Tag Archives: Christianity

C & C: If the dead rise not at all?

October 22, 2016 cpministries 3 Comments

Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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Many people have questioned what the Apostle Paul was speaking of when he made the statement, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor 15:29)

In this lesson I will show you from the scripture what the Apostle Paul is speaking of. Let us take a closer look at chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:1-29
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The topic of this chapter has been laid out. The topic of Jesus Christ dying for our sins, being buried, and that he rose again the third day.

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Here the Apostle Paul has given testimony of the witnesses that seen Jesus Christ after he was risen from the dead.

11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Here the Apostle Paul has explained that if the dead rise not at all then we are still in our sins. And they themselves are also found false witnesses of God because they testified of God that he raised up Christ from the dead. And if there be no resurrection of the dead then Christ did not raise and our faith is in vain.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Here the Apostle Paul reaffirms the truth that Christ is risen from the dead and that he is become the firstfruits of them that slept. Meaning Christ is the first begotten of the dead. (Rev 1:5)

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

After explaining the order of the resurrection of the dead the Apostle Paul explains that death is the last enemy to be destroyed. And then the Apostle asks the question “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” Remember the topic of this chapter is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some people were saying that there wasn’t any resurrection of the dead. So the Apostle has instructed them that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen from the dead and your faith is in vain, if the dead rise not at all.

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

Something many people fail to realize is that we are baptized for the dead.

Colossians 2:10-14
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 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;

You don’t bury the living you bury the dead!! We are baptized for the dead that the body of sin might be destroyed. Remember the topic of this chapter is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When a person repents of their sins they must also be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of their sins. Because as we just read in Colossians this is where “ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”.

So the Apostle Paul asks the question, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

Romans 6:1-9
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Notice carefully the question asked here, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The Apostle Paul goes on to explain how we become dead to sin.

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

We are baptized for the dead. We must die out to sin in repentance and then be baptized into Jesus Christ by invoking his name as we are being baptized that the “circumcision made without hands” might take place “in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” “that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him”

Therefore we are baptized for the dead that the circumcision of Christ might take place which destroys the body of sin which we inherited from birth. This takes place in water baptism whereby our sins are remitted or washed away upon the invoking of the name of Jesus Christ through the faith of the operation of God. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection”. But you must be planted together in the likeness of his death by being “baptized into Jesus Christ” where we are “baptized into his death”. Or we will not be in the likeness of his resurrection because the body of sin was not destroyed.

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Holy Spirit, Jesus

Christ the Firstfruits

October 19, 2016 cpministries 3 Comments

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The First and only begotten of the Father!

John 1:1,14, 18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

1 John 4:9-10
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The First begotten of Mary!

Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7
6 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.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Luke 1:34-35
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Matthew 1:20-23
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The First begotten of the Dead!

Revelation 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 2:25-28
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Acts 26:22-23
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

The First begotten of every Creature!

Colossians 1:12-17
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The First begotten of the Living!

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Matthew 27:52-53
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

We have the Firstfruits of the Spirit!

Romans 8:19-23
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:10-14
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

James 1:17-18
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We who have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, have a Promise!!!

1 Corinthians 15:51-58
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For 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:
17 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Come take part of the Promise…..

Acts 2:36-39
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

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Bible study, Salvation

Come Let us Grow Together: Ever Learning

October 15, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me {Jesus}. (Jn 5:39)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Tim 3:1-5)

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (2 Tim 3:6-9)

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth…. (2 Tim 3:5) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me {Jesus}. (Jn 5:39)

Are you one that is ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth?

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12)

What was the Apostle Paul and Silas preaching and teaching to the people?

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

What kind of ground are you on?

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Lk 8:11-15)

How do you partake of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection?

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (1 Jn 5:8)

Repentance {blood}, baptism in Jesus name {water}, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. {Spirit}

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-39)

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Death, Job

C & C: Statements made by Job Concerning Death

October 14, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

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Let me begin this topic with something important to be understood. When reading and studying the book of Job only Job should be taken as speaking the truth concerning the mysteries of God. Not any of the others who have come to counsel with Job and to speak with him. Though there words are recorded in the Bible as to what they said to Job, this in no way means that there words are correct. Always keep this in mind.

And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. (Job 42:7-9)

Job 14:7-14
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Here we see a comparison being made to the “hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again” being compared to that of a man’s life. When a man dies he wastes away back to the dust of the ground of whence he came.

Genesis 3:19
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Job continues and asks, “yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” To begin to understand the statements of what Job is speaking of in many of the scriptures that he references concerning death, one must understand what is meant by giving up the ghost. Giving up the ghost is in reference to the spirit of a man, which is the breath of life given to man by God. This is not the soul.

Ecclesiastes 3:21
21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Ecclesiastes 12:5-7
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Luke 23:46
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.

And we know that after Jesus gave up the ghost, or the breath of life given to man by God, his soul went into hell where he “preached unto the spirits in prison”. It was the soul that went into hell which was also considered the ‘grave’ and the ‘pit’ in many passages of scriptures.

Acts 2:25-27
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

1 Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

In this particular verse of scripture we see the phrase, “preached unto the spirits in prison”. Sometimes the Bible uses the word ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ interchangeably. How does one then know the difference. The answer for this is:

Isaiah 28:9-10
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

A precept would be a general rule regulating thought or behavior. Which in this case would be referring to the commandments of God.

2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It is necessary when discussing statements made by Job concerning death to understand from other Bible scriptures what is meant by Job when he is speaking. And this is the focal point of our study. So let’s look at Job 14 again with this understanding.

So we learned that when man dies his natural body wastes away back into the dust or ground from whence it came. This happens to a man when he gives up the ghost, which is the spirit of man, which is the breath of life given to each one of us by God. When Job then asks the question “where is he” this is speaking of man’s soul.

We then see a comparison of man dying and not rising up again “till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep” this comparison is being made to the waters that fail from the sea, and the flood that decays and is dried up and rises not again. This is a prophetic statement given here by Job concerning the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

So Job is saying here through this passage that once man dies he will not rise again concerning the natural body, but then he makes a prophetic statement concerning the resurrection of the dead whereas he says, “till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep”.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For 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:
17 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.

This however is not to be confused that once a person dies there soul remains in some state of unconscious rest until the resurrection of the dead. As we have already seen that Jesus’ soul went into hell to preach unto the imprisoned spirits that were there. And the Apostle Paul told us, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor 5:8)

And there is also the parable of the rich man and Lazarus of which becomes essential to the understanding of what Job means when he speaks about death in many of the scriptures wherein he makes reference concerning it. One of the things that we learn from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus as well as when Jesus speaks to the thief on the cross saying, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”, (Lk 23:43) is that hell had two compartments. The righteous dead were in paradise which was also known as Abraham’s Bosom, while the wicked dead were in flaming fire.

Luke 16:19-26
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

So since we know that Jesus’ soul went into hell and preached unto the imprisoned souls, and Jesus told the thief on the cross “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”, we then can conclude that paradise was also the Bosom of Abraham. And we also learn that there was a great gulf fixed between these two compartments. This understanding is essential to what Job speaks of. So let’s look at the passage again with this new found information.

We have learned up to this point that Job says concerning the natural body that it dies and wastes away referring to it going back to the dust of the ground of whence it came. He speaks of the breath of life or ghost departing the body when this takes place and this breath of life we have learned goes back to God who gave it to man. However, this is not referring to the soul of man.

Job then states, “O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave”. This word for grave here is the Hebrew word sheol.

sheh-ole’; from <H7592> (sha’al); hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates —Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

When Job makes this statement he is referring to his soul and wishing it to be in paradise. Job is here again speaking prophetically concerning hell which had two compartments. Job then states, “all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” Again, a prophetic statement of the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

This is the understanding of what Job speaks concerning death in Job 14:7-14.

Let us now look at:

Job 17:13-16
13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

In this passage of scripture we see that Job is speaking of the grave as for the natural body which will then be consumed in decay of which he speaks of ‘corruption’ and the ‘worm’ as likened to his family, for he has made the grave his house or rather his dwelling place.

Remember that Job is speaking this directly to those who were there with him of which he says of them in verse 2 “Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?” He then again says of them in verse 10 “But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.” It is to them that he then says in verse 16 “They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.” Here Job is speaking that upon the death of all of them “They shall go down to the bars of the pit”. This is again speaking of hell.

As concerning this passage of scripture:

Job 19:23-27
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Here we see Job speak and say, “my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth”. This statement is either another prophetic utterance given to us by Job or the prophecy of Enoch was known to Job which reads, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him”. (Jude)

Job then continues and speaks of his natural body being destroyed by worms in the grave where the body will turn back into the dust of the ground of whence it came. He then makes another prophetic statement concerning the resurrection of the dead wherein he will receive his glorified body “yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

Let us look at:

Job 21:22-32
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

Here in verse 22 Job asks “Shall any teach God knowledge?” Answering “seeing he judgeth those that are high.” This chapter was Job speaking of the wicked and how they seemingly prosper. In verse 9 Job says, “Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them” and in verse 13 “They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.” But Job is declaring in verse 22 that God “judgeth those that are high.” Then Job explains in verses 23-26 that one dies “at ease and quiet” while another “in the bitterness of his soul” and when they die both alike will go to the ground of whence they came and the worms will consume there decaying bodies.

Job then states to his accusers in verse 27 “Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.” Job then says that they will then ask him “Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?”

Job answers the question as to the dwelling places of the wicked with either another prophetic utterance given to us by Job or the prophecy of Enoch was known to Job which reads, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him”. (Jude) He speaks of the day of the Lord and the wrath of the Almighty which will be the token of the wicked when God will execute judgment upon all for their ungodly deeds and of their hard speeches that sinners have spoken against him. This resulting in their death.

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Faith, Salvation

Cast Out the Bondwoman!!!

October 13, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

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Galatians 4:1-31
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Apostle Paul is speaking to the Church of Galatia. He is reminding all of them that they were once a servant of sin. In bondage to the world!! But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, as a propitiation to conciliate God and man once again. To lift us from the curse of the law, and to restore sonship unto man through the Spirit of God, which is Christ Jesus. As a son of God we are no longer a servant to sin, but an heir of God through Christ.

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

At this time, Apostle Paul is questioning the Jewish people as to why it is, that they have turned from following after the Spirit of Christ, and instead are now following again after the old Mosaic Law. Once again observing days, times, and customs. Basically asking them why they have brought themselves back into bondage wherein they were delivered from.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

This is important to understand. The Apostle is teaching us by their example that there is people, who will zealously affect you, so that it might affect them. This is not profitable for you.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Here we are taught that being zealous in good things is great. But now the Apostle is going to question those who are teaching that the customs and traditions of men, which were practiced under the mosaic law, must still be upheld.

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

This is of the utmost importance. The covenant of the Mosaic Law given by Moses in Mount Sinai, makes you a servant of the law, and into bondage, which is an allegory of the handmaiden Agar, the bondwoman of Sara, who also had a son by Abraham. But she was not the freewoman, nor was her son the child of promise.

Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

(Continuing from Galatians 4:28)
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 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.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Cast out the Sin in your Life!!! Cast out the Bondwoman!!!

Romans 6:16-18
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

What form of doctrine. The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!!!

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

How did you become free from sin? By being obedient to the doctrine of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!! We became the servants of righteousness.

By becoming a Son of God, partaking of being born of Water and of the Spirit as the Apostle Peter told us in Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This is the restoration of Sonship!! Being Born Again!!

Galatians 5:1-26
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

It is our obedient faith in Christ that leads us to the free gift of God, the imputation of righteousness!

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Listen Carefully to what Apostle Paul has spoken!!! This faith works by love!!!

What do you mean Brother Ronnie?? I mean this faith works by the action of love!!!

I John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Notice that again we are told to take an action. We are told to Keep His Commandment, and that they are not grievous. What!!!!????? Are you telling me I have to work for my salvation?? No, I am certainly not telling you that you must work for your salvation, but I am telling you that faith works by love, which is an action word. And we were told how to fulfill this action of love, through the Keeping of God’s Commandments? I thought we weren’t under the Law? We are not under the Mosaic Law, but we are under the Law of faith!!! The Law of Righteousness!!! The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!!!!! The Perfect Law of Liberty!!!!!

Cast out the Bondwoman!!! Come out from among Her my people!!!

(Continuing Galatians 5:7)
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

A little Sin leavens the whole loaf!!!

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Romans 13:10
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

(Continuing Galatians 5:15)
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Luke 13:23-24
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Strive or Fight Vigorously to enter in at the strait gate.

Matthew 16:24-26
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Cast Out the Bondwoman and Live!!!

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Bible study, Know Your Enemy

Come let us Grow Together: Condemnation

October 9, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

Come let us Grow Together is a weekly series that deals with the many topical categories that exist within the Word of God. The purpose of this series is to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in things pertaining to God.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1-4)

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Heb 10:1-4)

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Heb 10:12-14)

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 Jn 2:1-5)

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:14-16)

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Bible study, God

C & C: The Image of God

October 8, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

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Genesis 1:26
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

What is this image and likeness of God that man is made in? For this answer we will also be discussing the “us” that was in reference as well.

Ephesians 1:11
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

God works all things after the counsel of his own will. Thus the “us” of Genesis of whom God was speaking was his own self. But in the mind of God or the Word of God he was speaking of the image and likeness of his own self that man would be made in the image of. God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24) and the image of which God was referring was the image of the man Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:14-17
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The image of God is the man Christ Jesus of whom the first Adam was made in the image of. God calling those things that be not as though they were in counseling with his own self spoke the world into existence through His Word of whom he is. Which said Word is his thought, plan, and mind of God which he brought forth when he uttered the world into existence.

Thus the Wisdom of God that proceeds out of the Word of God was that which was with God in the beginning. Thus the Son of whom was begotten at the conception of the virgin Mary via the Word of God created the worlds via the Word of God of whom he is in the beginning. Not as an eternal Son of which is taught by the Trinitarian believer, but rather as the Word of God which is the eternal Spirit of God. Thus the terms ‘Word’ and ‘Son’ are not interchangeable terms.

The second Adam of whom the first Adam was made in the image of came to restore sonship of which was lost by the first Adam in the Garden of God. This Word that was with God and was God as the thought, plan, and mind of God was made flesh to redeem mankind back unto himself. Thus the Word of God is eternal as the Spirit of God, but the Son of God was begotten when the fulness of the time was come as the scripture says in Galatians 4:4 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” and in Psalms 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” and in Hebrews 1:5b “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son”.

The Lord knowing his eternal purpose in Christ brought forth this plan through his Word of whom he is and when he created man he created him in the image of Jesus Christ the last Adam. Thus God in the counsel of his own will said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” as he was thinking of the Christ that was to be brought forth when the fulness of the time was come of whom man would be made in the image of.

Thus the manifold wisdom of God was brought forth that the Almighty God would take upon himself the seed of Abraham upon the conception of the virgin Mary to redeem mankind back unto himself and upon his death as the scriptures says in Ephesians 2:15-16 “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”. And in so doing destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. And upon his resurrection took back the keys of hell and of death.

Thus the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ (Col 2:2) was fulfilled which eternal purpose was in the Word of God as the eternal purpose he purposed in Christ to redeem mankind back unto himself when the fulness of the time was come which allowed restoration of sonship to his chosen vessels which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.

And so the eternal Word of God, which is the thought, plan, and mind of God will continue to be brought forth as we await the catching away of the saints, the coming of the great day of God Almighty wherein his Word will ride in victoriously conquering those who opposed him, and then he will rule and reign for 1000 years upon the Earth. Which Word of God will eternally unfold as there is no end as the scriptures has said in Ephesians 3:21 “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

To now see this scripturally as well as the Greek definition of the Word please continue:

Ephesians 1:11
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

John 4:24
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

3056. logos, log’-os; from G3004; something said (including the thought); by impl. a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extens. a computation; spec. (with the art. in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)

The logos is something said (including the thought) and also the reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive of what was said.

Proverbs 2:6
2 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Genesis 1:1, 26
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Colossians 1:14-16
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Romans 4:17
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Hebrews 1:1-3
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

1 Corinthians 15:45-47
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

Romans 5:14
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Matthew 1:20-23
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Psalms 2:7
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Hebrews 1:5
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Ephesians 2:13-18
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 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;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Ephesians 3:9-11
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Hebrews 2:14-17
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Revelation 1:18
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Colossians 2:2
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 9:22-24
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For 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:
17 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.

Revelation 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Isaiah 45:15-17
15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Ephesians 3:21
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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Bible study, Salvation

Come let us Grow Together: Instruction

October 1, 2016 cpministries 1 Comment

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. (Pro 8:10) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mk 8:36-37) Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. (Pro 4:13)

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (Jn 3:5-7)

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Lk 13:2-3)

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. (Pro 8:33-36)

And he (Jesus) said unto them, 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 devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mk 16:15-17)

The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. (Pro 15:32)

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Lk 24:45-49)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isa 28:11-12)

And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48b)

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Bible study, Christian Living

Come let us Grow Together: The Heart

September 25, 2016 cpministries 3 Comments

Here lies a subject of great importance. The heart. Many people put their trust into their heart when it comes to making decisions in their life. But what does the Bible teach us concerning the subject of the heart?

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Pro 4:23) For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Mt 12:34b-35) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mk 7:21-23)

So is it safe for someone to trust what their heart is telling them?? The answer is no. Your trust should be in, what saith the Word of God?

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Pro 28:26) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
(Pro 14:12)

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jer 17:7-10)

As you can see, the heart can not be trusted. We must live our lives according to what the Word of God teaches us. Serving the Lord is a heart condition. Do you have an honest heart? Do you have a good heart? What do you allow your mind to ponder upon? Do you gird up the loins of your mind when evil thoughts arise out of your heart? Or do you allow yourself to think upon these things?

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. (1 Pet 1:13-14) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ!! (2 Cor 10:3-5)

It is crucial that you recognize that the thoughts you have come out of your heart. You have a choice in you mind whether or not you allow these thoughts to play out or not. You must bring into captivity every thought you have to the obedience of Christ. Which means that you must learn to apply the Word of God in your life; which means you must study the Word of God, go to church, and hear the 5-fold ministry that God has given to us; so that you can resist the tricks of the enemy of our souls.

The parable of the sower given to us by Jesus Christ in Luke tells us, But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Lk 8:15)

Serving the Lord is a heart condition. Let us follow after Christ with an honest and good heart; while keeping the Word of God.

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Bible study, Christian Living

C&C: Serving the Lord is a Heart Condition

September 24, 2016 cpministries 2 Comments

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Psalms 119:1-3
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

Pay special attention to what was just said. Those that are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord, keeping His testimonies and seeking God with the whole heart do no iniquity: they walk in His ways!

On the other hand those that are defiled in the way, do not walk after the law of the Lord, do not keep His testimonies, and do not seek him with the whole heart. These do iniquity: they walk not in His ways!