| (Copyright 01-28-2025) by Larry St. Clair (Springfield, Missouri) |
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| Introduction I’m writing to anyone that has questions about the Bible or things that their Church teaches. Few churches teach all Bible truth, instead they teach traditions and the teachings of the founder of that particular church. The Apostle Peter teaches, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2nd Peter 1:20 With Bible study, many times the Bible interprets itself. Some churches claim to be A New Testament Church. By ignoring the Old Testament, they miss learning history and prophecy. Jesus and his disciples only taught from the Old Testament as there was no New Testament. The Old Testament is the base and foundation for the New. Bagster’s Bible claims there are 889 quotations and allusions from the Old Testament. Scholars believe it was mostly written in the 40s to 90s AD. But all 27 books weren’t canonized until the Council of Hippo in 393 AD. There are many versions of the Bible and hundreds or even thousands of different Church Denominations. For our purpose here, I will be using the King James Version as nearly everyone is familiar with it. For a church, I’ll leave off any modifier and just call it the “Church of God.” Evolution is only a theory and a great misunderstanding by our scientists. It’s one of the worst deceptions and lies of Satan! The Apostle Paul wrote: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Rom 1:19-22 It is absolutely necessary to understand and believe we have a Creator God before you can learn anything else! The writer of Hebrews explains, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Heb 11:3 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6 Look around you and see God’s beautiful Creation, the trees and flowers, their colors and scents. Look at the animal kingdom, cute little bunny’s or a big elephant! Or the fishes, tiny minnows to giant whales! God has created such a variety for Man’s enjoyment as well for food or service. All created things require a Creator, they just don’t appear out of nothing! There must be a power or some force, we know that force as God! God, The Creator Notice the very first chapter of the Bible: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good . And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Gen 1:1-31 Each day of Creation week God made something special to inhabit the earth and God was pleased and pronounced it very good! I don’t know why they put the chapter break there, because God was not finished. Let’s read where He finishes: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Gen 2:1-3 Verse 3 shows God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Sanctify means to set aside and make holy. And notice, God rested! Does God get tired and need rest? No, the Bible tells us just the opposite! The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psa 18:2 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. Isa 40:28 No, God was not tired, He was setting an example for His people. It’s a day of rest and a time to meet with Him! This is so important to God that it’s one of the 10 Commandments! The Sabbath is also mentioned 137 times all through the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. The Ten Commandments Now is a good time to look at all 10 Commandments found together in chapter 20 of Exodus. And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. Exo 20:1-17 Let’s examine these laws one by one for a complete understanding. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. You should not have another god. Not your spouse, your job, your money, your car or anything else. You must not put anything before our heavenly Father. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; This prohibits statues, crosses and pictures of Jesus. We don’t know what He looked like, but He didn’t have long hair. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him? 1st Co 11:14 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Use the name of God our Father and Jesus in prayer only, never as an expletive. Do not swear at all, it is of the Devil! Notice Jesus’ own words, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Mat 12:36 The Apostle Paul adds, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Eph 5:6 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Actually there are seven Feast Days or High-Sabbaths beside the weekly Sabbath. They are taught in Leviticus chapter 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. Lev 23:1-3 God expects us to work and earn our living and pursue our hobbies and pastime in six days. The Sabbath (Saturday) is a day of assembly and worship! I’ll cover the other seven Feasts later. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Easy, Love and respect your parents, they gave you life. In ancient Israel the penalty for breaking this law was quite severe, notice “For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.” Lev 20:9 and “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.” Deu 21:18-21 Thou shalt not kill. Kill should have been translated murder. Don’t take the life of an innocent person. Be careful not to injure anyone. Thou shalt not commit adultery. This rules out having sex with your neighbors wife, animals or with close family members. Is fully explained in Leviticus chapters 18 and 20. Thou shalt not steal. Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you. Taking pens and office supplies from work is stealing. So is goofing off, when you’re supposed to be working. So is taking extra food home from ‘All-You-Can Eat’ restaurants. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Don’t tell lies. Do what you say you will, keep your word! Be on time! Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. To covet or lust after anything of your neighbor’s is great sin, possibly leading to breaking Commandments 6 through 10! One sordid example was the circumstance of King David and Bathsheba. David steals another man’s wife, commits adultery with her and then murders her husband and lies to cover it up. The story is too long to put here, but you can read it in 2nd Samuel, all of chapter 11 through chapter 12:1-23. Food Laws God loves His Creation, He wants us to be happy and healthy. He has made a beautiful Earth for us to live on. God has made some things for us to eat and other things to help us keep the earth clean. For example catfish and other bottom feeders were created to clean rotten garbage from the river’s bottom. Shrimp and shellfish are another example that scavenge for food, feeding on dead or decaying matter found on the ocean floor also feeding on small organisms such as plankton, algae, and other small marine creatures. These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: Lev 11:9-10 Shrimp, octopus and sharks are unclean and are not for food. Bass, Cod and Salmon are clean and good to eat! Pigs eat anything! Harmful organisms and pathogens, carried by some swine, which can infect humans include diseases such as brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, brucellosis, tularemia, and a host of other diseases. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. Lev 11:2-4 Swine, rabbits and squirrels are unclean. Cattle, chicken and turkeys are clean, you may eat them. If you eat any unclean thing, its unhealthy and God calls it an abomination! You can read an explanation in Leviticus chapter 11 and in Deuteronomy chapter 14. God’s Judgment! Our World is in trouble! Droughts, flooding, wildfires, tornados and hurricanes. They blame it on ‘Global Warming.’ World Health Organization reports we kill (murder) about 73 million unborn babies every year. Murder and other crimes seem to increase every year. Inflation, food costs and housing at record highs, does our government even care? Are our problems really just Global Warming and an uncaring government? I don’t think so! I’m thinking our world is almost as wicked and corrupt as it was prior to the flood during Noah’s time. Notice, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Gen 6:5-8 So God warned Noah to build a large boat to save his family and the animals. It’s a long story, read it in Genesis chapter 6:5 through chapter 9:17. Brings to mind another story (you’ve probably heard of it: the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah) when men became very wicked, maybe not much worse than it is today. With the Gay’s flouting their perversion, people changing their gender, men marrying one another, human trafficking and the sexual abuse of children. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. Gen 13:13 Another long story found in Genesis chapter 18:6 through 19:29. Do you see the connection? Sin and wickedness brings hardship and death upon man! Deuteronomy chapter 28 lists blessings and curses, it’s fairly long, so I’ll just show some of the highlights. And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Deu 28:1-4 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. Deu 28:8-9 But for the curses, But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Deu 28:15-16 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. Deu 28:20-24 Choose Life I’ve shown you the 10 Commandments and some examples of breaking them. I have also shown promises of blessings for keeping and living by them, they are for your own good! But I also show the curses! The Patriarch Moses sums it all up in just a few sentences, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deu 30:15-20 Some will say, “Those old laws and commandments were for the Jews, not for us today!” If you claim that Jesus Christ is your Saviour, at baptism you’re made a spiritual Jew: For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Rom2:28-29 This: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal 3:26-29 And this: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11 Jesus Saviour Early in Jesus’ ministry, He began to teach us His Father’s laws by showing us how to keep them! Notice in Matthew chapter 5, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Mat 5:17-19 Jesus plainly says He isn’t doing away with the law but instead encourages us to keep the law! In fact, it’s prophesied He would even magnify it! The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isa:21 Let’s look at two words: (1) destroy, some meanings are to loosen, demolish or overthrow. (2) Fulfil, here make, verify or perfect. So how did Jesus magnify the law? First He expands the law against murder: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Mat 5:21-22 Your anger can turn to hate and in time turn to murder. Jesus admonishes us to forgive and even pray for our enemies, watch this: Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Luk 17:3-4 And this too: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Mat 5:43-44 Next Jesus expands the law against sexual sins: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Mat 5:27-28 This can apply to men or women, getting too friendly with someone you’re not married to can lead to sin! One of the scribes asked Jesus which was the most important commandment. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like it, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mar 12:29-31 In the final hours before His crucifixion, Jesus taught and encouraged His disciples to strengthen their faith. Probably the most important things they (and we) needed to know. They’re recorded in the book of John, chapter 13 through chapter 17, too long to cover here. You need to read it all for yourself, but I want to show you some highlights. Things that are very important to Jesus! A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Joh 13:34-35 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh 14:15 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. Joh 14:21 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Joh 17:1-5 Salvation Now I’ve Shown you that the law is still in force. But I’m in no way implying that the law saves you! Salvation only comes through God (The Father) and Jesus Christ. Salvation is mentioned dozens of times in the Old Testament, 63 times, just in the Psalms! I’ll show you a few examples: The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exo 15:2The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 2nd Sa 22:3 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psa 18:46 Lead me in thy truth and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psa 25:5 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake. Psa 79:9 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Psa 119:174 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isa 61:10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zec 9:9 That last one was a prophecy about Jesus. Now some examples from the New Testament. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Act4:12 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom 1:16 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. 1st Th 5:9 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 9:28 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1st Pe 1:9 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: Rev 19:1 At the beginning of this article, I mentioned few churches keep or teach all Bible truth. Most get confused with Law, Faith and Works. All three are necessary for the Christian! We keep the law to show we love each other and that we love God! This is taught in 1st John, chapter 5: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1st Jn 5:1-5 Faith is mentioned over 200 times in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul is probably our best teacher. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal 2:16 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17 Paying attention when the Bible is taught and lots of personal Bible Study will give you faith for Salvation! Reading about Jesus’ miracles and healing in the four Gospels will strengthen your faith. Paul writes, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Eph 2:8 The Apostle James explains Works: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Jas 2:1-26 God expects us to help one another, especially fellow believers. The Apostle Paul adds, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Gal 6:9-10 Works are so important that Jesus gave this parable: When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Mat 25:31-46 Good works are necessary, but they won’t save you. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. 1st Th 5:9 Kingdom of God Just what does salvation actually mean? To be saved is the resurrection from the grave, never to grow tired, sick or die for all eternity! In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1St 15:52 This takes place after the Great Tribulation when this Earth will be war torn and much of the population has died. Editor’s Note: The resurrection of the Elect of God takes place at the Last Trumpet and at the same time as the two witnesses are resurrected. Once this resurrection takes place the bowls of wrath will be poured out while the Elect of God are in heaven at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Certainly, things won’t be going well for those on earth before the resurrection of the Elect of God, however it seems to get much worse on earth after that resurrection. Laura Lee And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev 20:4 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. Rev 20:6 We will be serving Christ to restore civilization, guiding and teaching the people who were left and their offspring. I don’t know how it all works, but here are the Scriptures: For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. Isa 65:17-25 I think this happens after the thousand years: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Rev 21:1-5 What happens next, no one knows, but the Apostle Paul has an answer “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1st Co 2:9 Feasts of the LORD Now is a good time to learn about all seven of God’s Feasts, also known as Holy Days. They begin in the Old Testament, but I’ll show you they all point to Jesus. They’re found together in the book of Leviticus. (1 & 2) Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Lev 23:5-8 The Bible uses the Hebrew calendar for dates, first month is Nissan or Abib and relates to our March/April. The Israeli people were slaves in Egypt for 430 years before the very first Passover. They slaughtered a lamb and painted the blood on their doorposts so the death angel would passover their homes without killing their first born. In a rush to leave Egypt, they had no time to leaven their bread. You can read the full story in Exodus chapter 12 to chapter 13:10. Christians celebrate today as Christ being the Lamb of God! And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! Joh 1:36 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1st Co 5:7-8 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Joh 6:35 (3) Firstfruits and Feast of Weeks. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. Lev23:10-12 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD. Lev 23:15-17 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God. Lev 23:21-22 Also known as Feast of Harvest and in the New Testament it’s known as Pentecost. Because there is no Priesthood, there is no burnt offering. We keep all the Holy Days by assembling for worship and offer our tithes. Pentecost commemorates the birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit was given and 3000 people were baptized that very day! Read it in Acts chapter 2, verses 1 to 41. All those in the faith become firstfruits. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 1st Co 15:23 Editor’s Note: 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. In 1Co 15:23 the word firstfruits should read firstfruit. Both verses are talking about the resurrections. Christ was the first resurrection thus the firstfruit. The next resurrection will be of the Elect of God which would take place on a Pentecost in the near future. The rest of the dead will be resurrected after the one thousand year millennium. At that time there will probably be several resurrections that take place as a lot of people will eventually be resurrected. So there is an order to all of these resurrections. There is only one group of firstfruits and that would be of the Elect of God, the ones that become kings and priests during the millennium. Laura Lee (4) Feast of Trumpets, also known as a Day of Shouting. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Lev 23:23-25 This Feast pictures the resurrection, when Jesus comes for His Church! Hebrew seventh month is Tishrei and relates to our September/October. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1st th 4:16-18 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1st Co 15:51-52 Editor’s Note: 1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Many Church of God groups teach that Christ will return to resurrect the Elect of God on Trumpets, however this is a misunderstanding of scripture. When Christ returns on a future Pentecost to resurrect the Elect of God He (Christ) will not step foot on the earth. The resurrected Elect of God will rise from the earth to meet Christ in the clouds and they will all go to heaven for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It is on the Feast of Trumpets when Christ and the Elect of God will return to earth and the Millenium will start soon thereafter. Laura Lee (5) The Day of Atonement. Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. Lev 23:27-31 To afflict your souls means to fast, no food or water for 24 hours on the Day of Atonement. Ancient Israel kept this Feast by fasting and presenting two goats before the LORD. You can read the full story in Leviticus chapter 16. The first goat was sacrificed for the peoples sins. The second one was taken far away and let loose in the wilderness. The first was a type of Jesus Christ. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:12 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 9:28 The second goat was a type of Satan to be put away from deceiving the people: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. Rev 20:1-3 Editor’s Note: Atonement is a picture of reconciliation between man and God and should be kept as a fast day. That means no food and no water from sunset on the 9th until sunset on the 10th. There has in the past also been a conflict over who the two goats represent. Both goats represent Christ. Lev 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: Lev 16:22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. The first goat is a sin offering which was sacrificed just as Christ sacrificed His life for us. The second goat, the live goat also represents Christ in that in a future age all of our sins are put on Christ and taken away not to be remembered again. Laura Lee (6 & 7) The Feast of Booths, also called the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day also called the Last Great Day. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day: Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD. Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD. Lev 23:34-44 Again, because there is no Priesthood, there will not be burnt offerings or meat and drink offerings. Christians offer their tithes and freewill offerings. A booth or a tabernacle is another word for tent or a temporary dwelling. Some Christians do camp out and stay in tents, others rent a motel room. The Feast of Tabernacles recalls Israel wandering in the wilderness and living in tents for 40 years before coming to the promise land. It also looks into the future when Christ returns to raise up His Saints! And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Rev 20:4-6 The Last Great Day portrays Jesus offering His Spirit and an opportunity for all peoples who did not know Christ. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Joh 7:37-39 After the first resurrection and after the thousand years the books in heaven are opened! And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Rev 20:12-13 That’s all seven Feasts! Some people will argue that they’re not valid for Christians, saying “They’re Jewish feasts and they expired with the coming of Jesus.” Believe the Bible: These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. Lev 23:4 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. Lev 23:31 They also say the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. Yes it was, but not by God, Jesus or any of the disciples. No one’s certain when it was changed, but the Catholic Church claims they changed it and in 321 AD the Roman Emperor Constantine issued an edict mandating Sunday as a day of rest and worship. What about the world’s holidays? Christmas, Easter and Halloween? Ancient Israel often followed false gods and pagan customs. They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Deu 32:16-17 The origins of Christmas can be traced back to the ancient Roman and Norse civilizations. The people of ancient Europe had celebrations of the pagan god Saturn (Saturnalia) or even Odin at the end of December to mark the shortest day of the year. You can look it up in any encyclopedia or on the internet. The prophet Jeremiah describes a wooden idol. Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Jer 10:1-5 Sounds like a Christmas tree, doesn’t it? And Jesus was not born on Dec. 25th, Bible study suggests He was born on 1st day of the Feast of Tabernacles and was circumcised on the 8th day. Easter is also pagan, The Sumerian goddess Inanna is also known by her Babylonian name, “Ishtar.” In ancient Canaan Ishtar is known as Astarte, and her counterparts in the Greek and Roman pantheons are known as Aphrodite and Venus. You can find more about this on the internet or any encyclopedia. The prophet Ezekiel relates an Easter sunrise service. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Eze 8:15-16 Halloween, pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer, has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Satanists use this night for animal sacrifice, sometimes humans. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? Pro 21:27 Most of the other holidays are pagan too. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are good, 5th Commandment. True Christians will not keep any of these worldly holidays but instead keep God’s Feast Days to honor the true God and not some pagan god! Death, Heaven or Hell? You should also know people don’t go to heaven and watch over their loved ones when they die. Not hell either, even if they were very wicked! They go to their graves and wait for the resurrection. Notice these Scriptures: His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Psa 146:4 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Ecc 9:5-6 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecc 9:10 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. Job 14:14-15 Jesus teaches: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Joh 5:28-29 Baptism and Repentance It’s necessary to learn about baptism and repentance. Let’s define baptism, it means to dip, immerse or fully wet. Sprinkling or pouring a little water on someone is not proper baptism. Jesus sets the example: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 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. Mat 3:13-17 Another example, Philip and the eunuch: And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Act 8:36-39 Repent or repentance means to turn, think differently, shame. Example: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2nd Co 7:10 Just saying, “I’m sorry” and continuing on your way does nothing. You must quit your sins and begin to keep God’s laws, the 10 Commandments. The Bible gives us the definition of what sin is. It’s found in 1st John. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1st Jn 3:4 Who is Our God? Another thing you should learn: Jesus was the God or LORD in the Old Testament! Jesus Himself taught no one has ever seen God the Father. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. John 5:36-37 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1st Co 10:1-4 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Eph 3:9 Who is the 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, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Col 1;15-17 By reading these verses, it makes it easier to understand some early verses of the book of John. 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Joh 1:1-3 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Joh 1:10 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. Joh 1:14 Yes, Jesus is the One that created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:1 Walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. Gen 3:8 Visited Abraham. Gen 18:1 And showed his back parts to Moses! Exo 33:23 So, What Does All This Mean For You? I hope I’ve answered some of your questions, probably told you things you never heard of and maybe some things you didn’t want to know! But I thought it was necessary for you to learn. Jesus suffered and died for your sins providing your salvation, but that’s not all. He gave you certain talents or abilities to work for Him. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mat 28:18-20 Jesus’ final instructions for the Church! Up to now, I haven’t mentioned tithing. Our tithes support reaching out, teaching and as a witness to the world of the true God and His love. Most people hate the tithe, I’m sorry, it’s God’s will, so I must teach it! Unfortunately there’s no well-defined passage as in the 10 commandments to show tithing. However there are several Scriptures that reveal the tithe. I will present a few here. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. Num 18:21-24 Inheritance mentioned here is land. Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 2nd Ch 31:5 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. Deu 14:22 This is known as the 1st Tithe. The 2nd Tithe is for you to set aside for yourself and family so you can enjoy the Feasts! Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. Deu 16:13-17 And there is a 3rd Tithe. When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Deu 26:12 You set this one aside too. You decide how it’s spent. It is to be used to help widows and poor church members, your poor neighbor, soup kitchens or a charity that helps the homeless. The letter of the law says every third year. I believe people need help all the time so I divide that tithe into thirds and help people as needed. I could be wrong, but I believe that is the intent of the law. Some people complain that tithing is on vegetables and cattle, only farmers have to tithe. Do they really believe that? Israel was an agricultural society, mostly farming and few businesses so most people didn’t have any money. Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Mal 3:8-10 Paying the tithe doesn’t take the place of following Jesus’ instructions. Be an example by living a Christian life showing love and compassion for everyone you meet. If it’s in your power to help someone, do it! Get up early and read a few pages of your Bible, learn the Scriptures, so when questions come, you will have an answer. I’ve written this article to give you some basic information. Now go study your Bible and begin to enjoy God’s blessings! ————————————————————————————————————————- See Larry St. Clair’s other articles at: St. Clair, Larry – The “New” Church of God Messenger ————————————————————————————————————————- |
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