Just Jesus

We live in a world of many unpredictable events. Events that can change one’s thinking, one’s faith, and belief. It’s a world that will present many delusions. A world where right is wrong and wrong is right. A world where evil is condoned and covered up and where good is picked apart. We live in a world where the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is no longer welcome. A world without faith in the one who is soon to return to this earth. Jesus said in Luke 18:8, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth”? Why has the people of this world allowed others to control their faith? Is it because the elite, the government, the special interest, the religious leaders have offered them a plate full of delusions and they have become satisfied.

The elite, government, special interest and religious leaders have considered themselves to be the righteous over the dictate of others. These groups trust only in themselves and disregard other viewpoints. Jesus said, “will he find faith on this earth” and the reason is in Luke 18:9, “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others”. The love of the truth and the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is fading away. Jesus shed His blood for all of the people but the world’s population is and has rejected that precious Blood of the Lamb of God. In doing so, then the writing of Paul will and is coming true as in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”.

What is the truth, a question asked by many? But too many are asking and not searching the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Each person must seek and search and study the words of God. Not only the Bible but also the history of Christianity. Is it not written in Philippians 2:12, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. We must work out our own salvation according to the teaching of Jesus and the apostles with fear and trembling before God. Is it not written in Psalms 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever”. God is a God of Love but God is also a God of Wrath.

our robe of salvation must be clean before God. We must always make sure that we understand and pray for wisdom in searching the Word of God. Take no one’s instructions on the Word of God without first searching the scriptures, because your salvation and that of your family depends upon the correct teaching and doctrine. Understand the history of Christianity and how different Church Organizations started and where they came from. Search the doctrine and the beliefs of a Church Organization and then compare it with the teachings and doctrine of Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the prophets.

If Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) then His Church is the same. His Plan of Salvation is the same. But some people believe that the Gospel has changed and what the “First Church” preached and practiced is not for the Christians of today. Majority of Christians Organizations have rejected the name of Jesus Christ in baptism and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost as stated in the 2nd Chapter of the Book of Acts. In doing this, they have rejected the Plan of Salvation.

The Tabernacle Plan was given to Moses and Moses could not change it. King Solomon changed the Tabernacle from a tent to the building of a Temple but the order of service and rules that was given to Moses was not changed. When Israel disobeyed God and turned to others gods, then the Temple was destroyed. With the rebuilding of the 2nd Temple, they tried to reinstall the Tabernacle Plan that God gave to Moses. They had the Altar, the Water Laver, and the Holy Place with the Golden Lampstand, the Table of Shewbread, and the Golden Altar of Incense. They had the Veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies but inside of the chamber was an empty room. Once a year they tried to reenact the Day of Atonement by entering into the Holy of Holies. Instead of the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, there was only an empty room and the High Priest would sprinkle the blood from the Altar on an empty foundation stone where the Ark would have been. They had everything except the Ark of the Covenant. They lost the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat because they rejected God. They rejected the Prophets of God. They rejected the Plan that God gave to Moses.

So is it with the Plan of Salvation because too many preachers have changed the Plan that God gave to the Apostles. Too those who worship outside of the Plan of Salvation, they are just sprinkling blood on an empty foundation stone. If the foundation is not in Jesus Christ, the apostles and the prophets, then they are just going through the motion as the Jews did in the 2nd Temple service and are just sprinkling blood on a foundation built upon sand. These false deceivers and those preaching a false doctrine are just playacting in order to appease the conscience of men and women.

The Apostle Paul talked about a true foundation in 1st Corinthians 3:10, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” In Ephesians 2:20-22, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” This “foundation” of the New Testament is our Lord Jesus Christ. Mercy and Grace came to us because of the Blood of the Lamb of God.

What is the foundation of the apostles and where did their understanding come from? Luke writes about these apostles who had their understanding opened unto the “words” of Jesus, Luke 24:45-48, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” Luke wrote in Acts 1:2, “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:” Luke also recorded in Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

This Plan of Salvation did not come from Peter nor was this Plan created by Peter. This Plan was given to Peter and to the rest of the apostles including the Apostle Matthew, John, Paul and those who came after the apostles. Who gave the Plan of Salvation? This Plan and commandments came from the instruction of Jesus. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the Holy Ghost/Spirit gave directions and instructions to the apostles. Peter preached the first message in the New Testament in Acts 2:37. Those who listened asked Peter and the “rest of the apostles” what shall we do, “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?” Peter replied and said in Acts 2:38, “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.”

The Jews and the Gentiles were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul, who wrote over half of the New Testament, was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and Paul baptized the disciples of John the Baptist. So, from the Bible and early Church History, I can find that the only name used in baptism is the name of Jesus Christ. But that name was changed by the Church of Rome and instead of a name, titles were used. These titles are, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This was done to support their Doctrine of the Trinity.

If one proclaims their love for Jesus, then you would think that they would be baptized in the name of the one they love. If one proclaims the Blood of Christ, then you would think that they would take on the name of Jesus, who is the Lamb of God. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. The name of the one who shed his blood is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The use of the name of Jesus Christ, is offensive to the Jews, Muslims, and even to some Christians. However, salvation is only in the name of Jesus Christ. It is written in Matthew 10:22, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved”, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. In Mark 16:16-17, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues”. In Luke 24:45-48, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things”.

The world of Christianity rejected baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Instead they have injected titles into the Plan of Salvation by following the Doctrine of the Church of Rome. They have denied the name of Jesus Christ. It is written in Acts 4:7-12, “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.

Why is the world of religious organizations against baptism in the name of Jesus Christ? It’s because of their Holy Trinity that was created in 325 AD by the Church of Rome. The Protestants accepted the teaching of the Trinity and baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. If one rejects the Trinity and baptism in the titles of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, then you are branded as a false believer and considered a heretic. After three hundred years, the Church of Rome created their Doctrine of the Trinity and changed the name used in baptism.

In Luke 21:17, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake”. In John 15:21, “But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me”. Revelation 2:3, “And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted”. Revelation 2:13, “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth”. Revelation 3:8, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name”. Those who believe in baptism in the name of Jesus Christ are upholding the name of Jesus Christ and have not denied His name.

Christians will proclaim Jesus Christ as their redeemer, and still refuse to be baptized in the name of their redeemer who is Jesus Christ. Why? Preachers will preach about Jesus being tied to the whipping post and by His stripes we are healed, and still refuse to preach baptism in the name of the one who was tied to that whipping post. Why? They will preach about the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of Jesus, and still refuse to preach baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Why? They preach about the cross of Calvary, how Jesus was nailed to that cross, and still reject baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Why? They will proclaim that Jesus is their savior and Jesus shed His blood for you and yet they will refuse to preach baptism in the name of the one who shed His blood and the one that they proclaim as their savior. Why? They will proclaim that Jesus is returning for them and they will be in the bride of Christ, but they refuse to take on the name of the one who is returning for His Church and that name is Jesus Christ. Why? They have they denied the name of Jesus Christ?

The decision is yours, search for the truth, study your bible, study the history of Christianity, and seek the Spirit of God. Let the Spirit guide you and place all your trust in Jesus Christ. Take on the name of the one who’s sweat was as drops of blood. Reach out to the name of the one who was tied to the whipping post. Hold his name high because he carried the cross to Calvary’s hill. Be not ashamed of the one who hang on that cross. Rejoice in the knowledge that you are washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God. Everything is in the name of Jesus including being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Only you can make that decision. Are you baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? If so, then you have the power of His blood because you have the name of the one who shed his blood for all souls who would come to Jesus.

It’s your own pathway that you are walking on and everything in your life is being recorded. Only you can choose which pathway that you will travel on. The preachers and those TV preachers can easily paint a picture of an Illusion of Faith but they refuse to preach the same message the Apostle Peter preached. Who changed the message, when was it changed, and by whom? Study the history of the Church and you will find that in 325 ADS that it was changed.

It’s your Salvation. You are the one who must be sure that you are on the correct pathway and not living an illusion of faith. One day we all will stand before the judgment seat and there the “books will be opened”. Don’t wait, because it might become too late. Time is drawing to an end and soon God will delay his judgment no longer. Then the wrath of God will fall upon this world.

Your salvation is not in a religious organization, nor a Church building, because the Kingdom of God is inside of you. Each soul that gives their life to the Lord Jesus Christ and have the name of Jesus in baptism and full of the baptism of the Holy Ghost/Spirit is a Living Walking Temple of the Living God. Jesus is in you because you have his name in baptism and washed in his blood. God is in you because you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside of your body and you are indeed a Living Walking Temple of the Almighty Supreme Being called GOD.

Be not ashamed of Jesus Christ but be like Paul, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”. The sad part is that too many Christians are ashamed and afraid to proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”. Jesus is not talking to the world of lost souls but Jesus is talking to the Believers who proclaim that they are His followers. Jesus is knocking on the doorway to our heart and asking us to open our heart and mind and spirit to His voice. How many will open that door and let Jesus in? How many will refuse to hear the knocking on the door of their heart? How long will Jesus stand and knock of the door of Christianity? Delay no longer but open up the doorway and let Jesus in.

Let the Spirit of Truth be with you and guide you. Amen.