christ was buried, we were buried with Him by (immersion) Baptism. When Christ ascended and sat down on His Father's right hand, we are now "sitting with Him in Heavenly places" and when He returns, the saints will return with Him. And we will be with Him eternally. (Eph.1: 3)

     God's Word declares: "And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power...Buried with Him in baptism, wherein ye also are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.

     "And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross." (Col.2: 10-14)

      The BIBLE teaches that believers in Christ are "born again" and have been "baptized into the body of Christ" by the Holy Spirit.  We are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ" and have been "accepted in the Beloved". We are "washed in the precious blood of Christ", have become "new creatures in Christ" and through God's Word are being daily "transformed by the renewing of our minds". (John 3:3,7; 1 Cor.12:13; Rom.8:17; Eph.1:6; 2 Cor.5:17; Rom.12:1,2).

       St. Paul states: "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor.6:15,19,20)

WE ARE ONE WITH CHRIST

      The Bible affirms that "Christ lives in me and I in Him" (John 14:16-23), and we are "hidden with Christ in God." (Col.3:3) The Apostle prays, "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." (Eph.3:16.17)

     In St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians, we are confronted with the greatness of the Gospel of Christ in what he calls the "Mystery of the Ages", which is Jesus Christ actually entering and taking up residence in the believer:

     "Even the Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the Hope of Glory." (Col. 1: 26, 27)

      St. Paul conveyed through the Holy Spirit the good news that even though we are sinners by birth, nature and choice, through Jesus Christ's vicarious death on the Cross, we can be forgiven if we have faith in Him!

     The Bible states: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man, some would even dare to die, but God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5: 6-8)

      What does the word 'IMPUTE' mean?" The Bible declares: "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned...Therefore as by the offense of one (Adam)judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus Christ) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom.5: 12-19)

OUR SINS IMPUTED TO CHRIST:

HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IMPUTED TO US!

       Adam's sin was imputed or credited to our account making us guilty in the sight of God, but through His Mercy and Love for us Jesus Christ left Heaven's glory to be incarnated (God in human flesh) so that "He could taste DEATH for every man".(Heb.2: 9). As He hung on Calvary's Cross, the sins of the entire world were laid upon Him and He became SIN (sin offering) so that He could destroy our sins!

       He willingly and gladly gave His life for us. The Bible says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (perfecter) of our faith; who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb.12:2).

     Our sins were imputed to Him and He died as God's Pascal Lamb, paying the price of our salvation by meeting the demands of Divine Justice. (Phil.2:5-11; John 1:29; Rev.5: 6)

      The Bible states: "That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: and hath committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation...For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew NO SIN: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor.5: 19-21)

      Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied: "Surely He hath borne our sicknesses and carried our pains: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.

     “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.(Is. 53: 4-6). “Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the TREE, that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness: By Whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24)

OUR NATURE FOR HIS NATURE!

       In his great spiritual wisdom and knowledge, St. Paul gives us a peak into what he calls the Eternal Purposes of God” for the Church, which is His Body:

     "For this cause, I bow my knees unto the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named. That He would grant unto you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.

     "That ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and height, and to know the LOVE of Christ which passes knowledge, and that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

       "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Eph.3: 11-21)

      In His great compassion for humankind our Lord and Saviour initiated what I call, ‘THE GREAT EXCHANGE’.  Through the shedding of His pure and perfect blood for the sins of the world, He took upon Himself our sin, guilt and unrighteous nature and in return, gave us His Divine Nature and His righteousness.

      St. Peter says: "Grace and truth be multiplied to you through the KNOWLEDGE of God and our Saviour Jesus our Lord. According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

    "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1: 2-4)

   St. Paul wrote: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the BLOOD of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

   "Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: which according to His abundant mercy hath BEGOTTEN us again unto a lively hope by the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1: 2-5)

    The Greek word 'Theosis' is used to define the great spiritual truth, 'Partaking of the Divine Nature'. We are united with Almighty God by His wondrous grace in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who is "God come in the flesh". (1 John 4: 2) Through the divine gift of sanctification by God's grace alone, we are able to mortify the deeds of the flesh! (Rom.8:13)
   The NICENE CREED states: "Jesus Christ, Who for us and our salvation descended from Heaven and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became a man." - Third Article. Church Fathers John Chrysostom and Athanasias the Great preached that, "Christ became man in Nature and in Truth and assumed human nature with all its properties: not another kind of flesh, but the same one with which we are afflicted."
     The HOLY BIBLE states: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth." (John 1: 1,2. 14)

     Jesus Christ was True God from Eternity and True Man born of a virgin without the aid of a human father. St. Paul wrote concerning Him: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without SIN." (Heb.4:15)

      With absolute faith, the Church Fathers believed in and declared the Divinity of Jesus Christ. St. Eirinaeos believed in One God, Father Almighty and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, incarnate, for our Salvation. Proving that 'God the Son' was indeed God, he declared: "If a man had not been joined to God (united in Christ) He would not have been able to partake of incorruption."

    The ministry of the Holy Spirit is beautifully evident everywhere in the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit convicts sinners and points them to the Saviour, but is unable to work in their lives until they have received Christ as Saviour! Then, He works through the shed blood of Jesus Christ to work miracles. Here are some of His great works for God's glory and the deliverance of people!

            THE GREAT WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

1. We are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor.12: 13

2. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit - Rom.5: 5

3. We are led by the blessed Holy Spirit of God - Rom.8: 17; Gal.5: 18

4. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit our bodies are the temples of God - 1 Cor.6:15-20

5. We become partakers of Christ through the Holy Spirit - 2 Peter 1: 2-4

6. The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit - Eph.6: 17

8. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who is the Earnest of our inheritance - Eph. 1: 13,14

9.  He gives us the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Him - Eph.1:17

10. The Holy Spirit of God brings us into the Holy of Holies - Eph.2: 18

11. The Holy Spirit calls us into the Ministry of our Lord - 1 Tim.1: 12; 2 Tim.1: 9

12. The Holy Spirit manifests signs, wonders and miracles by the Gifts of the Spirit - 1 Cor.12:7-12; Gal.3:5, 14

13. We are sanctified (set apart) by the Holy Spirit - Gal.5:24, 25; Eph.5:26, 27

14. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the Fruit of the Spirit - Gal.5: 22, 23

15: The Holy Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God - Gal.4: 6, 7

16. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son of God; not only to us, but in us - Gal.1: 16

      It is evident that the Life of Christ we receive through His shed BLOOD brings the Holy Spirit into operation in the lives of Believers in Christ!

                  CHRIST IN US: WORKING THROUGH US!

    For nearly 2,000 Years, the Church has heralded this worthy Slogan as our Theological Doctrine: Christ Has Died ~ Christ Is Risen ~ Christ Will Come Again! What more can we say? Nothing can better that great Salutation! We can only build on that marvellous Confession of Faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost, Thrice Holy God, Indivisible, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Immutable, Incomprehensible, Immortal, Infallible, Good, Merciful, Gracious, Holy, True and Just!      Renowned Jewish Archaeologist Nelson Glueck, wrote: “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.” When you study the Koran, Book of Mormon or other non-Christian books you find them riddled with down right fabrications, distortions and lies. The Holy Bible is the Only Sacred Word of God we have.!!! Amen.

God's Way is Right: How Must We Please Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

                  By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11: 1, 6)

According to this Scripture, faith is defined as substance and evidence. Substance is the reality of which something consists and has a tangible presence. Evidence is the proof that something is correct and is demonstrable when put to the test.

Faith is believing that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, and that He answers the prayers of those who seek Him with all their heart! According to the Holy Bible, without faith we cannot please God!

Faith is a gift to the searching heart, to the sincere seeker after God, truth and righteousness. Faith is given to us by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God! It is not natural but a supernatural miracle, because the Bible is God-breathed. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10: 17).

Faith is believing that God’s Word is true regardless of what others say. There are many reasons for believing the Holy Bible is true, the greatest being that Jesus Christ Himself believed the Holy Scriptures and preached from them.

Faith is believing that Jesus Christ is whom He claimed to be, the Word made flesh: God incarnate – True God from eternity and True man by His virgin birth! That He Alone purchased our eternal salvation through His holy BLOOD on the cross at Golgotha!

Faith is believing that there is power and life in His precious blood to grant us forgiveness for all our sins and an entrance into His eternal Kingdom.

Martin Luther stated: “O’ when it comes to faith: what a living, creative, active thing it is. It cannot do other than good at all times. It never waits to ask whether there is any good work to do.”

St. Paul warns: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today: lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of SIN. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.

UNBELIEF IS SIN!

“While it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Heb. 3:12-1415, 18, 19)

We know that unbelief is Sin. We know that rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is Sin. And we know that breaking God’s law is Sin. We know that breaking the Ten Commandments is Sin! It is an affront to the Almighty!

What else do we know about sin? It is defined as an offense against moral law, an immoral act, considered to be a transgression against Divine Law. It is doing what is wrong and not doing what is right according to God’s rules.

The Bible states: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He (Jesus) was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” (1 John 3:4)

“For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men in righteousness, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” (Rom. 1: 18). Holding the truth in unrighteousness is knowing the truth but not adhering to it.

Repenting of sin brings instant forgiveness and mercy, and God's help to overcome it. There is nothing that our Lord delights in more than a “broken and contrite heart”. (Ps. 51:7; Prov. 6: 16-19). God’s definition of sin is found in the Ten Commandments, which Almighty God wrote with His own finger on two tablets of stone! (Exodus 20: 2-17)

Famous US Psychiatrist Karl Menninger said, "The realities of personal guilt and sin have been glossed over as symptoms of emotional illness or environmental conditioning for which the individual is not considered responsible...There is sin which cannot be subsumed under verbal artifacts such as disease, delinquency, deviancy. There is immorality. There is unethical behavior. There is wrongdoing!”

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you were planning to stay and cost you more than willing to pay! Sin is an EVIL FORCE and the brain child of the Devil!

Sin may be likened to mathematics: Sin adds to your troubles; sin subtracts from your energy; sin multiplies your torments and pains; sin divides your mind; sin takes interest from your work; sin discounts your chances of success; sin squares your conscience!

Sin blinds you to the truth. Sin binds you with chains of lust, greed and hatred. Sin deafens your spiritual ears. Sin deadens your conscience. Sin kills! The Bible says, “The wages of Sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal Life through Jesus Christ the Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS!

The Love of God brought His only begotten Son from Heaven to earth, and from the Manger to the Cross! Jesus shed His precious Blood to save us from the penalty of a lost eternity when He suffered, bled and died on the cruel Cross on Golgotha’s hill outside the city walls of Jerusalem! Christ’s vicarious death and glorious resurrection drives us to repentance and faith, as we see His hand of mercy extended to a lost, fearful and sick world!

The Cross of Christ has been referred to as the Axis of Salvation, the Climax of the Cosmic Conflict between God and Satan and between good and Evil!

The Sovereignty of God demanded punishment for SIN and the cross of Christ provided the Final Solution. For a time, God winked at our sin in His great mercy, by allowing the sacrifice of innocent lambs, goats and bullocks and occasionally a red heifer to suffice.

When the fulness of time had come, Almighty God gave Himself in His Son to be the propitiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world, past, present and future!

God the Son came down to this sinful world to redeem us from the power of the Devil, through His vicarious death and glorious resurrection from the dead!

THE PINNACLE OF MERCY!

The Cross is the expression of God’s love toward us! It is the very pinnacle of His mercy and grace to an enslaved people, bound by lust, greed, pride and hate! Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 13). Jesus was referring to Himself laying down His life for us all! (verse 14)

The Blood of Christ avails: It is available to all who desire to be washed in that soul cleansing fountain of blood. The blood of Jesus also prevails over every obstacle, temptation, sin, fear, torment and evil power! It prevails over sickness, pain and even over death! The blood of the bleeding Lamb prevails. Hallelujah, the blood prevails!

Jesus said: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.” (John 3:16; 12:32,33). St. John stated: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.” (John 3: 36)

JESUS IS THE PROPITIATION!

The Bible says: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us or sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,”

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2: 1, 2)

The word propitiation means satisfaction, mercy seat, expiation and covering. The vicarious death of Jesus Christ for us all, met the righteous demands of Divine Justice in the Courts of Heaven. It means that God was satisfied with the Redemptive work of Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of the entire world, past, present and future!

The Bible declares: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the Devil.” (1 John 3: 8); “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2: 14, 15)

“And the great dragon (Satan) was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

“And I heard a voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

“And they overcame him (Satan) by the BLOOD of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev.12: 9-12)

THE WORLD’S GREATEST POWER!

The world’s greatest power does not reside in Washington, Moscow or Bejing. It resides within the Body of Christ. The Holy Bible says: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10: 17-19)

Jesus promised His disciples: “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost power of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8);

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you: not as the world giveth, give I you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27, 28); “These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

The Bible says: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4: 4); “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by 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…

“But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy Kingdom… And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands.

“They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shall Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed; But Thou art the same and Thy years shall not fail.” (Heb. 1:1-12)

JESUS HAS THE FINAL WORD!

As we observe the great men at the levers of power in this wicked, sinful and desperately evil world and Satan often in the driver’s seat, we may be disheartened, but when we read the Word of Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ in the Holy Scriptures, we get a far different picture!

The REAL power at work is the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of God’s people and in His Church. He has the final word. Jesus is the Creator of the worlds and the Author of Eternal Salvation and we are so privileged to be members in His Body and ambassadors of His Kingdom of mercy, love and grace. Righteousness and Judgment will rule according to His Eternal Word and Will!

Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, there would be no gospel, no hope, no peace, no joy and no salvation! Without the resurrection, there would be no Saviour, no forgiveness for sins, no healing for the sick, no power over the devil and no entrance into Heaven! And there wouldn’t be a Church!

FOUNDATION STONE OF CHRISTIANITY!

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Foundation Stone of the Gospel! It is the divine power, impetus and authority that makes the Church stand alone as the House of God and His servants as stewards, representatives and ambassadors of His Kingdom!

When St. Paul preached on Mars Hill in Athens, the message he declared was so profound that many philosophers went away believing that he had presented two gods, Jesus and the Resurrection. Others heard his message and opened their hearts to the Lord!

No one in Athens had heard about the resurrection of the dead. They could not believe that a man who had been crucified and buried, could came back to life three days later, even though more than 500 men testified that they had been with Him. They had spoken to Him, eaten with Him and touched the nail prints in His hands.

And many declared that they had witnessed His ascension into the clouds in His return to Heaven, forty days after His resurrection!

I AM JESUS WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST!

Years later, St. Paul spoke of his faith before King Agrippa and Governor Festus. He testified that earlier he had persecuted followers of Jesus Christ, and of his dramatic conversion on the Damascus Road when he was apprehended by the Lord on his way to arrest Christians. He declared Christ’s resurrection:

“Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead? At midday O king, I saw in the way a light from Heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

“And I said, Who art Thou? And He said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand on thy feet: for have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee.

“To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I, except these bonds.” (Acts 26:8,13-29)

PAUL CALLED THE GOSPEL THIS THING?

This Thing had become Saul’s life. It was radical and powerful. It was shaking the Jewish Sanhedrin and was starting to make inroads into the Roman Empire! It was not done within closed doors to only a few people of a certain people or region. He was talking about the death, resurrection and the Living Jesus Christ!

He knew that his ministry of preaching the cross, healing the sick and raising the dead had made such an impact that even the king knew about it! It was not hidden away in a corner but publicly displayed! St. Paul was engaging a pagan king with the True Gospel and it shook him to the core!

It has been called the 'Roman Road to Salvation', because in his Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul systematically lays out the Gospel: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3: 23); “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1);

“But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified through His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Rom.5: 8,9); “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.6:23);

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1,2)

SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST!

The Salvation of God is freely given to those who appropriate His love and mercy for themselves and receive by faith His gift of eternal life. The Bible says: “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed: not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

“He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was also able to perform. And therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness.

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus from the dead; Who was delivered (to the cross) for our offences (sins) and was raised again for our justification,” (Rom.4: 20-25)

As I see it, faith is love in action! God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, knowing that He would be faithful to the end. And God's Son left Heaven's glory to become a man, knowing that death couldn't hold Him captive because there was no sin in Him. His love for us drove Him to the cross and His sinless blood and the promise of His Father, brought Him out of the grave!

Jesus of Nazareth had complete faith in the Holy Scriptures. He prayed to His Heavenly Father for His disciples, prior to His crucifixion: “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is Truth.” (John 17:17)

BELIEVING GOD'S RECORD OF HIS SON!

St. John warns against the seriousness of rejecting the testimony that God the Father has given of His Son. He says it is tantamount to calling God a Liar:

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:

“He that believeth not God hath made Him a LIAR: because he believeth not the record that God gave of His SON: And this is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this LIFE is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5: 9-12)

The Word of God is direct and straight-forward! It doesn't mince words. That is why King David prayed: “Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of Thy words giveth light: it giveth understanding to the simple.” (Ps. 119:128-130)

WALKING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

“But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make life in) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that liveth in you. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (kill) the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

The Holy Spirit makes life (heals, makes well) our mortal bodies that are susceptible to aging and wearing out. If we live in the Spirit, we will live healthy lives, which also keeps us well! And since we are children of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, we are also free from the bondage of fear!

Some teach, that Scripture speaks about God raising us from the dead on that great resurrection morning. The Holy Spirit, however, does not live in a corpse!

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

We, who have given ourselves totally to God, have been adopted into the marvelous family of God. Our hearts cry out, ‘Abba Father, meaning Daddy God’. We are His very own sons and daughters of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. We have an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for us.” (1 Peter 1: 4)

HEIRS OF GOD THROUGH JESUS’ DEATH!

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (takes a hold of against our infirmities) for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings cannot be uttered.”

Sometimes, we do not know how to pray so the Holy Spirit (holds at arms-length the infirmity) and prays through us (in the Spirit) to the Father, for our healing! “And He that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be confirmed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

“Moreover, whom He did predestinate them He also called and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8: 1,2,5-17, 26-31)

What does all this mean? How can we understand all this? We cannot in our limited ability even attempt to understand a plan of such magnitude! By God’s grace, our Lord has granted us the faith to believe it because of Whom He is, the Creator and giver of life!

All this was planned in the Councils of Heaven before the worlds were formed. The amazing purposes of God are so great that no human mind could even begin to imagine, that we poor unworthy sinners could be transformed into the image of His pure, perfect and holy Son who through His vicarious death for us all on Calvary’s Cross outside the walls of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, are now His children!

UNBELIEF DOES NOT PLEASE GOD!

The Bible states: “For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:6-8)

Walking in the Spirit pleases God but living in unbelief does not! Believing God’s Word and trusting in His promises brings LIFE and PEACE. The opposite is true when you trust in yourself alone!

The Word of God says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Prov. 3: 5-8)

Walking with God is a win-win situation, but going our own way is a tragic mistake because the natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit! When the Holy Spirit calls upon an individual, the important thing is to answer Him and allow Him to minister His love, mercy and grace unto you.

It has been said that God always call a person at least three times, even though many may not be aware of it. I believe that He always calls the young and tender because He does not want that person to go astray. Then He calls in the beginning of adulthood when He wants to shape that person’s life. And finally, He calls nearing the end of life when people are thinking about dying and eternity!

God called Samuel when he was a lad. He thought it was Eli the priest, who said, “If He calls again, say, Here I am Lord. Thy servant heareth.” Samuel became one God’s greatest prophets!

Jesus personally called Saul of Tarsus in early manhood, “Saul, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? He answered, “Who art Thou Lord?” He changed his name to Paul, the little one, and became the greatest of all the apostles and founded the Church in the Gentile world!

God called Abraham in his old age and promised him a son. The Bible says: “And when Abraham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am Almighty God, walk before Me, and be thou perfect; And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was nearly an hundred years old, neither the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform. And therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness.” (Gen. 17: 1; Rom.4: 20-22)

WE MUST LOVE & EXALT HIS SON!

“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he that seeth Me, seeth Him that sent Me. I am come as a LIGHT into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world but to save the world.

“He that rejecteth Me and receiveth not My words, hath One that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father that sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting; whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.” (John 12: 44- 50)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him. Philip saith unto Him, Lord, shew us the Father and it sufficeth us.

“Jesus saith unto Him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not, that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” (John 4: 6-10)

All we must do to get God the Father to love us is to LOVE His Son Jesus Christ and receive Him into our lives; to believe the record that God gave His Son as His paschal Lamb to bring us back to Him again. It has been a long journey for the human family to become one with God again, since the fall of Adam and Eve. Through Jesus Christ we have been adopted back into His Kingdom.

Jesus said: “Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be LOVED OF MY FATHER, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My Words: and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and We will come unto him and make our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.” (John 14: 19-21, 23, 24)

HOLY SPIRIT: PROMISE OF THE FATHER!

Jesus declared: “And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on High.” (Luke 24: 49). “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13)

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 15-18, 25-27)

The Bible says: “To whom He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God:

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy host not many days hence.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Sameria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (Acts 1: 4-9)

During one of his last sermons, D.L. MOODY addressed the subject of the Holy Spirit: “See how He came on the Day of Pentecost! It is not carnal to pray that He might come again and that the place may be shaken. I believe PENTECOST WAS ONLY A SPECIMEN DAY! I think the church has made this woeful mistake that Pentecost was a miracle never to be repeated. I have thought too that Pentecost as a miracle never to be repeated. I BELIEVE NOW, if we looked on Pentecost as a specimen Day and began to pray, we should have the old Pentecostal FIRE here in Boston.”

TO PLEASE GOD, WE MUST OBEY HIM!

An old Gospel hymn admonished: Trust and Obey; For there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey!

The Bible says: “Then Peter and the other disciples answered and said, We ought to OBEY God rather than man. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that OBEY Him.” (Acts 5: 29,

We are in the kingdom now (Col. 1:13), but there is a more glorious phase to yet be entered (2 Pet. 1:11). We enjoy salvation presently (Mk. 16:16), but there is a greater dimension — a heavenly salvation — to be received at death (2 Tim. 4:18).

Robert Murray McCheyne declared, “A Holy Minister is an awful weapon in the hands of God.” Samuel Chadwick stated, “The sign of Christianity is not a cross, but a tongue of fire.”

Dr. R. Moffat Gautrey said: “The Gospel is not an old, old story freshly told. It is a fire in the spirit, fed by the flame of immortal love. And woe unto us, if through our negligence to stir the Gift of God, which is written within us that fire burns low.”

Richard Baxter stated, “I seek to preach as a dying man to dying men. I preach each tie as though it were time I would preach.”

There is a sense in which we are with Christ now (Matt. 18:20; 26:29; 28:20), but there is a more exalted state in which we will be with him for all eternity!(Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8). God bless you, my dear friend, in Jesus' dear Name! Amen.