Did the saints who fell asleep before Christ go to hell?

I’m sorry that I am diverting from the writings on the Apostles, but there are three posts saved to a disc that I just cannot open. However, I will write on the topic captioned because of a message that I heard on Easter Sunday. While a very interesting message, one of the main highlights was that the saints who died before Christ went to hell. The supporting text was Luke 16 and the speaker showed that Abraham’s bosom was a place in hell that was separated by a gulf from the unrighteous dead.

I realize that this “teaching” is part of popular Christian theology and must confess that at one time I held to it myself. However, I was shown the truth while writing about the Apostles (see the connection?).

 http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/men-who-saw-the-saints-alive/

The purpose of this post is to provide further clarity to the topic and I hope that light will be shed on the issue. As I meditated on Luke 16, the Lord showed me a phrase that I had never really seen before in verse 22:

… that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom:

Hey! The Lord’s angels came for the beggar’s spirit and took him into Abraham’s bosom. We need to ask why the angels would have carried the beggar into hell. Jacob in his vision (Gen 32) saw the angels of the Lord ascending and descending between heaven and earth, telling us that they live in heaven. Manoah and his wife saw the angel ascend to heaven and Jesus told the disciples that this would be a common event in His life (Judges 13: 20, John 1: 51).

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=16&v=1&t=KJV#conc/22

Secondly, the term “bosom” is kolpos (G 3859) and can be interpreted literally or figuratively. The literal interpretation is that Abraham’s bosom is between Abraham’s arms while the figurative interpretation is that it refers to a position of close friendship with Abraham. This  was the term used to describe Apostle John’s relationship with Jesus.  This scripture shows that people will be  promoted in heaven. Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation and the phrase indicates to me that the beggar held a new place of influence and visibility which he had not held on earth.

Thirdly, we must ask why Enoch and Elijah were translated to heaven and not to hell. We know that hell is located in the earth, yet scriptures show that these prophets went up to heaven (2 Kings 2: 1). Were they the only saints in heaven with the Lord and His angels? We know for sure that Elijah was alive because he appeared in the transfiguration, speaking with the Lord Jesus about his upcoming death. Since Moses also appeared with him in the transfiguration, we can safely conclude that he had also been living in heaven with the other saints. If Moses was in hell, how come he knew about the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection? Did the Lord visit the pits to see about his saints? See Mt 17: 1,2; Lk 9: 28-31). The saints dwelt in the presence of the Lord and the chiefs had access to top secret information. Did not David in his visions hear the members of the God family discussing events? (Ps 2, Ps 110).

Fourthly, why would the Lord send the beloved saints to hell? Abraham believed God and he was counted as a righteous man or was justified by faith. Paul taught us the following about Abraham’s faith and its results in Galatians 3: 6-9:

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Paul said that God had translated Enoch because he had pleased God  (Heb 11: 5). Why would God change the pattern with faithful Abraham and all those mentioned in Hebrews 11?  Was it impossible for him to translate the spirits from the sleeping bodies into heaven. He was able to translate the spirits of the live saints like Ezekiel and Daniel.

Blessings and have a great day!

Apostle Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone in the House of God

God in the scriptures compares His church to a house. The imagery of the house is expanded to show that each believer is a stone, Jesus the Chief Cornerstone or founder and the Apostles and Prophets as the foundation. The House of God is made up of a foundation, chief corner stone and individual blocks or stones.:

 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; (Eph 1: 20-21).

 The corner stone

 The Corner stone is a very important part of any building. Here is what Wikipedia.com says about cornerstones:

 The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the FIRST STONE set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.  Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or replica, set in  a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder and other significant individuals. The rite of laying a cornerstone is an important cultural component of western architecture and metaphorically in sacred architecture generally”

 

Jesus is not only the Chief Corner stone of the House of God, but also the Builder. He said that He would build His Church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Mt 16:18). Jesus is the Chief of Staff in the House of God – the Great High Priest, Chief Bishop and Chief Apostle. All other stones that enter the House must build upon the truth and revelation that He made, since He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

 

We must pay attention to the revelation that Jesus is the Chief Corner stone of the House of God and not another prophet or teacher. If we build the House of God on any other teachings, prophecies or revelations that are alien to His, then we are not building the house of the True and Living God. This truth is so important that Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus as the Cornerstone was referenced three times by Jesus Himself and four times by key writers in the New Testament:

 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (shall not make haste is translated as shall never be disturbed by the NIV) (Isa 28: 16)

http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=corner+stone&t=KJV&sf=5

 Blessings!

God placed the Apostles FIRST in rank and influence in the church

In the previous post we found that God had set or placed or ordained the ministry of the Apostle in the church. The juciest news is that He placed the Apostle as the Chief OR First in rank, influence and honor. This is said very clearly in 1 Cor 12: 28:

” And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

Proton (G4412)

* first in rank, influence, honoar

* chief

* first in any succession of things or persons

This is absolutely clear. However, I also examined other scriptures in which Proton is used in order to enhance our understanding. I found the following applications:

A. FIRST IN THE ORDER OF THINGS

 * “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift (Mt 5: 23, 24)

 

* But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Mt 6:33)

* Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house (Mt 12: 29)

* For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (Mk 4: 28).

B. FIRST/CHIEF IN RANK, INFLUENCE, HONOR

My word search indicated that the Greek adverb proton was used in contexts meaning  first in the order of things. I also found the Greek adjective PROTOS (G4413) which carries the same interpretation as proton, but whose usage also included to chief in rank. Here are some of the scriptures:

* And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant (Mt 20:27)

* This is the first and great commandment (Mt 22: 38)

* But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best (protos) robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet (Lk 15: 22)

* And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief (protos) of the people sought to destroy him (Luke 19: 47)

* This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before (protos) me (Jn 1: 30)

* But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief (protos)men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts (Acts 13: 50).

* Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first (protos) and the last: (Rev 1: 11)

I would like to invite you to read previous posts on roles in the church and The Elders in order to fully appreciate God’s line of authority in His Body. I hope that you were blessed.

Have a great day!

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=578

Paul’s authority to bring forth revelation, knowledge, doctrine and to the church

The Lord asked me to explain the basis for Paul’s statement that the Apostle is the one qualified in the church to bring forth

“revelation… knowledge … prophesying…or doctrine in the church“(1 Cor 14: 6).

 I have written in great detail on the ministry of the Apostle, showing that this Elder is a seasoned minister who is also an expert Teacher, Prophet, Evangelist and Pastor. Apostles Jesus, the twelve Apostles and Paul are prime examples in the New Testament.

However, I thought that it was necessary to explain further why the Apostle Paul could make such an apparently outrageous claim. Here are supporting scriptures:

 1. In 1 Corinthians 12: 28, Paul told the believers that

“God …set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

 I did a word search on blue letter bible.com for the words “Set” and “first” in order to fully understand the verse fully. Tithemi (G5087) is the Greek word used for “set”. Its biblical usage includes to place, establish, ordain. In other words, Paul is saying to us that God has ordained, placed or established these particular ministries in the church.

 2. I also read other scriptures in which the Greek word Tithemi was used. Here are a few:

 * 1 Cor 12: 18, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”
* Jesus said in Matthew 22: 24, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make (tithemi) thine enemies thy footstool?

* Acts 13: 47 says, “For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set (tithemi) thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.”

* 1 Cor 3: 11. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid (tithemi), which is Jesus Christ.”

* 1 Tim 2: 7 – “Whereunto I am ordained (Tithemi) a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

* 2 Tim 1:11- “Whereunto I am appointed (Tithemi) a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

* Heb 1: 1,2 – “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed (tithemi) heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

 http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=578

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=406

In the upcoming post, I will explore the use of the word first. Blessings and have a great day!

 

 

The Lord’s instructions regarding order in operating in spiritual gifts

I was instructed to write this post since some of the problems in the Corinthian church do exist in the church today.  The Lord’s instructions to Paul are as follows:

• Those who speak, sing or pray in tongues either need to interpret or have some one esle do so in order that others can understand and be blessed

          http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=5

• When the prophets are prophesying together, they take turns to speak. If someone has a prophecy, the others should allow him/her to prophesy.
• Rather than speaking to each other and disrupting  the services, the women should ask their husbands at home. http://pppministries.wordpress.com/category/women-and-silence/

Blessings and have a great day!

The true meaning of 1 Corinthians 14

It was Tuesday 7^th April at 6.50 pm and I was sitting and mulling over 1 Corinthians 14. As I did so, the Lord began speaking to me about the meanings of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. I had previously understood that Paul spoke to the church about the disorderly conduct in relation to the use of their spiritual gifts:

He began the chapter by urging them to desire to prophesy since the following situations existed in relation to the use of the gift of tongues:

* They were all speaking in tongues and no one among them could understand what was being said. The speakers had become like foreigners to the hearers and vice versa. Furthermore, unbelievers would call them mad if they came to a service and saw the existing confusion.

* Those who spoke in tongues were unable to interpret what they were saying and no one was able to do so.

* There were people in the church who felt that they were prophets but they were all speaking together.

* To make matters worse, the women were calling back and forth to each other, trying to understand all that was going on.

What a state of bedlam!

Paul therefore asked them to please stick to prophesying. At least everyone would understand what was being said and the church would be edified. Furthermore, the gift of prophecy would convince sinners of the error of their ways and they would repent.

IT is therefore with tongue in cheek that Paul asked,

“given this state of melodrama and total bedlam, I don’t understand how you come together and some say they have a hymn, another has a word of instruction, another has a revelation, a tongue or interpretation.” (1 Cor 14: 26)

People were trying to outdo each other. Everyone wanted to be in the limelight, to star in their gifts. We will also understand this in light of 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 which are intertwined with chapter 14.

In 1 Cor 14: 37, Paul said, if anyone of you thinks that he or she is such a hot shot prophet, or has great spiritual gifts, stay in your place and don’t get mad. The instructions that I gave in this entire letter is the Lord’s command and not mine. Grow up and stop behaving like children (1 Cor 14: 20).

By taking charge of the situation, he reminded them that he was the Apostle (no offense meant) and that the Lord revealed how they were to conduct themselves.

I’m out of time, but the instructions are in the chapter. Have a blessed day!

What are these apostolic ministries of revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctrine?

Before we proceed further, I believe that it is imperative that we define the biblical meanings of  revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctirne that are KEY elements of the apostolic ministry.  I did so by examining their meanings in the Strong’s concordance and dictionary:

1. Revelation is a noun called  apokalypsis  in the Greek.  Strong’s says that its Biblical usage includes the following:

 1) laying bare, making naked

2)  a disclosure of truth, instruction

a) concerning things before unknown

b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all

3)  manifestation, appearance

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G602&t=KJV

2. The word knowledge comes from the Greek word  gnōsis whose Biblical usage includes:

1) knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding

a) the general knowledge of Christian religion

b) the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion, such as belongs to the more advanced

c) esp. of things lawful and unlawful for Christians

d) moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

 

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1108&t=KJV

3.  Prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14: 6 comes from the Greek word  propheteia whose  Biblical Usage includes:

1) prophecy

a) a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events

b) Used in the NT of the utterance of OT prophets

1) of the prediction of events relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions pertaining to it, the spirit of prophecy, the divine mind, to which the prophetic faculty is due

2) of the endowment and speech of the Christian teachers called prophets

3) the gifts and utterances of these prophets, esp. of the predictions of the works of which, set apart to teach the gospel, will accomplish for the kingdom of Christ teaching

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4394&t=KJV

3. Doctrine in the Greek is didachē which is used to mean

 

a) that which is taught

b) doctrine, teaching, concerning something

2) the act of teaching, instruction

a) in religious assemblies of the Christians, to speak in the way of teaching, in distinction from other modes of speaking in public

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1322&t=KJV

I included the links so you could examine the usage of each of these words in the  Scriptures of  Truth. The Lord told me that each of these gifts is interrelated and I  can see that as well. Have a great day!

Apostles bring forth revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctrine.

In my last post, I wrote that 1 Corinthians 14: 6 highlighted some important information about the mysteries hidden in tongues. These mysteries were revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctrine. Furthermore, I recommended that it was important to pay attention to Apostle Paul’s style of writing in order to glean even more critical information as follows:

 

• During the letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle taught the believers about the importance of either converting tongues into the language of the day or speaking the hidden mysteries in the language of the hearer.
• Secondly, he focused mainly on the gift of prophecy. This was done deliberately because every believer is not qualified to bring forth all mysteries. As one prays, sings or speaks in the spirit, his or her spirit is edified and being trained and developed in the mysteries of the faith. These mysteries, I believe, may remain hidden in the spirit until the day that God can release the individual as an Elder in the Body of Christ.
• Thirdly, while Paul spoke in general terms about the development and purpose of the gift of prophecy in the church, he referred to himself directly when speaking about the gifts of revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctrine combined.

 

The example in the church of the wilderness

 

 

As I studied, the Holy Spirit showed me supporting evidence from the example of Acts 7: 38). Apostle Paul showed us that this church was headed and built by Apostle Moses (Hebrews 3: 1-5). How did Moses build the church? He did so through the gifts of revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctrine. He saw God face to face and brought the mind and will of God to the Israelites so that they could live to please Almighty and to witnesses to the nations about the True and Living God.Now as the Lord showed me, there were other prophets in Israel in the days of Moses. His siblings Miriam and Aaron were prophets. They were so powerful in the prophetic ministry that at one time they rebelled, asking whether or not the Lord spoke to the Israelites only through Moses (Numbers  12: 1-10). God did not choose them for the apostolic ministry.  He chose Moses and spoke with him “mouth to mouth… not in dark speeches”.    Moses also beheld “the similitude of the LORD” (Num 12: 8). In other words, Moses saw God face to face.

Eldad and Medad were also prophets and they prophesied all day long. Korah, Dathan and Abiram were men of such renown among the Jews that they rebelled, asking if Moses was the only one chosen to lead the Jews and to hear from God. We know exactly how God responded to their impertinence (show link here). In spite of all of their eminence (as they thought), God had not chosen them to build His church.

 Moses brought the law or God’s doctrines to the people and the High Priest and the Priest were ministers of the law. God has a designated plan for leadership in the church. We were taught that Elders function in administration and teaching of the word (http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=212rd). God’s plan for His Body is that each believer would grow up and become like Elder Jesus in all dimensions. He brought forth revelation, knowledge, prophecy and doctrine. He is all things to His Church – Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor and Evangelist. Moses was the Old Testament forerunner and example of the Lord as head of His church. This is the reason why Apostle Paul was shown the comparison between Moses as head of the church in the wilderness and Apostle Jesus Christ who built His church (Hebrews 3: 1-5).

 I would like to refer you back ato previous posts on leadership in the church for greater understanding. God bless you and have a great day. More upcoming.

Here are links which will give further explanation on the Apostolic ministry:

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=359

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=352

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=349

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=346

I would also invite you to click on the link Apostle in the side bar at the right of the post for further  reading

The mysteries hidden in tongues

I’ve written previously about the relationship between tongues and spiritual mysteries and also have also shown that speaking in tongues is NOT the initial evidence of the infilling with the Holy Spirit. Please click on the link below to find one of these posts:  On Sunday 29^th March at 9.05 p.m. I was directed to read 1 Corinthians 14. As I read, I reviewed truths that I had already understood: 

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2006/12/18/evidence-of-the-baptism-of-the-holy-spirit-ii/

 

1. Tongues are a spiritual gift given by God (v 1).
2. The person who speaks, sings, prays in unknown tongues does so to God (v 2, 13-16).
3. We speak from or with our spirit when we speak in unknown tongues (v 2b, 14).
4. The person who speaks in tongues edifies and builds himself up in the faith (v4, Jude 1: 20)
5. The spirit is edified when we speak in tongues because we speak mysteries between ourselves and God (v 2b). Mysteries in the Greek means   mystērion  (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3466&t=KJV)
6. No one understands the language of tongues, unless there is an interpretation given (v 2b, 6- 11, 13).
7. Paul taught the believers to accompany tongues with interpretation (v 13-16)
8. Paul also made a comparison between the gifts of tongues and prophesy in relation to clarity of understanding, exhorting the believers to desire and use the gift of prophesy in order to edify, exhort and comfort the believers in their mother tongue (v 3).
9. He reminded the believers that tongues were for unbelievers, after the order of the day of Pentecost (v 22).
10. I wondered if Paul was speaking about the tongues of angels rather than foreign human languages (as on the Day of Pentecost). But does it matter? If one speaks in tongues, whether human or angel, the hearers will be void of understanding.
11. However, verse 6 popped up with a new meaning that I had not seen before:

“Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?”

 

My eyes became open with a new understanding of this previously overlooked verse. I now saw it in a new light, especially in the context in which Paul wrote. Remember that he wrote that tongues hold mysteries that should be ideally revealed in the language of the hearer in order to be profitable to the church. In 1 Corinthians 14: 6, using HIMSELF as the example, Apostle Paul showed the believers that they would not understand a word he said if he spoke to them in tongues. They could identify with that, because he was their Apostle/Elder. They would want to know exactly what he was saying.Each of these mysteries will provide extensive teaching and I will attempt to expand on each in subsequent posts. We also need to answer the question that verse 6 poses to us. That question is, why does Paul pay so much attention to the gift of prophecy in this letter to the Corinthians? Why does he not focus on the gifts of revelation, knowledge and doctrine?

Why is this done? I believe that the quest for the answer will reveal some fascinating truths. My first impression that the gift of prophecy is part of the portfolio of every believer, in keeping with God’s promise made to Joel. However every believer is not qualified to bring forth revelation, knowledge and doctrine? Paul was very careful to use himself as the example when speaking about the exercise of these particular gifts.

 The believers in the Corinthian church already knew that the Apostles were the ones to teach them the doctrines of the faith. Paul also would use only well trained ministers such as Timothy and Titus to deliver teachings and corrections when he was unable to do so in person. This is the order in the Body of Christ and this is why the Lord appoints Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Pastors and Evangelists to edify the believers and to bring us into the unity of the faith.

 Blessings and have a great day.

Paul is actually saying that HE would be speaking revelation, knowledge, prophesies and doctrine when he exchanged the currency of tongues for the Greek language.

In the statement in 1 Corinthians 14: 6, therefore, Apostle Paul has essentially defined the mysteries spoken in the spiritual realm in the gift of tongues

Jesus first named them APOSTLES

Yesterday I began to write a new understanding about Apostles that the Lord showed to me. That is, the Apostle is the highest level of leadership and authority in the church.  He continued to speak to me at 7.30 am on Monday 19th January as follows:

Jesus called the disciples then named them Apostles (not lay people). He then trained them in the Apostolic ministry. Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists and Prophets are to grow up into the ministry of the Apostle.

The Apostle is a seasoned Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist and Prophet and can therefore function in and train others to f ill any of these roles, like Chief Apostle Jesus (see previous posts on Apostles for scriptural evidence).

The Apostles in the early church headed it with great power, wisdom and understanding. They produced elders like Evangelist Stephen  (a martyr and full of faith and power); Evangelist Phillip and his daughters who were prophetesses, Pastor Barnabas and many others.

The Apostle is a Pastor of pastors, Prophet of prophets (like Samuel the father of the prophets), an Evangelist of evangelists, a Teacher of teachers.

He/she has acquired knowledge that is beyond seasons, times and traditions. The wisdom and fullness of God is in him/her, the fear of God, understanding, counsel, might, discernment, righteousness and faithfulness. The Apostle does not mess about with sin and lives a holy life separate from the world.

The Apostle has a higher call of consecration, fasting and prayer, dedication and giving.

 Let us therefore pray that we will come to even greater understanding of the call of God for His church. Blessings and have a great day.