Bible Study - Safe and Secure - Can I Walk Away from My Salvation? - Various - July 20, 2025

 

Bible Study – Safe and Secure – Can I Walk Away from My Salvation? – Various – July 20, 2025

When were you chosen to be a child of GOD? Can you choose to not become GOD’S Child?

When was a person chosen to be a child of GOD?

The Apostle Paul gives us a clue in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus.

We read in Ephesians 1:3-14:

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons (daughters) through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

All people conceived in GOD’S mind are chosen by GOD but with the freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to accept GOD’S invitation to be HIS Child.

Every person has the opportunity to choose via GOD’S redemptive plan.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

In last week’s study, we built a compelling case for once saved and born into GOD’S Family a person never becomes Spiritually unborn. I personally believe this to my core.

We do know there are scriptures that reveal that a Spirit-born persons’ rebellion results in the loss of their eternal heavenly rewards as recorded in 1 Corinthians 3: The Role of God’s Servants

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one,^[b] and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[c] You are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he (she) builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are!

All HOLY-SPIRIT BORN BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S TEMPLE. HOW CAN THAT BE?

THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES AND DWELLS WITHIN EVERY HOLY SPIRIT-BORN PERSON.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  

2 Corinthians 1:22

it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

GOD’S Grace which resulted from the sinless life and death of JESUS by HIS shed blood and bodily resurrection proves that JESUS was and is the perfect acceptable sacrifice for all sin to GOD through faith in JESUS.

We do know that a person can “harden” his/her heart toward GOD/THE HOLY SPIRIT and prevent GOD from appealing to such a person to repent of his/her sins and asking JESUS to forgive him/her for their sins. A person can resist so long that he/she blocks the still small voice of the Holy Spirit when GOD/JESUS knocks upon his/her heart’s door.

Revelation 3:20

See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The question is “Can a person of faith lose his/her salvation? From GOD’S perspective “NO!!!”

They can lose his/her heavenly rewards.

GOD and JESUS comes to those either seeking salvation or in need of salvation. The Holy Spirit is the still small voice of GOD WHO appeals personally to every person in the “eyes of his/her heart.”

All people are free to either accept or reject.

A person has the freedom to either accept or reject GOD’S knock on his/her heart’s door and when a person refuses to open to open his/her hearts door keeps GOD out of that person’s life. So sad!!! That decision in eternal!!!

The eternal key is once a person opens his/her heart’s door and let’s JESUS come into his/her life, what takes place? JESUS represented by the Holy Spirit takes up eternal residence within that person. Salvation takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye, by the renewing of the human mind, which begins the instant the person is “Born-again” Spiritually. The renewing of the redeemed person’s mind takes time, equipping by walking, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit which is application. As the “Spirit-born” person witnesses the power of GOD working through him/her, he/she grows in his/her faith.

When a person is “Spirit-born” GOD equips the “Spirit-born” person with Spiritual Gifts to minister. How are Christians equipped?

First and foremost, with the residence of the Holy Spirit in the person of faith’s life.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12: ⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

As Spirit-born Christians, we can desire certain Spiritual Gifts, but GOD is WHO distributes it or them to the “Spirit-born” person as HE wills to be used for HIS Glory.

So, can a person who has asked JESUS to come into his/her heart later denounce his/her Spiritual Birth in GOD’S Eternal Family. The answer he/she can but will it result in his/her Spiritual death as GOD’S Son or daughter?

When a rebellious child wishes he/she had never been born into the family he/she is in, does that person become unborn? NO!!!

Often, when the child matures, he/she rejoices and is grateful and appreciates his/her family.

When a person of faith dies and is carried into Heaven, and they witnesses what GOD has prepared for him/her as written by the Apostle Paul, I believe there are no human words to describe the majesty of what the person of faith sees -----

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived— God has prepared these things for those who love him.

I believe all will rejoice and be glad they chose JESUS as their Savior.

Those who are rebellious against their salvation do not lose their salvation but due to their rebellion, they do not achieve their Heavenly rewards, which far exceeds Hell.

So, can a person walk away from his/her salvation? Yes, he/she can stop and deny but upon death of his/her physical body, he/she will experience as written in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17:

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he (or she) builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

Can a person walk away from his/her salvation? Yes, they can according to the world but not according to GOD.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

Our Heavenly FATHER knows best because HE knows eternity and what awaits those who stay the course.

In 2 Corinthians 12:1-5: Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

Who was this person to whom the Apostle Paul was referring?

It was himself, none other than The Apostle Paul.

What did he see?

We read in 1 Corinthians 2:9: What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[a]

Brother Ron gave me this account himself.

Brother Ron was in an automobile accident. He was studying to become a pastor at Clear Creek. He was taken to the hospital in Knoxville, TN where he was pronounced dead at the time he was supposed to be in Seminary class. A classmate told his fellow classmates, “We must pray for Brother Ron now!” And they did.

Chapel service followed their class, and his class members said we cannot have our regular chapel service, we must pray for Brother Ron, and they did.

Meanwhile back at the Knoxville Hospital, Brother Ron was pronounced dead, and he was taken to the third Heaven. He told me that he saw and heard things that were beyond human words to describe.

His body was taken to the basement of the Hospital to be picked up by the funeral home when a nurse happened by Brother Ron’s body and saw his eye twitch. The nurse immediately began resuscitation, and his physical life was restored.

Brother Ron gave me this account himself. He said there were no human words to describe what he saw as he was led around Heaven by a Heavenly creature.

Heaven is for those who have trusted GOD and JESUS. Hell is for those who do not.

The real question is, how do you choose?

Please choose eternal life by placing your faith in JESUS and asking HIM to come into your life by redeeming you from your sins and the consequence of sin, Hell and establishing your eternal citizenship in Heaven. The choice is yours and it is eternal.

So, can a person who once is “born-again” walk away? He or she may try.

I contend, “NO!!!” He or she will rejoice when he or she sees what awaits on the other side of this life upon earth as a Spirit-born person.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                          

Bible Study - Safe and Secure in CHRIST (1) - Can I Lose My Salvation? - John 10 - July 13, 2025

 

Bible Study – Safe and Secure in CHRIST (1) – Can I Lose My Salvation? – John 10 – July 13, 2025

GOD keeps HIS Children securely in HIS hands.

Our focus scripture is John 10.

Once saved, always saved. This truth is founded in a person’s Spiritual birth.

Physical conception takes place when the human egg of the female unites with the male sperm. Conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. A unique, wonderfully created human is the result. This unique person must grow and develop in the womb and at the right time be born. That newborn must receive proper care, nourishment, exercise, grow, develop, mature, etc.

The same is true of Spiritual conception.

When the Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit (Sperm), unites with the human spirit (Egg), Spiritual eternal conception takes place, quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

We read in 1 John 3:9 ⁹ No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and ^[a]habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him/her [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him/her]; and he/she cannot practice sinning because he/she is born (begotten) of God.

There are no short cuts to salvation. All people must come through faith in JESUS as the only true SON OF GOD WHO paid, in full, the price for all sin by the shedding of HIS sinless blood.

Why the shedding of blood?

Hebrews 9:22 - Christian Standard Bible

²² According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

JESUS fulfilled the law - Matthew 5:17

“Don’t think that I (JESUS) came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

The Passion of JESUS, HIS sinless human life, paid, in full, the requirements of the Law and as such opened the way to Grace through faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

What is the passion of JESUS?

It is GOD’S redemptive plan for all people.

GOD sent HIS only SON, JESUS to live upon earth, 100% human. What does that mean? If JESUS cut HIS finger, HE bled real blood. It meant HE was capable of sinning. HE was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted; yet HE remained sinless.

JESUS remaining sinless means, JESUS qualified as the perfect acceptable sacrifice for all sin.

How do we know that JESUS was the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, HIS FATHER, for all sin and that HE fulfilled the Law?

First, JESUS was 100% human. How do we know that? When HE was crucified, HE died. HIS life could not be taken, HE willing gave HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood to pay the sin debt, in full, for all who are willing to accept JESUS as their Savior. HE was buried in a borrowed tomb. On the third day following HIS death, GOD raised HIM from the dead to eternal life.

Why? JESUS is GOD’S only example to all that faith in JESUS and HIS passion is proof that JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin, which is death, by being the first to be raised from the dead to live eternally with GOD, HIS FATHER in Heaven.

JESUS knows temptation and what it takes for humans to not succumb to it.

This leads us to eternal security as GOD’S Son or Daughter, through faith in JESUS.

It is all about a person being “born-again” or “Spiritual birth” through faith in JESUS and HIS passion, which includes HIS bodily ascension into Heaven, to be the Spirit-born person’s advocate. Why?

When a Spirit-born Christian sins, Satan points to that person and accuses that person in the presence of JESUS. JESUS is a Spirit-born person’s advocate to tell Satan to bug-off because that person of faith in JESUS is covered by the shed blood of JESUS. He/she is secure as GOD’S Son or Daughter in CHRIST.

Let’s continue to explore our security of eternal life through faith in JESUS!!!

Let’s read John 10:1-30:

The Good Shepherd

10 “Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

This is true for many of us today. Salvation is a step of faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, which includes HIS resurrection. JESUS is the first to reveal to all people that HE conquered physical death and was raised by GOD to eternal life.

Sin is individual and so is salvation.

There is only one way to eternal salvation and that is through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

How does a person know that being “Born-again” is eternal?

⁷ Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you; I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me^[a] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

Life offers many alternatives to eternal life, but they are all false. The only way to eternal life is through faith in JESUS. Satan appears as an angel of light to deceive humans and to lure them to Hell. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. JESUS said ------

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them^[b] and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. ¹³ This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Who are the sheep “not from this sheep pen”?

Some scholars think the other sheep are Gentiles.

Since the Passion of JESUS, JESUS fulfilled the Law and established Grace through faith in JESUS.

We read in Ephesians 1:3-14:

God’s Rich Blessings

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One (JESUS).

⁷ In him (JESUS) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

GOD’S foreknowledge means HE knows how a person will choose; HIS foreknowledge does not predestine a person’s choice. GOD chooses all to be “Spirit-born,” but all have the freedom to choose.

Choose wisely my friend, choose wisely! There is life after physical death. Where will you spend eternity? Heaven or Hell?

This is why GOD sent JESUS to earth to live and die to atone for sin for all who will place their faith and trust in JESUS as their Savior.

Back to verse 18: ¹⁸ No one takes it (the Life of JESUS) from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” JESUS was in full control, and HE chose to die just for you!!!

If you had been the only person to ever accept HIM as your Savior, HE would have died just for you. Now, that is personal and shows HIS love just for you.

JESUS was completely in control of HIS life. When HE laid HIS life down, HE had to completely trust GOD, HIS FATHER, to restore HIS eternal life, which HE did.

JESUS trusted the FATHER and so can we trust both GOD and JESUS.

¹⁹ Again the Jews were divided because of these words. ²⁰ Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?” ²¹ Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Jesus at the Festival of Dedication

²² Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. ²³ Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. ²⁴ The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?^[c] If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”^[d]

²⁵ “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. ²⁶ But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep.^[e] 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

Spirit-born people have double security, GOD, The FATHER, and JESUS.

Plus, the confirmation of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Now that is security!!!

2 Corinthians 1:22

it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

2 Corinthians 5:5

Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise].

The Holy Spirit is a “born-again” person’s assurance of eternal life, through faith in JESUS.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart.

Eternal salvation is not complicated. It takes a step of faith in JESUS as GOD’S only SON, WHO came to earth, lived a 100% human sinless life, yet tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet without sin.

This qualified, JESUS to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin. The passion of JESUS removed the sin barrier and opened the path to eternal salvation through a person’s faith in JESUS.

GOD in HIS wisdom, gives the person of faith the gift of the Holy Spirit, WHO guarantees that the person of faith is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter and eternal life.

Along with the Holy Spirit, GOD gives Spiritual Gifts to be used as the “born-again” person continues to dwell upon earth to minister as led by the Holy Spirit. Awesome!!!

If you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart, then welcome into the eternal Family of GOD with prayers for an awesome journey, my brother or sister in JESUS.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

Bible Study (6) - Steven: A Faith That Advances GOD'S Kingdom - Acts 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60 - July 6,2025

 

Bible Study (6) – Steven: A Faith That Advances GOD’S Kingdom – ACTS 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60 - July 6, 2025

[This is the edited version and no changes, if you read the earlier publication - A special thank you to all who prayed for me. My procedure went well and I am on the mend. To GOD BE THE GLORY!!!]

Bold faith helps advance the Kingdom of GOD.

Our focus scriptures are Acts 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Let’s read Acts 6:1-15: In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. (The term Hellenistic Jews refers to Jewish people who were influenced by Greek culture and language, primarily living outside of Judea, often in places like Alexandria. They spoke Greek and often adopted some aspects of Greek philosophy and customs. In contrast, Hebraic Jews, sometimes referred to as Palestinian Jews, were those who primarily spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, lived in Judea or nearby regions, and adhered closely to traditional Jewish laws and customs.)

² The Twelve (Disciples) summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we (The Twelve) will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole company. So, they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. ⁶ They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue*, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

* The Synagogue of the Freedmen is mentioned only once in the Bible: “Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen” (Acts 6:8–9). The Synagogue of the Freedmen is called the Synagogue of the Libertines in the KJV. The word libertine is from the Latin and originally referred to a man who had been a slave but had been set at liberty. Some scholars believe that these persons were slaves of the Romans who had been freed, became proselytes of the Jewish religion, and had a synagogue in Jerusalem. The NLT (New Living Testament) calls this group the Synagogue of Freed Slaves.

¹¹ Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so, they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³ They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. ¹⁴ For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” ¹⁵ And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

A silent witness to all. CHRIST in us reaches out to others.

Resisting the Holy Spirit

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. ⁵³ You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

The First Christian Martyr

⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were enraged^[o] and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

What do we know? Stephen was a "born-again"/"Spirit-born" Christian, through faith in JESUS. He was full of the Holy Spirit. As all "born-again" Christians are the instant they ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins, believing that JESUS paid their sin debt in full by the shedding of HIS sinless blood and ask JESUS to come into their hearts. 

Folks, when a person is "born-again" a miracle takes place. 

When The Holy Spirit, the Divine Sperm, unites with the human spirit, consider the human spirit as the spiritual egg, Spiritual conception takes place, and the person of faith becomes a new creation. Same human body but his/her human spirit has been "Spirit-born" by GOD through faith in JESUS. That person becomes a new eternal creation.

Why JESUS? Aren't their other ways to GOD? NO! Any other way is false and misleading. Why JESUS? Because JESUS was and is GOD'S only SON, WHO willingly came from Heaven to earth to live a 100% human life, tempted as all humans are tempted, yet without sin. 

In doing so, JESUS was and is the only perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD to atone for sin. Sin is individual and as such, every person must accept JESUS' atonement for sin.  JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you. It is a Gift which you are free to accept or reject. Keep this in your mind. If you had been the only person to ever accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have given HIS life just for you. Now, that is personal. That is how much GOD and JESUS loves you.

Just a GOD rolled away the stone that sealed the tomb that temporally housed the physical body of JESUS, JESUS' physical sinless life, death, physical resurrection, witnessed by HIS disciples and over 500 people, HIS physical bodily ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede in behalf of all "Spirit-born" people. 

Why does JESUS have to intercede for those who are "Born-again"?

Simply, "Born-again" people will sin after they are "born-again", and Satan accuses them before GOD. JESUS is the "born-again" person's advocate in the presence of GOD to tell Satan that that person has been "born-again" and is covered by the shed blood of JESUS for eternity, so bug off.

How about that!!! The only way to eternal life is by placing your faith in JESUS. Ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart. Salvation is not complicated. Some try to figure it out. I have heard testimonies that some people have simply said, Dear JESUS, I give up and ask you to forgive me for my sins and come into my heart.

Just as physical conception takes place quick than the twinkle of the eye, so does "Spiritual Birth". 

How does a person know that he/she has been "Sprit-born"? That person instantly receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and with the gift of the Holy Spirit, GOD confirms a person's salvation with one or more Spiritual Gifts. 

What does the Holy Spirit do? In 2 Corinthians 1:22 who has sealed us and given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Stephen had accepted JESUS as his Savior. He had experienced the presence of JESUS as he served upon earth and now, he was going to his eternal home.  

What did he see as he was being stoned? Stephen was giving his eyewitness account of what happens when a Spirit-born believer experiences the dying of his/her physical body. Stephen saw his eternal destination, Heaven, to be eternally with JESUS. 

The thin veal that separates all who are "born-again" from seeing their eternal destination is opened as they enter into their eternal destination through faith in JESUS. 

[ If you care to read about an experience The LORD allowed me to witness, in the upper right-hand of this blog is a search box. Type in the name Mrs. Green and hit enter.]

⁵⁷ They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. ⁵⁸ They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” ⁶⁰ He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.

The death of a Saint never happens without achieving GOD’S purpose. As tragic as Stephen’s death was, it was not without purpose.

Notice verse 58, “And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” None other than Saul who would be known as The Apostle Paul.

The death of a Saint never happens without achieving GOD’S purpose. As tragic as Stephen’s death was it was not without purpose.

Notice verse 58, “And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” None other than Saul who would be known to us as The Apostle Paul. The stoning to death of Stephen was tragic but it was a powerful witness to Saul, who after his conversion became to a stalwart for CHRIST.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Walking by Faith (5) - John the Baptist: A Faith That Challenges Others - Matthew 3:1-12 + JESUS being Baptised - June 29, 2025

 Bible Study – Walking by Faith (5) – John the Baptist: A Faith That Challenges Others – Matthew 3:1-12 – June 29, 2025

Faith stands unwaveringly on the truth.

Who was John the Baptist?

Let’s explore!           

Background:

Let’s read Luke 1:5-15:

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

⁵ In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

⁸ When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹ An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴ There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 

As many times that I have read this scripture, this is the first time these words “He (John) will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb” have resonated with me. Just as GOD sent JESUS for HIS purpose, GOD sent John by human conception, to be the herald for JESUS, GOD’S promised Messiah.

GOD’S timing is always perfect.

This is a beautiful revelation of GOD’S power. John the Baptist was anointed and sealed by the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb. He was anointed and sealed to announce the arrival of JESUS, the promised Messiah, and open the door to salvation through faith in JESUS, GOD’S only SON.

The time in human history combined with GOD’S redemptive plan for the people of earth to transition from the Law to Grace through faith in JESUS had arrived. Such an event would take place in human time through the lives of John the Baptist, the Hearld and JESUS, The Promised Messiah. What a team ordained by GOD for all people.

In those days, a herald would go before a king or an important person to announce that this person was coming through or to that area. It was an invitation for all to come, see, greet, and welcome this person.

John the Baptist was unique in his dress, eating and the messages that he taught. We see in this scripture that John came filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb.

GOD was establishing HIS redemptive plan for all people through faith in HIS only SON JESUS. JESUS would fulfill the law and HIS sinless life, physical death, HIS physical/eternal resurrection, physical ascension into Heaven, where HE took HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER. The passion of JESUS fulfilled GOD’S redemptive plan for all people who place their faith in JESUS.

The Law was in place and had been since Moses. Now GOD was changing from worshipers obeying the Law by going to a physical temple and making sacrifices to establishing Grace through faith in JESUS. The passion of JESUS prepared the human body to become the temple for the Holy Spirit to reside. This transition would redeem from Hell, and seal all who place their faith in JESUS to eternal life while upon earth and continuing at the death of their human bodies.

Eternal life is GOD and JESUS’ Gift to all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

Back to John, The Hearld for JESUS:

So why was John referred to as John the Baptist? Simply because he baptized those who placed their faith in GOD for the forgiveness of their sins. John was referred to as the Baptizer (Baptist) because he immersed all who placed their faith in GOD completely under water as a symbol of their sins being washed away. This was and is to show that a person of faith in GOD at that time and since the passion of JESUS, was dying to their way old life and were being raised to or resurrected to their new eternal life.

John’s baptism was a place holder until JESUS completed GOD’S redemptive plan through the Passion of JESUS. JESUS fulfilled the Law and established Grace because JESUS was and is the only perfect acceptable, eternal sacrifice to GOD for all sin for all who place their faith in JESUS.

There were over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15) to the resurrection of JESUS during HIS 40-days upon earth until HIS bodily ascension into Heaven.

Once in Heaven, JESUS took HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede on behalf of all “Born-again” Christians.

What is the Passion of JESUS?

It is JESUS, GOD’S only Son, one third of the Holy Trinity, leaving HIS eternal home in Heaven and willingly coming to earth to live a 100% human, sinless life: yet GOD. JESUS was the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, HIS FATHER, to atone for all sin for all who will place their faith in JESUS.

When a person seeks to be in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, The Holy Spirit reveals truth and opens his/her eyes to see that truth. That person then has the freedom to choose to accept or reject the miracle of Spiritual Eternal birth into GOD’S Family.

Have you made this decision in your life? If not, now is that opportunity. It is not saying the right words because GOD knows your heart. Some people simply say, “I give up, Dear JESUS forgive me for my sins and come into my heart now and make me your eternal Son/Daughter through the miracle of being “Born-again” or “Spiritual-birth.” Thank YOU for saving me from eternal Hell and making me YOUR eternal Son/Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual Birth. If you prayed such a prayer or a similar prayer, then thank JESUS for saving your soul and in HIM doing so removed the barrier of sin and opened the path to GOD through HIS shed blood. Why Blood? Because without the shedding of blood there is no redemption from sin. JESUS paid in full for the redemption of all who place their faith in HIM.

Salvation through faith in JESUS is not complicated. It took JESUS coming from Heaven to earth to show all people the way to GOD through faith in HIM (JESUS).

JESUS coming to earth to live 100% human life meant JESUS would die physically, just as all humans will die physically. JESUS had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER, to raise HIM from the physically dead and restore HIS eternal life. JESUS had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER and HE did and so do all people. JESUS gave HIS sinless life so you could have eternal life through faith in HIM and HIS passion.

All who place their faith in JESUS receive the Holy Spirit to confirm their salvation.

JESUS was born 100% human, just like all humans. HE would die physically like all humans. So, what makes JESUS different? GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead, bodily, to eternal life and was the first fruit from the dead to show all the world that faith in HIM and HIS passion results in any person placing his/her faith in JESUS, results in that person being “born-again” Spiritually. The person of faith in JESUS becomes GOD’S Son/Daughter and has eternal life.

JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days before HE ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER. JESUS intercedes for all Spirit-born Christians.

Why? Satan goes before GOD and accuses “born-again” Christians every time they sin. (As Christians, we all sin.) JESUS is the “Spirit-born” Christians’ advocate because their sins are covered by the shed blood of JESUS. All “born-again” Christians are eternally covered by the shed blood of JESUS.

All of this took place because of the passion of JESUS. However, a person must individually accept what JESUS did for all. Sin is personal and so is salvation.

Back to John the Baptist and JESUS beginning to reveal GOD’S redemptive plan. The transition from the Law and making sacrifices to GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS is GOD’S redemptive plan.

GOD had a specific calling for John the Baptist in HIS redemptive plan. John was 6-months older than JESUS.

¹⁶ He (John) will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”

¹⁸ “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹ The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. ²⁰ Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²² When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. ²³ When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

 In those days, it was a disgrace for a woman not to conceive and have a baby.

It is interesting that Elizabeth and Mary were cousins.

Now, onto the announcement of the conception of JESUS.

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’s Birth

²⁶ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged^[c] to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”^[d] 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. ³⁰ Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” ^[e]

Great question! Mary confirmed that she was a virgin.

³⁵ The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.”

³⁸ “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed!^[f] 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

WOW!!! This is exciting. GOD’S plan is to make HIS presence known to all people. The Eternal King JESUS is coming.

The people were looking for the coming of the promised Messiah, JESUS, then and we are looking for the second coming of JESUS today.

When we read about the signs of the things taking place upon earth before the second coming of JESUS, folks it is getting closer.

This is a partial list of a few signs pointing to the second coming of JESUS. It is getting closer:

Before the second coming of Jesus, the following events will take place:

1.    A Jewish homeland will be established in Israel.

2.    The Gospel will be preached to the entire world.

3.    Worldwide communications will exist before the final two witnesses.

4.    Natural disasters will be widespread.

5.    War and violence will run rampant.

6.    A charismatic and convincing false prophet will appear.

7.    God’s people will be hunted and killed.

This is not to cause us to fear but to watch and know, but to get our Spiritual house in order. Accept JESUS as our Savior and make HIM the LORD of our lives.

The two key GOD ordained participants in establishing GOD’S redemptive plan have grown and prepared to minister – John the Baptist and JESUS. Let’s continue to explore!!!

Let’s read Matthew 3:1-17:

The Herald of the Messiah – John the Baptist is now grown and doing what GOD called him to do, which is to announce and be the Hearld for JESUS, the promised Messiah.

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” ³ For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight!^[a]

⁴ Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

⁷ When he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 

I wonder how many church members there would be if our ministers preached such a message? But we do read that people responded to John’s message. Repent and produce! Put into action what is being revealed to you that will benefit others journeying through life.

⁸ Therefore produce fruit consistent with^[b] repentance. ⁹ And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

A person’s heritage, status, wealth, intellect does not count toward salvation. There is just one way, placing your faith in JESUS and HIS passion, which includes death and HIS resurrection, which assures every person of faith eternal life.

¹¹ “I baptize you with^[c] water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove^[d] his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

Both, John, and JESUS had been ordained and called by GOD to fulfill GOD’S redemptive plan.

¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him,^[e] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

GOD knew HE could count on JESUS to fulfill the law and HIS redemptive plan of Grace for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

Why did JESUS insist that John the Baptist baptize HIM?

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

GOD, Himself responded with JESUS’ not leaving a jot or tittle out of HIS earthly ministry.

Jesus submitted to John’s baptism to set a president for believers to follow. The Bible says that those who believe in Jesus Christ are to walk as He walked. We are to pattern our Christian experience after His life. Therefore, in obedience to Him, a person should be baptized with water when he/she makes a public profession of his/her faith in JESUS.

Thank You, JESUS!!! For there is no other way to Heaven except through faith in JESUS!

Blessings!!!