THE MESSAGE for ALL Nations!

(Genesis 2:16-17/ KJV) says, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

You know the story: Eve was deceived by the devil and Adam followed his wife and because of SIN, the relationship between God and man was severed! The connection between God and man was contaminated. SIN placed a wedge between God and man, yet God still desired to have fellowship. God still desired to have a relationship, so God did what only God could do.

(John 3:16/ KJV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Fellowship between God and man needed REVIVING and the ONLY way for our relationship to be restored was for the void that sin caused in the Garden to be filled with the Spirit of God! The Gospel of the Death, the Burial and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ became “the Message” for every nation, tribe and tongue. Calvary became the launching pad for God to finally RECONNECT with humanity!

Because of the DEATH, our SINS could be FORGIVEN! Because of the BURIAL, our SINS could be BURIED and because of the RESURRECTION our lives could be SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMED!

Death became symbolic to REPENTANCE. The Burial became symbolic to Water Baptism. But the Resurrection opened the door to a whole new dimension because without the RESURRECTION the DEATH and the BURIAL would have been in vain. (1 Corinthians 1:18/ KJV) says, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The Resurrection became symbolic to Spirit of God RAISING YOU UP out of your sin and REVIVING the relationship that had been destroyed in the Garden!

Jesus referred to it in (John 3:3-5/ KJV) when He told Niccodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

It's why the Apostolic Church STILL preaches that you MUST be BORN AGAIN! It's NOT just a "benefit" or a special "blessing" for a select few. It is STILL NECESSARY if you plan on going to Heaven! The "NEW BIRTH EXPERIENCE" is essential to Biblical Salvation!

Before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, (Luke 24:47-49/ KJV) records “the Message” He instructed them to preach saying, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

The promise that Jesus gave confirming the prophecy of Joel came to pass in the Book of Acts! The prophecy was fulfilled and the promise experienced in the upper room where THE CHURCH was born.

(Acts 2:1-18, 37-41/ KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 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:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 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: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:…

37 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?

The MESSAGE for ALL NATIONS is still the DEATH, the BURIAL and the RESURRECTION! The MESSAGE for ALL NATIONS is still the NECESSITY of being BORN AGAIN! The MESSAGE for ALL NATIONS is still ACTS 2:38! The MESSAGE is still “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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…”

It’s STILL “THE MESSAGE FOR ALL NATIONS!”

THE BIG DAY

Today is "The BIG Day!" TODAY America will put the next President into the White House, after millions of dollars have been raised and spent, of course. After all of the campaigning, the promises, the "prophetic claims" of what would happen if "the other guy" was voted in, and the enormous amount of HYPE, it all comes down to TODAY!

But I got to thinking last night about the significance of today's decision and thought to myself, what if we took our Eternity as seriously as we have taken this Election! What if we were as passionate about where our soul will spend Eternity as we are about who goes into the White House.

There is a day coming that is way bigger than TODAY! There is a day coming when who was elected will not matter. "The BIG Day" I'm referring to is the day that Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords returns for His Church. So, my question to you TODAY is simply, are you READY?

If Jesus returned TODAY would you be ready? If all of a sudden the media broke from their Election coverage to report a strange occurrence of people everywhere disappearing, would you be one of those who disappeared or would you be catching the news as it happened? Have you been "Born Again?" (John 3:1-5) Have you "repented of your sins, been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost?" (Acts 2:38) Have you "received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" (Acts 19:2) Are you living "righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:12-14)

The Bible warns us to be READY "for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 24:44) (Matthew 25:13) says, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

"The BIG Day" I'm talking about is going to come, and I just wonder what it would be like if we were as concerned about THAT DAY as we are about THIS DAY! Contrary to how some people are acting these days, there is an event on the horizon that will be BIGGER than any Election, and that event is the day our Eternity begins!

Think about it. What's really more important? Whether you're a Republican or Democrat OR where you'll spend your Eternity: Heaven or Hell?

Just a thought.

teach | baptize | teach

The familiar passage of scripture known among believers as The Great Commission says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20/ KJV).

This scripture text not only reveals our commission to evangelize the lost through teaching them the plan of Salvation (being Born Again: John 3:1-7, Luke 24:44-48, Acts 2:38); it also reveals the responsibility of the church to disciple the converts after conversion!

The process is clear and simple:

teach | baptize | teach

I had the opportunity two weeks ago to teach Celeste a Bible Study which explained in detail what the Bible says about being saved. It was the first "teach" found in Matthew 28:19. We talked about repentance, being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4). The teaching was basic but Biblical, and let me just go ahead and remind those who might be wondering that the Word still works!

Then last Wednesday night, September 24th, I had the opportunity to "baptize" Celeste in the only "name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" - JESUS! (Acts 4:12)

The responsibility of the church did not end at merely teaching and baptizing (conversion), the Great Commission also included a second set of "teaching" instructions which would happen after conversion. This "teaching" is what we call Discipleship. Celeste is currently being discipled by the Moreno family in our church.

It's been said that the Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time, and I would like to add that the Great Commission will only work if we follow the whole process...

teach | baptize | teach

Are YOU Available?

A few weeks ago I was out of town preaching a Youth Conference in Pueblo, Co and had something happen to me on the plane that I won't to share with you.

My friend who booked my tickets for me had put me sitting in the middle of both flights, which proved to be very interesting coming and going. Since technology has introduced us to "XM Radio," I've appreciated being able to listen to music and sometimes talk radio (you know you're getting old when you start listening to talk radio) when I'm flying to take my mind off of the reality that I'm 40,000 feet IN THE AIR!

Anyway, so I'm excited about flying home. I've gotten to my assigned seat, sat down with my book and my headphones and just about to put my headphones on and get into my own little world when the Holy Ghost speaks to me and says, "don't put your headphones on." Well, of course I'm like, "God are you sure? My flight is like 3 hours long, and listening to the radio helps me not think about DYING!" Again, the Spirit prompts me to leave my headphones off. So, I roll my headphones back up and sit them in the pocket in front of me with my book.

Just a few minutes later, the lady to my left strikes up a conversation with me. To make a long conversation short, she asks me what I do. I reply with the whole I'm a Pastor, blah, blah, blah. But come to find out, she lives in Ohio. So, I mention that I have a friend who pastors a great church in East Liverpool, and she about falls out of her seat. She LIVES 10 MINUTES away from my friends' church. Come to find out, she passes his church a lot and knew exactly where it was.

I've told you all of that to say this, how many conversation have we missed with hungry people who NEED GOD all because we were in our own little world? In a day where people either have iPod ear buds, wireless Bluetooth receivers, or a cell phone attached to their ear, how many Eternal Opportunities have we missed? How many conversations could we have had with people in our city, in Starbucks, in Wal-Mart, at the grocery store but instead we were busy listening to iPods or talking on the phone.

The bottom line is this, ask any marketing firm what the greatest advertisement is and they'll tell you "WORD OF MOUTH!" That means that the greatest advertisement GOD has is our MOUTH! The greatest advertisement for the Apostolic church is our MOUTH! The most effective way to reach the LOST in your city is to simply start TALKING!

I was glad that I listened and obeyed that day on the plane, but it also convicted me at the same time. As the plane landed we said our goodbyes and I'll never forget her thanking me for talking to her. She said it always bothers her when she sits beside someone on a plane and they never talk. She ended up "thanking" me for something I should have done anyway.

Let's give our iPods a break. Make that phone call later. Instead, ask the Barista what their name is. Buy the person behind you a cup of coffee and hand them a "church card" inviting them to church (I just recently did that too)! Ask questions. Listen. TALK! You might just win a soul!

Are YOU available?

A World In Trouble NEEDS A CHURCH IN REVIVAL

I think we could all agree today that the world is in trouble! And because the world is in trouble, it doesn’t NEED just another “church” to entertain, or become a safe place to socially interact. Lord knows we have PLENTY of them around! With that in mind, I’ll tell you what the world NEEDS …“A World in Trouble NEEDS a CHURCH in REVIVAL!”

When Jesus ministered on earth, he did NOT operate under the idea that REVIVAL was an option. Jesus was driven with a sense of URGENCY that was demonstrated over and over again in scripture. He not only understood that the world was in trouble and that He was their ONLY HOPE; He understood that His time on earth was limited. Therefore, there was NO time to waste. IF the world’s needs were going to be met, it was going to be because He met them.

The Church needs a fresh understanding of the reality that this world is in trouble and its ONLY HOPE is for a REVIVAL CHURCH to represent Jesus Christ before it’s too late! Jesus IS COMING BACK and our time on earth IS limited! Therefore, we MUST get aggressive in our efforts to WIN THE LOST and give a world in trouble a CHURCH IN REVIVAL!

The Mission of Jesus Christ did NOT end at Calvary or even at His ascension! Jesus promised to continue His mission through the CHURCH! Jesus transferred His mission; His passion; His divine obligation and His sense of URGENCY to the CHURCH!

What was promised and prophesied in (Luke 24) and (Acts 1) came to pass in (Acts 2) when the CHURCH was BORN!

(Acts 2:1-4/ KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

These newly filled believers were accused of being drunk, but Peter preached a message declaring among other things that they were not drunk with wine, like they had been of accused of, but it was the promised power of the Holy Ghost that had been poured out. As he preached the first Apostolic message, the Bible says that everyone who heard him preach “were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

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. 39 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. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 46 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, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

A world in trouble now had a CHURCH in REVIVAL! A CHURCH with a mission—a CHURCH with passion—a CHURCH with a message—a REVIVAL CHURCH!

The CHURCH would now represent REVIVAL to a world in need, and represent they did. They made such an IMPACT everywhere they went that they were referred to in (Acts 17:6/ KJV) as “These that have turned the world upside down!”

The CHURCH that was born on the Day of Pentecost was a church that understood there was a world in need and their ONLY HOPE was a CHURCH IN REVIVAL!

The world is in trouble. The Cities that we live in are in trouble. Therefore, the churches that we attend faithfully MUST be CHURCHES IN REVIVAL IF we’re going to win the lost and see NEEDS met in the Last Days!

We’ve got to FILL our Sanctuaries with PRAYER—with FAITH—with PRAISE—with WORSHIP—with TITHES—with OFFERINGS—with PREACHING—with EXPECTATION!

“A World In Trouble Needs A CHURCH In REVIVAL!”

The Power of UNITY

(Genesis 11:5-6/ KJV) says, “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”

Looking at (Genesis 11:5-6) we can see exactly how much really hinges, Spiritually speaking, on a word we usually take for granted—“UNITY!”

(Genesis 11:5-6/ KJV) says, “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is ONE, and they have all ONE language; and this they begin to do: and NOW NOTHING will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”

The New Ungers Dictionary says “UNITY” is used to signify oneness of sentiment, affection, or behavior, such as should exist among the people of God.

The Nelson Bible Dictionary says “UNITY” is Oneness, harmony, or agreement.

Websters Dictionary defines “UNITY” as the state of being ONE; singleness. The state, quality, or condition of accord or agreement; The combination or arrangement of parts into a whole, unification. Singleness or constancy of purpose or action, continuity. (In most contexts it implies fundamental agreement or interdependent and usually varied components, which in turn produces harmony, as a thought or purpose. In its most common application, solidarity is an intensification of unity, for it refers to the identity of likeness of interests, objectives, and responsibilities that enables a group of persons to think and act as ONE!

The definition of “ONE” is being a single entity, unit, object, or being; characterized by UNITY; UNDIVIDED: with one accord. Of equal importance; all the same!

Now looking back at our text we can say: “And the Lord said, Behold, the people is ONE—a single entity, unit, object or being; characterized by UNITY; UNDIVIDED; with one accord. Of equal importance; all the same!—and now NOTHING will limit or restrict from them, which they have imagined to do.”

From the original church in the Book of Acts to present day Apostolic Revival Churches, one word stands out to describe how these churches have had such GREAT REVIVAL—UNITY!

The Revival Church in the Book of Acts and every Revival Church afterwards were churches that acted as ONE! They were ONE in purpose and action and their UNITY enabled them to think and act as ONE!

The principle of UNITY being a catalyst of Revival is found throughout the Word of God including scriptures like:

(Psalms 133:1-2/ KJV) says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;”

Unity is compared here to the Anointing so that there is an Anointing that flows in and through a church that operates in UNITY! And as long as there is UNITY in the House of God, there is NO way that REVIVAL can be RESTRAINED!

Paul wrote about UNITY in (1 Corinthians 1:10/KJV) where it says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

(Romans 15:5-6/ KJV) says, “be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.”

(Philippians 1:27/KJV) says, “stand fast in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

(Philippians 2:2/ KJV) says, “be likeminded, having the same love, being of ONE accord, of ONE mind.”

We are MANY members but ONE BODY! We are MANY members but we’re in ONE ACCORD! We may use different methods but we ALL have the SAME PURPOSE! We think as ONE—we speak as ONE—we move TOGETHER in UNITY!

My last example will take us back to the Book of Acts after Jesus had spoken to His followers. He promised them an outpouring of His Spirit which would empower them to be witnesses but they would have to tarry in Jerusalem until it came. Out of the 500 people who heard the promise, we find in (Acts 1) where only 120 actually gathered in the “upper room.”

The difference between the 120 who made the journey of Promise and the 380 who declined was the 120 caught hold of the “VISION” and “PURPOSE” of the Promise!

(Acts 1:14/KJV) describes the posture of those who were willing to catch the “VISION and PURPOSE” of the Promise when it says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.”

When they came together in UNITY for ONE PURPOSE; when the Lord looked down in that room like he did in (Genesis 11:5-6) and saw that the “people is ONE, and they have all ONE language;” NOTHING could be restrained from them! And (Acts 2:1-4/KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with ONE accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Their minds, their affections, and their desires were all concentrated on ONE PURPOSE. They had ONE DESIRE and ONE PRAYER that every mouth uttered in desperation. There was NOT one person present who was uninterested—unconcerned—or lukewarm! But they were all in UNITY and the power of God came down to meet their UNITED FAITH!

When we come together with ONE ACCORD in ONE PLACE with ONE VISION and ONE PURPOSE—NOTHING can be RESTRAINED from us and what we’ve imagined to do!

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 6

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

This is the last lesson on this particular Doctrine Series. I hope you've enjoyed reading the lessons, but more importantly I hope it has reinforced what you already knew or opened your eyes to the revelation of the Might God IN Christ!

We'll close out this series by breaking down three familiar roles of God:

“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”

In this final lesson of our series on Apostolic Doctrine, we are going to explore the relationships and distinctions among the three terms of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We’ll look at whether these terms identify three different persons or personalities in the Godhead, or whether they indicate three different roles, modes, functions, or offices through which the one God operates and reveals Himself.


“Father”

The term “God the Father” is biblical and refers to God Himself. (Galatians 1:1-4/ KJV) says, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

God is our Father; He is NOT merely Father of the Son, but the Father of all creation. He is also our Father by reason of the new birth according to (Romans 8:14-16/ KJV) where it says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

The title Father indicates a relationship between God and man, particularly between God and His Son and between God and regenerated man.

The Bible plainly states that there is only one Father in (Ephesians 4:4-6/ KJV) where it says, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” It also clearly teaches that Jesus is the one Father in scriptures like:

(Isaiah 9:6/ KJV) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

(John 10:30/KJV) – “I and my Father are one.”

The Spirit that dwelt in the Son of God was none other than the Father! It is also important to note that the NAME of the Father is Jesus, for this NAME fully reveals and expresses the Father. We see this revealed in (John 5:43/KJV) where it says, “I (Jesus speaking) am come in my Father's name.” So according to scripture, the Son inherited the Father’s name, therefore, we understand why Jesus said that He manifested and declared the Father’s name in (John 17).

Let’s take a look at (John 17: 3, 6, 8, 10-12, 14, 20-23, 25-26/ KJV). Jesus is praying to the Father and he says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

6 I (Jesus) have manifested thy name (the Father’s name) unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I (Jesus) have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

In what name did the Son come? What name did He obtain from His Father by inheritance? What name did the Son manifest? The answer is obvious. The only name HE used was the name of JESUS, His Father’s name.


“Son”

Basically, the term “Son of God” refers to God as manifested in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. The name of the Son is JESUS: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:21/ KJV). Since Father refers to deity alone, while “Son of God” refers to deity as incarnated in humanity, we do NOT believe that the Father is the Son. But we do believe that the Father is IN the Son. (John 14:8-10/ KJV) says,
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

Jesus claimed that the Father was IN Him, therefore, to see just Him was to see the Father. Since Jesus is the name of the Son of God, both as to His deity as Father and as to His humanity as Son, it is the NAME of both the Father and the Son!


“Holy Ghost”

The terms “Holy Ghost” and “Holy Spirit” are interchangeable, meaning identically the same thing. The “Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit” is simply God. God is Holy (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16) and God is also a Spirit (John 4:24), and there is only one Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, the “Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit” is another term for the one God.

We can compare of couple of Scriptures that will reveal that the Holy Ghost and God are the same:

(Acts 5:3-4/ KJV) says, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

(1 Corinthians 3:16/ KJV) says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

So, if the Holy Ghost is simply God, why is there a need for this term? The reason is that it emphasizes a particular aspect of God. It emphasizes that He who is a holy, omnipresent, and invisible Spirit works among all men everywhere and can fill the hearts of men. When we speak of the Holy Ghost, we are reminding ourselves of God’s invisible work among men and of His ability to anoint, baptize, fill, and indwell human lives. The term speaks of God in activity!

It refers to God moving among mankind to regenerate man’s fallen nature and enable him to do the supernatural will of God in the world. The Holy Ghost is revealed and received through the name JESUS! He is NOT a separate person with a separate identity who comes in another name. Jesus said in (John 14:26/KJV), “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…” So the Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus!


“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”

It is clear that the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost cannot imply three separate persons, personalities, wills, or beings. They can only denote different aspects or roles of one Spirit-being—the one God. They describe God’s relationships to man, not persons in a Godhead! We use Father to emphasize God’s roles as Creator, Father of spirits, Father of the humanity of Jesus Christ, and Father of born again believers. We use Son to mean both the humanity of Jesus Christ and God as He manifested Himself in the flesh for the purpose of man’s salvation. We use Holy Ghost to emphasize God’s active power in the world and among men, particularly His work in regeneration.

But we should note that these titles are NOT the only ones God has! Many other titles or names for God are very significant and appear throughout the Bible (refer back to Lesson 3). The oneness view does NOT deny Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, but it does refute the view that these terms designate persons in the Godhead. God has many titles, but He is one being. He is indivisible as to His existence, but His revelation of Himself to mankind has been expressed through many channels, including His revelation as the Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Ghost!

(Ephesians 3:14-17/ KJV) says, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom (Jesus Christ) the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”

In other words, this scripture identifies the Spirit in a Believer’s heart as the Father’s Spirit and also as Christ. The Father, Christ, and the Spirit all refer to the one INDIVISIBLE God!


“Matthew 28:19”

(Matthew 28:19/ KJV) says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

In this verse, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” However, this verse of Scripture does NOT teach that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate persons. Rather, it teaches the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost identify ONE NAME and therefore one being. The verse plainly says “in the name,” NOT “in the names.”

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost all describe the one God, so the phrase in (Matthew 28:19) simply describes the one NAME of the one God. The Old Testament promised that there would come a time when Jehovah would have one name and that this one name would be made known (Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 52:6). We know that the one name of (Matthew 28:19) is Jesus, for Jesus is the name of the Father (John 5:43), the Son (Matthew 1:21), and the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). The New Testament church understood this to be so, for they baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 1 Corinthians 1:13). Matthew himself endorsed this interpretation by standing with Peter and the other apostles during the sermon in which Peter commanded the people to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-38).

So, the same Matthew who wrote (Matthew 28:19) was in the upper room according to (Acts 1:13), received the Holy Ghost in (Acts 2:1-4) and was standing with Peter in (Acts 2:14-38) when Peter preached the first Apostolic message including the Plan of Salvation which required: Repentance, water Baptism in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost!

(Acts 22:16/ KJV) says, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

If that’s NOT enough, read (James 2:7/ KJV) where it says, “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” Now read it in the Amplified Bible: “Is it not they who slander and blaspheme that precious name by which you are distinguished and called [the name of Christ invoked in baptism]?” This verse of Scripture indicates the name Jesus was orally invoked at Baptism!

The Lord did NOT leave us without a baptismal formula; the church correctly carried out the instructions Jesus gave in (Matthew 28:19) when the apostles used the name of Jesus in water Baptism.

This interpretation of the one name in (Matthew 28:19) as Jesus finds further support in (verse 18) where it says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” In other words, Jesus said, “I have all power, so baptize in my name!” It NEVER infers that Jesus has all power, so baptize in the names of three different persons. In the other accounts of the Great Commission found in (Mark 16:17 and Luke 24:47) they all refer to the name of Jesus!

(Matthew 28:19) does NOT teach three persons in one God, but rather it gives three titles of God, all of which properly apply to Jesus Christ. These titles sum up different roles of God or modes of His revelation; by its singular reference to “name,” it focuses upon the one name of God revealed in the New Testament. That name is JESUS!



“1 John 5:7”

(1 John 5:7/ KJV) says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

This scripture reveals that God has recorded Himself in three modes of activity or has revealed Himself in three ways. He has at least three heavenly roles: Father, Word (not Son), and Holy Ghost. Furthermore, these three roles describe one God!


“IS God Limited to Three Manifestations”

While Father, Son, and Holy Ghost represent three important roles, titles, manifestations of God, God is NOT limited to these three, nor does the number three have a special significance with respect to God.

A popular explanation of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is that there is one God who has revealed Himself as Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Holy Ghost in regeneration! The recognition of these three manifestations does NOT imply that God is limited to three manifestations or that a threeness (Trinity) exists in the nature of God.

We cannot confine God to three or any other number of specific roles and titles. Neither can we divide Him because He is one! Even His titles and roles overlap. He may manifest Himself in many ways, but He is one and only one being.

When we use the name of Jesus, we encompass everything that God IS! Jesus is Father, Son, and Spirit. Jesus summarized all the compound names of Jehovah. Jesus is EVERYTHING that God is. Whatever roles and manifestations God has, they are all in Jesus (Colossians 2:9)!

God is NOT limited to these three manifestations; however, in the glorious revelation of the one God, the New Testament does not deviate from the strict monotheism of the Old Testament. Rather, the Bible presents Jesus as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.