Even back thousands of years ago, around the beginning of the old testament .... Moses knew that God had a book with individuals’ names written in it, and that his own name was in that book. Interestingly, if anyone broke God’s 1st and 2nd commandments (1-to have no other gods before Him, and 2-to not make any idol - Exo 20:1-6) .... would be blotted out of God’s book:
Exod 32:31-33 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Daniel also knew of God’s book with God's people's names written in it:
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Paul was the 1st person to actually tell the ‘title’ of God’s book that has names written in it. It is called 'the book of life'. Paul wrote of believers' names being written in the book of life:
Phil 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
John recorded the words Christ (Rev 1:18) told him to write ....
to the angel of the church in Sardis (Rev 3:1),
about keeping the names of the overcomers in the book of life:
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
but I will confess his name before my Father (Matt 10:32-33),
and before his angels (Luke 12:8-9).
During the last half of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan 9:24), the beast will persecute and kill the saints for 3-1/2 years (Rev 13:5-7). Everyone whose name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life .... will worship him:
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
The book of life will be opened when the dead are judged. Anyone whose name is NOT written in it .... will suffer the 2nd death:
Rev 20:12,14-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
No one will enter that great city, the holy Jerusalem, that will descend out of heaven from God (Rev 21:10) .... unless their name is written in the book of life, which John personalized again, as belonging to the Lamb:
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:
but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The last words in the Bible .... have to do with
• the book of life
• the 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus, and
• the grace of the Lord Jesus:
Rev 22:18-21 For I testify unto every man that heareth 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:
19 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 which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Is your name written there?
On the page white and fair?
In the book of God’s kingdom?
Is your name written there?
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Words to Think About
On separate occasions, I have heard some ‘mid-Acts’ preachers talking about "good words." One said ‘rapture’ is a good word. I wonder .... how did he determine that? I suspect it was in order to defend his paradine of a pre-tribulation catching away (instead of the BIBLE’s time ‘at the last trump’). Another ‘mid-Acts’ preacher said ‘pastors’ is a good word. I expect he wanted to keep with man’s tradition (rather than following GOD’s words through Paul). He would not admit he was wrong, even with a plain verse staring him right in the face:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Those ‘mid-Acts’ men are unfaithful ministers to the Lord’s word in the KJV:
1 Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries (The Greek word translated 'mysteries' - plural - is also translated 'mystery' - singular.) of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Paul used the phrase "good words" once. But he cautioned saints not to be deceived by them:
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
God does not want His saints to be ‘simple Simons’:
Prov 14:15 The simple believeth every word:
but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
When the simple believe GOD’s words, they get understanding:
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light;
it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The Bible is the words of God. Every word is important:
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
False prophets changed the Lord’s pure words:
Jer 23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
The days will come when God’s words will be scarce, even unavailable:
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
We need to take in Jesus’ words, and stay away from those who not to obey the words of Christ. Do you know anyone that teaches NOT to follow Jesus’ words? A group of them identify themselves as ‘mid-Acts’ who claim to follow only ‘selected’ words of Christ, namely, those words through Paul. Yet Paul described to Timothy the men who disregard the Lord’s words:
1 Tim 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Paul told Timothy to remember his words:
2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Peter and Jude told the saints to remember the words of the Lord’s apostles, to whom He gave His word .... not just Paul's words:
2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
We can and should apply the words of the Psalmist to our own words:
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Those ‘mid-Acts’ men are unfaithful ministers to the Lord’s word in the KJV:
1 Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries (The Greek word translated 'mysteries' - plural - is also translated 'mystery' - singular.) of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Paul used the phrase "good words" once. But he cautioned saints not to be deceived by them:
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
God does not want His saints to be ‘simple Simons’:
Prov 14:15 The simple believeth every word:
but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
When the simple believe GOD’s words, they get understanding:
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light;
it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The Bible is the words of God. Every word is important:
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
False prophets changed the Lord’s pure words:
Jer 23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
The days will come when God’s words will be scarce, even unavailable:
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
We need to take in Jesus’ words, and stay away from those who not to obey the words of Christ. Do you know anyone that teaches NOT to follow Jesus’ words? A group of them identify themselves as ‘mid-Acts’ who claim to follow only ‘selected’ words of Christ, namely, those words through Paul. Yet Paul described to Timothy the men who disregard the Lord’s words:
1 Tim 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Paul told Timothy to remember his words:
2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Peter and Jude told the saints to remember the words of the Lord’s apostles, to whom He gave His word .... not just Paul's words:
2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
We can and should apply the words of the Psalmist to our own words:
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
They Don’t Believe God and They Don’t Follow Paul
I saw a ‘mid-Acts’ website that said the only offices today were “missionaries (which were evangelists), and pastors/bishops, and deacons.” When I researched the Greek words, I wondered why he didn’t use “ministers/deacons” since the Greek word is used of ‘deacon’ twice, but of ‘minister’ 22 times. The Greek for ‘bishop’ is never translated ‘pastor.’ The Greek word for ‘pastor’ is used of ‘shepherd’ 17 times, and ‘pastors’ once (Eph 4:11).
The KJV Bible only shows 2 offices: bishop and deacon:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Tim 3:10, 13 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Years ago when I brought up the subject of the correct ‘Pauline’ word for the regular preacher in a church assembly today, being a ‘bishop’ instead of a pastor .... I was shocked by the stiff-necked resistance among the ‘pastors’ of ‘Pauline’ grace churches. Initially, I believed it to be an innocent oversight, or possibly the fault of following ‘tradition’ of Protestant denominations, in their effort to be called by a different name than the ‘bishops’ of Catholics and Mormons. But the more I talked about it, the more stubborn the ‘pastors’ became. Several of them went so far as to make mockery of some who admitted their error and amended it, by asking questions like, “When will you get your hat and collar?” Two prominent ‘co-pastors’ even changed their titles from ‘pastor’ .... not to ‘bishop’ (still refusing to submit to their supposedly cherished ‘Pauline’ authority) .... but to ‘elder’ on their weekly church bulletin. An admission of guilt, to be sure, but only half-hearted and partial. Trying to make a switch without being noticed or calling attention to it? If you have egg on your face, it is best to admit it, wipe it off, and get on with your ministry. The more you resist, the more hypocritical you appear. Saying one thing like, “We believe the KJV Bible is the very words of God in the English language for all matters of faith and practice. We believe Paul is our apostle,”) .... and doing another by denying to accept the ‘name’ of the ‘office’ you fill? That was not the case for the word ‘dispensation,’ was it? The verse is straight-forward, standing alone (1 Tim 3:1), and other verses even support it as well (1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:7, Phil 1:1). But ‘mid-Acts-ers’ ran to Acts where they tell others is ‘forbidden ground for doctrine’ (chapter 20) to grab the mention of a flock (not even the word ‘pastor’) applied to the Ephesians, which they never touched with a 10-foot pole during my nearly 30 years of association with them. They apply a double standard, and it makes them look foolish.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
The KJV Bible only shows 2 offices: bishop and deacon:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Tim 3:10, 13 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Years ago when I brought up the subject of the correct ‘Pauline’ word for the regular preacher in a church assembly today, being a ‘bishop’ instead of a pastor .... I was shocked by the stiff-necked resistance among the ‘pastors’ of ‘Pauline’ grace churches. Initially, I believed it to be an innocent oversight, or possibly the fault of following ‘tradition’ of Protestant denominations, in their effort to be called by a different name than the ‘bishops’ of Catholics and Mormons. But the more I talked about it, the more stubborn the ‘pastors’ became. Several of them went so far as to make mockery of some who admitted their error and amended it, by asking questions like, “When will you get your hat and collar?” Two prominent ‘co-pastors’ even changed their titles from ‘pastor’ .... not to ‘bishop’ (still refusing to submit to their supposedly cherished ‘Pauline’ authority) .... but to ‘elder’ on their weekly church bulletin. An admission of guilt, to be sure, but only half-hearted and partial. Trying to make a switch without being noticed or calling attention to it? If you have egg on your face, it is best to admit it, wipe it off, and get on with your ministry. The more you resist, the more hypocritical you appear. Saying one thing like, “We believe the KJV Bible is the very words of God in the English language for all matters of faith and practice. We believe Paul is our apostle,”) .... and doing another by denying to accept the ‘name’ of the ‘office’ you fill? That was not the case for the word ‘dispensation,’ was it? The verse is straight-forward, standing alone (1 Tim 3:1), and other verses even support it as well (1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:7, Phil 1:1). But ‘mid-Acts-ers’ ran to Acts where they tell others is ‘forbidden ground for doctrine’ (chapter 20) to grab the mention of a flock (not even the word ‘pastor’) applied to the Ephesians, which they never touched with a 10-foot pole during my nearly 30 years of association with them. They apply a double standard, and it makes them look foolish.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Who Is the Mystery of Godliness?
The Cunning Royal Jester teaches that 1 Tim 3:16, is the ‘body of Christ’ (which-he-says is ONLY saints who have believed through PAUL’s ‘distinctive ministry’). ‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are trained to think that twisted way. Just logically reading through the verse, it is Jesus Christ.
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
Anywhere ‘mid-Acts-ers’ read the word ‘mystery’ in Paul’s epistles, they selfishly put themselves in it. They claim the ‘mystery’ is always talking about them, without attention to the other words in the verse or in the context.
Jesus Christ: “God was manifest in the flesh,”
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Jesus Christ: “justified in the Spirit,”
John 1:32-34 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Rom 1:3,4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God,
but the doers of the law shall be justified.
1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Jesus Christ: “seen of angels,”
Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luke 4:10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
Jesus Christ: “preached unto the Gentiles,”
Luke 2:30-32 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Rom 15:8-12 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy;
as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me (Paul) toward the Gentiles:)
.... the mystery of godliness .... that ‘WHO’ .... was .... “preached unto the Gentiles”?
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Jesus Christ: “believed on in the world,”
John 1:6-7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 4:40-42 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
John 11:47-48 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Rom 4:23-25 Now it was not written for his (Abraham’s) sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Jesus Christ: “received up into glory.”
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
1 Peter 3:22 Who (Jesus Christ) is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ believe without question, any and every thing the Cunning Royal Jester tells them. They should get their head out of the sand or where ever it is, and believe GOD’s word instead.
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ ought not try to take the LORD’s glory to be their own.
Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name:
and my glory will I not give to another,
neither my praise to graven images.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
Anywhere ‘mid-Acts-ers’ read the word ‘mystery’ in Paul’s epistles, they selfishly put themselves in it. They claim the ‘mystery’ is always talking about them, without attention to the other words in the verse or in the context.
Jesus Christ: “God was manifest in the flesh,”
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Jesus Christ: “justified in the Spirit,”
John 1:32-34 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Rom 1:3,4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God,
but the doers of the law shall be justified.
1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Jesus Christ: “seen of angels,”
Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luke 4:10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
Jesus Christ: “preached unto the Gentiles,”
Luke 2:30-32 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Rom 15:8-12 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy;
as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me (Paul) toward the Gentiles:)
.... the mystery of godliness .... that ‘WHO’ .... was .... “preached unto the Gentiles”?
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Jesus Christ: “believed on in the world,”
John 1:6-7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 4:40-42 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
John 11:47-48 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Rom 4:23-25 Now it was not written for his (Abraham’s) sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Jesus Christ: “received up into glory.”
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
1 Peter 3:22 Who (Jesus Christ) is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ believe without question, any and every thing the Cunning Royal Jester tells them. They should get their head out of the sand or where ever it is, and believe GOD’s word instead.
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ ought not try to take the LORD’s glory to be their own.
Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name:
and my glory will I not give to another,
neither my praise to graven images.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The GOSPEL and the Integrity of Grace?
‘Mid-Acts’ preachers often say, “The Bible says what it means .... and it means what it says!” I even featured the phrase on the front cover of a book I wrote. Though now, I agree with the slogan, I disagree with my own book. The point is, THEN I believed the motto, but I was not listening to the VERSES .... instead I was allowing a man with a chart and a paradigm to tell me the meaning of my Bible. I trusted his study and accepted it. He was (and still is) guilty of inserting concepts into verses and drawing conclusions that are not in the scriptures. When I finally woke up to his antics, I began a renewed sense of reading the (KJV Bible) words .... and hearing what GOD said .... without imposing pre-conceived doctrines into them. To my surprise and horror, I have found that I had been injecting a spin, even though it was unintentional.
During an annual summer conference, a featured nightly preacher (who doesn’t even accept the title of the office of BISHOP that he holds) repeatedly talked about ‘defending the integrity of grace.’ He taught what he believed, without regard to what the Bible actually said.
Twice, Paul wrote about his defence of the gospel:
Phil 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Phil 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
The GOSPEL is what is to be defended. God, through Paul, gave the gospel several names .... but it is all the SAME GOSPEL. He called it the gospel of the grace of God:
Acts 20:24 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.
It is important to see that the gospel Paul preached (Gal 1:11) WAS WRITTEN in the scriptures of the prophets. In the epistle to the Romans, ‘the gospel’ was called by 4 names. ‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of GOD (also see Rom 15:16 and 1 Peter 4:17):
Rom 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of His Son:
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of Christ (also Rom 15:19 and 29):
Rom 1:16 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.
‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of peace (also Eph 6:15):
Rom 10:15 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!
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
It is the GOSPEL we are to defend. When false brethren went in privily to spy out the liberty the churches of Galatia had in Christ, Paul put a stop to it (Gal 2:4-5). They were trying to pull them back under the old covenant law rather than enjoy their new testament grace:
Gal 1:6-7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
We ought not PERVERT the gospel.
I hope you are careful to say what you mean .... and mean what you say.
This is David Dowell, saying, “Think about it!”
During an annual summer conference, a featured nightly preacher (who doesn’t even accept the title of the office of BISHOP that he holds) repeatedly talked about ‘defending the integrity of grace.’ He taught what he believed, without regard to what the Bible actually said.
Twice, Paul wrote about his defence of the gospel:
Phil 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Phil 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
The GOSPEL is what is to be defended. God, through Paul, gave the gospel several names .... but it is all the SAME GOSPEL. He called it the gospel of the grace of God:
Acts 20:24 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.
It is important to see that the gospel Paul preached (Gal 1:11) WAS WRITTEN in the scriptures of the prophets. In the epistle to the Romans, ‘the gospel’ was called by 4 names. ‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of GOD (also see Rom 15:16 and 1 Peter 4:17):
Rom 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of His Son:
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of Christ (also Rom 15:19 and 29):
Rom 1:16 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.
‘The gospel’ was called the gospel of peace (also Eph 6:15):
Rom 10:15 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!
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
It is the GOSPEL we are to defend. When false brethren went in privily to spy out the liberty the churches of Galatia had in Christ, Paul put a stop to it (Gal 2:4-5). They were trying to pull them back under the old covenant law rather than enjoy their new testament grace:
Gal 1:6-7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
We ought not PERVERT the gospel.
I hope you are careful to say what you mean .... and mean what you say.
This is David Dowell, saying, “Think about it!”
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