The Will of God… Sanctification – Part 4

November 3, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 4:1-7 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God had not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

If sin is not involved in the person or thing set apart, then no sin is cleansed in the process of setting apart (continues): [8] The same people were sanctified many times so sanctification cannot be limited to one act (Ex. 19:14, 22; 28:41; 29:33, 44; 30:29; Lev. 8:30). [9] People have sanctified themselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7). Did they take an old man out of themselves? [10] The same people that sanctified themselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7) were also sanctified by Moses (Ex. 19:10-14) and by God (Ex. 29:43-44; 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:8, 15, 23; 22:9, 16). Which ones took the old man out? [11] All the firstborns of Israel were sanctified at birth (Ex. 13:2; Num. 8:17). If the old man was taken out at this time, then none of them had an old man after that. [12] Sanctified disciples (John 13:10; 15:3) were further sanctified in the same sense that the sanctified Christ (John 10:36) further sanctified Himself (John 17:17-19). [13] The seventh day was sanctified without sin and cleaning being involved (Gen. 2:3-4).

However, if sin and filth are involved in a person or a material thing to be set apart unto God, then such must be dealt with to make it presentable to God.

To be continued…

The Will of God… Sanctification – Part 3

November 2, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 4: 1-7 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God had not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Sin is not necessarily involved in sanctification, because the word means ‘setting apart’. God has sanctified both people and material things, and even immaterial things. If sin is not involved in the person or thing set apart, then no sin is cleansed in the process of setting apart: [1] Material things have been sanctified without taking an old man (refers to satan) out of them: (1) Bread (1Sam. 21:5); (2) The tabernacle and its furniture (Ex. 29:43-30:29; Lev. 8:10-15); (3) Priests’ garments (Lev. 8:30); (4) Houses and lands (Lev. 27:9-29); (5) Meat (1Tim. 4:3-5); (6) Solomon’s temple and furniture (2Chron. 7:16-20; 29:17-19); (7) Gates (Neh. 3:1); (8) Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:23); (9) The offerings (Ex. 29:27); (10) Herod’s temple (Matt. 23:17). [2] Holy persons have been sanctified who never had an old man in them: (1) God the Father (Lev. 10:3; Num. 20:13; Isa. 5:16; Ezek. 20:41; 28:22-25; 36:23; 38:16; 39:27; 1Pet. 3:15); (2) Christ (John 10:36; 17:17-19). [3] God’s name has been repeatedly sanctified without taking an old man out of it (Isa. 29:23; Ezek. 36:23). [4] Babies have been sanctified from birth before sinning (Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:15-17; Gal. 1:15) and one never did have an old man in Him (Luke 1:35; John 10:36). [5] Heathen soldiers and husbands have been sanctified who never were followers of Christ (Isa. 13:3, 17; 1Cor. 7:14). [6] Believers sanctify God and never take an old man out of Him (1Pet. 3:15). [7] Christ sanctified Himself though He never had an old man in Him (John 17:19).

To be continued…

The Will of God… Sanctification – Part 2

November 1, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ 1 Comment

There are fourteen requirements of the will of God in sanctification (4:3-18) – (continues): Do not despise men (4:8). Love one another (4:9; 1Cor. 13:1-13). Increase in love (4:10; 3:12). Study to be quiet (4:11; 2Tim. 2:15). Be diligent in business (4:11). Work with your hands (4:11; 1Cor. 4:12; Eph. 4:28; 2Thess. 3:10). Walk honestly before men (4:12). Have a bright hope (4:13-17). Comfort one another (4:18). ‘Sanctification’ [Greek: hagiasmos] consecration. Translated “holiness” (4:7; Rom. 6:19, 22; 1Tim. 2:15; Heb. 12:14) and “sanctification” (4:3-4; 1Cor. 1:30; 2Thess. 2:13; 1Pet. 1:2).

The doctrine of sanctification – a separation unto God FROM a profane, secular, and carnal use TO a sacred, religious, and spiritual use. The words “sanctify” and “sanctified” are used 132 times; “sanctification” 5 times (New Testament only); and “sanctifieth” 4 times (New Testament only) – 141 times total in Scripture: 110 times in the Old Testament and only 31 times in the New Testament A study of the various passages shows that to sanctify means to set apart from other uses to God’s particular use, not to cleanse from sin or rid of carnal nature (sometimes called “the old man” or Adamic nature). Even Christ, the Sinless One, was sanctified (John 10:36; 17:19). Where humans are concerned one begins to be sanctified when he begins to consecrate his life to God, and the process is continued as he continues in his dedication (1Cor. 1:30; 6:11; 2Thess. 2:13; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 3:8-10; 5:1-4, 18).

The Will of God… Sanctification – Part 1

October 31, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 4: 1-7 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God had not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

‘Ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more.’ Paul constantly desired their perfection in Christ (2:7, 11-12; 3:10, 13; 4:1-7; 5:12-23).

‘This is the will of God.’ It is always the will of God that we, first of all, serve Him as His representatives on earth (1Pet 2:21-23) so that others can be saved through the example we set in our daily lives as His followers. Where we live, work, who we marry etc. has nothing to do with His will, except that we are to follow His commandments with regards to living a holy (separated from worldly people, 1Jn. 2:15-17) life in righteousness and obedience (Jas. 1:22-26).

There are fourteen requirements of the will of God in sanctification (4:3-18): Abstain from fornication or all kinds of sexual sins (4:3; Matt. 5:32). Know how to possess the vessel in sanctification and honour (4:4). Not in the lust of concupiscence or strong sexual desire (4:5; Col. 3:5). Here it means excessive sexual lust like that of the Gentiles who knew no bounds. That no man defrauds his brother by seducing his wife to corrupt her and break up a home (4:6). This still refers to sexual sins and not to cheating, for it is dealing with sexual uncleanness down to 1Thessalonians 4:7. Every type of perversion was practised among the heathen. Their gods, their rulers, and their teachers were examples of impurity. They had no system of ethics that forbade these practices. The Christian religion forbade them as worthy of death and hell and this has preserved the world from complete ruin to this day. Walk in holiness, not in the uncleanness of sexual perversion (4:7; Rom, 1:24).

To be continued…

Unblameable in Holiness Before God – Part 2

October 28, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 3:12-13 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Twenty-three conditions of eternal life are given in Scripture – no amount of ‘grace-only’ preaching will change the facts of the Word (continued): Let the promise of it remain in you and continue in God and Christ (1Jn. 2:24-25; 5:11-20). Love everybody (1Jn. 3:14-15). Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24). Overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15). Believe and obey the gospel (John 3:15-19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5). Be born again, hear Christ, and follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29).

We get eternal life now and keep it forever if we meet the above conditions, but it does not become an unforfeitable eternal possession until we enter into it (Matt. 7:13; 18:8-9; 19:17; Rom. 6:22); receive it (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:13; Rev. 2:10); reap it (Gal. 6:7-8); and inherit it in the world to come (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30), and at the end of this life (Rom. 6:22).

‘Unblameable’ [Greek: amemptos] Blameless before God (Php. 3:6; Luke 1:6; Heb. 8:7).

‘At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.’ This could not refer to the event of Zechariah 14:5 and Jude 1:14 when the saints will accompany Christ to earth, for they are not then presented before the Father. By this time they will have been with God for at least seven years. This then refers to the coming of Jesus with the saints back to heaven after He meets them in the air (4:16-17; John 13:1-3).

Unblameable in Holiness Before God – Part 1

October 27, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.’ This is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 1 Thessalonians (3:13) and it is unfulfilled. This refers to the rapture when Christ meets the saints in the air (4:16) and takes them to heaven where they are presented before God the Father and established in eternal and unblameable holiness by God. Up to this point salvation and eternal life are given to men on condition (John 6:27). In the rapture men receive unforfeitable life for the first time as a harvest of life of sowing to the Spirit and to fulfil the promises of eternal life in the next life (Matt. 7:13-14; 18:8-9; 19:28-29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30; Rom. 2:7; 6:21-23; Gal. 6:7-8; 1Tim. 1:16; 4:8; 6:12, 19; Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13; 3:7; 1Jn. 2:25; Jude 1:20-24; Dan. 12:2).

Twenty-three conditions of eternal life are given in Scripture – no amount of ‘grace-only’ preaching will change the facts of the Word: Come to Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65). Eat His flesh – drink His blood (John 6:50, 51, 53, 58). Labour (John 6:27). Reap – win souls through living according to His example (John 4:35-38; 1Pet. 2:21-23). Hate (love less) the life in this world (John 12:25). Know God and Christ (John 17:2-3). Enter the right gate (Matt. 7:13-14). Cause no offence (Matt. 18:8-9). Keep commandments (Matt. 19:17). Forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). Live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14). Continue in well-doing and seek eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Sow to the Spirit (Gal. 6:7-8). Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (1Tim. 6:12, 19). Be sober and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13 with Rom. 8:24). Endure temptations (Jas. 1:12).

To be continued…

God Himself – Part 4

October 26, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Two and three Persons are referred to in every New Testament book (500 Scripture to confirm). In no conceivable way can we force a meaning of three persons in one person; three beings in one being; or three manifestations of only one person in any of these or any other scripture.

Three distinct and separate witnesses bear witness of Christ (1Jn. 5:5-11, 13, 5:20). Both God and man require this many personal and separate witnesses to confirm any point (Matt. 18:16; 2Cor. 13:1). The water and blood of 1 John 5:8 could not be accepted as accredited personal witnesses to confirm any point (Matt. 18:16; 2Cor. 13:1). The water and blood of 1 John 5:8 could not be accepted as an accredited personal witness in themselves. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the only personal witnesses of this passage. If we consider these to be only one person, then there are not the required number of witnesses to establish the truth of the Sonship of Jesus Christ. We are forced by facts to admit all of 1 John 5:7-8 as inspired Scripture and therefore, the fact that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and personal witnesses instead of being only one person or witness. Indeed, many scriptures confirm these three witnesses: (1) The Father (Jer. 29:23; Mal. 3:5; John 5:31-37; Heb. 1:1-2; 2:3-4); the Son (Isa. 55:4; John 18:37; 1Tim. 6:13; Rev. 1:5); the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16; John 15:26; Heb. 10:15; 1Jn. 3:6). If all three are witnesses, then they must be separate Persons. The water and the blood simply confirm the intelligent testimonies of the three Persons of the Godhead and give additional weight to the Sonship of Jesus.

The words through and by, used of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, but not once of the Father, prove that God is a separate Person and the Head and Director of all things done by and through them (1Cor. 3:23; 11:3; John 10:29; 14:28; 16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:33-34): (1) Through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:2; Rom. 1:8; 5:1, 9, 11; 6:23; 7:25; 15:17; 16:27; 1Cor. 15:57; 2Cor. 3:4; Gal. 3:14; 4:7; 5:10; Eph. 2:7, 18; Php. 4:7, 13; Tit. 3:6; Heb. 13:21; 1Pet. 1:22; 4:11; 1Jn. 4:9); (2) By Jesus Christ (John 1:3, 10, 17; 10:9; Acts 4:10; 10:36; Rom. 2:16; 3:22; 5:17, 21; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:5; 3:9; Col. 1:15-20; 3:17; Heb. 1:1-3; 1Pet. 2:5; 5:10); (3) Through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2; 21:4; Rom. 8:13; 15:13, 19; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 2:22; Heb. 9:14); (4) By the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 11:24; Mic. 3:8; Zech. 4:6; Matt. 12:28; Luke 2:27; 4:1; Acts 11:28; Rom. 5:5; 15:19; 1Cor. 2:10; 6:11; 12:3, 13).

God Himself – Part 3

October 25, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Names of God prove plurality of persons. The Hebrew word ’Elohiym is the word for God in Genesis 1:1 and over 2,700 other places in the Old Testament It is a uni-plural noun meaning Gods and is so translated 239 times (Gen. 3:5; Ex. 22:28; 1Sam. 4:8; Dan. 2:11; 4:6-9; 5:11, 14; etc.). Sometimes ’Elohiym is used with plural verbs and pronouns, “the Gods they caused me to wander” (Gen. 20:13), and “there the Gods they appeared unto him” (Gen. 35:7).

Plural pronouns are used for God, proving the plurality of persons (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa. 6:8; John 14:23; 17:11, 22-23). First, second, and third personal pronouns are used hundreds of times in Scripture, referring to one, two, and three persons of the Godhead in the same sense they are used for men. Sometimes the different members of the Deity use them to and of one another in the same sense man uses them. In John 17:1-26 alone Jesus uses them 162 times in speaking to and of His Father (cp. John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15). Sometimes singular pronouns are used for the whole Godhead of three members as a unity (Ex. 20:3; Isa. 44:6, 8; 45:5, 21; 46:9; Hos. 13:4), just like the whole body of Christ as a unit is spoken of as a man and “he” (Eph. 2:14-15; 4:13; 5:25-27; 2Thess. 2:7-8).

Jesus Christ is called the son of Abraham, David, Mary, and God (Matt. 1:1; Mark 1:1; 6:3). He is just as much a separate person from God as He is of these other persons.

Two Persons are referred to many times in the New Testament (Matt. 11:27; Luke 23:46; John 1:1-2, 18; 5:19-20; 14:1-9; 16:15; 17:3, 10; Acts 2:38-39; 3:13-26; Php. 2:5-11; Eph. 3:5; Col. 1:5; 2Thess. 2:16-17; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 20:6; 22:3).

God is the head of Christ and thus greater than He in position (1Cor. 3:23; 11:3; 1Chron. 29:11; John 14:28). Christ is the mediator between God and man, not between Himself and man (1Tim. 2:5).

To be continued…

God Himself – Part 2

October 24, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

With over 20,000 references to God in Scripture, we get to know all we need to know about the subject. If we will take the Bible literally as to what it says about Him, as we do with other things the subject will be very clear; but if we make God a mystery, ignoring the plain statements of Scripture about Him, and refusing to believe the many descriptions of God given by those who have seen one, two, and three separate persons called “God,” then we will remain in ignorance.

There are indeed a few figurative statements about God in Scripture, as there are about man and other things, but shall we do away with the reality of man and these other things because of a few figures of speech? Let us make man mere salt and lights (Matt. 5:13-14) if we are going to do away with God because of a few figures of speech.

We submit the following facts in Scripture to prove a Divine Trinity of separate persons in the Godhead: The word “one” means one in unity as well as one in number. It means unity in 1 John 5:7, as it does in John 17:11, 21-23, and yet these three Persons, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, are spoken of as one each in number and individuality in Scripture. There is one God the Father, one Lord Jesus Christ, and one Holy Spirit (1Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:3-6). Thus, there are three separate Persons in divine individuality and divine plurality. The Father is called God (1Cor. 8:6), the Son is called God (Isa. 9:6, 7; Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2; 20:28), and the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4). As individual persons each can be called God and collectively, they can be spoken of as one God because of their perfect unity. The word “God” is used either as a singular or a plural word, like sheep.

Everything that could be spoken of God collectively applies equally to each member of the Godhead as an individual, but some things are said of each person of the Deity as to position, office, and work that could not be spoken as of the other members of the Godhead. The Father is the head of Christ (1Cor. 11:3); the Son is the only begotten of the Father (2Jn. 1:3), and the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:34).

To be continued…

God Himself – Part 1

October 21, 2022October 12, 2022 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

‘God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.’ Another clear proof of more than one person in the Godhead. Two are mentioned here: God, our Father; our Lord Jesus Christ. This confirms the deity of Christ (see 1Jn. 5:7).

What we mean by Divine Trinity is that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead, each one having His own personal spirit body, personal soul, and personal spirit in the same sense each human being, angel, or any other being has his own body, soul, and spirit. We mean by the body, whether a spirit body or a flesh body, the house for the indwelling of the personal soul and spirit. The soul is that which feels and the spirit is that which knows.

The doctrine of the Trinity can be clearly seen, being understood by the visible things that are made, even to His eternal power and Godhead (Rom. 1:20). What on earth was created in the image and likeness of God? Man (Gen. 1:26-28). Do God’s image and likeness consist only of moral and spiritual powers? If so, it can be concluded that man is only a moral and spiritual being. Is God bodiless? If so, we can conclude that man is also bodiless.

Is God only one being made up of several persons or beings in one being? If so, we can conclude that man is one person or being made up of many. Does God need a flesh body to have any kind of body? No! There are such things as spirit and heavenly bodies (1Cor. 15:35-38). From this passage, we learn that all things in creation – grain, fish, birds, beasts, man and angels – have bodies, sizes, shapes, and forms.

God has been seen physically by human eyes many times (Gen. 18:1-33; 19:24; 32:24-30; Ex. 24:11; 33:11-33; Jos. 5:13-15; Jdg. 6:11-23; 13:3-25; 1Chron. 21:16-17; Job 42:5; Isa. 6:1-13; Ezek. 1:26-28; 10:1, 20; 40:3; Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-10; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; 5:1, 5-7, 11-14; 6:16; 7:9-17; 19:4; 21:3-5; 22:4).

To be continued…