Divine Revelation from God is ministered to the heart of man

Revelation of the mystery…

· Rom 16:25-26…Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The Revelation of the person and character of Jesus Christ is ministered to the human soul through the preaching of the Gospel. The “true” Gospel message calls men to unite with the Spirit of God through belief in the death of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. The Revelation of the Gospel that Paul called “his Gospel” is what the Prophets, the Psalms, and the Law of Moses prophetically recorded about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The revelation offered to man through Gospel preaching is to be conveyed to the entire lost world. The evidence and fruit of the Gospel message is: the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit; becoming a member of the body of Christ; forgiveness of sins; holiness of heart; a changed life; eternal life after death; etc. All these pertain to the mystery that Paul spoke of concerning the revelation of Christ.

Revelation of Jesus Christ…

· Gal 1:12…For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Truth concerning Christ’s redemptive work and the power of His resurrection was revealed and confirmed to Paul by Divine Revelation. The character of Christ was manifested in Paul’s heart and life through the Holy Spirit’s witness. Every believer in Christ has this same witness.

· 1 John 5:10… He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself
Mans natural understanding is enlightened through Divine revelation …

The person and character of Christ is revealed to the heart of man by the Holy Ghost through the Gospel message. Hearing the Gospel sways a man from the natural understanding of his heart.

· Eph 1:13…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,

· Eph 1:17-18…That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
Natural understanding causes men to steer away from, or reject the truth about Christ.

· Eph 4:18…Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
When the Revelation of Christ is revealed to the human soul, man’s understanding is opened to truth of the Holy Scriptures.

· Luke 24:32…And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

· Luke 24:45… Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures

Divine Revelation comes from the Spirit of God…

When prophecies like Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, and Psalms 22 that reveal the person of Christ are preached, light is placed on the power of Salvation that comes through hearing about a Saviour. The true Gospel allows God to minister truth to the hearts of any listener. Truth revealed to the soul of man can change the course of the unrighteous and make his course righteous under the directive of God. Confirmation of the Revelation of Christ in the heart and mind of a believer can provide boldness to carry this truth into a lost world. The natural mind of man, cannot reveal such truth.

· Eph 3:3-5…How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

· Gal 1:15-16…But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Grace extended to the heart of man through Divine Revelation…

God calls men to salvation by hearing the Gospel. Divine Revelation shows the recipient of the Gospel a way to escape a life of sin and disobedience. Without recognition of Christ man cannot break away from the bondage of sin. Saving Grace through the person of Christ is revealed when sinful men “believe” who Christ is. By Grace given from Christ himself, they can escape the bondage of sin and live a holy life.

· 1 Peter 1:13-14…Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Divine Revelation

Did you know God is revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ? Yes, Christ is revealed through the truth of the Holy Scriptures. Yes, Christ is made known through the work of the Holy Spirit in the human soul. Divine Revelation is how Christ is made known to every man's heart.

The changed heart and life (of a Christian) is Christ revealed...in the life of a believer!

This kind of revelation does not come from the world we live in. It comes straight from the Throneroom. Divine Revelation comes through the ministration of the Holy Spirit. God ministers Christ to the human soul. God speaks to the human heart through his son...Christ.

The preaching of Christ reveals who He is and what He does. The preaching of Christ makes His person, His power, and His presence known to "us" and the world around us. All of the Apostles preached Christ as the Holy Spirit "ministered" truth to the hearers. That same ministry exists today...through the truth of His Word and through the truth of His Spirit. Truth about Christ comes to the heart of man through Divine Revelation.

Gal 1:11-12... But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Knowledge...Hubert T. Lindsey

This MP3 audio on "Knowledge" was originally recorded at the Church at Birmingham in 1988 by the late Dr. Hubert Lindsey. Later the content of this service was dubbed to CD format and used by Brother Jim Denton for an AM Radio Broadcast in Fenton, MI in early 2000. Jim recorded a series of these nice Hubert T. Lindsey "Best sermons" and sent them to Rick Roehm for future use and ministry. I used these and also passed them to a fellow Christian from the Upper Room, Brother Jim Allen from New Richmond, Ohio who recently uploaded these recordings to...

Rick Roehm and Hubert Lindsey audios for download or sharing

...for years of use via Internet. These audios were transposed from audio cassettes to CD's to MP3 format for the world to hear via Internet, even after the death of Brother Lindsey in 2003. Got knows what is needed to get a job done. He gets people (members of His body) involved. Well worth reviewing for the cause of Christ! Today in 2012, these Brother Lindsey audios go around the world for Christ. God uses these teachings by Brother Lindsey a blind preacher... also known as "The Walking Bible" because of his vast memorization of the Bible... to reach people for Christ around the globe. Be blessed by this nice 22 minute sermon..for "you" the listener.

Knowledge

Satan's Kingdom falls...Hubert T. Lindsey

This excellent end time study by Brother Hubert Lindsey comes from the Book of Revelation and pertains to the rise and fall of Satan's Dominion on earth after the Rapture of the Church. This prophetic audio touches on the Anti-Christ, the false Prophet, the Beast Kingdom, the battle of Armageddon, and all adverse conditions that are destroyed by Christ under the reign of Satan during the seven year Tribulation.

Satan's Kingdom falls

In a glimpse of Calvary...

As redemption is ministered to the heart of a believer, Divine revelation from the Holy Spirit provides man with a glimpse of Calvary. Although Calvary is revealed to the human soul through the word of truth and prophetic utterances, Divine Revelation comes to man through the Holy Spirit’s witness.

1 John 5:10…He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:

In a glimpse of Calvary God’s goodness moves the human soul enough to help man to escape the bondage of sin. Through a single glimpse of Calvary man can even be swayed enough by God to change the way he desires, acts, and behaves in sight of God. Godly repentance (which comes from the Holy Spirits conviction) becomes the unbeliever’s path to an acceptance of the redemptive work of Christ on a cross. Through the power of Calvary the Holy Spirit’s witness gives the believer a new desire… to stop sinning. This God given righteousness is a result of mans faith alone in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Right living which follows belief, allows the Holy Spirit’s witness to teach, testify, and continue to make Christ known to the heart of a believer. This Divine revelation is also the basis of the forgiveness of sins and removal of guilt from the human conscience.

Heb 10:14-15…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:

From man’s first Glimpse of Calvary redemption becomes an actual experience in the life of a believer. The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit enlightens a believer to more than forgiveness of sins received at the new birth. The old nature of man is now subject to the presence of the Holy Spirit's regenerating power, and no longer has liberty to go its own way. A newly received divine nature produced by the new birth now rules the life of a believer. This witness from the Holy Spirit (the new nature) takes possession of the inherited fallen nature (or the negative part of man) that often tries to rule in the life of a believer. Holiness of character rules the heart of a child of God. The new nature that comes through the power of Calvary severs the believer away from an existing ego that still tries to rule or rise up. Many believers in Christ struggle with this conflict from the old life and a Christ centered nature of a new life in the Spirit. Through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, God reveals to a believer the Old nature must be destroyed in the believer’s new life in Christ. By Divine revelation another glimpse of Calvary becomes a path to a believer’s crucifixion of self which is… death to the Old Man.

• Death pertains to many personal things such as…ambitions, desires, affections, appetites, interests, habits, etc. These are certain things man pays attention to most in life.

Two crucifixions are recorded in the Bible. Of course the crucifixion of Christ is one crucifixion but the other is the unusual crucifixion of the still existing Old Man. The crucifixion of the Old man is when the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit gets the believer totally away from himself and places him into perfect harmony with God. This work of the Holy Spirit takes man away from…Self. How? The sacrifice of self is recognized through the sanctifying work that comes from God. Sanctification comes through power that comes from the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary.

Enlightenment to Calvary is testified to the heart of man by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Enlightenment to Calvary reveals more than forgiveness of sins. It shows man how to get rid of an inner struggle from self. This work of the Spirit’s witness reveals that man must die to all that he is. (Dying daily is not to be implied here as many believe). Man thus knows the crucifixion of self when he knows the crucifixion of Christ at Calvary.

The Spirit’s work is not limited only to placing a desire in the new convert’s heart to stop practicing sin. The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit exposes and uproots the negative part of man’s nature which produces nothing good in the sight of God. Through this work of the Holy Spirit a believer also comes to a realization of his helplessness and inability that stems from the fallen nature. When man realizes that his trust should be totally placed in Christ for everything in life the Spirit gets him away from a self centered negative side. The Old life thus becomes dead and buried as the life of a child of God transforms into a living sacrifice acceptable to God. Enlightenment to the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary becomes the Spirit’s path… to the sacrifice of the Old Man.

Rom 12:1… I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Putting off the Old Man (like taking off a coat) allows the Fullness of the Holy Spirit to take over mans entire being, body, soul, and spirit. After man puts off all that he is, the inherited body of sin is destroyed through the Fullness of Sanctification which in another term is… the baptism with Holy Ghost and fire. No longer is an indwelling fallen nature of man a hindrance to the fullness of the indwelling Spirit. Man thus empties all of self and separates from conformity to the world; Christ’s baptism from heaven thus becomes a final transformation into the fullness of an entirely sanctified man. When the Old man is put off completely the heart of a believer is not only cleansed and purified but that life is renewed through the Spirits work of Entire Sanctification. Renewal which comes after sanctification is a totally committed life of faith and obedience in Christ without an inner struggle. This renewal only comes through a second glimpse of Calvary. Man’s second glimpse of Calvary has more meaning than the first. Unlike the first glimpse of Calvary which comes in the life of a sinner… the second glimpse of Calvary comes in the life of a believer through a transformation from worldly ties and renewal in the inner man.

Rom 12:2…And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Believing in Christ and a first glimpse of Calvary forgives the penitent from all past sins. A second Glimpse of Calvary gets the believer away from an inherited fallen nature that compels him to struggle against the work of God. Sanctification through the Spirit is God’s means of offering the power of redemption to every human soul. The power of the Holy Spirit’s witness helps any man regardless of his condition of heart, to recognize Calvary above all things.

The new birth at salvation of the soul (through the forgiveness of sins) is not a progressive work of the Holy Spirit…its instantaneous. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost (that destroys the Adamic nature) is not a progressive work of the Holy Spirit…its instantaneous. Dying totally to the old life “is” a progressive work. This progressive death to the old life is only revealed to the heart of a believer …through a believer’s glimpse of Christ at Calvary.

The mystery of the Church...after the Kingdom of Heaven (written in the four Gospels) was rejected by Israel

For two weeks I have written about the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven given to Israel... under the dispensation of the Law of Moses. Today it is appropriate for me to post another great revelation that pertains to the mysteries of the Church under the dispensation of Grace we "now" live under in 2010. This document may help to put light on how the Gentiles come into play in the Holy Scriptures.

Another mystery revealed...only this mystery does not apply to the lost sheep of Israel only...but also to the Samaritan and to the Gentile.

Since the Church was never prophesied Israel first had to reject the King and the Kingdom for the Church to be birthed. At the withering of the fig tree Christ's Earthly ministry changed as He began foretelling that He must suffer and then go to the cross. Within that great Prophetic truth holiness would thus be granted to the human soul by the Grace of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This was a new revelation unlike the revelation of the Law of Moses given to Israel. Within this new revelation universal contact between man and God would come through man's personal trust in the death of a Saviour on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. A new mystery is revealed!

God’s predestination concerning the Church, the body of Christ deals with the moral make-up of sinful man in conversion to a moral holiness and purity like Adam had in creation before the fall. The moral holiness of the Church eternally existed in Christ before the foundation of the world. Since the death of a Savior the Church, the body of Christ has been God’s way to manifest His moral holiness back into the heart of fallen man. Moral holiness from God comes through man’s faith in the redemptive work of Christ and cannot be achieved by human works in any manner. The predestinated Church for Jew and Gentile alike came into existence through the blessing of the Grace Covenant which is proclaimed in all the world by th true Gospel message. The Church being the essence of the Grace Covenant was purchased by Christ’s own blood.

• Acts 20:28…feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Fifty days after the crucifixion of Christ (on the day of Pentecost) the promised Holy Spirit set the stage for the Church the Body of Christ to be revealed. God’s plan for man in this beautiful Church Age changed the Old Testament under Law for the Jew only… to the New Testament under Grace for both Jew and Gentile. This also included the Samaritans who alienated from the commonwealth of Israel in the Babylonian captivity.

• Eph 2:13-14…But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

• Heb 10:9-10…Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first that he may establish the second. By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…

• Heb 9:15-17…And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

The Church whose builder is Christ is the pleasure of God’s will… for the redemption of fallen man. The Church in a spiritual sense is the actual body of Christ. The Church physically consists of members who have received the Gospel and the redemptive work of Christ in their hearts for personal Salvation. Through the Gospel message that’s preached by members of the Church, God leads lost men to repentance; and calls the unsaved to receive His moral holiness into the soul by the Divine Grace of God alone. No ritual. no ordinance, no tradition! Only faith in Christ! This is the mystery!

Each member adopted into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit is a person who has heard and received the truth of the Gospel. All members of the body have trusted in the death of Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins. After the Spirit’s adoption a believer will live with a consciousness to the presence of the Holy Spirit. This believer will also take a conscious stand against sin and disobedience. Why? The believer’s moral make-up is changed by power of a living Christ… to be holy and without blame before Him in love. This was the purposed will of God in Christ, even before the creation of Adam.

• Eph 1:4-5…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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…

• Rom 8:15-16…For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

• Col 1:5-6… For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

As a part of God's predestinated Church, the ministry of the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to the spirit of man; and allows the penitent to receive a full pardon from all sins of the past through God’s Justification. This was unlike the Law of Moses that revealed sin and unholiness to Israel only. The mystery of the Holy Spirit through the true Gospel message now reveals sin and unholiness to all humanity through conviction, regeneration, sanctification, etc. The omnipresence of Holy Spirit in the Church makes Christ known through the Gospel according to the Prophets that’s preached by holy men of God.

Paul termed the Church as the “mystery of the will of God”. Why? The Church was not prophesied in the Old Testament…it was a mystery revealed in the New Testament. The mystery of the Church was unification for the Jew and Gentile to be brought together into one body through the omnipresence of the Holy Spirit.

• Eph 1:9… Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,

• Eph 2:13-16…But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby

The mystery of the Church is where Christ done away with the Law given to Israel only… and gave the blessing of Grace to both Jew and Gentile through His shed blood on the cross at Calvary. The mystery of the Church ushered in the dispensation of Grace and offered the promise of the Holy Spirit to all humanity. Simply put, "Universal contact with God through faith in Christ". The mystery of the Church is now manifested in the saints who are members of the spiritual body of Christ. The mystery of the predestinated Church is now revealed through the truth of the Gospel message according to the Prophets that’s preached today by men that are sent by Christ. All members of the body of Christ are justified freely by the redemptive work of Christ and God’s Grace in the human soul.

• Col 1:26…Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

• Rom 8: 30… Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

• Rom 3:24…Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

The purpose of the Church was to unify holiness, love, and all pure things from heaven between humanity and God through Christ. The unification of both Jew and Gentile becoming “one body” through the Spirit of God came through the counsel of God’s Divine will. This counsel which God purposed in Himself includes: the work of the Father, the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit, the finished work of Christ at Calvary; and Christ’s present tense work from the Throneroom. The work of all three persons of the Godhead within this Grace Dispensation birthed the Church, the body of Christ. That’s why Paul termed this present Grace dispensation as the “fullness of times”.

• Eph 1:9-11…Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Unlike Israel’s yearly sacrificial offerings to a Levite priest (under the Law of Moses), redemption in the Church was predestinated by God (through Christ who suffered once) to deliver all believers from the bondage of sin. In the Church … after believers receive deliverance from the bondage of sin they become a new creature in Christ. A new life of holiness begins. A testimony of holiness becomes the outflow of God’s Grace. It springs from the heart and is confessed from the mouth.

All believers should testify and witness for Christ. Why? Believers testify Christ because they have received a new heart by the Grace of God. Confession is made because believers experience the power of Grace and want to tell the world about what Jesus done for them. Grace gives the believer a divine nature and enables this believer to testify of his own experience in Christ. The unbelieving world only knows Christ through members of the Body. Members of the Body of Christ… who have experienced the work of Divine Grace in their hearts should testify to the unbelieving world. Why? Because of what they received themselves …from a living Christ in the Throneroom.

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

The privilege is… members of the body of Christ have a consciousness to Holy Spirit’s presence in their life between the cradle and the grave. The sinful world outside of the Church does not share this same privilege. Remember…sin is not essential in the make-up of members of the body of Christ. In obedience members of the body make Christ known in their spiritual lives… through confession and doing right in the sight of God. Divine Grace in the hearts of members of the body of Christ makes true witnesses for the Lord. A true witness in the Church is never a religious sinner but someone who glorifies God in both spirit and body.

• 1 Cor 6:20-7:1…For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's

The birth of the Church that came through the shed blood of Christ was the pre-planned, pre-purposed and ordained will of God. The Church, God’s Divine plan for both Jew and Gentile is moral holiness, moral righteousness, and purity given to those who accept Christ’s redemptive work into the heart. God’s predestinated plan for the Church was to restore mans moral make-up to the same state as Adam had before the original sin. Adams make-up at creation was perfect in love, holiness, and obedience to God. Now, Christ through His body … restores all believers with the same moral make-up as Adam had before the fall. In the Church “believers” are morally changed by Divine Grace and thus become God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus.

• Eph 2:10…For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them…

There are many misconceptions of what the Church is this day and hour, but God’s Word teaches the Church is more than a building with steeples or place where people worship. The New Testament of the Bible teaches the Church is a place where man’s heart is morally changed through the power of Christ’s enthronement. In the Church a believer has constant recognition of the Holy Spirits presence in his life. In the plan of God, the Church is simply a place where believers live a daily life in Christ… the head of the Church. Simply put, the Church is every believer’s refuge and…the secret to real Christian living.

This is a small glimpse of the mystery of the Church preached today to Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans...in relation to the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven that was preached in Jesus' day only to the lost sheep of Isreal.

Matt 15:24...But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matt 10:5-7...These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Here's what Jesus said we (today) are to do...

Matt 28:19...Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark 16:15-16...And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Glory!

Enlightenment, Divine Revelation, and Binding and Loosing...without spiritualization

In the Kingdom Age during the ministry of our Lord many men in Israel were undecided on the fact that Christ was the son of God. Certain men were saying that he was John the Baptist; some said he was Elias; and some said he was Jeremiah. (All three mentioned were men recognized as Prophets of God.) The disciples however were questioned directly by Christ as He asked them, “But who say ye that I am?” Peter answered as he recognized the fact that Christ was more than a Prophet. Peter recognized that Christ was… the son of the living God.

• Matt 16:16…And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Peter had a Divine Revelation from God concerning the deity of Christ. In response Jesus made an unusual statement in Matthew 16:18, “Upon this rock I will build my Church”. The subject of the Church was never spoken of by the Prophets in the Old Testament however; Jesus foretold of the Church …in Matthew 16:18. Jesus likewise stated He would be the builder of that Church.

• Matt 16:18…That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;

The rock…the Church would be built upon was not Peter as the system of Roman Catholicism proclaims. The rock the Church is built upon is actually the person of Christ. Christ foreknew His own death and foretold that He would build His Church. New Testament Scriptures later prove the mystery of the Church was birthed through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Peter’s revelation of Christ came through enlightenment from God. Enlightenment to Christ gave Peter understanding of the will of God in the Kingdom Age. The Revelation of Christ was revealed to the heart of Peter, directly from the Father and not by flesh and blood. Peter’s acknowledgement of Christ did not come from his own… natural understanding.

• Matt 16:17…for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

In that period of time where the Kingdom message was presented to Israel, Peter understood the Messiahship of Christ and the promised Kingdom on earth. Christ thus stated in Matthew 16:19,

• Matt 16:19…And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven

In other words Christ gave Peter Kingdom authority on Earth as all men will have in the future Kingdom of Heaven. Peter had a Divine nature and a revelation of the Messiahship of Christ in his heart. Christ would never turn His Kingdom on earth over to the rule of people who do not have a divine nature. This prompted Christ to say,

• Matt 16:19…and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Peter had received Kingdom authority on Earth. Binding and loosing relates to mans authority in the Kingdom of Heaven. Divine Revelation gives man discernment between right and wrong; and good and evil. Binding and loosing is mans power to discern these things in the Kingdom of Heaven. In the future Kingdom of Heaven man will be in perfect harmony with God. Binding and loosing will be necessary in that Kingdom however; it’s not to be misinterpreted in this present Church Age. All saints in the Kingdom of Heaven will have power to declare things to be bound or loosed on Earth as they fully understand the will of God. Man will have heavenly knowledge and understand what’s lawful and unlawful on Earth as it is in Heaven. Earth at that time will be like Heaven. In the Kingdom of Heaven when God restores the earth and Christ reigns as King. Man will once again have dominion over the earth like Adam had before the fall. Remember, man was created in the image of God. When man receives the power to bind and loose in the Kingdom Age…it will also fulfill prophecy,

• Mal 3:18…Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

The Kingdom message and the Kingdom Age were taught in Matthew’s Gospel however; that message changed in the latter part of Christ’s Earthly ministry. The Church was foretold by Christ in Matthew 16:18. Why? The message of the Kingdom of Heaven which came through John the Baptist, Christ, the twelve disciples, and the seventy was the plan of God for Israel’s Kingdom on earth. Tragically, Israel rejected the Kingdom message and the King himself. Because of Israel’s rejection the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth was postponed until the 1000 year reign of Our Lord.

Matthew 16:21 unfolds another mystery of the Church as Jesus charged his disciples to tell no man from that time forth that He was the Christ. The Kingdom message to restore Israel was halted in the plan of God at that point time. Why? Israel’s rejection and unbelief caused the Kingdom message to cease through fulfillment of prophecy; and the actual Kingdom of Heaven on Earth was postponed until return of our Lord in the 1000 year reign. Jesus foreknew the Church and the beginning of a new Age as He told the disciples from that time on… that He would suffer, die, and be resurrected from the grave on the third day.

• Matt 16:20-21…Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

In the latter part of the Lord’s ministry scriptures indicate Peter’s understanding of Christ’s death was very limited. In one breath Peter acknowledged Christ as the Messiah; in another breath Peter could not fathom the fact that Christ had to suffer, die, and rise from the grave as prophesied. Peter was limited in knowledge of what the Prophets taught concerning Christ’s death and resurrection. Peter ignorantly rebuked Christ because he lacked understanding concerning how Christ would suffer, die, and be resurrected on the third day.

• Matt 16:22…Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

In Matthew 16:22 Peter was talking from his own understanding instead of Divine Revelation. Peter had Kingdom faith; not New Testament faith as we have today. Peter’s understanding at that time was based on what the Prophets said about the Kingdom and restoration for Israel. Peter’s knowledge was limited on what the Prophets said about the death burial and resurrection of Christ.

Human reasoning and natural understanding caused Peter’s disbelief. Peter was talking like a natural man and no longer from Divine Revelation. Jesus rebuked Peter for this cause,

• Matt 16:23…and He said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

After the death and resurrection of Christ, Divine revelation came to Peter through the truth of the Gospel according to the Prophets. The Church was birthed under the Grace Dispensation as the Law was done away with. The promised Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost and enlightened the hearts of believers with a Divine revelation of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Peter’s understanding of Christ changed. Peter’s understanding changed from Kingdom revelation… to revelation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ by Grace. Peter’s Epistles beautifully express his enlightenment to this Divine revelation… after the death of Christ in the Church Age.

In this present Church Age, through the truth of the Gospel the Holy Spirit continues to reveal the same person of Christ …in suffering, death, and exaltation. Divine revelation given by the Spirit of God continues today upon those who receive the truth of the Gospel message according to the Prophets. The person of Christ is revealed to the hearts of men through the blessing of the Church, the body of Christ. When people receive the person of Christ they become members of His spiritual body. Confession is thus made because of salvation in the human soul. Upon this very rock…Christ presently builds His Church from the Throneroom. This Church, the body of Christ revealed to men through the Gospel message is what Christ foretold in Matthew 16:18.

In conclusion Christ foretold that He would build His Church and the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18) Christ now seated upon His Throne in Heaven became the head of the Church and all believers in this Grace Age became members of His spiritual body. (Col. 1:18) Christ presently adds to the Church daily. (Acts 2:47) Christ from His Throne gives gifts unto men to govern local Churches. (Eph. 4:11) Christ sets men in authority to oversee the local churches. (1 Cor.12:28) The mystery of the Church that Christ purchased with His own blood is now revealed in all the New Testament writings. (Acts 20:28)

The ministry and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit

This document was originally written in 2004 by Rick Roehm. I don't think this subject is touched on enough, today in our present Church World...but should be. So for Sunday April 5th, 2009, I'm going to re-publish this excellent teaching for those who those who desire more enlightment about the "Sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit".

Christ ministers to both saved and unsaved souls through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Through infinite love and mercy the Father draws men to salvation of the soul through conviction, repentance, and faith in the death of a Savior for personal forgiveness from sin. All these come from hearing, learning, and accepting the Gospel message that Christ commanded us to preach. Since the original sin in the Garden of Eden man has remained unholy from birth and polluted with an Adamic nature.  The Bible teaches the will and desire of every human being born is to do wrong in the sight of God. The ministry and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is God’s method of restoring humanity back to a God-given state of righteousness.

The first work of the Holy Spirit through conviction affects the will, conscience, and desire of man by revealing the sinful and unholy heart. Man’s need for a Savior’s love is made known to the penitent as the Holy Spirit testifies the person of Christ to the human soul. Through conviction from the Holy Spirit and guilt from the human conscience, condemnation from sin is revealed and placed heavy upon mans inner being. The Holy Spirit places a desire in that heart of man to quit wrong doing.  Conviction is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that affects the human soul and leads a sinful man to repentance.

Repentance is the process of an unbeliever changing his mind after the ministry of the Holy Spirit’s conviction sways the human will to change or brokenness. God’s goodness leads men to repentance as the Holy Spirit reveals man’s need for a Savior’s mercy and forgiveness. When man recognizes Christ and sees himself as he really is, the presence of the Holy Spirit makes man sorrowful for a wrongful past and his unholiness of heart. This man will no longer want to continue in sin and unrighteousness. Man thus turns away from sin and cries out to God for help.  The process of repentance through the work of the Holy Spirit is a sinful mans action of turning away from sin and disobedience to a life of obedience and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance is simply a change of mind.

Trusting in the death of Christ for personal forgiveness of sins allows God to give man a new heart which begins the new life in Christ. This new creation in Christ comes through the Spirit’s work of regeneration in the human soul.  Regeneration is a re-created mind, will, and conscience produced by God’s Grace in the new birth. The inner make-up of man is morally restored with a divine nature like Adam had before the fall.  Through the Holy Spirit’s power of regeneration a sinful man is converted into a child of God and thus receives a God-given divine nature. In this new birth man’s sins are not only forgiven but also a new desire from the Holy Spirit is given to the believer in Christ… to forsake sin.

The Holy Spirit testifies Christ and confirms the truth of God’s Word.  This revelation does not come from flesh and blood it comes straight from the Throne of God. After regeneration the work of the Holy Spirit continues making Christ known to the heart of a believer through divine revelation. This witness from the Spirit not only reveals Christ but also strengthens the believer inwardly. Regeneration from the Holy Spirit leads the believer in Christ to sanctification. Sanctification allows the Spirit of God to cut the believer away from the old man and the old life of self consisting of bad habits, selfish desires, selfish affections, etc. that still exists. An inner conflict which began through the power of the new birth arises between mans inherited carnal nature and the newly given divine nature. The power of the Holy Spirit’s witness exposes the conflict caused from the Old Man that still tries to rule. This exposure in light of the death of Christ on the cross reveals the crucifixion of self.  Crucifixion of self is brought more to a believer’s attention by the Spirit of God. Crucifixion of self is an actual death to the Old Man. This crucifixion of self is experienced in the life of a believer by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible states, “The body of sin might be destroyed”. Romans 6:6

Sanctification through the Spirit reaches to the deepest need found in the heart of a believer. This need is the crucifixion of self that gets in the way of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit leads the believer in Christ to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying power that’s found in the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Sanctification through the Spirit is a work that enables the Spirit of God to sever a believer away from a selfish life of I, me, and mine that exists… to the complete crucifixion (death) of the Old Man. After Sanctification through the Spirit cuts man away from all the conflicts in life God also can preserve and fortify this faithful man in Christ.  This operation in the life of a believer is the “fullness” of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and comes after regeneration and after the crucifixion of self where the body of sin, the Adamic nature is destroyed. Yes, a believer can be completely rid of the Old Man. God said so!

        
 Indwelling sin is destroyed as the indwelling Holy Spirit takes full possession of mans total being.  This final work of the Holy Spirit is called, “Entire Sanctification”. It’s proven in New Testament records through the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire and follows the regenerating work of the new birth.  Two complete experiences through the ministry and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.  Both experiences take place at separate times. Regeneration is the experience of a sinner and takes place when forgiveness of sins is received. Sanctification is the experience of the believer and takes place when the Old Man is crucified.

Unlike the new convert at regeneration where the conflicting Adamic nature still tries to rule, the entirely sanctified believer is completely delivered from the carnal nature and relieved from the bondages caused from all struggles in life… both inner* and outer*. This completed work of Sanctification allows the Holy Spirit to have full sway of the believer’s entire being and character. After the inward work of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is experienced, a believer’s life is renewed in the Spirit.  Holiness of heart and full trust in Christ for everything in life without an inner or outer struggle is proof of this renewal.

*Inner Struggle…conflict between the new nature and the Adamic life…after the new birth

*Outer Struggle…conflict with the problems of life that man can’t control

Unfortunately for many, the fullness of the work of the Holy Spirit is missed and never experienced until late stages of the Christian life or even after death to the physical body.  When the blessing of Entire sanctification is however; experienced and walked out for a long period of time on this side of heaven it offers: an unimaginable life that provides victory over sin; gives a sense of contentment the world can never offer; and provides a full assurance to an eternal inheritance that awaits every child of God in heaven. There is no struggle when God has your complete trust and dependency on Him for everything in life. There is a contentment found in this experience that can be found in no other place in life on this side of Heaven. It’s Full Salvation that offers the full blessing of deliverance. It’s not just being saved it’s being completely dependent on God without the Old man trying to dictate your life.

This writer does not have all the Biblical answers for all of our encounters in life. I know the new birth is taught in the Bible. I know the baptism with the Holy Ghost is taught in the Bible. Both operations regeneration and Sanctification have their distinct purpose. This discourse on the ministry and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit was written only to build up ones personal faith in Christ who regenerates and sanctifies. This document is intended only to encourage men to learn more about the truth of the Bible.  This writing is based on an overview of all New Testament records that agrees with the Epistles of Paul, John, James, and Peter after the death of Christ. This writing contains many years of doctrinal clarification and clarifies with words the most blessed experience any man can receive from a living Christ in the Throneroom.  Sanctification entire, the will of God, is one of the greatest blessing’s any believer can receive on the Christian side of life.

….As a believer grows in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ a closer walk with God is developed.  A shallow knowledge of Christ can also mean a shallow walk with God. A broad knowledge of Christ will increase faith and bring responsibility to the heart of a believer…

                                                                                                            

 Hubert T. Lindsey