LLM Question of the Day for 8-31-2011, and, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 3 of 10

First the Question: Was the Roman centurion, of Luke 7:1-9, the only GENTILE man to received a blessing from Christ while on earth?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-29-2011

Question: Not ONE of Israel's prophets knew, spoke, or wrote, concerning the “One New Man” of Eph. 2:15. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Not ONE of Israel's prophets knew, spoke, or wrote concerning the “One New Man” of Ephesians 2:15, or the present Age of Grace, the Reign of Grace, that is, God's eternal purpose in Christ (Ephesians 3:11), or concerning the joint-Body (the Sussoma) of Ephesians 3:6. Colossians 1:24-27. Wow, on this question, out of the 679 responses we received, only 42.6% of you got it right! We have a LOT of work to do on this topic. Therefore,

Today let us consider, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 3 of 10

It was wonderful to hear from so many of you about how much you all enjoyed and were edified by part one, and part two of “Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study”. Now, before we move along to part three and the next 10 Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, I want to point out once again that it is super important for you all to become fully aware that the messages from the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation FIVE different groups or classes of people are addressed.

And here they are again:

1) To unsaved Israelites who were under the Law.

2) To saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ.

3) To unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and not under the Law.

4) To carnal saints and babes who were members of the Body of Christ.

5) To those who were of full age, called “the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

For an in-depth explanation of these five different groups I urge you to read “Super bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1”. Keep these five different groups in mind, and you will derive both blessing and benefit as you carefully study this second set of 10 Super-Facts, (we added 2 BONUS Facts for this message, SURPRISE).

Ok, here we go:

1) The “Law” Dispensation was both parenthetical and TEMPORARY. Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 8:7-13. The Law, which was contrary to man, was nailed to the cross. Colossians 2:14.

2) In the first eleven chapters of Genesis we have the record from creation to the call of Abram, about 2100 years. Israel was Abraham's grandson. About 70 souls out of the loins of Jacob (Israel) went to Egypt about 1900 B.C. More than one million Israelites came out of Egypt about 1500 B.C. Exodus 1:5, and Exodus 12:37.

3) The period from the sin of Adam to the time God made the Sinai Covenant with Israel, is called, “from Adam to Moses,” “when there is NO law.” Romans 5:12-14. Remember also, that there were no Israelites before the flood. Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Shem, and Eber were not Israelites. But the Israelites were “Eberites,” and “Shemites.” The Jews are still called the “Semitic” people.

4) From Genesis 12:1 to Malachi 4:6, there are 926 chapters. With the probable exception of Job, and some of Proverbs, they all deal with the one Nation Israel. The other nations spoke of are only those nations that have dealings WITH Israel. All of the 39 Books, from Genesis to Malachi, were written by Jews. Read Romans 3:1, and Romans 9:4-6. If Luke was a Jew, then the 27 Books of the New Testament were written by Jews.

5) “The times of the Gentiles” politically, or governmentally, began about 600 B.C. (Jeremiah 50-52.). “The times of the Gentiles” spiritually, began when God sent temporary blindness upon Israel and the Risen LORD Jesus Christ sent the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles with the Ministry of Reconciliation.

6) The Spirit of Christ was in the Old Testament prophets and testified beforehand the sufferings of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11. In Genesis 3:14-16, BEFORE the Old Testament existed, Christ was to be the Seed of the woman; in Malachi 3, “the LORD Whom ye seek.” In Isaiah 7:14, Christ was to be the LORD AND the Seed of the woman. Fascinating stuff!

7) All of the prophets “SINCE the world began” spoke of the restitution of all things (the millennium or the coming kingdom age). Acts 3:21, and Acts 3:24. When that time arrives the twelve apostles will be sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28. Note the words of the LORD Jesus Christ in Mark 1:14-15 and Matthew 4:17, why the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand.

8) The prophets foretold that Christ would be the Stone rejected by the builders. Matthew 21:42. Luke 20:17. Psalm 118:22. David wrote that Christ would be raised from the dead to sit on David's throne. Acts 2:27-32. Now, carefully note the prophecy of Amos in 9:11-15. Christ, here, is to build again the tabernacle of David, and save Israelites and Gentiles. This is the program of Acts 15:13-18.

9) The Old Testament Prophets foretold the resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:4. Psalm 16:8-10. They foretold the time of Jacob's trouble, Israel's “tribulation.” Jeremiah 30:7. Luke 21:11. They prophesied “the tree” (Calvary), “the tribulation”, “the throne”, and “Gentile salvation.” In Abraham's seed all nations would be blessed. Note what these Scriptures foresaw when Abram was justified. Galatians 3:8.

10) The Old Testament Prophets prophesied that Christ would be a King on David's throne. Isaiah 9:6-7. Psalm 24. Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 34:28-31, and Ezekiel 37:24. HOWEVER, the Old Testament Prophets never ONCE prophesied that Yahweh Yahuwshua, The LORD Jesus Christ, would be the Head of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 1:19-23. Believing Jews and believing Gentiles joined, without distinction, in the one Body of Ephesians 4:4-5 of which Christ is the Head was truth NOT known and NOT prophesied by Israel's prophets.

And TWO BONUS SUPER BIBLE FACTS!

11) When the Old Testament Prophets foretold the salvation of Gentiles, many times it was concerning their salvation IN THE KINGDOM, in SUBJECTION to Israel, but NEVER concerning God's eternal purpose in Christ, as revealed in 2 Timothy 1:9-11 and Ephesians 3:8-11. The Apostle Paul preached to Gentiles many Divine truths about which Israel's prophets wrote and spoke, but he ALSO preached among them the unsearchable (unprophesied) riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8. Read carefully 2 Timothy 1:9-11 and compare with the Apostle Peter's message to Cornelius in Acts 10:34-38.

12) Not ONE of Israel's prophets knew, spoke, or wrote concerning the “One New Man” of Ephesians 2:15, or the present Age of Grace, the Reign of Grace, that is, God's eternal purpose in Christ (Ephesians 3:11), or concerning the joint-Body (the Sussoma) of Ephesians 3:6. Colossians 1:24-27. This was the “Mystery” revealed to the Apostle Paul by the Risen Christ. Ephesians 6:19-20; Ephesians 3:9, and Ephesians 5:32. In Ephesians 3:6 the word “Body” is, in the Greek, “Sussoma” meaning “joint-Body”. (Make note, make a BIG NOTE, that when you read in the Apostle Paul's Epistles of “The Mystery,” or “The Secret,” that this truth was withheld from all servants of the LORD until it was revealed by the Risen Christ to the Apostle Paul.)

Here is a thought to keep with you: A love for religion, ritualism, or sectarianism, will keep a saint carnal just as much as a love of the world!

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

LLM Question of the Day for 8-29-2011, and, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 2 of 10

First the Question: Not ONE of Israel's prophets knew, spoke, or wrote, concerning the “One New Man” of Eph. 2:15. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-26-2011

Question: God cast away the Gentiles, right about the time Abram was called out. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! On this question, WOW, out of the 632 responses we received only 51.9% of you got it right! We have work to do on this topic. Therefore,

Today let us consider, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 2 of 10

Once again the purpose of these articles is to put together for members of the Lion and Lamb Ministry, and whoever may happen to read this, “Super-Facts” to help you in your Bible Study. As stated in Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1, I want to reiterate here, that you all become fully aware that the messages from the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation FIVE different groups or classes of people are addressed.

Once again, here they are:

1) To unsaved Israelites who were under the Law.

2) To saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ.

3) To unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and not under the Law.

4) To carnal saints and babes who were members of the Body of Christ.

5) To those who were of full age, called “the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

For an in-depth explanation of these five different groups I urge you to read “Super bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1”.

Now I believe if you will keep these five different groups in mind, you will derive both blessing and benefit by carefully studying this first set of 10 “Super-Facts.

Ok, here we go:

1) There is not one line concerning the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis. The Testament (Covenant), made OLD by the death of Yahweh Yahuwshua, The LORD Jesus Christ, was established about 2500 years after Adam left the garden of Eden. Hebrews 8:9-13. Exodus 20. Romans 5:20. Galatians 3:19. There is no reference to that Covenant in Genesis.

2) Abram (Abraham) was not a Jew. God called “Abram” in uncircumcision when he was 75 years old. Genesis 12:1-15. He was circumcised and became “Abra­ham” 24 years later. Romans 4:8-12. Genesis 17:6-16. The gospel was preached to uncircumcised Abram 430 years before the Law was given at Sinai. Galatians 3:8-17. Therefore, Abraham did not live under the reign of, or Dispensation of Law.

3) The word “Jew” is found for the first time in Esther 2:5, about 470 B.C., or centuries after Abraham was circumcised. “Jews” is found the first time in 2 Kings 16:6, about 624 B.C. The word “Jew” is found about 300 times in the Bible; the word “Christian”, 3 times. The Jews are called “Judah” or “Juda” about 812 times in the Bible.

4) When the word “Jew” or “Jews” is used in the New Testament Scriptures, it generally refers to Jews by religion, and the leadership, rather than to the descendants of Judah. John 2:13; John 7:11; John 11:55; John 19:42, and Galatians 2:14.

5) In Esther 8:17 is recorded the fact that Persian Gentiles became “Jews”. This, of course, refers to religion and not to race. The Gentiles thus were known as “proselytes.” The males were circumcised. Some of the devout Jews from every nation under heaven on the day of Pentecost were proselytes. Acts 2:5-10.

6) Abram was declared righteous 430 years before The LORD made the Covenant (now Old) with Israel. Galatians 3:16-19. Abram, in uncircumcision, believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6. Galatians 3:6. Romans 4:3. James declared that Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac. James 2:21. HOWEVER, that was YEARS after he was justified by Faith.

7) Abraham was not an Old Testament saint. Neither was his son Isaac, nor his grandson Jacob (Israel), nor any of the twelve sons of Israel, including Levi, Judah and Joseph. None of these were Jews by religion, although circumcised.

8) The Book of Romans (especially Romans 1) tells how God cast away the Gentiles, right about the time Abram was called out. Romans 11 relates how Israel was cast away right about the time that the Apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles. The temporary casting away of Israel brought reconciliation for Gentiles and the Reign of Grace for the human race. This was AFTER Acts 13.

9) Nothing is said about the SAB­BATH during the 2500 years between Genesis 2:2 and Exodus 16:23. God gave no SABBATH to Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. Not one of these fathers was under the Law. Abram found rest in a Person, NOT in a day. Abram had the Faith in God but no God given religion. He was circumcised 24 years after he was justified by The Faith.

10) The LAW was added 430 years after God preached the Gospel of Grace to Abram, till Christ fulfilled and abolished the Law. Galatians 3:17-19. 2 Corinthians 3:11-13. The LAW entered 2500 years after sin entered the world by Adam. Romans 5:20 and Romans 5:12. Therefore the “Law” Dispensation was both parenthetical and temporary. Galatians 3:19. Hebrews 8:7-13. The Law, which was contrary to man, was nailed to the cross. Colossians 2:14.

More Super Bible Facts coming!

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

The Bride of Christ as compared to The Mystery, The Body of Christ

We at the Lion and Lamb Ministry firmly believe that The Bride of Christ and The Mystery, the Body of Christ, belong to different operations in the overall plan of God. Both are formed by Christ, and both are based on the redemptive work of Christ, but there are many differences, leading to the conclusion that they are in fact completely different.

They have different beginnings, different Apostles, different Gospels, there is numerous scripture that pertains to each separately, they each have different members, they each have different governing's, and they have different prophesies to them. What many fail to realize is this: because Israel, the first nation, nation #1, stubbornly rejected Christ the Messiah, God finally set her aside (albeit temporarily never ever forget that!) as a nation, as we read in Acts 28:28, and, in unmatched incomprehensible mercy and love, interrupted the prophetic program, to which it is written, “none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8), ushering in the present parenthetical Dispensation of Grace, the Dispensation of the Mystery, through the Apostle Paul, who had been our LORD's enemy, but was now the appointed herald of His infinite Grace. Isn’t that AMAZING! So let’s start the comparison

THE BEGINNINGS

Under The Bride of Christ Church, there was the continuation of the Old Testament operations; still existing at Pentecost

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church which began with the salvation and commissioning of Saul/Paul

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Believers were added to The Bride of Christ Church as we are told in Acts 2:41

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church which had its “birth announcement” in Acts 13:2

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Peter proclaimed the “last days” NOT the first days in Acts 2:17

as compared to

Paul who declares, “that in me FIRST Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” For example, Paul was the prototype, the first member of that, which is the Body of Christ. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

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Peter offered the Kingdom to Israel based on the promise given through the mouths of the prophets (Acts 3:18-19)

as compared to

Paul is described AS the pattern or example for other believers to imitate (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

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THE APOSTLES

The Bride of Christ Church has Twelve Apostles for twelve tribes

as compared to

One Apostle for one Body of Christ

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The Apostles of The Bride of Christ Church are to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30)

as compared to

The Apostle of the Body of Christ Church who was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Acts 22:21; Acts 26:17; Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1-8; Galatians 2:9)

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There had to be twelve apostles (of The Bride) to offer the Kingdom, hence Matthias was chosen as the twelfth and approved and recognized by Holy Spirit (Acts 1:16-26; Acts 2:4; Acts 6:2)

as compared to

The Apostle Paul of The Body of Christ Church, who was appointed by the LORD on the road to Damascus, indicates he was separate from the Twelve (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)

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The Twelve Apostles of The Bride of Christ Church, under Christ’s direct instruction, preached to only Jews and proselytes during Gospels and early Acts period (Matthew 10:5-6; Acts 2:10-36; Galatians 2:9)

as compared to

The Body of Christ’s Apostle Paul whose Acts-period ministry was to Jews first, then to Gentiles (Romans 1:16)

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The Bride’s Apostle Peter was sent to one Gentile (Cornelius) by special one-time commission over objections (Acts 10-11)

as compared to

The Body of Christ’s Apostle Paul’s post-Acts ministry was to all without priority (Acts 28:28; Ephesians 2:11-22)

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The Twelve Apostles of The Bride sent specifically to baptize (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16)

as compared to

The Body of Christ’s Apostle Paul was NOT sent to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17 and therefore under a different commission)

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The Bride of Christ Church is under the commission of Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 21; and Acts 1

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church is under the commission of 2 Cor. 5:1-21

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THE GOSPELS

The Bride of Christ Church has the Gospel of the Kingdom, the covenant of 2 Sam. 7:10-17 (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 24:14)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church has the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24)

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The Bride of Christ has the Gospel of the circumcision (covenant with Abraham) committed to the Twelve Apostles (Galatians 2:7)

as compared to

The Body of Christ has the Gospel of the Uncircumcision (which relates to Abram) and committed to Paul (Galatians 2:7) So we can see Paul’s “my gospel” (as distinct from that of the Twelve’s) according to the Revelation of The Mystery, kept secret, but, now revealed (Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 2:18)

*************************************************

THE SCRIPTURES

Non-Pauline writings directed to the Bride of Christ Church never mention the Body of Christ Church, and are most explicitly addressed to Israel

as compared to

The Pauline writings are directed to the Body of Christ Church and are the only ones that mention the Body of Christ.

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To the Bride of Christ Church, Christ is spoken of as Lamb of God (John 1:29, 1:36; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6); Christ as Son of Man (Mark 8:31; Luke 12:10; Acts 7:56); Christ as Son of David (Matthew 21:9; Mark 10:47; Revelation 22:16)

as compared to

The Scripture to the Body of Christ Church, Christ is spoken of as the Head of the Body (Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Paul never describes Christ as a lamb, which would be nonsense to non Jews. Paul DOES mention Christ as David’s descendant, but only as a fact, NOT as a title

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The Bride of Christ as the subject of prophecy (Acts 2:16; Acts 3:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21); The LORD Jesus Christ (during His time on earth) was a minister of circumcision and confirming promises to Abraham (Romans 15:8)

as compared to

The Body of Christ was NOT the subject of prophecy but kept secret, hidden in God, not known (Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 3:1-10)

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To the Bride of Christ Church, the Cross (tree) was the object of guilt (Acts 2:23-36; Acts 5:28)

as compared to

To the Body of Christ Church, the Cross is the object of glory (Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:18)

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The Bride of Christ Church is Under the Law of Moses (Matthew 23:1-3; Acts 15:5-6, Acts 15:10; Acts 21:20-24)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church which is Dead to the Law of Moses, and therefore not under it (Romans 3:21; Romans 6:14; Romans 7:6; Galatians 3)

***************************************************

The Bride of Christ requires atonement for (covering of) sins (Leviticus 1:4; Numbers 31:50)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church requires reconciliation with God (Romans 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Colossians 1:20-22)

*************************************************

The Bride of Christ Church has Justification by Faith plus works (James 2:24)

as compared to

The Body of Christ has Justification by Faith APART from works (Romans 3:28)

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The Bride of Christ Church has NO sealing with Holy Spirit

as compared to

The Body of Christ which is Sealed with Holy Spirit (The LORD’s earnest payment) (2 Cor. 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14)

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The Bride of Christ Church has No indwelling by Holy Spirit, filled…but no indwelling

as compared to

The Body of Christ is Indwelt by Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14)

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The Bride of Christ Church has No new nature

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church HAS a New nature (or a new man) (2 Cor. 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:15; Colossians 3:10)

****************************************************

THE MEMBERS

The Bride of Christ contained Jews and proselytes with virtually no Gentiles, actually the Bride of Christ Church consisted of only Jews before Paul’s salvation

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church consists of Jew and Gentiles equal. Without Distinction!

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The Bride of Christ Church, the Kingdom Church under the Twelve Apostles remained Jewish throughout Acts period (Acts 21:20)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church which under the Apostle Paul consisted of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 21:21-25; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24)

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The Bride of Christ Church is comprised of Israel, God’s chosen nation, the head of nations (Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Zechariah 8:23; Acts 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church where there is No difference between Jew and Gentile. In fact there is no such thing as Jew or Gentile in the Body of Christ Church (1 Corinthians 10:32; Ephesians 2:11-16; Ephesians 3:6)

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THE GOVERNINGS

To the Bride of Christ Church the Gospel of Kingdom and Law of Moses Govern

as compared to

To the Body of Christ Church Grace Alone Governs

******************************************************

To the Bride of Christ Church Ordinances are required (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:1-10)

as compared to

To the Body of Christ Church there are NO ordinances required or are they acceptable (Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; Colossians 2:20-23; Titus 3:5)

*****************************************************

To the Bride of Christ Church there are Multiple baptisms (and some with physical elements)

1)Baptized by man with water (Mark 1:4; John 1:26; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:38; Acts 10:47-48)

2)Baptized by Christ with Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; Acts 2:16-17; Acts 11:16)

3)Various baptisms of Mosaic Law (Hebrews 9:10)

as compared to

The Body of Christ’s ONE baptism (Ephesians 4:6)

Baptized by Holy Spirit into Christ (This the work of the Holy Spirit only. There are no physical elements involved) (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)

********************************************************

In the Bride of Christ Church signs, gifts, and physical miracles abound (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 2:4-18; Acts 3:6-16; Acts 8:5-7; Acts 10:9-17; Acts 12:5-11, Acts 12:23)

as compared to

In the Body of Christ Church the sign gifts were directed at Israel (1 Corinthians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 14:21-22). After judgment was pronounced on Israel (Acts 28:28), the signs and gifts were no longer a necessity (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). No recorded signs or physical miracles after the close of The Book of Acts. Take note at the absence of the signs or miracles in Phil. 2:25-28; 1 Timothy 5:23; and then in 2 Timothy 4:20.

****************************************************

The Bride of Christ Church had communal living, all things common (Acts 4:32-35)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church where each was working and providing for his own household (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10; and 1 Timothy 5:8)

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The Bride of Christ Church was to forgive others in order to be forgiven (Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25-26; and Luke 6:37)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church which forgive others because you have already been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13)

**************************************************

For the Bride of Christ Church whatever man asks of God is granted (Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 18:19; and John 14:13-14)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church where God does far beyond what man asks or thinks (Eph. 3:20)

*************************************************

THE PROPHESIES

For the Bride of Christ Church, Christ comes to earth a second time (Acts 1:11; Malachi 3:1; and Zechariah 14:4)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church where Christ raptures or Harpazos (snatches, lifts up) His Body to meet The LORD in the AIR (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

**************************************************

For the time of the LORD’s return for the Bride of Christ Church there are prophesied fulfilling promises to Israel (Acts 3:19-21; Zechariah 14:1-21; Daniel 9:25-27; Isaiah 59:20-21; and Romans 11:26-27).

as compared to

The LORD’s return for the Body of Christ Church which is kept secret (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

************************************************

The Promises to Israel, and the Bride of Christ Church involve the earth and the land (Genesis 17:8; Genesis 28:13; Genesis 35:12; Exodus 6:4-8; Leviticus 26:42-45; Judges 2:1; Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 32:40-41; Ezekiel 47:1 thru Ezekiel 48:29; Matthew 5:5)

as compared to

The Promises to the Body of Christ Church which involve the Heavenlies (with NO earthly inheritance) (Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:17)

***************************************************

Abraham, and therefore the Bride of Christ Church, looked for a City, for example The New Jerusalem (Hebrews 11:10; Ezekiel 48:30-35; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:10-27)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church looks for the appearing of the LORD Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)

************************************************

For the Bride of Christ Church the Second Coming (Day of the Lord) is preceded by specific signs (Matthew 24:4-42; and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

as compared to

The Body of Christ which looks for NO specific signs to precede the rapture, only general trends (1 Timothy 4:1-3 for example)

************************************************

For the Bride of Christ Church at the Second Coming (as it was in Noah’s time where the unbelievers and Nephilim were taken away and Noah remained), unbelievers will be taken away, and the believers will remain on earth (Matthew 24:37-41)

as compared to

The Body of Christ where at the Rapture, all believers will be taken UP, and the unbelievers will remain on earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

**************************************************

There will be, for the Bride of Christ Church, the Restoration of the Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6; 3:19-21). The LORD Jesus Christ will rule from David’s throne (2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30-31), and the Jews to have priority (Isaiah 60:3; Zechariah 8:23)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church where there is NO indication of Israelite priority or character of any kind. Both Jew and Gentile are combined, without distinction, baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.

*************************************************

The Bride of Christ Church is to go through Great Tribulation, The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Jeremiah 30:4-11; Joel 2:31; Matthew 24:4-42; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 1:1-21)

as compared to

The Body of Christ Church which will not go through the Great Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 2:16; and 1 Thessalonians 5:9)

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The Bride of Christ, the Lamb’s wife, is to come from Israel (Rev. 19:7-9)

as compared to

The Body of Christ which is already part of the Groom, and therefore cannot be the future Bride

********************************************************

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day for 8-26-2011, and, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1 of 10

First the Question: God cast away the Gentiles, right about the time Abram was called out. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-24-2011

Question: From the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation, there are FIVE different groups or classes of people that are addressed. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! On this question, out of the 655 responses we received 81.3% of you got it right! Therefore,

Today let us consider, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1 of 10

As we take a short break from our 12 part series, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, I wanted to put together for members of LLM, and whoever may happen to read this, what I believe are Super-Facts to help you in your Bible Study.

Now, before we can present the first in this series on Super-Facts, you all must become fully aware and learn of this very important fact…The Fact that from the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation FIVE different groups or classes of people are addressed.

Here they are:

1) To unsaved Israelites who were under the Law.

2) To saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ.

3) To unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Com­monwealth of Israel, and not under the Law.

4) To carnal saints and babes who were members of the Body of Christ.

5) To those who were of full age, called “the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

The words of the Lord Jesus, in Matthew 15:24 and Matthew 10:5-8, should be self explanatory. Christ definitely declared that He Himself was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, and instructed the twelve apostles, just as definitely, to go NOT in the way of the Gentiles; but rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

The LORD Jesus Christ, was sent to Israel with a two-fold message; that is, to present “the Kingdom of Heaven” to the Nation with its rulers, and to offer salvation to individual Israelites.

In Matthew 8:12, Christ called the Israelites, both saved AND unsaved, “the children of the kingdom.” In John 8:37 He said to the unsaved Israelites, “ye are the seed of Abraham.” In Acts 3:25 Peter addressed the unsaved Israelites as “the children of the covenant.” In Luke 1:16 and Luke 1:80 we read that John the Baptist appeared to Israel. In John 1:31 we read that John the Baptist baptized with water THAT Christ might be made manifest to Israel, (NOW you know why baptism was introduced, but this has NOTHING to do with the Body of Christ). In Acts 11:1-8 we learn that some of the twelve apostles contended with Peter be­cause he preached to an uncircumcised Gentile, about seven years after Christ died. From all of this and many other Scriptures, we should know the significance of the statement, in Romans 15:8, that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision, and should know that, from Matthew 1:1 to Acts 11:18, God's order was “to the Jew only.” However, in Acts 11:18 we read that God did something for the Gentiles.

Some of the messages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts, were addressed to unsaved Israelites, or Jews, and some of them were addressed to saved Israelites or Jews. Surely we must consider this if we would intelligently interpret and apply these Scrip­tures, right? For, if we don’t we will just continue in the confusion that has resulted in all of the denominations of today.

In Galatians 1:11-18 we learn that the Apostle Paul was chosen by the Risen Christ, by a special revelation from heaven, to preach the Grace of Christ to heathen. The Apostle Paul tells us of his call to go to the Gentiles, in Acts 22:17-21, and Romans 15:16. In many respects the Gospel of Grace message that Paul proclaimed to Gentiles, not under the Law, differed from the Gospel of the Kingdom messages that Christ and the Twelve proclaimed to saved and unsaved Israelites. Therefore, to preach many of the messages of Matthew, Mark, Luke and the first nine chapters of Acts to the Gentiles not under the law, is to pervert God's Gospel of Grace to Gentiles.

In applying the truth of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and the truth in the first nine chapters of Acts to Gentiles, whether saved or unsaved, we must keep in mind the particular group of people that is addressed in the Scriptures we are studying. Many messages which the LORD's servants proclaimed to backslidden Israel are not intended by God to be included in the salvation message of Christ for Gen­tiles, not under the Law. We should keep in mind the statements, concerning these Gentiles, in many different verses, for instance read the second chapter of Ephesians, as well as Ephesians 4:18. In these verses we learn that the Gentiles, to whom the Apostle Paul preached the Gospel of the Grace of God, were strangers from the covenants, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins.

Surely any preacher who preaches to such people, “bring forth meat for repentance,” the message which the LORD gave to John the Baptist for Israel, is out of the will of God. A dead man alienated from the life of God, could not bring forth fruit. But he could be made alive without doing anything. Ephesians 2:4-8. Romans 6:23.

Ok, so, so far we have dealt with the first three classes of people… unsaved Israelites who were under the Law, saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ, and unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and not under the Law. Now, here are the fourth and the fifth classes.

Group 4

1 Corinthians 3:2-3­

“I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to hear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

Group 5

Ephesians 1:1 and Ephesians 4:13-14­

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” And, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 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.”

These Scriptures should convince any student of the Bible that Paul would never have written to the carnal Corinthians what he wrote to the faithful saints in Ephesus. Let us note the last three verses of Hebrews 5, which we quote:

Hebrews 5:12-14

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Here in this portion of scripture we are told of the two classes, within the Body of Christ: members of the Body of Christ who could take only the milk of the Word, God's truth for babes; and those who were of full age who could understand the deep things or the meat of God's Word.

In 1 Peter 2:2 we learn that the new born babes should have the milk of the Word. Note this verse, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

Now, you must keep in mind at all times, the saints in Corinth were just as much saints as were the saints in Ephesus. The difference was, the saints at Corinth were carnal and unable to take the strong meat which we find in the Apostle Paul's messages to the Ephesians and Colossians. Of course the “full-age” saints will feed on the milk as well as on the meat. But strong meat belongeth to saints of full age and carnal saints must limit themselves to a milk diet.

A love for religion, ritualism, or sectarianism (denominations), will keep a saint carnal just as much as a love of the world. Read that sentence over and over again. The Corinthians were sectarians. The Ephe­sians and Colossians accepted the Divine Truth of Ephesians 4:3-6 concerning the One Body, the One Lord, and the ONE BAP­TISM.

Now I believe if you will keep these five different groups in mind, you will derive both blessing and benefit by carefully study­ing these Super-Facts. The first ten Super Facts are coming up shortly.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day for 8-24-2011, and, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 10 of 12

First the Question: From the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation, there are FIVE different groups or classes of people that are addressed. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-21-2011

Question: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Of COURSE!! We had a very large number of responses. Out of the 824 responses we received 100% of you got it right! Therefore,

Today let us consider, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 10 of 12

THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED

In the very first chapter of the Gospel of John, in John 1:10-11, we read that Christ was in the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. “He came unto His own (world) and His own (nation) received Him not.” This is confirmed in John 12:37-40, “But though He (Christ) had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not in Him: That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report?...Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He (God) hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”

With these statements concerning Israel’s unbelief and blindness, quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10, let us think of another prophecy concerning Israel’s rejection of their Messiah. We quote Psalm 118:19-24, “Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord. This gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The Stone Which the Builders rejected is become the Head of the Corner. This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.” The Lord Jesus quoted part of this in Matthew 21:42.

In Matthew 26:24 we have the words of the Lord Jesus, “the Son of man goeth, as it is written of Him.” Again we have His words in John 3:14, “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so ‘must’ the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:15). In Acts 4:25-29 we learn that the rulers of this world, who crucified the Lord of Glory (1 Corinthians 2:8), who killed the Prince of life (Acts 3:14-15), did none other things than God’s hand and God’s counsel determined before to be done.

It is both interesting and significant to observe that the truth of Matthew 21:42, recorded by Matthew near the end of Christ’s life on earth, concerning Israel’s Messiah being rejected by Israel, is recorded in the very first part of the first chapter of John even before one thing is said about the ministry of the Messiah, Who is introduced to Israel by John the Baptist as “The Lamb of God Who beareth away the sin of the world.” (John 1:11-12. and John 1:29). This may explain why in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, very much is said concerning the ministry and message of John the Baptist, but NONE of these three writers mentions that John called the Lord Jesus “The Lamb of God.”

Let’s consider the statement in John 1:11, that Christ came unto His own and His own received Him not, together with Acts 13:29, “when they (Israel) had fulfilled all that was written of Him they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a sepulcher”. “All that was written of Him”. In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, more than ninety times we read such expressions as, “that the Scriptures might be fulfilled,” “that the Word of the prophets might be fulfilled,” “as it is written” “it is written”…“all that prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25), “all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27-44).

When we say that Christ’s own received Him not and then read several times that many Jews believed on Him before His death and resurrection, and that thousands of His own received Him after His death and resurrection (Acts 2:41, and Acts 4:4, and Acts 5:14, and Acts 6:7, and Acts 9:42), we should know that John 1:11-13, like Romans 11:5-15, refers to something MORE than acceptance or rejection of Christ by individual Jews. John 1:11 should be studied with Acts 5:29-32 and Acts 13:46. And of course John 1:11 should be carefully and prayerfully studied with John 12:37-41, which should cause EVERY Christian to break forth with the Apostle Paul and say, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past‑tracing‑out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34).

Note in Acts 3:12-17 that God was willing to charge Israel’s great crime of slaying the Son of God to ignorance. This is explained in Matthew 12:32 and by the prayer of Christ on the cross for Israel (Luke 23:34). Hear this most important statement in Acts 3:18, “Those things which God before hath shown by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled.”

So as we read Christ’s statement in Matthew 26:24 and John 3:14 and this statement in John 12:27, “for this cause came I unto this hour,” let us think also of the statement in Acts 2:23, that God’s only Begotten Son was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.

The day on which the Lord Jesus Christ, Who knew no sin, was made sin, that believing sinners might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21), the day on which God spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all (Romans 8:32) thereby providing “so great salvation” (Hebrew 2:3), was “the day which the Lord hath made”…“we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:124).

Some years after the Lord Jesus appeared once and put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26), and, by the Grace of God, tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9), the Apostle Paul said to the Jews in their synagogue, “Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead: and this Jesus Whom I preach unto you is Christ (Messiah).” (Acts 17:3).

From what we have said we should better understand the words, “according to the Scriptures,” when we read in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 that the Gospel, by which believing sinners are saved, is the truth that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day. We are told in plain language, in Romans 4:23-25, that any sinner who believes God and receives Christ, believing that He (Christ) was delivered for our sins and raised again for our justification, will receive, by Faith….without works, the Divine, perfect, unimpeachable righteousness of the righteous God.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

LLM Question of the Day for 8-21-2011, and, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 9 of 12

First the Question: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-18-2011

Question: There is NOTHING of the LORD Jesus Christ’s work in Samaria, like the woman at the well, etc., recorded in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Out of the 624 responses we received 75% of you got it right! So there is still work to be done with the 25% that got this wrong. Therefore,

Today let us consider, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 9 of 12

CALL HIS NAME ‘JESUS’

In Matthew 1:1 our Savior is called ‘Jesus Christ’; in Matthew 1:17 He is called ‘Christ’. In 1:18 we are told, “the birth of ‘Jesus Christ’ was on this wise.” The Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him that Mary would be with child by the Holy Spirit and her Son should be called ‘JESUS’; for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21). The Son was born and called ‘JESUS’. (Matthew 1:25). But in fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 He was called “Emmanuel,” which being interpreted is “GOD WITH US.” (Matthew 1:22-23). So His first Names in the New Testament Scriptures are “Jesus the Messiah,” “Jesus‑Emmanuel.”

The Savior is called “Jesus Christ” in John 1:17; “Jesus,” the Lamb of God, in John 1:29. In John 1:14 Jesus is the “Incarnate Eternal Word.” So the Lord Jesus, in John, is “Emmanuel” and “JESUS”. In John 10:28-33 we find the religious people of His day trying their utmost to kill Him, with this charge: “Because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God.” Not only as a man did He make Himself God; but in the first chapter of John He is God who has been made Man. (John 1:1-2 and John 1:14). He is called by the single Name ‘JESUS’ about 250 times in John. At the end of the Book one of His Apostles worshipped Him, with “my Lord and My God.” (John 10:28). He was altogether worthy of this worship, for He testified that He had Glory with the Father before the world was. (John 17:5). “I and Father are ONE.” (John 10:30).

JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD

In the Record of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ written by the Apostle John that Apostle did not call the Lord Jesus, “Savior.” Some people in Samaria, who came to Jesus through the testimony of the woman who met the Lord Jesus at the well, some who believed in Christ and were saved, said concerning Christ…“we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42).

It is in John’s First Epistle that we find these words which the Holy Spirit directed John to write: “We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the ‘Savior’ of the world.” (1 John 4:14). In John’s Record we find the words of Israel’s high priest in John 11:50-52: “Consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not . . . he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation (Israel) . . . and not for that nation only; but also that He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered broad.” The Lord Jesus had said, in John 10:16, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and there shall be one fold (flock) and one Shepherd.” We know from subsequent events that the twelve apostles no more understood this saying of Christ than did Caiphas the high‑priest, understand what he said. Caiaphas was led to say in different language what John said, in 1 John 4:14, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Because the word ‘world’ is found about 77 times in John’s Record, this Message of John has been called by many “the universal Gospel.” In John 1:29, John the Baptist was led to say that Jesus was the Lamb of God who would bear away the sin of the world. The Apostle John, in 1 John 2:2, tells us that Jesus Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. In John 3:16 we read that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

It is interesting to compare John’s statement, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world, with the statement of the Apostle Peter in Acts 5:31, that God raised Jesus from the dead to be a Prince and a Savior to give repentance TO ISRAEL and forgiveness of sins. Compare Acts 5:31 and 1 John 4:14 with the Apostle Paul’s statement to Israel, in Acts 13:23, that God raised up from David’s seed a Savior FOR ISRAEL, Jesus. We surely know there is a difference between Jesus sent to save Israel and Jesus sent to save the world. Many have been unable to reconcile Christ’s statement in Matthew 5:24, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” with John 3:16, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son at whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” They prefer the statement in John 3:16 to the statements in Matthew 15:24 and Acts 13:23 and Acts 5:31. So they either ignore Christ’s words in Matthew 15:24 or think perhaps He did not mean what He said.

As we compare Matthew 15:24 with John 3:16, let us consider this interesting fact, the fact that in Matthew 8:1-12, Matthew 15:21-27, Mark 7:21-27, and in Luke 7:3-12 we read that the Lord Jesus ministered to ONLY TWO gentiles of ‘great Faith’ while He was Jesus of Nazareth in the midst of Israel, in the land of the Jews. The woman was a very humble Greek. The man was a Roman, a centurion, who loved Israel and built for Israel a synagogue. This centurion asked the elders of Israel to present his urgent request to their Messiah. This story recorded in Luke 7:3-12 is most interesting. But what seems so strange is the fact that, although we find the word ‘world’ 77 times in John’s Record, there is no mention of the two Gentiles to whom we have referred. There were certain Greeks, in John’s Record who came to Jerusalem to worship, and said, “sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:20-22). It seems that their request was not granted. The sum total of the ministry and witness of the Lord Jesus to Gentiles, recorded in John’s Gospel, is told in 1 Timothy 6:13, that Jesus Christ witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate. The saying of Jesus in John 4:48 seems to be proof that the nobleman of John 4:46 was not the Roman Gentile of Luke 7:1-10.

In Matthew 10:5-7 we learn that there is a difference between Gentiles and Samaritans. In the John 4 we learn that Christ must needs go through Samaria, where He had a most fruitful ministry. NOTHING of Christ’s work in Samaria is recorded in Matthew, Mark or Luke. It was while the Lord Jesus was in Samaria that He was called “Savior” the ONE time in John’s Record. (John 4:42).

In our previous study, “THE GOSPEL OF JOHN...THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, part 4”, we mentioned the fact that the word “salvation” is found but ONE time in John’s Record; and that also is found in Christ’s statement to the woman at the well, in John 4:22, “salvation is of the Jews.” The word “righteousness” is found one time only in John’s Record. In John 16:10 we read that the Holy Spirit would reprove or convict the world of righteousness, because Jesus went to His Father. Not once in John’s Record do we find the words “justification,” “forgiveness,” “redemption,” “reconciliation” and “hope.” In the recorded ministry of the Apostle Paul these words, together with “salvation” and “righteousness,” are found more than 200 TIMES. In these words we have the great evangelical Christian doctrines. They are all IMPLIED in John’s Record.

We have observed that the word “Gospel” is not found once in John’s Record. But in that Record we have the glorious, wonderful Gospel of Salvation. In John 3:17 we read; “For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Then again in John 12:47, we have the Good News from the mouth and heart of the Lord Jesus, “I came not to judge the world; but to save the world.” In between John 3:17 and John 12:47 we see this ‘no condemnation’ saving message in operation. Read John 8:1-11, in which verses we find a sinful woman caught in the very act of a sin that was not only condemned by The Law but which called for the death penalty. The religious men brought her to Jesus to be stoned to death, according to the Law of Moses. The Lord Jesus did not in any way condone or minimize her sin. He asked the woman, what had become of her accusers. They had gone out one by one, as not one of them was qualified to stone her. The Lord Jesus asked her, “doth no man condemn thee?” She replied “no man, Lord.” Then Christ spoke to her troubled conscious and sinful heart the good news of John 3:17 and John 12:47, saying to the guilty woman, “neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.” (John 8:11). Here we have the combination of Romans 5:20 and Romans 6:1-2, “where sin abounded grace did much more abound”…“what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”

Surely all through the Message of John we find the all‑sufficient, abounding Grace in operation for any and all sinners who were willing to receive that Grace which came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17).

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

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LLM Question of the Day for 8-18-2011, and, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 8 of 12

First the Question: NOTHING of the LORD Jesus Christ’s work in Samaria is recorded in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-15-2011

Question: In relation to the Body of Christ, the LORD Jesus is NEVER called: Jesus of Nazareth or The Son of man. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Out of the 703 responses we received 81.3% of you got it right! Therefore,

Today let us consider, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 8 of 12

IN THE FORM OF GOD

In the first chapter of John’s Record we read that the Lord Jesus is called, “The Word”. The Word was with God. The Word was God. The Word was the Creator of all things. (John 1:1-3…John 1:10). Then we read in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” In John 1:29 He is called ‘JESUS’ “The Lamb of God Who beareth away the sin of the world.” Then in John 2:19 the Lord Jesus predicts that He will raise His body from death or destruction.

So in John 1 and in John 2:19 we have the truth of Philippians 2:5-11, which has been called “the greatest story of the ages” “Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery (a thing to be grasped after) to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation (emptied Himself), and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a NAME which is above every name, that at the NAME of Jesus; every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The truth of Philippians 2:5-11 is told, in different language, in the Epistles to the Hebrews. Note Hebrews 1:1-3 concerning the One, by Whom God made the worlds, “Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Note the Father’s words to the Son, in Hebrews 1:8, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Then Hebrews 2:9; “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.” He partook of flesh and blood, that He, through death, might destroy Satan’s death power. (Hebrews 2:14). In Hebrews 13:20 we read that God brought from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep. And we read in Hebrews 12:24 that believers have come to ‘JESUS’, the Mediator of the New Covenant.

Again the greatest story of the ages is told in the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. We read in Colossians 1:15-21, that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God; that by Him and for Him all things were created. He is before all things and by Him all things consist. It pleased the Father that in Him all fulness should dwell (Colossians 1:19), yes ALL of the fullness of the God‑Head bodily (Colossians 2:9). The Lord Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:20). In Colossians 3:1 we read that Christ is seated far above on the right hand of God. Every knee should bow to the Christ of Colossians. As we read Colossians 3:17 we know that Paul truly believed what Christ said in John 5:23 and John 12:26. Note Colossians 3:17, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the NAME of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him.” Now the words of the Son of God, in John 5:23 and John 12:26, “That all men should honour the Son, EVEN as they honour the Father. He that honoureth NOT the Son honoureth NOT the Father Which hath sent Him”…“If any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.”

Many religious people will learn too late the truth of John 14:6 and 2 John 9. The LORD Jesus Christ said, “NO man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6). “Whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God.” (2 John 9). Know this…At the NAME of ‘JESUS’ every knee should bow and every tongue confess that He is LORD. We are told in Romans 10:9-10, “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth that Jesus is LORD and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

We read these words which the Holy Spirit directed the Apostle Peter to preach, in Acts 2:36, “let all of the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus Whom ye have crucified both ‘LORD’ and ‘CHRIST’.” It is interesting to note that the title ‘LORD’, referring to Deity, is found more than 700 times in the New Testament Scriptures; that the word ‘CHRIST’ is found more than 570 times. It is likewise interesting to note the Apostle Paul, in His ‘ACTS’ ministry and in his fourteen Epistles, used the Name ‘JESUS’ about the same number of times the Name ‘JESUS’ is found in the twenty‑one chapters of John. There is this difference, however, in John’s Record the single Name ‘JESUS’ is used about 250 times without other titles; whereas in Paul’s ministry the single Name ‘JESUS’, without titles, is used only 22 times, eight of which are in Hebrews. There is a dispensational lesson for us in the first two times the apostle Paul used the single word ‘JESUS’; in Acts 13:23 and Acts 13:33-34.

The Lord called Himself “JESUS OF NAZARETH” at the time Saul (Paul) was converted. (Acts 22:8). Then, just ONCE Paul called the Savior, “JESUS OF NAZARETH.” (Acts 26:9). The Apostle Peter called Him “JESUS OF NAZARETH” in Acts 2:22, and Acts 10:38. He called Him “JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH” in Acts 3:6 and Acts 4:10. Someone else called Him “JESUS OF NAZARETH” in Acts 6:14. The Saviour is called “JESUS OF NAZARETH” in John 1:45, John 18:5 and John 19:19. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, He is called “JESUS OF NAZARETH” eight times. So in all of the New Testament Scriptures the Saviour is called “JESUS OF NAZARETH” twenty‑seven times.

Now…It is significant that the Lord Jesus in His relation to His Body, the Body of Christ, is NEVER called “Jesus of Nazareth” or “The Son of man.” This may be explained in 2 Cor. 5:16.

The Saviour is NOT called “The Lord Jesus Christ” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. In the Apostle Paul’s ministry He is called more than 110 times: “The Lord Jesus”, or “The Lord Jesus Christ,” or “Jesus Christ The Lord.” He is NOT called “Christ Jesus” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. In these four Records He is called “JESUS CHRIST” five times, and “JESUS, THE CHRIST” five times. Here we think of John 20:31 and Acts 2:36: “These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing ye might have life through His Name”…“Let all of the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same ‘JESUS’ Whom ye have crucified both ‘LORD’ and ‘CHRIST.’

The title that ALL Christians should use today is the title used by the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:11, “Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, or by the Apostle Paul, in Titus 1:4, “The Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour.” The Apostle Paul called the Saviour, “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus” more than 100 times. Perhaps, there is some reason why sometimes ‘Christ’ before Jesus, and other times ‘Jesus’ before Christ. Then many, many times Paul called the Saviour by the single title ‘Christ’, about 225 times. The total number of times the NAME ‘JESUS’ in the New Testament is about 977.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day for 8-15-2011, and, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 7 of 12

First the Question: In relation to the Body of Christ, the LORD Jesus is NEVER called: Jesus of Nazareth or The Son of man. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-10-2011

Question: In the Gospel of John, God is called....FATHER....122 times. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Out of the 697 responses we received 94.4% of you got it right! Therefore,

Today let us consider, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 7 of 12

THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE FATHER AND THE SON

Hear the words of the Lord Jesus in John 16:15, “All things that the Father hath are Mine.” Again His words to His Father in John 17:10, “And all Mine are Thine; and Thine are Mine.” Note again Christ’s words in John 5:19, “The Son can do nothing of Himself; but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He (the Father) doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” So the Son said, “no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6). The Son proceeded forth and came from the Father, “neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.” (John 8:42).

It is interesting to note that John mentions the ‘FATHER’ in his five Books about 135 times. In the other 22 Books in the New Testament Scriptures the ‘FATHER’ is mentioned about 120 times. In the Apostle Paul’s messages God is called ‘OUR FATHER’ seventeen times, ‘THE FATHER’, sixteen times, “The God and FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,” six times; twice ‘ABBA FATHER’, once each, “The FATHER OF GLORY,” “The FATHER OF SPIRITS,” “The FATHER OF MERCIES.” The word ‘FATHER’ is used about 66 times in Matthew, Mark and Luke, referring to God, the Father. In John’s Gospel God is called ‘FATHER’ about 122 times. Surely in John’s Gospel the Father is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In John’s Gospel the Son calls God, ‘MY FATHER’ seventeen times; ‘THE FATHER’ sixteen times. He calls Him, ‘HOLY FATHER’ (John 17:11), ‘RIGHTEOUS FATHER’ (John 17:25). When the Lord Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:28; “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world and go to the Father,” the disciples told the Saviour that He was not speaking in proverbs, but “now speakest Thou plainly.” In John 14:10 the Son declared that the Father was dwelling in Him and working in Him.

John’s Gospel is truly the story of the Father and the Son. In this Record, Christ is called twice “the Only Begotten Son”; eleven times, “the SON of GOD”; twelve times, “the SON of Man”; fifteen times “THE SON,” also “His SON” and “THY SON.” Forty‑four times in John’s Gospel Christ is called ‘SON’. John’s Gospel was written that we might believe John 20:31 and 1 John 4:14; “that Jesus is the Christ, ‘The SON OF GOD’, and believing, have life through His Name”; “that the FATHER sent the SON to be the Saviour of the world.”

MY FATHER WORKETH HITHERTO AND I WORK. I DO ALWAYS THE THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM

As we seek to understand the full meaning of the statement of God’s Son, in John 5:17, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,” and His statement in John 8:29, “The Father hath not left Me alone: for I do always those things that please Him,” let us have in mind the testimony of the Psalmist: “It is time for Thee Lord, to ‘work’, for they have broken Thy law.” (Psalm 119:126). Let us also have in mind Isaiah 53:6-10, from which we quote these words, “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him: He hath put Him to grief” . . . “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

With these Old Testament Scriptures in mind we are ready for the study of the work and ministry of the Father’s Only Begotten Son between John 1:29, “behold the Lamb of God Who beareth away the sin of the world,” and John 19:30, the words of the Lamb of God bearing our sins in His own body on the tree, His soul being made an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10), “it is finished;” “and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”

We think of the words of the Lord Jesus, at the age of twelve, when He asked His mother, “wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49)? Then His words the day of His agony in Gethsemane when He said to Peter, “put up thy sword: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11). The Son of God’s love testified in John 17:24 that His Father loved Him BEFORE the foundation of the world. He testified in John 10:17, “therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.” So the Lord Jesus was here on earth to be about His Father’s business and to drink the cup which His Father gave Him.

We read several times in John’s Record that the Lord Jesus knew all things (John 21:17…John 4:25…John 2:25…John 6:64…John 16:30…John 13:1-3). In Colossians 2:3 we read concerning the Lord Jesus, “in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Therefore we may be sure that the Saviour knew that He was foreordained to be God’s spotless Lamb to bear away the sin of the world, and then be raised from the dead. (John 2:19).

When His weary, hungry disciples tried to interest their Saviour in eating, He said, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to ‘finish’ His work.” (John 4:34). This testimony He confirmed in John 6:38, “for I come down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” Hear Him again as He looked upon the poor unfortunate man born blind: “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” (John 9:4). As we learn in connection with these statements of the Lord Jesus all that He was doing, according to the record, we catch something of the meaning of His words in Matthew 20:28, “even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

During the past few months this writer has spent more than two hundred hours reading and studying John’s Record of the earthly ministry of Christ. However, we need spend only a few hours of serious, prayerful study of this Record to see how true were the words spoken by Christ in John 8:29…

I DO ALWAYS THE THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM

Between the day the Lord Jesus testified that He came to give Himself a ransom for many and the day the Apostle Paul wrote that Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:4-7), great changes had taken place in God’s dealing with Israel and with the Gentiles. The RISEN Lord did NOT direct Paul to say very much about the sayings and doings of the Saviour during the years he was Jesus of Nazareth in the midst of Israel. Instead, Paul reasoned with the Jews right from their Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus was what Nathanael said about Him, “Rabbi Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.” (John 1:49). This we learn in Acts 9:20 and Acts 17:3. In Acts 20:35 the Apostle Paul quoted words spoken by the Lord Jesus on earth.

In 1 Timothy 6:13 Paul declared that Christ Jesus, before Pilate witnessed a good confession. Several times the Apostle Paul spoke of the birth of the Saviour, which he mentioned in connection with His death and resurrection, but little or nothing of His sayings or doings in the land of the Jews as Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps this is explained in 2 Cor. 5:16…When Paul urged Christians, not to please themselves, but others, he reminded them of Christ, Who “pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me.” (Romans 15:3).

It is not easy to understand the meaning of Hebrews 5:8-9, “though He (Christ) was a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the Author (Causer) of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” Surely we find the Lord Jesus in John’s Record, as the Author of eternal salvation. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4). Hear Christ in His prayer to His Father, in John 17:1-2, “glorify Thy Son, as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.”

As we diligently study John 1-21 we are reminded of Romans 8:3, “for what the law (the ten commandments) could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” The Lord said to His religious, ‘kingdom’ nation, “did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill Me?”…“Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there IS one that accuseth you, Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?” (John 5:45-47).

With these solemn words of the Son of God read the words which the RISEN Christ gave the Apostle Paul to speak to the religious Jews in their synagogue some years after Christ had gone back to heaven…“For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him (Christ) not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning Him; and though they found no cause of death in Him, yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain.” (Acts 13:27-28).

Surely we understand more of the meaning of Psalm 119:126, “it is time for Thee, Lord, to work; for they have broken Thy law.” The law demanded righteousness, right living, right doing, right thinking. The Psalmist was saying, in different language, by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in God’s sight. (Romans 3:20. Galatians 2:16). No child of Adam can earn righteousness.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day for 8-10-2011, and, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 6 of 12

First the Question: In the Gospel of John, God is called....FATHER....122 times. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 8-8-2011

Question: The LORD Jesus Christ in anticipating Calvary, called it His Baptism. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Out of the 738 responses we received 51.7% of you got it right! But that also means that 48.3% got it wrong. We have work to do in this area. Therefore,

Today let us consider, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 6 of 12

THE FATHER SENT and THE SON CAME

Hear these words of the LORD Jesus, in John 6:38, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that ‘SENT’ Me.”

The LORD Jesus would still say to religious, unsaved church‑members, “if God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God: neither came I of Myself, but He SENT Me.” (John 8:42). “Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that SENT Me.” (John 7:33).

Less than four years was The LORD of Glory, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, in the midst of Israel, as Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him. (Acts 2:22). But He finished the work which the Father gave Him to do. (John 17:4). Then said the Father’s Beloved Son to His Father, “Now I am no more in the world, I come to Thee.” (John 17:11-13). “O righteous Father the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast SENT Me.” (John 17:25).

There is wonderful news, good news, for sinners in John 3:17 and John 12:47, “For God SENT not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him might be saved”, and, “For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.”

In order to save the world God’s only begotten Son had to be lifted up on Calvary’s cross, and cry “FINISHED.” Was He tempted to pray to be saved from the agony of Calvary when He said, “shall I say save Me from this hour?” “But for this cause came I unto this hour?” (John 12:27). Then He said, “now is the judgment of this world.” (John 12:31). The Son came down from heaven to do His Father’s will. This meant Gethsemane and Calvary. When the LORD Jesus said, “now I go My way to Him that SENT Me” (John 16:5), He KNEW that He had to be lifted up, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. (John 3:14).

The LORD Jesus is indeed the Lamb of God Who beareth away the sin of the world. (John 1:29). Believing sinners are redeemed by the precious shed blood of this spotless Lamb, Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. The shed blood of the Father’s Apostle is indeed ‘the pool of Siloam’. Unbelievers, religious and moral, or otherwise, must remain blind and unregenerated until they wash in that pool.

“And THIS is life eternal that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast SENT (apostello).” (John 17:3).

I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE

In John 10:30 we have the testimony of the LORD Jesus, “I and my Father are ONE.” Note what followed: “The Jews took up stones to stone Him, because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God.” Now note John 5:17, the words of the LORD Jesus, “My Father worketh hitherto and I work.” Note what followed: “The Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He said also God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” Again hear this testimony of Christ in John 8:58: “Before Abraham was I AM.” Note what followed: “they took up stones to cast at Him.” After repeated unsuccessful attempts to stone their Messiah to death the Jews said to Pilate: “it is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” (John 18:31). The reason the Jews could not stone Him to death was because THAT was NOT the Will of God. This is explained in John 12:32, “The Scripture saith, they shall look on Him Whom they pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 22:16, and Revelation 1:7).

In all of these Scriptures and in the greatest story of the ages recorded in Philippians 2:5-11, the truth that Christ Jesus was first in the form of God and then took the form of man to become obedient unto the death of the cross, we think of Christ’s words in John 10:17, “therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again.” In John 13:3 we read that Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that “He was come from God and went to God.” So we can surely believe 1 John 4:14, that the Father SENT the Son to be the Savior of the world!

As we read all of the twenty‑one chapters of John’s Gospel we see the truth of 1 John 4:14, just quoted, running all through the Book, and also the truth of John 1:18, “no man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He had declared Him.” Yes, all through John’s Record the Son is revealing His Father, declaring God’s Grace and God’s love, and the truth that the Father and the Son are ONE. (John 17:22). Hear the words of the Son, Who was obedient unto death, Who always did the things that pleased His Father, “the cup, which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11). The Son’s meat was to do His Father’s will (John 6:38), “to finish the work.” (John 4.34). “The works which the Father gave Me to finish.” (John 5:36). “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” (John 17:4).

After the LORD Jesus had finished His prayer for His disciples He went with them to Gethsemane to be betrayed. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it is recorded that the obedient Son prayed to His Father in Gethsemane, “if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will but thine be done” (Luke 22:42, Mark 14:36, Matthew 26:42). But his prayer is not found in John’s Record. Christ answered His own question in John 12:27. His soul was troubled and He asked, “what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.” Note again John 18:11, what the Son said when Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, “Put up thy sword; the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?” Christ did indeed drink that cup when He received His baptism on the cross. (Luke 12:50).

When Christ told His Father, in John 17:4, that He had finished the work which His Father gave Him to do, the Savior knew that Gethsemane and Calvary were ahead of Him. Christ testified in Matthew 26:53 that He could call on His Father for sufficient angels to deliver Him; but He added: ‘How then shall the Scripture be fulfilled, that thus it must be.” (Matthew 26:54). ‘Thus it must be.” “Thus it is written and ‘Thus it behooved Christ to suffer’, and to rise from the dead the third day.” (Luke 24:46). About fifteen years later the apostle Paul said; “Christ must needs have suffered, and risen from the dead.” (Acts 17:3). Note the truth that follows the statement concerning Christ in Hebrews 10:9, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God”, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10). Christ bare our sins in his own Body on the tree. (1 Peter 2:24).

Thus we see the meaning of 1 John 4:14 and John 6:38, that the Father SENT the Son to be the Savior of the world; and the Son came down from heaven to do His Father’s will. The Father loved the Son from before the foundation of the world (John 17:24): and the Father loved the Son for going to the cross (John 10:17), where He, by the Grace of God, tasted death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9). Christ suffered on the cross for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18).

We read in Isaiah 53:10, “it pleased the LORD to bruise Him, and make His soul an offering for sin.” If this means that it pleased the holy, righteous God, according to His determinate counsel and foreknowledge, to have His only begotten Son put to death on the cross (Acts 2:23), then according to Christ’s words in John 8:29, it pleased that Son to be obedient unto death, it pleased Him to be bruised; for He said, “I do always the things that please Him (the Father).” (John 8:29). Christ died to save sinners, this is true, but He died to please the Father.

We understand something of His agony in His words in Mark 14:34, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death.” In Luke 12:50, as Christ anticipated Calvary, which He called His ‘baptism’, He was straitened till it was accomplished.

After Christ bare our sins in His own body on the tree and His Father made His soul an offering for sin His body was buried in Joseph’s tomb. Then Psalm 16:10 was fulfilled, “For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither will Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” So we read in Isaiah 53:9 of the ‘deaths’ of Christ. In Hebrews 2:14-15 and in 2 Timothy 1:10 we read that Christ, by His death and resurrection, destroyed Satan’s ‘death’ power and abolished death, and in the Gospel has brought to light, life and incorruptibility!

It is by the resurrection of Christ from the dead that believers are begotten into a living hope. (1 Peter 1:1-3). In Romans 10:9 we are told that sinners are saved by confessing with the mouth Christ as LORD and BELIEVING in the heart that God raised Him from the dead. “This Man (Christ) after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12). We read in Ephesians 1:19-23 of God’s “mighty power which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies, above all power and might, and gave Him to be Head over all to the Church, Which is His Body.” In Ephesians 4:10 we read that Christ ascended far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.

Surely we agree with the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:14-18, “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is vain, our Faith is also vain, and we are yet in our sins.”

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook