WELCOME

     As you ask yourself this question, your first response might be yes. But are you? As a pastor of THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST and holding firmly to the ones doctrine, holiness standards and baptism according to…

 

Acts 2:38

     38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

     I find that a lot of people are saying and doing things that Peter and the apostles didn’t say or do. Peter said here that we should be baptized in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, not in (the name of Jesus) (Jesus name) or (Father, Son and Holy Ghost.)

Note: those are terms that the Trinity doctrine holds to.

     Now before you stop reading this I ask that you look at what the scripture says on this subject. Philip. 4:8-9 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO: and the God of peace shall be with you. Many people have had their thoughts, behavior and speech shaped by the preacher or the church they go to rather than the word of God.

Some say that his name is just Jesus and that Christ is not part of his name. I don’t know what book that came out of, except maybe the uninspired books of men (dictionaries and commentaries), but I know it was not the Bible. They say that the name Christ just means the anointed one. Most of the names in the Bible do mean something, but in no way does the Bible teach that the name Christ is not part of the Lord’s name. The name Moses means “drawn out” but his name is still Moses. Abraham means “father of a multitude” but his name is still Abraham. Peter or Cephas means “stone” but his name is still Peter. Paul’s name means “small or little” but his name is still Paul. The Bible also teaches that the Lord’s name is JESUS CHRIST and that CHRIST is part of his name.

 

1 John 3:23

     23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

 

2 Tim. 2:19

     19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

 

1 Peter 4:14

     14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

Acts 4:10-13

     10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

      I’m not saying that every time you talk about the Lord you must say Jesus Christ, but when we go to do something in word or in deed we should use his whole name (Jesus Christ) as the apostles did. If he Holy Ghost gave the apostles boldness to preach the name of Jesus Christ, why don’t preachers today have the same boldness or power? If it is the same Holy Ghost it should give the preacher today the same power and boldness!

 

Acts 1:8

     8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

2 Tim. 3:16

     16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

I ask again, where is that power in the oneness preachers today?

 

Philip. 2:9-11

     9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

     Now some will go to verse ten and say, see it said the name of Jesus, but read on to verse eleven and you will find that what he was saying was that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is Lord. You will never find the apostles using the term (Jesus name) (the name of Jesus) or the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost when they were praying or casting out a devil. The devil knows that Peter used the name of JESUS CHRIST in the first sermon he preached in the church and established the fact that there is no remission of sin in any other name than JESUS CHRIST.

 

Acts 4:12

     12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

     The devil is very crafty! He no doubt thought that if I can get man to stop using the name of Jesus Christ like Peter did and to just say JESUS, JESUS NAME, THE NAME OF JESUS, OR FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST I will cause them to remain in their sin.

     The things that Peter and the apostles did and said came from the Holy Ghost not a preacher or their former religious back ground or the devil.

 

2 Tim. 3:14-17

     14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

     It is in the Word of God (The Bible) that a person finds the things that he is to say and do. His speech is to be based upon the teachings of God’s Word, not men. Not any other book or writings. The scriptures (the bible) are what we should follow, they are inspired by God. It is sad to see preachers saying and doing things that are not from the bible.

Note: verse fourteen says that we should know of whom we have learned these things. Also look at what we learn from these verses...

 

Acts 3:6

     6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

 

Acts 16:18

     18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

 

     A lot of preachers need to think about what they are saying and how they are saying it to see if it is the bible way. What they are saying is what the people following them are going to say. Let’s all just say it like the bible says it and The God of peace will be with us.

 

Col. 3:16

     16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

Psalm 119:9

     9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

 

Psalm 119:11

     11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 

Psalm 119:105

     105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. We see by these verses that we are to hear and know the word of God, not the word of man. Paul says that we should follow him.

 

Phil. 3:17

     17 Brethren be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

2 Thessalonians. 3:7

     7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.

 

2 Tim. 1:13

      13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Tim. 3:10

     10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.

 

     The reason Paul could say that we should do those things that we had learned and received and heard and seen in him DO, is because he did those things in the way and manner that the Holy Ghost had lead him to. Note: the word do in the Greek is prasso; a primary verb; to “practice”, i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from Greek 4160 (poieo), which properly refers to a single act); by implication to execute, commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require. “Those things...do.” We are expected to control and discipline our mind to be like the mind of Christ. We are to “practice” or perform repeatedly those things that came from the scriptures.

 

1 Cor. 2:16

      16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

Philip. 2:5

     5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 

Romans 8:5

     5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

 

Romans 12:2

     2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

1 Cor. 2:16

     16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

Eph. 4:23-24

     23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

 

Isaiah 26:3

     3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.

 

     Now if any preacher says that God showed him or lead him to do it another way, Then he has left the Bible, and the Bible said let them be accursed. Look at what the Bible says…

 

Galatians 1:6-12

     6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

     In closing please read these verses carefully…

 

1 Cor. 15:1-2

     1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

 

Col. 2:6-10

     6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

 

1 Peter 4:10-11

     10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Rev. 3:1-3

     1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

 

     I believe that any one that reads this and will be honest with God and himself can see that many are not really following the bible and the apostles’ doctrine. Remember that these men were moved upon by the Holy Ghost to write these things, and no one has the right to change them. It is one thing to do something in ignorance, but once God has shown us the truth there remains no sacrifice for sin.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ

Bis. Jarret R. Spence, Pastor

Portage, IN

Phone: (219) 763-1049