LLM Question for 6-12-2012, and, What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 6 of 7

First the Question: Christ, in heaven, is the only priest that any believer needs. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 6-10-2012

Question: The Apostle Peter had absolutely NO apostolic authority over the Apostle Paul. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Someone has said, if, in Galatians 2:1-14, Peter was a Roman Catholic, Paul surely was a Protestant. Peter had absolutely NO apostolic authority over Paul. Peter added nothing to Paul; but CONTRARIWISE, see Galatians 2:6-7. Now, out of the 803 responses we received to this question, a whopping 94.1% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 6 of 7

WHAT ABOUT THE REMISSION OF SINS

How did the Apostle Peter REMIT SINS? When Peter and Cornelius with his company met, surely Peter did not hold out a ringed finger for Cornelius to kiss, but said to Cornelius, “stand up, for I also am a man:” (Acts 10:26).

As we said, so far as we have any record in any Bible, Cornelius and his company were the only Gentiles to whom Peter ministered. Of course, we do not say that he did not preach to others, but we do state that it is significant that no others are mentioned by name, that he did agree to go to the Jews (Galatians 2:9). However, the Apostle Paul mentioned many Gentiles. But note how Peter remitted their sins, and you will know that any twelve year old saved Christian can today remit the sins of any sinner in the same manner. Read Acts 10:39-40, that Christ was nailed to the tree and raised from the dead, and then Peter added, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through HIS NAME (THE LORD JESUS CHRIST) whosoever believeth in HIM shall receive remission of sins!” (Acts 10:43).And there it is! There is NO priest or pope here forgiving sins, or mass, or beads, or holy water, or confessional or penance, except as God granted to Cornelius repentance unto life (Acts 11:18). Cornelius and his company received the Holy Spirit and salvation BEFORE they received water baptism. (Acts 10:44-48). I do not see any water christening here to take away original sin. Do you?

WHAT ABOUT APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

We have the one and only case of APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION mentioned in the Roman Catholic Bible in Acts 1:20, “his bishopric let another take.” Then after the casting of lots for the successor of Judas, Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26). TWELVE apostles stood up on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:14) God did not permit the number ‘TWELVE’ to be reduced to ‘ELEVEN’ (by the death of James in Acts 12:1-2) until Peter had used the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM to the House of Israel and the House of Cornelius.

‘TWELVE’ is the number of God’s ‘KINGDOM’ nation, ‘ISRAEL’. ‘ONE’, the number used by the Apostle Paul, to whom the RISEN Christ revealed the hope and calling of members of the Church which is Christ’s Body, is the number of that Church, in Grace. This number ‘ONE’ is mentioned by the Holy Spirit in Paul’s Writings more than twenty times. It was through Paul that the LORD made known that He would not make the NEW ISRAEL of Isaiah 62:1-5 until He had completed and glorified ‘THE ONE NEW MAN’ of Ephesians 2:15. (Romans 11:25-26). Isn’t that MARVELOUS! Praise the LORD!

With the death of James, one of the ‘TWELVE’, the LORD was ready for the Apostle Paul to go forth, independent of the ‘TWELVE’, with the LORD’s new program. (Acts 13:2). God was getting ready to cast away Israel, temporarily, (Romans 11:15) and inaugurate ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD’ (Ephesians 3:1-3) through ‘THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES’, who declared that a ‘DISPENSATION’ was committed to him. (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:24-26). Therefore, no successor was required by the LORD to take the place of the second apostle of the ‘TWELVE’ to die, as in the case of the first (Judas).

There is a hint at apostolic succession in Paul’s farewell words to Timothy when Paul wrote Timothy to pass on, his (Paul’s) teachings to others, who in turn were to perpet­uate ‘the deposit’ committed to Paul. (Break out your Lexicons and see the Greek of 2 Timothy 1:12). Read carefully Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-9.

The Roman Catholics have made the great blunder that so many evangelical Christians have made. That is IGNORING the Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy, and failing to obey Ephesians 3:9, making God’s saints to see what is ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY’. They have utterly confused the Apostle Peter’s Kingdom Keys, and Kingdom message, the building of the TABERNACLE OF DAVID, Peter’s message to the God fearing, devout, Jew loving, seeking, Cornelius, with GOD’S NEW DEAL for the human race in 2 Cor. 5:16-21; Romans 11:15; Ephesians 2:15, Paul’s Christ given ‘DISPENSATION’ and the new program of Ephesians 4:7-14, THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY; THE PERFECT MAN.

Therefore, they have been numbered with the religious church members mentioned in Ephesians 4:14, “gone with the wind.” They are described as babes in Hebrews 5:11-14, and have NOT gone on to perfection. (Hebrews 6:1; Ephesians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 13:8-11). Christians, who build intelligently with God in this current Dispensation of Grace, must give heed to 1 Corinthians 3:10, and go to the Apostle Paul, rather than to the Apostle Peter, for God’s blueprints and specifications, not fixing the open ‘Faith’ door for Gentiles of Acts 14:27 at Israel’s Pentecost of Acts 2, BUT RATHER after the apostles were reduced from TWELVE to ELEVEN.

Someone has said, if, in Galatians 2:1-14, Peter was a Roman Catholic, Paul surely was a Protestant. Peter had absolutely NO apostolic authority over Paul. Peter added nothing to Paul; but CONTRARIWISE, (Galatians 2:6-7). The LORD’s ‘Grace’ message by the Apostle Paul was, “By Grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; not of works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done.” (Titus 3:5-8). All who were thus saved by Grace, baptized into the one true BIBLE CHURCH, made a part of the ONE NEW MAN of Ephesians 2:15, added by the LORD to the CHURCH, were God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. (Ephesians 2:10).

We challenge any Roman Catholic to prove by the writings of the Apostle Paul in the Roman Catholic Bible that a Gentile had to do one good deed or obey any ritual of an organization to be saved or become a member of the one true Bible Church after the RISEN Christ directed the Apostle Paul to make known the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24), which gospel Paul did NOT receive from the Apostle Peter, but by direct revelation from the RISEN Christ in heaven. (Galatians 1:9-12).

AND WHAT ABOUT MARY

Less than two months after the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, Peter and the other Eleven apostles, and more than one hundred other disciples of the Savior were in Jerusalem waiting for the descent and outpouring of the Holy Spirit in obedience to Luke 24:49.

Among the one hundred and twenty was Mary, the mother of the LORD Jesus. (Acts 1:13-15). In Acts 1:14 we have the last mention in the Roman Catholic Bible of Mary. There is no Bible record of her death or when she became a member of the Body of 1 Corinthians 12:13, or that she is now more than a disembodied spirit in heaven, awaiting the resurrection of the saints when the blessed hope of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or Titus 2:13 takes place.

There is not one single statement in the Roman Catholic Bible to support their teaching that Mary in a glorified body is an intercessor in heaven or that any member of the Body of Christ, the Age of Grace Church, should pray to her or through her.

The Bible clearly teaches that “THERE IS ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS” (1 Timothy 2:4-6); that if Christ were on earth He would not be a priest (Hebrews 8:4), because our LORD Jesus Christ came from the Tribe of Judah, and God’s priests on earth came from the Tribe of Levi. (Hebrews 7:14). God’s death judgment is pronounced upon any not of the tribe of Levi who usurp the office of priest. (Numbers 18:7). In this connection God’s word, spoken by the LORD Jesus, and recorded in the Roman Catholic Bible is very, very plain, “call NO man on earth your father.” (Matthew 23:9). The context and all of the Scriptures reveal that this command of the LORD applies definitely to Roman Catholic priests, including archbishops, cardinals and the pope.

We challenge the Roman Catholics to prove by the Roman Catholic Bible that there were any cardinals or popes in the Bible Church mentioned in the Writings of the Apostles. Peter called Mark his son (1 Peter 5:13), as Paul called Timothy his son (1 Timothy 1:2). When a believing sinner is saved under the preaching of some servant of the LORD, the saved one is referred to as the preacher’s spiritual son. We note in the Roman Catholic Bible, in the very same chapter where Peter calls Mark his son, that Peter called himself an elder (the Greek word is not ‘priest’) and he instructed younger and elder to be subject one to another (1 Peter 5:5), just as James wrote, “confess your sins one to another” (James 5:16); NOT to those who claim to be a special order of priests. The function of a priest is to present man to God: the function of a preacher is to present God (in The LORD Jesus Christ) to man. Every member of the Body of Christ is instructed to intercede for every other member, but through the one Priest in heaven, the LORD Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 8:1 and Hebrews 6:20). The priestly work of the LORD Jesus Christ is recorded in the Roman Catholic Bible in the seventeenth chapter of John’s Gospel. Roman Catholics should read Christ’s words to Mary in John 2:4 and then Mary’s word for them to obey Christ in John 2:5.

The Roman Catholic Bible does not teach that the Church is the door to Christ, as the Roman Catholics Hierarchy teach, but that the LORD Jesus Christ is the door to the Church; that the very moment the sinner receives Christ as his own individual, personal Savior, meeting God at Calvary, he becomes a member of the Body of Christ, is immediately identified with Christ in His third baptism, (his death on the cross (Luke 12:50), is buried with Him, is raised to walk in newness of life, (Romans 6:3-6), is seated with Him in the Heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6), there blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), is then and there joined to Christ and to every member of His Church (Body) in an inseparable, unbreakable, and eternal union and is complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) (Romans 12:3-5). All of these glorious and blessed truths are taught in the Roman Catholic Bible, and that Bible also teaches that a person must receive the Holy Spirit before he can understand or with assurance claim these blessed experiences. (1 Corinthians 2:14).

This 7 part series of messages, "What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism", should enable all of you to REFUTE the claim by Roman Catholics that God’s program for this Age and Dispensation, with their visible head or vicar of Christ, their college of cardinals, and their order of high and low priests, is being carried on by the Roman Catholic Church, and that their Church was the very first New Testament Church.

Every Bible Christian believes in the virgin birth and the eternal Deity of the LORD Jesus Christ, in Whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, (Colossians 2:9); but no Christian, who is a spiritual, intelligent student of the Bible, believes that God performed a miracle to make the Virgin Mary immaculate or sinless to give birth to the sinless Christ or that she remained a virgin after Christ was born. That’s beyond ridiculous.

Mary was conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity, just like you or I before becoming a member of the Body of Christ, and had to receive Christ at Calvary for her redemption and soul cleansing. The Romans Catholic religious teaching concerning Mary, whether called superstition or fiction, is surely, and absolutely, contrary to the plain teaching IN the Roman Catholic Bible.

All that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that is CONTRARY to the doctrines taught by intelligent, spiritual, Dispensation of Grace obedient Christians, (Ephesians 3:9), is contrary to the plain teaching in the Roman Catholic Bible.

The Roman Catholic Bible is the best answer to the false doctrines taught by the Roman Catholic Church Organization.

***

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

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 for 6-10-2012: What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 5 of 7

First the Question: The Apostle Peter had absolutely NO apostolic authority over the Apostle Paul. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 6-8-2012

Question: There is no Bible proof that the Apostle Peter was in Rome to establish a Church, or for any other purpose. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Can any Roman Catholic prove by the Book of Acts, in the Roman Catholic Bible, that the Apostle Peter or any of the other Eleven Apostles ever left the land of the Jews to preach to Gentiles? The Apostle Peter sent a greeting from Babylon, (and yes, it was the actual Babylon) in 1 Peter 5:13, but he never sent a greeting to Rome or from Rome, so far as there is any Bible record. There is no Bible proof that Peter was in Rome to establish a Church or for any other purpose. Now, out of the 794 responses we received to this question, 81.3% of you got it right! Once again, very good!! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 5 of 7

THE APOSTLE PETER AND THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

It is most interesting to compare the commission of the LORD Jesus Christ on earth to Peter and the other Eleven Apostles, recorded in Matthew 10:5-10, especially the command, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles”, with the statement of Peter some twenty years later, recorded in Acts 15:7, “Peter rose up, and said unto them, men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles BY MY MOUTH, should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” When Twelve apostles stood up in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost it was by the Apostle Peter’s mouth that the LORD’s message was given to Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5 and Acts 2:14). Some to whom Peter spoke the LORD’s message that day were from ROME. (Acts 2:10). Some from Rome believed, and were in Christ before Saul of Tarsus (The Apostle Paul) was converted near Damascus, as Paul tells us in Romans 16:7. Some mentioned in Romans 16 were saved elsewhere. So there were perhaps some saints, and therefore an assembly, in Rome even before Paul was converted. But there was a Church in Jerusalem before there was one in Rome. But the fact we would here emphasize is, that Peter was the LORD’s spokesman for the TWELVE APOSTLES in using the KINGDOM KEYS (Matthew 16:16-19) beginning on the day of Pentecost for the Jews, and about seven or eight years later when “PETER OPENED HIS MOUTH” (Acts 10:34) and began his sermon to the household of Cornelius, the Gentile.

From the day Christ gave His command to Peter, in Matthew 10:5-10, “go not in the way of the Gentiles”, until he received the housetop vision, authorizing him to preach to Cornelius (Acts 10:20) about ten years later, the Apostle Peter rigidly obeyed the LORD’s command, saying ten years later that it was not lawful for him to preach to a Gentile. (Acts 10:28). When Peter did preach to Cornelius he was rather severely rebuked by his fellow‑apostles and others for opening his mouth to preach to Gentiles. (Acts 11:1-5).

Can any Roman Catholic prove by the Book of Acts, in the Roman Catholic Bible, that the Apostle Peter or any of the other Eleven Apostles ever left the land of the Jews to preach to Gentiles? By the Book of Acts?

The Apostle Peter sent a greeting from Babylon, (and yes, it was the actual Babylon) in 1 Peter 5:13, but he never sent a greeting to Rome or from Rome, so far as there is any Bible record. There is no Bible proof that Peter was in Rome to establish a Church or for any other purpose.

The Apostle Peter had an opportunity to preach to a Gentile while Christ was on earth, as we may learn in the Roman Catholic Bible by reading Matthew 15:21-27. But obeying the command of Christ in Matthew 10:5, instead of trying to get that poor, needy Gentile saved, he and the other apostles said, “SEND HER AWAY.” (Matthew 15:23). About eight years later he obeyed the ‘sheet’ vision and preached to Cornelius and his loved ones. Then several years later he agreed with Paul that he, Peter, would go to the Jews with the gospel and turn over to Paul the task of evangelizing the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:19).

Surely we must often wonder if the Roman Catholic clergy and laity have EVER EVEN READ Galatians 2 concerning Paul’s visit with the men who were apostles before him, including Peter.

Not one of these TWELVE apostles was responsible for the Apostle Paul’s conversion, so far as there is any record. Paul did not work under their authority when he was separated by the Holy Spirit to become the Apostle of the Gentiles. (Acts 13:2; Galatians 1:15-16) (Romans 11:13). The Apostle Paul received his authority and his Grace message from The RISEN Christ by direct revelation, and not from the TWELVE by communication. (Galatians 1:9-13). More than fifteen years after Peter preached to Jews on the day of Pentecost he still made his headquarters at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1; Acts 15:1-7; Galatians 2:1-11). Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and was in the perfect will of the LORD when he was using the keys of the kingdom of heaven and so he was in the will of God when he remained in Jerusalem. (Matthew 10:23).

Now this most interesting and significant question, how was it possible for Peter to “disciple all nations”, in obedience to Matthew 28:19-20, while remaining in Jerusalem or by agreeing to disciple Jews by going to them with the Gospel as recorded in Galatians 2:9?

Is it not also significant that Peter addressed his FIRST EPISTLE to the scattered STRANGERS and that ‘STRANGERS’ correctly translated should read ‘DISPERSION’, the Jews to whom other Jews referred in John 7:35?

Hear this fact, which to Roman Catholics should be astounding, considering the prominence they have given the Apostle Peter in the Church or Body of Christ. In all of the twenty seven Books of the Catholic Bible, called the New Testament Scriptures, no Catholic clergyman can find MENTIONED BY NAME one Gentile who accepted Christ or Christianity under the preaching of Peter other than the household of Cornelius. We say ‘mentioned by name’. Barnabas, Silas, Mark, Barnabas and other disciples who went out from Jerusalem were Jews.

Roman Catholics, as well as the large majority of evangelistic Christians, have apparently neglected the careful study of the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:10, “As a WISE MASTER BUILDER (architect), I have laid the foundation. Let every man take heed how we build together (sunoikodomeo) thereupon.”

NOW, WHAT ABOUT PURGATORY

We read in Hebrews 1:3, that when Christ had by Himself, ONCE for all, PURGED our sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. In the matter of purging sin for the sinner’s salvation, this is the true PURGATORY in the Roman Catholic Bible, and in all Christians’ Bibles. Where sin abounded Grace did MUCH MORE (OVER) ABOUND. (Romans 5:20). The Blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses us from ALL sin, and by Christ all who believe are justified from all things. (1 John 1:7; Acts 13:39)

Roman Catholics do not like to be challenged concerning their ‘PURGATORY’ man made theory, for the same reason that certain men had the Apostle Paul arrested at Philippi, “when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas” (Acts 16:19).

PURGATORY, with the Roman Catholics, is certainly one big ‘hope of their gains’; but is wholly without Scriptural support. Certainly Luke 12:47-48 and 1 Corinthians 3:15, ‘many stripes’ and ‘few stripes’ and ‘saved so as by fire’ in no way teach the PURGATORY of the Roman Catholic Organization, for a Christian is not appointed unto wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 5:9), Yes, the Christian is delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10), (John 3:36).

The Roman Catholics’ PURGATORY, being purged in fire for a long period, is WRATH TO COME. The believer shall not come into that judgment. (John 5:24). The Bible does not guarantee eternal life to Catholics or everlasting perdition to Non-Catholics, but it absolutely guarantees everlasting life and eternal glory to every believer saved by the infinite, matchless, abounding Grace of the God of all Grace, and eternal CONSCIOUS perdition to every sinner who refuses or fails to meet God by Faith at Calvary, where the LORD Jesus Christ ONCE for all put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and where God perfects, FOREVER, all who are cleansed by the precious shed blood of the Lamb of God, Who beareth away the sin of the world. Read 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Romans 5:1; John 1:29, and Hebrews 10:14.

God’s Word is clear, “THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS”. (Hebrews 10:26 and Hebrews 10:12).

What does it mean to be justified FREELY by God’s Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and His ONCE for all shed blood? (Roman 3:24-26)? The Greek word translated ‘FREELY’ is ‘DORIAN’, which word is translated in John 15: ‘WITHOUT A CAUSE’. Whether you are a Roman Catholic, a so called Protestant, a church member sinner, or some other kind of a sinner, believe that eternal life is God’s FREE GIFT through Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Bible says so in Romans 6:23; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47.

No religious dignitaries or potentates were needed to canonize the thief who died on the cross, after his death, to get him out of PURGATORY, for the LORD said, “TODAY, shalt thou be with me in PARADISE” (Luke 23:43) For every member of the Body (Church) of Christ, death means, absent from the body and present with the LORD (2 Cor. 5:8), it means to depart to be with Christ. (Philippians 1:23).

Perhaps those who called the PURGATORY teaching a religious money making racket have been seemingly ungracious. The Apostle Peter spoke of religious leaders who made merchandise of people. (2 Peter 2:3). The teaching of PURGATORY is worse than that.

To the first Church of Rome the Apostle Paul wrote his Epistle, and in the sixteenth chapter he sent greetings to about twenty‑five saints by name and then added, “to all the saints that are with them.” (Romans 16:15). Many of the saints that Paul addressed in his different Epistles did not walk as becometh saints (compare Ephesians 5:3 with 1 Corinthians 3:3), SO, they were not saints because they walked as saints or behaved to please the LORD spiritually. The Corinthians became saints in the manner set forth in 1 Corinthians 6:11. The Ephesians became saints in the manner recorded in Ephesians 2:8-10. Sinners become saints by believing, not by behaving. They SHOULD behave as becometh saints AFTER they become saints BY believing, BY receiving the Grace of God, which they should not receive in vain. (2 Cor. 6:1).

***

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

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 for 6-5-2012, and, What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism, Part 3 of 7

First the Question: The Apostle Peter feared James, the LORD’s brother, and other prejudiced Jews, and Peter refused to eat with Christian Gentiles. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 6-3-2012

Question: The Apostle Paul did not want to build on the foundation of the Apostle Peter. Romans 15:20. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! After the (albeit temporary) fall of Israel there was a man who went all over the known world seeking Gentiles. His name was the Apostle Paul. Read Romans 1:14, that he was debtor to every kind of a Gentile; that he was ready to go to the heathen at Rome. The Apostle Paul did not want to build on the Apostle Peter’s foundation (Romans 15:20). We may rest assured that Peter did not go to Rome ahead of Paul to establish a Christian assembly. Paul wanted fruit among the Gentiles at Rome (Romans 1:13, Romans 15:21). And, Peter had already agreed to go to Jews. (Galatians 2:9). Now, out of the 768 responses we received to this question, 81.8% of you got it right! Much better!! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 3 of 7

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, ISRAEL’S SAVIOUR FIRST

Christ on earth did not preach what the Apostle Paul preached in Romans 11:30, that the Gentiles obtained God’s favor, because of Israel’s unbelief; for Christ said He was sent ONLY to Israel. (Matthew 15:24). Christ was made under the law to redeem them that were under the law (Galatians 4:4), and to fulfill promises God had made through Old Testament prophets to and for Israel. (Romans 15:8).

Roman Catholics would be delivered from their unscriptural claims concerning the Apostle Peter, and from other errors, and evangelical Christians would likewise be delivered from their various faulty belief system, if they would all see the great and important truth that Christ was RAISED UP from Mary’s womb to be Israel’s Savior FIRST and He was RAISED UP from Joseph’s tomb to be Israel’s Savior FIRST.

No truth is more clearly taught than is this all important truth in the Roman Catholic Bible. Read in Acts 13:23, Acts 5:29-30, Acts 3:22-25, Luke 1:69, Galatians 4:4, Luke 4:16 and Luke 2:39, Luke 1:27-33 and Luke 19:9-10, that the LORD Jesus Christ, in incarnation, was RAISED UP from Mary’s womb to be Israel’s Savior and that Christ’s own words are recorded in Matthew 15:24, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” “Of David’s seed God RAISED UP unto ISRAEL a Savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:23). This refers to Christ’s incarnation; not to His Resurrection. Do not hurry away from this statement, let it SINK IN!.

Now read Luke 19:9-10: that salvation came to Zaccheus, because he was a son of Abraham, and because the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. In Ezekiel 34 it was prophesied that the LORD would seek His SHEEP. An unsaved Gentile is NOT called a sheep in the Bible. Christ on earth never sought a Gentile, so far as there is any Bible record. The Samaritans were not Gentiles. (Matthew 10:5-7). Two Gentiles sought and found Christ while He was the Son of Man here, on earth, seeking the sons of Abraham. The one Gentile was a woman, who said that she would take her place as a little dog under the table and receive crumbs from Israel’s table. (Matthew 15:21-27…Mark 7:21-27). The other Gentile was a Roman official, for whom the Jewish elders interceded, going for him to Christ, because that Gentile loved the Jews and built them a synagogue. (Luke 7:1-10)). The other Gentiles, who said, “we would see Jesus”, were seeking the Son of man, but did not reach Him. (John 12:20-24). But all sought Christ.

Another Roman official, who saw what happened at Calvary, said concerning, Christ, “surely he was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54). He may have been the centurion of Luke 7:1-10. About seven or eight years later another Roman official was seeking the LORD. His name was Cornelius. He obtained God’s favor, because he was good to the Jews, gave them money (Acts 10:22) and because he was a devout, God fearing, praying man. (Acts 10:1-6). We challenge the Roman Catholics to prove by their own Bible that there is one record that either the LORD Jesus Christ on earth, or the Apostle Peter before or after the death of Christ was seeking and saving Gentiles, except the cases we have mentioned.

However, after the (temporary) fall of Israel there was a man who went all over the known world seeking Gentiles. His name was the Apostle Paul. Read Romans 1:14, that he was debtor to every kind of a Gentile; that he was ready to go to the heathen at Rome. The Apostle Paul did not want to build on the Apostle Peter’s foundation (Romans 15:20). We may rest assured that Peter did not go to Rome ahead of Paul to establish a Christian assembly. Paul wanted fruit among the Gentiles at Rome (Romans 1:13, Romans 15:21). And, Peter had already agreed to go to Jews. (Galatians 2:9).

When God’s religious nation was cast away, Paul went with the Ministry of Reconciliation to Gentiles, to beg them to be reconciled to God. (Romans 11:15 and 2 Cor. 5:16-21). His statement, was then, “there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:11). After the seeking Gentile (Sergius Paulus) of Acts 13:7-15, the Apostle Paul was seeking Gentiles. The Gentiles were called ‘a foolish nation’, ‘no people’ (Romans 10:19). They were not only alienated from Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12), but from the Life of God (Ephesians 4:18), in the world having no hope, without the One True God, dead in sins, afar off from God. (Ephesians 2:1-4 and Ephesians 2:11-13). Salvation by Grace was sent to them when, and because, God set aside Israel (temporarily), His RELIGIOUS nation. (Romans 11:11-I5). Then the Apostle Paul made known God’s eternal purpose, kept secret from BEFORE the foundation of the world, (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:1-11; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:23-28; 2 Timothy 1:9-11; 2 Timothy 2:7-9; Colossians 4:3-5; Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Ephesians 4:7-14), something wonderful and glorious for the alienated, dead, hopeless Gentiles, to be Baptized by God INTO the glorious, holy, un-prophesied Body of Christ. Ephesians 5:20-26.

Even as late as Acts 13:30-36 Paul declared that God RAISED UP Christ AGAIN from Joseph’s tomb, to be Israel’s Savior, to give them the SURE MERCIES OF DAVID, mentioned in Luke 1:67-70, and Acts 3:19-26. Peter in Acts 5:31-32 declared that GOD RAISED UP Christ again, to be a Prince and a Savior to bestow blessings upon Israel.

As we read Acts 3:19-26 and Acts 5:29-32 and Acts 13:23, and Galatians 4:4 and Matthew 15:24 and Matthew 10:5-9, we say, “Where do the Gentiles come in?" And how about John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave His Son that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish but have everlasting life? These are questions that must be asked and answered by all Christians, regardless of Church name, who are to understand the Bible and clear and rid the Church from Judaism, legalism, fanaticism, ritualism and sectarianism; in fact from every ill and ism with which the Church of the Age of Grace, the Body of Christ, is afflicted.

If Christ was RAISED UP, in incarnation, to be Israel’s Savior, and RAISED UP, in Resurrection, to be Israel’s Savior, then Israel had to receive or reject the ‘TWICE‑RAISED‑UP’ MESSIAH before God would send Peter’s ‘KINGDOM’ message (his message to Cornelius) to Gentiles or Paul’s ‘GRACE’ message to Gentiles. Peter said, “TO ISRAEL FIRST” (Acts 3:26). Paul said, “TO ISRAEL FIRST” (Acts 13:46).

BUT, Peter never preached to Gentiles what Paul preached to them: that Gentiles obtained mercy from God because of Israel’s unbelief. (Romans 11:30). Paul never preached to Gentiles Acts 10:34-35, or what the LORD Jesus Christ, while incarnated, preached, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), “go not into the way of the Gentiles”, “it is not lawful to go to the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:5-7, Acts 10:28). Christ said to the Apostle Paul, “Get out of Jerusalem, I will send you far hence unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:17-21). Paul went ‘FAR HENCE’ to the Gentiles and finally said, “the gospel is gone into all the world, preached to every creature under heaven.” (Colossians 1:5-6 and Colossians 1:23). And then Paul added, “Whereof I Paul am made a minister.” Even before he went to Rome, Paul wrote that he had preached the gospel to Gentiles where Christ had not been named from Jerusalem to Illyricum, ‘FULLY PREACHED THE GOSPEL’(Romans 15:16-20). His unfinished task was Rome. Rome was NOT assigned to the Apostle Peter, but to the Apostle Paul.

***

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

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 for 6-3-2012, and, What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism. Part 2 of 7

First the Question: The Apostle Paul did not want to build on the foundation of the Apostle Peter. Romans 15:20. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-31-2012

Question: The Roman Catholic Bible teaches that a DEAD SINNER does NOT become a LIVING SAINT by what man does for God. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! There is nothing more clearly taught in the Roman Catholic Bible in the writings of the Apostle Paul, than is the fact, that there were in the days of the Apostles, as there are today, two classes of adults with respect to salvation, DEAD SINNERS and LIVING SAINTS (Ephesians 2:1-9). With equal clarity the same Bible (in the Apostle Paul’s Epistles) teaches that a DEAD SINNER does not become a LIVING SAINT by what man does for God, BUT by what God does for man. “NOT OF WORKS, LEST MAN SHOULD BOAST.” (Ephesians 2:9). Now, out of the 798 responses we received to this question, only 66.7% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 2 of 7

In addressing the Christians at Corinth the Apostle Paul used this language, “Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth; to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called SAINTS”... (1 Corinthians 1:2). The Roman Catholic Bible does not teach that every person who was identified with some local church organization in the days of the apostles was a SAINT; BUT that Bible, as well as every Bible used by Christians, most certainly teaches that every member of the BODY OF CHRIST in those days was a SAINT, whether they worshipped in Galatia, Thessalonica, Philippi, Colossi, Ephesus, Corinth, or Jerusalem.

There is nothing more clearly taught in the Roman Catholic Bible in the writings of the Apostle Paul, than is the fact, that there were in the days of the Apostles, as there are today, two classes of adults with respect to salvation, “DEAD SINNERS” and “LIVING SAINTS” (Ephesians 2:1-9). With equal clarity the same Bible (in the Apostle Paul’s Epistles) teaches that a “DEAD SINNER” does not become a “LIVING SAINT” by what man does for God, BUT by what God does for man. “NOT OF WORKS, LEST MAN SHOULD BOAST.” (Ephesians 2:9). “If by Grace, then it is no more of works.” (Romans 11:6). We will refer later to the Apostle Peter’s message to Cornelius in Acts 10:34-35.

The Apostle James wrote that Abraham was justified by offering Isaac on the altar. Abraham offered Isaac on the altar about forty years after he WAS justified, or DECLARED righteous, by Faith, WITHOUT works. (Genesis 15:6-8; Romans 4:1-11). Every Christian, who reads and believes the Bible, believes that God expects him or her to abound in good work. (1 Corinthians 15:58, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:14).

HOWEVER, there is as much difference between night and day as there is between FRUSTRATING the Grace of God and INSULTING God by offering good deeds or some religious ritual to supplement God’s own Divine work of Grace in saving the believing sinner from the penalty of sin, AND, appropriating the all sufficient Grace of God for good works after becoming a SAINT without good works or any religious ceremony.

The Apostle James addressed his Epistle “TO THE TWELVE TRIBES” (James 1:1). Some of those Jews were saved and some were unsaved. He referred to the ‘synagogue’. (James 2:2). In the second chapter James was referring to God’s oath to Abraham. The Apostle Paul in Romans 4 was referring to God’s covenant with Abram many years before. The Roman Catholic Church does erroneously teach some doctrines believed by some of the Twelve Tribes; but there is a great difference between the two companies.

When the Twelve Tribes were set aside (God’s religious nation) they fell (temporarily); they fell that salvation might be sent to the Gentiles. (Romans 11:11). Reconciliation and mercy and Divine riches were offered the Gentiles when and because of Israel’s fall, blindness, casting away, and unbelief (Romans 11:30; Romans 11:15; Romans 11:12; Romans 11:25). No Christian can understand God’s ‘Grace’ program and message for sinners who does not understand the eleventh chapter of Romans.

When a company of Greeks wanted to see the LORD Jesus Christ on earth (John 12:20-24), Christ did not respond to their request, stating that He had to die as a corn of wheat and fall into the ground. He had already told one Greek that she was a dog and it was not in order to give the Jew’s bread to dogs. (Mark 7:21-27). But some twelve years later, the Apostle Paul said to the Jews that it was necessary for him to proclaim God’s message to them FIRST. Then, BECAUSE they would not receive it, he said; “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). Then many Greeks were saved. (Acts 13:47-50, and Acts 14:1). Then Paul and his fellow disciples rejoiced that God had opened the Door of Faith unto the Gentiles, (keep in mind this is about TWELVE YEARS AFTER Christ had died and was resurrected), (Acts 14:27).

By comparing the Apostle Peter’s statement in Acts 15:7, referring to his use of the kingdom keys with Cornelius, and the statement of Acts 14:27, we should be taught that Peter’s keys did NOT open the Door of Faith for Gentiles that the LORD opened through the ministry of the Apostle Paul, who was the apostle, teacher, and preacher of the Gentiles and the prisoner of Christ for Gentiles. (2 Timothy 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:17; 1 Timothy 2:7; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; Romans 16:25; Galatians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:27-25; Galatians 2:7-9; Ephesians 3:1-2 and Ephesians 3:8). Let us not look to have that door opened BEFORE God opened it, by the Apostle Paul.

***

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

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 for 5-31-2012, and, What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism, Part 1 of 7

First the Question: The Roman Catholic Bible teaches that a DEAD SINNER does NOT become a LIVING SAINT by what man does for God. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-29-2012

Question: The Roman Catholic Bible plainly teaches that every member of the Body of Christ is a SAINT. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! The Roman Catholic Bible does plainly teaches that every member of the Body of Christ is a SAINT. The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 1:2, tells how God makes a SAINT out of a sinner, “sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” This is in agreement with Hebrews 10:10, “By the which will we are SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Christ ONCE (once, NOT at every mass) for all.” Now, out of the overwhelming 864 responses we received to this question, only 55.6% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What Does the Roman Catholic Bible Teach About Roman Catholicism? Part 1 of 7

First let us all carefully read some all-important words which the Risen Christ instructed the Apostle Paul to write at the time that Apostle was the prisoner of Jesus Christ for Gentiles. To the Apostle Paul, Christ had committed the Dispensation of the Grace of God for Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-3)

“I therefore, the prisoner of the LORD, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love: Endeavoring to keep the unity (ONEness) of the Spirit in the bond of peace, ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD and FATHER of all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6).

In this same letter, Ephesians 1:22-23, we read that THE CHURCH, of the Dispensation of Grace, the Dispensation of the Mystery, is called “THE BODY OF CHRIST”.

Every evangelical Christian should agree one hundred percent with every Roman Catholic clergyman and layman, that during this present Dispensation, Fellowship, or Administration, of Grace there is ONE, and ONLY ONE, TRUE BIBLE CHURCH. But we ask every Roman Catholic to agree with us that this ONE TRUE BIBLE CHURCH is called “THE BODY OF CHRIST”, “ONE BODY”.

The Roman Catholics claim that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true Bible Church. Therefore they must claim to be the ONE BODY of Ephesians 1:22-23, and Ephesians 4:4. According to the plain teaching of the Roman Catholic Bible, as well as the various translations in the Bibles used by evangelical Christians, God’s way of becoming a member of the ONE TRUE BIBLE CHURCH, or BODY, is stated in clear, definite language in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “BAPTIZED BY ONE SPIRIT INTO ONE BODY, whether Jews or Gentiles.”

Every evangelical Christian and every Roman Catholic should be honest and intelligent enough to acknowledge that all Bibles used by them teach that a person becomes a member of the BODY (CHURCH) by God’s Work, by God’s Baptism. How God’s workmen work together with God in this work is recorded in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, “we are labourers together with God.” One planted; another watered; “BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.” “So then neither is he that planteth any thing; neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

Then take a look at Acts 2:47, “The LORD added to the Church daily such as should be saved.” John 3:27, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” Romans 6:23, “The (free) gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.” Note prayerfully 2 Timothy 1:9, “God Who saved us and called us with a Holy Calling, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, but according to His own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus BEFORE the world began.”

The Roman Catholic Bible plainly teaches that every member of the Body of Christ is a SAINT. The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 1:2, tells how God makes a SAINT out of a sinner, “sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” This is in agreement with Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Christ ONCE (once, NOT at every mass) for all.”

In 1 Corinthians 6:7-11 we may visit what has been called God’s ‘SAINT FACTORY’. In those verses we can certainly learn in the Roman Catholic Bible of the human material out of which God makes SAINTS and His own Divine process. There we read of the awful, dark, sinful past of those Corinthians and of the great transformation that made them saints or Children of God, members of the Body of Christ, and how that transformation was wrought, “BUT YE ARE WASHED, BUT YE ARE SANCTIFIED: BUT YE ARE JUSTIFIED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, AND BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR LORD.” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

This same glorious, blessed truth is told in different language in 2 Thessalonians 2:13, and Ephesians 2:8-10, and Titus 3:5-8, and Romans 4:4-5. Open a Roman Catholic Bible and read these verses; the best news ever heard by any human being. Believing sinners are justified FREELY (or without a cause) by God’s Grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26). Roman Catholics should be intensely interested in these verses quoted from the Letter addressed to that early assembly in Rome, and they should greatly rejoice in this glorious message of Grace, Salvation WITHOUT religious works of any kind. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith WITHOUT the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28).

***

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

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 for 5-29-2012, and, What is the State of the Dead? Part 3 of 3

First the Question: The Roman Catholic Bible plainly teaches that every member of the Body of Christ is a SAINT. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-27-2012

Question: There is NO cessation of conscious life after we receive Life in Christ upon believing the Gospel. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! I am sure that after reading all of the Scripture passages contained in this three part message series, all those who are trusting in the LORD Jesus Christ will be convinced that those of the same precious faith who have fallen asleep have departed to be with Him, and although they are waiting to be clothed upon with their house which is from Heaven they are in a state of CONSCIOUS bliss. Therefore, Life NOW is: incorruptibility at Christ’s coming. No cessation of life after we receive life, on believing the Gospel. Now, out of the 793 responses we received to this question, 76.5% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What is the State of the Dead? Part 3 of 3

NOW, again, it is the BODY, without the spirit, that is dead.

At death the spirit goes to God who gave it. The dead body can neither feel, nor work, nor know. But this has NO reference to the spirit IN the body, that LEAVES the body when that body goes to dust and corruption. Ecclesiastes is not the book for the clear teaching of the present state of the dead, but even that book by no means supports the awful heresy of soul sleeping. The spirit at death goes to the God of the living.Immediately. There is also NO hanging around in our world, for any reason, or any length of time.

Now from the NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES

Luke 23:46. “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus: He gave up the ghost.”

Luke 8:49-56. This twelve year old girl was dead. Christ came into the death chamber and said, “Maid, arise.” “And her spirit came again.” Luke 8:54. Compare this with 1 Kings 17:22.

Luke 23:42-43. “LORD, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Luke 15:10. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Ephesians 3:15. “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”

Acts 7:55-59. “Saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” Stephen calling upon God, “and saying, LORD Jesus, receive my spirit.”

2 Corinthians 5:8. “Absent from the body, and to be present with the LORD.”

Philippians 1:23. “Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”

I am sure that after reading these Scriptures, all who are trusting in the LORD Jesus Christ will be convinced that those of the same precious faith who have fallen asleep have departed to be with Him, and although they are waiting to be clothed upon with their house which is from Heaven they are in a state of CONSCIOUS bliss. Whether or not they rejoice when sinners turn to the LORD we cannot be too dogmatic, but this seems to be the teaching of God’s Word. They have departed to be with the LORD. They are at home with the LORD. This is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:8. We know our blessed LORD tasted death. We know that He has abolished death and brought life and incorruptibility to light in the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9-10. What a glorious truth this is!

Therefore, Life now is: incorruptibility at Christ’s coming. No cessation of life after we receive life, on believing the gospel.

And well may we join the Apostle John in his praise, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; there­fore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, NOW are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:1-2.

Our blessed LORD is in a glorified body in Heaven. Otherwise, He could not represent us as priest. By man came death and by man came the resurrection of the dead. Some day our blessed LORD shall descend from heaven and we shall be caught up to meet Him, at which time these bodies of humiliation shall be fashioned (transformed) like unto His glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21. And we shall see Him as He is. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

Many Christians say that because the apostles of Christ recognized Moses and Elijah on the mount of Transfiguration, and because the Apostle Paul said, “but then shall I know even as also I am known,” we have positive Scriptural proof that we shall surely recognize our loved ones in glory. Whether or not these particular Scrip­tures give us this assurance, we are sure that such recognition is only a reasonable expectation to make our eternal happiness in our heavenly home complete. Yes, the Scriptures declare that “when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven.” Mark 12:25. But this has nothing to do with the recognition of our loved ones and friends.

Of course, the question always arises as to our UNSAVED loved ones. “Will we be conscious of their absence from heaven and their punishment and suffering?” This thought has come to all who have studied the Word of God and wondered about the hereafter. So, my personal belief on this is surely God will permit no thought to disturb the blessedness of His redeemed ones.

But we should be disturbed, startled and driven to anxious concern for our unsaved loved ones while we are here with them in the land of the living in this Day of Grace.

Let us remember the solemn words of God, “It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment.” There are many false prophets today telling that the dead will have another chance at salvation; but they are the representatives of Satan and not of the LORD. They corrupt the Scriptures to give this false hope to their deluded victims. God’s Word is judgment after death. The awful sorrows of that judgment are described in the closing verses of the twentieth chapter of Revelation. Sinner, read them carefully and believe God’s truth.

There are only two destinies, even as there are only two ways. There is NO purgatory or third place. For every individual, it is either eternal glory with Christ and the redeemed, or eternal darkness and despair with those listed in Revelation 21:8, “the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars.”

Here is God’s order of events, “The LORD Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This scene may be enacted at any moment of any day RIGHT NOW. Then, once the Body of Christ is removed, the prophetic timeline resumes, and the Great Tribulation commences immediately or after a period of time. Out of that Great Tribulation some will be saved to have part in the first resurrection, “These are they which came out of Great Tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6. The period of Great Tribulation will close with the coming of the LORD with His saints (Christ the Head and His Body), and the host of Heaven, to execute judgment, to dethrone the usurper, Satan, and to establish His earthly Kingdom. Revelation 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-9, Revelation 19:12-20:5, Matthew 24:30, and many others.

So, now, if you have read all three of the messages in this series, we have the answers to the two questions of Job: “Man giveth up the ghost and where is he,” and “if a man die shall he live again.”

***

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

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 for 5-27-2012, and, What is the State of the Dead? Part 2 of 3

First the Question: There is NO cessation of conscious life after we receive Life in Christ upon believing the Gospel. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-25-2012

Question: The spirit at death goes to the God of the living, and the body without the spirit is dead. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! In 2 Samuel 12:24, concerning his little baby that had died, David said, “Can I bring him back?” There was the lifeless body of the baby. So David was not speaking concerning the body. Here is a great truth, recorded in James 2:26, “THE BODY WITHOUT THE SPIRIT IS DEAD”. Now, out of the 761 responses we received to this question, 93.8% of you got it right! Terrific! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

What is the State of the Dead? Part 2 of 3

Some particular cases of physical death are pronounced by physicians to be mysteries; and either for the benefit of medical science or because of suspicion of foul play autopsies are held by scientific men to determine just what caused the death. Other people are said to die natural deaths. There are thousands of different diseases that produce death, and the toll is increasing each year. Death is no respecter of persons as to nationality, financial or social standing, age or any other thing. Within one hundred years from today more than one and one‑half billion people who are now living will experience physical death unless that great event which is to bring destruction to this last enemy shall take place; and it may at any time. Whether your loved one’s death was pronounced natural or unnatural, death is a mystery. We feel that the person who does not want to live is unnatural or mentally unbalanced, unless physical pain is too intense for human endurance.

Death at times seems so cruel. Family circles are broken by death. A loving companion is taken out of the home leaving hearts filled with sorrow and wonder; leaving many in utter despair. In such cases, who has not repeated that old question, “if a man die, shall he live again?” When one who has been near and dear to us has been taken by death, who has not imagined or hoped or believed that there would be a reunion, another meeting in a place where death could not enter to disturb the happy relationships? How many have said with David concerning some precious baby, “Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me?” 2 Samuel 12:23.

What pagan religion or what modern religion, what human philosophy, what ancient or modern science can answer this cry of the heart, “But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” Job 14:10. The answer to man’s speculation is found in the last verse of Job 13: “They grope in the dark without light.”

However, here is the best and most satisfactory answer to this universal question, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11:25. And Jesus added a question: “Believest thou this?” The poor bereaved sister didn’t fully understand what her Savior and LORD was talking about, but she believed Him, nevertheless, and said, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” John 11:27.

“Though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Remember these words. Herein is a Gracious promise, a comforting and blessed hope; the dead shall live, IF…Yes, there is a condition. This Savior is more than the way-shower; He IS the Way. He is more than the giver of life; He IS the Life. He is more than the teacher of resurrection; He, Himself IS the Resurrection. So it behooves us to hear Him, and to believe all that God’s Divine record has to say concerning Him.

After the disciples of Christ had been under His teaching for many months, they questioned “one with another, what the rising from the dead should mean.” Mark 9:10. Peter and John, some months later, knew not the Scripture that Christ must rise again from the dead. John 20:9. This should convince us that our appeal should be to the New Testament Scriptures for the clear teaching concerning death, resurrection, rewards and retribution.

To be sure it is written in the law and the prophets that there shall be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15. And certainly the Old Testament Scriptures are as much inspired as are the New, and most assuredly there is no conflict or contradiction, but as we find the incarnation and sacrifice of Christ so much more clearly set forth after He came to earth from heaven, so do we find the truth concerning the present and future state of the dead more clearly presented after the incarnation, sacrifice and resurrection of the Son of God.

So that you may receive the rich blessing in your own soul and the truth from God Himself, we are going to present for your prayerful and careful study the following Scriptures:

OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES

1 Kings 17:21-22. “O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.” “And the soul of the child came into him again and he revived.”

Genesis 37:33-35. “And Jacob said concerning his son Joseph, in Genesis 37:33, “an evil beast hath devoured him. Genesis 37:35 “I will go down into sheol, unto my son, mourn­ing.”

Deuteronomy 32:48-50. Concerning Moses’ death the LORD said, “And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people.” In what sense was Moses gathered unto his people? Was his body gathered with them? Read Deuteronomy 34:5-6. “No man knoweth of his sepulcher.” The devil contended for his body. Jude 9. See Moses transfigured on the mount. Matthew 17:3.

Genesis 35:29. “Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people.” Years after Isaac had died, the LORD appeared to Moses as the God of Abraham and Isaac; and referring to this Christ said, “For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living.” Luke 20:38.

In 2 Samuel 12:24, concerning his little baby that had died, David said, “Can I bring him back?” There was the lifeless body of the baby. So David was not speaking concerning the body. Here is a great truth, recorded in James 2:26, “THE BODY WITHOUT THE SPIRIT IS DEAD”

Ecclesiastes 12:7. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” This would be a contradiction of Ecclesiastes 3:19-20, if these verses did not refer to man’s body instead of his spirit, “so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast; for all is vanity.” “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.”

This is the complaint of the man under the sun, as is also Ecclesiastes 9:5 “The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward.” This is a plain contradiction of the many promises of God that the re­wards of the faithful shall follow their death, unless we rightly divide the word of truth. This is true also concerning the tenth verse: “There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.”

NOW, let’s get this straight! It is the body without the spirit that is dead.

At death the spirit goes to God who gave it. The dead body can neither feel, nor work, nor know. But this has NO reference to the spirit IN the body, that LEAVES the body when that body goes to dust and corruption. Ecclesiastes is not the book for the clear teaching of the present state of the dead, but even that book by no means supports the awful heresy of soul sleeping. The spirit at death goes to the God of the living. Immediately. There is also NO hanging around in our world, for any reason, or any length of time.

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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

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

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