Back To Basics
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
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There will be three steps in this study and, yes, it is back to the basics. Some may not know this at all so for them it will be the first time and for others that have gotten on the wrong path it will be a refresher. For others it will be a revelation.
Some denominations teach one way while others teach another. I have been a Methodist, a Lutheran, and a Baptist. Each has had areas that I have learned are off base some how.
Now do not get me wrong I am not condemning or judging anyone I am just stating facts. As I have in the past I say again get your Bible out and read in it all that is shown here and all the verses preceding and following it as well.
Step 1. - Salvation (born again)
To be a Christian first you must be saved (born again).
John 3
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.
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Some do not believe we can be born again, but Jesus stated we must be born again, and this is why this next part is so important.
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.
Jesus stated above that the Spirit of God would teach you all things, not just things of God, but all things. In this study you will learn how to learn from the Spirit and not man.
First you must be saved to be able to be of the Spirit and learn from it.
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.
Based on Romans 10:9-10 you must believe in your heart that Jesus died and was raised from the dead and confess with your mouth that the Lord Jesus saved you.
All are called to the Lord for salvation. Some reject it; some mistake it for a call into the ministry and others accept and are saved.
I have seen many mistake their call from the Lord for salvation to be a call to preach or be a missionary, etc. It is sad that some never are truly saved because they have jumped over salvation into the ministry. In most churches when someone accepts Jesus they do not truly guide him or her, as they should. The real shame is that one of the two that do it right is as far from God as you can get and is of the spirit of Satan and does not realize it. I will discuss this more later on. Many accept Jesus and want to shout it from the roof top only to be held back due to either a church that looks down on any excitement at all, or due to a lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4
6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
(Before you think the above verse does not refer to you read Revelation 1:6 and learn how you are a priest)
What you need to understand is Jesus did not come to heal and perform miracles but to die. His sole purpose in life was to die so we could live.
Some get so tied up in His words and what He did or did not do that they miss the main point His passion. No I do not mean passion in the same way as the Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of the Christ". I mean as His desire and purpose in life.
Regarding the movie "The Passion", it is worth seeing to see what Jesus had to suffer so we would not have to suffer. Some ask why did Mel Gibson leave out so much of the ministry of Jesus or His resurrection and after? The point was not to expound on the teachings of Jesus; that has already been done. We all know He was raised from the dead. The point was to hamer home what He suffered so we would not have to. The Passion in the movie means the pain and suffering of Jesus and that is also a correct way to use the word. As far as Jews crucifying Jesus, well Jesus was a Jew, the apostles were Jews and most of the first century church was made up of Jews, but it does not mean we should blame Jews. If anything, we should blame ourselves because each time we sin we have helped drive a nail in Him.
The difference today is we have forgiveness in a form that is alive and well. The Jews before Jesus did not, they had to sacrifice each time they sinned. The reason they had to continue sacrificing over and over was that their sacrifice was dead afterwards. Since Jesus is alive He is our living sacrifice. No, He is not still on the cross and as far as the cross goes it was a tool used to save us nothing more. What counted was who was on the cross not the cross it self. People and religions today have made religions out of the cross, idols, saints, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. None of those can save a soul; only Jesus can save.
So accepting the call on your life to be saved, then believing in your heart Jesus died and was raised from the dead, and confessing Lord Jesus is what it is all about.
WARNING:
The rest of this study will offend any who are either of the law or not willing to read with an open mind.This study is not written to offend but to inform, but there are those who are so caught up in their religion and beliefs they will miss the truth. As far as I am concerned, I would rather take the chance to learn the truth and leave anything not of the truth behind than be caught in something delivering me to Hell.
For the sake of argument, let's say what is written here is correct. Would you really want to take the chance and miss the truth and the next life or continue on with a false religion or belief leading you to Hell? Can you say without a doubt, I mean 100% certain, what you believe is the truth? I can. Two ways - one is in the word itself and the other is from God Himself.
Know this - we have an enemy and he will use our ego and pride to tie us up in knots and keep us from the truth. If any of you who do not truly believe you have an enemy (Satan) and that he can do much more than you can imagine then you are either a fool or one of his agents. I was a fool for 20 years following man's teachings until I realized my problem was just that, man is flawed and learning from man lead to more flaws. From God comes only the truth.
One last thing, ask yourself this: Am I really offended or bothered by what is herein because it is not of the truth or is it because I have lived so long this one way I can not see clearly?
I am not here to get you to join our ministry, but to get you on the path to truth, light and righteousness. It is your choice, but it would be a real shame if, because of the world's teachings, you can not benefit from what is here and get stuck in the wrong path.
Step 2. - His Words and Deeds
Jesus did much in His 33 years here on the earth. John said if it all was written down that even the world itself could not contain it all.
John 21
25. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Jesus had to set certain things in place before He could die. He had to fulfill prophecy about Him from the Old Testament so we would know He was our salvation. He did not have to heal, feed or perform miracles of any kind. He did that out of His compassion for us. To understand why Jesus had to spend 3 years speaking and doing as He did we need to go back to the beginning with Adam.
Adam was told that the day he ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he would die.
Genesis 2
17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Since we know he did not imediately die physically or in his soul, all that is left is his spirit. He died spiritually. From that moment forward God had to plant His word into the earth to grow enough faith in one that He could use to give birth to Jesus.
Romans 10
From one generation to the next God found one man of God that He could use to sow His word into the earth. This is why the Old Testament is about the one; the one who threw it all away (Adam), the one God could use to sow His word into the earth and the one that one day would abide by His word in faith.
Luke 1
30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
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.
36. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
When Jesus came on the scene He also had to sow the word into the earth (us) so we could first know, then believe and understand. His words were to set the stage for salvation and the return of mankind to God for the first time in thousands of years. Jesus fulfilled the law, He did not eliminate it. He did what the law could not do and that was for once and all give us salvation and way back to God.
Remember I mentioned the idea of the Old Testament was the one, the one in the New Testament is you. You and God can have a one on one relationship that had been lost from Adam to Jesus.
Jesus' words were powerful and they were truth, but even still people take what they want to justify a way of life or a religion. In the past some religions have forbidden anyone other than priests to even read the Bible. They even restricted the Bible to the priests by leaving out two books that only the highest men in the religion could read.
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?
The above was written by Paul in the first century, now let's update it to today, but before I do understand I am choosing names at random to use, so if your church is not one that does not mean they should not be.
12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Catholic; and I of Jehovah's Witness; and I of (ENTER THE NAME OF YOUR CHURCH); and I of Christ.
13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
The idea is the same today as it was then; many consider or have considered they were the only true religion. Two reasons and one good intention caused this (which shows the road to Hell is paved with good intentions).
As far back as the 4th century a ruler of Rome (Constantine) was born again and decided he wanted everyone to be born again. So he made a law that all who wanted to own land and/or hold a position of power had to be a Christian. What this did, instead of making everyone accept Jesus as Lord, was place a lot anti-Christians in power of the church.
After this happened, with so many in power that did not know the Lord, a truth was lost, and that truth was the only way to truly understand the word of God was know God personally. So people began interpreting the word and in time came division. The very word "denomination" refers to the act of dividing.
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:
At about the end of the 15th century Martin Luther got the two restricted books of the Bible, read them, and translated them into his comon language (German). In the process he found many differences in what was taught and what was true. He wrote a letter to the pope calling the pope an anti-Christian. Subsequently the pope exiled Luther from the church.
During the next few hundred years differences in beliefs about baptism, comunion, etc divided people and started what we have today - division and chaos.
Understand God is a Spirit and to know and understand God it can only be done in the Spirit not in the flesh. If we read the Bible on our own in the physical, without the spirit, we interpret the word of God instead of understanding it.
John 4
23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Anyone who does not teach that we are not only to hear from God, but be taught by God is either suffering from a lack of knowledge or not telling the entire truth.
Out of the seven churches Jesus addresses in Revelation 1-3 He calls only one the true church the rest are not.
We need to be clear on another point just because you are born into a family that is of a church or of Christ it does not make you of Christ. You might be of that church, but not Christ. No one can be born physically into Christ; that requires growth after salvation.
Step 3. - The Truth
The truth is not of man bcause no man or woman is of the truth until they know God personally on a one on one basis. This does not mean attending church, praying, or even reading the Bible makes one of the truth. Without the Holy Spirit to teach and bring understanding there is only interpretation. From interpretation comes division and from division comes chaos.
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.
The fruit of the Spirit of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
The fruit of Satan is lies, deceit, hate - the total opposite to the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
To help you understand the truth think of the Bible as a novel that two people read and then both walk away with two totally different interpretations. One day they meet the author of the book and ask which of them is correct and then they find out that they both were wrong in regards to the author's intentions.
Over the past 300+ years there has been separation due to Baptism. Which is the one true Baptism? Is it water or of the Holy Spirit, and are we to be dunked or sprinkled? Neither of which will keep a person out of the next life, but it has caused division and violence.
Matthew 3
11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Acts 1
5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Jesus and John both stated the one true Baptism is of the Holy Spirit; it is spiritual not physical. What is really sad is so much of religion today is no different than it was 2000 years ago. I doubt seriously that if Jesus came today, instead of 2000 years ago, the outcome would be any different. Probably those who condemn the ones who yelled, "Crucify Him!" would most likely today be the ones saying it themselves.
Before you go seeking evidence of water Baptism in the New Testament (mostly Acts) understand you are only seeing the physical side of everything and not the Spiritual.
Why do you think the leaders of the days when Jesus walked the earth could not recognize Jesus as Lord? Because they were seeking a physical king not a spiritual one.
Do not be as so many others who, due to spiritual blindness, only see the one side over the other.
Did you know that for those who do not believe in Jesus as Lord it is better than for those who say they do but are of the Spirit of Satan?
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.
Jehovah's Witnesses will not admit Jesus came in the flesh, so by I John 4:1-3 they are of the Spirit of Satan. Now understand there are many good people truly seeking God being misled by man. It is not for the most part the members, but the leaders that are misleading. Jesus said not to hinder the children from coming unto Him, but then the Catholic religion has done just that. They have set up an entire religion based on one man as the "go between" from man to God - the Pope.
Matthew 18
14. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18
1. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Romans 8
16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
As I stated earlier, the church from about the 4th century until till the 15th century would not allow the members to read the Bible and restricted even what all the priests could read.
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.
Then there are those who teach that faith and/or the Spirit ended in the first century church. So in their teachings they are basically saying that salvation ended in the first century church.
Romans 5
1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 2
8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Hosea 4
6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
(before you think the above verse does not refer to you read Revelation 1:6 and learn how you are a priest)
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.
Before I finish I need to share something with you about the numerous amounts of churches closing all the time. I have come to learn many mistake their call to the Lord for a relationship (either the first one which is salvation or later for a closer walk) as a call to be of the ministry. God does not need us to save; we can not save; only Jesus saves.
In the end I would imagine it would be much easier for those of non-Christian religions than for those of religions that call themselves of Christ but then deny Jesus came in the flesh.
Remember the first fruit of the Spirit and why God sent His only begotten Son to save us, LOVE. Love does not breed violence, hate, judging, condemning, non-forgiveness, etc. It breeds joy, peace, and all of the fruit of the Spirit you can find in Gal 5.