[Wechie]

I agree that one lesson will can learn from the prayer at Gethsemane is that Jesus prayed according to the will of God; God truly has good intentions for us hence his will for our lives is better than any plan we can have for ourselves.
I’d like to add that;

Choosing God’s choice for us is not always going to be an easy decision.
Matthew 26:38-39; Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”39He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus knew the will of God was for him to be made an offering for Sin. He was asking if there was another way to accomplish it besides the obvious way he could see ahead; yet at the same time he was affirming to God that he was laying aside his will and was committed to God’s will; to not only accomplishing God’s purpose for him but also going about it the way God specified.
Sometimes we find ourselves in similar situation; we know what God would have us do and how he would have us do it, we know it’s going to cost us so we try to coerce God into giving us easier alternatives; but God can’t be coerced.
In times like this we can follow the footsteps of Christ; we do not deny the reality of what God requires of us, we recognize it yet willingly surrender.
In summary, God’s will ultimately will unfold, but through obedience, though it be daunting at times what will be birthed will be for His glory and our benefit.

[Wechie]

1 Corinthians 15:1-3
Christianity is centered around a message, good news, the Gospel, also referred to as the Gospel of Christ. Paul in writing to the Corinthian church was putting them to remembrance of the gospel he preached to them, what their faith rests on, what they received, what they stand on; in doing this he highlights 3 things;
1. Christ Died for our Sins
2. He was buried
3. He was raised on the third day
Paul here points us here to the message that brings salvation. It is safe to say the Gospel is centered around the death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ. However, one more event took place after the resurrection of Christ which brings us to no 4 – His ascension. Luke 24;50-51.
I believe Faith in the finished work of Christ entails; Faith in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ.
4 VITAL THINGS FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK ENTAILS;
A. The Death of Christ; Christ died as our substitute; Romans 5:8,Galatians 2:20,Isaiah 53:5-6.
Substitution is the means by which we were reconciled: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). It is the means of expiation: “He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21) and “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). And by dying in our place, taking the penalty for our sins upon himself, Christ’s death is also the means of propitiation.
We need no longer need to pay for sin. Christ has paid in full.
One way we can utilize this faith is by reckoning that we are dead to sin, by his death we have been freed from the hold of sin, we are no longer are slaves to the sinful nature. Roams 6:6-7. Anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Also, sickness no longer has a hold on us, for by his stripes we were healed.

B. The Burial of Christ; The burial of the Lord is a part of the gospel. His burial was an assurance that His resurrection was a reality: for His Body was taken down by friends in the presence of foes who knew that He was dead, and deposited by them, not in a common tomb, but in a cave, hollowed out of a hillside, with a great stone rolled to block up the entrance, which was guarded by the soldiers of Pilate. Luke 23:50
We reckon that we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

C. The Resurrection of Christ; Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and in that statement claimed to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, no eternal life. Jesus does more than give life; He is life, and that’s why death has no power over Him. Jesus confers His life on those who trust in Him, so that we can share His triumph over death (1 John 5:11–12). We who believe in Jesus Christ will personally experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, we have overcome death. It is impossible for death to win (1 Corinthians 15:53–57
The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4,1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? It proves who Jesus is. It demonstrates that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected unto eternal life.
We are not without Hope and a future.
D. The Ascension of Christ; “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
Jesus’ ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He is presented seated at the right hand of God. The fact that Jesus Christ is at the “right hand of God” was a sign to the disciples that Jesus had indeed gone to heaven. In John 16:7-15, Jesus told the disciples that He had to go away and He would send the Holy Spirit. So the coming of the Holy Spirit in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) was proof positive that Jesus was indeed in heaven seated at the right hand of God. This is confirmed in Romans 8:34 where the Apostle Paul writes that Christ is sitting at God’s right-hand making intercession for us.
Jesus did not go to heaven after His earthly ministry and “take a break” from His role as eternal Shepherd to His people. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10, emphasis added). If when humble, despised, dying, and dead, He had the power to accomplish so great a work as reconciling us to God, how much more may we expect that He will be able to keep us now that He is a living, exalted, and triumphant Redeemer, raised to life and interceding on our behalf before the throne (Romans 8:34). Clearly, Jesus is still very active on our behalf in heaven.
Christ alone is the God-man, and He mediates and intercedes between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

We utilize faith in the finished work by reckoning with all that Christ has accomplished on our behalf. There is no other kind of faith for the Believer. We need to engage with the Epistles, see ourselves in all Christ accomplished and meditate on these truths. We can only and truly live the victorious life we have been called into when we embrace all that God has provided for us in Christ.

[Wechie]

1 Corinthians 15:1-3
Christianity is centered around a message, good news, the Gospel, also referred to as the Gospel of Christ. Paul in writing to the Corinthian church was putting them to remembrance of the gospel he preached to them, what their faith rests on, what they received, what they stand on; in doing this he highlights 3 things;
1. Christ Died for our Sins
2. He was buried
3. He was raised on the third day
Paul here points us here to the message that brings salvation. It is safe to say the Gospel is centered around the death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ. However, one more event took place after the resurrection of Christ which brings us to no 4 – His ascension. Luke 24;50-51.
I believe Faith in the finished work of Christ entails; Faith in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ.
4 VITAL THINGS FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK ENTAILS;
A. The Death of Christ; Christ died as our substitute; Romans 5:8,Galatians 2:20,Isaiah 53:5-6.
Substitution is the means by which we were reconciled: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). It is the means of expiation: “He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21) and “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). And by dying in our place, taking the penalty for our sins upon himself, Christ’s death is also the means of propitiation.
We need no longer need to pay for sin. Christ has paid in full.
One way we can utilize this faith is by reckoning that we are dead to sin, by his death we have been freed from the hold of sin, we are no longer are slaves to the sinful nature. Roams 6:6-7. Anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Also, sickness no longer has a hold on us, for by his stripes we were healed.

B. The Burial of Christ; The burial of the Lord is a part of the gospel. His burial was an assurance that His resurrection was a reality: for His Body was taken down by friends in the presence of foes who knew that He was dead, and deposited by them, not in a common tomb, but in a cave, hollowed out of a hillside, with a great stone rolled to block up the entrance, which was guarded by the soldiers of Pilate. Luke 23:50
We reckon that we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

C. The Resurrection of Christ; Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and in that statement claimed to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, no eternal life. Jesus does more than give life; He is life, and that’s why death has no power over Him. Jesus confers His life on those who trust in Him, so that we can share His triumph over death (1 John 5:11–12). We who believe in Jesus Christ will personally experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, we have overcome death. It is impossible for death to win (1 Corinthians 15:53–57
The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4,1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? It proves who Jesus is. It demonstrates that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected unto eternal life.
We are not without Hope and a future.
D. The Ascension of Christ; “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
Jesus’ ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He is presented seated at the right hand of God. The fact that Jesus Christ is at the “right hand of God” was a sign to the disciples that Jesus had indeed gone to heaven. In John 16:7-15, Jesus told the disciples that He had to go away and He would send the Holy Spirit. So the coming of the Holy Spirit in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) was proof positive that Jesus was indeed in heaven seated at the right hand of God. This is confirmed in Romans 8:34 where the Apostle Paul writes that Christ is sitting at God’s right-hand making intercession for us.
Jesus did not go to heaven after His earthly ministry and “take a break” from His role as eternal Shepherd to His people. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10, emphasis added). If when humble, despised, dying, and dead, He had the power to accomplish so great a work as reconciling us to God, how much more may we expect that He will be able to keep us now that He is a living, exalted, and triumphant Redeemer, raised to life and interceding on our behalf before the throne (Romans 8:34). Clearly, Jesus is still very active on our behalf in heaven.
Christ alone is the God-man, and He mediates and intercedes between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

We utilize faith in the finished work by reckoning with all that Christ has accomplished on our behalf. There is no other kind of faith for the Believer. We need to engage with the Epistles, see ourselves in all Christ accomplished and meditate on these truths. We can only and truly live the victorious life we have been called into when we embrace all that God has provided for us in Christ.

[Wechie]

Reply to Ben
Truly having a Word ruled mindset is one antidote to legalism . In other for us not to fall into this trap of work based Christianity we need to have a revelation of the Grace of God.
The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of Grace.The essence of the Gospel is Grace.
The Gospel is the Good news concerning God’s Grace.
The power in the Gospel as in Romans 1:16 is the Grace of God.
It is the Grace of God that makes the Gospel Goodness.
We must fully recognise this truth about the Gospel.

Also a wrong perspective or a misunderstanding of the “Works” spoken about in Scripture with regards to believers,will bring about a legalistic approach to the Christian faith.
In other not to fall into the trap of Legalism we need to have the right perspective/understanding.
God is not against work , there are works that have a place after salvation ;
– We have been saved unto Good works . Ephesians 2:10
– God desires that we are also established in every good work. 2Thessolonians 2:17
– Our work is our service and labour in the body of Christ which we will be rewarded for .1 Corinthians 3:10-15
– The Work of the ministry which is the calling of every believer is work. Ephesians 4:11-12 ;
In summary, we are saved to serve.
However these service/work ;
– Must be done in faith; which is our response to God’s Grace
– Must be carried out by depending on God’s Grace , in the spirit and not in the flesh
1 Corinthians 15:10
– Must not bring about an entitlement mentality. We must never become proud and expect God’s blessings in our lives based on our service alone.
Our inheritance was purchased by Christ not by our labour.

Finally Our salvation is by Grace through and through, our works has nothing to do with our being saved; however we struggle with this after being saved, we tend to think that in other to attract God’s favor we need to work for it.
Man generally believe he needs to do something in other to get something ,hence he approaches God in same transactional manner.
We attempt to interact with God the way we interact with men. This is one way we slip into legalism .
In other not to fall into the trap of Legalism We must settle in our heart that God is not Man. His ways are not the ways of Man.

[Wechie]

Let’s begin by considering the meaning of the key words “Subtlety and Legalism”.

-Subtlety: The quality of being Subtle ; not immediately obvious or comprehensible ; not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious in any way.

– Legalism is any man made attempt, effort or work which seems to earn ,deserve,merit and receive God’s acceptance, goodness and Mercy on the basis of the believer’s merit; what they do and don’t do and not solely on what God has done in Christ.

Galatians 5:1-4
Galatians 5:1-4 NKJV
[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. [2] Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. [3] And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. [4] You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

The yoke of bondage spoken of in the scripture quoted above is legalism.
Legalism is an opposition to grace, it excludes one from the liberty Christ came to give us.
Legalism in summary is “A work based Christianity.
Our salvation is by Grace through and through, our works has nothing to do with our being saved; however we struggle with this after being saved, we tend to think that in other to attract God’s favor we need to work for it.
Man generally believe he needs to do something in other to get something ,hence he approaches God in same transactional manner.
We attempt to interact with God the way we interact with men. This is one way we slip into legalism .
In other not to fall into the trap of Legalism We must settle in our heart that God is not Man. His ways are not the ways of Man.

Galatians 3:1, 3 TPT
[1] What has happened to you foolish Galatians? Who has put you under an evil spell? Did God not open your eyes to see the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion? Was he not revealed to you as the crucified one?
[3] Your new life began when the Holy Spirit gave you a new birth. Why then would you so foolishly turn from living in the Spirit by trying to finish by your own works?
Scripture tells us ; not only is our new life a grace Gift but our day to day walk in this new life is also by Grace. Spiritual growth i.e discipleship is by Grace.
We start by Grace in the Spirit of God and we ought to depend on Grace to finish.
This tendency to want to earn God’s Favor by or engage in the Christian walk by our own effort began with the Galatian church.
In other for us to not fall into this trap of work based Christianity we need to have a revelation of the Grace of God.
The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of Grace.The essence of the Gospel is Grace.
The Gospel is the Good news concerning God’s Grace.
The power in the Gospel as in Romans 1:16 is the Grace of God.
It is the Grace of God that makes the Gospel Goodness.
We must fully recognise this truth about the Gospel to avoid falling into legalism.

Lastly a wrong perspective or a misunderstanding of the “Works” spoken about in Scripture with regards to believers,will bring about a legalistic approach to the Christian faith.
In other not to fall into the trap of Legalism we need to have the right perspective/understanding.
God is not against work , there are works that have a place after salvation ;
– We have been saved unto Good works . Ephesians 2:10
– God desires that we are also established in every good work. 2Thessolonians 2:17
– Our work is our service and labour in the body of Christ which we will be rewarded for .1 Corinthians 3:10-15
– The Work of the ministry which is the calling of every believer is work. Ephesians 4:11-12 ;
In summary, we are saved to serve.
However these service/work ;
– Must be done in faith; which is our response to God’s Grace
– Must be carried out by depending on God’s Grace , in the spirit and not in the flesh
1 Corinthians 15:10
– Must not bring about an entitlement mentality. We must never become proud and expect God’s blessings in our lives based on our service alone.
Our inheritance was purchased by Christ not by our labour.
We cheapen the Gospel when we seek to earn what only the blood of Jesus could provide.

[Wechie]

My Reply To Femi
Angels were also busy ministering to people after the time of Christ. As we look at the history of the early church, we also find angels ministering to God’s people;

1. They Provided Direction: Acts 8:26
An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get ready and go south to the road that leads down to Gaza from Jerusalem—the desert road.
God used an Angel to direct Philip to the Ethiopian that needed to benefit from the
Ministry of Philip.

2. They came as an answer to Prayer; Acts 10:1-3
When a Gentile believer named Cornelius wanted to know more about the Lord, an angel was sent to him.
We find an angel coming to Cornelius as an answer to his prayer. The angel instructed Cornelius to send for Simon Peter who would tell him the message of Jesus the Christ.

3. They Brought Deliverance: Acts 12:7-11
The Bible says that an angel helped get the Apostle Peter out of jail. Peter thought it was a dream or a vision, for it seemed unreal. He couldn’t believe it was happening

Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen Acts 12:11

4. They brought Judgement: Acts 12:23
The evil king Herod was killed by an angel. The bible records that because he had not given the glory to God, the angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

5. They brought Words of encouragement: Acts 27:23-24
An angel encouraged Paul when he faced a storm on his way to Rome.
Because of this Paul had assurance of God’s protection.

[Wechie]

Interesting to read that we have same inclination on the origin of man ;
I agree with this view(Traducianism) based on the following Support:
• In Genesis 2:7, God breathed the breath of life into Adam, causing Adam to become a “living soul.” Scripture nowhere records God performing this action again.
• Adam had a son in his own likeness (Genesis 5:3). Adam’s descendants seem to be “living souls” without God breathing into them.
• Genesis 2:2-3 seems to indicate that God ceased His creative work.
• Adam’s sin affects all men—both physically and spiritually—this makes sense if the body and soul both come from the parents. connected.

God was done creating and had set a system of procreation; we see the same principle in Genesis 1:11-13
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.

John MacArthur said this in support of the traducian theory:
“While it is true that several verses speak of God making a person’s soul or spirit, that is also true for the body. David stated, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.… My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth” (Ps. 139:13, 15). These statements do not mean that the body is created directly by God apart from natural procreation. God is man’s Creator, but God also ordained human procreation for the filling of the earth (Gen. 1:28). God uses natural means for procreation, yet he is the Ultimate Cause of the process. As a complex unity of body and soul/spirit, our entire being, including the soul, is a result of the God-ordained procreation process.”

[Wechie]

REPLY TO RUTH
Knowledge is powerful; people perish for lack of knowledge. Like light knowledge illuminates’ one’s path. It impacts behavior. A poor or wrong knowledge can birth a wrong belief and practice.
3 Facts About Sin
1. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) or transgression of God’s will, either by omitting to do what God’s law requires or by doing what it forbids. The transgression can occur in thought (1 John 3:15), word (Matt 5:22), or deed (Rom 1:32).

2. Sin is a degeneracy from original good, not an original existence, creation, or generation; not by the Creator’s action, but by the creature’s defection (Eccl 7:29).

3. The Nature of sin is a state of our being that separates us from the holy God; biblically, sin is ultimately sin against God.

Sin is a degeneracy from original good, not an original existence, creation or generation; not by the creator’s action, but by the creature’s defection: this particular point has helped me personally in taking responsibility where sin is concerned rather than blaming God or even the devil.
I understand that God didn’t create man a sinner or with the nature of Sin, rather God gave man the gift of freewill. He didn’t want a relationship with a robot but with a being free to choose.
I am therefore fully responsible for what I decide to do with this freewill God gave me. It is up to me to choose God’s choice for me or do otherwise. Every day presents me with an opportunity to choose between pleasing God and pleasing self.
I recently had a conversation with someone who told me It was God who planned for man to sin. In his defense Eve couldn’t have eaten of the tree God asked her not to eat of, If God didn’t put the tree there. This therefore makes God responsible for man’s sin.
In other words, for every time man gets tempted and falls into sin, God is responsible. This friend believes that God should remove anything capable of tempting man to fall into sin away from man’s path. How Convenient; is it really a relationship if every responsibility is stripped off man? A typical example of what a wrong knowledge can do to a person.
I Understood even better from this course that Adam’s disobedience was a willful choice. It had nothing to do with God. I know this because the Man Jesus; the second Adam was also tempted just like the first Adam but choose the path of obedience.
Romans 5:12-14.
For everytime I am faced with a temptation, God is not responsible.
God has not only given me the freewill to choose, he has also graced me to overcome any temptation.
James 1:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

[Wechie]

Reply to Paul Praize

After I received Christ, I committed myself to Loving and serving God. I embraced every opportunity to serve,’’ No’’ was a word far from my mouth whenever kingdom business was concerned. However, at some point I realized I was prioritizing my work for God over my walk with God, even after realizing that, for some reason I remained adamant and continued with the flow.
At this time, I was studying Pharmacy; anyone who has passed through the faculty of health sciences in Uniport would understand how tasking it was to successfully graduate. I juggled this with numerous commitments in my fellowship and because of my lack of wisdom and adamant attitude I ended up repeating a class twice.
Anyone can easily forgive a first failure but not the second, obviously my family didn’t take it lightly.
My dad knowing my history of academic excellence was confused and blamed my church for my failures. In His words I had been brainwashed. He took a decision to take his hands off my education as there was no point wasting any more money.
Amidst all of these I prayed to God, I asked him for another chance, I knew I didn’t deserve it but still I asked for another opportunity where my academic pursuit was concerned, not only did I ask for another opportunity, I asked that this time I wanted to go abroad to study my dream course; Medicine.
Once again, the grace of God spoke on my behalf; My Dad months later agreed to sponsor my studies abroad. It didn’t make any sense to my Siblings that my dad would take such a risk but I knew it was God’s Grace at work.
I later travelled abroad to study Medicine; excelled in my academics, became one of the pioneers of the European Medical Association in my school, served Jesus wholeheartedly and pioneered a ministry that Impacted many lives for Christ.
Today by God’s grace, I am a fully Registered Medical Doctor in Nigeria and I am still pursuing purpose in Christ.
I am a product of God’s Grace
Exodus 34:6, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Hebrews 4:15-16.

[Wechie]

Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Jonah 3:1-10
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

God’s desire ultimately is that all men be saved. His purpose for man is that man walks in accordance to His ways. The theme of Scripture in summary is Salvation, God restoring man to fellowship and unbroken relationship to Him.
However, it is not in His character to impose on man to choose his plan and purpose for man.
God is both a God of Mercy and of Justice.

Therefore, the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore, He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18

And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:7-9

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

So, we see consistently that God is a God of Mercy. He is dynamic is His dealings with men in the sense that he is ever ready to listen to man’s plea for mercy. That doesn’t however change the fact that He is a God of Justice.

Like Henry C. Thiessen puts it;
“Immutability is not to be confused with immobility. God is active and enters into relationships with changing men. In these relationships it is necessary for an unchanging God to change in His dealings with changing men in order to remain unchangeable in His character and purposes”. Henry C. Thiessen

In his dynamicity in dealing with Men it’s important to note that His Character and purpose remains unchanged.
Now in the story of Nineveh we see God’s Character retained and yet we see him change His mind about His intended Judgement towards the people of Nineveh simply because He doesn’t shut his ears to a cry for Mercy. He welcomes repentance. He is a Merciful God.

Scripture tells us that the people of Nineveh repented at the Preaching of Jonah .

The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed, a greater than Jonah is here. Luke 11:32

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3;10

His ultimate purpose for the people of Nineveh was that they repent and be reconciled to Him. It does make sense that God relented from bringing the destruction he had threatened via His messenger Jonah.
Funny that Jonah was offended at the Lord’s compassion, but the Lord’s response to Jonah I believe would have brought a reset to Jonah’s thinking and should do same for us.

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:10-11.
See also Jonah 4:1-11.

Our God is Merciful!!!

[Wechie]

I believe a Man’s first encounter with the Holy spirit today, is in the preaching of the Gospel.
An instance where we see the conviction ministry of the Holy Spirit in in Acts 10:25-48
Peter had received an instruction to go preach the Gospel to Cornelius who was a Gentile.
When he yet spoke, they were convicted by the Spirit; they believed the Gospel.
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. Acts 10:44
Salvation precedes the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, it will be safe to say salvation took place (they believed the Gospel) while Peter yet preached such that it seemed that both the indwelling of the Spirit and the Baptism of the Spirit took place concurrently.
Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 5:1
3 THINGS IT PROVES
1. From the preaching of the Gospel via men to the Believing of the Gospel by men is by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, Acts 8:4
2. The conviction of the Holy Spirit leads a man to the point where he realizes that he is guilty and has to make the decision to be saved.
John 16:8-11, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Convict – To confute, admonish; convince, tell a fault, reprove.

3. This conviction by the Holy Spirit comes about by the preaching of the Gospel.
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 1 Peter 1:10-12

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

They will believe by the Spirit, He is the one who testifies of Jesus. He will convict the World of what Jesus has done in taking our place. He points man to the Sacrifice of Christ for Sin.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
The demonstration of the Spirit and power (when the word is preached) will produce faith.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

In conclusion; Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3

[Wechie]

The book of Hebrews follows just right after the book of Philemon which we clearly know is written by Paul. Also, we see that many of the thoughts of Hebrews is similar to those found in the Pauline epistles;
Let’s see some examples of the similarities
a. Hebrews 1: 3 and Colossians 1:15-17
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word Hebrews 1:3
Colossians 1:15 – 17
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
b. Hebrews 2:4 and 1Corinthians 12: 1
c. Hebrews 2:14-17 and Philippians 2:7-8
d. Hebrews 8:6 and 2 Corinthians 3:6
e. Hebrews 10: 14 and Romans 5:9,12:1
Without a closer look we might at this point allude to the fact that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews; however, I’ll consider the similarity to be Unity of doctrine by Paul and the Writer of Hebrew; which is one of the evidences of the authenticity of the Bible.

The Epistle of Hebrews fall under the general epistles for the following reasons;

1. Paul had a habit of introducing himself in his epistles. From the book of Romans all the way to Philemon, we see that pattern. But the author of Hebrews does not introduce himself as Paul typically did. See Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians. 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians. 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Colossians. 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Timothy. 1:1; and 2 Timothy. 1:1, Titus 1:1 and Philemon 1;1.

2. Its theology, though very compatible with that of the Pauline letters, is very distinctive. The apostle Paul, for instance, never alludes to Jesus as a priest, which is the major motif of Hebrews. In fact, Hebrews is the only New Testament writing to expound on Jesus as the Great High Priest and final sacrifice.

3. The style of Hebrews, except in the closing verses (13:18 – 25), is quite unlike any other writing of Paul’s that has survived.
i. In keeping with the style of a person well educated in formal rhetoric, the Greek of Hebrews is highly literary and very ornate.
ii. The vocabulary is sophisticated, and it includes 150 words that are not found elsewhere in the New Testament and 10 that do not occur in any other Greek writings that have survived for our study.
iii. The structure of the epistle conforms to conventions found in Greek rhetoric used when a speech was designed to persuade its audience to action. Much of this rhetorical achievement is lost when the original Greek of Hebrews is translated into modern language, but in the original it is elegant and euphonious Greek prose. The high rhetorical quality of Hebrews indicates that its author most likely had the most advanced literary education of any of the New Testament writers.

4. The way the author alludes to himself in Hebrews 2:3, stating that the gospel was confirmed “to us” by those who heard the Lord announce salvation.
The apostle Paul always made the point that, even though he wasn’t one of the twelve original disciples who walked with Jesus during his earthly life, he was nonetheless an apostle of Jesus Christ, and usually identifies himself as such in his letters. It seems unlikely that Paul here in 2:3 would refer to himself as simply someone who received the gospel from those who had heard the Lord.

In conclusion, the book of Hebrews was written by someone other than Paul .

Reference: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/who-wrote-the-book-of-hebrews

[Wechie]

5 PEOPLE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WHO WERE INSPIRED BY THE HOLY-SPIRIT AND WHAT HE ENABLED THEM ACHIEVE

1. Moses.

I: In the Writing of the First 5 books of the Bible; Genesis – Deuteronomy.
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21
‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness’ 2 Timothy 3:16.
Holy spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. They didn’t speak of their own accord. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit
Scriptures were first spoken before it was written. They were inspired to be written.
They were written for our learning. Romans 15:4
Moses wrote the first books of the Bible referred to as the Law.
The Law and the Prophets makes up the Old Testament.
‘And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself’. Luke 24:27.
Beginning at Moses would refer to the Books of the Bible written by Moses.
See also Exodus 17:14, Numbers 33:1-2, John 5;46-47, Romans 10:4.

2. Daniel
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.” Daniel 5:11-12
The Holy Spirit’s hand on Daniel caused Daniel to become an agent of change in the secular world by making him stand out amongst His peers. It also brought him recognition by those in authority. Daniel was an example of someone who brought the influence of the Kingdom to his sphere by simply positioning himself to receive from God; to be used by God. Daniel 1:8.
He was a clear proof we don’t need the pulpit to effect a change.
The Holy Spirit was Daniel’s advantage.
See also Daniel 5;14.

3. Saul
Was set apart for Leadership. He received an enablement to lead the people.

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. 1 Samuel 10:1

4. David
i. The Holy Spirt came upon David to set him apart for Leadership, ; He empowered Him to carry out the task required of a King

So, he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So, Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:12-13

ii. In the Writing of Scriptures (Psalms)
2 Samuel 23:1-7, Mark 12:36
David wrote the book of Psalm; He prophesied of things to come.
David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ Mark 12:36

5. Elisha
i. The Holy Spirit inspired Elisha to Prophesy of what is to come; Ezekiel 2Kings 3 :12-15
ii. He multiplied the Widows Oil and raises her Son from the dead 2Kings 4:1-7,18-37
iii. He ended a famine in Israel 2 Kings 7

[Wechie]

ANSWER
Further evidence of his mission and special relationship with God.
John 2;16,19,21-22
Jesus in verse 16 referred to the temple in Jerusalem where he met people buying as selling as ‘’His Father’s ‘’ house. The temple is a place where the Jews met to worship God, in order words it’s the temple of God, but Jesus referred to it as “His Father’s house” Recall that we earlier established that He had a special relationship with God. He was the first to lay claim to God as his father, hence this verse corroborates or further gives evidence to this special relationship.
When Jesus made the statement, his disciples caught on and recalled psalms 69: 9; The zeal of thine house has consumed me.
In verse 18 of the John 2 the Jewish religious leader challenged Jesus, inquiring what authority he had to do what he had just done and what sign he would show to prove it. Jesus’ response further gives evidence to his deity.
In verse 19 He said Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
Now the scripture didn’t leave us guessing what he meant rather in verses 21 and 22 of John 2 we see that he was referring to His death burial and resurrection which calls to mind his special mission as earlier mentioned.

John 14 :13-14
He claimed to have power to answer prayers;
Here Jesus first said prayers should be made in His name and then goes further to claim that he himself will do whatever is asked in His name. When we pray in Jesus name we acknowledge his deity. We pray in his authority.
Prayers are to be made in his name.
John 15 :16: Whatever we ask the father in Jesus Name we are assured of receiving.
When we pray in Jesus name we are praying for things in alignment to God’s will. We are praying to God on the basis of what Jesus has done, hence are assured of receiving the answers to our prayers.
1 John 5: 14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
See also John 16:23-24

Further evidence of his origin
John 6:38 – For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me.
John 3:31

[Wechie]

3 Effects of the fall of Man

1. Spiritual Death Gen3:7
Spiritual death refers to alienation from God who is our source. It is man displaced from his original environment which is God’s presence. When a person or thing is displaced from its intended environment it begins to malfunction. Gen 3:10, Gen 3:7.Gen 3:23.
By the guilt and power of sin, at that instant Adam willfully disobeyed God, he became dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1.
By the disobedience of Adam, we all became sinners as man began to begat children in man’s image and likeness. Gen 5:3. Man begat in a fallen image. Humanity was made in Adam therefore humanity was found in sin in Adam. By default, every man born into the world is born spiritually dead. The fall of man brought about a disconnect between man and his source (God). Spiritual death will bring about eternal death as it eliminates the possibility of eternity with God. Gen3:22, Rom6:23.

2. – Physical death: the death of the body which shall then begin in man by decays, infirmities etc. 1Cor 15:53-54. That is man shall become mortal. As stated in one of the new creation lessons “God is the source of life to the spirit and the spirit is the source of life to the body. So, if man is spiritually dead, physical death would occur by default.
Also Note that the body of man is not the not only thing that would experience decay and corruption but also creature. Romans 8:20-21. Adam’s sin brought the created order into death decay, corruption and futility. The fall of man brought damage to the body of man and to nature itself. See also 2cor5:1-5

3. The Punishment of Mankind Gen 3:16-23
When God placed man in the garden he gave him work to do. He was to dress the garden and keep it. Man was to eat from the garden he tended. Adam did it with ease and pleasure.
Work is part of God’s system to bless us. Gen 2:15-16.
However, the disobedience of Adam brought mankind into a life of “toil” as the earth became cursed. He is now to till the ground that has been cursed for his sake. Gen 17:23. Psalm 127:1-2
The man shall eat of the ground in sorrow. He will procure and eat bread amidst hard labor.
The woman would also now experience pain in child bearing and her desire will be for her husband, she will become subject to him. Gen 3:16.

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