Tag: One God

Categories
Bible Teaching

Jesus is Jehovah

Apostolic Life Cathedral | April 16, 2024 | 7:00 PM

Text: Ephesians 2:19-22, “(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

“When the Word of the Lord is properly delivered, the sinner gets evangelized, the saint gets edified, and the Lord is glorified. Because, when the name of Jesus is preached it establishes the house of the Lord.”

-Harold Hoffman

I have been revisiting the topic of the oneness of God recently in my studies and in my research I read a two-part article printed in 1926 in The Christian Outlook, and written by E. N. Bell, which is entitled: “A Glorious Tribute to Jesus Christ.”

Tonight’s study borrows from elements in that article that I think accomplishes what Harold Hoffman said preaching the name of Jesus does for the house of the Lord…establishes it.

Since you are the house of the Lord…I hope this lesson tonight creates a construction zone for you as you “are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22).

And that “the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11).

To be apostolic is to have a full apostolic vision of who Jesus is, and Jesus Christ is Jehovah.

Jehovah of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ of the New Testament.

Jesus Is Jehovah

Isaiah 40:3-5

(3)  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

  • LORD in the Old Testament (KJV) is Jehovah
  • Same rule applies with “Spirit” in the New Testament: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

(4)  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

(5)  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, “(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus to Philip: “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9).

Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”

  • In Matthew 3:3, John the baptist is revealed to be “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”
  • Jesus is the Lord or Jehovah whose way was being prepared for by John.
  • Lord here in Malachi is referring specifically to the Messiah.

Jesus is the King of glory…the Jehovah of glory:

  1. Psalms 24:7-10, “(7) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  (8)  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  (9)  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  (10)  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”
  2. 1 Corinthians 2:8, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
  3. James 2:1, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
  4. James is identifying the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord of glory.

Jesus is Jehovah our righteousness:

  1. Jeremiah 23:5-6, “(5) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  (6)  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
  2. 1 Cor. 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

Jesus is Jehovah above all:

  1. Psalms 97:9, “For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.”
  2. John 3:30-31, “(30) He must increase, but I must decrease.  (31)  He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”
  3. John speaking of Jesus Christ

Jesus is Jehovah, the first and the last:

  1. “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).
  2. Jesus speaking, “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:17-18).
  3. Isaiah 48:12 & 16, “(12) Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last….Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. 
  4.  Revelation 22:13, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”

Jesus Is the Eternal God and Creator

Psalms 102:24-27, “(24) I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.  (25)  Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.  (26)  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:  (27)  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”

The writer of Hebrews, in chapter 1, quotes this passage and applies it to Jesus:

(8) But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom….(10)  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  (11)  They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;  (12)  And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Jesus Is the Mighty God

Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is Wonderful in His person, in His glory, in His Beauty, in His mystery:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16).

 He is the Counselor in whom is hid all the wisdom and counsel of God.

He is Mighty God, One True God, God the Mighty One.

He is the everlasting Father, the Father of the everlasting age, the Father of eternity.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace: The word “peace” here is more than just being made whole, safe, prosperous, well or complete.

It also has to do with recompense, or payment given to make an action or transaction complete.

So, the atonement is the payment made by the Prince of Peace.

Revelation 1:7-8, “(7) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.  (8)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Jesus Is the True God

Jehovah is called “the true God”

Jeremiah 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God…”

Jesus is called “the true God”

1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

He Is Emmanuel, God with Us.

Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Immanuel = with us (is) God[1]

Matthew 1:18-23, “(18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  (19)  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  (20)  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  (21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  (22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  (23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

  • Emmanuel = God with us[2]

He Is Lord of lords

Deut. 10:17, “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible…”

Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

1 Timothy 6:14-16, “(14) …keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

Jesus is the Lord from Heaven: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47).

Jesus is Lord of all:

  • Acts 10:36, “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”
  • Romans 10:11-13, “(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
  • The name of the Lord is Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth

The Christ – the Anointed One – Messiah

Jesus Christ

Lord Jesus Christ

If you have the Name tonight you have life.

John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

If you have life in your body, then you have blood.

Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”

If you have the blood of Jesus you have remission (pardon, freedom, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty)[3].

Hebrews 9:22-28, “(22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.  (23)  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  (24)  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  (25)  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  (26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  (27)  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  (28)  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.”

Jesus is our Prince of Preace – our atoning agent

He paid the price to complete the transaction that would redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father.

That is why when we speak of Jesus being Jehovah, God manifest in the flesh, we also speak of His Name.

Philippians 2:5-11

(5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

(7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

(8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

(10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

(11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is Jehovah

[1] Strong’s. H6005.

[2] Strong’s. G1694.

[3] Strong’s. G859.

Categories
Bible Preaching church history History

The Burning of Guyandotte

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 1/28/2024 | 6:30 pm

Text: Hebrews 12:28-29, “(28)  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (29)  For our God is a consuming fire.”

Ancillary: 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “(6) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (7)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

November 11, 1861: The burning of Guyandotte[1]

The Civil War hit home in the Cabell County town of Guyandotte on November 11, 1861. Union troops burned the town in retaliation over a raid pulled off the day before by Confederate cavalry.

Joe Geiger, who has written a book about the Civil War in Cabell County, says Guyandotte’s fate was the result of suspected collaboration with the Confederate raiders and the town’s secessionist reputation.

Geiger said, It’s not really clear exactly how many buildings were burnt. But practically the entire business section was burned and a number of houses as well.

It’s interesting to note Confederate sympathizers’ houses were not the only ones targeted. Many houses belonging to people of Union sympathies were burned as well.

In the fall of 1861, Guyandotte served as a hostile host to a Union recruit camp. The recruits weren’t able to put up much of a fight against the raiders. They were taken prisoner and forced to march to New Bern, Virginia.

According to Geiger, some of the animosity came about because of the march of the prisoners. It began at a full run. They were tied two-by-two with rope and were herded out of town. Apparently, quite a few of the Guyandotte secessionist women were dressed up with their aprons and were yelling at the prisoners and such. The march was very torturous…

The Wheeling Intelligencer newspaper called Guyandotte the “ornaryest place on the Ohio River” and said it ought to have been burned earlier.

That event is called

“The Burning of Guyandotte.”

I’m praying that another fresh fire will begin to burn in Guyandotte tonight and its flames will burn through the Tri-State.

One hundred years ago, In 1924, a Pioneer of the Pentecostal Movement, Lill Horton had a dream. She was in a Church full of stoves, but she was shivering with cold. So, she sought for an interpretation and this was what she received:

“There’s plenty of people (stoves) who need to have the fire of God kindled in them, but they do not have the Holy Ghost to kindle the fire. You need to go where the Holy Ghost fire is burning.”[2]

You are in a Church tonight where God’s fire and shekinah falls and fills the stoves of all who will willingly reach out to Him in faith, call out in repentance and praise Him with their whole heart.

Others in this room tonight have received the Holy Spirit of God, but you’ve allowed the flame to become a barely glowing ember.

You need to hear, heed, listen and obey Paul’s words to Timothy:

“(6) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.  (7)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

It is absolutely necessary that you stir the embers and bring forth a fresh fire tonight.

For 100 years there has been a fire in Guyandotte.

It started in Guyandotte and that same Holy Ghost fire is here tonight.

This campus in located at 350 Staunton Street in the Guyndotte section of Huntington…

But this fire I’m preaching isn’t confined to any street of section.

“Our God Is A Consuming Fire”

The fire of the Holy Ghost crosses rivers and bridges

Social divisions, economic disparities, prejudicial thinking, generational gaps

The Holy Ghost fire I am talking about is a cord of flame uniting every Spirit-filled believer together in their faith and experience:

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

Our God is a consuming fire!

Look at our text: Hebrews 12:28-29, “(28)  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (29)  For our God is a consuming fire.”

This kingdom that began on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 (And when the day of Pentecost was fully come), placed in those 120 Holy Ghost divine power:

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

This kingdom cannot be moved.

It is built and established on a Rock – The Lord Jesus Christ – and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.

A consuming fire?

God in Christ is a consuming fire. Our Lord Jesus is “full of grace and mercy, yet He will appear in great wrath to His enemies, who will not let Him reign over them.”[3]

There is a payday someday.

So, we worship Him with reverence –  a humility recognizing our unworthiness, and Godly fear – a desire from our most tender area of faith and affection not to offend God.[4]

Why? Although we see Him in this present church age as a God of mild majesty, He still possesses the tremendous power He displayed at mount Sinai, and one day, maybe tonight, He will break forth as a consuming fire against all those who violate His law and despise his gospel.[5]

I used the fire pit last night while cleaning out my garage,

The fire was hot, bright and even singed hair on the back of my hand.

The smoke got all over my clothes, my skin, hair, and even nostrils were full of the smoke…the lasting residue of the fire.

Paul told us what lasting effect the Gift, the fire, of the Holy Ghost has on us:

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

  • No Fear – no timidity, no cowardice, but boldness
  • Power – a holy courage, dunamis, miraculous power, strength,
    • “Power to encounter foes and dangers; power to bear up under trials; power to triumph in persecutions.”[6]
  • Love – God & Man
    • “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
  • Sound Mind – To think clearly. Discretion. The Mind of Christ.
    • Philippians 2:1-11, (1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  (2)  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  (9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[1] http://archive.wvculture.org/hiStory/timetrl/ttnov.html#1111. Accessed: 1/28/2024.

[2] Mary H. Wallace. (1981) Pioneer Pentecostal Women (Vol. I). Word Aflame Press. 119-120.

[3] Hebrews 12:29. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Albert Barnes.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Understanding the Depths of the Name

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 11/6/2022

Text: Exodus 3:13-15

(13)  And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

(14)  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

(15)  And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Matthew 1:18-25

(18)  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

(19)  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

(20)  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

(21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

(22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

(23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

(24)  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

(25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

“To know” and “to understand” are different from one another.

Many know the name of Jesus,

But they don’t understand the greatness of the Name.

Name refers to the fame, authority, report, honor, character and record of God.

In the Hebrew the Name was known as far back as Moses.

It was not the articulation of the Name,

But what He who had the Name would do.

In this passage, the LORD established His eternal name as a record and a memorial with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Therefore, He was also their God as the children of those patriarchs.

The “I AM THAT I AM” is the progressive revelation of the name.

It simply means that Jehovah,

the Self-Existent One who exists all by Himself,

has no beginning or ending,

and needs no other to validate His existence.

He is to you what you let Him be to you.

So, when you understand that Name you find that the Lord is everything we need:

  • He is our Salvation
    • Genesis 49:18, “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”
    • Psalm 3:8, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
    • Isaiah 12:2-4, “(2)  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (3)  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (4)  And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.”
  • He is our Redeemer
    • Isaiah 49:16, “…and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.”
    • Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
  • He is our Saviour
    • Isaiah 43:11,  “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
    • Isaiah 63:8, “For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.”
    • Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

This all deals with the work of God to deliver people from sin and harm by paying the price necessary for their deliverance.

This great salvation we have was bought with a price: 1 Peter 1:18-21

(18)  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

(19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

(20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

(21)  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

“…and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”

“This is my name forever” refers to God’s record and fame, his authority and character,

But when Gabriel spoke to Mary the name he told her to name the child was a proper name.

That name, the name of Jesus, held within it all the fullness of the record, fame, authority, character and honor of the I AM.

Colossians 2:9-10, “(9)  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10)  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

You need to get a personal and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.

His first responsibility was to “save His people from their sins.”

How? Immanuel = God with us.

The only way He can reveal to you the superiority of His name is through you daily experiences.

You will never understand how God works until you get to the place where you allow Him to work.

Then you will begin to understand His Name.

The name of Jesus is a continuous and increasing revelation of His greatness.

You may be struggling with you present circumstance and having a difficult time with the “why” of it.

It may be that this is what God wants for you right now so that He can reveal more of Himself to you.

God love you too much to allow you to stay static, stagnant, and motionless.

Now would be a good time to give Jesus the credit for all the good things in your life.

For example, “Thank you, Jesus, for keeping me free from sin all day long.”

The Lord has different ways that He reveals Himself to us continuously.

A prayer this morning: “Lord, I want a greater revelation about and of You.”

To say as Paul, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…” (Philippians 3:10).

Salvation has come to this house

Luke 19:1-10

(1)  And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

(2)  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

(3)  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

(4)  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

(5)  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

(6)  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

(7)  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

(8)  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

(9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

(10)  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Notice: Jesus is the salvation coming to Zacchaeus’ house

  • V. 5 – Jesus said, “To day I must abide at thy house.”
  • V. 9 – Jesus says, “This day is salvation come to this house…”

_______

Acts 4:12 – there is no other record, fame, authority whereby you must be saved.

You need a name change.

Your soul has not lived until you get a name change.

This can only take place when you are baptized in the only saving name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Moses changed Oshea’s name to Jehoshua.

Joshua had a job to do and his name was changed to fit his job.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Anchored In Hope

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 1/22/2023 10:00 AM

Text: Hebrews 6:13-20

(13)  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

(14)  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

(15)  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

(16)  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

(17)  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

(18)  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

(19)  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

(20)  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hope, in the New Testament, is generally defined as “anticipation, expectation, confidence, faith.”[1]

However, in this passage it is best defined as that which we “have, hold, own, or possess.”[2]

Another way to view hope in our text today is “to hold one’s self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to.”[3]

George Beverly Shea wrote “In Times Like These,” and it contains these words:

In times like these you need a Savior

In times like these you need an anchor

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One

This Rock is Jesus, the only One

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

With all the uncertainty of our day, it is abundantly clear that we need something, or someone to hold on to.

Something, or someone, to cling to.

That Rock is Jesus, He is the one we anchor our hope upon.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

At some point everyone will have a testing of their faith.

When those tribulations come, you need to be anchored in Jesus.

You need to anchor into Jesus from several points.

Six anchor points are suggested when you moor a boat.[4]

We need multiple mooring/anchor points in our lives.

Approach truth from every angle.

You have scripture and an experience to match the Word of God.

Anchor points that help you to hold on to your faith.

Truth comes by revelation from the Word of God.

Reason is not the final authority, but God is the final authority.

Postmodernism = the idea that there is no absolute truth and what works for me “in the moment” is my truth, but it’s relative and may change at any time.

When you don’t have a personal experience with the Lord Jesus Christ all you have is theology.

Always choose the side of truth, righteousness, & holiness.

How we choose to obey and follow Jesus in our relationship with Him is key to a life of holiness.

When we don’t have a long term goal we often fall short ofour potential.

Live with an awareness of eternity.

What if Jesus were coming today.

Live for today and live for that Day when He comes for us.

Six Anchor Points

Hebrews 6:1-3, “(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.”

Six Anchor Points:

  1. We must believe there is a God.
    • Hebrews 11:6, “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.”
    • Jesus is the one true God manifest in the flesh to be our Savior.
  2. The Bible is the Word of God.
    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
  3. We must believe, obey, and experience the New Birth.
    • Faith, Repentance, Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the Infilling of the Holy Ghost Speaking in Tongues.John 3:5-8, “(5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  (7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  (8)  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
    • Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
  4. Life in the Spirit.
    • Laying on of Hands = Operation of the Spirit and its Fruit and Gifts.
    • Romans 8:12-15, “(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  (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.  (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  (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.”
  5. Life of Holiness.
    • Acts 2:40, “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
    • How? Living a life of holiness.
    • 1 Peter 1:13-16, “(13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  (14)  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  (15)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
  6. The Life to Come.
    • Jesus is coming.
    • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  (15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (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:  (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.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

If you feel adrift today then you need to go back and secure the lines of your hope and reattach your anchor on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock.

When you have made sure these six anchor points are secure, then you can weather any storm.

[1] Strong’s.

[2] Thayer’s

[3] Ibid.

[4] David K. Bernard, “Anchor Points (In Our Lives),” May 14, 2015

Categories
church history

Pamphlets from Oneness Pentecostal Writers (Part 7)

This seventh installment on the topic of Pamphlets from Oneness Pentecostal Writers covers this gem.

Title: Water Baptism

Author: n/a

Publisher: n/a

Year: n.d.

Description: about water baptism in Jesus’ name and how it was historically changed by the Roman Catholic Church 300 years after Christ ascended to Heaven to accomodate the heresy of the trinity. 

Page 1: 

Page 2: 

Page 3: 

Page 4: