The reason men are carnal

Before the fall - Adam was created with a free will and power to choose right and wrong.

The Devil was created perfect and iniquity was found in his heart. He likewise had free will. He rebelled against God and was cursed as a result of his rebellion.

Ezekiel 28:15...Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

When Adam fell - God's curse from the fall took place and two things happened. The Messiahship of Christ was promised to the serpent who deceived Eve; every man born into humanity would be born with indwelling sin no longer with a free will but bound by a sinful nature from birth.

Romans 5:19...For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,

The divine nature was lost. Man became carnal by nature with a corrupt will. Paul wrote man's inherited state was described as, "Carnal sold under sin".

Romans 7:14...but I am carnal, sold under sin

Romans 7:20...Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Heart Purity through the believer’s Baptism with evidence of speaking in tongues

 

The disciples had the Spirit before Pentecost: John 14:16-17…And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Jesus told the disciples to tarry until Pentecost to receive an enduement of power after Salvation: Luke 24:44-49…And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

At Pentecost these saved saints received the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Note they spoke with tongues: Acts 1:1-4…And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Gentiles also received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire after they were saved, They likewise spoke with tongues: Acts 10:44-46…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

This other baptism purified the believer’s heart “after Salvation”: Acts 15:7-9…Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Consciousness to the presence of the Holy Spirit

Sinful man has no consciousness to the presence of Holy Spirit until the will is broken and he "believes" that Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave to bring personal forgiveness from sin. 

After believing and trusting Christ the Justified man's consciousness to the Holy Spirit becomes a way of life. In return the sway of the Holy Spirit enlightens the justified man to a closer walk with Jesus where it's revealed that the old life doesn't fit in anymore. Crucifixion to the old life becomes a necessary decision through consciousness to the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

God's sanctifying power is made known to the Just and can be received through the baptism with the Holy Spirit where the Holy Spirit takes "full possession" of man's entire being. After the crucifixion of self the sanctified man is fully conscious to the Holy Spirit's presence in everyday life, not just Church on Sunday's. 

Romans 6:6...Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin

Another Classic concerning life questions - Bible answers

 

The Justified man

After fallen man receives Christ for personal forgiveness of sins such belief in the Savior merits pardon from God. Pardon includes this penitent believer's sinful slate wiped clean from all sins of the past with a directive from the Holy Spirit to live right. God declares this man not guilty with the blessing of a new moral life changed and given by the Grace of God that brings Salvation. A justified man knows he's justified through faithful consciousness to the presence of the Holy Spirit. He drops sin and unrighteousness out of desire to be a man of God giving Christ as Savior and Redeemer all credit.

Romans 3:24, 25...Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Titus 2:11-12...For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Carnal sold under sin

Romans 7:14...For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Paul speaking of his past life as teacher of Mosaic Law before Christ. Being "sold" made reference to Adam's sin in the Garden that has since plagued humanity with the inherited propensity of sin. The carnal nature nature is sin's dominion over man.

The bible goes on to teach that Christ not only delivers man from the acts of sin, but also the nature of sin that man inherited from the sin of Adam.

Romans 8:1-2...There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

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.

Thy seed - her seed - the curse of the Fall

 At the Fall of Adam God cursed the serpent for beguiling Eve and fracturing the perfect creation of humanity. Results from this curse fell upon all human conception since that very "original sin". Human conception, from that point on, was tainted from birth, born with a sinful nature and polluted with sin. Genesis described this very conception in the promise to the serpent as, "thy seed".

In contrast to the curse of the Fall where humanity was tainted with sin you also have "her seed" which indicates the biblical conception of the son of God in the prophetically fulfilled virgin birth. By nature all conception is formed from the seed of man "except" the only seed of a woman in existence, Christ, the Anointed One, and Savior and redeemer of humanity.

Genesis 3:15...And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

In the conception of Christ you find the power to bruise, crush, and destroy the power of the Devil. In the crucifixion of Christ you see the suffering of a Savior where the heel of Christ was bruised, where He actually shed blood, and died only to reveal His supremacy and power over death. Such power from a promised, crucified, and risen Christ bruises the authority of the serpent and offers deliverance from the acts of sin and the very nature of sin inherited from Adam's curse of the Fall.

Memorial Day 2026 - revived Churches on Trial

Power of the Gospel

The power of the Gospel is the only thing that can save and regenerate the soul of fallen man.

Romans 1:16...For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

What is the power? The Grace of God that brings salvation.

Titus 2:11-12...For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Classic bible answers by Dr. Hubert Lindsey 9/24/89

Churches on Trial - Dr. Hubert Lindsey 1/24/88

Re published and revived bible questions and answers by Dr. Hubert Lindsey...aired 1988 Detroit Mi.

 

Faith in Christ not based on what you see

2 Corinthians 5:7...For we walk by faith (in Christ), not by sight:

Faith wells up from within the broken human will. The ministry of the Holy Spirit convicts, breaks, and reveals the person of Christ. Faith comes into man's thinking after hearing the Word of God, primarily the essence of the cross and it's redemptive work. Revelation of the Gospel is heard. Forgiveness of sins that flows from Calvary is experienced. Faith hones in on results from the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ upon the believing soul. After exercising faith in Christ the Holy Spirit makes His abode. Not what you see, but a moral Salvation of the human soul that you experience from the person of Christ - through the power of the Gospel message.

Ephesians 1:13-14...In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance

Reality of Biblical truth within the believing soul

2 Peter 1:4…Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

When men get saved by the power of Christ the carnal nature is changed. The moral make-up is changed. Newness occurs within the human soul. New affections and new desires are formed within. Saving Grace regenerates. Greater is He.

1 John 4:4… Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Reason?

Romans 10:10…For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Believing in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross brings forgiveness and regeneration to the heart and soul inwardly in the present tense. Outwardly, confession is made about what Christ did within. Believers testify Christ, His forgiveness, and power to make men new on the inside. Divine power and Divine nature overrules the inherited carnal nature and allows man to “partake” in the person and power of Christ that flows from Calvary and the Throneroom. Such divine operation is maintained by faith in the person of Christ in Salvation.

1 Peter 1:5… Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Faith in the power and person of Christ connects and keeps connected. Faith in Christ must be kept, continued in, held to, and kept in memory. Without faith in Christ it is impossible to please God.

The Blessing of such reality?

Hebrews 3:1… Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

By partaking in a divine nature in this present life believers become eligible to partake in the heavenly calling or Eternal Life beyond the grave. Such blessing and reward are the elements of Salvation from a present tense life of holiness and right living on this side given from the life in Christ. Partakers of the divine nature are automatically partakers of the heavenly call “if” they continue in the faith and keep Christ’s redemptive work in memory.

Eternal life