The visual sign of the true church

1.     Appearing before God at His appointed times

The first outward visible sign of the true church is that of appearing before the Lord at His appointed times. For this is what the Lord spoke to Moses saying; “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths (plural) you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among His people.’

“Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Therefore, the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant” (Exodus 31:13-16).

Let us also look at what the Lord spoke to the prophet Ezekiel saying; “Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, (again plural) to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them” Also, “I am the LORD your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God” (Ezekiel 20:19-20).

Please, note carefully that, this covenant to observe the Sabbaths is perpetual, it is from one generation to another. It is a time which is holy both to the Lord and His people. Some people may be inclined to persuade others in believing that this perpetual covenant is meant only to the Jews, but what is the reality and truth? Well, this is what the Lord says; “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people" (Deuteronomy 32:43).

Again, it is written; “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: " For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name."

And again, He says: " Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" And again: " Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" And again, Isaiah says: " There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope" (Romans 15:7-12).

 Therefore, despite the fact that the perpetual covenant regarding the Sabbaths was between God and the children of Israel this however, does not exclude Gentiles because they are to glorify God together with the Jews. As a matter of fact at the death of Jesus Christ, He broke the barrier which existed between Jews and Gentiles.

And so, we have been duly admonished saying; “Therefore, remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh --- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands, that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.’

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both (Jews and Gentiles) one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near: For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:11-18).

Therefore, the same rule, guidelines or protocol that are applicable to the Jews when it comes to worship applies also to the Gentiles. For we have been duly admonished saying; “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29). 

The Sabbath/s therefore was made for man (mankind) and not only for the Jews. It is also the outward sign that ascribes to the Lord the glory due to His name as we have been duly instructed saying; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Please note carefully that, we are not only to observe the seventh day weekly Sabbath but also the Lord’s annual Sabbaths because, each Sabbath ascribes to the Lord the glory due to His name, they are memorials and by observing them we commemorate and perpetuate the particular event that transpired on that day. For example; on the seventh day weekly Sabbath we commemorate and express our gratitude to the Lord as the Creator.

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The essence of true Christian fellowshhip

   

   

THE ESSENCE OF TRUE CHRITIAN FELLOWSHIP

 

Is there a biblical basis or a fundamental principle for Christian Fellowship, which if adhered to will enable true Christians everywhere to fellowship together in one accord, and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and thought?

This was the apostle Paul’s plea when he wrote, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1Corinthians 1:10).

Fellowship in the true sense of the word is, sharing together, having communion based upon common purpose, belief, conviction, work, hope, faith, suffering and need.

Any community of believers who do not have everything in common, are not having true Christian fellowship. True Christian fellowship, is fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, who is not a God of confusion but a God of peace.

In fact, the apostle James stated that, “If one harbors bitter envy and self-ambition in their heart, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:14-16).

According to James the apostle, the atmosphere which ought to prevail amongst believers is one which should be; first of all, pure; peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit; impartial and sincere, peace makers who sow in peace and raise a harvest of righteousness.

To have true Christian fellowship it is imperative that we do not walk in darkness (sin) but rather in the light as we have been duly instructed saying; “God is light; and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1John.1:5-7).

Please, note carefully that, the blood of Jesus His Son that purifies us from all sin in order that we can have fellowship with one another and with the Father and the Son is current, in the present tense, signifying that it is something which transpires during the fellowship service without which no one has access to the Father.

The apostle Paul made this abundantly clear when he wrote: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

As one can clearly see, the boldness, the confidence, the assurance that one has to enter the holiest, the inner court in the presence of the Father in order to have fellowship with Him and with one another is threefold:

1.     The blood of Jesus

Without the blood of Jesus which is presently and currently represented by the cup of blessings which we bless which consist of wine, no one has the boldness, the confidence and the assurance to present themselves to the Father, as we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

2.     The body of Jesus

Without the body of Jesus, which is presently and currently represented by the unleavened bread the way to the Father is not accessible. For we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by a new and living way which He consecrated for us through the veil, that is His flesh”

3.     A High Priest

Without having a High Priest interceding on our behalf, we have absolutely no access to the Father and so the admonition is; “and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Not only is Jesus Christ our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf but we have also been duly instructed saying; “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (I Timothy 2:5-6).

Both the words of Jesus Christ and that of the apostle Paul endorsed the protocol on how one has access to the Father. For example, Jesus stated quite emphatically; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

The way to the Father is through His flesh represented by the unleavened bread, the truth is Jesus Christ, the Word of God in the capacity of the High Priest interceding on our behalf and the life is through His blood represented by the cup of blessings which we bless.

And then the apostle Paul summarizes it this way: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion (fellowship) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion (fellowship) of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1Corinthians 10:14-17).

This way to the Father is the hallmark of the true church, the body of Christ and it distinguishes it from all others. For example; the apostle Paul chastised the Corinthian church by saying; “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.’

“For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore, when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper.’

“For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you” (1Corinthians 11:17-22).

 Please note carefully that, the apostle Paul’s criticism and chastisement of the church in Corinth was not because of partaking of the Lord’s supper whenever they met together as a church but it was in the manner in which it was taken and so in conclusion he said to them; “Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come” (1Corinthians 11:33-34).

This eating when we come together as a church is not any ordinary meal but rather, the partaking of the Lord’s supper which is ordained to partake of at specific appointed times and under specific conditions.

For example; we have been duly admonished saying; “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.’

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner --- not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person" (1Corinthians 5:9-13).

It is also very important to note that, God has ordained specific times to offer to Him His food for His offerings and did not leave us ignorant as to when one has to offer this offering. For this is what the Lord instructed Moses saying; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

And so, the hallmark which distinguishes the true church of God are two folds:  

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To  be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph                                 

Are we guilty of vain worship (part 4)

 4.  Are you appearing before God without distinguishing the difference between the holy and the profane?

The word of the Lord which came to the prophet Isaiah concerning the sins of Jerusalem is, “Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them” (Ezekiel 22:26).

Again, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel concerning the house of Israel saying “O house of Israel let us have no more of all your abominations. When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it –My house – and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. Thus says the Lord God; ‘No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel” (Ezekiel 44:7, 9).

The prophet Jeremiah also received a word from the Lord saying, “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the Lord! ‘Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, we are delivered to do all these abominations?’

‘Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold I, even I, have seen it; says the Lord” (Jeremiah 7:9-1).

In the New Testament, believers are categorized as, “A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people, in order that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1Peter 2:9).

The Lord’s instruction to this holy nation is, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?

For you are the temple of the living God as God has said; I will dwell in them and walk among them, I will be their God and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate says the Lord, do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2Corinthians 6:14-18).

Christian fellowship is not just among believers, because according to the apostle John, it is also with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, since Christian fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ who is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all, anyone who is not walking in the light, and is not prepared or willing to have his/her sins forgiven, and be cleansed by the blood of the new covenant, should not be a part of the fellowship.

For, “If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1John1:6-7).

It takes only a little bit of leaven to leaven the whole dough. It takes only one in the midst of the worshipers whose sins have not been cleansed to corrupt, contaminate and defile the worship service, and cause it to be an abomination before God. This is why the offering we are asked to bring and come into His courts is of such intrinsic importance. It is only through this offering can we worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.

When someone tries to obey the Lord’s command which says, “My offering, My food [bread] for My offerings by fire [zeal], My pleasing odor, you shall take heed to offer to Me in its due season;” others regard this effort as enslavement or simply metaphoric. But here is what the word of the Lord says; “Thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin [man’s independent nature, doing what seems right in one’s own eyes and walking after the imagination of one's evil heart ], you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin [man’s independent nature] and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

So, what does it means to become slaves of righteousness? in closing I ask the question again, are we guilty of worshiping God in vain? Let the word of God and our conscience Judge us.

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Lucius Joseph

Are we guilty of vain worship (part 3 continued)

What is of intrinsic importance is for us to know the rationale, the objective and the importance of this offering. For example, we have been duly instructed saying: “For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.”

Now in relation to Jesus Christ our Eternal High Priest we have been duly instructed saying; “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; Therefore, it is necessary that this One (referring to Jesus Christ) also have something to offer” (Hebrews 5:1; 8:3).

What we also need to bear in mind and consider is the rationale and purpose for this offering which is stated as follows; “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”

And last but not the least; “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.’

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (Colossians .1:13-14, 21-22, 1John1:7).

So, the question is, at what time and by which mechanism do we receive redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins so as to present us holy, blameless and above reproach before the Father?

This offering is so important to God that He instructed Moses saying; “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them; “My offering, My food [bread] for My offerings by fire, My pleasing odor, you shall take heed [be careful] to offer to Me at its due season” (Numbers 28:1-2).

Not only can it be confirmed that Jesus Christ is indeed that fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, but Jesus Christ also confirmed the fact that He is the bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (John 6:33).

The irony of truth is, since no one can say “I have no sin” or “I have not sinned:” No one therefore can present him/herself before the Father without a sin offering being offered on his/her behalf. This offering is not offered automatically, but by the individual’s free will because there is no respecter of persons with God (Leviticus. 1:3-4).

The appointed times to offer to God His food, the bread for His offerings, His sweet-smelling aroma has not been left to chance, or left in limbo as to how often is often, but it is clearly defined as morning and evening for the regular daily offering known as a thanks-giving offering, on the seventh Day Weekly Sabbath as a peace or fellowship offering), on the New Moons (the beginning of a new month), and on the annual Festivals which the Lord regards as My Feasts as a peace fellowship offering, (Read Numbers Chapters 28 and 29).

A common mistake make by most believers is that, they do not realize that forgiveness, and cleansing of sin, are entirely two different processes that are intertwined to each other.  It is written; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Understanding spiritual things are not beyond man’s comprehension since, “What may be known about God is plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans1:20).

Consider this for a moment, a person who spills milk on the floor, broke the glass, begs for forgiveness, and grants forgiveness, is he/she automatically negated from cleaning the messy floor? Absolutely not! Without picking up the broken pieces of glass, clean the floor with water and detergent, the floor remains unclean and hazardous. In like manner, confession without the application of the blood of Christ through the cup of the new covenant which Christ instituted on the night before He was led to be crucified, there is no forgiveness.

Also, an offense or a transgression is not resolved simply by acknowledging one’s guilt and confessing to a Lawyer. The matter is resolved only when it is brought before the Magistrate or Judge, where the lawyer intercedes or pleads on behalf of the offender.

In like manner, sins are not forgiven unless Christ intercedes on our behalf. He does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the peoples for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. But like every high priest He is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of our sins, and this offering is the bread of God and the cup of the new covenant of His blood which only can satisfies the will of God.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

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Are we Guilty of vain worship (part 3)

3.      Are we appearing before God without presenting to Him His food for His offerings?

Remember what is written in the Psalms. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; bring an offering and come into His courts.” Also, the instructions which the Lord gave to Moses saying; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Psalms 96:8; Numbers 28:2).

We should bear in mind that in our New Testament dispensation this sweet aroma is the sacrificial body of Jesus Christ as clearly stated saying; “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).

So, the multi-million question is, what sort of an offering are we commanded to bring to the Lord when presenting ourselves before Him?

This is what the Lord said to Moses, “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day – a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire” (Exodus 29:38-40).

This pleasing aroma with all its paraphernalia is called the burnt offering. It consists of the Lamb, with its grain and drink offering. The Lamb is figurative to Jesus Christ Himself, the grain offering is figurative to the broken body of Jesus Christ in the form of the Unleavened Bread, and the drink offering is figurative to the shed blood of Jesus Christ in the form of the wine. This is the expression of Christ’s love for us.

Concerning this offering, the Lord said to Moses, “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly (continuously, often) at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by My glory. So, I will consecrate the tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.’

“They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God” (Exodus 29:42-46).

As clearly shown, this offering is the prerequisite, the pass code so to speak, to present one’s self before God, before He speaks to His servants, before the place of meeting is consecrated, and before the Lord takes residence among His people.

The Apostle Paul expressed a similar sentiment when he wrote; “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way open for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews10:19-22).

The boldness or confidence which one has to enter the most holy place is by the blood of Jesus which is represented by the wine, the new and living way which is open for us through the curtain, that is His body is represented by the bread and the High Priest over the house of God which grants us access to the throne of grace is Jesus Christ our Mediator and High Priest who intercedes on our behalf.

In concluding religious directives, the apostle Paul gave the following instructions; “The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so, Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore” (Hebrews13:11-13).

This offering is of paramount importance. It is the offering which the High Priest is appointed to offer on behalf of man’s sins, and it is the offering which only can cleanse the worshiper from a guilty conscience, and present him/her holy, blameless, and irreproachable in the sight of God.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Are we guilty of vain worship (part 2)

2. Are we appearing before the Lord at His appointed [ordained] times?

The Lord said to Moses; “These are the Feasts of the Lord, holy convocations [sacred assemblies] which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.” Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed [ordained] Feasts of the Lord beginning with the Seventh Day weekly Sabbath, the Passover/Unleavened Bread, First fruits, Feast of Weeks/Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles. (Leviticus 23:1-4).

You may have been deceived or misled in believing that these Festivals were designated only for the Jews, and are not relevant to the Gentiles, but I write and speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what the scriptures say in regards to salvation for the Gentiles.

For this is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is close at hand and My righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely exclude me from His people.”

“For this is what the Lord says: To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant – to them I will give within My temple and its walls a memorial and a name better that sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.’

‘And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve Him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship Him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to My covenant – these I will bring to My holy mountain [kingdom] and give them joy in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:1-7).

Gentiles are instructed to glorify God together with His people, and not in isolation. They are instructed to, “Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him, all you peoples” (Romans 15:7-11).

Our God is not a God of confusion. “Jesus Christ is our peace, who has made the two (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:14-18).

It is unequivocally clear that the times which God ordained for sacred assemblies are still in force. The bible is replete with evidences where both Jesus Christ and the apostles kept the seventh Day Sabbath.

The apostle Paul admonished the brethren to celebrate the Feast of the Passover/Unleavened Bread by saying; “Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us keep the Festival not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth” (1Corimthians 5:7-8).

It is quite evident that the disciples kept the Feast of Pentecost, because it is written; “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1).

The Apostle Paul who, became converted fourteen years after the original apostles also kept the Feast of Pentecost. It is stated that, “Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16).

On another occasion Paul said, “I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me” (1Corinthians16:8).

Jesus Christ kept the Feast of Tabernacles. It is written: “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John.7:37-38).

During the millennium survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will have to go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Those who refuse to keep the Feast will be severely punished. (Zechariah14:16-19).

And so the multi-million question is, since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, and this festival was observed at the beginning of God's fellowship with man and will be observed in the future during the millennium and those who refused to attend will be severely punished, why is it not observed today by the majority of those who professed to be believers? 

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Are we guilty of vain worship?

ARE YOU GUILTY OF VAIN WORSHIP?     

I pose this question with no malice intent to cause offense or condemnation. I recently came to this realization and conviction through the study of the inspired word of God, and therefore my intent is to provoke the desire for a deeper study of the matter, peradventure the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know how to truly worship Him in spirit and truth.

Let me state from the outset that, the question of vain worship is by no means related to false worship, neither does it pertains to one’s free gift of eternal life and salvation. For as every believer should know, it is by grace we have been saved, through faith – and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

However, we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We need to stress on these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

One of the good works God prepared in advance for us to do is, to worship Him; that means, expressing our relationship to God in reverence and adoration.

For example; it is stated in the Psalms, “Oh come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (Psalms 95:6-7).

Ascribe to the Lord O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord Glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the Glory due to his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him all the earth” (Psalms 96:7-9; 29:1-2).

I highlighted two important things which I will dwell on later.

It is imperative that the matter of vain worship be thoroughly examined by all true and sincere believers, because the worse indictment which is labeled on those who worship the one and only true God is that of worshiping the true God in vain.

Jesus, quoting from the prophet Isaiah said to the Pharisees, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written; ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men; for laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have let go the commandments of God and are holding on to the traditions of men” (Mark.7: 6-9).

True worship in our new dispensation is defined as, “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him. God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

As believers we have been given the prerogative to judge ourselves; for if we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Let us therefore judge ourselves as to whether or not we are worshiping the true God in vain.

Here are four areas to prove to ones’ self whether or not he/she is worshiping God in vain.

1.     Is there any biblical truth to support and validate the day and occasion we are to appear before God to worship?

Remember, those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and truth. For example; the Lord says; “When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts?

Bring no more futile [vain, worthless] sacrifices; incense [prayer] is an abomination to me, the new moons, the Sabbaths and the calling of assemblies – I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons, and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them, when you spread out your hands, I will hide My face from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).

Notice, it did not say, “My New Moons and My appointed feasts” but rather your New Moons and your appointed feasts which the Lord’s soul hates. Meaning that, they are not the Lord’s appointed feast days.

To be continued\

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph