The event of baptism of Andrew Kingsly Raj

When I was in third standard, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.  The Lord has set me apart for Himself.  From an early age, I was interested in directing souls toward the kingdom of God. When I told a young man on the street about the Lord, he kicked me.  I returned home with bleeding.  My dad convinced me.  Then several meetings (Children meet, youth meet, camping centre,etc.,.) carved me.  I was engaged in ministries such as street sermons, village meetings, etc.  The congregation (church) kept watching over me (1 Timothy 3: 1).  Then I informed the congregation (church) of my desire to be baptized in the year 2019.  I was baptized on 24: 02.2021 (even crucified with Christ; no longer I, but He that liveth in me.)

 Baptism: Letting the world know that I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.

 I found this Lockdown as a blessing. A great chance to read and meditate on scriptures.  As per Mark 16:15 [Then he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature] I began to spread the gospel via online.  Then by the great grace of the Lord I began to make several posts under the name of AKR Ministries.  I praise the Lord for thinking that the Lord uses me in this way. All Glory and honour be to God alone. Amen. 

Betray one another

MANY ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE DAYS IN WHICH WE ARE LIVING...IF NEIGHBORS REPORTING NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TELLING THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT "Law Breakers," IS TOLD ABOUT IN THE BIBLE.

YES, IT IS.

These following scriptures are now being fulfilled before our eyes!  The obvious one is the rapture.  It's going to happen in the time before the catching away of the church!  But this next set of verses hasn't happened yet!

Matthew 24:40-44  "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43. 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. 44. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

This scripture timing is similar to the following verses speaking of divided families and neighborhoods!  Here in these days there is very little sense of community!

Isaiah 3:5  "And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable."

I believe that the ancient refers to God Almighty!  Few have respect today of God who will judge the earth with fire and brimstone in the final days!

Companion verses regarding end day divisions are here:

Luke 12:51-53  "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52. For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

Jesus purpose upon our planet was to show us that we couldn't keep the law.  That makes everyone a sinner, because ONLY Jesus Christ was able to keep the law!  He lived a perfect life!  

Then he died on the cross IN OUR PLACE, paying for our sins...all of them!  Then on the third day He arose from the grave according to the scriptures showing that He WAS God!

These scriptures also show us the end days in which we live....when the government encourages you to report those who are not following their rules.  (This is just how it went in Nazi Germany!)

That's the reason why He came...were sinners in need of a Saviour!

Jesus rose Himself from the dead, we too can be resurrected as he was if we believe this gospel account of Jesus.  The gospel is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.  Believing this, admitting to God that you're a sinner (we ALL are!) and asking Jesus to save you will save your soul from an eternity of burning in darkness!  You will be able to enjoy the joy of eternity in heaven with God!

Trust your soul to Jesus Christ today!

We're in the throes of the last days of the church before Jesus removes those of us who are saved!

Tomorrow is promised to no one!

The event of the baptism of Andrew Kingsly Raj |ஆண்ட்ரு கிங்ஸ்லி ராஜ் ஞானஸ்நானம் பெற்ற நிகழ்வு -2019

(English)
When I was in third standard, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. The Lord has set me apart for Himself. From an early age, I was interested in directing souls toward the kingdom of God. When I told a young man on the street about the Lord, he kicked me. I returned home with bleeding. My dad convinced me. Then several meetings (Children meet, youth meet, camping centre,etc.,.) carved me. I was engaged in ministries such as street sermons, village meetings, etc. The congregation (church) kept watching over me (1 Timothy 3: 1). Then I informed the congregation (church) of my desire to be baptized in the year 2019. I was baptized on 24: 02.2019 (even crucified with Christ; no longer I, but He that liveth in me.)

Baptism: Letting the world know that I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.
I found this Lockdown as a blessing. A great chance to read and meditate on scriptures. As per Mark 16:15 [Then he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature] I began to spread the gospel via online. Then by the great grace of the Lord I began to make several posts under the name of AKR Ministries. I praise the Lord for thinking that the Lord uses me in this way. All Glory and honour be to God alone. Amen.

(Tamil)
நான் மூன்றாம் வகுப்பு படிக்கும்போது ஆண்டவராகிய இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவை என் சொந்த இரட்சராக ஏற்றுக் கொண்டேன். கர்த்தர் என்னை தமக்கென பிரித்தெடுத்தாரர். சிறு வயதிலிருந்தே ஆத்துமாக்களை தேவனுடைய ராஜ்யத்திற்கு நேராய் வழி நடத்த ஆர்வம் கொண்டேன். தெருவில் ஒரு வாலிபனிடம் ஆண்டவரைப் பற்றி சொன்ன போது என்னை எட்டி உதைத்தான். குருதி வடிய வீடு திரும்பினேன். என் அப்பா என்னை சமாதானப்படுத்தினார். பின் பல கூடுகைகள் என்னை செதுக்கின. எனது தெருவில் துண்டு பிரதி மூலம் ஆண்டவருடைய அன்பை சொல்லிக்கொண்டிருந்த நான் சபையாருடன் சேர்ந்து தெரு பிரசங்கங்கள், கிராமங்கள் சந்திப்பு போன்ற ஊழியங்களில் ஈடுபட்டேன். என்னை சபையார் கண்காணித்துக்கொண்டு வந்தனர் (1 தீமோ 3:1). பின்னர் 2019 ஆவது வருடம் ஞானஸ்நானம் எடுக்கும்படியான என்னுடைய விருப்பத்தை சபைக்கு தெரியப்படுத்தினேன். 24:02.2019 அன்று ஞானஸ்நானம் பெற்றேன் ( கிறுஸ்துவுடனே கூட சிலுவையில் அறையப்பட்டேன்; இனி நான் அல்ல, அவரே என்னில் பிழைத்திருக்கிறார்.

ஞானஸ்நானம்: கர்த்தராகிய இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவை ஏற்றக் கொண்டேன் என உலகத்திற்கு தெரியப்படுத்துதல்.

இந்த லாக்டவுன் வேத வசனங்களை தெளிவாக படிக்க எனக்கு கிடைத்த தருணம். மாற்கு 16:15 [பின்பு, அவர் அவர்களை நோக்கி: நீங்கள் உலகமெங்கும் போய், சர்வ சிருஷ்டிக்கும் சுவிசேஷத்தைப் பிரசங்கியுங்கள்.] இன் படி சுவிஷேசத்தை ஆன்லைன் வழியாக பரப்ப ஆரம்பித்தேன். பின்பு கர்த்தருடைய பெரிதான கிருபையால் ஏ கே ஆர் மினிஸ்ட்ரீஸ் என்னும் பெயரில் பல பதிவுகனை பதிவிட ஆரம்பித்தேன். ஆண்டவர் என்னை இவ்வண்ணமாய் பயன்படுத்துவதை நினைத்து ஆண்டவரை துதிக்கிறேன். அவர் ஒருவருக்கே துதியும் கனமும் மகிமையும் இன்றும் என்றும் சதாகாலங்களிலும் உண்டாவதாக. ஆமென்

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
15 பின்பு, அவர் அவர்களை நோக்கி: நீங்கள் உலகமெங்கும்போய், சர்வ சிருஷ்டிக்கும் சுவிசேஷத்தைப் பிரசங்கியுங்கள்.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
16 விசுவாசமுள்ளவனாகி ஞானஸ்நானம் பெற்றவன் இரட்சிக்கப்படுவான்; விசுவாசியாதவனோ ஆக்கினைக்குள்ளாகத் தீர்க்கப்படுவான்.

Mark 16:15,16
மாற்கு 16:15,16

Prayer in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate

THIS INTERESTING PRAYER WAS GIVEN IN KANSAS, FOUR YEARS AGO AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THEIR SENATE.  IT SEEMS THAT GOD-DIRECTED PRAYER STILL UPSETS SOME PEOPLE!

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says: "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done.

* We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

* We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.

* We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

* We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.

* We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

* We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

* We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

* We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

* We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

* We have abused power and called it politics.

* We have embezzled public funds and called it essential expenses.

* We have insitutionalised bribery and called it sweets of office.

* We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

*We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

* We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh GOD, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.  

The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.

With the LORD'S help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and WHOLEHEARTEDLY become our desire so that we again can be called "ONE NATION UNDER GOD."

Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world. How many people on your list will not receive this prayer.

Do you have the boldness to pass it on?

I HAVE, AND I HAVE JUST SHOWN IT BY FORWARDING THIS TO YOU. GO ON FORWARD IT!!!

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF FAITH

Brethren have held from their beginning that a follower of Jesus must hold correct doctrinal beliefs, but also be able to demonstrate visibly the new life they have received in Christ Jesus.

SIMPLY PUT: OUR LIVES MUST BEAR FRUIT. DOCTRINE ISN’T SHOWN JUST THROUGH HEAD KNOWLEDGE, BUT THROUGH AN ENTIRE LIFE THAT TESTIFIES THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. FOR THIS REASON BRETHREN LIFE, LIKE BRETHREN BELIEF, CENTERS ON JESUS CHRIST.

God has made available to us in Christ and the Spirit, in Scripture and the church, all the resources needed to live the life of faith. By His life Christ exemplified the walk to which we are called; by His death, He made possible renewed fellowship with the Father; by His resurrection, He revealed the power that is available to us. The Holy Spirit now enables us as God’s children to live in obedience to Scripture and grow in spiritual maturity. Scripture provides the teaching and example of Jesus and the apostles which we are to follow as a loving response to God and as a means of glorifying Him. The church is the gathered community which nurtures believers in the life of faith. Using these resources, we can demonstrate the new birth through new behavior. What we are by faith in Christ we are to become by faithfulness to our Lord.

Below: Marker at the site of the first Brethren baptism in America in Philadelphia, PA

Salvation:

Salvation is both an event and a process: it is an accomplished fact, a continuing walk, and a future hope. Always the gift of God, salvation is received by repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, both witnessed to through water baptism. In faithfulness to His promises, God adopts believers as His children, forgiving their sins and giving them His Holy Spirit. They in turn demonstrate their faith by obeying the commands of Christ and following His example in daily living. Scripture uses various terms to describe aspects of salvation, but ultimately it means Christ-likeness conformity to the image of God’s Son by the work of His Spirit within us. To that end we are kept by the power of God, which operates through our faith.

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Phil. 1:6; Col. 2:6; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-10; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; John 1:12; Gal. 4:4-5; Acts 2:38; Matt. 22:34-40; Eph. 4:17-24; 1 John 2:4-6; Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 1:5

Sin:

His own image with freedom to obey or disobey Him. As a result of their disobedient choice, sin entered our race and its effects of guilt and corruption have passed on to every person. The image of God, though not destroyed, is now distorted. Sin dwells in all people, making them unable to please God or to escape its power in their lives. The penalty of sin is death, but a new, right relationship with God is promised to those who accept life in Christ Jesus.

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Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:17; Rom. 5:12-19; Gen. 9:5-6; Matt. 7:11; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 7:18-25; Rom. 8:6-8; Rom. 6:23; John 1:12

THE BIBLE

Brethren doctrine centers on Jesus Christ as the living Word of God. The Holy Spirit progressively revealed God’s one plan of salvation in Christ from its first promise in the Old Testament to its fulfillment in the New. Given in human words in history, the Scriptures of both Testaments are the inspired Word of God, authoritative, trustworthy, and true in every respect. The New Testament, witnessing to the climax of that history, is the final rule of faith and life for the church. As an expression of grateful love to God, Brethren believe and obey the Bible, for only the written Word reveals to us Jesus Christ, the living Word.

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John 1:1-4; John 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:10-11; Gen. 3:15; Matt. 5:17-20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; John 10:35; Heb. 1:1-2; John 14:15; John 14:21-23; 1 John 5:3; John 5:39; John 5:45-47; Luke 24:25-27; Luke 24:44-47

THE CHURCH

God’s purpose in human history is to form a people for His own glory. This purpose, begun in the Old Testament nation of Israel, is continued in the New Testament church, which is founded upon Jesus Christ. He calls it to be a visible body of His followers, extending His own ministry in the world. It is composed of all who have received Him as saving Lord and have committed themselves to being His faithful disciples. This one body finds expression in local communities of believers who are responding to the call of God. Through mutual submission they covenant together for the purposes of worship, nurture, evangelism, and service.

God in His gracious love gave to the church special gifts through His Spirit. These gifts, varied and numerous, have but one purpose: to strengthen the body by equipping each member for ministry. Love is the framework in which the gifts operate and guides their use for the common good.

God also gave to the church ordinances, symbolic rites established by the command and example of our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles. They are pledges of our faithfulness to Him, visible declarations of the gospel, and necessary expressions of an obedient faith. The ordinances include baptism by trine immersion; confirmation by the laying on of hands; the threefold communion service consisting of the washing of feet, the love feast, and the bread and cup; and the anointing of the sick with oil. The ordinances uniformly testify to the gracious work of the triune God for His people in the past, in the present, and in the future.

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Deut. 7:6-8; Isaiah 43:5-7; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:11; Matt. 5:13-16; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Acts 2:28-41; Matt. 16:24-26; 1 Cor. 1:2; Col. 1:2; Eph. 5:18-21; Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; Eph. 4:7-16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:12; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Eph. 4:15-16; John 13:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:26; John 13:15; Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 9:10-19; John 13:1-17; 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 1 Cor. 11:23-29; Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:23-29; Mark 6:13; James 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 11:26

WORSHIP

The church worships when believers gather to praise and honor the living God. His nature and works call forth responses of reverence, submission, adoration, and celebration. These responses take the forms of reading and declaring His Word, praying, singing, giving, and other activities that glorify God. The worship experience should never be taken lightly. It requires preparing the heart, focusing the mind, exercising the will, and the participation of each worshiper. True worship glorifies God and renews His people.

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1 Chr. 16:7-36; Ps. 8:1-9; Ps. 100:1-5; Rom. 11:33-36; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:18-20; John 4:23-24; Rom. 12:1-2; Ps. 33:1; Heb. 12:28-29

FELLOWSHIP

The source of Christian fellowship is our relationship with God restored through Christ. Fellowship is the bond that forms as God joins believers to one another in Christ’s body by His Spirit. True fellowship is Christ-centered, resulting in a unity which is based on truth, love, and humility. Therefore togetherness without substance, emotion without obedience, or tolerance without caring cannot be fellowship. Genuine fellowship will produce a sense of mutual concern, wholehearted service, and abiding joy. The nearest the church approaches the divine ideal of fellowship is in the experience of the communion service.

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1 John 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:1-6; Eph. 4:14-16; Phil. 2:1-4; John 13:34-35; Gal. 5:13-15; 1 John 1:3-4

DISCIPLESHIP

Jesus calls people to follow Him, learn from Him, and bring others to Him. This lifelong process is discipleship. It begins as the Holy Spirit leads persons to repentance and faith in Christ. It continues as they use the resources available in Christ and the Spirit, in Scripture and the church, to grow in the life of faith. The church is responsible to shepherd and nurture believers in their growth. Discipleship is not optional for the Christian. The life goal of every believer is Christlikeness.

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Matt. 11:28-30; Matt. 16:24-26; Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 14:25-33; Phil. 4:19; John 16:13-14; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 10:23-25; Eph. 4:11-16; Matt. 7:21-23

STEWARDSHIP

God has entrusted to all persons resources to manage during their lifetime; for example, life, family, time, abilities, opportunities, and material possessions. While providing these for our enjoyment, He likewise instructs believers to entrust all back to Him, to be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share. Because our culture has clouded the difference between real and perceived needs, the believer must learn to be content with what God has provided and renounce selfish materialism. Our example is Christ, who, though rich, became poor for the sake of others. Stewards who are found faithful do not put their trust in material possessions; they entrust these possessions to God, using them for His glory and the extension of His kingdom.

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1 Chr. 29:14; Ps. 24:1; Ecc. 2:24-25; 2 Cor. 8:3-5; 2 Cor. 9:6-15; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Matt. 6:24-34; Phil. 4:11-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-10; Heb. 13:5; 2 Cor. 8:9; Prov. 11:28; Luke 16:1-13; 1 Cor. 4:2

DISCIPLINE

The church is called to be a body which reflects God’s character of holy love. Therefore the spiritual well-being of each member is its concern. This concern is shown in discipline that seeks the restoration of members whose behavior is damaging their relationship with God or other people. The primary responsibility for reconciliation rests with the person(s) involved. If this responsibility is not fulfilled, the church must take initiative to effect reconciliation because persistent sin weakens the health of the entire body. If these efforts fail, the final recourse is to remove the unrepentant member(s).

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Eph. 1:3-6; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:16; Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20; Matt. 5:23-24; Matt. 18:15-22; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; 1 Cor. 5:9-13

THE FAMILY

The family is ordained by God as society’s basic unit. Its nucleus is a husband and a wife and any children they may have. Scripture commands parents to provide the proper environment in which children can grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As an expression of this responsibility, parents are encouraged to bring their children before the congregation in an act of public dedication. By instruction and example, parents are to teach their children about faith in God, leading them toward personal acceptance of Christ as saving Lord. Children are to honor and obey their parents, and so learn to become responsible individuals through their parents’ loving support and discipline. All family members share obligation for the care of one another.

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Gen. 1:27-28; Gen. 2:24; Deut. 6:5-7; Ps. 78:1-8; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 1 Sam. 1:27-28; Luke 2:22; Matt. 19:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:14-15; Ex. 20:12; Prov. 6:20-24; Luke 2:51-52; Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 1 Tim. 5:8

MARRIAGE

God ordained marriage at creation as the lifelong covenant between a man and a woman that creates a new family unit. The New Testament uses the relationship between Christ and His church as the model for the union between a husband and a wife. The love they share is demonstrated through mutual respect and support as each responsibly serves the other. Exclusive to marriage is the sexual relationship. It is God’s gift, and is for the expression of intimacy and the continuation of the human race.

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Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-6; Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 13:4; Gen. 1:27-28; Prov. 5:15-23

THE INDIVIDUAL

Personal obedience is a necessary expression of faith in Christ. We are to obey the teachings of Christ and the apostles not as a means of salvation, but as a grateful response to the grace we have received. Likewise our obedience is not motivated by slavish adherence to external laws, but by inner commitment to love God and please Him in all respects. While perfection is unattainable in this life, we press on toward the goal of full obedience to Christ.

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Rom. 1:5; Rom. 16:26; James 2:18-26; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:9-12; 2 Cor. 3:5-6; Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 13:8-10; Phil. 3:12-14

 

The devotional life is the practice of private worship. It recognizes that the heart of the Christian faith is a personal relationship between the God of holy love and human beings for whom He cares. For this bond of fellowship and love to grow, the believer must give consistent attention to prayer and to the reading and study of Scripture. In faithful devotional life God meets us and we meet Him. The effect is the believer’s deepening trust, growing understanding, and Christlike living.

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Deut. 7:6-16; 1 John 4:7-19; Luke 5:16; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Phil. 4:8-9; Ps. 1:1-6; Ps. 9:10

 

Spiritual maturity is the process of transforming the entire character of the believer into the image of Christ. He is the source, the focus, and the goal of this process. Christians mature as they practice a vital devotional life, use their gifts, share their faith, and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. The result is a character marked by wisdom, balance, and, above all, love.

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Eph. 4:11-13; Gal. 2:20; Phil 1:21; Col. 2:6; Ps. 1:1-6; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 3:15; Gal. 5:16-25; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 13:4-7

THE LAST DAYS

By the sending of His Son, God inaugurated the last days. Therefore the church waits eagerly for the consummation of the divine plan in Christ. Prior to that, the human body at death returns to the dust from which it came. The soul of the Christian goes immediately to be with the Lord, while the souls of the unsaved enter into torment. The climax of God’s plan will include the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ from heaven as King of kings and Lord of lords; the bodily resurrection and judgment of believers unto eternal life; the bodily resurrection and judgment of the wicked unto eternal punishment; and a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, where the saved will live eternally with the Lord. The Bible does not focus so much on the details and order of final events as on how believers are to live in light of these things.

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Heb. 1:1-2; Rom. 8:22-25; 1 Cor. 15:20-28; Gen. 3:19; Ps. 104:29; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 22:43; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:21-24; Matt. 16:27; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Tim. 6:14-15; Rev. 19:16; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Isaiah 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; 2 Pet. 3:11-15; 1 John 3:2-3

THE TRIUNE GOD

The Bible reveals one true and living God in three equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This one God is eternal, infinite, personal, and perfect. The description and reality of the trinity transcend human reason, logic, and proof; they remain matters of revelation, confession, and worship. In holy love, the triune God by an act of sovereign will, created the universe and all living things. In this activity, as in everything touching the world of space and time, all three persons of the Godhead participated.

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Deut. 6:4; 1 Tim. 2:5; Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3:22; Matt. 3:13-17; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Tim. 1:17; John 4:23-24; 1 Cor. 13:12; Gen. 1:1-23; John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 11:3; John 14:9-12; John 16:13-15

THE FATHER

Scripture reveals the first person of the trinity as the Father. The created world testifies to Him in both the external order of nature and the internal working of conscience. As the Father of Old Testament Israel, He led the nation with parental love and care, with warnings, chastenings, and promise of inheritance. He sent His beloved Son into the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. All who confess Him as Lord, the Father makes a new creation and adopts as His children.

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Psalm 19:1; Rom. 1:20-21; Rom. 2:14-16; Isaiah 63:15-16; Isaiah 64:8; Ps. 78:1-72; Ps. 105:1-45; Ps. 106:1-48; Deut. 7:6-16; Matt. 3:16-17; John 6:57; John 8:42; John 17:8; John 1:12; Rom. 8:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 4:4-7

THE SON

The second person of the trinity is the Son. He is the living Word, the revelation and revealer of the unseen Father. Although He possessed the divine nature from eternity, the Word became flesh for us and for our salvation. He was born of a virgin and lived the perfect human life upon earth. As Man and God, Jesus lovingly gave Himself for others in a ministry of service and reconciliation. His obedient life led to His sacrificial death in fulfillment of prophecy. Upon the cross He bore sin and its penalty in our place. He was raised and glorified in the body in which He suffered and died. He ascended as Lord and Savior into heaven, where He continually intercedes for those who are His and from which He will return in glory. Therefore He is the source of eternal salvation for all who believe in Him, submitting to His Lordship.

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John 1:1-4; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 14:5-10; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:3-4; Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; Mark 10:45; Rom. 5:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Phil. 2:8; Isaiah 53:4-12; 1 Pet. 2:24; John 20:24-29; Phil. 2:9; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 8:33-34; Heb. 7:25; Heb. 9:24; Heb 9:28; Matt. 24:30; Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:9-10; Heb. 5:9

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The third person of the triune God is the Holy Spirit. He was active in creation, the history of Israel, the inspiration of Scripture, the ministry of Jesus, and the birth of the church. The Spirit likewise acts today, opening the mind to understand Scripture, calling forth the response of repentance and faith, and giving the desire and ability to grow in Christlikeness. The New Testament portrays His activity as both event and process: It describes the event using the terms receiving, being filled, sealed, and baptized to indicate that the Holy Spirit comes to the believer at conversion. It describes the process as the Holy Spirit filling and equipping Christians at numerous times for special tasks. He joins them to Christ’s church, directs them to a local congregation of believers, and bestows on them spiritual gifts for the church’s ministry. The Spirit’s indwelling is to make a visible difference in the lives of Christians as they yield to, and cooperate with, His transforming power.

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Gen. 1:1-2; Num. 11:16-30; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 10:38; Acts 2:21; 1 Cor. 2:12-14; John 16:7-11; 1 Cor. 12:3; Gal. 5:16-25; Acts 8:15; Acts 8:19; Acts 10:47; Acts 19:2; Acts 2:4; Acts 9:17; Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16-17; 1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:52; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Cor. 6:17-20; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 3:14-19

THE STATE

God has ordained governments as His agency for maintaining social order in a sinful world. Christians are to submit to governments by obeying their laws, paying taxes, and honoring those in office. We are to pray for our leaders so that we may lead quiet and godly lives. Christians should minister on behalf of the downtrodden, working within the system to bring about justice. When faced with an oppressive social order, they are to respond with love, demonstrating within the church a Christian alternative. Where obedience to Scripture conflicts with the law of the land, believers must be willing to suffer for what is right. Knowing that both individuals and governments are under God’s sovereignty, the church summons all to repentance and submission to the Lordship of Christ.

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Matt. 22:15-22; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-15; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Prov. 14:31; Prov. 19:17; Prov. 22:22-23; 1 John 3:17; Isaiah 10:1-2; Amos 5:10-15; Dan. 3:13-18; Acts 5:29; 1 Pet. 2:20-23; 1 Pet. 4:12-19; Acts 17:30-31

THREE NEGATIVES

Obedience to Christ is the center of Brethren life. This conviction has led the Brethren historically to practice non-conformity, non-resistance, and non-swearing. In non-conformity, Brethren have sought to follow the way of Christ in contrast to the way of the world. In non-resistance, Brethren have renounced the Christian’s use of violence in combating evil, striving, as far as possible, to be reconciled to all persons. In non-swearing, Brethren have sought to lead such trustworthy Christian lives that oath-taking becomes unnecessary. Every believer must live in a way that exhibits to the world the truth and love of Christ.

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Matt. 7:13-14; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Matt. 5:38-46; Rom. 12:14-21; Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12; Matt. 5:13-16

SOCIAL CONCERN

The church is called to be both witness and servant in society. As witness, the church is salt and light in the world. This includes not only living obediently but also addressing the moral and social issues of the day from the foundation of Scripture. As servant, the church is to radiate God’s love manifested in Jesus. Among believers we seek to express this love through mutual aid and care. In the world we seek to minister to the whole range of human needs. Service to others is in reality service to Christ and a necessary expression of our obedience.

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Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:12; Zech. 7:8-14; James 2:1-16; Eph. 5:1-2; 1 John 4:7-11; Acts 2:44-45; Col. 3:12-14; Matt. 25:31-46

EVANGELISM

God has reached out in love through the person and work of Jesus to redeem a lost world. He demonstrated the heart of evangelism by sharing the good news with all whom He met. Christ promised abundant life to those who respond in obedient faith. Following His example, each believer, grateful to God and burdened for fallen humanity, shares with others the new life in Christ. This witness is a natural expression of the total attitude and life of the person under the Lordship of Christ. Empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, believers model and proclaim good news to a dying world for the purpose of making disciples and building the church.

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John 3:16; Matt. 4:23-25; John 5:24; John 10:10; Acts 5:24; 1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20

PLANTING SEEDS (Part 2)

 PLANTING SEEDS (Part 2)

Last time I wrote truisms concerning planting seeds.

1) The seeds you plant will be the SAME ones you receive at harvest!

2) The seeds you receive will be GREATER in NUMBER than what you planted!

3) Your harvest will be LATER than when you planted!

Jesus taught His disciples about this, only He taught in parables because many didn't understand the spiritual application!

Mark 4:3-9 "Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6. But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

The disciples asked Jesus about the meaning of this parable as it applied to their lives! Jesus answered:

Mark 4:14-20 "The sower soweth the word. 15. 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. 16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 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. 18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19. 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. 20. 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."

Here I see four different types of people! The first two are not receptive to the gospel, or the life about Jesus Christ. Briefly these first first two rejected that Jesus died for payment of their eternal sins, that He was buried but three days later He arose from the dead according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Those birds represent the devil stealing away the truth which was heard. Those listeners of the word didn't believe or didn't care to receive the gospel of Jesus!

The second group also heard, and tried it out, but as the gospel of Jesus didn't fit their plans for their lives, they rejected it much as the first group.

The third group received the gospel and took it to heart, but we're so involved with the world that their lives had no spiritual growth productivity. The world choked out their potential witness for Christ even though they WERE saved!

The last group is the the most blessed of the four because the ways of the LORD outweighed the vain things the world offered to them. They realized that eternal riches far outweigh those worldly things represented by the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life!

This last group, because of their faithfulness and appreciation for what Jesus Christ had done for their eternal security, chose to believe the gospel and live for Him and follow His rules and laws which are beneficial to healthy living, a long life, and a good testimony as a representative of God whom they serve!

Jesus has commanded us:

Mark 16:15-16 "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."

"Damned" means spending eternity by burning in darkness forever without any hope for escape!

If you are not a member of this last group of people, it's not too late to change!

Admit to God that you're a sinner in need of the Saviour. Believe the gospel, that Jesus Christ died on the cross paying for your sins. Then He arose from the dead according to the scriptures, proving that He was God.

Then, live for Jesus!

There's no greater joy that can be had than living for the Saviour!

After all, Jesus gave His live so that you could have an eternal one!

Sowing Seeds! Part 1

SOWING SEEDS!  (Part 1)

What does God's word say about this?

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

We have been instructed by God to witness to the lost (sowing seed)!

Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Whatever seeds you plant these outcomes will always follow:

•You will get back the SAME type of seeds that you sow.

•Your sown seeds will always return later than when you planted!

•You will get back MORE of the same seeds that you sow!

This has NOTHING to do with "karma," as that has to do with reincarnation!  We have only ONE life to live, not several!

Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Sow the gospel!  God does not require us to win souls for Christ because  WINNING souls is the work of the Holy Spirit!  We are to preach the gospel!  Many times we walk away from witnessing to someone discouraged because they didn't receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour!

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

BUT WAIT A MINUTE!

Your job is to preach and reach the lost!  God's job is convicting the soul to receive Jesus!

2 Corinthians 4:3-6  "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5.  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

The Holy Spirit worked on my friend for 40 years until finally convicted of his need for Christ!  

Someone needs to tell those who are lost THAT THEY ARE!

Romans 10:14 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

1 Timothy 1:11  "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."

God has committed the gospel for us to preach to others!

The outcome of reaching those to whom God has sent you is as follows:

Mark 16:16. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

In other words, they choose between burning in eternal darkness or glorying in God's marvelous light!

To us who are saved, it's a, "no brainier"!

REMEMBER, our job is to preach the gospel!

God's job is to convict the sinner of his sin and cause Him to repentance.

Acts 26:18 "To 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 me."

This is WHAT the Holy Spirit does in a mind that is ready to receive the gospel.  Summed up, the gospel is:  Jesus Christ died on the cross paying the eternal cost for our sins!  Then He was buried but three days later He arose from the dead according to the scriptures!  This is what we're instructed to teach and preach!

The devil has successfully caused many who have not received the gospel to be spiritually blinded!

But God Almighty is stronger than the devil!  

Those who seek God will have these "blinders" removed by the Holy Spirit!  Remember, God is in the "saving business"!

He desires your witness. 

That's how our earthly life will one day be measured!

Trust God to do the convicting!  

YOU tell them about Jesus!