Being a Christian

Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author   Close Window

Before sin Adam and Eve did not work, get sick, hurt, have debt, death or Hell to contend with. They ate of all the fruit except one (and that one caused death).

If a child is told not to play with matches and still does, the child is disobedient and for this can get hurt or die. Adam was disobedient and since the seed comes from man, we all inherited the seed of sin, but that was not enough; it was not until man could no longer be in the presence of God that we really had a hard time.

In Genesis 6 we see where the fallen angels mating with human women perverted the flesh.

Genesis 6
1. And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2. That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Job 1
6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

In Job the referral to “sons of God” was of angels, the same as in Genesis 6:2. To cross a human and an angel is like crossing a tiger and a house cat. So now that mankind was no longer what it was in the beginning it was a perversion and a sin unto God. Man could no longer be in the presence of God without death. That is also why from Genesis 1 to 6 man could walk with God and be in His presence, but afterwards could not (as it was with Moses).

So Satan first divided us spiritually and then in the flesh as well. We are not even sure what pure humans are supposed to look like now.

So, God for the next 4 thousand years did all He could using what ever man or woman He could to get the WORD into the earth. Those 4,000 years of planting the WORD into the earth paid off.

Luke 1
38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Due to this the Word was made flesh for us.

John 1
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.

Our belief is in our faith and faith comes by hearing.

Romans 10
17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Or faith comes by hearing and understanding by the word of God.

Jesus is the word made flesh.

1 John 5
1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his comandments.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his comandments: and his comandments are not grievous.
4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Jesus is also the Son of God.

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.

OK, first the Greek word for Peter is Petros

Strong's Ref. # 4074
Romanized Petros
Pronounced pet'-ros
a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than GSN3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:
KJV--Peter, rock. Compare GSN2786.

So instead of Peter, it should have been a piece of the rock, what rock? The rock Jesus refers to as “upon this rock”

Strong's Ref. # 4073
Romanized petra
Pronounced pet'-ra
feminine of the same as GSN4074; a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively):
KJV--rock.

So Peter was a piece of the rock and upon the rock Jesus was going to build the church.

Matthew 16
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.

In the previous verses Jesus stated that flesh and blood did not REVEAL ( a revelation) to him. So, when someone has it revealed to them by the Father who Jesus is as the Son of God and the Christ they are a piece of the rock or church. What is the big deal? Being a Son of God is putting one on the same level as God, and Christ is a Greek word for anointing. The anointing is the Spirit of God in, on, and through who ever is of Christ.

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.

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.

Even by Jesus’ own words we were to be taught all things by the Spirit of God, or by God via the Spirit, not by man. Understand this, Jesus, the apostles, and the first century church had no structured schools to go to. They all got what they needed via the Holy Spirit. This could very well have been why the Spirit was moving so powerfully back then as compared to now.

So, you are called, you know you are empty (or at the least have an empty spot in you). You then seek the fulfillment of your self. At first it is the salvation that helps, but is not enough. At this point you have the Spirit in you, and you are saved. After a while you realize who Jesus is as the Son of God and start growing as the church, but in time you realize you need more, and that is when you become part of Christ.

So now you are saved, becoming a part of the church, and growing in Christ.

One of the biggest downfalls of people is attending a church. Over 2,000 years ago they attended church once a week, heard from a man of God, and gave of their talents and tithes. But that is not what Jesus came to die for. He came to re-unite us with God so we would not need a man/woman of God, but so we could become children of God.

Romans 8
16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Jesus did not come to condemn or judge us, but to save us from death, Hell, and the grave.

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.

We have the power to overcome and do all Jesus did and more.

1 Corinthians 1 24. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

If we are of Christ, and Christ is the power and wisdom of God, we have the power Jesus had and more.

Did you know the word denomination translated to English means divided?

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:

1 Corinthians 1
10. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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?

Satan did his job very well, he started dividing us early on and kept things away from us due to our division. Like what Christ meant, the full understanding of the word Christ.

Jeremiah 33
9. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
10. Thus saith the Lord; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
11. The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.

How can we walk in the blessings and show the power of God to the world if we are divided? Satan has us arguing with each other over simple things which, in time, push others away. Our division is on things such as comunion and baptism neither of which can save you. Only the blood can save you. Yes, all should be baptized with water to show their faith, but the one and only baptism is of the Holy Spirit. Only God can save and the idea that water can save is an insult to God. So, if God is a Spirit and the Holy Spirit is God, then being baptized of Him is the same as:

Matthew 28
18. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Because He is one in the same, and Jesus even told His apostles that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This was right before He went to sit at the right hand of God.

Acts 1
6. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

John’s baptism was for repentance of sins, but it is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us thoroughly. So if you were sprinkled or dunked, at birth or at 100 it is showing of one’s faith and all are OK.

Comunion is even easier. When we partake of the comunion wafer and drink, it is again showing our faith. Remember the true meaning of comunion is a relationship, intimate relationship with God the Father.

2 Corinthians 13
14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the comunion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

2 Corinthians
13.
|3588| The
|5485| gracious love
|3588| of the
|2962| Lord
|2424| Jesus
|5547| Christ,
|2532| and
|3588| the
|0026| love
|3588| of
|2316| God,
|2532| and
|3588| the
|2842| fellowship
|3588| of the
|0040| Holy
|4151| Spirit
|9999| {be}
|3326| with
|3956| all
|5216| you.
Strong's Ref. # 2842
Romanized koinonia
Pronounced koy-nohn-ee'-ah
from GSN2844; partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:
KJV--(to) comunicate(-ation), comunion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship.

So, to have comunion is to have a private/intimate relationship with the Lord, to comunicate with Him two ways, to talk to and to hear from Him.
These are two major verses; there are others. Basically if anyone teaches...

Romans 10
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

...they are of the Lord and teaching how to start one’s walk with God.

If you want to be filled with all you can have, the love, joy, peace, and so forth of God, all you need to do is read the word. Mostly pray, and while praying listen; listen for the voice of God to direct you. He loves you, He died for you, He did not judge or condemn you. He only wants the best for you! How much more can we ask?

God Bless You as you hear His words and follow His leading.

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