Month March 2021

Inspiration and Miracles have CEASED

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the MANIFOLD wisdom of God pt 4

Inspiration and Miracles have CEASED.

There are three components to this subject that the mainstream denominational world still believes.

That God is still revealing His will to all through the direct operation of the Holy Spirit.

That man still has the ability to perform the miraculous through the direct operation of the Holy Spirit.

That the Holy Spirit resides personally inside of the believer.

None of these are true. The serious bible student knows that God is still active, but His work of revelation, confirmation of His word through miracles, and the direct operation of the Holy Spirit have CEASED.s

Miracles were there to…

CONFIRM the word.

Heb 2:3-4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

The letters, or…

EPISTLES are written for belief.

John 20:29-31 Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;

Eph 3:3-4; when you read you may understand. 2Tim 3:14-17; Rom 10:17

Jesus has all authority and He delegated…

AUTHORITY to the Apostles and the written word.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself;

1Cor 4:6; not to go beyond the things which are written;

1Cor 14:37 let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

The written…

SCRIPTURES are COMPLETE.

2Tim 3:16-17 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work. 2Peter 3:16

1Cor 13:8-10 whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

Partial vs Perfect (Complete) The word is complete.

The text cannot be referring to Jesus, for it says ‘THAT’ not “HE WHO” will come. This would make the text say that we only have Christ in part, but scripture states we have His fullness. We have the fullness of Christ:

Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.;

John 1:16 of His fullness we all received;

Col 2:10 ye are made full.

Wouldn’t it also mean that when Christ comes, we won’t know anything? Morons in Heaven?

The word (written miracles) can accomplish belief, John 20:30-31

Miracles were for…

EDIFICATION & Verification until the completion of the New Testament scriptures.

1Cor 14:5 that the church may receive edifying. 3,4,5,12,17,26

Eph 4:12-13 unto the building up of the body of Christ:

John 20:28-31; Mark 16:20

Heb 2:3-4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

This also includes the fact that…

DEMON Possession is impossible today.

Jude 1:6 he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Lu 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. Rev 20:10; 19:20

If inspiration of the Word is complete, and we are living in the last days, what new revelation could God give? What does John 20:30-31 mean?

God is… NO Respecter of Persons

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MANIFOLD wisdom of God pt 3

God is…

NOT a Respecter of Persons.

NOT a Sinner.

NOT a Failure.

A Popular trend among antagonists of God and His Word is to accuse Him of sin, weakness & prejudice.

The Bible Student needs to be ready to give a defense, for their own faith, and to effectively preach the gospel.

These errors abound in denominational error, not just among unbelievers. The Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement is prejudicial. Saying, “God could have failed,” is saying God is weak.

Claiming Jesus had a sexual relationship with Mary Magdalene is charging God with sin.

These are grave errors.

Instead of using my own reasoning, here’s what the Bible Says…

GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSON.

Ac 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

De 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Pr 24:23b It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

Pr 28:21a To have respect of persons is not good:

Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Eph 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Col 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1Pet 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

GOD DOES NOT SIN.

Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

1John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

De 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

1Pet 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Heb 4:15 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.

2Cor 5:21 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.

1John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

GOD IS NOT WEAK.

Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

1Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Isa 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Ps 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

Rev 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? 17

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

GOD WILL NOT FAIL.

Some denominations teach that Jesus failed in establishing His kingdom when He came to earth. The Jews of the day thwarted His plans, so He had to punt and move to plan B, the church. This is utter nonsense!

Isa 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

Mt 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Why this is so important?

Mt 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

1Cor 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. What all this means is that God has provided the way of salvation to the whole world. [Mat 28:18-20] He has not withheld it from any. Jesus is the sinless and innocent Lamb of God. God is able. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” [Mat 10:28]

All AUTHORITY is in Christ

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The

MANIFOLD wisdom of God pt 2

All AUTHORITY is in Christ, and His commands are written in the New Testament.

[Mat 28:18; Luke 6:46; 1Cor 14:37].

This single subject is actually the KEY subject on how to answer every question, objection and error you will face. A firm understanding of how to determine Scriptural Authority will arm you against all the fiery darts of the devil. [Eph 6:10-17]

There are two fundamental differences that separate truth from error.

ERROR: “We are at liberty to do anything not specifically forbidden.” This is the approach liberals and modernists use towards the Bible that leads to death.

TRUTH: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” [Deut 4:2; 12:32; Jos 1:7; Pr 30:6; Ec 12:13; Re 22:18-19]

As you can see, God limits our actions to what is contained in the scriptures. We cannot go beyond the word of the Lord. This is easily understood in our everyday communication. The easiest example is seen when one places an ORDER for a pizza.

We communicate our wishes when we place an ORDER, by Telling, Showing or Implying. If you can communicate your wishes without Telling, Showing or Implying, please explain it to me without Telling, Showing or Implying. [Luke 6:46; Col 3:17]

It is understood by our specific request that no REPLACEMENTS or alterations are allowed. If one orders a pizza, chicken wings would not be acceptable. If you wanted wings you would have Ordered them. [1Sam 15:22-23; Acts 15]

The person receiving our order understands they may only DELIVER what is Specifically requested, Shown or Implied. To add or remove any item is to go beyond the permission (authority) given. To say, “you didn’t say I couldn’t add black olives;” would be unacceptable to any logical thinking person. [2Sam 7:7; Heb 7:11-17]

It matters not what the server ENJOYS, likes, or otherwise wants. It’s not about them, it’s about the one placing the Order. They may say “But I really ENJOY black olives on my pizza,” or, “The majority of people ENJOY smoked oysters and pineapple.” None of these are legitimate reasons to alter the order. They are limited to the specific request.

The following words from Jesus should make it plain.

“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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” [Matthew 7:21-23]

Any alteration to the given command under specific authority is to be REJECTED regardless of how good it may feel, what good we think it may do, or how popular it may be.

[Matt 7:13-14; Luke 13:24; Acts 26:9]

How do we use this? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Col 3:16; Eph 5:19] Instrumental music is an addition because it is not commanded nor is it necessary to complete the command. Song books (or other scriptural source material) are accepted under GENERIC AUTHORITY because we need something from which we could all sing. Generic authority is the liberty given to us to choose the means by which we complete a specific command. ie. Noah was commanded to build an ark, under generic authority he had liberty to choose the necessary tools. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” [1Cor 14:40]

To say that instrumental music makes things better, or more enjoyable is irrelevant. It’s not in the command. To say David used instruments is also irrelevant because he lived under the Law of Moses (more about that in Lesson 6). David also used incense and sacrificed bulls; would you suggest we do those too? [Gal 5:1-4]

All MUST Obey the Gospel

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MANIFOLD wisdom of God pt 1

All MUST obey the Gospel.

The first and foremost truth that will answer many objections is the fact that everyone MUST obey the gospel to be saved.

This is easily shown by looking at the New Testament Scriptures.

2Thess 1:8 …rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

see also; Rom 1:5; 10:16; 16:26; [emph mine seb]

Denominational people will come to you saying…

  • “Baptism is not essential to salvation.”
  • “No works of man can save you.”
  • “Ask Jesus into your heart and you’ll be saved.”
  • “What about the thief on the cross?”
  • “By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.”

They will especially appeal to emotionalism…

  • “Do you mean to tell me my mother, that godly woman, who was a (insert denomination here) all her life is lost?”
  • “What if you’re on the way to be baptized and you die?”

They may even quote a few scriptures out of context…

  • Eph 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.
  • Rom 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.
  • Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
  • 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.

I believe all these passages, and I hope you do as well. However, I believe them in their context as well as in context with everything else Jesus said about salvation including baptism.

WHAT SAVES US?

Let’s answer one of the main objections to baptism. It is stated this way; “No work of man or from God can save you. If you get baptized, you’re working for & trying to earn your salvation.”

Colossians 2:11-14.

When you’re accused of salvation by ‘WORKS’ reply, “Yes, but it’s not me doing the work. Let’s look at Col 2:11-14.”

“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.”

“…the working of God,” [ASV]

First, It’s God who is WORKING when we are baptized. It is God’s work, [Isa 29:14; Hab 1:5; Acts 13:41]

“…raised with him through faith…”

Obedience to God’s command is never considered earning anything. He’s working through OUR faith, our trust in His working. Our obedience is part of faith. James wrote, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” [Jas 2:17]

“wherein also ye are risen with Him…”

When we are baptized, we are being buried as dead sinners, then God’s working allows us to be RAISED with Christ being made alive, being forgiven of all our trespasses. [v13; Rom 6:3-4]

“…he make alive together with him;” [v13]

This scripture lets us KNOW what we’re doing in baptism, understanding that it is God working through our faith. It is not a blind faith, nor just a feeling. We may KNOW that we have eternal life. [2Tim 1:12; 1Jo 5:13]

“…having forgiven us all our trespasses;” [v13]

Lastly, because it’s God WORKING through OUR faith and that we are being RAISED with Christ, KNOWING we’ve obeyed the commands of God, we can be certain that we’ve worked out our SALVATION with fear and trembling. [Php 2:12; Acts 2:40] “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”