Bible Lesson- Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit- Philip Miraculously Transported To Azotus (Ashdod)

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Philip Miraculously Transported To Azotus (Ashdod).

God's Messenger: Philip.

Bible Location: Near Gaza.

Bible Text: Acts 8:26-40 KJV
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a Sheep to the slaughter; and like a Lamb dumb before His shearer, so opened He not His mouth:
33 In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 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.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Philip, obedient to the voice of the Lord, traveled from Jerusalem onto the desert road that lead to Gaza, there he met the Ethiopian Treasurer. Ridding in his chariot on his way to Gaza, he read aloud from the book of Isaiah.

Philip walking beside his chariot heard him reading and asked the question, “ Understandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8:30 KJV.

Philip lovingly showed him that Isaiah had written about the Messiah.
Acts 8:36 KJV
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?

After the eunuch's testimony of faith in Jesus Christ they, “...went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him" (Acts 8:38 KJV-Immersion).

Acts 8:39,40 KJV
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

The Spirit of God miraculously carried Philip miles away to Azotus, where Philip “preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.”

OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF MIRACULOUS TELEPORTATION:


I Kings 18:7-15 KJV
7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of Hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

II Kings 2:11-25 KJV
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
19 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

The people knew that the Elijah the prophet was many times “caught up,” by the Spirit of the Lord, and transported somewhere else.  The children mocking Elisha, knew that he too had the ability to be teleported somewhere else, that is why they chanted “go up/ go up” II Kings 2:23.

Acts 8:39,40 KJV
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught* away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

*Caught-Greek-Harpazo (Har-pad-zo): To seize: catch (away-up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Interesting indeed, is the fact that this very same word is used by the Apostle Paul in the following references.

II Corinthians 12:1-4 (Verses 2,4) KJV
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
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.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18 (Verse 17) KJV
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What is the end of the matter?
Genesis 18:14 KJV
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? 

Answer: the God who could teleport Elijah, Elisha, and Philip, will one day, teleport millions, and millions of people in God's next, great coming event called “the rapture of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The “catching-away,” of the bride of Christ, which could happen at any moment!

Do you know the Lord, are you ready to meet Him?

Salvation Prayer

I Corinthians 15:51-58 KJV
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Perfect Health And Prosperity Gospel

Bible Questions Answered:
“The tv programs I listen to say that God has promised us prosperity and health, and that is what we should expect. Yet, I don't see this in my family, where and how does one go wrong and not receive this?”

Tony/ Calgary, Canada

Bible Answer:

Hucksters who's desire is to garner in millions of dollars in their coffers, preach a popular“Perfect Health, and Prosperity Gospel,” a gospel that is “not,” in the Word of God!

This is why it is so important for a Christian, to read the Word of God, for him or herself.
What we are promised in this life is the following....

Psalm 34:19 KJV
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 73:1-28 NLT
A psalm of Asaph.
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
27 Those who desert Him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.


Ecclesiastes 7:14 NLT
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Isaiah 43:2 KJV
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.


Matthew 5:43-45 NLT (Jesus)
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Matthew 10:22 KJV (Jesus)
And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:9 KJV (Jesus)
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

Luke 13:1-5 NLT
1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 
2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 
3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 
5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

John 15:18 KJV (Jesus)
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.

John 16:33 KJV (Jesus)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22 KJV (Paul and Barnabas)
"...we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

II Timothy 3:12 KJV (Paul)
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

I Peter 4:19 KJV
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a Faithful Creator.

Ezekiel's War-Not Armageddon

Bible Questions Answered: 
“With Iran, attempting to shut down the strait of Hormuz, many think Armageddon cannot be far away what do you think?”
Warren/ New York, New York

Bible Answer:

No country walks alone today, for all have alliances and pacts with others much larger than themselves. This is true of Iran, her big brother is without doubt Russia, who has supplied not only atomic supplies to her but most of her weaponry.

Standoffs between Iran and the U.S. have happened before in 1988, 2007-2008 (Iranian speed boats vs. U.S. Naval warships.

Is this a serious situation, yes. Is this Armageddon, no!

There are two upcoming wars, predicted by the Word of God. One is the “war of Ezekiel,” and the other is the battle of “Armageddon,” and they are “not,” the same. And if you hear some one speaking about Armageddon and using Ezekiel scriptures, …..time to listen to some one else!

So many ram, every scripture describing latter day wars into one pot. This is wrong, and without any merit at all.

What is next on God's prophetic clock?
The war predicted and described by the prophet Ezekiel, some 2,599 years ago!
This war is “not,” in any way shape or form the Armageddon war!

All Bible prophecy, has but one object in mind, and that is Jerusalem, and or the area of Palestine.
The prophecy in Ezekiel, regards Jerusalem and the enemy to the north.

Ezekiel 38/39 Be sure to take the time to read.

Ezekiel 38:1-6 KJV
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.


Ezekiel 38:2 KJV
Gog is a symbolic name, representing the leader of the world powers antagonistic to God (see also Rev. 20:8).
Meshech and Tubal are understood to have been the same as the Moschi and Tibareni of the Greeks--tribes that inhabited regions in the Caucasus.

Rosh, which some would identify with Russia, must have designated a land and people somewhere in the same area. And therefore the Gog of Ezekiel must be viewed as in some sense the head of the high regions in the northwest of Asia.

Patrick Fairbairn, The Imperial Bible-dictionary.

Many interpret Meshech as Rosh, which means bear, and which of course is the emblem of (Moscow) Russia. Gomer, Germany, Togarmah, as being the Ukraine.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EZEKIEL WAR AND THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON:

1) Battle of Armageddon has no division of nations/ and nation will not be against nations. In Armageddon, nations will be gathered against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-9/ Joel 3).
2) In Ezekiel's war, Russia is aligned with five other nations against Israel (Ezekiel 38:5,6), whereas in the battle of Armageddon the kings of the earth and all the world is gathered together to battle against Christ (Revelation 13:7,8).
3) The Ezekiel war is fought on the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 38:8,20,21/ 39:2,4,17). The battle of Armageddon is fought in the “valley of Jehoshaphat,” (Joel 3:2, 12), Megiddo.
4) Ezekiel's war is  for “Ezekiel 38:16 KJV"... I will bring thee against My land, that the heathen may know Me...". Armageddon's war is Anti-Christ's war leading the kings of the earth, against Christ.
5) In Ezekiel 39:2, we read that one sixth of the invading army escapes/ but in the battle of Armageddon no one escapes Revelation 19:15,21.
6) Armageddon is a battle to end all battles, ending with the second coming of Christ, with His church, but if the battle of Armageddon is next, the Anti-Christ, has “not,” yet even been on the scene (Revelation 13:7).
7) Ezekiel's war is from the north (Ezekiel 38:15/39:2)/ while Armageddon's war is from three divisions of the Roman Empire (Daniel 7:8,24,26).
8) The war with Israel, is but a stage for the greatest opportunist, deceiver yet, a leader who  will desperately sympathizes with desolate Israel, and who will want to help her, including rebuilding her temple (Because Ezekiel's war will have removed the Dome of the Rock.). And his evil reasons will be, so that he may be worshiped, himself, as god (Matthew 24:15,16). That person will be none other than the deceiver the Anti-Christ (Daniel 11:36-39).

Ezekiel's war may be WWIII but it is not Armageddon. Russia and her allies, Iran, Libya, Germany, Ethiopia, and (Togarmah) the Ukraine, will invade Israel. Russia will come upon horseback.

In the 21st Century, this army of horsemen could only mean one thing, Cossacks are employed, because of  a Magnetic Pulse Bomb, rendering electronics in any form, useless, or a huge solar flare, which would do the same thing.

This will be a devastating nuclear war, read Ezekiel 38:19-23/ 39:1-8), a time of God's fiery wrath.

This of course is not a full discourse on the subject but clearly one can see that the Ezekiel war, which could happen at any time, is “not,” the battle of Armageddon.

Friends, what is the end of the matter?
It's time to know the Lord, if you do not know Him, ask Him into your heart and life today!
It's time to warn everyone of the hour in which we find our selves.
The rapture of the church of Jesus Christ, could happen at any moment.
It is time to pray, and to have a confessing life that is pleasing to the Lord!

Salvation Prayer

Fear

Bible Questions Answered:
“Our world is so full of war tension, everyone seems so jittery, worried about jobs, money, their homes and all......”
Liana/ Annecy, France

Bible Answer:

Biblical law of first reference, first appearance of fear, and the one who gave it.

After Eve was deceived by the serpent, and took of the forbidden fruit, from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...

Genesis 3:6-10 KJV
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and 
I hid myself.

Fear does “not,” come from God.
Fear comes from the devil, the enemy of mankind.
Fear is a tool in the hand of the enemy to destroy.

John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...”

The thief, comes to steal our peace of mind, our faith in God and His word.
Leaving us in torment.

I John 4:18 KJV
"...fear hath torment."

CONQUER FEAR THROUGH THE PROMISES OF GOD:

Genesis 15:1 KJV
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Deuteronomy 20:3,4 NLT (Moses)
3 "...Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. 
4 For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!’

Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
"... the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 23:1-6 KJV
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 27:1 KJV
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34:4 KJV
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 91:1-16 KJV
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my Refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my Refuge, even the Most High, thy Habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under
feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV
The name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel (God's people), Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:

Joel 3:10 KJV
"...let the weak say, I am strong."

Luke 8:50 KJV
But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only..."

Luke 12:32 KJV
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

John 10:10,11 KJV
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Romans 8:15 KJV
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.

Romans 14:23 KJV
"... for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Ephesians 6:10,16 KJV (The Word of God)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

II Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I John 4:4,18 KJV
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Salvation Prayer

Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit- Philips' Ministry Of Deliverance

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Philips' Ministry Of Deliverance.

God's Messenger: Philip (Deacon) 

Bible Location: Samaria.

Bible Text: Acts 8:4-13 NLT

(Philip at Samaria.)

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 

6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 

7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 

8 So there was great joy in that city.

9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 

10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 

11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 

13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

Oh, how some people due to their cold, hard, dispositions, would like to do away with the 8th chapter of the book of Acts, but they will have to take that up with the Lord.

“Pastor, dear pastor-(the kind of letters received) don't you realize, people aren't possessed, and besides today we have the doctor's office, the Mayo-Clinic, etc. These stories are just to remind us of the glory days as it were of the church, days long gone.”

Well if you don't believe in possession, perhaps you should pick up today's daily newspaper. In the  theater section you will see that 70% of all movies made today, deal with the subject of evil and possession! It seems that Hollywood certainly believes.

And isn't it a shame that Jesus of all people, taught His disciples a ministry that was “not”, to be perpetuated! Why, oh why would He do a thing like that? 

Mark 16:15-20 KJV

15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

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

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; 

(Theses words defined, see the blog posting:   Kept By The Power Of God   )

they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Well, our Lord wouldn't do a thing like that, He taught His followers to preach the word, and to be full of the Spirit, doing the works of Christ, with prayer for the sick, and deliverance to those who are bound by the power of Satan.

And the only difference between our Saviours' day and our day is that it is more evil than ever before!

Has the need of the gospel changed? 

Should we stop preaching it?  

 NEVER!

Has the need of the ministry of healing and deliverance changed? 

Should we stop caring for others?

 NEVER!

People are just as in need today, as they were in our Saviours' day.

The God of Mount Tower and Babel's tongues of judgment-is also the God of Mount Upper Room, and Pentecosts' tongues of blessing!

Philip, because of persecution of the early church, became an evangelist. _Persecution of the disciples at Jerusalem, forced many to flee, and so Philip fled to Samaria. And as a man of God, he did there what every Christian should do wherever they are, he witnessed of his faith!

Romans 10:8-10 KJV

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Confession of faith, is to be an integral part of every Christians life!

Philip, a deacon (Acts 6:5/ a member of the laity, called upon to serve the church and its members.), 

first preached the word of God.

Mark 16:17 KJV

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Signs, (Healings, miracles, etc.) are always in second place to the word of God, that always comes first!

Acts 8:4-6 KJV

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 

6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message...”

And then secondly, through faith and prayer, miracles were the result.

Acts 8:6-8 KJV

6 “...and see the miraculous signs he did. 

7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 

8 So there was great joy in that city.

Can a member of the “laity,” do these works today?

Yes, if like Philip they are a dedicated, Spirit-endued (Luke 24:49), child of God!

Mark 16:15 is called the “Great Commission,” because it is the mandate handed down to the church, by the Author of salvation, Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Well, what if any was the result of the preaching of the word, with signs following?

Acts 8:8 KJV

“...there was great joy in that city.”

If a multitude of people, were spiritually set free from sin and Satan, their bodies healed, and set free of his bondage, what else could there be in the city, but exceeding joy!

Is it any wonder why the “devil,” and his following hated the powerful Pentecostal Church of Jerusalem, and that of today?

Friends, all one has to do is to open up your own Bible and to read the story of the early church, and the words of our Saviour to know what His will is for His people!

The early church was born in persecution, persecution made it spread to the four corners of the earth.

And what of these last days of the church?

Will it again come under the monstrous hand of Satan, to crush it?

Wherever we will find ourselves, remember well the teaching of our Lord, and the wonderful example of Philip.

Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Romans 12:11,12 NLT

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 

12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Salvation Prayer

New Year

Bible Lesson: New Year 

Bible Text: Philippians 3:12-14 KJV
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The dear Apostle Paul spoke these words near the end of his life saying “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:”

The man who wrote 14 of  our New Testament Epistles, said of himself....

II Corinthians 11:23-28 KJV
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Perhaps one of today's most sinister spiritual diseases is that of complacency.
One's spiritual life having arrived at a place of complete satisfaction.
DANGER..........DANGER AHEAD.....BEWARE!

I Corinthians 10:12 KJV
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Life in Jesus Christ is  “not,” static, but dynamic.
The beloved Apostle Paul, knew this to be true.
A mans last words are no doubt his most sincere, and most certainly true of the Apostle.
His words remind us how to face this new year of uncertainty.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH CONFESSION:

Philippians 3:12 KJV
 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect...”

Matthew 6:12 NLT (Jesus)
"...and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."

Lest there be any mistake, Our Lord herein includes everyone! You and I have sinned.
We have transgressed the laws of God. We have done this in at least one of three ways. Sin by innocence, sin by neglect, or sin by design.
We have transgressed.

Sin against another.
Matthew 5:24 KJV
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

I Corinthians 11:31 KJV
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

And not only should we confess to men, but to God.

Psalm 51:4 KJV (King David)
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH A GODLY GUIDANCE:

Philippians 3:12 KJV
“... but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 25:5,9 KJV
5 Lead me in thy Truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
9 The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.

Psalm 27:11 KJV
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path..."

Psalm 48:14 KJV
For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death.

Psalm 73:24 KJV
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Psalm 139:9,10 KJV
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 143:10 KJV
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Isaiah 42:16 KJV
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Luke 1:78,79 KJV (Zachariah)
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Day Spring (Jesus) from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

John 16:13 KJV (Christ speaking of the Holy Spirit.)
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.


FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH A FORWARD LOOK:

Philippians 3:13 KJV
“... forgetting those things which are behind...”

The Apostle, never let the heartaches or disappointments of yesterday change his direction.
His sight was fixed on heaven, and the Saviour who awaited him there.

Genesis 19:15,17,24-26 KJV
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; 
look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Isaiah 1:4 KJV (The people of Judah.)
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Jeremiah 7:24 KJV (The people of Judah.)
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

To look back, is to go back, and to go back, is to forsake the way of the Lord. As the people of God, our way lies ahead, our way is the leading of our faithful Shepherd.

Matthew 16:24 KJV
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 10:27 KJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

John 12:26 KJV
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH DETERMINATION:

Philippians 3:13,14 KJV
13 “...this one thing I do, ...reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

I Corinthians 2:2 KJV
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Hebrews 12:1-4 KJV
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Starting the new year with a heart of Confession, Godly Guidance, a Forward Look, and spiritual Determination, will put us on the path way of God's blessing.
This year, may we make the Lord Jesus Christ, the Master of our life.

John 13:13 KJV
Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

"Work Out Your Own Salvation"

Bible Questions Answered:
“You say, we are saved only by belief, but in Bible it plainly say...work out your own salvation!”
Riye/ Shibuya, Japan

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Philippians 2:12 KJV (The Apostle Paul)
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Notice the Apostle Paul did not say, work “for” your salvation, but work “out” your own salvation.

We cannot work “for,” our salvation!
When our Lord hung on the cross of Calvary, He said....

John 19:30 KJV
“...It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
The sacrifice for mankind's salvation was forever finished. No man can add to it, nor from it take away.

This He did this “once,” for all time.

Hebrews 7:27 KJV
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.

Hebrews 9:28 KJV
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:5-10 KJV
5 Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said He, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Here are the teachings of Apostle Paul.
Paul was not referring to salvation, but to sanctification.

I Corinthians 2:1-3 KJV
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Ephesians 6:5 KJV (Paul “was not,” endorsing slavery, but using it as an example.)
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness (sincerity) of your heart, as unto Christ;

Salvation, was forever a finished work, but our Christian walk in righteousness, till the end, is a work in progress, never ending until we are with Christ.

I John 3:2 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

When shall we be “fully-sanctified?”
When we shall see Him as He is, and not until.”

II Corinthians 3:18 KJV
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.


Bible teachings continued.


Spiritual Perseverance:


Psalm 2:11 NLT
Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Matthew 7:21 KJV
Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

Luke 21:34-36 KJV (Jesus)
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (overindulgence), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Salvation a Gift:


Romans 3:24 KJV (Paul)
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:12-21 NLT (Paul)
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 
13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 
14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 
15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s Gracious Gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His Gift of forgiveness to many through this other Man, Jesus Christ. 
16 And the result of God’s Gracious Gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free Gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His Gift of Righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 
19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

Romans 11:5,6 NLT (Paul)
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—His undeserved kindness in choosing them. 
6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV (Paul)
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.

Working out our own salvation:
It means to receive through faith, Salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ, a finished work.
Being a member of His body, His people, we are called to live our lives like unto the sinless Saviour.
Doing our best, not to earn our salvation, but to live as He has called us to live through His holy word.

If we should stop being a part of His body, stop living for Him, stop living like Him, stop living in righteousness and His word. We remove ourselves from His body.
If redemption is lost, it will be because we were not willing to live for the Saviour.

Although  Salvation is never earned, yet once received, the Author of Salvation, from a heart of thanksgiving, should be loved and followed in our daily lives.
Could it seem right any other way, than to love and live for the one who has redeemed us?

Mark 8:34 KJV
And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 12:26 KJV
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.

Salvation Prayer

Virgin Birth II

Bible Questions Answered:
“What importance is virgin birth in the Christmas story, why does this make much difference?”
Aakash/ Calcutta India

Bible Answer:

The virgin birth of Christ is all important, first of all it was prophesied many centuries before His birth.

Genesis 3:14,15 KJV
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Genesis 3:14,15 NLT
14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

(Seed of the woman/ speaks of a miraculous birth, as the seed of offspring originates from the male.)

Isiah 7:14 KJV (700 Years B.C.)
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel  (which means ‘God is with us’).

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her Firstborn Son: and he called His name JESUS.

Christ was the Son of God, not of Joseph.
God's Son, became flesh and dwelt among us.

Philippians 2:5-11 NLT
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Eternal Son of God, became flesh....

II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

The Eternal Son of God:

Isaiah 9:6 KJV
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.

Micah 5:2 KJV
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

John 1:1-4,14-18 KJV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (Hebrews 11:3)
4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me.
16 And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.

John 8:58 KJV
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 17:5,24 KJV
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which thou hast given Me: for thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High:

Hebrews 7:3 KJV
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a Priest continually.

Revelation 22:13 KJV
I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

Bethlehem

Bible Questions Answered:
“What was so special about the place bethlehem over the others?”
Brandon/ Birmingham, United Kingdom

Bible Answer:

It was special for several reasons.
First of all it was a time of Roman Census taking. The purpose of most Census taking was for the raising of taxes and or military placement. Rome had as its custom, census taking every 14 years.

Luke 2:1-5 NLT
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 
2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 
3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 
5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

Bethlehem was the city of David (House of bread).

Prophecy had predicted the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem some 700 years B.C.

Micah 5:2 KJV
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

(Did Mary bring Jesus Christ into existence? Never, He is, always was, and always be God, with the Father and Holy Spirit. Was Christ a created angel? Never, He is, always was, and always will be God, with the Father and Holy Spirit.)

Isaiah 9:6,7 KJV
6 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.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

This prophecy referring to Christ, says what of Him? “ His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Did you notice the title “Everlasting?”

Bethlehem, a village 5 miles south west of Jerusalem, it was here that the prophet Samuel anointed David to be King of Israel.

I Samuel 17:12 NLT
" Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah..."

I Samuel 16:13 KJV
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward..."

Luke 2:6,7 NLT
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 
7 She gave birth to her first Child, a Son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

On the hills of Bethlehem, are caves, and shepherds put stables in them for their animals, for protection against weather, robbers and, wild animals.  The manger in which Jesus was born, no doubt was one of these cave stables.

In the year 328 The Church of the Nativity was built by Helena, mother to Emperor Constantine. It was built over the spot which was believed to have been Christ's birth. In the years 527-565 Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church.

Luke 2:8-20 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The hills surrounding Bethlehem, abound with vines, almonds, olives, and figs, but something far, far more wonderful, Bethlehem was home to the Bread of Life.

John 6:35, 47-51 KJV
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.
48 I am that Bread of Life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the Bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My Flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

All who receive the Lord Jesus, have everlasting life.

John 3:16-18 KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Have you received the Father's Gift?
Have you eaten of this Bread of Life, is the Lord Jesus Christ your Saviour?

Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Stephen

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit:

God's Messenger: Stephen.

Bible Location: Judea.

Bible Text: Acts 6:8 KJV
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

The early church, after Pentecost, had literally exploded as far as adherents.
And the disciples, became overburdened with the every day to day chores of the church and all its people.

 Acts 6:1,2 NLT
1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 

The church answer:

Acts 6:3-8 NLT
3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 
4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 
6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

Stephen, became one of the first of seven deacons.

He was a man:
Full of faith (grace/RSV)and power, (who) did great wonders and miracles.
Oh honest report.
Full of the Holy Ghost.
Full of Wisdom
Full of love

Now wherever the blest work of God, certainly the angry enemy is not far away.

Acts 6:9-15 NLT
9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 

Acts 6:9 RSV
Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre'nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili'cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. 

These were freed Jews, freed from being captives of Rome. (Josephus/ Tacitus.)

Cyrenians That is Jews of Cyrene, of Libya, from the coast of Africa.
Cilicia, Saul of Tarsus may well have been among them (a member of the Sanhedrin), and of Asia.

Stephen was a Hellenist Greek, and for that matter so Saul of Tarsus. Both, could have well known each other and debated each other!

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 
12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.
13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 
14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

The Hellenist Jews, trumped up false charges against Stephen, as they had the Lord Jesus.
The Sanhedrin, was called upon, and Stephen gave his defense of faith.

Acts 7:1-60 NLT
1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?”
2 This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our Glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. 
3 God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’ 
4 So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.
5 “But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants—even though he had no children yet. 
6 God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign land, where they would be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. 
7 ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and in the end they will come out and worship Me here in this place.’
8 “God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. So when Abraham became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him on the eighth day. And the practice was continued when Isaac became the father of Jacob, and when Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation.
9 “These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him 
10 and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.
11 “But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery, and our ancestors ran out of food. 
12 Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons—our ancestors—to buy some. 
13 The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh. 
14 Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all. 
15 So Jacob went to Egypt. He died there, as did our ancestors. 
16 Their bodies were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb Abraham had bought for a certain price from Hamor’s sons in Shechem.
17 “As the time drew near when God would fulfill His promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. 
18 But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. 
19 This king exploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die.
20 “At that time Moses was born—a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months. 
21 When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son. 
22 Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.
23 “One day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel. 
24 He saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite. So Moses came to the man’s defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian. 
25 Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.
26 “The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting. He tried to be a peacemaker. ‘Men,’ he said, ‘you are brothers. Why are you fighting each other?’
27 “But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside. ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ he asked. 
28 ‘Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’ 
29 When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian. There his two sons were born.
30 “Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him, 
32 ‘I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with terror and did not dare to look.
33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 
34 I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.’
35 “So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior. 
36 And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years.
37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’ 
38 Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life-giving words to pass on to us.
39 “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt. 
40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’ 
41 So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. 
42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written, ‘Was it to Me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 No, you carried your pagan gods— the shrine of Molech, the star of your god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them. So I will send you into exile as far away as Babylon.’
44 “Our ancestors carried the Tabernacle with them through the wilderness. It was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses. 
45 Years later, when Joshua led our ancestors in battle against the nations that God drove out of this land, the Tabernacle was taken with them into their new territory. And it stayed there until the time of King David.
46 “David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. 
47 But it was Solomon who actually built it. 
48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
49 ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Could you build Me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build Me such a resting place?
50 Didn’t My hands make both heaven and earth?’
51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 
52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 
53 You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”
54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 
56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 
58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 
60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Romans 14:12 KJV
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Stephen, first martyr of the Christian church, was faithful until death.

Dear friend, our life, could end at any time, certainly it is not an eternal life.
Do you know the Lord, that's the most important question!
And if you do, are you serving Him, is He your Lord, and Master?
Will you hear the Saviour one day say to you...

Matthew 25:23 KJV
“...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Truth- Buy The Truth And Sell It Not

Bible Questions Answered 
“....my reading I see the words -buy the truth and do not sell it-what is this?”
Cadao/ Sydney, Australia

Bible Answer:

Bible Text: Proverbs 23:23 KJV
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Proverbs 4:3-8 KJV (Solomon, listening to his father King David's lessons.)
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 23:23 KJV
“Buy the truth, and sell it not...”
King David was stressing the importance of having and knowing the truth.
The truth is of great value, do all that you can to have it, which speaks of sacrifice,...but never think of selling it.

This reminds us of the parable of Jesus, the pearl of great price.

Matthew 13:45,46 KJV
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a Merchant Man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when He had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that He had, and bought it.

For the explanation of this parable see the following posting.... Parables-Our Lord's: The Pearl Of Great Price

Our Saviour devested Himself of all, to purchase, yeah, to redeem His beloved people!

Psalm 45:1-8 NLT
1 Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the King, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.
2 You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from your lips. God Himself has blessed you forever.
3 Put on your sword, O Mighty Warrior! You are so Glorious, so Majestic!
4 In your Majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts. The nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
7 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
8 Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes. In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.

Philippians 2:5-11 KJV 
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Heavens ivory palace, His throne, His haliments of glory, all, all, our blessed for ever, Saviour laid aside for our redemption, and that by His own precious blood.
Selah

II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

If this indeed was the mindset of the Saviour, what is our determination, towards Him?

Solomon's instructions were to ….
Proverbs 23:23 KJV
“Buy the truth, and sell it not...”
Whatever, be the sacrifice, there can be no comparison as to the value of truth!

John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

We cannot “buy,” what is free, but nevertheless our possessing this great treasure deserves our best sacrifices.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
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.

Romans 3:24 KJV
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Psalm 107:22 KJV
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Christian Confession

Bible Questions Answered:

“...tell me that phrase “the testimony of Jesus,” what is this meaning?”

Rico/ La Jolla, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Revelation 1:2 KJV

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:9 KJV

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for

the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17 KJV

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:10 KJV

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for

the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This is the “witness,” of Christian people, concerning Jesus.

I Peter 3:15 KJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

It is the call, nay, duty of any Christian to be ready to give a reason for his faith in Jesus Christ.

Every Christian has been commissioned to witness of his faith.

Mark 16:15 KJV (Jesus speaking to His disciples.)

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Romans 10:9,10 NLT

9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

“The testimony of Jesus,” is confession as to your Christian faith, and or Christian instruction, i.e of preaching or teaching the Christian faith.

Matthew 10:32,33 KJV

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

Luke 12:8 KJV

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God:

Philippians 2:11 KJV

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I John 2:23 KJV

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

I John 4:15 KJV

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Salvation Prayer