SCRIPTURE CANNOT CONTRADICT ITSELF!

According to God's Word, the Book of books, it is 100% accurate, 100% truth!  The Apostle Paul wrote:  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the (child) of God may be perfect, (thoroughly) furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  And he ought to know; the Apostle Peter included Paul's writings as "Scripture" (2 Pet. 3:15-16). 

The word "inspiration of God" is from the Greek θεόπνευστος (theopneustos), which is defined as "the breath of God."  And since God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18), it is therefore absolute truth!  Therefore, if a student of God's Word comes to a passage of Scripture that appears to contradict another passage, he or she should "dig deeper" to hopefully discover a solution to the obvious problem.  One of two things will happen:  the student will "rightly divide the Word of Truth" and solve the dilemma (2 Timothy 2:15), or will, by faith, accept the fact that some things are beyond his or her understanding (Examples:  The Trinity; The Eternal Son of God dying; and perhaps the greatest example:  why does God love me?)!  The worst thing a student can do, is to accept one statement as true, and totally ignore the one he or she likes least!

An excellent example is Calvin's teaching on Election, known as "Limited Atonement."  Calvinists hold that all souls that come to faith in Christ, are chosen by God to be saved.  Conversely, all who do not trust in Christ, are not chosen by Him, and will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire!  Their position is based upon far too many references to list here.

Critics of Calvin's position say that their position is inconsistent with a loving, just, and merciful God.  They do not believe that mankind has a free will and can accept Christ's Atonement, or reject it.  They, too, have far too many reference to list here.

I have studied these two "polar opposites" for over forty-five years, and the best solution I have found is in a single passage spoken by Jesus in a parable (Matthew 22:1-14) which reads:

And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call those who were bidden to the wedding:  and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner:  my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready:  come unto the marriage.'  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:  and the remnant took his servants, and treated them spitefully, and slew them.  But when the king heard thereof, he was (filled with wrath): and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then said he to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.'  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good:  and the wedding was furnished with guests.  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment:  and he said unto him, Friend, how came thou in hither not having a wedding garment?'  And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen.'"   

Jesus called His twelve disciples follow Him;

He chose the Apostle Paul (Matthew 4:21; Act 9:15)!

THE LAST KINGDOM ON THIS EARTH

NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S PROPHETIC DREAM  

Daniel 2:31-35 - Thou, O king, saw, and behold a great image.  This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
 
       *This image's head was of fine gold
                [Babylon:  Dan. 2:38; 7:4; Rev. 13:2]
       *His breast and his arms of silver
                [Medo-Persia:  Dan. 2:39; 5:28; 7:5; 8:20; Rev. 13:2]
       *His belly and his thighs of brass
                [Greece:  Dan.  2:39; 7:6; 8:21; 10:20; Rev. 13:2]
       *His legs of iron
                [Rome:  Dan. 2:40; 7:7; 9:26; Rev. 13:2]
       *His feet part of iron and part of clay
                [New World Order/Revived Roman Empire/Antichrist): 
                Dan. 2:41-43; 7:7-8; 8:9-12; 9:27; 2 Th. 2:3-10; Rev. 13:1-10; etc.]

THE FINAL KING:  JESUS, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

       *Thou saw till that a Stone was cut out without hands,
                which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay,
                and brake them to pieces.  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass,
                the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and
                became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors;
                and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them:
                and the Stone that smote the image became a great mountain,
                and filled the whole earth
                [Mt. 21:42-44; Mk. 12:10; Lk. 20:17-18; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20;
                1 Pet. 2:4-8; Rev. 19:1 -20:15; etc.]!

AT THE NAME OF JESUS, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW!

Isaiah 45:23   -   Romans 14:11   -   Philippians 2:10

WE WILL ALL KNEEL BEFORE JESUS - SOME TO HONOR HIM, AND SOME TO BE SENTENCED BY HIM!

THERE ARE DIFFERING DEGREES OF TORMENT IN HELL!

Matthew 10:14-15 - "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Matthew 11:20-24 - "Then began (Jesus) to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not:  Woe unto thee, Chorazin!  Woe unto thee, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell:  for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

Matthew 12:34-37 - "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things:  and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

2 Peter 2:4-10 - "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy (behavior) of the wicked:  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds); the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:  but chiefly (those who) walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.  Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities."

2 Peter 3:3-7 - "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

THERE ARE DIFFERING DEGREES OF REWARD IN HEAVEN!

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon.  But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest:  for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:  but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

1 John 4:13-19 - "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God has to us.  God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:  because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear:  because fear has torment.  He that fears is not made perfect in love.  We love Him, because He first loved us."

TODAY MAY BE THE LAST DAY FOR YOU TO CHOOSE BETWEEN 

HEAVEN AND HELL!  IF YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN, TRUST JESUS!

IF YOU WANT TO GO TO HELL, JUST IGNORE JESUS!  IT IS UP TO YOU!

THE CHURCH CONSISTS OF BELIEVING JEWS AND GENTILES

THE CHURCH FOUNDED UPON FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

Fifty days after Christ's Resurrection, and ten days after His Ascension, His Church was born.  The Feast of Pentecost, the day on which the Holy Spirit first indwelt Christ's disciples, is described in Acts 2:1-47.  And, just as the Spring Feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits), and the Fall Feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) picture Christ's First and Second Advents, Pentecost was a picture of a unique event:  the uniting of Jewish and Gentile believers into one body, the Church.  Look with me at Leviticus 23:15-22.  In verse seventeen, we read:  "Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals:  they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD."

Much like the Spring Feasts, the spiritual meaning of Pentecost was revealed after the event they represented took place.  No one knew that Jesus would be the true Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7).  Yes, John (the Baptizer) called Jesus the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29, 36), but no one understood the meaning of John's prophetic word, until after Jesus was Resurrected.  The fact that Jesus was sinless (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15) is pictured in the Feast of Unleavened Bread (leaven being a picture of sin), and His Resurrection fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:20, 23)!  Pentecost's two leavened loaves are a picture of believing Jews and Gentiles united to make up the Church (the loaves were leavened because members of the Church still sin; we will not be like Christ until we are in His presence - 1 Jn. 3:2)!

Even though Jesus told His disciples that Gentiles would come to faith in Him (Mt. 4:15-16; 12:18, 21; Lk. 2:30-32), it was not until Peter's vision and the conversion of Cornelius, a centurion, in Acts Chapter Ten, that Peter understood.  The Apostles, hesitant to accept Gentile believers as equals, finally did so in the "Council of Jerusalem" in Acts Chapter Fifteen:

Acts 15:1-19 - "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question.  And being brought on their way by the Church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles:  and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.  And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter.  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the Gospel, and believe.  And God, (Who knows their) hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.  Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:  Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name.  And to this agree the words of the Prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:  that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, said the Lord, Who does all these things.  Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.  Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to God...."

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR MAKING SALVATION A FREE GIFT TO ALL

WHO BELIEVE AND ARE WILLING TO CONFESS JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

THE SAVED CANNOT HELP BUT TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS!

BY FAITH, WE ARE SAVED FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN!

BY FAITH, WE ARE SAVED FROM THE POWER OF SIN!

AND ONE DAY, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM THE PRESENCE OF SIN!

Matthew 10:22 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake:  but he that endures to the end shall be saved."

Mark 16:16 - "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that (does not believe) shall be damned."

John 3:17 - "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through (faith in) Him might be saved."

John 10:9 - "I AM the door:  by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Acts 2:21 - "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Acts 4:10, 12 - "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole....Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Acts 11:14 - "(Peter) shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."

Acts 15:11 - "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved...."

Acts 16:30-31 - "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Romans 5:9-10 - "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Romans 9:27 - "(Isaiah prophesied) concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved...."
[Note:  Compare with Romans 11:26 - "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of (Zion) the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob...."]

1 Corinthians 3:15 - "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

1 Corinthians 5:5 - "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

1 Corinthians 10:33 - "Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

1 Timothy 2:4 - "(God desires that) all men be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
[Note:  Compare 2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering (toward us), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."]

JESUS HAS DONE ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR YOU TO BE SAVED!

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL AND PASS IT ON!

Romans 10:9, 13 - "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....For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

ALL WHO TRUST IN JESUS SHALL BE SAVED!

THE GOSPEL, GOD'S GOOD NEWS, IS THAT HE LOVES YOU!

John 3:14-17 - "...as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:  and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present (day), but some are fallen asleep."

SALVATION IS BY FAITH IN GOD'S MERCY AND GRACE!

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Romans 3:25-26 - Jesus, "Whom God hath set forth to (pay in full the debt we owe God due to our sins) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:  that He might be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus."

Romans 5:8-11 - "But God (demonstrated) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement."

Romans 10:2-4 - "For I bear (Israel) record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Ephesians 2:4-9 - "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

Philippians 3:9 - "And be found in (Jesus), not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Titus 3:4-7 - "But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Whom he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST TODAY!

JESUS: THE SON OF GOD!

NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DECLARATION

Daniel 3:25 - "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

THE SPIRITS RECOGNIZED HIM

Mark 3:11 - "And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God."

Luke 1:35 - "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that (Holy One Who) shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Luke 4:41 - "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God.  And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak:  for they knew that He was Christ."

HIS ENEMIES KNEW WHO HE WAS CLAIMING TO BE

Matthew 27:41-43 - "Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save.  If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.  He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him:  for He said, I AM the Son of God."  

Matthew 27:54 - "Now when the Centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."

John 5:18 - "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."

John 10:36 - "Say ye of Him, Whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world,  Thou blasphemes; because I said, I AM the Son of God?"

John 19:7 - "The Jews answered him, We have a Law, and by our Law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God."

THE WORD OF THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM

Matthew 14:33 - "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God."

Mark 1:1 - "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God...."

John 1:34, 49 - "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God....Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel."

John 9:35-38 - "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?  And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talks with thee.  And he said, Lord, I believe.  And he worshipped Him."

John 11:4, 27 - "When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby....She said unto Him, Yea, Lord:  I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, (Who) should come into the world."

John 20:31 - "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."

THE TESTIMONY OF HIS FORMER ENEMY

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

IF SOMEONE WERE TO ASK YOU IF YOU BELIEVED JESUS 

IS THE RESURRECTED SON OF GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST JESUS THE LORD

WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

A disciple is one who has enough faith in his leader, that he submits to the leader's will.  The followers of Jesus were called His disciples over 250 times in the New Testament!  Jesus said:

Matthew 4:19 - "And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Matthew 8:22 - "But Jesus said unto him, Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead."

Matthew 9:9 - "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom:  and He saith unto him, Follow Me.  And he arose, and followed Him."

Matthew 16:24 - "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."

Matthew 19:21 - "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me."

Mark 2:14 - "And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow Me.  And he arose and followed Him."

Mark 8:34 - "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."

Mark 10:21 - "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest:  go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

Luke 5:27 - "And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, Follow Me."

Luke 9:23 - "And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

Luke 9:59 - "And He said unto another, Follow Me.  But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."

Luke 18:22 - "Now when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing:  sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."

John 1:43 - "The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me."

John 8:12 - "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM the light of the world:  he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

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

John 12:26 - "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."

John 13:36 - "Simon Peter said unto Him, Lord, whither goest Thou?  Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow Me afterwards."

John 21:19 - "This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God.  And when He had spoken this, He saith unto him, Follow Me."

JESUS IS TO BE HIS DISCIPLE'S ROLL MODEL!

John 13:15 - "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

1 Peter 2:21 - "For even hereunto were ye called:  because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."

IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS, GOD IS YOUR FATHER!

Jesus declared that God was His Father sixty-two times in the Gospels!  His enemies recognized that in calling God His Father, He was making Himself equal with God.  John 5:18 says, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."  Ironically, they were right; Jesus, is God! 
John 1:1, 14  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....  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."  Here are a few examples:

Matthew 7:21 - "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 Who is in heaven."

Matthew 10:32-33 - "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father Who is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in heaven."

Matthew 11:27 - "All things are delivered unto Me of My Father:  and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him."

Matthew 16:17 - "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father Who is in heaven."

Matthew 18:10 - "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father Who is in heaven."

Matthew 20:23 - "And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with:  but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father."

Matthew 24:36 - "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

Matthew 25:34 - "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Matthew 26:39 - "And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."

Luke 2:49 - "And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me?  (know) ye not that I must be about My Father's business?"

Luke 22:29-30 - "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Luke 24:49 - "And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you:  but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

John 5:43 - "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not:  if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."

John 6:65 - "And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father."

John 8:28 - "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM, and I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things."

John 10:30 - "I and My Father are one."

John 12:26 - "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."

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

John 15:15 - "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:  but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you."

John 20:17 - "Jesus saith unto (Mary Magdalene), Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God."

NOTICE IN THE LAST VERSE ABOVE, JESUS TELLS HER THAT HE

WAS GOING TO ASCEND TO HIS FATHER AND TO HER FATHER!

AS BELIEVERS IN CHRIST, HIS FATHER IS OUR FATHER!  PRAISE GOD!

THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE CHURCH

JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

Matthew 16:15-18 - "(Jesus said) unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father Who is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter*, and UPON THIS ROCK* I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Note:  The word "Peter" in the Greek text is Πέτρος (Petros), "a proper masculine noun meaning a small stone."  The word "ROCK" in the Greek text is  isπέτρα (petra), "a feminine noun meaning a huge stone such as bedrock."  

HIS CHURCH IS FOUNDED ON FAITH IN JESUS AS GOD IN THE FLESH

Deuteronomy 32:2-3 - "Because I will publish the name of the LORD:  ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  He is the ROCK, HIS work is perfect:  for all HIS ways are judgment:  a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is HE."

Psalm 28:1 - "Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my ROCK; be not silent to me:  lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit."

Psalm 62:1-2 - "Truly my soul waiteth upon God:  from HIM cometh my salvation.  HE only is my ROCK and my salvation; HE is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved."

Isaiah 8:13-15 - "Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.  And HE shall be for a sanctuary; but for a STONE OF STUMBLING and for a ROCK OF OFFENCE  to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken."

Romans 9:30-33 - "...the Gentiles...have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.  But Israel, which followed after the Law of righteousness, hath not attained to the Law of righteousness.  Wherefore?  Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law.  For they stumbled at that STUMBLING STONE; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a STUMBLING STONE and ROCK OF OFFENCE:  and whosoever believeth on HIM shall not be ashamed."

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 - "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual ROCK that followed them: AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST."

1 Peter 2:6-8 - "Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a CHIEF CORNERSTONE, elect, precious:  and He that believeth on HIM shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore who believe, HE is precious:  but unto those who are disobedient, the STONE which the builders disallowed, the same is made the HEAD OF THE CORNER, and a STONE OF STUMBLING, and a ROCK OF OFFENCE, even to those who stumble at the Word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed."

THE ONLY FOUNDATION FOR GOD'S TRUE CHURCH,

IS THE CRUCIFIED, RESURRECTED, AND ASCENDED SON OF GOD!

HE DIED FOR OUR SINS; LET YOUR FAITH BE FOUNDED ON HIM!

WHAT DOES "THE LORD GOD" REPRESENT?

יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah-אֱלֹהִים 'elohiym  THE LORD GOD  κύριος kyrios-θεός theos

 יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah-אֱלֹהִים 'elohiym  "The LORD God" appears 469 times in the Old Testament.  It is first found beginning in Genesis 2:4, with the last being in Zechariah 9:14. 

κύριος kyrios-θεός theos "The Lord God" only appears in eight verses in the New Testament.  They are as follows:

Luke 1:32 - "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:  and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David...."

Luke 1:68 - "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people...."

1 Peter 3:15 - "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...."

Revelation 18:8 - "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire:  for strong is the Lord God Who judgeth her."

Revelation 19:6 - "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia:  for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

Revelation 21:22 - "And I saw no temple therein:  for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."

Revelation 22:5-6 - "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:  and they shall reign forever and ever.  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true:  and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto His servants the things which must shortly be done."

It is quite awesome that this phrase is connected with Creation in the first book of the Bible, and with Eternity in the last!  The Bible is all about God, and the outworking of His plan to redeem all who will trust in His Beloved Son!  We must also be amazed that our God is a Triune Being.  The Hebrew word for God is plural!  I believe where יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah appears by itself in the text, it is speaking of a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus.  The reason is, there are two passages in the Old Testament which declare that individuals saw the face of God (Genesis 32:30 and Judges 13:22).  And yet, Jesus declared that no man has ever seen His Father (John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12)!  That they had seen Jesus can be seen by comparing these passages:

Psalm 110:1 - "The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool."

 

Matthew 22:44 - "The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool?"

Luke 20:42-43 - "And David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool."

Acts 2:34-35 - "For David is not ascended into the heavens:  but he saith himself, The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool."

THE FATHER IS ABOUT TO SEND JESUS TO GATHER HIS CHILDREN;

HAVE YOU BECOME A CHILD OF GOD BY FAITH IN HIS SON?

TIME IS SHORT, EXTREMELY SHORT!  TRUST JESUS TODAY!

TRUTHS UNIQUE TO THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

MATTHEW'S USE OF THE PHRASE "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"

Some believe that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things, and yet it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing.  The phrase "Kingdom of God" occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, including Matthew (6:33; 12:28; etc.), while "Kingdom of Heaven" occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew.  Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase, and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning Christ's Millennial Kingdom, while the other New Testament authors were referring to the Universal Kingdom over which God rules.  However, a closer study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.

For example, Matthew 19:23-24:  Jesus uses the "Kingdom of Heaven" and the "Kingdom of God" interchangeably.  In addition, Mark and Luke used the "Kingdom of God" where Matthew used the "Kingdom of Heaven": compare Mt. 11:11-12 w/ Lk. 7:28; Mt. 13:11 w/ Mk. 4:11 and Lk. 8:10; Mt. 13:24 w/ Mk. 4:26; Mt. 13:31 w/ Mk. 4:30 and Lk. 13:18; Mt. 13:33 w/ Lk. 13:20; Mt. 18:3 w/ Mk. 10:14 and Lk. 18:16; Mt. 22:2 w/ Lk. 13:29.  Clearly, the two phrases refer to the same thing.

MATTERIAL RECORDED ONLY IN MATTHEW

Only in Matthew's Genealogy is there a mention of women -
       v.3 - Tamar; v.5 - Rahab and Ruth; v.6 - Bathsheba; v.16 - Mary.
The Wise Men - 2:1-12.
The Blind Men and the Demoniac - 9:27-34.
Woe to cities in Galilee - 11:20-24.
A Call to the Meek and the Suffering - 11:25-30.
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares - 13:24-30, 36-43.
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Nets - 13:44-52.
The Fish and the Tribute Coin - 17:24.
Dealing with a Personal Offence - 18:15-35.
Laborers for the Vineyard - 20:1-16.
Parable of the Two Sons - 21:28-32.
Parable of the Ten Virgins - 25:1-13. 
The Judgment of the Nations - 25:31-46.
The Death of Judas Described - 27:3-10.
The Guard at the Tomb - 27:62-66, 28:11-15.
Christ's Appearance on the Mount Galilee - 28:16-20.

ONLY MATTHEW USES THE PHRASE "THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED"

Matthew 1:22-23 - "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, 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."
Matthew 2:15 - "And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son."
Matthew 2:23 - "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
Matthew 4:14-16 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."
Matthew 8:17 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."
Matthew 12:17-21 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased:  I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles.  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets.  A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory.  And in His name shall the Gentiles trust."
Matthew 13:35 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
Matthew 21:4-5 - "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."
Matthew 27:35 - "And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots."

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the (age).  Amen."

JESUS CHRIST: GOD'S PASSOVER LAMB!

Genesis 22:6-8 - And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.  And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said, "My father": and he said, "Here am I, my son."  And he said, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"  And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering":  so they went both of them together.

Exodus 12:3, 6-8, 11-14 - Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, "In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: - - - And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. - - - And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is The LORD's Passover.  For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment:  I am the LORD.  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.  And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever."

Isaiah 53:6-8 - "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth:  He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment:  and who shall declare His generation?  For He was cut off out of the land of the living:  for the transgression of My people was He stricken."

John 1:29-36 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold The Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sin of the world.  This is He of Whom I said, After me cometh a man who is preferred before me:  for He was before me.  And I knew Him not:  but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water."  And John bare record, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him.  And I knew Him not:  but He that sent me to baptize with water, the Same said unto me, Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He Who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, "Behold The Lamb of God!"

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:  therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

1 Peter 1:17-23 - "And if ye call on the Father, Who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, Who liveth and abideth forever."

SAVING FAITH IS TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD!

Genesis 15:6 - "And (Abram) believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness."

Daniel 6:23 - "Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den.  So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God."

John 2:22 - "When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said."

John 20:21 - "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."

Acts 9:42 - "And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord."

Romans 10:13-14, 17 -"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." 

Galatians 2:16 - "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law:  for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."

Ephesians 1:12 - "That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation:  in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

Titus 3:8 - "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men."

1 John 5:13 - "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...."

SOME OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR JESUS

Genesis 16:7 - "And The Angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur." 
Genesis 49:10 - "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be."
Exodus 3:14 - "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM:  and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."
Exodus 6:3 - "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known to them."
Deuteronomy 32:4 - "He is The Rock, His work is perfect:  for all His ways are judgment:  a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He."
Job 19:25 - "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
Psalm 2:2 - "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His Anointed...."
Song of Solomon 2:1 - "I AM The Rose of Sharon, and The Lily of the Valleys."
Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
Isaiah 9:6 - "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 Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 28:16 - "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for A Foundation A Stone, A Tried Stone, A Precious Corner Stone, A Sure Foundation:  he that believeth shall not make haste."
Isaiah 41:14 - "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, The Holy One of Israel."
Isaiah 42:1 - "Behold My Servant, Whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in Whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him:  He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."
Isaiah 53:3 - "He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not."
Jeremiah 23:6 - "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely:  and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Daniel 9:25 - "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto The Messiah The Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:  the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times."
Haggai 2:7 - "And I will shake all nations, and The Desire of All Nations shall come:  and I will fill this house with glory, saith The LORD of Hosts."
Zechariah 3:8 - "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee:  for they are men wondered at:  for, behold, I will bring forth MY SERVANT THE BRANCH."
Malachi 4:2 - "But unto you that fear My name shall The Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."

WHILE NOT ALL OF THESE APPEAR IN THE NEW TESTAMENT,

ENOUGH DO TO SHOW THEY SPEAK OF JESUS CHRIST. 

TRUST JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR WHILE THERE IS TIME!

FAITH IN CHRIST SAVES US FROM THE WRATH OF GOD!

FAITH SAVES US FROM THE WRATH OF GOD

Romans 5:1-10 - "Therefore being justified by FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  by Whom also we have access by FAITH into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:  and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:  yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God (demonstrated) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 - "For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  so that ye were (examples) to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your FAITH (toward God) is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.  For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come."

1 Thessalonians 5:5-10 - "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of FAITH and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL; IT IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION!

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!

JESUS WAS BURIED FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS!

JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!

PAUL: SALVATION IS BY FAITH IN CHRIST!

TWENTY EXAMPLES OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN CHRIST

Romans 3:24 - "...being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...."
Romans 8:1-2 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:38-39 - "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 12:5 - "...so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
1 Corinthians 1:2 - "...unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours...."
1 Corinthians 3:1 - "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ."
1 Corinthians 4:15 - "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers:  for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel."
1 Corinthians 15:22 - "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
2 Corinthians 2:21-22 - "Now He Who establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Galatians 3:26-28 - "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ...."
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 3:10-11 - "...to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Philippians 2:5-6 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God...."
Colossians 2:5 - "For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ."
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - "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:  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."
2 Timothy 1:9-10 - "...Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel...."
2 Timothy 3:15 - "...and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Philemon 1:4-6 - "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."

WHEN WE PLACE OUR FAITH IN CHRIST, WE ARE IN CHRIST!