by Gary L. Evans
The Power of The Blood — Part 8
1Jn 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
Christ was with The Father In The Beginning.
1Jn 1:5-6 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
Light symbolizes Righteousness, that is, Perfect Obedience to The Law, which only God can do. Darkness symbolizes Sin, which God cannot commit. But what about us?
John contrasts sinners with New Covenant Christians. Anyone who claims to have fellowship with God The Father, but who also is an unrepentant sinner, is a liar.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Everyone who lives in Obedience to God’s Law lives in Righteousness, and The Blood of The Only Begotten Son atones for their past sins and those committed in ignorance. And they have fellowship one with another, because The Holy Spirit in one Christian bears witness with The Holy Spirit in another Christian.
1Jn 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
In The New Covenant, God forgives us our past sins and sins committed in ignorance. We have all sinned in the past. Anyone who claims to have never sinned is a liar.
1Jn 2:1-3 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
What distinguishes the people of this world from The People of God? God’s People DO NOT COMMIT SIN, BUT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. And this fact, my friends, is the clear demonstration of The Power of The Blood of Christ in each of us. Keep in mind that accidental sin which is the same as sins committed in ignorance are immediately forgiven upon our acknowledgment of them.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Anyone who claims to be a Christian but disobeys God’s Law IS A LIAR. This is a black and white issue, my friends, and the stark difference between God’s People in The New Covenant and all the rest of this world.
1Jn 2:5-6 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
How do we have confidence that we have entered The New Covenant in The Blood of Christ? The Holy Mind of Christ in us obeys God’s Laws Perfectly just as Jesus did when He walked this earth in the flesh. Remember that we have entered into God’s Rest and no longer live by our own works, but submit our will to The Holy Spirit of Christ Who dwells in us with Divine Power. And He works through us to continue accomplishing His Will on earth even today. Paul describes Christians as being members of The Lord’s Body on earth continuing His work.
1Jn 2:18 Little 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.
The phrase “the last time” is the same as “the last days” that Jesus spoke about when He taught that many would come in His Name deceiving many. John calls these deceivers who claim to be Christians antichrists.
1Jn 2:19-21 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
The word “unction” is from “khris’-mah” which means “an unguent or smearing, that is, (figuratively) the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit”
We are protected by the indwelling of The Holy Spirit which provides us Discernment between the truth and lies. Spiritual or Mental Discernment is critical for our survival in this Satanic world. Otherwise we would be deceived to our hurt.
1Jn 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
The word “denieth” is from “ar-neh’-om-ahee” which means “to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate.” It simply means to contradict.
A clearer translation of the above verses would be to use the phrase “contradict or abnegate that Jesus is The Messiah,” and the phrases “contradict the Father and the Son,” and “contradict the Son.”
There are three forms of contradiction. One is obvious, but the other two are more subtle. Contradiction can be by abnegation, saying “that statement is false,” or by addition, adding something to a statement not originally there, or by omission, omitting something that was in the original.
1Jn 2:24-25 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
We have heard God’s Word from In The Beginning. When we remain in God’s Word, The Lord Promises us Eternal Life.
1Jn 2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
The word “seduce” is from “plan-ah’-o” which means “to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).”
The Holy Spirit dwelling in us quickly reminds us of important verses of Scripture when someone tells us something that contradicts The Word of God. For example, Jesus declared that He did not change any of God’s Law but that it must be obeyed (fulfilled). But many antichrists claim that Jesus changed or even did away with The Law. We immediately recall what Jesus said and recognize that what is being told us is a blatant lie which implies that Jesus lied when He said He didn’t change The Law.
The Holy Spirit in Jesus protected Him during Satan’s testing of Him, reminding Him of verses that Satan was in fact contradicting. So Satan failed to deceive Jesus. And The Holy Spirit dwelling in us protects us the same way so we cannot easily be deceived. The more mature we are in God’s Word the better our protection gets, because we can’t recall what we haven’t studied.
1Jn 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Everyone who obeys The Law is righteous. Whoever commits sin is not righteous. So every New Covenant Christian is righteous in that he is empowered by the indwelling of The Righteous Mind of Christ to obey God’s Law perfectly just as Jesus did. Of course we must study The Law before we can even begin to master it. Thus we need to continue repenting of our errors when we realize them. And The Lord will forgive us.
1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
With The Holy Spirit in us The Lord calls us His sons, because The Only Begotten Son of God dwells in us.
1Jn 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The Holy Spirit in us while we continue to dwell in flesh bodies is the Down Payment or Earnest Payment on The Promise of our Full Inheritance as Sons of God at the return of Jesus Christ.
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Sin is simply the transgression of God’s Law. Do not let any man deceive you. Man can not change The Law in any way. So man cannot make up “new sins” that are not written in God’s Word.
1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Christ came to be the Blood Sacrifice to seal The New Covenant that frees us from being in bondage to sin and death, by taking away our sinful nature.
1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
New Covenant Christians do not commit sin. Anyone who sins does not have The Holy Spirit. They simply do not know Christ no matter what they claim.
1Jn 3:7-8 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
When we obey The Law by The Mind of Christ in us, we then are righteous according to The Law. But anyone who sins is of The Devil.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
We do not commit sin, because Christ Jesus (the Holy Offspring) dwells in us and we cannot sin. We are new creatures, born of God.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
And this is what distinguishes New Covenant Christians with all other people.
1Jn 3:11-12 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
Cain was the begotten son of That Old Serpent, Satan, The Devil, and he murdered his innocent brother Abel in cold blood.
1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
People of this world hated Jesus without any just cause. And Jesus taught us that as they had hated Him they would hate us also.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
We love other people because Christ dwells in us, and He gave His Life to save all of us who would believe.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Anyone who hates someone else is a murderer, which is a capital crime. We should despise sin, but we must love others as ourselves, because we also sinned in the past.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
We are commanded to love others, not because they are nice to us, but because The Lord commanded us to do it. The Holy Spirit in us enables us to truly love others, even though they are unrepentant sinners.
1Jn 5:18-21 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
We are born of God by The Holy Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, and we do not sin. But the rest of the world continues in sin, mostly because of ignorance. But their sin will prevent them from receiving Eternal Life in The First Resurrection when Christ returns. And that is so sad, my friends. But get used to sadness, because the more we study The Word of God, the more we gain the knowledge and wisdom that only comes from God, which is very good and necessary. But with them also come some pain.
Ecc 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
The Power of The Blood — Part 9
Act 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The word “cloven” is from “dee-am-er-id’-zo” which means “to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension): – cloven, divide, part.”
The word “tongues” is from “gloce’-sah” which means “the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired).” It means “foreign language.”
On the Day of Pentecost, the 50th day after The Passover, The Disciples received The Lord’s Promise of The Holy Spirit, and this event occurred before a large crowd of other people in the room who were witnesses. The Holy Spirit empowered them to speak in foreign languages, languages that they had never learned.
Act 2:5-6 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
The word “confounded” is from “soong-kheh’-o” which means “to commingle promiscuously, that is, (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) into disorder, to perplex (the mind).”
The word “language” is from “dee-al’-ek-tos” which means “a (mode of) discourse, that is, “dialect.”
There were people from every nation present in that assembly, and each person heard The Disciples speak in their own native language, even in the specific dialect of the city or town they grew up in.
Act 2:7-8 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Everyone was amazed and bewildered as to how this event was happening.
Act 2:9-13 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
The Disciples were miraculously speaking in all languages of the known world which demonstrated that they had been given Supernatural Power from on High. Through them, The Lord was demonstrating to the world The Power of The Blood of Christ. And what were The Disciples telling everyone about in their own native language? “We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”
Act 2:14-15 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
The Day of Pentecost was a High Holy Day, where it was not allowed on those days to begin drinking wine until noon. And Peter explains that no one could have been drinking because it was only 9:00 am in the morning, the third hour from sunrise which was the start of each day at 6:00 am.
Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Peter continues by declaring that what everyone has witnessed is an example of what the Prophet Joel had prophesied about in The Last Days.
Act 2:17-18 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Jesus taught in The Fifth Seal that The Elect at a set time would give their testimony by the Holy Spirit after they had been taken prisoner by the servants of The Antichrist (alias Satan The Devil).
Act 2:19-21 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The Day of The Lord will be The Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ on earth when He returns as promised. (Note: a “day” is “a thousand years.”) So Joel’s Prophesy declares that these events will happen BEFORE CHRIST RETURNS.
Act 2:22-24 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
The word “holden” is from “krat-eh’-o” which means “to use strength, that is, seize or retain (literally or figuratively).”
All of the miraculous works that Jesus did were the works of God done through Him. Similarly, the works that New Covenant Christians do in His Name are the works of The Holy Spirit done through them.
Act 2:25-28 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
The word “corruption” is from “dee-af-thor-ah'” which means “decay.”
Peter quoted from Psalm 16 which declares that Jesus would be raised from the dead.
Act 2:29-31 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
The Lord Promised David that he would always have a descendant to sit on his throne. So David in turn prophesied that The Messiah would be raised from the dead.
Act 2:32-35 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
God raised Jesus from the dead.
Act 2:36-41 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The word “pricked” is from “kat-an-oos’-so” which means “to pierce thoroughly, that is, (figuratively) to agitate violently (“sting to the quick”).”
The Holy Spirit working through Peter convinced the hearts of three thousand Israelites by his brief sermon that day to repent, believe The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and enter into The New Covenant, and they received The Holy Spirit.
Act 2:42-47 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
So on The Day of Pentecost The Disciples had been given The Holy Spirit just as Jesus had Promised them. And they immediately demonstrated The Divine Power they had received by speaking in all languages of the known world simultaneously. Then Peter explained that this event was an example of what the prophet Joel had prophesied would occur in The Last Days, The Testimony of The Elect.
And Peter continued by preaching a sermon that converted three thousand Hebrews into New Covenant Christians who immediately received The Holy Spirit also. These new Christians in the Jerusalem assembly loved each other as family members, as brothers and sisters and mothers of Christ Jesus, because they were all filled with The Holy Mind of Christ obeying God’s Law just as Jesus had done.
Mat 12:46-50 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
All of these miraculous works were performed by Christ working through them on that very first day that they had received The Holy Spirit just as He had done when He walked this earth. And these miracles, my friends, were just an introduction to The Power of The Blood of Christ to seal The New Covenant for all who would believe.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.