Bible Expounded

A Reiteration: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are Separate Beings

2008-02-02T10:05:00.000-05:00

Jeffrey R. Holland gave an excellent sermon on the Godhead. If you haven't seen it, you must.

Here is the video:
Windows Media Player

He dispels myths about what much of modern Christianity term the Trinity. God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are not one in substance. Jesus Christ has a body of flesh and bone as the Holy Bible asserts. Please have ears to hear.

Here is the text:
The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent

Baptism for the Dead

2006-04-02T20:41:00.000-04:00

We know from the Holy Bible that Jesus Christ rose from the dead during the resurrection. We also know that we should be baptized as Jesus Christ was baptized to be saved. Some people die without knowledge of baptism or Jesus, so are they condemned to hell? After all, they do need baptism. Wait, and I'll explain.

The verse after this paragraph shows that baptism was accepted--even practiced for the dead in Bible days. No, they didn't baptize dead bodies; living individuals were baptized vicariously for those that were dead. The dead were then able to accept or reject this baptism while located in a place where spirits reside after death but before the ressurrection.

I Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

So what is this verse about? It's clear that baptism for the dead is accepted and practiced, not questioned by the verse. The question of the verse is about the resurrection. Biblical peoples like the Sadducees didn't believe in supernatural beings. In other words, Paul says: Of course there is a resurrection; if there is no life after death, why are we practicing baptism for the dead when they don't exist to accept or reject it?

So the Holy Bible shows that Paul embraced and supported the merciful practice of baptism for the dead. A kind loving God would make such a thing possible. Otherwise, all people who ever die without knowledge of baptism would be condemned without getting a fair chance.

Keywords not found above: baptism, immersion, Heavenly Father, John the Baptist, King James Version

Saved by works, faith or grace? ...or all of them?

2006-03-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

The word of God, the scriptures, are like a puzzle. If you take one piece and hold it, the overall beauty and message is lost. Put it all together, and the view is beautiful.

The gospel is like a car. If you take one piece, say the exhaust pipe, that one piece doesn't constitute the car, and it won't function alone. If you have most pieces of the car, you may get it to go, but it may not run smoothly. You need the whole car with all pieces intact for the vehicle to function correctly.

There is a argument between those for grace, divine help, and those for works. Some say we are saved by grace alone, and so it would seem, if you only read the following:

Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began...

But that is just ONE scripture, one piece of the puzzle. Other verses say we are saved by faith. Here is a verse about what Jesus Christ says:

Luke 7: 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

So, we are saved by faith? But what is faith. Faith is belief in an unseen thing. Faith in Christ is the most important faith we can have. Faith is stronger than belief, though:

James 2 :17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

There we have it-- works are required for faith. And faith in Christ is part of grace as another scripture says:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Clearly, grace is "through faith," and "faith without works is dead."

The pure grace proponents say only grace is involved in our salvation, but they contradict themselves. How? They admit you must accept Jesus or declare Jesus as your Savior to be saved. To accept and to declare are verbs, actions, works. Do you see my point? Even the people who say it is only by grace that we are saved, admit you must do something.

Really, the answer is a hybrid. The Holy Bible indicates that we are saved by grace and by faith and by works. A topic for another time questions whose works and whose faith. Anyway, in the end, God is the Judge, so let's do everything we can to please Him-- do good works, have faith, hope for grace.

Judgement day: more than just heaven and hell

2006-03-05T21:27:00.000-05:00

Where do we go after God judges us? A simple answer is heaven or hell. In one sense that is correct; either we are damned, our progress is stopped, and we go to "hell," or we are judged to be with God and go to "heaven."

The Holy Bible indicates that that description is an oversimplification. Jesus says:

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Many mansions are in the Father's kingdom. Rarely on earth are houses identical. Further explanation follows:

I Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

There we have it-- three kingdoms exist. One is like the sun, one is like the moon, and one is like the stars. It is abundantly clear that there are at least three kindoms of glory. More proof of such a concept is shown by the following excerpt:

II Corinthians 12:2 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.

Since there are different levels in God's kingdom, it follows that there are different qualifications for entry into each level. It is incumbent on each of us to find out where we want to go and why. We need to research how to get there.

Some people say a belief in Jesus Christ is a prerequisite to entry into heaven. Which heaven? Do we need to do something to be judged worthy to enter the "third heaven?"

Revelation still exists; rather, the heavens are open

2006-02-28T20:10:00.000-05:00

Some people say that God doesn't talk to men. Some people say that God doesn't reveal His will to men. Some people say that no more prophets like Moses are called. What is the truth?

There is revelation. The heavens are open. God speaks now as in olden times. Prophets are called. Personal revelation(to individuals and families) and collective revelation(to the Church through authorized servants) are part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament says:

Ex. 18:15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Moses prayed to God for the Church, and God has prophets to guide the people.

The New Testament says:

Col. 4: 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Matt. 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Why would we pray if we didn't expect answers? Why would Christ teach us to pray in vain. Answers to prayers are revelation.

At times, it is said that Peter or Christ was the last prophet. But, after Jesus ascended, John the Revelator continued to receive revelation-- it is even called "Revelation." His life continued even after Peter was dead. Today, in keeping with the Holy Bible, Heavenly Father still calls prophets.

God (Heavenly Father) and Jesus Christ have immortal bodies

2006-02-19T15:17:00.000-05:00

It is a big lie to say that God is devoid of body, parts, and passions. To say thus is also in contradiction with the Holy Bible. In Genesis, it says:

Gen. 1: 26 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.

We are created in God's image. He has a body with arms, legs, eyes, mouth, etc. Jacob says as much:

Gen. 32: 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Moses says the LORD has a face. And he speaks to the LORD as a friend would:

Ex. 33: 11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Christ taught us the following:

Matt. 5: 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

John 5: 19 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.

Christ says that we should be as the Father. Christ does what "he seetheth the Father do." Christ obtains a body, dies, is resurrected and then ascends:

Acts 1: 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight

Men saw Christ with a body ascend into Heaven. Did Christ drop his body once He got to Heaven. No. Stephen saw Christ, and not only Christ, but the Father also:

Acts 7: 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Let's not forget that Jesus also eats with the Apstles and lets them touch His body to verify that it is Him. But, can we, like the Apostles, see Jesus? Christ taught:

John 6: 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

To say that God and Jesus don't have bodies is incorrect and in contradiction to the scriptures. In fact, it diminishes the importance of the Saviour's earthly mission-- the atonement. The atonement overcomes physical and spiritual death. Christ was resurrected to be perfect like the Father, and we will be resurrected because of Christ. Wonderful.

One more thing, the importance of having a body is witnessed of by devils as well. Why would these unembodied spirits try to possess humans and even pigs if the body wasn't important. The body is important and that's one reason we are here on earth-- to obtain one.

Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are Separate Beings

2006-02-18T17:04:00.000-05:00

What does the Holy Bible say about the trinity, trine, or triunity? First, let's define these terms. We'll say that the trinity is the idea that God (the Father), Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one being in form and purpose. If that is the definition of trinity, then it is only partly correct.

To summarize, the Three are separate in form and one in purpose.Let me start my argument with this scripture:

1 Cor. 14: 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

This idea where God is like water and he changes form is confusing. This idea where Jesus prays to himself is confusing. Christ taught:

Matt. 6: 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Clearly, the Father is in heaven. Christ was born on this Earth. Christ prayed so much while on this Earth, but is he praying to himself? Of course not. It would be extremely confusing if Christ were to pray to Himself-- He constantly spoke of the Father as a third Person. Even on the cross, He spoke to the Father.

Satan is the Author of confusion and has tried to keep men in the dark about the true nature of God. The scriptures are clear that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate in form and location:

Mark 1: 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Is Christ being a ventriloquist to confuse us here? The Word is very precise in Mark: Jesus came from Nazareth, the Spirit descendeded on Him, and the Father's voice came from heaven. Three Beings, three actions, three different people. They have been separate from the beginning:

Gen. 3: 22 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...

"us..." "us?" Yes, "us." "us" is plural, meaning more than one. Even Satan can't get rid of all the evidence about the true nature of God and His Son and the Holy Ghost.

The ten commandments teach us to worship one God. Christ taught us to worship the Father in His name. There is no conflict or confusion in God's Word:

1 Cor. 8: 6 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.

...But, the Lord does speak symbolically at times. Here's what a selection of various scriptures says:

Matt. 19: 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Rom. 12: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Rom. 15: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 12: 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Gal. 3: 28 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

Philip. 1: 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with bone cmind striving together for the faith of the gospel

As married partners, we are not literally one flesh. As Christians, we are not one person. God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are not one person. We are one in spirit, in purpose, and in motivation-- to bring glory to God. It's that simple. We don't have to try to get our minds around this abstract idea that God prays to Himself.

You lived before you came to the Earth

2006-02-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

The Holy Bible indicates that we lived before we came to this earthly sphere. Doesn't that make it more meaningful? Maybe we knew each other. Maybe we made promises to each other.

Jeremiah records a wonderful passage-- very clear:

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God says he knew Jeremiah before he ever formed him in the belly-- very clear.

Here is another verse:

Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Wasn't Satan around in the beginning to tempt Adam and Eve? He was cast from some previous location. He knew Adam and wanted to destroy him, but Adam didn't remember Satan. Later, Satan tries to destroy Christ.

But, here is a beautiful story:

Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost...

John the Baptist, while inside his mother, felt a familiar presence when Jesus came near-- even while in the womb. John remembered Jesus.

As Christ grew and traveled others remembered him too:

Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Satan and his followers seem to remember us from the premortal existence. They recognized the Son and didn't want to be tormented before the end.

So, why can't we remember? Ah, that is the question. Can you imagine going into a test with all the answers? It wouldn't be a test. Here on earth we must use faith to get us through.

Let me explain another way. If you had coal and a diamond in front of you, which would you pick? If you could see God above and His abode in all its glory and you could see the temptations of this world (momentary pleasures like deceit, fornication, theft, drugs, etc.) which would you choose.

We see our true character when left here on earth. There would be little to tempt us if we could see the glory of before.

The Bible says...

2006-02-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

I've said it. You've said it. You know the situation-- you're talking about some gospel point and you can't quite remember where the scripture is, so you say, "The Bible says (insert paraphrased gibberish)."

We all wish we could quote the book, chapter, verse and exact wording that relate to our important topic. When we don't know where and what the scriptures say, we almost lose credibility with those to whom we are talking. Sometimes, we even go further and say, "I can't remember where, but the Bible says (insert more gibberish)"

Really, it's embarrassing.

We need to learn more about the Bible we are trying to quote. We could start carrying a Bible around everywhere to reference (and that would be wonderful), or we could actually learn and remember what our Bible is saying. Doing both would be even better.

Another point, sometimes those sidewalk conversations are very surface; I don't mean in feeling, love or conviction but in research and thought. I once read a quote (the author is lost on me) that went something like this: "I don't know what I think; I've never written about it." Serious independent reading and writing allow us to inspect, investigate, and solidify our thoughts and feelings under the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

We need to take time to let the Holy Ghost teach us. John 14:26 says:

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Preachers preach, men expound, people talk, but the Holy Ghost teaches "all things." Don't depend on the arm of flesh. Don't read my words and accept them automatically. All things must be tempered by the impressions that come to you from God through the Holy Ghost. That is the gem-- that men may know truth as it comes from God. The heavens are open.

So my motivation in starting this weblog is to address three deficiencies in myself. First, I miss missionary work, and I don't feel that I do enough. Second, I want to learn more about what the Bible says and means. Third, I want more social interaction; it seems that society is becoming more housebound with the advent of technology-- interaction with some people is becoming limited to the internet and other electronic devices.