All Scripture quotations are from the Authorized King James Version of the Bible unless

otherwise indicated.
July 11, 1997/October 1, 2014

TWO ADAMS

Published for
HANDS FOR JESUS

For additional copies of this book see our Web sites

www.handsforjesus.cc
www.handsforjesus.org

HANDS FOR JESUS

P.O. BOX 250494
MILWAUKEE, WI 53225-0494

2nd Edition
1997 by Merle E. Koepke
All Rights Reserved
 If you had a choice between the Word of God or the words of men, which one would you
choose?

When Jesus came into this world as a man He chose the Word of God. Jesus said to the devil,
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Jesus said to Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence
unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those things that be of men"
(Matt. 16:23).

Jesus made the right choices when it came to a decision between the Word of God and the
words of men. Some time ago, there came a word from the LORD, saying, "Those who have taught
what they have heard other men teach and have not received it from My Spirit, if they will repent
My grace will cover them."

Therefore, let us also choose the Word of God over the words of men!
 Contents

Introduction
Forward
TWO ADAMS, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
A NEW SPIRITUAL BODY
BORN FROM ABOVE
TWO LIVES, TWO DEATHS, TWO RESURRECTIONS
SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD
BORN AGAIN OR SAVED
THE CROSS OF CALVARY
THE ANOINTING
SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING
ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD
BEARING THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY
UNDERSTANDING OUR ADVERSARY
SATAN, THE GOD OF THIS WORLD
SATAN'S DEVICES
DOMINION
DOMINION OLD COVENANT OR NEW COVENANT
OUR DOMINION
OVERCOMING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
OVERCOMING DOUBT
OVERCOMING UNBELIEF
LOOKING BACK IN TIME

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 Introduction

This book came into being as the Word of God was revealed to me. It started back in about
1981, while listening to a teaching on the book of Genesis. During the teaching, the instructor was
asked, "is there a difference between born again and saved"? The instructor replied, "I believe there
is." At that moment, within me, there was an impression upon my spirit. This was only an
impression, as though it was a voice, yet it was not a voice. Within my spirit the words came to me,
"There certainly is a difference."

As I continued to search the Scriptures, and seek the truth from the Word of God, much has
been revealed to me concerning Adam and Jesus. It took years of receiving information from the
Scriptures, by a witness in my spirit and checking the Scriptures to see that everything agrees from
Genesis through Revelation. It did not all come at once, but as the Scripture says, "But the word
of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line
upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken,
and snared, and taken" (Isa. 28:13).

There was a great need in my life for the breaking away from the traditions and teachings of
men, that had held me until I was about forty-five years old. Following my acceptance of Jesus Christ
as LORD and Savior, there was much work that needed to be done in my understanding of the
Scriptures. The Holy Spirit needed to make many changes in the way I thought, and the things I
believed. This is a process that everyone who desires to know the truth must submit to. It is called
"renewing of the mind" (Rom. 12:2). It is a work of God in the lives of those who truly are seeking
the truth. It comes by praying, studying, and seeking the truth from the Word of God, not the
teachings of men.

God is faithful, and will reveal the truth to all who will seek Him with a pure heart, desiring
to make the changes necessary to walk in the light of the Word of God. It always amazed me that a
man by the name of Enoch could walk with God; even before the flood and God received him (Gen.
5:21-24). Through much study and prayer I found the way to walk with God is to come into
agreement with God according to His Word (Amos 3:3).

If you have a true desire in your heart to know God, and to walk with Him, I believe it will
benefit you to know the TWO ADAMS, Adam and Jesus Christ. My prayer is that the Spirit of God
will teach you, and reveal the truth to you concerning the Scriptures; that you can walk with God in
agreement with His Word.

When Jesus was about thirty years old He said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye
think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39).

Jesus is the Second Adam, and knowing Him for Who He is should be our greatest desire in
this life. Yet, there are many teachings of men that do not agree with the Scriptures, therefore we

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must be sure what we hear and teach is according to the Scriptures. A few years ago a word came
from the LORD saying, "Those who have taught what they heard other men teach and have not
received it from My Spirit, if they will repent, My grace will cover them!" Let us, therefore be sure
what we believe and teach is according to the Scriptures.

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 Forward

There are certain Scriptures concerning Adam and Jesus that should be of importance to
those who study their Bibles. In 1st Corinthians 15:45 it says, "And so it is written, The first man
Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." This gives us some
information concerning Adam and Jesus. It tells us there are two Adams. The first one was made a
living soul, the second One was a life-giving Spirit. The next verse makes it clear, "Howbeit that
was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is
spiritual" (1 Cor, 15:46). These verses alone should create in us a desire to know the difference
between Adam and Jesus. There should be a desire to know the Truth that is revealed in the Bible.
Once we know the truth concerning the TWO ADAMS, we can go on to receive greater revelation
from the Bible.

Two other books are in the process at this time. Each one taking many years of prayer and
study to receive the revelation from the Scriptures. Following this book, "TWO ADAMS," is the
revelation of Jesus Christ, called "THE 2ND ADAM." Some Scriptures concerning Jesus that should
be of importance to those who love the LORD are:
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand (John 3:35).
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made
(John 1:3).
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not
(John 1:10).
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him (Col. 1:16).
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Who is this 2nd Adam that God the Father put all things into His hand? He created all things
through Him, by Him, and for Him. Then sent Him into the world that the world might be saved by
Him? We need to know Him personally, totally, and completely for who He is?

The third book "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST" is spoken of in Romans 1:16, which says, "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 of Christ is the good news of
the anointing that brings salvation to all who believe.

The gospel of Christ begins in Matthew 1:1, which says, "The book of the generation of
Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." The key to this is in verse 17, which says,
"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David
until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away
into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." What is unknown to many is that there are

6
only thirteen generations from the carrying away into Babylon to Jesus. Jesus is the thirteenth
generation, and Christ is the fourteenth generation. For Jesus to become the fourteenth generation,
He first had to be the king of the thirteenth generation. Then for the kingship to pass from the
thirteenth generation to the fourteenth generation Jesus had to die. Then the kingship is passed onto
the next generation, which is Christ, the Anointed One.

The body of Christ today is under the headship of the King of the Kingdom of God, which
is Jesus Christ. His kingdom shall have no end. As Christ, He is the head of the body, and we are
members of His body.

Therefore, Jesus, the 2nd Adam has been exalted to King of the kingdom of God, and head
of the body of Christ. His Name is above every name, and every knee shall bow to His name (Phil.
2:5-11). It is by and through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that all things are brought into
subjection unto Jesus Christ. Therefore, we need to understand "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST" the
good news of the Anointed.

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 TWO ADAMS
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Speaking of the first Adam, Genesis 1:26-27 says,

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and
female created he them.
Then in Genesis 2:7 it says, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Speaking of the second Adam, John 1:1,2 says,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
Then John 1:14 says, "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."

Jesus said in John 6:38, "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will
of him that sent me." In a prayer to the Father, Jesus prayed, "O Father, glorify thou me with
thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5).

In Luke 1:30,31 it says,

...the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for...
thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
In Luke 1:35 the angel said, "...The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God."

Speaking of the first Adam, in Luke 3:38 it says, "...Adam, which was the son of God."
Notice the words "the son" are in italics, which means they were not in the original text. Man added
these words to the Scriptures according to man's understanding. God did not say "Adam was the Son
of God." Remember what the LORD said about adding to the Word of God (Deu. 4:2, 12:32, Prov.
30:6, Rev. 22:19)? It is not good to change the Word of God, nor teach that which others changed.
Remember what happened to the serpent in Genesis 3:14 for changing the Word of God? We should
go according to the Word of God, not the words of men.

In the Scriptures we see two Adams; one was created, the other came down from the Father
in heaven. Yet the first Adam was formed from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7) by Jesus, the
"Second Adam" (Col. 1:16), Who was with the Father before the world was created (Prov. 8:4-31).

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 In 1st Corinthians 15:45 it says, "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a
living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." This tells us there is a definite
difference between the first Adam and the second Adam.

John 3:31 says. "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is
earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all." Jesus, although
He is called the second Adam, come down from above; therefore He is greater than Adam.

In 1st Corinthians 15:47 it says, "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man
is the Lord from heaven." Adam was formed of the dust of the earth, whereas Jesus is the LORD
from Heaven.

It is very plain to see in these Scriptures that the first Adam was of the earth and Jesus was
from heaven. The first Adam was created according to Genesis 1:27, whereas Jesus was not created,
but with the Father from the beginning (John 1:14). The first Adam was a living soul. The second
Adam was a life-giving Spirit. Speaking of Jesus, John 1:4 tells us that "In him was life (Zoe); and
the life (Zoe) was the light of men."

There isn't any place in the Bible that says the first Adam had (Zoe) life. Adam was not with
the Father in the beginning. Adam was not begotten of the Father; he was created. It says in Genesis
2:7 that "...man became a living soul." The word "soul" is "nephesh" in the Hebrew; "psuche" in
the Greek. This is not the same word as "spirit." In the Hebrew, the word "spirit" is ruwach. In the
Greek, the word "spirit" is pneuma. Therefore, we have the first Adam becoming a living soul, and
Jesus, being a life giving Spirit.

When we hear teachings such as Adam was spiritual, just as Jesus was spiritual we need to
be careful of what we believe. Some years ago a Word came for the LORD, saying, "Those who
have taught what they heard other men teach and have not received it from My Spirit, if they will
repent, My grace will cover them!"

What is the difference between a living soul and a life giving Spirit? The word "soul," psuche
in the Greek, psyche in English, means "the mind which governs the total organism and its
interactions with the environment." When the LORD breathed into the nostrils of Adam the breath
of life, man became a living soul. A living soul is a part of the natural man "psuchikos" in the Greek,
"psychic" in the English, meaning "the mind controlled natural person, having to do with the mind,
which is apparently sensitive to both physical forces and forces beyond the physical world."

A life giving Spirit is a Spirit that is able to give the very life of God to those who are living
souls. Those who are born of the flesh do not have, nor did they ever have this life of God in them
(John 3:6-7). This life of God enables a person to enter into heaven, where the throne of God is. This
life of God is "One Spirit with the LORD." When someone receives this life, they have eternal life.

Jesus had both, soul life and Spirit life. Jesus said,
...I am come that they might have life (Zoe), and that they might have it more
abundantly.

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 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (psuche) for the sheep (John
10:10,11).
Jesus came that we might have life (Zoe, spiritual life). Jesus gave His life (psuche, soul life) for all
who will believe in Him. Soul life is the life of the flesh. Leviticus 17:11 says, "For the life of the
flesh is in the blood..." Jesus had blood, and the life of the flesh is in the blood. Even after Jesus
rose from the dead, He still had flesh and bones. He said to His disciples in Luke 24:39, "Behold
my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and
bones, as ye see me have."

Therefore, we know that Jesus had "blood, flesh, and bones." He gave His blood for our
sins. When He died on the cross, the life of the flesh left His body. The same life that the first Adam
had, Jesus also had. Yet His blood (where the life of the flesh is contained), did not come from
Adam.

Jesus had a living soul (psuche) and a physical body; being born of a woman (Mary). Jesus
came into this world in the likeness of man, Spirit, soul, and body, yet without sin (not born of the
blood of man, but of the Holy Spirit).

Jesus gave all that the first Adam had, (before Adam sinned in the garden of Eden) as an
atonement for our sins, sickness, and diseases. Jesus was a man. A righteous sinless Man paid the
price for the unrighteous sinners.

The difference between the first and second Adam is mentioned in 1st Corinthians 15:46. It
says, "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward
that which is spiritual." In today's English we would say, "Adam was not spiritual, whereas Jesus
was Spiritual." It is very important that we do not change the Word of God and teach others to
believe that Adam was spiritual.

The word "natural" in the Greek is "psuchikos." This word is used only six times in the New
Testament. The word "psuchikos" comes from the Greek word "psuche," yet meaning "not spiritual,
but a higher degree of knowledge than that of animals." We find this same word (psuchikos) used
in 1st Corinthians 2:14, where it says "But the natural (psuchikos) man receiveth not the things
of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned."

Being that the first Adam was natural and not spiritual (as Jesus was spiritual), we find that
Adam did not have spiritual discernment. To have spiritual discernment, things must be spiritually
discerned by the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:10). There is evidence of Adam's lack of spiritual
discernment in Genesis 3:22. It says, "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as
one of us, to know good and evil..." Here it is the LORD that said, man became as one of God,
knowing good and evil. Adam did not know good and evil before he ate of the tree. Adam received
the knowledge of good and evil when he ate of the fruit.

Therefore, following the day that Adam ate of that tree, mankind has the knowledge of good
and evil. But still does not know the things of the Spirit (for they are spiritually discerned). We will

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see more evidence of this when we look at what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3.

Did Adam have a spirit? Job 32:8 says, "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration
of the Almighty giveth them understanding." This clearly tells us that man did have a spirit.

Was man's spirit dead to God? According to Job 32:8, God could communicate with man
through man's spirit. If Elihu's spirit was dead to God it seems it would not have been able to receive
the inspiration of God. What about 2nd Timothy 3:16, which says, "All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness." Evidently, all the old testament prophets received from God the same way Elihu
spoke of, by the spirit of man receiving the inspiration of the Almighty! Therefore, men received the
gift of prophecy in the Old Testament the same as man does in the New Testament, from man's spirit,
by the inspiration of God. This certainly indicates that the spirit of man in the Old Testament was
able to hear from God.

When Jesus took three of His disciples with Him to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, He
said to His disciples in Matthew 26:41, "...the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." If
the disciples spirit (before Jesus died and rose again), was willing to pray, it doesn't seem as though
it was dead to God. Evidently, their spirit was not opposed to praying for Jesus. Yet, according to
1st Corinthians 15:46, Adam's spirit was not the same as Jesus' Spirit.

What was the problem with Adam and his descendants? First of all, there was nothing wrong
with Adam in the day that the LORD created him. Genesis 1:31 tells us "God saw every thing that
he had made, and, behold, it was very good." Everything that God created was very good. Man
was exactly what God created him to be, with no evil in him (until he ate of the tree of knowledge
of good and evil).

From that day forth, sin and death entered into Adam and all his descendants. Romans 5:12
says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death
passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." It says, "all men." Does that mean, only those who
have sinned, or even those who have not sinned? Romans 5:14 says, "Nevertheless death reigned
from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's
transgression..." If all have sinned, and death has passed upon all men, that includes you and I?
Somehow, we must believe the Scriptures, which says, even those who have not sinned in the same
manner as Adam. In 1st Corinthians 15:22 it says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive."

Now for the $64,000 question! Even if you did not sin, would you be able to enter into eternal
life without being born again? The Scripture very clearly says NO! All who are in Adam shall die.
Therefore, Jesus said, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (John 3:7).

From our birth into this world we were dead in trespasses and sins. There is only one answer
to the problem of sin and death. That is, to become alive and live in Christ Jesus. There is no other
way to overcome sin and death. The only way that sin can be completely removed from your life is
by the blood of Jesus Christ. No matter how good you are, or how perfectly you have kept yourself

11
from sin, you still have sin and death in your natural body. Paul said in Romans 7:23, "But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into
captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." The apostle Paul still had sin in his life. Yet,
he continued to preach the gospel and did the work of an apostle.

In 1st John 1:8 it says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us." You were born with sin and death in your members. Your natural body is still mortal.
Mortal means "dying; having death within; must eventually die." Your soul is still corruptible.
Corruptible means "that which can be corrupted."

In 1st Corinthians 15:52 it says, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed." You will never be without sin and death until that last day, at the last sound of the
trumpet. Until that day, you still have sin and death in your members.

There isn't any way you can make yourself perfect so that you can enter into eternal life in
heaven. The only way you can overcome sin is "by the blood of Jesus Christ." In 1st John 1:7 it says,
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." We need daily cleansing from all sin.
This daily cleansing is done by "walking in the light of God's Word." Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

At the same time, while walking in the light of God's Word, 1st John 1:9 says, "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." It is through the confession of our sins that we are cleansed from all
unrighteousness. Sin is unrighteousness. By repentance and confession (Luke 24:47), we are
cleansed from all unrighteousness. Yet, that does not say we have no sin. In 1st John 1:10, it goes
right on saying, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in
us." Therefore, you cannot enter into eternal life because you feel, or believe you have not sinned.
The only way to receive eternal life is to become born again of the Spirit (John 3:5-7).

What did Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:3? Let us see what it says, "Jesus answered and
said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom (reign) of God." Nicodemus was a natural man, born of a woman. It says in 1st
Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

John 3:4-7 goes on to say,

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the
second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom (reign) of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Jesus did not say, "born again of the water." Nicodemus was already born of the water; "that which

12
is born of the flesh is flesh." There was no need for him to go back into his mother's womb. Yet,
Nicodemus did not have "the life of God in him." He was not born of the Spirit.

No person when they are born into this world has the life of God in them (except Jesus).
Jesus said, "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in
himself" (John 5:26). Jesus is not a descendant of Adam (after the blood line of Adam). Jesus was
born of "the Word of God and the Spirit of God." The angel said to Mary, "...The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy
thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). He is a second
"Adam" (man). "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit" (1 Cor. 15:45). He came down from God the Father.

Jesus did not come of His own. His Father sent Him. "For I came down from heaven, not
to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). Jesus was God with the Father
in the beginning.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God (John 1:1,2).
Jesus became a man in the flesh. "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" (John
1:14). There is no spiritual truth outside of Jesus, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). The Word of God spoken
by Jesus is TRUTH, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

Therefore, Jesus is the second Adam (man) to enter this world. Jesus was not created as
Adam was. He was "the Son of God" from the beginning. Jesus was not born of man, but of God (the
Holy Spirit) and woman (Mary). Leviticus 17:11 says, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood..."
Jesus' blood did not come from Adam, or Adam's descendants. Only His flesh came from woman
(Mary). Just as it was prophesied in Genesis 3:15, saying, "And I will put enmity between thee
and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt
bruise his heel."

God knew what He was doing from the beginning of the world. For the prophecy of Genesis
3:15 began to become fulfilled when Jesus was born of Mary. The angel said to Mary, "...The Holy
Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).
Mary's pregnancy came about by the Holy Spirit, not man. Jesus brought the life of God into this
world, to give to those who will receive Him as LORD. In John 10:10b, Jesus said, "I am come that
they might have life (Zoe), and that they might have it more abundantly."

There is no other way to receive the life of God than through Jesus Christ. He is the giver of
all eternal life. This life is not a life of flesh and blood, but a spiritual life. It is the very life of God
itself. "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in
himself" (John 5:26).

In 1st Corinthians 15:50 it says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot

13
inherit the kingdom (reign) of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." From the
day that Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin and death entered into mankind.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed
upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22).

Flesh and blood, sin and death, cannot inherit the kingdom (reign) of God! But, a new created
spirit (man, born of the Spirit) can, for "...he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (1 Cor.
6:17).

Paul wrote in Romans 8:11, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead
dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by
his Spirit that dwelleth in you." The word "quicken" means "make alive." For this body of flesh
to inherit the kingdom (reign) of God it must first put on incorruption, and become immortal. This
change from corruption to incorruption and mortal to immortal will not happen until we are all
changed, at the last trump of the trumpet. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1
Cor. 15:51,52). Until that day, we must abide in Christ, and be fruitful in the kingdom of God. Jesus
said,
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (John 15:4-6).

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 A NEW SPIRITUAL BODY

What about now, before we are all changed? How do we enter into the kingdom of God?
How could Nicodemus enter into the kingdom of God? Look at 1st Corinthians 15:44, which says,
"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is
a spiritual body."

Our first birth gives us a natural body. But when we are raised, we are raised with a spiritual
body. Don't be confused by this verse of Scripture, for all things have bodies. In 1st Corinthians
15:38-41 it says,
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of
beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
There are also celestial bodies (heavenly), and bodies terrestrial (earthly): but the glory
of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

The word celestial means "that which pertains to the sky or heavens." It includes the sun,
moon, stars, as well as a god, angels, or heavenly beings. The word Terrestrial means "earthly."
Celestial bodies of living creatures are spiritual bodies (unseen by the natural eye); whereas
terrestrial bodies are flesh, (earthly bodies) and are seen with the natural eye. Animals have flesh
bodies, birds have flesh bodies, people have flesh bodies; these are all terrestrial bodies. Angels have
spiritual bodies, spirits have spiritual bodies, so do human beings have spiritual bodies; all these are
celestial bodies. Angels, spirits, and human bodies that are celestial are not seen with the natural eye,
but they do exist. Human beings may be the only creatures that have both, celestial and terrestrial
bodies.

In 1st Corinthians 15:44 it says "there is a spiritual body." There is, means "at this present
time." Man has a spiritual body. Man always had a spiritual body. Before we are born of the Spirit
we also had a spiritual body.

Have you ever heard of "astral projection?" People in the occult have experienced their
spiritual body separated from their flesh body, distances apart from each other. Have you ever heard
of "out of the body experiences?" There are many who have had these experiences. Paul said in 2nd
Corinthians 12:2,3,
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell;
or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the
third heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God
knoweth.)

If we study the subject of the Apostle Paul starting back in 2nd Corinthians 10:1 all the way
through 12:13 you will find that Paul was speaking against glorifying himself. Yet in 12:1-7, he may

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have done the same thing as the Apostle John in John 20:1-5 where John called himself "the other
disciple." We know it was John that ran with Peter to the sepulchre after Mary told them that the
stone was rolled away and Jesus was not in the sepulchre (John 20:3).

In 2nd Corinthians 12:2,3, Paul said "I knew a man," by this, Paul could have been trying
not to exalt himself, for a messenger of Satan was trying to get him to exalt himself (2 Cor. 12:7).
Paul mentioned in 2nd Corinthians 11:23, that he was "in deaths oft," meaning more than once.
One of these "often deaths" could have been fourteen years before his writing the 12th Chapter of
2nd Corinthians. We know Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra (Acts 14:19,20). This was
about 11 years before writing 2nd Corinthians. Paul mentioned the stoning (2 Cor. 11:25) after
mentioning the deaths (2 Cor. 11:23) (meaning, the time he is referring to could have been before
the stoning at Lystra).

Paul certainly believed in "out of the body experiences." In 1st Corinthians 5:3, it says, "For
I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit,..." Whether Paul was there in the spirit or not we
do not know, but he does say it is possible to be there in the spirit, without being there in the natural
body. In Revelation 1:10, the apostle John wrote, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day..." No one
can prove that John was not taken up into heaven in his spiritual body and shown all these things.
He could have been out of his natural body, we do not know.

Jesus said in John 14:12, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the
works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto
my Father." Jesus has now ascended to the Father in His physical body (Acts 1:9). Since that time,
many of His followers have experienced leaving their physical bodies here on earth and ascending
into the third heaven. There they have seen the glory of heaven, where those in Christ shall spend
eternity. They have seen and talked with Jesus, Who instructed them of things they needed to
accomplish on earth before returning to heaven to be with Him forever. They have also seen many
of the Old Testament saints, such as Abraham, David, Elijah, etc.

The LORD is the head of the body of Christ, and He still instructs His saints. This can
include bringing them into heaven to see and experience the glory to come. By this they are better
witnesses of Him and His glory, and can edify and build up the church here on earth through their
testimony. This could be one of the greater works Jesus mentioned in John 14:12, for there is no
recording of anyone doing this before Jesus death and resurrection, not even Jesus Himself.

Many today, claim to have died and went to heaven in their spiritual body, and have seen
many wonderful things. The major difference between Christians going to heaven in their spiritual
body, and those of the occult having an "out of the body experience (astral projection)" is that the
experience Christians have is not "of their own doing." That is, they do not decide themselves when
they will go to heaven and return. That decision is only in the hands of the LORD. The Christians
spiritual body does not belong to them, it is joined "one spirit with the Lord." The LORD is in
control of what happens to their spiritual body, where it goes and what it does.

The LORD also uses this "out of the natural body, in the spiritual body," experience along
with the gift of "the word of knowledge" (1 Cor. 12:8). Sometimes, Christians operating in the gift

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of the word of knowledge have experienced themselves in another place, watching and seeing what
is there and what is taking place at that time. As an example, they can see themselves in the house
of the person they are ministering to while they are ministering to the individual in their natural body.
When this is happening, you will hear them saying such things as, "I am in your house now, I can
see things in your house," or "I am walking through your house now from room to room." This is
used to confirm that the person is receiving knowledge "supernaturally," not according to the natural
knowledge of man, but by the knowledge of God. This is not unusual for a person to experience this
when they are operating in the gift of the word of knowledge.

Man always had a spiritual body; therefore the Scripture says, "there is a natural body, and
there is a spiritual body!" Our natural body of flesh is mortal and corruptible; it must be changed.
But what about our new spiritual body? It is born of the Spirit, (the Holy Spirit of God). Jesus said,
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John
3:6). Therefore, being born of the Spirit, we have a new spiritual body. This was prophesied in
Ezekiel 36:26, saying, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
At the time of our new birth, the old spiritual body is passed away. In 2nd Corinthians 5:17 it says,
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new."

Look at what Peter said about our new birth in 1st Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of
corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
This new spiritual body we receive with the new birth is born of incorruptible seed, the Word of
God. If this spiritual body (born of the Word and the Spirit) is incorruptible and the body of flesh is
corruptible, there must be two bodies.

In Romans 7:22 it says, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man." This tells
us there is an inward man. In 2nd Corinthians 4:16 it says, "For which cause we faint not; but
though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." This speaks of
an outward man and an inward man. Ephesians 3:16 says, "That he would grant you, according
to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." Here
it speaks of the inner man. Ephesians 4:22 says, "That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." The old man is the
natural (psuchikos), mind controlled man. Ephesians 4:24 says, "And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." The new man is the spiritual
man, in the likeness of the second Adam (the LORD from heaven). Colossians 3:9 says, "Lie not
one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds." Paul is speaking of
Christians who have already been translated from the flesh body to the spiritual body. The spiritual
body normally is inside of our flesh body, therefore it is called an inward man as compared to the
outward man.

Each of these Scriptures speak of a man. It does not say there is an inward spirit and an
outward spirit. The Scripture calls our new creature a "man." All of these references are speaking
of two bodies existing at the same time, at this present time. In each case they are called a "man."
A separate spiritual body, which is normally inside of our physical body of flesh and bones.

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Therefore we have a natural body made of flesh and bones, and a spiritual body made of spirit
(which we do not normally see).

Yet, we must not overlook the Scriptures which state that we still have a body, a soul, and
a spirit. All three make up man, being triune similar to God. God is three in one (Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit) man is three in one (body, soul, and spirit). Paul said in Romans 7:14-17,
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that
do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Then we see something else in Romans 8:9, which Paul also said, "But ye are not in the
flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Paul is saying, he is to blame for what happens in his flesh
(his outward body). Therefore, he is still to blame for sin that is at work in his outward body; while
he is in the spiritual body. Look at Romans 7:22,23, which says,
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Paul never said the outward man did not belong to him, but he did say there was sin in his
members. In Romans 7:24,25 Paul then states,
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the
law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
How do we deal with sin in the outward man? Romans 8:12,13 says, sin is put to death "through
the Spirit" by the power of the Spirit of God within us.

Praise God! Of ourselves we can do nothing, but through Christ we have the victory. We
have victory over sin and death (through Christ), who died for us, and took upon himself our sins
and iniquities that we could have His righteousness.

We are a three part being, spirit, soul, and body... In 1st Thessalonians 5:23, it says, "And
the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and
body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Today, those in Christ
are free from sin and death in the new spiritual man, but still need to overcome the sin and death in
the natural body and soul. In Christ we can overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our
testimony (Rev. 12:11).

Once all things are put under the feet of the body of Christ,
...we shall be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Cor. 15:51-52).
...Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.

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 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Cor. 15:54,55).

Our victory is not in our ability, but in Christ. He paid the price. He set us free. Therefore,
"in Christ" we have the victory!

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 BORN FROM ABOVE

Through our LORD Jesus Christ, we receive a new spirit (a new spiritual body). He is also
the door (John 10:9), to the kingdom of God, by which we enter in. When we receive Jesus Christ
as LORD, He comes into us and we into Him, and we become born again, "one spirit with the
Lord" (1 Cor. 6:17). By which we enter into the family of God. Therefore, when we are born again
we become a "new creature," created "in Christ Jesus" (2 Cor. 5:17). We are then true "children of
God," and God is our "true Father!" In John 17:16 Jesus said, "They are not of the world, even as
I am not of the world."

The word "world" is from the Greek word "kosmos," meaning "the whole earth, with all it's
inhabitants, including the complete universe." If Jesus said His disciples were not of this world,
where were they from? Why did Jesus say, "They are not of the world," meaning, His disciples?
We know that Jesus was talking about the apostles John, James, Peter, and all the others. These were
people, born into this world, having earthly parents, some of which are mentioned in the Scriptures.
How could it be that they were not of this world? Their parents were, according to the Scriptures.

If they, meaning Peter, James, and John along with millions of others (you and I included),
were not of this world, who are they? Where did they come from? According to the words of Jesus,
they are new creatures, "born again of the Spirit," born from heaven above.

Therefore, the "they" Jesus was speaking of is the new "born again, spiritual man," not the
man of the flesh. The man of the flesh is of this world. "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the
second man is the Lord from heaven" (1 Cor. 15:47). Our natural body is from the first Adam,
whereas our new spiritual body is joined to the LORD (the second Adam). Yes, we still have the old
man of the flesh, but we are a new creature, born from heaven above.

What was Adam's position in the beginning? Adam was created by the LORD (Gen. 1:27,
2:7), in God's likeness and image. Only in the likeness and image of God, not one with God, not one
spirit with the LORD! Psalm 8:4,5 says,
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory
and honour.
Even though this verse of Scripture is speaking of the position of mankind in general; for
God did give man (male and female) dominion over the works of His hands, it is also prophetically
speaking of Jesus. Hebrews 2:6-9 says,
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and
honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection
under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things

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 put under him.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death,
crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for
every man.

Adam was created and formed of the earth by the LORD about six-thousand years ago. The
Scripture says the Son of God (Jesus, Who was with the Father) came down from the Father? He
became the Son of man, even lower than the angels, and tasted death for every man.

Man was given dominion over all things on this earth. Man was God's representative over
the works of God on earth. Man was like God, in His likeness and image. Yet, man was not one with
God. The tree of life was in the garden of Eden for Adam and Eve to eat of. Genesis 3:22 says, "And
the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now,
lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." Eating
of the tree of life would have enabled Adam to live forever. Genesis 3:24 says, "So he drove out
the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword
which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."

Adam and Eve were both driven out of the garden of Eden. They were both kept from eating
of the tree of life following their eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Adam lived with sin and death in him for 930 years, then he died. Adam had a living soul.
It continued to live, and will always continue to live "in heaven or in hell." Jesus said in Matthew
10:28, "...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."

Will Adam be in heaven? Only if he received Jesus Christ as LORD when the gospel was
preached to him during the three days of Jesus' death and victory over sin, death, and the devil. In
1st Peter 3:18-20 it says,
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the
days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were
saved by water.
In 1st Peter 4:6 it says, "For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that
they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
God is faithful to His Word, for God and His Word are one (John 1:1). There is only one way to
enter into eternal life (Zoe), and that is in Christ Jesus. This new birth is our "ticket" to enter into
heaven. Without the new birth "born of the Spirit" no man can enter into heaven.

Jesus always was and is "...the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). There never was
any other way to receive eternal life than in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus is the second Adam. There had to be a second Adam for man to receive a second birth
into the family of God. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is, the first Adam was earthly

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of this earth; not heavenly from heaven. He was not created to live in heaven, but to dwell upon this
earth. Acts 17:26 says, "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the
face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation."

The second reason is, "only those who are in the second Adam shall be made alive." In 1st
Corinthians 15:22 it says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Even if Adam had not sinned, he still could not enter into heaven, unless he had eaten of the
tree of life, through which he could have lived forever (Gen. 3:22). I believe that Jesus was
represented by the Tree of Life, just as Satan was represented by the tree of knowledge of good and
evil.

There is no religion, or religious means by which you can receive eternal life. No one is born
again through water baptism. This eternal life is in Jesus Christ, and only by Him, and through Him,
can we be saved. Water baptism is for the remission of sins (Matt. 3:11, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3).

If you were told that, because you lived a good life, and have not sinned, God will receive
you when you die; you have been told a lie. You cannot go to heaven just because you have not
sinned.

The only way you can enter into eternal life in heaven is to be born again. YOU MUST BE
BORN AGAIN! Unless you are born again of the Spirit, you cannot enter into the kingdom (reign)
of God (John 3:5).

The first, and most important thing you can do in this life is receive Jesus Christ into your
life and become born again of the Spirit!

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 TWO LIVES, TWO DEATHS
TWO RESURRECTIONS

The Scripture reveals that there are two lives, two deaths, and two resurrections. In 1st
Corinthians 15:44 it says, "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a
natural body, and there is a spiritual body." In verses 46 and 47 it explains that the natural body
is controlled by a living soul. The word "living" in the Greek is "zao," a verb which describes the
following Greek word "psuche," which is a noun (a person, place, or thing). In this case the noun
"psuche" is a soul. This living soul is a part of the natural man, with a physical body which began
in Genesis 2:7, where it says, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." The living soul lives
in the physical body. If the living soul leaves the physical body, the body dies and returns to dust as
it says in Genesis 3:19, "...till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" In Ecclesiastes 12:7 it says, "Then shall the dust
return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it"

Our New spiritual body comes from the LORD, the second Adam. In 1st Corinthians 15:45
it tells us that the LORD was made a quickening spirit. The word "quickening" is from the Greek
word "zoopoieo," a verb, which describes the word "spirit." Verbs are action words, the meaning of
the Greek word "zoopoieo," is "alive, life giving, make alive, give life." Verse 46 explains that the
natural body was first. Adam was first formed of the dust of the ground, then the breath of the LORD
caused Adam to become a living soul. Adam was not a living spirit, Jesus was the first living Spirit
to enter mankind.

In 1st Corinthians 15:47 it explains that our new spiritual body came from the second Adam,
the LORD from heaven. To find out what kind of life this is we must look at John 1:1-4, which says,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
The word "life" in the Greek is "zoe," meaning "the life of God; the God kind of life." God is a Spirit
(John 4:24), the life of God is spiritual life, not physical life, but comparative, or similar to soul life.
Spirits have a mind, reasoning, intellect, etc. the same as living souls, those born after the likeness
of Adam. Yet, it is different in so much as it comes from God not from man. The Scripture does not
say that Adam had "zoe," although many teach that he did. The Scripture does say Adam was not
spiritual, although we know he did have a spirit and God could give him understanding through his
spirit. Job 32:8 says, "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth
them understanding." These two lives, soul "psuche" and spirit "zoe" are both spoken of by Jesus
in John 10:10,11. Jesus said,
...I am come that they might have life (zoe), and that they might have it more
abundantly.

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 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (psuche) for the sheep.
Jesus had both, "zoe," spiritual life, and "psuche" soul life. He came to give us "zoe" spiritual life,
and He gave His "psuche" soul life for us.

Man was created a living soul. Jesus, born of a woman into this world, was a human being.
He had a living soul. He gave His human life, his living soul, his body and blood, human intellect,
reasoning, understanding, etc. for all mankind on the cross of Calvary. Everything that the first Adam
was, Jesus gave on the cross of Calvary for all mankind. The price Jesus paid, was the life and flesh
of man; totally and complete on the cross of Calvary. He paid the price for all mankind; that all
mankind could have "zoe" the life of God, everlasting life, eternal life. The price was paid in full for
all who will believe on the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.

This spiritual life that Jesus gives us includes a new spiritual body, like unto the natural life
that Adam had, a living soul in a physical body. "...There is a natural body and there is a spiritual
body" (1 Cor. 15:44).

As there are two lives and there are also two deaths mentioned in the Scriptures. Genesis 2:17
says, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day
that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Some Bibles read, "...in dying thou shalt die,"
A process of death would begin which would lead to a second death, total separation from God in
hell. The first death is death of the physical body where the body turns to dust. The second death is
damnation in hell. In Revelation 20:4-6 it says,
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and
I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word
of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had
received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned
with Christ a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is
the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death
hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him
a thousand years.
Then Revelation 20:12-15 says,
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.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the
dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The second death is that which will come to those whose name is not written in the Lamb's Book of
Life at the time of the second resurrection.

The first death is also mentioned in 1st Corinthians 15:51, saying, "Behold, I shew you a
mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." It is also mentioned in 1st

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Thessalonians 4:13-17, which says,
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The words "sleep and asleep" in the Greek are "koimao," meaning "to decease; deceased;
dead." Those who have "died in Christ," have left their bodies on this earth and have gone to be with
the LORD in heaven. They have experienced the first death. Their natural bodies are dead and in the
grave, yet they still live in their spiritual bodies which they received of the LORD when they were
born again "of the Spirit." When they became a "new creature in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17), they were
born again of the Spirit, and received a new spiritual body. They become a complete man, which
has a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), and the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). When this new creature with
"a new spiritual body" leaves the natural body to be forever with the LORD, it is called the first
death. Upon these "who are with the LORD" the second death shall have no power over them.

The second death is that which those whose name is not written in the Lamb's Book of Life
will experience upon Judgement day. Their first death is when their soul leaves their bodies and their
bodies are placed in a grave. That is the first death for them, the second is when they are cast into
the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).

As the Scripture tells us, not all shall experience the first death and not all shall experience
the second death. Those who are alive in Christ and remain at the coming of the LORD shall not
experience "the first death or the second death." Those who have gone to be with the LORD before
those who remain shall not experience the second death.

To understand these two lives, the natural life and the spiritual life we must understand the
difference between what is mortal and what is immortal; what is corruptible and what is
incorruptible. In 1st Corinthians 15:52-54 it says,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory.
The word "mortal" means "having death; containing death; dying; dead." The word "incorruptible"
means "has no corruption; cannot be corrupted." The word "corruptible" means "is already corrupted;
can be corrupted."

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 Yet, we need to understand our new spiritual body, our born again, new creature in Christ.
In 1st Peter 1:23 it says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." When a person is born again, they are not born
of corruptible seed but of incorruptible seed, which is the Word of God. Being born of Jesus Christ,
the LORD from heaven. This seed was incorruptible at the time of our new birth, our new creation
in Christ. Whereas the natural body, the flesh body was mortal, it contained death at the time we
were born into this world of the first Adam (Rom. 5:12).

Therefore, the natural body of flesh and bones; which is mortal, must be changed, it must put
on immortality. This will take place when those who are already dead in Christ, out of their natural
bodies of flesh and bones, return with the LORD to meet those who still remain. They will all be
changed and receive a new incorruptible, immortal body of flesh and bones (like the body of Jesus
after His resurrection), and forever be with the LORD.

What about the two resurrections? When do they take place? Revelation 20:5,6 says,
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is
the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death
hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him
a thousand years.
The first resurrection is when the new creature, the spiritual bodies of the saints leave their natural
bodies and go to be with the LORD. Their spiritual bodies are resurrected from their natural bodies
forever to be with the LORD. The second resurrection is on the last day, when all shall be
resurrected, the living and the dead, and shall all stand before the LORD. Those whose names are
not written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire, those whose names are written in the
book of life shall remain with the LORD forever.

Let us therefore watch and be ever mindful of the coming of the LORD, for Jesus said,
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father
only.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming
of the Son of man be.
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief
would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be
broken up.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his

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 household, to give them meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an
hour that he is not aware of,
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 24:34-51).

We must remember, the epistles of the New Testament are written to Born Again, Spirit
Filled Christians. Romans 8:6 says, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace." In Colossians 1:19-23 it says,
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things
unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet
now hath he reconciled
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight:
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope
of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which
is under heaven.
In Galatians 5:16-17 says,
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are
contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

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 SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD

What is a Scriptural definition of sin? Many theologians have tried to define sin. Some have
said it is, "a transgression of a religious or moral law." Some have said it is "missing the mark." Yet
the Scriptures reveal sin in a different form, which defines it differently. To understand the Scriptural
definition we must use Scriptures that are precise in their meaning. So let us see some of these
Scriptures and add them all together for an understanding of the meaning of sin.

When Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the LORD came to them
in the garden and asked Adam, "...Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the
tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" (Gen. 3:11). Then in Genesis 3:17,
the LORD said to Adam, "...Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast
eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the
ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life."

In Genesis 4:6,7 it says,

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance
fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the
door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Taking into consideration these verses we see that Adam's sin was a result of listening to
someone else, not God. Then we see the LORD telling Cain that sin is at his door; but that Cain
should rule over him. But, notice something else, "sin is a he." Let's now look further at this sin,
which is a he. In Matthew 16:22,23, it says,
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this
shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto
me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Why did Jesus turn to Peter and address Satan? Why did Jesus make a comparison between that
which is of God and that which is of men? Let's take another Scripture into view along this same
thought. In Luke 9:54-56 it tells us,
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we
command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are
of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went
to another village.
Jesus rebuked James and John, saying, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." Is there
some type of connection to what Adam, Cain, Peter, James, and John did or said to spirits? I believe
there is. Look at what Jesus said to certain of the Jews in John 8:37-44,

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 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no
place in you.
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with
your father.
...If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Ye do the deeds of your father.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth
and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in
him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of
it.
How is it that these Jews' father was the devil? Jesus Himself said, "I know that ye are Abraham's
seed." Let's look at another set of Scriptures that indicate the same. In Genesis 4:1, it says, "And
Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man
from the LORD." Eve said she got Cain from the LORD! But look what it says in 1st John 3:12,
"Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him?
Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." Was Jesus correct in what He
said of certain Jews? Was Eve correct in what she said of Cain? Was the Apostle John correct in
what he wrote of Cain? Yes, I believe they were all correct in what was said.

Let's look at Judas Iscariot. To understand what happened to Judas Iscariot we must also take
into account other things that Jesus said concerning Himself and the Father. In John 12:49,50 Jesus
said,
...I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore,
even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
In John 6:37 Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out." Then in John 10:27-29 Jesus said,
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them
out of my Father's hand.
In John 17:10-12, Jesus said,
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they
may be one, as we are.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me
I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot); that the
scripture might be fulfilled.

Evidently, Judas Iscariot was given to Jesus by God the Father. Jesus indicated that Judas was

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lost in the end. What happened to Judas Iscariot, one who was one of Jesus' disciples in the
beginning, but was lost in the end? Look at John 13:2, which says, "And supper being ended, the
devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him." Before we
leave Judas Iscariot completely, let us look at another couple, Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-10:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain
part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and
to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own
power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men,
but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear
came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she
said, Yea, for so much.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of
the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and
shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men
came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

I believe there is a connection to what happened to Judas Iscariot and Ananias and Sapphira;
and I believe that connection is the devil, or Satan, so called in these verses. In the case of Ananias
and Sapphira Peter said there was a lie involved. In 1st Kings 22:17-23, the prophet Micaiah revealed
that there are lying spirits. I believe there is a connection between the devil and lying spirits. For
Jesus said in John 8:44, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth
in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Can Satan provoke someone to do something? In 1st Chronicles 21:1 it says, "And Satan
stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." Can Satan tempt someone to
commit adultery? In 1st Corinthians 7:5 it says, "Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with
consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again,
that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency." Can Satan destroy our flesh? In 1st Corinthians
5:5 it says, "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit
may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Can the devil cause envy and strife? James 3:14,15
says,
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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 What about other works of the flesh? Look at Galatians 5:19-21;
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God.
I believe there is a connection between the works of the flesh and the devil. I also believe that when
these things are manifest in the flesh it is a work of the devil. At the same time, I also believe that
God has given us the ability "through the Spirit," to resist the works of the devil.

I believe if Cain (Gen. 4:7), would have listened to the LORD he could have ruled over sin
which was at his door and would not have killed Abel. I also believe that if Adam would have
insisted on not disobeying the LORD, he would not have eaten of the tree of knowledge of good and
evil. I believe man has a choice as to who he will obey, the Word of God, or the voice of the devil.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon" Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,
his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness?"

Before we define sin, let us look at some other Scriptures concerning obedience to God. Jesus
said in John 5:30, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is
just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
Evidently, Jesus had a choice, and His choice was the will of the Father. Again in John 6:38, Jesus
said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me." What was it that caused Jesus to do only the will of His Father?

What about Caleb, in Numbers 14:24? It says, "But my servant Caleb, because he had
another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto
he went; and his seed shall possess it." I believe there is another Spirit (the Holy Spirit) that can
and will guide people to do the will of God the Father, rather than the will of Satan, the devil.

Jesus, in quoting Isaiah 61:1,2, said in Luke 4:18,19, 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,
and recovering of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty
them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Acts 10:38, says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:

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who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with
him."

I believe these verses are speaking expressly of the Holy Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit can
manifest in the lives of individuals who will submit themselves unto Him. Galatians 5:22,23 says,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I believe that sin or righteousness is the manifestation of spirits, or a spirit in the lives of
individuals. The manifestation depends upon which spirit an individual yields themselves to. Spirits
manifest in the flesh. The manifestation of these spirits can be called fruit. What is fruit? Fruit is the
end product of what is produced by what was planted. If you plant an apple seed, it can produce an
apple tree, the tree can produce apples, and the apples can produce more seeds to be planted, and
produce more apple trees. Therefore, the use of the word "fruit" in the Scriptures can pertain to that
which was planted as a seed in the souls (minds or hearts of people). Speaking of some who's deeds
are evil, Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20,
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

What is righteousness? I believe it is the manifestation of the works of God in the flesh. What
is sin? I believe it is the manifestation of the works of Satan in the flesh.

What about sin? Sin separates man from God. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will
not hear." There is only one answer to the sin question, the answer is "the blood of Jesus Christ"
(1 John 1:7). Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they
shall be as wool." Both of these verses of Scripture in Isaiah were spoken by the prophet. They
spoke of the condition of mankind at that time, as well as the future work of Jesus Christ on the cross
of Calvary.

It is through "the Blood of Jesus Christ" that we have peace with God. But this is only for
those who come to Jesus Christ and receive Him as their LORD and Savior. Only then, do their sins
become white as snow. Those who do not come to Jesus Christ and receive Him as their LORD and
Savior are still separated from God. They will spend eternity in hell (unless they are born again).
Therefore, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

You must receive the blood of Jesus Christ as payment for all your sins. He paid the price

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for you. But you must also receive Him as LORD and Savior to benefit from what He did for you.
All who do not become born again of the Spirit, by receiving Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, will
spend eternity in hell. "There is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved"
(Acts 4:12). The virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, cannot save us. No religion, priest, prophet,
pastor, or anyone else can save us. Jesus is the only way. He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
(John 14:6).

There is no other victory over sin and death except in Christ Jesus. He is our victory! Adam
was not the same as Jesus. Adam did not have a life giving Spirit by which he could give eternal life.
All who are descendants of Adam must receive eternal life in Jesus Christ, or they will spend eternity
in hell with the devil and his demons. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!

There are millions of people who have been brought up, from an infant child, in churches that
have infant baptism, saying, through infant baptism a child is born again into the family of God.
When we understand the truth from the Scriptures, we know that these are lying spirits, deceiving
many into everlasting damnation in hell.

It was a lying spirit that spoke to Eve in the garden of Eden and she ate of the fruit of the tree
of knowledge of good and evil. What sounded good to Eve was a lie. She thought the fruit looked
good for food. She saw it was pleasant to the eyes. She thought it would make her wise. So she took
of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and did eat. Eve brought upon herself sin and
death that day. A lying spirit spoke to Eve and she did eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
These same lying spirits are speaking to people's minds all over the world, telling them lies, that they
were born again in infant baptism.

If we do not tell them the truth, they may spend eternity in hell. Only the truth will set them
free! Jesus is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" There is no other way to receive eternal life than
by receiving Jesus Christ, the second Adam as LORD and Savior.

Understand this; lying spirits work with other spirits to deceive many. Usually there is also
a spirit of pride that works with the lying spirits. This spirit of pride tries to prevent a person from
humbling themselves, and asking God to forgive them, and the LORD to receive them.

This spirit of pride is from Satan himself. Pride caused Satan to exalt himself, and his end
result is eternal banishment from before the throne of God. Pride can keep a person from eternal life.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Little children are not too proud to ask.
They receive what is offered to them freely, without letting pride get in the way of their receiving.
We must come against pride, and lying spirits; humble ourselves before God and ask the LORD to
receive us into eternal life.

One of the thieves on the cross next to Jesus, was not too proud to ask the LORD, he said,
"Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luke 23:42). The LORD received
him that day into paradise. Not because he was any better than anyone else. Only because he was not
too proud to ask.

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 Lying spirits and spirits of pride have deceived many into eternal damnation in hell. If you
are a born again Christian, and you know someone who has been deceived by these lying spirits and
spirits of pride; give them a copy of this book that they can know the truth, and the truth can set them
free. Give them the truth that can "open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Jesus Christ" (Acts 26:18).

I pray that no one reading this book is too prideful to humble themselves before God, and ask
the LORD to receive them into everlasting life. He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." There
is no other way! The keeper of the prison said to Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts
16:30,31). There is no other way!

In Acts 17:24-28 it tells us that, God made all nations of the earth from one man "Adam,"
"that they would seek the Lord, and find Him, though He be not far from anyone of us." The
purpose God created Adam, was so that man would seek the LORD and find Him! Unless we seek
the LORD, and receive Him, we will be without God in this world and die, and go to hell forever.
Not because God does not love us, but because we did not seek the LORD Jesus Christ, and receive
Him as our LORD.

We must receive Jesus Christ as LORD, or He can do nothing to keep us from spending
eternity in hell with the devil and his demons. Unless we believe upon the name of the LORD Jesus
Christ, we condemn ourselves to hell. John 3:18, says, "He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Jesus is the giver of eternal life. Without Jesus we cannot have eternal life. Without receiving
Jesus as LORD, we cannot enter heaven to be with Him for all eternity. Jesus must become our
LORD as well as our Savior!

To enter into heaven to be with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever, we must
first have a new spiritual body, "joined one spirit with the Lord" (1 Cor. 6:17). In this new
spiritual body we enter into heaven.

On the last day, when the last trump of the trumpet is sounded, all who are in Christ will meet
the LORD together, and then our mortal bodies will put on immortality, our corruptible will put on
incorruption and we will remain with the LORD forever (1 Cor. 15:51,52, 1st Thes. 4:16,17).

But, before that last day, we must have a new spiritual body, joined one spirit with the
LORD, to enter into the kingdom of God. By this new birth, "born again of the Spirit," we become
children of God. God in us (2 Cor. 6:16), we in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), joined one spirit with the LORD
forever. The first Adam in us must pass away. The second Adam in us must remain forever. This is
accomplished by the Spirit of God reigning in our lives.

There is a difference between the spirit and the flesh. Jesus said, "That which is born of the

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flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). Romans 8:1 says, "There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit."

For those who are born again it says in Romans 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his." The real you is translated from the flesh to the spirit, you are no longer
in the flesh; but in the Spirit "if so be that the Spirit of God dwells in you."

Are you a new creature in Christ Jesus? Have you been born again of the Spirit of God? Is
Jesus Christ your LORD? Will you spend eternity in heaven? This all depends upon what you do
about the free gift of eternal life offered by God the Father in Jesus Christ His Son. Will you receive
Him as your LORD and Savior? If you will; if you want eternal life; then follow the instructions in
John 1:11-12. It says,
He (Jesus) 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 (children) of
God, even to them that believe on his name.
To all who will receive Jesus Christ as LORD, He will give them the power to become children of
God. They will have eternal life in them. They will be joined "one spirit with the Lord."

Jesus prayed for you in John 17:20-23, when He prayed,

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word;
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....
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world
may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

When you receive Jesus Christ as LORD, He becomes one with you and you become one
with Him and the Father. Therefore, when you receive Jesus Christ as LORD, you also receive God
the Father. The very life of God which He gave to His Son, dwells in you also. Jesus said in John
5:26, "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in
himself." The same life that the Father has is also in Jesus Christ His Son. Jesus said in John 10:10b,
"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." In 1st
John 5:11,12 it explains,
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Then in 1st John 5:20 it says, "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his
Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." You also become a part of His body, the
Church, where all who are in Christ are members of His body (1 Cor. 12:12).

All Jesus did on earth, through His life, death, and resurrection, He did for you, personally,
as well as for everyone who will receive Him as LORD. Ephesians 1:4,5 says,
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we

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 should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will.
God knew you before you were conceived in your mother's womb, and has chosen you to become
His own in Christ Jesus for all eternity. Will you accept the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus?
If so, then receive Him into your life now!

SAY A PRAYER LIKE THIS, OUT LOUD:

"LORD Jesus, I know that You are the Son of God. I know that You died on the cross for me.
I know that God raised You from the dead. Jesus, forgive me of all my sins, wash me clean in Your
blood; that I may be the righteousness of God in You.

LORD Jesus, I ask You to come into my life and live Your life in me. Let Your will be done
in me; let the will of God be done in my life as it is in Your life. I surrender myself to You, Jesus! You
lead me by Your Spirit and I will follow You to the best of my ability. I will live for You all the days
of my life, as You lead me by Your Spirit.

I receive You now, as my LORD, and SAVIOR for all eternity. I will be with You here on
earth, and I will be with You in heaven, forever and ever. I will give You all the Glory. It is for You
that I will live forever. Amen."

If you have prayed from your heart to receive Jesus Christ as your LORD, then you have
eternal life. It is impossible for Jesus to lie. He said in John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

Now, you must continue in Him. Salvation is only complete if you remain in Christ Jesus for
all eternity. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-14,
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
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.
Jesus spoke these words for our sakes, as well as for the Jews, and His disciples at that time. If it
were only for the Jews then it would not be recorded in the New Testament for us today. The New
Testament is our covenant with God. It is written for our learning, to know our covenant with God.
Therefore, as you will find throughout the New Testament, salvation is not complete until the end.
We must continue to grow in spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the Word of God.
We must be doers of the Word, not hearers only (James 1:22).

Therefore, study the New Testament. Get wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the
Word of God to His Children. The New Testament is our Covenant with God, sealed by the blood
of Jesus Christ. Study it, that you may know your inheritance, being a joint-heir with Christ (Rom.
8:15-17).

In studying the New Covenant you will find that, as a born again Christian you are still left

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with a free will to choose your future, in this world and in eternity. When you were born again, you
became a baby in Christ, a new born babe.

You will find that there are three positions of growth within the body of Christ. There are
"babes in Christ," whereby you should desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow
thereby (1 Cor. 3:1-4). There are children, sometimes referred to as carnal in the King James Version
of the Bible. These are those who are still tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).
They are still living in the flesh, according to the natural mind, whereas there is envy, strife, and
divisions among them (1 Cor. 3:3, James 3:14-16). Then, there are those who are spiritual (1 Cor.
3:1), mature, of full age (Heb. 5:13,14). These are those who have entered into the kingdom (reign)
of God (John 3:5).

Therefore, we must be aware that as there are stages of growth within the body of Christ.
There is also more to living as a Child of God than just being born again. For those who have made
the decision to receive Jesus Christ as LORD, and become children of God, there is more for them
to come. They must enter into the kingdom (reign) of God. Remember what it says in Romans 8:9,
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

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 BORN AGAIN OR SAVED?

Throughout the Old Testament the LORD continued to speak to the children of Israel about
their salvation. How He would save them if they obeyed His commandments. For each one who
obeyed Him and did according to His commandments He saved them. The word saved means
delivered and or protected. In the Old Testament the word salvation comes from the Hebrew word
"y@shuwah." The true meaning of the Hebrew word is summed up in Exodus 15:2, where it says,
"The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will
prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him."

In the New Testament the word Salvation comes from the Greek word "soteria." The true
meaning of the Greek word "soteria" is given in Acts 4:12, where it says "Neither is there salvation
in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must
be saved."

The word saved or salvation in both the Old Testament and the New Testament has the same
meaning, it means "delivered and or protected." In Acts 2:21 it says, "And it shall come to pass,
that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Peter is quoting Joel 2:32,
where it says, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD
shall be delivered..." Delivered and saved mean the same thing. This deliverance or protection
includes deliverance from all our enemies, physical and spiritual. To the children of Israel, it didn't
make any difference if their enemies were other people or even nations. They were saved from the
Egyptians; from Pharaoh who oppressed them for many years. They were saved from bondage to
Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

The word saved or salvation includes deliverance and protection from physical situations
within our bodies, such as sickness and disease. Sickness and disease is an enemy, it keeps us in
bondage, preventing us from doing the things that we should be doing.

The word saved or salvation includes deliverance and protection from spiritual forces that
operate through our minds, causing us to do things which are not for our benefit, but rather for our
destruction. Those who think they can steal, kill, and destroy need salvation from such thinking. Any
thoughts that do not agree with the Word of God are not from God, and we need to be saved from
such thinking. Thoughts are spiritual forces that try to control our lives in one from or another.

Salvation, or saved always means deliverance or protection. Being that the LORD is the
Creator of all things, all things were created by Him and through Him, He is become our Salvation.
Not just ours only but "whosoever will call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Rom.
10:13). Salvation is not just for those who are children of God, but it is for "whosoever will call
upon the name of the LORD." Noah was not spoken of as one of God's children, for those who are
spoken of as God's children are those who God chose in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the chosen
children of Israel. Yet, Noah and his household were saved during the flood, while all others were

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destroyed. In 1st Peter, 3:18-20 it says,
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the
days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were
saved by water.
This tells us that Noah and his family were saved. They were delivered and protected during the
flood which destroyed all other flesh, except for those who were in the ark with Noah.

All throughout the Bible, true and complete salvation is an act of God, and it comes to us by
grace, through faith (Eph. 2:8,9). To receive salvation from the LORD one must believe the LORD,
and be obedient to His Word. When the angels came to Lot and his family in Sodom, only Lot, his
wife, and two of his daughters were saved. The angels brought them out of the city by the hand
before the LORD rained brimstone and fire down on the cities. Lot's wife, was saved in the
beginning, but she disobeyed the words of the angels and in the end she was lost. She was destroyed,
no longer delivered or protected because she disobeyed the words of the two angels that the LORD
sent to save her.

Let us take an example from the teachings of Jesus and see what true salvation is. In the
Gospel of Mark, Chapter five, there is the example of man who needed to be saved. He was not in
his right mind. People who are not in their right mind need to be saved. This man lived in the
mountains and in the cemetery among the tombs of dead people. Luke tells us that this man was
many times in the city, but did not live in a house but rather among the tombs. Mark tells us that no
man could tame him, not by binding him with fetters or chains, for he would brake them. Matthew,
Mark, and Luke all tell us that he was possessed with demons. The demon that spoke to Jesus was
called Legion, because under him there were many demons.

It is not important how many demons are controlling the life of a person, if the person is not
in their right mind they need to be saved from the demons which are controlling them. This man
came running to Jesus for salvation. The head demon (Legion), "...cried with a loud voice, and
said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God,
that thou torment me not" (Mark 5:7). Mark continued to tell us that Jesus commanded the
demons to come out of the man. In doing so, Jesus asked the demon what his name was. The demon
replied, "...My name is Legion: for we are many" (Mark 5:9).

After the demons were cast out of the man, Mark tells us, "...they come to Jesus, and see
him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right
mind..." (Mark 5:15). Anyone who is not in their right mind needs to be saved.

How do we know if someone is in their right mind? This man who needed to be saved from
the demons wanted to be with Jesus. Anyone who is in their right mind wants to be with Jesus. Jesus
is the LORD over this whole creation, the heavens around the earth, the earth, and everything within
the earth. Those who are in their right mind want to be with the creator of all things. Anyone who
desires anything other than to be with Jesus is not in their right mind, but has their mind controlled

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by other spirits; mainly the spirits of this world. Romans 8:6-8 in the Good News Bible says,
To be controlled by human nature results in death, to be controlled by the Spirit results
in life and peace.
And so a person becomes an enemy of God when he is controlled by his human nature;
for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it.
Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.

How many are there today who say they are Christians, say they love the LORD, but are not
in their right mind? Everyone who is born into this world needs to be saved. When this salvation
begins its process, there must be a turning away from the old life to a new life in Christ Jesus. In
Ephesians 4:20-29, it tells us,
But ye have not so learned Christ;
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are
members one of another.
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the
thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to
the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Many believe they do not need to work with their hands, but that others should supply all
their needs. They believe, because they are Christians others are to support them... This is evidence
that they need to be saved from the corrupt thinking in their minds, they need to be delivered from
the spirits of this world.

Satan has always attacked women in this area. He has convinced many women that they do
not have to work other than do house work. And they have the right to live according to their desires
of the flesh. In 1st Timothy 5:6,11-13, it says,
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth...
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against
Christ, they will marry;
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only
idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Many women within the body of Christ get married so they do not have to work with their
hands, but rather they can live off the labors of a man. If that is the purpose for their marrying, they
need to be saved, whereby they can be in their right mind. Proverbs 31:10-31 is written specifically

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for married women, specifying what is expected of them. The LORD is not against women, but He
knows the devices of the devil, how he has always tried to use the woman to get the man to sin
against the LORD. Satan used Eve to get Adam to sin. The devil has not changed, and he has not
stopped using women to get men to sin.

In the body of Christ many are saved, but in the end will not be saved because they disobey
the Word of God. Jesus said in John 15:1-6,
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that
beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean
through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me,
he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into
the fire, and they are burned.
For someone who is cast forth as a branch, withered, and cast into a fire and burned; that surely is
not speaking of being saved. That is destruction or being destroyed.

When Jesus said "I am the true vine," He was not just telling a story, like some fairy tale
or some fictitious idea. He is speaking a spiritual truth, which only those who are spiritually able to
discern spiritual things can understand. To be saved we must abide in Jesus, for He is our Salvation.
Our life is in Him, and without Him there is no eternal life.

So what is this eternal life that the Bible speaks of? Eternal life is the very life of God; the
same life that the Father has in Himself, that He gave His Son to have in Himself. That same life,
Jesus came to give to those who will believe in Him and His Father, who sent Him. In John 5:26,
Jesus said, "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in
himself." Speaking of Jesus, John 1:4 says, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
The very life of God was in Jesus, His Son. Then Jesus said in John 10:10b. "...I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

This eternal life is explained in 1st John 5:11,12, where it says,

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

There is only one way to receive eternal life, that is to receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
Whom the Father sent into this world that we might have eternal life. If Jesus had not come into this
world, we could not have eternal life. Therefore, He came that we might have eternal life.

Eternal life is similar to earthly life in so much as it requires that we maintain it by eating of
the flesh and drinking of the blood of Jesus; which means abiding in Him and His words abiding in
us. Jesus is the Word of God, the life of God is in His Word. John 1:1,2, says,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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 The same was in the beginning with God.

The Word of God has never changed, God has never changed; neither One will ever change
for the Word of God and God are the same. They are One. In 1st John 5:7, it says, "For there are
three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three
are one." The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit are One; they are God. Jesus is the Word, He
was with the Father in the beginning, and is still with the Father today. If we have Jesus, we have
eternal life. If we do not have Jesus we do not have eternal life, for this eternal life is in Jesus Christ,
and in the Father. If we have the Father, we also have the Son, for the very life of Jesus is in the
Father.

Yet there needs to be an understanding of this eternal life; what it means to have eternal life
and how do we know we have eternal life? Eternal life starts when we receive the Word of God,
which is Jesus Christ into our life as LORD. To the children of Israel, He was Savior; their salvation
was because of His grace and mercy. But to those of the New Covenant, He must be LORD. LORD,
meaning "He must be in control of our life." If we are in control of our life then He is not in
control. There cannot be two masters in our life. Either Jesus is master or we are master. That is why
Jesus said in Luke 9:23,24,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and
follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,
the same shall save it.

This eternal life begins with a seed, which is the Word of God. In 1st Peter 1:23 it says,
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever." When we receive Jesus as LORD, the Word of God enters into us.
We become born again of the Spirit of God, whereby we become children of God through a new
birth. This is a total work of God, not of man. John 1:12,13 says,
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:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God.

By the hearing of the Word of God, we receive the Word of God in our heart. The Word of
God and Jesus are the same person of the Godhead, therefore, when we receive Jesus as LORD the
Spirit of God forms within us a new spirit. Ezekiel 36:26 says, "A new heart also will I give you,
and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you an heart of flesh." This new spirit comes down from above, making us a new
creature in Christ Jesus. From that point of time on we begin to grow in spiritual wisdom and
knowledge of our new life. This is a new life, it is not a regenerated old life. The old life we had in
Adam must die, and the new life in Christ must take control of our lives, "that Christ (the
Anointing) might be formed in us". Yet, at the time we receive Jesus as LORD we are only babes
in Christ. The seed of eternal life; which is the Word of God is planted within us. We have eternal
life, yet we must learn how to "let Christ be formed within us" to the degree that He becomes
LORD and Master over everything we do. We must deny ourselves, and lay down our old life of the

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natural man that the new life of the spirit within us can have control. Therefore, we need the Word
of God that we may grow thereby.

When we are first born of the Spirit we enter into the body of Christ, which is called the
church. Acts 2:47 tells us "the LORD adds to the church daily such as should be saved." That means,
when we are born again of the Spirit, the LORD adds us to His body, which is the church, that we
might become saved. Salvation is not complete when we become born again. Salvation begins when
we are born again and must continue until we receive our new immortal body and our incorruptible
soul on the day that Jesus returns and we all meet together with Him in the air (1 Cor. 15:51-54, 1
Thes. 4:13-17).

The most important thing about the new birth is that, "by it we become related to God." God
becomes our true Father, and we become His true children. Salvation puts us into fellowship with
God. The new birth puts us into relationship with God-God becomes our true Father. The Children
of Israel became the Children of God by adoption. The LORD chose them in Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. Whereby, we have been chosen from before the foundation of the world, predestined unto
the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to God the Father, according to the will of God (Eph.
1:4,5). When Jesus adopts us, God the Father sends us a new spirit down from heaven and the Holy
Spirit makes us into a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). We are adopted by Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
and God the Father receives us as His very own children, born of the Spirit, with the very life of God
in us.

The children of Israel did not have this new life, the life of God within them. Only those who
are born of the Spirit have this new life in them. The children of Israel were adopted children, like
a natural child is adopted by natural parents today. The adopted child's life is not new, but he has the
same privileges as a natural born child into the same family. Whereby, a born again Christian is not
just an adopted child, but is a new creature, having the very life of God in them. A born again child
of God is not of this world, even as Jesus is not of this world. In John 17:16, Jesus said, "They are
not of the world, even as I am not of the world." Those who receive Jesus Christ as LORD
become new creatures, born from above, and their life which they receive is not of this world. Their
new birth is from heaven. Heaven is their home and God is their true Father. This is the one thing
that upset the Pharisees the most, that Jesus said, "God was His Father." The devil is very
disturbed over those who know that God is their true Father, for they have power over him and all
his works. This power comes as a result of Jesus Christ dwelling in us by His Spirit. This power is
effective when the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and by the power of the Spirit of God within us, the devil
and all his demons must bow to the name of Jesus, as we live by the Word of God.

It is not you or I that cause the demons to tremble and the devil to flee...it is Christ in us, by
the power of the Holy Spirit responding to the Word of God that causes the devil to be subjected to
the words we speak.

The new birth makes us true sons of God, born of the Spirit. Thereby, God is our true Father
and we are His true children. This places us in relationship with God, making us sons of God by
birth.. We are related to God by His Spirit dwelling in us. God the Father Himself dwells in us with
Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

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 Once we become children of God by the new birth we must then be saved. Salvation must
begin in our lives and continue until we go to be with Jesus forever. This can only happen in our
lives if we permit Jesus to be the LORD every day of our lives. If, at anytime we should turn away
from Him, and return back to the old nature, He is no longer Master, or LORD in our lives. He does
not leave us, He still remains in our new spirit, but He is no longer LORD. If we yield to the
temptations of this world, and follow after the things of this world, Satan becomes our LORD and
Master, and Jesus can do nothing for us until we return to Him to save us. Therefore, we must be
saved if we go astray and follow after the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, or the pride of life.
In 1st John 2:15,16 it tells us,
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

When we go off into the lusts of things, the love of the Father is no longer in us, but rather
the love for other things. Without the love of the Father in us we can not walk with God. Therefore,
at any time we are not walking with God, Satan has an advantage over us. Of our own ability we are
no match for the devil, but by the ability God gives us through His Holy Spirit, Satan has no power
over us.

Even after we are born again of the Spirit and become true sons of God, we can still become
lost, and even lose our salvation. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 is an example of
a person who was a son and became lost, and dead, but returned and was again saved and alive. The
son demanded of his father his inheritance, which his father gave him. This son went and wasted his
inheritance upon riotous living. When all was lost, and he had nothing left, he came to himself,
realizing that his father's servants had it better than he had it. When he returned to his father's house
it was said of him, he was lost, and now is found, he was dead and now is alive (Luke 15:32).

All the time this son was away from his father, his father could do nothing for him. If he had
never returned to his father he would have been lost forever, he would have died without any way
of returning to his father where he could live. With all the teaching Jesus did, by parables and even
by true stories, Christians should understand that the doctrine of "once save always saved" is not
from God, neither did Jesus teach it.

Salvation under the New Covenant is for those who are God's children by the new birth. Yet,
it was for those of the Old Covenant who were God's children by adoption in Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. That was the Old Covenant which is no longer in effect, now that we have a new and better
covenant (Heb. 8:6-13). Salvation comes by grace through faith. Without both "grace and faith,"
there can be no salvation. Ephesians 2:2,12 tells us that before we came to the LORD, "we all were
in this world, controlled by the prince of the power of the air, without God, and without hope." Yet,
Ephesians 2:8,9 tells us,
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Noah was saved by grace through faith (Heb. 11:7). Abraham became the father of many

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nations by faith. Everyone who comes to God must have faith, and "by grace through faith they can
be saved."

The Old Testament saints were saved, but did not have the very life of God in them, they
were not born from above. They were not related to God by birth. They had fellowship with God and
were saved because of their fellowship with God; which came by obedience, grace, and mercy...
When they believed God, they came into fellowship with the LORD and He saved them. Yet, they
did not have the life of God within them, they were not born of the Spirit. Therefore, even without
the new birth a person can be saved; that is, "delivered and protected by the LORD." Yet, without
the new birth, they cannot enter into eternal life with Jesus Christ for all eternity.

Under the new covenant a person can be born again of the Spirit "and still not be in
fellowship with God," like the prodigal son. We can still be children of God, but out of fellowship.
When we are out of fellowship with God the LORD can do nothing for us. By this, we destroy
ourselves by having fellowship with the world and the spirits of this world.

Therefore, people in general can be saved, and still not be a child of God. A child of God can
be out of fellowship and become lost. The teaching of Jesus cautions us, not to enter into any
condition where we do not have relationship through the new birth, or fellowship with Him in His
Word. John 15:4-8 sums up this teaching of Jesus very well. It says,
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me,
he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into
the fire, and they are burned.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be
done unto you.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

To remain a disciple of Jesus we must abide in Him and His Word must abide in
us...anything less than that is not acceptable to God the Father. It's our choice, Jesus and eternal life
in Him, or the world and the spirits of this world. We must choose, life or death, the LORD promises
life to those who obey His Word, and do not follow the words of others.

Jesus told us in Matthew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the
one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon." If we do not abide in Jesus, and His words do not abide in us, will we be
saved? Everyone must make their own decision in this life, and based upon that decision they will
give an account before the LORD on that last day. Those who are truly saved are in their right mind,
a mind which desires to be with Jesus, and live a holy, godly life until they go to be with the LORD
forever. Those who are not living so, need to be saved before they loose their eternal inheritance in
heaven.

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 THE CROSS OF CALVARY
"From the judgement hall
to the cross,
to the grave, to the heavens"
(The account from the gospels)
Scripture verses given in sequence as much as possible - (not all events are included)

John 19:
10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to
crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from
above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this
man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
Matthew 27:
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water,
and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:
see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Mark 15:
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus,
when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Matthew 27:
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the
whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right
hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment
on him, and led him away to crucify him.
John 19:
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the
Hebrew Golgotha: Mark 15:
21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father
of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Luke 23:
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and
lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for

46
yourselves, and for your children.
29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the
wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and
the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
John 19:
19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the
city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said,
I am King of the Jews.
22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
Matthew 27:
34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not
drink.
35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast
lots.
36 And sitting down they watched him there;
Mark 15:
29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest
the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
Matthew 27:
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou
be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down
from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Luke 23:
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do....
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save
thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing
amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in

47
paradise.
John 19:
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto
his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her
unto his own home.
Luke 23:
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit:...
Mark 15:
33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
John 19:
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be
fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon
hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost.
Mark 15:
39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the
ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other
women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
John 19:
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the
cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might
be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with
him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and
water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye
might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be
broken.

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37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews,
besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came
therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture
of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner
of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the
garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh
at hand.
Mark 16:
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome,
had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising
of the sun.
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Luke 24:
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in
shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek
ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the
third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
John 20:
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and
looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have
taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that
it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be
the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and
I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say,
Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my
brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your
God.

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Matthew 28:
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and
held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there
shall they see me.
Luke 24:
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were
with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
John 20:
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes
lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together
in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
John 20:
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto
them, Peace be unto you.
Luke 24:
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh
and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any
meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
John 20:
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy
Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they
are retained.
Luke 24:
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you,
that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in
the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the

50
dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
John 20:
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them,
Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and
thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus,
the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy
hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they
that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Mark 16:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall
lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Matthew 28:
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Luke 24:
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until
ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given
commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of
them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from
Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days
hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time
restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath

51
put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses
unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received
him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which
is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

SUMMING UP THE EVENTS

"From the judgement hall,
to the grave, to the heavens."

Following the sequence of happenings from the Judgement Hall to Jesus's ascension there
are some very important things Christians need to understand. The cross of Calvary is the place of
victory for all mankind. It is the end of the Old Covenant of the Law for the Jews and the beginning
of the New Covenant for all Christians; Jews and Gentiles. It is vitally important to understand what
happened during these days; from the judgement hall of Pilate to Jesus ascension to the Father. For
this is the completed work of Jesus Christ for those who believe.

In John 19:11, Jesus said to Pilate, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me,
except it were given thee from above..." As Christians we must understand that the LORD is still
in control of His creation. He has the power to create and destroy, He can forgive or not forgive, He
is love, and full of grace and mercy; yet still righteous and will not pervert judgement.

As Christians, everything that happens in our life is dependant upon who we serve; the
LORD or the spirits of this world. Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death,
or of obedience unto righteousness?" We cannot serve two masters... Therefore, 1st Corinthians
2:12 says, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." By the Holy Spirit within us,
we should know all things that are of God, and follow only the Holy Spirit, not the spirits of this
world. For it says in Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are
in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." This implies that there is still
condemnation to those who walk after the flesh, even though they are Spirit-filled Christians.
Romans 8:5-8 says,
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after
the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

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 If we turn again to serve the flesh, and not the Spirit of God we are no better than those who
never knew the way of salvation. This is made clear in 2nd Peter 2:15-22, Hebrews 6:4-6, 2nd
Thessalonians 2:3-12, Romans 1:18-32, etc. Yet, by God's own plan and for His own pleasure
Romans 8:9 says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." By the will of
God, not by any of our righteousness or good works, He has made us to be in Christ Jesus, and has
given us the Holy Spirit; that we would walk worthy of the position He has given us. The LORD has
done all He can for us, now it's up to us to maintain that position He has given us. Jesus said in
Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." In Philippians
2:12 it says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
In 1st Timothy 6:12 it says, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto
thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." Jesus said
in John 15:5,6,
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
There are many other Scriptures that imply the same; it's up to us to maintain our position is Christ.

Keeping this in mind let us see what the LORD has done for us on Calvary. Because the work
of our LORD Jesus Christ was known by God from the foundation of the world, and the Scriptures
had to be fulfilled. Jesus' death and payment for the sins of the whole world included the sins of
those who crucified Him as well. When Jesus cried out, "Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do..." their sins were forgiven. The Scripture tells us in 1st John 5:16, "If any man see
his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them
that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it." Jesus
was a righteous Man, and "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"
(James 5:16b).

Following Jesus' asking forgiveness for the sins of those who crucified Him, in Luke
23:45,46 it says,
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit...:
When the sun was darkened the veil of the temple was rent; Jesus knew it was now time to fulfill
all things which had been written of Him in the Scriptures. Being the Son of Man, born in the flesh
of man through Mary, He had to defeat Satan as a man, not as the Son of God. Therefore, He
commended His Spirit to return to the Father. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, "Then shall the dust return
to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Note; there is no
recording of any spirits of men entering into hell, only the souls and bodies of unjust men enter hell.
In Matthew 10:28 Jesus said, "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." Adam was not
spiritual when he sinned in the garden of Eden (1 Cor. 15:45-47). Adam was a living soul. Jesus
came that we might have a living spirit, the very life of God in us. John 10:10,11 says,

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 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life (Zoe), and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (psuche) for the sheep.

The life we receive when we are born again is Zoe, the very life of God, which Adam did not
have. The life that Jesus gave on the cross for us is psuche, His living soul as the second Adam.
Jesus took upon Himself the position Adam had in the beginning, a living soul in a body made from
the dust of the ground. This is the life that Jesus gave on the cross of calvary for all mankind.

Following the return of His Spirit to the Father, Jesus experienced separation from the Father
for the first time in all eternity. Therefore, it says in Mark 15:34, "And at the ninth hour Jesus
cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" While Jesus was in the world, even just before going
to the cross He said to Philip in John 14:9-11,
Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that
hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak
unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very
works' sake.

The Father was always "in Jesus" from the beginning of eternity. Jesus came out from the
Father with the very life of God in Him. Yet, on the Cross, His Spirit returned to the Father and He
was left alone to bare the sins and iniquities of all mankind upon Himself. During this time, between
the time His Spirit went back to be with the Father, and the time He died, it tells us He knew all
things were fulfilled that was written in the Scriptures. With our sins, iniquities, sicknesses, and
diseases upon Jesus, it says in John 19:28-30,
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture
might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and
put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his
head, and gave up the ghost.

God "made Him to be sin for us." Our sins and iniquities, along with our sicknesses and
diseases were all upon Him. In 2nd Corinthians 5:21 it says, "For he hath made him to be sin for
us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Isaiah 53:4,5
says,
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus died physically. Following Jesus physical death on the cross, Colossians 2:14,15 tells
us,

54
 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.

This shows us that our sins, iniquities, sicknesses, and diseases were laid upon Jesus while
He was still upon the cross, before He died. Then He died, making an open show of the spirits of
darkness while triumphing over them in death. It was through His death in the flesh, and resurrection
from physical death that Jesus defeated death for all who are in Christ. In 1st Corinthians 15:22 it
says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Some believe that Jesus died spiritually on the cross; meaning that the Spirit of Jesus died
also for the sins of mankind. This is not proven by the Scriptures, for there is no place in the
Scriptures where this is stated. We need to search the Scriptures carefully to find the truth, and not
rely upon other men's doctrines. In Acts 2:29-31 it tells us that King David was a prophet. and he
prophesied, of Jesus descending into hell for us. It says,
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that
of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his
throne;
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in
hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
There has never been any mention of Jesus' Spirit descending into hell. All that is mentioned in the
Scriptures concerning Jesus descending into hell speaks of his soul, after being put to death in the
flesh.

Some claim that Adam was spiritual, therefore Jesus had to die spiritually to overcome the
spiritual death of Adam. This could not be true, for Adam was not spiritual, he was natural
(psuchikos). Jesus was Spiritual (a life-giving Spirit). This is the main difference between the two
Adams. The first Adam was natural, the second Adam (Jesus) was spiritual. Being that Adam was
not spiritual, he could not have died spiritually.

The Scripture says that Jesus died in the flesh...

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight (Col. 1:22).
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in
ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace (Eph. 2:15).
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all (Heb. 10:10).
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant (Heb. 13:20).
There isn't any place in the Scriptures where it says Adam's sin caused instant spiritual death. It could

55
be that those who teach this doctrine believe that when Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good
and evil he died instantly, a spiritual death; yet continued to live in the flesh. It could be that they
have not searched the Scriptures concerning Genesis 2:17, which in the King James Version of the
Bible says, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Notice the King James Bible says, "thou
shalt surely die." By this some believe the LORD meant that instantly Adam and Eve would die
if they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Yet they did not die instantly, only that sin and
death entered mankind (Rom. 5:12).

If we look at the Young's Literal Translation of Genesis 2:17, it says, "and of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil, thou dost not eat of it, for in the day of thine eating of it--dying
thou dost die.'" By this we can see that a process of death would begin. When we look a Webster's
1833 footnote of Genesis 2:17 it reads, {Heb. dying thou shalt die}, meaning two deaths, physical
first and eternal second (as mentioned in Revelation 20:6,14).

In searching the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation we will find all Scripture agrees with
Young's Literal Translation and Webster's footnotes. For death did enter mankind when Adam
sinned. Romans 5:12 clearly says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." This tells us that death
is in every person born after Adam and Eve (except Jesus). 1st Corinthians 15:53,54 says,
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory.
Mortal means "having death in, and in the process of dying until death is complete." This certainly
agrees with "dying thou shalt die."

A second consideration is the truth spoken by Jesus Himself. In Matthew 12:40 Jesus said,
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be
three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Two things to take note of in this
statement. One is that Jesus did not say "the Son of God," which would indicate His spiritual life
(Zoe), but He said "the Son of man" which pertains to His soul life (Psuche). This tells us that it was
the Son of Man that went into the heart of the earth (hell), and defeated Satan, not the Son of God.

Another thing to notice is that Jesus said He would be in the heart of the earth for three days,
this means He did descend into the lower parts before He was raised again from the dead. This is
verified by many Scriptures such as Ephesians 4:9,10, which says,
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts
of the earth?
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he
might fill all things.)
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead; VICTORY over death and the devil for mankind. Total
victory for all who are in Christ and remain until the day of Judgement; not by our works of
righteousness, but by His righteousness which we receive in Him. He paid the price we could not

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pay.... Therefore, 1st Corinthians 6:19,20 says,
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's.

If we are in Christ, we are not our own, we belong to Him. We have no rights of our own,
therefore, we must become servants to Him, and serve Him and not ourselves, nor the spirits of this
world. When Jesus rose from the dead, He became the first born of every creature. Hebrews 13:20
tells us, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant." God brought Jesus back
from physical death through His own blood which He shed before He died, cleansing Him from all
our sins and iniquities which God had laid upon Him before He died. The blood of the everlasting
covenant cleansed Jesus of our sins, and it will cleanse anyone who will receive Jesus Christ as
LORD, and remain in Him (John 15:6,7).

It was not the Son of God that defeated Satan on the cross of calvary. It was JESUS, the Son
of Man, the second Adam that defeated Satan for us. This is very clear in that the name JESUS
pertains to the humanity of Jesus; whereas the name CHRIST pertains to the deity of the Son of God.
It is very clear which one it was that defeated Satan "the Son of Man or the Son of God," when we
take in account that it is the name of "Jesus" and not the name of "Christ" that has been exalted
above every name. If it were the deity of Jesus that defeated Satan then it would be the name of
Christ that would have been exalted.

It was the Son of Man, the Man, JESUS, that defeated Satan. Yet, not of Himself alone, but
by the power of God given to all mankind as God's representatives on earth. Without Jesus, the Son
of Man, God could not have set us free of the works of the devil. God, working through a Man, set
men free.

Before Jesus went to the cross He said to His disciples in John 16:6,7,13-16,
But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not
away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will
shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine,
and shall shew it unto you.
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me,
because I go to the Father.

Until the time Jesus went to the cross, His disciples always followed a Man in the flesh, more
so because of the miracles than for any other reason. They did not understand the Scriptures, but they
knew Jesus was sent from the Father. It was necessary for Jesus to return to the Father and send the

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Holy Spirit to carry on the work He began to do. Acts 1:1,2 tells us,
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and
teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given
commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.

It is not the will of God that any man should follow another man in the flesh... Therefore,
Romans 8:14 tells us, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
This is why Jesus said, we must receive the Holy Spirit which is evidenced by speaking in tongues.
This is our communication with the Father, by the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 14:2). Jesus said,
But the hour is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people
will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants.
God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really
is (John 4:23,24 GNB).
God is a Spirit, and wants His children to be led by the Holy Spirit while Jesus is at the right hand
of the Father, making intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). Colossians 1:14,15,18-20 says,
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:...
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things
unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
For this reason, Jesus instructed his disciples in Acts 1:4,5,8, saying,
...they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which,
saith he, ye have heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence...
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth.
Those who do not have the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues do
not have the power to do the works that Jesus did. Jesus did not do the works of miracles, casting
out demons, healing the sick, etc. by His own ability; He did it by the power of the Holy Spirit within
Him. So it is today, all things are accomplished by God through the work of the Holy Spirit in those
who are willing and obedient to the Spirit of God. In 1st Peter 3:18-20 tells us,
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the
days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were
saved by water.
Then 1st Peter 4:6 says, "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead,
that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
spirit." God is not unjust, therefore He gave opportunity to all who had died before Jesus went to

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the cross to receive eternal life in Christ Jesus. The prison doors were opened and Noah, Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, along with multitudes of others heard the gospel preached to them "...that they might
be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." It's very
important that all Scripture agree, that none disagree from Genesis through Revelation.

Therefore, if we once believed in the teachings of men which say "Adam died spiritually in
the Garden of Eden," and therefore Jesus had to die spiritually to set us free, it would be good to
study the Scriptures from Genesis through Revelation; then make the necessary changes in what we
believe and what we teach. For a Word from the LORD came forth some time ago, saying, "Those
who have taught what they have heard other men teach, and have not received it from My Spirit,
if they will repent My grace will cover them."

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 THE ANOINTING

We should not be deceived by man's ideas of what the Bible says. There is just as much
difference between the Holy Spirit and Christ as there is between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus
Christ and the Holy Spirit are two separate beings within the Godhead.

The word "Christ" means "the anointed one." The Holy Spirit is not "the anointed one." Jesus
is "the anointed one" (Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38). Acts 3:36 says, "Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and
Christ." God did not make the Holy Spirit "Christ." God made Jesus "Christ" by anointing Him with
the Holy Spirit and Power.

Jesus Himself, was the Son of God, even before He came into this world. But, He was not
anointed until He was about thirty years old. The Holy Spirit is the one that Jesus is anointed with.
Jesus became "Christ," when He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. For to have the Spirit of God
dwelling in someone they must receive the Holy Spirit also.

To walk after the Spirit and become mature in Christ (the anointing), we must be filled with
the Holy Spirit. This includes "speaking in tongues." Therefore, the second most important step in
a Christian's life is the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33,
Acts 1:4,5 etc.). Water baptism is important; yet if we study the book of Acts we will see that God
is more concerned about the baptism with the Holy Spirit than He is about water baptism. See Acts
10:44-48, where Peter command water baptism after the LORD already baptized them in the Holy
Spirit.

Looking back in Ezekiel 36:26,27, it says,

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take
away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall
keep my judgments, and do them.
You received a new heart and a new spirit when your were born again of the Spirit. After you are
born again, you must also receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Some may have been deceived in believing they already received the baptism with the Holy Spirit
when they were born again. The Scripture does not teach this. Look at the disciples of Jesus. In John
20:21,22 it says,
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the
Holy Ghost.
This happened the same day that Jesus rose from the dead. I believe, without question, the disciples

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were born again that day when Jesus breathed on them and said "receive ye the Holy Ghost." I also
believe, beyond question that they did receive the Holy Spirit.

I believe, beyond question, they were "that day" baptized into the body of Christ. In 1st
Corinthians 12:13, it says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be
Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit." Ephesians 4:5 states, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Notice that 1st Corinthians
Chapter twelve and Ephesians Chapter four, are talking about the whole body of Christ, not
individual members. Therefore, the "one baptism" is speaking of everyone being baptized into the
body of Christ, and not the individual water baptism or the individual baptism with the Holy Spirit,
which is for each person individually.

The disciples did receive the Holy Spirit the day Jesus breathed on them; but let's look at
what Jesus said later to the very same disciples in Acts 1:4-5. It says,
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not
depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have
heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence.
Therefore, if they received the Holy Spirit the day Jesus breathed on them they evidently were not
baptized with the Holy Spirit at that time. There is a difference between receiving the Holy Spirit,
and being baptized with the Holy Spirit according to the words of Jesus. Notice the importance Jesus
put on the baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:4,5. It tells us that Jesus commanded them not to
depart from Jerusalem until they received the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

In John 14:15 Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." In Mark 12:30, Jesus
said, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Our first commandment is "love the Lord thy God..." Jesus said, if we love Him we will keep His
commandments.

In Luke 6:39 Jesus taught a parable, saying unto those who believed in Him, "...Can the
blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?" Then in Luke 6:46 He said, "And
why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Then He ended the parable by
using the example of two men building a house. One on a rock and the other on sand.

It is a command of Jesus that we receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit before we try to
do the will of God. Look at John 3:3,5-6,
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
This tells us that we must first be born again before we can see, perceive, or understand the kingdom
of God. Then John 3:5 tells us we must first be born again before we can enter into the kingdom of

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God. As an example; first you must come to the door before you can enter. Second, you must first
open the door before you can enter into the house. Jesus is the door to the sheepfold, which is the
kingdom of God (John 10:7,9).

A person first needs to receive the Holy Spirit so He can make us a new creature in Jesus,
born of the Spirit. Then, just like the disciples and apostles on Pentecost day, we need the Baptism
with the Holy Spirit. As you read the book of Acts you will find many others; who, after they were
born again also needed, and received, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

To continue unto the end, we need the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, helping us, teaching us,
leading us, and comforting us. Without the Holy Spirit we do not have the power of God in our lives.
Jesus said, after the Holy Spirit is come upon us we will receive power (Acts 1:8).

Jesus did not have the power of God to do miracles before He received the Holy Spirit at the
age of thirty. Yet, He always had the life of God in Him. How much more do we need the Holy Spirit
dwelling in us!

As a born again child of God, we are as little children. Yet, we do not have the power to
make decisions, or to do the things adults do. If we want to grow up in Christ and be what God wants
us to be, we need the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

To understand the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, let us first look at a few Scriptures that speak
of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said, "I indeed baptize you
with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am
not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." In Mark 1:8, John
the Baptist said, "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost." In Luke 3:16 it says, "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with
water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose:
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

Each of these verses speak of Jesus baptizing those who believe with the Holy Spirit.
Remember, John baptized with water (therefore, water baptism is done by men). No man can baptize
another person in the Holy Spirit. Only God the Father, or Jesus can baptize people in the Holy
Spirit.

This is not the same as water baptism, for John said that water baptism is for the remission
of sins. Whereas the baptism with the Holy Spirit is for power to become witnesses unto Jesus (Acts
1:8).

Notice also, in each of the above verses it speaks of you being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, as we continue, you will find that it is the will of God for you to be baptized with the Holy
Spirit, after you believe on the LORD Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:13).

Besides Acts 1:4,5; in Luke 24:49 it says, Jesus said, "Behold, I send the promise of my
Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on

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high." God had already promised the Holy Spirit in Ezekiel 36:27. It says, "And I will put my
spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and
do them."

Jesus said in Luke 11:13, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?" What does Jesus mean by "your heavenly Father?" For God the Father to be "your heavenly
Father" you must be born again of the Spirit (John 3:3-7). At the same time, "it is the will of God the
Father for all of His children to receive the Holy Spirit." Jesus said in John 7:38, "He that believeth
on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." The apostle
John explained in verse 39, "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him
should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet
glorified.)"

According to Jesus, the Scriptures say you and I should receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore,
the Holy Spirit is promised to us in the Scriptures. Jesus said in John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you
the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not
come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

When would the Holy Spirit be given to us, before or after Jesus ascension? Jesus said, after
He has gone to the Father. Who will send the Holy Spirit? Jesus said He will send the Holy Spirit.
What evidence do we have of receiving the Holy Spirit? Look at Mark 16:16,17, it says,
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues.
From what Jesus said, we know He was speaking of the baptism with the Holy Spirit for He said,
"they shall speak with new tongues."

In Acts 1:4,5 Jesus promised the disciples the baptism with the Holy Spirit in not many days
hence. It was only 10 days after Jesus' ascension that the Holy Spirit came in Acts 2:1-4. It says,
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance.

What were they filled with? What was the evidence of them receiving the Holy Spirit? How
did they know they received the Holy Spirit? It says, "They spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave
them utterance."

Acts 8:12 says, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the

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kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Who did Philip baptize? It says, they that believed Philip's preaching. What baptism did they receive,
when Philip baptized them? It was water baptism, according to Acts 8:14-17, they had not yet
received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17 says,
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the
word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
They did receive the Holy Spirit when Peter and John prayed and laid their hands upon them?

Acts 8:18 says, "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the
Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money." What did Simon see that convinced him that they
actually received the Holy Spirit? Peter said to Simon in Acts 8:21, "Thou hast neither part nor
lot in this matter (logos): for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." The word "matter" used
in this verse is from the Greek word "logos" meaning "the written or spoken Word of God." What
were they speaking, that convinced Simon they received? Was it words given to them by God (the
Holy Spirit), as it was on Pentecost day? I believe Simon saw something that convinced him that
they did receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the word "matter" being "logos" indicates they were
speaking words from God (speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance).

Let's look at when the Apostle Paul received the Holy Spirit in Acts 9:17,18. It says,
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.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight
forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Ananias said the reason for laying his hands on Saul (Paul) was so that he would receive his sight
"and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

Now let us go to Acts 10:44-47. It says,

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the
word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
What did they receive while Peter was speaking? How did they know they received the Holy Spirit?
Why did Peter then command that they should be baptized with water after they already received "the
baptism with the Holy Spirit?" Mainly, because the baptism with the Holy Spirit and the baptism
with water are two different baptisms, one is done by Jesus, the other is done by man. One is for

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power to become witnesses unto Jesus, the other is for repentance.

Peter said to the other disciples in Acts 11:15,16,

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
How did the Holy Spirit fall upon the apostles in the beginning (Acts 2:4)? How did Peter know it
was according to the Word of God and the words of Jesus? By the speaking in tongues!

Now let us look at Acts 19:2, when Paul came to Ephesus. It says, "He said unto them,
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so
much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." What was Paul's question? In Acts 19:3-6, it
continues by saying,
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?
And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the
people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied.
This tells us how they were first baptized! How they received the Holy Spirit, and how they knew
they received the Holy Spirit!

Now let us look at other Scriptures which tell us "why the baptism in the Holy Spirit is
important?" If we look back in Isaiah 28:9-11. It says,
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little:
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
It's through the stammering lips "speaking in tongues" that God will teach us knowledge and make
us to understand doctrine.

If we study 1st Corinthians 12:7-11, we will notice two gifts of the Spirit that did not
manifest in the Old Testament, diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues.

Note: when you look over in 1st Corinthians 12:28 it calls this gift "diversities of tongues."
The word "kinds" and the word "diversities" are the same Greek word. The translators added the
word "diverse" in front of the word "kinds," thus actually saying "diverse diversities" of tongues.

Remember, these are gifts which we receive of God. Being gifts, they are received freely, we
cannot earn them or work for them. They are given to us freely, to all who are children of God, as
the Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:11). But, remember the Spirit searches the hearts of God's children, and
knows the mind of the spirit within us (Rom. 8:27). If our heart is not right, the gifts will not be

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given to us (Acts 8:20-22).

Notice also, 1st Corinthians 12:12 through 12:31 is speaking of the body of Christ as a whole;
that is, all members working together as one body. Therefore, it is speaking of ministry gifts, gifts
that minister to one another, to help others. This is different from that which is given to a person for
their personal edification.

Acts 2:4 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." How were they speaking, and what kind of
sound was coming out of their mouth? It was "other tongues" (glossa). Acts 2:7,8 says,
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all
these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
What did the Jews hear? They heard them speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4), while some heard
words in their own language. What was spoken? Tongues (Glossa)! Notice Acts 2:13 says, "Others
mocking said, These men are full of new wine." Not everyone heard them speak in their own
language, some only heard the tongues (Glossa). The Holy Spirit only gives the interpretation to
those who He wills (1 Cor. 12:11).

This is the first recording of the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues, working
together, in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit gave the utterance to them that spoke, and He gave
the interpretation to them that heard. Also, those who received the interpretation were not these who
spoke with tongues. Notice also, a person does not have to be filled with the Holy Spirit to receive
the interpretation. Yet, only those who were filled with the Holy Spirit did the speaking in tongues.

To help those who do not understand these gifts, I would like to relay an experience similar
to Acts 2:4-7 that happened in a church I was attending. The pastor gave an utterance in tongues.
Following the utterance, he gave the interpretation in English. Following the service, a woman came
up to the pastor and said "she heard the interpretation in English while he was speaking in tongues."
Then she heard him interpret the tongue in English. She said the tongue and the interpretation were
exactly the same. Later another woman told the pastor the same thing. Yet, there were at least 150
Christians in the church that day, everyone understood English, but only two women received the
interpretation while the tongue was being uttered. Therefore we can understand more clearly 1st
Corinthians 12:11, which says, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing
to every man severally as he will."

In the above example it is clear that the Holy Spirit controlled the speaking in tongues by the
pastor, and who heard the interpretation in English, before the pastor gave the interpretation.

This "ministry gift" of tongues and interpretation of tongues is not uncommon where Spirit
filled Christians yield themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit. All over the world there are reports
of Spirit filled Christians speaking in tongues and natives of those countries that do not understand
English hearing the interpretation in their own language. Yet, the speaker does not speak, or even
know their language. The Spirit gives the utterance and the Spirit gives the interpretation. This is
called "the ministry gifts" of tongues and interpretation of tongues.

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 Now let us look at 1st Corinthians 14:2. It says, "For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the
spirit he speaketh mysteries."

According to the Word of God, no man understands this tongue. Yet, God understands this
tongue. Can a person who speaks in another language understand this tongue? No. It would not make
any difference if there were 10 million languages spoken in this world, not one of them would
understand what you say when you speak in your personal tongue (unknown tongue).

In 1st Corinthians 14:4 it says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;
but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." If this speaking in tongues only edifies the one
speaking, what is its purpose? In Jude 1:20 it says, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on
your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." Who will benefit from praying in the Holy
Spirit? Is praying in the Holy Spirit, and speaking in an unknown tongue the same thing? The answer
to these two questions is simply, the individual who speaks in unknown tongues is the only one who
will benefit. Therefore, there is a difference between a ministry gift of tongues, and a personal
tongue.

It says in 1st Corinthians 14:39, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not
to speak with tongues." "Forbid not," includes ourselves. Should we forbid the Holy Spirit to use
us in the ministry gift of tongues? Christians need both, their personal tongue and the ministry gift
of tongues. Our personal tongue is for speaking to God (1 Cor. 4:2), and for edification of ourselves
(1 Cor. 14:4), and for building up our faith (Jude 1:20).

We also need to worship God in the Spirit. Jesus said,

But the hour is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people
will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants.
God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really
is (John 4:23,24 GNB).

If you have not received the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of "speaking in tongues" you can,
just by asking. Say a prayer from your heart to God, somewhat like this:

"Jesus, You said in Mark 16:17, that in Your name I can cast out devils.

Satan, in the name of Jesus' I cast you out of my mind. You have no authority over my mind.
My mind is clear of all demonic oppression in Jesus' name.

Father, according to Your Word in Luke 11:13, You promised me the Holy Spirit if I ask.
Father, I am now asking You to give me the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
I receive Him from You now, in Jesus' name."

Continue to use your gift of tongues, so that the Spirit of God can have control in your life.

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 SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING

The one thing that will help us to understand spiritual things is to first understand natural
things; such as "plain English," or whatever language a person normally speaks. In "plain English"
the word "in" means the opposite of "out." Either something is in or it is out. That which is in, is a
part of that which it is in, and that which is out has no relationship to that which is in.

Therefore, if we are in Him (in Christ), we have a relationship with Him. This relationship
with Christ makes us one with Him "One spirit with the Lord." Acts 17:28 says, "For in him we
live, and move, and have our being..."

In 1st Corinthians 8:6 it says, "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are
all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."
It is by our LORD Jesus Christ that we are in the Father.

Ephesians 1:4 says, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." Therefore, our position
in Christ is a result of the will of God the Father, who chose for us to be in Him before the
foundation of the world.

To accomplish this position in Christ for us, 2nd Corinthians 5:21 tells us that, God the
Father "...hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him."

Ephesians 1:10 tells us, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even
in him."

Philippians 3:9 says, "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." The righteousness that we have "in Him" is not our righteousness, but His righteousness,
that is obtained by faith. Rom. 3:22 says, "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of
Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe..."

Colossians 1:19 says, "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
Therefore, it is important for us to understand, what Colossians 2:6-10 says,
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

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 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
Why does God want us to understand who we are in Christ? In 2nd Thessalonians 1:12 it says,
"That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to
the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

It is important that we glorify our LORD Jesus Christ by the way the world sees us. In 1st
John 2:5 it says, "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him." In 1st John 2:28 it says, "And now, little children, abide
in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him
at his coming." In 1st John 3:5,6 it says,
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither
known him.
In 1st John 3:9 it says, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth
in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." In 1st John 3:15 it says, "Whosoever
hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in
him." In 1st John 3:24 it says, "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and
he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
In 1st John 4:13,15,16 it says,
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his
Spirit....
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth 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
dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Then in 1st John 5:11,12,20, it says,
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life....
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that
we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus
Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Have you noticed how many times it uses the phrase "in Him?" Therefore, being in Christ,
it says in Romans 3:24, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1,2 says,
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin
and death.
Romans 12:5 says, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another." Then in 1st Corinthians 1:30 it says, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God
is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Then in 1st
Corinthians 15:22 and 2nd Corinthians 5:17, it says,
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive....
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;

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 behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Yet, we are reminded in 2nd Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution." Then in 1st Thessalonians 2:14 it says, "For ye, brethren, became
followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered
like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews." Then it says in 2nd Timothy
2:10, "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

Our position in Christ Jesus is a part of our New Covenant with God. This is a part of the
blessing of being in covenant with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet, there are
conditions within this covenant that require that we also must suffer with Christ in this covenant.

We may ask, why must Christians suffer persecution by religious people, who try to put us
back under the yoke of bondage to "laws, rules, and regulations, that we should make ourselves
perfect in their sight?" We suffer that we may win them to Christ, that they may see the light of the
Gospel of Christ in us, and come to a personal relationship "in Christ." By what we say, they may
not see us in Christ, but by our actions and our willingness to suffer persecution for the gospels sake,
they will see the light of Christ in us.

Yet, know and understand for assuredly; YOU ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD, ONCE YOU
ARE BORN AGAIN OF THE SPIRIT (John 17:16), for "...your life is hid with Christ in God"
(Col. 3:3). Therefore, being we are in Christ, it says,
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).

One of the greatest deceptions the devil has is the love of the world, and the things of this
world. We are not of this world, therefore, we ought not to love the world, or the things of the world;
for if we do, we will lose the love of God the Father that "through grace has translated us from the
kingdom of darkness into His kingdom" (Col. 1:13).

This translation takes place within us; we are translated from the first Adam, the outward
man, into a new spirit in Christ Jesus. We become a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) Therefore,
Romans 8:9 says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

The Word of God tells us that in the beginning, "...the LORD God formed man of the dust
of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul"
(Gen. 2:7). When we were born into this world we were born of the flesh, by which we became a

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living natural person. The word natural meaning a human being which has a physical body that is
controlled by it's living soul. Our living soul is in our physical body of flesh. When we are born again
of the Spirit, our living soul is translated from our body of flesh to our new spirit, which is normally
inside of our physical body. This new spirit is of God, and we are then hid with Christ in God (Col.
3:3). Now, in Christ Jesus, being translated from the flesh to the new spirit; we are not of this world,
but born again from above "in Christ Jesus." Let us so walk in Him, walking by faith, led by the
Holy Spirit!

Adam was not spiritual, but in Christ Jesus we are spiritual, therefore, let us walk in the Spirit
and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Rom. 8:4-8), until we are received up in glory to be with our
LORD Jesus Christ for all eternity. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive" (1 Cor. 15:22). Now being in Christ Jesus, we must abide in Him, as Jesus said in John
15:5,6,
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

It is the things of this world, the riches, and love of this life that will rob us of our life in
Christ Jesus. One way the thief comes to steal from us is to tell us that once we have said "a sinners
prayer," and then continue to attend a Church weekly, all we have to do is wait until we go to be with
Jesus. In other words, Jesus did everything for us, and we do not have to do anything other than
attend Church and keep ourselves from certain sins of the world.

Before we accept teachings like that we should remind ourselves of what Jesus said to the
churches about overcoming in this life. Over and over Jesus made this statement in Revelation 2 and
3, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches..." Notice, Jesus
said "churches," which means not only to the one church named, but to all Christian churches all
over the world TODAY also. To every church that has a spiritual ear to hear, let them hear what the
Spirit has to say to the churches.

We need to understand what is meant by the word "church, and churches." The word church
does not mean a building as we think of it today. The church is "the LORD'S body," of which all who
are born again are a part of. Speaking of Jesus, Ephesians 1:22-23 says,
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to
the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Every person who is born again is a part of the church. Every group of Christians gathered together
are members of the church; which is, "Jesus spiritual body." Therefore the word "church" pertains
to each individual, or a number of individuals gathered together.

When Jesus instructed John to write to the Churches, he was writing to each individual
person in that gathering that was born again. He was not writing to those who gathered together in
a building that were not born again. Only to those who were members of His spiritual body, the
Church. In other words, He was writing to each member of the body of Christ, individually. Being

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that He said "to the Churches," that includes YOU and I, also, for we are also members of His body,
the Church. The word "church" does not include those who are not born again.

In Revelation 2:7, it says, To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11, He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:17, To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will
give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth
saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:26, And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him
will I give power over the nations.
Revelation 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, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:12, Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and
he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name
of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from
my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 3:21, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even
as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

What is it that we must overcome? Look what Jesus said to one of the churches: In
Revelation 2:2,4, He said,
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them
which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and
hast found them liars...
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

How many false apostles, false prophets, and false teachers are there within the churches
(who have not entered in through the door according to John 10:1-17)? A good shepherd (pastor) has
an anointing to heal the sick, just as Jesus healed the sick wherever He went. Others have other
anointings, for the work of the ministry they have been called to. Those who have entered the
sheepfold from another way have no anointing, they tell the sick to go the doctors and hospitals, not
to the churches for healing.

Every gathering of Christians should have a pastor among them, plus other anointings that
make up the body of Christ. Where is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage within the
churches? How many sickly people have we within the churches? How many believe that God wants
to heal every manor of sickness, and everyone who is sick within the body of Christ? Healing is on
the cross of Calvary along with sin. If our sins are paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ then so is our
healing paid for by His body, by the stripes He bore (Isa. 53:4,5, Matt. 8:17, 1st Peter 2:24). Where
is the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3-19)? When Jesus returns, will He find faith
(Luke 18:8)?

What is our first love? Mark 12:30 says, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all

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thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first
commandment." In 1st John 2:15 it says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." How many churches
today are in this category? How many churches are more concerned about material things, prosperity,
etc. than they are about those who are on their way to hell and don't know it. Many Christian are
committing adultery with the world, when they should be chaste virgins to the LORD, serving only
one Master (Matt. 6:24).

Look at the Church in Laodicea. Revelation 3:15-17,

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and
naked.

Oh how sad it would be, if Jesus would spue us out of His mouth because we were nether
cold or hot for the work He has called us to do. We, being in Christ, have a mission to fulfill; that
is, bring forth good fruit into the kingdom, doing the will of God the Father, while on this earth.

How many churches are more concerned about the riches of this world, than the work of the
LORD to reach the lost and set the captives free? How many Christians are willing to sell everything
they have to possess the kingdom of God? Matthew 13:44, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof
goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."

We are not of this world, therefore, we ought to "seek the things above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1,2). Are we joined to the LORD, and committing
adultery with the world? We must decide, it's our eternal life we are playing with! If the above
applies to us, we should REPENT or the LORD may come quickly and remove our candle stick!
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Rev.2:7,11,17,29,
3:6,13,22).

Yet in Revelation 3:20, Jesus gave us the answer, on how to overcome. He said, "Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to
him, and will sup with him, and he with me." The door Jesus is speaking of is within us, between
our mind of the flesh and the mind of Christ in our spirit. God dwells in us, in our spirit. We must
learn how to close down our natural mind of the flesh, and listen in to the voice of the LORD within
us. We must learn how to set aside all the things of the flesh and the things of this world, deny
ourselves to seek the LORD, and hear from Him. UNLESS WE DENY OURSELVES, WE
CANNOT BE HIS DISCIPLES. We must set aside all our desires, and all our good intentions, and
seek to follow Him only.

When we "pray in the Spirit," and focus on Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for the world,
we will enter into a place where Jesus can speak to us, and we to Him. A place in the spirit where

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all our attention is on the LORD Jesus Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, and their will for our
lives. A place where we can learn spiritual things. A place where God can teach us how to walk after
the Spirit and not after the flesh (Rom. 8:1-8). A place in the Spirit, where all the gifts of the Spirit
can manifest through us. Where the LORD can use us to set others free of every bondage. When we
learn how to see into the spirit realm, with our spiritual eyes, and understand the difference between
the Spirit of God, and other evil spirits, we can do the work the LORD has called us to do.

It is entering into the realm of the Spirit, through the DOOR, which is Jesus Christ (John
10:7, Rev. 3:20), that will enable us to minister to others with the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-11)
in operation, to set the captives free. We are called and chosen to become servants of the Most High
God, walking in the Spirit, doing the will of God the Father. It is not something we can do in the
flesh, but must be done in the Spirit, through the Spirit, and by the Spirit working in us.

This can only be done if we are first born of the Spirit, then filled with the Spirit. There is
much more to being a child of God than just saying a sinners prayer. We need to make Jesus Christ
LORD and SAVIOR, and follow Him all the days of our life.

What did Jesus do for us on the Cross of Calvary? In John 10:11, Jesus said, "I am the good
shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (psuche) for the sheep." The word (psuche) identifies
man's soul life, the living soul of man as it is called in 1st Corinthians 15:45, where it says, "And
so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (psuche)..." All that Adam had in
the beginning, Jesus gave for mankind on the Cross of Calvary. Adam was made a living soul; Jesus
gave His living soul for all mankind.

The first Adam disobeyed the LORD and ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Thereby, sin and death entered the human race (Rom. 5:12). By the blood of Jesus Christ, sin was
paid for in full. Jesus was without sin Himself. But 2nd Corinthians 5:21 says, "For he (God) hath
made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him." Matthew 8:17, quoting Isaiah 53:5, states "...Himself took our infirmities, and
bare our sicknesses." In 1st Peter 2:24, quoting Isaiah 53:5, it says, "...by whose stripes ye were
healed." Therefore, Jesus also bore our sicknesses, diseases, and infirmities for us.

In Galatians 3:13,14 it says,

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is
written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that
we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Jesus bore the curse of the law for us, that we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit, which
is the blessing of Abraham. Therefore, God, "...hath made us able ministers of the new testament;
not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (2 Cor. 3:6).
Even though all this was accomplished on the Cross of Calvary for us, to receive it's benefits we
must be born again, and enter into fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, by which
we have redemption through the blood of Jesus. It says in Colossians 1:13,14,
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son:

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 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Therefore, let us keep these things in mind:

(1). It is by the grace of God that He freely gave us eternal life in His Son.
(2). It is by the grace of God that we have forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Jesus
Christ.
(3). It is by the grace of God that we stand righteous before the throne of God.
(4). Everything we have came from God, by His grace.

When we read the New Testament we must read it with understanding. The Word of God
comes first, BEFORE THE SPIRIT.
John 1:1 says, In the beginning was the Word...
Revelation 1:8 says, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending.
Revelation 19:13 says, And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name
is called The Word of God.
Revelation 17:14 says, ...for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are
with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, He was the Son of God, who came in the flesh.
Yet, it was thirty-years later that the Holy Spirit came upon Him, giving Him power over all the
works of the devil. The Word comes first, the Spirit comes second. Jesus said,
But now I go my way to him that sent me...
for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send
him unto you (John 16:5,7).

Those who follow voices, or spirits, without the Word will become leaders of the blind,
deceiving themselves and others. The Word must come before voices. The Spirit will only confirm
the Word, not voices. The devil tries to get Christians to follow spiritual experiences without the
WORD, thereby deceiving many.

The New Testament is the written contract between God and His Children. It is not written
to the world, or for the world, only for those who are in covenant with God by the new birth, through
Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 17:9,20,
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for
they are thine....
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word.

We must not take any part of the covenant and say it is not for us, or that it only pertains to
others. We must not add to it or take away from it. At the very end of our covenant with God it says,
"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." (Rev. 22:19). Every verse of Scripture is important and fits together with
other Scripture verses making the Covenant complete and without error.

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 As we learn to receive whatsoever it says, according to what is written, we will see JESUS,
sitting at the right hand of the Father, reaching out to all who will call upon His Name. "Whosoever
will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!" (Rom. 10:13).

Are we willing to lay our lives down for Jesus, who did all things for us? Are we willing to
deny ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Him? If we are willing, then we are truly His
disciples. It is one thing to call Jesus LORD, but it's another thing to do what He says (Luke 6:46).

Now is the time to know the Truth and walk in it. Jesus said in John 17:16, "They are not
of the world, even as I am not of the world." By the new birth, born of the Spirit (John 3:5-6), we
have been translated from the flesh to the spirit, from the powers of darkness into the kingdom of
His dear Son (Col. 1:13). Romans 7:5 says "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins,
which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." When we
were in the flesh signifies that we are no longer in the flesh. Therefore, Romans 8:9 says, "...You
are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you..." Those who
do not have the Spirit of Christ are still in the flesh (Rom. 8:8,9).

When we are born again, it says, God "hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6). Let us therefore, "...walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom. 8:4). "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of
the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." (Rom. 8:5). If we walk after
the mind of the flesh, the natural mind, we will die (Rom. 8:6); but if we walk after the mind of
Christ in our spirit (1 Cor. 2:16), we will reap life everlasting.

We must crucify the flesh and the lusts thereof, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot
do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17). Our natural mind must not be conformed to this world,
but must be renewed (Rom. 12:2), to walk according to the Word of God, led by the Spirit of God;
"not according to the letter" of the New Covenant, "but according to the spirit" of the New
Covenant, "...for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Cor. 3:6).

What does it mean "Crucify the flesh?" Crucify means "mortify or subdue, torture, put to
death." This does not mean the physical body of a Christian, for we have already been crucified with
Christ. The word flesh, as pertaining to Christians includes "the thoughts of the natural mind." Any
thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God. We must mortify, subdue, torture, put to death all
thoughts, such as; pride, self-righteousness, self-exaltation, drawing attention to self, etc. Any type
of manipulation to compel anyone to do something for our benefit is considered as a type of
witchcraft or spiritual control over another person. Witchcraft is idolatry, also known as a form of
spiritual fornication. Idolatry is worship of another god. Worship of another god is strictly forbidden
among God's children.

Many of the works of the flesh that manifest, are adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, divisions, false accusations, etc. Of which James tells
us, these are devilish, works of the natural man (James 3:15).

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 All thoughts of the above must be completely crucified, annihilated from our minds. We must
bring such thoughts into subjection to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

This mortifying of the flesh must be done through the Spirit (Rom. 8:13). Thus it becomes
a work of God in us and not our own works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are removed from
our conscience by the Spirit of God as we pray in the Spirit and keep our minds upon spiritual things
above. Colossians 3:1,2 says,
...seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Those who have not crucified the flesh will
find themselves walking after the flesh. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim.
3:16). Those who are walking after the flesh will resist any type of correction, or rebuke. At the same
time they will experience condemnation when someone speaks to them concerning changes that
would help them. They do not want to change, but rather to justify their actions. We must crucify the
flesh!

It is not easy to crucify the flesh, for the natural mind does not want to agree with the Word
of God. It must experience the way to the Cross, just as Jesus had His experience in the garden of
Gethsemane. The time must come when we say from our heart, "not my will, but thy will be done."
When we have totally died to ourselves, and submitted to the will of God, then we can go to the
cross and crucify our flesh.

Once we have crucified our flesh, and our natural mind, we can shift over to the mind of
Christ within us; and walk as Jesus walked. Not doing our will, but only the will of God. Not
walking according to our natural thinking, but according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We will
then begin to hear in the spirit, the voice of the Spirit, and our LORD Jesus Christ. We will then be
able to see into the realm of the spirit, and have discerning of spirits in operation. We will no longer
know a person in the flesh, but in the spirit, seeing also the spirit behind the person causing the
problems. Then we can exercise our authority, in Christ Jesus, using the name of Jesus over all the
powers of the devil (Luke 10:19). We will love the people but hate the demons who are controlling
them. By the power of the Spirit of God we will set them free of all demonic activity. The captives
shall go free, and the demons shall be cast out into outer darkness.

Being that we are not of this world, but seated with Christ in heavenly places; our life is hid
with Christ in God (Col. 3:3), "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye
in him" (Col. 2:6). Let us "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15). But,
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 (Phil. 2:5-8).

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 The LORD said to Abraham, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" (Gen. 18:14a). The
angel said to Mary, "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). Jesus said to the
father of a son who had a deaf and dumb spirit, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to
him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).

We must come to the place in our lives where we

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5,6).

When we have fully submitted ourselves unto God, then God can do His perfect will in our
lives.

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 ENTERING
THE KINGDOM OF GOD

If we look throughout the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we will find many
parables by which Jesus was teaching. While teaching those parables Jesus' disciples asked Him this
question, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" (Matthew 13:10)
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but
whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they
hear not, neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes
they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their
ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should
heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear (Matt. 13:11-16).

What is the kingdom of God? In Romans 14:17 it says, "For the kingdom of God is not
meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." To understand the
kingdom of God, it is important to understand what a kingdom is? For those who live in the United
States of America, we must understand the kingdom of God is not a democracy. In a democracy,
everyone who is of age is given the opportunity to vote for who their leaders will be. It is usually
decided who the leaders will be by a majority of the votes. At the same time the decisions of the
leaders are based upon the desires of the majority of those who vote. It is not so in a kingdom. A
kingdom is ruled by a King. The King makes the decisions, the laws, the rules, and all within the
kingdom must follow the decisions, laws, and rules of the King. It is not a decision of the majority,
but a decision of the King.

In the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ is the King. Jesus Christ, who is the LORD and King
makes all the rules, laws, and decisions as to what each member of the kingdom of God is to do. The
only choice each member has is to obey or disobey the King, which is Jesus Christ. Majority does
not rule, the King rules.

Although Jesus is the King, He only carries out the will of God the Father, Who is greater
than He. The Holy Spirit is the One who brings to pass that which is the will of God according to
His Word. Therefore, all of creation is subject to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those

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who choose to enter into the kingdom of God, where the Holy Spirit reigns on earth according to the
will of God the Father and the Son, must submit themselves unto the reign of the Holy Spirit.

No one in the kingdom of God has a right to do their own will, but are obligated to do the
will of God. The "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" comes as a result of
doing the will of God, not our own will. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven."

It is important to understand that we must do the will of God to remain in the kingdom of
God. Therefore, it would be much easier for us to understand what it means to enter into the
kingdom of God if we used the term "reign of God," where God the Holy Spirit has complete control
in our lives. For there is a difference between becoming a child of God through the new birth and
entering into the kingdom of God.

Let us see this in the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. In John 3:1,2 it says,
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a
teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God
be with him.
How did Nicodemus know that Jesus came from God (came down from heaven)? In John 2:23 it
says, "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his
name, when they saw the miracles which he did."

Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews; not just a Pharisee, but a member of the Sanhedrin, one
of the seventy religious rulers over all the tribes of Israel at that time. The high priest and the seventy
members of the Sanhedrin resided in Jerusalem. There were other synagogues in other cities where
Jesus had entered into on the sabbath days. Such as in Nazareth, where He took up the scrolls and
read from the book of Isaiah (Luke 4:18,19), months earlier.

When Nicodemus came to Jesus, he was asking about the miracles, saying, "...we know that
thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except
God be with him." Jesus answered Nicodemus' question about the miracles in John 3:3. It says,
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This tells us that we must first become children of God
through the new birth, before we can see (perceive or understand) the kingdom of God.

In keeping things in context, we notice that Nicodemus did understand that Jesus was talking
about being born again; like a person who is first born from their mothers womb. For it says in John
3:4, "Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the
second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Therefore, we know Nicodemus understood
that a new birth was necessary. The thing Nicodemus could not understand about the new birth was
"how could this happen?" Yet, Jesus continued to answer Nicodemus' first question about the
miracles, when He said, in John 3:5, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom (reign) of God."

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 Looking closely at what Jesus said, we see that first a person must be born again, before they
can enter into the kingdom of God. That means, when a person is born again they are born of the
Spirit, but still have not entered into the kingdom (reign) of God.

In Matthew 18:1-3 it says,

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said,
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Before anyone can enter into the kingdom of heaven (kingdom (reign) of God), they must
first be converted and become as little children (children of God, born of the Spirit). Within the
family of God, those who are born again of the Spirit, we have both "children of God and sons of
God." When Jesus spoke to Peter in John 21:15-17, once He said to Peter, "Feed my lambs," then
twice He said to Peter, "Feed my sheep."

Lambs are baby sheep, born of adult sheep. Lambs only drink milk from their mothers (adult
sheep). The sheep feed the lambs. Yet the sheep eat strong food when they are led to pasture by the
shepherd. So we have within the family of God, lambs who need milk from their mother; and we
have sheep who need strong food from the shepherd. The lambs have not learned to know the
shepherds voice, they follow their mother. Where the sheep hear the shepherds voice and follow him.
Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." He
did not say His lambs hear His voice and follow Him. Only His sheep hear His voice and follow
Him. Lambs follow adult sheep.

Christians, when first born again of the Spirit need other Christians to give them the milk of
the Word of God until they grow and mature and learn to hear the voice of the Shepherd. Today
(according to Acts 1:1,2), after that Jesus is ascended unto the Father He sent the Holy Spirit to be
our Helper, Guide, Comforter, and Teacher. It is the voice of the Spirit that we must get to know;
to hear the voice of the Shepherd.

Therefore, once a person is born again, they are children of God through the new birth. God
is their true Father! They are born of the Spirit. John 1:11-13 says,
He (Jesus) 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 (children) of
God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God.

When a person receives Jesus as LORD, He gives them the power to become children of
God. This is not an operation of the blood of man, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man;
it is a total operation of God the Holy Spirit, in an individuals life.

Let's see this in a type and shadow from the Old Testament first. In Genesis 15, the LORD

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spoke to Abraham in a vision. In Genesis 15:5 it says, "And he brought him forth abroad, and
said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said
unto him, So shall thy seed be." Then in Genesis 15:13,14 it says,
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land
that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they
come out with great substance.

Then in Genesis 15:18-21 it says,

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,
Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the
river Euphrates:
The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the
Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
In these verses we see the LORD making a covenant with Abraham, as to what the LORD was going
to do because of Abraham, who believed the LORD and obeyed Him. About four-hundred years
later, God spoke to Moses out of the midst of the burning bush. It says;
And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the
midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place
whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt,
and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring
them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk
and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and
the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites (Ex. 3:4-8).

For the Children of Israel that came out of Egypt at that time, what were the conditions they
had to meet? No conditions whatsoever, except, believe the report of Moses and Aaron. It didn't
make any difference if they were worshipping the gods of Egypt. It didn't make any difference if they
did not love the LORD our God. It didn't make any difference what they were doing or had done in
the past. The only thing that was required of them was that they believe the report of Moses and
Aaron, and follow the instructions given them. After ten plagues that the LORD brought upon the
Egyptians, the LORD brought them out of the land of Egypt, into the desert of Sinai. It tells in
Exodus 12:37,38,
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred
thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much
cattle.
Psalms 105:37 says, "He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one
feeble (sickly) person among their tribes."

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 As a type and shadow of the new birth into the family of God, what requirement was upon
the children of Israel that they would be saved from the oppression of Egypt? Only one requirement,
that they obey the report of Moses and Aaron. By this obedience the LORD delivered them from the
oppression of Pharaoh, and the Egyptians. It was because of a covenant the LORD made with
Abraham four-hundred and thirty years earlier that the children of Israel were delivered from the
Egyptians.

Jesus tells us this about the new birth;

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you... (John 15:16).
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will
raise him up at the last day (John 6:44).
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were
given unto him of my Father (John 6:65).
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no
wise cast out (John 6:37).
In Ephesians 1:4,5 it says,
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will.

The apostle John wrote in John 1:13, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of
the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

Our new birth is an act of God in our lives, "not by our own righteousness, or the will of
our flesh, or the will of man; but by God." We enter into the family of God through the new birth.
Second Corinthians 5:17 tells us when we become born of the Spirit, "the old spirit is cast away."
First Corinthians 15:44,45 tells us we receive a new spiritual body, "...There is a natural body, and
there is a spiritual body." First Corinthians 6:17 tells us we are joined one spirit with the LORD,
"But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." Ephesians 4:4 tells us we are baptized into
the body of Christ, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." It is a complete act of God, all we have
to do is receive Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior.

Jesus continued to explain the new birth to Nicodemus in John 3:6-8, by saying,
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus still could not understand the new birth, for it says in John 3:9-12,
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these
things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen;
and ye receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of

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 heavenly things?

Jesus came down from heaven. Jesus had the life of God in Him, giving Him the ability to
understand spiritual things. Without this spiritual life, no one can understand spiritual things, or
heavenly things "not even Nicodemus who was a teacher of the Jews."

Spiritual things, or heavenly things, are not understood with the natural mind (2 Cor. 2:14).
They are spiritually discerned, not naturally discerned. Therefore, unless a person is born again they
cannot understand heavenly things.

Some, like Nicodemus ask, "How can I be born again?" What must a person do to receive
Jesus? Let's use this example; say, someone is coming to your house and they knock on the door.
You ask, "who is it?" They reply, giving their name. You then open the door and let them in. This
is "receiving them, the person who was outside your door knocking." By this you received the person
into your house. All you do is open the door and say "come in!" Who ever is at the door comes in
when you invite them in. Once you have let them in, they are in your house.

Now let us look at this from a spiritual point. Spiritual things are not seen with the physical
eye, neither is the spiritual knock heard with the physical ear. But thoughts are spiritual things which
manifest in the natural, or come into being once you act upon them. As an example, in the morning
you think you should get out of bed and get ready to start a new day at work or whatever it is you
plan to do that day. The thought itself is spiritual, it comes to your mind (either from your soul or
from another spiritual source); but until you do something about the thought nothing happens. You
can lay in bed thinking about getting up, but until you actually get up, nothing happens other than
thoughts of getting up.

To receive Jesus, first comes the thought of receiving Him, then comes the action, the doing,
the opening the door to receive Him. Being that the new birth is spiritual, of the Spirit, and not of
the flesh. The new birth takes place in the spirit of man. You cannot see spiritual things with your
natural eyes, you cannot feel spiritual things with your hands, you cannot smell spiritual things with
your nose, nor hear them with your natural ears; but they are real, they do exist. God is real. God
does exist. But the natural man cannot know Him spiritually, he can only know about Him
intellectually. The door that must be opened is the door between your natural mind, and your spirit.

Your physical body contacts and responds to the things of the natural realm. Your spirit
contacts and responds to the things of the spirit realm. Your soul contacts both the things of the
natural world and the things of the spirit world.

Now let us go a little further in the example of a person coming to your house and knocking
at the door. Let us say that person who you let in is going to stay with you for some length of time.
In order for that to happen you will have to make room in your house for that person to stay, maybe
fix up a bedroom for him to sleep in, and a place to keep his things he needs while staying with you.
There must be room in your house for the person if they are going to stay for any length of time. The
same thing happens in the spirit realm. When you receive Jesus into your life there must be a place
in your body for Him to stay and live.

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 Here there is a problem, your body is of the flesh and bones of man, after the likeness and
image of Adam (Gen 5:3). When Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, sin and death enter into
mankind and passed upon all who are born of Adam (Rom. 5:12). God is holy, and cannot live in
a body which is full of sin and death. Yet, God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and
I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6:16). For this to happen the Holy Spirit
first has to prepare a place for the LORD to dwell. At that time, when you receive Jesus Christ into
your life, the Holy Spirit creates a new spirit within your physical body. This is the new spirit spoken
of in Ezekiel 36:26. It says, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within
you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of
flesh"

This new spirit in you, is totally a work of God, not of man. According to 2nd Corinthians
5:17, the old spirit is passed away and a new spirit is put in it's place. John 1:13 tells us how this took
place, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God" In 2nd Corinthians 5:18, it says, "And all things are of God..." Everything that is done
in this new birth is done by God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit prepares a place for Jesus Christ
to dwell in you. This place in your body is called the inward man (Rom. 7:21). Before you received
Jesus you were in the flesh. Romans 7:5 says, "For when we were in the flesh...;" that is before
you were born again of the Spirit. Once you are born again, a new spirit is placed in you and you are
translated from the flesh to the new spirit. This is the translation from the powers of darkness into
the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13). Romans 8:9 says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his."

God knows you in the spirit. God knew you before you were conceived in your mothers
womb (Jer. 1:5). The old spirit is passed away and a new spirit is placed into your body. This new
spirit is from above, came down from heaven. Jesus said in John 17:16, "They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world."

We are created by God, therefore we are called "a new creature in Christ." God the Holy
Spirit placed in our physical body a new spirit which came down from heaven by the power of God
into our physical body. We are then translated into this new spirit. At the same time, because we
asked Jesus to come into our life, He came to dwell in our new spirit. Therefore, we are now joined
one spirit with the LORD (1 Cor. 6:17). The two of us dwell in the same spiritual body. Now, Jesus
is also joined one spirit with the Father (John 10:30). Therefore, what Jesus spoke in John 14:23
comes to pass in our life. It says, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him."

Jesus said, while we are still living on this earth, He and His Father will come and make their
dwelling place with us! This is before we leave and go to be with the LORD in heaven. "...He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9). The Father
and the Son are both in our new created spirit. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

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 Just like the children of Israel; they were delivered from the powers of Pharaoh, and Egypt,
but they still had not entered into the promised land of Canaan. The LORD had promised to bring
them into the land of Canaan. But they were there in the wilderness, near mount Sinai.

The LORD told Moses to send spies into the land of Canaan, and spy out the land which He
had promised to them in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The spies brought back an evil report (Num.
13:1-33). Ten of the spies convinced the whole congregation of Israel that they were not able to take
the land. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, tried to convince the congregation that with the help
the LORD promised them, they could take the land (Num. 13:20, 14:6-9).

Because the congregation of Israel listened to the report of the ten spies, those over 20 years
old did not enter into the promised land, but died in the wilderness. Only Joshua and Caleb and their
families entered into the promised land with those born in the wilderness and those 20 years old and
under. Why didn't they enter into the promised land? Because they did not mix faith with the Word
of God (Heb. 3:16-19, 4:1-2).

The new birth brings us out of the first Adam, in which dwells sin and death (Rom. 5:12) and
gives us eternal life in Christ Jesus. But, like the children of Israel, we still must obey the voice of
our LORD and enter into the reign of God. We must receive the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Guide,
Comforter, and Teacher; let the anointing abide in us to teach us all things, that we can do the will
of God, not just hear the Word.

Those who are born again are "One spirit with the Lord" (1 Cor. 6:17), but they still have
not entered into the kingdom of God (reign of God).

No one can enter into the kingdom of God unless they are first born again. It is after they
enter the family of God through the new birth, that they have another choice to make, "will they
submit themselves totally and completely to the Spirit of God and let Him have control in their
lives?"

In Acts 2:47 it says, "...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved." This means, they were added to the body of Christ, which is the church (Eph. 1:22), but they
still needed to be saved. Salvation takes place after a person is born again. It continues until they go
to be with Jesus.

Jesus received the Holy Spirit following His baptism by John the Baptist. As the Son of Man,
He then began to be led by the Spirit of God. Jesus submitted Himself fully to the leading of the Holy
Spirit, that is why Jesus was able to do the miracles Nicodemus saw Him doing (John 3:2).
Nicodemus came to Jesus because of the miracles He was doing, knowing God was with Him. Jesus'
answer was, "to do these miracles, you must first be born again, then you must enter into the
kingdom of God."

Now, let us look and see what it says about how we enter into the kingdom of God? In Acts
14:22 it says, "...that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Therefore, we must conclude that the entrance into the kingdom of God in our lives is not an easy

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thing. We will go through much tribulation while entering into the kingdom of God. Jesus said in
Matthew 11:12, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven
suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

The words "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" have the same meaning. The book
of Matthew used the words "kingdom of heaven," while Mark, Luke, and John used the words
"kingdom of God." In most cases they are speaking of the same thing.

If it was a violent operation to enter into the kingdom of heaven during the time of John the
Baptist, it will still be a violent operation today. Satan is still the same devil he was at John the
Baptist' time. The violence and tribulations take place in us when we try to set aside our will of the
flesh to do the will of God by submitting to the Holy Spirit in our lives. By nature, the flesh does not
want to submit to the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:17 says, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot
do the things that ye would."

The flesh, the natural man, wants to have it's own way, make it's own decisions, and do it's
own thing. These are all contrary to the Spirit of God, who needs to be in control of our lives if we
are to enter into the reign of God.

In the natural mind we believe we have to do things our way. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew
6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you."

We try so hard to do what we think is right in the sight of God, and to supply all our needs
according to our understanding of everything. Yet, Jesus said, if we will seek the reign of God and
His righteousness, all these things that we have need of would be added unto us. Added unto us,
means "given, or supplied to us."

Why is it so hard for us to believe that God can, and will supply, all our needs if we will do
His will and not our will? It is simply because our minds are not renewed to understand the things
of God, and the reign of God.

Let us look once again at Mark 1:14,15. It says,

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel
of the kingdom of God, And saying,
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel.
What was Jesus preaching when He said to "believe the gospel of the kingdom of God?" The first
thing we need to understand is that the kingdom of God is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in
the Holy Ghost." Therefore, the kingdom of God involves a work of the Holy Spirit.

First let us look at the life of Jesus, what He said of Himself: In John 5:19,20, Jesus said,
...Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth
the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

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 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he
will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
In John 5:30 Jesus said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which
hath sent me."
In John 6:38 Jesus said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the
will of him that sent me."
In John 8:38 Jesus said, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that
which ye have seen with your father."
In John 12:49,50 Jesus said,
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore,
even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Now, let us put these all together and get a better understanding of what Jesus is saying of
Himself:
(1). He said, of Himself He could do nothing.
(2). He did not do His own will, but only the will of God the Father.
(3). He did not speak anything of Himself, only that which He heard from His Father.
(4). God the Father had given Him commandment as to what He should speak, and that
commandment was "life everlasting."
(5). He did not do anything of Himself, only that which He had seen of His Father.

Let us see an example of this in the life of Jesus. In John 8:3-6 it says,
...the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when
they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in
adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest
thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.
But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard
them not.
Notice the words "as though he heard them not," are in italics. This means they were not in the
original text, but were added by the translators. Therefore, we should ignore them and study only the
original text to find the truth of what the Spirit of God is teaching us. Keeping in mind that Jesus said
He does not do anything of Himself, only that which He sees of His Father, and He does not speak
of Himself, only that which He hears from His Father. Also, He knew what His Father's
commandment to Him was, "it was eternal life," not death.

Therefore, I believe that when Jesus was stooping down writing on the sand He was waiting
to hear from His Father as to what to say concerning the tempting question of the scribes and
Pharisees. In other words, Jesus just waited until He heard from the Father before He said anything.
Now let us look at the next verse. "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and
said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7).
In this verse we see the work of the enemy, Satan continues to pressure Christians to make decisions

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based upon what they see with their eyes and hear with their ears. Trying to force them to operate
in the flesh rather than listen for direction from God.

Jesus' answer agrees with His statement in John 12:49,50, where He said, His Father's
commandment is eternal life. God the Father was more interested in this woman's eternal life than
He was in her being put to death for committing adultery. By her receiving eternal life (Zoe, the life
of God) she could overcome the sin of adultery in this life and in the end inherit everlasting life in
heaven. To God the Father, this is more important than killing those who do not obey the
commandments given by Moses to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai.

God's commandment is Life, "eternal life" to those who will receive it, whether they be
righteous or guilty according to the law of Moses. For the Law of Moses could not save them from
eternal punishment, only through Jesus Christ could anyone be saved from everlasting damnation.
In Acts 13:38,39 it says,
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is
preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be
justified by the law of Moses.

The thing we need to see in the life of Jesus and this woman taken in the act of adultery is,
"how did Jesus know what to say?" Jesus received His information from God the Father. Somehow,
God had made known to Jesus what to say, either by speaking to Him or by showing Him. This is
an operation of the Holy Spirit within those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. These are called
"gifts of the Spirit," in 1st Corinthians 12:7-11. By these gifts of the Spirit, people can know the will
of God in every circumstance in their life.

It is one thing to know the will of God, but it is also necessary to know "the way God wants
His will to be done." Therefore, we need to know how we can receive the same information in every
circumstance in our lives? The answer is found in searching the Scriptures, and studying the Word
of God. When God is in control of our lives we will operate like Jesus when He said, "...I seek not
mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30). Then in John 6:38,
He said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me."

For the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives we must set aside our will, to do His will. If we do
our will, then the Holy Spirit cannot do His will in our lives. This is called, "denying ourselves."
Jesus said, unless we deny ourselves we cannot be His disciples! Denying ourselves must include
"not doing our own will, but only the will of Him that sent us."

So, how do we enter the reign of God? Knowing the Kingdom of God is "righteousness
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit," we follow the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33,
"But seek ye first the kingdom (reign) of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you." Our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God (Isa.64:6). But His
righteousness is upon all that believe in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21,22 says,
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the

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 law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all
them that believe...
We receive our righteousness by believing on Jesus Christ, who bore our sins for us. He took upon
Himself all our unrighteousness, and in exchange gave us His righteousness. It is through believing
the Word of God that righteousness is imputed unto us. We are "...justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). God is just, and the justifier of them
that believe in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:25,26).

To understand "His righteousness" in place of our righteousness we must understand who

we are in Christ. We are in Him, He is in us, we are "one spirit with the LORD!" Being in Christ,
He is our righteousness, we have no righteousness of our own. We are not our own, we are bought
with a price (1 Cor. 6:19,20). We are in Christ,
...in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (Col.
2:9.10).
He hath, "...raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus"
(Eph. 2:6).

God the Father, who is the justifier of all things is in us. When He sees us, He sees Jesus'
righteousness manifest in us as we believe on Him. When we believe on Jesus, not on ourselves, His
righteousness is imputed upon us (Rom. 4:5,6). Yet, if we boast of our position in Christ, Satan has
an advantage over us, for boasting is not of God, but of the devil. Therefore, we must set aside all
boasting, knowing that whatsoever we have is a gift of God, not of ourselves, not of our works of
righteousness, but of His righteousness.

When we enter into the kingdom of God, we enter totally and completely upon His
righteousness, which God did in Christ Jesus. We take the position which God has given us as His
sons, empowered by the Spirit of God to do the will of God. It is not our works, but Him working
through us. We must always be conscious of our position in Christ, "it is not I that liveth, but
Christ that liveth in me!" (Gal. 3:20).

We are ambassadors for Christ. For the Scripture says,

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new,
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:17-20).

We are not our own, we belong to Christ (1 Cor. 6:19,20). The Bible tells us, in the
beginning, "...the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7) Adam's body was taken

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from the earth; he belonged to the earth and the earth belonged to him. He also had the breath of the
LORD in him, by which he became a living soul. Therefore, Adam also belonged to the LORD, the
very breath of the LORD was in him. Adam was the LORD'S representative over the earth.
Therefore, "God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Gen. 1:28). Man, male
and female, became God's representatives upon the earth. Yet, sin entered into mankind, and God
sent His Son Jesus into the world, "that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).

Jesus became a man in the flesh, yet He remained God in the Spirit. Philippians 2:5-8 says;
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.
Jesus became a man. He was born, a living soul with a body of the dust of the ground, which He
received from "Mary, His earthly mother." Then, at about the age of thirty, He was anointed with
the Holy Spirit and power (Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38), by which He became Christ (the anointed One).
He was not only the Son of God, but God was in Him (by the presence of the Holy Spirit). Therefore,
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself..." (2 Cor. 5:19). "Now we have received,
not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God..." that we might become ambassadors
for Christ, to reconcile the world back to God. We are God's representatives, Christ is in us;
reconciling the world back to Himself.

It is not us, but it is Christ in us that is reconciling the world to God. It is not by our power
or might, but by His Spirit, that the world is reconciled to God. We must understand, we are not of
this world, we are born from above. It is not us that lives but Christ that lives in us. We are One
Spirit with the LORD, He is in us and we are in Him. Therefore, as ambassadors, we do not operate
of our own power, but by the power of Him who sent us. The world is not our home, heaven is our
home, we are only here to do the will of God the Father. We are still here, and have a right to be
here, for we still have a body of flesh taken from the earth. But this body of flesh is not our means
by which we live; we live by the very life of God in us.

What does it mean to be an ambassador? An ambassador is "the highest ranking diplomatic

representative appointed by one country or government to represent it in another country; one on a
special diplomatic mission; an official agent with a special mission." An ambassador does not have
the right to act upon his own; he is only there to carry out the decisions of the country in which he
represents. He owns nothing in the country, but is furnished by the country in which he represents
all his living needs. Every decision he makes concerning the country to which he is an ambassador,
must come from the country in which he represents.

By this definition, what does it mean for us to be an ambassador for Christ? We must keep
in mind who Christ is. Christ means "the anointed." Jesus is the anointed One. Therefore, throughout
the New Testament you will find the words "Jesus Christ, or Christ Jesus" interchanged often. They

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still identify the anointed One. The Holy Spirit is the One who Jesus is anointed with. Therefore,
Jesus is the head of the body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the administrator of the decisions of
Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is the power of God which Jesus was anointed with. Being the administrator
of the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit does nothing of His own will, but only the will of Jesus and
the Father (John 16:13,14). Yet, He is the One who is in control of the gifts of the Spirit and the
manifestation of these gifts within the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:11).

As ambassadors for Christ we are subject to the Holy Spirit, under the direction of Jesus. We
do not glorify the Holy Spirit, but respect Him, and treat Him as our Helper, Guide, Comforter, and
Teacher; sent by Jesus and the Father to do the Father's will. The Father's will is carried out by Jesus,
through the Holy Spirit, through His ambassadors on earth.

To be an ambassador for Christ, we cannot do our own will, but only the will of Him that sent
us. Jesus said in John 20:21, "...Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I
you." Therefore, the order of command is from top down; The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and
you and I. From the bottom up; You and I, the Holy Spirit, the Son, the Father.

Being that we are ambassadors for Christ; meaning the anointed, we must operate under the
anointing, not by our own will. Everything we do, should be by the anointing. In 1st Peter 4:11 it
says, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (utterance/voice) of God; if any man
minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

In everything we do, we must remember, Jesus is Christ (Acts 2:36), the anointed One. It is
the teachings of Jesus, that we must first consider, before we take into account that which is written
elsewhere in the Bible. We are under a New Covenant, of which Jesus is the mediator. He is, and
always was, the Creator of all things with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are
representing the highest of all authority in all creation.

It is a privilege, an honor, yet a great responsibility to represent the LORD of all creation.
Therefore, we ought to be very careful as to what we do, considering our whole existence and
eternity rests upon our service to the Master of all things. We are savants of the most high God, let
us remain servants and serve Him rather than looking only to Him to serve us.

Remember the example of Jesus, which we should follow:

(1). He said, of Himself He could do nothing.
(2). He did not do His own will, but only the will of God the Father.
(3). He did not speak anything of Himself, only that which He heard from His Father.
(4). God the Father had given Him commandment as to what He should speak, and that
commandment was "life everlasting."
(5). He did not do anything of Himself, only that which He had seen of His Father.
This is the example we need to follow all the days of our life. If we are ambassadors for Christ, then
God will supply all our needs in this life. Yet, to be an ambassador, we must be doing His will, not

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our will. An ambassador is one who is sent. An ambassador for Christ must be a "new creature,"
born again, from above; then sent from above into the world to do the will of God.

John the Baptist said, "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is
earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all" (John 3:31). In
John 3:34 it says, "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not
the Spirit by measure unto him." What does this mean for us? It means, if we are sent from above,
then we must speak the words of God from above, not the words of this world. God's Word must be
spoken, and God's will must be done. This can only happen if we are led by the Spirit, and speaking
the words the Spirit gives us to speak.

It is when we overcome the world system, and walk in the light of the Word of God, hearing
from the Spirit of God and speaking the Words of God that we enter into the kingdom of God. The
true meaning of the phrase "the kingdom of God," is "when God is in control of our life." It is the
reign of God in our lives, reigning and doing His will by the power of the Spirit of God, working in
us and through us. Not being "...conformed to this world: but being transformed by the
renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God" (Rom. 12:2).

We become born again by receiving Jesus into our lives. Salvation and becoming born again
comes by calling upon the name of Jesus, and asking Him to come into our lives. Yet, that does not
put the Holy Spirit in control. We enter into the kingdom of God by placing the Holy Spirit in
control, by doing the will of God, not just by becoming born again into the family of God. It is the
doing the will of God that places us into His kingdom, where the Holy Spirit is in control.

An ambassador for Christ is one who has entered into the kingdom of God by placing the
Holy Spirit in control. When we no longer are doing our will, but the will of Him that sent us, then
we are ambassadors for Christ and have entered into the kingdom of God.

It is important to understand the teachings of Jesus. In John 15:1-6, Jesus said:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth
not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto
you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me
ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

It is important to understand the works of the enemy. For Jesus taught on the kingdom of God
by parables. The first and most important parable to understand is in Mark 4. Jesus gave the parable
of the sower and the seed. Then in Mark 4:13, Jesus said, "...Know ye not this parable? and how
then will ye know all parables?"

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 The meaning of the parable is this;
The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is
sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word
that was sown in their hearts.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have
heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves,
and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the
word's sake, immediately they are offended.
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in,
choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive
it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred (Mark 4:14-
20).
As Christians today, we must understand that all the parables are written for our benefit, that we may
know and understand the importance of the kingdom of God. That we may take it upon ourselves
to be led by the Spirit of God, not by the natural mind. That we may serve the living God of all
creation. That we may inherit eternal life in heaven.

Another parable of importance is in Matthew 13: the parable of the tares of the field.
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The
field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom;
but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the
devil;
the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the
tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom
all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace
of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who
hath ears to hear, let him hear (Matt. 13:37-43).

Today, we are at the time of the parable of the king which made a marriage for his son.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:
and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which
are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed,
and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his
merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and
slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and
destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were
not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the

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 marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they
found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the
king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding
garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants , Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and
cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are (have) chosen (Matt. 22:2-14).

How many Christians today are willing to lay down their lives for those who God has called
into His family, born again, Children of God; that they may be set free of the works of the devil, and
enter into the kingdom of God?

How many understand that the entrance into the kingdom of God is not easy, but they must
"...through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). There is a price to
pay, it will cost you your life! Your life for His life. Unless we deny ourselves, we cannot be His
disciples! THE COST IS HIGH:
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man
hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth
that field (Matt. 13:44).
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and
bought it (Matt. 13:45,46).
O what a privilege it is to be a child of God, and to enter into the kingdom of God, and His
righteousness. To serve the Creator of all things, knowing that if we die to ourselves and serve Him
we will reap eternal life in heaven.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:11-14,

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
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.
How many false prophets do you know who are out seeking to build their kingdom? Yet, Jesus said,
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached...then shall the end come!"

Let us pray for those who have preached another gospel, and go and do that which Jesus
called us to do! Die to self, that the Spirit of the living God may have control in our lives until we
are taken up to be with Him for ever and ever!

Jesus laid out a plan for the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God in Matthew 10:5-
42. In that plan, Jesus said, "...Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the
Samaritans enter ye not:" We do not have to go around the world to preach the gospel of the
kingdom. There is nothing wrong with sending others to other nations to preach the gospel. Yet, right

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around everyone of us there are those who have not heard the true gospel of the kingdom of God.
Right next door, within a few hundred yards of some there is someone who may not have heard the
true gospel of the kingdom of God. It is not necessary for us to go way off to some far country, just
start right next door, and spread the gospel from door to door. By this, the Spirit of the living God
will carry the gospel around the world. Jesus said, "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel." Today this includes every born again Christian who does not know the truth of the gospel
of the kingdom of God.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received,
freely give (Matt. 10:6-8).

Study Matthew, Chapter 10, very closely, and take the gospel to every creature. Lay down
your life for those around you as Jesus laid down His life for you! As you go, preach the gospel of
the kingdom of God. Remember the children of Israel; they were delivered from Egypt by the power
of God, not because of their good works, but because of a covenant God made with Abraham (Gen.
15:13,14,18-21).

We became children of God through the new birth. It is because of the covenant God made
with Abraham through Christ, the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:29), that we became Children of God.
Therefore, let us not neglect our salvation (Heb. 2:1-4), and not enter into the inheritance promised
us (Heb. 4:1-16). For many of the children of Israel did not enter into the promised land, because
they did not mix faith with the Word preached to them (Heb. 4:2).

For Christians to enter into the kingdom of God, they must first be born again, then enter into
"the reign of God," where the Holy Spirit has complete control in their lives. This is the rest spoken
of in Hebrews 4:6-16. It is important that the Word of God divide between the soul and the spirit of
man, and discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. "For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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" (Heb. 4:12). Let us therefore, enter into the kingdom of God, and the rest in the Spirit, not
doing our works, but being used by God to do His Works.

Jesus said in Luke 14:26, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,
and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my
disciple." If we do not deny ourselves we cannot be His disciple, therefore, if we are not denying
ourselves, who's disciples are we? This is the key to the kingdom of God, self-denial; total trust in
the Word of God and the Spirit of God that He may have complete control.

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 THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD

- The Image of God -

Some have taught that because God is a Spirit, the image of God that man was created in
means that man was created a spirit also. We need to be careful of what we believe. We are
accountable for what we teach. A word from the LORD recently came forth saying, "Those who
have taught what they heard other men teach and have not received it from My Spirit, if they will
repent, My grace will cover them!"

The first thing we should do is find out what is the image of God? An image is;
(A) a representative reproduction of an object;
(B) the character projected by someone or something;
(C) a mental picture of something not seen.

Therefore we could say the image of God is "His character, projected by the impression He
leaves of Himself in His Word." In other words, "as we see Him in the Bible, so is He." The writers
of the Psalms knew the image of God. We can see the image of God in all the Psalms. Just a quick
glance at some of them will show us the image of God clearly,

(1) Psalm 8:1 says,

O LORD our LORD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory
above the heavens.
(2) Psalm 18:1-3 says,
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in
whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine
enemies.
(3) Psalm 24:1-5 says,
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell
therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,
nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his
salvation.
(4) Psalm 27:1 says,
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

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(5) Psalm 32:1-2 says,
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit
there is no guile.
(6) Psalm 46:1 says,
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(7) Psalm 89:1 says,
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy
faithfulness to all generations.
(8) Psalm 91:1-2 says,
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of
the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
(9) Psalm 103:1-13 says,
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and
tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the
eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear
him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
(10) Psalm 106:1 say,
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy
endureth for ever.

The image of God is shown all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
(1) Job 34:12 says, "Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert
judgment."
(A) God rewards those who please Him. Genesis 5:22,24 says,
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years...
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
(B) Judgment comes upon those who do wickedly. Genesis 6:5,7 says,
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually....
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth;
both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth

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 me that I have made them.
(2) The image of God is shown in "love, grace, mercy, etc."
(3) The fruit of the Holy Spirit shows the image of God. Galatians 5:22,23 says,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(4) All the attributes of God show His image; some are as follows:
(A) COMPASSIONATE And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion
on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet (2
Kings 13:23).
(B) FAITHFUL There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Cor.
10:13).
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their
souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19).
(C) GRACIOUS And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD,
The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and
truth (Ex. 34:6).
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful (Psa. 116:5).
(D) GREAT And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods
(2 Chron. 2:5).
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone (Psa. 86:10).
(E) GOOD Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way
(Psa. 25:8).
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes (Psa. 119:68).
(F) HOLY Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our
God is holy (Psa. 99:9).
But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be
sanctified in righteousness (Isa. 5:16).
(G) INCORRUPTIBLE And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things
(Romans 1:23).
(H) JUST He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of
truth and without iniquity, just and right is he (Deu. 32:4).
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared
this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and
there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me (Isa.
45:21).
(I) LIGHT The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the
moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and
thy God thy glory (Isa. 60:19).
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God

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is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).
(J) LOVE He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8).
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that
dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).
(K) LONG-SUFFERING The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving
iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation (Num. 14:18).
(L) MERCIFUL And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The
LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that
will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children,
and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation (Ex.
34:6,7).
For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them
that call upon thee (Psa. 86:5).
(M) PERFECT Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
(Matt. 5:48).
(N) RIGHTEOUS O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet
escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot
stand before thee because of this (Ezra 9:15).
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works (Psa. 145:17).
(O) TRUE But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king:
at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his
indignation (Jer. 10:10).
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
(P) UPRIGHT Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the
way (Psa. 25:8).
To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in
him (Psa. 92:15).
(Q) PLUS MANY OTHERS...

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 - The Likeness of God -
Again, some teach that because God is a Spirit and man was created in the likeness of God
that Adam was like God; a spiritual being. We need to be careful of what we believe. We are
accountable for what we teach. A word from the LORD recently came forth saying, "Those who
have taught what they heard other men teach and have not received it from My Spirit, if they will
repent, My grace will cover them!"

The word likeness means:

(A) the state or quality of being like; similarity
(B) the way things are done; comparatively

What is the likeness of God? The likeness of God is the way He does things...
(1) God speaks by faith and it is done...
(A) Romans 4:17 says, ...even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things
which be not as though they were.
(B) Hebrews 11:3 says, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by
the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do
appear.
(C) Genesis 1:3 says, And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
(D) Psalm 33:6 says, By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host
of them by the breath of his mouth.
(E) Psalm 107:20 says, He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions.

(2) God does things by His Spirit...

(A) Genesis 1:2b says, ...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
(B) 1st Corinthians 12:7,11 says, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man
to profit withal... But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.
(a) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
(b) to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(c) To another faith by the same Spirit;
(d) to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(e) To another the working of miracles;
(f) to another prophecy;
(g) to another discerning of spirits;
(h) to another divers kinds of tongues;
(i) to another the interpretation of tongues: (1 Cor. 12:8-10)
(C) Jesus said in Matthew 12:28, But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the
kingdom of God is come unto you.

Before Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden he lived in the likeness and image of God. What
he did and said was totally the same as if God had done it Himself.

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(1) Adam spoke and it was done...
(A) Genesis 2:19 says, And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the
field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call
them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
That is still the names thereof today.
(B) Genesis 2:23 says, And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my
flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
That is still the same today, the female is still called woman today, just as Adam said.
(C) Genesis 2:24 tells us that Adam said, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

God honored what Adam spoke as though He had spoken it Himself. Jesus implied in
Matthew 19:5, that God had said this which Adam said. Therefore, all that Adam spoke remains the
same today as the day that Adam spoke it. Adam named the animals and all living creatures and they
are still called by that name today. Adam called his wife a woman, and all women are still called that
today. Adam said, husbands and wives shall be one flesh, and God still says husbands and wives are
one flesh today.

In the Old Testament many people spoke the Word of God and it was done....
(2) Elijah spoke the Word of the LORD and it was done...
(A) 1st Kings 17:14 says, For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal
shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth
rain upon the earth.
(3) Elisha spoke the Word of the LORD and it was done...
(A) 2nd Kings 7:1 says, Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the
LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel,
and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

Now, we have a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Jesus has
"obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant,
which was established upon better promises." (Heb. 8:6) It says in 1st Corinthians 15:49, "And
as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

It says of Jesus in Hebrews 1:3, "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by
himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Therefore, Jesus
is the express image and likeness of God... Jesus upheld the Word of God by His power (to speak
and it was done).

(1) Jesus' life shows the image of His Father;

(A) In John 14:9 it says, Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you,
and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the
Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
(2) Jesus actions show the likeness of God;
(A) Jesus spoke the Word of God and it was done... John 4:49,50 says,

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 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus said unto
him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.
And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went
his way.
How did Jesus accomplish what He did? How did He live in the image and likeness of God?
(1) Jesus denied Himself and did only the will of God the Father...
(A) John 5:30 says, I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father
which hath sent me.
(B) John 6:38 says, For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but
the will of him that sent me.
(2) Jesus did only that which He saw His Father do...
(A) John 5:19 says, Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do:
for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
(B) John 5:20 says, For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things
that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may
marvel.
(3) Jesus only spoke that which he saw of His Father...
(A) John 8:38 says, I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do
that which ye have seen with your father.
(4) Jesus spoke that which He heard of God...
(A) John 8:40 says, But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the
truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
(5) Jesus did not judge after the flesh...
(A) John 8:15 says, Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
(6) Jesus did not raise up or exalt Himself....
(A) John 8:54 says, Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing:
it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God.
(B) Hebrews 5:8 says, Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the
things which he suffered.
(C) Philippians 2:7 says, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
(7) Jesus humbled Himself...
(A) Philippians 2:8 says, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

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 BEARING THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY

God's plan for us today is to bear the image of Jesus... In 1st Corinthians 15:49 it says, "And
as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." The
word have is past tense, whereas the word shall is future tense. Too often we are either still living
in the past tense or are in between the past tense and the future tense, heading for bearing "the image
of the heavenly." Even though, God speaks in the future tense and speaks of us as already obtaining,
the Apostle Paul said,
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We need to understand that the Apostle Paul was one of those who laid the foundation for us.
Ephesians 2:19,20 says, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone.

Now that the foundation is already laid we need to live according to the revelation given to
us by Jesus Christ and the Apostles in the Epistles. We have been given eternal life, and that life is
in God's Son, Jesus Christ. In 1st John 5:20 it says, "And we know that the Son of God is come,
and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him
that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." Now, to bear
the image of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, we must get to know Him. John 17:3 says, "And this
is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent."

As we get to know Jesus Christ, we must apply what we know according to the Scriptures
laid out for us by God, through Jesus Christ first, then through the foundation of our faith laid out
in the Epistles.

(1) We must speak those things that be not as though they were; "...even God, who quickeneth the
dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." (Rom. 4:17).
(2) We must live in this world as though we were already in heaven. "And hath raised us up
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6). "...because
as he is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).
(3) We are not of this world, therefore, let us live as though we are not of this world, but only in this
world to do the will of God. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John
17:16).
(4) We are to carry on the work that Jesus began.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world (John
17:18).
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so

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 send I you (John 20:21).
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and
in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:18-20).
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and
believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (John
6:40).

The Apostle Paul gave some sound advice for all who desire to follow God's plan for their
lives. It says in Philippians 3:15-21,
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be
otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us
mind the same thing.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for
an ensample.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that
they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things.)
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Keep in mind, the foundation is already laid in the Scriptures of the New Covenant. We are
now complete in Christ. Our way of life must be that of Christ living in us, in the image and likeness
of the Second Adam, Jesus Christ.

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 UNDERSTANDING OUR ADVERSARY

Going back in time, before Genesis 1:2, much had already taken place in God's creation. God
created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). God created angels to be angels and do what angels are
to do... Angels are created beings and God has a purpose for them...

But, God knows all things... Nothing is hidden from God... Hebrews 4:12,13 says,
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

God knows every thought and every intent of every heart, neither is there any creature that
is hidden from His sight... When the LORD created the angels, it is evident that He gave them a free
will to choose for themselves who they would serve. Colossians 1:16 tells us, "...all things were
created by him, and for him." Therefore, the angels were also created by Him and for Him. Being
that they were created for the LORD, they were created to be subject to Him in all things. Therefore,
we know that the LORD created them to glorify Him in all things...to His praise and glory!

Yet there was a time in eternity past that some of the angels rebelled against God, Lucifer,
being the leader of the rebellion. They were cast out from before the throne of God. Lucifer was cast
down to the earth (Isa. 14:12-20). Ezekiel 28:15 says, "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the
day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Before he was cast out from the
throne of God he was perfect in everything; perfect in the way that God had created him.

There is no place in the Scriptures where it says that God created anything that was not
good... Yet, when God created angels, He created them with spiritual powers beyond that of man.
Angels can travel throughout the universe at great speeds, way beyond the speed of light. In a
moment of time angels can do things it would take people years to accomplish. Angels are not
subject to physical things. When Manoah, the father of Samson, made an offering to the LORD and
offered it upon a rock, the angel of the LORD ascended toward heaven from off the altar in the flame
(Judges 13:20). One angel of the LORD smote an hundred and eighty five thousand Assyrian soldiers
in one night (2 Kings 19:35). Angels have power much greater than that of natural man. Yet they are
not seen with the natural eye.

There are three groups of angels spoken of in the Scriptures, each one having an angel over
them. Michael, the arch angel is said to be a warring angel who fights against evil spirits. In Daniel
10:13, Michael is mentioned as fighting against the spirits of the prince of the kingdom of Persia.
In Jude 1:9 it says, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed
about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord
rebuke thee." In Revelation 12:7-9 it says;

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 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and
the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out
with him.

A second angel mentioned is Gabriel. Gabriel is seen as a messenger angel. He is mentioned

twice in the book of Daniel (Dan. 8:16, 9:21) as giving Daniel understanding. In Luke it was Gabriel
that spoke to Zacharias concerning the birth of John the Baptist. Gabriel identified himself to
Zacharias in Luke 1:19. It says, "And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that
stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad
tidings." Gabriel also appeared to Mary concerning the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:19,26).

A third angel was called Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12. Evidently, he lead the praise and worship
before the throne of God, before that he was cast out of the third heavens, after iniquity was found
in him (Ezekiel 28:16-19). Some important facts concerning the origin of Satan, the devil, are
revealed in the following Scriptures: In Ezekiel 28:11,12 it says,
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a
lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him,
Thus saith the LORD GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in
beauty.

Tyrus is a sea-port City on the Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 90 miles west of Damascus
and about 130 miles north of Jerusalem. The prophecy against the city of Tyrus begins in Ezekiel
26:1. In Ezekiel 28:1 a prophecy is spoken against the prince (human ruler over the City of Tyrus).
Ezekiel 28:11 starts a prophecy (lamentation) concerning the king of Tyrus (spiritual power over
Tyrus).

Prophecies can contain parts of three gifts of the Spirit, all working together, word of
wisdom, word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits. By this a prophecy sometimes speaks of past,
present, and future events all within one prophecy.

This prophecy (lamentation) contains all three aspects past, present, and future. A
lamentation is an expression of grief or sorrow. The LORD is grieved that Lucifer left his high
position in the third heavens, and became Satan the devil. The prophecy speaks the mind of the
LORD concerning Lucifer. The remaining Scriptures concerning this lamentation are as follows;
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the
sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the
emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the
holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was
found in thee.

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 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence,
and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:
and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by
reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that
they may behold thee.
Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity
of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour
thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold
thee.
All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a
terror, and never shalt thou be any more (Ezek. 28:13-19).

This spiritual being is called "the anointed cherub, covering cherub." A cherub is a
winged angelic being. Cherubims were placed at the east of the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24).
Cherubims, made of Gold, were placed over the mercy seat (Ex. 25:18). This being, called a cherub,
identifies Lucifer, spoken of in Isaiah. In Isaiah 14:12-20, it says,
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut
down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the
north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the
man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not
the house of his prisoners?
All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of
those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit;
as a carcase trodden under feet.
Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and
slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

Again, this prophecy contains past, present, and future events. In this prophecy Lucifer is
already cast down to the earth (ground), and still making accusations of becoming like the Most High
God. This is evidence of no repentance from the time when iniquity was first found in him (Ezek.
28:15). Pride comes before a fall, his pride prevented him from repenting.

What about the angels that followed Lucifer? In Jude 1:6 it says, "And the angels which
kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains
under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." In 2 Peter 2:4 it says, "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." The word "darkness" is also symbolic of sin and

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wickedness. As we read these two Scriptures we see the use of the word "chains" also. Common
sense tells us that physical chains could not hold an angel or angelic being; therefore, the word
"chains" must be symbolic also, meaning possibly "chained or compelled into serving the devil until
the day of judgment."

It is assumed by some that these angels were cast out of the third heavens along with Lucifer.
It is also assumed by some that these angels are the demons who are now carrying out the works of
the devil on earth. This is only assumed, being that there is no place in Scripture that tells us that
God created any demons.

We know that God, through his Son, "created all things, and all things were created by
Him and for Him" (Col. 16). Being that demons and the devil are against God, it is assumed by
some that they also followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God. We see that they left their first
estate according to Jude 1:6. We see no place in Scripture where it says that God created anything
that was not good in the day that He created it.

When we look at Genesis 1:2 it says "And the earth was without form, and void; and
darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the
waters." The Darby Translation says "...the earth was waste and empty, and darkness was on
the face of the deep..." The Young's Literal Translation says, "...the earth hath existed waste and
void, and darkness is on the face of the deep..."

If we were to take the numerous meanings of some these words we will find that; the words,
without form, mean "vanity, confusion, without form, wilderness, nought, nothing, empty place,
waste; a place of complete chaos." The word void means "having no value; ineffective; useless."
Then the word darkness means "no light of any sort, neither visible or invisible." Darkness is also
a term used by the Spirit of God to identify "sin or the works of the devil."

It also tells us that the earth was covered with water, "and the Spirit of God moved upon
the face of the waters." Therefore, some assume that there was a flood that covered the whole earth
at that time, similar to the flood that took place at the time of Noah. Yet, the condition of the earth
was not in any way or form similar to anything that the LORD had created. Everything mentioned
in the Scriptures concerning what God had created indicate that it was good, perfect, or even very
good in the day that God created it. In 2nd Peter 3:6, it says, "Whereby the world that then was,
being overflowed with water, perished." This is not speaking of the flood at the time of Noah, for
the world (kosmos) at that time was not destroyed; only the flesh of man, animals, and fowl were
destroyed in the flood of Noah's time. The word "perished" means they were made completely
worthless, of no value. That was the condition of the earth in Genesis 1:2.

What was it that caused the earth to be in such a state as described in Genesis 1:2? Evidence
leans to indicate that Satan and his demons were here long before Genesis 1:2, and their wicked
works had brought on the condition we find in Genesis 1:2.

We know that all wisdom and knowledge comes from God, and was created by the LORD
in the beginning for Colossians 1:16,17 says,

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 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are upon earth, visible
and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

This tells us that everything that exists, whether visible or invisible was created by the
LORD; which would include human wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

When we find that "man's wisdom" has discovered existing bones and parts of creatures that
are considered to be prehistoric, even before the creation of Adam, there must have been some type
of life on this earth before Adam was created about six-thousand years ago. What happened to all
this pre-existing life, and why was the earth in such a complete worthless condition at the time of
Genesis 1:2? We could assume that Satan had destroyed everything of value long before the LORD
recreated the earth as we see it today.

All evil seems to come from Satan, the devil, and his followers, the demons. We see no evil
coming from God, for God is love and there is no darkness in Him at all (1 John 1:5). Darkness
represents evil, therefore, we could say there is no evil in God. Therefore we can assume that all evil
comes from another spiritual being, or beings who have powers greater than man. Especially the
power to blind the minds of people.

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 SATAN,
THE GOD OF THIS WORLD

Satan, the devil, has powers greater than man. In 2nd Corinthians 4:4 it says, "In whom the
god (theos) 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 (theos), should shine unto them." Many have
taught that this verse of Scripture pertains only to those who are not Christians. We need to be
careful of what we believe. We are accountable for what we teach. A word from the LORD recently
came forth saying, "Those who have taught what they heard other men teach and have not
received it from My Spirit, if they will repent, My grace will cover them!"

Notice the words "god & God" in 1st Corinthians 4:4 are the same word in the Greek. They
have the same meaning; "deity, divine; being, or having the nature of deity; god, a being of
supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by people; especially, a male deity
thought to control some part of nature or reality or to personify some force or activity."

Satan has supernatural powers or attributes. In Luke 4:5 it says, "And the devil, taking him
up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of
time." It takes supernatural powers to show someone all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of
time. Man, of his own natural ability cannot do this.

Satan, the god of this world, through Pharaoh's magicians did the same miracles as did the
LORD through Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7 and 8. The magicians of Egypt cast down their rods
and they also turned into serpents. The magicians of Egypt also turned water into blood (Ex. 7:22).
The magicians of Egypt also caused frogs to come upon the land (Ex. 8:7). These were real live
frogs, for when the plague was over "...they gathered them together heaps; and the land stank"
(Ex. 8:14). The storm that almost caused the ship to sink while Jesus was asleep (Mark 4:37-39),
evidently was caused by Satan, for Jesus took authority over it and the sea was calm. Satan had
bound a woman with an infirmity for eighteen years (Luke 13:16). Satan destroys the flesh (1 Cor.
5:5). Satan causes people to commit adultery (1 Cor. 7:5). Satan caused Judas Iscariot to deliver
Jesus to the Jews (John 13:2). Satan destroyed the flesh of Job (Job 2:7), and his seven sons and
three daughters and all that Job possessed (Job 1:12). Satan has supernatural powers similar to that
of God. Many of the great signs and wonders in the last days will be false, caused by Satan (Matthew
24:24).

Satan is believed in, and worshiped by some people. There is a religious order called
"Satanist." They have committed themselves to serve him, therefore he is their god. In 1st
Corinthians 2:12, Satan is called "the spirit of this world." In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is called "the
prince of the power of the air." Satan has many spirits working under him. Those under Satan are
sometimes called princes or rulers. In 1st Corinthians 2:6,8, they are called "the princes of the
world." In Ephesians 6:12 they are called "the rulers of the darkness of this world." All of these

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indicate that there are people who are subject to Satan, or his demons. They are of this world, born
of the flesh, descendants of the first Adam. Therefore, Satan is their god (theos) by the definition of
the word "god."

To worship someone or something, means to bring to it the very best you have, or to dedicate
yourself to seek it or him. Some people worship money, or material things. Buddhists worship a
shrine of Buddha. Satan's position as god of this world is by deception, through blinding the minds
of those who do not believe the gospel of Christ (the good news of the Anointing).

Satan is the god of this world, over all who accept him as their (theos) knowingly and
unknowingly (with knowledge or in ignorance). He controls people by blinding their minds.

This still does not make him god over those who believe the Word of God concerning the
dominion God gave to mankind in the beginning. The dominion God gave mankind in Genesis
1:26,27 is still in the hands of those who believe the Word of God. To those who believe in the
gospel of Christ, the Anointing, which is given to all who have received the baptism in the Holy
Spirit, following their new birth. They can operate under the anointing with power over the god of
this world. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage caused by the blinding of the minds
of those who do not believe.

The Devil lied to Jesus in Luke 4:6, when he said the kingdoms of this world were delivered
to him, and he could give them to whomsoever he wanted to. The Bible is very clear that all the
kingdoms of this world were always in the control of the LORD. It specifically says a number of
times throughout the Bible that the LORD gives the kingdoms of this world to whomsoever He wills.
Daniel, who was a prophet, said, "Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath
given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory." (Daniel 2:37). "...to the intent that the
living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever
he will..." (Daniel 4:17). "...till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,
and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:25). The devil is not "the most High." In 2nd
Kings 19:15, it says, "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of
Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God even thou alone, of all the
kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth." In 2nd Chronicles 20:6, King
Jehoshaphat prayed, "And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and
rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and
might, so that none is able to withstand thee?" See also, Job 36:7-12, Psalm 103:19, and Romans
13:1.

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 SATAN'S DEVICES

From the Scriptures we see that Satan's powers operate through the minds of people, as well
as in other ways, but mostly we are concerned about the powers of Satan that operate through the
minds of people. In 2nd Corinthians 2:11 it says, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for
we are not ignorant of his devices." In 2nd Corinthians 10:5 it says, "Casting down imaginations,
and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." In 2nd Corinthians 4:4 it says, "In whom
the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not..."

The word devices in 2nd Corinthians 2:11, and the word thought in 2nd Corinthians 10:5,
and the word minds in 2nd Corinthians 4:4, are all the same Greek word (noema). Therefore we
know that Satan has mind blinding power.

We find in the Scriptures that the devil and his evil spirits manifest through people. In
Exodus 7:10-12, Aaron cast down Moses' rod and it turned into a serpent. The magicians of Egypt
cast their rods down and they also turned into serpents. In Exodus 7:20,21, Moses smote the waters
with his rod and they turned into blood. In Exodus 7:22 the magicians of Egypt did the same with
their enchantments. In Exodus 8:6, Aaron stretched forth his hand with Moses rod over the waters
and frogs came up upon the land of Egypt. In Exodus 8:7, the magicians did the same with their
enchantments.

In Mark 5:2-19, there was a man who's mind was so messed up, that if we were to see such
a person today we would say he was insane, or a lunatic, without any natural understanding
whatsoever. Yet, we find that this man was possessed by a legion of demons. Once the demons were
cast out the Bible says, "...he was found in his right mind...."

Now we can understand why people act the way they do, and do the insane and ridiculous
things they do. Demon spirits are getting into their thought realm, and they are not taking control of
their thoughts. This is a condition that exists all around us, everywhere we go, everywhere we look,
people are doing insane things, things that a normal person in their right mind would never do. Even
Spirit filled Christians are letting some thoughts have control in their lives that they should reject (2
Cor. 10:5).

Mankind in general thinks the world is progressing in a direction of greater knowledge and
ability than ever before. Yet, it is heading for destruction, for the wisdom of man is foolishness to
God (1 Cor. 2:11-14). Man, without the Spirit of God cannot know the true wisdom and knowledge
of God, which is only revealed by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14).

Yet the condition of man without the Spirit of God is controlled by the spirits of this world
Ephesians 2:2-3,12 says,

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 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others....
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God
in the world.

Ephesians 4:18 and Col. 1:21 says;

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet
now hath he reconciled.

Some of the spirits of this world that control the minds of people are mentioned in 1st John
2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." These are not from God the Father, but of this
world. These are the same spirits that entered Eve in the garden of Eden following the other two,
which are doubt and unbelief.

If we are to overcome the world, we must first overcome these spirits that we were born into
this world with. This is what Romans 5:12 is speaking of when it says, "Wherefore, as by one man
sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned." Yes, Jesus overcome these spirits in His life and death for us... That's true, yet if we
do not do something about them ourselves in our lives we will never walk and live in the image and
likeness of God on this earth. Neither will we receive what God has in store for us if we do not
overcome doubt and unbelief in our lives.

In 1st John 2:15-17, it is speaking to Christians, when it says,

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever.

This seems very evident that Christians should do something about those spirits that cause
them to love the world and the things of the world. Also, it will be very difficult to "walk by faith"
if the spirits of doubt and unbelief are always manifesting in our lives. Hebrews 10:38 it also written
to Christians. It says, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him."

How can anyone manifest the likeness and image of God in their lives with these spirits

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taking control of their actions? These spirits were in Seth, Adam's third son. Seth was born in the
likeness and image of Adam; not the likeness and image of God that Adam was created in (Gen. 5:3).
The likeness of God being "the way God does things, speaking His Word in faith." The image of
God being "the way we see God in the Scriptures." It was following the birth of Enos, Seth's first son
that it tells us, "...then began men to call upon the name of the LORD" (Gen. 4:26).

All mankind from Adam on down are born with sin; the manifestation of spirits, in their lives
(except Jesus). We must take authority over these spirits, for if we do not they will be the cause of
other spirits entering in and bringing forth the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:16,17 speaking to
Christians, says;
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are
contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The flesh must be brought under subjection, for if it is not, the works of flesh will manifest;
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21).

All of the "works of the flesh" involve the minds of people, spirits trying to control peoples
minds. Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness all manifest in the physical body (except
spiritual adultery and spiritual fornication). Yet, these do not operate without knowledge of what is
happening. Those involved in physical sins of the body know what they are doing, yet still do it. All
other works of the flesh involve the minds of people before any act takes place. The mind, being a
part of the "living soul" of man, is where the spirits attack. As Galatians 5:17 says, "For the flesh
lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the
other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." This tells us that the Holy Spirit lusts
(desires) against the flesh (works of the flesh), while the flesh lusts (desires) against the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, we must walk with the Holy Spirit to overcome these works of the flesh.

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 DOMINION
GOD GAVE MAN
DOMINION

In 2 Timothy 2:15 it tells us, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." It is very important that we study
the Scriptures for the truth, not the ideas of men who seek after the flesh, and the things of the flesh.
Colossians 2:6-8 and Philippians 3:18-19 says,
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that
they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things.)

Jesus warned us of these in Matthew 24:4,5,24;

...Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ (Anointed); and shall deceive
many (Matt. 24:4,5).
For there shall arise false Christs (Anointings), and false prophets, and shall shew great
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect
(Matt. 24:24).
The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:8, "...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."

When searching the Scriptures for God's plan for our life, we must start with a pure heart to
know the mind of God; the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding He has placed in the Bible for
our benefit. The wisdom of man will only deceive us, but the wisdom of God will set us free of all
doctrines of men and devils. After seeking the LORD, and the Spirit of God for revelation; it is
always good to start in the beginning of the Bible (Genesis - Revelation) and see what is revealed
there first, then proceed to uncover the total revelation all the way to the end. In other words, start
in Genesis and proceed to the first time a subject is mentioned, then continue with that subject all
the way through Revelation to be sure what you find agrees with the complete Word of God. When
there is a conflict between one or the other, you must understand the difference between the Old

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Covenants (Old Testament) and the New Covenant (New Testament).

The foundation for the Old Covenants and the New Covenant is laid out in the book of
Genesis; this is important to understand when searching the Scriptures. The Law is laid out in
Exodus through Deuteronomy and used throughout the remaining books of the Old Testament. The
Law of the Old Testament is not for today, it was fulfilled by Jesus Christ; and we are now under the
New Covenant (the New Testament). When searching the Scriptures this fact of the Law must be
kept in mind. Much of the error within the body of Christ is found in those who use the books
pertaining to the Law as a guide. Many false prophets are in the land today, operating from the books
of the Old Covenants and deceiving many.

Keep in mind, the book of Genesis comes before the Law, and is the foundation for the
complete Bible, from Genesis through Revelation.

Therefore, let us start where God first mentions man, and see what it says there concerning
God's plan for our lives. Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon
the earth."

How many Christians over the years have studied the Bible and never recognized this as
God's plan for their life? Like some have said about Jesus, "He was there all the time...!" Yes, this
Scripture passage was there all the time, waiting for someone to hear from the Spirit of God, that He
could bear witness with the Word of God and reveal the hidden mystery of God's will for our lives.

God's will for us is that we walk in the dominion we were given in Genesis 1:26. Not by our
own power, not by our own might, "...but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6).

In Genesis 1:26 it says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the
earth."

This verse reveals the intention of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for it says,
"let us, and after our," indicating that there were two or more persons of the Godhead involved
in this statement of agreement. The word "God" in the Hebrew is "'elohiym," which is the plural
form of "'elowahh," meaning one person of the Godhead.

From the New Testament we know that the Son of God was also involved in the creation of
man. Speaking of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-17 it says,
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

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 Now let us look at Genesis 1:27, which says, "So God created man in his own image, in
the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

The word man is from the Hebrew word "Adam," meaning a person, or all mankind in
general. Therefore, when it says, "...God created he him; male and female created he them," it
includes Adam and Eve, and the beginning of the human race. Acts 17:26, says "And hath made
of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth..." Therefore the blood
that was in Adam has been passed down into every person on earth; with the exception of Jesus of
Nazareth, for He was not born of the bloodline of Adam, but of the flesh only of Mary -- the Holy
Spirit caused the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb (Luke 1:35).

It says that God created "him; male and female created he them." This shows us that
Adam (man, was both male and female). Therefore, we could say Eve was "in Adam" on the day the
LORD created man, and in Genesis 2:21,22, the LORD took Eve out of Adam.

In Genesis 1:28 it says, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them...have
dominion..." Man was given dominion over the earth and everything upon the earth. This dominion
was not given to one man, Adam, it was given to all mankind, "...to them, male and female.."
Notice in Genesis 2:7, it says, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7 is still
a part of Genesis 1:26-28. Notice that Genesis 1:28 follows Genesis 2:7, for it says, "And God
blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and
subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over
every living thing that moveth upon the earth." It says, "and God said unto them,"... For God
to speak to man, man MUST HAVE ALREADY BEEN CREATED. The creation of man was not
complete until after the LORD formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life and man became a living soul.

In the Hebrew language the meaning of words is dependant upon how they are used in the
context. In Genesis 2:7 we can see from the context that the word man is not singular, even though
they have translated it as such. It is clear from the context of the Scriptures that male and female
were both in the same body that was formed from the dust of the ground. In Genesis 2:22 it says,
"And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her
unto the man." Therefore, the context of the Scriptures concerning the creation of man shows that
"woman" was in man the day that the LORD formed man of the dust of the ground. This is also
verified by Genesis 2:23 which says, "And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh
of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." This is also verified
by Acts 17:26 which says, "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all
the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation." This is also seen in Hebrews 7:9 which says, "And as I may so say, Levi also, who
receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham." We know that Abraham was dead before Levi was
born, yet the Scriptures cannot be broken... God cannot lie...

Translators can make errors, but God cannot make any errors, Eve was in Adam the day that
man was created, for God created them male and female. Dominion was not given to one person

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alone, it was given to them, male and female (all mankind) for all generations. Jesus operated in this
same dominion that was given to man in Genesis 1:28. The word dominion in the Hebrew is "radah,"
also meaning, "rule, prevail, reign, or ruler." When someone has the position of ruler over something
they have authority to execute justus on behalf of who they have received the position from.

In Genesis 2:7 it says, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Looking at this
closely, we see the body of man was formed of the dust of the ground (earth). Thus man was formed
of the earth, the earth and man were of the same substance. Man belonged to the earth and the earth
belonged to man. The two were of one substance. The dust of the earth became the flesh of man. The
flesh of man belonged to the earth.

We see in Genesis 2:7, the soul of man came by the breath of the LORD. Man's soul, came
from the LORD, therefore, man belonged to God. Man was one of the LORD'S creatures, created
by the Creator of all things. Man belonged to the earth by his body and to God by his soul. Man had
a position between God and the earth, thereby man represented the will of God on earth, and man
presented the needs of the earth to God. Man became the LORD'S representative on earth over all
that the LORD had created on this earth.

When God gave man (male and female), dominion on earth they became God's
representatives on earth. In 2nd Corinthians 5:18,20 it speaks of all those who are in Christ as being
ambassadors for Christ. It says,
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The dominion man has in the New Covenant is that of an ambassador for Christ. Whereas
man in the Old Testament time was only a representative of God on the earth.

A representative or ambassador does not have his own power to control things by his own
ability. He can only negotiate the terms of the one who he represents. Of himself, he has no power.
But an ambassador, or representative has all the power of who he represents to enforce the decisions
of the one he represents.

The LORD makes the decisions and man is used of the LORD to carry out those decisions.
The power of God is manifest through men; not by men. This power operates on earth the same as
it does in heaven. "By the Word of God!" Man speaks the Word of God, and the power of the Spirit
of God causes what God has spoken through man to come to pass.

By the Word of God, and the power of the Spirit of God, all things exist. Hebrews 11:3 says,
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things
which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

The LORD took Eve out of the same body which He formed of the dust of the ground. Eve

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became woman, one taken out of man. Woman was a part of man, taken out of man, to be with man
as his help meet (Gen. 2:18). Therefore, dominion was given to both male and female.

When Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, he did not give man's dominion over to the devil,
he only subjected himself to obey the voice of the devil, thereby taking sin and death upon himself;
which passed upon all generations, (Rom. 5:12).

Many have taught that Satan received man's dominion when Adam sinned in the garden of
Eden. We need to be careful of what we believe. We are accountable for what we teach. A word
from the LORD recently came forth saying, "Those who have taught what they heard other men
teach and have not received it from My Spirit, if they will repent, My grace will cover them!"
SATAN DID NOT RECEIVE ADAM'S DOMINION ON EARTH. The Scriptures verify this
clearly. The dominion on earth was not given to Adam alone, but to all mankind in general; male and
female, who were formed of the dust of the ground, and received a living soul by the breath of the
LORD. It would be well for all who know the truth to repent from any teaching that is not truth from
the Word of God.

Genesis 3:14 says, "And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done
this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt
thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life." Why was the serpent's from changed?
It was because he changed the Word of the LORD, in effect saying that the LORD did not tell Adam
the truth. That is the same as saying that Jesus Christ is a liar! How many Christians would like to
stand before the LORD on the last day, and be asked by JESUS, "Why did you call me a liar?" This
is in effect what is happening world wide today in many Christians churches, they are changing the
Word of God. They have very little respect for the Word of God, and for Jesus Christ who died for
them.

Translators can make errors, but God cannot make any errors, Eve was in Adam the day that
man was created, for God created them male and female. Dominion was not given to one person
alone, it was given to them, male and female (all mankind). Therefore, the dominion that God gave
mankind was not given to the devil when Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. This is a lie that has
been taught by many, not knowing the truth from the Scriptures.

In Luke 4:5-6 it says,

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms
of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for
that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

The devil said, "for that is delivered unto me..." the LORD did not say that! In John 8:44
Jesus said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." Jesus said
the devil is a liar, and there is no truth in him.

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 The Bible proves that the devil lied to Jesus. Daniel 2:37,38 says,
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom,
power, and strength, and glory.
And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the
heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all... Daniel
4:17b says,
...to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Daniel 4:25b says,
...till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will.
In 2nd Chronicles 20:6 it says,
...O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over
all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so
that none is able to withstand thee?
Psalm 103:19 says,
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Romans 13:1 says,
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the
powers that be are ordained of God.
Mankind never lost the dominion given to him by God. The dominion was not given to Adam only,
but to all mankind, to them, male and female...(Gen. 1:27,28). When someone has the position of
ruler over something they have authority to execute justus on behalf of who they have received the
position from. The dominion that God gave to man (male and female) still remained. If we
understand the dominion God gave man in Genesis 1:28, we will see many men of the Old
Testament walking in that dominion.

Let us see just a few examples of dominion in the Old Testament. Enoch, the seventh from
Adam walked in the dominion God gave to man. That dominion included power over death. Genesis
5:21-24 says,
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat
sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5 says, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not
found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that
he pleased God." Enoch is still alive today and never tasted death. What was it that caused Enoch
to walk in that dominion? Amos 3:3 says, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" It is
walking in agreement with God that gives us dominion on earth.

Dominion was given to man because he was God's representative, (ambassador). An

ambassador does not operate by his own power, but by the power of who he represents. His authority
and power is not in himself, but in who he represents. Therefore, the dominion of man is not by
man's power, but by the power of God working through man.

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 Without God, the Holy Spirit, the anointing which we have received of Him (Jesus), we
cannot walk in the dominion given to man. That is why so few people walked in the dominion
following the sin of Adam in the garden of Eden. Yet, many did walk in the dominion given to
mankind before Jesus came into the world; born of a woman, born in the flesh. The dominion all
others in the Old Testament walked in (other than Enoch), was only for short periods of time in their
lives.

Another example is Elijah in 1st Kings 17:1, which says, "And Elijah the Tishbite, who
was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom
I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." Elijah spoke
the Word of the LORD into existence. Therefore, Elijah was representing the LORD on earth,
speaking His Word. If we follow the account given in 1st Kings 17:2-4 we will see that it was the
LORD who inspired Elijah to speak this to king Ahab. It says,
And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Depart from here, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that
is before Jordan.
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens
to feed thee there.

This tells me that it was the LORD that inspired Elijah to speak words that caused it to not
rain. Now let's follow on and see what Elijah did, beginning with verse 5:
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the
brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the
evening; and he drank of the brook.
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no
rain in the land.

Now look what happened after the brook dried up. The LORD did not forget His
representative on earth. It tells us in 1st Kings 17:8-10;
And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have
commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

The LORD'S representative, Elijah, obeyed the LORD. Look what happened.
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold,
the widow woman was there gathering sticks: and he called to her, and said, Bring me,
I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
And as she was going to bring it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a
morsel of bread in thy hand.
And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal
in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may
go in and prepare it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said to her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me of it a little
cake first, and bring it to me, and afterward make for thee and for thy son (1 Kings

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 17:11-13).

Now we are told that Elijah again speaks by the dominion given to man, saying in 1st Kings
17:14, "For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not be used up,
neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth."
Then it tells us,
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house,
ate many days.
And the barrel of meal was not used up, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to
the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Elijah (1 Kings 17:15,16).

The devil was at work trying to destroy what the LORD had given, for 1st Corinthians 15:26
tells us that death is an enemy. Evidently, the spirit of death came to take the boy's life before his
time. Look what happened while Elijah was staying with the widow woman in 1st Kings 17:17-22,
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the
house, fell sick; and his sickness was so grievous, that there was no breath left in him.
And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come
to me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
And he said to her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried
him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
And he cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil
upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to the LORD, and said,
O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again,
and he revived.

This raising a child from the dead is evidence of the dominion God gave to man in Genesis
1:28. Elijah was the LORD'S representative on earth and when Elijah prayed, God answered, and
the child's life was restored. Verses 23 and 24 says,
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down from the chamber into the house, and
delivered him to his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that
the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
Notice the widow woman said, "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the
word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth." This is evidence that Elijah represented God by the
Word of the LORD being in his mouth. This seventeenth chapter of 1st Kings is only one example
of the dominion God had given man in Genesis 1:28.

In James 5:17,18 it says,

Elijah was a man subject (of the same nature, that is, a fellow mortal being) to like
passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on
the earth by the space of three years and six months.
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.

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 Elijah was not without sin and death as a result of what happened to Adam in the garden of
Eden. Yet, I believe Elijah walked in the dominion that God had given to man in Genesis 1:28. Later,
when Elijah's work as a prophet of God was finished on this earth, Elijah also, like Enoch did not
die, but was taken up by the LORD into heaven. In 2nd Kings 2:11 it says, "And it came to pass,
as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of
fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

Let's look at another man who represented the LORD on behalf of man, and the earth. In
Joshua 10:12-14, it says,
Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites
before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still
upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves
upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in
the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the
voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

With careful study of this account we can clearly see that Joshua relied upon the LORD to
fulfill that which he had spoken. The dominion Joshua had over the sun and the moon was that
which God had given mankind in Genesis 1:28. There are many examples of this dominion in the
Old Testament, these are just a few.

When Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, came into the earth He exercised the same dominion that
was given to man in the beginning. Jesus walked in the authority which God had given to man. Satan
had no power over Jesus, and Jesus never obeyed the voice of the devil (as Adam and Eve did in the
garden of Eden). Jesus only obeyed the voice of God the Father; therefore there was no sin in Jesus.
Jesus walked in the dominion given to man by God (Gen. 1:28), and did the will of God the Father
on earth as the Son of Man. Jesus did not use any of His Godly powers, but "...took upon Himself
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:7).

Sin is obeying the voice of someone who is not obeying God. Whether it be Satan himself
or one of his followers. Righteousness is obeying the voice of God. We become righteous when we
believe on Jesus Christ who God hath sent into this world to represent the Father. Jesus came, not
only to represent God the Father, but to became the mediator between God and mankind (1 Tim.
2:5). He is our advocate, redeemer, savior, etc. because, being the second Adam, He fulfilled all
righteous for mankind (male and female).

There was no sin in Jesus, therefore, in Christ we are also made righteous by His
righteousness. Our sins are paid for in full by the blood of Jesus which He shed for us. Satan has no
legal claim upon those who walk in the light of the Word of God and confess their sins (1 John 1:6-
10). We are the righteousness of God in Christ, as long as we remain in Him and walk in the light
of the Word of God.

Sin can be defined in many ways, one way is; "sin is disobedience to God and obedience to

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the devil or anyone who is obeying the devil." In the beginning (Gen. 3:1-6), Eve was deceived by
the serpent when she obeyed his voice and ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Then Adam
obeyed the voice of Eve and did eat also (Gen. 3:6,17). Adam was not deceived, but Eve was (1 Tim.
2:14). In doing so Adam sinned against God. Adam's sin was disobeying the voice of the LORD. In
Genesis 3:11 it says, "And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the
tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"

Adam was not ashamed because of his nakedness before he sinned. His awareness of his
nakedness was made known by his sin. We could say "his sin found him out." What was the
condition that caused Adam to become conscience of his nakedness? The New Testament gives us
a clearer view of this condition. In 2nd Cor. 2:11, 4:4, 10:5 it says,
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
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.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

The words "devices, minds, and thought" are all the same word in the Greek. This means they
all have a common meaning; that is, Satan's device is the thoughts that he puts in our minds. A
thought is the first step to what a person says or does. Normally, a person does not say anything
without first thinking about what he is going to say. Normally a person does not do anything without
first thinking about what he is going to do.

The condition of Adam's actions (making aprons of fig leaves) was a result of thoughts that
Satan put in his mind; following his first action of obeying the wrong voice. The thought to obey the
wrong voice came in the form of thoughts which Adam received when Eve gave him to eat of the
fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If Adam would have obeyed the voice of the LORD
in Genesis 2:17, he would not have sinned. Adam opened the door for Satan to freely place thoughts
in the minds of mankind, thoughts to disobey God; which is called sin.

Even today, these thoughts come to people everywhere, and everyone is guilty of obeying at
least one of these thoughts from the demonic forces. As Adam disobeyed the LORD, every Christian
has also disobeyed the LORD by obeying the thoughts that did not come from God. Remember, the
LORD's question to Adam in Genesis 3:11 was, "...Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast
thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" Adam and Eve
were always naked before sin entered their lives; yet this nakedness did not cause them to become
ashamed until sin entered their lives. Genesis 2:25 says, "And they were both naked, the man and
his wife, and were not ashamed." When a person is ashamed of something, they are conscious of
their sins; their conscience makes known to them their wrong doing.

Christians today, should walk in the same dominion and authority that Enoch, Joshua, Elijah,
and Jesus walked in. All it takes is a total commitment to lay our lives down at the Cross, study the
Word of God, and be doers of the Word, not just hearers only.

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 As Christians, serving the LORD of Lords, and King of kings, we should get to know the
truth from the Scriptures concerning things such as dominion, that we also can walk in the dominion
and authority God has given us in Christ Jesus. To walk in dominion and authority, we need to know
the TRUTH, from the Word of God, and set aside all of man's teachings and doctrines that hinder
us from living as the Word of God tells us we should live....

To walk in the truth, we need to know the truth as it is taught; first by the Truth (Jesus Christ
Himself). Jesus said in John 14:6, "...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me." Once we are born again of the Spirit (John 3:6), we are in Him and He is
in us (John 17:23).

In Matthew 10:1 it says, "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave
them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and
all manner of disease." When the seventy were sent out in Luke 10:1-16 they had power "in Jesus'
name" to cast out devils. In Luke 10:17-19 it says,
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto
us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the
power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

This same power over the all the works of the devil is given unto us also. We receive this
power when we receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5,8).

Jesus does not give someone something, and then take it back again....once we have the
power, by the anointing, we are authorized to use that power against all the works of the devil. In His
name, and through His name, all evil spirits are bound and cast out as we speak the Word of God
over every manifestation of every evil spirit.

There is power in Jesus' name, and in the blood of Jesus. As we use His name, and place the
blood of Jesus over us; the Spirit of God moves on our behalf, casting out every evil force that we
command to leave. This power to bind and loose (Matt. 16:19), is given to every born again, Spirit
filled Christian, that believes in Jesus' name. It is through faith in Jesus' name that we have dominion
on earth.

There is nothing too hard for the LORD (Gen. 18:14), "With God, nothing is impossible"
(Luke 1:37), "all things are possible to him that believes" (Mark 9:23).

When we understand what the Word of God says about us in Christ, and who Jesus Christ
really is, there is no evil spirit that can stand against us.
Acts 17:28, says, For in him we live, and move, and have our being...
Ephesians 2:6 says, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:9,10 says, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

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 Colossians 3:3 says, For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

As long as "we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

The light is His Word, for Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
light unto my path." Our path is where we walk. His Word is a path for us to follow and a lamp
or light to know the way... His Word gives us the light to know "the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
(which is Jesus Christ, Himself).

The dominion that man had before sin entered into the world is nothing, compared to the
dominion we have in Christ Jesus. Because of Him, by Him, and through Him, we have victory over
every work of the devil. Satan is bound and the captives are set free, by the blood of the Lamb, and
the name of Jesus; "that name which is above every name, in heaven, in earth, and under the
earth" (Phil. 2:9,10). There is power in that name, and His name has been given unto us, for we are
in Him, and He is in us...Praise His Holy Name!

"If God be for us, who can be against us" (Rom. 8:31)? We know that God cannot be
against us, for He is in us, and we are in Him. Our fellowship with Him establishes our walk in the
light as He is in the light, while the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. In 1st John 1:7,
it says, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." To walk in the light of His
Word, we must also confess our sins when we know we have sinned. In 1st John 1:9 it says, "If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." This walking in the light and confessing our sins keeps us in perfect fellowship
with the Father and the Son.

With sin being cleansed from us, God is pleased with us. When God is pleased with us we
can walk by faith, and come boldly before the throne of grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16). It is our
faith that pleases God (Heb. 10:38, 11:6).

O the blood, the blood of the everlasting Covenant, the same blood that set us free, can
keep us free. It is the blood of the everlasting covenant through which Jesus Himself was raised from
the dead. Hebrews 13:20 says, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant."
That blood that Jesus shed for our sins is everlasting. Jesus Himself, was cleansed from our sins by
His own blood, when the Spirit of God brought Him back from the dead "through the blood of the
everlasting covenant."

Tell the devil he is a liar, and the father of lies. Jesus set us free, and we are free because of
the blood that was shed on Calvary for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). By His blood, and
through His blood we have redemption and forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:18, Rom. 3:24). Satan has
no power over us (Luke 10:19).

Satan, the devil has power in the spiritual realm to tempt, and deceive by use of spiritual

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beings subject to himself. To the world itself, Satan can cause destruction by way of "storms (Mark
4:37), winds (Job 1:19), etc. And to human beings, Satan can cause physical problems such as
infirmities (Luke 13:12,16), destruction of the flesh (1 Cor. 5:5), whereas his demons can cause a
person to become insane (Mark 5:2,8,15), deaf and dumb (Matt. 9:32,33, Mark 9:25), lunatick (Matt.
17:15,18), etc. Yet, Christians who walk and live in dominion have all power over all the works of
the devil.

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 DOMINION
OLD COVENANT
OR
NEW COVENANT?

Before we can be effective in the dominion God gave to mankind, we must understand the
difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Certain operations are different
between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

In the Old Covenant, people were only born of the flesh. They were natural descendants of
Adam. They were not born of the Spirit.

In the New Covenant we must be born again of the Spirit; otherwise we are not under the
New Covenant. Only those who are born again of the Spirit are under the New Covenant. Jesus said,
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (John 3:6,7).

Those who are only born of the flesh, born into this world of natural parents, through a
natural birth are natural people. A natural person is not a spiritual person. In 1st Corinthians 15:45-
48 says,
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was
made a quickening spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual (Adam was not spiritual), but that which
is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they
also that are heavenly.

Being that the people of the Old Covenants were not spiritual, they lived and operated by
their natural abilities. In the Old Testament, when the Children of Israel went into the promised land
(the land of Canaan), they called up their soldiers, armed them with swords, shields, bows and
arrows, and other weapons of warfare. They fought their enemies, killing all the inhabitants of the
land, even sometimes destroying the cattle, and all their possessions. The weapons of their warfare
were carnal.

In the time of Elijah the prophet, in 1st Kings 18:37-40, Elijah called fire down from
heaven... "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and
the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench" (1 Kings 18:38). Then
in 1st Kings 18:40 it says, "And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one
of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and
slew them there."

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 Now look at the New Testament in Luke 9:51-56, it says,
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he
stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the
Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we
command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are
of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went
to another village.

What about the New Covenant? It tells us in 2nd Corinthians 10:3,4, and Ephesians 6:12,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds)."
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places.

Our enemies are not people, they are the spiritual rulers of darkness; the principalities and
powers of darkness in high places controlling the minds and thoughts of people who walk in
darkness; not understanding the light. Darkness represents the works of the devil. Light represents
the works of God. Darkness is overcome by light. The works of Satan are overcome by the works
of God. "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6).
Not by our power, or might, but by the power of the Spirit of God working through us..

Our battle in the New Covenant is not against people, it is against the spiritual powers of the
devil; the power to blind the minds of people against the gospel of Christ. The blinding of their
minds causes them to not believe the gospel of Christ. In 2nd Corinthians 4:4 it says, "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 word "gospel"
means GOOD NEWS! The word "Christ" means the ANOINTING! The blinding of their minds
by the god of this world causes doubt and unbelief. By this doubt and unbelief they do not believe
THE GOOD NEWS OF THE ANOINTING!

Every person in the body of Christ must overcome this doubt and unbelief of the Word of
God. This doubt and unbelief entered mankind in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate of the
tree of knowledge of good and evil. We must learn to believe the Word of God, and not the thoughts
that come to our minds contrary to the Word of God concerning His Children. We must believe the
Word of God even when our mind does not want to believe it. God's Word is true, and we must force
our mind to receive the Word of God; regardless of what it thinks, or imagines. In 2nd Corinthians
10:5 it says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God (the Word of God), and bringing into captivity every thought to the

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obedience of Christ."

Every thought must agree with the Word of God concerning His Children... What God says
about us as His children must take authority over every thought in our mind. The principalities,
powers, and rulers of the darkness may have power; but they cannot stand against the Word of God
and the Anointing in us.

We do not use physical weapons of warfare, we use spiritual weapons. The sword of the
Spirit, which is the Word of God is our weapon (Eph. 6:17). We use the Word of God, empowered
by the Spirit of God to tare down the powers of darkness, the rulers of this world and set the captives
free... The words we speak, under the anointing, "by the power of the Spirit of God within us" are
mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, destroying the works of darkness. Jesus
said in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over
all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

In the New Covenant, we operate by the Word of God and the power of the Spirit of God,
through prayer, and taking authority in the spirit realm, over all the powers of the enemy, Satan and
his demons. The words we speak by the anointing in us destroys the works of the devil. We do not
use the world's weapons of warfare, we use the weapons of God furnished to us by God, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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 OUR
DOMINION

Two things are necessary for us to walk in dominion. First we must understand our position
of dominion. Our dominion is given to us as ambassadors of God. To represent God, we must be in
the image and likeness of God. Today, that image and likeness of God includes that of Jesus Christ,
His Son. Colossians 1:15, speaking of Jesus says, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn of every creature." Hebrews 1:3, speaking of Jesus says, "Who being the brightness
of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his
power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high."

We can see that Jesus Christ, the second Adam, is the exact image of God the Father. In John
14:9,10 it says,
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known
me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then Shew
us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak
unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

It is up to those who are born again of the Spirit into the family of God, to bear the image of
Jesus, who is "the express image of God." In 1st Corinthians 15:49 it says, "And as we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

Romans 8:29 says, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." The
plan of God for our lives is that we bear the image of Jesus Christ. Insomuch as God has already
done His part in the lives of those who are born again, it is now up to us to maintain that position in
Christ. In 1st Timothy 6:12a it says, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called..." Colossians 1:12-14 says,
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

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 God has called us, and through the new birth "born of the Spirit," He has given us eternal
life. Yet to bear the image of "Christ," we must have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us also. Just as Jesus
needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit at the age of thirty, we also need to be filled with the Holy
Spirit. This filling of the Holy Spirit comes with "the baptism with the Spirit." Those who are born
again, and not baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues do not have
the power of God in them. They are not anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. In Luke 4:18,19,
Jesus said,
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, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Jesus was not anointed with the Spirit of God until He was about thirty years old. Following
His baptism with water by John the Baptist, after He came out of the water, God the Father anointed
Him with the Holy Spirit and power. At that time they saw the Spirit of God descend upon Him like
a dove (Matt. 3:16). Before that time, for thirty years, Jesus was the Son of God, but without any
power to do miracles. The first miracle Jesus did was in Cana of Galilee, where He turned water into
wine (John 2:11). After Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, He was endued with power from
on high. Acts 10:38 says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God
was with him."

Jesus' disciples received the Holy Spirit the same day that Jesus was raised from the dead
(John 20:21,22). It says,
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the
Holy Ghost.

When Jesus breathed on them, they:

(1) were "born again of the Spirit" (John 3:6,7).
(2) became "one body," (Eph. 4:4). They became a part of the body of Christ.
(3) became "one Spirit," (Eph. 4:4). The Holy Spirit placed them in the body of Christ.
(4) submitted to "One Lord," (Eph. 4:5). Our LORD Jesus Christ became their head, LORD
of their life.
(5) received "one faith," (Eph. 4:5, Rom. 12:3). They received a measure of faith.
(6) were submerged by "one baptism," (Eph. 4:5, 1 Cor. 12:12). They were baptized into
the body of Christ.
(7) they had "One God and Father," (Eph. 4:6, John 14:20,23, 2 John 1:9). God became
their Father.

Even with all this, after receiving the Holy Spirit the same day Jesus rose from the dead;
forty-days later Jesus said to these very same disciples in Acts 1:4,5,8;
...wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not

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 many days hence....
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus, even though He was the Son of God, did not have the power to do miracles until after
He was anointed (filled with the Holy Spirit) at the age of thirty. Christians, who are first born again
of the Spirit, do not have the power to do miracles until after they are baptized (filled) with the Holy
Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

In 1st Corinthians 15:49 it says, "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall
also bear the image of the heavenly." To bear the image of the heavenly, we must have the power
of God in us, as Jesus had the power of God in Him. He was anointed, and we must also be anointed
with the same Holy Spirit and power.

Therefore, in Romans 8:9 it says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be
that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none
of his." The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ is "the Spirit of Jesus" whom God
made to be Christ (Acts 2:36). The word "Christ," means Anointed.

Our position is not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if we are born again of the Spirit. Those who
are not born again are not in Christ. They are still of this world, and Satan is still in control of their
lives. Yet, to enter into the kingdom of God, we must have the anointing in us. Romans 14:17 says,
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the
Holy Ghost." Jesus said in John 3:3, "...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The new birth must come "before we can see
(understand) the kingdom of God." We do not enter the kingdom of God during the new birth. We
only enter the family of God by becoming children of God, born of the Spirit. We enter the kingdom
of after we are born again of the Spirit when we permit the Holy Spirit to have control in our lives.

In John 3:5, Jesus said, "...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Again, Jesus said, we must first be
born of water and of the Spirit, before we can enter into the kingdom of God.

Why is it so important to be baptized with the Holy Spirit after we are born again? Because
it is through the baptism with the Holy Spirit that we receive the power to "walk in the Spirit, and
not in the flesh" (Rom. 8:1-8). We must have power to "mortify the deeds of the flesh (through
the Spirit)." Romans 8:13 says to those who are Christ's, born of the Spirit and filled with the Spirit;
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of
the body, ye shall live." If we want to live, we must mortify the deeds of the flesh "through the
Spirit," by the power of the Holy Spirit, the anointing, dwelling in us.

We must first have the Spirit of God in control in our lives by the anointing. Then we must
keep the Spirit of God in control of our lives. It is up to us to maintain this life unto the end. In
Matthew 24:11-13 says,

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 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

In Colossians 3:8-17, it is summed up for us what we need to do to maintain our eternal life
in Christ Jesus. It says,
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him
that created him:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,
Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one
body; and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to
the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by him.

Therefore, we must bear the image of Christ. The image of Christ is shown in the way we see
Him in the Word of God.

Colossians 3:8,9 tells us, we must put off the following; "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication, lying one to another, and all the deeds of the old man." Colossians
3:12-14 tells us, we must put on the following;
Holy and beloved bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.

We are living in the last days that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:24, where He said, "For
there shall arise false Christs (Anointings), and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and
wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Who are "the very elect" which will not be deceived? We were just told in Colossians 3:12.
They are among those who "put on the image of Christ, and put off the deeds of the old man."
In 2 Peter 1:3-11 says,

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 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye
might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten
that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Yet, there are none that cannot be deceived, for Jesus said the only reason the very elect will
not be deceived is because the time has been shortened, and He will return before those who are
remaining are also deceived (Matt. 24:22). Take heed lest any think more highly of themselves,
"thinking that they can stand;" lest they fall.

God did His part by giving us eternal life in His Son. Now it is up to us to "lay hold onto
that eternal life and make our calling and election sure unto the end" (1 Tim. 6:12, Matt. 24:13).

It is important that we be not ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Cor. 2:11). We must know and
understand the devices of the devil, how to identify them and how to overcome them. These devices
of Satan operate by evil spirits, under the control of the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2).
These evil spirits do manifest in the flesh of Christians. We must overcome them to walk in the
Spirit (Rom. 8:1). This is a part of the war we must fight, as it says in 2nd Corinthians 10:3,4,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds;)
Our weapons are "mighty through God," "through the Spirit, we mortify the deeds of the flesh"
(Rom. 8:13). We cannot overcome these spirits that try to manifest in our flesh by our own power,
we must have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to overcome them. Through "speaking in tongues"
and spiritual warfare "in the spirit realm," we overcome the deeds of the flesh.

Our enemy is the manifestation of evil spirits in the flesh. Some of these are (listed
alphabetically):
abominable (Tit. 1:16, 1 Peter 4:3, Rev. 21:8)
adultery, adulterers (Matt. 15:19, 19:18, Mark 7:21, Rom. 2:22, 13:9, 1 Cor. 6:9, Heb.
13:4, James 4:4, Rev. 2:2)
anger (Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8)
backbiters (Rom. 1:30)

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blasphemies (Matt. 12:31, 15:19, Mark 7:22, Col. 3:8, 1 Tim. 1:20, 2 Tim. 3:2, Tit. 2:5, Rev.
2:9)
boasters (Rom 1:30, 2 Tim. 3:2, James 3:5, 4:16)
covenantbreakers (Rom. 1:31)
coveted, covetous, covetousness (Mark 7:22, Luke 12:15, Rom. 1:29, 13:9, 1 Cor. 5:10,11,
6:10, Eph. 5:3,5, Col. 3:5, 1 Tim. 3:3, 6:10, 2 Tim. 3:2, Heb. 13:5, 2 Peter 2:3,14)
debate (Rom. 1:29)
deceit, vain deceit (Mark 7:22, Rom. 1:29, 3:13, Col. 2:8)
despiteful, despite (Rom. 1:30, Heb. 10:29)
division, divisions (Rom. 16:17, 1 Cor. 1:10, 3:3, 11:18)
drunkards, drunken, drunkenness (Luke 12:45, 21:34, Rom. 13:13, 1 Cor. 5:11, 6:10,
Gal. 5:21, Eph. 5:18)
effeminate (1 Cor. 6:9)
emulations (Gal. 5:20)
evil concupiscence (Col. 3:5, 1 Thes. 4:5)
evil speaking (Eph. 4:31)
evil thoughts (Matt. 15:19, Mark 7:21, James 2:4)
exalted, exalteth (Matt. 23:12, Luke 14:11, 2 Cor. 10:5, 12:7, 2 Thes. 2:4, 1 Peter 5:6)
extortion, extortioners (Matt. 23:25, 1 Cor. 5:10,11, 6:10)
excess of wine (1 Peter 4:3)
false prophets (Matt. 7:15, 24:11, 24:24, Acts 13:6, 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 4:1)
false witness (Matt. 15:19, 19:18, Mark 10:19, Rom. 13:9)
fearful (Rev. 21:8)
filthiness (2 Cor. 7:1, Eph. 5:4, James 1:21)
filthy communication (Col. 3:8)
filthy lucre (1 Tim. 3:3, 3:8, Titus 1:7,11, 1 Peter 5:2)
foolish (Matt. 25:2,3,8, Rom. 1:21, Gal. 3:1,3, 1 Tim. 6:9, 2 Tim. 2:23, Titus 3:9 1 Peter
2:15)
foolishness (Mark 7:22)
foolish talking (Eph. 5:4)
fornication, fornications, fornicator, fornicators (Matt. 15:19, Acts 15:20,29, 21:25, Rom.
1:29 1 Cor. 5:1,9,10,11, 6:9,13, 7:12, 10:8, 2 Cor. 12:21, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 5:3, Col. 3:5, 1
Thes. 4:3, Heb. 12:16, Jude 1:7, Rev. 2:14,20,21, 9:21, 14:8, 17:2,4, 18:3,9, 19:2)
greedy, greedily, greediness (Eph. 4:19, 1 Tim. 3:3,8, Jude 1:11)
haters of God, hateful, hateth, hatred (Rom. 1:30, Gal. 5:20, Titus 3:3, 1 John 2:9,11,
3:15, 4:20)
heresies (1 Cor. 11:19, Gal. 5:20, 2 Peter 2:1)
idolatry, idolater, idolaters, idolatries (1 Cor. 5:10,11, 6:9, 10:7, 10:14, Gal. 5:20, Eph.
5:5, Col. 3:5, 1 Peter 4:3, Rev. 21:8)
implacable (Rom. 1:31)
inordinate affection (Col. 3:5)
jesting (Eph. 5:4)
lasciviousness (Mark 7:22, 2 Cor. 12:21, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 4:19, 1 Peter 4:3, Jude 1:4)
liars, lying (Eph. 4:25, 2 Thes. 2:9, 1 Tim. 1:10, Titus 1:12, Rev. 2:2, 21:8,
lusts (Mark 4:19, Rom. 1:24, Rom. 6:12, 13:14, Gal. 5:24, Eph. 2:3, 4:22, 1 Tim. 6:9, 2 Tim.

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 2:22, 3:6, 4:3, Titus 2:12, 3:3, James 4:1,3, 1 Peter 1:14, 2:11, 4:2,3, 2 Peter 2:18, 3:3, Jude
1:16,18)
malice (1 Cor. 5:8, Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 2:1)
malignity (Rom. 1:29)
manslayers (1 Tim. 1:9)
menstealers (1 Tim. 1:10)
murder, murders, murderers (Matt. 15:19, 19:18, Rom. 1:29, Gal. 5:21, 1 Tim. 1:9, 1
Peter 4:15, 1 John 3:15, Rev. 21:8, 22:15)
perjured persons (1 Tim. 1:10)
pride, proud (Mark 7:22, Rom. 1:30, 1 Tim. 3:6, 6:4, 2 Tim. 3:2, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, 1
John 2:16)
revilers revellings (1 Cor. 6:10, Gal. 5:21, 1 Peter 4:3)
seditions (Gal. 5:20)
sorcerer, sorcerers, sorceries (Acts 13:6,8, Rev. 9:21, 21:8, 22:15)
strife, strifes (Rom. 13:13, 1 Cor. 3:3, 2 Cor. 12:20, Gal. 5:20, Phil. 1:15, 2:3, 1 Tim. 6:4,
2 Tim. 2:23, James 3:14,16)
surfeiting (Luke 21:34)
thefts, thieves, thief (Matt. 15:19, Mark 7:22, 1 Cor. 6:10, 1 Peter 4:15, Rev. 9:21)
unbelieving (Titus 1:15, Rev. 21:8)
uncleanness (Rom. 1:24, 6:19, 2 Cor. 12:21, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 4:19, 5:3, Col. 3:5, 1 Thes. 4:7,
2 Peter 2:10)
unmerciful (Rom. 1:31)
unrighteous, unrighteousness, own righteousness (Rom. 1:18,29, 2:8, 3:5, 6:13, 1 Cor.
6:9, 2 Cor. 6:14, 2 Thes. 2:10, 2:12, 2 Peter 2:13,15, 1 John 5:17)
vain babblings, vain deceit, vain glory, vain imaginations, vain jangling, vain talkers,
vain words (Gal. 5:26, Eph. 5:6, Col. 2:8, 1 Tim. 1:6, 6:20, 2 Tim. 2:16, 1 Titus 1:10, 3:9)
variance (Gal. 5:20)
whisperers (Rom. 1:29, 2 Cor. 12:20)
whoremonger, whoremongers (Eph. 5:5, 1 Tim. 1:10, Heb. 13:4, Rev. 21:8, 22:15)
wickedness (Mark 7:22, Rom. 1:29, 1 Cor. 5:8, Eph. 6:12, 1 John 5:19)
witchcraft (Gal. 5:20)
wrath (Rom. 1:18, 2:5,8, Gal. 5:20, Eph. 4:31, 6:4, Col. 3:8, 1 Tim 2:8, James 1:19,20)

All of the above are from the New Testament. There are others listed in the Old Testament
and New Testament also, which must be overcome; such as,
lying spirits (2 Kings 21:22)
Jezebel spirit (1 Kings 16:31, Rev. 2:20)
familiar spirits (1 Sam. 28:7)
sorcery (Acts 8:9, Rev. 9:21)
spirits of divination (Acts 16:16)
false prophets, false prophecies (Prov. 25:14, Jer. 14:14,15, 23:32, Zech 10:2, Matt. 7:15,
Acts 13:6, 2 Cor. 11:13,14, 2 Peter 2:1)

All the previously mentioned spirits are subject to those who permit them to manifest. These
manifestations start by thoughts in our minds. All thoughts must be brought into obedience to the

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anointing within us. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).

To bear the image of Jesus Christ, we must come against all thoughts that do not agree with
the Word of God; and statements made by Jesus concerning Himself and those speaking of Jesus in
the Epistles. We must be followers of Jesus, in His image and likeness...
(1) Jesus denied Himself and did only the will of God the Father...
(A) John 5:30 says, I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father
which hath sent me.
(B) John 6:38 says, For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but
the will of him that sent me.
(2) Jesus did only that which He saw His Father do...
(A) John 5:19 says, Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do:
for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
(B) John 5:20 says, For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things
that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may
marvel.
(3) Jesus only spoke that which he saw of His Father...
(A) John 8:38 says, I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do
that which ye have seen with your father.
(4) Jesus spoke that which He heard of God...
(A) John 8:40 says, But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the
truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
(5) Jesus did not judge after the flesh...
(A) John 8:15 says, Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
(6) Jesus did not raise up or exalt Himself....
(A) John 8:54 says, Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing:
it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God.
(B) Hebrews 5:8 says, Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the
things which he suffered.
(C) Philippians 2:7 says, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
(7) Jesus humbled Himself...
(A) Philippians 2:8 says, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

We must also become a disciple of Jesus, according to His Words.

(1) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,
then are ye my disciples indeed (John 8:31).
(2) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide
in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same

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 bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:4,5).

The blessings for obedience comes when we overcome the works of the devil in our lives.
As we abide in Jesus' Words, and His Words abide in us:
(1) We have power over all the works of the devil. Behold, I give unto you power to tread
on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by
any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).
(2) We have the keys to the kingdom. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom
of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19).
(3) We have power in His name. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands
on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17,18).
(4) We have forgiveness of sin through His blood. But if we walk in the light, as he is in
the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
(4) We have the blood of the everlasting Covenant. Now the God of peace, that brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the
blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Heb. 13:20,21).

We must set aside all works of the flesh, all doubt and all unbelief, and go forth in the power
of His Word, led by the Spirit of God and be doers of His Word, not hearers only. Let nothing stand
in our way of bringing others into the family of God, and into the fullness of Christ. We must "set
the captives free," and make disciples of every nation (nationality). There should be no division of
race, creed, or color, but all are one in Christ Jesus...

We must not judge people after the flesh. Jesus said in John 8:15, "Ye judge after the flesh;
I judge no man." Isaiah 11:3 tells us how Jesus judges. "And shall make him of quick
understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears."

Jesus set the example for us to follow; not judging after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If a
person is not in Christ, we need to do whatever we can to bring them to the knowledge of God and
of Jesus Christ, that they can receive Jesus as their LORD and Savior. If they are in Christ, we need
to search out and come against the spirits that are holding them captive. Set the captives free of all
demonic activity in their minds and in their bodies. We have the power in the name of Jesus, and by
the blood of the everlasting covenant to set them free. They must be set free, that they can also do
the works of God from their heart, not just become religious and act like they are Christians.
Christians must be doers of the Word of God, not just hearers only.

We must not become UNBALANCED, by becoming "sin conscious!" It is the will of God
for those in His family, to become "righteousness conscious!" We cannot overcome the works of

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the flesh by ourselves, it can only be done "through the Spirit of God working in and through
us." Therefore, as children of God let us set behind us all works of unrighteousness and enter into
fellowship with God the Father and the Son. In 1st John 1:6-10 it says,
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the
truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We must never give up hope.... In 1st John 2:1-3 it says,
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the
whole world.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Therefore, if we miss the mark, repent, confess our sins, "bringing every thought into obedience
of Christ." Then,
...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil (Eph. 6:10,11).

The whole armor of God is that which God has given us to protect us against all the works
of the devil. This armor includes;
(1) "...our loins girt about with truth..." (Eph. 6:14)
(2) "...the breastplate of righteousness..." (Eph. 6:14)
(3) "...the preparation of the gospel of peace..." (Eph. 6:15)
(4) "...the shield of faith..." (Eph. 6:16)
(5) "...the helmet of salvation..." (Eph. 6:17)
(6) "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Eph. 6:17)
(7) "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..." (Eph. 6:18)

These seven things are needed to wrestle "...against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph.
6:12). It is only by overcoming these principalities, and rulers of the darkness that we can do the will
of God in our lives. God's will for us is to "...have dominion over all the works of the devil..."
This dominion can only be had through the power of God's Spirit confirming the Word of God as
we speak it out of our mouth.

Therefore, we must speak the Word of God, that the Spirit of God can act upon it. Men of
God have been doing this from the time of Adam until now. Only there have been far too few doing
it. Satan has blinded the minds of many that they do not believe the dominion God has given us
"through His Word." There are a number of ways to speak the Word of God so the Spirit of God can
confirm it (cause it to come to pass). DOMINION is ours when we do things according to His Will

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and His Word. Dominion is not based upon our righteousness, but on His righteousness. If we are
in Christ Jesus WE HAVE DOMINION!

(1) We are all saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8,9).

(2) "praise and worship God in everything," (2 Thes. 5:18).
(3) Put God in remembrance of what He has promised (Isa. 43:26).
(4) Put the devil in remembrance of "what is written" (Matt. 4:4,7,10).
(5) Use the authority given to us (Mark 16:17,18, Luke 10:19).
(A) in the name of Jesus! (Mark 16:17).
(B) under the blood of the everlasting Covenant! (Heb. 13:20,21).
(C) praying always with all prayer in the Spirit! (Eph. 6:18, Jude 1:20).
(6) keeping our conscience clean through the confession of known sins! (1 John 1:9).
(7) fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life! (1 Tim. 6:12).

In Isaiah 43:26 it says, "Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that
thou mayest be justified." It's not wrong to put God in remembrance of the promises He has made
to us. Every promise God has ever made will be kept by God, but we must put Him in remembrance,
as He instructed us. Jesus said,
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified
in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it (John 14:13,14).

Jesus told us to ask, thereby we are putting Him in remembrance of what He said He would
do. The whole purpose for asking is not just to remind Him, nor that we can expect to receive. The
purpose is "...that the Father may be glorified in the Son." God the Father is glorified in the Son
every time we ask for the power of God to defeat the devil in any of his wicked works. God gets
glorified every time someone is healed of any sickness or disease. God gets glorified every time
someone gets a blessing from God in their lives. God gets the glory for everything the Holy Spirit
does for us in our lives.

When we put God in remembrance, He does whatsoever He is reminded of; simply, because
He promised to do it in His Word. His Word cannot fail, nor will it ever cease to be true. "But the
word of the Lord endureth for ever" (1 Peter 1:25). The Spirit of God always confirms the Word
of God when it is acted upon and spoken in faith.

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 OVERCOMING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH

To overcome the works of the flesh, we must understand that the flesh is controlled by our
mind. Our thoughts control our actions. Everything our flesh does is controlled by the thoughts of
our mind. Romans 8:1-8 is written to Spirit-filled Christians. It specifically tells us that if we walk
after the flesh we become enemies of God... Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit." Then it says,
Those who live as their human nature tells them to live, have their minds controlled by
what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds
controlled by what the Spirit wants
To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results
in life and peace (Rom. 8:5,6 GNB).

This is then explained, saying,

And so a person becomes an enemy of God when he is controlled by his human nature;
for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it.
Those who obey their human nature cannot please God (Rom. 8:7,8, GNB).
We condemn ourselves when we live after the flesh (our human nature). By human nature we are
enemies of God. For we are siding with the Devil against God. But, if we walk and live after the
Holy Spirit, the Word of God will give us life and peace.

If we do not believe God's Word, it is the same as saying it is not true... That is what the
serpent told Eve in Genesis 3:4,5. Eve believed the words of the serpent, instead of believing the
Word of God. We must decide who we will believe, the thoughts that come to our mind, or the Word
of God?

By believing the Word of God we can know the truth, and the truth can set us free of all the
works of the flesh, and of the devil in our minds. Our minds must be transformed by renewing them
on the Word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

To do the perfect will of God, we must take control of our thoughts, keep then in agreement
with the Word of God. Amos 3:3 says, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" God will
never change, therefore we must change, and this change starts by controlling our thoughts. In 2nd
Corinthians 10:5 it says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ." When every thought is brought into obedience to the anointing within us, these spirits
cannot manifest. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you." Submit unto the God the Holy Spirit first, then resist the devil and he will flee.

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Spirits cannot stand against the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are submitted to the Holy Spirit,
other spirits will have no power in our lives. We must separate ourselves from the things of this
world and serve the Living God of heaven, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Colossians 3:3 says,
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." We need to operate from the Spirit,
not from the flesh. Jesus is our example: We must follow Him in everything we do...

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 OVERCOMING DOUBT

Doubt is overcome by renewing our mind on the Word of God, not being conformed to this
world. Romans 12:2 tells us, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God." The Holy Spirit is our helper, guide, comforter, and teacher. Therefore, by constant
communication with the Holy Spirit, doubt is overcome. This constant communication with the Holy
Spirit is kept by "...building up ourselves on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost"
(Jude 1:20). Also by daily reading, meditation, and speaking the Word of God, concerning what God
says about those who are His children. This daily renewing of our mind on the knowledge of the
Word of God concerning His children helps us to overcome doubt concerning our position in Christ.

In the three temptations recorded in Matthew 4:1-11 and in Luke 4:1-13, Jesus overcame
doubt by quoting the Word of God to the devil. In Matthew 4:4,7,10, Jesus said,
...It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God.
...It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
...Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and
him only shalt thou serve.

Quoting the Word of God concerning what God says is our position in Christ, and using our
authority given to us by Jesus, the Word of God will overcome all doubt. Look what God says about
those who are in Christ; In John 15:16, Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen
you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should
remain: that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you." Jesus said,
you have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you... Why did Jesus choose you and I? In John 17:14-16
it says,
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

The Word of God is truth... Jesus said of those who are born again, "they are not of this
world, even as He is not of this world..." Believing the Words of Jesus and acting upon them will
help to overcome doubt. The believing must get into our heart, not just our mind, if we are to
overcome doubt. We can get this believing from our mind into our heart by reading, meditating, and
speaking the Word of God "out loud" over and over, day after day. This is what God told Joshua in
Joshua 1:8. It still works for us today.

Faith overcomes doubt. Just as doubt is not from God, it must be overcome by that which is
from God. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of

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God." The more we hear the Word of God the more faith will come. The more faith we get, the less
doubt we will have to overcome. The greater our faith, the weaker the doubt.

When we are unable to read the Word of God out loud, we can pray in the Holy Spirit. Jude
1:20 says, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Ghost." Using the Word of God, and praying in the Spirit daily, will increase our faith.

Doubt first came by Eve questioning the Word of God. Jesus is the "Word of God"
manifested in the flesh (John 1:1,2,14). Therefore believing Jesus' Words will help to overcome
doubt. Believing what the Word of God says about us in the Epistles helps to overcome doubt.

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 OVERCOMING UNBELIEF

Unbelief is overcome by constantly reading, meditation, and speaking the Word of God "out
loud" concerning the things God has done in the past... Reminding ourselves "what He did for others
He will also do for us." He is not a respecter of persons. Peter said in Acts 10:34,35,
...Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with
him.
Therefore, in as much as Jesus died for one, He died for all...
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one (Rom. 3:10).
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law
(Rom. 3:28).
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness (Rom. 4:3).
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8,9).
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the
law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all
them that believe... (Rom. 3:21,22).

If God said it, who are we to doubt God? Satan is a liar, God tells the truth... His Word is
Truth.... He cannot lie...

Keeping in mind that Jesus is our example. It is His image that we must walk in; doing things
the way Jesus did them. Therefore, it is good to constantly remind ourselves of what Jesus said. We
can take a Bible with red lettering (where the words of Jesus are in red) and read "out loud" over and
over the words printed in read. This will help to renew our minds, and get the Word of God into our
heart. Then, out of our heart will flow the issues of life... Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep thy heart with
all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Therefore, let us renew our mind on the things that
Jesus said in the four gospels.

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 Looking Back
in Time

Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Therefore, we are told in the
Scriptures that from the time Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, sin and death reigned in
all mankind (except Jesus).

What is this sin that passed upon all men? Sin is rebellion against God, listening to the voice
of another. When Eve listened to the voice of the serpent in the garden of Eden she opened up her
mind to receive that which was not from God. If we permit thoughts contrary to the Word of God
to have control in our lives, we are subjecting ourselves to other spirits. What happened to Eve, also
happened to Adam. What happened to Adam was passed down unto all generations.

What happened, can be called "the transfer of spirits." Spirits that continued to pass from
generation to generation through the blood line from Adam on. There are certain spirits that entered
the lives of Adam and Eve as a result of them agreeing with the spirits that brought sin into mankind.

First, two spirits entered Eve in the garden of Eden, "the spirits of doubt and of unbelief."
The first was doubt. Eve listened to and received the spirit of doubt when the serpent said to Eve,
"Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Gen. 3:1).
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the
garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall
not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die (Gen. 3:2,3).

Although Eve made a statement in reply to the serpent, doubt was already there when she
added to what God had said. The spirit of doubt usually adds something to the truth. This spirit
comes in the form of thoughts of trying to defend one's position.

Then the spirit of unbelief entered when the serpent said, "Ye shall not surely die: For God
doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as
gods, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:4,5). When Eve no longer believed God, or the Word of
God, the spirit of unbelief was in control.

A total of five major spirits started to operate in the life of Eve.

(1) The first one is called "the spirit of doubt."
(A) these are thoughts that cause someone to doubt the Word of God.
(2) The second one is called "the spirit of unbelief."
(A) these are thoughts that cause someone to reject the Word of God.

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 (3) The third one is called "lust of the flesh." Genesis 3:6a says, "And when the woman
saw that the tree was good for food...,"
(A) The lust of the flesh centers upon self.
(B) Genesis 3:7 says, "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew
that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves
aprons."
(C) Sins against the use of the body to glorify God, start with the lust of the flesh.
Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is your reasonable service."
In 1st Corinthians 6:15 it says, "Know ye not that your bodies are the members
of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members
of an harlot? God forbid."
(4) The fourth one is called "the lust of the eyes." Genesis 3:6b says, "...and that it was
pleasant to the eyes..."
The lust of the eyes is the desire for worldly things, position, and power over others.
Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God"
(5) The fifth one is called "the pride of life." Genesis 3:6c says, "...and a tree to be
desired to make one wise..."
Pride, self-exhortation, domination over others are evidences of this spirit.
Romans 12:3 says, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man
that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;
but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of
faith"

In 1st John 2:16 it makes it clear to us that these spirits are not of God the Father, but of this
world. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." We are told in 1st John 2:15, "...love not the
world, neither the things that are in the world." If we do, then the love of God the Father is not
in us. Therefore, we must strive to overcome these spirits in our lives.

Therefore, a total of five known spirits entered mankind through Adam and Eve; "doubt,
unbelief, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life." These spirits must be overcome in
our lives to walk with God and live in the likeness and image of God. These five different classes
of demonic spirits came into Eve when she did not resist them. "...she took of the fruit thereof, and
did eat..." Not only did she eat of the fruit, but it also says, "...and gave also unto her husband
with her; and he did eat" (Gen. 3:6). By this, these spirits also entered into Adam. Eve was
deceived, but Adam was not (1 Tim. 2:14).

How did Eve give to Adam, and how did he eat also? In Genesis 3:17 the LORD said to
Adam, "Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree..."
Hearkened means "listened with the intention of obeying." Therefore, both Adam and Eve sinned
by listening to "the voice of another," "not the voice of God." These spirits manifest in the lives of

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every individual from Adam on (except Jesus, who was not born of the blood of Adam).

The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life must be overcome by "self-denial,"
denying ourself like Jesus did when He said, "I seek not Mine own will, but only the will of the
Father which hath sent Me" (John 5:30). To those who will follow Jesus, He said, "If any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:24).

Doubt is overcome by knowing "who you are in Christ," what God says concerning His
children. Unbelief is overcome by the Word of God concerning what God says we can do, and the
authority we have to do it. Overcoming both of these are helped by the name of Jesus (Mark
16:16,17), the blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony (Rev. 12:11).

Sin always identifies a work of Satan in some form or other, for the Scripture says, "He that
committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning...." (1 John 3:8).

Therefore, from the time of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, God has sent His Word
into the world, concerning sin and righteousness. Sin is a work of the devil and righteousness is a
work of God. These two are opposite of each other. Yet, we know from the Scriptures that;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh God. They are all gone out
of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no,
not one....
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:10-12,22).

The first Adam was created perfect, without these spirits operating within him until he sinned
in the garden of Eden. Jesus Christ, the second Adam, the Son of God, is the only one who came into
this world following Adam and Eve without sin and death in Him. All others (except Jesus) were
born with sin in them, and death reigns in their flesh. Jesus never permitted any of these five spirits
to operate in His life. Therefore, He was without sin. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 says, "For he hath made
him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him." We, who have sinned are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; being we are in Him
and He is in us.

Sin is the work of the devil and evil spirits of this world, manifesting in the minds and bodies
of every person alive on earth today. Christians are not exempt from these spirits. Christians minds
are blinded by the god of this world to prevent them from believing in the Good News of the
Anointing which can set them free.

What are we to do about this condition, whereby the devil is causing peoples minds to fail
them when it comes to knowing the truth that can set them free? We are told over and over by God
to "believe in Him and in His Son, Jesus Christ; who can and will set us free of all the works of the
devil, if we will obey His voice..."

How do we obey the voice of the LORD? We start by knowing the conditions that exist
within the world and within ourselves. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:6-9;

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 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will
abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the
LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

What God did not tell the children of Israel at that time, but has revealed it to us of the New
Covenant is that "many of their thoughts were not their thoughts either," but many of their
thoughts were the works of the spirits of this world in their minds, blinding them from the truth of
the Word of God. Ephesians 2:2,3,12 says,
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others.
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God
in the world.

This is very clear that the thoughts that control our lives were under the control of the prince
of the power of the air (Satanic influence) before we came to Christ. Even after we are born again,
if we do not bring our thoughts into subject to Christ, (the anointing within us), we will still be under
Satan's control in our thought realm. Therefore, for us who live under the New Covenant, we are
told;
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: (For the weapons
of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong
holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled
(2 Cor. 10:3-6).

First, we must be obedient to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
(the anointing), then be ready to punish all other disobedience.... The word "punish" means "to
protect, defend one person from another." Thereby, setting them free of all spiritual operations in
their lives caused by others as well as from within themselves.

Before we can obey 2nd Corinthians 10:5, we must have the anointing within us. When we
are born again of the Spirit (John 3:6), we become true children of God. We are not of this world,
but born from above by the power of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God baptizes us into the body
of Christ, and we become members of His body the Church. John 1:11-13 says,

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 He (Jesus) came to his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name:
Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of
God.

Our second birth, born again of the Spirit is a complete work of God in the lives of everyone
who will receive Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Ephesians 4:4-6 says,
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

When we are born again the One Spirit (the Holy Spirit), baptizes us into one body (the
body of Christ - 1 Cor. 12:13), where there is only One Lord (our LORD Jesus Christ), one faith
(which we receive from God), one baptism (by which we are submerged into the body of Christ),
receiving not only the LORD Jesus Christ, but also God the Father. This is all done in one
complete action by the Spirit of God in an instant of time. Instantly, when we believe on the LORD
Jesus Christ and receive Him, we become a new creature in Christ (the Anointed).

Following our new birth into the body of Christ there is another important blessing promised
us from the time of Abraham. Galatians 3:13,14 tells us;
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is
written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that
we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The curse of the law is not just the law of Moses in Deuteronomy, but it is also the law of sin
and death from the time of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Jesus took upon Himself every
curse, and redeemed us from all curses; "that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith."

This promise of the Spirit is "the Spirit of God" dwelling in us as it says in Ezekiel
36:26,27,
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take
away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall
keep my judgments, and do them.

Ezekiel 36:26 talks about the new heart and new spirit we receive in the new birth (John
1:11-13), when we are baptized into the body of Christ (Eph. 4:4-6); being born again of the Spirit
(John 3:6). Then Ezekiel 36:27 speaks of receiving the Holy Spirit Himself within us, to cause us
to walk in God's statues and keep His judgment, by doing them. This is what is commonly known
as the baptism with the Holy Spirit that John the Baptist spoke of.

With the Holy Spirit comes the anointing; the power of God to be witnesses unto Jesus

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throughout the world (Acts 1:8). With the anointing (the power of God in us), we can do the works
of our LORD Jesus Christ; destroying the works of the devil in our lives and in the lives of others.
It is the anointing that will break the yoke of bondage in the lives of every person that is set free (Isa.
10:27).

Just as Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power to destroy the works of the devil
(Acts 10:38), so are we anointed with the same Holy Spirit and the same power to destroy the works
of the devil in the lives of others once we have overcome the devil in our lives.

We must first overcome the devil in our lives. James 4:6-8 says,
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
to the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and
purify your hearts, ye double minded.

We must first humble ourselves before God, then resist the devil, and he will flee from us.
We cannot be double minded when it comes to the works of God in our lives. In James it says,
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:7,8).
Double minded means "wavering, uncertain, doubting; divided in interest."

Let us therefore get wisdom, get knowledge, and get understanding...Let us not be like the
ostrich, "Because God hath withheld wisdom from her, neither hath he imparted to her
understanding" (Job 39:17). God has offered to us all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

The Scriptures says,

If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him. (James 1:5).
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to
desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding. (Col. 1:9).
That ye may walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Col. 1:10)
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:3).
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him
that created him (Col 3:10).

God has given us His Word, that we may have all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding
of all things pertaining to man, and God's purpose for the creation of mankind. By His wisdom,
knowledge, and understanding we can walk with Him in newness of life forever being with the
LORD in all eternity.

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