General
The Records of Speaking in Tongues – Part 4
The fourth record of the outpouring of holy spirit is given in Acts chapter 10. This record is the first time
that gentiles, those outside the pail of Judaism received the gift of holy spirit. To me, this is the greatest
act of love and kindness that God could afford. To think, I, little old me, who had no previous covenant
with God, who was dead in trespasses and sins, who did not come from the lineage of Israel, could
confess Jesus as lord and believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead and, in an instant, be
born of the holy spirit and forever be a son of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ. WOW! And it all
started in Acts chapter 10.
Acts 10:1-48 (KJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the
Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the
people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him,
and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him,
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Cornelius was a Gentile. He didn’t have the covenant relationship that the Judeans have with
God, yet he prayed to God Almighty and it says that God heard him! What about the Christians?
Do you think God hears us. Sometimes we wonder because the answers aren’t immediately
forthcoming, but, God DOES hear us as good or better than He heard Cornelius! We are his
children of course he hears us! What does it say in James 5:16 “ The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.” The problem with us is we stop praying before we see our deliverance.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what
thou oughtest to do.
They had zoning codes even back then. The tanneries were required to be outside of the city and
down wind of the town so they didn’t stink up the city.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household
servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up
upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a
trance,Oh, how the hookie pook artists, the ESP cultists, love this. They reference verse 10 and say see
we are doing the same thing. No they aren’t! A trance in the Bible is a clarity of mind not
possession!
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great
sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping
things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not
thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Peter was a Judean. Judeans have very strict guidelines on what they can eat and what they can’t
eat. That is why Peter said “I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” It was so
ingrained in Peter not to eat anything common or unclean that even though a supernatural vision
with a supernatural voice told Peter to kill and eat Peter refused! Three times God told Peter to
kill and eat and three times Peter refused!
The next verse says Peter doubted in himself. This is just so normal, just so human and people
don’t see the humanity in this and they study it a lifetime. What would you do if you had a vision
that ran completely cross purposes of what your upbringing taught you? I know what I would
have done. I would be saying “boy I’m glad that is over with and what the heck was that about. It
must have been because I didn’t eat. Maybe I am so hungry that anything looks good to eat.”
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold,
the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before
the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold,
I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good
report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee
into his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and
certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had
called together his kinsmen and near friends.
The tradition in the East is that whatever the head of the house did everybody else would follow
suit. If the head of the house became a Christian the whole household would become Christian.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped
him.26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to
keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not
call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for
what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour (three
o’clock, our time) I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight
of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the
house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now
therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
This is interesting. As you see now and will see later these men are being very specific about
what they say. They are relating exactly what happened and exactly what was said. Why? It is
because of the gravity of this momentous occasion. How many other times had the Bible
recorded that an angel of God appeared unto a Gentile? As I sit here I can’t think of any. How
many times did God tell a Judean to break the law of Moses? Never before. So, both of these
men are in uncharted waters.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Boy, am I glad Peter was smart enough to finally understand the vision and humble enough to
obey God and to impart the knowledge of the new birth to outsiders.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is
Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from
Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in
Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and
drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was
ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (living) and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost as well as we?
Peter taught them the truth of God’s Word and they believed! Glory hallelujah! They believed
and Peter taught them the mechanics of speaking in tongues and they, too, did the same thing
that the Apostles did on the day of Pentecost and the same thing Paul did. They spoke in
tongues! They spoke the wonderful works of God!
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to
tarry certain days.
If you are immersed in the holy spirit does it matter if you get wet or not? No. But, Peter was still
a Judean and had that background. Peter commanded them to be baptized in John’s baptism
which is getting dunked in water. But, Peter never went through with it. In Acts chapter eleven
Peter is called before the leadership of the Christian Church and he is very specific in what he
tells them. In verse sixteen it says that he didn’t baptize them with John’s baptism because
something much greater had come.
Acts 11:15-16 (KJV)
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
I am including Acts chapter eleven verses 1-18 to show you the backlash that Peter got on his return to
Jerusalem. Rather than rejoicing for people being saved the leadership was irate that Peter would have
imparted this knowledge to the Gentiles. Again, Peter was very specific and in fact went over and over
again what he was going to say. The final outcome of this confrontation is given in Acts 11:18.
Acts 11:18 (KJV)
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to
the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 11:1-18 (KJV)
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received
the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with
him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them,
saying,
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as
it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the
earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my
mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou
common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent
from Caesarea unto me.
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren
accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him,
Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water;
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord
Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God
also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Records of Speaking in Tongues – part 3
In this third installment we are going to look at the conversion of the Apostle Paul. His Hebrew
name was Saul and he was very influential in the realm of Judaism. As a Pharisee Saul (Paul)
was in one of the highest positions in all Israel, yet he could only think about punishing
Christians for their belief.
Acts 22:3-5 (KJV)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet
of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous
toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way (Christianity) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men
and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received
letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem,
for to be punished.
Philippians 3:4-7 (KJV)
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath
whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the
Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
But one day Jesus Christ met him on road to Damascus….
Acts 9:1-22 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went
unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a
light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is
hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
To kick against the pricks is a figure of speech. In the lands of Mid-East and the Orient the
farmers use oxen to plow with and in their hand they would have a stick (prick) long enough to
reach the hind legs of the ox. While they were plowing it the ox decided to kick, the farmer
would hold the pointed end of the stick behind the kicking leg of the ox so ox would hurt himselfon the stick. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to. Paul was kicking against God and Jesus
Christ and the thing that he was doing was hurting himself.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said
unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led
him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a
vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire
in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that
he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done
to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
There is great learning here for all who will to believe. There is teaching in some Christian
Churches that only bishops or elders can minister healing. Well either they’re wrong or God is
wrong because God told a simple Christian disciple to go and minister to Paul. Every born again
believer has the ability to minister healing to others. The only thing that slows them down is the
lack of knowledge and the will to do it.
Ananias had a problem with what God told him to do! I would, too, since Paul was going around
and arresting Christians for what they believed and here Ananias is supposed to go and minister
to Paul in the name of Jesus Christ. Instead of going out and talking to the neighbors or other
Christians, instead of going to the Christian leadership he takes it up with God. If people could
only do that one thing this whole World would change. If you have a problem with the Word
take it up with God!
So God explains it a little further and Ananias does what God told him to do.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said,
Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent
me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
In the Eastern Culture when a person calls you brother he means it! He will take care of you as if
you were his brother. He won’t cheat you, he won’t steal from you and he will protect you like a
brother.The other thing here is that the only reason that Ananias would have called him brother is
because God showed Ananias that Paul had been converted and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith,
and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the
disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called
on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto
the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is very Christ.
It doesn’t say in this record that Paul spoke in tongues, nope it doesn’t. However, in I
Corinthians Paul says…
1 Corinthians 14:18 (KJV)
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
The greatest Apostle the World has seen and he said “ I speak in tongues more than ye all!” Whether
you are a simple disciple or leadership in the Church wouldn’t it behoove you to speak in tongues?
The Record of Speaking in Tonuges – Part 2
We are continuing in our quest to understand the Word of God in reference to Speaking in
Tongues. To do this we go to the second record of the outpouring of holy spirit in Acts chapter
eight.
Acts 8:1-25 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his (Steven’s) death. And at that time there was a great
persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad
throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
At this time, Saul who later became the Apostle Paul, was persecuting the Christians.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and
women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
The Christians were scattered abroad. They were under severe persecution, they were being
arrested and some were being sent to the arena, but, they were still doing what got them in
trouble in the first place, they were preaching the Word of God.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and
seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:
and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
There should be great joy in our cities because people should be getting deliverance and healing.
Philip had nothing more than any other Christian throughout history the only thing that is
different is that he KNEW what he had! Christians over the centuries haven’t known what they
had what they HAVE! All that latent spiritual power and the average Christian doesn’t know that
they have the power to heal! They don’t know that they are the most powerful beings to walk the
Earth since Jesus Christ because WE ARE JESUS CHRIST MEN and WOMEN! We have the
power of Christ within! This is why I am teaching this subject at this time. People, again, need to
see, they need to know that with the new birth there is power to heal, there is power to deliver!
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and
bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great
power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.Simon was a sorcerer. Sorcery is NOT from the One True God. All of this witchcraft, sorcery
and necromancing that is prevalent today is strait from the pit of hell!
A quick way to see if a person is right on the Word of God is to look to see if he is getting the
glory of if God is getting the glory. Simon was giving out that he was a great one to the point that
all of Samaria was saying that he was the Great Power of God Until a simple Christian came to
town and started healing people.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Baptized in what? Water? No. What were the Apostles baptized in on the Day of Pentecost? holy
spirit. You will see this as we go along.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and
wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
I’ve gotta say something here. The great sorcerer Simon believed on the name of Jesus Christ
and that God raised him from the dead and he was baptized in holy spirit as well. As a Christian,
you never prejudge someone thinking that “they won’t believe.” You never know so you share
the Word of God with anyone and everyone.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of
God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
People read this verse a lifetime and don’t see that the reason that Peter and John were sent down
to Samaria was that there was a problem. The people in Samaria received (dechomai) the holy
spirit. That means that when they were born again it was a subjective or passive receiving. Up
until this time when people were born again they “lambano” holy spirit which is to receive into
manifestation.
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus.)
The word “receive in verse fifteen is the Greek word lambano. The Samaritans hadn’t yet
manifested holy spirit in the senses world. They were born again, but, what was the problem?
The Samaritans had been under the influence of Simon’s sorcery so long that they had a spiritual
road block and someone had to help out. So Peter and John came to Samaria.
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Peter and John, by revelation, put their hands on the Samaritans and the Samaritans manifested
(lambano) holy spirit in the senses world. There are only nine manifestations of holy spirit -speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophesy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom,
discerning of spirits, faith, miracles and gifts of healing. Which one do you think the Samaritans
did? The same manifestation as the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost.
There is a difference between “the Holy Spirit” and “holy spirit.” Neither the King James, nor
any other Bible that I know of, differentiates between the two. The Holy Spirit with a capital H
and a capital S is God. holy spirit with a small h and a small s is what came on the Day of
Pentecost. It is the gift available to everyone that confesses Jesus Christ as lord and believes that
God raised him from the dead. So, when it says, in verse seventeen, that they received the Holy
Spirit, they didn’t receive God Almighty the creator of the heavens and the Earth, no. They
received the gift that was given by God, holy spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy
Ghost.
What did Simon see? He saw men and women speaking the wonderful works of God.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of
God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart
may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye
have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem,
and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
What Simon was looking at was, again, looking at the short term reward of the praise of men,
but, he hadn’t, yet, seen that the Christians rewards are not here on Earth, but, are stored up for
us in heaven. Peter lays it on the line as to what Simons problem was. Men of God have to take
a stand and tell it like it is. How did Peter know this about Simon? Revelation, God showed it to
Peter. The recipient, Simon, got blasted with the truth and because of that he took a large step in
the right direction and away from what he had been into for so long by asking Peter to pray for
him.
One more tidbit on this subject. Men of God are not responsible for the reaction to the truth they
speak. They are responsible for speaking it accurately whether it be the truth of God’s Word
from the Bible or from revelation. Same for every Christian.
The Record of Speaking in Tongues – Part 1
There is so much misinformation regarding the manifestations of holy spirit that the most people know
about it is absolutely contrary to the Word and Will of God. People see snake handlers, people slain in
the spirit others rolling in the isles and they think that is the holy spirit working. It couldn’t be further
from the truth! God is a God of decency and order
1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
and it is not decent nor orderly to doing the things that the “Full Gospel” churches are doing. So over the
next few weeks we will delve into what exactly the manifestations are. We will be focusing on speaking
in tongues and the records of speaking in tongues. Just who spoke in tongues, why did they speak in
tongues and when did they speak in tongues. We will see what speaking in tongues is good for and
when to speak in tongues.
We will start in the Book of Acts and read the first account of the outpouring of the holy spirit.
Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 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.
Just four short verses sum up the whole experience of greatest event in history and tonight we will delve
into and expand those verses for your understanding and enjoyment.
Verse one says “and when the day of Pentecost was fully come”
Pentecost is a holy day in the Jewish calendar; it takes place fifty (penta) days after the Passover. The
record of the first Passover is in Exodus chapter twelve. Israel had been in the land of Egypt for four
hundred years and most of that time as slaves to the Egyptians. God had sent Moses to bring the
Children of Israel out of Egypt and by great signs and wonders had convinced Pharaoh to let the Children
of Israel go. The last night before the Egyptians thrust out the Children of Israel God instituted the
Passover.
Exodus 12:1-14 (KJV)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to
you.
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall
take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house
take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make yourcount for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep,
or from the goats:
6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of
the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post
of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter
herbs they shall eat it.
9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and
with the purtenance thereof.
10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the
morning ye shall burn with fire.
11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your
hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.
12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land
of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the
LORD.
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the
blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the
land of Egypt.
14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD
throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Pentecost comes exactly fifty days after the Passover.
Leviticus 23:15-21 (KJV)
15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought
the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer
a new meat offering unto the LORD.
17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine
flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
18 And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young
bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat
offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the
LORD.
19 Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year
for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the
LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye
shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout
your generations.So the Passover and Pentecost had been instituted by God thousands of years before the birth and
death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, what does it mean “fully come?”
These two holy days, Passover and Pentecost, were a shadow of what was to happen one day.
The sprinkling of the blood of goats and cows could never take away the sins of Israel, but, the
blood of Jesus Christ did! So on the day of the Passover when Israel was killing the Passover
lamb Jesus Christ hung on the cross dying for you and for me and when he said “it is finished”
he, Jesus Christ, meant the redemption of mankind. Jesus Christ had completely redeemed
mankind. He made a way for anyone who wills to, to be delivered from the power of darkness.
1 Corinthians 2:6-9 (KJV)
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor
of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Hebrews 9:11-12 (KJV)
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for us.
1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even
Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Jesus Christ WAS the Passover lamb that year what no one else could do Jesus Christ did making a way
for eternal salvation for anyone who will!
So when it says that the Day of Pentecost was fully come it means that it had been coming from Genesis
chapter three.
Genesis 3:14-15 (KJV)
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above
all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat
all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall
bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
It, the seed of the woman, IS Jesus Christ! The word “bruise” is the word to break or crush. All
the purposes, all the plans, all the scheming of the Devil will be CRUSHED by the seed of the
woman.Women do not give seed to the baby. Women have the eggs, men have the seed. So why does it
say “her seed?” Because God created the seed within Mary. There was no man involved.
All throughout history the Devil had tried to get rid of the Christ line, the lineage that would
ultimately bring into this World the Savior Christ Jesus and he could never do it. So, men and
women of God stood throughout the ages so that the Redeemer Jesus Christ could redeem
mankind. His accomplishment was manifest ON the Day of Pentecost.
So, what God had kept hidden from before the foundations of the World is about to be manifest
for the first time by twelve men.
Acts 2:1 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
They who? The twelve Apostles. By this time Judas had gone out and killed himself and was
replaced by Matthias.
“In one place” The place was the Temple NOT the upper room. In verse forty one it says there
were about three thousand souls added to the Church. About three thousand wasn’t everybody
that was in attendance those were the ones that BELIEVED. There is only one place big enough
to hold over three thousand people and that is the TEMPLE! The Apostles were in the Temple at
the hour of prayer.
Now you have to see the use of pronouns to get the full grasp of this.
Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Who are “they?” The eleven Apostles and Matthias of Acts 1:26
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they (the twelve Apostles) were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them (the twelve Apostles) cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat
upon each of them (the twelve Apostles.)
4 And they (the twelve Apostles) were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
One of the great, most important things to point out here is who did the speaking. The Apostles
did! They chose to move their throats, their mouths and push air over their vocal chords. This is
FREE WILL NOT POSSESSION! They chose to do it and they could start and stop any time
they wanted to.
1 Corinthians 14:32 (KJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
This is a great principle! God has given us free will and the spirit that is in every born again believer is
subject to the believer. You choose to speak and you choose not to. The spirit is subject unto you!Acts 2:5-11 (KJV)
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.
Galileans were uneducated people and, yet, they were speaking in other languages and the people that
were there understood them and the testimony of those witnesses was that they were speaking “THE
WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD!”
Who Are You?
I was watching “The Ten Commandments” the other day, you know the one with Charlton Heston and
Yule Brenner, where they had a burning bush that didn’t burn and the plagues and the parting of the
Red Sea and all of that. Well in that scene with the burning bush, God tells Moses to take off his shoes
for the ground that he stood on was holy ground. That was all so cool! Standing in the presence of God
Almighty, standing on holy ground, talking with God! I don’t care who you are, if you are a Christian you
would like to have an experience like that. However, seldom does the Christian read the Bible to see
what they have in Christ Jesus and when they do read it it is so big that they don’t believe it. What we
have in Christ Jesus makes the burning bush pale in comparison.
We have not been taught who we are and what we have. It is time that we believe God’s Word, the
truth of WHO WE ARE and walk like it! Stand erect, throw your shoulders back take a deep breath and
declare that “I am a son of God and have what God says I have!”
Romans 8:16-17 (KJV)
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (spirit) which is in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Colossians 1:26-27 (KJV)
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
When you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the
dead (Rom. 10:9,10) you get something that no one else, other than Christians, has – holy spirit abiding
within AND it cannot be taken away. You can’t lose it, you can’t back slide out of it. It is yours, it is you
for all eternity. The reason that you don’t see it is because it is spirit. You cannot taste, touch, smell, see
or hear spirit, but, it is there. That is why God says you are a new creature (II Cor. 5:17)
God calls all of our trials and afflictions “light” when compared with the what we have coming.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.See I told you! You can’t see it, but, it is there.
Are you starting see that what we have is sooooo much more than one meeting with God on a
mountain?
There is still more, much more to who we are.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s
stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of
God in him.
We are ambassadors in Christ’s stead! We are a royal priesthood! We are sons and righteousness of
God! Literally, everywhere you tread is holy ground!
Ephesians 1:3-14 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he
hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose
of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto
the praise of his glory.Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
James 1:5-8 (KJV)
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and
it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
You, as a Christian, have direct access to God. You don’t have to wait to climb a mountain. God is there
with you and He never leaves you or forsakes you.
There is so much more on who the Christian is and what the Christian has, but, I am only going to give
you one more attribute of the Christian, you as a Christian have the capacity to love and bless others far
beyond anything anyone else in the World can do.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed
up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
“Charity” is not a very good translation. A much better translation for charity is the love of God in the
renewed mind in Manifestation. A love that extends beyond the borders of man’s understanding.
So, it is now time to stand up, throw your shoulders back take a deep breath, rise above the crowd and
declare “ I AM A SON OF GOD AND A JOINT HEIR WITH JESUS CHRIST AND I CAN DO ALL THINGS
THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME!
What is True Leadership?
I wish to share with you my experience as to leadership and what it should be. To do that I am going to
tell you two stories from my past. Both of these stories happened when I was a new believer. I was
different back then. I was raised different and in a hard life style AND I wasn’t very sure about how to
act around people that loved me. Oh, yes I had a loving Mom and Dad and sisters, but, we were a
secular family and I was never around Christians that walked the walk.
Well the first story happened at a picnic. As I said I, was a new believer and not only that, I had never
been around kids/babies and didn’t want to be. Didn’t like ‘em, didn’t understand them and didn’t want
to be around them. At the picnic was an ordained minister who’s name was Ed. He and his wife Barb had
a new baby boy.
I was sitting at a table when Ed came over to me and struck up a conversation. As the conversation went
on the subject of kids came up and I told him my opinion. He asked me if I wanted to hold his son, “No” I
said, but in my mind I was thinking “not just no, but hell no!” At that point he took his son, with one
hand, that’s how small his son was, and thrust him out to me. I ended up taking the child like I had held
a bull frog as a kid, a hand under each are and my arms were straight out hoping the thing didn’t pee on
me. There we were his son and I staring at each other for I don’t know how long. Never did bring him
any closer. I must have looked absolutely silly. Ed finally came over and took his son back, thankfully.
But, you know there was a change in my heart. Not a big one at first, but, a change. I didn’t mind
children after that and I grew to really like children.
Looking back there are so many lessons to be learned about leadership from this one experience I can’t
put them all in this article. However, the first is, men of God have to walk with God and listen to God to
effect change in the hearts and lives of believers. Ed, although he loved his son dearly, let me hold the
poor child like a frog just to help me grow. I don’ think I would have done it if I were him, but, he did.
Another lesson is that men of God are not weak mamby-pambys. Is that a word that is still used today?
You probably know the type, the type that when they shake your hand you feel like you just grabbed a
dead fish. If Ed was any less than what he was I would never have taken that child, never changed.
My other story happened when I went to a minister’s house for dinner. I was thinking about going into
the ministry and this man was the leader of the state. His name was Luke and his wife was Shelly. They
invited me over for dinner. When we sat down to dinner their dining room table and chairs were just
beautiful. They were French provincial, made from cherry wood. The seats of the chairs were a cream colored fabric that had some sort of silk embroidery in them.
For dinner, we had pot roast. Oh, it was grand. The conversation was good, the food was good
everything was going great when the unthinkable happened. A big juicy piece of pot roast jumped
off my fork. You may laugh, but, I swear the thing had legs and use the fork to do a swan dive that went
in between my legs and landed CURSPLAT right on that beautiful embroidered seat. The seat would
never be the same! It would be forever stained. All of my past experiences told me that I would be in for
a storm of anger and condemnation, but, there was none. The chair was cleaned and they did the
strangest thing, they comforted me and loved me. NO condemnation, NO anger, just tenderness and love. Oh, how I loved those people for that! If you only knew what that meant to me at that time! This
gave me a deeper understanding of God’s and Jesus Christ’s love for me.
God says that we are ambassadors in Christ’s stead (II Cor. 5:20.) We have to show forth that light of
God’s Word, the light of grace, the light of peace, the light of mercy the light of love. This is true
leadership.
It is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance (Rom. 2:4.) You can read the Bible a life time
and, yet, miss the greatness of the stand the men and women took throughout history to be examples
for others to follow.
SERMONS WE SEE
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear:
And the best of all the preachers are the men live their creeds,
For to see good out in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can see your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how act and how you live.
– Edgar A. Guest
THE BRIDGE BUILDER
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting time by building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day:You never again will pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wideWhy build you the bridge at your eventide?”
The builder lifted his old grey head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim,
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.”
-Will Allen Dromgoole
The Parable of the Forgiving Father
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Christ told the story of what has come to be known as the Parable of
the Prodigal Son. To understand why he told this story and to whom he told this story gives more
depth and understanding to this story. Also, knowing that this is a parable and knowing what a
parable is gives us cleared understanding of this passage.
The publicans and sinners in verse one where there, yes, but, who else was there? The Pharisees
and scribes.
Luke 15:1-3 (KJV)
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with
them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
“Them,” them who? The scribes and the Pharisees. Understand that a pronoun is controlled by it
closest associated noun, in this case the scribes and the Pharisees. The publicans and sinners
could hear him, but, he was looking directly at the scribes and Pharisees.
Now a parable is an extended simile and a simile is a figure of speech which compares two
things by likeness. For example, someone might say about a fast runner, “he was like lighting.”
Or someone might say someone who eats a lot “he eats like a cow.
A parable is an extended simile and is made up of two Greek words, para and ballo. Para means
“beside” and ballo means “to cast or throw.” It literally means to cast along side of a narrative
with a hidden meaning.
The meaning consists in likeness and is usually in one salient or great truth. An example of this
is Christ being compared to a thief in the night. He is not a thief, but, the one great truth is the
unexpectedness, the suddenness of his coming.
Another thing to know is that a parable must be possible. If it is not possible, like trees talking, it
would be a fable.
Knowing these truths 1) Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and scribes and 2) he is telling a story
that has a hidden meaning let us read this parable.
Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to
me. And he divided unto them his living.
Notice that one son asks for his inheritance, but, the other son doesn’t. The father loved both of
them and treated them the same.13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far
country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in
want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to
feed swine.
Feeding swine is as low down as a Jew can get! There is no lower station in life. The Jews,
especially the scribes and Pharisees wouldn’t even think about touching a pig let alone care for
them. Also, in that culture when a man tends a herd of swine he is counted as one of them. He
eats what they eat he lives with them and when the owner of the herd is asked how many pigs he
has, if he has ninety-nine and he has one herdsman taking care of them he would say he has one
hundred.
In verse sixteen the word “fain” is to desire or to lust after. Not only did he have to eat the husks
he was so hungry he wanted to, he lusted after them.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave
unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread
enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
He came to himself! Hallelujah! I could teach a few sermons on this! The day in a man’s or
woman’s life when they wake up and see the situation and know there is a better way is great
freedom. It is like a cool breeze on a hot day. It is life changing.
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,
and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Why did the father see him? Because the father was watching! Just like God. God is always there
he never leaves us or forsakes us. He doesn’t walk away from us, we turn our backs on him, we
walk away AND YET God is always watching, always waiting for us to come back! God
hungers for fellowship with his sons and daughters. If we only knew how much. If we would
only come to ourselves and say “my father has more than the things of this World. My father can
and WILL take care of me.” What a day that would be in our lives!
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no
more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring
on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be
merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard
musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because
he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither
transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might
make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf.
“I did everything right, father and he did everything wrong. Why on earth would you kill that
fatted calf.” What should have been the son’s response? One of happiness that his brother was
alive and had returned. Instead, it was a response of anger and of jealousy. But, what does the
father do? He lovingly set his son straight.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is
alive again; and was lost, and is found.
This parable is not a parable of a prodigal son. They were both prodigal. In different ways, but, both
were way off track. Yet, the father forgave them both.
What is the hidden meaning to this parable? Jesus was standing in the midst of two diverse groups, the
publicans and sinners (who the scribes and Pharisees distained) and the haughty and self-righteous
scribes and Pharisees. Two groups so far apart, so off the beam. Both were gone astray, but, God was
waiting to forgive and bless each and every one of them.
This is not the Parable of the Prodigal Son, this is the Parable of the Loving and Forgiving Father, God.
Understanding II Corinthians 2: 14-16
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the
savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And
who is sufficient for these things?
To understand some parts of the Bible you must have an understanding of the culture of the Bible times.
Specifically, for our understanding of II Corinthians 2:14-16 we must understand Roman Culture. The
Apostle Paul understood the Roman Culture very well.
Acts 22:25-29 (KJV)
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to
scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou
doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was
free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also
was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
Because Paul was a Roman and understood Roman culture he could incorporate that knowledge into his
writings. Now, that being said, I have to explain that The Bible is God breathed.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness
2 Peter 1:21 (KJV)
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Bible IS the Word of God, but, men of God can only write with their natural knowledge ability. In
other words someone with a college education would be able to write better and with a broader scope
of words than someone who only had a high school education. This is why the Gospel of John is so much
more eloquent than Amos. The Apostle John was a highly educated man while Amos was a pig farmer.
Let me ask you, who do you think could write better?
This brings me to another principle in God’s Word and spiritual practice, that, if you don’t get anything
else out of any of my teachings, other than the new birth found in Romans 10:9,10, understand this:
1 Corinthians 14:32 (KJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.There! Did you read that?? “The spirits of the prophets are SUBJECT to the prophets!
The modern Christian Church has been overrun by people talking about “God using you” or “let the
spirit have his way with you.” I tell you this is a lie from the pit of hell! Anytime you give yourself over to
the spirit it is called POSSESSION and our God, the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
NEVER possesses!
Christianity is based on your FREEDOM OF WILL! You choose, you confess, you believe! You never “let
the spirit control you”! Never let anything control your mind, this includes hypnotism. How could
Christianity get so far off base? Look at Revelation 3:20.
Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I (Jesus Christ) 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.
You choose, you open! Jesus Christ STANDS AT THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART out of respect for your
freedom of will!!
OK, back to II Corinthians.
So, one of the Roman traditions is the Roman Triumphal Procession. This triumphal procession was a
great big parade, set aside for a conquering general and his army. There were requirements for a
general to be allowed a Triumphal Procession; he had to take land, he had to defeat the enemy in a
decisive victory, he had to take prisoners and he had to have a low amount of casualties.
The procession had a specific route to follow and it had a specific order of the people participating in the
procession. First there were the captured leaders, their allies and enemy soldiers all destined for
execution. Next came the captured weapons, armour, silver, gold and exotic treasures. Third were the
Roman Senators and Magistrates followed by the general’s bodyguards, the general on a chariot pulled
by four white horses and lastly the general’s army.
All the temples would be open and there would be clouds of incense wafting through the air and
beautiful fragrant flowers draped along the parade route.
As the procession proceeded through the streets of Rome all members of the procession could smell all
the beautiful smells. This was a victory march to the Romans, but, to the prisoners this was a death
march. Both the Romans and the Vanquished smelled the same thing. To the Romans it was a victory
march unto life, to the prisoners the same smell was the smell of death.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the
savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And
who is sufficient for these things?
“Them that perish” are all those that are not written in the Book of Life. “Them that perish,” also,
includes the Devil and all the devil spirits.“Them that are saved” are the born again Christians (Romans 10:9,10.) Christians are a beautiful sweet
smell to God, Jesus Christ and all Christians.
Always remember that to God and Jesus Christ you are a beautiful sweet fragrance of life.
The Greatest Day in the Church Calendar
As Christians we celebrate many holidays. The biggest two or the most significant in our minds
are Christmas and Easter. Or the celebration of the birth of Christ and His resurrection.
However, the greatest day in the Church calendar we, for the most part do not recognize let
alone celebrate and that is the Birthday of the Christian Church, the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they (the apostles were all with one accord in
one place.
The day of Pentecost had been coming since Genesis chapter 3.
Genesis 3:14-15 (KJV)
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above
all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou
eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it
shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Here is the first foretelling of the coming Messiah. What it says is that the Devil will hurt Jesus
Christ BUT Jesus Christ will destroy him. Along the path to the fulfilling of this prophesy were
Abraham, Moses, all of the prophets of old, John the Baptist and the birth, ministry, death and
resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then the one thing that the adversary, the
Devil did not want to happen happened.
1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (KJV)
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor
of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory.
Why did the Devil and his cohorts crucify Jesus Christ. Because, they knew what God had said in
Genesis chapter three and they knew if they could kill Jesus Christ or his blood line before him
then that prophesy of Genesis would not come to pass. He, the Devil and his cohorts, tried to
kill all mankind in the flood, II Peter 2:4,5. He tried to destroy the Christ line, II Kings chapter 20,
and finally he killed the Lord of Glory. But in so doing the way was paved for the final
destruction of the Devil and not only that, but, that every person who confesses with his mouth
Jesus as Lord and believes in his heart that God has raised him from the dead, to be an
ambassador in Christ’s stead, II Cor. 5;20, to be sons of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ,I John 3:1,2 and Romans 8:17 and that we can do all that Jesus did here on Earth and more
because Jesus Christ went unto his Father, John 14:12.
So, Pentecost was FULLY come down through all the years and the final victory proclaimed
when, as it says in Acts chapter three, they spoke in tongues as the spirit gave them utterance.
Romans 8:15-16 (KJV)
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:
Acts 2:1-11 (KJV)
1 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.
The war has been won, the victory declared, all we are to do now is to live in the power and
glory that we have been given while here on Earth while we await the return of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
I Thessalonians 4:13 ff..
Sunday, June 4th, is the celebration of Pentecost, the birth of Christianity and the consummate
victory over the Devil and his cohorts. I hope you enjoy the day and bask in what Christ
accomplished.
The Goodness of God
A long time ago I went to a Louisville Cardinals basketball game and I struck up a conversation with a
man sitting next to me. Of course the conversation was about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the
Bible. This man was in his late 40’s maybe early 50’s and he was very negative and if I had to choose a
word to describe him it would be dour. He was a Christian and that is what was causing the problem.
How could being a Christian cause anyone to be negative, dour and down on life in general? Well, he
told me his story. As a young man he had become a Christian, Romans 10:9,10, and had wanted to
become a minister. However, somewhere along life’s journey he ventured away from doing what he
wanted to do for a more secular life. Ever since that time he felt guilty and ashamed that he didn’t
follow through on his commitment. This is what caused this poor man to suffer so. No matter what I said
to him nothing would change his mind.
Many Christians in the world today are in the same boat as this man. It may not be the exact same
reason. It may be that they did something in their past that they think God will not forgive them for. Or,
it may be because of thoughts that linger in their minds. Things that they know or think they know that
are contrary to God’s will for their lives.
I WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT! GOD LOVES YOU! GOD WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU! Yes, He
wants you to be the best you can be for Him, but, not living up to your full potential does not separate
you from the love of God!
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What will separate us from the love of God? Will not living up to your potential? NO! What about our
past? NO! The Apostle Paul, the one who received the revelation of the great mystery and who spread
the Word of God throughout all Asia Minor in two years and three months, before he was born again,
put Christians in prison and caused them to die. But, it didn’t matter because when you are born again
each day is a new day. Each day is a day you can live for and with God Almighty.
I am going to give you some scripture verses that will change your life IF and that IF is a BIG “IF” you
choose to believe the Bible is the revealed word and will of God and not hold on to your old way of
thinking.
Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.
Christ in you is the new birth, you in Christ is your walk. It is you changing what you have been feeding
your mind from what the World says to what the Word says and walking on it. Does this say “only if you
are under forty years old?” Does it say “only if you are tall, short, fat, skinny, pretty or not so pretty?”NO, a thousand times no. The only and when I say only I mean ONLY prerequisite is that you choose to
walk.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
All it takes is YOU choosing, much like a journey it starts with one step followed by another! So
what if we fall down, so what if we make a mistake. Don’t you think God knows your heart?
If you fall down get back up, dust yourself off and start again. If you screw up then ask God’s
forgiveness and get back to walking.
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Do you know what it means to “confess your sins?” It means to say you’re sorry. “God I am sorry for
____________ and I thank you for forgiveness and cleansing me from all unrighteousness.”
I was going to put Psalm 103:12 here, but, Psalm 103 holds so much for you that I put the whole thing
in!
Psalm 103:1-22 (KJV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender
mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear(reverence and
respect) him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear (respect and
reverence) him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening
unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
So, now, take a deep breath, let it out, relax and smile knowing that God loves you and He wants
the best for you! No more guilt. Just peace through our lord Jesus Christ.
Just remember that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
