Disputations on Jehovah's Witnesses, Pt 2

16.  According to JW theology, before Jesus became a man, He was Michael the Archangel.

17.  According to JW theology, Jesus as Michael the Archangel was the first and greatest creation.

18.  According to JW theology, Jesus was a spokesman for God before His birth.

19.  According to JW theology, Jesus was not God on earth but He was merely a perfect man.

20.  According to JW theology, Jesus died and rose again but was restored back to Michael the Archangel.

21.  According to JW theology, Jesus was not God in human flesh.

22.  According to JW theology, Jesus is a lessor "god" then Yahweh in human flesh.

23.  According to JW theology, Jesus was like Adam was before his fall into sin but they fail to say that Jesus was Jehovah God in human flesh.

24.  According to JW theology, Jesus became the Christ when He was baptized.

25.  According to JW theology, Jesus was not immortal before His resurrection.

26.  According to JW theology, Jesus was raised as mere spirit.

27.  According to JW theology, Jesus did not rise in the same body in which He died.

28.  They deny that the Holy Spirit is a Person but state that He is an "impersonal force."

29.  They teach that there is no consciousness after death but the Bible teaches heaven and hell.

30.  They teach that man is a soul but does not have a soul but the Bible teaches a immaterial part of man as a living soul that God breathed into Adam as the first human being.

31.  They teach that an immortal soul came from pagan philosophy but the Hebrews long ago taught an immortal soul.

32.  They teach that Adam's sin was paid for at the Cross but not the sins of all humanity; however, the Bible teaches that Jesus' Cross paid for the sins of all humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24).

33.  They teach that we can work for our spiritual redemption but the Bible teaches that we are saved not grace through faith and that not of ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).

34.  They say there are two classes of Christians; that is, that there is the "little flock" and the "great crowd;" however, the Bible does not make this separation of distinction in its own biblical theology.

35.  They teach that people of the "little flock" will be "Christ" or "gods."  However, the Bible does not teach that Christhood or godhood of anyone but that the people of God are sinless saints.

36.  They teach there is no conscious eternal punishment for the wicked but that unbelieving people will be annihilated but the Bible teaches a literal eternal punishment in hell forever.

37.  They teach that Jesus was crucified on a stake rather than a Cross; however, John 20 refers to the prints of nails in His hand which makes it plural and that Jesus died on a Cross.

38.  They teach that participation in military service is forbidden but the Bible does not make this teaching true because David had a army and mighty men that fought for him.

39.  They outlaw birthdays and holidays; that is, they consider it pagan celebrations; however, these celebrations are harmless and not unbiblical.

40.  They do not allow blood transfusions; that is, they believe someone can lose their salvation through it; however, the Bible is clear that it is not the same thing as eating blood.

I Take My Stand At the Cross

We ought to take our stand at the Cross.  Here is a Christian hymn:

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me:
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love
And my own worthlessness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding-place:
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of his face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss;
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory, all the cross.

Till Not A Spot Remains

The blood of Jesus washes us clean. Here, sing along:

I lay my sins on Jesus,
The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
From the accursed load:
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
To wash my crimson stains
White in his blood most precious,
Till not a spot remains.
I lay my wants on Jesus;
All fullness dwells in him;
He heals all my diseases,
He doth my soul redeem:
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.
I rest my soul on Jesus,
This weary soul of mine;
His right hand me embraces,
I on his breast recline.
I love the Name of Jesus,
Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
Like fragrance on the breezes
His Name abroad is poured.
I long to be like Jesus,
Meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
The Father's holy Child;
I long to be with Jesus
Amid the heav'nly throng,
To sing with saints his praises,
To learn the angels' song.

Disputations on the Unification Church, Pt 1

1.   According to the Unification Church the Bible is not inerrant or the supreme authority.

2.  The Unification Church teaches that it is an incomplete revelation.

3.  They say the only correct interpretation is through Sun Myung Moon.

4.  They teach the Moon is the Messiah and God has taught His truth through him.

5.  Moon is made the written Scriptures an ineffective document.

6.  The Bible claims to be infallible, inerrant, inspired and authoritative.

7.  God assures us that His written Word is acceptable for all time.

8.  Jesus said that nothing in His written Word would pass away.

9.  Moon has made himself the ultimate authority for God's people.

10. They teach that God is not a Trinity but only the Father is God.

11.  They teach a modified view of pantheistism and/or panentheistism.

12.  God's body is creation's outward form.

13.  Male and female is the unifying thing that unites all reality.

14.  God can be understood as male or female.

15.  There were other trinities that failed but Jesus is also not equal with the Father.

16.  The Bible teaches a Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

17.  The Bible does not teach pantheistism or panentheistism.

18.  The Bible teaches that Jesus is co-equal with God the Father.

19.  Moon should not be the head of the people of God.

20.  There are no other failed trinities but one God revealed in three distinct Persons.

Disputations on Jehovah's Witnesses, Pt 1

1.  The Watchtower organization teaches that it alone can interpret the Bible correctly (Watchtower, October 1, 1967, p. 587).

2.  The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit illumines the sacred text of the Bible to arrive at the correct understanding of the divine Word.

3.  We are called to diligently study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:5).

4.  Paul was judged by the Bereans and we also ought to test the Watchtower organization.

5.  The New World Translation is the "scriptures" for the Watchtower organization.

6.  The Bible in the Watchtower organization is not translated correctly.

7.  The Trinity is not a true doctrine in Jehovah's Witness theology.

8.  Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Bible-believing Christians believe in three gods.

9.  We do not teach three gods but one God revealed in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

10.  Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Christian doctrine of the Trinity came from ancient paganism.

11.  The Christian doctrine of the Trinity did not come from ancient paganism.

12.  Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan invited the doctrine of the Trinity.

13.  Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus was Michael the Archangel.

14.  Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus merely pre-existed earth but He is not eternally self-existent.

15.  Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus was merely a perfect man but not God Incarnate.

The Cleansing Power of the Cross

Listen to the cleansing power of the Cross:

I hear thy welcome voice
That calls me, Lord to thee
For cleansing in thy precious blood
That flowed on Calvary.
I am coming, Lord;
Coming now to thee:
Wash me, cleanse me, in the blood
That flowed on Calvary.
Though coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou dost my vileness fully cleanse,
Til spotless all and pure.
'Tis Jesus calls me on
To perfect faith and love,
To perfect hope, and peace, and trust,
For earth and heav'n above.
'Tis Jesus who confirms
The blessed work within,
By adding grace to welcomed grace,
Where reigned the pow'r of sin.
And he the witness gives
To loyal hearts and free,
That ev'ry promise is fulfilled,
If faith but brings the plea.

The Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ

At the Cross our Savior Jesus was imputed our sins, transgressions and iniquities.  He paid the penalty of all our evil and filth and vileness.  He satisfied divine justice in our behalf and absorbed our punishment in our stead.  The divine righteousness alone of our Savior Jesus was imputed to us by faith alone and the shadow of the Cross hides our sins.  We are washed whiter then snow and He cleansed of our sins.  We are not redeemed by something else but by the Cross of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
Nor riches of earth could have saved my poor soul;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour now maketh me whole.

I am redeemed, but not with silver;
I am bought, but not with gold;
Bought with a price—the blood of Jesus,
Precious price of love untold.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The guilt on my conscience too heavy had grown;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour could only atone.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The holy commandment forbade me draw near;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour removeth my fear.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The way into heaven could not thus be bought;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour redemption hath wrought.

Disputations on Eckankar, Pt 1

1. Eckankar has a different set of scriptures; that is, it is called Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad and they also offer training materials for spiritual enlightenment.

2. The only way to reach their scriptures is through the spiritual city of Agam Des through a “soul body” (Encyclopedia of American Religions, p. 955).

3. Eckankar offers a 14-year training devotional that they encourage their members to follow (Eckankar Membership, p. 2).

4. The Bible is the Judeo-Christian Scripture that are God-breathed and it is different than Eckankar; that is, the Scriptures are not the same but vastly opposed to each other.

5. God made a covenant with Israel in Exodus 34:27, Deuteronomy 17:18, Isaiah 30:8-9 and Jeremiah 30:2; that is, we are also cautioned by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul not to go on with what is written in First Corinthians 4:6.

6. God reveals His truth but He does not teach esoteric teachings, but He teaches the revealed judgments, statues, commandments, testimonies and Word of God.

7. The knowledge of God comes through contact with light and sound of God; that is, He becomes known by these things.

8. Light and sound sustains all of life (What Is Eckankar? p. 1).

9. Sound is the Supreme Being and it is referred to as an impersonal force or “it.”  Light and sound reveal itself to the human consciousness (Eckankar: The Key to Secret Worlds, p. 96).

10. God’s self-revelation comes to us through the Divine Word and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as it is in the written Word. 

11. God is revealed in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Ghost is not an “it” or an “impersonal force” but a true person.

12. Eckankar claims the Bible is filled with esoteric sayings; however, this is only true when the Bible Code is introduced but it has no biblical trustworthiness or Scriptural support.

13. They claim few knew what Jesus was saying about following Him; however, Matthew knew what it meant because he stopped what he was doing and began to follow Him and accepted His invitation (Eckankar: The Key to Secret Words, p. 4).

14. The Scriptures is not an esoteric; however, it is God’s revelation to mankind.  Mark 4:34 says Jesus explained everything and that we may know we have eternal life through Jesus our Lord and Savior (First John 5:13).

15. Eckankar claims that Christianity has been changed from its original content; that is, they also claim that the Bible has been edited and altered and changed.

A Hymn on Forgiveness

Here is a Christian hymn on forgiveness and there are many projects I am interested in writing, but for now here is a Reformed hymn from the Trinity Hymnal.

To God be the glory, great things he hath done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that we may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory, great things he hath done!
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To ev'ry believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus forgiveness receives.
Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

The Biblical Existence of Eternal Hell, Pt 2

Hell is a place of eternal destruction; that is, it is a place of outer darkness.  It is the second death but torment lasts forever so there is no physical death in hell.  There is great spiritual and overall pain in hell.  God can destroy both body and soul in hell at His timing.  No one who believes and knows Jesus will end up in hell.

Wrath for Those Who Do Not Obey the Gospel
Romans 2:8-9 KJV

⁸ But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
⁹ Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

Angels Cast into Hell
2 Peter 2:4 KJV

⁴ For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Torment Day and Night
Revelation 14:11 KJV

¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Judgment 
Matthew 10:15 KJV

¹⁵ Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Cast into Hell
Matthew 5:29-30 KJV

²⁹ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³⁰ And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

The Father Can Destroy Body and Soul in Hell
Matthew 10:28 KJV

²⁸ And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The Greater Damnation 
Matthew 23:14 KJV

¹⁴ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

The Biblical Existence of Eternal Hell

Hell is a place of eternal torment; that is, people in hell are punished for their particular and general sins; however, those that are placed on Christ at the Cross are not punished in hell but remain in eternal glory.  Hell is what Jesus endured at the Cross for His particular people; that is, no one who Jesus suffered for will ever be in hell.  Cults deny the biblical existence of hell, but the Gospel of unified imputed merit is the only solution for totally depraved and corrupt sinners.

Hell is Forever
Matthew 25:41-46 KJV

⁴¹ Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴² For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
⁴³ I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
⁴⁴ Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
⁴⁵ Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
⁴⁶ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

In Hell There is Eternal Punishment 
Matthew 8:12 KJV

¹² But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Hell is Destruction
2 Thessalonians 1:9 KJV

⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Hell is Spiritual Fire
Revelation 19:20 KJV

²⁰ And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Hell is the Second Death
Revelation 21:8 KJV

⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Jehovah's Witnesses deny the biblical existence of eternal hell.  We profess the biblical doctrine of eternal hell because the Bible clearly teaches it.  

Jesus Loves His People

We should remember that Jesus loves His people; that is, He loves His children, fathers and young men.  No one can take the love of Jesus away from us; however, there are battles that come against us.  We can remain confident in Jesus because He loves us.

Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to him belong,
They are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me, he who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in.

Jesus loves me, loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high
Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me, he will stay
Close beside me all the way:
If I love him, when I die
He will take me home on high.

The Accuser of the Brethren

The Bible calls Satan the accuser of the brethren; that is, night and day he never stops accusing us of our faults, failures, sins, transgressions and iniquities.  He is the enemy of the Cross of Jesus Christ, because he seeks to undo what Jesus did at the Cross by taking away our sin and satisfying divine justice in our behalf.

People can also take the place of Satan, and accuse us before God and man.  This is an error; that is, we ought to never imitate Satan and accuse the people of God or God Himself of wrongdoing.  We ought to never accuse the brethren of their sins but be forgiving, tenderhearted towards each other, because God in Christ forgave us of all of our sins.  That means no matter how bad it is, we should use divine, holy, and lovely measures in discernment to forgive our neighbor from the heart in light of any accusation.  If there is an accusation, may we forgive each other and love one another in light of the divine teachings of Jesus Christ. 

We know that Satan knows our sins; that is, he keeps track of us regarding our sins to accuse us before God.  Dr. Walter Martin once commented on Satan's intelligence capacities and he remarked it far out did the intelligence communities in our land. We ought to say, "What of it?  I admit that I deserve death and hell, but there is One who paid full and divine satisfaction in my behalf.  His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is I shall be also!"  This is something like what Martin Luther would say.

Good Lord, help us to repent of our sins through Jesus crucified.  Deliver us from Satan and lead us to heaven.  Forgive our omissions and commissions of sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Amen.

Enemies, Forgiveness and Justice

The gospel is under constant assault by enemies of God; however, we enjoy the fellowship of the Triune God and His people in and through Jesus Christ our great God and Redeemer.  The assault against the gospel comes to us in many forms; that is, it comes to us in the form of ecumenicalism.  People want to unite but it is usually contrary to the gospel.  There is no compromise or middle ground.  I have searched to find a middle ground and I have found that it only muddles the divine truth of the gospel. 

There is forgiveness this day for the enemies of God; however, if they fail to make their peace with God by life-long and contrite repentance through Christ crucified it will end in eternal torment.  I am not saying that repentance saves us, but I am saying that the divine blood of Christ purifies us through and through.  Justice is either satisfied through punishment upon ourselves in hell or it is placed upon Jesus at the Cross.  I pray that my enemies would chose Jesus; that is, behind every genuine choice of Jesus is Jesus first choosing you.  We all need a divine Savior and God to redeem us from the curse of the law; however, no man can save himself but Jesus earned eternal redemption through His perfect life before Calvary.

Forgiveness and justice are real things and concepts; that is, truth is found in a Person and His name is Jesus Christ.  He lived for us because we could not fulfill the demands of the law of God.  We have failed to keep God's law perfectly but in our behalf Jesus has lived a perfect life for everyone of the believing ones.  We desperately need the perfect life of Jesus Christ in our behalf; however, if we add to His perfect work of living a perfect life we have muddled His saving merit.  No one should add to His work of living a immaculate life before God and man; that is, He had no sin in and of Himself.  He indeed did bore the sins of God's people that was applied to Him at the Cross; that is, all kinds of filthy sin was imputed to Him at the Cross for all the believing ones.

I think the greatest gift we can offer this rebellious world is not wealth, because it fades away and comes as quick as it goes.  It is not in success, because situations can fail us.  It is not in criminal pursuits because they are vain; however, it is in the goodness of forgiving the wrongs done to us.  This goodness does not come from us, but it comes from God's goodness.  We have no goodness in and of ourselves.  We desperately need God's goodness and it comes in the gift of Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  I have seen people abuse the divine grace of Jesus Christ and sin like the devil before and after my conversion to Him.  I think it is a matter of trusting Jesus and looking to Him alone and keeping Him as our supreme example; however, if we make sinful creatures as our example we will be disgusted, disgraced and frustrated.  That is, we must follow Jesus in all things and seek to do what Jesus would do.  This does not earn us spiritual salvation, because we cannot earn salvation; however, we can merit hell by our deeds because all human beings do is sin.  We have a totally corrupt nature and we are mortally wounded.  We desperately need God's divine grace through His written testimonies in His divine Word.  I needed His divine grace before I was converted.  I needed His forgiveness.  It came at His appointed time; that is, no one is beyond the power of forgiveness by God through His dear Son.  The greatest sinner needs only to trust Christ as their Savior and Lord!

I suffered a great deal before my conversion; however, that does not mean I did not suffer after conversion.  After conversion, all hell broke loose against me because the godly will suffer.  I suffered before conversion by all sorts of people.  Some were religious and some were even Christian!  However, I want to set the record straight; that is, I forgive all the sorts of people who harmed me at this specific time in my life.  I could ask for justice for them, but I pray God will forgive them through His Son.  There is no greater thing in life than the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  I offer them His greatest gift; that is, His very unified imputed merit of His life and death alone in the victory of His resurrection through simple trust in Jesus Christ.  May all sinners know Jesus as He is proclaimed in the written Scriptures.  Amen.

The Biblical Truth on Repentance, Pt 3

We ought to never leave a sin unrepeated of; that is, we should repent of known and unknown sins altogether.  Repentance is unto life; that is, we repent with life in our hearts and this is spiritual life.  We have sinned in light of the fact that we have violated His eternal holiness; that is, all our sins are eternal and infinite; however, the grace of God is exceeding farther than sin.

Repentance unto Life
Acts 11:18 KJV

¹⁸ When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Repentance unto the Remission of Sins
Mark 1:4 KJV

⁴ John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Repentant People have a New Heart
Ezekiel 18:31 KJV

³¹ Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Joy in Heaven
Luke 15:7-10 KJV

⁷ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
⁸ Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
⁹ And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
¹⁰ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
 
Bear Fruits of Repentance
Matthew 3:8 KJV

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Good Works of Repentance 
Luke 19:8 KJV

⁸ And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Godly Sorrow
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 KJV

⁹ Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
¹⁰ For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 We ought to have contrite obedience, good deeds, mourning and repentance.  Let us press on to the goal of heaven and live the gospel out for Christ's sake.  Amen.

The Biblical Truth on Repentance, Pt 2

Biblical repentance means that we acknowledged we have sinned against a holy God, and that we have violated His absolute holiness, righteousness and goodness.  Let us press onward to the prize of heaven by His awesome grace through the prosperity of the gospel.

Repentance unto Life
Acts 11:18 KJV

¹⁸ When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Repentance to the Spiritual Israel 
Acts 5:31 KJV

³¹ Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Contrite Mourning 
Zechariah 12:10 KJV

¹⁰ And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

All the Elect Should Come to Repentance
2 Peter 3:9 KJV

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Kindness Leads to Repentance 
Romans 2:4 KJV

⁴ Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Repent and be Baptized 
Acts 2:37-38 KJV

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Biblical Truth on Repentance

We must repent of our sins; that is, it must be contrite repentance.  Contrite repentance is turning and returning to God from our sins because we have offended His holiness and injured His tender heart.  Let us be careful to repent according to contrition and not fear of punishment.

National Repentance
Joel 3:5-18 KJV

⁵ Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:
⁶ The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.
⁷ Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:
⁸ And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it.
⁹ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
¹⁰ Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
¹¹ Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord.
¹² Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
¹³ Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
¹⁴ Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
¹⁵ The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
¹⁶ The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
¹⁷ So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
¹⁸ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Internal Repentance
Psalm 51:10-13 KJV

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Unavailing Repentance 
Hebrews 12:16-17 KJV

¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

True Repentance
Acts 9:1-20 KJV

9 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

² And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
³ And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
⁴ And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
⁵ And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
⁶ And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
⁷ And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
⁸ And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
¹⁰ And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
¹¹ And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
¹² And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
¹³ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
¹⁷ And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
¹⁸ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
¹⁹ And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
²⁰ And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Unreal Repentance
Exodus 9:27-35 KJV

²⁷ And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
²⁸ Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
²⁹ And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's.
³⁰ But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God.
³¹ And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
³² But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
³³ And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
³⁴ And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
³⁵ And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.

A Hymn on Trusting Jesus

We first trust Christ at our rebirth; that is, God the Spirit and God's Word has given us a new heart to trust Him; however, we could never trust Him in and of ourselves.  There is obedience to trust in Jesus throughout the Christian life; however, it is hard because of our sinful natures, but we can pray to trust Him more and more.  May you trust Jesus for your spiritual redemption!  Amen.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise;
Just to know, thus saith the Lord.  

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more.
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust his cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

The Blood of Christ

The blood of Christ is described as innocent, precious, necessary, sufficient, final, cleansing and conquering.  The basis of Christ's blood reconciliation, redemption, justification, sanctification, communion, victory and eternal life.  Help us to live under the blood of Christ. 

JR Miller wrote on the blood of Christ,

A quaint old man used to carry a little book which he took very often from his pocket, and which he called his "biography." It had only three pages, and there was not a word written on any of them; yet he said the little book told the whole story of his life!

The first page was black--that was his sin, which was his condition by nature. He would shudder whenever he looked at it.

The second page was red--that was the blood of Christ, and his face glowed when he gazed upon it.

The third page was white--that was himself washed in Christ's blood, made whiter than snow.

His book told the whole story of every redeemed life. Between the black of our sins, and the white of redemption--must always come the red of Christ's blood.

"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!" 1 John 1:7

We Must Obey the Gospel of Christ

We must obey the gospel of Christ; that is, we must repent and live out the gospel.  No one is perfect but this is the problem the human race; that is, that we are not perfect and that we are sinners.

^{Romans 10:15-17 KJV}

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:8 KJV

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:17 KJV

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

We must live by faith in the Son of God; that is, we must be obedient to the gospel.  The gospel teaches us that if we have sinned we ought to repent of our sin and live rightly.  

Galatians 2:20 KJV

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We Must Repent and Believe the Gospel

We ought to turn, repent, return and convert to the Lord.  The Lord is always right and true; that is, He is faithful and true to forgive and cleanse us.

Turn to the Lord
Acts 9:35 KJV

³⁵ And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Repent to the Lord
Acts 8:22 KJV

²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Return to the Lord
1 Samuel 7:3 KJV

³ And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Conversion to the Lord
Acts 15:3 KJV

³ And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

The Bible's Gospel

What is the gospel?  There are different definitions of the glorious gospel of grace.  The Bible teaches that the gospel is His unified imputed righteousness freely received by simple faith alone.  The grounds of our justification is Jesus Christ alone.  Lets look at what the Bible understands the gospel to be:

The Gospel is of God
Romans 1:1 KJV

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

The Gospel is of Christ 

2 Corinthians 2:12 KJV

¹² Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

The Gospel is of the Kingdom
Matthew 24:14 KJV

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The Gospel is the Grace of God
Acts 20:24 KJV

²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The Gospel is of Peace
Ephesians 6:15 KJV

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The Gospel is of Salvation
Ephesians 1:13 KJV

¹³ 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,

The Gospel is the Glory of Christ
2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The Christian Doctrine of Humility

Let us all strive after a heart of humility; that is, that we surrender under God's Almighty hand and He will exalt us in due time.  A heart of humility is a heart that repents when a sin emerges and confesses to God a wrong when wrongdoing is done.  Let's look at some different Scriptures on humility:

Awakened to Sin
Luke 18:13-14 KJV

¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Awakened to Unworthiness 
Luke 15:17-21 KJV

¹⁷ And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
²¹ And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Awakened to Limitations 
1 Kings 3:6-14 KJV

⁶ And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
⁷ And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
⁸ And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
⁹ Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
¹⁰ And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
¹¹ And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
¹² Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
¹³ And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
¹⁴ And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

Awakened to Holiness
Isaiah 6:1-8 KJV

6 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

² Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
³ And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
⁴ And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
⁵ Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
⁶ Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
⁷ And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Awakened to Righteousness 
Philippians 3:4-9 KJV

⁴ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
⁵ Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
⁶ Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
⁷ But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
⁸ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: