Praise Jesus!
Photo ©2006 Jim Sutton
This was written by a professor at a major Christian college.
" One of the disturbing things about Christianity is that very few Christians ever advance beyond their first revelation."
Walking with God is (or at least, should be) an unfolding process in which we get to know Him better and better. As we discussed before, one of the exciting things about the Christian life is discovery, daily getting fresh bread from His table. Acts 3:21 describes a time of restoration of all things which God has spoken through the mouths of His holy prophets. There is no "new" truth, but there is plenty of neglected truth, life changing truth, just waiting to be drawn out by dilligent students of God's Word.
A real milestone in my Christian life came during a home Bible study about 12 years ago, when we studied the Redemptive Names of God revealed in the Old Testament, and how they give us insight into His nature and character. Although an in-depth treatment of this topic is beyond the scope of this article, I would encourage you to study this sometime. It will bless you tremendously. I will, however, give you a brief definition of a few of these Redemptive Names:
We see exactly what He meant in the dramatic events described in the Book of Acts. The power Jesus spoke of was mightily poured out on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4.) From then on, the early church continued in the same vein as their risen Lord, boldly preaching His Gospel, as He faithfully confirmed it with signs following. Whether it be healing (Acts 3:6; 4:10, 30; 5:12-16; 6:3-8; 9:34; 14:8-10; 19:11-12) deliverance (Acts 8:7; 16:18; 19:11-12,) or whatever the needs of lost, hurting people may have been, the Spirit's power was there in abundance to meet them, and to give powerful testimony to Jesus' message preached through His church. Just like in Jesus' ministry, these miracles were also important tools that God used to draw people to salvation (Acts 8:6; 9:35, 42.) To assert, as some do, that Jesus doesn't heal or work miracles today is to put Him in violation of His own nature. The never was an "Age of Miracles." There is a God of miracles, and He never changes! (Malachi 3:6) He is eternally Jehovah Raphe, the Lord our Healer. He is eternally El Shaddai, the God who is more than enough. He is eternally Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our provider. All Christians obviously believe that Jesus is our Savior. However, we often overlook many of the things that are involved in His saving work. We generally define the word "salvation" as simply meaning going to Heaven, instead of Hell, when you die. This is certainly the most important aspect of it, but it is not, by any means, all there is to it. The Greek word for salvation comes from the word "sozo" (see Strong's # 4982) which means to save, heal, preserve, and make whole. It involves all of the blessings bestowed on men by Christ. It shows that salvation is for the whole man, spirit, soul, and body, and is for the here and now, not just for the afterlife. Similarly, the Hebrew word "Shalom," (Strong's #7965) which is usually translated "peace" in the Old Testament also has a deeper meaning than many realize. It does mean "peace," but it also means favor, health, prosperity, and wholeness. The Bible refers to Jesus as the Prince of Peace, or as the Hebrew points out, the Prince of Shalom. He certainly is the prince of Peace. He is also the Prince of Wholeness, the Prince of Prosperity, and so on. Friend, He is everything you will ever need! Similarly, we must be bold enough to embrace the Person of Jesus Christ for all He is: Savior, Lord, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Intercessor, Healer, Provider, and much, much more. This is an absolutely essential part of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3.) If we neglect it, we risk becoming a church that simply has a form of godliness, but denies the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5.) The belief that everything Jesus did in the Gospels, He is still doing today. God is still God! This cannot be emphasized enough. The message is not something to be feared. It is a message of God's goodness and love. A message of His saving, healing, and delivering power. Lets make a fresh commitment to exalt the beautiful name of Him who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8.) With each new glimpse we take of His unveiled glory, we will fall more and more deeply in love with Him, and be transformed more and more into His likeness. If you do not yet have a relationship with Him, the most incredible experience of your life awaits you, if you will turn your life over to Him. If we can help you in this area, please don't hesitate to let us know.
© 2001 JHB
" One of the disturbing things about Christianity is that very few Christians ever advance beyond their first revelation."
Walking with God is (or at least, should be) an unfolding process in which we get to know Him better and better. As we discussed before, one of the exciting things about the Christian life is discovery, daily getting fresh bread from His table. Acts 3:21 describes a time of restoration of all things which God has spoken through the mouths of His holy prophets. There is no "new" truth, but there is plenty of neglected truth, life changing truth, just waiting to be drawn out by dilligent students of God's Word.
A real milestone in my Christian life came during a home Bible study about 12 years ago, when we studied the Redemptive Names of God revealed in the Old Testament, and how they give us insight into His nature and character. Although an in-depth treatment of this topic is beyond the scope of this article, I would encourage you to study this sometime. It will bless you tremendously. I will, however, give you a brief definition of a few of these Redemptive Names:
- Jehovah Tsidkinu: The Lord Our Righteousness
- Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Our Peace
- Jehovah Raphe: The Lord Our Healer
- Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Our Provider
- Jehovah Shammah: the Lord Who Is Ever Present
- Jehovah El Shaddai: The All Sufficient One, The God Who Is More Than Enough
We see exactly what He meant in the dramatic events described in the Book of Acts. The power Jesus spoke of was mightily poured out on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4.) From then on, the early church continued in the same vein as their risen Lord, boldly preaching His Gospel, as He faithfully confirmed it with signs following. Whether it be healing (Acts 3:6; 4:10, 30; 5:12-16; 6:3-8; 9:34; 14:8-10; 19:11-12) deliverance (Acts 8:7; 16:18; 19:11-12,) or whatever the needs of lost, hurting people may have been, the Spirit's power was there in abundance to meet them, and to give powerful testimony to Jesus' message preached through His church. Just like in Jesus' ministry, these miracles were also important tools that God used to draw people to salvation (Acts 8:6; 9:35, 42.) To assert, as some do, that Jesus doesn't heal or work miracles today is to put Him in violation of His own nature. The never was an "Age of Miracles." There is a God of miracles, and He never changes! (Malachi 3:6) He is eternally Jehovah Raphe, the Lord our Healer. He is eternally El Shaddai, the God who is more than enough. He is eternally Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our provider. All Christians obviously believe that Jesus is our Savior. However, we often overlook many of the things that are involved in His saving work. We generally define the word "salvation" as simply meaning going to Heaven, instead of Hell, when you die. This is certainly the most important aspect of it, but it is not, by any means, all there is to it. The Greek word for salvation comes from the word "sozo" (see Strong's # 4982) which means to save, heal, preserve, and make whole. It involves all of the blessings bestowed on men by Christ. It shows that salvation is for the whole man, spirit, soul, and body, and is for the here and now, not just for the afterlife. Similarly, the Hebrew word "Shalom," (Strong's #7965) which is usually translated "peace" in the Old Testament also has a deeper meaning than many realize. It does mean "peace," but it also means favor, health, prosperity, and wholeness. The Bible refers to Jesus as the Prince of Peace, or as the Hebrew points out, the Prince of Shalom. He certainly is the prince of Peace. He is also the Prince of Wholeness, the Prince of Prosperity, and so on. Friend, He is everything you will ever need! Similarly, we must be bold enough to embrace the Person of Jesus Christ for all He is: Savior, Lord, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Intercessor, Healer, Provider, and much, much more. This is an absolutely essential part of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3.) If we neglect it, we risk becoming a church that simply has a form of godliness, but denies the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5.) The belief that everything Jesus did in the Gospels, He is still doing today. God is still God! This cannot be emphasized enough. The message is not something to be feared. It is a message of God's goodness and love. A message of His saving, healing, and delivering power. Lets make a fresh commitment to exalt the beautiful name of Him who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8.) With each new glimpse we take of His unveiled glory, we will fall more and more deeply in love with Him, and be transformed more and more into His likeness. If you do not yet have a relationship with Him, the most incredible experience of your life awaits you, if you will turn your life over to Him. If we can help you in this area, please don't hesitate to let us know.
© 2001 JHB