Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Acts ... Chapter 21-22-23

Acts 21

1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 3Now when we had discovered Cyprus,  we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. 

4And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 

5And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 6And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. 7And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
 

8And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And when he was come unto us,  he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 

12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 

13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 

14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
 

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. 

17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 

25As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 

26Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
 


27And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, 28Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. 29(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. 

31And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. 

33Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. 34And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. 35And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. 36For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. 37And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee?  Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 

39But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. 40And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Acts 22

1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. 2(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 


17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. 

22And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. 

23And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, 24The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. 25And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? 26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. 27Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me,  art thou a Roman?  He said, Yea. 28And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. 

29Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.  

30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Acts 23

1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 5Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
 

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 

7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 

9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. 

10And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 

11And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
 

12And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.  13And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 

17Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20And he said,  The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 

22So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 23And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 

31Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.

2 Corinthians 5:17

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.

Comments by Pam Padgett

When we are born again God changes us, and gives us the Holy Spirit.  Whereas we once cared only about things of this world and following our own will, we begin caring about what God wants us to do and things of God and have a thirst for His word.

And throughout our lives God continues to change us, conforming us to His word.  

When we consider how God has changed us and continues to change us, knowing this is not of ourselves but because God has chosen us to be His children and changes us by His power, it brings great joy and gratefulness to God. 

No more conscience of sins

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Acts 13 ... 38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 


I'm so glad we do not have to do all those things in the law of Moses ...

We have "a new and living way" ... Heb. 10:20 .... By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;


In the OT, there were various sacrifices offered yearly for sins of the people... In some sacrifices, animals were slain and their blood offered by the high priest.  Thus death took place so that the sins which were remembered from year to year could be "appeased", but not removed ...

Heb. 10:4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.



In the new and living way, Jesus died for our sins,  but Jesus is living, raised from the dead by God ... thus living way.

Heb. 10 ...

... He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 


10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 

12But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 

14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  

18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
 

19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

After Jesus there is no more offering (sacrifice) for sins ...

The blood of Jesus is the total price ... nothing more ... If you are trying to remove sins any other way, it will not work.

And we go to God continually by "eating HIS flesh" and by "drinking HIS blood" ... eating and drinking the Word of God given us by God through the Spirit of God.




Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Acts ... Chapter 20

1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
 

7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
 

13And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. 14And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. 15And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. 16For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
 

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 

28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
 

36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, 38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. 

And they accompanied him unto the ship.

God provides everything needed to do His will

Exodus 31:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; 7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, 8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, 9 And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, 10 And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, 11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.


Comments by Pam Padgett

After God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, God spoke to Moses giving instructions for building the tabernacle and all that pertained to it and was needed.   Many things needed to be made according to the directions God had given.

For all that God commanded to be done, materials were available and HE gave men to do the work, giving them wisdom and abilities needed. 

Reading this passage of scripture strengthened my faith that God gives us what we need ... wisdom, understanding, abilities, materials, help ... whatever is needed to do what He has called us to do.    

And I was reminded of the following ... Almost three years ago Joan was given a dream showing her to start this blog.  She asked me to setup the blog so messages could start being posted.  At the time I didn't know what a blog was, so I prayed asking God for wisdom in how to do this. I had the thought to look on the internet to see what a blog was and how to set one up.  There was a lot of information there, and I asked God to help me sort through it.

One thing the Holy Spirit brought to my mind was that we needed something simple (not elaborate) since what was important were the messages.  This thought was used to show me how to sort through various options for where and how to setup the blog, and I was able to easily setup the blog on blogspot.  Everything needed was available and, amazingly, it cost nothing to setup the blog. 

When we needed a way for people to find the blog, we were led to purchase Google ads.  We have plenty of money to pay for the ads, and we could see that people were immediately finding the blog through the ads.

When God calls us to do something, He gives us the ability and provides what is needed to do the work.  

Abide in the vine

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Jn. 15 ... Jesus says ...  1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.


We have life through that "bread" that comes down from heaven, the word of God by the Spirit of God.  We see here THE WORD (Jesus), by GOD, through the HOLY Spirit ... all three in one.

As we hear that word given us by God through HIS Spirit and as we live in that word, we abide in HIM.

Example:  A few weeks ago, I received a card from a woman and in that card she told me she was having 25 to dinner Thanksgiving Day and she and her husband were going to her daughter's house Christmas Day and her grandson got married in October.

In her card, Shirley named 4 things I do not have ... husband, daughter, grandson, and lots of people around me.

Even while reading her card, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in form of the following thought brought to my mind:  "You are dead and your life is hid in Christ."

This was so important to me to offset fleshly feelings of not having those things cited by Shirley in her card.  I felt no lack at all as I thought on that word given me by the Holy Spirit.

During the weeks since that time, I have often lived in that same word:  "You are dead and your life is hid in Christ."

Also that Word (Col. 3) says to me ...  4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  

I have a life in Christ but it is hidden from people.  When Christ appears, who is my life, then I will appear with HIM and my life in HIM will be visible to all.  But right now it is hidden from Shirley and from my cousins and from various business people who talk with me.  It looks like I have no life.  And in a way that is right.  I have no life on this earth but I do have a life in Christ.  On this earth, I'm just a stranger and pilgrim like Abraham and those people of God who look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwlleth righteousness. 

As we hear from God by HIS Spirit and live in the word brought to us by God by HIS Spirit we abide in HIM.  We will bear much fruit this way.  We are clean by that Word brought to us.

If anyone tries to live in anything other than that Word from God, he will wither and men will gather him to themselves (to their own ways).

It is not a matter of hearing the word from God or reading the Bible.  It is a matter of living that Word given us by God.  That word is life to those that continually do the word that is given them by the Holy Spirit. 

Monday, December 29, 2014

Acts ... Chapter 19

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them,  Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him,  We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.
 

8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 

9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
 

13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
 

21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.  28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?  36Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. 38Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.  39But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.  40For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

God dwells in us by His Spirit

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hand;

Comments by Pam Padgett

God dwells in those who have been born again by His Spirit .... 

2 Corinthians 6:16 ... for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

When I was first born again, I didn't understand what had happened, not knowing about being born again.  But I was very aware that God had changed me and that it was as though God was always with me and even in me. 

Then one day I read the following scripture and my eyes were opened to see that this is what had happened to me.  The Holy Ghost is in me, and in all believers.  

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

No matter our circumstances, we are never alone for God is with us.  And we no longer live for ourselves, for we have been changed by God and are led by the Holy Spirit in us. 

Acts 17:24-25

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  Acts 17

When I think of our God, I think of THE GOD who made heaven and earth and all things and all people.  So far as I know the other religions don't think of their god as the GOD who made heaven and earth and all things and all people.  To me, this separates the real God from the false gods.

Before I was born again, one of my roommates got cancer.  It was very bad and had already reached the lymph nodes and I was there when the doctor came out and talked to family and he said:  "We will make her as comfortable as possible."  Basically saying there is no hope for her.

I was member of Methodist church at time but not born again.  I didn't know we could pray where we are but I thought I had to go to Methodist church to pray.  I went to the downtown church and went to the prayer room and prayed for Betty.

Later I learned the truth that Paul spoke in Acts 17:24 ... God does not dwell in temples made with hands.

And I learned that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ... our own body ... and that God dwells in the believers by HIS Spirit which dwells in us.  God is always there, day and night and at all times and seasons.  HE is in us.  Romans 10 ...  6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But 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; 9That 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. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.


The WORD is in us ... in our hearts and in our minds.  This is the New Covenant:  God says ... 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Heb. 10

So we don't have to go hunt THE WORD.  We don't send someone to bring back THE WORD.

The Word is in us.

The Word surfaces to our mind by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and brings to our mind the portion of the Word upon which we need to focus in the situation at hand.

Jesus says:  26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 


After Jesus arose, the Holy Spirit was sent from God to dwell in the believer and to remain in the believer.

So now each of us who belong to God have God living in us by HIS Spirit and God's laws are put into our hearts and our minds by God HIMSELF.

This is the NT church.

And we worship God by obeying HIS Word which is carried to our mind by the Holy Spirit.  Worship is obedience to God's word.  Each time we obey HIS WORD we acknowledge that Jesus (The Word) is our Lord and we follow what HE tells us.

We suffer in the flesh by not letting the flesh do what it wants to do

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

I Peter 4 ... 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.


There are a great many things the flesh wants to do but because we now belong to God and have HIS Spirit we do not allow the flesh to do as it wants.  We do not allow it to tell people off and put them in their place as we once did.  We refuse to hate and despise people who have not the Spirit of God as we do for we know we did nothing to deserve having the Spirit of God it was simply the grace of God toward us.  We practice charity instead of hatred. We put aside fornication and when we have to do so we flee fornication as did Joseph and the holy people before us.

All these things we now do go against the flesh and because we refuse to give in to the flesh and refuse to allow the flesh to do what it wants to do, we "suffer in the flesh" ...

Things the flesh wants to do are listed in Gal. 5 ...  19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

 NASB ... Gal. 5:19-21 ... immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God

NIV ... Gal. 5:19-21 ...sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

After we are born again, and have the Spirit of God in us, we are no longer captive to our flesh as we once were.  Now we identify with being crucified with Christ that we who are raised as a new creature, born again by the Spirit of God, can put the flesh to death and keep our flesh from taking over.  We reckon that we are dead with Christ and alive now to God.  We no longer let sin reign in our flesh as we once did.  When the flesh tries to rise up, we refuse to allow it to have its way and we do whatever we have to do to keep it down.  

Thus by refusing to allow the flesh to do as it wants to do, we cause the flesh to suffer and know what it means "to suffer in the flesh".



Sunday, December 28, 2014

Acts ... Chapter 18

1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.  6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
 

7And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 

9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 

11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 
 

12And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13Saying,  This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16And he drave them from the judgment seat. 

17Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
 

18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 

19And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 

22And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
 

24And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 

27And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Translation of Acts 17:22-23 ... NIV & NASB

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

In Acts 17, Paul confronts the men of Athens.

In the KJV we read:  22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.  23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

In this, the NIV and the NASB provide a more likely view of Paul's approach based on our understanding of the English language today.  I believe the following is a more likely translation in this specific scripture although in the majority of cases I prefer the KJV translation of the Bible.

In the NIV, when Paul speaks to the men of Athens, he says:  People of Athens!  I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:  TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.  So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship ---  and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.  NIV Acts 22-23

In the NASB, we read:  Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.  For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar wth this inscription, "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD."  What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.


After I was born again

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

After God spoke to me in 1975 and after I was taken into heaven twice in the nights following, there were many witnesses from people in Bible classes and church groups.  Often people said to me, "The hand of God is upon you."

But I had no idea what any of this meant.

I owned a business at the time, American Indian Arts.  I put a fish symbol on the door of my shop.  I put printed pamphlets at various places around the shop telling of Jesus and God.  I had Bibles in my shop, on the desk area at the cash register and on a table at a sitting area ... at every opportunity I would talk to customers about God ... I got a young man from Dallas Theological Seminary to come at noon and teach a Bible class at my shop ... But I had no idea I was to do anything other than operate a business as I was doing.

For about 3 years, I did everything I could do to study the Bible.  Toward the end of this 3 years, word came by various people saying I was to be a prophet.  I just kept myself immersed in Bible through personal reading of Bible and attending Bible classes. That had become my life.  The business meant nothing to me although I was still operating the business.

At one point, God spoke a word to me by His Spirit saying:  "Joan ... I have called you and set you into the body of Christ as an apostle  ..."  I was so shocked!  "Apostle?  What's an apostle."  (God began teaching me by the Bible what HE wanted me to do both as apostle and prophet.)

Finally I was persuaded I was to close my business and go into ministry full time ... although I had no where to go (I also had no income after closing business.  I just lived off the profits from sale of the merchandise of shop) ... I just closed my business and stayed home and read Bible ... I closed business, July 31 and stayed home until Jan. 10 the following year with no idea what I was to do in ministry.  

Then on January 10, the following year after closing my business, in the night, an angel of the Lord spoke three words to me as I was sleeping.  The words were like a trumpet blowing in my ear.  I jumped straight up from sleep.  The words were, "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS" ... I came by this to believe God was showing me to go on radio and within a week I was broadcasting on radio KWJS, 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day.


Saturday, December 27, 2014

Acts ... Chapter 17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.  

4And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 

5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy,  took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying,  These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
 

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 


13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. 14And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 

15And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
 


16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.  17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 

18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.  19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.  21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
 


22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.  23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.  

24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 

29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 
 

32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 

33So Paul departed from among them. 34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Differences in the work of the ministry offices: apostle/prophet/evangelist/pastor/teacher

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Eph. 4 ... 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:   14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 


To understand one of the main areas of work of an apostle, read Acts 15 which shows apostles at work.  (This is the chapter God took me to when HE began teaching me what a NT apostle does in the church today.)

There was a problem that arose over doctrine.  In Acts 15 the question was should we require the Gentiles to be circumcised ...  There was much disagreement over this issue.  Therefore the apostles and elders came together to discuss the matter.  We read in Acts 15 ...1 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. 2When 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. 
3And 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. 4And 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. 
5But 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.
6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them,





We see some of those who believed said the Gentiles must be circumcised.  Some who believed even said the Gentiles could not be saved unless they were circumcised ...

There was much "dissension and disputation" over the subject among those who believed.

A doctrinal ruling had to be issued on this subject.  That was going to be done by the apostles.

Peter spoke to all about it declaring the following:   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. 8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now 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? 11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.  Acts 15

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke.

Then James said ... Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After 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: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Acts 15

James stated the case and presented a ruling for the church.  The Gentiles did not have to be circumcised to be saved.  Salvation was through faith in Jesus Christ.  This was the New Covenant.  The new replaced the old.

God showed me that one of the primary works of an apostle in the NT church has to do with rulings on doctrine and scriptures.  An apostle is a bit like a judge in the supreme court.  Matters are considered and rulings are stated.  In the case of an apostle, the rule book is the Bible and the Holy Spirit leads in making the decision presented.

Many things have been eliminated from today's churches and many false doctrines have been set up today in the Christian churches.  Those of us who are apostles appointed by God will attempt to reestablish doctrine in the churches.  Two of the things I have spoken about are remarriage after divorce and the Lord's supper having to do with eating and drinking the word of God rather than partaking of crackers/grape juice which has no power at all.  (See the listing of permanent writings on right hand side of blog to view some of these subjects.)

Antichrist works in the churches today to pervert doctrine and to take the church in ways opposite to that which God set up in the early church.

Paul even addressed this subject in Acts 20 when he said:  25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 

Apostles have an anointing by God to deal with scripture and church doctrine.  Eph. 4 ... 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

Even in the early church in the days of Peter, Paul and John, antichrist was at work to change doctrines and to establish perverse things ... John speaks of this as follows ...  I Jn. 2 ... 18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Paul tells us to expect a "falling away" at the end time ... and Paul says that must take place before Jesus returns.  II Thess. 2 ...

That falling away was not men leaving the church groups but rather was church groups falling away from established doctrine, such as the doctrine on divorce and remarriage.  In today's church we see opposite doctrines on this subject.  (Read:  Divorce & remarriage:  What the Bible teaches)

Though antichrist will work greatly in the end time churches as Paul said in II Thess. 2, apostles will still present correct scriptural doctrine so the elect can have an opportunity to depart from the doctrines set up by antichrist in the church groups.

Antichrist is a spirit working in the church groups today.  Here is what that spirit does ...

II Thess. 2 ... (antichrist) 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

That spirit of antichrist opposes correct doctrine in the church groups.  He sets up another doctrine which approves people in sin rather than turning church people away from their sin.  And antichrist sees himself "as God", failing to bow down to correct doctrine, sitting in the temple of God and showing himself to be God by leading people a perverse way.

And Paul said:  7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:   II Thess. 2  It was already happening in the early church but it will grow much worse, especially as apostles and prophets were removed from church groups for those appointed by God would not approve doctrines that oppose scripture.

II Thess 2 ...  8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

After Jesus arose (after HE was raised from the dead), HE gave to the NT church some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Eph. 4:11

Paul was not the last apostle as some churches teach.  Rather Paul was the first of those New Testament apostles which Jesus gave to the church after HIS resurrection.

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Prophets are defined by the following explanation:

Hosea 12:11 ... 13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.


All who belong to God in the NT church have been given the Holy Spirit to lead them and guide them and correct them.  But sometimes God will use a prophet to try to show a problem and a solution to that problem.

Several years ago, I was having coffee with 2 Baptist women.  One woman began to speak about the new building they were constructing at their church group.  She said one woman in their group spoke often against the building and the pastor and she asked me what I thought might be wrong.  Instantly out of my mouth came the word:  "Maybe she's a prophet."  Everyone was shocked.  The woman seemed wrong for she was against what they were doing.  But maybe she was a prophet for if they were going wrong way a prophet would be greatly troubled.

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Apostles and prophets work mostly with the church itself while evangelist go out to the unsaved.  (I have had several people saved as I have spoken but basically I am speaking to the church itself with the messages God gives me.)

Pastors/teachers probably work more with the church than with the unsaved.

Many who are ministers today do not know what they are.  I've seen some call themselves pastors when they were more likely evangelists.  Their message was the message of an evangelist.  They were identifying themselves as pastor because they were stationary at one church group.  But the message identifies the office.  When a person is continually speaking a message of basic salvation, he is likely an evangelist even when he calls himself pastor.

I've seen one man who called himself pastor when he was probably a prophet.

God very clearly defined to me the work of apostle/prophet in the church because that was the calling on my life and the work I would be doing in the church.

Some just copy other ministers and they have no idea what they are.  Many are not even born again though they try to preach and lead the church.  You can tell they do not have the Spirit of God.  Some even rise to great fame in the ministry without having the Spirit of God.  All types of things are going on today in churches.

Think on these things

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Phil. 4 ... 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  

When we think on these things that God has done in our lives, we enter into great joy!

This was called to my attention this week and I sat and thought on the following things in my life that God has done ...


- saved me by truth, by HIS word
- taken into heaven twice
- put on radio
- put on blog
- comforted in need
- shown way of God ... given great joy
- provided for in every way / no lack/ no want
- my life was worked out perfectly by God for me and for my assignment on this earth

It will build you up greatly in the faith if you think on that which God has done in your life.

Persecution caused the Word to be spread

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Throughout the book of Acts we see many examples of the apostles having to leave one city and go to another city because of persecution.  This persecution drove them out to another city.  Thus by persecution the word of God spread.

One example of many in the book of Acts ...

Acts 14 ... 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7And there they preached the gospel. 

It was so different in the times of the early church ... no communication other than face to face communication ... no mail, no telephone, no computers, no internet, no TV, no radio ... The word of God was spoken face to face as they traveled city to city.

One amazing thing to me is that they were allowed at that time to speak in the synagogues.  Here Paul comes saying they no longer have to be circumcised in the flesh.  What a shocking message.  Paul was beaten and stoned many times.  Basically Paul is telling the Jews they no longer go by the law of Moses when he speaks about circumcision. We see Paul's message on the subject of circumcision in the book of Galatians ...

Gal. 1 ... 10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gal. 3 ... 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There 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. 29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Gal. 4 ... 1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?   10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.


Gal. 5 ... 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


Jesus comes with the very hard message telling them they must eat his flesh and drink HIS blood ... and many were offended by the message Jesus carried ... Jn. 6 ...  35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life ...  51I 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... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever...60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?... 66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.


Paul comes with another "hard" message and that is the message that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by circumcision of the flesh and they no longer have to be circumcised in the flesh to belong to God.


Gal. 6 ... 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 

The cross of Christ changed everything.  Now man was going to come to God through that which Jesus did, by faith in Jesus.

Basically salvation is going to depend on that which God does ... not by that which we do ... Salvation is going to be based on God's works, not our works.

Yet we are changed greatly when we are given HIS Spirit so that we no longer want to live as we once lived in the flesh.  Now we want to serve God instead of our flesh.  But we are changed to a new creation by that which God did through Jesus and by giving us the Holy Spirit to live in us.

But salvation is of God and not of ourselves.  HE changes us by HIS own will and through the works of Jesus done for us and by HIS Spirit given to live in us.

Salvation is not of man nor by the will of man.  Salvation is by the works done in man by God and the change made in man by God.  No man can make this change by his own will power.  It is a gift of God.  We are changed when God reveals HIMSELF to us by HIS Spirit.  We are then born again as a new creation!  We are sealed by HIS Spirit and now HIS word burns through us by HIS Spirit.  It is a mystery but those of us who are of God and have HIS Spirit understand.  The others fight us just as they fought the real people of God in the early church although now they usually do not kill our bodies.  Now they just fight the message we carry and they try to stop us from speaking.  I Thess. 2 ...  16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.   Now they keep us from speaking in the church groups, in the churches. The churches only allow men approved by themselves to speak to the congregation.  While thinking to keep out things contrary to the Word of God, these church groups keep out the Word of God.  But God still speaks to individuals directly, by HIS Spirit.  And today we have Internet where we can speak all over the world.  God is never stopped though through the ages religious men have tried to stop God from speaking!





Friday, December 26, 2014

Acts ... Chapter 16

1 Then came he (Paul) to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. 4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
 

6Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him,  saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 

11Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.  

13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.  14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
 


16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:  17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 

19And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,  20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 

23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
 

25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 

26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
 

35And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul,  The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 

37But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 

38And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

John 14:2-3

Cathy Varner  ...  member of body of Christ

Recently scriptures from John 14 came to me, either in a dream or just as I was waking up in the morning.  What I remembered and wrote down was verse 2 and the last part of verse 3...  That where I am ye may be also.

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.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,  and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Thinking on God

Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet


Yesterday morning I awoke, made coffee and took everything in to theater room to begin day as usual. 

I was particularly happy over having such a nice place to live and I thanked God for this provision.

Began reading Acts 15 on blog and my attention was focused immediately on two verses ...

Acts 15:3 ... they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

- I thought on how we share that which God shows us and we cause great joy to all the brethren
- I thought of the joy I have when I read what you share.  Cathy Varner shared a verse given her by God, and I was joyful to see the evidence that God is speaking to Cathy.  I think on Joseph sharing that dream where I was walking after the accident.  Not only did that help me but it also helps me to see God sharing with Joseph.

Acts 15:4 ...  they declared all things that God had done with them.

I sat and thought of those things God has done for me.  I suggest you do this.  This also ties in with Phil. 4 ... think on these things ... Think on those things God has done for you.  Great joy.

I wrote the following where I am concerned as I thought on that which God has done with me.

- saved me by truth, by HIS word
- taken into heaven twice
- put on radio
- put on blog
- comforted in need
- shown way of God ... given great joy
- provided for in every way / no lack/ no want
- my life was worked out perfectly by God for me and for my assignment on this earth

It will build you up greatly in the faith if you think on that which God has done in your life.