(03/29/2013) Separated and Sealed?

      Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, keeping pledges and promises to the church, and the role of apostles concerning spiritual gifts are topics along with more on the passion of Christ at Gethsemane. A “Yahoo! Answers” Top Contributor using ID “cricketlady” (Level 7 with 109,398 points, a member since February 9, 2009) posted the following:

Who were the two people That God struck dead because they did Not keep their word?

There was this person or persons in the Old Testament that promised God that if they could sell a plot of ground that they would give all the money to “someone” and they sold the plot of ground and they kept part of the money it sold for. And God struck them Dead because they had lied. I believe they were even Asked~~”Is this all the money Or all that you got for the plot of ground: and the lied and said Yes.

Additional Details

And what was the role of Peter in the New Testament??

THE BATTLE AXE: The Passion at Gethsemane (03/28/2013)—Just as Jesus endured many experiences of inner disquiet that could only be resolved through prayer, reflection and unselfish service, every believer must experience unresolved spiritual events. What we typically call a “crisis of faith” in fact may be “such as is common to man,” and an aspect of spiritual growth that should be regarded as customary, predictable and standard (see again Psalms 37: 1-40, KJV). Only where properly anchored in things past and strengthened though the indwelling spirit, are followers of Christ able to embrace all the things that are ongoing as well as things prophesied and things yet to come. Where Jesus was in agony and sorrowed, it was not from self-pity, a notion that his ministry had failed, or for fear of suffering and death. His inner nature was resisting and fighting off the transformation whereby he would portray all sin upon the cross, and he was increasingly aware that the Father’s withdrawal had begun (see 2nd Corinthians 5: 21, 2nd Chronicles 24: 20, Psalm 22: 1, Mark 15: 34, KJV). His prayer vigil and submission at Gethsemane would also be Jesus’ answer to charges by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin that he was guilty of defiance, rebellion and blasphemy (see Matthew 26: 58-68, KJV).

  

THE GOLDEN ARROW: I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. (Isaiah 63: 7-10, KNV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Caesarea Philippi (10/22/2012); Upon This Rock (02/21/2012); Why Only Luke? (02/22/2012); Returning To GOD (02/23/2012); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Sin Against The Spirit (01/26/2012); Blasphemy? (03/06/2011); In The Rain? (03/07/2011); Conspiracy? (12/08/2010); Lost Faith? (12/09/2010); False Witness? (10/31/2010); Bible Complete? (11/01/2010)

      A husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira, are reported having “lied to the Holy Ghost” in Acts chapter 5, King James Version. The nature of their sin went beyond betrayal of the early church community, covetousness, debt, disorderly conduct, fraud, and perjury. The pair demonstrated blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. As new creatures alive in ongoing judgment before GOD through the Spirit of Jesus, the pair annulled their rebirth, broke covenant with the congregation of believers, and denied union with the Father and the Son. The two had no other source for life, and so, dropped dead as victims of their own choices for materialism. Given it is the absolute and total rejection of divinity, blasphemy against the Holy Ghost places a seal upon ones inner nature so that there can never be the rebirth and repentance that comes only by the operation of the Holy Spirit. The grace of GOD is permanently refused (see again 2nd Chronicles 24: 20 and Hebrews 10: 23-31, KJV).

      As an apostle, Peter had learned directly from Jesus as a constant companion, such that Peter was a living ark of testimony. While the work of the apostles did include baptizing new believers, exorcism, healing, preaching, and establishing new local congregations, their preeminence was that they had been specially prepared to serve as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, and as witnesses for the Advent of the Holy Spirit. Peter, John and others were not given authority to bestow or remove the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. However, their demonstrations and prayers for others to receive the Spirit were usually answered; and the apostles then certified whether the manifestations were the same as those at Pentecost.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, Ananias and Sapphira are figures (types) like Adam and Eve. Neither pair assigned right value (judgment) upon their inheritance from GOD (the Holy Spirit that covered their nakedness, and the Holy Ghost that fell on Pentecost). Therefore, righteous judgments from GOD were revealed to admonish, benefit and guide all who thereafter would be endowed with spiritual gifts from GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/28/2013) The Passion at Gethsemane

      Focus, today, is upon the passion of Christ, and there is more on the Advent of the Holy Spirit. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Billy” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since March 27, 2013) posted the following:

Why did jesus sweat blood?

THE BATTLE AXE: The Spirit and Pentecost (03/27/2013)—The holy seeds planted by Christ were words of proclamation, promise, and prophecy while the actual harvest was to be the glory of the earth contained as the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD. Called the “promise of the father” (see Acts 1: 4 and 8, KJV), the Comforter (John 14: 26, KJV) and the Spirit of Truth (John 15: 26, KJV), the Spirit found in Jesus was to indwell and transform mankind. The entire Holy Spirit as a person of the GODhead cannot be deposited into mankind. However, mankind receives peculiar gifts that are divine substance representing the life of Jesus, and permitting the further revelation of GOD. As joint-heirs with Jesus, only partial authority and power are bestowed upon mankind, while Christ as the firstborn from death is exalted and preeminent above all (Matthew 28: 17-19 and Colossians 1: 18, King James Version).

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. (2nd Samuel 15: 30, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Accomplished in Christ? (01/16/2013); The Need to Purify Heaven (01/17/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012); (09/15/2011) Dispatch 36: His Grace; (08/24/2011) Dispatch 16: The Ally (Wounded); To Save Jesus? (03/12/2011); Having Life? (03/13/2011); The Lord’s Prayer (12/18/2010); Awesomeness? (12/19/2010)

      Billy, many mature Christian believers understand the passion and suffering of Jesus began immediately following the last Passover meal and introduction of the Lord’s Supper that we call “Holy Communion.” His thoughts regarding the purposes of GOD became increasingly troubled and unclear. Jesus did not doubt, yet, he experienced a frightening uncertainty, and an overwhelming sense of sorrow. The agony of crucifixion began within his spirit through the separation for betrayal that was committed by Judas. Just as the rebellion of Absalom against his father King David displayed the wrath of GOD against David in particular, against his entire household and against the covenant nation, Judas leaving the assembly depicts the rejection of Christ by the Temple elders, by all Israel, and by the world as described through the Roman Empire. More than this, Jesus again saw the unchanging wrath of GOD against sin leveled against all the earth as at Noah’s day, and that, both the condemnation and salvation for mankind was being sealed.

      The holy writings report his prayers at that time (see Matthew 26: 36-46 and Mark 14: 32-43, KJV). Specifically we read: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (See Luke 22: 44, King James Version.) Many read this as saying, Jesus was pouring out his life as he prayed. More correctly, the aspects of flesh are brought into view, for sweat represents effort (works rather than faith) as well as uncleanness (we say “dis- fellowship,” “enmity” and “sin”). His mortality is affirmed, and his death is again foreshadowed as the sweat is swallowed up by the earth (from dust thou art…).

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, in spirit, the trial initiated by Judas was a continuation of the trial from Satan that followed the baptism by John at the Jordan River (e.g., Matthew 4: 1-11, KJV). Many things were unknown to Jesus, and he had to go forward on the basis of his faith not having seen or heard the testimony from heaven that had been given to John (the dove, the voice). Forty burning days and freezing desert nights without food and drinks challenged Jesus to commit himself to a total dependence upon GOD, as would the lash, the crown of thorns, the nails and splinters of the cross.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC