Author Dr. James. A McBean. D.Th., MCC

Copyright © 2006 Library of Congress Washington.D.C.20559

Publisher: Revival Tract Ministries Inc

The purpose of this article: Speaking to men-unborn! I had been writing for ages, and have no special person in mind!

F or numberless ages, even since the beginning of human civilization, the way God saves people that have been lost due to Adam sin, remain the same. “By Faith.” For endless ages, the saints will still talk and sing of the work that God has done in us by Jesus Christ, through faith.

I am saddened to say that many Christians cannot explain the doctrines of salvation to a sinner. In my opinion, Christian educators are at fault. A Christian educator’s greatest job is to make all believers understand the doctrines of salvation. How does a person become a Christian? How does a person live the Christian life? How do I share my faith to a non-believer? All this is the job of the Christian educator. To answer this age-old question as to what happened at Calvary; we need to consult one of the greatest books written on the subject. “The “But God had promised Abraham that in his seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed. And now it’s time for God to prove His fidelity to the covenant with Abraham and Abraham’s seed. So at the age of 33, after three years of ministering, Christ Jesus began a long climb to the top of a mountain. And like Abraham, God placed the wood for the burnt offering on His Son’s shoulder. That wood was the cross that Jesus voluntarily took on Himself. God offered His only Son as a burnt offering to be a blessing to the whole world. When we, like Isaac, turn to God and ask, “Where is the sacrifice? Who will take my place and be my sin substitutes? Who will pay the penalty for me?” The answer came back, “God will provide himself the Lamb for the burnt offering.” One of the reasons self righteousness exists among people is that they do not understand the message of salvation. But thanks to God, one does not have to understand salvation in order to have it. But if you understand it, you can really be a help to others, and make things easier on yourself.

To Receive God’s Salvation We Must Be A Seeker:

To get God’s salvation you must be seeking God. “According to the precedent in Isaiah, this was an advance portion of God’s Judgment on those whose hearts were closed to him. The same thing is true today: unless we are seeking truth, God will not let us find it. What Saint Anselm taught is especially true of the parable, that faith comes before understanding, for it is faith seeking understanding that receives the truth, is blessed, and is saved.” Many people just do not understand God’s salvation; some people preach salvation and still do not understand it. For us to understand salvation we need to travel back in time, to Eden, where it all began. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned by eating from the tree, which they were told not to eat from nor touch. Adam blamed his wife for the downfall, and the wife blamed the serpent for causing her to sin. Eventually, God was blamed for the whole thing. You have to read between the lines to see what was happening there. What they were all trying to tell God is that the sins that took place where His undoing that he is at fault for putting the tree there in the first place, and turning loose a smart serpent in the garden, one that can beguile or trick people.

However, God had told them. Adam blamed his wife, and his wife blamed the serpent; they presented their case well. Since sin was to be punished by death, somebody had to die for it. God decided to make his son die for the crime that Adam and his wife blamed on God. All Adam and his wife and their children will have to do is accept the death of God’s son as payment for their sins. And not only accept it but to confess it with their mouth. It was the same thing that all the saints down through the ages had to do. It was so easy yet Cain, Adam and Eve’s first son, refused to accept it.

Abel, Adam and Eve’s second son was a shepherd and his duty was to bring the firstlings of his flock. Since God is going to give up his first son as a sacrifice for sin, man must also do the same. Genesis 4:4 (KJV) And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Since Cain, Adam’s first son was a farmer; he should bring the first fruit of his ground, but he did not. This was a simple act of faith, since God was not actually going to eat the fruit, nor drink the blood of goats and of lambs.

Genesis 4:2-3 (KJV) And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. You see, Cain brought “the fruit”, not the “first fruit” You cannot bring any old wormy fruit to God, God want the first fruit.

Deut. 18:4 (KJV) The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

The Law Versus Man

Even though the law was given to man, that was only to show man that they cannot Pay for their sins by themselves. They need the grace of God and the shed blood of his son Jesus. Keeping the Law will not provide salvation, keeping the law was Israel civil duty, that has no merit where eternal salvation are concerned. For eternal salvation to take place, there must be blood sacrifice.

Romans 3:19-AV Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and the entire world may become guilty before God.

St John 7:19-AV did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you keepeth the law? Why go you about to kill me?

Ephesians 2:8-AVFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Ephesians 2:9-AV Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Isaiah 64:6-AV But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousness [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 1Peter 2:24-AV Who his own self bares our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Back In The Garden

Genesis 4:1 (AV) and Adam knew (sexual intercourse) Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. [2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. By killing the animal and sprinkling the blood upon the altar, Abel was saying that he believed that the son of God would come to die for his sins.

Leviticus 17:11 (AV) For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.

Hebrews 9:22 (KJV) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Humanity Could Not Pay This Ransome, So Christ Died For Us:

1 Corinthians 15:3 (AV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.

1 Corinthians 15:4 (AV) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

1 Peter 2:24 (AV) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:4 (AV) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] 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.

What You Have To Do:

All that you and I have to do bows our head and say, “Lord I believe that Jesus came and died for my sins. I accept his death. Save me now in Jesus´ name. Amen.” From this moment on a flood of peace will be rushing into your soul, and you will feel like the world fell off your shoulders. You will then be saved and you will have met Jesus, and will know it.

What Is Salvation?

“Salvation” means redemption, deliverance, reclaimed, salvage, and restoration.” If Salvation means deliverance, rescue, emancipation, liberation, preservation, recovery, redemption, release, sustenance and deliverance from impending evil, then all these benefits are made possible in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. If Christian educators give the new converts the wrong impression of salvation, the new converts walk with God will be distorted. We must not confuse the work of grace with that of law. Even the ability to live holy is made possible by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross.

Gal 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Feeling Plus Faith:

After a person receives salvation, the first thing that comes into play is feeling. The person feels “saved”, clean and changed. The person is sure that he or she is saved and that they have met the Lord. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Rom 8:16 (NKJV). However, there comes a time when feelings must drop off and faith take over again. And I use the word “Again” Because it was faith in the first place that made the connection possible. But, even this faith was made possible by God.

Joy Untold:

The new convert is now feeling such joys which he or she has never felt before. This joy brings tears to their eyes. During this period the new convert may show outward signs like singing, dancing, clapping their hands, jumping and shouting. Others think that such a person is now mad, but the new convert does not mind it. Nothing seems impossible for the new believer at this time, points to that fact, “… but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation Romans 5:11 (NKJV) .

Peace That Cannot Be Measured:

The new believer now enters another stage. He or she begins to experience a new peace in their soul, mind and spirit; the peace is of such that it surpasses all understanding. No one can understand it. His wife, her husband, or children cannot understand what has come over their loved one that has changed them in such a dramatic way. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7AV) All this is call the “Honey moon period of salvation.”

The Honey Moon Ends:

But soon others come into the marriage, the baby that will not stop crying and family and friends that will never stop interfering. All this causes friction, hurt feelings and crushed expectations. The same thing can be said of Christianity. The Lord wants you to grow up spiritually so you can come to lead others to him. Therefore, you have to move on from the milk stage, and become a man and woman of God. Feelings must drop off, and faith must step in. Feelings are like flying by sight, but what happens when the weather has changed and the whole region is foggy? The pilot must learn to fly by their instruments. The new Christian must learn to live by the scriptures, and not feelings.

You will feel saved today and tomorrow you will not feel saved. Feelings come and go. Therefore, you cannot base your experience with God on feelings alone. I was once driving from New York with my wife and children in the car. The whole area was so foggy I could not see ten feet in front of the car, but I could not stop driving fearing that others might crash into me if I stopped. My wife asked me if I could see the road. I asked her if she could see the road to which she replied, “No”. I replied, “Neither can I see.” She asked again, “Then how are you driving?” To which I replied, “I am following the yellow line on the road and the railing to my left.” Each pilot has to learn to fly by his or her instruments in the cockpit. Faith is like following the yellow line on the road. The believer will need to be comforted when the feelings drop off and faith takes over. It is the spirit of God that signals to your spirit that you are saved. It is the Holy Spirit that puts the feeling there. And it is going to be the Holy Spirit that will remove those feelings, because he is calling and training you to rely on Him. Problems do not get solved by feeling good. Ask those drug addicts, and alcohol abusers; after the drugs have burnt out and their high is gone, the problems return. God has to train you in faith. Your faith must tell you that you are saved and not your feelings.

Baptism By Fire:

Christians call this training “Going through the fire.” This is when God begins to purge you and mold you. This is where pride is burned out and holy men are made. One is stripped of all the things you have gotten by false pretenses so Satan cannot point an accusing finger at you.

1 Peter 5:10 AV But the God of all grace, He calls us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

When all this is over the joy, feeling, everything will return.

Putting On The Word:

The extreme goal of the Christian’s life is to walk in the spirit of the Word. This is what is going to make you and me invincible on the spiritual plain. and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (St Matthew 1:21 AV). The New Christians must now begin to put on the word. Learn to practice the word, apply the word to his or her daily life. I say, then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Gal 5:16 (AV). “Walking in the spirit” is Biblical terminology, which means to walk in the word which is living. “Walking in the word” Mean to conduct your life affairs based on the conclusion or the authority of the word.

St John 6: 63 (AV) It is the Spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life.

The Lamb points to Christ and Christ to the Lamb:

Leviticus 14:25 (AV) And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take [some] of the blood of the trespass offering, and put [it] upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.

Leviticus 17:11 (AV) For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.

John 1:29 (NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

1Peter 2:24 (AV) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, which we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

It is clear in the scriptures that the sacrificial lamb is Jesus, and how he was put on the altar for our transgressions, as the Jewish priests of the Old Testament did for the people with the lamb animal. The word testifies to it and Jesus fulfilled it with his action on the cross. As a new believer this fundamental truth must be established and the Christian educator should emphasize this continually- the foundation of the Christian faith. This is done through the daily study of the word of God.

Justification:

You might have heard the word “justification” many times before; it means: adjustment, alignment, correction and defense. The human race has inherited Adam’s sin. When the sinner has made his peace with God, this is called ATONEMENT. It is also called justification, which means that the sinner has received forgiveness of their sins. He or she is no longer condemned to hell and eternal death. This person is now free by meeting God’s requirement. The death of God’s son, for the provision of sins, has now made the sinner justified.

Christ Had to Die:

Justification is the first work of salvation, “Justification” also means: evidence, and clearance. In one big sentence it means: To be made right with God, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Justification comes after repentance. Repentance is when the sinner hears the Gospel and is convicted, or sorry for his or her sins and turns to God for forgiveness. This is when the sinners receive justification.

Isaiah 53:5 (AV) 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. Isaiah [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 5:6-8 (NKJV) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (AV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [[7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:8-AV and last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Sanctification:

Sanctification and justification happen at the same time of conversion. However, sanctification is two-phased: “imputed and progressive.” When the sinner gets up from prayer, he or she feels sanctified or clean because they have been cleansed. Sanctification is practical and progressive. The practical part is what was (imputed) to you and me by Christ the time we accept him. The progressive part is what you and I do each day as we progress in the faith. This comes through learning. And as we learn each day, we will drop off more of our sins. When the Lord saved a person, even though we feel clean and are clean, the root of sin is still there and can spring back again. Hebrews 12:15 (NKJV)Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; This is called the “The old nature”, “a thorn in the flesh” or “evil intent”. We will not get rid of this until you and I get a new resurrected body when we receive a glorified body like what Christ has, after his resurrection. A Christian is not necessary delivered from the presence of sin. We still have the devil to deal with. We still have our old nature to deal with. However, all these things shall not have dominion over us. The scriptures told us so in Romans 6:14 (NKJV) for sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Be aware Of The Spirit Of Falsehood:

The spirit of falsehood is a demon. It only takes one demons to open the door for many other. Many people love to put on a show and act as if they are holy, you and I do not need to do this. Christians acting as if they have no sex drives and they came from a planet that he she have never heard of such a thing. Sexual intercourse is one of your senses. When we act as if we are strong, we prevent the spirit of God from giving us strength. He comes to help our infirmities, and if we are acting as if we have none, we will get no help.

Micah 2:11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie,.

Water Baptism:

It is important to know that water baptism is not salvation, neither does it give salvation. It is just an outward show to humanity about the new step that you are about to take.

Matthew 3:13-17 (AV) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him but John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [15] and Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. [16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

This is one of the misunderstood doctrines in the Bible. When dealing with this doctrine you will find many ministers and Christians are closed minded. However, the Bible did not leave us in any darkness as to the meaning of this doctrine. Whenever a person is truly converted he or she will want to be baptized as soon as possible.

Acts 8:12-AV But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:36-38 (AV) And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] and Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [38] and he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

What Does Baptism Signify?

Baptism speaks of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. By being baptized, the person has publicly identified his or herself with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The person is symbolically saying, "I believe it and accept it."

Romans 6:3-5 (AV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:

Colossians 2:12-AV Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ has put on Christ.

What Does Baptizing In The Name Mean?

Acts 2:38 “Baptizing in a name is not talking about pronouncing a name at baptism or verbally calling a name over the person. In the United States, when the state trooper stops a motorist, he or she stops the motorist in the authority invested in them by the United States. "By the authority of”. Here it means by the authority of all three persons and not by the authority of Jesus only. He is the one authorizing us to recognize the others as well as Himself. This will help us to understand Acts 2:38, Whose name should you baptized in? Does it really matter? For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (1 John 5:7 AV). And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one (1 John 5:8 AV). It does not matter which baptism your church chooses to use. In the Apostles' time, they stressed baptism in Jesus's name because the Jews and Gentiles of the time did not believe that the Jesus the apostles were presenting to them was indeed the son of God. They believed that God had a son, but they did not believe that this particular Jesus was that son. Prov 30:4. That is why baptizing in Jesus name was brought in. To be sure the people understood the apostles had to pronounce the name of Jesus over them. Jesus is sometimes called “The Word” or Spokesman. We see in [that] Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38 AV). But that does not rule out what Jesus taught

St Matthew 28:19 (AV) 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 always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen In the days when the scriptures were written, Father was a name.)

Isaiah 9:6 (AV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Jesus and Peter are not in conflict, they are fighting the same enemy from opposite sides.

Jesus Is Sometimes Referred To As a Title:

Jesus became his name since 1611. when it was taken from Iesus, since the letter J was not invented yet. In St John 19:19. SUPPOSE I DIED BEFORE I WAS BAPTIZED (John 19:19)? Did you get the chance to be baptized? Did you cancel a baptism? If you did, you were not ready. The thief on the cross in Luke 23:43 did not have time to be baptized, but a believer who is not ready for baptism is neither ready for heaven.

Does Baptism Save A Soul?

1Peter 3:21 (AV) The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some Christians received the spirit baptism before the water baptism. Acts 10:47-AV Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? It is important to know that baptism is just the beginning, and we must move on from there to a practical Christian living of brotherly love.

Water baptism does not save anyone, however God required it as an outward act of faith.

Sin After Water Baptism:

Even after getting saved and baptized you and I might still sin, and fall short of holiness.

1 John 1: 8-9 (AV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [1:9] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

You and I will never overcome every last sin in a practical sense. But, we can overcome them in a spiritual sense, because justification and sanctification that was imputed to our account by the death of Jesus on the cross, made that made it possible. This is called, “standing or positional salvation.” You and I are perfect and sinless, because we are standing in Jesus’ righteousness. This is like a bank overdraft protection. Every believer can boldly say that they are an overcomer, base on the imputed work of Christ, which is banked on our spiritual and eternal account.

Romans 7:21-24 (AV) AV I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [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. [24] O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Gal 2:11-14 (NKJV) Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; [12] for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. [13] And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. [14] But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (AV) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. [9] and he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

It is important to know that we do not live the Christians life by good wishes or much mouth talking. Even the holiness that we think we have is given to us by the Lord. The apostle said. Even the life that we now live in the flesh, we live it by the faith of the son of God (Galatians 2:20 AV).

Our Personality

You will still have your sinful inner man, or nature to contend with. You will have the entire attribute as a person anger, fear, mistrust, lust, and more. For example you will still have your desires as a man, but must learn to control them and act in a proper manner. This will not happen overnight. This might take years depending on your personality and yielding to the Holy Spirit. That is why I choose to use the word immunity. Just because a sheep falls down in the mud that does not mean the sheep will turn into a pig. Likewise, just because a Christian got stuck in the mud that does not mean that he or she is lost. You will find that sometimes Satan has you pinned down for years.

Holiness Is a Calling:

The call to holiness is more like a warfare strategy. If you and I are unholy we will fall into every trap that Satan has set up. This is when God sets the person aside for service. All believers are required to live holy. That is the goal of the scripture. But I find that when the Lord has a special task for us, the Holy Spirit begins to move in our lives and leads us towards deeper holiness and holiness becomes easier. But the main reason why some Christians do not attain this level is because they credit themselves for this new ability leaving God out of the process.

Eph 2:8 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephes. 2:9 (KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Listening To The Holy Spirit:

How does the new believer listen to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit will bring back the word of Christ to your remembrance. That is why you and I need to read the written word.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (AV) 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.

Romans 8:14-15 (AV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans [15] for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Holy Spirit Will Tell You

Deuteronomy 2:2-3(AV) And the LORD Spake unto me, saying, [3] Ye has compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. Some people are quick to give up. But giving up must never be considered as an option. Christians must learn to persevere. “When Elvis Presley was an eighth-grader in Memphis, Tennessee, his teacher said that he had no musical talent. In High School, Elvis worked as a truck driver. After Elvis first audition at the Nashville Grand Ole Oprey, the talent manager told him to “Stick to truck driving” But Elvis stuck with his music. In 1956 he released his first top ten records. He remained an international star until his death.” When I became a Christian, people wrote me off. “Just give him a few weeks”. Forty years later I am still a Christian. When I got married people wrote me off. “He will not last past the honeymoon night”. Thirty-two years later to date, I am still married. I persevered, stayed committed. That is how the new Christian’s outlook should be. The most important thing in serving Jesus is one’s relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and with your fellow men. “Brethren follow peace with all men.” This is one small detail I want us to pay attention to. Do not challenge satan, focus on Jesus.

Zechariah 4:6-AV Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Do not throw challenges at Satan. It is Christ’s grace that we are standing in Let him that thinks he stand take heed lest he fall 1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV.

Eph 2:8-9. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Corinthians 12:7-AV And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

End Of Chapter 4

Bibliography. Achieving tabe success in reading. Wright Group/McGraw-Hill.

Booker Richard “The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread” Copyright 1981 by “Sound The Trumpet, Inc. Destiny Image Publishers. P.O Box 310 Shippensburg. PA 17257.

Phillips D Richard “Turning Your World Upside Down” Copyright 1973. Publisher, P&R publishing. P.O Box 817 Phillipsburg. New jersey 08865-0817.

Roget’s Collage Thesaurus. By (Philip D. Morehead) Page 493

The American Heritage: a. Preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil. b. A source, means, or cause of such preservation or deliverance. 2. Christianity a. Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption 4pg

The Duke’s study notes: Being baptized by the authority of Jesus Christ to a Jew meant giving up Judaism and all fellowship of his nation with all his political rights and privileges