by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 14, 2020 | Pauline Theology |
There is only one gospel that can save mankind from their sin, the gospel of grace. It is best defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
The apostle Paul didn’t proclaim to the idol-worshiping pagan Gentiles at Corinth “that they needed to accept Jesus into their hearts in order to be saved”. Nor did Paul tell those ungodly pagans to “confess that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved (even the demons know Jesus is Lord)”. No, he told them exactly what the risen and glorified Lord told him to preach.
To believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins was buried and rose again the third day and they would be saved.
That’s it.
And this is exactly what the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ‘
I Corinthians 15:1-4
All mankind will be judged at the great white throne by Paul’s gospel.
‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’
Romans 2:16
Salvation is by faith alone in the gospel alone in the finished work of the cross alone. Apart from the law and works (Romans 3:21).
‘But now (7-8 years after the cross and not before) the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, (up until the apostle comes on the scene this was not so) being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith (believing) in Jesus Christ, to all(salvation is a free gift for ALL mankind not a special pick out group of people) and on all who believe (faith, trust, or believe all mean the same thing). For there is no difference (between Jew and Gentile); ‘
Romans 3:21-22
The gospel is simple and clear.
***yes, I know Jesus is Lord
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 4, 2020 | Daily Encouragement |
What Saith the Scripture?
Scripture is clear and tells us about a time when men’s hearts will fail them from fear of what is coming upon the earth. (Luke 21:26)
Is what we’re seeing and witnessing today what is spoken of in Luke 21? No, but it is preparation for the coming horrific seven years of tribulation. And as our Lord’s return is closer than ever the evil one is using all his power to terrorize believers to point that we are paralyzed with fear.
Satan is doing all he can, ‘pulling the plugs’ on terrorizing the body of Christ creating so much fear within the Church that we no longer gather together to worship. And if we’re not worshiping and being edified with the Word of God Christians will not be sharing the Truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
That being said these are no doubt very troubling times for Christians and for the world. But the Bible makes it clear that as we get closer to the Lord’s return the world will be in utter chaos (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
But for blood-bought believers, Faith and Fear don’t mix. We cannot be walking in faith and fear at the same time.
Again, the solution is God’s Word. The Bible is so clear God makes it plain that we are to trust in Him always and He will strengthen us in our times of trouble. And we sustain our faith by studying His Word and prayer.
Here is a great Bible verse that sums it up.
‘You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.’
Isaiah 26:3
In Conclusion
The choice is ours, we can walk through this season in fear, or we can walk in strength with no fear.
If we choose to spend more time on social media and watching the news there is no doubt we will be in constant fear.
On the other hand, if we keep our minds on the Word of God and in prayer we will be the light in this darkened world. Shining the glorious Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on lost humanity.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 3, 2020 | Daily Encouragement, Israel and Bible Prophecy |
There was no doubt that Antifa and Black Lives Matter are wicked organizations. This was known well before all the chaos started months ago. The very foundation of BLM is steeped in wickedness and pagan worship.
This is a great deception brought on by the father of deception, the god of this world, Satan.
Don’t think for a second that large corporations like Nike, the NBA, or government entities like Governors, Mayors, or anyone that can read past the 6-grade don’t know what BLM is about. There isn’t a person on the planet that would give millions of dollars to an organization without knowing what they are about.
City councils across the nation have past legislation because of Black Lives Matter. Police chief’s from dozens of City’s have bowed the knee in total submission to BLM. One police chief even lay face down with his hands behind his back while the hate-filled crowd surrounded him, dehumanizing him.
Is this rational behavior? Of course not!
Knowing full well BLM is steeped in wickedness and pagan worship conjuring up spirits of the dead and more, knowing that the very pillars of BLM are to destroy the nuclear family, abolish the police, release all prisoners and abolish the prison system, legalizing prostitution, legalizing the use of drugs, basically turning America and the planet into hell. Knowing all this how can smart people from all walks of life, every station in life support BLM…?
Because they are being deceived.
The source behind this deception is the father of deceit, the father of lies Satan (John 8:44). The unsaved world is blinded from the Truth by the god of this world.
‘But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ‘
– II Corinthians 4:3-4
This is a spiritual battle and believers are commanded above all to shine the light of the gospel of grace on the unsaved darkened hearts of humanity. With the hope that the God of glory will open their hearts to a knowledge of the glory of God through the finished work of the cross.
‘For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’
II Corinthians 4:6
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 2, 2020 | Bible Doctrine |
Pastor R,
We have Scripture because of the Jews, our Lord and Savior is Jewish, the nation’s and their borders were designed around and for God’s people, Israel, the entire Old Testament from Genesis 12 into the early chapters of Acts is about Israel, we “Gentiles” have the gospel of grace because of Israel, all end-time prophecy is about Israel, the King and the kingdom on earth is all about and for Israel.
Your horrendous attempts to make God a liar are pitiful at best and terrifying at worst considering you are a Pastor. By twisting passages and ignoring the hundreds of promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and their descendants (the Jewish people) you’ve by default made God a liar. Because there is NO SCRIPTURE RECORD OF GOD TELLING A LIE. BECAUSE GOD CAN’T LIE.
HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE. IN SPITE OF WHAT MAN THINKS OR DREAMS UP.
And it is in your lack of faith in what God has so clearly declared that you have the issues you are having with your congregation. THEY WANT TRUTH.
To that end,
Yes, I could’ve used dozens and dozens of passages but we’ve gone down that road on several occasions already.
I will continue to pray for you.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 2, 2020 | Daily Encouragement |
The following is an overview of the first 2000 years of Biblical and human history. God deals with all mankind directly and all mankind speaks one language. There is no written law, no temple worship instead God provides mankind simple instructions to both live out their daily lives and how to worship Him.
4000 B.C. – 2000 B.C.
The first two thousand years of Biblical and human history are recorded in the first 11 chapters of Genesis.
Creation, God created man, the fall – sin and the curse come on the scene, Satan takes dominion of the planet, the Redeemer, the flood, the earth repopulated and the tower of Babel.
Outline of First 2000 Years of Biblical History
- Creation – Genesis 1: 2:1-4.
- God created man – Genesis 1:26-27.
- The Fall (Sin and the Curse) – Genesis 3:4-7
- Satan takes dominion of the planet – Matthew 4:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:4
- The Redeemer – Genesis 3:15
- The Wickedness of Man and the Flood – Genesis 6 & 7.
- Noahic Covenant for All mankind/Human Government – Genesis 6:18, 9:9-17
- Noah & his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth to repopulate the earth – Genesis 9:1,7
- The Tower of Babel – Genesis 11:1-9.
We Must Know
To be a good Bible student we must “KNOW” (and we can know) how these first eleven chapters of biblical and human history apply to our study of the Bible?
- Is there Doctrine for the body of Christ, in the first 11 Chapters?
- Is there a message of salvation “the gospel” for “mankind” today in these first eleven chapters?
- Are there commands that we must follow in the first eleven chapters of Genesis?
To repeat these first two thousand years of Biblical history are recorded in just the first 11 chapters in the book of Genesis.
Moving ahead 200 years from the Tower of Babel Genesis 11 to the Genesis 12:1-3, and we find that God makes a massive change on how He will reveal Himself to mankind. When He calls out one man…Abram or Abraham as we know him now, to start a people for His name, the Jewish people.
To that end it is crucial know that the Bible is a progressive revelation, and not to get ahead of what God has revealed within a particular time period. It is a wise practice to always ask who’s writing? To whom is the writer writing too? And what are the circumstance for what the writer is revealing?
Study Scripture Don’t Just Read It
Most difficulties in interpreting the Scriptures occur from neglecting a passage’s context. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is taking passage literally unless strong and clear reasons exist for not doing so.
Not sticking to this discipline, interpreting the Scripture becomes whatever you want it to mean. The result is erroneous or ridiculous interpretations.
We can know these answers by asking the following questions;
- Who is the author and who is the author writing too?
- When did the events happen as a “time element”?
- When was it written? (date)
- What are the circumstances?
- What came before and what happened after?
- What has God revealed? (reading in-time, not to get ahead of what God has revealed. In other words, read Genesis 1 – 11, as it was happening at that time and know nothing of future events on what God has revealed at THAT TIME!!!)
By examining a passage with a few simple questions, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and reading the first eleven chapters of Genesis in-time we can establish context. Knowing the context of Genesis 1-11, will greatly help us better understand the full counsel of God. And how to apply the first eleven chapters of Genesis to our Christian walk. And yes we can make application.
‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
II Timothy 3:16-17
‘For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ‘
Romans 15:4