Rejoice and be Glad Matthew 5:12

Saved by Knowledge

Psalm 49:20 Earthling man, although in honour, who does not understand, Is indeed comparable with the beasts that have been destroyed.

John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. 

(Ephesians 4:13) until we all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ;

(Philippians 1:9) And this is what I continue praying, that YOUR love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment;

The first thing a man has to do, then, in order to gain salvation, is to believe the gospel. To do this he must know the gospel, for as Paul says, "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard"? (Rom. x, 14). Knowledge must always precede belief; for a man cannot believe that of which he has not previously been informed. Hence, the first inquiry on the part of man or woman anxious to be saved will be, WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? Until they know this, they cannot go on to the second stage of believing unto salvation. The gospel is styled "the one faith," because it is made up of things which require faith to receive them - the act of the mind by which these are apprehended being metonymically put for the things themselves. It is laid down as a principle, "Without faith IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD" (Heb. xi, 6), and it is affirmed of believers, "Ye are saved through faith" (Eph. ii, 8), and " the just shall live by faith," (Heb. x. 38). Now this faith, in scriptural usage, is not a mere abstract reliance on the omnipotence of Jehovah, but the belief of specific promise. It is said that "faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness" (Rom. iv, 9). Now let us note the character of this righteousnessacquiring faith:-

"He staggered not at THE PROMISE OF GOD through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God:and being fully persuaded that WHAT HE HAD PROMISED, he was also able to perform" (Rom. iv, 20, 21).

Hence, it is said that faithful Abraham was constituted the father of them that BELIEVE, by which it is evident that scriptural faith is belief in the promises of God; and thus by the consideration of terms of a more general nature, we arrive at the conclusion to which we were guided in a former lecture by specific testimony, viz.: - that the Gospel which must be believed in order to obtain salvation, is made up of unfulfilled promises as its chief element.

http://www.antipas.org/books/chris_astray/ca_lec17.html


HERESIAN: But the apostle saith, we are saved by "the renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Tit. iii. 5).

BOANERGES: He also says, we are renewed by knowledge" (Col. iii. 10). In this, however, he does not contradict himself, but rather makes the one phrase explanatory of the other; as if he had said, "we are renewed by the Holy Spirit through knowledge." The Holy Spirit renews or regenerates man intellectually and morally by the truth believed. "Sanctify them by thy truth," says Jesus; "thy word, O Father, is truth" (John xvii. 17). "Ye are clean," said he to his apostles, "through the word which I have spoken to you" (John xv. 3). God's power is manifested through means. His Spirit is His power by which He effects intellectual, moral, and physical results. When He wills to produce intellectual and moral effects, it is by knowledge revealed by His Spirit through the prophets and apostles. This knowledge becomes power when received into "good and honest hearts"; and because God is the author of it, it is styled "the Knowledge of God" (2 Pet. i. 2), or "the word of truth" (James i. 18), by which He begets sinners to Himself as His sons and daughters. "The word of the truth of the gospel,"" the gospel of the kingdom." "the incorruptible seed,""the word," "the truth as it is in Jesus,"" the word of the kingdom,"" the word of reconciliation," "the law and the testimony," "the word of faith," "the sword of the spirit which is the word of God," "the word of Christ," "the perfection of liberty," etc.-are all phrases richly expressive of" the power of God" by which He saves His people from their sins, and translates them into the Hope of the kingdom and glory to which He invites them. The truth is the power that makes men free indeed (John viii. 32, 36). Hence Jesus says, "My words are spirit, and they are life." The prophets, Jesus, and the apostles were the channels through which it was transmitted to mankind; and the spirit the agent by which the knowledge was conveyed to them. Hence, the knowledge or the truth being suggested to the prophets by the spirit is sometimes styled "the spirit" (Rom. ii. 20). The spirit is to the truth as cause and effect; and by a very common figure of speech, the one is put for the other in speaking of them relatively to the mind and heart of man. So that the phrase "renewed by the holy spirit" is equivalent to renewed by the belief of the truth testified by the Holy Spirit (John xv. 26: xiv. 13-14).

http://www.the-gospel-truth.info/clerical-theology-unscriptural-part-1/

21. We reject that baby sprinkling is a doctrine of Scripture. [Baptism is only valid upon a confession of understanding the complete Will and purpose of God. It is the outward manifestation of an inner conviction — Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12.]

22. We reject that “heathens,” idiots, pagans, and very young children will be saved. [Salvation is based upon a reasonable and logical understanding of the Truth; those who are foreign to the gospel, who lack the capacity to perceive its responsibilities; or who are unable to comprehend, are outside the sphere of salvation — Acts 8:12.]

23. We reject that man can be saved by morality or sincerity, without the gospel. [Morality and sincerity must be accompanied by an acknowledgement of the gospel for salvation — Acts 10:1-6.]

24. We reject that the gospel alone will save, without the obedience of Christ’s commandments. [Obedience to the commandments is a responsibility required of all believers; salvation will be determined upon the application of faith and obedience. Rev. 22:14; Mat. 7:26; 2Pet. 2:21; Mat. 28:20; Gal. 6:2]

http://www.thechristadelphians.org/htm/beliefs/rejected.htm

Israel of God or of Men?

This key Bible teaching shows that the modern revival of Israel is central to God’s purpose with the nations of the world. The following selection of Bible verses, to which many more can be added, is based on the six aspects of Israel’s National Restoration noted in the book “The Rebirth of the State of Israel – Is it of God or of Men?” by Arthur W Kac. His book was published in 1958 – just 10 years after Israel became independent. The return of Jews to Israel has continued; so that now, at more than 6 million, the Jewish population is about ten times its size in 1948.

If you want to know that God is behind Israel’s restoration, see how many times God says, “I will”, in Ezekiel chapters 36 to 39.

       “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).

       “And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12).

       “Thus says the Lord GOD, When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob” (Ezekiel 28:25).

       “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them” (Amos 9:14).

       “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That you which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).

      “And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD” (Isaiah 62:12).

      “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:33-34: Hebrews 8: 10-12).

       “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26:27).

       “ Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness” (Zechariah 8:7-8).

       “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: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:26-27).

      “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21).

       “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me” (Jeremiah 32:40).

       “Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there” (Ezekiel 39:28).

       “And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, says the LORD thy God” (Amos 9:15).

       “ The LORD has taken away your judgments, he has cast out your enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more” (Zephaniah 3:15).

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

       “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 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” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

       “And, behold, you shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. 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: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

       “For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion” (Isaiah 34:8).

       “And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them” (Ezekiel 39:21).

       “For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:1-2).

       “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3).

       “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou should give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18).

       “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:2-4).

       “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:23).

       “Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:22-23).

       “ 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, says the Lord, who does all these things” (Acts 15:16-17).

Gospel of Matthew 12:1-32 Satan, Beelzebub and Demons,

Cameron: UK will stand with Israel, keep pressure on Iran

:Cameron: UK will stand with Israel, keep pressure on Iran 

Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM). 28-Nov-13 

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday sought to provide assurances over concerns surrounding the interim deal struck last weekend in Geneva between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran. 

Critics, especially those in Israel have pointed out the six-month agreement allows Tehran some sanctions relief, but does not require Iran to dismantle any of its centrifuges. Speaking yesterday at a reception in Downing Street to mark the Jewish festival of Chanukah, Cameron said “I know there will be great scepticism, I know there will be great worry [regarding the deal]. I share that scepticism, I share that worry. I don’t have any starry-eyed view of what this Iranian regime offers.” He pledged that “As far as I’m concerned, an enemy of Israel is an enemy of mine. A threat to Israel is a threat to us all,” adding “I can promise you this: Britain will stand with Israel, Britain will support Israel, Britain will keep the pressure up on Iran. We do not want you to have… a nuclear threat facing your country.” 

Meanwhile, Simon Gass, Political Director-General at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK’s lead negotiator on Iran, met yesterday with Israel’s Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz in Jerusalem. Gass told the media that “core sanctions on oil and gas and financial transactions remain in place” against Iran and that the UK will ensure the sanctions regime is “policed and enforced tightly.” Gass said talks with Steinitz had been “good” and the UK “always had a very close and friendly dialogue with Israel over Iran, which we recognize as a core security interest for Israel.” Emphasising that the purpose of his visit was to “continue our close consultation with Israel on the Iranian dossier,” Gass added “we have agreed on the need to work together and look toward the future.” 

More European Jews Consider Escaping to Israel

More European Jews Consider Escaping to Israel 

Israel Today 24-Nov-13 

Many European Jews no longer feel safe in their home countries. This is evident from a recent survey conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. 

On average, 76 percent of Jews surveyed across the continent reported a rise in anti-Semitism in recent years, and 29 percent said they are considering emigrating to Israel as a result. 

Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they had encountered people who did not consider Jews to be their fellow countrymen. The problem appeared to be most acute in Hungary, France and Belgium, where the number of Jews who had thought about emigration was much higher. 

One in five respondents said that they purposely avoid wearing anything in public that would identify them as a Jew. That particular problem was more acute in Sweden, where 34 percent don't want others to know they are Jewish. 

Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, emphasized the importance of this study. The fact that "Jews are no longer able to express their faith because they are afraid 

Jews and Arabs to be United By Christ

What about Ishmael and the Arabs?
Will God ignore Ishmael? We have referred to the promises made to Ishmael's descendants: "I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful... I will make of him a great nation" (Genesis 17:20). Much of this has been fulfilled already: the Arabs have been prosperous and become a great multitude, contributing much to world culture. What hope is in store for them in the future?

If, like any other people, Arabs acknowledge the God of Israel and the Lord Jesus Christ they will live alongside the descendants of Isaac and Jacob, helping to rebuild the economy of the area, benefiting from the blossoming of their deserts and sharing in the joys and blessings of the kingdom. Isaiah, for example, pictures Arabs and others bringing service and worship into Jerusalem:

"The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD... And they shall call you, The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 60:6-14)

"In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria... Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed is Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)

Harmony and peace will, at last, come to the family of Abraham. The Middle East will be gloriously transformed.

But the promises extend more widely than to just the nations of the Middle East. God's purpose is something personal and vital to every one of us, of whatever nationality, if we wish to be part of the divine plan for the future. Jesus is the Saviour of men and women from every race, language and creed on earth - if they truly believe in him. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

No-one will be excluded, who changes his life to be a follower of Jesus Christ. God's plan is a world-wide plan of salvation: remember the promise that through Abraham "all families of the earth" will be blessed. That includes Gentiles and Jews. The apostle Paul was a converted and baptized Jew and he wrote to baptized Gentiles:

"As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:27-29)

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