What is the bible? -Interactive

There are ___66__ books in the bible, written by how many men? ___44___

Fun Fact:

If you read the entire bible at standard pulpit speed it would take 71 hours to complete. Or 12 minutes a day to read from Genesis to Revelation in 365 days.

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: Laws – Genesis – Deuteronomy History – Joshua – Esther Poetry – Job – Song of Solomon Major Prophets – Isaiah – Daniel Minor Prophets – Hosea – Malachi Gospel – Matthew – John History – Acts Paul’s epistles – Romans – Hebrews General Epistles – James – Jude Prophesy – Revelation

How did they know what to write?

2 Peter 1:21 – For prophesy never had its origin in human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit

They were not the author of the writings, it was the spirit of God speaking through them and telling them what to write.

Who wrote it?

These writers had 20 different occupations, lived in 10 different countries and the book uses 3 different languages.

Why was the bible written?

2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 – All scripture is God given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

What does this meant to you?

_________You won’t grow without scripture. You need to read daily to understand the correction and direction the Lord is trying to show you.___________________________________

Psalms 119:105 The word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. What does this mean to you?

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Back in this time their lights were dim so you could only see a few steps ahead of you. Same with God, he lets us see a few steps ahead but not the whole picture. We are to trust in him and follow his will and he will lead and guide our paths.

 

Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace; thereby good will come unto thee.

Basically do everything you can to stay friendly with everyone, just as Jesus did, and you will be rewarded.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away but the word of God shall not pass away

God’s word will forever be a guidebook for us to follow.

Revelation 22:18-19 – For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

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What is the book of life? Revelations 20:11-15

_Everyone on earth will be judged, dead and alive. No one will be able to hide or escape from this judgment_

Warning: False doctrine Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

______The devil can pretend to do great signs and wonders to throw us off track. But that doesn’t mean they are of God. We have to test their spirits and make sure we aren’t swayed by someone who is only out to destroy our walk with the only one that can save us, God. Even the smartest and most successful people will be deceived. _____________________________

Prelude::

After Adam and Eve sinned we could no longer have a relationship with God unless we offered animal sacrifices. God wanted to change that and sent Jesus to the earth the be a sacrifice so we might become one with God again. Jesus was only a man himself, like the rest of us. However, he was a chosen one by God to be the first one to carry God’s spirit and present it to the world. After Jesus got baptized, God (who is a spirit) went inside of him and assisted him (he still had free will, as all of us do) by providing strength, ability to perform miracles, and protection in order to preach the word and allow us a chance to have a relationship with God. In the next few sections we will explain, through scripture, our “Godhead” doctrine. We believe that God is the only true God. He is also the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ became our sacrifice so we could have a relationship with God again. He became the mediator for us to talk to God through…

Jesus was born to die during this first part we will see that Jesus knew he was sent by God to be a sacrifice.

Luke 1:26-38   ²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. God’s comforting angel, Gabriel, came to Mary in Nazareth in the 6th month of Xanthikos which was from March 10th to April 7th) ²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Mary was a virgin which makes giving birth to a child a miracle in itself. Joseph was a descendant of David. David was the only one who God referred to as “a man after God’s own heart”. (Acts 13:22 – I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.) ²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (Hail – rejoice. Mary was “highly favored” by God. She had high approval.) ²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. (Mary was worried in her mind what manner of greeting this should be) ³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (approval from God) ³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. (Named Jesus because Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins) 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: (Jesus will be called the most high. God is going to make him ruler of mankind.) 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? (Since she was a virgin) 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. (John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth) 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. (She couldn’t have children) 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. (She agreed to do God’s will)

John 2:19-22

¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” ²⁰ They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” ²¹ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Any questions??

Jesus knew that he was going to be hung on a cross, he prophesied about it before it happened.

 

 

 

 

Young Jesus This section is talking about when Jesus was a little boy. He had a lot of wisdom as a little boy but was                                          still just a man at this point.

Luke 2:39-52 Discusses how Jesus (the fleshly form) was sitting among the teachers asking questions. They were amazed at how much he understood and the intelligence of his answers.

Isaiah 9:6 ⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Any questions??

He is everything that we could ever need wrapped up in one. Wonderful counselor, He’s there when we need someone to just talk to, or pour our hearts out to. Someone who will just sit there and, in a nonjudgemental way, listen. Mighty God, he will give us strength and fight for us. He is more mighty and stronger than anything. Through him we can overcome any obstacle. Everlasting father, he will forever be there to comfort us, hold us when we are hurt or broken, gently teach us his ways through careful instruction and direction. Prince of Peace, he will give us peace above all understanding. Even when situations seem like they are so overwhelming, God promises to give us peace through our storms.

 

 

 

Jesus is the son of God Jesus is Son of God

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be call Immanuel. (God with us) God will be with us through that child.

Luke 3:21-22 – When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

We see he went from flesh to holy, this is where he takes on Christ. Before all this Jesus was just a man.

Any questions??

John 10: 14 – 18 ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep (He was going to be a sacrifice). ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (Talking about all the people of the world that he was going to save by taking the place of their sins. They were all then going to have one shepherd, God) ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. (He was going to be sacrificed but would be alive eternally) ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. (He wasn’t forced to lay his life down  for our sins. Just as we aren’t forced to live for God. Everyone, including Jesus, has free will.) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again (Again talking about laying down his life for God so he could have eternal life in heaven, what we all strive for). This command I received from my Father.”

 

 

 

 

Jesus is Man This part we show that Jesus was actually in every way a human being, no different from us. He went through                                                 everything that we go through here on earth.

Philippians 2:7-8  ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient (complying or willing to comply with orders or request) to death—even death on a cross!

The scriptures provide multiple proofs of the genuine humanity of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:2 – After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was “hungry” – He fasted like we did, and was human enough to be hungry.

Matthew 8:24 – But he was asleep – He got tired.

John 4:6 – Jesus was wearied

John 11:35 – Jesus wept – He had an emotional moment.

Luke 22:44 Being in agony

Luke 2:52 – Jesus increased in wisdom and stature – He was learning just like us.

1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 2:14-18

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants (humans).  ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them,^[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God (he is not on the same level as God. He’s going to serve God as well), and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Any questions??

Jesus came here to release the hold the devil had on us, take away our sins and allow us to have a relationship with God again. He knows what it’s like to be tempted and go through the things we go through here on earth. But he overcame that, just as we should always strive to do.

 

 

 

Jesus is God – Why did Jesus have to die?

The fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden transferred sin into the whole human race.

Adam and Eve:

Adam was made in God’s likeness by the dust of the earth. God realized Adam was lonely and made Eve out of Adam’s ribcage. During their time in the Garden, Adam and Eve were naked but didn’t know what naked was. The Garden of Eden was made for them to live in. They could eat anything except from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. But one day Eve went to the Tree and the serpent conned her into eating an apple from the tree which cursed her. Then she talked Adam into eating off the tree and they both realizing that they were naked hid from God. He cast them out of the Garden and made it so the man would have to work and till for his food, and the wife was going to have child pains which is the closest to death.

After this we became separated from God. No longer was his spirit living among us. God would come down and communicate with them as a friend talking to another friend. Therefore it took blood and sacrifice for us to be able to communicate with God.

Hebrews 9:22

New International Version (NIV)

²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

People in these times would offer animal sacrifices in order for God to communicate with them. This is why he had to come in the flesh.

Hebrews 2:14

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

So God’s natural life was going to have to die and blood be shed so we could be redeemed and made sinless, and have a relationship, like they had in the Garden. The only way to have a relationship is to become sinless.

I Peter 2:21-25 ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

²² “He committed no sin,     and no deceit was found in his mouth.”^[a]

²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats, Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (God is the one that judges, not Jesus). ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[b]but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

We should live righteous because Jesus died on the cross so that we can be forgiven for the sins we committed.

Acts 2:38

New International Version (NIV)

³⁸ Peter replied, “REPENT and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. AND you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance (asking for forgiveness of our sins) comes first. Then, and only then, can we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is God living inside of us. Jesus was the only person on the earth who was sinless so God used his body to live inside to allow us a chance to become holy again. Since he was born of a virgin he was favored by God.

Before this point the people didn’t believe that Jesus was actually the Son of God, or that God was truly inside him.

Matthew 27:42-54

⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (The people didn’t believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and that God was living inside of him. This was God in the flesh, he was inside of man.) ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). (He spoke this as a fleshly man. Eternal body was coming out of Jesus at this point so the natural body could die. No longer was God inside of him, he was going to die as just a man.)

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (God came out of him and became a spirit again. Jesus died just as a man, physically dying the same way any of us would die)

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (The temple curtain separated the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place. Only the Chief Priest was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies one day a year on the Day of Atonement. No human could have ever have ripped this curtain because it was so large. This was God’s way of showing that we could now approach him.) The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection (After Jesus’ natural body came back to life after 3 days) and^[c] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion (guard) and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (It took great signs, wonders and sacrifice for the people to believe that he was ultimately the Son of God.)

So Jesus was God and man. The man died, and was buried, and the spirit (which was God) went back up into heaven. Giving everyone on earth a fair chance at having a relationship with him without a blood sacrifice.

John 19:30

New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit

John is talking about the resurrection here as well. When Jesus said, “It is finished” he meant that God’s spirit had left him and he just a man, was dying on a cross, for our sins.

Luke 1:68

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. (God is not a physical person anymore)  ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! (God will be living inside of you, making you a new creation) ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (Jesus allowed us to be reconciled with God) ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  (God was allowing us to be sinless and have a relationship with him) ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors (an authorized messenger or representative), as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (He was encouraging us to start a relationship with God and represent him and all his good works) ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin^[b] for us (Jesus), so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (Made Jesus sinless so that he could take our sins and allow us to be holy and righteous again).

Any questions??, dar

 

 

 

 

 

There is only one God.

Zechariah 12:10

¹⁰ “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit^[a] of grace and supplication. They will look on^[b] me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

This is God prophesying about sending Jesus to the earth to die. He was the one who got pierced, meaning he was inside Jesus.

Deuteronomy 6:4 ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one

This scripture does not say “one in three persons.” But does say “The Lord is one Lord.”

If he was three then why would it not say it right here.” The Lord our God is three.” 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 ⁴ So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” ⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live (God created us); and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live (Jesus is our lord which means he is a leader or person of great influence. All things came THROUGH him when he died on the cross. And we live THROUGH him because he died on the cross for us so that we could also be saved. Therefore we thank Jesus because he gave us that ability but we live only FOR the one true God, who is the leader of all.)

Ephesians 4:5-6 ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God (leader) and (he is the) Father (important figure) of all (the whole world), who is over all and through all and in all.

James 2:19 ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

1 Timothy 3:16 – ¹⁶ And without controversy (disagreement) great is the mystery of godliness (Colossians 1:26-27): God was manifest (obvious to the eye or mind, to show) in the flesh, justified (to prove to be right) in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles (Gentiles basically means the rest of the world, not just where Jesus was), believed on in the world, received up into glory (when he was taken up into heaven)

We see here God was not manifested in three persons, but was manifested in the fles.

John 1:10 – He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not. (He walked among them as Jesus but the world didn’t know that it was him)

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In the Beginning it was only God! He is the word and one true God.

Word=God, God= made Flesh

John 1:14 And that word was made flesh and it dwelt among us

Colossians 3:17 ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

Any questions??

____We give thanks to God using Jesus’ shed blood. If he hadn’t shed his blood we wouldn’t have been able to use him as a sacrifice. We do things in the name of the Lord Jesus because he was the mortal one, the one that showed us direction. He was the one that had the direct line to God. We give thanks to God, which is our father, through him because his spirit was in Jesus______________________________________________

 

 

 

God is a Spirit.

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

God is a spirit we see here the Spirit was God in activity not God in the third person.

God as spirit in scripture

Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

Isaiah 59:19 So Shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun . When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

Matthew 1:20 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.

Is the Holy Ghost a separate being? Apart from God and Jesus?

Acts 5:3-4

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Luke writes that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit when he kept the money. Then near the bottom he says, “You haven’t lied to humans but to God.” So lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God because they are one.

Luke 12:10 – ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Blasphemy by definition means – impious (lack reverence for God) utterances or action concerning God. So when we blaspheme we blaspheme against God, who is the Holy Spirit.

Mark 2:7 – Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

If God and the Holy Spirit were separate and equal wouldn’t they both be mentioned as being able to forgive sins? Also, why would we only be able to blaspheme the Holy Spirit and not God if they were separate?

John 4:21-24 – ²¹ “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem (because he will only be in heaven). ²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

 

God IS spirit, not A spirit. Meaning he is the one true God. We must worship him through his spirit that is inside of us (speaking in tongues), and truth which is Jesus Christ. (John 14:6 – ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.) Jesus is our mediator as described in 1 Timothy 2:5.

 

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – ¹⁷ Now the Lord is THE Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 

We are transformed into “his image” by becoming more like Jesus (blameless and worthy to be called the son of God.)

Deuteronomy 6:4 ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one

John 3:5 – ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Once again, if the Holy Ghost and God were on the same level and separate beings why doesn’t it say the Kingdom of God and the Holy Ghost?

 

 

The power of believing – The steps to salvation

Everyone is born with a sinful nature, every child is born into sin, without any action on our part we have sin in us without doing anything or even speaking one word we are stained by sin.

Psalms 51:5 ⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

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What is the result of sin? Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. __________________________________________________________________________________________

James 1:15 – Then after desire is conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To better understand the effects of sin, think of death as a separation.                 1. A spiritual death – Your sins have separated you from God.                 2. An eternal death – If you remain lost in your sins, they will separate you from the mercy of God forever. If you are born once (physically), you will die twice (physically, and eternally) If you are born twice (physically, spiritually), you will die once (physically, and live eternally in heaven)

Who has sinned? Romans 3:23 – For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

How much does God care for us? John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son (Jesus in the flesh, a man he made) that whosoever believes in him (God) will not perish but have everlasting life.

God allowed his son to die on the cross for us so that one day we can share heaven with our creator.

Does he love us as sinners or do we have to become good enough for God to love us? Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, God died for us. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How did Jesus take away our sins? 1 Corinthians 15:3 – For what I received I passed onto you as of first importance. That Christ Jesus died for OUR sins according to the scripture.

The fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden transferred sin into the whole human race.

Adam and Eve:

Adam was made in God’s likeqqness by the dust of the earth. God realized Adam was lonely and made Eve out of God’s ribcage. They were naked but didn’t know what naked was. Made the garden of Eden for them to live in. They could eat anything except from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. But one day Eve went to the Tree and the serpent conned her into eating an apple from the tree which cursed her. Then she talked Adam into eating off the tree and they both realizing that they were naked hid from God. He cast them out of the Garden and made it so the man would have to work and till for his food, and the wife was going to have child pains which is the closest to death.

Must have all 5 steps of salvation to make it to heaven. The steps are: 1. Belief 2. Faith 3. Repentance 4. Baptism 5. Holy Ghost

First step to salvation:

1. Believing – To accept as true, sure of truth. Accept of a statement or as someone who is truth. To have faith, a religious faith. To feel sure that someone is capable of a particular action.

Matthew 21:22 ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (As long as it is in accordance with God’s will)

 

2. Faith – Belief in doctrines. The key that open the chest of drawers to God’s promises.

You have to know what you believe in. The only way to do that is by studying out the scriptures and words of God.

Hebrews 11:6 ⁶ And without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

If you daily cry out to him he will reward you for it. It may not be a physical reward, the only reward may be getting into heaven. But ultimately that’s all that matters.

Matthew 21:21 ²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree (was cursed), but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

Everyone doubts one time in their lives or another. But if you truly have faith and truly believe that God is with you and can do all things then you can do anything through him as long as it’s in line with his will.

Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen

Faith is when we cry out to God and let him know the desires of our hearts even though we can’t see him. He will make it evident to us that he is there, either by us feeling his presence, or doing certain things in our lives that we need.

Hebrews 10:23 – Let us hold UNSWERVINGLY to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (If we have faith, God will provide our needs)

What happens if we don’t have faith? 2 Timothy 2:13 – If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he can’t disown himself. (He will always be faithful even when we fall or doubt)

What does God promise us? Titus 1:2 – A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.

Without real faith our sins stay in us, Jesus explains if we really believe we will see that we need him to forgive us our sins. Faith brings awareness to our sins true belief leads to complete salvation.

Hebrews 6:12 – We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

God wants us to look to people that have been down the road and have gone through different things but are still standing strong. This doesn’t mean that your walk is going to be the same as theirs, it’s just saying that we need to daily make sure that we are striving to get closer to him and not becoming complacent and comfortable with where we are.

Acts 16:30-31 – And brought them out and said “Sir, what must I do to be saved?” And they said “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and though shalt be saved in their house.” (Confession is a sign in our belief/faith but not the complete ticket to salvation.)

Romans 10:9 ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 We are justified before God by our act of faith with him. Ex. Noah found faith in sight of the Lord by his faith. Abraham’s faith was input to him for his righteousness.

Our sins haven’t been washed away but by faith we are given right standing in the sight of God to approach him and enter into his presence freely.

The theory of “once saved, always saved” doesn’t apply.

Ezekial 33:12-16 “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ ¹³ If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. Basically it’s saying you can’t get the Holy Ghost one day and then go out and sin and expect God to overlook that because at one point you had his spirit inside you.  Or you will have spiritual death for their sins and ultimately not get into heaven. You have to have a daily walk, and daily repentance.

¹⁴ And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— ¹⁵ if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. ¹⁶ None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.  On the other hand our God is a forgiving God. If you didn’t know him but come and sincerely ask for repentance for the things you have done and continue to better yourself and have a daily walk with him, then everything that you did before will be wiped away and you will be made new in his eyes..

Remember Revelations 22:18 – 19 you can’t leave parts out and only accept parts of it

Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.

 

3. Repentance

Forgiveness comes from when we are not only confessed that he is Lord. But also when we confess to him our sins then God forgives our sins. to repent means to turn around and change direction. True repentance brings a lifestyle change.  Repentance is an ongoing process it is a daily thing. We must sanctify ourselves everyday and try not to give into temptation.

What is repentance? – Regret or sorrow for something that has occurred and a change from one’s sinful ways.

– Confessing our sins. Repentance before God and staying in the attitude of repentance. Repentance is when we choose to depart from a lifestyle of sin and do what is right. Sin can easily be defined as anything that turns you from God so you know what to repent for.

We see that faith and repentance is being taught by the apostles and Jesus. Not only did they teach believing on the Lord but also taught of repentance.

Luke 13:3 I tell you except you repent you shall all likewise perish. (You aren’t necessarily going to physically die, but your spirit is going to die)

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness. But it is longsuffering to us word not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (When we repent God cleanses us of our sins)

Acts 3:19 ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Only God can wash away our sins and make us clean and new again.

Acts 17:30 ³⁰ In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Before he sent his son there were things that he would overlook because people didn’t know better. Now that Jesus came and died for our sins we know the things we should and shouldn’t do.

Jeremiah 15:19-20 ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. ²⁰ I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord.

What does this mean to you? ____If you are sincere and truly follow God’s word then you will be able to show people his love and won’t be swayed by them and their beliefs. God will stand up against them and fight so that nothing can overtake us.__________

1 John 1:9 ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 Corinthians 14:31 ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

We need to know the word and preach it to people to show them God’s love he has for all of us.

Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.”

He did not say “maybe” here, he said “ye shall” because it is for everyone. But repentance is always first. You can’t get the holy ghost until you first believe and repent.

4. Baptism

John 3:5 ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God (heaven) unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

You must be baptized and have received the Holy Ghost which is God’s spirit inside us.

Matthew 28:19 ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

____________Notice how he only says “name” not “names”. This leads us to believe that all these three things are one. In previous scripture God said that he was the father, and he put himself inside Jesus which makes him the son, and also he is the Holy spirit which makes all these things one name._________________________________________

Acts 22:16 ¹⁶ And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Jesus is the name of the Holy Ghost. John 14:26

Water baptism was performed in the first church in the way of immersion in the name of Jesus.

Baptism helps us put on Christ (Galations 3:27) For as many of you have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is no other way to put on Christ but in water baptism. Baptism in Jesus name is the only way to become part of Christ, part of his body and part of his church. Salvation is promised to those that are in Christ. 2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect sake that they may also obstain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. With water baptism we put on Christ’s name and are spiritually with him. Now we have put on the highest name on heaven and earth and the importance of baptism is vital because this is where we put on Christ and off our old man. We are made alive in baptism. Water baptism is a blessing and it puts us in Christ. It makes us alive and washes away our sins.

 

 

DO WE REALLY NEED THE HOLY GHOST?

John 3:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

We must be baptized and have the Holy Spirit in order to get into heaven.

After we have both these things we no longer are strangers to God, but become his sons and daughters because our spirit actually draws us to God. After this we should understand that it’s a life change that should take place because we are carrying something that is truly holy. The Holy Ghost is the transforming power in us and is the spirit of truth.

Think of it like a pregnant woman would be with her baby. The mother would do everything possible to take care of her unborn child. Eat better, try to stay away from harmful places and activities, watch what meds are taken, drink lots of water, doing everything to try and be sure mentally and physically she is prepared when it finally arrives. This is how we should be when we get the Holy Ghost. Take care of it as a baby in your belly.

Being filled with his spirit is not just a onetime event it is an ongoing sanctification. We need to let the spirit renew us DAILY and lead us throughout our lives.

Luke 9:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross DAILY and follow me.

What does this mean to you?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To “take up your cross” means to be willing to die for Jesus. It also means to ‘die to self’ which means to completely surrender all your burdens to God. Then your sins will ‘die’ and you will be reborn with God’s spirit.

Titus 3:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

If God was saving us for being righteous we would all perish because we all have sinned. The “washing of the rebirth” simply means that we have become one with Christ and have been “reborn” when we received God’s spirit inside of us.  Since God’s spirit is new we are essentially infants in Christ.  “Renewal by the Holy Spirit” is saying that we need to be renewed continuously.

^{John 3:3-6 3} Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]” ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit.  ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ 

We must keep this gift alive and stirred up so that we will please God and be filled with his power daily. the Holy Ghost gives us our strength. Flesh and fleshly desires only give birth to more fleshly desires. Only by feeding our spirit can we continue and strengthen our relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit is like a wall outlet in your house. The power is always there, all you have to do is plug into it. With the power of the Holy Spirit, your “plug” is faith. When you ask, believe God will answer your prayer and you will plug into his power.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing 

This doesn’t necessarily mean we have to constantly be on our knees in prayer. It is saying that we need to make sure that we keep our focus on him in all that we say or do.

5. Holy Ghost

HOW DO WE RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST?

Matthew 16:18-19 That thou art Peter upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus said he gave the keys to the kingdom to Peter. This means that Peter has the truth!! Then we see in Acts 2:38 Peter gave us the steps to get into the kingdom. Since Peter is the one who received the keys from God himself, and since God can’t contradict himself or lie, then this must be what we, and every generation, needs to do to get into heaven.

Acts 2:38

New International Version (NIV)

³⁸ Peter replied, “and be baptized, EVERY ONE OF YOU, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you WILL receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If you have faith and believed, repent and confess your sins to God, and been baptized in Jesus name the bible says you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.(Sometimes people receive the spirit before baptism but never before belief or faith)

Speaking in tongues can be very brief or very long there is no set formula. But it is a biblical part of the spirit baptism and the key words are surrendering and faith.

 

WHAT ARE TONGUES? DO WE EALLY NEED THEM?

Acts 2:1-4

New International Version (NIV)

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ ALL of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

It is a physical sign that we have received God’s spirit inside of us. If we continue on in this chapter it explains that the people outside thought that they were drunk. They SAW and HEARD something different about these people, just as we should show to the world we have something different.

In this next passage Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth. They were very much focused on themselves instead of building the church up as a whole. So Paul tries to explain to them that they need a personal relationship with God but they also need to be unified with their members of church so they can reach more people.  He explains that when we speak in tongues it is only for the person doing the speaking and God, not for anyone else. It is for our intimate part of our personal relationship with God…

1 Corinthians 14

New International Version (NIV)

² For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[a] does not speak to people but to God (They show that each person has their own unique relationship with God. Tongues are a way to speak to him and him alone). Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. (Tongues are a sign that God’s spirit is inside of you). But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. (If you prophesy people understand what you are saying, therefore you can encourage the church.) ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. (Tongues help you build a closer and more intimate relationship with God, while prophesy is a public thing and allows the church to be built up) ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues (Paul valued tongues in his own life *I Corinthians 14:18 – I thank God I speak with tongues more than you all*, and wanted the others to feel the same way), but I would rather have you prophesy (This whole chapter is about Paul trying to get the church in Corinth to come together as a whole instead of all being focused on their own lives.) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. (Therefore prophesy is better for the church as a whole because it builds up everyone, and tongues are for when you are having a personal conversation with God).

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.(Tongues are a communication of our spirit with God but we don’t understand what we are saying. It is building up and making your spirit and relationship stronger. But if we always talked in a language we didn’t understand how would we communicate to God the things that we needed him to know?) ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.(Paul states here that he will use tongues as often as he can in praise and worship, but will also physically talk and sing to God. There has to be a balance.)  ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,^[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? (This is another scripture focused on edifying the entire church. Back in this time when someone was praying or prophesying someone would always “amen” them to back them up and let them know they were listening.) ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. (We personally are doing well and giving thanks to God for ourselves when we speak in tongues but also have to remember that the church needs to be edified as well so we can be unified as a whole and win more souls.)

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. (people can listen to you speak in tongues and may think you’re crazy or making things up, this doesn’t mean that they will believe in God because they hear you speaking in tongues. However, if someone hears a prophesy they will then most likely become believers)  ²³ So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? (If an unbeliever comes into the church and hears us speaking in tongues they may think we are crazy because they don’t understand what it means to have that personal of a relationship with God yet.) ²⁴ But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, (But if they hear someone prophesy they will know that God is with us because they can understand. This is where edifying the church vs. edifying yourself comes into play again.) ²⁵ as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

So if we are looking for the entire church to be edified it would be better for us to prophesy because that builds the church up and unifies us. However, why would we need to prophesy when we are having a personal moment with God? Tongues are for our own personal relationship with him. They allow us to have that one on one moment with him and a sign that he is still dwelling inside of us.

John 4:24

²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

This verse tells us we must worship in spirit and in truth. We learned in 1 Corinthians 14:14 (For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays) that the way for our spirit to pray/worship is by speaking in tongues. Therefore for us to pray “in the spirit” we would need to be speaking in tongues in order for our spirit to grow and get the “nourishment” that it needs. We also need to worship “in truth” which means making sure that we have studied out the scriptures God has given us and making sure that we are on the right path to heaven and that our hearts are sincere.

 

SO IF WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE ARE SAYING THEN HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE AREN’T SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT GOD INSTEAD?

1 Corinthians 12:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

 

AREN’T TONGUES FOR THE OLD TIMES, NOT FOR US TODAY?

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁸  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away . ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 

8. Love is the root of all things. If we have hatred in our hearts and not love we can never get close to God. When the end comes and we are raptured the only thing that will matter will be love. In heaven we won’t need to prophesy, speak in tongues, or know anything anymore because we will be in God’s presence and able to worship him at his feet. 9 – 10. We know and prophesy in part because we don’t know all of God’s plans. Also, no one can fully 100% know everything about God and the bible, there will always be some mystery. But when God takes us to heaven we will completely know what it’s like to be in his presence and what heaven is truly like. There won’t be a mystery anymore. 11. When we first come into the church there is a lot we don’t understand. We have to grow in our relationship and spirit with God just as a child grows up.

Acts 2:39

New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Who will he call?

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but EVERYONE to come to repentance.

 

ARE TONGUES AND THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR EVERYONE?

Acts 10:44-46

New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on ALL who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in tongues^[a] and praising God.

The Gentiles were ordinary people like us.  How did they know that the gentiles had received the gift of the Holy Ghost? Because they heard them speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is a physical and spiritual sign that we have received God’s spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:28-31

New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of  healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[a]? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Paul continues to write to the church in Corinth. They were still about edifying themselves and not the church as a whole. This is a scripture about the church service of believers, it isn’t about salvation. He writes about the different gifts that you can receive while in a spiritual gathering where people are worshipping. That’s why that tongues is at the bottom because it edifies yourself as we learned earlier. Unless someone interprets the tongue (which is what it means by different types) then it’s only building you up and not the whole church. If we were in a service and God gave everyone the same gift at the same time it wouldn’t do any good. If we eagerly desire the gifts he will give them to us as he chooses so the whole church can be built up and encouraged.

This next verse is used a lot to explain why only certain people speak in tongues. Many people believe this scripture is speaking about salvation and only certain people acquire certain gifts that are in this passage. However, once again as we have learned 1 Corinthians is about Paul speaking to the church in Corinth and encouraging them to edify not only themselves but the church as well. We have broken it down to explain that everyone can receive the gifts in this passage during any church service.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation (definition: to prove beyond a doubt) of the Spirit is given for the common good (So God gives us these different gifts while we are in a meeting place to prove that he is there which in turn will encourage the entire church).

⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom (James 1:5 If ANY OF YOU lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously TO ALL without reproach, and it will be given him.),

to another a message of knowledge (Proverbs 2:10-11  for wisdom WILL come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,) by means of the same Spirit,

 ⁹ to another faith (Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for WHOEVER would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him) by the same Spirit,

 to another gifts of healing (Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”) by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ 

to another miraculous powers, (Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint)

miracles – Acts 14:3 (So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands)

to another prophecy (Acts 2:17– ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.),

to another distinguishing between spirits, (1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.)

to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] (Acts 2:4 – And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.)

and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^[b] (1 Cor 14:13 “Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”)

¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Paul isn’t talking about salvation here he is lumping all the gifts into one for the church.  You can have one or many of these gifts during a church service. Anyone of the believers can receive any one of these gifts.

John 3:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Everyone born of the spirit you “hear a sound” (Tongues). When you speak in tongues  it is mysterious, you aren’t sure exactly what you are saying but you can feel it. Just like the wind you know it’s there because you can feel it but you don’t know it’s direction.

Acts 2:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Once again God’s spirit is compared to the wind. Also, once again the other people knew they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit because they could see, hear and feel it.

Acts 2:39

New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

It is for everyone.

CAN’T I JUST HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE AND BE FILLED WITH HIS HOLY SPIRIT?

Acts 8:14-23

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. ¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,¹⁶ because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money ¹⁹ and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!²¹ You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. ²³ For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Peter and John came to pray so they could receive the Holy Ghost. They were already baptized and believed (15). How did they know that none of them had received the Holy Ghost yet? (17 – 18) They received it, but how did they know? (18 – 19) Simon “saw” them receive the Holy Spirit. What would they see? Since there are no physical manifestations he must have seen/heard them speaking in a new language (tongues). (20) This isn’t something that we can purchase. We must come to God with a clean heart and he will fill us with his spirit.

 

So we see the many different verses explaining the Holy Ghost and tongues. We see that tongues are an initial sign that we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. They show that God has placed his spirit inside of us and it is our job for that to grow by praying, reading the word, and having a daily relationship with him.

When we speak in tongues after that initial time it is a way for us to strengthen our relationship with God. It’s a way for our spirit to communicate, and is an ongoing sign that God is still very much alive within us. This is the final step in the steps to salvation and lets us realize that we have truly made it through 1. Believing, 2. Faith, 3. Repentance, 4. Baptism, and finally 5. Holy Ghost. Therefore we can confidently know that if we keep this relationship going we will one day make our home with God in heaven.

Any questions??

 By Crystal Graf and Jeralyn Hidlebaugh

 

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