An Apostles Testimony

An Apostles Testimony

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

We write this to make our joy complete." 1John 1:1-4  

Here in a nutshell is what John himself a disciple of Christ actually seen and believes.

He testifies to have actually been with Christ. Here is a man that more than likely received a physical hug of friendship from Christ himself. Who shared meals with Jesus, who even seen him crucified and spoke with him after he rose from the dead.

John truly knew Christ intimately. 

He testifies that Jesus is the life. John States,

"...we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us."  John makes it clear why he is writing this,

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."

John after spending three years with Jesus. Was convinced beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was indeed God in the flesh.

The way I see it is either the apostle John was fooled and is believing a monumental lie that to day is believed by almost a third of the worlds population, Or John is perpetuating a lie made up by the apostles. 

As for me I believe that Jesus is Gods one and only Son. The Saviour of mankind. But that is me. You dear reader must decide for yourself who Jesus is.

Please take time to read the New Testament and find out what those early writers believed about Jesus. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.

Please at least think about it.

Do you even believe?

 Do you even believe?

In Lukes Gospel we read,

Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:28-32.

Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the temple as was required by law to dedicate him to God. While there Simeon the prophet came over took the child in his arms and proclaimed that, Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Proclaiming, 

  "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 29-32.

Christmas is but a few days away as I write this. For me Christmas and Easter are the most important days on the Christian calendar. One, Christmas, is the day God through His one and Only Son Jesus Christ came into the world. Beginning the process that would end at Easter thirty-three years later with Christs death and resurrection. For the salvation of all who would believe in Him.

In Jesus we see God in his grace reaching down to His creation. The apostle Paul pointing out,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

As Jesus put it,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.". John 3:16,17.

Thus the questions I have for you dear reader is,

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? 

Do you believe that Jesus came into this world to Give you eternal life?

Do you even believe in Jesus?

Please think about it.

Why we celebrate Christmas

 Why we celebrate Christmas

We celebrate because Jesus speaking of himself said,

"For God so loved the world

 that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him 

shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him. 

                                           John 3:16,17.

We celebrate because by the grace of God we may enter heaven. The apostle Paul writing,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast."

                                                                     Ephesians 2:8,9.

We celebrate because the Apostle Paul tells us,

"You see, at just the right time,

when we were still powerless, 

Christ died for the ungodly"

                                       Romans 5:6.

We believe what the apostle John writes,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13. 

Do you believe this

Please think about it.

A Biblical Issue

 A Biblical issue

In the book of Leviticus we read,

" ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.

God cares for the poor. There are I am told over 2000 verses in the bible that deal with the poor.

Here long before there was such a thing as government welfare God decreed that those who owned farms were not to pick up fruit that had fallen on the ground or even go over their vineyard a second time. They were to leave the fruit for the poor and aliens in their midst.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo makes a good point when he states,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

Thus my question to you. If you are a Christian are you doing what you can to help the poor? 

Please think about it.

Giving and Account

 Giving an account.

In the gospel of Luke we read Jesus as saying,

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 

"But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 

"He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 

"Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 

" ‘No, father Abraham,' he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 

"He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' " Luke 16:19-31

This I believe makes things simple. While there is nothing wrong with being rich. It is the emphasis we put on money and what we do with it that can cause problems. The apostle Paul telling us,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

In the above parable from Jesus it seems clear that the rich man cared more for his money and himself than for Lazarus who was in need. 

It seems clear that the rich man either didn’t believe in God or turned his back on God. Either way he ended up in hell.

Such a story should be a warning to all who are materially rich and indeed all of us. Be careful how you use your money. For one day you will stand before God and have to give an account as to how you spent it.

Please think about it.

Our Actions

 Our Actions

The apostle John writes,

"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.... 

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:11,17,18.

The Christian faith is very much a faith of works. While Christians believe having faith in Jesus Christ saves them and gives them eternal life. The scriptures also tell us that we must love one another and that love for one another and our faith in God should spur us do doing good works.

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

The book of Acts records,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  

Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  

All the believers were together and had everything in common.  

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.

Notice here Luke the writer of Acts states, that the apostles love and positive actions brought them favour with those around them. As a result many were added to their number.

This is how we in the Church should be today. If we are Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus we should be doing the same things the apostles were doing.

Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                      Francis of Assisi.

So if you consider yourself a Christian, what are your words and deeds telling others about you and about Christ?

Please think about it.

God judgement of the Christian

 Gods Judgement of the Christian

The Apostle Paul writes,

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.  

If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  

If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

This portion of Scripture is pointed at Christians directly. While it is true Christians are saved by faith in Christ Jesus. That being said their works will be judged by God. This hearkens to what is said in the book of James.

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20.

Thus the question to any Christian reading this. When you stand before God, will what you have built survive? OR will you suffer loss; saved only as one escaping through the flames?

Please think about it.

In what or whom?

 In what or whom?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Those who trust in their riches will fall, 

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

                                                                  Proverbs 11:28.

The Psalmist writes,

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

 but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” 

                                                                   Psalm 20:7.

The riches of this world are fleeting. No matter how many material possessions we gather up. One day they will cease to be ours. When we pass on to eternity all the money, all the things of this world we have owned will go to another.

The book of Ecclesiastes states,

"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:26.

My first pastors wife was fond of saying, 

“There is only one life. It will soon be past. 

Only what’s done for God will last.” 

                                                   Author unknown.

What she said is right.

While there is nothing wrong with being wealthy. It is the emphasis we place on our wealth that matters. The apostle Paul states,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

So in what or whom do you place your faith?

Please think about it.

Extraordinary ?

 Extraordinary

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

In Christianity, we see God reaching to man. We believe that Jesus Gods one and Only Son died for our sins. All that is required is faith in Jesus Christ. To believe that he came to this earth to save not just mankind but each individual from Hell.

C. S. Lewis telling us,

"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C. S. Lewis.

The apostle Paul apostle Paul tells us,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

Jesus referring to himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

That being said. As to who Jesus is and why he came to this earth is up to the individual to decide.  But if you are not a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus consider the following

Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor (361-363) one of the worst enemies of Christ and Christianity said of Jesus,

"Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany."

             At the end of his life Julian said, 

"Thou has conquered, O Galilean!"

William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was: "the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth."

Napoleon Bonaparte said of Jesus,

"I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him."

"I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary." Napoleon Bonaparte,

So dear reader it is up to you to decide who Jesus is.

Please think about it.

Aliens in this world

 Aliens in this world

    The apostle Peter writes,

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

Dear friends,

I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:9-12.

There is no ands, ifs or buts about what the apostle Peter says here. Believers in Christ Jesus are called by Peter a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. A people called out of darkness to Gods wonderful light.

Therefore we as Gods representatives on this earth are call to as Peter states, 

“To abstain from sinful desires” 

To “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 

Thus my question to you. Are you obeying what Peter is saying? 

Please think about it.

We should be

 We should be 

The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, 

O Most High.” 

                       Psalm 9:1,2.

When I read this portion of scripture I am reminded of the persecuted church. While we hear lots of stories of how Christians around the world are suffering for their faith. I also hear stories of some of those living under persecution telling others of the wonders of God. Lifting up Gods name even in the worst of circumstances. This to me is amazing and inspiring.

If Christians living under in some cases fear of being jailed or even death can praise God then we who are blessed to live in the free democracies of the world should be doing the same.

Please think about it.

Count the Cost

 Count the Cost

Speaking to the Sanhedrin and the high priest Peter and the other apostles said,  

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:30-32.

After being told by the religious leaders in Jerusalem to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. The apostles continued to do so. Which landed them in front of those same religious leaders, who were to say the least upset with them and wanted to kill them. To which

"Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" Acts 5:29.

While Peter and the apostles were flogged. They were let go and continued to tell about Jesus and the saving grace that comes through Him.

So it should be for all who are true believers in Christ Jesus. Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34.

This is something many believers around the world are doing. By becoming believers in Christ Jesus they are facing persecution imprisonment and even death for following Him.

This is something many in the western democracies especially here in North America for get to tell new converts.

Sadly if you listen to many so called Christian evangelist and pastors here in North America the gospel you here is that God wants you to healthy and wealthy. That no harm will come to you if you give to God (quite often meaning their ministry).

Jesus never promised His followers an easy time. You just have to look at the life of the apostle Paul and the other disciples. All but one suffered a martyrs death. Yet they still preached the Love and Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus to those around them.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus have you truly considered the cost of following Him?

Please think about it.