Teaching (no posting) Spiritually guided messages.

You cannot explain spiritual things to carnally minded people. It makes 0 sense, until they grow spiritually mature. There are many believers who think themselves spiritually mature, but are still worldly babes in Christ. The flesh profits NOTHING. Worldly credentials mean NOTHING. The SPIRIT/WORD counts for EVERYTHING. Choose your company wisely. The people you surround yourself with will either RESTRAIN your spiritual growth, or ACCELERATE it in SPIRIT. FLESH or SPIRIT. You cannot be FRIENDS with BOTH and expect to GROW Obedience is better than sacrifice.

You need to take in the context of Paul's audience to understand this Scriptural favorite in Ephesians 2:8-10 ('faith, not works'). He's addressing the Ephesians who are already abiding in Christ's life and have entered into Heavenly Jerusalem (Book of Life). He's saying this as an admonition to guard against boasting among themselves, because they are all spiritually mature brothers.

" Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the SAINTS who are in Ephesus, and are FAITHFUL IN Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God OUR Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:1-2

Note how He opens the introduction letter to the Ephesians, without the typical bowing and scraping of formal humility, as He does in the introduction of many of His other letters. He speaks to them as equals, because He knows He does not need to give them a special greeting, in order for them to listen to His (the Spirit's) Words. This epistle is largely an admonition/reminder to guard against quarreling among themselves (ACCUSER of the BRETHREN- Rev. 12:10). He also doesn't need to address any specific concerns in the epistles to the Ephesians. They have already (for the most part) reached Metanoia (change in one's way of life resulting from penitence or spiritual conversion), like Himself.

"For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]." Ephesians 2:8-9

If we look in the gospel of Matthew, Christ had already taught this to His disciples (Apostles) who were traveling and studying DIRECTLY from HIM (spiritually mature) in order to finish writing the Gospel (The Word).

"But do not be called Rabbi (Teacher); for One is your Teacher, and you are all [equally] brothers. Do not call anyone on earth [who guides you spiritually] your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not let yourselves be called leaders or teachers; for One is your Leader (Teacher), the Christ. " Matthew 23:8-10

What does the passage mean? It means different things to different rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. So the explanation you receive will be quite different from teacher to teacher, and prophet to prophet. You may note, it's usually always the false prophets who explain the passage talking about false prophets.

"then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness." 2 Peter 2:9-16

"Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception." 1 John 4:1-6

Because the Pharisees were so right, in their own eyes, they could not see how ugly their heart had become. It was a hardened heart that belonged to Leviathan.

"I will not keep silence concerning his limbs,
or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame.
Who can strip off his outer garment?
Who would come near him with a bridle?
Who can open the doors of his face?
Around his teeth is terror.
His back is made of rows of shields,
shut up closely as with a seal.
One is so near to another
that no air can come between them.
They are joined one to another;
they clasp each other and cannot be separated.
His sneezings flash forth light,
and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.
Out of his mouth go flaming torches;
sparks of fire leap forth.
Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,
as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.
His breath kindles coals,
and a flame comes forth from his mouth.
In his neck abides strength,
and terror dances before him.
The folds of his flesh stick together,
firmly cast on him and immovable.
His heart is hard as a stone,
hard as the lower millstone.
When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid;
at the crashing they are beside themselves.
Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail,
nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.
He counts iron as straw,
and bronze as rotten wood.
The arrow cannot make him flee;
for him, sling stones are turned to stubble.
Clubs are counted as stubble;
he laughs at the rattle of javelins.
His underparts are like sharp potsherds;
he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
He makes the deep boil like a pot;
he makes the sea like a pot of ointment.
Behind him he leaves a shining wake;
one would think the deep to be white-haired.
On earth there is not his like,
a creature without fear.
He sees everything that is high;
he is king over all the sons of pride.” Job 41:12-34

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE is WORLDLY. All that's BIBLICALLY REQUIRED is the WORD/SPIRIT/GOD (Matthew 18:15-20) while VOWS are taken BEFORE the TESTIMONY of TWO or THREE HOLY-SPIRIT FILLED/GOVERNED WITNESSES (2 Corinthians 13:1, Deuteronomy 19:15, 1 Timothy 1:8-11). I THOUGHT WE HATED RELIGION?? (John 7:24) LITTLE FAITH!

VOWS before PREACHER, PULPIT, AUDIENCE is TRADITIONS of MEN (Matthew 15:1-9) and requires a MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ordained by the HARLOT BABYLONIAN GOVERNMENT (Revelations 18) and is often performed by APOSTATES (Matthew 19:3-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-5). If people would stop marrying INTO UNEQUALLY YOKED relationships (2 Corinthians 6:14-18), we wouldn't have DIVORCE. There is NO DIVORCE in the APOSTOLIC CHURCH. If there is DIVORCE, ONE or BOTH of them were NOT truly filled with the HOLY-SPIRIT. (1 Corinthians 7:1-16, Jude 1:17-23, Acts 5:32)

If any of you has a grievance against another, HOW DARE he go to law BEFORE the UNRIGHTEOUS INSTEAD of BEFORE THE SAINTS! Do you not know that THE SAINTS will JUDGE THE WORLD? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will JUDGE ANGELS? How much more the things of THIS life!

So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges THOSE OF NO STANDING in THE CHURCH? I say this to your shame. Is there REALLY no one among you WISE ENOUGH to ARBITRATE between his brothers? Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this IN FRONT of UNBELIEVERS!

The very fact that you have LAWSUITS AMONG YOU means you are THOROUGHLY DEFEATED ALREADY. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!" 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

"So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

I care very little, however, if I am judged by YOU or by any HUMAN COURT. In fact, I do not even judge myself. My CONCIENCE IS CLEAR, but that does NOT VINDICATE ME. It is the LORD who JUDGES ME.

Therefore judge nothing before the proper time; wait until the LORD COMES. He will bring TO LIGHT what is HIDDEN in DARKNESS and will EXPOSE the MOTIVES of MEN'S HEARTS. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Seek God alone.

I found this gem on secular new-age Christianity founded on EMOTIONALISM. It's not 'LOVE'. It's not RELATIONSHIP. It's FALSE doctrine...

So...ABOUT THAT WATER BAPTISM? This guy GOES BY THE SCRIPTURES. THE WORD/HOLY SPIRIT. THAT'S THE POWER of the WORD. PRAISE GOD.

"The spiritual world is real. Demons are real. But the power of Jesus and baptism is stronger than anything out there. The kingdom of God is not only words but power. By the blood of Jesus there is FREEDOM."https://thelastreformation.com/

NO OTHER GOSPEL. PERIOD. PRAISE GOD.

"If anyone teaches another doctrine and DISAGREES with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is CONCEITED and UNDERSTANDS NOTHING. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come ENVY, STRIFE, ABUSIVE TALK, EVIL SUSPICIONS, and CONSTANT FRICTION between men of DEPRAVED MIND who are DEVOID of the TRUTH. These men regard godliness as a means of gain." 1 Timothy 6:3-5

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—NOT THAT THERE IS ANOTHER ONE, but there are some who trouble you and want to DISTORT the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an ANGEL FROM HEAVEN should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For am I now seeking the approval OF MAN, or OF GOD? Or am I trying to please man? If I were STILL TRYING to PLEASE MAN, I would NOT BE a servant of CHRIST." Galatians 1:6-10

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will NOT ENDURE sound doctrine; but after their OWN LUSTS shall they HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS, having ITCHING EARS; And they shall TURN AWAY their EARS from the TRUTH, and shall be turned unto FABLES. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Testing the spirits, the intentions, and motives of the prophetic voice.

"For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 AMP.

The Conscience IS PART of the Holy Spirit in a born-again believer. One of Holy Spirit's functions is to CONVICT. A clean/good conscience is a fundamental part of a disciples walk of faith. The reason why the lukewarm may become OUTRAGED at the READING of The WORD of GOD is because their seared/sleeping/numb/reprobate conscience/mind SUDDENLY WAKES UP and WAGES WAR on THEM due to their disobedience/sin. That can be good. It means the heart/mind may be responsive to God's guidance and discipline. There is always room to improve (A clean conscience before God may be largely correlated to the working of miracles, signs, wonders because the Spirit is not double-minded, doubtful, or uncertain!)

"REPENT of your SIN, or I will come to you SUDDENLY and FIGHT AGAINST THEM with the SWORD of my MOUTH" Revelations 2:16 (The LIVING and ACTIVE WORD of GOD Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12)."

The Conscience can be a PART governed by the HOLY SPIRIT whom God GIVES to those who OBEY HIM (Acts 5:32). We really need to start getting a depth of understanding when it comes to the words "Faith" "Believer" and Especially "Grace".

"What if some did NOT HAVE FAITH? Will their LACK OF FAITH nullify God’s faithfulness? Absolutely not! Let GOD be TRUE and EVERY MAN A LIAR. As it is written: “So that You may be justified in Your words, and prevail in Your judgments.” Romans 3:3-4

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." John 16:7-15

"I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my CONSCIENCE testifies with me in the HOLY SPIRIT" Romans 9:1 (1 Peter 3:16, 2 Timothy 1:3, Acts 23:1, Acts 24:16, 1 Timothy 1:19).

"A man is not a Jew because he is one OUTWARDLY, nor is circumcision only and physical. No, a man is a Jew because he is one INWARDLY, and circumcision is a matter of the HEART (MIND), by the SPIRIT, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise DOES NOT come from MEN, but FROM GOD." Romans 2:28-29

"As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own (human) spirit in speaking." Proverbs 25:28

"And the (human) spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:32-33

"For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body"James 3:2

Do you know the Lion without the Lamb? Do you know the Lamb without the Lion? Either are spiritually fatal. The Lamb and the Lion are One.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

"Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Equating everything/everyone of equal standing in the Church is an admirable and loving endeavor, nevertheless it is entirely anti-Scriptural. (2 Timothy 2:14-26, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, Matthew 23:8-12, Matthew 18:1-6, Matthew 12:50, Matthew 25:40). Using the terms 'believer' 'faith' 'grace' ought to be accompanied by a basic understanding of all that each of those entails. Currently 'believer' refers to anyone who 'believes' however James 2:19 tells us that even the demons believe in one God/Christ (Mark 5:7).

'Faith' seems to refer to the degree of human willpower that someone believes (it's either you do or you do not, there is no in-between), however Hebrews 11 gives us a better perspective of the definition of 'Faith'. 'Grace' seems to carry a connotation of 'forgiveness' rather than expressing the different levels of God's unmerited favor assigned, in order to carry out a specific ministry. We need to stop lumping everything together in absolutes, this barrage of hasty generalizations can lead to very shallow teaching methodologies. Jude 1:3-4 tells us that salvation in Christ is common knowledge among the saints.

“Jesus replied, “Woman, believe Me, a time is coming [when God’s kingdom comes] when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You [Samaritans] do not know what you worship; we [Jews] do know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in SPIRIT [from the heart, the inner self] and in TRUTH; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.” John 4:21-24

"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your RATIONAL (LOGICAL, INTELLIGENT) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

For by the GRACE [of God] GIVEN to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but TO THINK so as TO HAVE
SOUND JUDGEMENT, as God has APPORTIONED to each a DEGREE of FAITH [and a purpose designed for service]." Romans 12:1-3

To accurately interpret Scripture one needs to receive understanding of the context, audience, and specific motive/intent of the writer, who is writing in the Spirit. Peter warns us about this in (2 Peter 1:16-21, 2 Peter 3:14-18) because rejection of the Word is the root of damnable Christian apologetics. The Spirit grants this, it is not arbitrarily contrived by man's own knowledge, human emotions, or vain attempts to search for understanding. Worldly knowledge does not impart revelation, only God's grace. As it is written:

"Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if THEY HAD, they would NOT HAVE crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written:

“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no heart has imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And THIS is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." 1 Corinthians 2:6-13

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength." 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

To stay in tune with the spiritual realm, you need to first be ignorant of the physical, until the spiritual realm is more real than the physical, but you can govern and operate in both simultaneously. This may involve systematically removing secular people from your life (tough love, removing secular relationships, not everyone can do this except by God's grace). You really can't have the best of both worlds. See the difference in writing between Peter and Paul. One is soulical/spiritual (Paul of Gentiles), one is spiritual (Peter of Jews). they never disagreed on anything written in the Gospel, but they could see the Spirit at work in diverse ways that (in Paul's writing) frequently APPEAR to CONTRADICT each other. Let each man operate within His convictions. Now you don't have to purchase a book explaining this paragraph.

"Thus says the LORD,
“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.
Where then is a house you could build for Me?
And where is a place that I may rest?
“For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD.
“But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" Isaiah 66:1-2

"O Lord, I give my life to you.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies." Psalm 25:1-15

Faith in God saves us APART from our own soulical good works, not accomplished in the Holy Spirit. When we understand and accept this fact permanently, we can press in to learn more about God's Grace.

Faith in God saves us apart from our own soulical good works, not accomplished in the Holy Spirit. When we understand and accept this fact permanently, we can press in to learn more about God's Grace. Pragmatism does not constitute the entire substance of Faith.

When you read a book (Harry Potter) would you ask a fan what the theme means, before you ask the Author who wrote the book (J.K Rowling)? You would find their perspectives to be worlds apart.

In the same way, asking God (The Word) about His Book (Himself), is vastly superior to asking a believer (student) about God's Book (Teacher). One is spiritually constant and immutable (The Word), and the other (believer) is often prone to mutation based off of soulical influence (the world).

"Neither be called instructors; since One is your instructor, the Christ." Matthew 23:10.

Well, that one went out the window a few millennia ago. Here's another one that many think is just in there for laughs and giggles.

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." James 3:1

"Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens." Psalm 119:89

"Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19

"And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. From Him the whole body is fitted and held together by every supporting ligament. And as each individual part does its work, the body grows and builds itself up in love." Ephesians 4:11-16

"For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:24