7/14/2022
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
During the past 55 years, the Lord has taken me to a great number of charismatic churches, both predominantly white and predominantly black, across many states in America, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. In the majority of those visits, the Lord just asked me, "What do you see?" In the great majority of those visits, I saw a people who need a fresh vision of what the Lord is after and a people who have rarely, if ever, heard the true gospel, which goes far beyond Calvary and being "saved." Praise God for Calvary! Without that none of us can even enter the race. But that is just the beginning, not an end in itself.
Who are "the people?" the chosen people of God. We might add that where there is only a small vision, the people are weak and sickly and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30)
An increasing number of believers are seeing the many shortcomings and problems within the Church. But the pertinent question is, "Why? and what do we do about it?" I believe that one reason for the current state of the Church has been a lack of teaching of at least four important foundational truths ... truths which are vital for every believer after being baptized in the Holy Ghost. These four truths are: (1) a higher level of repentance, (2) the gospel of the kingdom of God, (3) the preaching of the cross, and (4) the difference between being born from above, being "in Christ," and Christ in you, the hope of glory, three distinct aspects of our growth or maturity as a believer.
In previous messages we have tried to emphasize the need for repentance so we will only summarize the higher level of repentance that the Lord is looking for. Repentance is for the baby Christian as well as for those who have walked with the Lord for perhaps many long years. We all must walk in a spirit of repentance daily. However, in due season, as we mature in Christ, a further veil should be removed and we are led into a deeper and higher level of repentance. The higher level of repentance has to do with the fact that we are a human being, born with the spiritual DNA of Adam. We must receive, by His grace, a vision of who He is in comparison with who we are. Then we must be convicted by the Holy Spirit of our need to repent.
Perhaps every believer can give a definition of the word, "repent." However, the higher level of repentance is that which Isaiah experienced in Isaiah, Chapter 6, after he received a revelation of the holiness of God as compared with the corrupt nature of man. In effect, Isaiah repented when he said, "Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell among a people of unclean lips." In other words, Isaiah repented because he was a man, not because he had done anything "wrong" or because he had said anything "wrong." Job did the same thing, as recorded in Job 42:5-6. The Adamic nature of man is iniquity, which will inevitably result in sins and failure. There is absolutely nothing about natural man that is acceptable to God. God made everything exactly the way He desired it to be in Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2, before the fall of Adam (and Eve). Whenever man corrupts that which God has created or started, God never makes that thing "better." Neither does He revive or restore it. Rather, God replaces that which man has corrupted by something better.
More than any anything else, repentance brings about a change of our allegiance. As unconverted sinners, our loyalty is to family, our nation and perhaps a sports club or some other entity. Of course, if we are really honest, our allegiance is to ourselves first more often than not. If we go to a restaurant, we order what we like. We buy a car that we like. We watch on TV what we like. We do what we like. We go to a church that we like.
The human mind can be woefully fickle and at times its thoughts utterly futile. One of the radical changes that repentance brings therefore is to change the reliance we have on the power of our intellect and rational thinking. To rely on natural intelligence and wisdom so prone to error or trust in its mental opinions and viewpoints is really the height of arrogance. Even long held, cherished beliefs, often gained from those regarded as the "wise of this world," are to be discarded when they contradict revealed truths of Scripture. Scripture describes the wise of this world as "darkened in their understanding" because of "blindness of heart" (Ephesians 4:18). If we genuinely decide to walk in repentance, it is necessary to give up those ways that seem right to a man but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 16:25).
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. This change from reliance on knowledge gained from a humanistic and a mechanistic understanding of the world is critical if we are to wholeheartedly assent to the Bible as our reference of truth. We must humble ourselves before the infallible truths and realities of Scripture, properly interpreted, and accept them over any and all natural-level reasoning or arguments.
This transformation in our "belief system" is a "work in progress", only realized as we grow in faith, and most importantly, as we grow in the humility required to discard what we previously held dear and trustworthy. Without a truly humble heart, we will never put off the natural, carnal understanding of this world to accept the divine. A true adage is, "the more we know, the more we realize the less we understand". A Christian is to be a disciple (a "learner") who will "take My yoke and learn of Me" (Matthew 11:29) as Jesus asked. To learn from Him demands true openness of mind, a characteristic of the humble. Now this is not to say the mind and its faculties are to be ignored. We are not asked to discard all rational thought, but not to "lean on our understanding"; that is, not put our full confidence in or depend upon it. The mind and intellect are to be put "in their place" so they henceforth will not be the final authority in any consideration and judgment. The mind can be a good servant but is a bad master.
Of course, differences exist among scholars over what the bible teaches and the doctrines to be held. I am not suggesting this change in what we believe is a simple matter or even a quick one. For most of us, it is a lifelong task of constantly overcoming a mind that wants to be carnal, proud and overly logical to the detriment of "the wisdom that is from above" (James 3.17). Despite the movement in "post-modernism", which basically says there are no absolute values, much of the church's teaching still largely relies upon "rationalism" and "critical thinking." I am not advocating mindless, unthinking acceptance of what is proclaimed as the teaching of Scripture; we are to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). But in order to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2) and discern what is truth, we are to "weigh" these things with our spiritual faculties. In a world where "human intellect" still rules as king this "renewing of the mind" is a lifelong undertaking. Interestingly, for natural Israel to possess their inheritance the first giants and kings to be conquered dwelled in cities with names that mean "reason" or "intelligence" (Joshua 11:1; 12:2). Unless Israel gained victory over these enemies first, any further progress in possessing what was rightfully theirs would fail.
The next vital truth is that there is a significant difference between being "saved" and going to heaven one day on the one hand as compared to entering the kingdom of God on the other hand. They are not the same. Unfortunately, some pastors believe that once we are "saved" we are automatically in the kingdom of God. That is just not true; that perspective is based on ignorance, a lack of understanding, and the traditions of man. There are a multitude of Scriptures which clearly differentiate the two. Also, have you ever considered that both John the Baptist and Jesus preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" before Calvary? In reality, Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God from Genesis through Revelation.
A third, major foundational lack is the absence of the preaching of the cross. Paul said,
Paul was not talking about Calvary. He was talking about the in-working of the cross within each believer. In effect, the working of the cross within a believer, by the power of the Holy Ghost, is the only means toward entering the kingdom of God. There is nothing about the self-efforts of us Christians that will ever produce anything except wood, hay, and stubble, all of which will one day be burnt up.
Given the importance of those foundational truths, do you find it strange that so few ministers teach or preach on those truths (repentance, the kingdom of God, and the preaching of the cross)? Could it be that ministers just assume every born-again believer already knows and walks in those truths? If those assumptions are true, then why do we see such a disarray within the churches today?
Now we must mention perhaps the greatest Scriptural truth of them all ... namely the centrality, the pre-eminence, the supremacy, and the sovereignty, of God. That is a topic worthy of a book.
When anyone begins to build a house, the first thing that must be done is to lay a firm, solid foundation. That foundation must be even or level and capable of supporting the structure that is built upon it. Jesus Christ is called a foundation in both the Old and New Testaments.
The precious corner stone, which is a sure foundation, is none other than the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Note that Verse does not say that we are built upon the teaching or preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, but rather on the Lord Himself. It is interesting that the developing or building on the sure foundation is not quickly accomplished, because "he shall not make haste."
The Old Testament and New Testament both agree that the true foundation of the Christian life is Jesus Christ Himself ... nothing else and no one else. The foundation is not a creed, not a doctrine, not a denomination, not a ritual or ceremony. Christ is THE foundation on which the church is built.
In olden times in Israel, a covenant was made between two parties when they both passed through pieces of animals. This is described in Jeremiah 34:18. Note, however, that Abraham never passed through the pieces in Genesis 15:17. Christ is the foundation of the covenant of grace made with those whom He calls. The smoking furnace and the burning lamp are the Father and the Son. That covenant of grace was made between the Father and the Son. That is the covenant that we enter into when we are born from above.
Christ is the SURE foundation, on whom His people can safely and securely rest. He also has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us, although it is possible that we can leave Him because we have free will. He is the corner stone that unites all parts of the building together. He is the tried stone that has never and will never crack nor shift underneath the structure built upon Him.
David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, in Psalm 62:1-2, 5-7,
Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, came into this world as a man; He came with a completely and truly human nature. As a man He lived a sinless life; He defeated sin; in Him sin was conquered and vanquished. He brought to His Father a life of perfect obedience and perfect fulfillment of the law. Because Jesus was fully a man, just as we were one with Adam through a physical connection, we are now one with Christ through a spiritual connection. Just as we were involved in Adam's sin, we are now involved in the perfection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul speaks of these things in the book of Romans.
There is no higher occupation than to walk with God on a daily basis. Enoch walked with God and God translated him out of this earthly kingdom. If we as believers walk with God we too are translated into another kingdom.
Many years ago I read a good illustration or analogy of the difference in importance of who someone IS as compared to what they DO. The man who has a wife in the home greatly appreciates her cooking, cleaning, washing, and ironing. But she, herself, is far more important to him than what she does! Actually, if the wife senses that her husband appreciates her primarily for her household chores, some rocky times are ahead for that couple (which in the natural realm frequently leads to divorce). It is the importance of the person that gives meaning to the work. Lord, give us a deeper revelation of Who you are!
We noted earlier from Isaiah 28:16 that we are built upon the foundation of the Lord Himself. Likewise, Verse 20 in Ephesians 2 does not say that we are built upon the teaching, preaching, and doctrine of the apostles and prophets. Two possible meanings of Verse 20 are: (1) We are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, and (2) We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets themselves, which were laid by God. The latter interpretation is a mystery and is completely in the spiritual realm. I believe that both meanings are true. Paul said, in
When Paul said that he has laid the foundation, he, of course, does not mean that he preceded the Lord Himself. Man, even Paul or any true apostle or prophet, can only confirm that which God has spoken.
When Jesus walked the face of the earth, He even spoke that truth concerning Himself.
Jesus also said that even when the Holy Spirit is come (at Pentecost), that He also would only speak that which He heard from the Father.
That is also why the apostle John could say,
"The anointing which we have received of Him" is the Holy Ghost, given at Pentecost. Some times you may have someone say, "Boy, that preacher was really anointed today; or that was certainly an anointed message." We need to be a little careful because the natural man is not anointed. The word "Christ" means "the anointed One". The anointing is only on Christ the Man or on the Christ within a true believer.
Given all that I have shared so far, one of the best Scriptural responses on our part toward the centrality, the pre-eminence, the sovereignty, and the supremacy of the Lord Jesus was declared by the apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:7-11.
May God be merciful to us! And may none of us be disobedient to that heavenly Vision, which is the Lord Himself. May His kingdom come and His will be done within each of us.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18
Who are "the people?" the chosen people of God. We might add that where there is only a small vision, the people are weak and sickly and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30)
An increasing number of believers are seeing the many shortcomings and problems within the Church. But the pertinent question is, "Why? and what do we do about it?" I believe that one reason for the current state of the Church has been a lack of teaching of at least four important foundational truths ... truths which are vital for every believer after being baptized in the Holy Ghost. These four truths are: (1) a higher level of repentance, (2) the gospel of the kingdom of God, (3) the preaching of the cross, and (4) the difference between being born from above, being "in Christ," and Christ in you, the hope of glory, three distinct aspects of our growth or maturity as a believer.
In previous messages we have tried to emphasize the need for repentance so we will only summarize the higher level of repentance that the Lord is looking for. Repentance is for the baby Christian as well as for those who have walked with the Lord for perhaps many long years. We all must walk in a spirit of repentance daily. However, in due season, as we mature in Christ, a further veil should be removed and we are led into a deeper and higher level of repentance. The higher level of repentance has to do with the fact that we are a human being, born with the spiritual DNA of Adam. We must receive, by His grace, a vision of who He is in comparison with who we are. Then we must be convicted by the Holy Spirit of our need to repent.
Perhaps every believer can give a definition of the word, "repent." However, the higher level of repentance is that which Isaiah experienced in Isaiah, Chapter 6, after he received a revelation of the holiness of God as compared with the corrupt nature of man. In effect, Isaiah repented when he said, "Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell among a people of unclean lips." In other words, Isaiah repented because he was a man, not because he had done anything "wrong" or because he had said anything "wrong." Job did the same thing, as recorded in Job 42:5-6. The Adamic nature of man is iniquity, which will inevitably result in sins and failure. There is absolutely nothing about natural man that is acceptable to God. God made everything exactly the way He desired it to be in Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2, before the fall of Adam (and Eve). Whenever man corrupts that which God has created or started, God never makes that thing "better." Neither does He revive or restore it. Rather, God replaces that which man has corrupted by something better.
More than any anything else, repentance brings about a change of our allegiance. As unconverted sinners, our loyalty is to family, our nation and perhaps a sports club or some other entity. Of course, if we are really honest, our allegiance is to ourselves first more often than not. If we go to a restaurant, we order what we like. We buy a car that we like. We watch on TV what we like. We do what we like. We go to a church that we like.
The human mind can be woefully fickle and at times its thoughts utterly futile. One of the radical changes that repentance brings therefore is to change the reliance we have on the power of our intellect and rational thinking. To rely on natural intelligence and wisdom so prone to error or trust in its mental opinions and viewpoints is really the height of arrogance. Even long held, cherished beliefs, often gained from those regarded as the "wise of this world," are to be discarded when they contradict revealed truths of Scripture. Scripture describes the wise of this world as "darkened in their understanding" because of "blindness of heart" (Ephesians 4:18). If we genuinely decide to walk in repentance, it is necessary to give up those ways that seem right to a man but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 16:25).
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. This change from reliance on knowledge gained from a humanistic and a mechanistic understanding of the world is critical if we are to wholeheartedly assent to the Bible as our reference of truth. We must humble ourselves before the infallible truths and realities of Scripture, properly interpreted, and accept them over any and all natural-level reasoning or arguments.
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
This transformation in our "belief system" is a "work in progress", only realized as we grow in faith, and most importantly, as we grow in the humility required to discard what we previously held dear and trustworthy. Without a truly humble heart, we will never put off the natural, carnal understanding of this world to accept the divine. A true adage is, "the more we know, the more we realize the less we understand". A Christian is to be a disciple (a "learner") who will "take My yoke and learn of Me" (Matthew 11:29) as Jesus asked. To learn from Him demands true openness of mind, a characteristic of the humble. Now this is not to say the mind and its faculties are to be ignored. We are not asked to discard all rational thought, but not to "lean on our understanding"; that is, not put our full confidence in or depend upon it. The mind and intellect are to be put "in their place" so they henceforth will not be the final authority in any consideration and judgment. The mind can be a good servant but is a bad master.
Of course, differences exist among scholars over what the bible teaches and the doctrines to be held. I am not suggesting this change in what we believe is a simple matter or even a quick one. For most of us, it is a lifelong task of constantly overcoming a mind that wants to be carnal, proud and overly logical to the detriment of "the wisdom that is from above" (James 3.17). Despite the movement in "post-modernism", which basically says there are no absolute values, much of the church's teaching still largely relies upon "rationalism" and "critical thinking." I am not advocating mindless, unthinking acceptance of what is proclaimed as the teaching of Scripture; we are to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). But in order to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2) and discern what is truth, we are to "weigh" these things with our spiritual faculties. In a world where "human intellect" still rules as king this "renewing of the mind" is a lifelong undertaking. Interestingly, for natural Israel to possess their inheritance the first giants and kings to be conquered dwelled in cities with names that mean "reason" or "intelligence" (Joshua 11:1; 12:2). Unless Israel gained victory over these enemies first, any further progress in possessing what was rightfully theirs would fail.
The next vital truth is that there is a significant difference between being "saved" and going to heaven one day on the one hand as compared to entering the kingdom of God on the other hand. They are not the same. Unfortunately, some pastors believe that once we are "saved" we are automatically in the kingdom of God. That is just not true; that perspective is based on ignorance, a lack of understanding, and the traditions of man. There are a multitude of Scriptures which clearly differentiate the two. Also, have you ever considered that both John the Baptist and Jesus preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" before Calvary? In reality, Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God from Genesis through Revelation.
A third, major foundational lack is the absence of the preaching of the cross. Paul said,
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish [are perishing] foolishness; but unto us which are saved [being saved] it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Paul was not talking about Calvary. He was talking about the in-working of the cross within each believer. In effect, the working of the cross within a believer, by the power of the Holy Ghost, is the only means toward entering the kingdom of God. There is nothing about the self-efforts of us Christians that will ever produce anything except wood, hay, and stubble, all of which will one day be burnt up.
Given the importance of those foundational truths, do you find it strange that so few ministers teach or preach on those truths (repentance, the kingdom of God, and the preaching of the cross)? Could it be that ministers just assume every born-again believer already knows and walks in those truths? If those assumptions are true, then why do we see such a disarray within the churches today?
Now we must mention perhaps the greatest Scriptural truth of them all ... namely the centrality, the pre-eminence, the supremacy, and the sovereignty, of God. That is a topic worthy of a book.
Romans 11:33-36.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
When anyone begins to build a house, the first thing that must be done is to lay a firm, solid foundation. That foundation must be even or level and capable of supporting the structure that is built upon it. Jesus Christ is called a foundation in both the Old and New Testaments.
Isaiah 28:16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
The precious corner stone, which is a sure foundation, is none other than the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Note that Verse does not say that we are built upon the teaching or preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, but rather on the Lord Himself. It is interesting that the developing or building on the sure foundation is not quickly accomplished, because "he shall not make haste."
Isaiah 28:10. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:1 Corinthians 3:11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.1 Peter 2:4-6, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded."
The Old Testament and New Testament both agree that the true foundation of the Christian life is Jesus Christ Himself ... nothing else and no one else. The foundation is not a creed, not a doctrine, not a denomination, not a ritual or ceremony. Christ is THE foundation on which the church is built.
Genesis 15:12. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
In olden times in Israel, a covenant was made between two parties when they both passed through pieces of animals. This is described in Jeremiah 34:18. Note, however, that Abraham never passed through the pieces in Genesis 15:17. Christ is the foundation of the covenant of grace made with those whom He calls. The smoking furnace and the burning lamp are the Father and the Son. That covenant of grace was made between the Father and the Son. That is the covenant that we enter into when we are born from above.
Christ is the SURE foundation, on whom His people can safely and securely rest. He also has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us, although it is possible that we can leave Him because we have free will. He is the corner stone that unites all parts of the building together. He is the tried stone that has never and will never crack nor shift underneath the structure built upon Him.
Luke 6:47-48, "Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2:19
David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, in Psalm 62:1-2, 5-7,
1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Acts 4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, came into this world as a man; He came with a completely and truly human nature. As a man He lived a sinless life; He defeated sin; in Him sin was conquered and vanquished. He brought to His Father a life of perfect obedience and perfect fulfillment of the law. Because Jesus was fully a man, just as we were one with Adam through a physical connection, we are now one with Christ through a spiritual connection. Just as we were involved in Adam's sin, we are now involved in the perfection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul speaks of these things in the book of Romans.
There is no higher occupation than to walk with God on a daily basis. Enoch walked with God and God translated him out of this earthly kingdom. If we as believers walk with God we too are translated into another kingdom.
Colossians 1:12-13, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:"
The Kingdom of His dear Son is His Body, the Church. After the Lord completes, in time, the building of His Church, then,
1 Corinthians 15:28, And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Many years ago I read a good illustration or analogy of the difference in importance of who someone IS as compared to what they DO. The man who has a wife in the home greatly appreciates her cooking, cleaning, washing, and ironing. But she, herself, is far more important to him than what she does! Actually, if the wife senses that her husband appreciates her primarily for her household chores, some rocky times are ahead for that couple (which in the natural realm frequently leads to divorce). It is the importance of the person that gives meaning to the work. Lord, give us a deeper revelation of Who you are!
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:19-20
We noted earlier from Isaiah 28:16 that we are built upon the foundation of the Lord Himself. Likewise, Verse 20 in Ephesians 2 does not say that we are built upon the teaching, preaching, and doctrine of the apostles and prophets. Two possible meanings of Verse 20 are: (1) We are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, and (2) We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets themselves, which were laid by God. The latter interpretation is a mystery and is completely in the spiritual realm. I believe that both meanings are true. Paul said, in
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
When Paul said that he has laid the foundation, he, of course, does not mean that he preceded the Lord Himself. Man, even Paul or any true apostle or prophet, can only confirm that which God has spoken.
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; Hebrews 2:3
When Jesus walked the face of the earth, He even spoke that truth concerning Himself.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of [from] Him.28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.38 I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. John 8:26, 28, 38
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of [with] My Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15
Jesus also said that even when the Holy Spirit is come (at Pentecost), that He also would only speak that which He heard from the Father.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. John 16:13
That is also why the apostle John could say,
But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 1 John 2:27
"The anointing which we have received of Him" is the Holy Ghost, given at Pentecost. Some times you may have someone say, "Boy, that preacher was really anointed today; or that was certainly an anointed message." We need to be a little careful because the natural man is not anointed. The word "Christ" means "the anointed One". The anointing is only on Christ the Man or on the Christ within a true believer.
Given all that I have shared so far, one of the best Scriptural responses on our part toward the centrality, the pre-eminence, the sovereignty, and the supremacy of the Lord Jesus was declared by the apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:7-11.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
May God be merciful to us! And may none of us be disobedient to that heavenly Vision, which is the Lord Himself. May His kingdom come and His will be done within each of us.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 28, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
