A Review of 2014

We noted some very interesting doctrines in 2014. Beginning in January - February, we looked at the Sword of the Spirit and how It was manifested in the life of Christ. We looked at the Passover analogies, the mystery of the Gospels. We talked about the will of God and that there are certain mechanics when it comes to the will of God.
Act 11 reveals these mechanics in a special and unique way.

1. Guidance through prayer, in ACT 11:5, Peter says, “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me,”

2. Guidance through objective thinking of Bible doctrine, verse 6.

ACT 11:6, “and when I had fixed my gaze upon it and was observing it I saw the four‑footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air.”

3. Guidance through perception and recall of doctrine, verses 7‑10.

ACT 11:7-10, “And I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Arise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’ And this happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky.”

4. Guidance through providential circumstances, e.g. the people we meet, verse 11.

ACT 11:11, “And behold, at that moment three men appeared before the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea.”

5. Guidance through filling of the Holy Spirit and humility, verse 12.

ACT 11:12, “And the Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.”
6. Guidance through fellowship and comparison of spiritual data, verses 13‑14.
ACT 11:13-14, “And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.”

7. Guidance through recalling of doctrine, verse 16.

ACT 11:16, “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say,   ‘John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

8. Guidance through disaster.

In March, we studied the Lamb of God Who took away the sins of the world.

In April, We focused the life of Jesus Christ by the washing the feet of His disciples.

In May, we looked at a Commandment the Lord gives which is impersonal unconditional love.
In June, we looked at the doctrine of the substitutionary spiritual death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.

In July, we looked at the Substitutionary Spiritual Death of our Lord.

Deacon Rick Bettez dealt with how Science catches up to the Bible.

Rick Kabrick dealt with the Feasts of the Lord.

In August, we noted the Divine descriptions of Hades or Hell.

In September, we looked at the doctrine of Election. And we noted the three basic elections:

1. The Lord jesus Christ.

2. Israel and the Jew.

3. The Election of the Church.

In October, the Doctrine of Election and the difference between: Cosmic one and Cosmic two.

In November, we dealt with the hypocrisy of religion noting especially the Roman Catholic Church and its false doctrines.

In December, we entered into our present study The Doctrine of Heaven.

JOH 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

“will bring to your remembrance” is a fut/act/ind of hupomnesei which is a compound verb which means to remember, to remind, to suggest, to mention. Menesko means to remember, and Hupo means under the authority of someone.

In JOH 14:26 we have our Mentor, God the Holy Spirit mentioned once again “But the Helper [parakletos], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things,”

Parakletos means primarily a helper, a counselor, someone who can instill wisdom into your soul. The phrase “will teach” is a fut/act/ind of the verb that means to teach, to train, to educate, to impart information. The Holy Spirit teaches the mystery doctrine to the believers of the Church-age, JOH 16:12-15, 1CO 2:9-14, 1JO 2:27.

Many times even though you’ve learned something once, you have to learn it again and again and again until you cannot forget it! Until you know it from memeory. As Paul said to the Philippians in PHI 3:1, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

The word “safeguard” describes the importance of repetition! It is the Greek word asphales which means that which produces security and firmness. This is why the alert Pastor repeats doctrine. Repetition is important! You do not learn because you hear it once, you learn because you hear it again and again and again. This is how inculcation takes place.

Why is repetition so important?

1) Repetition of doctrine is important for application of doctrine.

2) Repetition of doctrine is important for appreciation of who and what the Lord jesus Christ is.

3) Repetition of doctrine is the only way of teaching an entire congregation of believers who are at different levels of spiritual growth.

4) Repetition of doctrine is necessary for converting gnosis into epignosis.

All believers in a congregation must be constantly reminded of doctrinal principles even though they have heard them before! Inculcation is defined by teaching by frequent repetition and admonition. No believer can advance to spiritual maturity apart from doctrinal teaching. You do not apply what you learn, you apply what you cannot forget, what you remember, and that’s why repetition is so important! And the pastor’s job is to repeat, repeat, repeat! The Pastor who doesn’t repeat is arrogant! He wants to be loved by everyone, wants everyone to speak well of him, doesn’t want to bore anyone, wants to hear how great his message is! It is the tremendous concentration on repetition that makes a difference between winners and losers.

As long as you have PVTD, it shouldn’t make a difference how many times you hear it!

And if you listen carefully and concentrate under the ministry of God the Holy Spirit, something new always breaks through. The arrogant person says I’ve heard that before.

What matters is the inculcation of Bible doctrine.

In 2Pe chapter 2, Peter mentions the importance of repetition.

2PE 1:2-12, Grace and peace be multiplied to you by means of the epignosis knowledge or through the instrument of metabolized doctrine of God and of Jesus our Lord; Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge or epignosis knowledge [metabolized doctrine] of him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these he has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers or partners of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence or making every effort, with your doctrine supply moral excellence or virtue, and in your moral virtue, knowledge;  or gnosis which is academic information. And in your knowledge, self‑control, and in your self‑control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; And in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, virtue-love. For if these qualities are yours and keep on increasing, they render you or prevent you from being neither useless[ineffective] nor unfruitful [unproductive] in the true knowledge or the epignosis knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks or does not have these qualities is blind or short‑sighted, [blind in the sense of blindness in the soul or blackout of the soul] having forgotten his purification or being cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent [perceiving doctrine and seeking those things above] to make certain about His calling and electing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; [become a loser in cosmic system]. For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.[conveyance of eternal believer’s inheritance blessings to winners].”

In verses 12-15, we see the means by which these blessings are transferred! We see the importance of doctrinal inculcation. Nothing is more important in our lives than Bible doctrine,  since Bible doctrine reveals the invisible assets and how to glorify God and receive our fantastic inheritance from God.

2PE 1:12   Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 

We can begin to see the means by which of all these fantastic blessings are conveyed to us!

This is peter’s advice in the last days of his life. He understood the doctrine of election! He understood why he was still alive and why God had sustained him! He understood his invisible assets and the fantastic inheritance God had for him! He is now 75 years old, giving us this advice, and he’s about to die! So, Peter says in the last days of his life, age 75, the year 67 ad.... Shortly before his death he says....”I shall always be ready”

Peter was a prepared pastor and God uses prepared men! eter not only mentions the importance of repetition but also the type of things that should be repeated. For example, in 2PE 1:1, Simon Peter, a bond‑servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

Literally it says “to those who have received a faith equal to ours or of the same kind”

Every believer starts out with the same amount of faith but none of us end up that way! Everyone has the same chance from the start of salvation. We all start out with an equal amount of faith, equal privilege and equal opportunity. In eternity past the sovereignty of God elected us to privilege but.....we have the freedom to accept or reject His way of doing things!

God has only ONE will for all of us and that is He wills the highest and best for each one of us. So He starts us all out with equal faith! If He had His way we’d all be advanced, living in spiritual maturity. But, in contrast, some fail, some succeed, some are winners, some are losers, some are under discipline, some are being blessed, and some are even under the sin unto death!

So Peter says 2PE 1:1, Simon Peter, a bond‑servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

This virtue, this integrity is related to our Lord Jesus Christ. So this verse literally says, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours or from the instrument of our Lord’s character and integrity. And it is through the righteousness and virtue and integrity of our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ that we attain everything!

Now the divine policy and the divine purpose is stated in verse 2.

2PE 1:2, Grace and peace be multiplied to you not in the knowledge but [by means of the epignosis knowledge or through the instrument of metabolized doctrine] of God and of Jesus our Lord;
Notice that grace and peace or prosperity is multiplied to you by means of metabolized doctrine.

The greatest thing that you can do to attain prosperity is to learn Bible doctrine!

2PE 1:3, Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through what?through the true knowledge or epignosis knowledge [metabolized doctrine] of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 

Now notice the phrase through the true knowledge, it is the prepositional phrase dia plus the definite article tes and thenepignoseos which should be translated through the means of epignosis doctrine or metabolized doctrine. So again we see that everything we need pertaining to life or spirituality comes from metabolized doctrine!

2PE 1:4-7, For by these [metabolized doctrine] He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them [the promises of God] you might become partakers or partners of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence or making every effort, with your doctrine supply moral excellence or virtue, and in your moral virtue, knowledge; or gnosis which is academic information. And in your knowledge, self‑control, and in your self‑control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness or spiritual living; And in your spiritual living, brotherly kindness [the royal family honor code], For if these qualities are yours and keep on increasing, they render you or prevent you from being neither useless [ineffective] nor unfruitful [unproductive].

2PE 1:9-12, For he who lacks or does not have these qualities is blind or short‑sighted, [blind in the sense of blindness in the soul or blackout of the soul] having forgotten his purification or being cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent [perceiving doctrine and seeking those things above] to make certain about His calling and electing you; for as long as you practice these things [the execution of the PPOG], you will never stumble; [i.e., become a loser in cosmic system]. For in this way [executing the PPOG] the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.”

Peter is talking to a well taught congregation. They had a tremendous amount of doctrine. A well taught congregation is one that has been repeated to over and over again. This means that the first time you hear a doctrine you may resist it, maybe it’s too technical, or it doesn’t apply to your personal life, but when finally understand it in relationship to it’s context and your life, it becomes metabolized doctrine!

There are 2 principles that you should never forget which are brought out in this passage;

1. In eternity past the blessings placed in your inheritance were made contingent upon the future performance of each believer. And your advance to spiritual maturity is the contingent on which the blessings are transferred.

2. Spiritual maturity is the result of doctrines being repeated over and over again to the congregation, and spiritual maturity is the place that the believer graduates from. And this is when the believer will be qualified to be rewarded from Heaven!

Heaven will reward soul winners, DAN 12:3.

Heaven will reward humble servants, MAT 10:42.

Heaven will reward faithful stewards, MAT 25:23

Heaven will reward those who give, LUK 6:35

Heaven will reward those who produce divine good, ROM 2:10.

Heaven will reward those who are persecuted, MAT 5:11-12.

Heaven will reward those who suffer un-deservingly, 2TI 2:12.

Heaven will reward those who master the O.S.N., 1CO 9:25.

Heaven will reward those who love His appearing, 2TI 4:8.

Heaven will reward those who endure temptations, JAM 1:12.

Heaven will reward the faithful pastor teacher, 1PE 5:4.

This is why spiritual failure is brought in the scriptures such as in MAT 7:27, building upon the wrong foundation!

MAT 7:26-27, “And everyone who hears these words or doctrines of mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.”

Or spiritual failure is brought in MAT 17:16 as not being able to perform that which God has given the opportunity to perform (equal privilege, equal opportunity). Or in LUK 14:30, spiritual failure is revealed by starting but not being able to finish. Or inHEB 4:6, refusing to enter into God’s rest. The main cause for spiritual loss is ignorance. The causes of spiritual loss are also said to be sin, JER 5:25, “your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have withheld good from you”

And this is why some believers have the most fantastic blessings in time while other believers are discontent, filled with self-pity, filled with self-induced misery, and constantly off balanced from divine discipline. This is also the reason why some believers enter the eternal state very rich at the Bema seat and others, at the bema seat, very poor! All believers enter eternity in a resurrected body but escrow blessings and their distribution are for winners only.

So we have the concept then of the spiritually rich and the spiritually poor in eternity, just as we have the concept of winners and losers in time! The spiritually rich are those believers who receive the distribution of their fantastic inheritance for time and eternity. The spiritually poor are those believers who, as losers in the “world system”, do not receive their blessings from their inheritance, why? They used their volition to go negative! Whether negative through ignorance or negative through cognisance it all adds up to the same thing, a loser in time and a loser in eternity.

The carnal believer is a double-loser, first, a loser in time. In “time” he had equal privilege and equal opportunity with all other believers at the point of salvation. And even though he had equal privilege and equal opportunity, he failed the plan of God! Those people have their inheritance remains on deposit forever as a memorial to the justice of God. And they are double-losers because in the eternal state their eternal rewards, decorations, and special privileges are denied them.

So, a good pastor stirs up his congregation! A good pastor forces his congregation to think! He forces them to get mad! He gets them face to face and nose to nose with the doctrinal principles of the word of God! A pastor is not a little panty politician always smiling and drooling over people! A pastor has to lay it on the line to friends and enemies, alike!

2PE 1:13, And I consider it right or my solemn duty, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

Peter considers it his solemn duty to repeat, repeat, repeat, to the royal family of God. And as long as he is alive he is going to continue his solemn duty. And it has nothing to do with counseling, visitations, or being a politician and buttering up people. It has nothing to do with personality, or sweetness, or any of the other stupid things that people expect from pastors.

Peter is saying that as long as God sustains me to remain in this earthly tent I have the responsibility to teach repetitiously!

The teaching of Bible doctrine repetitiously brings glory to Christ not to the communicator! In fact, the solemn duty of repeating doctrine separates the true student from the arrogant one! Repetition irritates those who are negative toward doctrine! Repetition irritates the arrogant!

Men come and go, Ministries come and go, but the word of God abides forever!

MAT 24:35, Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away

In JOH 14:24, our Lord continues His final message to the disciples by stating  “He who does not love Me does not guard My doctrines; and the doctrine which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.