LLM Question for 1-13-2012, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 4, PART 3 of 3

First the Question: The first day of the week is the Christian Sabbath. True or False?

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

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 1-8-2012

Question: The mixture of the Law and the Grace of God unto Salvation is an abomination in the sight of the LORD. An ABOMINATION! Like other ABOMINATIONS. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! With man’s utter failure, under the Reign of the Law, the Galatians wanted to AGAIN put their necks into the yoke of bondage. DO YOU? Would you let a Seventh Day Adventist, or any other “salvation by works” lawkeeper bewitch you? Now when some religious Christian comes with his law message, “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1); or, “ye must keep the law, and the sabbath” (Acts 15:24); or comes preaching the Kingdom Gospel of Matthew with baptism, the golden rule, and the kingdom prayer, REMEMBER the allegory and cast out the bondwoman and her son. “For this Hagar is Mount Sinai.” Galatians 4:25. The law was given at Mount Sinai. That law proved to be a yoke of bondage to the people of God. Thus we see that the mixture of Law and Grace is an abomination in the sight of the LORD. An ABOMINATION! Like other ABOMINATIONS. Am I getting through out there? Now, out of the 765 responses we received to this question, 88.2% of you got it right. Praise the LORD! Therefore, now, let us take a look at,

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 4, PART 3 of 3

If it is true that Mohammed and the Mohammedans came from Ishmael, we can see something of the fruit of the unbelief of Sarah and Abraham. The bondwoman’s son (Ishmael) mocked. “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” Genesis 21:10. “For this Hagar is Mount Sinai.” Galatians 4:25. The law was given at Mount Sinai. That law proved to be a yoke of bondage to the people of God. “The law entered that the offence might abound.” Romans 5:20. “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment (Law), wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.” Romans 7:8.

The law was added 430 years after God made His promise to Abram. Galatians 3:17. God preached the Gospel to Abram 430 years before the law was added till Christ, the Seed, should come. The law covenant has been abolished; it has been made old. Hebrews 8:13.

The Nation Israel is and will be restored and possess the land of Canaan, because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:26-29. God sware this unto Abraham, confirming His covenant with His oath. It is impossible for God to lie. “And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge; and afterward shall they come out with great substance. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” Genesis 15:13, Genesis 15:14, Genesis 15:18.

Now what happened 430 years later? “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” Exo­dus 2:24-25. Why did God send Moses to deliver Israel from Pharaoh and Egyptian bondage and to lead them into Canaan? Surely it was not because the Israelites were worthy. It was because of God’s promise and oath to Abraham. Note the plea of Moses and why God was to spare the sinning Israelites in the wilderness; Exodus 32:13, “Remember Abraham”. Why did God save Lot? He remembered Abraham! Genesis 19:29. God will yet save Israel, because He will remember Abraham! God sent the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles because He remembered ABRAM! Galatians 3:8.

Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage was God’s act of Grace. But note the words of the Israelites in Exodus 19:8, “And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken WE WILL DO.” How many who made this covenant with God reached Canaan? Only Joshua and Caleb! How many kept the covenant? ALL were lawbreakers. Ishmael was born after the flesh. Hagar is Mount Sinai. The Israelites ended their law dispensation by killing the Prince of life. By His death and resurrection God brought in the Reign of Grace. With man’s utter failure, under the Reign of the Law, the Galatians wanted to AGAIN put their necks into the yoke of bondage. DO YOU? Would you let a Seventh Day Adventist, or any other “salvation by works” lawkeeper bewitch you?

Now when some religious Christian comes with his law message, “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1); or, “ye must keep the law, and the sabbath” (Acts 15:24); or comes preaching the Kingdom Gospel of Matthew with the golden rule and the kingdom prayer, REMEMBER the allegory and cast out the bondwoman and her son.

Thus we see that the mixture of law and Grace is an abomination in the sight of the LORD. An ABOMINATION! Like other ABOMINATIONS. Am I getting through out there?

“And if by Grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise Grace is no more Grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more Grace; otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6.

“But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4:29. This is very much going on TODAY!

In Romans 4:16 we read that Abraham is the father of us all; and in Galatians 4:26, that, Jerusalem is the mother of us all. The LORD Jesus Christ spoke these words while on earth, “Call no man your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” Matthew 23:9.

Some Christians erroneously teach that the Church (the Body of Christ) is Israel. But then forget to also teach, “A blindness in part has happened to Israel.” Romans 11:25. Others go to the OTHER extreme and teach that the Body of Christ did not have its historic beginning until after the close of the period covered by the Book of Acts (about 30 years). That both believing Jews and believing Gentiles, during the “Acts” period, were baptized into One Body; were one in Christ; and that in Christ Jesus there was neither Jew nor Gentile; that the believers were in Christ; that Christ was in the believers; and YET that the Body of the “Acts” period was a different Body than the Body of Ephesians and Colossians. According to this wild interpretation, the Body of the “Acts” period was an “Israelitish” Church, as the members were children of Abraham, their hope was Israel’s hope; either the land of Canaan or the New Jerusalem. THEN, the members of the Body of Ephesians and Colossians are going to a different heaven, “far above all heavens.” With such a ridiculous exegesis, the saved Gentiles were necessarily proselytes to the Jew’s religion; and therefore, “Israelites” by religion.

However, the Epistle to the Galatians was written to CORRECT such an unsound exegesis. The Gentiles were distinctly instructed NOT to practice Israel’s religion. Christ said, “salvation is of the Jews.” In Romans 9:4-5, we read that the covenants and Christ were of Israel. But the Gospel preached to Abram, the uncircumcised Gentile, was not an Israelitish Gospel. In 2 Timothy 2:8, in the Apostle Paul’s last message, we learn that Christ was the Seed of David, raised from the dead.

Moreover the Gentile believers, in the One New Man of Ephesians 2:15, were saved during the “Acts” period, as were the Galatians, by the Gospel of the Grace of God. They were declared righteous without a cause. They were all members of the same Body. None of those saved Gentiles were in any sense the seed of Abraham as were the Israelites. There was a HUGE difference between Abram, in uncircumcision, and Abraham, in circumcision. Galatians 3:8.

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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Is the Water Baptism of a Believer a Testimony, and a Witness to the World?

First the Question: The mixture of the Law and the Grace of God unto Salvation is an abomination in the sight of the LORD. An ABOMINATION! Like other ABOMINATIONS. True or False?

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

And Now

Is the Water Baptism of a Believer a Testimony, and a Witness to the World?

“IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH. FOR YE ARE DEAD, AND YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD. WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, SHALL APPEAR, THEN SHALL YE ALSO APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY. MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH; FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, INORDINATE AFFECTION, EVIL CONCUPISCENCE, AND COVETOUSNESS, WHICH IS IDOLATRY.” Colossians 3:1-5.

The believer is to witness to the world that he is NO LONGER dead IN sin but that he is dead TO sin. Quite frequently a believer permits another believer to put him in water, or to put water on him, being persuaded by the baptizer that this should be done as a witness to the world. That water ceremony may satisfy the baptizer, but there is NO PROOF whatever that the baptized person will walk in newness of life. Neither is there one verse of Scripture to support his witness to the world theory. That water ceremony, that baptism, will not help the believer, in any way, to walk in newness of life. Neither does that water ceremony convince any sinner that a Divine transformation has taken place in the baptized person’s life.

Now pay attention, in Luke 3 we see John preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In Luke 3:21-22 we read that Jesus was baptized with water. Surely it wasn't for the forgiveness of sins, as John was preaching, for we read in the first portion of 2 Cor. 5:21, "Him who knew no sin." Jesus, while on earth, was God in the flesh who NEVER sinned. He needed neither to repent (turn) from sin, nor to be forgiven of any sin.

Also, some have said that Matthew 3:15 implies that through water baptism Jesus was being identified with mankind. However, that was accomplished in Bethlehem. We read in Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus at age 12, under the Law of the Passover Feast, was at Jerusalem in His Father's House, listening and talking to the teachers. Wouldn't Jesus have had enough understanding at 12 years old to have been baptized, IF baptism was for a public testimony of His faith?

But Jesus Himself gave the reason He was being baptized in Matthew 3:15, when He told John the Baptist to "Permit it to be so now for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." So, in accordance with The Law given to Moses, Jesus was thirty years old at the time He was baptized, as we read in Luke 3:23, "And when He began His ministry Jesus Himself was about 30 years of age."

The Scriptures teach us that at His,(Jesus'), baptism we see Him coming as High Priest TO the Kingdom of Priests: the Nation of Israel, "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). "But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast" (Isaiah 61:6). In the New Testament we read in the writings of the Apostle Peter, who in his own words was "an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the Pilgrims of the Dispersion" (1 Peter 1:1), "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles" (1 Peter 2:9, and 1 Peter 2:12).

PAY ATTENTION, when priests were ordained, The Law prescribed certain rituals to be followed, including the ritual of washing them with water, or baptism (Exodus 29:4). That ceremonial washing was performed at the baptism of Christ.

The following Scripture verses from Numbers 4 require all those who perform the service or the work in the tabernacle to be 30 years old: Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:23, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:39, Numbers 4:43, and Numbers 4:47. Hebrews 3-10, and Psalm 110:4 tell how God the Father designated His own Son the Perfect High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus also had a second Baptism which He spoke of in Mark 10:38-39, "But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able. So Jesus said to them, You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized".

The Lord Jesus Christ was approximately 33 years of age when according to 2 Cor. 5:21, "He who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (Hebrews 9:10-15, Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10-13). By His own death upon the Cross for mankind's sins, Christ was identified with death and died in our place, was buried in our place, and arose from the dead (Hebrews 9:11-12) to offer His OWN blood in God's Tabernacle in Heaven as a propitiation or satisfaction to God, and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). You or I could never follow our LORD in this Baptism.

What you have to realize is that the traditions of man have us following old covenant commands to the Nation of Israel while ignoring commands from the RISEN Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ did NOT send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of no effect." Under the old covenant, the laws of Baptisms were established in Exodus 29:4 when Aaron was washed or baptized with water (Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 16:4, Leviticus 16:30; Leviticus 22:6-7).

After His resurrection, Jesus instructed the 11 disciples that, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And THESE SIGNS will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues…" (Mark 16:16-17). The Apostle Peter told the men of Israel in Acts 2:38, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Later Peter says that if the nation will repent and be converted, then Jesus will come back as the long promised Messiah for Israel (Acts 3:19-21). But they didn't, so the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ called another Apostle. The Apostle Paul

Before we go any further, if you haven’t already, please read Mark 16:14-18; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28, now.

I want to stress that we have, in Mark 16:14-18, a message that has perhaps caused more unpleasant divisions and ungracious controversy among Christians than any other part of the Bible. Let’s quote again what Christ commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18).

Now, RIGHT HERE you have to ask yourself a very important question. Has any Christian the right to revise this command of Christ? And make it read, “he that believeth and is saved shall be baptized and NO signs shall follow?”

Certainly no one has God’s permission to do this. Neither has any Christian the right to abridge the command, leaving in Mark 16:16, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” and then forgetting or ignoring Mark 16:17-18, “these signs shall follow.”

Without explanation or apology, the Baptists, and the majority of evangelical preachers both revise and abridge this commission of Christ and teach “he that believed and is saved shall be baptized, as a witness to the world”, and, “NO signs.”

The Lutherans teach, “he that believeth and is baptized (by sprinkling) shall be saved, but “NO signs following.”

Then we have the disciples of Alexander Campbell (The "C of C" or Church of Christ denomination) who teach, “he that believeth and is baptized, by immersion shall be saved,” but “NO signs following.”

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The C of C's and Lutherans do not revise the first part of the command. But the C of C's and the Lutherans differ most radically in obeying Mark 16:16.

The Lutherans teach that the infant son or daughter of Lutheran parents should be baptized. They teach that faith, without sprinkling, will not save; that sprinkling, without faith, will not save. The combination is required. But they agree that the infant cannot believe. Well in that case, if the parents BELIEVE for the infant why not let the parents be BAPTIZED for the infant? The Church of Christ denomination members contend that sprinkling is not being buried by baptism in obedience to Romans 6:4, and they teach that no person has, “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered you” (Romans 6:17) unless that person is born of the water, by being buried under the water. (John 3:5). They stick to the order, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” This is called baptismal regeneration.

IF water baptism is a factor in the believer’s salvation, THEN the Grace message of Ephesians 2:8-9 is not true. For there, in those verses, salvation is NOT of yourselves. IF water baptism helps to save a person, THEN the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, thanked God that He helped to save a very few! And yet in the same Epistle (1 Corinthians 9:21-25) the same Paul became all things to all men that he might save some. Did Paul thank God he had helped only a few to witness by water? No, that's ridiculous!

Now the Pentecostals are at least a little more consistent than the Lutherans and the Disciples. The Pentecostals claim that, in their message and program, they proclaim the full gospel, that is, they neither revise nor abridge Mark 16:14-18, or 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, where the sign gifts are found. They teach faith, water salvation, Holy Spirit baptism, tongues, healing, poison-drinking, snake handling, raising-the-dead, casting out demons and all the miracles, even greater works than Christ performed. (John 14:12). But when they put this into practice, they miserably fail, and it is not for lack of faith or zeal or sincerity or trying.

Realize this, IF Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 is our Gospel for this Age of Grace, THEN Titus 3:5-8 is not, and THAT is ridiculous! So, take the time to compare them. You see, it’s only as we study the Four Gospels and the Book of Acts in light of Ephesians 2:8-10, and Ephesians 3:1-11 can we know God’s salvation message and program for this parenthetical Age of Grace.

The RISEN Christ gave to the Apostle Paul The Mystery with the Gospel of Grace, RATHER than The Law as He did to Moses. 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, but a baptism into The Church of the Mystery, The Church of the Dispensation of Grace, The Body of Christ.

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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

LLM Question for 1-8-2012, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 4, PART 2 of 3

First the Question: The mixture of the Law and the Grace of God unto Salvation is an abomination in the sight of the LORD. An ABOMINATION! Like other ABOMINATIONS. True or False?

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

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 1-6-2012

Question: To be religious is the same as it is to be spiritual. True or False?

Answer: FALSE! RELIGIOUS Christians have always been the enemies of spiritual “Grace” Christians. The devil is the relentless enemy of the message and messengers of Grace. And so are those who are religious. Remember, it is one thing to be religious; and something entirely different to be spiritual. The Galatian saints became enemies of the Apostle Paul when they ceased to be spiritual and became religious. Now, out of the 687 responses we received to this question, 94.1% of you got it right. Praise the LORD! Therefore, now, let us take a look at,

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 4, PART 2 of 3

“I AM AFRAID OF YOU, LEST I HAVE BESTOWED UPON YOU LABOUR IN VAIN.” Galatians 4:11.

In 2 Cor. 11:23-33, the Apostle Paul lists some of his persecutions, sufferings and afflictions. In 2 Cor. 11:28 he said, “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” “The care of all the churches.” What a responsibility! Paul’s warning to Ephesus applied to every other church. “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30. This is what had taken place throughout Galatia since the days Paul, through the infirmity of the flesh, had preached the Gospel by which they were saved. Note how the Galatians appreciated Paul and his glorious Gospel of the blessed God. (1 Timothy 1:11). They received the Apostle Paul not only as the duly authorized representative of Christ, but as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. But the grievous wolves had done their work. The Galatians were the children mentioned in Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

Look around us today, thousands are being drawn into every imaginable religious vagary propagated in the name of Christ and the Bible. “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, “The Seventh Day Adventists”, “The Anglo Israelites”, “Pentecostalism”, “Christian Science”, and scores of others including all the fanatical healing movements, and the offshoots of the messianic movement. The wolves have not spared the flock. But the Christian is responsible and without excuse. “These things have I written unto you concerning THEM THAT SEDUCE YOU. But the anoint­ing which ye have received of Him abideth IN you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.” 1 John 2:26-27.

“Where is then the blessedness ye spake of?” “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:15-16

RELIGIOUS Christians have always been the enemies of spiritual “Grace” Christians. The devil is the relentless enemy of the message and messengers of Grace. And so are those who are religious. Remember, it is one thing to be religious; and something entirely different to be spiritual. The Galatian saints became enemies of the Apostle Paul when they ceased to be spiritual and became religious. How few members of the Body of Christ meet the qualifications mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” There are many servants of the LORD who know the message of Grace, but they either keep silent or compromise with their message to keep in good standing in certain religious or semi­religious denominations and circles. The recovery of God’s spiritual program is much hindered by God’s servants because of the fear or favor of men. Remember Paul’s words in Galatians 1:10, “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

THE ALLEGORY: “THESE ARE THE TWO COVENANTS.” Galatians 4:24

This allegory is for those who desire to be under the law. There are many with this same desire at today! “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.” Galatians 4:22-23. “Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” Galatians 4:30-31.

Let us get the story straight from Genesis

“So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him, and Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran” Genesis 12:4. “And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed; and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the Word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.” Genesis 15:3-4. “And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness” Genesis 15:6.

“And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing; I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” Genesis 16:2. “And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes” Genesis 16:4

“And Abram was fourscore and six years old when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram” Genesis 16:16. “And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” Genesis 17:18-19. “And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me” Genesis 21:6.

“For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.” Genesis 21:2-3.

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham; Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” Genesis 21:9-10.

Abram was 75 years old when God promised him a son. Sometime later the son had not been born, and Abram suggested that the son of Eliezer might be considered his heir, because he was born in his household. Not so, the son would be the seed of Abram. When Abram was about 85, Sarai persuaded him to marry her bondwoman Hagar, inasmuch as Sarai was barren. Abram obeyed; Ishmael was born. Ishmael was born after the flesh. This man of Faith, in his unbelief, was trying to HELP the omnipotent God accomplish His own Divine purpose. God appeared to Abram when Ishmael was about 13 years old, and told him that Sarai’s name would be “Sarah,” and his own name would be “Abraham”; and that he was to be circumcised BEFORE Isaac was to be born of Sarah. Abraham and Sarah knew that Isaac’s birth was humanly impossible. His birth was both natural and supernatural. But until Abraham could see the miracle performed he wanted Ishmael to live.

If it is true that Mohammed and the Mohammedans came from Ishmael, we can see something of the fruit of the unbelief of Sarah and Abraham. The bondwoman’s son (Ishmael) mocked. “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” Genesis 21:10. “For this Hagar is Mount Sinai.” Galatians 4:25. The law was given at Mount Sinai. That law proved to be a yoke of bondage to the people of God. “The law entered that the offence might abound.” Romans 5:20. “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment (Law), wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.” Romans 7:8.

The law was added 430 years after God made His promise to Abram. Galatians 3:17. God preached the Gospel to Abram 430 years before the law was added till Christ, the Seed, should come. The law covenant has been abolished; it has been made old. Hebrews 8:13.

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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

LLM Question for 1-6-2012, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 4, PART 1 of 3

First the Question: To be religious is the same as it is to be spiritual. True or False?

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

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 1-4-2012

Question: The Galatians, like many Christians today, seemed to prefer to be servants, under The Law, than sons under Grace. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! While still other Christians desire to live part under Grace, and part under the law, like the Baptists. But, regardless, either part under the law, or wholly under the law, is ALTOGETHER displeasing to the LORD. Now, out of the 747 responses we received to this question, an amazing 100% of you got it right. Praise the LORD! Therefore, now, let us take a look at,

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 4, PART 1 of 3

In our study of Galatians 4, we will learn the difference between a servant under the reign of law and the son of God under the reign of Grace. So, it would behoove you to study with Galatians 4:1-9, Romans 8:14-17, which we quote, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”

The Galatians, like many Christians today, seemed to prefer to be servants, under the law, than sons under Grace. While still other Christians desire to live part under Grace, and part under the law, like the Baptists. But, regardless, either part under the law, or wholly under the law, is ALTOGETHER displeasing to the LORD. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to believers. Note the words of the Holy Spirit, in Romans 7:4, the believ­er, dead to the law, is joined to Another.

And according to Romans 7:3, the Christian who is joined to both Christ and Moses is guilty of spiritual adultery.

Galatians 4:4-5 gives us very interesting and instructive information, “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adop­tion of sons.” God’s fullness of time for the coming of Christ was 4000 years after the prophecy of Genesis 3:14-15, concerning the Seed of the woman who was to come as the Divine Re­deemer.

It was about 1492 years from the time Moses was on Mount Sinai until Mary gave birth to the holy Child Jesus, in Bethlehem. We say the world waited 4,000 years to celebrate the birth of Christ for the first time. During those 4,000 years the Spirit of Christ was in the prophets testifying beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11. John the Baptist asked concerning Christ, “art thou He that should come?” Luke 7:19. Note the statement, “He that should come.” In Hebrews 10:37 we read concerning Christ, “He that shall come.” So the Bible is the account of “He that should come,” and “He that shall come.”

In Genesis 3:14-15 the Seed of the woman is to come. This is the third chapter of the first Book in the Bible. In the third chapter of the last Book of the Old Testament Scriptures we read that the LORD shall suddenly come to His holy temple. Malachi 3:1. The coming Redeemer was to be the Seed of the woman, and the LORD. We quote Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the LORD Him shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” There we have the statement that He is to be both the Seed of the woman, and God. This truth is also contained in the Prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7, which we quote, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the govern­ment shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” When the fullness of time was come God’s Son was sent from heaven. Truly, He was made under the law and He lived under the law. But Grace and Truth CAME by Jesus Christ.

While the Son of God, as Jesus of Nazareth, ministered to Israel under the law, He manifested Grace, BUT the REIGN of Grace did not begin until He, by the Grace of God, tasted death for every man. There is quite a difference between the message of repentance, preached by John the Baptist, in Matthew 3, and the Dispensation of the Grace of God committed unto the Apostle Paul, according to Ephesians 3.

If we carefully study Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we will learn that Jesus Christ was made UNDER the law. Read carefully the second chapter of Luke: how He was circumcised and presented according to the law. Then turn to Luke 4:16, where we read that He went into the synagogue on Israel’s Sabbath, as had been His custom. Then read Matthew 8:1-5. Now note these words of Christ, recorded in Matthew 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Then read Matthew 23:1-3, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” Here we note that scribes and Pharisees were in the seat or “kathedra” (where we get our word Cathedral), of Moses. Therefore, the disciples were to recognize their authority. Christ did not unseat those who sat in the seat of Moses, until AFTER His death and resurrection.

Now for the statement that Christ came to redeem those that were under the law. All to whom Peter and the Eleven preached, during the first 7 or 8 years following Pentecost, were religious Jews, under the law. According to Acts 5:30, God exalted Christ to be a Prince and a Savior to Israel, to give repentance and forgiveness. Several years later the Apostle Peter was instructed by the LORD to preach to Cornelius, and then he uttered these significant words, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” Acts 10:34. Several years after this utterance, the Apostle Paul declared the truth contained in Romans 10:12, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.” The Holy Spirit had revealed the wonderful truth that both those who had been under the law and those who had not been under the law were all one in Christ; all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. Today, every child of God can say with John the Apostle, “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 3:2.

Now we want to point out, that like many Christians today, the foolish Galatians wanted to be in bondage and observe days, and months, and times, and years. The Apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Colossians, sets forth the Christian’s spiritual attitude toward feast days, the Lenten season, religious holy days, and here it is:

Colossians 2:13:17, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together WITH Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. LET NO MAN THEREFORE JUDGE YOU IN MEAT, OR IN DRINK, OR IN RESPECT OF AN HOLYDAY, OR OF THE NEW MOON, OR OF THE SABBATH DAYS: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the Body is of Christ.”

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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LLM Question for 1-4-2012, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 3, PART 3 of 3

First the Question: The Galatians, like many Christians today, seemed to prefer to be servants, under The Law, than sons under Grace. True or False?

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

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 1-1-2012

Question: The great purpose of The Law of Moses was to show the sinner just how great a sinner he was. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! According to Hebrews 7:19, the law made nothing perfect. Neither did the law make anything imperfect. The law left the sinner where it found him; imperfect by the law of sin and death. The great purpose of the law was to show the sinner how great a sinner he was. By the law is the knowledge of sin. By Adam is the entrance of sin. By the LORD Jesus Christ is the forgiveness of sins. By the thermometer is the knowledge of fever. The thermometer neither causes the fever nor cures it, but reveals to the patient just how sick he is. Now, out of the 714 responses we received to this question, 87.5% of you got it right. Praise the LORD! Therefore, now, let us take a look at,

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 3, PART 3 of 3

Nothing has brought more distraction, discomfort and doubt in the hearts of believers than the lack of understanding of the believer’s relation to the Law of Sinai.

Now we come to the question of Galatians 3:21, “IS THE LAW THEN AGAINST THE PROMISES OF GOD?”

And the answer is, certainly NOT. In Romans 5:20, Ro­mans 3:19, and Romans 7:13, we read the purpose of God’s law: that the offence might abound; that sin might be exceeding sinful; that all the world might become guilty before God. Ac­cording to Hebrews 7:19, the law made nothing perfect. Neither did the law make anything imperfect. The law left the sinner where it found him; imperfect by the law of sin and death. The great purpose of the law was to show the sinner how great a sinner he was. By the law is the knowledge of sin. By Adam is the entrance of sin. By the LORD Jesus Christ is the forgiveness of sins. By the thermometer is the knowledge of fever. The thermometer neither causes the fever nor cures it, but reveals to the patient just how sick he is.

Now referring to Galatians 3:24-25 which we quote, “WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMAS­TER TO BRING US UNTO CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. BUT AFTER THAT FAITH IS COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER.”

Here we learn that the Law was a child trainer to bring Israel to Christ; to make every sinner willing to be justified by Faith. Saul of Tarsus sought most zealously to be justified by the law. After he was brought into the light he preached this message found in Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” What wonderful truth we have here. “After that Faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

There are some religious teachers who claim that Christians have been delivered from the ceremonial law but not from the moral law, that is, the Ten Commandments. But in Colossians 2:14, we are taught that the law which was taken out of the way was that which was contrary to us. That was not the ceremonial law; and neither was the cere­monial law Israel’s schoolmaster.

“FOR YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.” Galatians 3:26

The same truth is taught so clearly in John 1:12-13, which we quote, “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 which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” When Christ was here on earth with some of His own people who would not accept Him as the Divine Redeemer, to them He said, “Ye are of your father the devil.” John 8:44. Then we have this truth expressed in 1 John 3:10, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” The LORD Himself, in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, taught that the tares were the children of the devil. Matthew 13:38. Thus we see that the Scripture does not teach the “Universal Fatherhood of God.” On the contrary we are taught in Ephesians 2:3 that the sinner by nature is the child of wrath. Faith in Jesus Christ is demanded for Divine sonship.

“FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST.” Galatians 3:27

We have here the same truth as presented in Romans 6:3, which we quote, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?” The believer, by Divine baptism NOT made with hands, is baptized into the death of Christ. He is also, the same moment, buried and raised with Christ. He is also seated with Him and in Him, by this same Divine baptism.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

The truth contained in this verse is also truth which was NEVER made known to Israel by any of their Prophets. Neither did Christ make it known while He was on earth. Let us study with this verse, Ephesians 2:12-16, which we quote, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain ONE NEW MAN, so making peace; And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”

In the Old Testament Prophecies, many times God foretold the salvation of the Gentiles in connection with Israel’s NATIONAL deliverance. And in the coming age, the Gentiles, will be brought, by the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom, to be blest with Israel and to be in subjection to them.

Now, there are teachers today who insist that the Body of Christ, mentioned in Ephesians 1:19-22, did not begin until after the close of the Book of Acts. They teach that members of the Church of God, from the day of Pentecost to Acts 28:31, were in subjection to Israel and had to follow Israel’s religious program. The Epistle to the Galatians is the refutation of this foolish argument. The very opposite is taught. The same truth concerning the “one new man,” in Ephesians 2:15, is taught concerning the “one in Christ Jesus,” in Galatians 3:28. But, OF COURSE, there is deeper and higher truth in Ephesians and Colossians AFTER the radical change expressed in Acts 28:25-28.

Because of the statement in Romans 15:27, that Gentiles have been made partakers of their (Israel’s) spiritual things, these deceived brethren argue that the Gentile Church members of the one Body of Romans 12:5 were “Israelitish Gentiles” (proselytes); whereas the Gentile members of the “Post Acts” Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:19-22; Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 4:4), chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, had no obligation to Israel, and their spiritual blessings in the heavenlies were not on the grounds of any covenant which God made with or concerning Israel. “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” Romans 15:27. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; So we, being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5.

They claim, (these deceived brethren), because of Romans 15:27, that the Body of Romans 12:4-5 is not the same Body of Ephesians. They endeavor to show a great difference between the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13) and the blood of (or in) the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25.) According to their teaching, members of the Body of Christ, mentioned in Ephesians and Colossians, have nothing whatever to do with the New Covenant or the blood of the New Covenant. And inasmuch as the Apostle Paul, during the “Acts” period, acknowledged himself to be an able minister of the New Covenant (2 Cor. 3:6), with the close of the “Acts” period, Paul and other New Covenant saints were transferred from the “New Covenant Church” to the one Body of Ephesians 4:4, the joint-Body of Ephesians 2:6.

According to this teaching of “Two Bodies”, after the close of the Acts period, the LORD Jesus abdicated as Israel’s High Priest in the heavens and ascended “far above all heavens” (Ephesians 4:10) to be Head over all things to the Church which is His Body. (Ephesians 1:19-22). The Apostle Paul, during the Acts period, preached to Gentiles the Gospel of the uncircumcision and the ministry of reconciliation, something quite different from the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-35.

Now, inasmuch as the Greek of Ephesians 1:13 and Ephesians 2:8 is past tense, the teaching of these deceived brethren is shown to be unscriptural; because the Gentiles in the Body of Ephesians were brought nigh by the Blood of Christ even before the Apostle Paul declared himself to be a minister of the New Covenant. Note Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:8 and Hebrews 2:16, “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel.”, and “For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.”

The Apostle Paul went from childhood to manhood, from 1 Corinthians 13:11 to Ephesians 4, but he never changed his membership from an “Israelitish Body” to a “Gentile Body.” And inasmuch as all of the Bible was given to us through Israel, and our Saviour was the Seed of Abraham and the Seed of David; AND inasmuch as Christ’s blood was the blood of the New Covenant, every member of the Body of Christ is a partaker of Israel’s spiritual things. HOWEVER, and this is a BIG However, neither the Gentile saints of today NOR during the Gentile saints of the “Acts” period were instructed to carry on Israel’s religious program!

Signs CEASED after Acts 28:31, in accordance with 1 Corinthians 13:8, and therefore there was a radical change in God’s spiritual program for the Body of Christ as we learn by noting the absence of the words “signs”, “miracles”, “healing”, “tongues”, etc., in the Epistles of Paul written after Acts 28:31; but the change was NOT a different and new Body, but a signless program for the same Body. 1 Timothy 5:23, 2 Timothy 4:20.

At the time the Apostle Paul was an able minister of the New Covenant he was a minister of the reconciliation and a preacher of the glorious Gospel. 2 Cor. 5:19-21, 2 Cor. 4:3-4. The message of the new creation was concerning the believing sinner’s identification with the Risen Christ, cut off from Adam, and had nothing to do with the blessings which Israel is to enjoy under the guarantee of the New Coven­ant of Jeremiah 31:31-35. Neither does the justification of the Gentiles, foreseen in the Scriptures when God declared uncircumcised Abram righteous, have anything to do with Israel’s blessings in the New Covenant. Although foreseen in the Scriptures, The Mystery, of Galatians 3:8 was HID in God from before the foundation of the world. Again we would emphasize the importance of knowing the difference between Abram and Abraham, the blessing that came to believing Gentiles to whom the Apostle Paul preached the Gospel of the uncircumcision. The uncircumcision Gospel is not the New Covenant. Hence the fallacy of the teaching of a “New Covenant Acts Body” and, a different Body in Ephesians and Colossians

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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

LLM Question for 1-1-2012, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 3, PART 2 of 3

May this New Year Be Blessed for You in the LORD!

Now, whether or not you decide to address your shortcomings with a New Year’s Day resolution is up to you. But when these resolutions fail, we tend to put off addressing the problem again until NEXT New Year’s Day!

A much better solution is found in the use of the word...HENCEFORTH, used by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. It is far better to encourage the people of God to take a moment and reflect when they see a HENCEFORTH and ask, WHENCEFORTH? The answer to WHENCEFORTH should not be limited to the first day of the New Year, but rather every time you read a HENCEFORTH verse. Then when we read the Words of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul, “henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk” (Ephesians 4:17), and “henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6), we should renew our determination to obey these admonitions with EVERY reading of such verses. Remember, “He died for all, that they which live should not HENCEFORTH live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15).

And Here is the First Question of 2012: The great purpose of The Law of Moses was to show the sinner just how great a sinner he was. True or False?

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

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 12-29-2011

Question: No prayer, no agonizing, no religious struggle is required on the part of the BELIEVER in Christ to receive the Holy Spirit. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! By BELIEVING God, the sinner, justified without the law, not only receives eternal life as a free gift but he receives the Holy Spirit, immediately, as God’s free gift! Now, out of the 734 responses we received to this question, 90.3% of you got it right. Praise the LORD! Therefore, now, let us take a look at…

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 3, PART 2 of 3

When Christ died on the cross He broke down the middle-wall of parti­tion between the Jew and the Gentile. However, the revelation of this fact was NOT given to the Twelve Apostles, in the early chapters of Acts. This we may learn by reading Acts 10:28, which we quote, “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another na­tion; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” God nailed the law of com­mandments to the cross and took it out of the way. Colossians 2:13-14.

Now we quote Galatians 3:13-14

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith.”

In the study of the Bible we observe the four-fold curse, The curse when sin entered by Adam; The curse suggested in Galatians 3:10, which is the curse of everyone under the law. Then in Matthew 25:41 we read these words, “then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” But there is another curse which we have quoted in Galatians 3:13, “Christ was made a curse on the cross.” That delivered Israel from the curse of the law. What did it do for the Gen­tile?

By the death and resurrection of Christ, the blessing of Abram, the un­circumcised Gentile, came upon all Gen­tiles through Jesus Christ, namely, righteousness without works or religion.

Compare Galatians 3:14 with Romans 4:22-25, which we quote, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith”, and “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteous­ness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our LORD from the dead; Who was delivered for our offen­ces, and was raised again for our justi­fication.”

Also by believing God, the sinner, justified without the law, not only re­ceives eternal life as a free gift but he receives the Holy Spirit as God’s free gift!!! No prayer, no agonizing, no religious struggle is required on the part of the believer to receive the Holy Spirit. Think of the disgraceful con­duct of some in their unscriptural methods. You know who you are.

In Galatians 3:16 we have the truth which is also found in Hebrews 2:16, which we quote, “For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abra­ham.” There are some Christians who object to applying the term “seed of Abraham” to members of the Body of Christ. Gentile members of the Body of Christ are in no way the physical seed of “Abraham.” They are the spiritual seed of “Abram,” which is quite another matter. Some insist that Gentile members of the Body of Christ have nothing to do with anything that is Israelitish, and nothing to do with any covenant that God made with Is­rael.

While it is true that both the Old and the New Covenants have to do with God’s dealings with Israel, it is also true that the Christ, by whose shed blood we are saved, is called, in Romans 9:5, an Israelite. He died as the seed of Abraham and the seed of David. Even the Apostle Paul, in his Gospel, in connection with “the Mystery,” wrote these words in his last Epistle, 2 Timothy 2:8, “Re­member that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead ac­cording to my Gospel.”

Now let us quote this very important verse, Galatians 3:19

“WHEREFORE THEN SERVETH THE LAW? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

“THE LAW WAS ADDED TILL.” It was added to the Gospel, mentioned in Galatians 3:8, UNTIL Jesus Christ, on the cross, abolished it. 2 Cor. 3:9-16. Surely we have here the answer to the legalistic teaching of the Seventh Day Adventists and others. There is a great difference between the Law that has been abolished and the new law that has been established and which abides, namely, “the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus”. Romans 8:2; Hebrews 7:11-12. This law enables us to walk in the Spirit and fulfill the righteousness of the law. Romans 8:4. The sum total of the spiritual life of man is to appropriate, to demonstrate, and to propagate “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

Nothing has brought more distraction, discomfort and doubt in the hearts of believers than the lack of understanding of the believer’s relation to the Law of Sinai.

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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

LLM Question for 12-29-2011, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 3, PART 1 of 3

First the Question: No prayer, no agonizing, no religious struggle is required on the part of the BELIEVER in Christ to receive the Holy Spirit. True or False?

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

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 12-23-2011

Question: The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to the BELIEVER. Romans 5:5. The BELIEVER receives the Holy Spirit the very moment he BELIEVES the Gospel of his Salvation. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! A Christian is one who receives the Holy Spirit, and baptism into the Body of Christ, at the time he or she becomes a Christian. Tarrying meetings for the Holy Spirit have no place in the spiritual program which the Risen Christ gave, through the Apostle Paul, for the members of His Body. The earnest, the sealing, or the baptism in, or with, or by, the Holy Spirit is always a PAST experience with the believer. Now, out of the 804 responses we received to this question, 87.8% of you got it right. Praise the LORD! Therefore, now, let us take a look at...

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, CHAPTER 3, PART 1 of 3

“O FOOLISH GALATIANS, WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU?” Galatians 3:1

The Gal­atians were indeed foolish to permit themselves to be bewitched. And while human instruments were used, we are sure that the ministry of these human instruments was directed by the god of this age. That would be Satan, for those reading this who are yet unsure. How many of us can say, truthfully, what the Apostle Paul wrote concerning Satan, in 2 Cor. 2:11, “we are not ignorant of his de­vices.” In Ephesians 6:11, we are warned against the wiles of the devil. He is not only the father of lies, but he is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world. Let us note Paul’s warn­ing in 2 Cor. 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent be­guiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the sim­plicity that is in Christ.” It is the devil’s business to corrupt, beguile, and be­witch. He always has plenty of ser­vants to do his bidding. Sad to say, many, who are really saved, serve Satan in the matter of frustrating the Grace of God by mixing something else with the Grace message. Remember what we learned in LLM’s Seventh Rule, that God is not making three hundred sectarian denominations and the LORD will not permit any man to have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to understand the Mystery who contends for or sponsors a sectarian denomination!

How foolish is any sinner who will not receive salvation as the free gift of God. God states that a believer is declared righteous, “without a cause”, by His Grace, on the grounds of a crucified and resurrected Christ. The religious messengers, deceived by Satan, (that is one who contends for or sponsors a sectarian denomination!), say that this is not true; that the believer must add to God’s Grace and Christ’s finished work in order to be saved.

The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to the believer. Romans 5:5. The believer receives the Holy Spirit the very moment he believes the Gospel of his Salvation. Ephesians 1:13. “After that ye believed” in Ephesians 1:13 is: “pisteusantes,” believing. As eternal life is God’s free gift to the believing sinner, so the Holy Spirit is given to any and every sinner who, by Faith, meets God at the cross where Christ put away sin. Galatians 3:13-14. Then and there, by the Holy Spirit, the believer is SEALED unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

“ARE YE SO FOOLISH, HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH?” Galatians 3:3

No Christian needs to importune God for Holy Spirit baptism. A Christian is one who receives the Holy Spirit, and baptism into the Body of Christ, at the time he or she becomes a Christian. Tarrying meetings for the Holy Spirit have no place in the spiritual program which the Risen Christ gave, through the Apostle Paul, for the members of His Body. The earnest, the sealing, or the baptism in, or with, or by, the Holy Spirit is always a PAST experience with the believer. In the light of 1 John 2:27, it is doubtful if any member of the Body of Christ has ever received a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. A Christian is one who has been anointed. Christ means “anointed”. The dispensational and doctrinal truth, taught in Galatians 3:6-29, should be studied diligently and prayerfully under the direction of the same Holy Spirit who moved upon the Apostle Paul to write it. The child of God, who understands these verses will not be seduced by teachers who are, themselves, deceived concerning the believer’s relation to Abraham, and concerning the hope and calling of members of the Body of Christ.

First let us read Galatians 3:6, changing the name “Abraham” to “Abram.” “Even as Abram believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” It is so important to make this change, if we, as members of the Body of Christ, would know how to interpret and apply the truth of these verses. Now, in Genesis 15:6 we read, “Abram believed the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” At that time Abram had not become Abraham. As Abram, he was an uncircumcised Gentile. In Romans 4:9-11, we learn that Abram was declared righteous in uncircumcision. The account of Abraham’s circumcision is given in Genesis 17, which was some years AFTER Abram was declared righteous in uncircumcision.

Now we come to the consideration of a very important truth. We quote Galatians 3:8, “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through Faith, preached BEFORE the Gospel unto Abraham (Abram), saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” With this, we quote Galatians 3:17, “And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed BEFORE of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” We have emphasized in these two verses the word “before.” In both cases it means “before God made with Israel the covenant at Sinai”, which we now call the “Law” covenant or the “Old Testament.” We again quote Galatians 3:8, and supply the 430 years “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through Faith, preached (430 years) before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Here we learn that the Scripture foresaw what God was going to begin to do by the Apostle Paul nearly twenty centuries later. And God is still doing the same thing by His messengers who are true to this Gospel of Grace.

While the Scriptures foresaw the ministry and message of the Apostle Paul to uncircumcised Gentiles, at the time he declared uncircumcised Abram righteous by Faith, none of God’s holy prophets ever foretold the fact that the Gospel of the uncircumcision, would be revealed to an apostle to the Gentiles. What was not revealed by the LORD to Israel’s prophets, and not foretold by them to Israel, is called in the Scriptures “The MYSTERY” or “The SECRET.” It was God’s secret which He did not choose to reveal until after the Apostle Paul was chosen to be the special custodian and dispenser of this Divine “deposit”.

Beginning with the circumcision of Abram at the time he became Abraham, at the age of 99, (Genesis 17), God made circumcision a condition upon which His people should enjoy His fellowship and blessing. This continued even after the time when God granted repentance unto life to uncircumcised Cornelius. Acts 11:18. We quote Acts 11:3 to show why the other apostles contended with Peter preaching to Cornelius the Gentile. “Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”

Now, concerning Galatians 3:17, “And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed BEFORE of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”, we learn that God added the covenant at Sinai, (with the Law of commandments and ordinances), 430 years after He justified uncircumcised Abram. Abram was NOT under the law. Abram was NOT an Old Testament saint. Abram was NOT an Israelite. Abram was NOT a Jew.

The “Law Covenant” did NOT annul, or declare void, the “Covenant of Grace” which God made with Abram; the promise. The Law was given to Israel. The Gentiles were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel. Ephesians 2:11-12. They were not under the law. The Holy Spirit would here teach us that the “Law Dispensation” was both parenthetical and temporary.

When Christ died on the cross He broke down the middle wall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile. However, the revelation of this fact was NOT given to the Twelve Apostles, in the early chapters of Acts. This we may learn by reading Acts 10:28, which we quote, “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” God nailed the law of commandments to the cross and took it out of the way. Colossians 2:13-14.

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

So There You Have it!

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

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

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

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

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