July 7, 2008

Hi Pastor John:

I am still reading through the articles you sent me regarding salvation and conversion. If I understand correctly, you say conversion is when a person becomes a follower of Jesus, while salvation is given only later for those who are faithful, at the end of the age (when Jesus returns). Is salvation only when we are with Jesus physically (you gave the example of Zacchaeus, and Jesus Himself being the salvation visiting the tax collector's house)?

Thank you for your questions, Sean. It is a blessing to hear from you.

It is safest and wisest for us to think of salvation at the end. It keeps us humble. Perhaps that is why, of all the usages of "saved" (or one of its forms), it is used in the future tense (as in "we shall be saved", etc.) about 70% of the time by the apostles after the NT began on the day of Pentecost. I used the examples you mentioned in order to emphasize that. Being with Jesus on the glassy sea in the end, and being presented by him to the Father, is all our hope. May God keep us in His love until that day! That will be salvation. Anyone who comes short of that will have missed everything. The meaning of "saved" in this future tense is "glorified with Christ". Oh, how we long for that!

Close to 30% of the time in the NT writings, we find a present tense usage of "saved" (or one of its forms), but with its own particular definition also; namely "to be kept safe", mostly "to be kept from sinning by the power of God". If one is not being saved from sinning now by God's power, he is not "being saved"; he is being lost because he is sinning.

There are also a couple of NT references to "saved" in the past tense, with the special meaning of "being rescued" from the paths of sin and darkness. Everyone in God's family now has been rescued (saved) at some time in the past, but not all of God's children are being saved, or kept from sin by His power, because they have wandered from the right path, and therefore, unless they repent, they will not be saved, or glorified with Christ, in the end because, as Jesus said, "he who shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."

There is another meaning of "saved", a 20th century one, that is almost always used now in our culture. It is found nowhere in the NT writings, but it has become so popular that no one seems to notice that it is a new, unbiblical definition. That is, "converted". No servant of God used the phrase "get saved" to describe when he was born of the Spirit, or converted, and yet, that is the way it is almost always used by this generation. The result of this error is (1) mass confusion as to who is in the family of God and who is not and (2) widespread misunderstanding of the Scriptures concerning salvation (most notably, such verses as Romans 10:9-10).

The tragedy is that many who will not be saved in the end are boasting now that they already are. But "without holiness, no man shall see God", and we will all be judged by our works, not by our claims.

How do you view Matthew 1:21? "And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins" (ASV). This verse sure sounds like it describes a very present salvation for believers. Your thoughts on this verse would be appreciated.

In Jesus,

Sean Kelly

You are right.

God does save his people from their sins by (1) rescuing them from the sins they have committed by convicting them of their sins and granting them repentance and (2) by filling them with the holy ghost so that they might have the power to live right from then on. If both these things hold true, then the last definition of "saved" will become a reality for them: they will be glorified with Christ in the end.

Jesus is the sole means God has chosen to bring all those blessings of salvation to pass. "Jesus" means "savior", and "there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved."

I hope this helps, Sean. Jesus knows how thankful I am for the opportunity to be of service to your faith, and I hope you can feel it, too.

God bless you,

pastor john

July 4, 2008

Hi Brother Gary,

I have a question I want to ask you, I am sure you may have told me before but I don't remember. What was it in the tracts you received in the mail that got your attention the most? and how come?

Thanks

Stuart

Hey Stuart.

The first three tracts I got, were: "Works", "Ye Must be Born Again", and "What is Salvation?"

The thing that got my attention most was the tract "Works" because that is what I was persecuted most for by fellow Christians for saying - that it mattered how you lived. But I had no "doctrine". I only had bits and pieces that I told others. But when I read "Works", I was astounded. For the first time, somebody explained to me what was in my heart. It got my attention. Then I read "Ye Must Be Born Again", and again, it explained what I also had believed but had not fully understood; namely, you NEED the holy Ghost. The people that wrote those tracts had somehow secretly peeked into my heart! :)

From that point on, I was hooked. I believed that these words were coming from the mouth of Jesus. And I have never looked back. I didn't WANT what Christianity was teaching. I wanted this.

But brother Stuart, I fully believe that one "reason" God got my attention, was because less than a couple of weeks before the tracts came, I had fallen on my face in my living room and pleaded with God for truth. I had NO idea what that was, but I know that Jesus had readied my heart to receive it through that time of prayer. And when I got it, and I was reading those tracts, the Spirit brought that time of prayer back to my mind. I could see myself asking.

Hope that answered your questions.

Bro. Gary

July 4, 2008

Hey Pastor John,

I was reading the spiritual light book and in the first chapter you were talking about taking the lords name, like a wife takes her husband's name. You were also saying how you take it in vain, my question is… are saints of God able to repent from that? I always thought that taking the Lord's name in vain was the same as blaspheming.

Steven

Good question, Steven.

It is unlikely that any child of God who, in the mind of God, has taken His name in vain will recover himself. At the same time, many of God's children stumble and do things or say things that could lead to taking His name in vain if they continue down that path. Those who err (as just about every one of us knows by experience) certainly can repent and turn from ungodly conduct. Some such saints in the Bible are David, Moses, and Paul. They all did evil and then were granted repentance, and the way God loved those men afterward shows that God does not hold grudges. All we have to do is turn from what is wrong and do what is right, and we will not take God's name in vain.

Pastor John

June 30, 2008

Pastor john:

I read this excerpt from the Creation Moment today: "God has given us so many good things, we are still only discovering them. But the greatest of His gifts is salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ."

Isn't this Christian error?

Isn't the holy ghost the "greatest gift," actually, since it enables us to live a sinless life, (being led by the Spirit of God), with the future hope of salvation, if we remain faithful? Isn't this an example of the common Xn fallacy that salvation is a gift we receive NOW, by faith in Jesus. It gives me a yucky feeling in my gut just reading that.

Brad

Hi Brad:

No, that is not a Xn error. What the man meant by that was a Xn error, but the words are right, so I let it pass. Paul said in Romans 5:9 that salvation is "much more" than being justified with God. In 5:10, Paul continues to say that salvation is "much more" than being reconciled to God. Salvation will be a far greater blessing than receiving "the gift of God" and being born again into His holy family.

You felt "yucky"because you know that the author of those words was most likely influenced by false doctrine about salvation in writing them; still, scripturally, you cannot condemn his words. So just say, "amen", and move on. It's the only way to enjoy life.

Pastor John

June 03, 2008

Pastor John,

I have wondered for a long time about the likes of Bro. Benny Hinn, and many, many others that heal but don't teach the truth. I wondered, "Why is God allowing them to appear so Godly but teaching poisonous things that sucker in God's children to something other than Him. Where do they fit in to things?"

I think God answered that question for me recently. This prophecy came to mind that said (Matt. 7:22-23) "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Does this feel right to you?

With love,
sis KC

Hi KC:

No, what you said does not feel quite right. Be careful how you speak of men whom God has anointed. Fear God. You are not where such anointed men are, in God's eyes.

Brother Hinn has a very godly spirit, and I believe that he lives a life of personal integrity, even though I cannot speak from personal knowledge about that. In the verses from Matthew 7, which you quoted, Jesus is speaking about people who live secret lives of sin while serving him rather than about ministers who are ignorant of the truth and yet are striving to please God. Such good men as Brother Hinn are described in 1Corinthians 3:12-15, I think.

I would fear God to suggest anything evil about Brother Benny Hinn. Let's just concentrate on humbly doing our part for the gospel of Christ in a sincere, godly manner. Brother Hinn is not my servant, and as Paul said, "To his own master he will stand or fall." The same holds true for us. God help us all.

Pastor John

I have a testimony about this, and how God corrected me. He is a good God..

Some time ago, the saints here were interested in Ernest Angley. I looked at his website and the doctrine bro Angley had on there was not good. I spoke against bro. Angley, and after that, I felt "estranged" from the body here - I had crossed "a line", I believe. I was out of sync and out of fellowship with the spirit of humility that is here, and in God's servants like bro. Angley. It felt bad to me.

I could not repent to bro. Angley because I could not get to him. I went to his website, and tried to email him, but I knew he would never see it. I asked the Lord what to do, I wanted to make that right. The next night I went again to his website, and there was a video on the website, and I felt to pray with him - I was hoping that I could make it right with God if I humbled myself before the brother I had spoken against, so I did (http://www.ernestangley.org/miracles/).

As that video played, I put my hand on the screen as he told the viewers to do, and asked him to forgive me for speaking as I did. I told the computer exactly what wrong I had done, and as the prayer went on (this is so GOOD!), bro Angley got to one part where he said, HEAL! Heal! Heal! I could feel the power of God go up and down me, like I cannot describe. I felt the Spirit of God release in me and I knew Jesus had forgiven me for my words. But the best part, the kindness of God, surprised me.

I had suffered from carpal tunnel for 3 years. Very very bad at times, in my right hand. That night, and the day after that prayer, I was healed of it. I waited several days before telling anyone just to be sure that the Lord had in fact healed me. But He had! It has never been back. Thank you Jesus, and thank you bro. Angley.

I will always have a great love for bro. Angley since that day, and respect for God's servants who have power. I thank God for that lesson - and I have been very SLOW to speak against any man of God who has a measure of power, even if his doctrine is terrible; and even if it is, I do not ever speak against what IS God in them. God is too good to do that.

And if God can't get us to have right feelings for our brothers by kindness, well, I suppose he has "other" ways too - but it's best to learn the lesson quickly. I don't ever want to forget that I am able to type this email without pain, because of God and his servant.

Gary

May 15, 2008

Bro. Gary's music on Isaiah58 is making me think! After listening to "Opera Of The Disciples" I ended up in Exodus 12, and verse 12.

I have heard people (I think namely Jews) say that each plague was to affront to an Egyptian god. Is this true? This verse seems that way but it also makes me think that their gods must have been "in charge" of some weird things!

Thanks,
Brittanie

P.S. I think God does a lot of things with a "scientific" explanation to them, so that some people may still deny that He has power or even exists. I saw a History Channel show a while ago that mentioned how all the plagues might have played into each other, along with Egypt's three seasons. I thought that was interesting.

Hi Brittanie.

The scientific explanations are the playthings of men. All those mighty things happened, and if we ever get to understand them in detail, that will be a bonus. But those who walk in the Spirit don't need the science. And they are ahead of their time.

As for the plagues, yes, God told Moses that he would execute judgment on the gods of Egypt, and that is what He did with the plagues. The Egyptians and the Israelites saw those events as a contest between their gods and the God of Israel. The Egyptians were sure, at first, that their gods would win. In the end, however, Jehovah won Himself great glory and the respect of all men.

Pastor John

May 7, 2008

Hey my dear friend,

I am curious about John 3:22, about Jesus baptizing. I am sure there is an easy explanation. If you could help me with this, I would be grateful.

I sent you an email a couple of days ago, to tell you how much I appreciate you, and the sharing of cd's, books, sermons, and emails so that I can listen, read, and get good spiritual help along the way. I feel sure that most of my famlly may think that I am confused. My only response is that I have never received so many good things from Jesus, and as he corrects me and also blesses me, I only wish they could feel like I do sometimes. It is so good, and I pray they all will listen as I go forth with my Lord, and that they get closer to God, so they, too, can feel His wonderful blessings through the Holy Ghost.

I love all the good people with you that I know care for me dearly, as I do them. My prayers are with you as you continue to get responses from your Speaking in Tongues at Spirit Baptism. It sure is sad that so many Pastors [fail to realize its importance and even] cast the book away. Maybe for some of them, they cannot face the possibility that they have been giving bad advice to their congregations. It would be nice if they at least would let the congregation read the book and reach their own conclusions.

My desire is that whatever Jesus wants from or for me, I do his will so that I can move forward knowing that whatever His desire is, I obey. The other email also was about the cd I got the other day titled Perfect Judgment. It appears that two people are preaching. I was wondering if you took some passages from one of your father' earlier cds', because it sounds so much like his voice. If it is all you, then your speech from the 1992 cd sure sounds different from what it does now. Could it be, "old" friend, that our voices could have changed somewhat over time?

Again, thank you and all of those people who have treated me like a man should be treated, as he finds his way. You know I love you dearly, and may Jesus keep His loving arm around you and your family.

Your brother in Jesus,
Hartwell

Hi Brother Hartwell!

Yes, that was all my voice on the CD, as far as I know. As time passes, I am forced to acknowledge that many things change about me, including my voice.

As for John 3:22, we need to read John's statement in 4:1-2 to clarify that verse. Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize Jews (and help finish John's work in Israel, which they had to do after his arrest and murder) , so Jesus was responsible for it. His disciples were the actual ones doing the baptism. Just as win Paul's case (1Cor. 1:17), God did not send Jesus to baptize with water, and so, Jesus personally did not. But John's work had to be finished, and so the disciples were ordained to finish it.

Thank you for your love and prayers. Greetings from the saints here.

John

May 4, 2008

Hi pastor John. Greetings in the name of the Lord.

Concerning the baptism of John, Which verses in the bible prove that the baptism of John the Baptist, was a ritual of the law? The family that is babysitting our baby wants to know more about that topic, and have a lot of questions. I spent a good amount of time the other night just talking about the bible and what I believe now. I left their house that night with very good feelings in the Lord. I feel God has been working on them, because they have gone through a lot of difficult times.

I hope God blesses them and gives them more understanding. I am praying for this family.

Thank you much.

Manny

P.S. I gave them the tracts in Spanish, and I am going to give them the book Spiritual light next time. May the God and merciful God bless you, for your great work in the Lord.

Just direct your friends to the chapter in Spiritual Light on "Works and Salvation". And be there for them, to answer any questions. If that chapter doesn't open their eyes, nothing will. Jesus taught me the truths in that chapter; I cannot improve on what he showed me.

Pastor John

April 30, 2008

Pastor John,

In your thought for the evening book on 7/23 you wrote this: "Jesus could have escaped the cross, but if he had chosen to escape it, if he had called for heaven's angels to deliver him, every human who had ever lived would have been lost, cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer forever in its flames."

I didn't know that. What about Abraham and Moses and all of the others who were pleasing in God's sight? They would have gone to the Lake of Fire? Is there a certain place that I can read about this in the Bible?

Maleah

Hi Maleah:

Everything depended on Jesus and his atoning sacrifice, for both the sins that are past and those that had not even been committed yet, such as yours and mine. Paul mentions that in Romans 3:24-25, and again in Hebrews 9:15. God forgave Old Testament people only on the condition that His Son was coming to pay the real price for their sin.

Pastor John

Pastor John,

[In reference to your email to Maleah D] People like Moses and Abraham and all those OT people that were pleasing to God, would they not of been in Paradise rather than the lake of fire (hell)?

Steve

Hi Steve:

Yes. Without the sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world, every human who has ever lived would be cast into the Lake of Fire. Everything depended on Jesus. This is why, as Jesus said, Abraham rejoiced to see his [Jesus'] day.

Pastor John

Bro. John,

When reading that "Abraham, Moses and others would have been cast into the lake of fire" and that it "all depended on Jesus", that sounds harsh to my human ears since we know how pleased that God was with them and others.

I have been surprised at how many seem to have missed my message over the years that everything depended on Jesus, even the souls of righteous people in the past. If those OT righteous men and women could have been saved in the end without Jesus, then God could have kept His Son safe with Him in heaven and just sent His prohetes around the world to preach Moses and the Law. The righteousness of Moses, David, Abraham, etc., was insufficient to save them. Jesus had to come.

But the Spirit inside me knows that death is the punishment, the judgment for sin. The holy Ghost inside me let's me feel that God is so high above us, so much cleaner than our very best efforts, that without the holy Ghost washing all of us, even Abraham and Moses, none of us, as humans, are fit to stand before His holiness. It just feels fair to the peace of God that is inside me. I know we can't fathom how high above us that He is, either His holiness or his right judgement.

Jerry

Amen,

Pastor John