ACCEPTED BY GOD - By J. C. O'Hair

ACCEPTED BY GOD
 By J. C. O'Hair

 There are many seeming contradictions in the Bible, which disappear when the Word of God is rightly divided and the Greek text is understood.

 In this lesson we are to study several Scriptures. First II Corinthians5:9: “Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be Accepted of Him.” Now Acts 10:35: “But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is ACCEPTED of Him.” Now Ephesians 1:6 and 7: “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us ACCEPTED in the Beloved, In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

In the light of Paul’s clear statements of grace how are we to understand II Corinthians 5:9, “labor to be ACCEPTED of God?”

 How are we to reconcile Peter’s message to Cornelius in Acts 10:35,that men who work righteousness are ACCEPTED of God with Paul’s message of grace in Romans 4:5, that the man who does not work, but believes on Christ, is declared righteous?

 Then compare II Corinthians 5:9 and Ephesians 1:6 and 7 (quoted above). The first verse tells us, that we labor to be accepted of God. The other verses say that believers have been made accepted in Christ,redeemed and forgiven. Now, first of all, the word, “accepted” in II Corinthians 5:9 is from the Greek words “love” and “honor” - “to love honor.” - In Philippians 4:18 it is translated “well-pleasing.”

 Then again, the word “accepted” in II Corinthians 5:9 is altogether different from the word “accepted” in Acts 10:35. In order that we might understand this difference we quote these words from Philippians 4:18 “a sacrifice acceptable, WELL PLEASING to God.”Here the word “acceptable” is the same Greek word as “accepted” in Acts10:35 whereas the word “well-pleasing” is the same Greek ward as“accepted” in II Corinthians 5:9.

 But the word “accepted” in Ephesians 1:6 and 7, where we read that the believer has been made accepted, according to the riches of God’s  “grace,” is still a different word. This “accepted” is the verb form of the word “grace.” Believers have been “graced” in Christ according to the riches of God’s grace. What an inexcusable blunder by the Holy Spirit, if He wrote in Ephesians 2:8 and 9, that sinners are saved by grace through faith, not of the sinner, and not of works, and then wrote in II Corinthians 5:9, that sinners have to labor to be accepted by God, that is, saved by God. By grace are ye saved, not of works. Read this truth in II Timothy 1:9- Romans 4:4 and 5 - Romans 11:6 - Ephesians 2:8 and 9. The seeming contradictions are in our misunderstanding, or lack of understanding, of what the Holy Spirit dictated to holy men of God.

 We do not labor to be accepted for salvation or righteousness and eternal life. These are all God’s free gifts or grace.

 But we should labor to be well pleasing to God; we should endeavor to please Him with our good works done in the name of Christ. Thereby our labors are accepted by Him.

 In Titus 3:5 to 7 God’s “grace” way of salvation, without any of man’s doings, religious or otherwise, is made very plain. But in Titus 3:8 the redeemed sinner is exhorted to excel in good works (maintain good works). This is in harmony with Ephesians 2:10, “God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works” that God expects the saint to do. Philippians 2:12 should be studied in the light of all the above Scriptures; “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

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Understandest Thou What Thou Readest? by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Understandest Thou What Thou Readest?

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

This was the question Philip asked of the Ethiopian prince as he sat reading from Isaiah’s prophecy (Acts 8:30), and it is a question which we should continually keep asking ourselves as we read the Holy Scriptures.

There are always those among God’s people who do not much care whether or not they understand what they read, if only it warms their hearts! To them the Bible is little more than a fetish. Taking only those Scriptures which appeal to them, and leaving the rest, they actually feel themselves quite spiritual and often talk about believing the Bible whether they understand it or not!

But such “spirituality” is far from genuine, and such “faith” is blind and superstitious at best.

While it is true that the Bible teaches many truths which we believe, although they are beyond our comprehension (such as its opening verse!), yet how can we believe what the Bible says unless we understand what it says? God would have us understand what we read and believe it intelligently. Indeed, true faith will want to know and understand more and more of God’s Word. One who does not care whether or not he understands what God has said is not interested in knowing what God has said at all. His faith is based on his own will rather than on God’s Word, for regardless of the meaning of Scripture, he will take any passage that suits his fancy and use it as he wishes.

How great an emphasis God Himself puts upon the importance of understanding His Word! On one occasion, when our Lord saw the multitudes, He “was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).

And now that the secret of God’s great plan has been made known, how much more reason there is to study the Scriptures with a view to understanding them! How Paul, by the Spirit, emphasizes this as he writes of his prayers for the saints:

“THAT the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, MAY GIVE UNTO YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM:

“THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; THAT YE MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING…” (Eph.1:17,18).

How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

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A Bible Study for Bereans Author Unknown

A Bible Study for Bereans

Author Unknown

Ephesians 4:11-13: 
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; 
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and 
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ: 

Thus the perfecting, the finishing, the completing includes the building up of the body, not the tearing down; not the things that separate us and cause us to be diverse, but the things that unite us, bring us together, and what is that? Christ! How do you measure the fullness of Christ? It is not going to be done with a container, and I am not a vessel that can handle His fullness.

We are full! ! We have been filled!! Believe it!! This is where it starts, and then we demonstrate it by showing this fullness in our lives. Showing others the life that is within us, the hope that is within. Instead of strife, let's focus on what we agree upon and show others the Love of Christ! So, in summary, there are at least 32 things that Christ did to "fill up" the believer.

32 THINGS CHRIST DID TO FILL UP THE BELIEVER 

1.    Peace through the blood of His cross, 
2.    By Him to reconcile all things, 
3.    Present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in 
       His sight, 
4.    Having obtained eternal redemption for us, 
5.    Purge your conscience, 
6.    He is the Mediator, 
7.    And ye are complete in Him, 
8.    Circumcised with the circumcision made without hands,
9.     Buried with Him in baptism, 
10.   Quickened together with Him, having forgiven you     all trespasses, 
11.    Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances. 
12.    Having spoiled principalities and powers, triumphing over them 
13.    Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the                                                

          new moon, or the Sabbath days;
14.    Why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (touch not; taste not;

         handle not); after the commandments and doctrines of men? 
15.    Gather together in one all things in Christ, 
16.    Obtained an inheritance, 
17.    First trusted in Christ (as our Head). 
18.    Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 
19.    And hath put all things under His feet, 
20.    Gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church, 
21.    To know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, 
22.    Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,

         according to the power  that works in us. 
23.  And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors

       and teachers;   for the perfecting of the saints.       
24.  For the edifying of the body of Christ. 
25.  Come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 
26.  Unto a perfect man, 
27.  No more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, 
28.  May grow up into Him in all things, 
29.  The whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, 
30.  The effectual working in the measure of every part, 
31.  Makes increase of the body 
32.  Unto the edifying of itself in love. 

The above are quoted from the Scriptures a challenge for you, find each one and write by the thought above, a great way to remember each verse.

Verse 14-16:
 
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to
and fro, and carried about with every wind of 
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning 
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But 
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him 
in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ: 
From Whom the whole body fitly joined together 
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, 
according to the effectual working in the measure 
of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the 
edifying of itself in love.

Going to Strong's Concordance:

(G4883-sunarmologe6-From G4862 and a derivative of a compound of G719 and G3004 (in its original sense of laying); to render close jointed together, that is, organize compactly: be fitly framed [joined] together).

We have been given the truth! Do you believe it? Or are we:

 ... children tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine.

Paul goes on in Ephesians to say, Grow up into Him." He is talking about children maturing in the Word based upon what they know to be true. He then adds to beware of:

... the sleight of men in cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

Why is it every time Paul gives us something inspiring, he comes right back and says, "beware." Beware because there are vain philosophers. Beware because there are deceivers, sleight-of-hand cunning men. Do you think Satan is an ugly, grotesque, being who looks like he came out of a horror film? He doesn't look like that. He is an attractive, shining creature. The world looks to the pleasing of the eye, and Satan knows our weaknesses. That's how he "deceived" Adam and Eve -- the fruit looked pleasing (Genesis 3:6).

Let's look at that verse again in Ephesians 4:15-16:

... speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ: 
from Whom the whole body fitly joined together 
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, 
according to the effectual working in the measure 
of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the 
edifying of itself in love.

 

Consider what Paul is thinking about. He is talking about "complementing." This body, if we are all members of it, has to complement. We have to work together. We have to fit together. Even I, with my limitations, still have a God-given place in His order. And I am mandated to work together with you for the unity for it to increase. And what does it increase in? Love, charity, brotherly kindness. However you want to describe it, it goes without saying that I/we should have output with every input. That is what people see, and that is what people measure. I might be a small input, but I am still a part, and I have a function. My body is a vessel, a container.

This "body" has all kinds of parts --- they all fit together. And if they didn't, it and I wouldn't be full. That's the point Paul is making. "Fitly joined together" is a great Greek word --- to render closely joined together, or fitly joined together. Have you ever seen tongue and groove flooring? This picture shows how we are just all "tongue and grooved" together, and, therefore, fitly joined together to be complete.

No more children ...
 

... the verse continues. So we have to grow up! Are we making an increase in the body here? Is this all there is supposed to be? Are we all the parts? Are there more parts out there? Who in our lives can we touch with this truth that might help the body grow?

.... unto the edifying of itself in love.

Lack of love for everyone shows we are not filled up. So now given the knowledge that I have shared with you intellectually, are you more complete? Maybe feelings have emotionally grabbed you which say, "I'm not quite filled yet, and I need to do something different." Do you believe that you are "Complete in Christ"? That is where it starts. Are you filled up? Are you still trying to add to what Christ has already done? If so, then you are saying that Christ was insufficient for you and YOU are greater because it takes your effort. That effort we contribute is waste!

We are full! ! We have been filled!! Believe it!! This is where it starts, and then we demonstrate it by showing this fullness in our lives. Showing others the life that is within us, the hope that is within. Instead of strife, let's focus on what we agree upon and show others the Love of Christ! So, in summary, there are at least 32 things that Christ did to "fill up" the believer.

How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

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Can The Ten Commandments Save? C. R. Stam

St. Paul pointed out a basic Scriptural - and logical - fact, when he said:

“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rom. 2:13).

Many people suppose that God gave us the Ten Commandments to help us to be good. The fact is, however, that He gave them to show us that we are bad. Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:19 and a hundred other Bible passages teach this clearly.

How can the Law be of any advantage to a law-breaker?

How can it justify us unless we keep it - perfectly?

Do you recall the woman caught in adultery, in John 8? She was a Jewess. She was better off than the Gentiles, for she had the law of Moses to show her right from wrong, but this didn’t justify her; it condemned her. So her “advantage” turned out to be a serious disadvantage, for “not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

James 1:23,24 says that one who knows the Law but doesn’t obey it, is like a man looking into a mirror, seeing his dirty face, and then walking away without doing anything about it. This is why Rom. 2:14,15 declares that the consciences of the heathen confirm what the Law says, “their thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else excusing one another.”

Those in heathen lands know that it is wrong to lie and steal and commit adultery, yet they know nothing about the law of God, or the Ten Commandments. How, then, do they know that these things are wrong? God made them with this knowledge; He gave to them, and to us all, conscience, a sense of blameworthiness in doing wrong.

How good to know the One who has paid the penalty for our sins so that our hearts may be cleansed from “an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22)!

“Christ died for our sins” (I Corinthians 15:3).

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

 Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

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THE KNOWLEDGE AND JOY OF SALVATION Pastor J. C. O’Hair

Of course you know that once upon a time a man by the name of Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of a big fish. “Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly.” “Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:1 and 10. Jonah was sure that no one but almighty God could save him from his awful predicament. “Salvation is of the Lord.”

The whole world today is full of trouble and sorrow. All men everywhere should agree with Paul’s statement or question, “hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” O, that every human being would cry out with Jonah, “salvation is of the Lord.” Today how true are the words uttered more than nineteen hundred years ago, “a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven.” John 3:27. Every man on this earth should lift up his head to heaven and thank God for the truth of Romans 6:23, “the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” But he should do more than thank God. He should, by simple faith, receive that free gift by receiving the Lord Jesus as his own individual, personal Saviour. Hear the wonderful words of that Saviour, “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

Perhaps you have heard the testimony of the simple but wise lad after he had heard a gospel message on John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that who so, ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The lad thus summed it up: “God said it; Christ did it; I believe it; that settles it.”

We have undoubtedly been greatly impressed with the statement in Titus1:2; “In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” God cannot lie. Eternal life is God’s free gift for receivers. And of course with this profound and glorious Divine truth we link the good news of II Timothy 1:9 and 10: “God, Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and incorruptibility to light through the gospel.”

God calls sinners to trust and rest in Christ’s perfect work.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Jesus Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” I Timothy 2:3 to 6.

Has any servant of the Lord testified this saving message to you? Perhaps you have heard it many times, but you have ignored or repudiated it. This is very good news for all men, women and children. As an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ, may I beseech you, persuade you, plead with you to hear this all-important truth, to consider it seriously and diligently, and to believe it for yourself even unto the saving of your precious soul? Surely it is one thing to know that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary to be the Saviour of the world; but it is quite a different thing for you to know that He is your personal Saviour. Salvation is very personal. Are you saved? Will you believe this Divine truth, a message from the holy God in heaven to unholy,ungodly sinners on earth: “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath be, foreordained that we should walk in them?” Ephesians 2:8 to 10. And note this blessed truth in the same chapter: “But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13.

Almost every person will say, “I am a sinner.” But so few are sufficiently exercised concerning their precarious spiritual state to say, “I am a lost sinner.” God’s Word plainly states that no unrighteous man shall inherit the kingdom of God. The same Word plainly declares, “There is none righteous, no not one.” But over against this sad news God’s Word declares some good news for sinners; for God’s Word tells plainly how an unrighteous, lost sinner can be saved and become righteous.

We learn, in I Corinthians 1:30, that Jesus Christ is the believing sinner’s righteousness, holiness and redemption. We learn, in Ephesians 2:14, that Jesus Christ is the believer’s peace. We learn, in I Timothy 1:1, that Jesus Christ is the believer’s hope. We learn, in Colossians 3:3 and 4, that Jesus Christ is the believer’s life. We learn, in Colossians 2:10, that the believer is complete in Christ. We learn, in Ephesians 1:3, that the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. We read, in Acts 13:39, that believers are justified from all things through Jesus Christ  the eternal Son of God. How wonderful to stand in the presence of the Holy God with all our sins pardoned, forever put away, and as though we had never committed one sin! This is good news; the gospel. This is the grace of God. This is what the precious shed blood of the Lord  does for the guilty, condemned sinner when that sinner, by simple faith, receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour.

In II Corinthians 5:21 we read that God made Jesus Christ, on the cross, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We read, in Romans 4:4 and 5, that ungodly sinners can be justified by faith without working for salvation. Believers should abound in good works after they are saved by grace through faith in the good work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” Romans 10:9 and 10.

If righteousness could be gained by works or religion, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21. For many centuries man, under the law, was a miserable failure. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4. Last night I heard a very interesting conversation between two well-dressed, intelligent-looking  men. Among other remarks, one said to the other, “I really believe religion is a good thing for a man, if he doesn'’t get too much of it.”The other replied, “Not for me. Morality is a splendid thing; but I balk when it comes to religion.” Of course, the question that came to my mind was, “just how much religion is too much, or how much is too little, or how much is just right?” Then of course, my heart went out in sympathy and pity to both of them, a little bit more for the man who was satisfied with his own morality. He should read Isaiah 64:6 and Ezekiel 33:13 and Romans 3:19 and Romans 8:8 and Romans 4:4 and Romans 7:18 to 24. In these Scriptures we learn how utterly futile are man’s best endeavors and religious labors to even help to save him. When a lost sinner turns to religion, instead of to Christ, for pardon and salvation, he is twice dead, plucked up by the roots, and then he needs to be saved from religion as well as from sin. In Romans 3:24 to 26 we read that because of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was both God and man, God can be both just and merciful in His dealings with the believing sinner. He can be just and the justifier of the believer, and can declare him righteous without a cause, by His grace. God is a great Giver. Man is a poor receiver. Man is incurably religious, and Satan is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world. He deceives the religious, unsaved man, causing him to believe that if he needs Christ at all, it is as a helper and a teacher, but not as the Saviour. Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross is man’s one and only hope. If we are to reach God’s heaven, we must come to God in God’s way, by Christ and Calvary.

It is well for every saved person to become identified with some group of believers and assemble regularly for worship and hear the Word of God expounded, but no one is saved by “joining the church.” Salvation is of the Lord; and by grace; the gift of God. Before God will accept a person’s work, that person must first be the workmanship of God. Ephesians 2:10.

Hear these two wonderful verses of Scripture:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life.” I John 5:13.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans15:13.

How sad to know that many conscientious, sincere religious people feel satisfied and secure, although they are headed for a Christless and hopeless eternity, because they have never been regenerated by faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ. Christ, by His own blood, entered once into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12. It was this Christ Who said, “marvel not that I said unto you, ye must be born again.” John 3:3 to 7.

It is likewise sad to know that there are many fearful saved people, who have not the assurance of their salvation. They are trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, but they doubt and fear because of the wrong interpretation of some Scripture or because they think they have to supplement the perfect work of Christ, or because they are depending upon their feelings. No person and nothing can ever separate the believer from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38 and 39. Every believer should be careful to maintain good works and should know that Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 3:14 and 2:14. But no believer should trust in himself for salvation, but in the glorified Christ, Who is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God, through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.

God cannot lie. God will have all men to be saved. God’s Word says,“believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” “These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW.” God wants every believer to KNOW. “KNOW that he has eternal life.” That is why it is so important to know that we are living in God’s “grace” dispensation; that believers are saved by grace, and not by religion, nor by any mixture of religion with Christ and grace. If you are a believer, do not discredit or dishonor God by doubting. Endeavor each day, by God’s grace and power, to walk worthy of the calling where with you are called, and thus behave as becometh saints. But keep in mind the truth that you are not saved by behaving. You are saved by believing. Then you are to behave, because you believe. So far as the adults on this earth are concerned, there are just two classes, “dead sinners” and “living saints.” When the dead sinner believes the gospel of grace he passes out of death into life and becomes a living saint.

If your trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ and you are relying upon Him and His redemptive work, say from your heart, with the lad, “God said it: Christ did it: I believe it: that settles it.”

Now, concerning the joy of salvation, let us think of the five F'’s of salvation; The Fact; the Faith; the Fruit; the Feeling; the Future. The great fact is, that Jesus Christ, the God-man, obtained eternal redemption for us. This salvation is appropriated by faith. “By grace are ye saved, through faith.” The end of your faith is the salvation, of your soul. I Peter 1:9 to 12. Christ said, “herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. Christians or saints are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus, unto good works which God before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. Believers are told to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. They are to be filled with all joy and peace in believing. Then think of the glorious future, when Christ shall appear, we are going to appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3 and 4. So shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:17and 18. Surely believers have a glorious future; eternal bliss and eternal glory, with the eternal Lord. Believers are to be rewarded for their labor of love. Believers are to receive crowns. Their labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 and I Corinthians 3:11to16. Surely we have a wonderful and glorious future. Note Ephesians 2:7;“ That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.”

While we are waiting for God’s Son to come for us we are told to“rejoice in the Lord always . . . and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4 to 7.

So we are to be filled with all joy and peace. How? In believing. Who is to fill us? The God of hope. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who is given unto us. Romans 5:1 to 5. By this indwelling Holy Spirit we are to abound in hope. We have a hope laid up in heaven. We are looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13. He is our hope. He is our peace. We are to experience eternal joy, because we are in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

Surely you have decided that you will receive God’s free gift, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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A DISPENSATIONAL CHANGE Pastor J. C. O’Hair

A DISPENSATIONAL CHANGE

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

In Matthew 10:5 and 6 the Lord Jesus Christ commanded the apostles to go to Israel and not to the Gentiles.
If the message of Matthew 10:5 to 8 is the Lord’s message for this age and dispensation of grace, there are no obedient Christians on earth. They were told to preach “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons” - “take no money for your expenses,” etc. This program belonged to a dispensation different from the dispensation for Gentiles which Christ later committed to the apostle Paul. (Ephesians 3:1 to 8).
We use the word “dispensation.” This is the Greek noun “OIKONOMIA” a “house law” or “government,” “an economy.”
In I Corinthians 9:16 and 17 and Colossians 1:24 to 26, the apostle Paul has told us that an “economy” or “dispensation” was committed unto him. In II Timothy 1:12, in the Greek, he calls it “my deposit.”
Any student of the Scriptures, who has studied Paul’s Epistles even casually and superficially, knows that the risen Christ deposited with Paul something different from any other Divine deposit. Yes, Christ committed unto Paul a dispensation. In Ephesians 3:9, it is called “the dispensation of the mystery.”
Now read Ephesians 3:1 to 4: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).”
The dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles was God’s secret (mystery) until Christ in glory revealed it to the apostle Paul. After that it was no longer a secret. It should not be a secret to any member of the Body of Christ. But every Christian should obey Ephesians 3:9 and make known what was for centuries God’s sacred secret “but is now made manifest to his saints.” (Colossians 1:26).
To Israel the Twelve were sent to preach the kingdom of heaven at hand, to heal and raise the dead. (Matthew 10:6 to 8).
The dispensation of grace was not revealed to Paul until after Peter had used the keys of the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 16:16 to 19), not until Israel fell (Romans 11:11), not until the kingdom proclaimed by the Twelve was postponed. (Compare Acts 3:24 with Colossians 1:26).
During this parenthetical, unprophesied “grace” period God is building the Body of Christ and not building again the tabernacle of David, (Ephesians 4:9 to 13 - Acts 15:13 to 18). This tabernacle will again be built, but not during this economy.
Members of the Body of Christ are expected to preach now the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24). They are not cleansing lepers, casting out demons, and raising the dead, and they are certainly going to Gentiles, all of which is a radical change from Matthew 10:5 to 8.
In the days of the flood Noah “found grace” in the sight of God. God’s grace has always been manifested to sinners, even under the law. But there is a great difference between grace in a former dispensation and the present dispensation of grace.
No servant of the Lord, while Christ was on earth, or up to the thirteenth chapter of Acts, until after Paul’s message to Israel in Acts 13:46, could have preached with Divine authority Titus 2:11 to 14: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God our Saviour Jesus Christ: Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” The grace of God for all men is so different from the kingdom of heaven at hand for the Jews. Compare the message of Matthew 10:6 and 7 with the wonderful gospel of Romans 10:4 to 10 and you should understand and appreciate the dispensational change.

 

What is the Gospel?

Believing Christ died, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  1. Corinthians 15:1-4

Also Read
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
Recovery Of Truth - O'Hair - YouTube

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SOME “WHY’S” IN THE BOOK OF ACTS Pastor J. C. O’Hair

SOME “WHY’S” IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

  Why is not the name of Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus, mentioned in Acts or in the Bible after the Holy Spirit descended from heaven on the day of Pentecost?
Why did Peter say, some years after Christ told Peter and his fellow-apostles to disciple all nations (Matthew 28:19 and 20), that it was unlawful to come unto the Gentiles? (Acts 10:28).
Why was it necessary, after the death of Christ, to choose Matthias to take the place of Judas, so that there would continue to be twelve apostles? (Acts 1:21 to 26).
Why did twelve apostles stand up on the day of Pentecost with God’s message concerning all the house of Israel? (Acts 2:14 and 2:36).
Why was it necessary for the twelve apostles to wait several years for Holy Spirit baptism, whereas three thousand, on the day of Pentecost, waited only a few moments? (Acts 1:5 and Acts 2:41).
Why did the Holy Spirit lead the disciples of the Lord Jesus, in Acts 2:44 and 45 and 4:34 and 35, to sell their real estate and earthly possessions and give the money to the apostles?
Why did the Jews, on the day of Pentecost, and the Jews of Samaria receive Holy Spirit baptism after water baptism, and Cornelius and his household received Holy Spirit baptism before water baptism? (Acts 2:38 - Acts 8:5 to 15 - Acts 10:44 to 48).
Why did the other eleven apostles condemn Peter for preaching to Cornelius some seven years after Christ said “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”? (Acts 11:1 to 5 - Mark 16:14 to 16).
Why did the Holy Spirit lead Peter to address the murderers of Christ as “children” in Acts 3:25 (Acts 3:12 to 15) when Christ called them “serpents and vipers” in Matthew 23:33?
Why did Peter say that God raised Christ from the dead to be Israel’s Saviour (Acts 5:31 and 32) after Christ said to Israel “your house is left unto you desolate”? (Matthew 23:38). Also why did Peter say to Israel “unto you first”? (Acts 3:26).
Why was no apostle chosen to succeed James when he died, to keep the number “twelve,” as in the case of Judas and Matthias? (Acts 12:1 to 3 - Acts 1:26).
Why is there no mention of the activities of the eleven apostles in the Book of Acts after the death of James, except as they had dealings with the apostle Paul?
Why, if the twelve apostles were told, in Matthew 28:19 and 20 and Mark 16:14 to 18, to go all over the world and preach the gospel of grace to Gentiles, were they still in Jerusalem in Acts 15:1 to 19?
Why did Paul call himself “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13) when Peter said that the Lord chose that by his (Peter’s) mouth the Gentiles should hear the gospel? (Acts 15:7).
If James and Peter, in Acts 15:13 to 18, said that God’s program in this age of grace is to visit Gentiles, why did they say they would go to the Jews? (Galatians 2:9).
Why did Paul, 25 years after Christ died on the cross to abolish the old testament (Hebrews 8:9 to 13), call Israel’s high priest the servant of God and apologize to him? (Acts 23:1 to 5).
Why did Paul, outside of Israel’s land, wait until Israel had the first chance at the gospel, before he said, “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles?” (Acts 13:45 and 46 - Acts 8:5 and 6 - Romans 11:11 - Romans 11:30).
Why did Paul contend for no circumcision in Acts 15:1 to 19 and then circumcise Timothy in Acts 16:3?
Why did the Book of Acts, written by Luke, close suddenly several years before Paul and Luke died (II Timothy 4:6 to 11); before Paul ceased to act?
Why did Paul cure many people with handkerchiefs and aprons in Acts 19:11 to 13 and then later on write a faithful saint to take wine for his sickness? (I Timothy 5:23).
Why did Paul say in Acts 28:20 that he was a prisoner for “the hope of Israel” and then in Ephesians 3:1 to 6 and Colossians 4:3 and 4 that he was the prisoner for the dispensation of grace, the mystery of Christ for Gentiles?

What is the Gospel?

Believing Christ died, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  1. Corinthians 15:1-4

Also Read

THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair

Recovery Of Truth - O'Hair - YouTube

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Bible: King James Version

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THE HEADS IN THE BIBLE Pastor J. C. O’Hair

THE HEADS IN THE BIBLE 

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

It is most interesting to compare Genesis 1:27 and 28, and Genesis 9:1 and 2, which we quote: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” “Be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish, the fowl and every living thing.” “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air.”
Let us read and compare Psalm 8:4 to 8 with the wonderful truth of Hebrews 2:6 to 9. Note the last sentence in Hebrews 2:8 and 9: “But now we see not yet all things put under Him. But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
We shall learn that what was lost in the first Adam shall be restored in the last Adam. Read I Corinthians 15:20 to 26.
God said in so many words, to Adam; “I want you to be My head on earth.” But Satan came on the scene and put God’s first man under his feet. Then God promised the Redeemer, the Second Man, Who would put Satan under His feet. Christ will surely do this. (Genesis 3:14 and 15).
Satan became the prince of the world. Note Luke 4:5 to 7: “And the devil, taking Him (Christ) up into a high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee.”
The people on earth from Adam to Noah continued to grow worse and worse until God said, “the end of all flesh is come,” and He had Noah prepare the ark in which his righteous family was saved.
Over the renovated earth God placed Noah, establishing human government. (Genesis 9:1 to 7). But Noah sinned and Ham sinned (Genesis 9:20 to 22); And then all of the human race sinned at the tower of Babel, and God destroyed their buildings and their religion and scattered them abroad on the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:9). Then God gave them up; and they went in to universal idolatry, adultery and unmentionable sins. (Romans 1:21 to 32).
Out of the wreck God chose a man as good as dead - Abram. Note Hebrews 11:12: “Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude.” God promised a great nation out of Abraham. (Genesis 12:2). Israel came from Abraham. Jehovah said to the nation that came from Abraham: “The Lord shall make thee THE HEAD, and not the tail; and thou shalt BE ABOVE ONLY, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.” If not, what? “He shall be THE HEAD, and thou shalt be THE TAIL.” (Deuteronomy 28:13 and 28:44).
It was certainly “Heads” and “Tails” with Israel. Up and down. “The Lord removed Israel out of His sight. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.” “And the Lord said, I will remove Judah also out of My sight, as I have removed Israel.” (II Kings 17:23 and II Kings 23:27).
Away to Babylon went Judah, and “the times of the Gentiles” politically, began. Then God’s message to Nebuchadnezzar was delivered by Daniel. “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art THIS HEAD of gold. (Daniel 2:37 to 40).
According to Daniel 2:34 to 45, a Stone will be let down from the heaven and fill the whole earth.
That Stone is Christ, now in heaven Head over all things to the Church. (Ephesians 1:23). He is the coming Prince of Peace and will be the only Ideal Head. (Revelation 19:11 to 21 - II Thessalonians 2:1 to 12 - Isaiah 9:6 and 7 - Matthew 25:31 to 41 - I Corinthians 15).

What is the Gospel?

Believing Christ died, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  1. Corinthians 15:1-4

Also Read
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
Recovery Of Truth - O'Hair - YouTube

FREE ON LINE  CONCORDANCE

IT’S  SO SIMPLE  TO USE

Bible: King James Version

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/

Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com

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GLEANINGS FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS Pastor J. C. O’Hair

 
GLEANINGS FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS  

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

The Book of Acts covers a period of about 30 years, beginning with the acts of Peter and the Eleven at Jerusalem and closing with the acts of Paul in Rome some 1500 miles from Jerusalem. About the time Paul left Ephesus to go to Jerusalem, and from there to Rome, he wrote: “So that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (“not where Christ was named”) - (Romans 15:19 and 20).
Peter and the Eleven could not have said this; for in the Book of Acts we find no mention of their spiritual activities or missionary journeys outside of Israel’s land. Several of Paul’s missionary journeys are recorded. Peter and the Eleven had their headquarters at Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1 - Acts 15:1 to 10 - Galatians 1:19 and 2:1 to 9).
Paul’s headquarters for some years were at Antioch of Syria, outside of Israel’s land. Then Paul spent 18 months at Corinth (Acts 18:11). Then Paul held meetings in the school of Tyrannus in Ephesus: “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:10). Paul was in Ephesus more than two years: “Therefore, watch and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one day and night with tears.” (Acts 20:31).
In Acts 2:1 we read “when the day of Pentecost was fully come.” Then some 20 years later Paul hasted “if it were possible for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.” (Acts 20:16). So during the ‘Acts’ period there were about 30 Pentecosts; one each year. There can be no Pentecost without Jerusalem or the nation Israel. Pentecost was one of Jehovah’s feasts for Israel, fifty days after Passover and Firstfruits. (Leviticus 23:15 and 16). Christ is our Passover; and on the third day He became the Firstfruits of them that slept. (I Corinthians 5:7 and I Corinthians 15:29).
In the Book of Acts the word “Israel” is used 21 times, the word “Jew” (Jews) 81 times, whereas the word “Christian” is used twice. (Acts 11:26 and 26:28). One other time the word “Christian” is found in the Bible. (I Peter 4:16).
In Acts “Jerusalem” is mentioned 60 times. The one hundred and twenty tarried at Jerusalem for the advent of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to Luke 24:49 - Acts 1:5 and 8. Read Acts 1:12 to 15.
Peter, with the Eleven, first used the keys of the kingdom of heaven in Jerusalem, addressing “devout Jews out of every nation under heaven”; “all the house of Israel.” (Acts 2:5 - Acts 2:36 - Matthew 16:18 to 20). The Twelve filled Jerusalem with their doctrine (Christ). (Acts 5:28). The apostles were put in the common prison in Jerusalem for preaching Christ. (Acts 5:18). The angry Jews, including Saul of Tarsus, stoned Stephen to death in Jerusalem. (Acts 7:59 to Acts 8:3).
Shortly after this, Saul met the risen Christ near Damascus, where he was born out of due time, to be a pattern, being the only unsaved person on earth who saw Christ after His resurrection. (Acts 9:1 to 15 - I Corinthians 15:6 to 10 - I Timothy 1:12 and I Timothy 1:16). Paul was in the temple in Jerusalem in a trance when Christ appeared to him to order him out of Jerusalem; “far hence unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:17 to 21). The all-important council as to whether Christian Gentiles were to be circumcised and put under the law was held at Jerusalem. (Acts 15:1 to 19). The decision was, one order for believing Jews - another order for believing Gentiles. (Acts 21:23 to 25 - Acts 15:16 to 24 - I Corinthians 9:20 to 25).
The first miracle of Peter in Acts was to heal a Jew and send him into the Jerusalem temple, leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:1 to 11). Then Peter said to Israel: “to you first.” (Acts 3:26).
The Lord, by Peter, presented a new kingdom proposition to Israel, because of Christ’s prayer on the cross. (Luke 23:34 - Acts 3).
The first miracle of Paul, in Acts, was to pronounce a judgment on a Jew and send him out in darkness. (Acts 13:11). Then Paul said to Israel, “it was first to you,” but now “we turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46 - Acts 28:28).

What is the Gospel?

Believing Christ died, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  1. Corinthians 15:1-4

Also Read
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
Recovery Of Truth - O'Hair - YouTube

FREE ON LINE  CONCORDANCE

IT’S  SO SIMPLE  TO USE

Bible: King James Version

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/

Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com

Share this BIBLE MESSAGE with a friend