Hebrews 6:1-3

Therefore 

1. Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ. The principles of the doctrine of Christ were the teaching of the Law of Moses. Christ was born under Law; Grew up under Law; practiced the Law to the letter; taught the Law; died on the cross to abolish the Law and became God’s sacrificial Lamb to bring in the everlasting Grace Covenant we now live under. 

2. Let us go on unto perfection. Perfection was the product of the Grace of God that flows from the cross at Calvary and is ministered to the believing soul by the power and omnipresence of the Holy Spirit. 

3. Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works. Repentance under the Law of Moses required a man to bring sacrifices to the Priest and do as Moses commanded. Old Testament repentance makes a reference to obeying the Law of Moses and keeping it. Constant repentance without peace with God was the picture. 

4. And of faith toward God – The faithfulness of the Old Testament Jew was to hear, learn, and practice the ordinances and teachings of Moses and Levitical Law. Under Law men struggled to learn and keep the Law and 613 commandments. Struggle alone was enough to cause men to miss God and thus becoming unfaithful. Under Grace the sacrifice of Christ took away human struggle and allowed man to receive an “inner moral work of the Holy Spirit”. Salvation and redemption were produced by such Grace that flows through the ministry of the Holy Spirit from the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. 

5. Of the doctrine of baptisms – Many ceremonial baptisms and not necessarily body immersion in water, many various washings of Levitical instruments, sprinkling of the blood and water with Hyssop as means of atonement. Dipping. These practices with water and blood of animals were many according to Jewish Law. Some baptisms were even customary by Jewish elders and teachers and not actual scriptural practice according to Law. Traditional influence and Talmudical based. 

6. And of laying on of hands – Due to Christ’s atoning sacrifice and Israel’s final sin offering Great Grace and the ministry of the Holy Spirit birthed the Church upon humanity. Not for Jews only but also for the Gentiles. Impartation of sin with the laying on of hands by a Levitical priest was ministered upon sacrificial goats, lambs, turtledoves, pigeons etc. This method of impartation of sin to an animal sacrifice as a means of yearly atonement for faithful Jewish families in Israel was no longer needed. 

7. And of resurrection of the dead – Resurrection of the dead has always existed in Biblical perspective. Body resurrection (raising from the grave) is the God given form of Eternal Blessing or Eternal Punishment and deals specifically with the physical make-up of the human being. The Pharisees and Sadducees were divided on the scriptural doctrine of resurrection of the body which is very vague in Old Testament records. Resurrection of the dead was proven to be realistic and actual through Biblical records of the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection of Christ was the greatest of blessings in Biblical history. Today under Grace in the Church the body of Christ resurrection power is what morally and spiritually changes the sinner into a child of God. The actual body (physical) resurrection will unite with the redeemed soul in the Rapture of the Church. 

8. And of eternal judgment – The Bible says Christ will come (again) in flaming fire taking vengeance upon those who obey not the Gospel. Jewish and Hebrew people of faith know the Messiah came the first time at Calvary - in suffering, death on a cross, and resurrection from the tomb. God’s determination of Judgment took place at that time and will not be a flood like the days of Noah but with fire from Heaven unlike anything known to human comprehension. Tribulation will take place after the Rapture. God’s wrath will be unleashed for seven years beginning in Jerusalem. Judgments will take place at the end of the great Tribulation and at the end of the 1000-year reign of Christ on planet Earth. The final Judgment of the Great White Throne will take place at the end of the 1000 years as Hell, and death, and the Devil himself are cast into the lake of fire and experience the “second death”. 

9. And this will we do if God permit.

Please review our enlightening Bible studies

We have fascinating studies at the Churches on Trial. One of the most important ones? Law and Grace. Inspired by Brother Hubert Lindsey. You will find highlighted in the sidebar to the right or at the below link.

Law and Grace

When did the Old Testament stop? When did the New Testament begin?

These questions about the two covenants are often misunderstood, overlooked, dodged, or even disputed in our modern religious world. Why are they so questionable? What does the Bible really teach about the answers to these questions. Why is this subject about the difference between the Old and New Testaments so important? What difference does it make?

“It makes a lot of difference”. Under Grace we become members of Christ’s body. Under Law they didn’t because the body of Christ the Church had not come. Saints under Grace are united with God through personal forgiveness and redemption from the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. Forgiveness and redemption came through Israel’s final sacrifice.This final sin offering was the man, Christ. The Lamb of God that redeems people from their personal sins. Jesus was Israel’s final sin offering. Israel’s Temple was destroyed in 70AD. The Church was purchased and birthed through shed blood of Christ. The Comforter came as Christ promised the Spirit would come.

Under the New Testament…saints of God have a greater blessing called Grace. Saints of God under the Law of Moses and before were under Old Covenant relationships. Today under the covenant of Grace (in the Church)…Jesus sent us another Comforter from the Throneroom. This Comforter was something Old Testament saints never had and never experienced under the blessing of the Law of Moses and prior.

So, when did the Old Testament stop? When did the New Testament begin? At Calvary when Jesus (the lamb of God) became Israel’s final sacrificial offering to God.

Hebews 10:5-10…Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

Learn the Bible from the perspective of knowing when the Old Testament stopped and the New Testament began. Make the distinction between the Old and the New Testament. Don’t mix everything up. Live with the power of God’s Divine Grace that flows from Calvary. See it in the Bible. Rightly divide the truth of God’s Word. Christ not only forgives…He also gives us a better life. That better life is the blessed life of living with the power of God’s Grace every minute, every hour, and every day. A New Testament saint has a greater blessing because it comes from the person of Christ within. Grace flows from Calvary. Grace keeps the Comforter present in our lives. Grace is where the Church and all spirtual gifts come from.

These gifts never ceased at the Early church. These gifts are blessings of the New Testament we now live under. Jesus said greater blessings than these would come because He went back to the Father. Glory! We now have greater blessings! Because the Old Testament stopped and the New Testament began.

Hiding the Word of God in the heart

Scriptures in the Old Testament taught - the Word was to be "hid" in the heart so that Jewish people would not sin against God.

Psalm 119:11...Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 The Word of God was the Law and Commandments. The Torah was the first five books in the Bible. The 613 Commandments were the standard of God given to Jewish people to keep Israel in "obedience" to the God. In that day and hour before the death of Christ; before Grace flowed from the Cross at Calvary; and before the Holy Spirit developed the Church, the body of Christ...The commandments were "learned and lived" by the Jewish people as a act of faith in God. In order for Israel to be holy they were to learn, study, and meditate the Law and Commandments contained in the Torah. By doing such Israelite's were able to grasp and absorb the standards of God's Law - which forbid sin and sinful conduct. God's Law pointed out sin and told the recipient "to do" or "not to do" certain things that were outside of God's standard.

James 2:10...For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 

If the Word was hid or absorbed into the heart it was able to keep man from sinning against the Law of God. Sin was and is a violation to the Law of God. The Law and 613 commandments given to Israel on Mt. Sinai were the greatest set of morals ever written...before Christ died. After the death of a Savior on the Cross....Grace came and allowed God's Holy Spirit to provide a moral standard of holiness much greater than the holiness of Law. It was the holiness of the Spirit of God that writes the Law of God - upon the the tables of a believing heart.

Hebrews 10: 15,16...Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 

In the Old Testament Israel worked and hid the Word in their heart to keep the standard. In the New Testament we hold on to Christ and by doing such we live the standard of God...according to the Spirit of holiness. A blessing of the New Testament and the power of God's Grace. As the Apostle Paul stated,
 
Romans 6:14...For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace.

Moses lifted the serpent - God lifted Christ

• When Moses lifted the serpent to display God's deliverance from Egyptian religion and bondage - all of Israel knew God's operation and blessing was the greatest blessing in all the land of Israel. Great miracle and victory as Israel passed through the Red Sea - then came the giving of Law - as they entered into the land of Canaan!

• When God lifted up Christ and displayed a Savior on the cross - He revealed to all the world the greatest blessing in the history of humanity. Great victory produced by the Grace of God thus flowed from Calvary.

John 3:14...And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Keep the Bible in proper context

By keeping the Bible in context you are "rightly dividing the Word of Truth". Right division of the Bible allows you to learn, develop a strong faith in Christ, and eliminate future confusion. Much confusion comes from not learning the Bible in proper context. Confusion hinders the child of God from building a good basis of faith. Thus the spiritual walk with God can be shipwrecked, erred from, or departed from due to frustration...caused from confusion. Learn the Bible in context. Learn about Jew and Gentile. Learn about Law and Grace. Learn about the Church and Israel. By doing such you will do yourself a favor and the Holy Spirit will reveal, enlighten, and bring understanding to your mind and thinking process. The Bible will never mislead you unless it's taken out of proper context. Above all things meditate the Word, study various periods of time and how they apply to the Church and/or Israel, learn about Christ and don't mix everything up. Eliminate possible confusion. Give no place to the Devil. Keep you mind, soul, and strength Christ centered. Learn to rightly divide God's Word by keeping it in context. The Holy Spirit will teach you and confirm "truth" you your soul. Eliminate the author of confusion the Devil...and let Jesus be the author and finisher of your faith. Every eye on Him. All your trust in Him. Learn what God said and is saying about Christ. Use the Word right. Be thankful for a privilege the world doesn't have. Be blessed from keeping the Bible in proper context. Lifetime homework assignment!

A distinction between Law and Grace... defined in a systematic theology and Internet Library

Law and Grace is one of the most profound studies anyone can make in life. Law and Grace teaches the Bible student to "rightly divide" God's Word. By rightly dividing God's Word one can learn the Bible in proper context thus laying a lifetime foundation for a life in Christ without confusion that causes hindrance, frustration, or even loss of faith in Christ. Understanding Law and Grace is a must for all students of the Bible.

1.    When did the Old Testament stop and the New Testament begin?
2.    Distinction between Law and Grace
3.    What does passing from glory to glory mean?
4.    Understanding Law and Grace can deliver man from erroneous doctrine
5.    Rightly dividing the Word of Truth
6.    Why God's blessing of the Grace Covenant is perfect
7.    Our greater and more perfect Tabernacle in Heaven

8.    Better's of the Hebrew letter
9.    Hubert Lindsey preached the Gospel and testified to the Grace of God
10.  The way of God more perfectly
11.  Enlightenment to the true Gospel and righteousness by Grace
12.  We do not use the Bible to entertain the mind
13.  The faith of Abraham and the Grace of God (before the Law of Moses was given)
14.  Christ, "Thy Seed"... according to the promise of God
15.  The burning bush...in light of Israel, God's elect
16.  Test your Faith
17.  Tithing (audio)...Hubert T. Lindsey
18.  Law and Grace (audio)...Hubert T. Lindsey...a must for all students of the Bible

The faith of Abraham and the Grace of God...before the Law of Moses was given

Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. This is "imputed" righteousness granted from God 400 years before the Law and Commandments were given on Mt. Sinai. Abraham was justified by God's Grace and counted as righteousness by the mighty hand of God. Faith in God's promises connected Abraham with God. The Grace of God made Abraham righteous.

Romans 4: 1-5...What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:16...Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

The Grace of God existed before the Law and Commandments came. Here's what God said about Abraham and Noah.

Genesis 18:3...My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Genesis 6:8...But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

The word Noah means "preacher of righteosness" in Hebrew. Then you had Abel who was also a righteous man of God. All pointing to the fact that faith, righteousness, and God's Grace existed and operated "before" the Law of Moses was given at Sinai. All pointing to the fact that the blessing of Abraham would come upon the Gentiles.

Galatians 3:14...That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

Galatians 3:17, 18...And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Rightly dividing God's Word.

The way of God more perfectly

Acts 18:25...This man (Apollos) was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him "the way of God more perfectly"

Apollos was an Apostle sent by Christ like the Apostle Paul. Apollos was an Apostle but knew Christ only by the Baptism of John. Apollos was a Christ fearing man, recognized Christ as the earthly Messiah, and fervent in the Spirit. Apollos was limited in knowledge concerning the Grace of God because he knew only the Kingdom message that was presented to Israel during the ministry of our Lord.

Aquila and Priscilla were a Jewish couple under the ministry of the Apostle Paul...who were enlightened to power of God's Grace that came after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla were living under Grace and the preaching the power of a resurrected Christ... rather than the man Christ who came to restore Israel with the promised Kingdom on Earth.

Acts 18:26...whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him "the way of God more perfectly"

To understand the way of God more perfectly one must first understand the ministry of John the Baptist which is what Apollos was enlightened to...19 years prior to Acts 18. John the Baptist baptized with water and preached the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand as he prepared the way for the Messiah. John's preaching and baptism ministered repentance and remission of sins to backslidden Israel. John's baptism allowed backslidden Israel to repent and be forgiven for erring from the laws of the Torah. The keeping of Law made the heart clean and holy. The holiness of keeping Law allowed faithful Israel to recognize the Messiahship of Christ. Divine Law was God's way of ministering holiness to Israel . John's baptism allowed penitent Israel to worship Christ as the Promised Messiah. The Kingdom of Heaven preached by John, Jesus, the 12 disciples, and the 70 disciples... related directly to an earthly and physical Kingdom that was promised to be established in Jerusalem. John's ministry pointed to Israel and how the Messiah, Jesus Christ would rule on the throne of His father David according to Old Testament prophecy. The Kingdom message was presented to Israel...and thus was tragically rejected by Israel in the 3 1/2 years of John's and Christ's ministry.

Apollos was only enlightened to the Kingdom Message...not the message of the Gospel of the Grace of God we preach today. The Gospel of the Grace of God is based on the power of a resurrected Christ...not the earthly ministry of Christ. This unlimited Gospel commissioned by a resurrected Christ to both Jew and Gentile was one of power from Heaven. It was a Gospel that came after the death of a Savior. It was a Gospel that offers the power of Salvation from a crucified, resurrected, and exalted Christ. It is a Gospel where the Holy Ghost flows from Heaven and unites with the hearts of believing men and women. It is a Gospel where the Holy Ghost forgives sins because of what Christ did not sacrifice made to a priest. It is a Gospel where the Holy Ghost makes man a new creation in Christ. It is a Gospel that allows Christ to baptize the hearts of saved men from the Throneroom. It was a Gospel that offered Apollos the way of God more perfectly. A greater blessing than the blessing of John's Baptism. A blessing where Christ is exalted in Heaven today and baptizing men with the Holy Ghost and fire...as spoken by John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:11...I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

The way to God more perfectly was revealed to Apollos who convinced Jews that Jesus was Christ. The way of God more perfectly came from making distinction between the ministry of Christ on Earth, and the ministry of the Spirit from a resurrected Christ. A distinction was made between perfect Law given to Israel, and more perfect Grace given to both Jews and Gentiles in the Church, the body of Christ. The way of God more perfectly took Apollos beyond the 4 Gospels which taught basically the Law... to and exalted Christ in power "now" in the Throneroom. More perfectly relates to the power that flows from the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ in the Throneroom. It's perfect work offers saving power and holiness to the believing heart. It is power revealed...it is power accepted...it is power recognized in the person of Christ today. Glory! A new covenant greater than the covenant of Law. Something more perfect that comes from a perfect Christ...exalted in the Throneroom...NOW!

Divine Grace was taught in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 18, 19... 19 years after John's baptism and the death of Christ. Grace touched Apollos who found the way of God more perfectly, 19 years after John's Baptism. Grace was also the Apostle Paul's life and ministry who tutored Aquila and Priscilla who in turn expounded to Apollos the way of God more perfectly.

Acts 18:25...This man (Apollos) was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him "the way of God more perfectly"

Christ, “Thy Seed”…according to the promise of God

This exposition is primary focused on a Biblical promise that God gave about a coming Messiah who was foretold to be…“Thy Seed”. Thy seed pertains to a promise that God made to Abraham and the Hebrew nation in many chapters in the book of Genesis. This promise of Christ to be “Thy Seed” given from God to Abraham…was given at a period of time 430 years before the Law of Moses was given to Israel. Genesis 22 is only one of many promises made by God about, “Thy Seed”, Christ.

Gen 22:17-18…That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in “thy seed” shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

In God’s promise of “thy seed” it was stated that all the nations of Earth would be blessed. All nations of the Earth included the entire nation of Israel and the entire Gentile world. All nations speak of the entire human family. This is the prophetic picture here. This direct promise from God, given to Abraham (before the Law), was confirmed to be Christ by the Apostle Paul in the records of the Galatian Epistle.

Gal 3:16…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”.

Notice Paul said not to seeds (plural)…but to Christ, “Thy seed” (singular). Within the person of Christ came the Church, the body of Christ, the Grace dispensation, and the omnipresence of the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant we now live in. In the New Testament records Christ “Thy seed” was considered to be a blessing upon both the Jewish nation and the Gentile nation. This blessing was the Holy Spirit’s omnipresence in the Church Age that made both Jew and Gentile “one” in “Thy seed” ….Christ.

Gal 3:27-29…For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Notice Paul said believers today in the Church Age are baptized into Christ and thus become Abraham’s seed and heirs of the promise God made to Abraham. If you look back to the period of time when God promised His blessing to be upon Abraham and his chosen people, the Hebrew nation it was 430 years before the Law of Moses was given. God gave this called out people (The Hebrew nation) a promised land. God gave this called out people (The Hebrew nation) a covenant that was sealed by a physical circumcision in the flesh. Circumcision of the flesh separated this chosen people from the rest of humanity. All this was a miniature picture of God’s Promises of the land and complete restoration on the Earth for His elect, Israel.

God’s covenant relationship with His elect and chosen people by promise, allowed Him to keep a perfect genealogy that would bring forth the Son of God…Christ. This in turn would bring forth the promised Messiah (Thy Seed), according the pre-determined plan, purpose, and will of God for the Jew first and also the Gentile. Abraham by faith trusted the promises God. Abraham by faith had glimpse and future hope of “Thy Seed Christ” to be the promised Messiah.

Many Old Testament promises of Christ were concealed in Torah but were actually confirmed when Christ came. These promises were later confirmed and written about in the New Testament Epistles by the holy Apostles and Prophets under the Grace covenant and the power of a resurrected Christ. Confirmation of the promised “seed, Christ” concealed in the Torah were given to Abraham and passed down to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc. These promises gave hope to Abraham and his offspring for the coming of a promised Messiah (Thy Seed) who would bless all the families on the Earth. Notice how God said He would “bless” all the families of the Earth.

Gen 12:2-3…And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The blessing of Christ (Thy seed) is what allowed God’s Grace to come upon the Gentiles at present. The promise of the omnipresence of Spirit of God flowed from the cross at Calvary. The Law of Moses was abolished and those who were afar off (Gentiles) were made nigh by the Blood of Christ. Those promises came through the Hebrew nation. Christ (Thy Seed) was promised in many of the Old Testament records. Those promises were not limited to the Old Testament only! Today Christians by faith (Jew and Gentile) are just as much entitled to God’s promises as Abraham was. Why? Because God promised “Thy seed” in the Torah but fulfilled that promise when Christ died and ascended to Heaven where He sent down His Holy Spirit to be in the Church today. The Blessing of Abraham's promise from God thus came upon the Gentiles.

Gal 3:7, 8…Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Gal 3:14…for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Additional food for thought.

• Christ was also foretold to be the seed of a woman in Genesis 3:15.
• When the fulness of time came Christ was made of a woman and made under law Gal. 4:4.
• Christ was conceived and born of a virgin and had no earthly Father.
• Christ was God’s seed and not the seed of a natural man.
• Christ was “Thy Seed” that blessed all the families on Earth through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Rightly dividing the Word of Truth

The Kingdom of Heaven message preached before the death of Christ must not be confused with the dispensation of Grace inaugurated after Christ's death.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were inspired by the Holy Spirit to record the historical account of Jesus' life and ministry. Their records reveal that Christ kept every precept of the Law of Moses. He was called a "Rabbi" because He taught the Law; He was without sin and He kept the Law perfectly. Therefore, we understand these events occurred during the dispensation of the first covenant.

Everything Christ did was according to the Law of Moses.

Made of a woman, made under Law...Gal 4:4...God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

Circumcised according to the Law...Luke 2:21...And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS,

Mary offer sacrifice according to the Law...Luke 2:22-24...And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Jesus lived under Law, and taught the Law

Jesus preached Judaism, not Christianity!

Jesus dealt with the Law of Moses and the Kingdom promise to the Hebrew nation.

All of Jesus' sermons were preached to the Jew only, not the Gentile...John 4:22...for salvation is of the Jews.

Here's Matthew's record of Jesus' command to the 12,

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.

Christ reconciled both Jew and Gentile into one body on the cross.

Eph 2:11-16...Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 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 Church came into existence after Christ purchased it with His own blood and sat down at the right hand of the Father,

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

Your utmost attention is called to these facts so that you won't confuse the purpose of the authority given to the disciples to confirm the Messianic message. Misunderstanding this will lead to deception in your life. You may perhaps go out into the world commanding the Devil to step aside, taking a useless claim of authority over the Devil when he has no authority on earth. You may perhaps claim authority over the Devil and every problem of life that you face. Some never recognize the fact that the problems of life actually stem from the sin of Adam.

Remember, Adam lost power and authority to rule in earth, and since then, man has not regained complete dominion. Regardless of man's right standing with God he is unable to control the affairs of the world. Unpleasant things are going to happen to man and he will have no explanation for them. Man is unable to know why these things happen. If a man goes around attempting to exercise authority without having any authority; he is not only claiming something fictitious and contrary to the Word but also ignoring the true authority.

Many people ask, "What about the passage in Mark 16 that says?"

Mark 16:15-17...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. And these signs shall follow them that believe

Here the language of the Bible says that signs will follow the believer. Nothing is said about the believer having authority! It is the Gospel they believe that produces the signs, casting out Devils, healing the sick, and speaking with new tongues. These signs and wonders are produced when the Gospel is preached and believed. All these signs are going to follow if you are a believer, not because you commanded it saying, "In the name of Jesus".

In Mark we read about the fullness of our Lord's ascension as He works and confirms the Word with signs. Note how these signs follow the believer,

Mark 16:19-20...So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

The doctrine of "positive confession" which claims that every time a man confesses something he will receive it, is contrary to the Word of God! It is only during the future Kingdom that you can say to a mountain, "Be thou removed" and it shall come to pass.

Matt 21:21...ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

For believers today "to confess gain" is contrary to the Word of God. James states that rejoicing in this type of boasting is sinful. Why? It's a form of arrogance:

James 4:13-17...Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

For those who refuse to admit, or confess sickness, "This is not faith but foolishness". Read James where he states,

James 5:14...Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

It is true that during the Millennium, one can say to a mountain, "Be thou removed" and it will be, but we are not in the Millennium yet! Therefore to "confess" or "claim" things such as wealth or authority is wrong. In fact, any boasting of what we will do, have, or obtain is declared to be sinful in James 4:13-17.

Some even teach that merely to admit you have a problem is a "negative confession", a sign of weak faith. Ironically in truth, if we do not confess our need or weakness, we cannot Biblically receive the help and healing we do need.

James 5:16...Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

Once again, mountains can only be removed through speaking, after man regains control of the earth in the millennial reign of Christ. During that period of time, all man has to do is speak, and it will happen. People are going around today confessing various things without assurance and without certainty. Paul said,

2 Cor 4:13...as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Notice you first have to believe before you speak. The problem with many people is that they think they are going to "build their faith up" by speaking and confessing, and confessing and confessing. They go around confessing everything under the sun and still don't have one ounce of faith. Faith does not come by confession according to Romans.

Rom 10:17...So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

A believer does not receive things by confession. If he hasn't received it by faith, or in reality - he should not confess it. We only confess what we believe. You must believe first.

Since Romans 10:17 states that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God; it means that you don't confess Christ as your Savior, until He has saved you. If you have not been saved, then you don't go around confessing Jesus in order to believe. This is contrary to the language of the Bible. The modern day confession in order to have faith is contrary to the Scriptures!

It's important to know that when people claim "to take authority over the Devil", they miss Jesus. Man does not need any authority if he believes and knows Jesus has all authority. To accept any other authority is to focus faith on something, or someone else. This is dangerous. A believer must totally rely on the authority of Christ.

The burning bush...in light of Israel God's Elect

The Hebrew nation/Israel has always been the Biblical picture of a, "burning bush" that will never be consumed. Israel God's Elect, has burned through the pages of history without destruction. Israel has been captive many times, dispersed throughout the world, persecuted, and even slaughtered by the thousands for centuries, but never to a complete annihilation. Even today there are 28 Gentile nations that oppose Israel to a complete destruction. Why, because of Anti-Semitism that has existed since the destruction of the Temple in 70AD? The inquisition, the holocaust, and the Arab Israeli conflict. Anti-Semitism has existed through the pages of history and will continue until Christ establishes His Kingdom on Earth that is promised to be established and restored in Jerusalem during 1000 year reign of Christ.

Did you ever notice how Israel has always been the apple of God's eye? Israel is the instrument the God used to birth and bring forth the promised Messiah and confirmed this truth with hundreds of prophecies. Israel is the vehicle God used to compile and write the Word of God; Old Testament and New Testament. Israel is the vehicle God used to bring in the Law and Commandments of which there are 613. Israel was the vehicle God used to bring the Kingdom Message during Christ's Earthly ministry. Israel was the vehicle God used to bring the Gospel to a Gentile World. All the Apostles were Jewish! The Gospel was according to the Jewish Prophets. The Gospel was a message of salvation through the person of Christ, birthed through the nation of Israel.

Luke 24:44-45...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,

1 Cor 15:1-4...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, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Think about the miracle of perfect genealogies all the way back to Adam in Luke and Matthew. Think about how these genealogies have been "preserved" through the pages of history. This knowledge has been kept track of "orally" and "scripturally" by the nation of Israel since the days of Moses. Moses wrote the Torah, which are the first five books of the Bible. Think about the oracles of God were spoken, written, and preserved. Even the Bible today in 2010 is a miracle in itself! How it was compiled! How it was preserved! How it was translated! Think about the prophets (all Jewish) that were given Divine revelation concerning the Messiahship of Christ. Think about the perfect blood lineages of the Levitical Priesthood. The precision of Israel's writings and Israel's dedication to God in obedience! Somehow someway these oracles were preserved and kept track of for thousands of years.

Before Christ came,The Law of Moses was the "greatest blessing" Israel had ever encountered. Since Christ came a, "greater blessing than Law has come". This "greater Blessing is the covenant of Divine Grace with the promise of the Holy Spirit" not for the Jew only but also for the Gentile! This is the Church the spiritual body of Christ! Israel is still the burning bush today, even since the Church came into existence. Why? Paul said,

Rom 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.

The church (Christ's body) is a testimony to the nation of Israel. This testimony from a Gentile people who believe in Christ is God's way of provoking Israel to an acceptance of Christ as the promised Messiah. Still today, God's plan includes Israel. Israel still burns in the limelight. Israel is the burning bush.

Israel was given the promise of the land and; the Kingdom to be established in Jerusalem. Israel was the nation that brought forth the promised Messiah. Israel was promised to have outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of man's ideals or opinions Israel's position is foreknown of God from the foundation of the World. Israel plays a huge role in the Bible and should never be robbed of her promises. Unfortunately many today take what is written to Israel and apply it to the Church. The outcome of the tragedy is a mixed up and confused understanding of God's Word. This is very harmful to faith.

That's one reason why I write these Blog's. We Gentiles have very little knowledge of the nation of Israel. This lack of knowledge affects the way Gentiles understand the Holy Scripture. Gentiles are prone to mix up Bible truth because of a lack of knowledge about Israel, their history, culture, and religion. For the past couple of weeks I have posted material strictly pertinent to the message of the Kingdom Promised to Israel. I admit it's a very taxing study and not real popular in the mainstream. That doesn't make it wrong. One reason I am compelled to teach this truth is because of Gentile World's lack of knowledge concerning Israel God's Elect.

The Bible contains a vast background from the Jewish perspective. Gentiles had limited knowledge about that perspective. I am not Jewish. I am a just common folk in the rural area of southern Ohio. I am blessed by the Spirit of God and believe Christians have a clean and holy heart! The holy heart allows God to minister His truth freely. God piped in the light of Glorious Gospel to this preacher 23 years ago and I'm thankful for it in 2010. I have been fortunate to study under rabbinical teachings of the Law of Moses but still I know very little. I write these words not to be a "know it all" but only to encourage others to study the whole Bible with an open heart and mind toward the nation of Israel who has always been, and always will be the burning bush spoken of in the Bible. Especially on Christ's Kingdom message to Israel.

May the Christ of our Salvation continue to open the eyes of our understanding of His Word which in turn gives us a better faith in Him? Blessed be His Holy name forever! I appreciate ChristianBlog.com also as God has opened doors at this ministry for this concealed truth of the Kingdom message to Israel to be revealed! All this said to say one thing, "Israel is the burning bush that burns through the pages of history".

Ex 3:2-6...And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

Israel will never be consumed...but when you see the Arabs and Israeli's say peace in the middle East...be ready for the Rapture...because wrath and Judgment is on its way.

1 Thess 5:3...For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Israel fathered Abraham the father of the Hebrew nation, Isaac, and Jacob which means Israel in Hebrew. Did you know these forefathers of Israel will step down to the Kingdom of Heaven when it is established in Jerusalem? Jesus said they would! Glory! This shows the Kingdom of Heaven is an earthly Kingdom.

Matt 8:11..And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Test your faith...

Is the actual experience and testimony of the child of God different today, than it was during the period of New Testament writings? The answer is "No"...same Christ...same Spirit.

Is the Church, the body of Christ the same today as it was 2010 years ago? "Yes".

Are we likewise members of the same body of Christ as the early Apostles? "Yes"

Were the Apostles Paul, Peter, James, and John different than present day Christian’s or vice versa? No...same Christ...same Spirit.

Can a Christian live without sin in this present world of modern distraction’s unlike distraction’s during the first century? Sinful conduct separates man from Christ. So can a Christian live without sin? Yes!

Should present Christian lifestyle be in line with lives of men who wrote the records of the Christian experience after the death and ascension of Christ? Same Christ...same Spirit!

Should Christianity be the same today as it was in the early Church? "Yes"

What kept men of God during the early church in harmony with Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension? Faith, obedience, and the power of God's Salvation in the heart and life.

Why were men obedient to Christ back then? The same reason they are obedient today...belief is outflow of Calvary in the heart of a believer in Christ.

Was it mere faith; the work of the Spirit; or a combination of both? Faith keeps the Holy Spirit present obedience flows from our faith in Christ.

At present should a Christian’s faith and obedience to Christ be different than a Christian’s faith and obedience was to Christ during the first century? "If it is something is wrong in your heart".

Why were New Testament writer's (after the death of Christ) in subjection to an ascended Christ? Complete subjection to Christ in the Throneroom came from heartfelt faith in an invisible God. Faith comes by hearing about Christ in the Scriptures.

Should a child of God behave differently today, 2010 years since Christ’s ascension? Same Church, same Spirit, same obedience. Holiness is the sacred theme of the Bible.

What compelled New Testament writers to endure temptation? The power of God that made believers "over comers" and "victorious". More than conquerors! Glory!

Why did the writers of New Testament Epistles instruct believers to depart from sin? Sin separates man from Salvation. The Bible teaches men to stay in Christ...their whole life.

What made men over comers to worldly deception and snares that came from the wicked one? A completely sanctified heart which comes only by the experience of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.

What gave those men of God the ability to resist the Devil? Faith and total trust in Christ and His redemptive work on the cross!

Should we experience and testify to this same victory? Absolutely!

Is the power of Christ given to us today, as it was to them 2010 years ago? Same Christ, same Spirit, same Church.

Is the power of Christ different in 2010 than during the first century? Absolutely not! Christ still performs miracles today. This writer is one of those miracles. So are you if your heart and life has been changed by the power of God's Divine Grace.

Does the power of God’s Grace written about in New Testament Epistles apply to present day Christians? Same Grace! We are not under the Law of Moses whatsoever!

What keeps men of God sensitive, aware, and conscious, to the Holy Spirit’s presence? Full attention on Christ!Consciousness to His saving presence.

Did the Apostles at the Early Church compromise truth revealed in their hearts, to abstain from sin? They were holy men of God! Holy men never compromise the truth.

What compelled them to testify and write about a moral change experienced through the power of a living Christ? Divine revelation, the power of the Holy Spirit's witness.

Is this same power available today? That's the beautiful thing about the body of Christ...it's here "Now" until the Rapture...which is the Churches escape from the Judgement and Wrath of God in the Great Tribulation!

Should our personal experience and testimony be the same as believer’s experienced and testified during and after the First Century? If it's not your heart is not clean! Same Spirit...same Christ..same Grace.

Be truthful with yourself. If you don’t know the answers… study your Bible or contact this Blog for answers. We care! If you do know the answers…put them in action for the cause of Christ. Knowing the terror of the Lord...we persuade men to Christ. Win the lost! Be and example! Glory to Christ who lives!

Did you pass the test?

Our greater and more perfect Tabernacle in Heaven...

Matt 27:50-51...Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;

In the above account recorded by Matthew you will find the sacrifice of Christ on the cross at Calvary was God's last and final sin offering for the sins of humanity. According to the Law of Moses the Jewish people offered sacrifice to the Levite Priest to make atonement for the families of the Jewish people. Th Levitical priest would enter into the Holy of Holies once a year to offer atoning sacrifice for the sins of Jewish families.

When the veil was rent twain in the Temple (torn in half by God) the Levite priest was no longer necessary to make atonement for the sins of the Jewish people. Why? How? Christ purchased the Church with His own blood. A new dispensation began! The Law of Moses was done away with and Divine Grace brought forth the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The New Testament we now live under is better and greater Testament than the Law of Moses given to Israel. After Jesus died on the cross at Calvary He became our High Priest and entered into the Holy of Holies in Heaven to obtain eternal redemption for us today.

Heb 9:11-12...But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb 9:24...For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

How blessed we are to be under Grace today and not under the Law! How blessed we are to have the Law written in our hearts through the blessing of the Holy Spirit's presence in our hearts and lives! What used to be written in the tables of stone is now written in the tables of our hearts by Christ Himself! Glory! We are a living book written by Christ Himself. Glory!

2 Cor 3:3-5...Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Divine Grace is perhaps God's greatest blessing that any man can recieve in this life. Grace comes through the power of the Gospel message that we hear! To be under the Grace of God consists of the action of God within the heart and soul of a believer in Christ! Grace is not what man does to reach God. Grace is what changes man into a new creature... forgiven and morally right in the eyes of God. Faith and trust in the blood of Jesus Christ brings personal forgiveness and the ability fo man to live holy. Grace gives man a holy heart. Unlike the Law of Moses where man always "strived" to reach God...Grace's Divine effect takes man's stiving out of the picture. Grace is the effectual work of God based on Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Faith is based on the word of God!

Thank you Chuck Staton for your input (last night at the Upper Room) about where man's faith comes from. I also thank God in Christ for the nice service last night, as we touched on the basis of faith, where faith comes from, how faith is grown, how faith is erred from, how faith is increased, how faith is built through knowledge, and how to fight the good fight of faith. Glory! Here was the opening verse brought to my attention by Brother Chuck Staton.

Rom 12:3...For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I'm glad we Christian's today are not under Law but under Grace which is a better covenant. Glory to Christ! Who blesses us richly from the Throneroom. Glory! Christ lives! What the Law could not do because it was weak through the flesh...Grace "now" does through the power of a living Christ! Glory! Christ not only died for our sins but He ever liveth to make intercession for us in the Holy of Holies in Heaven. Christ is our High priest right now! Glory!

Heb 7:25-26... Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens:

Heb 3:1...Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

For this reason God tore the veil in the Earthly and Jewish Temple in half at the time of Christ's death. This is why we have the Church today that Christ purchased with his shed blood on the cross at Calvary! This is why we're under Grace today and not under the Law of Moses! This is why Christian's have the Holy Spirit's presence in their hearts and lives! What a blessing! Grace makes me happy! Goodbye sin..hello holiness and right living. Thank you Jesus. GLORY!

The Churches on Trial does not use the Bible to "entertain" the mind...

To entertain the mind with the Bible comes from mixing up, spiritualizing, and taking the Bible from its proper context. Using the Bible to entertain the mind is a very dangerous concept and can lead any convert to a frustrated faith over a period of time. Biblical entertainment of the mind offers no foundational backing, no right division, and causes future confusion for the new convert in Christ. Confusion has frustrated the faith of many new converts for centuries as the truth of the Bible is missed and the Devil has his way in the religious world.

Right division of the Word of God does not entertain the mind! The intent of the Bible is not to entertain the mind ...but to confirm the truth about Christ! Who He was in Creation..Who he was during His earthly ministry...What He done at Calvary...Who He is now...and what He's going to do in the future.

Right division of the Bible makes distinction between Law given to Israel and Grace given to the Church now. Right division makes the distinction between the Kingdom of Heaven message to Israel during Christ's earthly ministry...and the Gospel message today in the Church, the body of Christ. This kind of truth is not entertaining! It's Bible Truth and fulfillment of prophecy. Right division of the four Gospels takes out much of the modern day entertainment of the mind and gets to the core truth of the Holy Scriptures! Here's a few examples.

Right division of living holy under Grace is different than living holy under the Law of Moses! To go back to the days of Christ, under the teachings of Christ would put you under Law of Moses...because Christ taught the Law of Moses! Right division of the Word does not put the Church under the teachings of Christ...it puts the Church under the teachings of Grace now...where the Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, and leads the believer in Christ. All the Epistles teach such doctrine! This is the doctrine if the New Testament! The New Testament began at the death of a Saviour. The birth, life, and ministry of Christ was under the Old Covenant of the Law of Moses. The Grace covenant had not began yet...and the Church had not been birthed yet! Many today are taught or find it entertaining to take these teachings in the four Gospels and run them into the Church Now. This kind of doctrine is dangerous and has plagued society for centuries.

When this kind of right division is brought to peoples attention...there is no entertainment to the mind, no spiritualization, or no emotionalism formed as a basis for faith. This leaves no room for confusion to seep in...that has led many to a frustrated a faith in Christ. When Scriptures are rightly divided they can be built upon for a lifetime. Heartfelt faith is built! Heartfelt Faith is grown! Heartfelt Faith is added to! Faith is not entertaining it is substance to the soul of a believer in Christ! It lasts for Eternity! It offers a relationship that has been prophetically recorded since the first Promise of a Saviour in Genesis 3:15.

There is no entertainment to the mind when confirmation is found in rightly dividing the truth. This type of confirmation is found in the heart and soul and fortified by the truth of rightly dividing the Holy Scriptures! Right division does not entertain the mind...it magnifies Christ, the Father, and the Holy Ghost in the prophetic truth of the Scriptures. Law has its place, Grace has its place. The four Gospels have their place, the New Testament has it's place. The Old Testament has its place, the New Testament has its place. The Kingdom of God has it's place the Kingdom of Heaven has its place. All have a certain place!

DON'T MIX UP THE BIBLE! IF YOU DO... IT CAN CAUSE GREAT HARM! IF YOU DON'T IT CAN BE VERY REWARDING! LEARN THE BIBLE IN ITS PROPER CONTEXT AND YOU'LL NEVER ENTERTAIN THE MIND!

Man's enlightenment to the true Gospel and the gift of righteousness by Grace...

The Apostle Paul did use the Law of Moses “lawfully” under this present Grace Dispensation to point men to Salvation through the person of Christ. The Law of Moses pointed men to Christ. During Paul and Timothy’s day and hour there were no New Testament scriptures (as we have them recorded today). Holy men of God used the Old Testament Scriptures to teach and preach the person of Christ from.

All Scriptures (Old Testament Scriptures) that Paul referred to in his letter to Timothy were given for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction of righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16) These scriptures were the Old Testament records passed down from Old. Within these Holy Scriptures there are many prophecies contained in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms that could point sinful men to Christ. This revelation of the Gospel is what convicts and saves men in this Grace dispensation. Most of the Torah taught Israel to have the righteousness of the Law by their works. New Testament records teach men to have the gift of righteousness because of the works of Christ. Paul understood the difference between the righteousness of the Law of Moses and the God given righteousness that comes from our Saviour who purchased the Church with His own blood. …so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Rom. 5:19) Two different types of righteousness, two different time frames… the first (during Mosaic Law given to Israel) before Christ’s redemptive work, and the second (under Grace) after Christ’s redemptive work at Calvary.

By Divine Revelation…The Apostle Paul understood New Testament truth about the Grace Covenant. By Divine Revelation Paul understood the miracle of the Church that Christ brought into play through His death at Calvary. Paul a Pharisee was a previous teacher of the Law of Moses before the Spirit revealed Divine Grace to his heart. When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy there was no New Testament records as we have them today. Holy Apostles and Prophets of God used the Old Testament records derived from the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms… to point men to Christ. This is the true Gospel that Christ commanded “us” to preach. …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, (Luke 24:44-47)

Revelation of the Gospel that comes from the Old Testament records enlightens sinful men to the truth about God’s Salvation through Christ. In this present Grace Covenant Justification by Grace is a declaration made by God upon the heart of a believer because of Christ’s shed blood. Justification by Grace is a pardon from God that a sinful man receives by trusting Christ’s shed blood alone for his own personal forgiveness of sins. Justification is granted to the penitent because man turns from sin and…believes and trusts in Christ’s redemptive work at Calvary for personal forgiveness. Man’s Justification is not obtained by obeying the Law of Moses or by being convicted by the Law of Moses. Christ however; can be revealed from the Law of Moses and Christ will bring reproof, correction, and instruction in the truth about righteousness. Here’s what Paul wrote to Timothy concerning Old Testament Scriptures …And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Tim. 3:15-17)

Paul knew and realized (after conversion by Christ) that when an unsaved man (like himself) is enlightened to the truth about Christ (through the hearing of faith) he cannot be justified by his own personal works to keep the Law. Paul was a keeper of the Law of Moses and described himself to be blameless according to the Law… …Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Phil. 3:6) According to Law of Moses Paul made claim to be blameless… but He still missed Christ and the God given gift of righteousness by Grace. The righteousness of the Law of Moses could not produce salvation of the human soul. Therefore in this present Church Age it’s not necessary to use the Law of Moses to convict men of sin when the Holy Spirit under Grace does such work. …He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:2-5)Using the Law of Moses to convict the sinner only teaches men indirectly…to keep the Law of Moses by their own works. If a man comes to Christ by the Law of Moses he would therefore be obligated by the same Law of Moses to obey it! Paul said…Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10-13) James said…For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
(James 2:10)

Christianity is built upon what Christ did and is doing now from the Throneroom! Religion is built upon what men do to reach God. When you leave human works out of the picture...then you can see the work and person of an invisible Christ... through belief. ... But before (the) faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (Gal 3:23) "The faith" in the Greek text came through the Gospel message in the Grace dispensation we now live in. All this was revealed when the Holy Spirit became omnipresent in the Church.

Hubert Lindsey preached the Gospel and testifed to the Grace of God

Many people, (evangelists, open air preachers, and ministers) across this nation seem to be curious about Brother Lindsey's holiness message about the Grace of God. Why did he base everything on the Gospel of Christ? Certain people question why Brother Lindsey condemned sin. Other people wonder if Brother Lindsey used the Law of Moses to condemn sin. This writer spoke to a couple brethren who were discipled under Brother Lindsey's teaching. I also pondered this ideal but concluded with the following words. May the words of this edification for Christ bless you the reader as much as it has this writer.

The subject of condemning sin has gone on throughout the history of humanity. God condemned sin when He condemned the Devil in Genesis 3:15. He promised that a Savior would bruise the persuasive authority of the serpent that beguiled Eve. Even Abel condemned sin by offering a righteous sacrifice unto God. Noah condemned sin as a preacher of righteousness for 120 years. Noah’s preaching saved eight souls from the Judgment of God in the flood. The word “Noah” means “preacher of righteousness” in Hebrew. Condemnation for sin came upon man in light of “death” which is fallen man’s spiritual separation from God’s holy and eternal presence. Since the fall of man in the Garden…mans separation from God has always allowed God to reveal “guilt to the human conscience”. Guilt is revealed through the holy presence of God to any man that wants to do right. God told Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed His command they would “surely die” or be eternally separated. They disobeyed the command, and death’s separation from God came into existence and cursed all of humanity through the pages of history. Man’s natural separation from God has reigned throughout humanity even until “now in 2009”.

Through one of Israel’s greatest miracles God gave the Law of Moses and 613 commandments to condemn sin and to give Israel the knowledge of sin that would allow them to be a “holy nation with a holy priesthood”. During that dispensation, the sin of man was condemned in light of Israel’s knowledge and Israel’s obedience to the Law of Moses. Only Israel knew about the Law of Moses contained in the authority of the Torah. Among the Gentiles throughout the world (who were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel)…Gods Law that condemned the sin of the Gentile was only the human conscience. Romans 2:14-16

During the earthly ministry of our Lord…Christ condemned sin in light of the holiness of the Torah. Christ’s message of holiness taught Israel the moral requirements of the Torah. Israel had deviated from God’s authority contained in the Torah. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount took Israel away from traditional Talmudic teachings and took them to the proper moral requirements to keep Mosaic Law given to Israel on Mt. Sinai. Jewish Elders, Teachers, and Rabbi’s pointed men to the Law of Moses (the Torah) to condemn sin and to bring Israel to the knowledge of sin!

Everything changed after the Jews and the Romans had slain the Lord of Glory! Man’s enlightenment to God’s plan and the blessing of Divine Grace came into play for all humanity…in both Jew and Gentile alike! This miracle is the Church, the spiritual body of Christ that purchased through the shed blood of Christ. The Law of Moses and the 613 Commandments pointed Israel to holiness according to the records of the Old Testament. In the New Testament after the resurrection of Christ…the Law of Spirit of life in Christ Jesus pointed man to a different type of holiness. Unlike Old Testament holiness through keeping Law, New Testament holiness was not obtained by the works of man…but by the work of Christ in the human soul. New Testament holiness is Grace given holiness to the heart and soul of the believer who trusts in Christ’s shed blood at Calvary for personal forgiveness of sins. The Law of Moses told men to do good works. The Holy Spirit’s truth… speaks to the heart of a believer about a God given holiness that comes through belief in the actual person and power of Christ.

The Holy Spirit reveals to the heart of man a form of holiness greater than a holiness that could be obtained under the Law of Moses. How could this be? Holiness under Grace is given to a penitent sinner through the operation of God. Holiness under Law was given to man by his works. Holiness under Grace is not obtained by “works” or “human effort”. Holiness under Grace is received through the person of Christ! Holiness under Grace is the action of God given to a believer because of man’s personal trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Holiness under Law was obtained by the works of man in keeping the Law. If Law was brought to the knowledge of man…man had to obey every thing he knew about the Law to be holy in the eyes of God.

The truth about Divine Grace that keeps the Spirit present in our lives condemns sin by the action of God. How! The Holy Spirit reveals the person of Christ to the human soul! Man is enlightened to Christ when he hears the Gospel! The Holy Spirit shows sinful man what he really is…which is morally depraved. In light of a Saviour at Calvary a different condemnation for sin other than a condemnation from the Law of Moses comes upon fallen man. God’s condemnation for sin under Law was revealed by the Torah. God’s condemnation for sin under Grace… is revealed through the light of the glorious Gospel. Enlightenment to Divine Grace is different than enlightenment to the Law of Moses. The Holy Spirit reveals the condemnation of man’s sin through the presence of Christ. The Gospel message points people to Christ. The Spirit of Truth points people to Christ. The Blessing of God’s Divine Grace in this present Church Age delivers man from the condemnation of sin.

None of the Apostles after the resurrection of Christ used the Law of Moses to condemn sin in the Church Age. All the Apostles were Christ sent. They were commanded by Christ to tell the world about Christ who suffered, died, and was resurrected for the sins of humanity. Man’s enlightenment through the Spirit of Truth condemns sin within the conscience of sinful men. All this transpires when the Gospel message is preached and heard. Guilt is shown in light of Christ through the Gospel. Guilt is removed by the Grace of God and the hearing of faith! The Law of Moses could never remove the guilt of sin! So, why point people today to the Law of Moses that can never save; when you can point them to the blessing of God’s saving Grace in the person and presence of a living Christ!

If you use the Law of Moses to point out mans sin…indirectly this work points men to look to the Law of Moses and perhaps teaches them to keep the Law. If you use the Gospel Message (about the death burial, and resurrection of Christ according to the Prophets) it points men to a Saviour and His finished work at Calvary. The Holy Spirit’s ministration upon the soul of man does the convicting work. Not man! New Testament Scriptures do not indicate that the Law of Moses should be used today in this present Church Age to convict a sinner. Scriptures do indicate under this blessed Grace Age we live in …preaching the Gospel opens the door for the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and Judgment.

Brother Lindsey never used the Law of Moses to convict the sinner nor did he point any man today in this Church Age toward the Law of Moses for any reason. He adamantly taught the New Testament Grace of God in light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ. Behind Brother Lindsey’s words that condemned sin was only…the power of a living Christ that shows sinful man what they really are.

Why the “Church” (God’s great blessing of the Grace Covenant) is perfect…

First, Jesus is the builder of the Church…

Matt 16:18… I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Second…the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church and here’s the reason why. The powers of darkness, the Devil, and death cannot prevail against the church because Jesus is the head (or the one in authority over the Church)…

Col. 1:18…And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

What makes Jesus the head of the Church? He purchased the Church through suffering, His shed blood, and a cruel death on the cross.

Acts 20:28…the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The reason the church is perfect is because Christ purchased it, built it, is the head of it, and gave his Holy Spirit so you and I could be part of it!

Eph 2:22…In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Believers are a habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Bible teaches that members of Christ’s body, the Church are the “temple of the Holy Spirit and the temple of God is “holy”.

1 Cor 3:16-17… Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Holiness is the perfect work of God in the human soul. All members of Christ’s body are holy. Holiness is a result of God’s redemptive work within all members of the body of Christ. All members of the Church are God’s creation.

1 Cor 6:19-20…know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The Church is the perfect work of God that came into existence at the death of our Saviour. The Church is the blessing of the New Testament and the Bible teaches.

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.

Before the death of Christ the Law of Moses given to Israel was the greatest blessing on the planet Earth. The Law of Moses was the greatest set of morals ever written. The Law of Moses demanded the shedding of blood for the remission of sins but when Christ died on the cross and purchased the Church with His own blood a greater blessing than the Law of Moses was given. That blessing was the Church, the body of Christ governed by God’s greatest blessing…the Holy Spirit. Under Grace the Holy Spirit prevails in the Church. Under Law the 613 commandments were given to Israel. Under Grace God blessed the “whole” human family…both Jew and Gentile.

Eph 2:11-14…Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 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;

The Blessing of the Church was greater than Law because it was given to both Jew and Gentile. The Blessing of the Church was greater than the Law of Moses because it wasn’t only the commandments given to Israel. The Blessing of the Church is Grace given to the whole human family. …Jew’s and Gentiles. The Blessing of the Church tore down the wall of partition to Israel only…

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 blessing of the Church is the dispensation of the fulness of times…

Eph 1:10… That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ,

That “fullness” is the work of the Holy Spirit in the human soul.

2 Cor. 3:3…written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

The morals of the tables of stone were kept by man. The moral holiness in the Church is given through the perfect work of the Holy Spirit in the human soul. This moral holiness is written on the tables of the human heart. In the Old Testament man did works to keep the Law. In the New Testament man has the work of the Spirit within. This is the blessing of the Grace Covenant we now have in the Church.

There are some that call the Church the “salt of the earth”. This is not a true statement and takes the Bible from its proper context! Why? Israel was the “salt of the earth” and they lost their savor when they rejected the Messiahship of Christ.

Matt 5:13… Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

The Church could never lose its savor or be trodden under the foot of men or it would be “imperfect”. Christ would never create an imperfect Church. Israel was imperfect because they “rejected” Christ when He came. The Church is perfect because its builder is perfect. Remember against the Church the gates of Hell shall never prevail!

The Church is a product of the Grace Covenant we now live under. The Grace covenant is better covenant than the Covenant of the Law given to Israel. Why? Members of the Church, the body of Christ have the work and witness of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Under Law man worked to do right…under Grace it was the work of Christ within that allows the believer to do right.

Heb 9:11-12…But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb 9:14-15…How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 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.

May this revelation, given from a resurrected Christ be given to all believers like it was the Apostle Paul. May this revelation teach all believers in Christ how to rightly divide the Holy Scriptures…thus giving confirmation on how to make the distinction between the Church and Israel, Law and Grace, Jew and Gentile, and the Old and New Testaments. Grace and peace to all…

What the Bible really teaches about 'Tithing' (audio) by Brother Hubert Lindsey

What does the Bible really teach about the subject of Tithing? Do people in the Church World really know?

The following audio (on the subject of Tithing) was made by Brother Lindsey in the late 1980's to clairify the modern day plague... of money in the Church. Money in the Church has formed so many doctrines today in the Modern Church World its not worth mentioning them all. The main thing behind this publication on Tithing is that it reveals how prosperity messages originated and clairifies the real truth behind Sowing and Reaping.

For those who teach that Tithing (which is actually a Biblical ordinance of the Leviticval Preisthood) and apply it to the Church today... much clairification comes forth from this audio. For those who believe they must give out of obligation to God much clairification is given here also. There are other teachings who say people are cursed if they don't Tithe. A wealth of knowledge is contained in this presentation (on video and audio) on the subject of Tithing and what the Bible really teaches about this subject.

Please review, study, and research the Scriptural evidence behind this subject to see the real valididty of truth about Tithing. This teaching will also show people how to rightly divide the Holy Scriptures...by making the vast distinction beteen Law given to Isreal...and Grace given to the present Church Age.

In closing, the writer of this Blog will state, " If a Christian truely loves God...they will give more than 10%" ...and perhaps disperse it throughout the homeless, the fatherless, the needy and even the poor saints like those in Jerusalem during Pauls day and hour.

May the Lord of our Salvation, Jesus Christ... reveal to your heart the truth in the Bible about...the subject of Tithing.

Law and Grace (audio) by Hubert Lindsey...a must for all students of the Bible

Making the distinction between Law and Grace is a forgotten doctrine in the Modern Church World. If Law and Grace was understood more today in the Church World there would be less confusion about understanding the differences between the Old Covenant of Law and the New Covenant of Grace we now live under. Law and Grace brings a more clear understanding to the Word of God and how it applies to the Church the body of Christ, in this present Grace Age. Seeing and understanding the distinction between Law and Grace teaches people how to rightly divide the Holy Scriptures. Law and Grace teaches anyone how to see the difference between Israel and the Church, and what Scriptures apply to each Covenant. Law and Grace brings truth that fortifies faith. Law and Grace will clairify confusion caused from spiritualizing or wrongly dividing God's Word. Take 49 minutes out of your life and review the following teaching on Law and Grace. It will revolutionize your thinking and your understanding of God's Word. This writer testifes to such as he was tangled in false teaching and false concepts early in his Salvation experience. May the following teaching on Law and Grace open the Scriptures to your heart and mind...and bless your personal walk with Christ.