[Wechie]

Oh yes
Urgency Urgency Urgency.
The first thing that comes to mind is the scripture 1 Timothy 2:4 TPT
[4] He longs for everyone to embrace his life and return to the full knowledge of the truth.

The thought of His coming gets me pondering ; how involved have I been in seeing the lost saved;preaching the Gospel to the unsaved?

Have I been intentional about preaching the gospel to the lost ? For Christ desires that all men be saved .

Secondly, what has been the posture of my heart towards service in God’s vine yard and to work in general? Will my works pass through the fire or will they be burnt?

I think of what it would feel like to hear God say to me ” Well-done good and faithful servant”.

I ponder if I have been a faithful servant.

I also ponder, ; If Christ desires that all come to the knowledge of truth, how involved have I been in discipling new converts?

Thirdly,How has my character been a tool to draw people nearer to Christ. Is my everyday life glorifying God. Am I exhibiting the fruits of the spirit ; Am I yielding to God’s word day to day .

Am I a true disciple of Christ myself ; Am I an example of believers in words , in conversations, in charity ,in spirit,in faith,in purity ?

I am spurred to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God that is working in me both to will and to do of his good pleasure .

When I think of the coming of Christ, I am filled with so much joy/expectations and I’m also re-awakened to my consecration and responsibility as a Believer .

[Wechie]

Oh yes
Urgency Urgency Urgency.
The first thing that comes to mind is the scripture 1 Timothy 2:4 TPT
[4] He longs for everyone to embrace his life and return to the full knowledge of the truth.

The thought of His coming gets me pondering ; how involved have I been in seeing the lost saved;preaching the Gospel to the unsaved?

Have I been intentional about preaching the gospel to the lost ? For Christ desires that all men be saved .

Secondly, what has been the posture of my heart towards service in God’s vine yard and to work in general? Will my works pass through the fire or will they be burnt?

I think of what it would feel like to hear God say to me ” Well-done good and faithful servant”.

I ponder if I have been a faithful servant.

I also ponder, ; If Christ desires that all come to the knowledge of truth, how involved have I been in discipling new converts?

Thirdly,How has my character been a tool to draw people nearer to Christ. Is my everyday life glorifying God. Am I exhibiting the fruits of the spirit ; Am I yielding to God’s word day to day .

Am I a true disciple of Christ myself ; Am I an example of believers in words , in conversations, in charity ,in spirit,in faith,in purity ?

I am spurred to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God that is working in me both to will and to do of his good pleasure .

When I think of the coming of Christ, I am filled with so much joy/expectations and I’m also re-awakened to my consecration and responsibility as a Believer .

[Wechie]

You are right Pastor Paul, whatever position we take doesn’t affect our Salvation in any way.

I’d like to add that throughout scriptures we see the use of different types of pictures :types, shadows, parables, metaphors/symbols and allegories to communicate scriptural truths.

A symbol is an object or signal that stands for something else.It is a visible reference for an invisible thing.

The purpose of a symbol is to illuminate one particular side of the truth and not to provide the foundation of any doctrine.

We see believers referred to as Sons . The imagery of “Sonship” is used in Galatians to drive home a biblical truth. Sons here refers to both male and female believers. We do not see the imagery of “daughter-ship”.

Here a masculine term is used in referring to believers.

The Church; The Bride of Christ.

This refers to the church in a feminine term.

The Bride is somewhat a futuristic symbol of the church.

The new testament contains numerous allusions to the church as the bride. The most complete of these is Ephesians 5:23-31.

The imagery and symbolism of marriage is applied to Christ and the body of believers known as the church. The church is comprised of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and have received eternal life. Christ, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the church to be His bride (Ephesians 5:25–27). Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so is the bride of Christ separate from her Bridegroom during the church age. Her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Him (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24). At the rapture, the church will be united with the Bridegroom and the official “wedding ceremony” will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Revelation 19:7–9; 21:1-2).

Attending the wedding feast will be not only the Church as the Bride of Christ, but others as well. The “others” include the Old Testament saints—they will not have been resurrected yet, but their souls/spirits will be in heaven with us. As the angel told John to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).

A bride and a groom are not invited to their own wedding so obviously, there are attendees at the marriage supper who are neither the bride or the groom.

In John 3, John the Baptist called himself a friend of the Bridegroom. This may give us an idea of who the guests at the Marriage Supper in Heaven are. The Old Testament saints will be guests at the Marriage Supper in heaven. That should reinforce the special privilege we have in being the Blood-bought holy nation that is the Church of Jesus Christ, His Bride. The marriage supper of the Lamb is a glorious celebration of all who are in Christ!

In summary ,the church is not only referred to using feminine terms. Each metaphor is teaching a specific spiritual truth that cannot be explained any other way. They are not inclusive, cumulative, or exclusive. They stand independent of each other, yet all work together to help the believers understand who we are, what we have ,what we are to do / be in this world and what the future holds for us.

The Old Testament saints will be guests/witnesses at the Marriage Supper in heaven. The Bride do not not include the Old Testament saints. The Church is the Bride.

[Wechie]

I love how you cited examples of good works.
I’d like to add that Ephesians 2:8–9 is clear that salvation does not come by works. But we miss the full implications of salvation if we stop reading in verse 9. Our works do not earn our salvation but our salvation should indeed lead us to a life of good works, works God has prepared “for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 starts with the phrase “For we are God’s handiwork.” The word “for” connects verse 10 with what precedes it, especially the fact that we have been saved by grace.
Yes, we are saved by God’s grace however receiving this gift means living with and for God in a new way. The Greek reads, “in order that we might walk in them,” thus ending 2:1–10 as it began, with a description of how we walk or live. When we receive this grace, we aren’t merely delivered from a bad way of living into some kind of neutral existence. Rather, we are created anew in Christ for a new way of living, a way embodied in good works.

Good works prepared beforehand ; The purpose of God’s creative activity is not merely to have a people, as if he were constructing a work of art. Rather, this new creation is to be active and productive like the Creator. Christians are “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (contrast to Ephesians 2:2). Salvation is not from works, but it surely is for works, that is, living obediently and productively. In keeping with Ephesians 1:3–14 on God’s planning, choosing, and acting, this verse shows God planned and acted not only to save, but also to mark out the way we should live. John Stott’s words are not too strong: “Good works are indispensable to salvation—not as its ground or means … but as its consequence and evidence.”
God prepared these works for people to do, and they are a way to glorify God.

This “good works “spoken of is possible by an active relationship with Christ. As we fellowship with Christ , engage the Word, spend time communing with Him on the place of prayer,we become more and more like him in our expressions. Our character aligns more and more to His.
We desire to please him. Doing his will becomes our ambition.
We begin to think God-thought, take God-step. We lay aside habits and characters that are not in sync with our new identity. When this begins to happen even those who were not there when we accepted Christ will recognise that a good change has taken place.
That in itself sends a message to those around that an encounter with Christ transforms a man.
It’s a non verbal way of preaching Christ.
In our walk with men, unlike God they don’t see our hearts, they can’t figure out our motives.
Our Actions are rather what is seen. The posture of heart matters to God, however it has to translate to Actions for it to have an impact on those around us.

[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

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