Live in the SPIRIT

Continuing with our study on the Holy Spirit...

'In the book of Romans, the setting forth of the Holy Spirit is concentrated in Chapter 8.

The message there has been largely ignored. We have contrasted this chapter with Romans 7, and ended the contrast with 8:16, as if an entirely different subject began.

(Inserting Romans 7 & 8 here for us to read through)

Rom 7:1  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Rom 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Rom 7:3  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Rom 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Rom 7:5  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Rom 7:6  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Rom 7:8  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Rom 7:9  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Rom 7:10  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

Rom 7:11  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Rom 7:15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Rom 7:16  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Rom 7:17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:5  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.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15  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.

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17  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.

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Rom 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27  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.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30  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.

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

While the first part of Romans 8 speaks of "the sons of God" resultant from the leading of "the Spirit of God" (8:14), there is yet another "manifestation of the sons of God." (8: 19)

 In this the Spirit has an important part to play.

Though we have "the first fruits of the Spirit" (8:23), we still have the fallen sinful nature.

This, the Spirit helps - our "infirmities." This is the same word as found in Matthew 8:17, designating what Christ took in taking upon Himself our humanity.

Mat 8:17  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

It is also the same word as found in Hebrews 4:15 which tells the why of the compassion of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit that is to make intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Heb 4:15  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.

 Until "the redemption of the body" at the second coming of Jesus Christ, the saints can know they will have an intercessor at the Throne of God - the Lord the Spirit. While the Man Christ Jesus steps aside (Compare I Tim. 2:5 & Rev. 15:8), the Holy Spirit continues His ministry until the living saints are translated.

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

*******

This is all truth. Of our own selves we truly can do nothing. Our flesh is very weak. It is through the SPIRIT we can live.

Read this again…

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:5  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.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15  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.

THROUGH the SPIRIT we MORTIFY the DEEDS of the BODY.

Christ Jesus SUFFERED through His humanity, we will do NO less.

This will be a DAILY battle, a DAILY struggle to submit to God so that the SPIRIT can work and live in US.

Only by living through the SPIRIT do we have hope. Truly it is the SPIRIT who will keep us in Christ until the end.

We must live to the SPIRIT, not to the FLESH and we must learn the difference. We must learn what is of the flesh and what is of the SPIRIT. May the SPIRIT by the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, by the WILL of the FATHER, teach us ALL we need to know to live in the SPIRIT, to be God's and not be owned by the flesh.

All through the LOVE of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Amen!

Lord the Spirit

'The fourth book written of the New Testament canon (Chronologically) closes with a three-fold benediction - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (II Cor. 13:14)

Language cannot be clearer that the Holy Spirit is as much a Person as are either God or the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yet in this same letter, Paul emphatically declares - "The Lord is that Spirit." (II Cor. 3:17)

In this third chapter, Paul is contrasting the ministration of the letter under Moses, and the ministration of the Spirit under Christ. While declaring that the Lord is that Spirit, Paul differentiates between Lords in verse 18. Note it carefully using the margin which gives the literal Greek rendering. It thus reads:     'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord [Jesus] , are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Lord the Spirit.' (3:18)

The close identification between "the Lord Jesus Christ" and "the Lord the Spirit" is seen elsewhere in the New Testament.

Paul declares that Isaac was born "after the Spirit." (Gal. 4:29)'

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, even so it is now.

'Yet in noting the Old Testament account, the "Lord" who appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre said - "I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son." (Gen. 18:10) '

Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre

Gen 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Gen 18:11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Gen 18:12  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Gen 18:13  And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Gen 18:14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

'It was repeated a second time by the same "Lord." (18:14)

In Hebrews, it reads - "The Holy Spirit saith" (3:7)

Heb 3:7  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice…

- "the Holy Spirit . . . said before." (10:15)

Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before

- yet both quotes are from the Old Testament.

Gabriel told Daniel that the only One who held with him in "the scripture of truth" was "Michael your prince." (10:21)

This is further illuminated in the Epistles of Peter. There we are told that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:21)

But in his first letter, Peter indicates that these holy men - prophets - "searched dilligently ... what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify." (I Peter 1: 10-11)

Thus the New Testament closely identifies the Holy Spirit - the Lord the Spirit - with Michael the "Lord" of the Old Testament.

Paul tells us that God sent forth TWO into the world. "God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law." "God [also] hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son" that we might understand Him as "Father." (Gal. 4:4, 6)

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

This same duality and relationship appears in the symbolism of the book of Revelation.

When the door was opened in heaven, John beheld the Throne of God, and before the Throne were "seven lamps of fire" which are declared to be "the seven Spirits of God." (4:5)

Yet when the Lamb "as it had been slain" is introduced from "the midst of the Throne" with "seven horns (fullness of power) and seven eyes (complete omnipresence)", - these are declared to be "the Seven Spirits sent forth into all the earth."(5:6)'

*******

Let's recap a bit here…

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, AND the love of God, AND the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

Clearly THREE BEINGS. 

Lord Jesus Christ

God

Holy Spirit

We know from our previous study a few days ago that beyond any doubt Jesus Christ was SPIRIT before He took on flesh. In Genesis we read above that the LORD visited Abraham.  We also read this…

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, even so it is now.

Gen 21:1  And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

Isaac was a child of promise, the SPIRIT had to intervene in order for Sarah to conceive. The LORD was SPIRIT prior to His taking on flesh as a babe in Bethlehem.

Now in Revelation we read of the Seven (Perfect) Spirits before the throne of God. Then we read of the LAMB as it had been slain and that LAMB had Seven (Perfect power) Horns and Seven (Perfect omnipresence) Eyes WITH the LAMB and those seven eyes and seven horns are declared to be the seven (Perfect) Spirits sent to the earth. And this Slain Lamb was worthy to take the book from the One upon the throne.

God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit.

And interesting to note the Lamb as it had been slain HAD the perfect Spirit to send forth.

More on the Holy Spirit tomorrow by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

('Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit' -- by W. H. Grotheer)

The Holy Spirit- An Entity All His Own

Yesterday we agreed that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth prior to His birth into flesh in Bethlehem, was SPIRIT.  God with God in the beginning, God declared to be the Son, God begotten uniquely into flesh becoming Son.

We continue with the study...

'This SPIRIT exceeds that of angels for they are only "ministering spirits." (Heb. 1:14) This SPIRIT is immortal, eternal, and indestructible.'

This Spirit, the Spirit that is God with God, the Spirit which became Flesh- exceeds that of angels-  the Spirit that is God is IMMORTAL, ETERNAL, and INDESTRUCTIBLE. Angels are NOT immortal, eternal, and indestructible.

Heb 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

'In noting each reference in the New Testament which referred to the Holy Spirit, we arranged the books of the New Testament in the chronological order in which they were written. [This review will not necessarily follow that format] This was done for two reasons:   1)   The revelation which God gives is progressive; and   2)   God in giving revelation limits Himself and the fullness of that revelation to the perceptive capacity of the human instrument who is willing to be the medium of revelation.

We asked ourselves why so little is known of the "nature" of the Holy Spirit? Then we asked ourselves why so little was perceived as to whom Jesus was until after the coming of the Holy Spirit? The answer to the second question helped us to perceive the answer to the first. Jesus came not to do His own will, but the will of God. (John 6:38)

Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

 He came to glorify the Father. (John 17:4)

Joh 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

He did not even come in His own name. (John 5:43)

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

His was a life of selfless projection of the Father's glory - grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Joh 1:14  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.

Likewise the ministry of the Holy Spirit - He would not speak of Himself. He would glorify Jesus and the work which Jesus accomplished. (John 16:13-14)

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The very first New Testament reference written in regard to the Holy Spirit clearly declares the Holy Spirit as distinct from a "power," per se. It reads:   -   For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit. (I Thess. 1:5)

This same distinction is also seen in I Cor. 2:4.

1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power

[We shall use the word "Spirit" in place of "Ghost" in all quotes from the Bible.]

Many references in the New Testament which mention the Holy Spirit speak of His work in making effective for the believer the salvation provided alone in Jesus Christ. Examples of this can be found in II Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 6:11 and Titus 3:5.

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth

1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

Further the Holy Spirit is set forth as a Teacher who searches the deep things of God. (I Cor. 2:10, 13)

1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

He bestows "gifts" as "He wills." (I Cor. 12:4, 11)

1Co 12:4  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will

He is the builder of the Church. (Eph. 2:22)

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit

 He speaks. (I Tim. 4:1)

1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils

He can be grieved. (Eph. 4:30)

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

He can be insulted. (Heb. 10:29)

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

He can be lied to. (Act, 5:3)

Act 5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

 All of these statements in regard to the Holy Spirit indicate not a power, nor a mere influence, but rather a Person.

('Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit' -- by W. H. Grotheer)

This is TRUTH!

Realizing the truth of the Holy Spirit as a REAL Person, not a mere figment, not a shadowy being, but a REAL BEING.  You can't lie, insult, grieve someone that doesn't really exist.

This is TRUTH, let us REALIZE this as TRUTH!

Please, Lord, please Father, please Holy Spirit let us have open eyes to all of the truth You All have to give to us. Bless us in YOU, Through YOU, all from YOUR LOVE!

The form of Jesus before Bethlehem...

'Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit -- by W. H. Grotheer

The designation of the Spirit of truth as "Another Comforter" reveals as no other name could, His relationship with Deity, and His work and ministry in the Plan of Redemption. But much study must precede the significance of this name since this designation was not given the Holy Spirit till one of the last books of the New Testament was written.

After having read every text in the New Testament where the word, "spirit" or "Holy Spirit" is found, we determined that "spirit" is applied to different beings and forces at work in the world, and within man. Angels are designated as "ministering spirits." (Heb. 1:14) Demons are noted as "unclean spirits." (Rev. 16:13-14) A deep human emotion is based in what is termed, "spirit." (Mark 8:12)

The perception of one's presence, though the person is not present, is noted as being present in "spirit." (I Cor. 5:4)

This study was approached with one vital presupposition:     The "form of God" in which Jesus existed PRIOR to Bethlehem was SPIRIT for God is Spirit. (John 4:24)

*******

Let's think about that for a moment.  The study we are reading has ONE VITAL PRESUPPOSITION -  So let's be clear about this presupposition.  They state- the "FORM OF GOD" in which Jesus EXISTED…. PRIOR…. To Bethlehem, prior to when He took on flesh, the flesh of a baby. The form he existed in before he took on that flesh was the form of SPIRIT. He wasn't flesh in heaven, he wasn't human in heaven. We picture flesh because we are flesh and only flesh. We imagine what we call 'ghosts' as beings that are minus their flesh. Humans minus their flesh and bones, a floating misty thing able to disappear and reappear at will. The truth is, throughout the Bible we read about Angels who help mankind, or perform acts for God, we read about many things that make it a reality that a spirit can be invisible and it can also appear as a solid form. We know spirits can enter a man's body, spirits can enter an animal's body (remember the donkey that spoke?) We know a lot about spirit beings and we know that this is TRUTH-

Joh 4:24  God a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

God a spirit.

Jesus was with God, God with God in the beginning.  And Jesus wasn't in human form when He was with God in the beginning.  Do we believe this truth? Do we believe this one vital presupposition that the form of God in which Jesus existed prior to Bethlehem was SPIRIT?

We do believe it if we believe truth.  He could not have been anything but spirit, not before Bethlehem.  Spirit able to do all that spirits can do. After Bethlehem He was forever and ever no longer JUST spirit.

Let's continue with this study tomorrow, by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In HIS LOVE.

In His Name We Must Speak

'And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.  And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.'

*******

Miracles done in the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, He who was crucified and then brought back to life, He who is the only One who can save us. Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus Christ of Nazareth the HEAD of the cornerstone upon which God builds His people. All who are a part of this building which stands solely upon Jesus Christ cannot help but glorify Him and speak of Him, teach of Him.

Salvation from the evil that corrupts this world, evil that permeates every aspect of life as we know it, leaving nothing untouched, nothing unstained.

Peter and John could NOT tell those who had locked them up and detained them overnight, those who had that authority, they could not tell them what they wanted to hear.  All too often we want to do anything we can to get out of trouble, to keep ourselves free. All too often we sacrifice so much that truly MATTERS because we want temporary relief, temporary success, temporary comfort. Peter and John didn't know what would happen to them if they didn't comply but they didn't hesitate. They told those in charge of their fate in that moment that they could NOT keep quiet. They would NOT shut up! They would NOT be silent!  They would listen to GOD not man.  God was the one they answered to, not man, not any man.

Still they were threatened but not detained. They were sent on their way and so many believed in the Lord as their Savior because they spoke the name of Jesus Christ and through that Name a lame man of forty years was able to walk. None could deny it, none could dispute the healing, and the power came from Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  Peter did NOT heal that man. John did NOT heal that man. Jesus Christ HEALED that man!

We may use HIS Name, HIS HOLY NAME and the power that is HIS will be used according to HIS will, not anyone who speaks it, not their will but HIS.

Always we must pray in the name of JESUS, always we must pray for HIS WILL, always we much put our hope far outside of ourselves and solely in our GOD and HIS LOVE!

Please, Lord, please help us to USE YOUR NAME as YOU would have us USE YOUR NAME. Help us to realize that You WANT us to USE YOUR NAME. Help us LORD, help us. For we truly do not know how to pray as we should.

Thank you Heavenly Father, thank you! All praise, all glory, all honor unto YOU! In the NAME of Your Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

Amen!

A Lame Man Walks and Five Thousand Believe In Jesus Christ

For forty years he was lame. For forty years he watched as those around him moved about on feet. For forty years he learned to live his life disabled. I imagine for a long time he grew up being cared for as anyone born with a disability probably is. They are cared for while you try to teach them to adapt as you learn to adapt to their needs.  This man had learned to beg for his needs. He relied upon others fully to help him.  So when he could suddenly, miraculously walk you have to take a few moments to realize what that had to be like.

He had to be ESTATIC!  

He wasn't quiet about his joy either...

'And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. '

How would YOU have reacted?  You knew this lame man. You'd watched him grow up and live without ever walking and there he was walking, dancing, leaping!  

'And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.'

How did he walk?! What miracle caused this?!  These two men! These two did this, they healed him!  It had to be them!  You saw those men with the miraculously cured lame man and he was holding them, it had to be those two!  No sooner than those thoughts crossed the minds of the people than Peter was talking to them…

' And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.  And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.  And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.   Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.   Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.  Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.'

You listened to EVERY word! You listened because you couldn't deny what your own eyes were seeing. You had to believe what was being said, because you believed these men, their  God- their Savior had done this miracle! And such things, such words being spoken they caused a fire to burn within you, a fire of truth! But others came and listened and they did NOT like what they were hearing.

'And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.'

These priests, these captains of the temple, the Sadducees, all of them knew well of what Peter was saying, they'd had Jesus crucified and they did so hoping that everything about Him would just go away.  Now not only hadn't He gone away news of Him and His resurrection, His power, His love, His hope was being shared with others! They couldn't let this go on!

'And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.'

Thrown in jail for the night by the leaders, the very men Peter said had killed the One who had healed the lame man, the people watched it all happen and with their hearts still burning in them with the truth, they BELIEVED all that Peter and John had told them. Five thousand men BELIEVED!  FIVE THOUSAND!

More on this tomorrow, by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR. All through HIS LOVE!

AMEN!

How would you have reacted?

Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

(((Can you picture this scene? Take a moment. Two apostles of the crucified Christ walked to the temple when it was the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. There at gate was a forty some year old man laying on the ground, his useless legs covered. Quickly looking up at these two men just about to enter the temple the man cries out for an alms.  "Help a lame man, sirs? Please, have pity upon me." He was pleading his cause, the reality being this was his only means of supporting himself, of earning monies. He wasn't dressed elegantly or even averagely, but rather shabbily kept, he couldn't afford to spend what little bit he could get from the temple goers on his clothes.  People helped him, those that could but some times they couldn't help him as much as they might have in the past. There was no set income to count on here, just the charitable heart of those who sometimes saw him daily upon his mat seeking help.  Peter and John had lived with their Savior for three years and knew that He would want them to help this man. Their Savior had helped many men in such condition, He didn't turn them away but His heart went out to them.  To ignore the lame man's pleas would go against all they'd learned from their Lord and Savior.))))

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.  And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

(((You can visualize it, you can. The men were going to help him, not ignore him as so many did. All they wanted was his eyes upon them. He'd downcast them after calling out to them, begging, showing the deep contrition he felt over having to ask for a handout. These men didn't want him looking away, they wanted his gaze upon them. Quickly he raised his eyes to their faces, expectation of hope alive in his sad eyes.))))

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

(((Before the lame man had a chance to react to the words spoken- that they would not be giving him gold or silver- the only things he was expecting- he felt the hand of Peter slide into his. The fingers squeeze his hand and immediately his feet and ankles healed! Where before there was absolutely no real bones like we know bones to be, the useless bones that held no strength at all, that could never even allow this man as a baby to stand were given all the strength they needed! Just imagine how that had to feel! Peter lifted the lame man up by one hand, and expecting to crumble the man found he could stand! He could STAND! He leaped up upon his legs for the very first time! He walked! And he entered the temple! He didn't walk quietly into the temple but he walked, leaped all the while praising God!  You and I can ONLY imagine what he was feeling, this most marvelous of miracles.

How would YOU have reacted?

All of you have chronic pain, or know others who do. All you who live with ailments, defects and injuries, every one is in this situation either experiencing it or knowing someone who is and I want you to take just a moment to imagine yourself or someone else being healed this way.

It's all but unfathomable that it is reality, but it is! It was! And the SAME GOD who performed that miracle, the SAME POWER FROM GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, EXISTS TODAY!

By the grace of our most precious LORD, more on this tomorrow!

All in HIS LOVE!