Anointing of Christ

According to Mosaic Law Jesus could not minister, or preach until the age of 30. At that time John baptized Jesus to meet the requirements of Mosaic Law. Scriptures teach the Holy Spirit descended on Christ like a dove. This anointing by the Spirit of God is when God's ownership placed Christ in the ministry. Thus Christ preached the Kingdom on Earth was at hand, during His earthly priesthood similar to that of Melchizedek.

Luke 4:18-19...The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

There are (2) Gospel messages in the (4) narratives of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The first Gospel being the Gospel of the Kingdom on earth preached to the nation of Israel. The second Gospel being the Gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ according to the Prophets preached to both Jew and Gentile (in all the world).

After Christ was anointed by the Spirit to preach, unfortunately this first Gospel was not accepted by the nation of Israel as a whole. In the latter part of Christ's 3 1/2 year ministry after His death, burial and resurrection Jesus left His earthly priesthood and ascended to the right hand of father...only to maintain His heavenly priesthood in Heaven where He now resides.

The Apostle Peter preached these beautiful words concerning anointing from the second Gospel - after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Acts 10:37-40...That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Paradise - the unseen world

 Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise"...Luke 23:43

This profound statement made by Christ indicated that Eternity begins at the point of death...whether it be eternal life or eternal death.

Paradise, the spiritual abode of the dead, is God's final determination made upon the spiritual make-up of all men. It is called man's long home in the book of Ecclesiastes 12:5.

The bible teaches that eternal life is Heaven. It is also taught within, that Hell is eternal damnation. Both Heaven and Hell are inside of this vast place of life beyond the grave...taught as Abraham's bosom in the Old Testament records. Paradise in Luke 16. All being within Eternal Judgment made by God.

Paradise is the unseen world that all humanity will face. It is the spiritual abode of the dead where distance between heaven and Hell is infinite without possible means of ever crossing over. Lazarus and the rich man Luke 16.

Paradise determines every man's final residence. This is why its so important to know Christ and that every sin is forgiven as you are ready for eternity at the blink of an eye.

They always obeyed...Paul commended

Philippians 2:12-13...Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Christians have the power to obey God. Not a struggle to obey God; its the blessing of the Christian life where the Holy Spirit governs your life. God does the work within as a result of your faith in Christ. Therefore this new creation is made right to do right in everyday life. Obeying God is the result of the Saving Grace of God in the heart of a believer in Christ...

2 Corinthians 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.

Churches on Trial 12-4-88

Bible language - KJV

Some modern translations of the bible take the following words out and replace them with words that instruct men with what to work toward; what to achieve; or how to gradually make progress toward; thus leaving the work of Christ in the human soul out of the picture.

• The word "redemption" is what God does to a penitent sinner through faith in the sacrifice of Christ.
• The "remission of sins" is what God does for man's personal forgiveness.
• "Regeneration" is what God does through the work of His Holy Spirit when man is born again.
• "Renewal" is what God does after He sanctifies your heart from the old Adamic life.
• "Justification" a pardon from past sin and down payment of Salvation; Judgment made by God declaring a sinner to be made a saint.
• "Sanctification" a completed work of deliverance from the Adamic life and what God does through the Holy Ghost and fire.
• "Perfection" is what God does after sanctification...and has nothing to do with human works. The word perfect used 113 times in the KJV.
• "Grace" The operation of God that morally changes the human soul into a child of God. No process.

Bethabara - another place where John baptized with water

John 1:24-28...And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John the Baptist stated he baptized "with" water - beyond Jordan - at Bethabara

Reason? To help backslidden Israel recognize and worship Christ as the promised Messiah. Confession of sins were made. Water of purification sprinkled in John's baptism "cleansed" and "remitted" sin from all Jewish recipients according to the Law of Moses. John also baptized in the river Jordan.

Mark 1:4-5...John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

Purification of Israel was John's initial objective in baptism - as he and Jesus first preached the Kingdom message to Israel...before the message changed to the death and resurrection of Christ. The first commission to Israel was to restore the Kingdom in Zion.

Saying you're saved; or staying saved?

Salvation of the soul? How; and how long? I note many people say they are saved but how many stay saved all the way through life. Staying saved is the secret to the successful Christian life.

James 1:21...Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2...Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

Salvation of the soul is not just getting saved from sin and disobedience. It's walking in the Spirit not in the flesh. It's staying in right-standing with Christ daily and never going back. It's not just claiming victory it's living the victorious life in Christ...under the eyes of God. Salvation is "not" part time believing; or being a religious sinner. Salvation is measured by your faithfulness to Christ. Not just something you say...it's something you live until you leave this world.

Salvation is received. Salvation is what you live for Christ. Salvation is the reason why you keep Christ in memory. Salvation is why you study the Bible and build upon it's knowledge. Staying in God's favor is Salvation. Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12-13...Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.