I will be here at the conference from Friday November 30-Sunday December 2nd. Hope to see many fellow Christians here and I can't wait!!!

This coming Friday (30 November 2007) is the start of the Stand Up Conference in Newark, New Jersey.

Here’s the location.
The Robert Treat Hotel
50 Park Pl.
Newark, New Jersey 07102
(973) 622-1000

Day 1)

And here’s the schedule for the three days.
7pm-11pm Friday night
Friday – 30 November- A bit of music Standing Up – Sean Isaacs (New York)


The Sovereignty of God – Pastor Saiko Woods (Houston)

Question and answer period

Day 2)

Saturday – 1 December from 2-6pm

The Sovereignty of God– Pastor Saiko Woods
Pressing Toward the Mark – Bob Miller (New York)
The Wrath of God – John E. Coleman (Los Angeles)

Day 3)

Sunday – 2 December 10am-2pm
Hermeneutics and the Dialectic – Pastor John E. Coleman

Living Water

John 4:4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Here in John 4 Christ seems gracious and stern at the same time. He offers her something spiritual but like Nicodemus in John 3 she thinks Christ is talking about something natural or physical. I think this is an excellent example of how a true witness should share the Gospel of Christ. He offers something she knows not and then diagnoses her with the sickness-her sin. He then makes her sin obvious and shows his sovereignty in knowing her past, present, and future. Lastly he offers the cure-HIM-The Living Water!!

Today I had the painful discussion with a long time friend. This person said, "I understand that Christ is all that matters but you talk about HIM too much." This is a mystery to me. I delight in the Lord and have been known for talking on the phone with many people such as my great friend Lionel for hours just about HIM. I could not imagine Lionel saying, C'mon man lets talk about something besides Jesus sometimes." I know how to have fun and talk about other things besides Christ but everything that I do revolves around HIM. He is the SUN and I would say I am the Earth. My everything is affected by HIM and what He thinks and what He has said through His Word. My questions is....

How much Jesus Christ is too much? Can you ever get tired of learning of HIM? Does His Word bore you at times? What about Wednesday and Sunday, is that your maximum time capacity for Jesus Christ?

I recall Pastor John Coleman when he came to Omaha to teach us about theology and he taught us for basically 6 hours straight. Pastor John got snowed in and had to leave the next day and we told him, "Let us go back to Miguel's house and we want you to teach us for 4 more hours." We stayed to about 1am just conversing about the Faith and enjoying the fellowship of one another; sort of like Heaven on Earth. Why? I think for one we alike, had never met a solid black pastor who can teach theology like PJ. I like Miguel and Nate have been hearing watered down messages in churches for decades and when we got exposed to the true Gospel we simply could not get enough. We thirsted for Christ and we could drink Him and will drink HIM forever!!!

Can we ever get enough of Jesus? I would say no!!

Who are the true believer's and how can they be described? I thought these terms fit well...
clamorous, crying, demanding, desiring, exigent, gluttonous, greedy, importunate, insatiate, insistent, intemperate, pressing, quenchless, rapacious, ravenous, unappeasable, unquenchable, unsatisfiable, unsatisfied, urgent, voracious, yearning.

Apostle Paul says this.... That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

This whole verse is just ridiculous. Let's do a brief look at the Greek text at some of words.

1) That I may know=ginosko-Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. This is a very intimate knowing that liken unto a wife and husband.

2) The fellowship=koinonia-intercourse, fellowship, intimacy. This is used 18 times in the New Testament and is the type of fellowship we should have with our fellow brethren and with of course the Messiah.

3) Sufferings=pathēma-also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured, an enduring, undergoing, suffering.

WOW!! I just sort of scared myself. Could Christ require that we suffer-Certainly HE WOULDN'T!! This is the Gospel we rarely here in American Churches today.

What was Paul's motivation and why? Paul knew that he knew that he knew!! That everything his eyes could see was simply temporal and his affections were set on things heavenly. He like us understand by the sovereign grace of God electing us that we our life is simply a vapor and short lived.

2 Corinithians 4:18 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.

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I have to be honest here and say sometimes I feel is if I should be less zealous for the Lord but why......... I am not the fool here-I am simply doing what comes natural since I have become a new creature in Christ Jesus. When I was a slave to sin I did what my father wanted me to, but now I have become apart of the eternal family of God. We are Christ-followers and we simply DELIGHT IN HIM WITH NO APOLOGIES!!!

The Lord's Supper.

1 Corinthians 11:17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.



The Lords supper spoke of here is one of the church ordinances that we are to do until the Lord's return. The purpose of this is mentioned in this passage; For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes and this is to be done as a constant reminder that the Lord will return just as He said He would and He is not slow to keep his promises.



What I would like to focus on is this passage of scripture.



1 Corinthians 11:28 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment(emphasis mine) on himself.



The word examine here is dokimazō.

1) to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
2) to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy

It is used 12 times in the New Testament. At the time of this passage many Corinthians were better off than others at the Lord's supper and were not being Christ-like in sharing the food since the Lord's Supper was a feast for all believer's regardless of social classes. Jude mentions the love feasts in verse 12:



Jude 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.



Jude speaking in this particular context is speaking very harshly of these same types of people who did not take the Lord's supper at what it was worth and had a misconstrued view of the Lord's supper. Things they were doing are mentioned to the Corinthians in verse 11:27 and 29. People were not thorougly examining themself by the Word of God and were taking the Lord's supper without true repentance or maybe having a hard heart towards their brother or sister. It should be a regular deed in the life of every believer and follower of Christ to examine theirself according to the Word of God-the Bible.



2 Peter 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

In Matthew scripture speaks of the fact that the non-believer will always be with us even in some churches. Only God knows the heart of man. In my church when you visit you are not able to partake in the Lords supper for various reasons. I would love for you to read the reasoning why and maybe talk to your pastor if he lets non-believer's join in communion, an example would be a child who has not been converted or a visitor in which you do not know if he is a genuine Christian. Read this article HERE on this position.



Matt 13:24 The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28 "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29 "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

Hebrews 2

The book of Hebrews flows like a beautiful symphony with all the melodious instruments playing their part. I love how it flows. I have been attempting to go chapter by chapter. The thing is that the Bible in its original context did not include chapters. It was just a letter written to a certain group of people. This is why it is so hard to just stop when a chapter ends. The chapters were inserted

Fact: The first person to divide New Testament chapters into verses was Italian Dominican biblical scholar Santi Pagnini (1470–1541), a system that was never widely adopted. Robert Estienne created an alternate numbering in his 1551 edition of the Greek New Testament. The first English New Testament to use the verse divisions was a 1557 translation by William Whittingham (c. 1524-1579). The first Bible in English to use both chapters and verses was the Geneva Bible published shortly afterwards in 1560. These verse divisions soon gained acceptance as a standard way to notate verses, and have since been used in nearly all English Bibles.

Hebrews 2
1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and put everything under his feet." 8 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." 13 And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

The book of Hebrews is wonderful to me and I just love it. Starting in chapter 2 we see the hinging door word "therefore." Chapter one establishes the supremacy of Christ over the angels and over all creation making us listen a bit more to what He has said. The writer of Hebrews gives us a sharp warning to take heed since now we have Christ who has spoken and Him being much more than the angels; we ought to listen. In verse 2 my question would be "when did Christ speak through the angels?" We can look back to Acts 7:38 when Stephen is making the people gnash their teeth with his short history lesson of who killed the Savior.

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

This takes us back to Deut chapter 33 when it states: And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

Who are these saints spoken of here? This is understood to be the angels spoke of here in Hebrews 2. If the Israelites experienced such swift judgement how much more if we disregard the Son? This will be a hard day when the people who neglect Christ stand before Him at their final judgement. Later in verse 4 it speaks of the wonderful acts done by Christ and the Apostles. These were done to confirm the gospel message and can be later seen to be done away with throughout the end of the New Testament. No! I am not into total cessationism but I firmly believe these signs were primarily done to authenticate the Gospel message and is NOT normative today. I say that with full understanding that God is totally sovereign and does as He pleases according to His perfect and good will.

Next we see this familiar quotation from Psalm 8. This is echoing the total sufficiency of God. He does not need us and is not like a nice teddy bear just wanting, lusting, or coveting our affection. God is sustained in Himself. We ask why oh Lord did you even bother in creating us? We are here according to the purpose of God.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Verse 9 talks about the fact that for a time Christ was made like man a little lower than the angels as well but lived the sinless, sacrificial, efficacious life for everyone so he would taste and defeat death. Now, everyone does not mean all. This everyone speaks of the one's who believe or shall we say the elect. The one's that have been chosen by the Father be able to come to the Christ. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

For a great understanding of the humiliation of Christ I would recommend you read through the book of Philippians. When verse 10 speaks of Christ being made perfect through sufferings, it is understood the Christ was 100% GOD and 100% man. He was divinely perfect but his flesh had to be subjected to the sovereign will of God. You can see this struggle in Christ' flesh at the garden of Gestheneme. Verse 12 is a quote from Psalms 22 where we see Christ likens himself to be our brethren since he understand our griefs and has been tempted like us but yet did not yield to sin making Christ all the more merciful-what a interesting contrast. We have a mediator who personally knows exactly how we feel and has mercy but still a standard of holiness.

Verse 16 speaks of Christ being an aide to the seed of Abraham. Certainly Christ is not talking about Himself here even though we know according to Galatians that Christ is the Seed. I am reading a book called, "Abraham's 4 Seeds" so now I will take the time to tell you who the seeds are speaking of.

1. The Natural Seed-includes all physical children, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Jews and Arabs

2. Special Natural Seed-The nation, or children, of Israel, all of the physical seed of Jacob and his twelve sons.

3. Spiritual Seed-All believers of all ages, David and Paul, Jewish and Gentile believers, you and me.

4. Unique Seed-Christ he Messiah

In conclusion thus far we see that Christ is far more superior than the angels in pastime in which he spoke to the fathers through the prophets and angels. We also are warned not to neglect such a great salvation since we have had all the prophecies, fulfillment's in Christ and confirmations in works with the Apostles and Christ. We see that Christ has become such a greater High Priest than all the others before Him. He made a public mockery of the devil taking away the fear of death to all who have been predetermined to believe according the will of the Father. Glory be to GOD.

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Suffering and Forgiveness?

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

It is a Friday night in which you and your husband/wife decide to have some time to yourselves in marital bliss. It has been a long time and you both thought this was overdue. So mutually you both agreed to have a sitter watch your only child in which you both labored for after 3 miscarriages; it finally happened "Birth." At the restaurant you and your wife/husband decide to call and check on your baby to see how everything is going. When you call your sitter you ask, "How is the baby doing?" The sitter responds jokingly by saying, "I put the baby in the microwave" You and your mate laugh it off since the sitter sound facetious in her tone and you both take your time coming back from your night out on the town. "What a good time!" you both say since you have dedicated your life to revolve around your son.

When you both arrive at your home you are startled because the sitters car is gone and you are desperately wondering what happened to where the sitter had to leave with your only child. Immediately you call her on your cell and unfortunately no answer. So you call the cops and they are at your house in minutes since you live in the wonderful suburbs of your city. When the cops arrive they ask questions as normal and try to locate the sitters location and expediently searched the house for details. One policeman discovers your child in the microwave roasted to the point of being unrecognizable. The screams and cries from the parents and cops and horrid to say the least.

Fast forward you are in the court room sitting face to face with the schizophrenic sitter in which you both put your trust in. The question is can you and will you forgive? From a Christian perspective we have no choice. Would we not feel justified in seeing the sitter have the death penalty? Of course we would. My question is would not God get more glory in seeing this unregenerate and depraved person come to him. I think yes and we as Christians should have a desire to see this person saved and in the Kingdom of God. How hard does this seem to you? It would be an extreme struggle in my flesh to say the least. I like you would struggle but would ultimately submit to the will of God.

Sounds crazy right but I kid with you not, this is a true story. God has called us to suffer and think not that this could not happen to you.


2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Matt 10 :34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Saints, Christ was put on the cross for your(our) sins and suffered the wrath of God for us. Not to mention the horrid Cruxifiction which is nothing compare to the wrath of God but still terrible to say the least!! We should be our brothers in the book of Acts, when they were persecuted and flogged for HIS names sake they thought it to be an honor to be able to join in the suffering of Christ.

Matt 18:23 23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. 29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

My prayer: Lord chasten us and put eternity on our eyelids so that we do not love this present world more than the world you promised to come. Help us to live this day like it is our last and realizing only what we do for you will last. Help us to detach ourselves from anything in this world that we hold in higher regard than YOU. Christ is all that matters!! Amen

Will it ever stop???

I don't necessarily agree with all the insidious sarcasm here by the video narrator but aside from that, it is a shame to see people support such heresy. During the last 2 minutes of the video she lays herself on the table as a sacrifice???!!-God Bless in Christ Alone.

Hebrews 1

Two of my friends and I have decided to go through the book of Hebrews. Taking one chapter per week to see what we can learn from the text and to give us a better understanding of the text. I will continue to post regularly like normal but will also start to exegete the book of Hebrews. I hope it is not boring to you wonderful people called of God.

Hebrews 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son,today I have begotten you?Or again, I will be to him a father,and he shall be to me a son? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God's angels worship him. 7 Of the angels he says, He makes his angels winds,and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. 10 And, You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up,like a garment they will be changed.But you are the same,and your years will have no end. 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Verse 1 through 4-GOD has now spoke to us through his SON. I immediately upon reading this thought of the parable of The Rich man and Lazarus(Luke 16:19-31). I am sure you all are very familiar with this text in which Christ said, "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Spoke to the fathers by the prophets-Fathers means generator or male ancestor in which the message was related to them by the prophets in Old Testament times. This is also a popular text that can be used to refute the Jehovah's Witnesses when it comes to the Deity and CHRIST being the 2nd Person the Trinity in which it says, "whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" Christ is very much God and has always been with the Father and had a hand in creation. This is why in the Old Testament when God is spoke of the word is plural. The word is 'elohiym. Later it talks about Christ being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person. I wrote of this earlier and this is where we get the(hypostasis) Hypostatic union. Christ being 100% man and 100% God. HE and HE alone has made the only efficacious propitiation for our sins. Having become so much better than the angels speaks in reference to the fact that the Bible says HE was made lower than the angels but not a change in state(still fully God and man) but rather a change of existence. He was lowered to a humble state to complete the will of God to be later raised to His rightful place after the atoning work He did for our sins.

Verse 5-14 These are direct quotes from Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14 speaking of the uniqueness of Christ. The firstborn is the same Greek word used here-Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the (prōtotokos)firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. Another confirmation of Jesus being very much God is the fact that in this text He is worthy of worship. Only God is scripture is worthy of worship. At times in scripture people were sharply rebuked for even thinking of worshipping an angel. Verse 14 regarding the angels-Simply states that angels are ministering spirits to aid us in our journey to be with Christ. A reference scripture is Matt 18:10 a different topic speaking of the seriousness of how we should view sin. But here it also talks about angels being of assistance with our journey to Heaven to be with Christ.

In essence the first chapter in Hebrews is a clear view of the superiority of Christ over created beings like angels and the superiority of Christ compared to the prophets in the Old Testament. Christ is fully God and humbled himself to later being exalted and to have a name above every name.

Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hypostatic Union

My best friend Lionel and I have decided to go through the book of Hebrews chapter by chapter and really dig into the text to see what it means verse by verse. This is great because we are to (Heb 10:24) provoke one another unto love and to good works. This will help us further understand New Covenant Theology and see if it feels the massive holes we have discovered in Dispensationlism and Covenant Theology. I and Lionel alike have not latched on to a position yet but we see it as an essential to get the best understanding of the scriptures. This is somewhat hinged upon the questions, Who is Israel and are they separate from the church? Was all of Israel ever saved? How are we saved? Is salvation based on lineage or circumcision of the heart? I am not going to go here now but I will come back to this topic after I get a better understanding.

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Hypo static Union is a very essential fact about the God we serve. A misconstrued view of this nature of God has been the starting point for many heresies of our day and time past. What is this word and what does it mean?

History of Word? I did some research on the word "hypostasis" in which this is where this term comes from. It literally means "that which stands beneath". In the Nicene Creed of 325 they established the words Hypo static union, where the term is used to describe two realities (or natures) in one person. The term has also been used and is still used in modern Greek to mean "existence". With regard to the doctrine of the Trinity, hypostasis is usually understood with a meaning akin to the Greek word prosopon, which is translated into Latin as persona and then into English as person. The Christian view of the Trinity is often described as a view of one God existing in three distinct hypostases/personae/persons.

Defined: A theological term used with reference to the incarnation(theophany) to express the revealed truth that in Christ one person subsists in two natures, the Divine and the human. Hypostasis means, literally, that which lies beneath as basis or foundation. They are not joined in a moral or accidental union, nor commingled and nevertheless they are substantially united.

In essence Christ is and was 100% God and 100% man. This is a substantial truth and it must be understood. If Christ was not 100% man how could this scripture be true.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Christ was tempted just as much as we are tempted but unlike us did not sin because His Godly nature superseded his fleshly desires. It is evident in scripture that Christ got hungry, sleepy, tired, fatigued, sorrowful, weary, and many other humanly attributes but he did not succumb to his human desires. Since Jesus was a man, He knows what men are like and the temptations that we face and He has mercy on us. He was tempted by Satan beyond anything man has ever experienced in Matthew chapter 4.

This is yet another term that I never heard preached from the pulpit up until about 11 months ago. This understanding would have helped me when battling Jehovah's witnesses and so many other false doctrines out there. This is the first target that most heretics attack: The Nature and Sovereignty of God. Short and sweet but I thought this is something we need not to overlook concerning the Nature of the God we serve.

To quote C.H. Spurgeon

“When Christ in past years did gird himself with
mortal clay, the essence of his divinity was not
changed; flesh did not become God, nor did God
become flesh by a real actual change of nature;
the two were united in hypo statical union, but the
Godhead was still the same. It was the same when
he was a babe in the manger, as it was when he
stretched the curtains of heaven; it was the same
God that hung upon the cross, and whose blood
flowed down in a purple river, the self-same God
that holds the world upon his everlasting shoulders,
and bears in his hands the keys of death and
hell. He never has been changed in his essence,
not even by his incarnation; he remains everlastingly,
eternally, the one unchanging God, the
Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness,
neither the shadow of a change.”

MacArthur does not crumble like Osteen.

True Fellowship(koinōnia)

Koinonia is a Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible. Koinonia’s primary meaning is “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.” The first occurrence of koinonia is Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Christian fellowship is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That is the essence of koinonia.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
One great result being called of Christ is Fellowship. No matter what nationality, race, social status, economic status, or anything else; when you meet a true believer in Christ-you have a friend. Sometimes it takes longer to get to know someone after meeting them but once we get to our personal testimony, we realize that we have the same blood of the "Lamb" running through our veins. I personally at a time did not see the need for fellowship simply because the place where I was supposed to be getting it: I simply could not find it. I was like a fish out of water. I knew from my own(Ultimately God's Grace) studies that TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and others were not sent of God and that they preached a false doctrine not of our Lord Jesus the Christ. I believe there are many believers in Word Of Faith, Seeker Sensitive, and many other false churches just itching to leave because they are starving for the True Gospel and that in part is my motivation for writing and proclaiming the truth daily and in my writings. I know this to be true because I used to be one of them. God called me out and connected me to a true body of believers who if they seen me going to a path that leads to destruction: they loved me enough to tell me the truth.

Who is a true friend? A false friend will allow you to be led astray and not tell you because they do not want to offend you. A true friend will tell you the truth regardless of how it makes you feel. I have been rebuked many times by friends. I had a friends wife(who is my friend too) rebuke me in a loving way and I just laughed because she was so graceful in telling me that I was being prideful and because it lined up with scripture I could not argue. I liked it because it showed her love for me. That is the kind of friendship I want!!!

Sometimes when I am around family and unsaved friends I feel a bit uncomfortable because I cannot really be myself and speak freely as if I were around authentic believers. Is this not interesting? Before salvation, sometimes family felt like family but after being adopted into the family of God a sharp reality comes in to play. We almost instantly realize we are separated or called out from the world.

John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.


John 17:19
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
a) consecrate things to God
b) dedicate people to God
d) to purify
e) to cleanse externally
f) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
g) to purify internally by renewing of the soul

Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Here in John 17 Jesus prays for the called out ones-The saints elected and accepted by God and ordained before the foundation of the world to be sons of the Most High God. What a privilege we have to know Jesus. Paul says "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

In our knowing him Christ places us into his living breathing Body. We all have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. There is no propitiation but that of our only acceptable sacrifice: Our Lord Jesus the Christ. Can you imagine being totally refreshed and renewed at the sight of God on that great day when this agony of this world is obsolete. I hope you realize that our life is only a vapor and we are soon passing away. We are to labor for the food that perishes not. (john 6) Our only hope is in our Great and Holy Redeemer-Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

I ask this question. What else matters in this world besides Christ? I feel as if I have become a "Incurable God Lover" I can never have enough of HIM. He is my joy and he makes my life complete. Without Christ nothing has purpose and nothing has meaning anymore but HIM. In HIM I find Joy, Peace, Happiness, regardless of my trials I have not suffered unto bloodshed and if I do suffer unto bloodshed; to Him I still owe my redemption since I have been bought with a price. I could have lived every one's lifetime until infinity and had all the money this world has to offer and still come up wanting on His scale.
THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE PROPITIATION IS CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE******

I ASK AGAIN WHAT ELSE MATTERS IN THE WORLD BESIDES CHRIST?

Some Christian pastors embrace Scientology - CNN.com

Link -->Pentecostal Scientology

I had a good friend(Nathan S-thanks) send me this link regarding Pentecostal Scientology. Sounds like a joke right?

1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.