Hebrews 6:4-8 Understanding of Falling Away

There is much confusion for many, over a few passages in the Bible, in the book of Hebrews concerning being brought back to repentance, falling away from God, and crucifying Jesus repeatedly. Let's take a look at the book of Hebrews in the proper context.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Hebrews 6, verses 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

But before we look at those specific passages in the book of Hebrews, it is wise to keep the following verse of scripture from the book of Romans at the forefront of our minds.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

The book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrew Christian Church around 70 A.D. Some scholars have placed the writing after 70 A.D., between 85 A.D. to 95 A.D. However, given the fact that there is so much talk about the Hebrews sacrificial system, the Hebrew Levitical Priesthood, and the Hebrew Temple, my inclination is it was written sometime before the destruction of the Hebrew Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D. However, it isn't necessary to be dogmatic on the actual date the book of Hebrews was written.

The human author that penned the book of Hebrews is equally not written in stone. I trust God wanted it that way. Some folks think it was written by Paul because of certain writing styles, and others theorize it could have been written by someone else around the same time. Others have made the case for someone close by to Paul, or even one of the other Apostles. Once again, I don't believe it is an absolute requirement that we establish who the human writer that penned the book of Hebrews down on parchment, but it is much more important to focus on the subject at hand. Besides, there have been numerous theologians down through the centuries that have written volumes in regards to "Who is the author of Hebrews?" that we don't need to rehash that subject here. Feel free to do some research yourself; do a Google Search on Who Wrote Hebrews if you wish. I'll place my vote on Paul, but I can ask God that in the future.

From a historical standpoint, the early church was made up of mainly Christian Hebrew believers. Yes, I know that might be an oxymoron statement of "Christian Hebrew believers" to some people today, because they would say, "that you can't be both a Christian and a xyz person at the same time," but in the interest of clarity and brevity, the early church was mostly a group of Hebrew people that were believers in Jesus Christ. These Hebrew believers, believed in Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Messiah, believers in the New Covenant, and had come out of centuries of their families being steeped in the traditions of going to the Hebrew Temple to get their sins forgiven on the Holy Day of Atonement and offering other ongoing sacrifices.

The Hebrew people down through the centuries, before and after Jesus' birth, death, burial, and resurrection, had been involved in a sacrificial system of various and diverse types of offerings being brought forth at the Temple Alter of God in order to gain forgiveness of sins by God. The Temple sacrificial system by the Hebrews had ceased for the most part after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, after fire was set to the temple, and subsequently tearing the temple down by the Roman soldiers, stone by stone, to get to all the melted gold that had run down in the cracks of stone. There probably were still pockets of animal sacrifices being performed by Hebrews after this time, but without the prescribed method for sacrifices no longer present with the Temple having been destroyed, the days of animal sacrifices by the Hebrews had all but ceased.

So, when reading the bible, Christian Old Testament [Tanakh (Hebrew Bible)] or Christian New Testament, it is important to always understand the context of the various books in the bible when reading the words of God. That is extremely important when it comes to understanding the historical settings and understanding within regards to the book of Hebrews from the target audience's perspective.

The book of Hebrews is one of comparisons. It is comparing the new to that of the old. It compares Jesus Christ being superior to the prophets, superior to the angels, superior to Moses, superior to Joshua, and superior to the Levitical Priesthood in which the priests offered sacrifices day in and day out in the Temple. The book goes into great depths of explaining the new promise in detail for Israel and the New Covenant, which was promised long ago by the Prophet Jeremiah. It really is a foundational book for Christianity and understanding early Hebrewism (the early law keepers, those that thought they could keep the law), that people today would do well to read it from gaining a better insight into their own world beliefs, and the world of their forefathers before them.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

"The time is coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.

It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them,"
declares the LORD.

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the LORD.
"I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the LORD.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

The following hypothetical question was brought forth about a passage in chapter 6 of the book of Hebrews.

I am still confused about Hebrews 6:4-8. I become a Christian when I was younger, but then recently I have fallen away the Lord. Can I come back? I think so.

The person asking this question is confused on falling away from the Lord; as though there is something they can do to cause God to separate one's self from the Lord. There have been numerous pastors, teachers, and professors at Christian Bible colleges, universities, and even seminaries that are teaching people and seminary students that they can fall away from salvation. Once again, this shows that they have a strong misunderstanding of what salvation and forgiveness are in the first place. These folks equate getting your sins forgiven as salvation. Salvation is new life from the death. Salvation is receiving Jesus' life inside you the moment you believe in him. This is the true meaning of being "Born Again". A person goes from spiritual death to receiving the Holy Spirit of God for life. I will add, it is for eternal and permanent "life." It is not temporary life. You can not repent of your unbelief one day, because repentance in the New Testament is always a one way street, and receive Jesus to begin with that day, and then somewhere down the line, in your life, do something bad where he is going to leave you. This teaching that you can do something to get rid of Jesus is bunk. For ... he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Let's take a look at the passages together in detail from the beginning of the 6th chapter of Hebrews. Let's grow up. Let us all become mature in Christ is the theme.

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The writer of Hebrews was trying to take these early Christian believers, and bring them up in maturity. But, the writer had to keep going back to the basics for many of them. They were so caught up in their traditions, that they were finding it impossible to move forward. The writer was talking to two groups of people. Those that were babes, and those that were mature in Christ. However, the babes were constantly going back to their traditions of thinking that they had to offer sacrifices at the alter, even though they were saying that they believed in Christ Jesus and the total sin offering he provided for all. In my opinion, the writer of Hebrews had the patience of Job, but wrote this as a warning and exhortation for the baby group.

It is important to note that only God and the individual person of God are themselves the only ones that can truly know whether they are a Christian or not. However, the writer of Hebrews writes in such a way that it causes a person to think.

Not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death.

What is the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death? First off, it bears repeating here, that repentance is always a one way street in the New Testament. That means that you can not repent one day of your unbelief in Jesus Christ, and then then turn around the next day and say, "I don't believe in Jesus Christ," because that would mean that you never repented in the first place. I will also say that no one has ever repented of all of their sins. I know, you have heard it said many times, "that a person has to repent of all of their sins in order to be saved." That saying is a bunch of baloney. Think about it, let's say you say, I am going to repent of saying lies, and then tomorrow, you lie again. You never repented with the true meaning of repentance in the first place. Repentance has been so watered down, both in Christianity and in Hebrewism (those that believe in law keeping), that most people don't even look at the true meaning of the word repentance. You are speaking double talk and are double minded in your thinking. You are confused in your understanding of forgiveness by God.

You must repent of your unbelief, or you will remain spiritually dead.

The King James Version might be a bit clearer in the true meaning of verses one and two in chapter 6 of Hebrews.

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

This is baby stuff. This is immature thinking. This is the early church trying to go back to the Mosaic sacrificial system of bringing the sacrifices to the alter, and also at the same time saying Jesus did it all. These were dead works that never brought life. They never repented of them. The organized church of today is no different in their teaching when it comes to error in thinking about repentance, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, and eternal judgment.

Catholic churches teach that you must go to the confession booth to get your sins forgiven, while at the same time saying that Christ forgave you of your sins. Which is it? Did he forgive you or do you need more forgiveness in the confession booth?

Protestant denominations teach that you need to 1 John 1:9 yourself before Christ will forgive you, while at the same time teaching that all of your sins; past, present, and future have been forgiven. Which is it? Do you need more forgiveness of sins if all your sins are forgiven? The bible teaches that forgiveness of sins and atonement is in the blood, both in the Old Testament and New Testament, there is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood. So, either Jesus did it all or you need more forgiveness.

The fundamental question comes into play is how many prayers and how many good deeds will earn enough forgiveness from God? Think about it, how much is required by God? Furthermore, Yom Kippur is one of the most important holidays in the Hebrew religion. 'The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year.' In the Old Testament Days gone by, the "Day of Atonement" was the day that the High Priest "Kohen Gadol" was required to make a blood sin offering in the Temple "Holy of Holies and call upon the Name of YHVH to offer blood sacrifice for the sins of the people." References: Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement.

Shemot - Exodus 30:10

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

So, we see that the main religious systems are all about what you are doing, instead of what Jesus Christ The Messiah has already done. The focus with religion today, is always on self.

True Christianity is always focused on God, and what he has done for us, by providing the perfect sacrifice for all of our sins, through Jesus Christ The Messiah.

The hypothetical question above shows the deep inward misunderstanding of the Gospel message, and the thought process of the person asking the question in the first place. It shows the focus of self, instead of the focus on God and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When a person "falls away" today, they are falling away from the true Gospel. They are going back to their own sacrificial systems of playing religion, thinking double minded thoughts, going to the confession booth, trying to make or keep themselves clean with a Christian bar of soap (confessionism 1 John 1:9), and never having repented in the first place. Remember, repentance is always a one way move. A person can not repent one day and then repent another day of the same thing, because they did not repent in the first place. Again, read more about the true meaning of repentance and understand why this is impossible to be brought back to repentance. In verses 4 through 6 of Hebrews chapter six we read, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

These people were sampling with a taste at the table of God. They never wholly swallowed what they were tasting; which is to say, they never truly repented. They were spitting it right back in the face of God. They were around people enlightened, sharing the Holy Spirit, going through the motions as though they accepted what Jesus had done for them, but they continued to fall away from the true teachings of Jesus. They kept wanting to go back to the "Day of Atonement." They kept sacrificing to God. They wanted to earn their own forgiveness in things that they were doing. This was a public disgrace, because to their loss, they were crucifying the Son of God over and over again. Here they were saying that Jesus did it all for them, and then the next day rolled around, and they wanted to sacrifice for their sins again. How could anyone be brought back to repentance, if they never repented in the first place? This shows that they never repented in the first place. You can not go back from where you have never been. It is impossible.

This is exactly the same as the Catholic saying to their people that God forgave them, and then the next day going to the confessional booth and the Mass, and thinking that somehow God is being sacrificed all over again. This is exactly the same as the Protestant saying that all his sins are forgiven, and then the next day asking for more forgiveness through a misunderstanding of 1 John 1:9. These folks are spitting in the face of God, publicly disgracing Jesus Christ in front of everyone.

Then the writer of Hebrews issues a very stern warning for those folks with a comparison with land that has good soil, and land that has poor soil.

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Now, the writer of Hebrews turns the coin, and starts talking to the other group of people. He has confidence in the following group.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The writer is talking to another group and encouraging them not to become lazy in their understanding. Not to give in to error in teaching. Be diligent to the very end. If that means going against the tide of religion, then so be it. If that means focusing on God, and not yourself, which is the things that accompany salvation, then so be it. If that means standing up for what is right, and good, and honorable, even when it goes against the tide, then so be it. If that means loosing a friend because of your true belief in the truth of Jesus Christ, then so be it. If that means being thrown out of your church or synagogue when you share the truth, then so be it. Allow God to lead you in all ways. Remember, the work of God is this, to believe in the one God has sent. Imitate those that through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

John 6:28,29

Believe in Jesus, and receive eternal life today. I beseech you, God has reconciled you to himself through Christ Jesus, now be reconciled.

Please read the Welcome message.

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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

"Hello, I have never done this before, contacting someone about God, but I really am confused, I am 16 and I am concerned about heaven and hell, I was told that if you ask for forgiveness from god then he will forgive your sins and you will go to heaven, I am so scared of going to hell, I don't believe that I should go to hell, but like most teenagers, I have lied, used gods name in vain, but I don't drink, smoke, have sex etc, I am totally confused, I don't know how to act, or what to do, or am I just supposed to be me, I don't know if I should be christened, because I don't know if it is wrong to do so, I have so many questions, I have tired to read the bible but it really scares me sometimes, please can you reply and help, thank you so much."

I thought it would be good for folks to read what are some of the fundamental concerns for people in the world. A teenage reader writes in about the questions in life, that we all ask at one point or another. God tells us to become like a child. In fact, he wants everyone to become a child of God. Listen to God's calling you to himself.

Don't Worry

Don't worry. God loves you so much that he took care of all of the bad things you have ever done or will do, and placed it on himself, in Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of all of your sins, so he could give you eternal life when you believe in him.

Don't worry, your sins are already forgiven. Jesus is God in the flesh who took the punishment for your sins, my sins, and the world's sins.

Everyone of us has lied or done something bad, or have bad habits that are hard to break. That is why Jesus took away the sins of the whole world. Now, the really good news is God wants to give you eternal life. Believe in Jesus, and what he has already done for you, by forgiving you your sins, and receive his eternal life into you. He will never leave you.

When I was about your age, I thought the same way as you are thinking. I thought God was upset with me because of things I had done. But, he is there, with open arms, just waiting for you to receive him.

To receive him, just place simple faith in this. Jesus did it all for you, so all you need to do is believe in him and receive his life in you.

It's not difficult. Talk to him, and he will talk to you. Place your faith in him, thank him for the forgiveness and receive your new life. Once you receive him, you will be born again, and all things will become new.

There is nothing you can do to make yourself a Christian. And, no amount of bad things could keep you away from God. There is only one way to God, faith by believing in Jesus. Don't let others confuse you. Let God guide you and teach you.

God so loved (insert your name), that God sent Jesus Christ his only begotten Son to die for you, so that when you believe in him, you will have eternal life.

I suggest reading the New Testament, beginning with the first chapter of John.

This is the story of Jesus John 1

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 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.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John testifies concerning him.

He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Christ

Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."

Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Jesus the Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Jesus' First Disciples

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

"Come," he replied, "and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Jesus is calling you today. Are you listening? If you haven't received him, now is the time to do it. Once you accept him, and what he has done for you, then rest in his life in you. God wants to set you free His Way with eternal life. He wants to welcome you with open arms into the fellowship of believers today. Please read the welcome message. More information can be found for our mission in life at Sundays website. Feel free to contact us with any questions or just to send us a message or thought or two.

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Do Sins Separate Us From God?

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Do you believe God, when he says through the Word of God that he is not counting men's (your sins) against you? Or, are you believing men when they say, "that God has made it possible for us to be pardoned from our sins and transgressions of the law. God offers us the gift of forgiveness if we believe that Jesus Christ died in our place."?

Which is correct today? Did Jesus forgive you of all of your sins and not counting them against you, or do you need more forgiveness by God today? If God is not counting your sins against you, then your sins are not separating you from God. Your transgressions (sins) are already pardoned (forgiven). God is not offering forgiveness today; God is offering salvation of eternal life. God freely gave us all forgiveness. We can choose to confess and agree with God and receive it (accept it, believe it, grab hold of it, rest in it, place faith, confidence, and trust in it, settle it, reconcile it in your heart) or not. It's your choice, and be sure not to go down the wrong path with men placing heavy weights upon your shoulders, taking a verse or two from the bible out of context, as many do. Read about understanding 1 John, and the Lord's Prayer before and after the cross.

Forgiveness is Not a Vending Machine

Forgiveness is not a vending machine from God. You don't place your requests for pardons for lying, worrying, cheating, stealing, lusting, adultery, anger, and murdering transgressions in to God, and out plops forgiveness for sins. No one gets their sins forgiven today!

"What did you say, are you crazy!?"

Your sins have already been taken care of. God forgave everyone their sins on the cross 2000 years ago. Not believing, or trusting, or feeling like it, or placing faith that God forgave you, doesn't negate the fact that God did indeed forgive you.

The only consequence (wages) of sin before God today that needs corrected is death to life. The consequence of sin is death, not lack of forgiveness. Are there consequences for sins today in the world? Yes, but not by God. God keeps no records of your wrongs.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

We are all born into this world dead (spiritually dead) and need spiritual life. Sin's affect was spiritual death for all of mankind. God forgave everyone their sins at the cross, so that everyone that believes in him receives eternal life and is saved from death, unto life eternal. Jesus broke down the sins separation barrier with his sacrifice on the cross, once for all sins. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit," 1 Peter 3:18 Believe in him and you shall receive life.

The message of the bible is clear, that God was in Christ Jesus, reconciling the world to himself, not counting any mans' sins against any person today. Does that mean that everyone is saved? No way! Salvation is eternal life. Most people want to get their sins forgiven by something they say or do, or feel sorry for, or some form of works mentality, or doing some form of penance, or using a single verse of scripture, taken out of context, (see understanding 1 John 1:9) as a sort of Christian bar of soap to make themselves righteous before God. But it is only by faith in the finished work of Jesus that a person can come to salvation and eternal life. Not everyone by faith receives forgiveness in Jesus's life; not everyone receives eternal life. In fact, refusing to listen to the Holy Spirit of God their entire lives, and not receiving Jesus by faith alone is the only sin not forgiven. All other sins, every sin, of all of mankind is forgiven by God. 1 John 2: 2

John the Baptist said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Jesus said before his death on the cross that took away all sins, "And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Mathew 12: 31-32

Jesus has committed the message of reconciliation to me. I am Christ's ambassador, as though God were making his appeal through me. I implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we, you, me, and everyone that believes might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Be thankful to God that he has broken down the sin barrier for you. He tore in two, the curtain of separation from the top, down to the bottom that separated us from himself. Praise Jesus and his name for ever and ever!

Please read the Welcome message.

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Baptism By God

There is only one baptism that counts today. That is the baptism by the Holy Spirit. Any other type of baptism today is simply an outward expression of the true baptism that takes place in a believer that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This regeneration occurs for a person when they come to saving faith in Jesus and what Jesus did for all sinners on the cross. Jesus took away the sins of the world, so that anyone that believes in Jesus and his finished work of taking their personal sins away at the cross, is born again of the Spirit of God.

Prior to believing in Jesus, a person is dead in their sins, because they did not believe. But, when a person repents of their unbelief, and trusts in Jesus, Jesus comes to live within that person and gives them eternal life. This is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit; giving life to the dead, becoming born again in the spirit.

Baptism In The Holy Spirit

by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:13).

This is a definitive verse on one of the great themes of the Bible. The preposition “by” is the Greek, en, which can take many meanings (by, with, through, etc.) depending on context, but is most frequently and most naturally rendered simply as “in.” The baptism in one Spirit is the theme of this passage, teaching us that every one of the “brethren” (v.1), those who, “speaking by the Spirit of God” have acknowledged Jesus to be their Lord (v.3), have been “baptized into one body”—the body of Christ Himself. Read more about baptism of and by the Holy Spirit.

If anyone is saying that you need to be baptized with water in order to be saved, they are deceived and the truth is not with them. Many denominations today make many man made rules and regulations for their religion. Catholic theologians wrap up their arguments with single verses of scripture, taken out of context, and approached from the belief that believing in Jesus is only the first step in salvation. They are badly deceived into thinking they have to do something in order to be saved for the long term, so-to-speak. Baptism to Catholics is a Holy Sacrament (not the effective work of God and God alone), that must be done, performed and administered by men, in order to take away sins, completely ignoring the fact that Jesus took away the sins of the whole world. They view water baptism as a step in the process of becoming a Catholic Christian. To Catholics, Jesus was only the starting point of salvation. Catholics are not the only ones that are deceived. Many Protestant denominations place much emphasis on water baptism also. Both Catholics and some Protestant denominations say that infants must or should be water baptized; citing scripture that told about households (Acts 16:15) and families (Acts 16:33) were baptized in the early church. While these scriptures do show baptism, they however do not show that baptism was necessary for salvation. These scriptures showed what was happening in the early church. People were not saved by baptism of water but through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul even placed the emphasis on Jesus Christ as the one who saves and placed very little emphasis on water baptism. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

Be Baptized By God

Baptism from God is the greatest miracle of all. Baptism of water, by men, pales in comparison to the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is a greater miracle than a former unbeliever (spiritually dead person) becoming a true believer (born again) and having the Holy Spirit baptize that person into the body of Christ Jesus. Only true believers are baptized into the Body of Christ, and only by God are they baptized into Jesus's body. Repent and believe; place your trust (faith) in Jesus completely as the one who saves completely. Don't add man-made works to salvation. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water though. Baptism by water, if done in the proper context and understanding for the believer, is a wonderful picture of the baptism that is done by the Holy Spirit of God. But, don't ever confuse the two and say that water Baptism is required for salvation.

Simply put, Baptism by God the Father, by the Holy Spirit, Baptized into Jesus's Body, is the most important Baptism that one could ever experience for salvation of their eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Please read the Welcome message.

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What Makes a Person a Christian?

What is it to be a Christian?
Does growing up Catholic make you a Christian?
Does growing up in a Protestant denominational make you a Christian?

How about becoming a Catholic, or becoming a Baptist, United Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian (Presbyterian USA PCUSA or Presbyterian Church of America PCA), Reformed, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Charismatic, or Foursquare, Episcopalian or Anglican, Churches of Christ, Assemblies of God, Seventh-Day Adventist, or joining a Non-denominational Christian church; does that make you a Christian?

What about becoming a Mormon or Latter-day Saints, or first converting to Hebrewism and obeying the Mosaic Laws and the Ten Commandments, or how about becoming a Jehovah's Witness; can any of those religions help you on a path to true salvation?

Does going to a Catholic church or a Protestant church or even going to any church once a year, twice a year, or 52 times a year make you a Christian? What about following the Catholic seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist (Holy Communion), Confirmation, Confession (Reconciliation), Marriage (Matrimony), Holy Orders, or Anointing of the Sick; can any of those sacraments make you a Christian? What about becoming baptized under a Protestant denominational church; will that help you become a Christian?

What about saying the Rosaries everyday for a year, or wearing scapulars, medals, or crucifixes around your neck or any religious images on the walls or shelves of your home; does any of that make you a Christian?

How about being good, or doing good things, or helping the poor, or giving your money to charity, or helping others when they are in need; does any of that make you a Christian?

Why do I ask these questions? Because most of these questions are asked all the time, if not out loud, at least in the minds of billions of people from all over the world.

Nothing stated above makes anyone a Christian. I'll repeat this, there is nothing anyone can do to make themselves a Christian. No amount of going to church, no amount of going to the confession booth, no amount of saying the Rosaries, not belonging to a certain religion, no specific church membership, no amount of obeying the ten commandments, no amount of giving money to the poor, no amount of praying everyday, no amount of being good, no amount of good works, not even baptism, nothing you do can ever make you a Christian.

So, help me, what is the answer to becoming a Christian?

Faith

How to be a Christian; by faith. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4

Listen my friends, listen to God. There is a righteousness from God, and his name is Jesus. He is the righteous One. He is the one that took the world's sin and paid the price for it. Believe in Jesus and be saved. Nothing more, nothing less will do.

If you are trying to be righteous before God in what you do; take warning from the old testament word of God.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6

The filthy rags referred here in the Bible is related to a woman's period and menstrual rags. (Ref H5708: From an unused root meaning to set a period (compare H5710 and H5749); the menstrual flux (as periodical); by implication (in plural) soiling: - filthy.)

Why be a Christian?

So, do you really want to try to go before God in your righteousness? Think about it, listen and hear the word of God. Get your thinking right. Place your faith in his righteousness not your own. Believe in Jesus and be saved onto eternal life. This, and only this will be counted for righteousness with God. Faith in Jesus is what makes a Christian a Christian.

I Am The Way, The Truth, & The Life, Said Jesus

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Please read the Welcome message.

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You Are Forgiven Ministries!

Understanding God's Forgiveness is Paramount to Giving Forgiveness to Others

God is not offering forgiveness to sinners today in the sense of giving the world more forgiveness based on people asking for it, because He offered Himself for sins almost two thousand years ago, with the death of Jesus on the cross to take away your sins. What did you say? Let me clarify it. God does not forgive people of their sins today because he forgave (past tense) all sins on the cross with His sacrifice for sins 2000 years ago. God is now offering eternal life to those that believe in Jesus, the one that took away the sins of the whole world. Praise God!

Jesus offered himself on the cross for the sins of the entire world. Now he is asking people to accept (receive) forgiveness in Him and receive his life, which is eternal life for the believer.

Jesus, being God in the flesh, did indeed forgive everyone of their sins at the cross almost 2,000 years ago. The words of the bible are clear, God forgave (past tense) everyone of their sins at the cross. Let's be clear here, God has forgiven everyone of their sins. God is not requesting us to come and get forgiveness today, simply receive (place Faith in) the forgiveness that is found in Christ Jesus.

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2 13-15

It is very important to understand the words of the English language. Forgave is the past tense for forgive and is not to be taken lightly.

God's forgiveness today is not predicated on what you or I do or don't do. True forgiveness of others is based on our understanding of God's forgiveness of you or me. Simply put, if I think I need more forgiveness from God, with pleas of asking for forgiveness to God when I do something wrong, then I will tend to extend that same standard when forgiving others. No big deal with that type of a conditional forgiveness here. Even most people that are not believers in Jesus extend forgiveness to others when they ask for it. But, God has given forgiveness to the world before the world even asked for it. Now that's a gift of grace to be received.

As we read in the book of Hebrews 7:27 we read that Jesus sacrificed himself once for all sins and he is not going to sacrifice himself anymore for sins. "Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."

Now, that you are forgiven, receive that forgiveness in Jesus Christ, and then you will receive eternal life the very moment you believe. Believe in Jesus, and you will be saved.

God offers people life. When you receive Christ for life, you have forgiveness for life. Forgiveness is not something you get when you are saved. Being forgiven before you are saved, does not give you eternal life. Salvation is Eternal Life. Believing in Jesus gives you eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Please read the Welcome message.

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Why Do I Need Jesus? Why do you Need the Cross?

The question is, does God grade on the curve? For most people, they do think that God grades on the curve, and that their own things they do wrong are not as bad as everyone else.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Let's take a look at that statement from the bible. Do you think you are included in the word all? Come-on, answer truthfully.

Now, how does that fit with what the popular teachings of men, that state man is basically good?

Comparing what the bible teaches and what man teaches, and reflecting on your own heart, what can you conclude about man? Is man basically good or sinful? I think if you were to be honest with yourself, you would say that man is sinful.

In 1 John 1:8 the bible teaches that people that claim to be without sin deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them.

Once again, the truth is not in a person that claims to be without sin.

Reading a little further in 1 John 1:10, people that claim they have not sinned are calling God a liar. In fact, those same people have God's Word no place in their lives. This is no different than spitting in the face of God.

A person claiming to be without sin would have no need for a Savior.

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:10-12

According to Romans, no one is righteous, no one that is good, and no one that seeks God.

The Whole World is Held Prisoner

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Sinful man without the Spirit of God, does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. These things are foolish to the sinful man. The natural man can not understand the things that come from the Spirit of God.

Since the Spirit of God is foolish to the natural, sinful man, they have turned to their own way of dealing with everything.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

The picture of sinful man is like sheep that have gone astray.

Everything Not of Faith is Sin

The definition of sin in Romans 14:23 is summarized as: "...and everything that does not come from faith is sin."

According to Luke 19:10, the natural (sinful) man is described as lost. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." This verse also shows that Christ came to save the lost.

Natural men and women throughout the ages have spent a life of guilt, worry, anger, fear, loneliness, anxiety, emptiness, and a lack of purpose in life.

Sinful Man is Already Judged

The natural man is condemned already.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:17-18

The reason the natural man is condemned already is because God's wrath remains on him.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:36

Natural Man is Alienated From God
Enemies in the mind of the sinful man.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. Colossians 1:21

The mind of a natural man, also called sinful man, is classified as dead and hostile to God.

The mind of sinful man (Or mind set on the flesh) is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind (Or the mind set on the flesh) is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8

There is no way that the natural man can please God because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God.

According to 1 Corinthians 15:50 flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Because, the flesh is perishable and dead to God.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 6:23

Jesus said: "... In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; ..." John 16:9 So, we can see that Jesus summarizes sin as unbelief in him. But, there is good news for the believer.

The Good News for the Believer

God made him who had no sin to be sin [Or be a sin offering] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— Colossians 1:22

Believe. Place your faith in Jesus and what he did on the cross for your sins, not what you are doing, or the works you do that you might think are earning you brownie points with God. Remember, God does not grade on the curve, only perfection will do. Trust in his perfection, not yours.

Please read the Welcome message.

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What is the True Gospel?

What did you hear growing up? Did you ever hear the Gospel when you were younger?

Did you hear, "come down the aisle to get your sins forgiven?" Did you hear, "you've got to be good in order to get the blessings of God?"

Well, if you went down the aisle to get your sins forgiven, or thought you had to be better in order for God to give you life, you are badly mistaken in your understanding of the true gospel message.

First off, you don't get your sins forgiven today, because they have already been forgiven 2000 years ago. Now, you can choose to receive forgiveness. And, if being good was a prerequisite to receiving the blessings of God, no one on the planet would ever be able to receive the blessings of God, because the bible clearly states, that no one is good, except God himself. Good is defined by God, from the moment of life to the moment of death, a person never thinking a bad thought, never lying, always loving and looking out for the other person, never saying anything bad or getting angry, and never doing anything wrong throughout a person's entire life. How do you measure up to good? I can tell you that no one measures up to good.

The True Gospel message is one of life. Jesus died on the cross, reconciling the world to himself, not counting mans' sin against him. Certainly that is good news in itself, but that is not the entire gospel message. The other half of the story is that God wants to give you eternal life. Eternal life begins the moment a person believes in Jesus, God in the flesh, and receives the Spirit of God for life.

Bible in Basic English, John: eternal life faith

John 3:15 So that whoever has faith may have in him eternal life.

John 3:16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.

John 3:36 He who has faith in the Son has eternal life; but he who has not faith in the Son will not see life; God's wrath is resting on him.

John 5:24 Truly I say to you, The man whose ears are open to my word and who has faith in him who sent me, has eternal life; he will not be judged, but has come from death into life.

John 6:40 This, I say, is my Father's pleasure, that everyone who sees the Son and has faith in him may have eternal life: and I will take him up on the last day.

John 6:47 Truly I say to you, He who has faith in me has eternal life.

A dead man needs life. If you are trying to get yourself cleaned up in order to face God, forget it. You will be living a life of lies. Put an end to trying to do it yourself. Enter into Jesus' death on the cross, so you can receive his risen life.

The way is not difficult, but it is a stumbling block. Throw out your religion of lies and start believing the truth, Jesus died for your sins so he could give you eternal life. Come to him by faith.

Please read the Welcome message.

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Everyone is Forgiven by God, But Not Everyone Is Saved

If everyone's sins are forgiven, does that mean everyone will be saved?

NO way! That would be universal salvation or universalism. Just because all your sins are forgiven does not mean that everyone will have eternal life with God. Jesus died for everyone's sins, but not everyone receives the forgiveness and the saving life that can be found only in Christ Jesus. Jesus came to give life to the lifeless (the dead). Everyone that is not spiritually born of God, is dead in their sin of unbelief and needs spiritual life. Most people today are not rebelling against God. They are rebelling against religion. Because deep down inside a person, they know in their heart, that they can never do all the things that their religious systems tells them they need to do in order for God to take them to the promised land, or to have eternal life, or whatever your idea of salvation is. Praying five times a day, facing east, going to a catholic church, going to a protestant church, thinking positive thoughts, going to the confession booth, or whatever your religious works system that has been embedded into your heart from birth, will not get you to be in right standing with the one true God.

Growing up Catholic, as a child, I had to go to the confession booth once a month and tell a priest what my sins were for the month. So, when I went to the confession booth I had this one problem; I forgot how many times I had sinned, and how many times I disobeyed my parents or lied, which for a young child was some "bad sinning." No, there are not different degrees of sin, but that is what people think and what I thought at the time. So, I would make up stuff to say to the priest. I would think to myself about various times of sinning and try to decide, was the time when my parents wanted me to do my chores, and I didn't take the trash out to begin with, but took it out later, was this a sin to my parents? And really, how many times did I really sin in the month - 5 times, 10 times, or 17.5 times? Think of the confusion, trying to remember the specifics. So, I would just make up stuff and add an extra lie or two to the count for the made up stuff (the lies I told to the priest). Then the Catholic priest would say, "OK, now for your penance say five 'Our Fathers' and five 'Hail Marys.' and now make a good act of contrition." So this went on, month in and month out. Stupid, stupid and stupid.

Then one day, after I had been out on my own, and was much older, someone shared with me that Jesus had forgiven me of all my sins. Wow, this was great news! That day I freely received the forgiveness of God and believed in Jesus as God in the flesh, who took away my sins at the cross, never to be brought up again. Jesus sent his Spirit, to come and give me life and I received his life into me. He did the work that I could never do for myself. This is the Good News Gospel. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved at the moment of belief. Please read the Welcome message.

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Welcome to the Seekers, Searchers and Finders

Do You Need Rest For The Soul?

Everyone that is seeking answers to the difficult questions in life, to those that are searching for truth, and others that have found their way to a new life, needs rest for the soul.

I'll bet you need rest for your soul too.

This website will be a place where you will read about the truths of the bible and gain a better understanding of true Christianity. I am not talking about the history or the religious system of Christianity, but a wonderful rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, who came and took the world's punishment on himself, so he could give life to all that believe.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ or just someone searching, and are interested in knowing more about what this thing of being "Born Again" is all about, I invite you to open your heart.

If you are confused by all the teachings of the world and the various religious systems that tell you what you have to do, and feel like you are weighted down and weary by a heavy burden, that you know in your heart you can never attain, then you have come to the right spot. You will get a "tell it like it is," explanations that will not pull any punches. Also, like the Bereans, of the Apostle Paul's day, approx. 2000 years ago, they searched the scriptures to see if the things Paul was saying were true. Don't believe in me, but do your own research and see if the things I tell you are true. However, if you want to know the truth, ask God to reveal it to you with a humble heart.

Acts: 17 Verses 10-11

10 And the brethren immediately, through the night, sent forth both Paul and Silas to Berea, who having come, went to the synagogue of the Jews;

11 and these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, they received the word with all readiness of mind, every day examining the Writings whether those things were so;

Youngs Literal Translation

Signed Jim

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