Book of Hebrews: Argument IN FAVOUR of the Apostle Paul Authorship of the Book of Hebrews

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The Arguments IN FAVOUR of the Pauline Authorship of Hebrews are much more weighty than those in favour of all other candidates put together.

1. The thought and reasonings are Paul's, whatever the style and language may be. All his other epistles were written to churches mainly composed of Gentiles. In addressing such an epistle to Hebrews, he would naturally write as an instructed scribe, one brought up "at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers" (Acts 22:3). It is therefore futile to argue that if Paul were really the author, the language and style would have been in exact accord with those of the other epistles. Had this been so, it would be an argument against, and not in favour of, Paul's authorship.

2. Its anonymity is eminently in favour of Pauline authorship. The suspicion with which the Jews regarded Paul, and their furious hatred of him (see Acts 21:21; 2 Cor. 11:24; Phil. 3:2; 1 Thess. 2:15), would be ample reason why, in addressing so important a letter to his own race, he should withhold his name. If it was necessary at the time of it publication to send out such an epistle, equally necessary was it that it should not be handicapped with a name regarded generally by the Jews as that of an infamous renegade. The argument of the value of an unsigned article in any important journal applies with great force in the case of Hebrews.

3. DATE of writing and publication. Owing to the fixed idea in the minds of most commentators that the reference to Timothy in 13:23 must have been connected with the Neronian persecution, the date is usually assigned to a period shortly before the destruction of the Temple, which took place late in A.D. 69. The very latest "guess" is that "it may have been written at any time between A.D 65 and 85". This is vague and unconvincing. The chronological position of Hebrews is, A.D. 53-54. MODERN tradition places it after 2 Tim., around A.D. 68. That the former is correct seems clear for the following reasons:

a. If Hebrews was written in or about the year 68, Paul's ministry had existed for twenty-two years (since his and Barnabas's "separation" for the work, in 46, Acts 13:2) without the aid of a written statement of such paramount importance as this. Then what I ask you, WHAT was the immediate urgency of publishing THEN, (only a year or two before the destruction of the Temple, and very shortly before his own death, 2 Tim. 4:6), so weighty an argument that Jesus was both Messiah and true Man, and as Man must have suffered? That the Old Covenant was ended and its place taken by a New (Heb. 8:13)? It is not believable that the Apostle Paul who was inspired to write and publish Romans at a comparatively early date should not have been allowed to put forth Hebrews till the very end of his ministry. "To the Jew first" is verily applicable in this connection.

b. Paul was at Jerusalem for the Council meeting, when the very subjects of Hebrews had evidently been bitterly discussed (Acts 15:5-7). Shortly thereafter he writes Thessalonians 1 and 2, BOTH of which contain poignant references to "shameful treatment" at the hands of his own people.

c. Some authoritative statement must be placed in the hands of even an early Ambassador in regard to new and altered relationships between his supreme Head and those to whom he is commissioned and sent. Paul, as God's ambassador to the Diaspora and Gentiles, must have had some documentary argument, proof, and testimony, in support of his (and of Timothy's and others') oral teaching and instruction, for circulation among the "many thousands" of Jews who believed at and after Pentecost, yet all of whom were "zealous of the Law" (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7; 21:20), and with whom Paul and his fellow-workers must have come into contact. To Have attached his own name to this would have defeated his purpose, as above mentioned.

d. The approximate time therefore for writing and publishing such a body of doctrine MUST have been shortly after the beginning of his ministry, and, consequently, Hebrews was in all probability written during the eighteen months of Paul's sojourn at Corinth, during which he was "teaching among them the word of God" (Acts 18:11).

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

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

To Those That Call Themselves Christians: Are You Calling God a Liar?

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This short word is aimed at those that CALL themselves "Christian". If you don't know Christ we have something for you here as well.

Now, to those that carry the moniker of Christian, let me say this...ANY assembly, congregation, denomination members...whatever you want to call them...however decent, respectable, moral, kind, gentle, religious and zealous, who then DENY the eternal DEITY (which means that Christ IS God), and the virgin birth of our LORD Jesus Christ, His perfect, sinless life, His vicarious death, His resurrection and ascension in a body, OR give His attributes to another such as the fact that THERE IS ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS, 1 Timothy 2:4-6...those that DENY these things are deceivers and antichrist. 2 John 7; and they make God a liar, because they believe NOT the record that God hath given of His Son. 1 John 5:10.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Worry and Anxiety Dishonor The LORD: Control Worry and Anxiety

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Philippians 4:5-7, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Worrying is as definitely forbidden as theft, according to our verse...and the whole of Scripture. This needs to be carefully considered and realized by Children of God, so that we do not excuse it as an innocent "weakness". The more we are convicted of the sinfulness of anxiety and worry, the sooner are we likely to perceive that it is most dishonouring to God, and "strive against" it (Hebrews 12:4). But how are we to "strive against" it?

We strive against worry by watching its beginning, and as soon as we are conscious of the harassment of our mind, as soon as we detect the unbelieving thought, lift up our heart to God and ask Him for deliverance from it. The best antidote for anxiety and worry is frequent meditation upon God’s goodness, power, and sufficiency. When the saint, the member of the Body of Christ, can confidently realize "The Lord is My Shepherd," he must then conclude, "I shall not want!"

The next part of our Bible verse is, "but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God." The "with thanksgiving" is super important, yet it is the point at which we most fail. It means that before we receive God’s answer, we thank Him for the same: it is the confidence of the child expecting his Father to be gracious.

Now hear the LORD's words from Matthew 6:25-33, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought (anxious concern) for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:25-33).

Nothing is too big and nothing is too little to spread before and cast upon our great God and our Saviour, the LORD Jesus Christ.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Romans 11:13: As Christians Are We to Follow The Apostle Paul?

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There has been, and even today still is, MUCH controversy over the teaching of The Mystery, which the Holy Spirit first revealed to and then taught through the Apostle Paul.

MANY "Christian" Fundamentalists have joined with Modernists in attempting to exalt "the teachings of Jesus" (while on earth) above the Word of God through the Apostle Paul. They ask, "Which should bear the greater weight with us, the words of Jesus, or the words of Paul?"

This is the classic straw-man argument. Because, see, they do not ask this because they truly desire to OBEY these "words of Jesus" and to see them obeyed. NO! For they flagrantly disregard and disobey them, from the Sermon on the Mount to the Great Commission.

With regard to the Sermon on the Mount, they do not subject themselves to the Law of God given through Moses (Matthew 5:17-19). They do not bring gifts to altars of sacrifice (Matthew 5:23-24). They do not give freely to all who ask of them, quite the opposite (Matthew 5:42; Matthew 10:8-9). They do not refrain from laying up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19, and Matthew 6:25-26); And they certainly do not sell what they have and give alms (Luke 6:30; Luke 12:33).

Let's not stop there...then, these hypocrites, while professing obedience to the so called "Great Commission" as "the Church's marching orders", they do not proclaim faith AND baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16); they do not, (they cannot), perform miraculous signs (Mark 16:17,18); they do not give the Jew first place in their ministry (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8), and they certainly do not teach others to observe all things that Messiah on earth commanded (Matthew 28:20).

So why? Why do these hypocritical fundamentalists and modernists set "the teachings of Jesus" (on earth) over and against the teachings of the RISEN Jesus through the Apostle Paul? Well, it is NOT because they are determined to obey Jesus, but because they are determined to minimize that which God has "magnified", and that is, the authority of the Apostle Paul as "the apostle of the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13).

They seek to exalt the teachings of Jesus during His earthly ministry above those of the RISEN Jesus through the Apostle Paul BECAUSE they have closed their ears to the often repeated and Holy Spirit inspired teaching of the Apostle Paul that the glorified RISEN Christ spoke from heaven, to and through him, committing to him "The Dispensation of the Grace of God". THE program for the day in which we live (Acts 20:24; Acts:22:6-10, Acts 22:17-21; Acts 26:12-18; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:15-16; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 11:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:16; Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 2:7-9; Ephesians 3:1-9; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 1:23-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Timothy 2:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:7-9; Titus 1:2-3).

But MORE than this, they have forgotten the STERN rebuke the Galatians received for failing to recognize the Apostle Paul's teachings as a message from the RISEN, Glorified, Exalted Christ (Galatians 1:6-12). They have taken lightly Paul's words to the Corinthians, "if I come again I will not spare: since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me" (2 Cor. 13:2-3).

These hypocritical fundamentalists and modernists have, as well, distorted the Holy Spirit's admonition through the Apostle Paul as to His own writings, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, from such withdraw thyself" (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

We Question Water Baptism - LLM (Respond in Comments)

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Please respond to the Question in the Video in the comments below.

God sent Paul to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-9) and did NOT send him to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17). Instead, according to Ephesians 4:5, there is ONE baptism for today, 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by ONE Spirit we were all baptized into ONE Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into ONE Spirit." The Holy Spirit performs this Baptism, NOT an apostle, deacon, or pastor. And notice that it is not a baptism with water.

Please respond to the Question in the Video in the comments below

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Christ is BORN! Believe! Believe the Record Given by God of Christ – LLM

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Christ is BORN! You Gotta Believe for Salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

If we are going to base our knowledge of God's salvation upon God's Book, the Bible, if we are going to act for time and eternity in this most important of all transactions and receive from God His salvation, THEN let us BELIEVE the fact...that is, "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 15:3-4. Therefore, the redemptive work of Christ is a finished work so far as the salvation of man's soul is concerned; and we must KNOW that He will return for the redemption of the body; to save man, soul and spirit. Now...by BELIEVING, we are going to receive this last statement AND this next statement at full face value, without discount, without even the shadow of a doubt, without question or criticism..."By His own blood He entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

The fact is, that by the work of God, (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), there has been accomplished and there is available: for any and every sinner who BELIEVES the record that God gave of His Son, an accomplished redemption, a perfect salvation. And we shall see by the same Divine authority the further fact that this perfect salvation can be had by the believing sinner without any additional work, religious endeavor or church ceremony.

Christ is BORN! You Gotta Believe for Salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

The Body of Christ is NOT THE SAME as the Bride of Christ - LLM

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Members of the Body of Christ are the Church of the Mystery. A secret that was hid in God. His Body, to be to be joined with its Head, called home at the Rapture, the GLORIOUS meeting in the air, before the "Day of the LORD" begins.

In Revelation 21 we have the New Heaven and the New Earth; we have the Twelve Tribes of Israel; and Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. So, we have to ask, What has all this to do with the Body of Christ, the Church of the Mystery? OBVIOUSLY this has to do only and solely with the Holy City and with the Bride of the Lamb.

Christians, in their selfishness, intrude themselves into the place of others as the Bride, and thus lose the blessed enjoyment of their own place which is theirs as part of the Bridegroom!

The Bride and the Bridegroom, though in a sense are one, are yet distinct. And it is clear from all the scriptures relating to the Mystery, that the members of Christ's Body are part of the Bridegroom Himself. Whereas the elect Old Testament saints will form the Bride. See Isaiah 12:6, "Cry out and shout, thou Inhabitress of Zion: For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." In Revelation 22:3, we read "The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it." Of the glory of this Holy City other scriptures speak. Take a look at Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:14, 1and Isaiah 60:9-20; Revelation 21:23-24, and Revelation 21:27; Isaiah 54:11-12.

A Chaste Virgin - Husbands and Wives

True, the Apostle Paul might address the saints concerning his desire to present them "as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2). But this no more declares that the Church IS the Bride of Christ than that the Apostle himself was their father (1 Corinthians 4:15); or that he was their mother (Galatians 4:19). In the one case he spoke of the painful anxiety of a mother; in another of the loving care of a father; while, in 2 Cor. 11:2, he spoke of the jealousy of the friend of a bridegroom. The "Mystery" was a totally different thing.

Then in Ephesians 4:28-29, the argument is that husbands "ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself, for no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord, the Church, for we are members of His Body," That is, AS Christ loves HIS OWN BODY (Himself (the Head) and the Church (the Head's Body)); so ought husbands to love their wives. Thus "the Mystery" is employed as an argument as to the reciprocal duties of husbands and wives. In NEITHER case is it said that the Church IS the wife, or that Christ IS the husband. But that AS Christ loves His Body (Himself and the Body of Christ), SO husbands ought to love their own bodies (that is, themselves and their wives).

What Have We Learned

The one thing that is clear, is that the Church of the Mystery is the Body of Christ; and that the members of that Body being "in Christ," are PART OF THE BRIDEGROOM. They cannot possibly, therefore, be the Bride herself as separate and distinct from the Bridegroom.

Another thing that is certain is that the mystery of the Church was not revealed in the Old Testament, but was "hid in God" (Ephesians 3:9) and "kept secret" (Romans 16:25); "hid from ages and from generations" (Colossians 1;26).

And Here is The Mystery

Before Israel was created for God's glory, before all of the promises concerning Israel's coming glory and the millennial reign of Christ on earth, even, before Adam had sinned, or was created, God PREDESTINATED that members of the Body of Christ should be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29). They would be SEATED in the Heavenlies in Christ.

God's eternal purpose is to have a company of redeemed sinners SEPERATE and DISTINCT from ALL OTHER companies. Dwell on this.

These predestinated and justified believers are to be JOINED to Christ as ONE flesh, to make ONE New Man, the Perfect Man, with HEAVENLY citizenship, to appear with Christ in glory. (Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 5:31-32; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4).

THIS the Father wants every Christian to make known (Ephesians 3:9). And, of course, Satan hates this message with a vicious hatred.

It is one thing to see an illustration of the Church in the Old Testament; but it is quite another thing to say that this is there revealed, which God distinctly declares was not revealed!

At the First Resurrection, following Christ's return to the earth in power and great glory, those of the Heavenly Calling will be resurrected, made ready as a Bride, to be married to Christ, both Head and Body, (the Body which was Raptured, and united in glory with the Head prior to the going forth of the Antichrist). THIS will be the time of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

The Christian is NOT of This World - LLM

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Just before the LORD Jesus closed His ministry on earth He said to His disciples, “if the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. if ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:18-19). “I have spoken unto you that ‘IN ME’ ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Then Christ said concerning His disciples, in His prayer to His Father, “THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16). Meditate on that verse for a few moments and try to grasp what the LORD is saying.

It would seem from these words of the LORD Jesus Christ that Christians would know that the term ‘worldly Christian’ seems to be paradoxical. Note how the world is described in 1 John 2:16, “All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is NOT of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth Forever.” Therefore Christians are instructed, in 1 John 2:15, “love not the world, neither the things in the world: if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “The friendship of the world is enmity with God, whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4).

The unsaved person is said to walk ‘according to the course of this world’. (Ephesians 2:2). God thus instructs the saved person: “be not conformed to this world.” (Romans 12:2).

In Colossians 3, God explains to the Christian the meaning of Christ’s words in the seventeenth chapter of John, that the Christian is ‘IN THE WORLD’; but is ‘NOT OF THE WORLD’. Every Christian should read Colossians 3 at least one thousand times, and then by God’s all-sufficient Grace and almighty power, try to obey the command, “be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only.” There is no higher spiritual truth in the entire Bible than in Colossians 3, which begins, ”if ye then be raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, NOT on things on the earth, Put to death therefore your members upon the earth”. After mentioning some of the sinful habits that are to be put away, these words of warning are added: “for which things’s sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” (Colossians 3:6).

Note in this same Epistle to the Christians, or saints, what the LORD’s spiritual leaders wished for all of the Christians, and that for which they prayed fervently: “that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12)…“that ye might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that ye might walk worthy of the LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9-10).

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

How the Holy Spirit Works in the Christian - LLM

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All true Christians believe in three Persons in one God‑head: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Three in One and One in Three, and the One in the middle died for me. The LORD Jesus Christ said, “Baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

The personality and deity of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, are clearly set forth in the Scriptures. Christ said, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter (or Paraclete).” John 14:16 . This is the same word translated “Advocate.” 1 John 2:2 . When Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, he lied to God. Acts 5:3-4 . “And the Holy Spirit said” Acts 13:2 . “The Holy Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” Romans 8:26 .

In the Old Testament Scriptures the Second and Third Persons of the God‑head were latent; in the New Testament Scriptures they are patent. Christ, beginning with the Book of Matthew is patent; The Holy Spirit, beginning with the Book of the Acts is patent.

The dispensation of the Holy Spirit was ushered in after the resurrection of the Son of God. Before the Son of God went to the cross “the Holy Spirit was not yet given” John 7:39 .

When The LORD Jesus Christ was here on earth, He said:

“I will send the Holy Spirit”, John 16:7

God is in the Christian, 2 Cor. 6:16

Christ is in the Christian, Colossians 1:27

The Holy Spirit is in the Christian. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Therefore the Holy Spirit is a Person as truly as is God, the Father.

Now, PAY ATTENTION, It is unscriptural for any Christian to pray for, or to seek for, more of the Holy Spirit.However, It is all right to pray that the Holy Spirit may have more of the child of God.

It is likewise unscriptural to ask God to send down the Holy Spirit from Heaven. When Christ was on earth He said, “I came down from heaven.” The Bible says that the Holy Spirit has been sent down from heaven. 1 Peter 1:12 . How foolish would John have been, had he looked up to heaven and prayed for God to send down from heaven His Son, when John’s head was leaning on His bosom at the time. It is equally as foolish for a Christian with the Holy Spirit in his bosom to pray that the Third Person be sent down from heaven today.

Note: in Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:19-23 that the Christian has all blessings and power and therefore it is unscriptural to seek a second blessing called Holy Spirit baptism.

The Holy Spirit bears witness of the resurrection of the believer’s sonship. Romans 8:16 . He is the believer’s assurance of his incorruptible inheritance at the LORD’s coming. Ephesians 1:14 . Therefore he is the witness of the LORD’s return. Ephesians 4:30 .

Just as truly as there is one Father and one Son, there is one Spirit, and one Body. Ephesians 4:4 . And, just as truly as there are infidels in the congregations preaching another Jesus, there are fanatics in the congregations preaching another spirit. 2 Cor. 11:4 .

The world cannot receive the Spirit. John 14:17 . The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. John 16:8 . If the sinner under conviction yields to the Sinbearer, he is drawn by the Spirit to the Son. John 6:44 . Then he is born of the Spirit.John 3:5 .

As no one can work for salvation, which is a free gift from God, no one can work for the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit by the hearing of The Faith. Galatians 3:2 . The Holy Spirit is given unto believers. Romans 5:5 . Therefore we do not have to agonize or go through physical contortions or have others put hands on us in order to receive the Holy Spirit. I pray I am being clear on this! It’s important.

Notice the three persons of the Trinity in these verses: “Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” 2 Cor. 1:21-22 . The proof that we are in Christ, is the Spirit in our hearts. By this Spirit we are sealed when we BELIEVE. Ephesians 1:13 . “After that ye believed” in this verse is properly translated from the original, “having believed”

No Christian is ever sealed because of an interval between the time of believing and the time of sealing; but every Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit, because he believes the Gospel of Grace of his salvation. Moreover he is sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 .

No Christian could possibly have the experience of the certain disciples whom Paul met in Ephesus. They had previously received John’s message and baptism, which have had no place in the Body of Christ since that time. Acts 19:1-5 . Paul’s question should be correctly translated, “Having believed, received ye the Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2 . Take NOTE: The anointing which the believer receives when first he believes abides in him. 1 John 2:27 .

There is one Spirit and one baptism. Ephesians 4:4 . When an individual is born into the family of God, by the work of the Holy Spirit, he is taken into, and made a member of the Body of Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit which puts the believer into the Body of Christ is called, “Baptized in or by the Holy Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:13 .

People who call themselves Christians are doing all sorts of peculiar things today in an effort to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. Some are being taught that believers receive the Holy Spirit WITH them when saved by faith in the finished work of God, repentance and water baptism; and then they must pray and tarry and yield for a second work of grace in order to receive the Holy Spirit IN them. THIS teaching is contrary to the Word of God and has wrecked the faith and sanity of many converted people.

Some of these false teachers often quote the experience of Peter and the Eleven who were saved with Christ in the days of His flesh, and then were baptized by the Holy Spirit after His resurrection. Let us remember that they were His disciples before His death, that is, before the Holy Spirit was given. John 7:39 . They were with Him while He was under The Law, preaching the Kingdom of Heaven message to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Galatians 4:4 . Matthew 10:1-5 . Those disciples had the unique experience of living, as disciples of Jesus, before His death and resurrection in the Old Testament and also after His resurrection in the New Testament.

As it would be impossible historically to have such an experience today, it would likewise be impossible for any believer to have their experience in receiving the Holy Spirit as an act subsequent to regeneration or conversion.

Now, the Christian, who is sealed with the Holy Spirit, can grieve the Holy Spirit and can quench the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 . 1 Thessalonians 5:19 . It is the duty of every Christian to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 . All Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit but very few of them are walking in the Spirit in the degree that they should. When a Christian walks in the Spirit he manifests the Fruit of the Spirit, against which there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 . He fulfills the righteousness of the law.Romans 8:4 .

All true Christians have been baptized by the Holy Spirit, but how few today are obeying the Word of God in this command, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18 . The Christian who has the sweetest fellowship with the LORD, who experiences the greatest joy of salvation, who serves God with the greatest power, who triumphs over the world, the flesh and the devil, is the one who is filled with the Holy Spirit.

The believer is thus filled just in the proportion that he is yielded to the will and way of the LORD in worship, prayer, Bible study, testimony, and practical Christian service.

Tarrying Meetings for members of the Body of Christ to receive the Holy Spirit are unscriptural. However, Prayer Meetings for an increase of The Faith, willingness and obedience to receive the power of Ephesians 1:19-23 are altogether Scriptural. No believer receives the Holy Spirit on the installment plan. Believers filled with the Holy Spirit will exalt Christ.

During the “Acts” period, the thirty plus years from Acts 1:1 to Acts 28:31 , there were several baptisms, “Holy Spirit baptism”in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, “water baptism” and “baptism into the death of Christ” Acts 2:16-38 . Acts 19:1-7 . Romans 6:3-4 . Joel prophesied concerning the “last days” particularly concerning Israel’s kingdom age. Joel 2:28-30 , concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, will not be fulfilled during this “grace” period. Whatever we may have in mind when we speak of Holy Spirit baptism, let us never forget that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is a once‑for‑all anointing. 1 John 2:27 ; that the sealing, anointing and baptism, of, in, or by, the Holy Spirit is always a past experience with the true Child of God!

Compare the “death” baptism of Christ in Luke 12:50 with the baptism of Romans 6:3 , Colossians 2:12 and Ephesians 4:5 .

“But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified” John 7:39 .

Read carefully 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:11 and see how the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit precedes justification and salvation.

“What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are NOT YOUR OWN? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 .

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

The Child of God and The Two Natures Within - LLM

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When the sinner becomes a Christian, he receives a new nature from God; He or she is now a NEW direct creation of God, he becomes a partaker of the Divine nature. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name" John 1:12.Because the Christian does not lose his old sinful nature, he is soon conscious of warfare within.

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary one to the other; so that ye may not do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:17. Christians have tried all kinds of religious schemes and joined all kinds of fanatical movements to get rid of their sinful natures. Many of them have deceived themselves, but no one else, into believing that they have been successful. There are many who claim for themselves that they have reached, through a second work of grace, the state of sinless perfection. Such a doctrine and position is not only contrary to Scripture, but contrary to the experience of any and every Christian.

However, there is victory in Christ for every fully yielded believer

The Apostle Paul has well described the believer's experience in these words, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." Romans 7:22-23. Notwithstanding this warfare, he exhorts his fellow saints in these words, "Let not sin therefore REIGN in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." Romans 6:12. It is one thing for sin to dwell in the believer; it is another thing for sin to reign in him. The believer is urged to be constantly on his guard, to be sober, vigilant, prayerful, yielding himself moment by moment to the Lord.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

This does not mean that the Christian will lose his salvation, but he can fall into sin, if he does not do that which he is commanded to do, which is..."Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13. He is likewise commanded, "Submit yourselves unto God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4. It is because of this great fact that God instructs us, "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:11. For said Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16.

There is victory for the Christian in the Lord, and this victory comes by walking in the Spirit. All who thus walk fulfill the righteousness of the law by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. Romans 8:4. Galatians 5:22. "And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8.

In previous messages we have dealt with the Christian's conflict with the world and the devil, but we are here dealing with an enemy which in this life never leaves us nor forsakes us, but which will hinder, defeat and disgrace us unless we are ever and always yielded to the LORD, and can truly say, "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and Who gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20.

When we are born of our parents we inherit a nature of sin which abides with us as long as we abide on this earth. When we are born of God we receive a Divine nature. We are born from above. With such Divine power we can put to death the deeds of the flesh. The old man came to an end at Calvary, as we see from Romans 6:3-6. Believers died with Him, this is a SUPER important point. But the believer must constantly put off the old man and put on the new. "That ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man...And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:24.

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:11-14.

Much more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyiAu296gE4

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Christian Perspective on Social Justice: What Men and Women Need to Know About Women and Men - LLM

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You are no doubt familiar with Freud's famous quotation: "What does woman want? Dear God! What does she want?" Perhaps as a man you thought Freud was quoting you! Most of the closeted and much of the public male discussion of women is directed toward the packaging. Perhaps you would consider a brief look at the content.

What does a woman want? The answer to that question depends upon what she thinks of herself. Women are human, just as men are. Therefore, the two categories, superhuman (God and Satan) and extra-human (the world of things and nature), do not apply. Women are human; they relate to the other-than-human world in the same way you do. They deny or affirm the existence of God and Satan in word and/or in practice, and as a consequence, either rule or are ruled by things and nature.

If they deny God and affirm Satan, they are a god to themselves and life becomes an ego-centered bondage. Committed to self-pleasing, woman will use one of two modes to accomplish that end: she will be either "pussycat" (covertly aggressive) or "tiger" (openly aggressive). To further confuse you, she may use them alternately, one day or moment tiger, the next pussycat. Charming, isn't it? Popularly referred to as "the feminine mystique," it is an age-old technique, both tantalizing and terrorizing to the male.

There are no rules for the game. The system of ethics which generally applies in other areas is superseded, and pretense, dishonesty, fraudulent use of bodies and minds, manipulative strategies, are all considered the means to a delightful end of ego-satisfaction. "All's fair in love and war," is stated as Christian and non-Christian women use people and scuttle their personal integrity. It's a man trap, of course, but then, as one man (a Christian!) told me, "she's lethal, but arsenic taken in small quantities is life giving, you know." Pussycats are cute, and except for a few bad habits (which you mean to train of course) are fairly manageable. The trouble is, pussycats are tigers at heart. Man-eating tigers, that is. And when the pussycat grows up to be a tiger, the man is driven to the whip for sheer survival.

What happened to that adorable little game we used to play, you ask? You know, the one in which she played the puppet and I the big operator, I talked and she listened, she lavished me with flattery and I thought I was a god. What happened, is that two ego trips headed toward each other are sure to collide, and rude will be the awakening, if not total calamity. What does a self-centered woman want? She wants you for herself, and she will use any ruse to get what she wants. You call the pose; she will perform, but you will be the victim, and you will awaken someday to the realization that you are the puppet and your manhood has been whittled down to a nub, and is dissipated to a hollow shell.

There is the other, overtly aggressive woman. You know, the one now dominant in the media. The one you now know you mustn't treat with common courtesies, lest you "demean" her. You have no doubt met her in the marketplace, where she is climbing the same corporate ladder with you. You are aware of her power plays; they are surprisingly similar to the ones you as a male have always used. You may not have taken her seriously, at first--she didn't seem to fit what you understood to be the feminine image. You may have thought she could be "bought", and found to your dismay that it was only on her terms. The hostile woman so familiar in today's world is at war not only with you but with herself. She is fighting the same inner insecurities and fear as you are.

Now, with all of that said...There is another kind of woman, rare and beautiful. Human? Yes, totally human, a whole person who, because she is seeking to be totally committed to the LORD Jesus Christ and therefore God's woman, will not need to use you or anyone else to sustain her identity. She is free to be honest, loving, enjoying all of life to its fullest, and freeing you and all who meet her to enjoy life with her (or without her)! She is a woman of integrity, who will not compromise her spiritual wholeness by flaunting her sexuality or playing fraudulent games with anyone. She will not try to play God, nor will she expect you to play God with her. The dignity of her spiritual identity will be evident in her freedom to serve, but she will not serve your ego with flattery and deceit. She will speak the truth in love and gentleness, because she will want you to be God's man, NOT hers. She will satisfy your total manhood because in knowing her you are brought nearer to the God in whose image both you and she were made, and for whose glory you were intended to live. "She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy." You will find that it is the indwelling Jesus Christ, her LORD, who makes her so, and you will want to praise him for his new creation! With such a woman, the Creator's plan of one woman joined to one man for lifelong union is not bondage but joyful freedom.

Why are such women so rare? Because, gentlemen, you are demanding arsenic when you were designed by God to be sustained by living water. You too are human, subject either to God or Satan, ego-centered or God-centered in your perspective. Screened through your ego-centeredness, the arsenic of sexual game-playing appears life-giving, and if you keep asking for it you will fill your life with toxin, and the "every good thing" God intended for your humanity will turn to death, boredom, and futility. You will get what you expect from a woman: a plaything, a sop to your ego, or integrity of spirit, soul and body. Please, please, help women be what God intended: whole, mature, loving, sensitive, gentle, and gracious. You cannot make them so. Do not try to be God. Just give them godly, loving, sensitive leadership, so that they may see the Father in you and serve him in loving you and others.

I have never met a perfect person. I know some who are on the way to wholeness, and they make me and everyone who knows them love God, the God who filled them with himself and made them alive with beauty that is not contrived but genuine. They are growing people, honest people, struggling with truth and error, with reality and delusion...but in it all their sights are fixed on pleasing God first. He is teaching them how to love themselves and others as His people. They are learning that happiness is knowing God through and in the Lord Jesus Christ, who gives richness to every dimension of life.

A mature and whole woman wants you to be a mature and whole man...not for her ego satisfaction, but for the sheer joy of knowing that you are becoming a total human along with her. Counsel with her; she is your spiritual equal. Pray with her, give yourself to her as she gives herself to you, that you both may love and live to the glory of God, in the fullness of your humanity. If she is your wife, she is your first priority and commitment under God. If she is your sister-in-Christ, respect her as His woman. And PLEASE! DO NOT Lead them not into temptation, but steer them away from game-playing and fraudulent living, so that, together, we may exalt the name of Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior, and altogether "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14) Society must have the salt and light of honest, life-giving relationships in the people of God. You are responsible, Man of God, under God, to give them that kind of leadership, and Women of God are equally responsible, under God, to support men in that quality of headship.

May God give you the freedom to discuss and apply any truth you find in this article with the women in your homes and churches, so that we may together want what God wants. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, the healer of our humanity. To Him be glory in His temples, which are our bodies, and in His people, forever.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

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

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)