Does It Apply?

Part 5 of 11

Some will go to great lengths to persuade their listeners of the extinction of spiritual gifts and ministries: so great, in fact, as to deny the very application of Scripture to modern day Christians. Similar to the date controversy, some Cessationists affirm that because epistles such as First Corinthians were not written directly to us, then we cannot accurately appropriate the truth therein, and we must conclude their giftings to be applicable to the Corinthians alone. What an extravagant suggestion! We cannot ignore entire chapters of Scripture, especially when the lead verse is one that reads, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Cor 12:1). Who are the “brethren”, might I ask? Are we not expected to interpret this label as to apply to Christians in general, and not the Corinthians alone? I would hope so: “Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matt 12:47-50).

If the preceding suggested thought be true, then the entirety of the Old Testament is not applicable to us either. We, of course, know this to be false: Paul writes, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for OUR learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4). Secondly, he says, “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3:16). Either all means all, or it does not. Lastly, Paul writes: “Now ALL these things [Old Testament occurrences] happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor 10:11). Paul defines who the “our” is when he says, “upon whom the ends of the world are come”. He could not have been speaking exclusively to the Corinthians. In all actuality, the Corinthian epistle was written to the body of Christ, not to Corinth alone: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Cor 1:1-2).

If the “Application Controversy” be true, then all of Scripture has lost its power! Believers who were unborn in the first century are currently lost: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10). Paul was writing to Rome here. Are modern day believers from ancient Rome? Did we live in Rome at the time of this epistle? No. But we wouldn’t dare say such glorious truths are inapplicable to modern Christians, would we? A double standard, as such, is a hermeneutical atrocity!

Reasonably speaking, how can we limit an eternal living organism to earthly time and space? “For the word of God is quick [living], and powerful [active], and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). We say the Word of God is living and active, yet its life is supposed to be limited to a past tense span and application? I don’t believe so: “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” (Jn 1:1-2). It simply cannot apply to only one time period if indeed it is eternal: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Pet 1:23). This word for “abideth” is the Greek word “menō”. It means, “to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy), to abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for thine own”. Thayer says this is in “reference to state or condition”. Interestingly enough, it is translated as “remain” 17 times, “continue” 11 times, and “endure” 3 times in the New Testament. The Word of God, its state and condition (application) is to “remain” throughout all ages. Indeed, “all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Pet 1:25). Its power is multi-faceted in relevance and manifold in scope.

To be continued...

The Date Controversy..

Part 4 of 11

Proponents of Cessationism hold firm for many reasons. One reason is known as the date controversy: this is the idea that supernatural happenings only occurred in the earliest dated books of the New Testament, such as Acts, etc. According to Cessationists, these supernatural works supposedly died out as the years progressed, and are absent from later dated epistles.

A faithful Cessationist will acknowledge that the New Testament church indeed practiced and operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but they will say that it was only to seal the church as genuine and God-ordained. However, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (Jn 14:12). Some men, those clinging to cessationism, like to dispensationally limit these “greater works” as occurring only on the subsequent day of Pentecost when three-thousand souls were saved at once. However, should we be limited to a past tense episode and application? If the Lord Jesus did not readily put a conclusive time restriction on these “greater works”, then why should we? If He did not limit these “greater works” to a salvific nature, should we? What right do we have to superimpose our personal judgments on the Holy Bible?

Cessationism claims this date theory because the evidence for such practice and manifestation supposedly occurs only in the earliest books of the New Testament, and older epistles such as Ephesians and Romans do not contain similar events. This, as we will see, is a false supposition. Below, we can see the many various Scriptures that refer to the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit. Scholars are unsure as to the exact dates, but judging by Paul’s various imprisonments and missionary journeys we can get a pretty accurate rendering . Notice these sources are from all different books and epistles, and not only the earliest ones as some would suppose:

- Ephesians - written between 57 and 62 A.D.
4:8 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

- Romans - written between 55 and 58 A.D.
12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith…”

- 1 Corinthians - written between 53 and 57 A.D.
14:1 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

12:31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts…”

- Galatians - written between 48 and 58 A.D.
3:5 “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

- Titus - written between 62 and 66 A.D.
1:12 “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”

- James - written between 45 and 53 A.D.
5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

- Revelation - written between 90 and 96 A.D.
18:20 “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her [Babylon]".

Thus, we see that the dates of which these gifts are operative are as varied and diverse as the gifts themselves. We cannot imagine, therefore, that the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit were only for the earliest members of the church.

To speak objectively, even if this date controversy were an accurate assumption, we must take into account the purpose of each individual epistle. Of course an epistle such as First Corinthians will have more evidence of spiritual manifestation and ministry. This is simply because certain epistles were written to set forth the role and flow of the New Testament church, and to correct error that was prevalent there. Paul says in First Corinthians 12:1, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant”.

Later epistles were written with the expectation that these elementary principles were already assimilated into the local church life and were understood by the body. Paul had no need to be redundant on such matters. The fact that he doesn’t completely reiterate himself in every subsequent epistle is not evidence that the gifts had ceased to be of use, but rather, this is evidence that the people to whom he wrote prior had followed his instruction and were now operating properly!

Furthermore, proponents of Cessationism will also say the gifts appear to be fading out as the book of Acts chronologically progresses. They use this as further alleged evidence that the Holy Ghost was quietly exiting the scene once the church was officially established. The following evidence clearly debunks this theory as well:

- Tongues are evidenced in Acts 2:1-4, 11; 8:15-18; 10:46; and 19:6

- Prophetic Utterance is evidenced in Acts 2:18; 19:6; and 21:9

- Acts of healing are evidenced in Acts 4:14-16; 8:7; 10:38; 14:9-10; and 28:8-9

- The word of knowledge is evidenced in Acts 5:1-10; and 27:22-25

- The raising of the dead is evidenced in Acts 20:1-11

Thus, we clearly see the chronological progression of gifts and ministries to be abundant throughout the entire book of Acts, not solely occurring at the earlier dates, as Cessationism supposes. To presume the Holy Spirit subtly made an exit as the early days and months advanced is to completely ignore the evidence in Scripture.

To be continued...

Perfection?

Part 3 of 11

The Bible is clear that the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit WILL indeed one day be done away with. Paul says in First Corinthians 13:8-13, “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” The major controversy surrounds simply WHEN this event is to transpire. Is it past tense? Or is it yet to occur?

Though there are some varying viewpoints, Cessationism most often interprets “when that which is perfect is come” as the completion of the canon of Scripture: With the cannon completed, there would be no more need for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be operating in the church. The basic argument for this view is a “logical” presumption that those who now have the Scriptures do not know partially or prophesy partially, but rather, they now know in some form of fullness. This is tied to Ephesians 2:20 as part of the foundation laying of the church, and Jude 3: “…the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” With this revelation, the gifts (primarily knowledge, prophecy and tongues) would then no longer be needed.

Cessationism also makes an appeal to James 1:23-25 on the basis of rhetorical imagery: The same metaphorical imagery of “mirror”, “face”, and “perfect” occur in both passages. In James the Scriptures are compared to a “mirror” wherein one may behold his “face”. Furthermore, the Scriptures are referred to as the “perfect law of liberty”. Cessationism casually suggests that the lexical imagery is used in the same way. The point then that Paul was making to the Corinthians is that because only a part of the overall canon had been given to the body of Christ, they yet saw “dimly”. However when the “perfect” (i.e., the completed Scriptures) comes they would see their reflection clearly, “face to face”.

But is this viewpoint at all accurate? I do not believe so. First of all, James was written before First Corinthians and “the perfect law” is most likely referring to the Old Testament Scriptures. If the law (Scripture) is perfect in James why is it partial and still to come in First Corinthians?

Secondly, there is much debate over when actual canonization occurred. In fact, there is historical evidence of at least 5 different canonization attempts taking place within the Christian community. Church fathers, such as Origen Adamantius, Irenaeus, Athanasius, the Bishop of Alexandria, and St. Augustine all disagreed over which New Testament writings were to be included in the canon of Scripture. These men lived at different times in history, so the canon was never really a settled issue. Even later dated scholars, such as Martin Luther, tried to remove certain canonical books (Esther, Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation). Interestingly enough, full and fixed articulations of the canon were not established until the mid 1500’s, long after Cessationism claims the gifts ceased. We can see, therefore, that the date of “true Protestant canonization” is not even agreed upon. If Cessationists cannot agree on the date of true canonization, then how are they expected to accurately pinpoint the occasion when gifts and ministries of the Holy Ghost expired? It is a complete contradiction of thought.

Thirdly, First Corinthians 13:12 presents additional requirements for the Cessationist’s argument to be valid: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” For the canonization interpretation to be accurate, we would have to now see God face to face, and know Him even as we are known. Do we? No. Despite the fact that we have a sufficient revelation in the Scriptures, we do not know fully, as the numerous and varying interpretations of this passage demonstrate, and definitely not as we are fully known by God. Nor have we seen God’s face: Jesus said, “… 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” (Jn 5:37). First John 4:12 says, “No man hath seen God at any time…” If such a knowledge and personal encounter with God are of the requirements for the canonization theory to be true, then we plainly see it to be false. No man readily and perpetually beholds God’s natural face. This must be referring to a future event. Rather, perfection in Scripture mostly refers to the people of God. The writer to the Hebrews says, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let US go on unto perfection…” (6:1). Notice he says “us”. The people of God are who are being perfected. Again, Scripture says, “But 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” (1 Pet 5:10). And yet again, Paul says: “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col 1:28). It is “every man” that is progressing toward this “expected end” (Jer 29:11), not the canon of Scripture. Nowhere in Scripture does it refer to the canon at all, much less it's completion as some “event” that would replace the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In fact, most scholars agree that Paul, nor the Corinthians, would not have even realized the need for a coming canon.

Friends, we cannot read hundreds of verses on “perfection” related to the people of God, and then read one verse on “perfection” and connect it to the binding of a book; that is very poor hermeneutics. Peter tells us “that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Pet 1:20). In fact, the only time the Bible speaks of God’s Law as “perfect”, it does so in a present tense association: It never refers to Scripture becoming perfect. James calls it “the perfect law of liberty” (1:25; present tense), and again David says, “The law of the LORD is perfect” (Ps 19:7; present tense).

It is upon the completion and perfection of God’s people that such ministries and gifts will no longer be necessary and essential: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: UNTIL we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ…” (Eph 4:11-13). For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then [at the unity of the faith and knowledge of Jesus, unto a perfect Christ-like corporate man] I shall know just as I also am known. The Word of God is a progressive revelation. There will be a time when a people fully know Him! We shall know Jesus fully, just as He knows us fully. Until then, however, the gifts and ministries of the Holy Ghost are necessary and essential! My heart aches for those who casually neglect the Holy Spirit!

To be continued...

Proof Via Experience?

Part 2 of 11

We've just seen the Scriptural necessitation for the Holy Spirit's stay upon the earth; We've seen that it is to be far longer than a mere past dispensation, as many assume. But why do so many assume this to be true? If it cannot be found in Scripture, why do millions of believers neglect the truths of the Holy Ghost? Well, the largest portion of Cessationist doctrine is not doctrine at all. Rather, it is experience, or should I say, a lack of experience: they have not experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Interestingly enough, Cessationism makes these same experiential claims regarding the Charismatic approach. One author has even claimed someone must have "slipped LSD into the Charismatic communion cup"! The difference between the Charismatic experience and the Cessationist inexperience is that the Charismatic experience is actually founded on Scripture: the early church was a Charismatic church. Whereas, the Cessationist inexperience is founded on overlooking and bending Scripture, all the while asserting to possess a zeal according to knowledge, or a special enlightenment.

Ironically, Cessationism claims to cling to “Scripture alone” (Sola Scriptura), purposely neglecting any experiential reality, yet these same Scriptures they are supposedly clinging to reveal Godly experiences to be valid. How funny! The apostle Paul affirms this when he says, “…the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all…” (2 Cor 13:14), and again when he says, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit…” (2 Tim 4:22). Clearly such “Holy Ghost experiences” are Biblically ordained and accredited, both in doctrine and example.

In Jack Deere’s book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, he writes, “If you were to lock a brand-new Christian in a room with a Bible and tell him to study what the Scriptures have to say about healing and miracles, he would never come out of the room a Cessationist… No one ever just picked up the Bible, started reading, and then came to the conclusion that God was not doing signs and wonders anymore and that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had passed away. The doctrine of Cessationism did not originate from a careful study of the Scriptures. The doctrine of Cessationism originated in experience.”

It appears that Cessationism asks only the questions that would seem to further its own dogmatic conclusions: Why do the epistles have little discussion about spiritual gifts? Why does Paul leave people sick (Phil 2:26-27; 1 Tim 5:23; 2 Tim 4:20)? Why does James have the sick call the elders and not one with the gift of healing (Jas 5:14-16)? Why do I not see miracles and healing widespread today? Of course these questions are easily answered with the Bible, but we must be willing to accept the truth. Often a man who has rejected the Holy Spirit his entire life will find it quite difficult to admit he has been wrong. Everything he has believed, and possibly even taught, will crumble if he decides to take the Bible for what it actually says. This would be a frightening experience, and many are not willing to travel that road. Continually we see the Proverb at work: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18). If only we would exalt the Word of God over our own selfish doctrine and “stoutness of heart” (Isa 9:9)!

It is rather frightening that the very demands Cessationism requires are the ones Satan asked of Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness. Observe: “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God… And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Luke 4:1-4; 10-12).

Can we see the dreaded association? Satan asks the Lord Jesus to perform a sign, in vain, to prove that He was the Son of God. He even used the Bible! What a shame that men demand the same exercise of power to prove the Holy Spirit’s existence; and they even use the Bible in doing so! We hear similar demands such as, “if God still heals today, then go clear out that hospital!” Shouldn’t we take heed to the Lord’s warning: “And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Lk 4:12). Over and over this admonishment is delivered: “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God…” (Deut 6:16). This Hebrew word for “tempt” means, “to test, to prove, to try, to put to the proof or test” . Sadly, this is largely what we see from the Cessationist camp. Isn’t the counsel of Scripture evidence enough?

Largely, many denominations reject the use of spiritual gifts because of the abuse that is often related to their practice. However, the misuse of spiritual gifts is actually evidence that they are yet operative. How can something be misused or abused if it is now expired and ceased? Men abuse the grace of God on a daily basis, but are these abuses evidence that suggest His grace is absent? No. Let us cling to Paul’s advice to the Romans, “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged” (Rom 3:3-4). We simply cannot rely on corporate experience to deem something factual or forged. Of course, there are widespread abuses of God’s gifts and ministries, but “the foundation of God standeth sure” (2 Thess 2:19).

Furthermore, if the Holy Spirit were no longer active today, what do we say about the millions of believers who do experience Him on a regular basis? An avid Cessationist will go so far as to attribute such things to Satan himself, passing them off as “signs and lying wonders” (2 Thess 2:9). How sad! Are we really expected to believe that Satan will heal someone of an ailment, while that person gives God glory? Or that Satan will cast out his own devils and better the spiritual condition of the believer? This is an impossibility! Interestingly enough, Jesus spoke of this truth when He was accused of casting out devils by a devil: “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, this fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matt 12:22-26). A house divided simply will not stand. We conclude, therefore, that Satan will never work a miracle while giving God the glory. A lying sign and wonder will be one in which mere man or Satan is worshipped and given glory (Rev 13:11-15). Paul says, “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor 12:3). Truthfully, the very fact that Jesus is testified of in these occurrences is proof that it is indeed the Holy Ghost at work: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (Jn 15:26). It is ludicrous, therefore, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit and attribute His doings to devils.

Basically, Cessationism’s experiential argument is an argument from silence. In other words, a Cessationist is only a Cessationist because he or she has not personally experienced the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Sadly, their alleged doctrine stems and is fed from this place of unbelief and naïveté. They allow their experience to effect their doctrine, rather than vice versa. Saul (later Paul) is a perfect example of this occurrence. He hated and persecuted the church of Christ to the point of murder! I’m sure he was completely convinced in his mind and “doctrine” that Jesus was a fake, and that His followers were heretics. His error consisted in his lack of experience, and no more. What others experienced, he himself did not. His argument was based upon silence. Well, what changed His mind? Once he traveled the Damascus road and saw Jesus in His glory, he was a changed man: “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…” (Acts 9:3-5). How suddenly his doctrine was re-evaluated! His experience confirmed the primary doctrine of Christianity: Jesus is Lord. He later became the greatest writer in the New Testament! What a wonderful testimony!

To be continued...

The Promise of the Spirit.. A Rebuttal of Cessationism

Part 1 of 11

Thank God that His Spirit is with us today! What a world of apathy and chaos we would find ourselves in without His glorious Comforter. Sadly, many denominations and Christians cling to the idea that the gifts, ministries and manifestations of the Holy Ghost served only a temporary purpose and are now expired for New Testament believers. This idea is known as Cessationism, and is far more prominent than you might think. However, in discovering what the Bible says about the promise of the Spirit, we have very good reason to believe in the Holy Spirit's present continuation. This holy “Comforter” is promised to abide with us forever, not solely for a special dispensation: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever” (Jn 14:16). In fact, Paul tells us that we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise “until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Eph 1:14). In other words, we have been given the Holy Ghost and His ministries until the ultimate completion of our salvation (2 Cor 1:10).

In another place Jesus says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (Jn 16:7). Dear cessationists, the Holy Spirit is with us because Jesus has ascended back to His Father. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us. Why then would His ministries and gifts be expired? What good is a gift when it’s taken away as soon as it’s given? Was the early church to be the sole recipient of this promised gift? No. In fact, the book of Acts gives us an accurate account of the lengthiness of the Holy Spirit’s stay upon the earth: “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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39). Notice the future tense of this phrase “shall call”. This phrase is the Greek word “proskaleomai”. It means, “To summon; to invite; to call toward oneself”. Have 21st century Christians been summoned, invited and called? Of course we have. Scripture in no way suggests the Holy Spirit is soon to exit the scene. Rather, it implies His earthly presence up until the very end of the age. Nevertheless, an eager Cessationist will proclaim that Peter was referencing the promise of salvation (justification) that is available to “as many as the Lord our God shall call”, and not the promise of the Holy Spirit. However, just a few verses prior, we see Peter define this “promise” as the Holy Ghost: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:33).

Furthermore, this said justification is always preparatory for the Holy Ghost. So why would Peter offer one without the other? Why would he offer salvation without the Holy Spirit too? Galatians informs us of this preparatory nature: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: [in order] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; [in order] that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (3:13-14). The “blessing of Abraham” is justification by faith; and why have we been justified? We’ve been justified “in order that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith”. It’s plain and simple: the salvation of Jesus Christ (coupled with the promise of the Holy Spirit) is available to “as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

With the Holy Ghost, comes His giftings. The gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit are the direct result of our “immersion” into Him: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mk 16:16-18). Notice that the only qualifiers here are belief and obedience (vs. 16). The Lord Jesus did not limit these signs to a dispensational era, and therefore neither should we.

In fact, concerning such spiritual gifts and their lengthy necessitation, Paul writes, “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:4-8). Can we not realize the obligation presented here? These gifts are to be recognized in the context of “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” One translation presents it this way: “Therefore, you don't lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed”. James Moffatt’s translation is especially helpful here: “Thus you lack no spiritual endowment during these days of waiting till our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed”. Furthermore, the Greek sentence structure of this passage is very useful and important. The present participle is temporal; simultaneous with the present infinitive. The present tenses in both the infinitive and the participle are probably progressive presents. These participles indicate a state of possessing all spiritual gifts and eagerly awaiting. This signifies that the possession of all spiritual gifts continues until this “waiting” is fulfilled . The next verse explains what will happen at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Christ Himself will confirm us, blameless, until the end at His coming. It is interesting that Paul uses the same verb here in First Corinthians 1:8 (bebaioō) as he did in 1:6. This may indicate that means of confirmation to the end is the same as the means by which God confirmed the testimony of Christ among them, through spiritual gifts . Thus, Paul seems to promise that Christ, through spiritual gifts, will progressively strengthen and confirm believers until His second coming. The relationship is quite obvious.

Would to God that His people would allow Scripture to determine truth, never an experiential deficiency.

To be continued...

When God Chooses a Bride..

Read the following Scriptures with me and notice was occurs:

"And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead. From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters. At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him" (Deut 10:6-9).

Many people will read the preceding verses of Scripture, and will agree that God separated the tribe of Levi unto Himself for a sovereign purpose. However, can we notice the spiritual significance this scenario has for us New Testament saints? In short, this instance is typical of the Bride of Christ being taken out from the body of Christ, chosen and separated (Gen 2:22; Song 2:2; 6:8; Matt 25:1-13). Observe:

This instance begins with ALL of "the children of Israel" (vs. 6). Everyone was on the journey together. Yet, for sovereign reasons, only a remnant is separated unto the Lord, and given no earthly inheritance. Why is that? The surrounding verses give us great insight..

Notice that the children of Israel journeyed from Beeroth, to Mosera, to Gudgodah, to Jotbath, and then afterward the tribe of Levi was set apart. Is this a coincidence? Of course not.

One principle of Biblical interpretation is the use of symbolic names (see 1 Sam 25:25). Names, places, numbers, colors, etc, all have great significance when mining truth from God's Word. Therefore, the literal Hebrew meanings of these places will show us the spiritual circumstances that surrounded this occasion: the children of Israel went from "wells", to "bonds", to "a slashing place", to "a place of goodness". In other words, the Lord brought them from blessing to dealing, in order to prove them.

Why was the Lord testing the children of Israel? Because the responsibility of the chosen tribe was to be great, and therefore they must be proven. This tribe would soon bear the Ark of the Covenant, stand before the Lord to minister to Him, and bless the people in His name (vs. 8). The Levites were separated unto the Lord because of their response on the journey!

Friends, the Holy Spirit is likewise allowing us to be similarly tried and proven: "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Ps 66:10-12). Why? Because His bride will be one who has suffered through the winds of change; she will be an overcomer! Change towards "a wealthy place" is never easy.

Are you in a fiery trial? Don't be dismayed. God is proving you! He wants to set you apart as His bride and inheritance for the ages to come.. Many beside you may not want to go further.. some may even die in the way (Aaron, vs. 6). What will you do? How will you react? Allow your response to His dealings set you apart.

A Mere Man From Nain!

Luke 7 presents us with a very interesting story: the death, resurrection, and ministry of a "son". We cannot help but think that such Biblical stories as these serve a far greater purpose than mere minor "details" of the Scriptural account. In this current case, I believe many gems of truth can be hewn from the Word that was penned by the very breath of God. I believe that it speaks, on a deeper and prophetic level, of the manifestation of the sons of God! The natural story directs us to a special truth (1 Cor 15:46).. Oh that God would give us eyes to see, and ears to hear (Heb 5:11)! Let's observe..

"And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about" (Lk 7:11-17).

“And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak... And He delivered him to his mother.” How wonderfully magnificent is this doctrine of the manifestation of the sons of God! For did not Jesus Himself declare, “ye are gods... and children of the Most High” (Jn 10:34; Ps 82:6)? Concerning this expectant fullness of God’s people Paul writes, “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. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Rom 8:18-19). Isn’t there an expected end to our salvation (Jer 29:11)? And again the Bible says, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (Eph 4:13). And is not this said end to come to fruition in a remnant of believers first? “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (Jas 1:18). Surely there will be a firstfruits company of sons – those who have matured first, and consequently must be first plucked and harvested, lest they spoil (Rev 14:1-5 with 14:14-16). Certainly the “greater love” of the few will come to such an expected end before the “lesser love” of the many (Jn 15:13). It is these disciples who shall “beg (for) the body” of Christ; and it shall be “delivered” (literally “restored”) to God through them (Matt 27:57-60)! All of creation is groaning! The glory of God will be fully risen upon God's holy remnant, and consequently their motives will be pure and wholly according to His heart and desire (Isa 60:1-2). They will be, for all intents and purposes, Jesus manifest in the earth. Of course they will not literally become King Jesus, but they will be in His glorious image (2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:29; Col 3:10; Gal 4:19; etc). They will carry His glory to a people, a people for whom Jesus is weeping over (Matt 9:36; 23:37; Lk 7:13).

Regarding the current verses from Luke's Gospel, we must find it interesting that the very man Jesus “touched” was a man who was already dead. Spiritually speaking, he was a man who, in the sense of carnal living, had none. He was, for the purposes of this argument, dead-to-self, dead to sinful desire, and dead to his Adamic nature. Oh how we long for this testimony! Let it be our objective in life, that as we come to know Him more and more, we become less and less prevalent (Jn 3:30). Rightly has the psalmist said, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?... Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Ps 116:12, 15). Surely this is our good and reasonable service (Rom 12:1-2).

Secondly, we have reason to believe this man was part of God's “remnant”. Why do we believe this? Because he was “the only son of his mother”. He was in the family of his mother, but counted as a son, not simply as a member of the heavenly family. He was saved and set-apart as a son (note Heb 12:5-11). With the mother being representative of the church at large (Song 1:6; 3:4, 11; 6:9; 8:2,5; Jn 19:26-27; Rev 12:1-6; etc.), we can see the son then as that “beloved disciple” who comes forth out of the church (Jn 19:26-27). The son is counted as “beloved” but the woman is counted as “a widow”. In other words, she knows no present-tense intimacy. While she may have, at one time, possessed somewhat of an intimate relationship with the Bridegroom, her love has now waxed cold. Her oil has run out, and she is delayed in acquiring more (Matt 25:1-13). The Greek word used here for widow means, “deficient one”. Surely this speaks to us of more than just her natural state! And how interesting, and yet saddening, that the masses of people were “with her”. How many of her same spiritual sort were an accompaniment! Without doubt, can we not notice that the whole head is sick? But mercifully still, it is for this reason indeed that the son of the mother is soon quickened and brought to life. This time, not of his own being, but that eternal life of his Lord.

Thirdly, let us now further notice the motive for such a glorious manifestation in the son. It was simply because Jesus was moved with compassion: “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not” (Lk 7:13). Indeed, when the Lord Jesus looked upon her countenance and deficiency, He saw an opportunity to turn her affections towards Him. He will take advantage of this opportunity to win the hearts of His complacent ones, once and for all. How will He do it, we might ask? He will do it through a manifestation of Himself in a people! The Greek word used here for compassion means, “to have the bowels yearn.” Can you hear the sound of such yearning? Do you witness to the heart-cry of our Lord for His people to turn and return to Him? Truly, He is proclaiming His inner desire to us and through us for all of creation: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee... the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isa 60:1-3).

The tool God uses to capture the woman’s weeping heart is the son in whom His glory is revealed! For was it not the woman’s deficiency and weeping that moved the Lord to “touch the bier [coffin]”, as we have previously noted? And was it not because of the woman’s lack, and the son’s death-to-self that moved the Lord to proclaim, “Arise”!? Can we see the picture here? At the very touch of our Lord, a fountain was opened for “sin and for uncleanness” (Zech 13:1), and the fullness of God was quickened to fully dwell with man! At the very breath of our Lord, the glory of God was arisen upon the son: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt 5:16). What a glorious day this will be! He that was dead will surely arise and begin to speak the powerful and commanding Word of God. He that is seeking His death to self, and allowing the fire of God to utterly consume him will, one day, stand and come to culmination and wield that two-edged sword with authority! The “greater works” will be manifested! Jesus then will “deliver him to his mother”, and watch His perfections come forth all around. They will be as Jesus, possessing great life, a vessel used to usher life to the body: “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit… As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly” (1 Cor 15:45, 48). Not one word will fall to the ground (Ps 17:2)! It will be a perfect seed! The world is waiting. Certainly, the counsel of Scripture agrees: “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Rom 8:19). And not only waiting, but weeping too! Weeping sore with distress, remembering a passion once possessed, a fire once kindled, a love once zealous. By the rivers of Babylon they are weeping and waiting to be delivered. Yearning for the day when His glory is revealed! Are you willing to be God’s tool? Are you willing to endure the chastening that ye be counted as sons (Heb 12:7)?

Lastly, let us note what a move of God this will be, in that, no flesh will be glorified, and no mere man will be lifted up! By the wondrous works of God shown, “there came a fear on all: and they glorified God” (Lk 7:16). Verily, through His sons, God will visit His people, and glorify Himself fully. He will capture the hearts of His hidden and distressed ones all over the earth. His compassion will seep through the pores of these firstfruits. He will cause the sound of rain to be heard in a land where there is none. And this “rumor of Him” will go forth throughout all the earth.

Friends, let's let Him be glorified!

For "we have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour" (Song 8:8-10).

Entering In..

Part 2 of 2

We've seen absolute Scriptural proof that Jesus specially reveals and manifests Himself to His people. We've seen the difference between the omnipresence of God and the manifest presence of God. Now, I want to observe the many means by which we can partake of this glorious manifest presence.

Friend, we must understand that it is indeed possible to neglect this truth, as is evident by the testimony of the Israelites: "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Exod 20:18-19). Sadly, this is a far too common occurrence in today's church as well. I'm sure this happens for a lot of reasons. But it may be simply because people don't realize how to enter in?

But as always, the Bible tells us how. I don't believe in "formulas", but I do believe in Biblical patterns and consistencies. Scripture shows us such a pattern concerning the means by which we can be found basking in the glory of God, personally partaking of the wonder of His person!

(1) As we just saw, we must first desire such a manifestation. We see this evident when comparing the life of David and the life of Saul. Saul may have begun as a "good man", but soon was found lacking. David alone prayed, "my soul followeth hard after thee" (Ps 63:8). He alone said, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Ps 27:4). Do you desire such a thing? If not, let's check our hearts. Pray that God would birth His desires in you: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).

(2) Secondly, we must forsake outright and willing sin. Scripture tells us that "the upright shall dwell in thy presence" (Ps 140:13). The writer to the Hebrews also encourages us toward this truth: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb 12:14).

(3) When we sin, we must continually be repentant. Scripture says, "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" (Acts 3:19). The qualifier is obvious: "Repent ye... when the times of refreshing shall come..." A man who is consciously and willingly sinning (without proper repentance) will never experience all that God has for him. Sin is the enemy of God, and has no place in the life of believers. The only fruit of sin is separation! "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" (Acts 2:38).

(4) Fourthly, we must participate and partake. Too many people are sitting idly by waiting for something to happen, but that is not the Biblical pattern. Scripture exhorts us to press onward and upward (Phil 3:12). Faith without works is dead and useless! It's not enough to just sit by and watch, rather we should be like Moses - willing to allow God's glory to come and alter our flesh (Exod 34:29-35)! Sadly, there are a people who will possess a testimony that was void of true actions: "Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" (Lk 13:26-27).

(5) True worship will always beckon the manifest presence of God: "be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:18-20).

(6) The 100th Psalm gives us great insight into this wondrous truth; it actually outlines our trek up the mountain of God:
- "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord"..
- "Serve the Lord with gladness" (also see Rom 12:1-2)..
- "Come before His presence with singing" (also see Ps 2:3)..
- "Know ye that the Lord, He is God, and that He hath made us" (also see Heb 11:6)..
- "We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture". In other words, He must be your shepherd. Is Jesus really your shepherd?
- "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving" (also see Col 3:16-17)..
- "and into his courts with praise" (also see Ps 95:2)..
- "Be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (also see Jas 4:8)..

What wonderful truths that God has given us! How grateful we are that He shows us how to enter into and abide in His glory; we don't ever have to come out - let's stay upon Zion! The choice is ours. Will we stand afar off, fearful of intimate communion? Or will we choose to be exposed before Him, partaking of His glory?

Manifest Presence..

Part 1 of 2

Most people are aware and accustomed to the "omnipresence" of God. We understand that He fills all things, and is everywhere at all times. He is unlimited by time and space; He is present simultaneously in all places. He fills the whole earth (Isa 6:3; 43:2; Eph 1:23; 1 Cor 3:16). The Scriptures repeatedly testify to this truth: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there" (Ps 139:7-8). Again, the Bible says, "Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD" (Jer 23:23-24).

However, did you know that God is also to be recognized via His "manifest presence"? This "presence" is different from God's omnipresence. This "presence" is a special manifestation of Himself. The Bible testifies to this truth as well: "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" (Jn 14:21). Notice the qualifier that this verse possesses: "He that hath my commandments AND keepeth them...I will manifest myself" The Greek word used here for "manifest" means, "to exhibit in person, to appear, to declare plainly, to shew or signify". Does your heart long for such an appearance? Mine sure does!

Again, concerning such a manifestation, the Bible says "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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (Jn 16:13-14).

We see such instances all throughout Scripture:

- Moses knew the manifest presence of God: "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Exod 33:11). Surely this was a special manifestation, not the omnipresence of God.

- So did David: "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary" (Ps 63:1-2). The sanctuary was the place where the visible fire and force of God descended upon the Mercy Seat (Ark). David is referring to a literal manifestation here. "Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary" (Ps 96:6).

- And Paul too: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion" (2 Tim 4:17).

- Israel also experienced this phenomenon: "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (2 Chron 5:13-14).

- The Bible encourages us to seek such personal communion as well: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev 3:20).

- "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (Jas 4:8).

- "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth" (Ps 145:18).

For whatever reason, we will heartily agree with God's past interactions with men like Moses or Paul, yet we conclude such a manifestation is improbable for us. Why is that? Personally, I grew up in church, yet never knew of the "manifest presence" of God. Sure I knew that God was everywhere (omnipresent), but I never experienced any sort of special manifestation. It wasn't until later that Jesus specially revealed Himself to me. That manifestation dramatically changed the course of my life; I will never be the same (Ps 68:1)! He has been mercifully manifesting Himself to me ever since.

Similarly, I fear that there are countless people who are stuck in a religious system, and who (like me) have never experienced a manifestation of God's person and glory. But if we truly believe the testimony of Scripture, then we must conclude that this mindset is error. Jesus is an experiential God - He's not to be seen or noticed from afar off, but to be realized via immersion!

This may seem elementary, but I'm sure we would be surprised at the masses of Christians who never partake of such a Godly blessing! We can become so accustomed to the presence of God that we never actually stop and think about the hoards of believers who are without it. People are perishing because of a lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6)! They do not realize their potential as Christians.. And the first step is to simply KNOW that such a manifestation is possible, and even encouraged: "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit" (2 Tim 4:22).

So now that we understand the possibility and potential of such a special manifestation, how are we to enter in and partake?

To be continued..

Foolishness, Foolishness!

In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matt 25), we see such a dire need for wisdom and the devastating effect of lacking "oil". The five unprepared virgins were called "foolish" and were not permitted entrance into the marriage chamber. Thus, it is of utmost importance for us to avoid such a fate, and to see what the Bible defines as a fool.

One of the strangest passages concerning a fool is found in the book of Job. By earthly standards, Job's life has just been totally wrecked: his children died, his health gone, his possessions ruined. His wife, in all of her "godly wisdom", encourages him to just "curse God and die" (2:9)! Job's subsequent response gives us great insight into one definition of "spiritual foolishness":

Job 2:9-10 "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"

Thus, we can easily determine that one aspect of spiritual foolishness is resisting the dealings of God! How can we rightly justify such a resistance when the Bible clearly says, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb 12:11). If we can take our eyes off the current trial, and keep them on the effect of such, we will be much better off (also note 1 Pet 5:10). This is why we are admonished to look "unto Jesus" (Heb 12:1-2), not always at our own selves.

In my opinion, one of the most backwards concepts in the body of Christ today is the issue of prayer: God is not our "errand boy"! The purpose of God is not to always answer our cushy prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God; this is what's revealed in John 17. There is one prayer God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus - "that they may be one, even as We are One." Are we as close to Jesus as that? Are we "one" yet?

Friend, God is not overly concerned about our plans (as we often are); He does not say - Do you want to go through this bereavement; Do you want to suffer this upset? He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women; or they are making us more captious and fault-finding, more insistent upon our own way. The things that happen either make us savages, or they make us saints; it depends entirely upon the relationship we are in with God. If we say - "Thy will be done," then we get the consolation of John 17, the consolation of knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom. When we understand what God is after we will not get mean and cynical. Jesus has prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from it, and yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him, because Jesus has asked for it.

This is why those foolish virgins who do not suffer through the dealings of God will be found lacking oil at the coming of the Lord. We must realize that such trials and circumstances are simply one of God's many tools to perfect us! Fire may be painful, but there's true purpose in it (Isa 1:24-27).

God is avenging Himself of His enemies! He's using fire to ease Himself of the enemy of flesh in you! " For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing..." (Rom 7:18).

Gal 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

So how else does the Bible define foolishness? The book of Proverbs alone defines it in many various ways. Observe:

Prov 17:25 - A fool grieves his father
Prov 1:22 - loves simplicity and hates knowledge
Prov 8:1-5 - has no understanding
Prov 17:10 - doesn't heed to reproof
Prov 28:26 - trusts in his own heart
Prov 15:5 - despises his father's instruction
Prov 19:3 - has a perverted way
Prov 1:7 - despises wisdom
Prov 17:16 - has no heart to get wisdom
Prov 14:9 - mocks at sin
Prov 13:19 - is stayed upon evil...

These foolish virgins will possess all of these traits and more. We would do well to take heed to these truths as we are going "on unto perfection" (Heb 6:1), and preparing for that glorious wedding day!

Complete in Jesus..

Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt 5:48).

What a marvelous truth! And yet how unattainable it seems! How ever are we expected to arrive at such a perfect and complete stature?

After all, this has been the plan of salvation from the dawn of time: To Abraham, God said, "walk before me, and be thou perfect..." (Gen 17:1). So surely God has a vehicle to bring this plan to pass, right? Yes.

Concerning Jesus, Scripture says, "In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him" (Col 2:9-10). Friend, these two verses are directly related..

All the attributes of Christ Jesus, as God and man, are at our disposal. All the fullness of the Godhead, whatever that great term may comprehend, is ours to make us complete. Can we believe that God has done all that can be done to endow us with "completion" and "maturity"? How else could He justly ask us to "go on unto perfection" (Heb 6:1)? He has made even his divine power and Godhead as tools to our salvation. His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability and infallibility, are all combined for our defence. Therefore, let us arise, and behold the Lord Jesus yoking the whole of his divine Godhead to "the chariot of our salvation"!

As another has said, "How vast His grace, how firm His faithfulness, how unswerving His immutability, How infinite his power, How limitless his knowledge!" And how wonderful that such attributes are also to be for our completion! All these qualities are, by the Lord Jesus, made the pillars of the temple of salvation; the foundation; and all are covenanted to us as our eternal inheritance.

These wondrous qualities displayed by our precious Lord not only conduct volumes toward His personal greatness, they each shall also be employed for us: "His wisdom is our direction, His knowledge our instruction, His power our protection, His justice our surety, His love our comfort, His mercy our solace, and His immutability our trust". The mount of God has been readily opened, and is now bidding us come and dig, and discover its glories! ALL are to be ours!

What precious asurance! What wonderful thoughts to behold!

Hearing the Voice of God?

We know that God's voice is often a "still small voice" (1 Kgs 19:11-12), but how are we to hear it? How are we to rightly possess the "ears to hear" that are so vital (Matt 11:15)? What is the Biblical pattern that's revealed which teaches us HOW to hear God's voice? Must out ears be naturally humongous? Of course not. Rather, the Scriptural pattern reveals that real worship encourages the voice of God..

Do you have trouble discerning the voice of God? Then begin to worship Him – “let God arise and let His enemies be scattered” (Ps 68:1). The Bible shows us that as our hearts become rightly set upon Jesus, we can properly discern His voice!

Notice what David has said: "A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters" (Ps 29:1-3). Can you notice the divine relationship presented here?

Similarly, when Elijah needed to hear the voice of God, what do we find him doing? "But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches" (2 Kgs 3:15). These events are cause and effect.

Reader, true worship will always cause the voice of God to be heard! Notice how this also occurred in Saul's life: "After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man" (1 Sam 10:5-6).

This is why “everyone that is of the truth heareth God’s voice” (Jn 18:37), because if we’re OF THE TRUTH, then real worship will be a lifestyle. Worship will be our continual response. And one effect of this lifestyle will be clear communion with God, and clearly hearing His voice.

My pastor has said, “when you don’t know what to do… just worship”. Why? Because worship encourages the voice of God. This is one way He will “cause" you to hear it: “the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard” (Isa 30:30).

This is so practical, but generally people don’t actually do it.

Notice what believers from the book of Acts did as they heard the voice of God speak: "As they ministered unto the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2). What wonderful fruit!

I want to look at one final example, with Miriam:

Exodus 15:21 "And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." ...
Vs. 23 "And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter." ...
Vs. 24 "And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?" …
Vs. 25 "... and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet."

Verse 25 was the fruit of verse 21; Worship encourages the voice and direction of the Lord!

Do YOU Need the Holy Ghost?

Friend, did you realize that the Bible presents a significant difference between "preaching" the Gospel of Christ, and "fully preaching" the Gospel of Christ? It's true. The major differentiating factor is the power of the Holy Ghost! Observe:

"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ" (Rom 15:19).

This phrase "fully preached" means, "to make full, to fill up, to cause to abound, to supply liberally, to render complete, to fill to the top so that nothing shall be wanting, to fill to full measure, to fill to the brim". Can we notice the necessity that these words convey?

As we read the New Testament, we find a very simple, plain and forceful truth — the Holy Spirit makes a huge difference! Of course this is elementary, but I don't think we can be reminded enough.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses" (Acts 1:8)

Consider these early disciples: Jesus Himself taught them for more than three years.. Surely He conducted the greatest "Bible school" the earth had ever seen! But still He had to caution them and encourage them not to depend on their own wisdom and strength: “Tarry ye . . . until ye be endued with power from on high” (Lk 24:49). Even with such training, they were utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit! Even with all their "sufficient" learning, they were helpless on their own; they could not "fully preach" the Gospel if left to themselves! The power of the Holy Spirit is the means by which our wildernesses are made "a fruitful field" (Isa 32:15). Sadly, so many believers limit Him to a past dispensation.. They don't seem to realize that the Holy Ghost is Jesus' replacement, once He visibly left this earthly scene (Jn 14:16). Why wouldn't we take heed to Him and receive as much as we possibly could?

What a lesson for those who are likewise believing to be mightily used of God. The power of God is how we may "fully preach" the Gospel of Christ!

Come Holy Spirit!

"Come Holy Spirit!" These words seem cliche among Christians today. They seem to be somewhat of a "Charismatic catch phrase". When sincere, such an exclamation is a precious desire. Would that all of God's people possessed such a genuine longing for Godly communion.

Today, I simply want to observe one instance in Scripture that teaches volumes concerning the "coming" of the Holy Spirit. Why does He come? How? The answer to these questions are priceless to those who really value God's presence; They are invaluable to those who truly "love His appearing" (2 Tim 4:8).

Let's observe the following Scripture regarding the initial coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost:

"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:32-33).

We often read these verses and miss the entire point! What is the Bible trying to tell us here? It's so very simple, that we just may overlook it..

Many, many have failed to note Peter’s Pentecostal emphasis here: The important thing in God’s plan was the fact that Jesus had been exalted in heaven, and that His glorification there had been the signal for the coming of the promised Holy Spirit. What a lesson! The Spirit does not have to be begged.. Rather, He comes when the Savior is honored and exalted!

Do you want to experience communion with the coveted Holy Ghost? There is no tricky formula.. there is no power that only the "spiritual elite" can possess.. All we must do is EXALT Jesus; it's that simple. As Jesus is thoroughly exalted, the power and presence of the Holy Ghost is poured forth! Hallelujah!

Here are some other Scriptural examples:

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth... The LORD of hosts is with us" (Ps 46:10-11). Reader, do you see the formative effect here? The key to Godly spiritual communion ("the Lord...is with us") is the simple and sincere exaltation of Jesus!

Paul confirms this truth when he too discusses the exaltation of the Lord at the right hand of the Father: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Eph 1:20-22).

And notice the glorious aftermath of such an exaltation: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins... God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:1, 4-6)! How wonderful!

Friend, you don't have to strive and struggle to commune with the Holy Ghost. He is not hiding; He's looking to be found! The Holy Spirit doesn't have to be begged; He lovingly comes when Jesus is lifted high!

Forsaken?

Part 4 of 4

The last instance I want to look at is a very solemn one: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46). In short, these brief words uttered by our Lord pronounce God's inflexible justice against evil and sin. They teach us of the vehement indignation that we, in turn, should likewise possess: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil" (Eph 4:26-27). As we witness the Lord of glory upon His cross, crying out, our hearts should be moved with gratitude for His great propitiation, and a righteous indignation should be born: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Pet 1:15-16).

How agonizing it must have been to taste death for all humankind! What great pain Jesus must have realized as the precious and constant communion with His Father was experientially halted. Jesus had communed with His Father in fullness for years, but now was relinquished into the hands of evil and plotting men. The Father simply could not look upon the sin that was now being atoned for (Jn 1:29; Heb 9:26). God's holiness demanded that He look away, and what a "forsaking" this must have been for Jesus, as God's countenance can only behold "the upright" (Ps 11:7). Because of this, perpetual communion suddenly became chastisement: "...the chastisement of our peace was upon him..." (Isa 53:5).

No pen on earth could adequately tell of the holiness of God! Such must be so if this instance demanded an interruption of divine communion. His holiness is unsullied, and will always remain as so. God is so holy that the very heavens are unclean in His sight (Job 15:15); He is so holy that even the Seraphim veil their faces before Him. Abraham stood before God and could do nothing but say, "[I] am but dust and ashes" (Gen 18:27). Both Job and Isaiah abhorred themselves in the presence of God's holiness (Job 42:6; Isa 6:5). When Daniel caught this glimpse, he could do nothing but say "there remained no strength in me, for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption" (Dan 10:8).

Verily, God simply cannot behold iniquity and evil: "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity..." (Hab 1:13). In another place, Scripture says, "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry... [but] the face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth" (Ps 34:15-16). In fact, the Psalm which prophesied this instance in the crucifixion likewise tells us the reason for this forsaking: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? ... But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Ps 22:1, 3). And it was because our Savior was bearing the sins of wretched humanity that God could not readily gaze at Him, as He had continually done prior (Matt 3:17). As another has said, "The Lord made to meet on Christ the iniquities of us all: and our sins being on Him as our Substitute, the divine wrath against our offenses must be spent upon our sin offering". Surely, what a "forsaking" this must have been!

Some suppose “that the divinity had now departed from Christ, and that his human nature was left unsupported to bear the punishment due to men for their sins.” But this is by no means to be accepted, as it would deprive His sacrifice of its infinite holiness and merit, and consequently leave the sin of the world without an atonement. A proper "mediator" is one who is fully acquainted with both parties. Thus, Jesus' deity was essential for a sufficient mediation to occur. Take deity away from any redeeming act of Christ Jesus, and REAL redemption is ruined. Rather, His perfection was hung in our stead; He was made a curse for us (Gal 3:13); He was made a sin offering in our place (2 Cor 5:21). He wholly experienced the manifestation of God's hatred of sin; it "pleased the LORD to bruise Him" (Isa 53:10), because it was the Father's will (Jn 6:38)... Jesus suffered as our scapegoat so we wouldn't have to! Instead, we can now be righteously presented before His presence with exceeding joy (Jd 24)! What a wonder!

How interesting that these words are included in the very few that were uttered from Calvary's cross.. As we have before determined, each spoken phrase possesses special significance. This phrase is no exception. Just as Jesus left us with a desire for communion ("I thirst"), a picture of His mercies ("Disciple, behold thy mother"), and a model for a genuine "Christian walk" ("Father, forgive them"), even so now He leaves us with the proper attitude toward sin: How should we treat sin? We should view sin as that very thing which caused our beloved Savior the greatest pain: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me." We should see sin as the "grief" that He carried, and the "sorrows" He bore (Isa 53:4a).. Our sin was the very thing that caused Jesus to be "stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted" (Isa 53:4b). May such a truth humble our hearts today.

Father, Forgive Them..

Part 3 of 4

We've been discovering the few phrases that were painfully spoken by our Lord during His crucifixion. We have determined that these words and phrases are especially significant, due to the significant circumstances in which they were uttered. Out of all the words Jesus could have spoken, He chose to speak only a few...

The next phrase I want to visit is found in the Gospel of Luke: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots" (23:34).

Personally, I don't think humanity will soon be able to comprehend the overflowing heart of Jesus, and the continual presence of His extreme mercies. I believe we will forever feast upon this concept, striving to fathom His eternal dispersion of undeserved love! “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps 8:4). Only a man who is super-saturated with Godly love can intercede for the very ones who cause Him pain, anguish, humiliation and suffering. Even though God the Father was the ultimate source of Jesus' death (Acts 2:23), humanity was still the personified hammer that willfully fueled every blow. As Jesus hung there, He was silent. But soon His lips began to move.. What would He say? Would He curse those who beat Him? Would He beg to be let loose? Would He cry for pity? No. He would pray for their forgiveness! Are any beyond God's reach of prayer? Clearly, by Jesus' example, the answer is no!

This phrase possesses many seeds of truth, but for time's sake, we will address only one: by uttering these words, Jesus proved that it is indeed possible, as a man, to “walk the walk”! He didn’t merely teach about radical forgiveness, He also lived it. Grace and truth was not a mere happy thought, but rather it "CAME by Jesus Christ" (Jn 1:17). His lifestyle chased His faith and His actions never betrayed His words; they were never separated, but were one holy entity. What a beautiful example for us to follow! He not only taught the truth, but was Himself the truth incarnate: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6)!

In a day and age where “talk is cheap”, it is vital that the people of God wake up, and start walking in the truth that we so heartily preach to others. Merely possessing God’s truth would be vain if we do not subsequently live it out, and bear fruit (Jas 2:18). Just as Jesus taught truth, He likewise experienced it, day after day. Not only did He say, “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” (Matt 5:44), but He also later displayed this heart when He genuinely pleaded for the forgiveness of His tormentors: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).

Friend, isn’t this what the world has been searching for? Doesn’t the world long to see a REAL representation of Jesus? Of course they do. The Moffatt translation of Romans 8:19 says creation “waits with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed”. Another translation says the earth is standing on tiptoes!

Again, such dialogue must have been extra significant, as Jesus spoke it from a place of suffering and torment. How beautiful that such an encouraging thought was one of only a few emotions communicated from the cross. May the grace of God overpower us today, and cause our lifestyles to chase down our faith. May our actions and motives never betray our words! Jesus is our perfect example and forerunner.

A Merciful Display..

Part 2 of 4

As we have recently seen, the few phrases uttered from the Cross reveal the excellencies of the One who suffered there, and inform us of the purpose, the meaning, the sufferings, and the sufficiency of the death divine. These few uttered phrases give us a glimpse into the focus and zeal of the heart of God. Only the most vital and important truths would be uttered at such a distressing time, when speech was a torment.

Today, I want to look at another phrase that our Lord spoke while He was accomplishing His life's goal, that is, the redemption of mankind: In John 19:25-27, Scripture says "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."

To the casual reader, these verses may appear insignificant. However, the events surrounding these words of our Lord speak volumes of mercy for those who are seeking: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jer 29:13).

Volumes of mercy? How so? Let us find out...

First, we must understand the circumstances involved with Jesus' words.. Perhaps the worst part of these instances surrounding the crucifixion (except the actual crucifixion itself) was the fact that ALL of Jesus' friends and disciples "forsook Him, and fled" (Matt 25:56). As one has said, "Their failure to watch with Him for one hour in the garden well paralyzes our minds, but their turning away from Him at the time of His arrest almost baffles comprehension!" Peter was verbal about his refusal to flee, but he fails. And not only Peter, but ALL the others too: "Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said ALL the disciples" (Matt 26:35). Nevertheless, His disciples failed, and were found no where near Him: "Then saith Jesus unto them, ALL ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad" (Matt 26:31). This word "all" includes even John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Even John was no where to be found during the greatest testing of Jesus' life. He was "offended" at the Lord of hosts (Matt 26:31)! What bitter dregs for our Lord to swallow! His closest friends were ashamed to be found in His company! Yet how wonderful that He would not accuse His followers of the neglect they were guilty of. Even though Caiphas questioned Him about their whereabouts: "The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples" (Jn 18:19).. yet Jesus answered him not a word! He wouldn't accuse His people to their common enemy, even when they deserved it.

It would be easy to judge the disciples for their blatant failure. However, before we begin to condemn them, let us diligently consider our own feeble faith, and our own weaknesses in the hours of testing. Friend, if it wasn't for the precious grace of God, even the most diminutive affliction is sufficient to overturn us. Interestingly, at the coming of the Holy Spirit, these same disciples seemed to forsake Him no further. Does that leave us, those who possess His Spirit, without excuse? Let the restraining and upholding power of God be withdrawn from us, and how long would we stand?

Nonetheless, these words of our Lord (Jn 19:25-27) are a picturesque display of the great mercies that continually inhabit and flow from His Person! Though John readily forsook Jesus just hours before, he now is found at the foot of His cross, receiving a wondrous commission: "Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother" (19:27). What would be grounds for refusal for any lesser "lord", was swallowed up by Him whose very name is "merciful" (Exod 34:6)! There were no rebukes, no condemnation, no harsh words whatsoever. The fact that John returned to Jesus' bloody cross was evidence enough that He was repentant. And this solitary act was sufficient, from our Lord's perspective, to restore John back to a rightful standing, and worthy of a divine commission, even to care for and look after the very mother of God!

Perhaps there is one reading who has likewise wandered from the side and communion of his Savior? Perhaps in the hour of trial you denied Him too? Well, why waste any more time? If Jesus could accept and commission a failing (yet repentant) John at the most difficult time of His life, how much more can He accept you into fellowship, now being set at the right hand of God, full of gracious intercession! Allow that merciful display to melt your heart today.

Again, how beautiful that such a merciful discourse was one of only a few emotions communicated from the cross - that awful place of torment and shame! Beloved, He's waiting.. There is not pit too deep!