Salt and Light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLaob2knjJY

Believers Are Salt and Light

Mat 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Salt preserves goodness, and kills the bad stuff. Bacteria and mold that will rot and ruin (that desired to be preserved) is destroyed by salt. But the value of the salt is determined by the ability and purpose to kill the corrupting influence (mold and bacteria).

The value of our spiritual salt will be measured by how we help preserve righteous principles in our lives, and by how we work to destroy those false ideas that corrupt our society.

If we stop standing against unrighteousness, we have lost our salt.


Mat 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Light reveals truth. Darkness covers up what is there. Darkness in matters of spiritual reality causes doubt. Those who walk in darkness are destined to stumble and fall.

We are to speak the truth in love. We are to shine the light of God upon what is there before us.

God's Word is truth. Jesus is the light of the world. We are to show the influence of Jesus in our lives.

But the promoters of modern morality, the purveyors of post Christian ethics, seem to be obsessed with shouting approval of sexual perversions that are clearly condemned in Scripture, even with the death penalty by stoning.

These modern muddlers of morality, the promoters of diversity and gender confusion, say that those who condemn homosexuality practice are haters, and not true followers of Jesus. Jesus, they say, loves sinners, and wants everyone to be accepted as they are.

But where is the salt and light in approving of things clearly condemned in Scripture?

Jesus is very clear about His position on the Law. The Law is righteous and just, as Paul shows in Romans chapter 7.

Christ Fulfills the Law

Mat 5:17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter[c] or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is clearly a strong proponent of righteousness.  Psalms 119 is your homework assignment. God's principles of righteousness are eternal. Murder, stealing, and sexual immorality are still violations of God's righteousness.  Jesus does not approve of sin, but died on the cross to save sinners. 

He calls all who believe in Him to repentance, a change of heart and direction.  Yes, He died for sinners, but He rose again to give us new life in Him. That new life gives up the practice of sin.


Murder Begins in the Heart

Mat 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.  

Jesus condemns sexual immorality.  He clearly teaches that we are not to be led by our feelings, but to control our feelings. How we feel does not determine who we are. We are taught by Jesus to practice self control.. 

Adultery Begins in the Heart

Mat 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.[k] 28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

This is very radical teaching about the practice of self control. Our feelings are not to rule our lives. But our knowledge of what God wants us to be is to mold and shape our lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Apostle Paul spoke directly about the problem of sexual immorality, which was a great problem in the Pagan context of life in Corinth.  Pagan worship encourages the practice of homosexuality. 

As Paul said, 1Cor 6:9 "Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males,[b] 10 no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. 11 And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Some of you used to be like this, but you were washed. Yes, Jesus died for sinners, and He calls us to new life in Him.  We are not to be ruled by our feelings, but by our knowledge and relationship to Him. 

Paul spoke clearly to the believers at Rome, Rom 1:16

The Righteous Will Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

The Guilt of the Gentile World

18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.

24 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
From Idolatry to Depravity

26 For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error.

28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right. 29 They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. 32 Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.

Yes, you who applaud others who practice such things.  Let all of you who march under the rainbow flag please realize that sexual immorality rots society.  Sexual immorality is about feelings, not about salt and light.  Come out of the darkness and be salt and light. 

Yes, Jesus loves you, and wants you to follow Him.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN69t3MaD00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-TPLE_9e2g

Christian Warfare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDkHNYSdYBg

https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1211-spiritual-warfare-is-real-difficult-and-dangerous

We demolish arguments.  This part of the Christian Warfare comes easily to me, as I grew up in a family fully committed to discussion and argument.  It seemed to fit when I named my blog The Battle. I want to battle for truth and righteousness. But the rules for spiritual battle call for us to be kind, and meek and gentle.  This goes against human nature.  Battle usually involves violence, death, and destruction.  But we do not wage war according to the flesh.

Scriptures from Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Cor 10:3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 6 And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against every false idea and the powers of evil.  Presently we are confronted with a concept that being kind to evil doers, while disregarding the rule of law, is what God wants.  We are judged un-Christian if we speak in support of personal responsibility, and in support of the sanctity of human life. 

Apostle Paul warned against irresponsible behavior. He said that those who refused to work should also not eat. This is in direct conflict with Bernie Sanders' "to each according to their need, and from each according to their ability."

Also there is nothing in scripture that suggests we should hand off our personal responsibility, to care for the poor, to the State Government, to forcefully take from the rich and give to the poor, after the elite ruling class takes their cut. 

I visited Russia at the end of the USSR, and saw with my own eyes the hopelessness of the people who stood in long lines to collect their allotment of bread.  This was a common saying regards the communist system; "We pretend to work, and the government pretends to pay us."

Now our young people are being led down the primrose path of trusting human reasoning for their well being.  Yes, Satan told Eve, "you will be wise like God, knowing good and evil."

And the secular humanist  atheist movement is teaching that it is up to us humans to work out our future without regard to what the Bible teaches us.  They are so conflicted that they do not know the difference between a man and a woman, and they want to give every boy a chance to be a girl. 

Apostle Paul warns against such behavior, writing to the believers at Thessaloniki.

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

2 Thes 3:6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate us: We were not idle among you; 8 we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” 11 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good.

Yes, we are fighting against the powers of Satan, against his lies that exalt mankind and fight against God's righteousness. We must use the full armor that God provides to stand against this present evil. 

We must use truth, what the Bible teaches about personal responsibility, willing to work with our hands to provide for our family and others, respecting the rights of others to have personal property, and not covetous of the wealthy. we must be honest with each other.

We must demonstrate righteousness, loving our neighbor as ourself, and respecting the value of laws given by God and recorded in the Bible.  Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

We must be prepared to speak to all about Jesus, our only hope of salvation.  There is no other path to salvation.  Diversity is not our goal, but unity in Jesus is our desire. 

We must have faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He gives eternal life to all who trust in Him.  Our faith in Jesus will keep us going. 

The helmet of salvation gives us the strength to persist, knowing that our eternal hope is secure. Trusting in God is our protection.

And the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is our weapon. Not my opinion, not my faction, but what Jesus and the Apostles taught and was recorded in the Bible. On this I will take my stand, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the only hope of salvation.  Pray that I may be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

And praying, praying at all times in the Spirit. And remembering, it is not our will, but His will that we ask for. We know that He hears the prayers of His children. 

Christian Warfare

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand,therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Don't worry about anything!  How I need that instruction.  My natural inclination is alpha male, I want to be in charge. But there is so much that I cannot know about present circumstances, even if I use Google search, that I must content myself with doing those things that are my responsibility, and trusting that God will work things out in His own time. 

How does God allow us free will, and yet accomplish His purpose?  He is God.  We need to do our best to do what He tells us to do. And rejoice that we belong to Him.

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Think about good things, do the right things, and the God of peace will be with you.  This is a battle that Jesus will surely win. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPIbpXuVIzg 

Contending for the Faith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH-CPVTXy1E

Jude, brother of James, half-brother of Jesus, admonishes believers to contend for the faith delivered, once for all.  That faith speaks of the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles, what they taught, and what was recorded at the direction of the Holy Spirit, by the Apostles and prophets, and preserved in our New Testament. 

That faith was being perverted by the Gnostics, who taught that the material world is evil, and that only the spirit is of importance.  Some of the Gnostics were encouraging sexual immorality, saying it was pleasurable, and had no ability to defile the spiritual being. 

Jude very explicitly demands revulsion toward the undergarments defiled by sexual immorality.  Those listening to the Gnostics were headed for Hell, and needed rescue. 

Jude 

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Greeting

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James:

To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude’s Purpose in Writing

3 Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. 4 For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth;they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.

Apostates: Past and Present

5 Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe; 6 and the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day. 7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

8 In the same way these people—relying on their dreams—defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones. 9 Yet when Michael the archangel was disputing with the devil in an argument about Moses’s body, he did not dare utter a slanderous condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people blaspheme anything they do not understand. And what they do understand by instinct—like irrational animals—by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, have plunged into Balaam’s errorfor profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

The Apostates’ Doom

12 These people are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by winds; trees in late autumn—fruitless, twice dead and uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameful deeds; wandering stars for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.

14 It was about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: “Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him.” 16 These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage.

17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires.” 19 These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit.

Exhortation and Benediction

20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God,waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. 

Amen.

That faith, delivered once for all, has been perverted and become the object of derision by those who profess secular knowledge today.  Europe has become post Christian, with rejection of the State connected churches, and development of secular humanist philosophies.  

Rejection of state control of religion is a move in the right direction.  Secular government has no business in directing me as to what I should believe. State mandated Secular Humanism, Communism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam are all against what is right. Individuals have the created right to determine for themselves what to believe.  There should be no room for government coercion regards faith.  Too many have been murdered in horrible fashion because their faith did not match the state mandated religion of their time and place.  See Foxes book of Martyrs  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxe%27s_Book_of_Martyrs

Also the history of the Thirty Years War in Europe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty_Years%27_War   

And the Hindus in India.

https://rgonce.blogspot.com/2012/12/graham-staines-story-we-were-in-orissa.html

The Islamic Ottoman Empire massacre of Armenian Christians

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide

Lest we forget, the Holocaust. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust

No!  We do not want the State to control our faith:  forcing people to confess that Mary is the Mother of God, and to believe that the bread and wine actually change to the literal body and blood of Jesus in communion, baptizing babies, making the King of England head of the Anglican Church, and so forth. 

Or worse, to be forced to confess that Mohammad is a prophet of God, and that Islam is to be observed as the faith of a nation, upon the pain of death or taxes. 

But being forced to observe Christianity or Islam may not be the worst outcome of State mandates regards what we should believe.  What if a State abandons its moral foundations established by historical principles?  What if a State tells its people to believe whatever they please?

Corruption always follows when any group of people decide to live as they please, according to their own feelings and compulsions. Even if they claim Christianity, the rulers of this world manage to corrupt and defile what is good, and to make things about power, control, and accumulation of wealth.   The prosperity gospel messengers of our time peddle an odious garbage of good feelings and false miracles as they line their own pockets while promising material blessings to their charmed audience. 

Nigeria, one of the poorest nations on earth, has many Christian Pastors who collect money from the poor.  They claim miracle power and promise blessings to those who give them donations.  They live in big houses, and one even owns a jet plane.  

https://nigerianfinder.com/richest-pastors-in-nigeria/

But at least Nigeria does not force people to follow these men.  And Nigeria is fighting to prevent Islamic Militants from forcing their faith upon the people of Northern Nigeria. ISIS, having been forced out of Syria and Iraq, recently joined forces with Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/africa/nigeria-gov-boko-haram-attack-intl/index.html

Why does the United Nations permit any nation to enforce a certain religious faith upon its people?  It is past time for the world to unite for the purpose of granting personal religious freedom to all people of the earth. Faith is personal, and not to be enforced by the rulers of this world. 

But faith matters.  We that believe in Jesus are citizens of an eternal kingdom, and we are free to live at peace with all mankind, as much as possible.  But we must speak the truth in love. We must contend earnestly for the faith, delivered once for all.

That faith proclaims that Jesus is our only hope for salvation.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmSBP22pgcU

Glorification

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96kAy6tUCvk



 

The Ascension

From Groans to Glory

Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves,eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Paul speaks of our glorification as if it is already accomplished, and it is in the purpose and plan of God. All who are faithful until death will receive the crown of life, reserved in heaven for us. As surely as we are faithful in Jesus, we will receive the glory God has prepared for us.

Even as we continue to face struggles in this life, the surety of our promised hope for eternal glory has been purchased by the blood of Jesus.

2 Cor 4:16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul explained the transition from mortal to immortality, from temporal to eternal, in his letter to the Corinthians. 

Victorious Resurrection

1 Cor 15:50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:
Death has been swallowed up in victory.
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Yes, Jesus gives all those who believe in Him eternal life.  He is the bread of life.  

John 6:35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. 36 But as I told you, you’ve seen me, and yet you do not believe.37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

41 Therefore the Jews started complaining about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

43 Jesus answered them, “Stop complaining among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the Father.

47 “Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

52 At that, the Jews argued among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 55 because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your ancestors ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”

Paul received instruction from Jesus about the Lord's supper, where believers partake of the bread representing Jesus' body, and the fruit of the vine representing Jesus' blood. He has promised eternal life to those who partake.

1 Cor 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Yes, we have a special connection with Jesus and His eternal glory in partaking of the Lord's supper. We look back to the cross where He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins, and look forward to resurrection day, when we will be raised to share His eternal glory. What a day that will be!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycz4s2xwDhc

Apostasy on Baptism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBcO-uoaFeY&t=0s&list=PLPhb5GPf3Rfc944An2iDh_kTHkrKhoCED&index=38

This is not Believer Baptism

https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1540-history-of-the-baptism-apostasy-a

Jesus taught that little children are not sinners.  Greek philosophers like Augustine, with pagan concepts about body and spirit, taught that children are born sinners, inheriting the sin of Adam. From that perspective, the need to baptize infants was developed, and confused with the requirement for circumcision of male infants at eight days of age under the Law of Moses. 

Jesus invited children to come to Him, with these words,

Mat 19:13 Then children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After placing his hands on them, he went on from there.

Previously Jesus said this about children, 

Matt 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child and had him stand among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.

This does not sound like Jesus considered children to be sinners.  In scripture we find that faith is essential to one coming to Jesus.  Understanding of the message about Jesus produces faith.  One too young to understand the message cannot have faith, and cannot obey the message. 

So why were children ever baptized? Apostasy!  Falling away. Teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.  False theology based upon a wrong understanding of creation and the nature of Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve were created subject to sin in order that God's love could be demonstrated through the cross. 

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves,eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

But some theologians got the idea that sin is inherited, that babies are born contaminated by the sin of Adam.  So infant baptism was begun to cover the sins of Adam.  And the rulers in the church-state combines found ways to collect money from parents through the institution of infant baptism. 

But baptism is for believers.  This is what Jesus said:

The Great Commission

Mark 16:14 Later he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen. 15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.


As Paul said:

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

1 Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Later in this same letter Paul explains: 

Resurrection Essential to the Gospel

1 Cor15:1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.

The gospel on which you have taken your stand! Believer baptism.  

Infants cannot take a stand, they cannot have faith.  Those who performed infant baptisms persecuted those who taught believer baptism.. The Pope apologized in 2015.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2015/july/pope-apologizes-to-first-evangelicals-for-persecution.html

ReplyForward

Have you taken your stand through faith in Jesus Christ being the Son of God, the Messiah, savior of all who put their trust in Him? 

Have you been immersed as a believer?

Please contact me if you would like to discuss. 

Eternal Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDkHNYSdYBg

Believers in Papau New Guinea

The Kingdom of God is an eternal community, a people who follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This community is for all people who have faith in Jesus as Messiah, who are willing to repent of their sins and be baptized into the community, as commanded by Jesus, Acts 2:38.

God adds all who have obedient faith in Jesus to the number of His people, Jer 31. 

The New Covenant

31 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”—the Lord’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.


Jesus said that His kingdom is different, not like the global powers which preceded His coming. Daniel had a vision of the world kingdoms which preceded Jesus.

Dan 2:31 “Your Majesty, as you were watching, suddenly a colossal statue appeared. That statue, tall and dazzling, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was terrifying. 32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze, 33 its legs were iron, and its feet were partly iron and partly fired clay. 34 As you were watching, a stone broke off without a hand touching it, struck the statue on its feet of iron and fired clay, and crushed them.35 Then the iron, the fired clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were shattered and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

36 “This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 Your Majesty, you are king of kings. The God of the heavens has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. 38 Wherever people live—or wild animals, or birds of the sky—he has handed them over to you and made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold.
39 “After you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours, and then another, a third kingdom, of bronze, which will rule the whole earth. 40 A fourth kingdom will be as strong as iron; for iron crushes and shatters everything, and like iron that smashes, it will crush and smash all the others. 41 You saw the feet and toes, partly of a potter’s fired clay and partly of iron—it will be a divided kingdom, though some of the strength of iron will be in it. You saw the iron mixed with clay, 42 and that the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly fired clay—part of the kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle. 43 You saw the iron mixed with clay—the peoples will mix with one another but will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with fired clay.

44 “In the days of those kings, the God of the heavens will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever. 45 You saw a stone break off from the mountain without a hand touching it,[k] and it crushed the iron, bronze, fired clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain, and its interpretation reliable.”

The fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire, ruled from the British Isles to Persia. It was a global power, and did much to establish the rule of law in its territories. It established transportation and trade, and enabled human achievements. But it was a pagan society, and its worship of idols doomed it to failure. It presided over the execution of Jesus. listening to those who cried out "Crucify him, crucify him!"

Roman soldiers were set to guard the tomb where Jesus was buried, but they could not stop the resurrection.  Jesus came forth from the tomb, and during the next forty days appeared to many witnesses, before ascending to His throne from the Mount of Olives. 

The Empty Tomb

Wrong expectations about the Kingdom of Messiah caused many of the Jews to refuse to believe in Jesus. The Zealots were looking for a Messiah who would lead them in revolt against the Romans, so when Bar Kokhba came along claiming to be the Messiah, they followed him against the Romans, and were annihilated in AD 135.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Kokhba_revolt

But Jesus had clearly taught that His Kingdom is different, not like the world empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.  His Kingdom has headquarters in Heaven, where Jesus, seated on the throne of David, has all power in Heaven and on earth.  

Jesus explained the nature of the Kingdom to Pilate, during the hearing before Jesus' crucifixion.

John 18:33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”

35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Apostle John, exiled to the Island of Patmos, proclaimed the authority of Jesus over the kings of the earth.

Rev 1:4 John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Yes, believers are a kingdom of priests, under our High Priest Jesus. We do not need any clergy to intercede for us, because we are made clean by the  blood of Jesus.  And we can all offer up prayers and praises to God, knowing He hears us  because of Jesus.  

No, Rome is not the Eternal City..  Like Abraham, we look for a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  John saw that city coming down.

The New Creation

Rev 21:21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Burning Unfruitful Vines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjauTr34Viw&list=PL6dW7kz1nJbQ3BlG4pNAtzRMTzbs8UPah&t=0s&index=30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66AFGwKBiyw