Saturday, June 20, 2009

Biblical Questions answered...at this Blog!

Our desire at the Churches on Trial is to teach the Bible the way its written. No Spiritualization! Not out of context! Rightly Divided! Rightly taught! We teach the distinction between Law and Grace. We teach the Kingdom message in its proper place! We don't mix up the Old and New Testament and run it all together! We do not teach a spiritual Israel - everything is literal!

Our intent at the Churches on Trial is to prepare people for the work of the ministry...by teaching the holy heart and holy life. Why Holiness? Holiness allows God to work through that vessel. Since the Early Church Revivals break out where Sanctification and holiness is taught! We teach Sanctification from the Bible...because the Spirit testifies sanctification to the heart and soul!

Do you have a question about the Bible? Get it answered at the Churches on Trial! This writer updates the content...often! Hubert Lindsey's life and ministry is being published here.

The purpose of this Blog...The Churches on Trial...to give back what Christ has given us.

God Bless!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Revived! Churches in Trial...7/5/87 pt.2 (audio) Hubert T. Lindsey

This recording particularly deals with the subjects of Interacial Marriage, Water Baptism..how? Why? When? and much, much more. Subjects like being born of Water are clairified...John 3:3, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-6 ...Laws of purification through sprinkling water in the Old Testament Numbers 8 and 19, John 3:24,25; why the Laws of purification were to stop in Acts 21.

Very interesting study material...and excellent call in show with Biblical answers given by Brother Hubert Lindsey.

Why the subject of "Sin" is not controversial

The truth about sin is not controversial when "more light" is placed on the Word of God. Many take the following Scripture as an excuse to sin...

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

God doesn't excuse sin! His Word doesn't excuse sin! Only men excuse sin!

John is not talking about sin as something men do! He is not talking about a sinful act or a violation against God...he's talking about the "sin nature" of man.

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

At the time this first Epistle of John was written the pagan religion of Gnosticism was prevalent. Gnosticism rejected the fact that Jesus was a human being and thus missed the redemptive power of Salvation that comes to the heart of a believer because of the atoning work of Christ at Calvary. Gnosticism rejected the fact that man inherited sin from Adam. Gnostic's did not believe man was born with a sinful nature! This is what John was refuting in his first Epistle.

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Any student of God's Word will agree that "Sin" in the Bible is not limited to just a single "act". Sin is also a propensity, or an inherited nature that all men are born with..since the Fall of Adam. Sin can be an action..or something you do; but it can also be your nature...or what you are from birth. A sinful act is a verb or an action taken by man. The sinful nature is a noun or the nature of man's being.

With understanding of what "sin" really is clarification on the subject takes away much controversy that plants the seed of doubt that causes confusion. Clairification on what sin is changes the way we think. The Word of God is "never" controversial if taught in its proper perspective. God doesn't excuse sin! His Word doesn't excuse sin! Only men excuse sin!

I agree... teaching the Bible in this context doesn't get along with all men...but it does get along with God, it does get along with the Spirits directive for men to be holy, and does get along with the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

Sin is taught in the Bible to show men how to get rid of it! God provides man through Christ...with a way to get rid of the acts of sin and from the inherited sinful nature!

Justification (a pardon from God that grants the new birth) deals with the acts of sin that man committed against God.
Sanctification (the cleansing work of the Spirit of God) deals with the sinful nature that man inherited from the Fall.

Both Justification and Sanctification are the "Action of God". The action of God is what "rid's" man from sinful acts and the inherited sinful nature. When the controversy is taken out the Scripture we can see the action of God more clearly. We thus see the power of His Grace. We thus see the complete work of His Holy Spirit. By taking away the controversy from the subject of sin a complete and different light is placed on the necessity of Christ and His living active power from the Throneroom.

The acts of sin can be forgiven through man's confession and the regenerating work of the New Birth.
The nature of sin can only be "destroyed" by the action of God. That action performed by Christ is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. This final work of the Spirit of God comes upon man "after" man has received the new birth.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

What the Bible teaches about going on to Perfection...

The New Testament in the Book of Hebrews instructs the Church (or those who have tasted Divine Grace) to "leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ" and go on unto perfection.

What were the principles of the doctrine of Christ? What is going on to perfection? Here are a few examples.

Jesus was circumcised the eight day according to Law.
Jesus taught the Law of Moses and had to teach the Law... or sin against God.
Jesus was 30 years old before He first taught in the Temple...according to the Law.
Jesus was baptized of John (a Levite) at the age of thirty according to Law.
Jesus in His great Sermon on the Mount was the best example I know of in the Bible that teaches the holiness of the Torah (The Law of Moses). Matthew chapters 5-7. When Jesus healed the leper...after that miraculous healing Jesus instructed the leper to go and do as Moses commanded which was offering sacrifice to God according to Law.

The teachings of Christ were "all" under the Law...and remember the Holy Spirit had not been given nor had the Church, the spiritual body of Christ been birthed. There is a vast distinction between what Jesus taught...and what the Apostles taught after the death of Christ...in the Grace Dispensation that we "the Church" now live under. That's why the Apostle called the Grace Covenant the "fullness of times". All of Jesus' teachings were directly related to to teaching Law to the lost sheep of Israel. Law given to Israel was the"principles" of the teachings of Christ. Perfection is getting into the Grace covenant where refuge and security is found in the Church, the spirtual body of Christ. The is Church is where Christ is the head of many members. The Holy Spirits presence governs that body and changes the moral make-up of fallen man when he becomes a member of the body of Christ.

The teachings of the Law were given to Israel only. Jesus came to His own (Israel) and they received him not. John 1:11 Jesus taught the holiness of the Law and it convicted some to an acceptance of His Messiahship ...but He had not been glorified yet! Jesus had to teach the Law or sin against God. The Church had not been birthed, nor had the Grace Covenant came into existence...nor had the omnipresence of the Spirit in the Church came to pass as it is under Grace. Perfection under the New Testament had not yet come into play during Christ's earthly ministry "under Law".

The following passage from the Hebrew letter teaches to "leave" these principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on to perfection.

Hebrews 6:1... Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;

Perfection is a product of the Grace of God given to man because of the finished work of Christ at Calvary and the ongoing work He does from the Throneroom. Perfection is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that ministers to the human soul because of the finished work of Christ at Calvary. Christians are God's workmanship "created" in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:8-10 The Apostle instructs the Church (Jew and Gentile) to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ which was the teaching of the Law (to Israel only) as well as keeping the commandments. Jesus' earthly ministry (His teaching and doctrine of the Law) Mat. 10:5-6 strictly forbade the disciples to go the Gentiles or the Samaritans...but rather to go to the lost sheep of Israel.

Perfection from the Grace of God is getting away from ordinances, principles, and commandments that were demanded under the Law of Moses. Perfection was getting away from "dead works". Perfection was not "keeping the righteousness of the Law". Perfection is having the righteousness of the Law "fulfilled in us".

Rom 8:3-4...For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be "fulfilled in us", who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Perfection is having the righteousness of the Law fulfilled..."in us". How? By the works of Christ within! Not the works of man without!

Heb 13:20-21...Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ;

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

For our Jewish brethren, Go and sin no more...

John 8:11... And Yeshua said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Did you know that "sin no more" is what the Holy Spirit (in His omnipresence) reveals to the heart of a believer through the person of Yeshua in this present Church Age? Especially when man hears things that directly relate to Yeshua's death, burial, and resurrection foretold in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.

Sin is not essential to the moral make-up of a child of YHWH. Why? A child of YHWH is the workmanship of YHWH "created" in Yeshua Mashiach. YHWH is not the creator of sin...He's the creator of moral holiness and purity that came before the foundation of the world. YHWH through Yeshua Mashiach "restores" fallen man with with the moral holiness and purity that Adam had...before the Fall.

The promised Blessing of Divine Grace that we have today...was originally promised to Abraham by YHWH in Genesis 12. The fulfillment of this promise later came upon the Gentile world through the Church, the Spirtual body of Yeshua.

Gal 3:14-16...That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to "thy seed, which is Christ".

Restoration of the moral make-up of fallen man was the purpose of the Spirtual body of Yeshua, the Church...in the New Testament writings. This is perhaps one of the "greatest blessings" contained within the Word of YHWH that has come upon the human family. Revelation of this truth was concealed in the Old Testament records.. but revealed in the New Testament by the Spirit of truth. All is a direct result of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Yeshua.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Are Christians "holy" ...yes!

The Bible teaches "more" on the subject of the "holiness of man" than it does about the "holiness of God". So...

Why holiness?
How do we become holy?
Where does a Christian's holiness come from?
When is man made holy?

I ask these questions to put the "Churches on Trial". All denominations "do not teach holiness".

Men are enlightened to holiness when they recognize Christ and His Holy presence. When Christ is brought to their attention they see themselves as they really are...in light of Christ. The "Holy Spirit" was given so men of faith could be enlightened and made holy and right in the eyes of God. The lost world is enlightened to Christ when holy men of God "preach" and "tell" them about who Christ is and when they magnify His Holy name. Holiness is revealed to the the heart of man when they are "touched by a living Saviour". Holiness is a moral and God given change from heaven given to man "when" man believes and "when" man is connected to God's saving Grace.

Holiness begins when the penitent sinner "trusts Christs death alone" for the forgiveness of sins. The Grace of God "morally cleanses" the heart and soul of the unsaved man. Holiness "begins" when the unsaved man is pardoned from all the sins he ever committed. A unsaved man is pardoned because he trust's Christ death alone for forgiveness that's received from God. The Grace of God not only forgives...but it removes guilt from the human conscience. Forgiveness of sin and freedom from guilt is a deliverance from God called... Justification by Grace. Justification by Grace is God declaring an unsaved man right...in the eyes of God! Holiness begins here! Did you catch it? Holiness begins here! God "gives" an unholy man... a holy heart. Why? Man is enlightened to Christ in whom he places his faith, trust, and belief. Holiness comes from this enlightenment!

God has not called Christians to uncleanness....1 Thess 4:7...For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

The Bible says for Christians to be holy...1 Peter 1:16...Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Even the body of a Christian is holy ...1 Cor 3:17...for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Christians are to be Holy and without blame......Eph 1:4...According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Women are to be holy... 1 Peter 3:5...For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,

Men are to be holy....2 Peter 1:21...but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Elders of the Church are to be holy...Titus 1:7-8...For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Holiness of heart is a product of God's Grace given in the New Birth. Holy conduct and behavior is the fruit. A life of holiness is the fruit of the holy heart that "all" Christians have.

The Bible says without "holiness" no man will see the Lord ...Heb 12:14...Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

Paul commended the Phillipian Church because they "always obeyed". Always obeyed! Always obeyed! Did you catch it? Read it for yourself! Phil 2:12...Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence

Obedience is a product of the holy heart and holy conduct of a believer in Christ. Men are made holy and kept holy by power of God. Men are enlightened to holiness as they are enlightened to Christ... and the power "that gives man a holy heart" comes from Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.

Holiness is not based on human intellect! Holiness has nothing to do with your social status! Holiness is the state of a Christian's heartgiven by the Grace of God. Holiness of character is the nature of a Christian's being because a Christian is "changed morally" by the power of Divine Grace. Holiness can imparted to a believer in Christ through the knowledge of the Word of God...but!!! impartation of holiness only comes to one "that has already obtained" the holy heart. Why? The Word of God is holy! Here's why! A Christian "grows "in" holiness"...but "not "into" holiness". To receive holiness from God it is granted to man... through the work of Holy Spirit in the human soul. No process! Holiness is granted to the sinner.."after repentance" and "when" man believes, trusts, and obeys God... in Christ!

If your saved..you have a "holy heart" If you have a holy heart you will live a "holy life"! Do not greive the Holy Spirit and do not quench not the Holy Spirit!

Glory!

Holiness is the "proof" and "evidence" of a changed heart and life by the Grace of God! Mans enlightenment to holiness may vary from man to man...but all believer's in Christ will be obedient and accountable to a living God! No intellect needed! No intelligence needed! No reasoning needed! Holiness is based on faith in Christ. Without faith its impossible to please God! Without holiness no man shall see the Lord!

Glory!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Fish fry last night at the Upper Room

We are so blessed at the Upper Room. We have such a beautiful fellowship in the Spirit. Last night we had a partially unannounced fish fry that worked out so beautifully. Many came! We had dinner, fellowship, and then a nice service in the Upper Room. The beauty of these kind of things is more than doctrine...it's the actual fellowship we have with each other in Christ through the Spirit.

From a doctrinal standpoint...draw a Triangle. Put Jesus on the top... The Holy Spirit on the left point... and you the believer on the other point. This triangle in the Greek text is called ,
"Koinonia"...which means communion or fellowship with each other and with God. The communion (fellowship) we shared last night with each other, with the Spirit, and with Christ was Koinonia.

1 John 1:3...That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship (koinonia) with us: and truly our fellowship (koinonia) is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

A man came to me after the service and said this evening makes me think of how Jesus fed fish to the five thousand. I was touched!