Part 10

Brothers and sisters, Jesus has given us the New Testament not written in pen and ink, but in His own precious blood. He is the author of the gospel, which means Good News, in which those who believe shall always greatly rejoice, with thanksgiving and worship to the Triune God who alone is worthy of it. Blessed be the triune God for the reconciliation of the cross.

Just as the scriptures details the lineage, origins and credentials of the Aaronic priests, so it does also of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Jesus is fully God and fully man. First as God, always existent, cited for powers that belong only to the God Head. Jesus Creator: Col. 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

Jesus declares Himself that He is God: 6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

Isaiah 44:6-8 (KJV)

Rev. 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

God the Father says that Jesus is His Son and that the Father : Heb. 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…

Jesus declares He is the Son of God:

Jn. 9:35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Jn. 9:36He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

Jn. 9:37And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

Jn. 9:38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Jesus declares this again:

Jesus declares Himself to be the Son of God, the author of eternal life, and that God and He are One:

Jn. 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Jn. 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Jn. 10:38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

God the Father commands Jesus is to be worshipped:

Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Part 9

Just as the Old Testament cold cocks the idea of a man-ocracy being the Saviour of man-kind, it does so in the New Testament as well. Now it goes without saying, dearly beloveds, that there is a man-ocracy in the world today, where some men have pridefully exalted themselves above others. Some even claiming (falsely) the power to forgive sins (AS A MESSIAH) and who have divided their man- made kingdom into the superior ruling” clerics” over so-called inferior “laymen”. In the true church all saints are equal, even though some such as overseers have a greater responsibility, to Christ. We can know this with absolute certainty, because our King Jesus’ address to the churches in Revelation ALWAYS starts to the pastors or angels of the churches.

Part 8

Brothers and sisters in the New Testament we find confession of sins presented in two separate contexts, first vertically In relationship to God and secondly horizontally in relation of the saints to one another.

We start in relation to God first:

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing (G1843)their sins.

Matt 3:4-6 (KJV)

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing (G1843) their sins.

Mark 1:4-5 (KJV)

Now, dear saints, it is imperative to understand that this confession under John the Baptist did not save anyone, but was a public confession that they were ready to turn from their sins, for John says:

11 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: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Matt 3:11-12 (KJV)

Again my beloveds we must pay close attention to the kind of confession that was made under John the Baptist, the Messiah’s messenger: Greek Strong's Number: G1843

exomologeo—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

to acknowledge or (by implication of assent) agree fully :- confess, profess, promise.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

This kind of confession under John did not save them, but showed that they were ready to turn from their sins to God. Certainly, only those who understand that they are sick, will go to a doctor for help. Here John promises just such a doctor, even the Messiah saying:

11 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: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Matt 3:11-12 (KJV)

Again John says:  29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

John makes it quite clear that salvation and the forgiveness of sins rests solely in Jesus Christ.

Even though John the Baptist was well known and highly favored as a preacher and prophet of God among the people, he was happy and content for Jesus to take the highest and rightful place. This is true humility, whatever we do, let Christ be honored for it, and God will do great things through us all.

This is all for now, I pray that the peace of God will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, and rest abide on your spirits by the power of the Holy Spirit.

love

serola

Part 7

A dear saint invited me to her church service one Sunday. Her pastor along with the evangelists and the church as a whole had been going through their neighborhood, door to door, spreading the gospel for several weeks, and this particular Sunday was to be a celebration of praise, worship, and thanksgiving to Jesus for His strength and help in these efforts. The church, not very large, but composed of very dedicated saints met in one of the worst crime ridden areas of my city. The door was boldly left open, as we ministered unto the Lord. The gangs watched us menacingly as we entered, and some of the young saints sat bunched together, some of them afraid. I had the pleasure of being among those invited to minister to the saints, and especially to encourage the young saints, who by the grace of God acknowledged that by all of us they were greatly encouraged.

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Dear saints, these young people live under the threat of death for their faith, and refusing to join a gang. Some of us in America must wake up, to the fact that more than a few Christians young and old worship under far less than ideal circumstances. Some Christians are worshipping in areas already spun out of control, a harbinger of this present darkness, in which they stand as a light shining forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. I believe that through their understanding of the Gospel, they are greatly equipped to make their stand in a place that many would flee from in abject terror.

Brothers and sisters, Yet today, some, but NEVER all, think of Christians as dreadful hybrid beings, terrible sinners always one step from falling, but who sometimes do good, only with great effort. Labeled “saved sinners”, who cannot help but be continually prone to sins, they live lives daily filled with fear and dread of the next sure slip into various kinds of sins. Their only hope a perverted salvation gained from continual confession to obtain a forgiveness that will last - only until the next sins. Oh they may say, I won’t lose my salvation, but I will lose my fellowship and favor with God, until I gain forgiveness again through confession. Sadly such are washed, but not cleansed, saved but not safe, blind to the finished work of Christ.

Beloveds I will stop here for now, and next, God willing, it will be necessary again to lay out scripture. For scripture can and does interpret scripture. Therefore, let us look to the New Testament to further examine the concept of confession in the light of the finished work of Christ Jesus, our Lord, God‘s promise made sure to those who believe.

Love

serola