For more details on the church work in Kenya, please click the link below:
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WHEN?
FROM MONDAY, AUGUST 15th 2011
ENDING ON
AUGUST 21, 2011.
WHERE?
AT MAKINDU, ALONG MOMBASA NAIROBI HIGHWAY, KENYA.
If you have been praying for a miracle, come expecting it.
If you have been yearning for saintly fellowship, there is no better place to experience it.
If you have never seen true Holy spirit filled people at work, your chance has come now.
If you have not yet heard heavenly songs on earth, here is your chance to hear them.
If you want to spend a week in a heavenly atmosphere, you are highly welcome.
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- We have very limited free will accommodation. Please, kindly book your accommodation by email before July 30th, 2011, to avoid frustration. Otherwise, please make your personal arrangements privately.
- Food will be offered on a free will basis. International delegates, please, kindly advise us on what dishes you might prefer.
- Please, bring light bedding and toilet needs.
- Those whom God has led to support this meeting may do so freely. Details as to how to send your offerings may be obtained from
churchofgodtruth@yahoo.com
___________________________________
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FURTHER DIRECTIONS, PLEASE CALL
Bro. Lawrence [254] 0722 368 534
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Unity Part 2.
Summary.
1. It is the will of God that all the believers be united into one family of His: John 11:51-52; 1 Cor.1:10; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 4:2; Col. 2:2; 2 Cor. 13:11; 1 Pet. 3:8.
2. All the saved are inducted together into one body : Rom. 15: 5-6; 1 Cor. 12: 13-14; Gal. 3:28.
3. All the saved are the children of one Father as Jesus made them such: Eph. 3:14-15; Eph. 2:19; Gal. 6:10; John 1:12-13; 1 John 3:9-10; 1John 3:1-2. Therefore they use the name of the Father which Jesus gave them (John 17: 17:11-12; Eph.3:14-15; Acts 20:28; Gal.1:13; 1 Cor. 9:15, etc, etc).
4. All the saved people must humble themselves to accept to be kept into the only one body they were born into, the only One Church of God (1 Cor.12:13-23; Rom. 12:4-5).
5. All the saved people must humble themselves to work together without sinning at all to promote God’s cause, dropping all the divisive teachings and traditions made by men and passed to the younger generations, or copied by them from men (Phil.1:27; 1 Cor. 1:10; Rom. 15:6).
6. Unity of the believers is through Jesus Christ by one Spirit: Phil. 1:27; Eph. 4:4- 5,11-16; 1 Cor. 12:13-20; Romans 12:4-5.
7. Unity of the Saints causes the world to believe in Jesus: John 17:21-23.
8. Unity of the Saints results to God’s working wonderfully among his people: Acts 4:31-33; Acts 5:12-20; Acts 12:5-17; Mat. 18:20.
9. God requires the unity of His children in one faith through the doctrine preached by the Ministry and also through what each member supplies to the whole Church as an integral part : Eph.4:11-13; 1Cor.12:11-14.
10. It is the requirement of God that all the saved be united in one name at birth just as the earthly children get their father’s name at birth: Eph.3:14-15; Eph.4:6; Rev. 3:12.
11. It is sin to be divided: Romans 16:17-18; 1 Cor.12:25-26.
12. Proposed solution to the present divisions of the church of God: That all repent of this sin of division and all other sins, humble themselves to God to be indwelt by Him and to work in and through them to unite them and glorify Himself in His only temple, the church of God (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet.2:5; Eph. 4:15-16).
Work sheet.
1. In John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed that all believers may be________________
2. The unity of the church in Jerusalem was so great that they were of one ____________ and of one _______________ . It was never Christ’s intention that there should be many church of God(s). Indeed, the New Testament recognizes only ONE. “I will build my church,” Jesus said. Years later, as the church spread all over the world, Paul wrote to the Ephesians and exhorted them to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” because there is only “one body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:3-6). Paul told the Corinthians that there is “but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12,13,20).
3. How many churches did Jesus build?__________________
4. How many bodies does Jesus have?__________________
Possibly the closest we can come to finding denominationalism- (or division into many church of God(s)- in the Bible is 1 Cor. 1:10-13, where religious division is scathingly rebuked. “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
To the parties within the Corinthian church Paul asked: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” As the answer to all these questions is clearly “No!” it must follow that: Christ’s disciples ought not to be divided; Christ’s disciples ought not to wear men’s names; Christ’s disciples ought not to follow men (even great ones like Paul or Peter).
If people would keep these things in mind there could be no divisions, no denominations! Not many church of God(s).
(Please, read 1 Cor. 1 :1-13 then answer the following questions).
5. TRUE FALSE? Verse 10 shows that Christians must have no divisions among them._______.
6. TRUE FALSE? The division in the church at Corinth was because they were all following Christ. ________.
7. TRUE FALSE? The answer to the three questions in verse 13 is “no.”_____.
The amazing unity of the early church came about because they “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. The creeds and doctrines of men always produce strife and division, but God’s word provides a basis of true fellowship: “But, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
8. Do the creeds written by men produce unity?_____________.
9. What provides a basis of true fellowship? ________________.
10. If Jesus came back to-day, what version of the “church of God (s)” existing now would He approve as His body?____________. Yes, It is meant that these present divisions are not part of His body. His body is undivided, spotless and without a wrinkle. It has only One Spirit—the Holy Ghost, who fills and leads each and every individual member of the body placing each in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph.2:6, Col.3:3). All the truly saved make up His body, “the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:23). Would you agree to forsake all divisions, or that part of the division (sect) you are a member of, to be inducted into His body? ________________.
Unity (Bible Unity) (John 17:21-23).
Part 1.
Here is the Word, and not human notions, for if there is such a thing in the Church as visible unity, it must have its foundations in Bible truth.
Accordingly ‘we read, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah” nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh” (rest giver) “come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen. 49:10). “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign” (a standard) “of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious. It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord (not man) “shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria. and ‘from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea” (Isa. 11:10, 11). “And it shall come to pass in the last days” (in the gospel dispensation), “that the mountain of the Lord’s house” (church of God, not some sect) “shall be established in the top of the mountains” (high above all carnal church division), “and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations” (not just one race alone) “shall flow unto it” (Isa, 2:2). “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation” (not the religion of one nation) “unto the end of the earth” (Isa. 49:6). “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together” (they don’t divide up in different congregations because of race or color), “they come to ‘thee: thy sons shall come from far” (from other nations), “and thy daughters shall be nursed at ‘thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together” (not apart) (Isa. 60:3-5). “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-82). “And other sheep I have” (Gentiles), “which are not of this fold” (Jews): “them also I must bring, ‘and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd” (John 10:16). “And one of them named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us; that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And he spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad” (John 11:49-52).
We see by the foregoing scriptures, that the mission of Christ when He came to this world in the flesh was to bring salvation to the whole human family, and that he would call his converts from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, regardless of their race or color, customs, traditions, habits, tastes, prejudices:, vast difference in education, etc. Although they were formerly broken by sin into fragments, castes, and hostile camps, the one against the other, they were, —thank God— to make peace both with God and each other through the blood of his cross, as it is written, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both” (Jew and Gentile) ‘One, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both” (Jew and Gentile) “unto God in one body” (not two) “by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom” (Christ) “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” (1 Th 2:18-22).
Here we see that the Gentile does not come to the Jew, neither the Jew to the Gentile, but both come unto God by Jesus Christ, and at the cross are washed from their sins in his own precious blood, losing their race preference, and are made “one new man, so making peace,” and are from henceforth builded together for God’s dwelling place on earth. Neither does one have to leave his church group and be saved into another group or congregation. One is saved into the heavenly family. And we read in the Acts, second chapter, where on the day of Pentecost about three thousand souls out of every nation under heaven, which most assuredly included the African races, such as the Egyptian, the Ethiopian, and Libyan, were saved together and became associated together in the church at Jerusalem, and continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with the people. And the Lord added to the church, daily such as should be saved.
There was the fulfilment of all the scriptures concerning Christ’s coming to earth to bring salvation ‘to all men, and to establish his church in unity and oneness; no division of any kind or character, but perfect unity, both visible and in the Spirit, and indeed this visible unity continued throughout the history of the early church, as witnessed by the labors of the apostles.
Peter had to learn this wonderful truth before he went to the household of Cornelius, and arriving there, he declared that God had shown him not to call any man common or unclean; for in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him. However, once, through fear of the Jewish converts coming from Jerusalem to Antioch, he withdrew from eating with the Gentile saints; but he was rebuked by Paul for such conduct, and was told that he had walked in this not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel. Therefore, to divide the people of God into different congregations because of whatever reason is to raise again the wall of partition, which Christ died to destroy. And having more than one congregation in any one city because of flimsy reasons is simply division, and destroys the visible unity that Christ most earnestly prayed unto God for, and died that it might be realized among his people on earth. If we do not preach it and practice it we are no better than sect Babylon, and God will disown us as His people.
Now, dear reader, we have given you the truth on the subject of the visible unity of the Church of God, and we want to say right here, we stand today on the Word of God and preach and practice the truth of this teaching also. We believe the words of Christ, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring that there may be one fold and one shepherd.”
The basis of unity:
Filled with the Holy Spirit: The saint’s desire is for all to seek to learn from God those precious lessons that draw us closer to him, and to God’s people, and that preserve us from many of the deceptions of the devil. Everything concerning spirits is sometimes confusion to many and seems bordering upon Spiritualism. But the eyes of understanding are opened, and we see the different spirits that move the people of the world. Some are controlled by a proud spirit; others by one of contention, while many religious people are governed by the Antichrist spirit of error instead of the Holy Spirit of truth. May including those calling themselves church of God, are ruled by the spirits of avarice, prestige, superiority, hunger for power and so on. Let us think of the Holy Spirit as one of love, purity, mercy, justice, power to live Godly, life, light, and truth, and of the church of God as his habitation through this Spirit; and then we will see the need of each of God’s children being “filled with the Spirit”—yes, the one Spirit that is to control, comfort, teach, reprove, bind together, and defend those who are saved of God, that his temple may be “glorious”. This one Spirit is the only one God sanctions within his house.
A great many, having received the head knowledge of the doctrine of Christ, conclude they have the Spirit of truth, when in reality they have only an intellectual understanding without an actual experience in the soul. They put on some of the fruits of the Spirit and are often received as the children of God by those who do not discern between the fellowship of the doctrine and that of the spirit. Doctrine would only have a meaning in the life of a saint when the Holy Spirit of truth writes that doctrine in the heart of a saint and makes that truth alive in the saint. If the word of God is not made alive in the saint, it is no longer the living Word in the life of a saint. The word gives us the life we live when we obey the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost makes the Word alive, which shows as the life of Christ through a saint. That is why saints are called Christians. They have the character, or life, of Christ.
We must bear the name given by Jesus: Also, when a people go by one name as we do: “The Church of God”, but refuse the Holy Spirit who should go with that name, they are nothing but a mere dead denomination. To have just the name without the Spirit is equivalent to being dead whereby the soul has departed. The dead body is useless because it has no life. So is a Church of God that has no Holy Ghost. It is a dead body of religious people. We know them when they have a hatred for others and will unchristianize all who do not attend services in their group meetings or congregation. They speak evil of such people and will always talk of them as unsaved. They totally disregard the spiritual work that God has done in any soul outside their church group (sect). They have all or just a few of the evil traits described in Mark 7:21-23 and Gal.5:19-21, and when it is pointed out to them they would not humble themselves and repent of it. We know them by this—they lack the fruit or bear false fruits (Mat. 7:15-20). Therefore to be called “church of God” but to lack the character of the One true God, which is imparted to the saint by the Holy Ghost, who loves all His children, is to be a dead church, which of course is to be a denomination.
The name “church of God” is acquired through the new birth, just as a family name is acquired by birth in the household. Once we are born into God’s family (John 1:12-13), we have His name imprinted on our soul. All those born again are the church that Jesus builds through salvation. When born again, it means the death of the old sinful life and the planting of the new life of Jesus Christ. Our character from the moment we are born again should be that of Jesus Christ both individually and congregationally. Our life as a congregation or church should be resplendent with God’s glory. This is what the church should be doing—shining forth the glory of God on the earth. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Math. 5:14-16). Any congregation going by the name “church of God” should be just that: “Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal” (Rev.21:11).
When a company of people believe about the same things, and go by a commonly selected name, there is an agreement, union, and fellowship that has resemblance to the true fellowship which is of God through the Spirit. Each denomination has its denominational fellowship, and there is great danger of God’s people in the local churches drifting into the same error – receiving those who sanction or assent to the truth, but have not humbled themselves to obtain a precious soul-experience of saving grace; and these with their spiritual lack exert a depressing, unwholesome influence that hinders the work of God.
We must have Spiritual life: In this time of great deception, God’s children are so rejoiced over those who do acknowledge truth that they may overlook the great necessity of spiritual life and truth in the inward parts. If we do this, we are consenting to the same thing as the denominations – doctrinal fellowship—with this difference: the doctrine of Christ instead of men.
We need to look for spiritual life in an individual before we give him or her the right hand of fellowship. This is the life of Christ that has come to our soul. If the individual is not exuberant with Godliness in his words, his actions and even in his thoughts, he does not have the life of Christ. If the life of Christ is lacking in us too, we might accept the individual and have fellowship of whatever is common to us. But if we go by the uniting life of Christ, we cannot have fellowship with any one who does not have the life.
The fellowship of the outward doctrine of truth is but the shell compared to the kernel – the fellowship of the Spirit. God wants us to discern the difference and be able to judge righteous judgment –to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. If each one in a local assembly is filled with the Spirit of God and retains his experience, there can be nothing but love, peace, unity, and harmony existing. But let some not saved and filled with the Spirit be in the midst, and sooner or later something contrary to the will of God will be manifested. Sometimes people pass for years as true children of God and then manifest the spirit they are of in strife, contention, and opposition to the people of God on some line, and then go out from among them because they were not of them.
We need quickness of spiritual perception to detect the counterfeits; and while some cry, “Correct them by the Word,” we say, ‘Yes’: for the Word says, “They who have not the Spirit of Christ are none of his.” The apostles detected by the Holy Spirit the lying spirit in Ananias and Sapphira, and openly rebuked it; so “fear fell upon all.” When those who have received and advocated wrong doctrine were reproved, they took exception to the reproof because they deemed it improperly given, and thus fell under the accusing spirit against God’s children. The effect thereof is to make what the church does dark and repulsive, and unworthy of attention, or else censure falls upon a few individuals or upon certain methods of reproof or correction and all the workers who use them. We know from experience the oppressive power of the accusing spirit, and pity those under its power or influence in any way. But love, mercy, justice, life, and truth call us to warn, reprove, and openly rebuke those who yield to and are controlled by it.
Often dear souls complain of God’s people not being loving, warm-hearted, tender, and merciful because they realize the lack of fellowship, but do not comprehend that it is because of their own lack of saving grace. Dear ones, there is too much at stake to contend for ourselves. God has a people, and if we are not in harmony with them, it is because of our lack of the spirit of unity; and we should yield the contending point and humble ourselves before God and to those with whom we have contended. Sometimes that which hinders the return of souls to the truth and salvation is what they consider a “little thing”—a brother’s “lack of love,” “lack of wisdom, or of spiritual discernment, or of anointing for teaching,” etc.; yet there is just enough of the contending spirit to hinder the reception of the Spirit of Christ, and it manifests lack of humility for repentance. How sorrowful that any should cling to the spirit of contention rather than yield to God and obtain “the Holy Spirit of promise,” and enjoy his fellowship with the saints of God. Did you ever see true repentance before God and man from a person who was not willing to take the blame for all the evil? If any one tries to throw the blame of his spiritual loss upon others and tries to get them down to confession, it is a sure proof that the heart is not broken and contrite before God, and any experience built up in this way will not endure. How our hearts yearn after dear ones for whom we would gladly humble ourselves in the very dust at their feet if in this way we could reach them; but God requires the humility of their own hearts.
The heavenly glory: This is one of the characteristics of unity that many people have ignored. Perhaps it is because they have never individually reached a level in their consecrated experience, whereby they walk in this heavenly glory. We see this glory mentioned in the bible so often. When some of the disciples walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, their hearts burned within them as Jesus expounded the truth of the scriptures to them. Here is their testimony : “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). A man of God should have such contact with God that God’s glory would be experienced wherever he goes. This same Jesus is the one still working among the saints to-day. His glory is what the early church had as we read in Acts 5. It was such glory as would go with them and be felt. The same glory was so much interred in Elisha that even after he was dead for some time, the contact of a dead body with his bones brought the dead man back to life (2 Kings 13:21). It was God’s glory and power working. When handkerchiefs and aprons were taken from Paul’s body and placed on sick people they were healed (Acts 19:12). It was the power of God working this glory. Close contact with God keeps His glory and power with us and it will go with us always if we are humble and docile to Him always. Jesus prayed: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:22). We believe Jesus did not lie when he said that He has given His believers His glory. It is this glory that the world sees in the church where Jesus presence is. It is a unifying heavenly glory that binds all the saved together and also offers invitation to the unsaved to come seeking for it. It so unifies the church that it is impossible for the world to mistake the church for a worldly organization. It is necessary for the saints to have the glory to be in unity.
In conclusion:
God commands unity, and we must obey. Refusal to obey this command of God results to us being cast away(1 Cor. 9:27). So many of our modern day preachers have been cast away by the Lord. They are spud out. All we see is preachers building their own organizations which they control with money and such like. Whether they call themselves church of God or not, until they obey the command of unity, they will just be church of God Babylon.
As the Jerusalem church is a model to be followed in worship, so it is also in its display of unity: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common” (Acts 4:32). Such harmony was not an accident, but rather an answer to Christ’s prayer that all His disciples might “be one” (John 17:21-23).
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Summary.
(A) One cannot live a successful saved life without the Holy Spirit indwelling the person because the Holy Spirit is the one to give the necessary power to live a holy life. He is the helper Jesus promised to leave to the believers so that they can be helped to live, successfully, a holy live (Acts 1:8; John 14:26).
1. The Holy Ghost is God: Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17; 1 Cor. 3:16-19; 2 Cor .6:19.
2. God dwells in His people (Church, Temple) through the Holy Spirit:John 14:15-17; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 2:19-22.
3. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth: John 14:16-17; John 14:26.
4. The Holy Spirit is given to the obedient children of God :Acts 2: 38-39; Acts 5:32; John 7:39.
5. The Holy Spirit guides the people of God into all the truth: John 16: 13; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27.
6. He gives the spiritual gifts to the Church of God: 1 Cor. 12:8-11.
8. It is a necessity to be filled with the Holy Spirit :John 16:13; Romans 8:9.
(a) He disables carnality in the a believer, if the believer will be humble and submissive to Him : Matt. 3:11; Acts 15: 8-9; Rom. 8:13; Rom. 15:16. This submission (dying to self, or consecration) is to be on a daily and continuous basis.
(b). He sheds the love of God into the hearts of believers: Romans 5:1-5.
(c). He gives the power to the believers to be effective witnesses of Christ: Acts 1:8.
(d). He is the seal (mark, evidence) of God in the believers : Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30.
(e). He perfects the unity of the believers: Acts 4:31-33; Galatians 3:28.
(f). He leads the believers according to the will of God: Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16-18.
(B) Therefore, to be sure you are filled with the Holy Ghost, let me see that you do all that you do according to what the Word of God says. I can only be convinced by the fruit of holiness in your life. If I do not see that, then I will know that you are not filled with the Holy Ghost.
(B). Baptism with the Holy Spirit: Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:5; Acts 19:1-6.
(a) What does it mean, and what is it? It is being so filled with God and His power that only Godliness is seen in one’s life at all times: Gal. 5:22-24; Eph. 5:18-21.
(b) It was commanded by God : Romans 8: 9; Acts 1:5,8; John 20:22; John 16:13.
(c) It was promised: Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17, 26; Luke 24:49.
(d) It is received after the forgiveness of sins:
(i) The Holy Spirit is only given to those who have spiritual life :
Acts 19:1-2; Ephesians 1:13; Acts 8:5-17.
(ii) He only dwells in those who are holy: 1 Cor. 3:16-17.
(iii) He dwells only in those who are obedient: Acts 5:32
(e). There is evidence of Holy Spirit baptism: 2 Cor. 4:6-7; 2 Cor. 13:5.
(i) The Holy Spirit Himself is the witness: Heb. 10:14-16; Romans 8:15-16.
(ii) Power to live a holy life at all times in one’s life: Acts 1:8; Acts 10:37-38; Romans 8:11-14.
(iii) Overflowing of the fruit of the Spirit is a very good evidence that one is filled with the Holy Spirit: Gal. 5:22-25; Col. 3:12-17; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13.
(iv) Spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit to do a work for the glory of God and for the edification of the Church of God: Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 17:17-18; Rom. 12:6-8;
1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28-31; Gal. 1:11-16.
Work Sheet: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
1. Acts 5:3 says Ananias lied to the ____________________________ . Acts 5:4 says Ananias lied to _________ . Therefore the Holy Spirit is here identified as __________.
- John 16:13-14: “Howbeit (nevertheless), when ______ , the Spirit of truth is come, _______ will guide you into all truth; for ______ shall not speak of ________________ but whatsoever ______ shall hear, that shall _____ speak; and _____ will shew you things to come. _____ shall glorify Me; for _____ shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.” In these two verses, did Christ speak of the Holy Spirit as a Person, or as an “influence” or as an “it” or as a “force”?_________. Is the Holy Ghost a living Person or a non-living thing or power (John 16:7-9)? ___________________ Do you believe God?_________.
3. Please complete this MATCHING problem:
| 1) _____ The Holy Spirit gives new birth (“regeneration”) as new life to a person the moment he receives Christ as his Savior. | A. 1 Corinthians 12:13 |
| 2) _____ By one Spirit, all believers were baptized into the body of Christ and became members of the Church of God. | B. John 3:5; Titus 3:5 |
| 3) _____ The Holy Spirit indwells (lives inside) each and every believer. | C. Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30 |
| 4) _____ The Holy Spirit is the Seal whereby each believer is sealed by God unto the day of redemption. | D. 2 Timothy 1:14;1 Cor. 6:19-20 |
5). If a person does not have the Holy Spirit, is he really a Christian? (does he really belong to Christ)? ________ (see Romans 8:9).
6). Who is the believer’s Perfect Teacher (John 16:13; 1 John 2:20; 2:27; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14)? ___________________________________________
7). It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be constantly F________ W_______ T_______ S_______________ (Ephesians 5:18) so that the F____________ of the S___________________ (Galatians 5:22-23) will be manifested and displayed, the result being that Christ will be glorified (John 16:14) and the believer will become more and more Christ-like (2 Corinthians 3:18).
8). Without the Holy Spirit, it is not possible to have _______________ to serve God (Acts 1:5; Luke 24:49).
9). When a person if full of the Holy Ghost, what will be seen in his or her life (Gala.5:22-24; Col. 3:12-16; Eph. 5:9)? ___________________________________
10). Does the fruit of the Spirit have to appear only when one is in the services with the other members of the church or only when one is in company with the believers (Mat. 5:13-16; Col. 3:14-17)? ________________________________.
11). What did Jesus mean by: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Mat.15:8)? _________________________________________________________. This state of things describes the people of today who claim to be saved but in their lives, they do not let Christ show the life He lives in them through the Holy Spirit who would give them power to act, think, and do whatever they do always. We know that the person is a Christian because the person lives as _______________(Gal. 2:20; 1 Thes. 5:10).
12). When we are full of the Holy Ghost our actions, words, and thoughts will always be seen as those of__________ __________(2 Cor. 3:3; Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:27).
13). God as a Spirit, wants to dwell in us so that He may give us the power to overcome the _________________of the _________________(Eph.5:16).
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“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Mat. 3:11).
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5).
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom 8:9).
“Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49). “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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
“Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2).
“If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21-24).
God tells us in Galatians 5:16: …” Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”. Walking in the Spirit is the life of true saint of God. It is not an ambition to achieve, unless one is not entirely saved. It is the actual way a true Christian lives, talks, and thinks. Stephen is described as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). People could see his life and experience the power and influence of God in his life which proved that he was full of the Holy Ghost. In fact Stephen was able to see the glory of God as he was about to be transferred to heaven: “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). If we can be that close to God, then at the very end of our life, we can be sure to hear the Lord say: “…..enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Mat.25:23). Such Godliness is only possible when we allow God to own our whole being to do with us as He pleases (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 14:8). This is only possible when we are filled with the Holy Ghost (Eph.5:18).
Read Acts 1:4,5,8; Luke 24:49; John 16:16,26 and Rom. 8:9. Is it the will of God that all believers receive the Holy Ghost? ________________________________.
“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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:13-14). Apart from the physical death, what other death is referred to in the above verse? (Eph. 2:1-3,5; Col 2:13).__________ ___________. Could we be living in the world as human beings live and yet be spiritually dead in the eyes of God (1 Tim. 5:6) _______________________. Are you alive in the eyes of God or are you a dead person while living in the world (John 5:24; John 3:16; John 11:25-26)__________ ____________________Why ___________________
How is a true Christian, who has the life of God, known by other saints of God (Mat. 7:16-18; Eph. 5:9; Gal.5:22-25)_______________________________________.
Baptism into the Body of Christ and the Filling with the Holy Spirit.
A Comparison and A Contrast
| THE BAPTISM | THE FILLING |
| Definition: The Baptism by the Spirit is that work of God whereby the believer is immersed into Jesus Christ and into His body which is the church (1 Cor. 12:13 and Gal. 3:27). | Definition: The Filling with the Spirit is that act of God whereby He moves into, indwells, leads and enables the believer who is yielded and dependent and fit for the Master’s use (Ephesians 5:18). |
| The BAPTISM by the Spirit into the Body of Christ is presented as a fact to be believed and lived (1 Cor. 12:13,25-26; Gal. 3:27). | The FILLING is presented as a command to be obeyed ( Acts 1:5,8; Eph. 5:18). |
| Every true believer has had this baptism as it is an integral part of son ship in God’s family.(1 Corinthians 12:13-”ALL” and see Galatians 3:26-27). | Not every believer is filled with the Spirit (though this is God’s will for him–see Eph. 5:17). Any who refuses to go on to be filled with the Spirit loses salvation. |
| The believer is never commanded to be baptized into the Body of Christ by the Spirit nor is he commanded to seek this baptism. | The believer is commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 and compare Galatians 5:16). |
| PAST TENSE USED: “For by one Spirit were (aorist passive indicative) we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13) IT’S DONE! | PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE USED: “Keep filled (present, passive imperative) with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).(ONCE HE HAS COME IN, LET HIM STAY THERE CONTINUOUSLY)! |
| It is done once a person is saved, and can only be undone through the willful sin of the person, which causes the rejection of the person by God as the sinner is spud out. | The believer who is not filled needs to be filled., AND IF ONE BACKSLIDES AND REPENTS AGAIN, HE NEEDS TO GET BACK TO BE FILLED YET AGAIN. |
| It relates to a believer’s standing and position in Christ. | It relates to a believer’s walk and his or her fellowship with the Lord. |
| THE RESULT: The believer is placed into Jesus Christ and into His body the moment he trusts Christ as Saviour (1 Cor. 12:13). As a result the believer is “in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17) and in His church (Acts 2:47). | THE RESULT: The believer is controlled and empowered by God for testimony (bearing witness to Christ and manifesting His life) and service, after the believer has been given the necessary gifts and qualifications. (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28). |
| The Condition: In order to be baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, the unsaved person must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31 and see Galatians 3:26-27). | The Condition: In order to be filled with the Spirit the believer must confess and forsake all known sin (1 John 1:9), and totally give self and all to God to be owned and used fully and fully controlled by God ( Gal. 5:16;1 Thes. 5:19). |
| The Baptism involves POSITION. The baptized person has a brand new position. He is “IN CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 8:1). | The Filling involves indwelling by God (2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Cor. 3:16-17) and receiving POWER: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost [Spirit] is come upon you” (Acts 1:8 and see Acts 4:31,33). |
| Being baptized into the body by the Spirit is something each and every true believer has undergone. | Spirit filling is something that each and every believer needs and must have to continue being a Christian (Rom. 8:9; John 14:26). |
| Spirit baptism relates to a person’s salvation. It is one of the many salvation blessings that is found in Christ (Eph. 1:3 and compare Eph. 4:5). | Spirit filling relates to a person’s walk and fellowship with the Lord in time. The “spiritual” believer is the believer who consistently is filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; 6:1). |
| A believer can be spued out of the Body by Christ if he sins willfully (John 13:27; 2 Tim. 4:10; Heb. 6:4-6; Rev.3:16) | A believer can be “un-filled” due to sin in his life, refusal to yield to God’s control or by placing confidence in self rather than placing all confidence in Christ. |
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HOLINESS PART I.
God, in His written Word, demands holiness.
1. Holiness is an Attribute of God
“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”(Exodus 15:11).
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”(Isa. 6:3).
“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”(Rev. 4:8).
Man was made in the image of God—holy. But man fell by choice and sinned away his glory, the image of God. God so loves man that He gave man a second chance so as not to be lost. So God made a way for man to be created anew through Jesus Christ so that man may be returned to his initial – primitive- holiness. Every individual is freely offered this chance by God.
2. God Must Be Worshiped in Holiness
“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (I Chronicles 16:29).
“Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”(Psa. 30:4).
God hates sin and will not dwell in the hearts of a people who are even slightly tainted with sin. He will only dwell and work in a people who are holy (2 Cor. 6:18-18). He only accepts worship from such. He therefore wants a church congregation that is holy, one made up of a people who have been created a new through the blood of His Dear son, Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13, John 3:16). Such have the name of God and assemble with Him in church to worship, praise, and thank Him (Mat. 18:20). Such people live for the glory of God individually in their private lives, and collectively as a church congregation.
The holy individuals scattered all over the world must accept the will of God and let Him melt them together in unity (John 17:21-24). We are prayerfully waiting to see this church, aggregately, here on earth. A church of God that is made up of such a people effuses Godliness to the world. God says it in His bible and we believe it. Please, do not harden your heart. Let God make you such as He wills. “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (Heb 3:15). Amen.
3. God’s Throne and Dwelling Place are unpoluted.
.“God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.” (Psalm 47:8).
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.”(Isaiah 57:15).
“Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”(Zechariah 2:13).
“Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and thy glory.” (Isaiah 63:15).
Amen. We must let God rule in His holy congregation collectively. We can only do this if each individual is totally obedient to God.
4. Holiness Becomes God’s House.
“Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, forever.” (Psalm 93:5).
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness.” (Titus 2:3).
If we have allowed Jesus to build us together into His Holy house (Eph. 2:21-22; Heb. 3:6), He will finish His work. It is going on now and we must humbly fit where He will have us be as the lively stones He uses (1 Pet. 2:5).
5. The Church of God Is Called a Mountain of Holiness
“The Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.” (Jeremiah 31:23).
“Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.” (Zechariah 8:3).
“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and the dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain saith the Lord.”(Isaiah 65:25)
6. God Speaks in Holiness
“God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice.”(Psalm 60:6).
“Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.”(Jeremiah 23:9).
7. The Way of Holiness
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”(Isaiah 35:8-10)
8. The Courts of Holiness
“But they that have gathered it shall cut it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.”(Isaiah 62:9)
9. The People of God Are Holy
“The people of thy holiness have possessed but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.”(Isaiah 63:18).
“And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.”(Isaiah 62:12).
“And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to he his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.”(Deuteronomy 26:18-19).
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (I Peter 2:9).
10. We Are Called unto Holiness
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14).
“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.”(I Peter 1:15-16)
“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”(I Thessalonians 4:7)
“That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” (Luke 1:74-75).
“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”(Hebrews 12:10).
11. A Perfect Holiness Attainable
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1.)
“For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11: 45).
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”.(Mat. 5:48).
12. Fruit unto Holiness
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Rom.6:22). This is the fruit we are after in every person who professes salvation..
CONCLUSION: In the paragraphs, above, ,we have given but a few out of the many plain texts from the word of God teaching us the glorious doctrine of holiness. Some professing Christians look upon this doctrine as unscriptural and impracticable, but in the light of the gospel of Christ there is no other doctrine taught than holiness. The very fact that God, and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the word of God, and heaven, and all the celestial hosts are holy, at once suggests to every reasonable mind the utter necessity of holiness in the heart and life of man. The apostle says that “we are his workmanship, created in Jesus Christ unto good works.” (Eph. 2:10).
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Yielding ourselves on the altar to receive the Holy Ghost.
Introduction:
Beloved of God, let us take our minds off the traditional ways we have been taught and just open our hearts to the Holy Ghost as He speaks now. Our adherence to the traditions will not help us to heaven if the traditions are against the voice of God to-day and now. Jesus says: “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). He went to the Father in heaven, taking on the Spirit body. Then in verse 18 of the same chapter, He says: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” He repeats this in verse 28. As He was speaking about the Holy Ghost in most of that chapter (John 14), we are given to understand that when the Holy Ghost descended into the earth, Jesus presence on earth is represented. That way, He is able to receive us unto Him self, into His Spirit body, as He said in verse 3, if we receive Him in His Spirit form. Hence we are in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus when we walk in the Spirit. In this status, we are able to behold His glory as He prays in John 17:24. In the Spirit, we are able to see the glory of Jesus and in fact want to stay close to Him. Praise the Lord !!
Now, let us get into the study itself:
For a while, let us look at the crossing of the Israelites from that dreary stroll in the wilderness through the beautiful River Jordan, over into the lovely Canaan land. This would be a beautiful illustration of the consecration we need to undergo so that we are in a position to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. We read in Joshua 3:17, “And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, until all the Israelites had passed clean over Jordan.” First, we want to notice that there was no crossing of the Israelites until they had broken camp. We see that a man must break camp and leave the old crowd (the life of sin) before he can cross Jordan (crucify the flesh—Gal. 5:24), and get into the land of Canaan—(Get sanctified entirely to the position where the deeds of the body are mortified –Rom 8:13). This would involve the denial and the leaving of all the worldly pleasures and company one loves so much. In Romans 12:1-2, we read: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In these verses, we are admonished to let God have our bodies as a gift to Him for His own use. This is the placing ourselves on God’s altar, which is Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:10,15). As Jesus was crucified on the cross, so our flesh is crucified with Him on the cross (Gal. 5:24). The “me” or “I” that always wants to lift (glorify) itself dies and Jesus is welcome to live His life in the body instead. When this happens, God accepts us and comes down through the Holy Ghost to live in us. 1.We are the _________________ of _____________ and the _________________ of God_____________________ in us(1 Cor. 3:16). For this to happen, we must have left all our past sinful ways and given ourselves over to God’s Grace as the Israelites left their former place and went down into the Jordan. Second, we notice that the water did not divide until the feet of the priests had struck the brim of the water. It is just so with us; we must start by faith, and faith alone. 2. Without faith,____ ____ ______________ to please God (Heb. 11:6). If Elijah was not a man full of faith, the fire would not have fallen from heaven to consume his offering (1 Kings 18:37-39). Even so with us, we must have full faith that God would baptize us with the Holy Ghost as He promised in Acts 1:8. 3. “But ye shall _________ __________ after that ____ _________ is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me……….” (Acts 1:8) Third, when their feet struck the brim of the water the waters were dried up and the upper waters backed up. Can you picture this in your mind? It took a lot of faith and humility for them to walk to the water, lift their feet and begin to drop the feet into the water just as God had commanded them. The river was still flowing and threatening them, but they did just as God told them. Then the water parted immediately the feet of the priests touched the waters ! Oh, what a faithful God !! He will do the same for you and for me when we go to Him with full confidence, in love and faith. 4. “Therefore I say unto you, What _______ _______ ___ _________, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). When we exercise faith and do what God has said without any question, we are blessed with our desire. Many people fail to get blessings from God for lack of faith and also due to their questioning attitudes. Consecration to God requires that we do it unconditionally. If we give God conditions, we will not get His blessings. If you take God’s word without any doubt and hesitation, He will give you whatever you ask for (Math. 7:11). Let this be a matter of life and death. When you trust God entirely, leave it to Him. If He lets you have your desire, glory to him. If He wants you dead and get to heaven while still trusting and believing Him, glory to His name. That is the entire consecration to His will. 5. “If ye then, being evil,________ _____ __ ______ ______ ________ unto your children: how much more shall_______ __________ __________ give the ________ ________to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13). Fourth, when the Israelites crossed the River Jordan, God seemed to draw a line through the river, and the waters above the line backed up, we read, “very far off to the city of Adam,” and the little city on the banks of Jordan that was called Adam was overflowed and drowned out, and the city has never been rebuilt. And so it is with us. when we make the consecration, the “city of Adam” in us is destroyed with the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, and it is God’s will and plan and purpose with us that that old city shall never be rebuilt. Well, amen, thank the Lord! When the city of Adam is destroyed in us; We feel the fire burning, and we see the smoke curling, and the Devil running. We leap in the air, if God so moves us, praising God that the “Old Man” is dead, and we went to our own funeral, and there wasn’t but one mourner there, and that was the Devil. And while the Devil howled and growled, and said it wouldn’t last, and it was all a delusion, and there was nothing to it, and nobody had ever had it, and that we couldn’t live it, we stood upright, jumped about and laughed and cried, and praised God that we had traded off nothing and gotten every thing. From that day to this, we have been as happy as a bee in a hundred acres of beautiful nectar-filed flowers. 6. The believer is kept by the ______________________ through ______________ unto S_________________________ (1 Peter 1:5). This power of God can only come from the Holy Ghost who dwells in us and keeps us always on the right track to heaven if we are humble and docile to Him. He directs us as we read the Word of God, speaking to our hearts and interpreting the Word for us to obey. He then gives us the power to obey the word of God, making it work (live) in us. 7. Is the sheep responsible to keep and protect itself or is the Shepherd responsible to keep and protect the sheep? ____________________________ _________Who is the Shepherd (Psalm 23:1; John 10:11)? _____________________________________ What does Christ give to His sheep (Luke 24:49, Luke 10:19)?________________Will they ever be defeated if they lovingly and obediently follow Him? (Mat. 16:18b)? ________________ Are the sheep safe and secure in the hands of God if they are fully submissive to Him? (John 10:28-30)? ____________ Are you one of God’s sheep (read John 10:27)? ______________. God will not of course drive us like the car is driven. He leaves us to exercise our freedom of choice and choose between doing His will and doing evil. If we choose to do His will, He gives us the power to do it. If we choose to do evil, He leaves us to follow the devil and be lost for it. 8. Will Christ ever cast out a believer who comes to Him and truly lives in love and obedience in true consecration to Him (John 6:35-37)? ______ 9. How many truly consecrated believers will be lost (John 6:38-40)? __________ 10. If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?_______________ 11. What shall separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39)? _________ _ 12. The true believer who is fully abandoned to Christ will never: 1) _____ perish. A. John 3:18; 5:24 2) _____ die. B. John 6:37 3) _____ be condemned. C. John 10:28 4) _____ be cast out. D. John 8:51; 11:26 13. Is it possible for a person to KNOW that he or she is saved from all sin and clear before God (1 John 5:11-13; 1 John 2: 5-6 )? _______________________. This assurance comes from a clean conscience that makes a person want to go to God confidently to praise, worship and thank Him for all His goodness. In 1 John 3: 19-22 , we are told: “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him”. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight”. Please MATCH: 14. IF A PERSON IS REALLY SAVED THEN: 1) _____ He should desire God’s Word. A. 1 John 3:14; 1 John 4:7,20 2) _____ He should obey God’s commandments. B. 1 John 2:29; 3 John 11 3) _____ He should love his brothers and sisters in Christ. C. 1 John 2:3-4 4) _____ He should live a righteous life and do that which is good. D.Romans.10:9-10; Rom.13:14 . 5) _____ He should confess Christ with his mouth and lips and all other things he does. E. 1 Peter 2:2 10. T or F _________. The grace of God teaches us that since we are saved and going to heaven we can live any way we please (Titus 2:11-15). Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound (Romans 6:1-2)? _______ 15. Those who name the name of Christ are to do what (2 Timothy 2:19)? ______. 16. T or F__________. The Apostle Paul was very uncertain about whether he would go to heaven to be with the Lord, and thus he greatly feared the day of his death (Philippians 1:21,23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). 17. We are commanded to yield our ________________________a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). 18. When we yield our bodies this way to God we should then ask God to fill our selves with the ________ __________ (Luke 11:13; John 15:7,16). A life without sin is only possible to a believer who is fully yielded in consecration to God who in turn fills the believer with the Holy Ghost in order to be able to live the holy life if the believer would be led of the Spirit. Consecration is the full abandoning of self to the Lord to be led and ruled by Him at all times. This holy life ensures that the saint is a citizen of heaven and this assurance keeps the saint ever alert and careful not to commit sin or offence to God and man as long as he lives on this earth. The will of the individual saint is involved and employed at all times. At no time will God want to drive any person like a driver will drive a vehicle. We must willingly and lovingly obey God and depend on Him to lead and help us all the times. =================================================
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Ardent Prayers, Please.
The Lord sent us on an evangelical visit in the area of Kibwenzi in 2009. By then, we were living in the affluent Thika Town and ministering around Nairobi and Thika. Immediately we finished the meeting, our heart was burdened to settle in the Savanna area to minister to the dear souls of the area. It is an area that is characterised by acute food shortages as it is ussually the dry area where great poverty prevails. We want to share some pictures of some common scenes in the area. Please, pray for us as we minister in these areas. We face difficulties that cannot be explained easily.
Here below is a picture of a homestead in the area. It is only by the grace of God these people survive the regular droughts. Some times, the areas go for 4 years without rainfall.
Here below is another picture showing how the water is trapped during the good year when the scanty rains come. Water purification is necessary but poverty and ignorance are a great hindrance to this.
Below, we show the way we carry the water here–donkeys are a great help in the villages.
Finally, we want to show you one of our houses of worship in the village of Kalii, a few kilometers from Makindu Town.
Please, pray for our efforts in this poor area. We are working in very difficult conditions, but we want souls making it to heaven. For those who feel that God wants them to help the work here, please, contact us. Our email address is in the contact page of this blog, but you can reach us directly through Bro. Lawrence at: lawrencenjerunginyirua@yahoo.com. If any one of you Dear saints would like to visit us in the area, we have a camp meeting in December. Please, contact us and we will give you all the necessary details.
May the Dear Lord keep all His Saints up high in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
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An excerpt from a Bible Study (CONSECRATION – PART I)
AN EXAMPLE OF CONSECRATION
A COVENANT IS an agreement of two parties in which both voluntarily bind themselves to fill certain conditions and receive certain benefits. God is the party of the first part of the contract, and has bound Himself:
1. “I will put my laws into their minds and write them in their hearts.”
2. “And I will be their God.”
3. They ‘”shall know me from the least to the greatest”.
4. “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness”.
5. “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” O thou most holy God, Thou hast left this covenant in thy Holy Book, saying, if any man will take hold of My covenant.
NOW, THEREFORE, in holy fear and reverence I present myself as the party of the second part and subscribe my name to the holy article of agreement, and following Thy example will here and now write down the conditions on my part.
“They shall be my people.” (Jer. 31:33).
AMEN, Lord. I am forever Thine.
THE VOW is passed beyond repeal. Now will I set the solemn seal.
LORD, THOU HAST been true to Thy covenant, though I have been most unfaithful and am now altogether unworthy to take hold of Thy most gracious covenant. But knowing that Thou hast bound Thyself in Thy own free offer to “be merciful to their unrighteousness,” I take courage to approach Thee and would most earnestly beseech Thee to fulfill Thy wonderful offer to BE MY GOD, and I do most joyfully yield myself entirely TO BE THINE.
THEREFORE, this soul which Thou hast made in Thine own image is placed wholly in Thy hands to do with it as seemeth good.
THIS MIND shall think only for Thy glory and the promotion of Thy cause.
THIS WILL is Thy will, O God!
THE SPIRIT within this body is now Thine; do with it as Thou wilt, in life and death.
THIS BODY is Thy temple forevermore. These hands shall work only for Thee.
THESE EYES to see Thy adorable works and Thy holy law. This tongue and these lips to speak only holiness unto the Lord. These ears to hear Thy voice alone. These feet to walk only in Thy ways. And all my being is now and forever Thine.
IN SIGNING my name to this solemn covenant, I am aware that I bind myself to live, act, speak, think, move, sit, stand up, lie down, eat, drink, hear, see, feel, and whatsoever I do all the days and nights of my life, to do all continually and exclusively to the glory of God. I must hence-forth wear nothing but what honors God. I must have nothing in my possession or under my control but such as I can consistently write upon, “Holiness unto the Lord.” The place where I live must be wholly dedicated to God. Every item of goods or property that is under my control is hereby conveyed fully over into the hands of God to be used by Him as He will, and to be taken from my stewardship whenever the great Owner wishes, and it is not my business at all.
SHE, WHOM I call my wife, belongs forevermore to God. Use her as Thou wilt and where Thou wilt, and leave her with me, or take her from me, just as seemeth good to Thee and to Thy glory. Amen.
LEVILLA MODEST, whom we love as a dear child, bestowed upon us by Thy infinite goodness, is hereby returned to Thee. If Thou wilt leave us to care for her and teach her of the true Father and Owner, we will do the best we can by Thy aid to make her profitable unto Thee. But if Thou deemest us unfit to properly rear her or wouldst have her in Thy more immediate presence, she is thine, take her. Amen and amen.
AND NOW, great and merciful Father, Thou to whom I belong, with all that pertains to me, and Thou who art mine with all that pertains to Thy fullness and richness, all this offering which I have made would be but foolishness and waste of time were it not for what I have obtained to confirm the solemn contract. For were it not that Thou art my God, my promises would be but idle words. I could fulfill nothing which my mouth has uttered and my pen has written. But since Thou, Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Eternal God, art mine, I have a thousand-fold assurance that all shall be fulfilled through Thy fullness.
MY IGNORANCE is fully supplied by Thy own infinite wisdom. My utter weakness and inability to preserve myself from sin is abundantly supplied by Thy omnipotence to Thy everlasting praise.
GLORY TO Thy holy name !. Though I have solemnly pledged all things to Thee, yet, as Thou art my all and in all,” I have nothing to fear. Now, O Father! my God and Savior, I humbly pray thee so to keep me that all my powers of soul, body, and spirit, my time, talents, will, influence, words, and works, shall continually, exclusively, and eternally glorify Thy holy name through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen and amen.
IN COVENANT with the God of all grace and mercy, who has become my salvation, my all, and whose I am forever, to the praise of His glory. Amen.
Entered into by the direction of the Holy Spirit and signed this Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord: Eighteen Hundred and Seventy-Seven (1877).
- D.S. Warner
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An excerpt from a Bible study (CHRISTIAN DUTIES – Part 5)
Summary: The Christian Duties
Traditionally, there hasn’t been a topic under the Church doctrines with this title. But as time has gone on, the many churches have deviated a lot from the Bible, calling for a topic under this title. Hence our including it here in this outline. By “duties”, we mean “what one should hold as an obligation to fulfill”.
(a). Duties to God:
(i) To love Him with our all: Mark 12:30;
(ii) To worship Him: Mat. 4:10; John 4:23-24; Rev. 19:10; 22:9.
(iii) To obey Him: 1 John 5:3; John 14:15, 21, 23.
(iv) To Evangelize the world and teach His word (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16-18)
(b).Duties to the Church:
1.To love all the Brethren: John 13:34; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 3:8.
2.To help all the Brethren when in need;
1 John 3:16-18; James 2:15-16
3.To pay our tithes and free will offerings: Malachi 3:8-11,
Luke 11:42.
4.To fulfill your part and edify the whole Church in the local congregation:
1 Cor. 12:7,25-26; Eph. 4:15-16
–Use your spiritual gifts to build the Church.
(5.) To honor and esteem the Ministers: 1 Thes. 5:12-13;
1 Tim. 5:17-18.
(6.)To support the Ministers:
Gal. 6:6; Heb. 13:16; 1 Cor. 9:9-14.
(c).Duties at home:
1.To provide for the family: 1 Tim. 5:8;
2.To teach our children the things of God: Eph. 6:4;
3.Husbands must love their wives: Eph.5:25-29.
4.Wives must submit themselves to their husbands:
Eph. 5:22-24
5.Servants to be loyal to their masters: Eph.6:5-8.
(d).Duties to the Nation:
(i)To the Officers of the land
(a). Pray for them: 1 Tim. 2:1-3;
(b). To be subject to them: Romans 13:1-8
(ii)Love your country:
2 Samuel 10:12; Nehemiah 2:3; Isaiah 66:10
(iii)Pay your taxes: Mat.17:24-27.
Work sheet: Christian Duties:
(A) Duties towards God
1. What does a Christian owe God in the first place? (Mark 12:30)?________________
2. In the modern times, people are worshiping idols such as money, pleasure, fashion, prestige, and power. But we as Christians must not even worship ourselves . We have a debt to worship only (Mat. 4:10; John 4:23-24) _____________________. This is because God is our creator and is the owner of everything in the universe, including our own souls and bodies.
3. We show our love to God by (1 John 5:3; John 14:15, 21, 23) _____________________________________________________________.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
B) Evangelism.
4. It is the duty and privilege of every believer to BE a ________________ (Acts1:8; Isaiah 43:10-11) by life and by word to the truths of the Holy Bible.
5. To whom should the gospel be proclaimed (Mark 16:15)? ________________ ________________________
6. What is the good news that we have (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, especially verses 3-4)? ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________
7. Our message to a lost and dying world is not “Christ our Teacher” or “Christ our Example” but we preach CHRIST C_________________________(1 Cor. 2:2).
8. T or F__________ Every believer is an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
9. T or F____________ Many people will think that the gospel message is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18 and 2:14).
10. God wants us to have an __________________ ready for every man (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:6–Do you live in such a way as to provoke questions? Our life should provoke questions; our lips and lives should supply answers!)
11. T or F___________ When a person has been saved and baptized, then we have done our job and we have finished our task (Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:28).
12. If we cannot go out and witness ourselves, what can we do so that evangelism may go on (Romans 12:13; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2 Cor.9:6-10; Gal 6:6; Heb 13:16)? _______________________________________________________________.
Personal evangelism leads to establishing the local Churches and is God’s movement among men and women and boys and girls to bring them to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus as their Savior and Lord and to unite the believers together according to God’s Word, to be a local church of God in the area where they live.
(C) Duties to the Church
13. Are we commanded to attend services (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42; Jude 1:19) _________________.
14. When we are assembled together, what should we do?
(a) Mat. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 14:19, 26; Col. 3:16;Eph. 5:19___________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(b) Acts 4:24-31; Acts 12:5; 1 Thes. 5:17-18)__________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(c) (John 4:23-24)_________________________________________________
(d) (Luke 11:42; Mat. 23:23;Mal. 3:8-10)________________________________
___________________________________________________.
(e) (Luke 22:19; John 13:1-15)_______________________________________
________________________________and _____________________________
__________________________________________.
(f) What responsibilities do we have towards our Church Ministers?
(i) 1 Thes. 5:12-13. ______________________________.
(ii) 1 Tim. 5:17-18 ______________________________.
(iii) Gal. 6:6; Heb. 13:16; 1 Cor. 9:9-14____________________________
_________________________________________________________.
(g) Do we as Brethren have duties towards each other [Eph. 4:32,34?]________.
List the duties (i) 1 Peter 15:5 _______________________________________.
(ii) James 4:11 _______________________________________.
(iii)Col 3:16 ________________________________________.
(iv) 2 Thes. 3:1 _______________________________________.
(v) 1 Thes. 5:11 _______________________________________.
(vi) Gal. 6:2 __________________________________________.
(vii) In case of a trespass (Luke 17:3-5; Mat.18:15-18;Col 3:12-14)
______________________________________________.
(viii) In case of a fault (Gal. 6:1; 2 Thes.3,6, 15) ______________
_____________________________________________.
(D) Duties at home.
15. Does a Christian have duties at home?________ Which are they?
(a) Eph. 6:1-9 (i) Children?_________________________________________
(ii) Parents? (1 Tim 5:8, Mat. 7:9-11) ______________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(iii) Servants?________________________________________
(iv) Masters? ________________________________________
(b) 1 Peter 3:1-8; Eph 5:21-29 (i) Wives_________________________________
________________________(ii) Husbands ____________________________
____________________________________.
(c) 1 Tim 5:8- Men as heads of the home:_______________________________
________________________________________________________________
(d) Aged men and women at home (Tit. 2:1-4) __________________________
_____________________________________________________.
(e) young married women (Titus 2:4-5) ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(E) Duties to the Country
16. Do we as Christians have duties towards our neighbors _____________
What are these duties?(Mark 12:31)________________________________and to (Rom. 12:20)_______________________________________________. Also we need to show them (Luke 10:29-37) _______________________ when they are in adversity.
17. Who is an enemy? _______________________________.
(a) [Mat.5:43-44] God requires us to _________________ our enemy.
(b) [Romans 12:20] Another duty we have towards our enemy is to ______________ to them.
18. What does God require of us towards the rulers of the country?
(a)1 Tim. 2:1-3 ______________________________________________.
(b) Romans 13:1-8 ___________________________________________.
(c) Is it a requirement of God that we as Christians pay our taxes?
Romans 13:6-7; Mat.17:24-26. _________________________
19. Do you think we are required by God to have loyalty to our country? Please, support your answer ( Romans 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13-15) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20. What do you think of racialism? Do you think God is happy when we have racial frictions, discriminations and the hatred caused by it (James 4:1; Gal. 5:20)? ________________________________________________________
Posted in Bible Studies, Christian Duties | Tagged Christian conduct, Christian Duties, duties, evangelism, God, the church | 1 Comment »
An excerpt from a Bible study (CHRISTIAN DUTIES – Part 4)
(III.) MY RESPONSIBILITY… TOWARDS HIS (CHRIST’S) LOCAL CHURCH – (Heb. 10:25).
1. Introduction:
It is a privilege and joy to be a part of God’s program for this age which centers in the local assembly of believers. May I never despise or forsake God’s assembly in my locality. May I be fully committed to my Lord and thus to His Church.
John (2:16) Acts 2:42; 4:31-32; 10:33; 11:26; 12:5; 12:12; 14:27; 20:7; Romans 12:4-8; 15:5-6; 16:1; 1 Cor. 1:10; 3:16-17; 10:32; 11:2; 11:17-34; 12:12-31; Eph. (1:22-23; 2:19-22) 4:3-6; 4:11-16; Phil. (1:27; 2:2-3) Col. (2:2) 3:15; 1 Tim. (3:9) 3:15; Heb. 10:25; 1 Pet. 3:8; 4:10-11; 1 John 2:19.
2. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Eph. 5:24).
The local assembly of believers is to function according to the pattern and blueprint found in the New Testament epistles. As the body of believers is healthy the life of Christ will be manifested and God will be glorified.
Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. chapter 5; 6:1-8; 14:23-26; 14:40; Eph. 3:10 (3:21) 4:11-16; 5:24; Col. 1:18; (2:2) 2:5; 1 Thess. 1:7-8; 1 Tim. 3:15; 5:19-21; 1 Pet. 2:5; Jude 3; Rev. chapters 2-3.
3.MY RESPONSIBILITY…TO MY PASTOR AND CHURCH LEADERS (1 Thes. 5:12-13).
Am I thankful for the gifted men God has given to me (Eph. 4:11)? Am I submitting to my leaders, setting a high value on them because of the work Christ has given them to do? Do I cause them GRIEF or JOY (Heb. 13:17)?
Matthew (10:10; 10:40-42) Luke (10:7) Acts (6:1-4; 14:23) 15:40; 21:17; Romans (16:1-2) 16:4,6,9; 1 Cor. 4:16; 9:6-14; 11:1; 16:15-16; 2 Cor. 6:11-13 (7:2; 8:7) Gal. (4:12; 4:14-15) 6:6; Phil. (2:17-18; 2:29-30) 4:9; 4:10-19; Col. 4:3-4; 1 Thess. 1:6; 4:1-3; 5:12-13; 5:25; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:1-2; 3:4; 3:6-7; 3:14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 5:19; 2 Tim. (1:16-18) Heb. 13:7; 13:17; 13:22; James 5:14.
4. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PASTOR AND LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS (Heb. 13:17).
The great Shepherd of the flock has set over His loyal assembly certain faithful men and has entrusted them with shepherding duties. The responsibilities are awesome but God is totally sufficient.
Matthew (7:15) 28:19-20; Luke 22:32; John 21:15-17; Acts 6:1-4; 11:25-26; 14:21-22; 15:32,35,36,41; 18:11; 20:2; 20:7; 20:9; 20:17-35; Romans 1:11; (1:21-22) 1 Cor. 1:17; 1:21; 1:23; 2:1-7; 4:1-2
5. MY RESPONSIBILITY… TOWARDS FALSE TEACHING AND FALSE TEACHERS ( 1 John 4:1).
False doctrine is the poison of the soul. It must ever be exposed by the light of God’s truth. It must never be tolerated. “Truth cannot be perpetuated through compromise and compromise cannot be avoided without separation” (John C. Whitcomb).
Matthew 7:15; 15:13-14; 16:6-12 (23:13-33) 24:4-5; 24:11; 24:23-26; Mark 8:15; 12:38-40; 13:5-6; 13:21-23; Luke 6:39 (11:37-54) 12:1; 20:46-47; 21:8; John 10:8,10; Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17-18;
6. MY RESPONSIBILITY… WITH RESPECT TO MY COUNTRY, MY GOVERNMENT AND RULERS (Rom. 13:1).
God Almighty is my King and as I gladly submit to His government I also learn to submit to those earthly authorities who have been placed over me by my Sovereign Lord.
Matthew 14:3-4; 17:24-27; 22:17-21; Mark 6:17-18; 12:14-17; Luke 20:22-25; Acts 4:18-20; 5:24-29; 23:2-5; Romans 13:1-8; Phil. (3:20);
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