|
 Why
you should
STUDY
THE BIBLE
What does the Bible
say?
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
THE
BIBLE IS THE LIVING WORD OF GOD
"Blessed
are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole
heart."
(Psalms 119:2)
Jesus
said: "But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you."
(Matthew 6:33)
WHY
SHOULD I STUDY THE BIBLE?
The
Bible is the supreme revelation in print of God's will towards us.
Studying the Bible is essential for us to understand the will of God and
the plan he has for us.
The
basic plot of the Bible is very simple - it is the theme of redemption
that is available to all humanity through Jesus Christ.
WHY
IS BIBLE STUDY SO IMPORTANT?
God
promises to be our Father, if we believe His Word and live by it. It
would not be possible for us to live by the Word of God if we have not
read it, studied it and understood it.
It
is vitally important to study the Bible for the following reasons::
because
God calls us through the gospel
because
studying the Bible is how we obtain spiritual knowledge and
wisdom
because
studying the Bible helps us to become strong and able to do the
work of God
because
God will only attend to our prayers if we are righteous, and we cannot
be righteous without learning his
commandments, statutes and laws, all obtained by reading
the word of God.
THE
BIBLE IS NO
MERE BOOK - BUT THE BIBLE IS THE LIVING WORD OF GOD
"The
Bible is no mere book," Napoleon Bonaparte is reported to have said,
"but a Living Creature with a power that conquers all that oppose
it." HE SPOKE MORE THAN HE KNEW.
Many
scientists, philosophers and wise men have concluded that the universe
cannot explain itself. This is why we should study the Bible.
The Bible, when studied and properly understood reveals "secret
wisdom", that shows God had the plan in place for eternal life
long before time began. (1 Corinthians 2:7)
The
Holy Bible contains 66 Books and the central figure in the Bible is Jesus
Christ. Many years after the dramatic death, burial and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, one of his disciples spelled it out very clearly in the
following verse:
And
many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which
are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have
life through his name. (John 20: 30-31)
God
did not tell us everything we would want to know. But he did tell us
through His words, The Bible, the things that were vital for us to know if
we are to enjoy eternal life. Eternal life in and through Jesus
Christ is the clear emphasis of the Bible and the message off our LORD and
Saviour, the only Son of God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
JESUS
CHRIST IS THE PIVOT OF THE WHOLE BIBLE
Jesus Christ, the pivot of the whole Bible, is the axis of the
plan of salvation. This was stated crisply by the British expositor
William Barclay:
To
be a follower of Jesus, to know who he is and what he means, is to have a
superabundance of life... When we walk with Jesus, there comes a new
vitality, a superabundance of life. It is only when we live with
Christ that life really becomes becomes worth living and we begin to
live in the real sense of the word. (Daily Study Bible: John, vol. 2, pg.
60).
Jesus
himself said centuries ago: "I am the gate; whoever
enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and
find pasture" (John 10:9).
THE
BIBLE IS THE LIVING TESTAMENT OF CHRIST
Jesus once replied to his hostile critics: "You diligently
study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal
life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse
to come to me to have life" (John 5:39).
Author
and theologian James Parker stated:
One
who fails to read the Bible is at an enormous disadvantage. Rightly
are Bible-reading and Bible-based meditation seen as prime means of grace.
Not only is Scripture the fountain-head for knowledge of God, Christ and
salvation, but it presents this knowledge in an incomparably vivid,
powerful and evocative way....
On
top of that, the fellowship of God with man to which it testifies is the
most momentous reality we can ever know, and the power of the Bible in its
readers' lives, a power springing both from its precious subject-matter
and from its unique divine inspiration is overwhelming. (God Has
Spoken, p. 13)
THE
BIBLE DOES NOT COMPROMISE OR CHANGE
The Bible is clear in its teachings that if we do certain things, God
will bless and prosper us! And if we do not, there will be no blessing!
The Bible does not compromise.
The
Bible has the proven ability to speak to our hearts as well as our heads.
Noted
Bible defender Bertram Ramm eloquently wrote about the Bible's proven
ability to change human lives..
Statically speaking, the Gospels are the greatest literature ever written.
They are read by more people, quoted by more authors, translated into more
tongues, represented in more art, set to more music, than any other book
or books written by any man in any century in any land....They are read
more, quoted more, loved more, believed more and translated more because
they are the greatest words ever spoken.
The
Bible says, "Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith;
Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrew 12:2)
The
Bible instructs: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of
the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (1 Peter 3:15)
"Behold,
the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it canot save, neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear." (Isaiah 59:1)
THE
DANGERS
of
changing & altering
GOD'S
WORD - THE HOLY BIBLE
To
get our spiritual bearings and to understand the important role the Church
has to play in society, all we need to do is look at the life of Jesus,
our perfect example!
The
Bible says: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
"And
His fame went throughout all Syria: And they brought unto Him all people
that were taken with divers diseases and torments and those which were
lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them. And there
followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis,
and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan." (Matthew
4:23-25)
JESUS
of Nazareth went into all their cities and villages teaching in all their
synagogues and healing ALL their sicknesses and ALL their diseases.
They brought to Jesus ALL who were sick and diseased and ALL manner of
diseases, torments, lunatics and those who were bed ridden; and He HEALED
them ALL. And ALL who touched Jesus and ALL whom He touched were
healed!
STRETCH
FORTH THINE HAND TO HEAL
When
the Early Church were persecuted by the authorities and forbidden to teach
or preach in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, they answered:
"Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken to you more than
unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have
seen and heard." (Acts 4:19, 20)
When
we were released from prison, they reported to the company of believers
what had happened. "And when they heard that, they lifted up
their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which
has made Heaven and earth, and the sea and all that in them is...."
"And
now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy Servants, that
with all boldness they may speak Thy WORD, by stretching forth hand to
HEAL; and that SIGNS and WONDERS may be done by the Name of Thy Holy Child
Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was SHAKEN when they were
assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they
spoke the Word of God with boldness....
"And
with great power gave the apostles witness of the Resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great GRACE was upon them all." (Acts 4:24-33)
MORE
MIRACLES: NOT LESS
His
disciples had walked with Him for 3 years and seen His compassion, heard
His powerful teaching and preaching. They knew His heart and love
for His Father in Heaven and His unwavering faith and dedication to His
Mission. They sensed the urgency in His voice and prayer life.
They had seen His power over the elements, evil spirits and even death.
They
realized the great value HEALING MIRACLES have in attracting people to the
Gospel. Jesus taught in the synagogue without much attention, until
He performed miracles upon the demon possessed. They knew His desire
to minister to NEEDY people. They had witnessed the surge of
multitudes listening to His message and repenting of their sins after He
had performed miracles of healing on the sick and suffering!
When
Peter and John brought healing to the crippled man at the temple's
Beautiful Gate, five thousand men had responded to their appeal to receive
Christ. Do you think they would stop at that juncture? Would
the threat of persecution turn them back? Would they react like many
of today's pussy cat, milquetoast preachers? DEFINITELY NOT!
They were tough, hardened men of God with faith in the promises of Jesus.
The
majority of this generation's preachers have scaled back on miracles and
the supernatural power of God to liberate the human race. They have
discontinued the prayer meeting for man-made programs. They have
discounted the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and replaced them with the
philosophies of men. Some have substituted flashing lights and
electronically generated SMOKE for the glory of God and the FIRE of the
Holy Ghost.
And
in many cases, some of
these so-called men of God have given in to the culture of political
correctness and have acquiesced under pressure to fit into the company of
lukewarm, half-baked, back-slidden, popularity driven clergymen.
One
of the greatest threats to the Church of this generation is the APATHY and
lack of concern regarding PURITY of the WORD of GOD that is gradually
being lost in many denominations. You may ask: "What is
driving this watering down of God's Word and the destroying of the
Church"?
WHAT
IS DRIVING THIS WATERING DOWN OF GOD'S WORD?
Satan wants to destroy the Church
Satan
is the destroyer and enemy of God and man and it utilizing every weapon in
his arsenal to achieve his goals, but cannot and will not be able to do so
because he is an eternally defeated enemy! The shed blood of our
Saviour Jesus Christ has decimated his power over those who are secure in
the Body of Christ!
Successive
NEW translations of the Bible deftly corrupt the Original Autographs in
seeking to erode the Deity of Jesus Christ, His Virgin Birth and His
Resurrection. The work of theologians who use what they call 'Higher
Criticism' are largely to blame.
My
message to those imposters is found in Hebrews 4:12; "For
the Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and
intents of the heart."
O'PUNY
MAN: Know who you are! Stop trying to judge God's Word.
We do not judge the Holy Bible. God's Word judges us!
Her
is another warning to theologians: "Every
Word of God is PURE. He is a shield unto them that put their trust
in Him. Add not thou unto His Words, lest He reprove thee, and thou
be found a LIAR." (Proverbs 30:5,6)
Through
Moses, God warned those who change His Word: "Ye
shall not add to the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God,
which I command you; What thing soever I command you, observe to do it:
Thou shall not ADD thereto, nor DIMINISH from it." (Dueteronomy
4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32)
St.
Peter said: "For the prophecy came not in
old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21). And St. Paul
declared: "All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Timothy
3:16)
JESUS
WARNS: DON'T CHANGE MY WORD!
Here
is a WARNING from Jesus Christ Himself: "For
I testify unto every man that hears the Words of the Prophecy of this
book. If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him
the plagues that are written in this book:
"And
if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy
city, and from the things that are written in this book." (Revelation
22:18, 19)
St.
Paul said: "But though we, or an angel from
Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached
unto you, let him be accursed. And we said before, so now I say
again; if any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that you have
received, let him be cursed." (Galatians 1:8, 9)
This
very serious statement was made by the man who was carried up into Heaven
and shown things which he was not allowed to reveal. He stated that
is AN ANGEL or if he personally returned to that church preaching
something different than the pure Gospel which he has preached to them,
let them be accursed!
ANOTHER
ENEMY OF GOD AND THE CHURCH IS THE TEACHING OF SYNCRETISM
Another
Enemy of God and the Church of Jesus Christ is the diabolical teaching of
SYNCRETISM which is invading the Body of Christ. Syncretism is
defined as the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions,
cultures, or schools of thought, into the Church of the Living God.
A
NEW DOCTRINE CALLED 'CHRISLAM' IS THE WORST SYNCRETISM
The
very worst syncretism is a new doctrine called 'CHRISLAM' that has
mixed Christianity and Islam in a number of Evangelical churches in the
USA. It is a diabolical doctrine spawned in Hell itself. What
part of Jesus' words do they not understand?
Jesus
stated: "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, AND KNOW MY
SHEEP....AND I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP." (John
10:14-15); "I AM THE DOOR: BY
ME, IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED." (John
10:9-10)
Jesus
warned: "For a good tree brings not forth
corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not
gather figs nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes." (Luke
6:43, 44);
"I
am the LIVING BREAD which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this
bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my FLESH,
which I will give for the life of the world." (Luke 6:51);
"I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto
the FATHER but by Me." (John 14:6)
MARANATHA:
THE LORD RETURNS!
Islam
teaches that Jesus Christ did not die, but that Allah changed his facial
appearance and made another man look like Jesus of Nazareth.
Further, they teach that Jesus was taken up to Heaven and chastised by
Allah for saying that He is the Son of God and that He will return in the
last days and declare that He is only a prophet lesser than Mohammed.
They
teach that their Jesus will lead a jihad to kill those who believe in the
Christian's Jesus, and that all must convert to Islam or be killed.
Have you heard such distortions? This is rank blasphemy!
St.
Paul stated: "If any man love not the Lord
Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema. Maranatha." (1
Corinthians 16:22). Maranatha is Aramaic as an imperative:
marana-tha - meaning "our Lord come: or as an indicative: 'maran-atha,
meaning "our Lord is come."
The
words Anathama (suspended) and Maranatha (our Lord comes) used in concert
means that a curse as well as a blessing will be in operation at the time
of Christ's return, When He sets up His Kingdom on earth two things will
happen: Those who have given their hearts and lives to Christ will
be blessed with eternal life, but those who have rejected Him will
be cursed with damnation!
Why
did St. Paul use - without translation - the Aramaic formula Maranatha in
a Greek letter to Corinth, where the Aramaic language was not in
use? Was it because Maranatha was a fixed formula and no doubt a
well known expression in the liturgy of the primitive Church in
Palestine? Many theologians believe that from Palestine is passed
into Greek Christendom without translation in fashion similar to 'Amen'
and Hosanna'. The formula Anathama Maranatha, is in fact, the exclamation
of the 'Approaching Divine Judgment.'!
St.
John declared: "Whosoever transgresses, and
abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides
in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into
your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that bids him God speed is
partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 9-11)
Here
is the clincher: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out
into the world. Hereby KNOW ye the Spirit of God:
"Every
spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesses NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh
is not of God. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have
heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world."
(1 John 4:1-2)
WHAT
DOES THE 'MAN OF GOD' MEAN WHEN HE SAID THESE WORDS?
What
did the 'man of God' mean by these words: "Every spirit that
confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is of God?" There
are more than seven billion people alive today and every one of us have
come in the flesh, but when God came down among us in the Person of Jesus
Christ, that was the Miracle of the INCARNATION.
Every
person that believes that Jesus Christ is God the Son and that He was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, shed His precious
blood for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead three days later,
are God's children and members of the Body of Christ.
Those
who DO NOT confess that Jesus Christ is the incarnated Son of God are not
saved and will not be saved unless they repent of their sins and invite
our blessed Saviour, the Lord of life, into their hearts.
The
Holy Bible declares to all believers in Jesus Christ: "Ye
are of God little children and have overcome them because greater is He
that is in you that he that is in the world." (1 John
4:1-4); "Hereby we KNOW that we dwell in
Him, and He is us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we
have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of
the world. Whoso shall confess that JESUS is the Son of God, God
dwells in him, and he in God."
"And
we have known and believed the LOVE that God hath to us. GOD IS
LOVE; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of
Judgment because as he is, so are we in this world."
"There
is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear: because fear has
torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We LOVE
Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:13-19)
OUR
FATHER GIVES MUCH MORE!
Let
me close this paper with these powerful Words of invitation from Jesus
Christ: "Ask and it shall be given you; seek
and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; For everyone
that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it
shall be opened."
"Or
what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread will he give him a
stone (something useless)? Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a
serpent (something dangerous)? If ye then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts unto your children, how MUCH MORE shall your Father which
is in Heaven, give good gifts to them that ask Him?" (Matthew
7:7-11)
The
Bible states: "Now unto Him that is able to
do exceeding abundantly ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to the
power that works in us. Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
(Ephesians 3:20)
Here
is an awesome promise from God's Holy Word:
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask
anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that
He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we KNOW that we have the petitions that we
desired of Him." (1 John 5:14-15)
Our
Heavenly Father stands ready to pour out His blessed Holy Spirit upon His
Church again and again, as we open our heart's door to Him. He will
give us from His storehouse: more
LOVE, more JOY, more PEACE, more COMPASSION, more HEALTH, more FINANCES,
more MIRACLES and more SOULS brought
into His Kingdom! Amen.
Why
was
JESUS CHRIST BORN?
Jesus Christ was
born to to destroy the works of the devil
Sin,
however, was in the world because Satan (the devil). The devil, who
is the father of sin and death, had been cast out of Heaven and is called
the 'Prince of the power of the air', as well as the 'god of this world'.
(Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
The
devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2;
Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).
Because
of Satan (the devils) rebellion and hatred for God, he had cunningly
planned his strategy by tempting Eve, with the Tree of Life, in the Garden
of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:8-22; Job 2:1-8)
GOD
CALLED ADAM WHERE ART THOU?
The
great transgression had been made by Adam & Eve. Now, for the
moment of truth. How would Adam & Eve feel? Would they now
be wise as God, as Satan (the devil) had promised them? Was the
rebellion and disobedience towards God worth it? No - a thousand
times NO.
Adam
& Eve's eyes were opened. But, what did they see? Adam
& Eve saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses, sin and
nakedness. Fear stalked and filled their souls. They had never
felt fear before sin entered their lives. They realized they were
naked, vulnerable and inadequate. Now, they realized they must face
the music, and meet God alone.
But
where was Satan (the devil)? Where was the evil one who had been
their wise tempter such a short time ago?
Of
course, the devil was gone, to gloat over his victory. I'm sure that
the devil, the liar and deceiver was not far away, probably hiding behind
a tree, excitedly waiting to see the inevitable outcome of their sin.
The inevitable outcome, the separation, dis-fellowshipping of God and His
special creation, man.
THE
DEVIL REJOICED OVER ADAM & EVE'S FEAR & TERROR
Evil
satisfaction filled the devil's heart as he observed Adam & Eve's
plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and terror.
Adam
& Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day. God said, "Adam, where art thou? ADAM,
WHERE ART THOU?"
As
God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me. "John,
where are you? Mary, where are you?"
Adam
answered, "We are hiding, we are naked, we are afraid"!
God questioned, "Who told you that you were naked? You were
clothed with My glory. Have you eaten of the fruit that I forbad
you"?
Adam
gave a typical answer from a typical sinner! Adam said, "The
woman you gave me, she gave me of the fruit. It is Eve's fault, she
gave me the forbidden fruit and it's really Your fault, Lord, because You
gave me the woman".
EVERYONE
LIKES TO PASS THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE
It
seems normal for people to justify themselves. It's much easier to
pass the buck, or to blame someone else rather than take the blame,
saying, "I made a mistake, I am wrong, please forgive me."
It's
similar to the preacher who enjoyed portraying woman in a negative way.
One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of Man', he vigorously
attacked Eve. If Eve, the weaker vessel, hadn't fallen, the world
wouldn't be in the mess it's now in. The preacher nailed Jezebel and
Delilah. "Women are the ruination of many good men", he
shouted.
At
the close of the service, the minister stood at the door shaking hands.
Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while others were glad to get
out the door.
A
tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling. She squeezed his
hand until he said, "Woman, you are hurting me". She
looked him square in the eye and asked, "Pastor, what is the
telephone number of the Garden of Eden"?
He
answered, "I don't know what you are talking about". She
squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch". She spoke
again, "Pastor, do you know the telephone number of the Garden of
Eden"? He answered, "Woman, I do not and by the way you
are hurting me." She said, "Well, I know the telephone
number of the Garden of Eden. It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go
of his hand and left.
Adam
ate one too! Eve wasn't the only one to blame. Adam also
disobeyed God, but really the blame goes into further - straight to the
evil one, the devil (Satan).
THE
DEVIL IS TO BLAME
God
didn't argue with Adam. He turned to Eve and said, "Woman,
what is this that thou hast done?" Eve made more sense than
her husband. She put the blame where it belong. "The
serpent beguiled me and I did eat."
I
agree with Eve. Satan (the devil) is the culprit. The devil is
to blame for all the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce, alcoholism, drug
addiction and juvenile delinquency. He is the architect of all that
is evil, wicked and destructive. Riots, anarchy, thievery, murder,
sickness, disease and war are the outcroppings and results of his plans,
goals, purposes and seduction.
SATAN
(the devil) IS TO BLAME. Shout it loud and clear - the devil is the
troublemaker.
JESUS
CALLED THE DEVIL A LAIR & MURDERER
Jesus
called him a liar, deceiver, murdered and thief. (John 8:44; John
10:10) Our Lord said, "The thief cometh not for to steal,
kill and destroy. I am come that they might have life and more
abundantly." (John 10:10)
YES
- THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME FOR ALL SIN
God
said, "THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SHALL BRUISE THE SERPENT'S HEAD."
Almighty
God called out "Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou among
all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go all the
days of thy life..." (Genesis 3:14-15)
It
is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time serpents and
snakes walked upright and didn't crawl on their bellies as today.
"And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed (the
wicked) and her seed (the righteous). It (Jesus, the seed of the
woman) shall bruise thy head..."
JESUS
DEFEATED THE DEVIL WITH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS
On
Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil. When Jesus paid the
supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again from the dead.
He had delivered the death blow to Satan.
When
Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan (the devil)
and since that very hour the blood of Jesus Christ washes away all the
sins of the repentant sinner, and His stripes bring healing to the
believing, sick person..
The
Bible says, "He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;
and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
WHY
DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn
the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John
3:16-17) Hallelujah.
The
Bible says: "Neither is there salvation through any other, for
there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby you may be
saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts 4:12) "There is
one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (1
Timothy 2:5)
JESUS
CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life and have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10) And St. John stated:
"For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy
the works of the devil". (1 John 3:8) The Scripture says, "When
the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with
devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that
were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the
prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT
DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?
Hear
it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was
upon Him (Jesus) and by His stripes we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Bible says, "Who His own self (Jesus) bare our sins in His own
body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins should live unto
righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were (at the cross) healed"!
(1 Peter 2:24) "He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
THERE
IS ONLY ONE WAY - JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh unto
the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Again our blessed
Saviour said, "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved..." (John 10:9) Again He said, "Come
unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest." (Matthew 11:28)
WHY
DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The
Bible says, "Without the
shedding of blood there is no remission for sins."
(Hebrews 9:22) "It is the blood that maketh atonement for
the soul." (Leviticus 17:11) Again, "The
soul that sinneth it shall surely die." (Ezekiel
18:20)
In
Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would be
sacrificed, spilling his blood. (Atonement means "covering")
AS THE LAMB DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED
ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
The
Scripture says, "If we walk in
the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John
1:7)
Jesus
is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins! "One of the
elders saith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven
seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne...stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And
He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps
and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints."
"And
they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;....Worthy
is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
"And
every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth,
and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:5-13)
JESUS
SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM
The
Bible says, "And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, He
made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians
2:12-15) Oh, Praise God.
We
serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today. I know that
He is living, whatever men may say...
I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just
the time I need Him....He's always near.
He
lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way.
He
lives...He lives....Salvation to impart....
You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.
What
power! What might! What strength, and what great ability Jesus
has. St. Paul brings it out so graphically in his epistles.
Drink in these truth and be set free and filled with all knowledge, joy
and Holy Ghost power.
"The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the
hope of His calling, and what the riches of glory of His inheritance in
the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward
who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He
wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His
own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and
power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all
things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the
church." (Ephesians
1:18-22)
The
Bible says, "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." (Ephesians 3:20)
St.
Paul writes, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of
darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son
(Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, even the
forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)
In
referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement, "Behold
the Lamb of God which taketh away from the sins of the world."
(John 1:29) To this agree the angel's words to Joseph, "Ye
shall call His name Jesus (Salvation) for He shall save (salvage) His
people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself
of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled
Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name is above every
name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven
and in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:5-11)
THIS
DAY IS THE SCRIPTURE FULFILLED
The
book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old Testament".
The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of Messiah Who would bring
forgiveness and healing to His people. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His
virgin birth; Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His Kingship and the fact that He is
very God; Isaiah 28:11-12 foretells the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the
end-time phenomena of glossalalia, or "speaking with other
tongues" as a gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful
strength to the Church in times of pressure and tension. Isaiah
61:1-3 prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness,
healing, deliverance and joy!
"And
he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was,
He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And
when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written,
"The
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he hath anointed Me to preach the
gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord."
"And
He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat down.
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And He began to say unto them, This day is the scripture fulfilled in your
ears." (Luke 4:16--21)
Jesus
entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet.
He ended the reading by saying, "This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears". He declared Himself the Son of God and
Jewish Messiah by those words.
The
year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of Atonement had
taken place. He would die on the cross like the lambs died on the
alters of Jerusalem because He is the Lamb of God which taketh away the
sins of the world." (John 1:29)
He
would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the high
priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the sacrificial
animal. Jesus was not only the sacrifice but also the high priest
Who carried His own blood into the Holy of holies in Heaven itself.
(Hebrews 9:11-14)
The
scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21) is also a type of Jesus carrying away our
sins. He is our substitute! Every 50th year Israel celebrated
the 'fear of Jubilee' when all the prisoners and slaves were freed and
debts were forgiven. This is a picture of the Gospel Age when
everyone is set free by the blood of Christ and His everlasting Gospel!
THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM.
My
dear friend, Let me admonish you to receive him into your heart and life
as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer and King.
JESUS
CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST
Jesus
said, "I am come to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke
19:10) You are included in that number, for "All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) You say, 'I
cannot live a Christian life in my own strength'!
You
are absolutely right. You can't do it in your own power, but He will
change you and give you the power to live for Him.
The
Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:11-12)
Jesus
promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you...." (Acts 1:8) Finally Jesus said, "I will
never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) "...and
lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew
28:20)
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