Let me tell you a story. On 8/16/04 at approx. 5:35am, I woke up with “keys of the kingdom of heaven” on my mind. “Keys of the kingdom of heaven” is a revelation that God gave me in the process of finishing my book, “Understanding the Trinity.” Understanding the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” is not a new interpretation in the Bible. It has always been there, we just never noticed it.
Let’s go to the King James Version of the Bible to understand where this statement, “keys of the kingdom of heaven” came from. In Matthew 16:13-19, Jesus gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Now, listen to me. If Jesus gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” that action must have been extremely important to salvation wouldn’t you think? This is the question? Why don’t preachers preach about it? Why is it that no one seems to question; what are the keys of heaven and how they were used?
The “keys of the kingdom of heaven” were used on the day of Pentecost to open the door to the Church. Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38 opened the door to the church. Jesus is the door. Peter opened the door to Jesus Christ with the keys. Peter’s statement also satisfies John 3:5. We must be born of the water and of the Spirit. How does the keys fit with water and Spirit. First, we must understand the keys.
The keys are based on the words that Peter would say, which is “the rock of our salvation.” The “rock of salvation” is based on the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, when Jesus said to Peter, “upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” Jesus was speaking of his name which is the “rock of salvation” that would be spoken by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” which is also the “Rock of salvation” are found in Acts 2:38. The keys are;
1st Key. Repentance beginning in Jerusalem (in Jesus Name) (Luke 24:47, Acts 1:4, 5, 12-15).
2nd Key. Be baptized in the of Jesus Christ for remission of sins-Jesus Christ–Water (John 3:5).
3rd Key. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Jesus Christ) (John 3:5).
Some might say, I have heard about repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit, what do you mean about being baptized in Jesus name? First of all, each Key is based on the “Rock” – Jesus name.
Let’s take a look at the baptism in Jesus name.
The baptism in Jesus name was a result of the great commission in Matthew 28:19. Jesus told the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. In order to understand what Jesus is saying, one would have to know who Jesus is. The scripture says to baptize in the name not his titles.
In Acts 2:38, Peter didn’t baptize in the titles, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Peter did exactly what Jesus told him to do. Peter admonished his audience to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of the Father is Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, 10, 14, and 14:6-9). The name of the Son is Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21-22, Mark 1:1, Galatians 4:4), and the name of the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ (John 14:26, Romans 8:9-11).
Therefore, in order to be “Born Again” of the water and of the Spirit, according to John 3:5 and Acts 2:38, one must repent, be baptized in water in “Jesus name” for remission of sins and receive the Holy Spirit, a gift from God because of God’s grace and our faith and belief in his name. The blood is in the name (Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, Acts 20:28, Romans 3:25-26, 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 13:12). We are buried with him in baptism (Romans 6:4, Col. 2:12, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-8, I Corinthians 1:13-15, Colossians 3:17). There is no other name whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Thus, the baptisms of repentance, the Holy Spirit, etc., is inclusive in the one baptism in Jesus’ name. There is only One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5). And that One baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ. In addition, that one baptism in Jesus name is the solid rock upon which Christians stand and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it(Acts 4:12, Matthew 16:18).
There will be some that won’t believe. Don’t be discouraged. God will reveal his truths only to those who will believe his Word. An unbeliever will never see it. God has blessed you with this understanding. Use it as a witness and a blessing for you and your family. Pass this on to preachers, teachers, and evangelists whom you love and respect. Some will believe, others will not. Don’t be alarmed, let them go. Pray for them because only God will be able to help them.
Let's share the mystery and knowledge of Jesus Christ to the world. Another method of witnessing is to share our personal testimonies about how we came into the knowledge of Christ and the baptism in Jesus name. The Keys of the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19), the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), and the born again experience of salvation (John 3:5) were first carried out by Peter in Acts 2:38.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations: Three Manifestations of one God
Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations: Three Manifestations of one God: "The word manifestation is one of the key words that is used throughout this book. One would have to understand manifestations and how thos..."
Three Manifestations of one God
The word manifestation is one of the key words that is used throughout this book. One would have to understand manifestations and how those manifestations were used in the Bible to understand the oneness of God. God has used more than three manifestations to communicate with man. However, God used three major manifestations of himself for the salvation of man (I Timothy 3:16).
God manifested himself as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These manifestations of God aren’t more than one person as we have been led to believe. God is one Person. We will address how God used some of these manifestations to communicate with man (Hebrews 1:3).. The Random House Webster’s College Dictionary helps us understand manifest and manifestation;
1. Manifest – Readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident.
Manifestation - Outward or perceptible indication: materialization.
To start, I would like to give you a brief overview of the titles that God has used. Titles are a major area of concern for Christians in terms of the manifestations of God. The main issue is that most Christians who have erred - have also mistakenly taken the titles of God to mean the names of God (Matthew 28:19). God did not say to baptize in his titles, rather, God said to baptize in the name. Therefore in our research, we should look for a name, wherein we should be baptized rather than titles. The name in Matthew 28:19 is revealed in Acts 2:38, and the entire book of Acts.
Let’s take each of these manifestations and give you an understanding of how they were used in the liberation of Israel from Egypt and the overall plan of salvation for man. God has manifested himself in the midst of a burning bush. (Exodus 3:2-6). God had appeared as a cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22, 33:9-11,40:34-38). God has appeared in a thick cloud, smoke, thunder and lightning (Exodus 19:16). God has appeared as the Father in the Old Testament scriptures and Ephesians 4:6. God has appeared as a Man - the Son (Matt 1:21, Ephesians 4:4). God has appeared as the Holy Ghost with the phrase “in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Let’s look at it another way. God the Father begot himself a body and became a person in the form of Jesus Christ whom He referred to as his Son, the anointed flesh of God - The Messiah (John 14:8-9, John 1:10, II Corinthians 5:19). After Jesus was crucified, this same God, changed and glorified himself in the body of Jesus Christ. God glorified himself. He would not give his glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). God's glorified body was received up into heaven, and this same God changed himself again and came back to earth in the form of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit of Christ or The Spirit of God,” both are correct because Jesus Christ is God - The Spirit of God. Understanding this fact, one can understand 1Timothy 3:16. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” This is another strong scripture that proves that Jesus Christ is a manifestation of God himself and there is no other God or persons in the Godhead. Let’s look at how God our Saviour and Our Lord Jesus Christ fully satisfies this scripture. (Isaiah 43:10-12, Luke 2:11).
1. Jesus Christ is the God who was manifested in the flesh (John 1:1, 10, 14, II Corinthians 5:19, Revelation 1:8).
2. Jesus Christ is the God who was justified in the Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18).
3. Jesus Christ is the God who was seen of angels (Psalms 148:2 (Spirit), Matthew 4:11 (Flesh), Hebrews 1:6-8.
4. Jesus Christ is the God who was preached unto the Gentiles (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 9:15-16).
5. Jesus Christ is the God who was believed on in the World (Matthew 28:17, Acts 2:36-47).
6. Jesus Christ is the God who was received up into glory (Mark 16:19)
In summary, in the book of Timothy, we can see that there is no question that the manifestation of Jesus Christ is God himself. God can change himself into any form He chooses, to communicate with man, to save man, and still be the same God - one God. God tells us in Hebrews 1:1-3 that at different times and in various ways He has spoken to the prophets. But in these last days he has spoken to us through his fleshly body – Jesus Christ – his Son. Therefore, we should not be confused (Hebrews 1:3,8). There are not, two gods, three gods, nor three persons of God. One God changed himself into many forms to communicate with man. However, for salvation, God changed himself into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (I Timothy 3:16, Colossians 2:8-12).
This is an edited excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations. To order call 1-888-280-7715
God manifested himself as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These manifestations of God aren’t more than one person as we have been led to believe. God is one Person. We will address how God used some of these manifestations to communicate with man (Hebrews 1:3).. The Random House Webster’s College Dictionary helps us understand manifest and manifestation;
1. Manifest – Readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident.
Manifestation - Outward or perceptible indication: materialization.
To start, I would like to give you a brief overview of the titles that God has used. Titles are a major area of concern for Christians in terms of the manifestations of God. The main issue is that most Christians who have erred - have also mistakenly taken the titles of God to mean the names of God (Matthew 28:19). God did not say to baptize in his titles, rather, God said to baptize in the name. Therefore in our research, we should look for a name, wherein we should be baptized rather than titles. The name in Matthew 28:19 is revealed in Acts 2:38, and the entire book of Acts.
Let’s take each of these manifestations and give you an understanding of how they were used in the liberation of Israel from Egypt and the overall plan of salvation for man. God has manifested himself in the midst of a burning bush. (Exodus 3:2-6). God had appeared as a cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22, 33:9-11,40:34-38). God has appeared in a thick cloud, smoke, thunder and lightning (Exodus 19:16). God has appeared as the Father in the Old Testament scriptures and Ephesians 4:6. God has appeared as a Man - the Son (Matt 1:21, Ephesians 4:4). God has appeared as the Holy Ghost with the phrase “in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Let’s look at it another way. God the Father begot himself a body and became a person in the form of Jesus Christ whom He referred to as his Son, the anointed flesh of God - The Messiah (John 14:8-9, John 1:10, II Corinthians 5:19). After Jesus was crucified, this same God, changed and glorified himself in the body of Jesus Christ. God glorified himself. He would not give his glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). God's glorified body was received up into heaven, and this same God changed himself again and came back to earth in the form of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit of Christ or The Spirit of God,” both are correct because Jesus Christ is God - The Spirit of God. Understanding this fact, one can understand 1Timothy 3:16. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” This is another strong scripture that proves that Jesus Christ is a manifestation of God himself and there is no other God or persons in the Godhead. Let’s look at how God our Saviour and Our Lord Jesus Christ fully satisfies this scripture. (Isaiah 43:10-12, Luke 2:11).
1. Jesus Christ is the God who was manifested in the flesh (John 1:1, 10, 14, II Corinthians 5:19, Revelation 1:8).
2. Jesus Christ is the God who was justified in the Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18).
3. Jesus Christ is the God who was seen of angels (Psalms 148:2 (Spirit), Matthew 4:11 (Flesh), Hebrews 1:6-8.
4. Jesus Christ is the God who was preached unto the Gentiles (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 9:15-16).
5. Jesus Christ is the God who was believed on in the World (Matthew 28:17, Acts 2:36-47).
6. Jesus Christ is the God who was received up into glory (Mark 16:19)
In summary, in the book of Timothy, we can see that there is no question that the manifestation of Jesus Christ is God himself. God can change himself into any form He chooses, to communicate with man, to save man, and still be the same God - one God. God tells us in Hebrews 1:1-3 that at different times and in various ways He has spoken to the prophets. But in these last days he has spoken to us through his fleshly body – Jesus Christ – his Son. Therefore, we should not be confused (Hebrews 1:3,8). There are not, two gods, three gods, nor three persons of God. One God changed himself into many forms to communicate with man. However, for salvation, God changed himself into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (I Timothy 3:16, Colossians 2:8-12).
This is an edited excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations. To order call 1-888-280-7715
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