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patrick jane

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patrick jane last won the day on March 31 2018

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  1. Israel’s Future Salvation By Justin Johnson Today Israel is not enjoying their covenanted political status over the Gentiles and has fallen from their spiritual status before God. This has led some to think that they will not be reestablished in their former position. During Paul’s ministry the Romans knew that Israel was promised a kingdom where they would reign over the Gentiles. Christ had come, but Israel’s salvation had not. They began to doubt whether the promises to Israel would have any real effect. This is far from the truth! Paul dispels this idea in chapters 9, 10, and 11 of Romans beginning with, “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.” – Romans 9:6 Perhaps they reasoned as Covenant theologians today that God had replaced Israel with the Gentile church and that the ‘eternal’ covenants made with Israel were indeed only temporary. Also like Covenant theologians today these Romans needed a better understanding of the mystery information given to Paul. Some Romans may have thought that God had cast away Israel, his people, forever. – Romans 11:1 Contrarily Paul teaches that their blindness is only temporary and will only last “until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” – Romans 11:25 Just as natural branches will be graffed back into their own tree so “all Israel shall be saved: as it is written.” – Romans 11:26 Though Gentile salvation in this dispensation is a glorious manifestation of the grace of God, the fullness of times will be greater still.
  2. The Gospel Missing in John By Justin Johnson The purpose verse for the book of John is John 20:31. John did not write his book as an historical narrative of every word or deed of Jesus. He confesses that there are many things that Jesus did that he did not write (John 20:31). He left them out because John is not an historical narrative, it is written to prove that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This was John’s gospel. John’s gospel was the gospel of the name of Jesus. This was also the gospel preached in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The gospel missing in John is the gospel given to the Church today for eternal life. The Gospel of Jesus’ Name Before entering the promised kingdom it was important for covenant Israel to correctly identify their Messiah and follow him. The good news to Israel in Matthew-John was that the Messiah had come and was identified by the greatest of the prophets as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had been sent from God to minister to God’s chosen people: Israel (John 1:11). Whosoever believed in the authority (name) of Jesus, as sent from God to be King of Israel, and followed him into the kingdom would find life (John 5:24). Whosoever denied the name (authority) of Jesus as the Messiah would not find life, even if they claimed to be a part of covenant Israel. The Messiah king of Israel would be given power to grant life and take it away (John 5:21). What’s His Name? This gospel of the kingdom and the name of Jesus can be found also in the three narratives of the Lord’s ministry. At the turning point in Jesus’ earthly ministry, he asks a question evaluating how successful their preaching of the gospel of his name had been. Their ministry would have been a success if the overwhelming response of Israel was, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Instead, only his few disciples believed this. The Rejected Messiah Eventually Israel rejected their Messiah, and crucified him instead of welcoming him as King. A dead king, a dead Messiah, was no Messiah at all. Yet, the authority of Jesus was not yet finished. As he was indeed the Son of God, and death had no power over him, he resurrected and commissioned the apostles to continue preaching the kingdom and the king, the gospel of his name. The Messiah of Israel left and ascended to heaven, and would return in the future to judge and make war in establishing his kingdom (Acts 3:21). But the apostles continued to preach the gospel of the name. Jesus was truly the Messiah of Israel, and his resurrection proved it. The Missing Gospel Jesus is the Christ, and he is the Son of God. He is the promised Messiah to Israel, and yet he has not yet returned to setup his kingdom as Peter preached at Pentecost. Instead, the kingdom ministry of the twelve apostles was interrupted by an unknown return of the Lord to give to Paul a dispensation of the gospel (1 Cor 9:17). The Lord returned to his chief persecutor to further reveal another gospel for salvation sent to all men. The gospel of his name has been superseded by the gospel of the grace of God. This greater gospel includes the good news of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection for salvation, which Paul calls the preaching of the cross (1 Cor 1:18). How could the cross be good news? The answer is in the revelation of the mystery of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 2:7-8, Rom 16:25). The mystery of Christ is that he is not only the Messiah to Israel, but is the Saviour to all, Jew and Gentile, without Israel’s kingdom, Israel’s law, and without Israel’s faith (Rom 11:32). While Israel would be saved by Jesus name as the promised kingdom Messiah, the world can now receive the gift of eternal life by what Jesus did on our behalf on the cross. Through his death on the cross sins could be forgiven, death could be destroyed, and eternal life freely given to Gentiles who were never given a promise from God (Eph 3:6). Conclusion The gospel of his name found in John 20:31 was the theme of the Lord’s earthly ministry to Israel in the book of John. Not one verse in John mentions the mystery gospel of the glory of the cross (Gal 6:14). There is a difference between the gospel of his name, and the gospel of his finished work on the cross. John’s gospel of his name does not include the good news of his death, burial, and resurrection as found in the mystery of Christ later given to Paul. For this more glorious gospel we must continue reading in our Bible to Paul’s ministry (starting with his epistle to the Romans), where the Lord returned to reveal the manifold wisdom of God (Eph 3:9-10). While John 20:31 will always be a true testimony of who Jesus is, it will always be missing the gospel that saves today which concerns what Jesus did for us. Related Posts: - John’s Gospel: Proof Jesus was God - What About John 3:16 - The First to Preach the Gospel - A Gospel Without the Cross - Handling Gospel Transition - The Gospel According to Paul
  3. A Look at History With and Without Israel http://graceambassadors.com/midacts/a-look-at-history-with-and-without-israel By Justin Johnson History is dated around the incarnation of Christ. There is history before Christ (B.C), and the present time with Christ (A.D.). There is another way to look at history: when God worked through Israel. Most of Bible history concerns that one nation God ordained with a promise to Israel’s forefathers: “I will make of thee a great nation” and “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen 12:3; Gen 22:18). This Hebrew nation was to be God’s channel of blessing to the nations of the world. Israel was not to be reckoned among the nations (Num 23:9). Any nation that was not Israel was known as Gentile. God has not dealt with any nation as he did with Israel (Num 23:9; Psa 147:20). When God works through Israel, there must also be Gentiles: nations that would receive blessing (or curse) through God’s working with Israel. A Look at History From Adam to Abraham God did not work through any single nation. There was no promise, no Israel; no Jew, no Gentile. With the giving of promises to Abraham, their covenants, and law, there was the Israel of God; a separation of Jew and Gentile. We see in history a period with Christ, and a period without Christ. We can also see a period with Israel (Jew and Gentile) and a period without Israel (neither Jew nor Gentile). When seen together we can start to see God’s purpose in history. In the beginning there was a period without Jew or Gentile and without Christ. This resulted in man’s failure. In time past there was a second period with Israel (Jew and Gentile) but without Christ. This resulted in Israel’s failure. Since Christ, there is a period with Israel (Jew and Gentile) and with Christ. This will result in the salvation of Israel and the blessing of the nations. Fourthly, there is a period without Israel (no Jew nor Gentile) and with Christ. This results in the salvation of a creature not mentioned in Israel’s history called the church, the Body of Christ (Rom 11:32; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Eph 2:15). God Working in History With Israel God is operating with nations, and intervening on earth according to his covenants with Israel. Without Israel God is not operating with nations, and does not intervene on earth according to his covenants with Israel. Without Christ man fails at attaining any sort of righteousness before God (Rom 3:23). With Christ God succeeds at providing salvation by his grace through faith. Few Christians are ignorant that we are now living in the time of history with Christ, but few understand that we are living in a period without Israel, spiritual or otherwise (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 3:28; Gal 6:15). – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – For a lesson describing this change in the Bible see our chart lesson here. Related posts: -Without Israel, Without Covenants, Without the Law -Did Gentiles In the Old Testament Get Salvation? -Not Every Gentile is in the Church -What Is God’s Prophetic Purpose For Israel? -Does Romans 2:28-29 Teach A Spiritual Israel? -The Kingdom of Priests -No More Strangers and Foreigners
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  5. No More Strangers and Foreigners By Justin Johnson Ephesians 2:12 says Gentiles were “aliens” and “strangers” from Israel and the covenants of promise. Seven verses later Gentiles are “no more strangers and foreigners”. Something happened in those seven verses that granted uncircumcised Gentiles benefits they did not have before. What happened? What are the benefits? The answers are in the context. If we ignore the verses between Eph 2:12 and Eph 2:19, we could easily jump to the wrong conclusion that the church is Israel now and the true recipients of Israel’s covenants of promise. In Time Past Between Eph 2:12 and Eph 2:19 there is a dispensational change. That is to say Paul explains a change in God’s revelation concerning how he relates to us and we to him. In Ephesians 2:12 Paul is explaining the way God related to the world in “time past” as seen in the previous verse. In time past God purposed to work through Israel to bless the nations. Israel was the channel of blessing from God to the world. No one had closer access to God than did a Jew. Jews were separated from Gentiles by their God given covenants, circumcision, and laws. In time past, Gentiles had no access to God or his blessings except through Israel and their covenants. Gentiles had no hope without Israel, the created nation of priests. But now, it is different. A Dispensational Change In a single verse Paul leaps a dispensational boundary from how God operated in time past, to describing how God operates now. Now, Gentiles have the privilege of being “in Christ Jesus” by the blood of Christ offered to all, both those that were far off in time past, and those that were nigh in time past (Eph 2:17). No longer do Gentiles need to go to Israel or be partakers of their covenants of promise to receive hope and blessings from God. Eph 2:13 describes their privilege of gaining access to God and his blessings by means of the blood of Christ. Instead of requiring Israel to offer sacrifices to make peace with God, Gentiles could now glory that Christ Jesus is our peace (Eph 2:14). The same Christ according to the mystery has broken down what separated the Jew and Gentile in time past, and which, at that time, gave Israel special access to God and salvation. Now, all have free access to God through Jesus Christ by the preaching of the cross. A New Creature Paul continues to explain the change in Eph 2:15-16. Whereas in time past there were two peoples (Jew and Gentiles), there is now only one man. Moreover, the one man is a new man, being neither Jew nor Gentile. Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God equally in one body by the cross (Eph 2:16). In time past, the house of God was the house of Israel. But now, the house of God is a body of believers in Christ. Gentiles do not need to go through Israel to be reconciled. They now have access in the “one body” of Christ. Gentiles do not need to partake in Israel’s covenants of promise to have peace with God. They can now be saved freely by the cross (Eph 2:8-9). Access Through Christ Eph 2:18 explains the benefit and privilege that is now accessible to Gentiles. In time past it would’ve been a privilege to be part of Israel, and heir to Israel’s covenants, because it would grant exclusive access to God and his blessings. But now, access to the Father is offered freely to all men through Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. Men no longer need to be citizens of Israel to have access to God. We need to be members of the one body of Christ, the new creature. Neither do men need to be heirs of Israel’s covenants to receive blessings from God. We need to be part of God’s promise in Christ to offer salvation freely to all men by his grace (Eph 3:6). No More Strangers In time past Gentiles were aliens from Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise given to Israel, making them far off from the only channel of access to God and his blessings. But now, a new channel of direct access to God is revealed for both Jew and Gentile which is through the Lord Jesus Christ according to the gospel of the grace of God. There is no more separation between Jew and Gentile. We are fellowcitizens with all saints (who are no longer called circumcision nor uncircumcision, but saints). Instead of becoming part of the house of Israel and Judah according to the old and new covenants, we are partakers of the household of God, which is the church (1 Tim 3:15). Instead of strangers we are all familiar to God, and instead of being foreign we can now receive the benefits of God’s grace as rightful heirs in Christ (Rom 5:2, Rom 8:17). If any be in Christ, he is no more strangers and foreigners. -Are We Under Any Covenants? -Did Gentiles In the Old Testament Get Salvation? -A Look at History With and Without Israel -Without Israel, Without Covenants, Without the Law -Differences Between the Old Covenant, New Covenant, and the Fellowship of the Mystery -Should We Bless Israel -Not Every Gentile is in the Church
  6. A Strange Teaching on the New Testament By Justin Johnson It was brought to my attention this week that the brethren at the Berean Bible Society have once again1 posted their firm convictions about the Body of Christ being under the New Covenant. Would not this vague ‘umbrella’ doctrine lower our heavenly position in Christ to that of an earthly covenant, and diminish the simplicity that is in Christ by blending Prophecy and Mystery? John Nelson Darby thought it would when he wrote his Synposis of the Bible over one hundred years ago: The mystery of Christ teaches that the position of the new creature, the Body of Christ, does not depend upon a promised covenant, but upon the very gospel of the grace of God first delivered to the apostle Paul to us (Col 1:20-28). And as others have said before, the gospel is not a covenant. Both of these dispensational forefathers knew that the gospel given to Paul that creates the Body of Christ was not the teaching of the New Covenant which was made with Israel. Since unashamed workmen separate prophecy from mystery we must separate the Body of Christ from Israel’s New Covenant. What is the New Covenant The New Covenant was part of God’s prophesied purpose to make a peculiar people on the earth to bless all nations (Gentiles) (Exo 19:5-6). The New Covenant would accomplish for Israel what the Old could not, that is, provide Israel the ability to serve God in righteousness on the earth. It provided for the forgiveness of Israel’s sins and the spiritual ability to walk in God’s statutes (Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:27). In short, it would provide salvation to Israel, and through them to the world. The New Covenant would allow Israel to fulfill its God given destiny to have dominion over all the earth as God’s peculiar people (Deut 14:2, 26:18). The fulfillment of the New Covenant is still future when Israel receives its kingdom (Acts 3:19-21; Heb 8:13; 1 Pet 1:13). How, then, can the Body of Christ be under it who were not recipients of its promises, and who are not on earth at the time of its fulfillment? None of these promises were given to Gentiles, and what a strange thing it would be to place the Body of Christ, which possesses a calling higher than anything prophesied to Israel, under an earthly covenant (Eph 2:6, 3:18). Partaking of Spiritual Things It is true that the Gentiles in Romans 15:27 were partakers of the spiritual things of the remnant of Israel. Yet, nothing in Paul’s epistles necessitates Gentiles be under any of Israel’s covenants of promise to receive these spiritual blessings. More likely the spiritual things referred to in Romans 15:27 are the ones mentioned in Romans 11:11. At one time, salvation was “of the Jews” (John 4:22), but now, Paul says, it is come to the Gentiles. What a reversal! How could salvation come to Gentiles without any covenants and without Israel’s salvation (New Covenant)? Only through the mystery of Christ, where Gentiles no longer go through Israel (or its covenants) to receive blessing, but access God freely through Christ by His grace. While it is true that the New Covenant promised salvation to Israel, it was not salvation through Paul’s mystery gospel. The salvation of Israel was tied up in covenants, promises, laws, and prophecy. Paul’s gospel of salvation was not a covenant. Gentiles did not need a covenant to receive by grace the few blessings listed in Jeremiah 31 or any of the numerous spiritual blessings bestowed uniquely upon the Body of Christ not promised to Israel. Not one Israelite in time past ever experienced all the spiritual blessings of the mystery of Christ since they were hid in God (Eph 3:8-10). The Blood of the New Testament Indeed, Paul emphasizes that every member of the Body of Christ is a partaker of the blood of Christ in a special communion, but not partakers of the New Covenant: Just as the gospel is not a covenant, the communion of the blood of Christ is not a covenant. That same blood of Christ shed for the New Testament is what is now preached by Paul as the means of redemption for all men without a covenant: The blood of Christ is what reconciled all things to God, not just the covenanted earthly things, but also heaven, which is the topic of the mystery of Christ: The ‘Umbrella’ of Christ Why would we need to be under the New Covenant umbrella when we have access to God directly through Christ by his grace and not through a promised covenant (Rom 5:2, Eph 2:18)? Indeed we share in common with Israel the need for the blood of Christ for salvation. Israel needs the blood for their promised New Covenant salvation, while the Body of Christ receives the benefits of his blood freely by grace apart from any covenant (1 Cor 2:7-12). We are “made nigh” not by a covenant, but by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13). As a result a new man is created that possesses “all spiritual blessings”, will inhabit heavenly places, and ministers the manifold wisdom of God (Eph 3:10-12). In light of the the numerous spiritual blessings given freely to the Body of Christ, it would seem there is not enough room under a New Covenant umbrella to hold all of the unsearchable riches of Christ. Rather than the umbrella being the New Covenant, the umbrella that contains us all is Christ, at once, both the head of the Body of Christ, and the mediator of a better testament for Israel. The preeminent Christ is the connection between the two programs of God, not a mere covenant given to Israel. The earthly purpose will be fulfilled by Christ through his promised covenant, and the heavenly purpose is accomplished by Christ in a mystery on the cross. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 1 Their article “What We Believe” has been sent out eight times in the past eight years in their Two Minutes With the Bible email. My response was first published in 2012. -Are We Under Any Covenants? -Without Israel, Without Covenants, Without the Law -The New Covenant Can Rob You -30 Reasons We do not Operate Under the New Testament -No More Strangers and Foreigners -Differences Between the Old Covenant, New Covenant, and the Fellowship of the Mystery -10 Reasons 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not About You
  7. By Faith and Through Faith By Justin Johnson Inevitably, discussing this verse involves a gauntlet of word games and definitions. Why is it by for the circumcision and through for the uncircumcision? Everyone knows there is a difference, but what exactly is it? Let’s give it a go. Under the law dispensation, righteousness came through obedience to Israel’s covenants. Yet, even Israel, who was instructed by God from the law, could not keep the law. Both Jew and Gentile were under sin. The law could not justify: Not even Israel could be justified by the law. It was through the requirements of the covenant that Jesus died as a propitiation for the “remission of sins that are past”, those sins committed under the law dispensation (Rom 3:25). All Men Justified By Faith Justification always requires faith. For the circumcision, justification was by faith. The covenant promised kingdoms and required works. Faith would obey God. Through obedience to the covenants Israel’s faith was made perfect. They were justified by faith and works through their covenants with God. Through Faith The law was an integral part of God’s prophetic purpose with Israel (Rom 3:1-2). The law required obedience. However, the circumcision was truly justified by faith when they failed to obey. Faith would offer a sacrifice through the covenant. The uncircumcision had been rejected by God already. They were strangers of the covenants (Eph 2:10). There was no pretense that they would be justified through a covenant. The sinners of the Gentiles could only hope to be justified through faith in the gospel of the grace of God. The uncircumcision was justified by faith, but being strangers of the covenants it was also through faith in the finished work of Christ (Rom 5:1, Eph 2:8). Faith Without the Law The law, which was the knowledge of sin, taught Israel that they needed faith in God (Rom 3:19-20). It was not until Paul that righteousness without the law was manifested and faith stood alone for justification. Today, it has been revealed that all are under sin. Justification comes by faith in God’s instructions, but also through faith alone in Christ’s finished work. No more works are needed, no covenant is needed, justification is offered today by faith and through faith without works. Israel’s faith did not void the law. Our faith is without the law. Related posts: -Abraham, Father of Us All -Does Romans 2:28-29 Teach A Spiritual Israel? -When Can Works Justify -Did Paul Preach A Different Gospel? -Your Circumcision is Not of the Heart -The Most Common Response to Grace -Is Faith Without Works Dead?
  8. Is Faith Without Works Dead? The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is undeniable that faith without substance is no faith at all, but merely a false hope. However, those who do not rightly divide the Scripture often are plagued with a misunderstanding of the separate faiths that have been offered throughout dispensations. It is a misconception to think that the substance of faith remains the same for every person and group in the Bible. The Just Shall Live by Faith Scripture records that the just in every age shall live by faith, and yet the substance or content of that faith changes as it is revealed. It is an unchangeable principle of God that the righteous, in any age, must live by faith, and operate according to the obedience of that faith (Acts 6:7, Romans 1:5). However, we must recognize the dispensational changes in the substance of that faith as it is revealed from God. Noah had faith in a flood and salvation by an ark. Moses had faith in God who would deliver them from Egypt, and salvation from enemy bondage. The Hope of Israel It is clearly stated in the opening verse of James, that he writes to the ‘twelve tribes’ and ‘my brethren’, who were Israelites, scattered by the persecution of unbelieving Israel. Writing to the twelve tribes, James writes concerning the faith and hope of Israel during the Pentecostal period. It is during this time that the gospel of the kingdom was preached by Peter who proclaimed the ‘last days’ before Christ’s return (Acts 2:16-17,3:19-21). Instead of having a hope based upon the preaching of the cross, Israel’s hope was in the salvation offered by the coming Holy One and promised kingdom (Luke 1:68-75). It was this information that Peter presented for acceptance by faith. Along with believing Jesus to be the Holy One, Peter called upon Israel to repent and perform the works necessary to exhibit their repentance according to what Jesus had taught. A Faith That Produces Works In order to enter the kingdom, Jesus taught that Israel must be righteous. In fact, they must be perfect ‘even as your Father in heaven is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48). If a believer was to have faith in the coming kingdom with Jesus as its Messiah, then they would of necessity be obliged to perform the works of the law as obedience to that faith. The substance of the faith was entering the coming kingdom with Jesus as Messiah. The obedience to that faith would naturally be performing works required to enter the kingdom, and be admitted into Jesus’ kingdom. When faith was obeyed by these Jewish believers, they would exhibit the works required by their faith. The substance of their faith was obedience to the law, even the new covenant, as Jesus, the Holy One, both taught and exemplified (Matthew 5:20, 8:4, 23:2-3). A Dead Faith If the substance of your faith was the coming kingdom, which required a righteous performance of works for admission, then you could evaluate a person’s faith by their obedience to perform works. The faith of these Jewish believers at Pentecost demanded the obedience of works. Otherwise, the substance of their faith was not alive – it was dead! Only someone who did not have faith of a coming kingdom, or did not want to enter the coming kingdom would deny necessary works. James reasons that a man reaches justification, which is the proof of salvation, through the necessary works. Another Hope, Another Faith The just will live by faith. Until the revelation of the mystery, the substance of faith always included God’s involvement with the nation Israel, its promised kingdom, and its associated covenants. It was not until Paul that salvation was offered by grace through faith alone apart from any special nation, kingdom requirements, or covenant stipulations (Romans 4:5, Eph 2:8-9, Romans 11:6, Eph 2:12). Paul offered a hope not based upon a promised earthly kingdom of peace and righteous rule, but a hope of salvation found within the preaching of the cross (Eph 2:7, Romans 5:2-4). The saving faith we are taught includes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our free justification (Romans 4:25). We are given free justification by grace apart from any meritorious work of our own (Romans 3:24). Contained in this further revelation which was not revealed to Peter, James, or John prior to Paul was that our faith is not in a covenantal law, which required performance, but in the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. The Obedience of Faith The substance of our faith is the atoning work of Christ on the cross in our place (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:21-26). Unique to this dispensation of emphatic grace, the obedience to this faith requires no works at all! Instead of evaluating our faith based upon performance, our faith is evaluated based on Christ’s performance in our place, which was sufficient for every man! Praise God! It was when we were weak, and given up by God as enemies, Christ died for us: Dead Faith in the Dispensation of Grace Citing James 2:14-26, teachers seek to justify a performance-based evaluation of ‘true’ faith today in the dispensation of grace. Yet, unknowingly, they rob people of the benefits the righteousness of God which only comes freely by faith in Christ (Romans 3:22-24,5:2). In order for a faith to be dead in this dispensation, the substance of their faith must be inactive. That is, if our faith is in Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, then a dead faith would be like preaching a dead Jesus who could not perform that which he promised (Romans 4:19-21). Contrariwise, any person who has faith in the cross of Christ has the full assurance of salvation because God is able to perform that which we could not – a proper atonement of our sins. Our faith can only be annulled or dead if the work of Christ was annulled or insufficient. Impossible! Do not be robbed of the glorious grace of God by a lack of rightly dividing the Scriptures. It is the precious truth of the efficacious atoning blood of Jesus that is the focus and climax of the gospel! Whereas James taught a faith that required works in order to be ‘perfect’, we are given a perfect position by our faith in Christ alone! Amen and Amen. (2 Cor 5:21, Phil 3:12) Related posts: -By Faith and Through Faith -When Can Works Justify -Works Never Saved Anyone -Did Paul Preach A Different Gospel? -Blind Faith Is Worthless -“Repent and Do Works” -Abraham, Father of Us All
  9. Pursuing Marriage in Christ By Justin Johnson God intended marriage to be good. Too many marriages end up in tragedy. When seeking marriage, how do you make sure your relationship starts on the right foot? When trying to win someone’s heart, it is natural to exert maximum effort to put your best foot forward. This ends up being the wrong foot. To become the object of another’s affections, you conform to what they desire, which may be different than what you truly are. If they saw how you really were, you fear, they might become disinterested and the hope of love destroyed. This is why one of the most common problems in marriage relationships is expecting your spouse to be something they are not. When hearts have been won and marriage occurs, both put less effort on their best foot and the other shoe drops. To keep the shoe from dropping some marriages trudge along attempting to maintain maximum effort to be someone they are not. This rarely ends well. Therefore, the usual marriage advice is to find someone who loves you for who you really are. This way there are no false expectations and less effort is required. This can be called putting your worst foot forward. Leading with your worst foot is not good either. The problem with this advice is that the Bible tells us that we are all sinners, and no one wants a sinner for a spouse. This is true no matter how much they claim to love you just as you are. God already knows the worst about us. God has already commended his love toward us. God loves his Son, and wants us to be conformed to His image. Moreover, God provides the grace and power for this to occur through faith. Sinners can become saints in Christ by grace through faith. The good news for marriage is that it was never intended to be only for perfect people (or perfect matches). There is no such thing. Neither is it merely where two sinners maintain close proximity without harming each other. Marriage is for two people to learn to love how God loves. Loving first, sacrificially, completely, by grace, in Christ, and in the face of a sinner. You don’t have to be someone you are not for marriage to work. Nor are you resigned to be the sinner that you were. You must only be who you are in Christ. This is why the only condition given to Christians on whom they marry is “in the Lord” (1 Cor 7:39). This way there are no false expectations: sin will be present; but there is also hope: you know the love of Christ. You are the hands and feet of Christ. Put that foot forward, and marriage success will be only as distant as you in Christ. -Grace and Marriage -Loving God to Death -How to Preach the Love of God in Christ -Showing Grace Toward Others -Give More Than Love -Jesus Loves Me -The Grace Reason to Do Good
  10. Abel’s Blood, Christ’s Blood By Justin Johnson Abel was a prophet killed by his religious brother. Abel’s brother, Cain, was a religious man who thought man should be accepted by birthright, works, and good intentions. God calls the works of self-righteous men evil (1 John 3:12). Self-righteousness cannot stand God’s righteousness. Cain ignored God’s appeals and killed Abel. Abel’s blood spoke from the ground (Gen 4:10, Heb 11:4). Abel’s blood cried for justice and retribution, judgment and vengeance, and cried “how long?” It was nearly 1600 years before God executed judgment upon that wicked world in a flood. Abel’s blood was a testimony to the wickedness of Cain and all those who followed his way. Blood on Their Hands The way of Cain persisted in evil religious men. It was identified in the Pharisees and scribes who killed the Lord as Cain killed Abel (Luke 11:50-51). The Lord said the blood of Abel would be required of those wicked men since they chose the way of Cain. Abel’s blood was again testifying of the wickedness of these religious men. But for those who had ears to hear the blood of Christ spoke of better things according to Israel’s covenants (Matt 26:28; Heb 12:24). Namely, his blood spoke of a better covenant and the sending of the Holy Ghost according to the covenant (Heb 9:17-18; Heb 10:15-16). For all this, Israel still followed the way of Cain and resisted the Holy Ghost and resorted to murdering Stephen rather than repent of their ungodliness. The blood of prophets since Abel has cried out against injustice and for judgment, “how long?” How could a righteous God withhold judgment against such ungodliness any longer? How could God show mercy to sinners, and grace to the depraved? It was not for the prophets to know these times of hidden things (Acts 1:7). Power in the Blood Christ first revealed these mysteries to a man who had the blood of Abel, Christ, and Stephen on his hands (Acts 8:1). Though he resisted the power of the Holy Ghost, the Lord Jesus Christ sent Paul to preach the power of the shed blood of Christ as the gospel of salvation (1 Cor 1:17-18; Eph 2:13). He gave to Paul a special dispensation whereby all who trust the shed blood of Jesus Christ can be saved by grace without the works (1 Cor 9:17; Eph 2-3). God has withheld judgment for nearly two thousand years while he offers salvation freely through faith in his blood (Rom3:25). The blood shed at the hands of men following the way of Cain, is now presented as the means for saving the same wicked world from sin. What grace! Abel’s blood and all the prophets cried out to hasten justice against ungodliness. The mystery of Christ’s blood allows God to patiently preach salvation to all for as long as God will suffer it for Christ’s sake. The blood of Abel cries for justice, but now the blood of Christ is preached for grace and peace. There will be a day when God will answer the cries of Abel’s innocent blood according to the prophets (Rom 12:19, Isa 26:21). But now God is offering salvation to sinners through the preaching of the blood of Christ according to the mystery. -Stephen, Zechariah, and Israel’s Fall -A Must-Use Verse to Teach Right Division -So Great Salvation -Secret Since the World Began -Rightly Dividing the Holy Spirit -Do Prophets Exist Today? -Willful Sin and Judgment of Hebrews 10:26
  11. The Gospel According to Paul http://graceambassadors.com/midacts/the-gospel-according-to-paul By Justin Johnson The Old Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are commonly referred to as the Four Gospels. Many Bibles even have in the titles of these books “The Gospel According to…” Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. All four of them contain the same gospel: the gospel of the kingdom. The gospel of the kingdom declared the fulfillment of the prophetic kingdom to the nation Israel. What they do not contain is the gospel of the cross for salvation. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection do not even occur until the final chapters of the books. Jesus in his earthly ministry confirmed the kingdom promises to the circumcision (Israel): “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” – Romans 15:8 Each of the four books start with the earthly ministry of Jesus to the circumcision and ends with his death and resurrection. This outlines the ministry and message of Peter, John, and the Twelve according to prophecies of Christ. Their ministries begin with the prophecies and end with their fulfillment in Christ. However, there is a fifth gospel. Paul’s gospel was not copied from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. It was personally revealed by the Lord (Gal 1:11-12). As such, Paul’s gospel as told in 1 Corinthians 15 is different than the four traditional Gospels. It includes the revelation of the mystery of Christ. A New Beginning Paul does not begin with Jesus’ ministry to the circumcision as do Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He says elsewhere that he does not know Christ after the flesh: “…though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16 Instead, the first thing in Paul’s gospel is the last thing in the four gospels: the death and resurrection of Christ. “…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;” – 1 Corinthians 15:3 This seems right as the foundation of Paul’s gospel of the grace of God was not the kingdom promises to a circumcised people, but the cross itself (1 Cor 1:18, 2:2, 3:10). The very first point of Paul’s gospel is neither the genealogy of Jesus nor Jesus’ relationship to prophecy, but his death for our sins. A New Ending Also different is how Paul’s gospel ends in 1 Corinthians 15:1-10. The four so-called Gospels do not progress beyond the appearance of the resurrection Jesus to the Twelve apostles. However, Paul is nowhere to be found in the four Gospels. He is not only absent but an unbeliever and an enemy of the gospel of the kingdom: “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;…” – Acts 8:1 Paul’s gospel goes beyond the resurrection of Christ to his kingdom remnant. Paul explains the revelation of the mystery of Christ to himself “last of all”. “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” – 1 Corinthians 15:8 Born out of the due time of prophecy, Paul was given salvation by the Lord himself and was chosen as the dispenser of the gospel of the grace of God: “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” – Eph 3:2 “… a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” – 1 Corinthians 9:17 The Mystery Gospel It is popular to pursue the gospel narratives found in Matthew-John as the key to understanding the Bible. While there are doctrinal gems and spiritual truths in these books, we must remember Paul’s gospel in order to understand all things (even those things beyond the resurrection of Jesus). “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. “ – 2 Tim 2:7 The gospel Christ gave to Paul is missing from Matthew-John, and so is called a mystery gospel (Rom 16:25, Eph 6:19). Instead of trying to pattern ourselves after the Lord’s earthly ministry passed on to his twelve apostles to Israel, we should start with Christ crucified and pattern our ministry after the heavenly message of the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom 11:13). When our focus is on the gospel God gave to Paul then we will be in position to grow in the grace of God as did Paul, according to his gospel: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10 Related posts: -Handling Gospel Transition -The Gospel Missing in John -Did Paul Preach A Different Gospel? -The First to Preach the Gospel -Prophecy Unfulfilled -Paul’s “My Gospel” -Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Gospel of the Grace of God
  12. Praise Jesus !!! Thank you all for the excellent replies. I realize there are likely numerous Trinity threads and I made a decision to stop engaging in heated debates over the complexity of God. I found early on that I could not convince a Non-Trinity believer to change their mind. I tried for years and I can only plant seeds. I also concluded in my own mind that God will understand if we don't get everything right. I try to follow the two Great Commandments and the 10 of course, but I can always do better.
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