Do you ever have those days where you hear someone say something that you know with 100% certainty is dead wrong. You may even speak your mind on the matter and what you have to say is either dismissed or the person in deception is just in denial or complete ignorance on the matter.
This morning I was very much disturbed on how many people are either in completely ignorance and or denial. Many times people just mouth something because it's "what they heard." Well, unless you check the source, what you hear is only OPINION. I don't understand how so many people can stand on "what they heard" or what somebody told them, without checking with the original source. In fact, this type of ignorance is how wars have been started! Lives have been taken from this, and I can't stress how important it is to verify what you say, before you just mouth it. God's himself warns us in Proverbs 18:21 He tells us through is word that the tongue has the power of death and life. Sticks and stones can certainly break bones but words to have the power to make one live or die. Forget the childish nursery rhym, the Bible says that words can be dangerous. So what are we going to do, take a childish saying or the very Word of God?
Going on I would like to explain the root of a very real example on how deception is KILLING people, not just physically, but spiritually. Again, this spiritual death is because people are not in their Bible to first of all receive the word of God. The second reason is because people many times believe outside sources over the original source. Since creation, time and Time again we see people believing lies over truth.
In the creation story we see the very first sin being committed and do you know what that sin was? The sin of lying! Do we know by whom it was committed by? Not Adam or Eve, but the Satan. Genesis 3:4 "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. Keep in mind that the tree that God told them NOT to eat from was corrupted. It too was a complete lie. Good and evil cannot be in communion with one another. In fact 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us that bad company corrupts good character. James It's either all good or it's all bad, there is no middle ground. In fact, James 3:10-18 show us how Good and evil CANNOT mix. Sure God can use evil for good, but it is not God who sends evil, but the enemy. Keep in mind that before Job experienced hell on earth, note that God allowed it because He has ALL authority. (Job 1:11) Note that it was Satan who brought evil upon Job. (Job 1:12)
If this case of good and evil not being able to exist together, keep in mind some of God's commands to the Hebrew people in the Torah. In Deuteronomy 22:9 God commands His people that they cannot plant two crops in the same field or else the entire field is defiled. In Leviticus 19:19, God tells the Hebrews that they could not even wear garments mixed with more than one type of cloth material in it. It goes deeper, in Deuteronomy 7:3 God tells his people that they are not to intermarry with people who they drove out of the promised land. Now in each and every one of these cases, God's people were NOT to mix seeds! We can keep going because can see this principle even in the Kosher laws of what was deemed clean and unclean. This principle started in the Very Garden of Eden where God gave the first and only commandment. Of course with sin came the law, and if we fast-forward to the days of Moses giving the bringing down the Torah law from Mt.Sinai, God gives his people 613 of these laws.
It gets even deeper. Just like the mysterious Melchizedek figure in the Bible who is only mentioned and talked about in just two verses in the Torah. The New Testament gives us more about him and deeper revelation on the significance of Melchizedek! The book of Hebrews talks about this Old testament figure in chapter 5: 6, 10; chapter 6: 20; chapter 7: 1, 10, 11, 15, 17, and 21! In fact, from the New Testament we know why God accepted Abel's offering and not Cains. This also gives us a Biblical definition of REAL faith. True faith is not a feeling, nor does it have anything to do with how much you believe something or not. We are not saved based on the level of our own faith!
True faith and why Able's sacrifice was accepted over Cains is found in Hebrews 11:4 and in Romans 10:17. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that "by faith, Able brought a better offering than Cain." Now the revelation of this comes when we read Romans 10:17, this is how we know Abel's offering was better, this verse is faith defined! Romans 10:17 tells us that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." So here it is, God told both Cain and Abel, what type of sacrifice HE REQUIRED. Abel believed God and simply obeyed, while Cain did what he wanted to do.
Again, it gets deeper, what type of sacrifices did God require? Well, this is a pretty simple answer for those who read Torah (Genesis-Judges) God wanted unblemished animals, who were male, and at one year of age. He also wanted it to be the best one out of that flock demographic. Exodus 12:5, Leviticus 1:10. Keep in mind that when you read of any righteous animal sacrifice in the Old Testament, it had to encompass the requirements of these two verses. (Of course there are a few more and also different types of sacrifices that had their own set of different requirements.)
Obedience to God is a heart issue. The Bible says that if we love him, we will obey him. (John 14:15) We can always say we love God, we can sing it, we can even get ourselves to believe it, but do we REALLY?
Obedience is not always easy and many times it requires us to put aside our own personal wants and desires. The question we must ask ourselves is do we want our own will to be elevated or God's will? Will we submit our wants, urges, desires, and passions over God's word, or will we allow God's word to take dominion over these things? Is Jesus truly our King who we submit to, or are we our own King? Talk is cheap and faith without obedient works is dead. (James 2:17) Remember we were all bought at a price that none of us could pay.
So lets get back to the original theme, on how the New testament gives us some deep revelation on how God most definitely DID NOT create this evil tree in the garden. In fact God explains this in Matthew 13:25 and tells us that when man was sleeping, Satan sowed his own seed in the garden, a seed of corruption. Real good cannot exist with evil and if it does, it too will eventually become corrupted by it as Proverbs 18:21 told us earlier.
So there are two seeds, God's and Satan's. Satan's seed is all about self will. In fact we know that a self will was why Satan fell. (Isaiah 14:11) Satan was all about "me, me, me..." In fact Isaiah chapter 14 covers the fall of Satan. "I will be like the most high, I will exult myself, I will sit on God's throne." These "I wills" are why he fell from heaven. Satan did not want to be under God's will, but his own. This disease of missing God's mark or sin as like to loosely call it is just that, a disease. This disease putts pressure on us to take us from dependence on God and God's perfect will for our lives. This is why it's so important to guard your thoughts and your tongue. 2 Corinthians 10:5, tells us to we to take captive any thought that is in opposition to the word of God. In fact we know that the word of God is a seed, and this seed comes from the mouth. We should hope that this seed falls on fertile soil so that it can grow and become a strong fruit bearing plant. Keep in mind that Satan has the same power. He has his word going forth just as much, if not more than Gods! This is why we are to guard our minds with the words of God and stay sober and aware. (Philippians 4:7,1 Peter 5:8)
This is why I personally am always trying to be aware of where I am, what I watch, and what I hear. A seed from Satan could be as simple as a song on the radio to a women in skimpy attire who is in ignorance and or defiance to God's modesty guidelines. I'm sorry but this is one reason that i am totally against "Halloween." Our minds are supposed to be guarded by all evil, we are not to celebrate it. Like good seeds, all evil seeds may enter the mind and then cause one to lust, fear, hate, envy and quite possibly these seeds may lead to bear bad fruits. These fruits are in direct opposition to the of fruits of the Spirit.
So let me ask you, what will you raise? Will you raise a tree of life in your mind, or a tree of death? Unfortunately are society is so spiritually dead that most people have a tree of death in them and are not even aware of it. It's no surprise that holidays like Halloween and the celebration of death is so prevalent. Please see Galatians 5:19-23 for a list of the fruits of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. (Good vs bad fruits)
Getting back on topic now, when God created the garden of Eden, didn't he say that everything was GOOD? I know it did not say that everything was good...all but for the tree in the middle of the garden. Numbers 23:19 tells us that God CANNOT lie. The question we have to ask ourselves is, do we have enough faith in God to know that he cannot lie? I'm hope we all know the obvious answer.
Now keep in mind that the Serpent in the garden is known as the "Father of lies." (John 8:44) So as you read the rest of these thoughts, ask yourself, who is your father and who's word are you obeying? Also note that the seeds that Satan throws at us...each and everyone of them are lies. To the pretty girl seducing the man on the street corner considering to get his fix, not knowing that he is about to destroy his family and his own life, unaware that the pretty young "thang" recently acquired HIV. To the suburbanite house wife, self medicating by opening up a bottle of wine instead of opening up her vulnerabilities to God.
It's important to note how elementary this is because who's word we obey is super significant. In fact, disobedience to God's word was the very first sin that man committed! Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Also keep in mind Satans sin of lying was the very first account of sin mentioned in the Bible, as this happened before the sin of Adam and Eve! So here it is, everything comes down to deception and what goes in your mind. Is the seed sown by the enemy or by the word of God?
Now that the word of God has been elevated and the correct context has been laid, I would like to address the very reason that I started writing this article this morning. Now there are a two very real and crazy deceptions that have been attacking and trying to prevail against the church as of lately. These deceptions are based on lies, fostered by ignorance and or defiance to God's word. A few times now this week, I have been told by by multiple people that "Christians" are to pray to the Father. I have also heard that we are to open up these prayers in the name of Jesus so that Jesus can tell the Father our prayers.
These ideas all sound "nice" and even pretty credible. Now when I asked these people where they got this idea it was either "I heard it from my pastor" or "It's in the Bible." I managed to get one person to show me this scripture on the idea of praying "to the Father." They showed me Luke 11:2. I was pumped to see that someone had faith in the word of God and it's importance of every teaching being established on it. Luke 11:2 is solid and Jesus most definitely said that we are to pray to our Father in heaven. The question we all should be aware of though, is who is our father in heaven and does everyone pray to him? Please allow the Spirit of God to illuminate His word as I simply am just being used to organize the context of scripture.
Follow me if you will to John 16:25-26 Jesus says "I have told you these things in figures of speech: a time approaches when I shall no longer talk to you in figures of speech but shall plainly inform you about the Father. At that time you will pray in my name and I do not say that I shall make request of the Father on your behalf."
Now take a look at what this is saying. Jesus is talking about about the future, when His Spirit would come down and give his followers power and understanding. (All dark sayings/ parables would be explained.) I've heard so may people tell me that we are to pray to "The Father" or they tell me that Jesus talks to the Father for us. Well here it is in scripture that this concept is dead wrong. Jesus is telling his followers about a coming time where they would pray to Him and in His name. Keep in mind now that Jewish people technically pray to the "Father" when they pray, yet they are rejected because they deny the Son. Of course we know those who do not know the son, don' t know the Father, because the Father is the son. (1 John 2:23, John 14:9-10)
Continuing we can find more revelation of how prayer works and this concept is again found in the name of Jesus. Matthew 28:19 Tells us that The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all have a singular name. Now when the Holy Spirit comes down on the day of Pentecost we find what that name is! In fact, Messiah has been telling us the entire time, but remember it's all about timing. For if they would have known the truth of who he was, Jesus never would have been crucified! (1 Corinthians 2:8) So on the day of Pentecost we learn the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit, in fact in Act's 2:38 we learn that the complete name of God is Jesus. Acts 4:12 tells us that this name that is higher than any name and it's the only name that can save. Keep in mind that one can only say that Jesus is LORD or in Hebrew YHWH "יהוה" unless you have the Spirit of God in you. (1 Corinthians 12:3) And please note that this is known for sure when you speak in other tongues. (Please keep in mind this is about love, but tongues are in fact evidence.)
Now just mouthing Jesus is lord without this revelation is completely void without the correct understanding. In fact Jesus would ask time and time again who he was...because this was his mission. Keep in mind that only God can forgive sin, raise the dead, calm the wind and the waves. In fact the old testament even talks about the "יהוה" God of the Hebrews doing this....Since God is one (Deut 6:4) and his word cannot change, unless one makes God a liar. One must believe that Jesus is undoubtedly God and there is none beside him. (If they truly believe scripture) Jesus is the revealed name and person of the very "יהוה" the only true one God. Now the Question we have to ask ourselves is....ARE WE IN THE BOOK? On a deeper note, one must be in the book to have eternal life. Are our lives covered by the name of Jesus in Acts 2:38, remember the word is life, and in the old testament, the life was in the blood. So here it is now a parallel between the word and the blood. Are you covered by the name of Jesus in Acts 2:38? Are you covered by His name in the Book or are you out of the book? How do we "call on his name"? Acts 22:16 (Paul's conversion)
Keep in mind how much the book of Acts get downplayed. Not a single person is "saved" in the book of Romans, even though we all like to go there to find the "salvation" message in this book, Romans was written to believers who were already Spirit filled and a part of the true church. (believers in city of Rome) So how in the world could the salvation message be found in Romans? So we just leave Acts out? I will say, that Paul does touch up on the salvation message and explains how we apply it. This teaching is found in Romans 6:3-6. It's time we start boldly proclaiming the word of God. Scripture should not be debated but let every word be established by every word. It all fits and it all has to fit. Let God's word stand and every man in opposition be a liar. People are dying each and every day without the truth. It's time for everyone who calls themselves a Christian to unite under the word of God. If we love God, we will keep His commands. The foundation of this is united body of believers (Temple) is being built. Just like the time when the Jews came out of the Babylonian captivity, they build the Temple and foundation walls around the city of Jerusalem. When this happened, all the people building built with a sword in hand. (Nehemiah 4:18) This sword in the Old Testament was physical, but under the New Testament or Covenant, this sword is spiritual. We know that this sword in the spiritual sense is the very word of God! (Hebrews 4:12)
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that this sword is good for DOCTRINE, CORRECTION, AND TRAINING. If the word of God is not the head authority in the church, then you are in the wrong church and the anti-Christ is the head authority this false church. Remember, God's word cannot be separate from God. Spirit cannot be separated from Spirit.
God tells us in his word that He is the head of the church and that He purchased it with His very blood! Of course we know that this one God is Jesus and he is the Father from creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Spirit in regeneration of men. If Doctrine, correction and Training is not established on the word of God, then it is obviously established on opinion or better yet, lets call it what it is, lies. We know that God cannot lie, so keep who the Father of lies is and where his seed comes from. I really hope everyone reading this knows who their father is. Like the garden of Eden there were only two choices and two sides. There's Jesus voice and a plethora of other voices trying to get the focus of Jesus. Jesus vs everything else. Two choices, truth vs lies. Satan gets worshiped when he can successfully get one's worship and thoughts off of Jesus. Few would be foolish enough to follow Satan, so deception is how he gets followers and how he gets back at God.
To keep things simple, all we have to know is that Jesus is truth and his word a seed of righteousness. This seed if fallen on the right person will take root and give birth to a tree of life, bearing good fruits of the Spirit. God be true...and you know the rest.
This morning I was very much disturbed on how many people are either in completely ignorance and or denial. Many times people just mouth something because it's "what they heard." Well, unless you check the source, what you hear is only OPINION. I don't understand how so many people can stand on "what they heard" or what somebody told them, without checking with the original source. In fact, this type of ignorance is how wars have been started! Lives have been taken from this, and I can't stress how important it is to verify what you say, before you just mouth it. God's himself warns us in Proverbs 18:21 He tells us through is word that the tongue has the power of death and life. Sticks and stones can certainly break bones but words to have the power to make one live or die. Forget the childish nursery rhym, the Bible says that words can be dangerous. So what are we going to do, take a childish saying or the very Word of God?
Going on I would like to explain the root of a very real example on how deception is KILLING people, not just physically, but spiritually. Again, this spiritual death is because people are not in their Bible to first of all receive the word of God. The second reason is because people many times believe outside sources over the original source. Since creation, time and Time again we see people believing lies over truth.
In the creation story we see the very first sin being committed and do you know what that sin was? The sin of lying! Do we know by whom it was committed by? Not Adam or Eve, but the Satan. Genesis 3:4 "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. Keep in mind that the tree that God told them NOT to eat from was corrupted. It too was a complete lie. Good and evil cannot be in communion with one another. In fact 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us that bad company corrupts good character. James It's either all good or it's all bad, there is no middle ground. In fact, James 3:10-18 show us how Good and evil CANNOT mix. Sure God can use evil for good, but it is not God who sends evil, but the enemy. Keep in mind that before Job experienced hell on earth, note that God allowed it because He has ALL authority. (Job 1:11) Note that it was Satan who brought evil upon Job. (Job 1:12)
If this case of good and evil not being able to exist together, keep in mind some of God's commands to the Hebrew people in the Torah. In Deuteronomy 22:9 God commands His people that they cannot plant two crops in the same field or else the entire field is defiled. In Leviticus 19:19, God tells the Hebrews that they could not even wear garments mixed with more than one type of cloth material in it. It goes deeper, in Deuteronomy 7:3 God tells his people that they are not to intermarry with people who they drove out of the promised land. Now in each and every one of these cases, God's people were NOT to mix seeds! We can keep going because can see this principle even in the Kosher laws of what was deemed clean and unclean. This principle started in the Very Garden of Eden where God gave the first and only commandment. Of course with sin came the law, and if we fast-forward to the days of Moses giving the bringing down the Torah law from Mt.Sinai, God gives his people 613 of these laws.
It gets even deeper. Just like the mysterious Melchizedek figure in the Bible who is only mentioned and talked about in just two verses in the Torah. The New Testament gives us more about him and deeper revelation on the significance of Melchizedek! The book of Hebrews talks about this Old testament figure in chapter 5: 6, 10; chapter 6: 20; chapter 7: 1, 10, 11, 15, 17, and 21! In fact, from the New Testament we know why God accepted Abel's offering and not Cains. This also gives us a Biblical definition of REAL faith. True faith is not a feeling, nor does it have anything to do with how much you believe something or not. We are not saved based on the level of our own faith!
True faith and why Able's sacrifice was accepted over Cains is found in Hebrews 11:4 and in Romans 10:17. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that "by faith, Able brought a better offering than Cain." Now the revelation of this comes when we read Romans 10:17, this is how we know Abel's offering was better, this verse is faith defined! Romans 10:17 tells us that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." So here it is, God told both Cain and Abel, what type of sacrifice HE REQUIRED. Abel believed God and simply obeyed, while Cain did what he wanted to do.
Again, it gets deeper, what type of sacrifices did God require? Well, this is a pretty simple answer for those who read Torah (Genesis-Judges) God wanted unblemished animals, who were male, and at one year of age. He also wanted it to be the best one out of that flock demographic. Exodus 12:5, Leviticus 1:10. Keep in mind that when you read of any righteous animal sacrifice in the Old Testament, it had to encompass the requirements of these two verses. (Of course there are a few more and also different types of sacrifices that had their own set of different requirements.)
Obedience to God is a heart issue. The Bible says that if we love him, we will obey him. (John 14:15) We can always say we love God, we can sing it, we can even get ourselves to believe it, but do we REALLY?
Obedience is not always easy and many times it requires us to put aside our own personal wants and desires. The question we must ask ourselves is do we want our own will to be elevated or God's will? Will we submit our wants, urges, desires, and passions over God's word, or will we allow God's word to take dominion over these things? Is Jesus truly our King who we submit to, or are we our own King? Talk is cheap and faith without obedient works is dead. (James 2:17) Remember we were all bought at a price that none of us could pay.
So lets get back to the original theme, on how the New testament gives us some deep revelation on how God most definitely DID NOT create this evil tree in the garden. In fact God explains this in Matthew 13:25 and tells us that when man was sleeping, Satan sowed his own seed in the garden, a seed of corruption. Real good cannot exist with evil and if it does, it too will eventually become corrupted by it as Proverbs 18:21 told us earlier.
So there are two seeds, God's and Satan's. Satan's seed is all about self will. In fact we know that a self will was why Satan fell. (Isaiah 14:11) Satan was all about "me, me, me..." In fact Isaiah chapter 14 covers the fall of Satan. "I will be like the most high, I will exult myself, I will sit on God's throne." These "I wills" are why he fell from heaven. Satan did not want to be under God's will, but his own. This disease of missing God's mark or sin as like to loosely call it is just that, a disease. This disease putts pressure on us to take us from dependence on God and God's perfect will for our lives. This is why it's so important to guard your thoughts and your tongue. 2 Corinthians 10:5, tells us to we to take captive any thought that is in opposition to the word of God. In fact we know that the word of God is a seed, and this seed comes from the mouth. We should hope that this seed falls on fertile soil so that it can grow and become a strong fruit bearing plant. Keep in mind that Satan has the same power. He has his word going forth just as much, if not more than Gods! This is why we are to guard our minds with the words of God and stay sober and aware. (Philippians 4:7,1 Peter 5:8)
This is why I personally am always trying to be aware of where I am, what I watch, and what I hear. A seed from Satan could be as simple as a song on the radio to a women in skimpy attire who is in ignorance and or defiance to God's modesty guidelines. I'm sorry but this is one reason that i am totally against "Halloween." Our minds are supposed to be guarded by all evil, we are not to celebrate it. Like good seeds, all evil seeds may enter the mind and then cause one to lust, fear, hate, envy and quite possibly these seeds may lead to bear bad fruits. These fruits are in direct opposition to the of fruits of the Spirit.
So let me ask you, what will you raise? Will you raise a tree of life in your mind, or a tree of death? Unfortunately are society is so spiritually dead that most people have a tree of death in them and are not even aware of it. It's no surprise that holidays like Halloween and the celebration of death is so prevalent. Please see Galatians 5:19-23 for a list of the fruits of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. (Good vs bad fruits)
Getting back on topic now, when God created the garden of Eden, didn't he say that everything was GOOD? I know it did not say that everything was good...all but for the tree in the middle of the garden. Numbers 23:19 tells us that God CANNOT lie. The question we have to ask ourselves is, do we have enough faith in God to know that he cannot lie? I'm hope we all know the obvious answer.
Now keep in mind that the Serpent in the garden is known as the "Father of lies." (John 8:44) So as you read the rest of these thoughts, ask yourself, who is your father and who's word are you obeying? Also note that the seeds that Satan throws at us...each and everyone of them are lies. To the pretty girl seducing the man on the street corner considering to get his fix, not knowing that he is about to destroy his family and his own life, unaware that the pretty young "thang" recently acquired HIV. To the suburbanite house wife, self medicating by opening up a bottle of wine instead of opening up her vulnerabilities to God.
It's important to note how elementary this is because who's word we obey is super significant. In fact, disobedience to God's word was the very first sin that man committed! Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Also keep in mind Satans sin of lying was the very first account of sin mentioned in the Bible, as this happened before the sin of Adam and Eve! So here it is, everything comes down to deception and what goes in your mind. Is the seed sown by the enemy or by the word of God?
Now that the word of God has been elevated and the correct context has been laid, I would like to address the very reason that I started writing this article this morning. Now there are a two very real and crazy deceptions that have been attacking and trying to prevail against the church as of lately. These deceptions are based on lies, fostered by ignorance and or defiance to God's word. A few times now this week, I have been told by by multiple people that "Christians" are to pray to the Father. I have also heard that we are to open up these prayers in the name of Jesus so that Jesus can tell the Father our prayers.
These ideas all sound "nice" and even pretty credible. Now when I asked these people where they got this idea it was either "I heard it from my pastor" or "It's in the Bible." I managed to get one person to show me this scripture on the idea of praying "to the Father." They showed me Luke 11:2. I was pumped to see that someone had faith in the word of God and it's importance of every teaching being established on it. Luke 11:2 is solid and Jesus most definitely said that we are to pray to our Father in heaven. The question we all should be aware of though, is who is our father in heaven and does everyone pray to him? Please allow the Spirit of God to illuminate His word as I simply am just being used to organize the context of scripture.
Follow me if you will to John 16:25-26 Jesus says "I have told you these things in figures of speech: a time approaches when I shall no longer talk to you in figures of speech but shall plainly inform you about the Father. At that time you will pray in my name and I do not say that I shall make request of the Father on your behalf."
Now take a look at what this is saying. Jesus is talking about about the future, when His Spirit would come down and give his followers power and understanding. (All dark sayings/ parables would be explained.) I've heard so may people tell me that we are to pray to "The Father" or they tell me that Jesus talks to the Father for us. Well here it is in scripture that this concept is dead wrong. Jesus is telling his followers about a coming time where they would pray to Him and in His name. Keep in mind now that Jewish people technically pray to the "Father" when they pray, yet they are rejected because they deny the Son. Of course we know those who do not know the son, don' t know the Father, because the Father is the son. (1 John 2:23, John 14:9-10)
Continuing we can find more revelation of how prayer works and this concept is again found in the name of Jesus. Matthew 28:19 Tells us that The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all have a singular name. Now when the Holy Spirit comes down on the day of Pentecost we find what that name is! In fact, Messiah has been telling us the entire time, but remember it's all about timing. For if they would have known the truth of who he was, Jesus never would have been crucified! (1 Corinthians 2:8) So on the day of Pentecost we learn the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit, in fact in Act's 2:38 we learn that the complete name of God is Jesus. Acts 4:12 tells us that this name that is higher than any name and it's the only name that can save. Keep in mind that one can only say that Jesus is LORD or in Hebrew YHWH "יהוה" unless you have the Spirit of God in you. (1 Corinthians 12:3) And please note that this is known for sure when you speak in other tongues. (Please keep in mind this is about love, but tongues are in fact evidence.)
Now just mouthing Jesus is lord without this revelation is completely void without the correct understanding. In fact Jesus would ask time and time again who he was...because this was his mission. Keep in mind that only God can forgive sin, raise the dead, calm the wind and the waves. In fact the old testament even talks about the "יהוה" God of the Hebrews doing this....Since God is one (Deut 6:4) and his word cannot change, unless one makes God a liar. One must believe that Jesus is undoubtedly God and there is none beside him. (If they truly believe scripture) Jesus is the revealed name and person of the very "יהוה" the only true one God. Now the Question we have to ask ourselves is....ARE WE IN THE BOOK? On a deeper note, one must be in the book to have eternal life. Are our lives covered by the name of Jesus in Acts 2:38, remember the word is life, and in the old testament, the life was in the blood. So here it is now a parallel between the word and the blood. Are you covered by the name of Jesus in Acts 2:38? Are you covered by His name in the Book or are you out of the book? How do we "call on his name"? Acts 22:16 (Paul's conversion)
Keep in mind how much the book of Acts get downplayed. Not a single person is "saved" in the book of Romans, even though we all like to go there to find the "salvation" message in this book, Romans was written to believers who were already Spirit filled and a part of the true church. (believers in city of Rome) So how in the world could the salvation message be found in Romans? So we just leave Acts out? I will say, that Paul does touch up on the salvation message and explains how we apply it. This teaching is found in Romans 6:3-6. It's time we start boldly proclaiming the word of God. Scripture should not be debated but let every word be established by every word. It all fits and it all has to fit. Let God's word stand and every man in opposition be a liar. People are dying each and every day without the truth. It's time for everyone who calls themselves a Christian to unite under the word of God. If we love God, we will keep His commands. The foundation of this is united body of believers (Temple) is being built. Just like the time when the Jews came out of the Babylonian captivity, they build the Temple and foundation walls around the city of Jerusalem. When this happened, all the people building built with a sword in hand. (Nehemiah 4:18) This sword in the Old Testament was physical, but under the New Testament or Covenant, this sword is spiritual. We know that this sword in the spiritual sense is the very word of God! (Hebrews 4:12)
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that this sword is good for DOCTRINE, CORRECTION, AND TRAINING. If the word of God is not the head authority in the church, then you are in the wrong church and the anti-Christ is the head authority this false church. Remember, God's word cannot be separate from God. Spirit cannot be separated from Spirit.
God tells us in his word that He is the head of the church and that He purchased it with His very blood! Of course we know that this one God is Jesus and he is the Father from creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Spirit in regeneration of men. If Doctrine, correction and Training is not established on the word of God, then it is obviously established on opinion or better yet, lets call it what it is, lies. We know that God cannot lie, so keep who the Father of lies is and where his seed comes from. I really hope everyone reading this knows who their father is. Like the garden of Eden there were only two choices and two sides. There's Jesus voice and a plethora of other voices trying to get the focus of Jesus. Jesus vs everything else. Two choices, truth vs lies. Satan gets worshiped when he can successfully get one's worship and thoughts off of Jesus. Few would be foolish enough to follow Satan, so deception is how he gets followers and how he gets back at God.
To keep things simple, all we have to know is that Jesus is truth and his word a seed of righteousness. This seed if fallen on the right person will take root and give birth to a tree of life, bearing good fruits of the Spirit. God be true...and you know the rest.