Easter 2011 – The Servant’s Heartbeat and the Risen Saviour’s Heartbeat

April 17, 2011

Easter 2011 I: The Servant’s Heartbeat
by Shawn Brasseaux
[17 April 2011]

In Genesis chapter 22, God wants to test Abraham’s faith, so He tells Abraham: “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (verse 2). Abraham’s faith motivates him to do exactly what God has said. He intends on killing his son Isaac. As Abraham and Isaac travel to Moriah, Isaac inquires, “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham, a man of faith, replies (verse 8): “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”

He and Isaac continue up the mountainside until God tells them to stop and build an altar there. Abraham binds Isaac, and “[lays] him on the altar upon the wood” (verse 9). Just moments before Abraham kills Isaac, one of God’s angels calls out from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham,” and Abraham freezes. The angel tells Abraham not to kill Isaac. In fact, a ram has its horns caught in the nearby thicket, so Abraham takes the ram and offers it in Isaac’s place (verse 13).

Verse 14 tells us that Abraham names the place “JEHOVAH-jireh,” or “the LORD will provide.” Indeed, the LORD has provided.

A father willing to sacrifice his son, his only begotten son. A son willing to die because his father wanted him to die. A God willing to provide Himself a lamb.

* * *

Fast-forward 2,000 years. In the garden of Gethsemane, a man can be heard weeping and praying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). Again, we hear: “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done” (verse 42). He repeats it a third time (verse 44).

The Lord Jesus’ soul is “exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (verse 38). The sufferings of the cross are just hours away, and the Lord Jesus knows every detail of the moments that will come to pass. At this point, we cannot imagine the tremendous emotional and spiritual agony the Lord Jesus is experiencing. He is praying with such intensity that blood is dripping from His forehead. The Lord Jesus is so weak that an angel comes and strengthens Him (Luke 22:44,45).

Three times, the Lord Jesus Christ prayed to His heavenly Father, and each time He prayed for His Father’s will to be done. What is the “cup” of which the Lord Jesus spoke in Gethsemane? In Revelation 14:9,10, we read of lost people who will “drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and [they] shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”

God will judge the lost of the ages by sending them to a place that burns with fire and brimstone. This is what the Bible calls the “second death” (Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:8). All lost people will be separated from God forever and ever, and they will be tormented in the lake of fire forever and ever. What a horrible place, but no one has to go there!!! On Calvary’s cross, the Lord Jesus Christ drank of this “cup” of God His Father’s righteous indignation (wrath). God the Father’s wrath, which we deserved, was poured out on Jesus Christ at Calvary.

In Matthew 27:46, just hours after praying in Gethsemane, Jesus cried out while hanging on Calvary’s cross, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? This is like the second death we just described moments ago, is it not? God the Father and God the Holy Spirit have abandoned God the Son on the cross. Jesus Christ is now all alone. In the lake of fire, forever and ever, we all should be crying out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Instead, the Lord Jesus Christ took our place, and we can be saved through Him.

Medical science tells us crucified individuals experience asphyxiation (suffocation), which is ultimately the cause of death. Try to imagine the enormous blood loss that the Lord Jesus had. His bones are out of joint. His beard has been ripped off. He has been shamefully entreated, and His almost nude body is now hanging on Calvary’s tree. The Jews and Romans are gawking and mocking. The Bible describes the Lord Jesus’ horrible state in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.

But, there is a spiritual suffering. Our Lord Jesus Christ experienced more than just physical pain on Calvary. The Bible says Christ’s soul was sacrificed as an offering for our sins (Isaiah 53:10). At Calvary, God the Father forsook His Son, turning His back on Him (Matthew 27:46). For that reason, there was a great, spiritual darkness over the land (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).

Why? Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, “who knew no sin, was made sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was “made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Jesus Christ willingly took upon Himself our punishment. “Christ died for our sins,” the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:3.

In the everlasting flames of the lake of fire, the souls of the damned will always cry out, “I thirst” (Luke 16:24)! On the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ yelled, “I thirst” (John 19:28)! The souls in the lake of fire are far removed from God’s presence (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Jesus Christ was far removed from God’s presence while He hung on Calvary’s tree (Psalm 22:1). The lost in the lake of fire experience the second death, where sin degenerates their soul to become worms (Mark 9:44,46,48). A transformation in Christ’s soul on Calvary was like the second death, where Jesus Christ said, “I am a worm, and no man” (Psalm 22:6). Jesus Christ suffered God’s wrath, so we can be saved from God’s wrath in the lake of fire!

When Jesus Christ prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39), He was actually praying for God the Father’s will to be accomplished. Jesus Christ was the obedient Servant. The Lord Jesus Christ died for us because He loved us and because He loved His Father.

The Bible teaches that God created mankind in innocence. Once Adam (the first man) chose to join the satanic policy of evil, mankind fell into sin, and death entered creation (Romans 5:12). God as a man would rescue mankind from sin and death, restoring creation unto Himself. Jesus Christ, the God-man, shed His innocent blood and died for the sins of the world. “The first man [Adam] is of the earth, earthy; the second man [Christ Jesus] is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47 KJV).

God the Father’s will was to restore creation unto Himself, and Jesus submitted to His Father’s will. He would redeem Israel first (Luke 1:68, 77), and then He would redeem all the peoples of the world (1 Timothy 2:6). Christ said, speaking of Himself, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [serve], and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Christ Jesus was God the Father’s humble Son, but also His Servant.

The Lord Jesus let His people Israel crucify Him so that His shed blood would reconcile you and me with God the Father. No greater love can be found than at Calvary’s cross. On Calvary’s cross, the Lord Jesus Christ’s loving heartbeat is growing quietly. His breath is becoming shallower. He bows His head, and dismisses His soul and spirit from its body.

Israel’s King… the Lord of heaven and earth… God’s obedient Servant and Son, is dead. The Servant’s heartbeat stops.

Consider Philippians 2:5-11 KJV:

“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

* * *

Okay, so getting back to Abraham and Isaac, which we discussed at the beginning. The account of Abraham offering Isaac is one of the most explicit types (previews, foreshadows) of the cross of Calvary. Let us refer to Hebrews 11:17-19 KJV for the explanation:

“17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Just as Abraham had offered his “only begotten son,” Isaac, so God the Father offered His “only begotten Son,” Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Jesus Christ carried His wooden cross, just like Isaac carried the wood for his sacrifice. Jesus Christ never argued with His Father, but trusted His Father knew best. Isaac, like Christ, was willing to give up his life to please his father.

A Father willing to sacrifice His Son, His only begotten Son. A God willing to provide Himself a lamb. A Son willing to die because His Father wanted Him to die. Indeed, the LORD has provided. He has provided Himself.

 

 

Easter 2011 II: The Risen Saviour’s Heartbeat
by Shawn Brasseaux
[24 April 2011]

In Exodus chapter 17, we find the nation Israel just weeks after her exodus from Egypt and her subsequent crossing the Red Sea. Suddenly, the thirsty Israelites begin to murmur so God instructs Moses to strike the rock in Horeb, explaining to Moses that water will issue forth from the rock (verses 5 and 6).

Amalak, a descendent of Esau (Jacob’s brother), is an enemy of Israel. In this dusty, arid region of the world, the Amalakites wage war with Israel for the water (verse 8). As Joshua gathers Jewish men to fight the Amalakites, Moses, Aaron, and Hur go to the hilltop. Moses, with the rod of God in his hand, holds up his hand, and Israel prevails; but, when Moses puts his hand down, the Amalakites start to win the battle (verse 11). Moses’ hands grow tired, so Hur and Aaron must hold up Moses’ hands and Israel eventually defeats the Amalakites (verses 12 and 13).

Verse 15 tells us that Moses builds an altar, naming it “JEHOVAH-nissi,” or “the LORD is our hero.” Indeed, the LORD is their hero.

A battle being waged, good versus evil. A war with the enemy. A God who fought on Israel’s behalf and won. Their hero.

* * *

About 1500 years later, the Apostle Paul writes 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the Gospel of Grace, the only Gospel that can save us: “Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures.” Jesus Christ’s literal, physical resurrection is the most critical Bible doctrine. History’s religious leaders are dead, but it is HISTORICAL FACT that Jesus Christ is not! In this study, we want to examine this issue of the finished cross work of Jesus Christ and how it affects us all these centuries later.

Back in Genesis chapter 3, Adam plunged the human race in sin, misery, and death (Romans 5:12). Since then, mankind has been under Satan’s influence, controlled by “the power of darkness,” and dead in sins and trespasses (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:1,2). Now that sin entered, physical and spiritual death would consume man. Satan held the human race captive, and there was only one Person able and willing to help: God Almighty.

In Genesis 3:15, God promised the seed of the woman, mankind’s redeemer, someone who would rescue mankind from the bondage of Satan and sin. And so, 2000 years ago, God became a man, Jesus Christ. It was the only way to redeem the human race, and the price of all man’s sin would be paid. What was the price? The sinless blood and life of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Still, God kept in mind that Satan would do everything he could do to prevent God’s plan from being accomplished. God, in all His wisdom, kept a secret.

In 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 KJV, the Apostle Paul describes what happened:

“6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

The devil reasoned that if he would kill Jesus Christ, God’s plan would be ruined, so Satan, the evil religious leaders of Israel, and the evil Roman officials saw to it that Jesus Christ would be put to death. In Psalm 2:1-3 KJV, we find the Old Testament prophesying the conspiracy to kill Jesus Christ:

“1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [Jesus Christ], saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Betrayed by a friend, forsaken by all, Jesus Christ hangs on Calvary’s cross. Satan and his minions have assembled around the cross, and are now mocking and ridiculing the Lord Jesus, but He says nothing to them. His heavenly Father turns His back on Him. He is all alone. His apostles and followers stand before Him in shock. The mighty King of the Jews, the LORD God of the Old Testament, is hanging on a cross and now dying! Why did He let them do this to Him?

Jesus declared on Calvary’s cross, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). After that, He gives up the ghost. Jesus Christ is now dead. The servant’s heartbeat stops. The devil’s plan seems as though it has been accomplished, and Satan shouts for joy. At this point, the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ are confused, amazed, and scared. They know not what to do. What will happen to Israel’s kingdom now that their Messiah-King has died?

The body of Jesus Christ is taken down from the cross, and laid in a tomb, and remains lifeless for three days and three nights. On that glorious Sunday morning after the crucifixion, Satan was horrified to discover Jesus Christ had risen from the dead! As he heard the risen Saviour’s heartbeat, Satan threw a temper tantrum. The angel declares, “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6).

To Satan’s dismay, Christ’s crucifixion did not hinder God’s plan, it accomplished God’s plan. Israel’s King was alive. Through Calvary, God actually defeated Satan. God kept Calvary’s meaning secret from Satan, and by “the taking the wise in his own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:19), God defeated Satan. Satan’s plan had backfired! Had Satan really known the wisdom of God regarding the cross of Calvary, Satan “would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Furthermore, in order to keep the apostles from preventing the crucifixion of Christ, God hid Calvary from their knowledge too (Mark 8:31-33; Luke 18:31-34; John 20:9). Although Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 clearly predicted the sufferings and death of Christ, God made absolutely sure Satan had no idea what Calvary would really accomplish, and God made sure the apostles allowed the crucifixion.

On that glorious Sunday morning, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, victorious over Satan, hell, and the grave! Romans 1:4 says: “And [Jesus was] declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”

But, it is not until we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry that we learn what Christ really accomplished on Calvary’s cross. Let us look at the benefits of the cross in 2 Corinthians 5:18,19: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

Hebrews 2:14 tells us that Jesus Christ “through death destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Through Calvary, God actually defeated Satan. Calvary is the means whereby God can save us from Satan’s agenda and the satanic slave market of sin and death! When you place your faith exclusively in the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day, God will save you from the everlasting penalty of sin, the devil’s lake of fire.

Through the finished cross work of Jesus Christ, we have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). It is through the shed blood of Christ that we can be saved from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9), and it is through Christ’s resurrection that we can have a right standing before God (Romans 4:25). Why? Jesus Christ “put away [our] sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). Our sins are buried with Christ’s body in the tomb, hid with Christ in God forever (Colossians 3:3). Jesus Christ has rescued us from self-righteousness, religious bondage, sin, fear, and guilt!

Today, the Bible says that on the right hand of God the Father, in heaven, there sits a man (Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). The Lord Jesus Christ is making intercession for us unto our heavenly Father; He alone is the mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Christ takes God by the hand, and man by the hand, and joins them in unbroken fellowship!

But, there is more good news for us, and more bad news for Satan! Because Jesus Christ has been resurrected, we too will be bodily resurrected one day. Let us refer to 1 Corinthians 15, the Bible’s great resurrection chapter, to appreciate Christ’s resurrection:

“13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Had Christ never resurrected, our faith would be worthless and our preaching would be worthless (verse 14). If Christ did not resurrect, we are still in our sins, destined for hell (verse 17)! If Christ did not resurrect, we have no hope after death (verse 19).  But Christ did resurrect from the dead. In fact, over 500 people witnessed the Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6).

The Lord Jesus Christ said in Revelation 1:17,18: “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Jesus Christ, the great JEHOVAH of Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 48:12, is alive for evermore! Through His finished work on Calvary’s cross, Jesus Christ “spoiled principalities and powers [Satan’s agenda],” making “a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). Satan thought he defeated God when he killed Christ, but Satan actually defeated himself. Jesus Christ is alive forever and ever!

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:14 KJV: “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” “Death is swallowed up in victory….But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54,57).

* * *

So, getting back to Exodus chapter 17. The thirsty Jews drank from the rock in Horeb. In 1 Corinthians 10:1,4, the Apostle Paul explains: “…all our fathers [the nation Israel]… did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” The Rock in Horeb was the Lord Jesus Christ!

The life-sustaining water that flowed from Christ for the thirsty Israelites is just like the everlasting salvation that is flowing from Christ today! Indeed, the LORD is our hero.

A battle being waged, good versus evil. A war with the enemy. A God who fought on our behalf and won. Our hero.

_______________
SUPPLEMENT

Was it really “Good Friday?” No, it was not. While I used to teach a Wednesday crucifixion, it has come to my understanding that Christ was crucified on Thursday, not Friday. Matthew 12:39,40 teach that Jesus Christ was dead three days and three nights. A Friday crucifixion would only allot three days and two nights, or one night short of the prophecy. Jesus Christ died Thursday afternoon at 3 (day one and night one), He remained dead Friday (day two and night two) and Saturday (day three and night three), and resurrected Sunday morning.

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ (by Nolan Guilbeau)

April 10, 2011

by Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

Nearly 2,000 years ago, two men found guilty of their crimes were crucified on each side of the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Savior. The written word of God, the Bible, records that one of these men mocked, cursed and railed against the Lord for not removing them from their physical sufferings and imminent death. Paraphrasing, the other replied, “You should fear God, seeing we are in the condemnation, for we indeed justly deserve this punishment for our deeds, but this one called Jesus has done nothing wrong.”

This one malefactor recognized and acknowledged Jesus as Savior, asking to be remembered. Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto thee, To-day, shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). It’s obvious through their conversation this man’s forgiveness, salvation and unimpeded entry into paradise wasn’t dependent on membership to any earthly church organizations, rituals or ceremonies.

Secondly, he didn’t attempt pleading his own merits of any good deeds that might outweigh the bad for forgiveness of sins and his salvation. According to Scripture, immediately upon dying he was given assurance, in this present life, of forever being in the presence of Jesus.

Therefore, this one man exemplifies biblical doctrine of forgiveness and salvation, how one is made acceptable before God to receive eternal life. When God’s conditions are met through simple believing faith, trusting, relying upon Christ’s completed work of redemption on the cross at Calvary, proves to be all-sufficient to an inheritance of eternal life with Christ (Romans 4:16, 22).

That’s the message for all mankind to believe if eternal life with Christ is to be attained.

Due to Christ’s “unchangeable priesthood,” “he is able to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him [Christ], seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25).

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

The Love of Money

April 5, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

Should Christians play the lottery and gamble at a casino? Some Christians see nothing wrong with these types of activities, yet other Christians refrain from them. There is no explicit command in the Bible, “Thou shalt not gamble or play the lottery.” Nevertheless, would God approve of Christians gambling and playing the lottery? Let us look at the Holy Scriptures for enlightenment regarding this issue.

Money is not evil. We need money to purchase the basic necessities of life—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. The Bible says, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV). Why do people gamble and play the lottery? It is a means to get rich quick. “The love of money” has ensnared those who participate in the lottery and casino industries. It is this “love of money” that is evil.

If someone wants to support his/her expensive lifestyle, the Bible says “work,” not gamble (2 Thessalonians 3:8-12). Weekly lottery playing, though not as often as daily gambling, is still a habit (notice the adjective weekly). At this point, money becomes a problem. Let us look at two verses:

1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

1 Corinthians 10:23 KJV: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”

Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, we are not under Israel’s Mosaic Law (Romans 6:14,15; Galatians 5:1). God has not given us a bunch of “dos and don’ts.” That is legalism, and legalism is the enemy of grace (Romans 11:6). In 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:23, we read “all things are lawful.”

There may not be an explicit command—do this or do not do that—“but all things are not expedient [helpful, profitable].” In other words, this no rule “thou shalt not gamble,” but gambling is not “helpful”/“expedient” because it can is addictive and destructive (1 Corinthians 6:12 refers to addiction when it says “brought under the power of” something). “All things edify not” (all things do not strengthen; that is, some are harmful).

Let us go back to 1 Timothy chapter 6. That is a good passage about the topic of Christians and finances:

“5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

Rich people, even Christians, can potentially fall into “temptation and a snare” verse 9 says, which will “drown men in destruction and perdition.” Verse 11 says to “flee” the love of money, “flee” covetousness, etc. Verse 7 says it all—no matter how much material treasure we store up on earth or hope to gain here on earth, we will be leaving it all behind at death. That is why we should focus on things we cannot lose—the spiritual blessings we have in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Praying with Paul

March 27, 2011

Praying with Paul I
Shawn Brasseaux
[27 March 2011]

Do you ever wonder how to pray? For what should you pray? Before I came to understand the Word of God rightly divided, my prayer life was “in shambles.” I can still remember the time when I thought 1 John 1:9 was written to me, and I recall praying every day and asking God to forgive me of my daily sins. Looking back, I can see, that, other than praying for people’s salvation from sins and hell, my prayers were ignorant and sometimes quite silly.

I had trusted Jesus Christ alone as my personal Saviour many years before, but I was a denominational Christian. For that reason, I knew little sound Bible doctrine. I did not know Paul was my apostle, I had never heard of “the Dispensation of Grace,” and I never realized that the nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ were two separate spiritual bodies.

During the past four years since coming to understand right division, my prayer life has been dramatically transformed. It is my hope that this three-part series on Pauline prayer will be of great help to you so that you can pray like an intelligent, informed member of the Church the Body of Christ.

“LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY…”

In Luke 11:1, one of Christ’s disciples declared, “Lord, teach us to pray….” The next three verses serve as a model prayer for the Jewish believers of Christ’s earthly ministry. Unfortunately, this “Our Father” Prayer (or its more developed form of Matthew 6:9-13) is so repetitiously uttered by modern-day Christendom, it is quite nauseating.

When considering the issue of prayer, we must remember to apply dispensational Bible study. The Holy Spirit tells us: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). We must never confuse ourselves with the nation Israel. We cannot pray the way God taught Israel to pray.

Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry was directed toward the nation Israel. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24 KJV). The Apostle Paul affirmed, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision [Israel] for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Romans 15:8 KJV). Whatever Jesus taught and spoke in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, that was God’s message to the nation Israel, not His Word to us. Today, in this the Dispensation of Grace, Israel’s program is temporarily suspended. We are not Jews, and we are not living in Israel’s economy (Dispensation of Law), so we cannot follow Israel’s model prayer (commonly called “the Lord’s Prayer”).

“…AS OUR APOSTLE PAUL PRAYED”

The ascended Lord Jesus Christ saved Saul of Tarsus, and made him Paul, “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15,16; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11). The ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ sent Paul to us, and Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (John 13:20). Paul is our apostle, and if we reject Paul, we reject Jesus Christ who sent Paul, and we reject God the Father. To reject Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, is to reject God’s message to us today as people living in the Dispensation of Grace.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:37: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” Oftentimes, most church members are never even taught this simple fact of Scripture! The true test of spirituality today is whether or not one agrees with what the Holy Ghost through Paul wrote.

A great error in Christendom today is praying one of two ways: praying vain, repetitious prayers like the pagan heathens did (Matthew 6:7) or praying like Israel was supposed to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). Furthermore, prayer is not repeating memorized prayers, or reciting ditties from prayer books. Religion has led us to believe that prayer is nothing more than, “God gimme ____.” Prayer should not be selfish. It is quite unfortunate that we are all guilty of talking to God when we need something, but giving Him the cold shoulder when everything is going okay for us.

If Paul is our apostle, and he is, then we should take note of how Paul prayed, and then by faith, pray for the same things for which he prayed. The Apostle Paul urges believers to “continue instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12), to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and to “pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). In fact, one Christian in Colosse, Epaphras, “always laboured fervently [for other believers] in prayer” (Colossians 4:12). In 1 Thessalonians 1:2, the Apostle Paul writes “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” In another place, Paul writes that he “prayed always for [believers]” (Colossians 1:3).

Surely, prayer was an integral part of Paul’s Christian life, it has always been an integral part of the lives of the saints down through the centuries, and it should be an integral part of our Christian lives today. According to the Scriptures, believers are to always be praying, day in and day out. But for what specific things should we be praying? We will address that question later on in this study. First, we want to answer the question, “Exactly what is prayer?”

Psalm 62:8 KJV says: “Trust in him [God] at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah [Rest].” God is interested in you pouring out your heart before Him. Share with Him your worries and your thoughts. Prayer is you speaking to and fellowshipping with God in light of His Word to you. You do not necessarily have to kneel or close your eyes, for your physical posture is totally irrelevant. There is no need to go to a prayer closet, no need to cross your heart, and no need to pray in an unknown language. Prayer is you speaking to God in an intelligent, understandable manner. Paul wrote, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15 KJV). You do not have to pray out loud either! You can pray quietly in your heart (such as thinking or talking to yourself).

Pray with intelligence, not ignorance! When the indwelling Holy Spirit takes the sound Biblical doctrine we have learned and believed, He uses it to transform our inner man (1 Thessalonians 2:13). As God’s Word works in us, we see things the way God sees them, and “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). When we understand what God is doing today, then we will pray for what aligns with what God is doing. If we do not rightly divide God’s Word, we do not know what God is doing today, which will render us unable to pray in accordance with God’s Word and God’s will today.

Here are some common areas of confusion in regards to prayer today. This confusion can be cleared up if we simply study God’s Word God’s way, and not force Israel’s doctrine into our program!

SHOULD WE PRAY FOR WEALTH?

Prosperity preachers today often quote Deuteronomy 8:18, “for it is [the LORD] that giveth thee power to get wealth.” Should we pray for material riches? Verses 14-16, which are intentionally overlooked, explain that this is God speaking to Israel, not to us. Israel was God’s earthly people, so obviously, He promised them earthly (material) blessings.

Ephesians 1:3 says that God has blessed us “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” and God has already supplied “all [our] need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19), so we have no reason to ask God for any more blessings. We, the Church the Body of Christ, are God’s heavenly people, so He has given us heavenly blessings. We are “complete in [Christ]” (Colossians 2:10). Read 1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” And Romans 8:32 KJV: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” The moment we trusted and relied on Jesus Christ alone for salvation, God instantly gave us everything He could give us!

SHOULD WE PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS?

In 1 John 1:9 KJV, we read, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Matthew 6:12,14,15 KJV affirms:

“12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

As a denominational Christian, I was taught in church to pray for forgiveness on a daily basis. Unless I asked for forgiveness, I thought God would not forgive me (as in the verses cited above). This was a failure on my part to rightly divide the word of truth because 1 John 1:9 was not written to me, it was written to Jews—lost, unsaved Jews at that! Matthew 6:9-13 was God’s model for the nation Israel, not for me.

God has forgiven us “all trespasses” because we are in Jesus Christ, and we need not ask for forgiveness. Paul wrote to us in Ephesians 4:32 KJV: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” He also wrote in Colossians 1:14 KJV: “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

SHOULD WE PRAY FOR HEALING?

James 5:15 KJV says “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul prayed for physical healing three times, and every time God did not heal him. We are not in Israel’s healing program where signs, miracles, and wonders were needed to convince Israel (John 4:48; 1 Corinthians 1:22), so James 5:15 is not for us to follow! It is for Israel. If it was for us, why did Paul not urge Timothy and Trophimus to pray for healing (1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20)? Instead, Timothy was urged to take medication for his often infirmities.

Thankfully, one day, God will heal every member of the Church the Body of Christ, and that will be at the rapture, when we receive glorified, resurrected bodies fashioned like unto Jesus Christ’s resurrected body (Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Philippians 3:20,21)! God’s grace is sufficient to help us endure suffering, and no matter what we face in life, we can grow spiritually even as these physical bodies grow sick and eventually die (2 Corinthians 4:16–5:5).

* * *

If you want the best two verses about prayer in this the Dispensation of Grace, they are Philippians 4:6-7 KJV:

“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The cares of this life can be overwhelming at times. Financial problems, illness, death of loved ones, and even the daily annoyances can weigh us down in discouragement and misery. We grow “careful,” becoming worrisome and uneasy. God says, “be careful for nothing!” No matter what you are facing in life, be anxious for nothing.

If you are a member of the Church the Body of Christ, you have the indwelling Holy Spirit to comfort you, and guide you, and strengthen you with the Scriptures you study and believe. God will not deliver us from our problems, but we thank Him in prayer on a daily basis for giving us His wonderful grace and all those other provisions He has given us in Christ so that we can “bear” those “temptations” and problems. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” When we look at life in this light, we have we take comfort in “the peace of God.”

We will continue looking at the issue of prayer next week.

Praying with Paul II
Shawn Brasseaux
[3 April 2011]

In part I of this series, we hopefully cleared up some of the confusion that religion has caused concerning prayer. God is not interested in us reciting prayer books. He wants us to pour out our hearts before Him (Psalm 62:8). We should not be praying like God taught Israel to pray in time past. As members of the Church the Body of Christ, we need to pray with intelligence. Recall that praying with intelligence does not mean you need an IQ of 165. It means having an understanding of what God is doing today. When we “rightly divide the word of truth,” like 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV states, we understand what God is doing in this Dispensation of Grace.

We need to “pray with Paul,” our apostle, God’s spokesman to us. When the Bible speaks of “praying in the [Holy] Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20), it means praying in accordance with God’s will, or what God the Holy Spirit is doing today in this the Dispensation of Grace. The Bible says that only Paul’s ministry focuses on what God is doing today. “God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). God’s will today, in this the Dispensation of Grace, is for everyone to trust in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation, and for every Christian to grow to a spiritual maturity. As we now discuss Paul’s prayer life, notice how his prayers align with 1 Timothy 2:3,4.

PAUL’S MODEL PRAYERS

The Apostle Paul urged the believers in Thessalonica to “pray for us [Paul, Silas, Timothy], that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Paul wanted the Thessalonians to pray for him and for all those who labored with him in the ministry. Paul wanted them to pray that God’s Word would transform others’ lives just as it had transformed their lives (1 Thessalonians 1:6-10; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13). This is referring to lost people hearing God’s Word and getting saved and having a place in heaven, and believers allowing God’s grace to change their lifestyles. Pray for the salvation of lost people and the spiritual growth of Christians. Paul wanted them to pray for him to have freedom to preach and teach the sound doctrine the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to him, so that sound doctrine could save and mature its hearers.

Notice what Paul also prayed for believers in 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12 KJV:

“11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here, notice that Paul understood that God wanted to “perform a good work” in the saints (see Philippians 1:6 and Philippians 2:12,13). God’s Word had transformed these pagans for His glory, and now Paul wanted to continue seeing the Thessalonians’ lives better reflect the grace message! Paul knew what God was doing, and by faith, Paul prayed for that to happen.

There are four large model prayers found in the Pauline epistles that you and I as members of the Church the Body of Christ need to understand. Here, in this study, we will look at three (the fourth one will be examined in the last study). Let us begin with Ephesians 1:16-20 KJV:

“16 [I, Paul] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”

Notice the specific requests that Paul made while praying to God. He prayed that believers would gain spiritual understanding. That they would grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ: understanding who He is, His graciousness, what He is doing, His power, and so on. Paul prayed for the saints to have spiritual growth. Compare that to what Paul wrote in Romans 1:11,12, when we read that he prayed he could visit the Roman believers in order to “impart unto [them] some spiritual gift”; that is, bring them sound Bible teaching so that they would be “established,” that their understanding of Scripture be firmly fixed (compare Colossians 2:6-7).

Notice what Epaphras prayed for the Colossian believers (4:12): “that [they] may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” In other words, that they would be spiritually mature and that their lives would align with God’s will (with what God is doing today in the Dispensation of Grace). We see that Paul prayed that believers’ lives would bring God glory and praise. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV).

Let us look at the second large model prayer of Paul’s epistles, as found in Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV:

“14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Again, notice what the Apostle Paul prayed. Paul prayed that God’s Holy Spirit would strengthen us with might in our inner man according to the riches of Christ’s glory (verse 16). That is spiritual growth. In verse 17, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would let Christ Jesus live His life in and through them as they placed their faith in God’s Word to them, that they would be “rooted and grounded in love,” that they would “be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of everything that God is doing today, that they would “know the love of Christ,” and that they would be “filled with all the fulness of God” (compare Ephesians 4:13). These are all references to grace living and Christian service: “coming to the knowledge of the truth.”

We will now consider the third of Paul’s large model prayers. Look at the prayer that Paul uttered in Philippians 1:3-11 KJV:

“3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Notice in verse 4 that Paul made request “with joy,” so we should do the same. Why was Paul joyful? Verse 5 says that Paul rejoiced in the fact that these formerly pagan Philippians had come to a knowledge of salvation. In prayer, we should be thankful to the Lord for our Christian brethren!

Furthermore, Paul knew that God was using His Word to transform those Gentiles for His glory, and that God would continue molding and guiding those believers until the day of the rapture (verse 6). Notice how Paul’s care for his Christian brethren (verses 7,8) motivated him to pray for them. We too should be motivated to pray for other believers.

Verses 9-11 indicate how Paul once again prayed for the believers, “that [their] love [would] abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that [they] [would] approve things that are excellent [superior]” and “that they be sincere [genuine] and without offence till the day of Christ.” In other words, that they would be allowing Christ to live His life in and though them: “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” These are more clear references to Christians’ spiritual growth (cf. Galatians 5:22-26)!

We will stop at this point for this week. When we conclude this series next week, we will look at the last of the large Pauline prayer models, and we will also look at other issues related to prayer such as hindered prayer and unanswered prayer.

Praying with Paul III
Shawn Brasseaux
[10 April 2011]

Thus far in this series, we have discussed how our prayers should be in accordance with God’s will, or what God is doing today in this the Dispensation of Grace (see 1 Timothy 2:3,4). In Paul’s epistles alone—that is, the books of Romans through Philemon—we discover that God is currently forming the Church the Body of Christ, a spiritual body of every person who has trusted exclusively in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. We also learned that God wants every Christian to have a firm understanding of His Word to them. In the final installment of this Bible study on “Pauline prayer,” we will examine the last remaining large model Pauline prayer, and then look at other issues associated with prayer.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;” (2 Timothy 1:3 KJV). Paul wrote to Philemon (1:4): “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.” Prayer should be an important part of our lives as members of the Church the Body of Christ. For what did Paul pray? How should we pray as Christian believers?

Are you shy when witnessing to the lost world? Are you always courageous in speaking out the truth of God’s Word? No. Did you know the Apostle Paul asked the Ephesians to pray that he would be bold enough to preach the grace message (Ephesians 6:19,20)? We should always be praying for the Christian brethren, that they share God’s Word with boldness.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:10, we see that Paul, Silas, and Timothy “night and day prayed exceedingly” that they would meet the Thessalonians in order to edify/strengthen them (compare Romans 1:11-12). Compare this to the last of the large Pauline prayer models. Turn to Colossians 1:9-12 KJV:

“9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Paul prayed that the Colossian believers would “be filled with the knowledge of [God’s] will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (verse 9). That believers’ lifestyles would fit their new identity in Christ (verse 10)—spiritual understanding, spiritual growth, and the resulting good works. In verse 11, he prayed for the Colossians to be “strengthened with all might, according to [God’s] glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (compare Ephesians 3:16). Verse 12 shows us that Paul gave thanks to God in prayer.

 

PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the Apostle Paul writes:

“1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men:
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

God sees it “good and acceptable” when we pray for our governments, military, pastors, teachers, parents, and so on—anyone involved with leadership or authority. What should we pray for about them? In the context, that they would get saved (if they are lost) and, then, as believers in Christ, that they would understand their identity in Jesus Christ, which will help them make wise decisions on our behalf. We should thank God for the governmental and parental powers in place, which do bring (some) order to our land.

WHAT ABOUT HINDERED PRAYER?

For instance, in 1 Peter 3:7, the Apostle Peter writes: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” Are our prayers “hindered” today in the Dispensation of Grace as Peter writes? Remember, Peter is writing to Israel in her program, for Peter is an apostle of Israel (Galatians 2:9).

What about Psalm 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me?” Does this mean that God will not hear our prayers if we have unconfessed sin? Isaiah 59:1-2 is another confusing passage for people regarding prayer: “[1] Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: [2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

We have continual fellowship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. “Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Never does our Apostle, Paul, say our prayers are “hindered” because of our performance (or lack thereof). Isaiah 59:1-2 is an instance of how God dealt with the nation Israel under the performance-based acceptance of the Mosaic Law. According to Deuteronomy chapter 28, God blessed Israel is she obeyed all of His laws, and He cursed Israel if she disobeyed.

As believers in Jesus Christ, the so-called “unconfessed sin” that religion teaches is not the issue because our sins have been dealt with at the cross and we are forgiven in Christ. If our prayers being answered depended on whether or not we confessed all of our sins, we would never get one prayer answered, since it is impossible to remember every sin we have ever committed. Again, all of sins were paid for in full at Calvary’s cross, so they no longer separate us from God. Unconfessed sin is not the issue today; Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork is the issue. Our performance is not the issue; Jesus Christ’s performance at Calvary is the issue.

Remember Ephesians 1:7: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” And Ephesians 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” And Colossians 1:14: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” And, finally, Colossians 2:13: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

WHAT ABOUT UNANSWERED PRAYER?

Do we always get everything for which we ask in prayer? Have you prayed for something and never got it? Why did these verses not work for you? Perhaps you have the following verses quoted in church. “Ask, and it shall be given you,” Jesus Christ said (Matthew 7:7). In 1 John 3:22 we read: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” In John 24:13-14, Jesus Christ says: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Remember, when we “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV), we understand that these verses belong in Israel’s program. They were spoken to Israel, not to us (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 15:8; Galatians 2:9). Our Apostle Paul never writes anything like Matthew 7:7, John 24:13-14, or 1 John 3:22. In fact, God never healed and delivered Paul, although Paul prayed for healing and deliverance three times in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

God hears all of our prayers. Sometimes it seems like He does not answer them. If we are praying outside of God’s will, how do we expect God to answer them? We cannot make God do something He is not doing today. Us praying like Israel did is trying to make God do things He is not doing today. For example, why did Elijah pray that it would not rain for three-and-a-half years (1 Kings 17:1-2; James 5:17-18)? Because, in Deuteronomy 11:16-17, God said He would not cause it to rain as part of His righteous judgment against pagan, idolatrous Israel. Prayer is praying in accordance with what God is doing today, and the Four Gospels and the Old Testament is not what God is doing today. Our prayers will always bear fruit as long as they agree with Paul’s epistles: “the effectual prayer of a righteous man [saint] availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV).

 

THANK GOD FOR FOOD TO EAT

In creation, the Lord Jesus Christ has supplied us with food and drink (Acts 14:17). Today, in this the Dispensation of Grace, we are not bound to observe Israel’s kosher food laws. Notice how Paul writes that we should thank God in prayer for our food. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4,5 KJV). Whatever creatures we choose to eat, may we thank the Lord Jesus Christ for them.

THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US

What should you do if you have no idea about what to pray regarding a particular matter? Scripture tells us that “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26,27 KJV). The Bible says we should know for what to pray, but we do not know. Sometimes, we cannot adequately express in words our concerns and our thoughts, so the Holy Spirit “maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” God the Holy Spirit is constantly interceding on our behalf to God the Father, just as Jesus Christ is interceding for us (Romans 8:34). The Holy Spirit brings the Bible verses that we have studied, to memory, and helps us pray more effectually.

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CONCLUSION:

In this series, we have just studied how our Apostle Paul prayed. Compare the way Paul prayed in Scripture with the “prayer” done in most churches today. Not the same, huh? See, everyone is either praying like the heathen, or praying like Israel. Most of the praying in Christendom is vain, mindless babbling. We as members of the Body of Christ are neither heathens nor Jews. We are members of the Church the Body of Christ, so we should pray like who we claim we are. We should be praying as our Apostle Paul prayed. He is our “pattern,” and in prayer, we follow Paul as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Timothy 1:15-16).

Prayer is communicating with your Heavenly Father regarding the details of your life in light of His Word to you. Pray in accordance with God’s will by placing your faith in what God says He is doing today, and then by faith, pray for those things. Remember, Jesus Christ prayed “nevertheless not my will, but thine [God the Father’s will], be done” (Luke 22:42). We should pray with this same attitude.

Remember we started out this series by understanding that prayer is pouring out our hearts before God? If we have studied God’s Word and it resides in our hearts (Ephesians 3:17), our prayers will literally be pouring out God’s Word before Him! We will be praying God’s will back to Him! That is effectual prayer (this is what Elijah did; James 5:16-17).

When we pray for lost people to get saved, and when we pray for believers to be spiritually mature, prayer becomes a cycle. Believers who are spiritually mature can do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Furthermore, their spiritual maturity will allow them to also pray effectively. Prayer becomes a cycle.

One Christian brother said it like this: “Prayerful for everything and thankful in everything.” We give a hearty “Amen” there!

May we always be guilty of “praying with Paul!”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

“This Treasure in Earthen Vessels”

March 6, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

If we have trusted exclusively in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, we are members of the Church the Body of Christ. This is positional sanctification. Our unchanging accepted position in Jesus Christ has set us apart from the lost world (Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; et al.). As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, we are “new creatures in Christ;” that is, we have received a new identity in Christ. In addition to positional sanctification, the Bible speaks of practical sanctification, or where our day-to-day living reflects our position in Christ. In other words, we as God’s children are expected to have lifestyles that reflect godly behavior and our new identity in Christ.

Let us begin in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3 KJV, which says:

“1 Furthermore, then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”

The Thessalonians were already saved from hell and their sins, as evidenced throughout the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians. Positionally, in Christ, they were sanctified (set apart). Practically speaking, they (like us) could use more spiritual growth. They had not yet fully comprehended their position in Christ and they had not yet allowed God’s Word to infiltrate their lives. Therefore, Paul wrote: “so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Thessalonians, you are doing well, but there is room for improvement concerning your practical sanctification!

Continue reading in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:

“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence [personal desire], even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

Again, notice how this Bible passage focuses on practical sanctification, with the Bible calling our bodies “vessels” (verse 4). This is day-to-day grace living. God’s will for us as Christians is that we would be practically sanctified: “God hath called us unto holiness.” Now that our sin nature has been crucified with Christ, we are dead with Christ. So that we could live again, we were raised again with the Lord Jesus Christ, “to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). This is our practical sanctification. Our new identity in Christ should be making an impact on how we live on a daily basis. Let us further consider other Scripture that speak of practical sanctification.

In 2 Timothy 2:19-21 KJV, the Bible speaks again as us Christians being “vessels”:

“19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

According to the above verses, there are two types of Christians: those that are vessels “to honour” and those that are vessels “to dishonour.” To wit, our lives can bring glory and honor to the Lord (like the Thessalonians), or we can be a reproach and a poor testimony (like the Corinthians and Galatians). What is the definition of practical sanctification? We find it in verse 21: “fit for the master’s [God’s] use, and prepared unto every good work.”

We can allow God to practically sanctify us in the same manner in which He has already positionally sanctified us, or we can refuse to allow Him to work in our inner man. We can let Christ live His life in and through us, or we can rebel and do whatever our sinful flesh wants to do. Either way, we exercise our free will.

Do you, as a Christian, want to be “sanctified” practically? Do you want to be “a vessel unto honour?” Would you like to be “meet [fit] for the master’s use?” Do you desire to be “prepared unto every good work?” In 2 Timothy 3:16,17 we read: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Notice how this correlates with 2 Timothy 2:21.

The Holy Spirit will use His Word to mature us. If we want to be “edified” (built up) and “perfected” (matured), then we must study God’s Word rightly divided (dispensationally). As we study and believe God’s Word, God’s way (rightly divided), God the Holy Spirit will take that sound doctrine and strengthen our inner man (see Ephesians 3:16). He will apply the sound doctrine to our lives, and our lives become Christ’s life. At that point, we start to think like God thinks, and our actions begin to reflect the godly living found in God’s Word.

Consider Romans 12:1,2 KJV: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

This is further explained in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” God’s Word works “effectually” in those who believe. This is how we as Christians become vessels “to honour.” How else does the Bible use the term “vessels” in regards to us?

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV). What are these “earthen vessels?” Literal clay jars? Obviously not. According to verses like Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, and Job 34:15, the LORD God made our physical human bodies from the “dust of the ground.”

Medical science agrees with the Bible when it tells us that the human body contains elements found within earth’s crust (oxygen, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and so on). When God made Adam, the first man, He took earth and shaped it into a physical body! Then, God breathed into that body “the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). That is to say, within that physical body, God placed man’s spiritual body (soul and spirit).

So in 2 Corinthians 4:7, we understand that Paul is referring to our physical bodies. We, as human beings, are literally “earthen vessels.” Let us go back to 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” What is this “treasure” that we have in our bodies? Continue reading the context:

“8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”

Notice how the Bible text actually defines this “treasure in earthen vessels.” Verse 10 says “the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” Verse 11 says “the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” Clearly, the “treasure in [our] earthen vessels” is Christ living His life in us! In the midst of trouble, as was the case here, Christ empowered Paul to endure persecution. When his flesh (sin nature) was trying to overcome Paul, Christ Jesus gave Paul the strength to deny it (Romans 7:22–8:10). Remember, it is God’s power (2 Corinthians 4:7): “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

 

CONCLUSION

We can be vessels “to honour” or vessels “to dishonour.” We can let the Lord Jesus Christ permeate every aspect of our lives, or we can live in our own strength (which will only bring about failure when overcoming sin or difficult times because we are weak). If you have not done so, trust Christ Jesus alone for salvation. If you are saved, why not place your faith in sound Pauline dispensational Bible study, and then let Christ live His life in and through you? Why not be a vessel “to honour?”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Should I Witness? (Refuting Calvinistic Teachings of Predestination, Election, and Limited Atonement)

February 15, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

In Christendom, certain individuals teach election and predestination (that God has already chosen a select group of people to go to heaven, and that He has chosen everyone else to go to hell). Does the Bible support these tenets? Has God really chosen people to go to hell? What about the theological position of limited atonement, the teaching that the Lord Jesus Christ only died to save Christians (and that He did not die for everyone)? While the Bible uses the terms “elect” and “predestinate,” does the Bible really teach these strange ideas?

Those who hold to these theological (Calvinistic) positions of predestination, election, and limited atonement do not believe in witnessing to the lost world. What does the Bible say about these teachings? Should we really witness, if God has already chosen to only save some people anyway? In order to understand these terms, we need to understand what the Bible says about these topics. After all, the Bible alone is the final authority, not some preacher, church, or creed.

PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION

The teachings of election and predestination are very similar, which is why we examine both issues together in one section. First, let us see how religion defines “predestination” and “election.” Protestant reformer and theologian John Calvin (1509-1564) wrote:

“Predestination we call the eternal decree of God, by which He has determined in Himself, what He would have to become of every individual of mankind. For they are not all created with a similar destiny; but eternal life is foreordained for some and eternal death for others. Every man, therefore, being created for one or the other of these ends, we say he is predestinated either to life or to death,” (Institutes, Book III, Ch. XXI, Sec. 5).

Is Calvin correct? Has God really foreordained (predestinated) some to eternal life (heaven) and the rest to eternal death (hell)? Let us compare this Calvinistic teaching to God’s Word. It should be first noted that the King James Bible only uses the word “predestinate” four times, all of which are found in Paul’s epistles. Let us briefly look at those four verses, and let us be sure to consider the context. The first two verses in which “predestinate” is found is in the passage Romans 8:28-30 KJV:

“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

The first instances in which this word “predestinate” is used occur within a context, so we need to notice the context. God the Father “predestinated” (predetermined) us “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” The context is not salvation; God did not choose us to be saved—we chose to receive God’s salvation that He offers everyone. Anyone who would choose to be saved (that is, trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour), God predestinated that person to “conformed to the image of His Son.” Whoever would chose to trust in Christ, God would also call them, justify them, and glorify them. God predestinated the position, not the person.

Let us look at Ephesians 1:4-6 KJV, where the Bible uses “predestinate” the third time:

“4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

This is the third instance of “predestinate” in the Bible. God the Father has “predestinated us [believers] unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself.” Anyone who would believe the Gospel of Grace and trust in Christ alone for salvation, God chose the place where that believer would go positionally (become a member of the Church the Body of Christ). In other words, God the Father chose that if someone would trust in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, that person would be adopted—placed into the Church the Body of Christ. Any member of the Church the Body of Christ would be “holy and without blame before [God the Father] in love” (verse 4). Again, God predestinated the position, not the person.

The last instance of “predestination” in the Bible is found in Ephesians 1:10,11 KJV:

“10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

What did God predestinate believers to be, according to verse 12? God the Father predestinated the fact that all believers would be “to the praise of [God’s] glory.” By our obtaining the “inheritance” of verse 11, we would bring praise to God’s name! This does not involve salvation; this refers to our position. It is referring to the time in the future when God the Father will restore to Jesus Christ all governmental authority in the heavens and in the earth. This is what God predestinated believers to accomplish!

In the Bible, “predestination” never refers to God choosing people to be saved and choosing people to go to hell—this is a religious, man-made teaching. The Bible passages we looked at show that predestination refers to God the Father predestinating the position of the believer in Christ. That is, if a person would trust Christ as personal Saviour, what would happen to that person? God predestinated the position, not the person. Remember, free will allows the person to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation. (Calvinism erroneously teaches that whether a person wants to get saved or not, they will be saved. If a person wants to be saved, but is not predestinated and elected to heaven, they cannot be saved). If the person denies God’s offer of salvation, they do not receive that predestinated position in Christ that God has reserved only for those who would trust Christ.

So, what have we just discussed? Romans 8:28-30 speaks of believers being predestinated to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, to be called, to be justified, and to be glorified. This is the position that God predestinated for anyone who would trust in His Son! Ephesians 1:4-6 describe “predestination” as God chose that whoever would trust in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, that person would be adopted (or, placed into the Church the Body of Christ). Any member of the Church the Body of Christ would be “holy and without blame before [God the Father] in love” (verse 4). Again, God predestinated the position, not the person.

The last instance of “predestination” is found in Ephesians 1:10-11 KJV, and we learn that God the Father predestinated the fact that all believers in Jesus Christ would be “to the praise of [God’s] glory.” By our obtaining the “inheritance” of verse 11, we would bring praise to God’s name! God predestinated our position in Christ, and this position we have will enable us to play a role in restoring to Jesus Christ all governmental authority in the heavens and in the earth! See, predestination in the Bible refers to the position, not the person.

Let us now look at the issue of election. John Calvin gives his definition of “election” (again, notice this is religion’s definition of “election”):

“…We maintain that this counsel, as regards the elect, is founded on his free mercy, without any respect to human worth, while those whom he dooms to destruction are excluded from access to life by a just and blameless, but at the same time incomprehensible judgment…” (Institutes, Book III, Ch. XXI, Sec. 7).

Actually, “election” according to Calvin and “election” according to the Bible are two totally different concepts. The Bible never says God chose a certain number of people to go to hell—anyone who goes to hell goes to hell voluntarily. They did not have to go to hell because God provided His Son’s blood as their means of salvation!

In the Bible, we read of four “elections” of God. Notice, these references are related to service, not salvation.

  1. JESUS CHRIST: The first time “elect” appears in the Bible is Isaiah 42:1 KJV: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles” (cf. 1 Peter 2:6). This is a reference to Israel’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Did God the Father “elect” Jesus Christ to go to heaven? No, that is nonsense. God the Father sent Jesus Christ to do a job on earth! Matthew 12:18 says that God chose (predestinated) His Son to be His “servant” (election). Now, we understand that “election” in the Bible is not the same as “election” in religion.
  2. THE NATION ISRAEL: The second time “elect” is mentioned in Scripture is Isaiah 45:4, where JEHOVAH speaks: “For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.” This time, who is God’s “elect?” The nation Israel! This is not a reference to individuals, but rather to a corporate election—an elected group of people. See Matthew 24:24, 31, Romans 11:7, and 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 5:5. Israel’s position (predestination) as God’s chosen people on the earth allow Israel to serve God on earth (election).
  3. THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST: Romans 8:33, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, and 2 Timothy 2:10 speak of the third election of God. The Church the Body of Christ is the “elect of God.” How are we the “elect of God?” We are “servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:18). Our position in Christ (predestination) enables us to serve God in the heavens (election). Again, notice it is a corporate election—the word “elect” describes the group, not the individual people who make up the group.
  4. GOD’S ANGELS: The last election of the Bible is found in 1 Timothy 5:21: “the elect angels.” According to the Bible, some of God’s angels followed Satan in his rebellion against God (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). Today, there are two groups of angels: God’s righteous holy angels (Matthew 25:31) and the devil’s wicked angels (Matthew 24:41). Why are there elect angels? Did God choose them for everlasting life? No, that is nonsense. The “elect angels” are those that chose (free will) to be faithful to God. This is yet another corporate (group) election—all holy angels in one group. It is not an election based on individuals. Hebrews 1:14 says that God’s angels are “ministering spirits,” spirits that serve. The righteous angels that did not rebel against God (predestination) enables them to serve God (election).

Romans 9:21-24 is often used to support the election of religion (that God has chosen people for heaven and the rest for hell):

“21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”

Before we try to use this to “prove” God has chosen some for heaven and He has chosen the rest for hell, let us understand that the context of these verses is national Israel and the Gentiles (nations). Romans chapters 9, 10, and 11 deal with national Israel. These chapters are talking about nations. Another verse people like to twist is Romans 9:13—“As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Again, the context is God dealing with nations, not individuals. God had chosen Israel in the Old Testament, but He had not chosen Gentiles (who were pagan idolaters; Romans 1:18-32).

Notice Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV:

“11 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;
12 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:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, God is not dealing with mankind on a national basis like He dealt with man in time past. Today, God is dealing with us on an individual basis. We do not need to become a part of the nation Israel to be saved (like in time past). Today, we need to become individual members of the Church the Body of Christ.

In the Bible, the word “elect” does not mean “elected for heaven,” or “elected for hell” (these are religious definitions). “Elect” means selected for a task, a role, a job. In His foreknowledge, God already knew who would accept His offer of salvation, and that coincided with His will because those are the exact people He chose to serve Him! This is what the Bible means when it calls the Christians “the elect” (for instance, Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; et al.). We were elected to serve Christ—but the Bible does not say God has sent everyone else to a lost eternity (again, that would be “election” according to religion). God the Son was the Father’s “elect,” He was sent to do the Father’s will (Isaiah 42:1).

Election in the Bible refers to service, just like predestination refers to position. Remember Isaiah 42:1: ““Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect.”

LIMITED ATONEMENT

Did Jesus Christ really die for everyone, or just for a “chosen few?” Those who hold to the idea of “limited atonement” want to believe that Christ’s blood does not atone for all sins of all men, just the sins of those who were “chosen” to be saved. Does the Bible support these claims?

Matthew 20:28 KJV says, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” People use this verse and say, “See, Christ did not die for all; He only died for many.” But, let us understand this from the dispensational point-of-view: the Bible says that Jesus Christ came to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:25; Matthew 15:24; Luke 1:68; John 1:11). Why did Jesus come to earth? To save His people, the nation Israel! Matthew 20:28 fits perfectly with Matthew 1:25.

Notice what the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:6: “[Jesus Christ] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” For how many did Christ die? For a select few, or for “all?” The Bible says “ALL!” When we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry—the “due time”—God reveals that now salvation is going to the Gentiles, the whole world (Romans 11:11,12).

John 3:16-17 KJV says: “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Did God love just the believers, or the whole world? Did God want the whole world to be saved, or just believers to be saved? Notice the word “whosoever” means anyone and everyone who “believes in Christ;” it makes no mention of people chosen to be saved or damned.

Let us read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 where the Bible says, “…if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all….” We read twice that Christ died for all! Christ did not die to save some; He died so that all could have a chance to receive salvation. The Bible repeats in Hebrews 2:9 KJV: “[Christ] tasted death for every man.” So, for how many people did the Lord Jesus Christ die? CHRIST TASTED DEATH FOR ALL PEOPLE!

Colossians 1:23 says “[the gospel has been] preached to every creature which is under heaven.” If God only wants to save those He has selected for salvation, why has the gospel been preached “to every creature?” The Apostle John writes (1 John 2:2 KJV): “And he [Jesus Christ the righteous] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” For whose sins did Christ Jesus die? “For the sins of the whole world.” “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Every man died in Adam, but every man can be made alive in Christ. It is up to the person to trust in Christ or to reject Christ.

Paul writes: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Christ came in the world to “save sinners.” If Jesus Christ only came to save believers, then that would mean lost people were not sinners! Is that true?

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:10 KJV: “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” How can God be the “Saviour of all men?” Because Christ died for all men! Potentially, anyone can get saved through the finished crosswork of Jesus Christ. However, the benefits of Calvary cannot be applied to a person until that person has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (“specially of those that believe”).

If Christ only died for a select few, then why does Titus 2:11 KJV say, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men?” God’s grace that brings us salvation has appeared to everyone because everyone can benefit from the cross of Christ. If there really were people that God selected to go to hell, then why has God’s grace already appeared to those people?

John 1:7-11 KJV testifies to the fact that the Light (Jesus Christ) “which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” If God chose some people to go to hell, why has this light from God already lighted every man? Obviously, God has not chosen people to go to hell like so many claim because God has illuminated every person with the truth. Every person has received enough knowledge from God to make a decision for salvation. The sad news is that most people refuse to have faith in what God says, so they remain lost and dead in their trespasses and sins.

Does God want all people saved, or some people saved? According to 1 Timothy 2:4—“[God] who will have all men to be saved”—God wants everyone to get saved. “The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). If God wanted all men saved, would Jesus Christ only die for the Christians? Of course not!

What about the ark of Noah? Did God only choose Noah and his family to go into the ark? If God only wanted to save Noah and his family, and if God chose the rest of the world for hell, then why did the ark’s door stay open for seven days prior to the flood, as taught in Genesis 7:4,10?

Notice what 1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV says “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Who will God save? Only those He chose to save? NO! God will save those “that believe,” anyone and everyone who believes/trusts in Christ Jesus for salvation!

Hebrews 7:25 says of Jesus Christ, “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.” Notice how Jesus Christ will save anyone who “comes unto God by him.” This is free will again. Lastly, read Revelation 22:17 KJV: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The door is open for anyone and everyone to come drink of the living waters (the salvation found in Christ Jesus).

NOTE: If Christ died for all people, and He did, does that mean everyone in the world today is going to heaven? No, it does not. Potentially, everyone can go to heaven. However, the finished cross work of Jesus Christ must be imputed (applied) to an individual. The merits of Calvary are applied to an individual once that individual trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour. See Ephesians 1:12,13 and 1 Timothy 4:10.

CONCLUSION

Religious nonsense has made a mess out of the terms “election” and “predestination,” two Bible terms with great importance. Religion has also coined a new term, “limited atonement,” a teaching that also contradicts sound Bible doctrine. These three teachings in religion ignore man’s free will, destroy the message of grace to all mankind, and tarnish God Almighty’s reputation.

  1. Every person is born with an innate knowledge of a Creator God because creation declares His existence. Thus, everyone is “without excuse” just as Romans 1:20 declares. Everyone can know God; the question is, do they want to know Him? This is free will!! Anyone who goes to heaven went to heaven because he or she trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation—not because God chose he or she for salvation.
  2. God’s grace that brings salvation has appeared to “all men” (Titus 2:11). God wants no one to perish in the flames of hell (2 Peter 2:9). The Bible never says God chose people to go to heaven or hell. Anyone who goes to hell chose to go there—God gave them a free will do accept of reject His offer of salvation.
  3. God is a God of unfathomable mercy, love, and grace. His nature demands perfection, and His justice executes judgment on anything that is less than absolute perfection. God’s righteous anger and wrath are brought about because we are born sinners and rebels against Him. However, God sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to pay for the sins of the whole world. Christ died for “all” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The blood of Christ was shed so that all sin of all time could be atoned for all people. Christ tasted death for “every man” (Hebrews 2:9).
  4. As Christians, we should witness to everyone. They can choose to believe the Gospel the Grace, or reject it in unbelief. It is their choice! As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21: the Lord gave us Christians the ministry of reconciliation. That is, we “ambassadors for Christ” have the ministry of telling the lost world that God has already reconciled them with Himself through Christ and His finished work on the cross! All they have to do place their faith in Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and this will bring about their salvation!

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV

“1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Valentine’s Day 2011 – Love: Being Spent for Others

February 13, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

What is love? In today’s world, “love” seems so meaningless—it seems to have been swallowed up by hate and watered-down by commercialization. God engineered our souls to desire to socialize with others. By nature, we all seek to be loved and accepted; however, our nature is also sinful and selfish, and we seek our interests at the expense of others. What is love, and how and why should we love others? In this Bible study, we shall let God’s grace teach us about love.

Someone once defined love as “seeking another’s highest good,” and I would have to agree, but let us take it a step further. Love is best described in 2 Corinthians 12:15, where the Apostle Paul writes: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Sometimes, no matter how much you do for someone, and no matter how much you love him or her, the person will never reciprocate. Love is seeking another person’s highest good, even if it means at your expense, and even if means they ignore what you did.

The Apostle John writes to his Jewish followers (1 John 3:1): “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” Why do we love the Lord? “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Ephesians 2:4-5 says: “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

The grace of God paints a beautiful portrait of love. A rugged cross, crimson red, a most shameful and cruel place to die, a place where God the Son gave His life for us!! In John 15:13, the Lord Jesus said “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Romans 5:8 tells us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” When Jesus Christ died for us, the Bible says that He died “for the ungodly,” for His enemies!

Love is not just dying for your friends, but dying for your enemies too! Unfortunately, even after all the suffering Jesus Christ experienced to give us an opportunity to be saved, much of mankind could not care less. “For God so loved the world,” John 3:16 says, yet John 3:19 says “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Mankind is so evil that he even rejects his chance to be saved from the everlasting penalty of his sin!

As 2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV says, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” God loved us so much that He literally “spent himself for us.” Ephesians 5:2 speaks of Christ’s finished work on Calvary: “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” God the Father was so pleased with His Son’s sacrifice of Himself for us!! If you want love, look to the cross of Calvary! You will find no greater love than that, beloved!

God the Father loved His Son, and God the Son loved His Father (John 3:35; John 5:20; John 10:17; John 14:31; John 15:9; John 17:23-24). In fact, from heaven, God the Father looks down at His Son Jesus Christ on earth, and declares: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God the Father wanted to save mankind, and God the Son loved His Father so much, He acquiesced (was submissive) to His Father’s will. He was going to come to planet earth and die for man’s sins. The love God the Son had for His Father motivated Him to fulfill His Father’s will and die on the cross of Calvary. “Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

God’s grace teaches us to be “spent for others,” to put other’s needs ahead of our own, just like Jesus Christ did. (Remember, this does not mean we should be doormats!!) “Despising the shame,” Hebrews 12:2 says, Jesus Christ went through the sufferings and the death of the cross for us! The Bible says in Romans 12:9-10: “Let love be without dissimulation. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).

Galatians 5:22 says that a fruit of the Holy Spirit is “love.” When the Holy Spirit works within the believer, He will generate love—the same love that all the members of the Godhead have for each other. It is a selfless love, a love that never changes or ceases to exist, a love that seeks another’s highest good. This, beloved, is the love of Christ, the same love that sent Him to Calvary!

The love that motivated Christ Jesus to go to Calvary is the love wherewith we love the Christian brethren (1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:4-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Titus 3:15; Philemon 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:14). This is why Paul, James, Peter, John, and the other writers of Scripture would call fellow believers “beloved” or “dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1; James 1:19; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 3:2; et al.). It is this love that causes us to love the lost people of the world.

This love of Christ “constraineth” (motivates, propels) us, as 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, and “should not henceforth live unto [ourselves], but unto him which died for [us], and rose again.” Galatians 2:20 says the Son of God “loved [us], and gave himself for [us].” This love of God produces “charity,” the outward working of love—charity is love manifested in deed. Charity is what the Bible calls the “labour of love” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). The love of Christ working mightily in us causes us to focus more on serving others and less on ourselves. When God’s love is operating in us via the Holy Spirit, we fulfill 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

In Romans 13:8-10 KJV, we see the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us believers to fulfill the demands of the Mosaic Law (which we could not obey in the strength of our flesh):

“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

We see a similar concept taught in Galatians 5:13-16: letting the love of Christ dwell in us, enabling us to love others in the same manner. We can get on each other’s nerves, yet Ephesians 4:2 says “forbearing one another in love.” That is, put up with (tolerate) one another for love’s sake!

The Bible says that Jacob loved Rachel so much that he worked for her father Laban in exchange for her hand in marriage. “Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her” (Genesis 29:20). Laban tricked Jacob, so Jacob actually worked for a total of 14 years (Genesis 29:27). Still, all those years “seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” No matter the price, Jacob was willing to be spent for Rachael’s hand in marriage.

Now we apply that to Jesus Christ. In His foreknowledge, He could see the horrible death awaiting Him. He knew of the beating, the shame, and the torment He would feel in His physical body and in His soul. Yet, like Jacob loved Rachel, and spent himself for her, the Lord Jesus went through the sufferings of the cross because He loved us, and He loved His Father.

Two of my favorite verses are 1 John 4:8,10 KJV which tell us: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love… Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Ephesians 3:19 says the love of Christ “passeth knowledge.” We cannot even begin to imagine how much God Almighty loves us! Just remember, the Lord Jesus Christ loved (and still loves) you with a love that surpasses everything we will ever know in this life.

After all, the grace of God paints a bloody portrait, in that the Son of God, on the cruel cross of Calvary, allowed Himself to be spent for others! By faith, will you walk in your identity in the Lord Jesus Christ, and allow yourself to be spent for others, also?

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Purgatory Does Not Exist

February 4, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

My dear Catholic readers, I love you because the Lord Jesus Christ loves you. I politely write to you, but I will not compromise Scriptural truth for the sake of pleasing the masses. I would rather be frank with you and provide you with the knowledge to go to heaven, than give you a “sugar-coated message” and let you go to hell.

The average Catholic is unlearned regarding the concept of purgatory: some Catholics are unfamiliar with it, while other Catholics doubt its existence. The Catholic Encyclopedia states: “Purgatory (Lat., “purgare,” to make clean, to purify) in accordance with Catholic teaching is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.” The problem with this concept is that Christ already “purged” our sins with His blood “by Himself” (Psalm 79:9; Hebrews 1:3). We simply rely exclusively on His death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection as means for salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us, and we need not to suffer for our own sins.

Pope Gregory X and Pope John XXII both affirmed the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church (see quotes at end): “the souls of those who die in mortal sin or with original sin only, however, immediately descend to hell.” The Catholic Church teaches that idolatry is one of many mortal sins, worthy of immediate hellfire. Keep this in mind as we now refer to 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, a classic apocryphal passage used to “confirm” purgatory’s existence.

Beginning in verse 40: “And they found under the coats of the slain, some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.” In verse 46, Judas Machabeus “prays for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins.” These slain people died because of idolatry (remember, a mortal sin), so Catholic teaching claims they went to hell to be punished. How was it possible to pray for someone who went to hell? That is a contradiction, which is not surprising because some apocryphal books do not even claim Holy Spirit inspiration.

  • Pope Gregory X, Second Council of Lyons, 1274, ex cathedra (“from Peter’s chair”): “The souls of those who die in mortal sin or with original sin only… immediately descend into hell, yet to be punished with different punishments.”
  • Pope John XXII in a letter “Nequaquam sine dolore” to the Armenians on November 21, 1321 repeated this declaration: “It [The Roman Catholic Church] teaches . . . that the souls . . . of those who die in mortal sin, or with only original sin descend immediately into hell; however, to be punished with different penalties and in different places.”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory

January 11, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it [the hidden wisdom of verse 7], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8 KJV).

Many “Christian” groups and cults deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Consequently, these people cannot be true Christians in the Biblical sense. Jesus Christ was much more than a mere “Prophet of God.” He was more than “a teacher with great wisdom,” or a “good man who died a martyr’s death.” The Bible adamantly states that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Creator God of Genesis 1:1!

Jesus Christ is from “everlasting,” the Bible says in Micah 5:2 KJV (modern versions omit this word and use “ancient times,” unfortunately). According to the King James Bible, long before Bethlehem, Christ existed in heaven, as a Spirit, God the Son. But, in order to be Israel’s Messiah and King, He had to have a physical body that could shed blood. So, God selected the virgin Mary, Joseph’s future wife, to be the mother of the body of Jesus Christ—remember, Mary was not the “Mother of God,” she was simply the human mother of the body in which God the Son’s Spirit would dwell (John 1:1-4, 14).

Read 1 Timothy 3:16 KJV, which summarizes the life of us members of the Church the Body of Christ (which is Christ living His life in and through us; Galatians 2:20): “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” Interestingly, most—if not all—modern English Bibles have replaced “God” with “He” or “He who” (!). This is a serious theological error guilty of denying the deity of Jesus Christ (a second example of many errors in the modern English versions).

In the Old Testament, God the Son (Jesus Christ) was known to the nation Israel as “JEHOVAH,” or “LORD.” Jesus Christ is the Creator of everything (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:1-2), it was Jesus Christ who threw Satan out of heaven (Luke 10:18), it was Jesus Christ who was in the ark with Noah (Genesis 7:1), it was Jesus Christ who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24,25), and it was Jesus Christ who spoke to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:12-14; John 8:56-58).

Christ Jesus is even prophetically named “the mighty God and the everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6,7). Titus 2:13 calls the Lord Jesus “the great God and our Saviour.” Colossians 2:9 says “in [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Christ claimed that if you saw Him, you saw the Father (John 14:8,9). Cleary, Jesus Christ is fully God, yet fully man: this makes Him fully capable of being the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Hebrews 1:8 clearly says that Jesus Christ is “God.”

In the form of a humble man, God lived in a human body just like our body, and He endured physical and emotional pain like we do today (Philippians 2:5-11). Christ cried, laughed, felt joy, felt righteous anger, and grew tired and sleepy (Matthew 21:12,13; Mark 4:37-39; John 8:1-8; et al.). What did Christ look like? It is unlikely that He had blond hair and blue eyes, as religious tradition often depicts Him. On the outside, He looked like a common Jewish man, but on the inside He was far from ordinary (Isaiah 53:2).

The Lord Jesus felt compassion (Matthew 20:31-34), and had pity on those who were afflicted (Mark 1:23-26 and Luke 6:6-11, for example). He was tempted by Satan just like we are tempted today, but He did not sin (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5). He did not marry, and He did not have kids—He came to save Israel and the world from their sins, and He would have no reason to marry anyone (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6).

Despite His love, He was abused, spat upon, rejected, abandoned, crucified, and suffered greatly (Psalm 22:1-21; Isaiah 53:1-12). Nevertheless, Jesus Christ rose from the dead in great victory and power (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Hebrews 1:21), and He ascended to God the Father’s right hand (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 12:2). Today, He is making intercession for us (Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5).

One day Jesus Christ will return, and become the King of Israel. For now, He is waiting for more people to get saved and come into the Body of Christ by faith. Then, when the Body of Christ is complete, it will be raptured, and God will return to Israel. After the seven-year Tribulation, then Jesus Christ will return and set up His glorious earthly kingdom.

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

“A Fair Shew in the Flesh” (Formalism Rebuked)

January 9, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

Galatia was a region in present-day north-central and south-central Turkey. On his second apostolic journey, Paul established a number of small, Christian assemblies in this area (Acts 16:6; Acts 18:23). Legalistic Jews (both saved and lost) were pressuring the Christians in Galatia to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved (Acts 15:1-5 cf. Galatians 3:1-5; Galatians 5:1-6).

In effect, these false teachers were commanding the Galatians to ignore their position in Christ and discard the salvation that they already received through grace without works. Beloved, we are facing the same predicament today in regards to denominationalism and works-religion! The devil is still trying to corrupt the simple Gospel of Grace with man-oriented church tradition. In this Bible study, we want to study the Bible to see what God has to say about formalism (performing ceremonies, rites, and rituals for the sake of pleasing man).

* * *

In some of his closing remarks, the Apostle Paul writes in his epistle to Galatia (6:12,13 KJV): “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”

Notice, some Jews were pressuring the Galatians to be physically circumcised (just like the Law of Moses demanded; Leviticus 12:3 cf. Genesis 17:12). Those Jews knew that Paul was facing persecution because he was preaching the (anti-works-religion) grace message, and those Jewish teachers did not want to “suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” Thus, they “played it safe.” These “denominationalists” avoided the persecution that Paul faced by agreeing with Paul’s opponents! This is why those Jewish religious leaders were preaching circumcision and Law-keeping for salvation.

There was another reason why these Jewish religionists were preaching their legalistic message. The Bible said in Galatians 6:12,13 that they wanted “to make a fair shew in the flesh.” They wanted others to see their new converts. They wanted to “glory in [the Galatians’] flesh.” In other words, “Hey, look everyone, we have some new members of our religion! Behold our humbling religious ceremonies and rituals!” Modern-day Christendom says the same thing!! How so?

Ever heard of making a profession of faith? Lighting candles and kneeling at an “altar?” Walking an aisle? Getting water baptized in a local church? Rededicating your life to the Lord? Repeating a prayer? Jumping and shouting during “worship time?” These activities identify perfectly with circumcision and Galatians 6:12,13. It is something that looks nice and it generates pride because it is something that you are doing in your own strength; hence the term “shew in the flesh.” Let me give you one example.

My family once went to a denominational church. For the two years we went there, we always saw one of the deacons going speak with the pastor at “invitation time.” Every Sunday morning after the service, I would see the same man go up to the front and talk with the pastor, or go off to the side in the front and kneel to pray. I found that rather odd. Why was this deacon going up so often? That question was unanswered for us; when we left the church over doctrinal issues, I asked a former deacon of the church what was going on, and his explanation shocked us.

Before my family ever went to church, it was losing members. The pastor had been pressuring his deacons to go up every Sunday. In doing so, this would encourage other members to go up, get water baptized, come to the front and pray, and so on. When this former deacon refused to go along with the charade, the pastor grew upset. One deacon complied, however… it the same deacon that we would see going up every Sunday! Furthermore, it was that same pastor that would pressure a friend of mine to walk the aisle and get water baptized, even though she was already saved and was complete in Christ (without having water baptism or walking an aisle; Colossians 2:10).

It is rather sad that this is going in so many “Christian” churches today. Not all churches are bad, just most of them. They are so caught up in denominational viewpoint that they miss the simple truths of the Bible rightly divided (dispensational Bible study).

  • Walking down an aisle does not save anyone any more than walking through a local park. (By the way, Matthew 10:32,33 has nothing to do with walking down an aisle.)
  • Making a so-called “profession of faith” is religion.
  • Water baptism does not belong in this the Dispensation of Grace (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5).
  • Uttering repetitious prayer is paganism (Matthew 6:7).

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith does not motivate us to get water baptized, walk an aisle, and so on because God does not require us to do them. Faith would not cause us to do something God never told us to do. Only unbelief (rebellion, sin) would cause us to do something contrary to God’s Word to us.

We can do all the activities that appeal to the flesh—recall the candle-burning, the “solemn” prayer time, the walking down an aisle, getting water baptized, et cetera—but if there is no underlying faith in God’s Word that motivates us to do these activities, then it is a waste of time. God is not looking for our “beautiful outward appearance” because deep down we are all sinners. The deacon I mentioned earlier, he was simply going forward because the pastor wanted him to do so (there was no underlying faith in God’s Word). Let us further consider this matter.

During His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ extensively rebuked Israel’s religious leaders because of their “formalism.” Basically, they were performing the religious rites and rituals with impeccability, making sure everything was done perfectly, but all done in unbelief (no faith). Look at Matthew 23:3. The scribes and Pharisees disobeyed God’s instructions given through Moses, but they commanded everyone else obey the Law of Moses. Verse 5 says “but all their works they do for to be seen of men.” Whenever these religious leaders did good deeds, it was just to be seen of others. They wore long robes, they loved the greetings of “Rabbi,” and they enjoyed the special seats at feasts and in the synagogues. What pride! Mankind naturally loves to boast in something he did.

Matthew 23:13-ff. shows us just how hypocritical these religious leaders were. Rather than letting God’s people hear God’s message, these corrupt religionists would hinder God’s work, suppress God’s Word, and kill/persecute God’s prophets and apostles (verse 13). According to verse 14, they “devoured widows’ houses, and for a pretence made long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” It was all a show for everyone to see and praise them; it was “pretence,” a false display (it looked good, but it was evil). It was “a fair shew in the flesh.”

Verse 15 says Israel’s religious leaders would win converts to their religion, but their converts were never told God’s pure message of salvation—they made the proselyte (convert) “twofold more the child of hell” than they were, the Lord Jesus said!! We see just how dangerous “a fair shew in the flesh” can be. It looks so good on the outside, but inside, it is nothing but satanic deception—formalism plays on our emotions. The deception is so great it actually distracts people away from the message of salvation in Christ Jesus. It generates unbelief, even in the hearts of Christians! It emphasizes man’s works rather than stressing Christ’s finished work on Calvary!

Now, I am not saying that all church leaders are evil or untrustworthy. There are some good Christian men who are serving the Lord and leading churches as God has called evangelists, pastors, and teachers to do, but that number of saints is very small, and it seems to be getting smaller and smaller as the years pass. Most of Christendom is filled with church members participating in mindless religious activities. How do you suppose God feels?

We should exercise extreme caution when it comes to rituals, ceremonies, and rites in a local church building. Lighting candles, uttering repetitious prayers, kneeling before altars or statues, walking aisles, and so on are oftentimes vain worship, and God is not pleased with it. In fact, Isaiah chapter 1 (11-15) speaks of God hiding His face from Israel’s religious activities. JEHOVAH was so sick of Israel’s formalism that He actually said (Isaiah 1:13) “I cannot away with; it is iniquity!” In other words, God said: “I cannot stomach it, get away from Me with your vain worship. It is nothing but wickedness!”

Undoubtedly, God would repeat this in regards to most of Christendom today! “I am sick of all the denominationalism. It is nothing but a fair shew in the flesh. I am not at all fooled.”

CONCLUSION

Do not let someone lead you to faithlessly mimic God’s program for Israel—this includes water baptism, tongue-talk, work to prove your salvation, reciting the “Lord’s prayer,” confess your sins, and so on. God wants people (saints) who have a firm understanding of His Word to them: this is why dispensational Bible study is so important.

God does not want imitation, or empty performance; He wants people who actions reflect their inward (heart) state. God does not want people who merely claim to be His children, but who are His children and who live lives that please Him and reflect the grace life described in Paul’s epistles. God does not want people who simply act like the Bible, but who actually believe what God’s Word says to them. The foremost issue is the attitude of the heart (faith or unbelief).

If we are to be in accordance with God’s will today, we need to break away from all the mindless “worship” and rituals of Christendom—the formalism—and start focusing on the sound doctrine that Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, teach. We should not be doing things to boast in what we did. Our motivation for doing good works is not to be seen or praised of men, but to reflect the sound doctrines in the Pauline epistles.

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

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