by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 19, 2021 | Daily Encouragement |
If the twelve apostles didn’t know that Christ was going to shed His blood and die on the cross, be buried, and then raised from the dead three days later never to die again, how could anyone come to the conclusion that the pagan Gentile world knew? Christendom seems to have adopted this idea, but the answer lies in Scripture.
Today, salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of the Cross. However, the finished work of the Cross hadn’t been accomplished yet during the apostles’ time, so they couldn’t have been preaching that gospel. Luke Chapter 9 shows that even after nearly three years with Jesus, the Twelve didn’t understand the concept of the cross. Jesus himself told them about his impending betrayal and death, yet they didn’t grasp it.
Luke 9:44-45 says, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it.
Furthermore, Luke 18:31-34 records Jesus telling the Twelve about his upcoming death and resurrection, but they didn’t understand. Jesus said, “And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
So, it’s evident that the apostles had no idea about the gospel of grace, including Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Therefore, it’s improbable that the Gentile world knew about it either. Even after the Crucifixion, the apostles didn’t fully understand Christ’s resurrection, as shown in John Chapter 20.
In John Chapter 20, after the Crucifixion, Peter and John rush to the tomb on the Resurrection morning following Mary’s report that it was empty. They look in and are in unbelief. That He was the Messiah, the Son of God Israel’s promised King? NO. Scripture says it best; Verse 9 of John 20 says, “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”
How could Gentiles have known about Christ’s resurrection if even Peter, James, and John were unaware? The reality is straightforward: they didn’t know. The significance of this fact cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, tradition often obscures this truth, as much of Christendom focuses solely on pre-cross events for salvation and doctrine. However, Scripture unequivocally declares the impossibility of this perspective.
In conclusion, Scripture presents a progressive revelation, and the apostles’ lack of understanding during Jesus’s ministry highlights this fact. While we now have the full counsel of God, it’s essential to diligently study Scripture to properly understand and apply its teachings.
All Scripture was given to us for our learning that we may have comfort and hope… Romans 15:4. But we must understand Scripture is a progressive revelation. We must be diligent and study hard, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Studying Scripture literally and in time leads to the correct context of a passage. Which then leads to the correct application.
“WHAT IS NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD CANNOT BE PROPERLY APPLIED”
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 16, 2020 | Daily Encouragement |
David’s prayer of gratitude towards God for the incredible amount of wealth given willingly by his Kinsman to build the temple, as recounted in 1 Chronicles 28, is an incredible display of humility and acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.
In this prayer, David gives all credit to God, acknowledging that everything belongs to Him and that all that we have is given to us by His grace alone. David’s powerful prayer of gratitude serves as a reminder for us today that we deserve nothing and everything we have is a gift from God.
David blesses the Lord before all the assembly, acknowledging the greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty of God. David recognizes that all that is in heaven and on earth belongs to God and that God reigns over all. David ends his prayer acknowledging that man is nothing and that God is everything. As Christians, we too should be grateful for everything we have, recognizing that Christ is our everything.
…that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28; Colossians 3:11).
This incredibly powerful prayer of gratitude gives God all the credit and is a great reminder for us today. That no matter what we have or may not have it is all given to us by the grace of God, because “everything” is His and we deserve nothing.
David’s Prayer Praising God
‘Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head overall. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign overall. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You. For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope.’
I Chronicles 29:10-15
Christ is our everything.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 26, 2020 | Israel and Bible Prophecy |
We Must Obey God over Man
A pair of California churches has been fined several thousand dollars for violating health restrictions and conducting indoor worship services during the pandemic
- North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, Calif., was fined $10,000 by Santa Clara County for conducting two indoor worship services that included singing. It also received a cease-and-desist order. (The county fined the church $5,000 for a Sunday morning service and $5,000 for a Sunday evening service.)
- Meanwhile, a California judge fined Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif., a total of $3,000 for meeting indoors and held the church and its pastor, Rob McCoy, in contempt of court. (The judge’s fine included $500 for each one of six services.)
Jack Trieber, the pastor of North Valley Baptist Church, decried the county’s fine. “I’m in charge of the spiritual health of the people who sit in this area,” he said in a video inside the church building. “… And although [physical] health is very important — of utmost importance – spiritual health is supreme. And because we’ve been locked out … of churches, suicide is up, domestic violence is up, drug addiction is up, homelessness is up, alcoholism is up. We need to get back to worshiping God. I am commanded to worship God.” Trieber said he is “willing to take a stand.” “If you arrest me this week – and I know that’s a possibility – that’s not my desire.
My desire is to preach God’s Word,” he said. Santa Clara County said the church was in violation of health restrictions that limit indoor worship and also restrict singing.
“North Valley Baptist is failing to prevent those attending, performing, and speaking at North Valley Baptist’s services from singing. This activity is unlawful,” the letter from the county read. “The county understands that singing is an intimate and meaningful component of religious worship. However, public health experts have also determined that singing together in close proximity and without face coverings transmits virus particles further in the air than breathing or speaking quietly.
The county demands that North Valley Baptist immediately cease the activities listed above and fully comply with the Risk Reduction Order, the Gatherings Directive, the State July 13 Order and the State guidance. Failure to do so will result in enforcement action by the county.” Godspeak Calvary Chapel was held in contempt of court Aug. 21 for violations in a total of six worship […]
Click here to view the original web page at www.christianheadlines.com
Please pray for these two Churches and their Pastors. Pray continually for the body of Christ.
We are all members of the same body individually and when one hurts we all hurt and when one member experiences joy we all experience joy!
We Must Obey God Over Man…
Using Romans 13 as an Excuse Not to Worship is the Pinnacle of Absurdity
by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 10, 2020 | Israel and Bible Prophecy |
Police in Mississippi ticketed more than 20 Christians on Wednesday evening who were sitting in their vehicles listening to a sermon from their pastor
- The crackdown occurred as the mayor and city council of Greenville have issued an executive order banning in-person church services, including drive-in gatherings where attendees simply stay in their cars.
- According to reports, members of Temple Baptist Church tuned in to a radio frequency to listen to their pastor, Arthur Scott, as he preached inside of the church.
A video recorded by member Chris Owens shows a police officer approaching his window and asking for identification, advising that he was giving him “an opportunity to move.” Citing the City order, he explains that the drive-in arrangement is “considered a gathering even though you’re in your vehicle.” The officer issues Owens a citation, who soon drives away. View the video below. Scott told radio show host and reporter Todd Starnes that everyone in attendance was fined $500 and that he was personally warned that he could be arrested. “The police officer said I might go to jail,” he stated. “If it means going to jail, and if it takes that for me to keep preaching, I’ll be glad to go to jail.” The City of Greenville announced via a press release on Tuesday that Mayor Errick Simmons and City Council had issued two new executive orders, one of which pertains to church services. It cited a statement from the Mississippi Department of Health (DOH) as its motivation. “Because of recent COVID-19 cases specifically linked to church gatherings, it is vital that Mississippians not attend in-person church services at any church or other type of facility. Services, weddings, and funerals are leading to greater COVID-19 transmission,” the DOH said. However, the City went even further in its executive order, including drive-in services in its prohibition and recommending that residents do church online or over the phone. “The City of Greenville put in place an executive order that orders all church buildings closed for in-person and drive-in church services until the State of Mississippi’s Shelter In Place Executive Order No. 1466 is lifted by Governor Tate Reeves,” the press release states. “Churches are strongly encouraged to hold services via Facebook Live, Zoom, Free Conference Call, and any and all other social media, streaming, and telephonic platforms.” An apparent email from the City also lists […]
Click here to view the original web page at christiannews.net
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 30, 2020 | Devotionals |
Fear and anxiety are never-ending and in these uncertain times, both fear and anxiety are magnified tenfold.
Left unchecked fear can keep us down for such a time that it becomes unhealthy for both mind and body. Anxiety, on the other hand, manifests itself in how we interact with the people around us; angry outbursts, saying hurtful words, and having an all-around fiery unkind attitude. Or we withdraw from socializing altogether and just shut down.
In either case, the longer we struggle with fear the more likely we are to be overwhelmed by it, to the point that fear controls every decision we make. Yet we must come to the knowledge that God is faithful even when we’re not, God is there even when we think He isn’t, and God will never ever give us more than we can handle. Choosing not to deal with fear will leave us in constant despair robbing us of the true joy imparted to every believer the moment we believed the gospel.
That being said the only way believers fight fear and anxiety is with prayer and studying the Word of God. Reading and studying your Bible is the solution to the fear dilemma because only by studying the Word of God can we build our faith (Ephesians 6:16).
Rejoice and Have No Fear
Ultimately, believers are victorious over anything and everything this sin-cursed, Satan-dominated world can throw at us even in death we are victorious. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection reconciled the world back to God. For those who believe by faith alone in that good news (“the gospel“), God imparts Christ’s righteousness to them and they are “saved”. In that, we identify with Christ and because He rose from the dead never to die again we too will rise one day to be with the Lord forever.
This portion of Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:51-57) is powerful and it is ours to hold on to because it’s God’s promise to those who are His. Read on and praise God.
I Corinthians 15:51-55
‘Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”’
And here it is the finality, Christ’s victory over sin, the law, Satan, and death itself. “The Resurrection” And because He is victorious, we are victorious.
I Corinthians 15:56-57
‘The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’
Here are a few Bible verses that will remind us that God loves us and He is in control of our lives through thick and thin.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Mark 4:39-40
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 94:19
‘In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.’
I John 4:18-19
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
Philippians 4:6
‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ‘
Romans 8:38-39
‘For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’
‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.’
‘And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘