Our stance on alcohol and strong drink

For those who long to have a holy heart made Holy by the Spirit of holiness...The Bible speaks of "new wine" and "old wine". New wine implying "grape juice before fermentation . Old wine implying natural grape juice that went through the fermentation process. Jesus drank "fruit of the vine" or "grape juice"as stated in the Passover, Mat. 26:29. Fruit of the vine is natural grape juice straight from the natural grape.

New wine is not strong drink nor does new wine have alcohol content. It's simply grape juice. Old wine or fermented wine does have alcohol content and is Biblically considered strong drink. Intoxication caused from alcohol content is where the problem with God lies. Alcohol alters the the mind and thinking. Alcohol causes the mental process to no longer be sober, clear, and/or focused on God.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Every drinker of alcohol and strong drink (whether in moderation or quite often) on planet Earth starts with the "first drink". No consciousness of where or what the first drink will lead into. Alcohol deceives men whether in small or large amounts. Alcohol darkens the way men think about God.

Billy Sunday once stated, "Alcohol has its place. That place is Hell".

To further your Bible studies please review our archive

In honor of Hubert T. Lindsey (on this Blog) God has allowed us through the years to accumulate and archive priceless Biblical information for students of the Bible. The origin of this Blog was Brother Lindsey's ministry.

Google has allowed us to put Biblical subject matter into labels on the sidebar of the Blog which permits you to advance personal studies. A system on the Intenet has been developed to help people to learn the Bible in its proper context. The Churches on Trial is glad to help people from every walk of life around the globe to use our library as a learning tool for God.

Thank you for growing with us for the cause of Christ. May the name of Jesus and the reality of His power and presence be a way of life for you. Christianity is a clean heart and holy life. This message is the center of our Blog for Jesus. We have many audio messages archived on almost every subject in the Bible. If a Biblical subject is needed that is not archived on our home page please contact Rick Roehm at let me know about it. Learning the Bible is necessary to a great faith in Christ.

Hubert Lindsey's holiness messages are timeless and magnify Christ to the highest degree. Feel free to use this site for the glory of Christ and share it with others around the globe.

God Bless you all and thanks for stopping by in the name of Jesus.

With love,

What the Gospel really is…

The Gospel is what the Old Testament Scriptures and Prophets said about Christ…1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Gospel reveals the person, power, and presence of Christ…Romans 16:25,26

The Gospel is the power of God that generates Salvation in the human soul…Romans 1:16

Jesus opened the Scriptures and preached the first Gospel sermon to His disciples…Luke 24:44-49

Jesus commanded the Gospel to be preached in all nations upon the Earth…Mark 16:15, 16, Mat. 28:19-21

The Gospel is what birthed the Church, the body of Christ…Acts 20:28

The Gospel is what brings forgiveness of sins to the human soul…Acts 13:38, Eph. 1:7

The Gospel is the instrument God uses to bring Saving Grace into the human soul…Titus 2:11-14

The Gospel is what brings the Holy Spirit into the human soul…Eph. 1:13

They shall look upon me whom they have pierced…

Zechariah prophetically wrote these words…Zechariah 12:10. God prohetically spoke through His prophets who were inspired by the Holy Ghost. “They” speaks of the nation of Israel as a whole. Isreal is not to be spiritualized or taken out of Biblical context when examining this scripture.

Israel is the nation who rejected the Messiah when He came the first time. Israel is the nation who rejects the Gospel Message of this present Church Age (since Christ’s death until now). Israel is the nation who will miss the Rapture of the Church. Israel is the nation who will be opposed by the Gentile World (the Beast) during the seven year Tribulation. Israel is the nation who will face the battle Armegeddon. Israel is the nation who will look upon the Messiah (whom they pierced) when He returns the second time.

At the second coming of Israel’s promised Messiah, Jesus will step down physically upon the Mount of Olives. All nations of the Earth will be gathered together in unison…against Israel at that time…as the battle of Armageddon will be on the brink of occurring. Zechariah’s prophecy speaks of the end of the Great Tribulation when all nations of the Earth turn against Israel and gather together to destroy God’s elect, Israel. On that very day Christ “steps down” from Heaven and all the Raptured saints will be with Him. A physical appearing will take place. At that time Divine Judgment will take place upon humanity on earth and upon the nation of Israel as a whole. Two thirds of the nation of Israel will be cut off and die. The other third will come through the fire by saying, “The Lord is my God”. Zechariah 13:1-9

Israel will look upon Christ whom they pierced. Through realization and acceptance of Christ, Israel will driven to great mourning in that great and terrible day. Christ will return in flaming fire and take vengeance upon those who obey not the Gospel. (2 Thess. 1:7-10) Christ will sanctify humanity and the earth with fire. Christ will establish His earthly Throne in Jerusalem (like David’s Throne in Zion). Faithful Israel will admire the glory of their promised Messiah in who their forefathers turned over to Rome to be crucified and put to death. In great mourning and sorrow at the beginning of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth…Israel as a whole nation will look upon Christ in whom they pierced.

On that very day every Jew on planet Earth who “accepts” Christ as the Messiah will enter the Kingdom on Earth (a visible and tangible Kingdom). The 1000 year reign of our Lord will begin on that day in Jerusalem. Christ will be admired by every Jew on planet Earth. They will look upon Him as their God. They will look upon Him as their Messiah. They will look upon Him whom they pierced…

Zechariah 12:10…And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son

Israel’s eyes on Christ is the context of the prophecy. The future hope of Israel lies within this Messianic prophecy made by Zechariah. In this manner of study the Bible is rightly divided and the student learns the word promised to Israel in its proper context. Knowledge will build your faith. Please study Zechariah chapters 12, 13, and 14 for the full context of this text. To Christ be the glory!

Great miracles by Christ

The miracle of getting "taken out of sin" and getting "put into" Christ can be compared to the miracle of God taking the children of Israel out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and putting them into the Wilderness. It was called the "Exodus". In the Exodus deliverance by the hand of God took place. God delivered the nation of Israel (perhaps a million people) from Pharaoh. The Egyptian armies were destroyed by the judgment of an angry God.

Exodus 12:37-38...And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

In those days of deliverance the mighty hand of God dealt with the children of Israel as a whole nation. In this day of deliverance God deals with the entire human family Jew and Gentile alike. Deliverance today is a miracle of getting "put into Christ" and "being taken out of the bondage of sin". The miracle today is the blessing of the Gospel which offers deliverance to sinful men and actually pertains to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that was foretold by the Prophets.

This Gospel I speak of delivers the sinner from the bondage of sin. This Gospel I speak of shows a sinner what he actually is in light of Christ. This Gospel I speak of is power from above. The same power that delivered Israel on a greater scale.  Miracle working power just like in the days of the Exodus when God parted the waters of the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh's army. When a sinner today finds personal forgiveness in Christ, God takes this individual out of sin and puts this person to His Spiritual body...called the Church.By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body...

The church today is on much bigger and a much greater scale than God's deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. I speak of an omnipresent Christ who rules the entire Earth from His Throne in Heaven. Who sent His Holy Spirit in His name to testify to the hearts of sinful men that Christ is a better way and a better life for humanity. Forgiveness is found on a personal level. Deliverance from sin is found on a personal level. The heart is made clean and holy by the miracle operation of the mighty hand of God on a personal level. The same hand that took 1,000,000 Israelites from Egypt and delivered them into the wilderness, which led to the land of Canaan. Is the same hand I speak of today. Christ Jesus! God's Son!

Christ is bigger today as His Grace flows from Calvary by the Spirit of holiness. His miracles are great today as He rules from the right hand of God the Father. Sin is no match for the power of  the Gospel that brings Salvation to the human soul. Oh...how the power of this Gospel can cleanse the heart of man from sin and morally change the make-up of a sinner into a child of God. The miracle of the Exodus is only a fragment of the great miracle of Salvation that comes from Christ today. It's called the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation.

Glory! We have a greater blessing under Grace today because of Christ who built His Church...of which we are members of today by His Spirit. By the Gospel we preach Christ "adds to" this great body by deliverance from sin and the blessing of His Grace that changes man morally. Oh how great the magnitude of Christ, who is the builder of the Church that allows people from every kindred, tongue, and nation to partake of His Divine blessing...by simple belief and trust in Christ.

The Gospel reveals the importance of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures. The Gospel reveals the Grace of God which so much greater than the Law given to Israel only. Today by Grace we have a city in Heaven. A city where Christ is seated now with all power and authority.

May we see the magnitude of Christ the deliverer, and Savior of the world on a greater level that Israel's Exodus from the bondage of Pharaoh. Glory! Christ on a much greater scale for people...like you and I. Around the globe who need forgiveness from sin and Salvation of the human soul. May the Gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection be the center of our hearts and lives. May the Gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection be revealed with great effect and magnitude around the globe. The Gospel is the power of Salvation greater than anything man can do or work for. The Gospel is the power of God "given freely" to anyone who trusts in the death of a Savior to find mercy and forgiveness.

Will you believe and trust in Christ today? I love you all and appreciate you for sharing Christ. God Bless and keep going to the fountain to drink. The fountain is Christ who performs greater miracles today.

Jesus at the age of 30 – Anointed with the Holy Spirit – Inaugurated into the Priesthood

Many things happened during John’s baptism - all have great merit. For instance; Jesus was baptized by John when He turned 30 years old, Luke 3:23. Reason? Mosaic Law required all ministers in the Temple to be thirty years of age according to Numbers 4:30.

In comparison to the order of Melchizedek, Hebrews 7…Neither Christ nor Melchizedek had natural bloodline or prior human descent. Both men were Eternally existent and descended to humanity according to the will of God.

As a man Jesus was brought into humanity by the Spirit of God and taken from among men to become a minister for the people. All High Priests are taken from among men and ordained for men pertaining to the things of God, Hebrews 5:1.

The Bible teaches Melchizedek was also Eternal and descended to humanity to become a High Priest for the needs of man.  Melchizedek existed before Abraham and the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus who was first Eternal descended into humanity. Jesus when compared to Melchizedek thus became a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Hebrews 5:1, Psalm 110:4. Christ did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, nor was he elected by man. The Priesthood of Christ after the order of Melchizedek was ordained by an oath from God, Hebrew 8:21.

The Priesthood of Melchizedek was God ordained and later would birth the Levitical Priesthood. The Levitical Priesthood was the order of things that kept Israel holy and thus birthed the Promised Messiah. John’s baptism under Levitical order was simply Christ’s inauguration into the Earthly Priesthood according to the Law of Moses. Christ’s heavenly Priesthood (who suffered once for the sins of humanity) was according to Grace which came after the Law of Moses and after the Levitical Priesthood had ended. John the Baptist was the last Levite Priest recorded in the Bible.

Christ was baptized of John to be made known unto Israel as “the anointed one” or the “Messiah” spoken of by the Prophets, John 1:31. The Greek word Christ translated from Hebrew text means “anointed one”. John’s baptism of Christ at the age of 30 years old, made Christ eligible to minister the truth about God’s Promised Kingdom in the Jewish Temple.

When Christ’s ministry began He ministered in the public, in the Temple, and in Jewish synagogues. John’s baptism allowed the Holy Spirit to anoint Christ and begin His public ministry at 30 years of age. John’s baptism of Christ became the inauguration of Christ’s Earthly Priesthood. All High Priests are called from men and anointed for God’s Divine Purpose.

Anointing signifies God’s ownership and consecrates men and Priests as vessels of honor and servant-hood to God. Christ became a High Priest after being ”anointed by God’s Holy Spirit” according to Scripture. Acts 10:37-38 tells us that God anointed Christ with the Holy Ghost and with power. When that event took place at John’s Baptism of Christ the Holy Ghost descended on Christ like a dove, Matthew 3:16.

All Righteousness was fulfilled as Christ was obedient to the Law of Moses and thus baptized by John the Baptist at the age of 30. After John baptized Christ, Christ’s public ministry began. In Luke 4:17-20 Christ declared how the Holy Spirit anointed Him to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. This anointing Christ spoke of was a fulfillment of Prophecy first given in Isaiah 61:1 and thus fulfilled by Christ in person , Luke 4:17-20. Psalm 2:2 teaches us that Christ was “God’s Anointed”. Many people today (including Jews) fail to realize this great truth about Christ’s anointing from God’s Holy Spirit, and His inauguration into the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.

In Matthew 3:15…Christ stated, ”Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness”. John’s Baptism allowed Christ who was without sin to obey the Law of God according to the letter, Numbers 4:30. Righteousness was fulfilled when Christ kept the Law and obeyed John’s Baptism. God’s ministry of presenting the promised King and Kingdom to Israel had begun. John the Baptist had prepared the way before Christ and came to Christ according to God’s timing. Backslidden Israel was thus able to receive John’s Baptism which made them eligible repent from a backslidden state of not keeping the Torah, receive remission for their sins, and worship Christ as the Promised Messiah and King of the Earth. John and His baptism prepared the way for the Messiah, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1-3. The Messiah, the Christ, and the Anointed One were the central objects of this ministry. Christ admitted to the Elders that He was the Christ, the Son of the most blessed, Mark 14:61-62. God (the Father) audibly spoke from Heaven and declared that Christ was His Son saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”. God audibly made this declaration from Heaven twice in the four Gospels: Once at the beginning of Christ’s Earthly ministry at John’s Baptism; and once at the end of Christ’s Earthly ministry on the Mount of Transfiguration when Christ told the disciples He must suffer and die. Christ’s Kingdom ministry and first commission to the lost sheep of Israel lasted only 3 years. Christ died at 33 years of age.

At the end of three years…Christ’s ministry of the Kingdom Message presented to Israel ceased. In Matthew 16:21 Christ began telling how He must suffer, be killed of the Elders, and thus go to the cross to die and raise from the grave on the third day. The Priesthood of Christ would no longer be an Earthly Priesthood after the death of Christ. The heavenly Priesthood would begin in body resurrection and Christ’s ascension and exaltation to Heaven. Christ would become a Heavenly High Priest where He resides today in the Holy of Holies in Heaven, Hebrews 9: 11, 24. John’s baptism was only an inauguration for Christ to enter the Priesthood. John’s Baptism allowed Christ to be anointed by the Spirit of God as prophesied in Old Testament records. John witnessed and stated that the Holy Ghost descended on Christ like a dove, John 1:33. This anointing from the Holy Ghost allowed Christ to become a baptizer or purifier according to God’s Will, John 1:33. This anointing from the Holy Spirit enabled Christ to be introduced into the Priesthood . This anointing upon Christ (who was actually from birth filled with the Spirit without measure and led of the Spirit into a temptation by the Devil) allowed Christ to operate as an Earthly High Priest like Melchizedek; to become a Prophet according to Duet. 18:18; and to be an Apostle or one sent by God, Hebrews 3:1. Christ operated in all these earthly offices between the ages of 30 and 33…until His Earthly ministry ceased and His Heavenly Priesthood began. In His Heavenly Priesthood today…Christ is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost as John said Christ would be, Matthew 3:11,12.

Much happened according to the Law of Moses when Jesus became 30 years old. It all began with John’s Baptism of Christ at the age of 30. Truth about the Inauguration of Christ into the priesthood was confirmed. Prophecies were fulfilled. The Anointed One promised by the Prophets had come in the flesh to Israel. The Messiah and His inauguration into the Priesthood took place! Jesus the Christ, and Son of the most high God was anointed by God’s Holy Spirit! Many witnessed such event! Glory! As King, Christ offered His Kingdom to Israel and was thus rejected! As Savior Christ suffered, died and rose from the grave. As High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Christ is alive today in the heavenlies appearing in the presence God for “us”, Hebrews 9:11-28.

Can a person know every sin is forgiven?

Yes. Forgiveness is found and experienced.

How does one find personal forgiveness? By trusting the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

Trusting Christ brings forgiveness from all past sins. Forgiveness from God gives man a clean conscience. Forgiveness from God gives man a pardon from all past sinful conduct. Forgiveness from God is known and realized by the believer.

Forgiveness is an act of God’s Mercy given to a believer in Christ. Forgiveness is not granted to you just because you asked. Forgiveness is granted to you because you trusted what Christ did for you personally. God forgives and Saves people when they trust what a Savior did on the cross at Calvary.

A saved man “knows” every sin is forgiven in God’s Mercy. A forgiven man is a man blessed man because the burden and weight of sin is lifted from the soul. The sense of Eternal condemnation is removed from the conscience and overtaken by peace, joy, and righteousness. The conscience is freed from guilt caused from the past life of sin. Forgiveness is the beginning of a new life and holy life found in Christ. Forgiveness is the channel for God’s Holy Spirit to come in and replace sinful living. The slate is wiped clean. A pardon has been granted. You know where you stand. Forgiven in the eyes of God.

Through Christ is preached the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness from the person of Christ is preached and ministered to the lost world. God through the power of the Gospel message has a way of calling men sinful men to forgiveness and pardon. The Gospel is so powerful that is can lead sinful men to repentance. It can take sinful men to the turning point of brokenness. The Gospel is so powerful that it can show sinful men the way out of misery and destruction. The Gospel reveals Christ in power and Glory.

The way out of sin and guilt is to experience personal forgiveness from Christ. The way out of sin and guilt is to know that Christ took away and forgave me for every sin I ever committed in the past. Christ gave me a chance to live right and to do right! I’m forgiven! I’m saved! Now the power of Salvation is given to me to prove it!

Forgiveness changes your attitude about sin. Forgiveness constantly shows me what I used to be. Forgiveness shows me what I am today in light of a Savior. I’m not a sinner anymore. I’m forgiven. I’m a child of the most high God. I’ve been born again! God didn’t forgive me because I’m me. God forgave me because of His Son who suffered, and bled, and died for me personally. Thank You Jesus!

Forgiveness is not blanket coverage for Salvation. Forgiveness is not an excuse to continue in sin. Forgiveness is something I received from God because I accepted and trusted what Christ did for me personally. What Christ did for me personally allows me to have God’s Mercy and pardon today. Forgiveness isn’t automatic coverage if I commit another sin in the future. Forgiveness is God’s way of showing me the right way not the wrong way. Forgiveness should never be taken for granted or as an excuse to sin. Forgiveness should never be taken lightly. God gives a forgiven man a clean heart and power to do right.

You can deviate from God-given forgiveness. Then you are unforgiven. The state of unforgiveness means you are in sin with need of forgiveness. An unforgiven man is without mercy and future hope. The Bible says, “That in Christ we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins”. Without forgiveness from sin there is no redemption.

Often people get into the repetitive and dangerous mode of sinning and then asking for forgiveness, over, and over, and over. This worldly way of thinking deducts from the actual meaning of what forgiveness found in Christ really is. Forgiveness found in Christ is known and experienced through belief and trusting in Christ for redemption. Not just asking. In forgiveness from sin a realization of right-standing with God is made known to the soul. Not because you asked to be forgiven but because you trusted Christ for personal forgiveness. Big difference. Asking for forgiveness is because of “you”. Trusting Christ for personal forgiveness is because of “God”. Forgiveness from God comes to humanity because of Christ…because of a Savior…because of God’s love for fallen man.

Forgiveness is granted to a believer in Christ as a result of God’s Mercy. When God’s mercy touches the heart of man a realization of the truth is found. Only the death of Savior can offer the blessing of forgiveness from sin to the human soul. There is no other way to find forgiveness. There is no other religion in the world that can make forgiveness known in the heart of man. Only through the person of Christ can forgiveness be found, experienced, and made known within the human soul.

Colossians 1:13-14…Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:38-39…Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Note: God has blessed this preacher/writer for over 25 years in the name of Jesus. It gives me joy to share and publicize these words for the cause of Christ. I preach the same messages I write; and, I write the same messages I preach. God Bless you all. With love…