Spirit Vs Flesh Part II of II
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
Close Window
This is not one of those studies that will make you feel good or even happy, for many it will upset them because it deals with beliefs in many areas and how the church of this world has been kidnapped by Satan and used for Satan and not God.
You have two choices at this time either to read on and learn or to stop and leave. If you read on to learn first make sure you have an open mind, that you have as little stress, offence or strive in you to be sure you get the most from this study.
Some will read and learn and be shocked and grow while others will be offended and leave.
But I can promise you this if you keep asking yourself one question you may learn a lot "What if Jerry is right, do I want to take a chance on being wrong?"
Here are some facts based on survey run at godsgifttoyou.com since 1997:
Over 50% of those who claim to be Christian either said no or were not sure if Jesus came in the flesh
1 John 4
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Over 50% of those who claim to be Christian either said no or were not sure if we had to forgive to be forgiven.
Matthew 6
14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Over 50% of those who claim to be Christian either said no or were not sure if the only way to God was through Jesus.
John 14
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
After reading the above you should be getting the idea that either the Bible is wrong or there are a lot that either do not know or believe differently than what the Bible states.
There seem to be no end to nay sayers of the scripture and truth. The top four where there seems to be a large following in part are all that do not believe in and believe those who teach is wrong are:
Spirit
Baptism
Faith
Hearing
The main theme of all is that in the first century spirit, faith and hearing ended and was never meant past then
Of course anyone teaching in any way against faith or that faith is not for today and was only for first century church is teaching salvation was only for then and not for today.
Ephesians 2
8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Of course those who teach against hearing use that the following verse was meant for the apostles then and not for us today.
John 14
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Isn't it sad how they take what they want from the word and twist it to fit their answers but of course if we can not hear then faith is not for us either.
Romans 10
17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hearing not reading, and not hearing of man, but by God and His word only and the word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14)
1 John 2
27. 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.
Christ means anoint, and Jesus said in Luke 4:18 that He was anointed with the spirit, since He is the Christ, then those of Christ would be anointed with the spirit as well.
Those who teach the spirit was for the first century church is calling Jesus a liar or that salvation was for the first century church only.
John 3
1. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5. 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.
Jesus said above that a man be born of water, AND of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Ephesians 4
5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
There are many faiths and baptism, the problem with baptism is that we read the Bible in English not Greek as it was written. In Greek the word baptism would be baptisma which means immersion and the word immersion can be used for so many aspects where we have made the word baptism to only mean of God.
When Jesus said
Matthew 28
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
He was saying immerse them in the name and that name is Jesus and Jesus means salvation. So He was saying immerse them into salvation not water or even the spirit but to teach them immerse them in the teachings.
Then they will be saved by believing and then they will be baptized by the one true baptism.
Mark 16
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
I have had more than I can count use verse 16 above to proof baptism of water, but they never use the last part. The want to show that without baptism no one can be saved. But the last part says those that believeth not shall be damned. Not that those who do not believe and are not baptized will be damned.
Baptism is not salvation, it follows immediately for those who believe.
Why most are so intent on proving water over spirit baptism is fear that if it is spirit and not water they may not be saved. Water is something we can all do and of ourselves it is not as much from God as it is from man. What is sad is that this proves we have more modern day Pharisees than Jesus had of old.
Matthew 21
25. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
What I find sad is that so many will accept the physical over the spiritual when God is of the Spirit. And what does it say about worship if it is only done in the physical because so many do not believe in the spiritual.
John 4
24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Oh yes there are those of water baptism that use that God saved Noah and his family and mankind by water, and that there were those in Acts who did water baptism.
I have never been against water baptism, I have considered it a showing of our faith. But as I have researched to answer questions on this subject I have come to the conclusion based on scripture all of the physical is of man and the flesh, all of the spirit is of God.
Water baptism, worshipping in the physical, public or corporate prayer is all of the world to deceive us take us off the true path to God to the wide path of damnation.
Prayer is private between you and God, but how can you pray to whom you do not believe?
Maybe this is why so many pray in buildings thinking this is church when church is the individual who has HEARD from God who Jesus is as His Son and the Christ.
Matthew 6
5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Being one of the church of this world in the past I understand how one can get caught up into it. And how the messages of the church of this world are reassuring and how one can desire they are true and not a lie.
We want something that we can do to make sure in our own mind we are saved, and that our salvation is for sure.
So when someone says those baptized of water is saved and those not are not, then it sounds great to us because all we have to do is be baptized of water and then we are saved. And of course the message once saved always saved makes it even that more comforting.
Being of these and other beliefs and even have taught them it was hard to change almost impossible. When I was first told I was wrong and that I needed the Baptism of the Spirit I rejected it and searched for prove to back up my belief. And I could as long as I took it out of text. So as I learned that maybe I was wrong I decided no matter what I wanted to know the truth. Because otherwise I was wasting my time and energy following false beliefs and false teachers and instead I might as well spend my time, energy and money on something I enjoyed.
Matthew 7
13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
When I read that the truth path was narrow mainly because how few were on it and the path to damnation was wide due to how many were on it, I decided to see where most agreed to find the wide path.
And as I searched I found there were differences in all denominations and non-denominations but over all they all had the same basic beliefs in spirit, hearing, baptism, and faith.
So then I searched for why their beliefs were wrong, why my beliefs were wrong.
Then as I read further I discovered the following:
Matthew 7
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
How could it be they did so much in His name and Jesus did not know them. Then it hit me that Jesus knew of them, He just did not know them intimately which only comes from a relationship with Him not just the Bible. No one can know God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit by just reading the Bible, prayer and attending the church of this world. That could only come in the Spirit not in the physical.
Which could only come by first hearing, to know someone you must hear them as well as talk to them. To have a relationship there must be trust, faith, communications and desire for the relationship.
So to learn more I went back to the beginning to see what God's intent was for mankind, and that can be found in Genesis 1-3 and it was to have a relationship between Him and His children.
I started to realize that He is a Father, and wants a relationship as any father does with His children. And it can not be done just in His writings but must be done one on one.
So what did Jesus come for and what did He do for us?
John 3
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.
He came to save and not to condemn and judge, but allow our own mouth and actions judge us for us.
Matthew 12
25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Jesus did not come to divide the kingdom but to divide those of the kingdom from those who are not.
Luke 12
49. I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50. But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52. For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
The church of the day that Jesus walked the earth is not any different than the one we have today.
Matthew 23
13. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
1 Corinthians 1
11. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Today it is Baptist, Catholic, non-denominations, etc in place of Paul, Apollos and Cephas, the church is no less divided today than in Paul's day, if anything more so because instead of being 4 as there were then now there are many times that.
Matthew 16
15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
In the Latin Vulgate and all other translations the word in verse 18 "Peter" in Greek is "Petros". Petros means "a piece of the rock". Yes if a person is named Petros, the translation is Peter, but read verse 16 and even before how Simon was already called Peter. So why would Jesus mean Peter instead of a piece of the rock in verse 18? Also the word "rock" is "petra", or "bedrock". That means he is referring to the mass of rock of which Simon is a piece.
Now read the verse with a piece of the rock instead of Peter.
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art a piece of the rock, and upon this bedrock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Why was it changed to Peter? The pope is supposed to be directly linked to Peter via the laying on of hands from one person to the next, or figuratively "wearing the shoes of the fisherman, Peter". As such the pope is the head man of God that is everyone's spiritual father. The Catholic Church needed a way to justify this and what better than making Peter the church.
The truth is you and I are the church, the individual, not a building, or denomination, or non-denomination. The person that has had a revelation from God regarding who Jesus is as the Son of God and the Christ is part of the church.
Look at what Jesus said when Peter said, "You are the Christ?"
"Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Not of flesh and blood but of the Father, of course that is God, and God is a Spirit. The only way to have this revelation is to be of the Spirit and hearing from God.
ADD links to abs464, abs427
If so many could be misled then how can the few be true and not of the false church, false baptism, false faith and false god?
It is not predestination or that the one who is of the truth is better than those who are not are. No it is basically the difference between accepting the traditions, rituals and not questioning them or searching to be sure it is the right way.
The main difference is hearing, hearing the voice of God instead of man.
Ignoring what the nay sayers say and striving to learn the truth and be separated from the lie.
There will be many that will not believe because it goes against everything they believe and have been taught. And how can one hear and there that have never been heard of have the truth and know more than those who have studied and well known and followed the mainstream?
Where are the person credentials to prove they are even a pastor much less have the truth?
Oh yes I have heard them all, I can bring out my credentials of this world and even show others who believe as I do but that will prove little if anything to those who do not agree with the truth. Those who believe they are the truth and have always had the truth.
Yes, I am not of a ministry that has millions of followers, and how dare I say that I know the truth and others do not when so few follow what I believe and so many follow what I do not believe?
Matthew 7
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
It is your choice let God tell you who is right and who is wrong, and grow in God or remain as a part of the church of this world.
Remember Jesus said the only way to worship God is in the Spirit and truth, not in the ways of the church of this world. He also said that prayer is private between the person and God and not corporate and public.
John was sent before Jesus, and even John said that the one who followed was preferred over him and that He would baptize in Spirit and fire.
The church of the first century had division as Paul wrote in I Cor. 1 and Paul even rebuked Peter in Acts for being two faced.
We can take scripture out of text and make it appear as what ever we want. Acts does show references to water baptism not because water baptism is the one true baptism but because as John came before Jesus so did the word spread about John and his baptism before Jesus to all the lands.
Jesus followed all the law even water baptism, and when John saw Jesus, John said I need to be baptized of thee.
Matthew 3
14. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Jesus responded that all had to be done to fulfil all righteousness, not that Jesus was saying that John's was the one true baptism.
And as Jesus came up out of the water the Spirit as a dove descended upon Him. Showing the one true Baptism that was to come that even John recognized.
We have an enemy he has been around for thousands of years, studying us, deceiving us, manipulating us and lying to us.
When ever possible that Satan found any he could use that would reach the most he did and still does.
2 Corinthians 10
5. 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;
Since Satan can force his thoughts on us and we have to seek God's thoughts whois thoughts do you think we have more than the other.
And in knowing this Satan kept us from the truth about what Christ was and meant because for the longest everyone thought of Christ as the last name or title of Jesus.
Why did Satan do this because He knew that Christ meant anointing and that the Christ (Jesus) was anointed with the Spirit of God. And to know and be apart of that would mean we would be apart of God. And that we would learn to hear from God and that we would be baptized in His Spirit and not water and we would have faith and we would be lost to Satan. Where as he has us all under thumb until we learn the truth and then we are set free.
John 15
26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Satan got into the church of this world and helped us set it up and it mirrors a lot of the church of the day Jesus walked the earth that He condemned.
2000 years ago they attended church listened to a man of God, gave their tithes, just as is done today.
The entire reasons the Jews (those who did not accept Jesus) did not recognize Him did so because they looked in the physical for a king and ruler to deliver them physically not spiritually. And the same thing is happening today, the one true church, the church Jesus set up we can only become a member when we can hear from God about who Jesus is.
Jesus said we had to be born again, born of the spirit, and we have read we are saved by grace through faith.
So those who are so against Spirit, faith, hearing and the one true baptism do so because they are not of Jesus but of the world.
Below is one who is like those I have talked about first is the email message he sent me.
1st of all, There are three different baptisms, water, Holy Spirit, and
fire.
He is right there are three different immersions, but still only one true Baptism
If you would read your text right, Jesus told the apostles, that he
would see a Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26 But the
Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.) Now was Jesus talking to you, me or the
apostles? He was talking to the apostles! Neither you or I was back
there.Now ask yourself a question, when did the Comforter come back?.
Based on the above the Holy Spirit was meant for the apostles back then and not today as you have read in the study you know that is not true.
Act
1&2. The Holy Spirit came the Apostles on that day. That day the Apostles
was baptized with the Holy Spirit (ONLY THE APOSTLES). If we could get
baptized with the Holy Spirit, then why did Peter say in Acts 2:38 REPENT
AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE
REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECIEVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
As I stated above all were to be immersed in the knowledge and teachings in the name of Jesus and as it states for remission of sins. Water baptism can not do that and that is why John said in Matthew 3:11-14 that he needed the baptism of Jesus.
And of course the idea is to immerse them in salvation (the name Jesus means salvation) SO as they were immersed into His name they were saved and then they were baptized into the Spirit.
As this gentleman stated there are three baptisms (ways to be immersed) and one is by John's which is water.
Peter was talking about water baptism. Look at (Act 8:36) Philip and the eunch.
The eunch said"See here is WATER, what doth hinder me to be baptized"? Act
22:16 And why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord. That was Paul in Act 22:16.
He was retelling the story of how Juses came to him in Act 9.If you would also look
at (1Peter 3:20-21) verse 20 tells us how God was patient in the days of
Noah, while he was perparing the ark. There was only 8 souls saved by
WATER. verse21 The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM doth also now SAVE
us,(not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God)by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He has the above right but it can not be done by water baptism but by the baptism of the Spirit only the spirit has the power to do this not water.
Now the bible just told us that, the God saved Noah and his family, by the water washing
away all the sinful world back then. The like figure of baptism washes away
our sins.
Neither water or spirit saves us, but what Jesus did at the cross, only by grace through faith are we saved, not of our own but a free gift from God. Since God is a spirit and all of the physical (flesh) is not of Him which do you suppose He would want you baptized into Him or the physical..
And about baptized with fire, you really dont know what that is,
do you? If you did you would not want anybody to baptized with fire.Show me
someone in the bible that was baptized with fire.
The above statement shows he only reads what he wants to verify and justify his beliefs.
Acts 2
3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
He as others talk so much about water cleansing, but what they forget it is fire that actually removes all of the outer areas and reveals what is pure and true. Water can cleanse some but not remove, only fire can.
I have in the inspiriational section a story of gold being melted down (fire) to it's purest state and at that point it has no color it is transparent. What causes it to appear gold is when that which does not belong in gold settles in the gold as it cools.
And that is the way we are, the fire purifies us the fire of the Holy Spirit and as it cools we no longer appear as we did in the fire and we are no longer pure.
Revelations 3
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Below Jesus states He is at the door and knocking, we all know Jesus is with God in the Spiritual so how else would we hear Him other than in the Spirit?
Revelations 3
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The sad fact is that so many are following rituals and traditions created by man in and of the world to mislead and keep as many from God as possible. Everything from Baptism, to worship, from prayer to faith is either not taught or taught in correctly because it is of man and not God.
When I say not God, I mean that we are not listening to and hearing from God directly.
Before you blow this study off ask yourself "Am I 100% sure I am right and this study is not?" do it for yourself, do it for your children and loved ones, but mostly do it for God.
Do not allow the fears this world has introduced about hearing from God stop you, because all those fears are lies.
Copyright © 1996 -
Gods Gift For You
All Rights Reserved.
1-27-04-123