DM#5: That which may be known of God is manifest

Doctrine of the Mysteries #5

Rom 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

That which may be known of God is manifest

A person can make up excuses. They can tell themselves, and others, that they do not believe in God, or in being accountable to Him. They can reason away the truth with philosophy, or science, or skepticism. They can even revel in the glory of their ignorance, but they can never completely hide themselves from God. There will always be that deep sense of truth, ever present within them.

Insights into the messed up 'Modern Denominational' view of Salvation (incl. the Olive Tree)

Insights into the messed up 'Modern Denominational' view of Salvation

Below is a comment on one of my posts regarding salvation by grace through Christ alone. After the comment, I reply with my answer, rightly divided.

COMMENT:

If people listen to the gospel that you preach, in which people are saved by grace alone, they would never be saved. Anybody can just narrate passages, but teachers should first learn before teaching. On a little side note before the shocker, Paul blatantly tells the Gentiles in the church that just as the Israelites have been cut out of the Olive tree, so can they, if they do not continue in His goodness. That means it is possible to NOT continue in His goodness, which he says will result in being chopped off! There are many more versus like I’LL SAY I NEVER KNEW YOU, and I’LL SPEW OUT OF MY MOUTH, and I WILL BLOT YOUR NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, and many more.

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 7): Our Blessings

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 7 of 7): Our Blessings

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

Romans 5:1 begins, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have..." and then proceeds to speak of the blessings that we have as believers. These are blessings given to every person who has been justified by faith. In previous lessons we have already seen that we have peace with God, a standing in grace, a hope of glory, and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. As wonderful as this is, there is even more! In this lesson we will learn more about the marvellous blessings that we have in Christ.

Regeneration

Titus 3:3 describes each one of us before we were justified by faith: "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." Certainly not a very pretty picture! We were enemies of God and were spiritually dead. However, that is not the end of the matter! "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:4-6). This passage tells us about another spiritual blessing we have. We have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The word "regeneration" means, to be produced anew. The Holy Spirit has quickened us in our spirit. We are no longer "dead in trespasses and sins," but have spiritual life within us.

DM#4: The grace gospel, to all nations

Doctrine of the Mysteries #4

Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The grace gospel, to all nations

When the Lord chose Paul to be the apostle and minister of the Mysteries, He indicated to Paul that this message was for everyone, saying,

Act 9:15 … bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Similarly, Paul confirms this condition in our key verse saying that he was a debtor to the Greeks and the Barbarians. The term, Greeks, could denote “those who dwelt in Greece”, but it can also be synonymous with those who are civilized, or refined, or the wise. As for Barbarians, the term itself, properly denotes one who speaks a foreign language, or a foreigner, and the Greeks applied it to all who did not use their tongue. See the following verse for example,

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 6): Eternal Security (Continued…)

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 6): Eternal Security (Continued…)

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

In a previous post, we learned that we can know that we have eternal life. It is vitally important that each of us have this absolute assurance. Thus, I will devote a second post to this critical topic.

Sealed with the Holy Spirit

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Notice the progression in verse 13: First you hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; Secondly, you believe in Christ and His death for your sins; Thirdly, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (1. Hear the gospel; 2. Believe the gospel; 3. Sealed with Holy Spirit) Everyone who hears the gospel and believes it, is sealed with the Holy Spirit.

DM#3: Established by a Spiritual Gift

Doctrine of the Mysteries #3

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Established by a Spiritual Gift

The ‘spiritual gift’ that Paul was to impart upon the church at Rome was not the kind of miraculous powers that operated in the early church under the apostleship of the 12. Miracles had a specific purpose in the Jewish church at that time. Like the miracles that Jesus did, God’s power through the 12-apostles was to confirm to Jews that they operated under the ministry and blessing of God. Remember, Jews required signs for this very purpose, Joh 4:48; 1Cor 1:22.