The People of God - Not the People of Men

Greetings, Wayne, a servant of God, by the grace of God, teaching the truth of God under the authority of Jesus Christ to any who are willing to receive it. (Mat 13:43).

The Holy Bible contains the truth of God by the word of God (Joh 17:17); therefore, God teaches and gives understanding, wisdom, and knowledge to all who pray and seek Him with all the heart (Deu 4:29-31; 29:12,13).

This teaching will address the importance of God’s people, or called out ones, to self-examine the commitment they made at baptism, the new covenant (Mal3:1; Rom 11:27; Heb 8:6-13), to fulfill the will of God rather than the will of men.

The sacrifice of diligent study of the scriptures, which is our reasonable service (Rom 12:1) for so great a reward, will highlight God’s will and provide us with the knowledge necessary to ensure we are putting Him first.

I will be the words in green. Purple highlights in the scriptures are key words of truth. Reference scriptures will be provided.

Christ, as a God in the Old Testament:

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday [in time past], and to day, and for ever.

Who was he in time past? Would that not be referring to the Old Testament?

1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat [doctrine of God through Moses who had God’s Holy Spirit (Isa 63:11)];

1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

All this speaking of the Exodus from Egyptian slavery (Exo 8:1) – the deliverance of the Old Testament.

Now to the apostle John’s teaching:

God in the Flesh:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [a God of the Old Testament].

The one who those that profess to know Christ, or say that I am Christ (of Christ), should fully understand:

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own [Mat 15:24] , and his own received him not.

Mat 27:22 Pilate says unto them [the people (house) of Israel in Jerusalem, along with any strangers (gentiles, people of the world that new him not)], What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ [anointed one]? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Mat 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

And so he was, fulfilling the prophecies regarding that crucifixion.

Here is one:

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb [mute], so he opened not his mouth.

Continuing with Jesus confirming the prophesies:

Luk 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

All the prophesies, including the ones yet to be fulfilled.

His final words according to the apostle John:

Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished [prophecy fulfilled]: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost [Spirit].

The Spirit that would first descend down into the heart or center of the earth for three days and three nights (Mat 12:40), and then rise the third day:

Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

The religious establishment at that time had descended down from the false prophets of the Old Testament (Jer 23:26,27,32 - note the words "my people"), unwittingly ruled by Satan, so deceptively, that they accused Christ of having a devil.

See Joh 8:13 for who was contesting with Christ, verse 20 for the location, continue reading up to verse 27, and then verse 28 for the accusation. This was spiritual warfare (Eph 6:12) in high places far beyond the understanding of the average citizen then, as it is today. Let us continue:

This is why the Jewish people as a whole should not be blamed for the death of Christ. Some believed, and the rest were deceived and incited against Jesus by the Pharisees, who in turn were deceived by "their father" the devil (Joh 8:44).

The following verse shows who did the actual crucifying:

Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles [the Romans] to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Now to those who believed on him:

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons [and daughters (Isa 43:6)] of God, even to them that believe on his name:

How did he give them power? What action was required to become a son or daughter of God?

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized [full immersion into the water] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of [freedom from; deliverance from; forgiveness of] sins , and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Spirit];

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Men and women who were now considered to be spiritually begotten children of God – people of God.

See the teaching Baptism for more details.

Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call [Joh 6:44].

Now continuing in the first chapter of John concerning the those who received the teachings of the Word:

Joh 1:13 Which were born , not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Begotten (1Pe 1:3), not yet born of the Spirit, still in the flesh (see Joh 3:6). In the meantime, while still in the flesh, fear Him who is able to destroy both body and spirit in Hell (Gehenna fire; Mat 10:28; Eze 18:4; Rom 6:23)]

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Let no man deceive you; Jesus is where the called of God go for the grace and truth teachings that only he and the Father (Joh 10:30) can provide which are found in the Holy Bible, the word of God, the truth of God(Joh 17:17).

Yes, many have, and will, come in the name of Jesus Christ (Mat 24:5). Hence, the importance of "proving all things and holding fast that which is good or correct" (1Th 5:21) from the word of God:

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light [Psa 43:3; Joh 3:21] in them.

Be weary of any who lean on their own understanding (Pro 3:5) and attempt to reason away clear scriptures. Trust God's word (Psa 118:8).

And where is our Lord Jesus now?

Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost [Spirit], he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear [the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:2)].

Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens : but he says himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit you on my right hand [Psa 110:1],

Act 2:35 Until I make your foes your footstool.

David, king David of Israel (2Sa 12:7), is dead, sleeping with his fathers, waiting to be born a spirit being in the first resurrection (Joh 3:6)]

Jesus Christ is waiting on the right hand of God the Father for the day of his return. A day that some thought they knew as the day of his return but must have overlooked the following scripture:

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Had the followers of these false prophets taken the time to seek God "with all the heart" (Jer 29:13) and "prove all things" (1Th 5:21), they would have discovered that there was no light in them (Isa 8:20).

And now, concerning Jesus Christ being forever when he returns:

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ [anointed one]; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

Now, in the meantime, have we made our calling and election sure by obeying our Lord Jesus the Christ?

Confirm Your Calling and Election

2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity .

Which is love as well as charity.

2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Transgressions of the law, the commandments, which now include, by Christ’s own words, not to even think upon another in the spirit of adultery or show hatred towards another, and that we love one another as he has loved us (see 1Jn 3:4; Mat 5:22,28; Joh 13:34).

2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:

2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.

Here is the truth concerning our calling, according to our Lord Jesus Christ:

Beware of false Prophets (Mat 7:15), shepherds deceiving God’s people today, and will continue to do so right up until Christ’s return.

Remember the two great commandments:

Mar 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Remember the new commandment:

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Is this what you are being taught? Or are you being taught to love them in your own church but to avoid other baptised members in other churches who do not fit a man-made definition of salvation?

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Be careful. We do, however, have to be mindful of what we witness with our own eyes:

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds [Joh 8:44].

Many (Mat 24:5) have been deceived by men using verses like these to isolate and hold members in their man-made establishments. These scriptures were written for those who follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. They should not be used as tools of judgement against any who do not comply with statements of beliefs.

We must trust in what we read for ourselves from God's word:

Joh 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love.

Let us hear from our Lord Jesus Christ:

Parable of the Sower

Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

And how does God look upon those with an honest and good heart?

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Now here, Jesus is speaking to the religious establishment of that time, the Pharisees, who claimed to be following God's will but were in fact burdening and deceiving the people for gain with their own traditions.

Mat 15:8 This people draw near unto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

And so the same continues in this present evil and adulterous age (Gal 1:4).

Here, the apostle Paul is describing the spirit in some who were saying they were of Christ but were not:

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Sound familiar? Unless Jesus Christ, by the will of God the father, has divinely appeared to one and given this title, like with the apostle Paul, any who have claimed to be, or claim to be, an apostle of Jesus the Christ have transformed themselves into the apostles of the Christ.

2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness [truth; Pro 12:17]; whose end shall be according to their works.

This is speaking of those who claim to be true ministers of God but are actually deceived by Satan (Rev 12:9) to teach doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Jesus the Christ, to the people of God.

The remaining multitudes of ministers in the world who are the "blind leading the blind into the ditch"(Luk 6:39) are of no concern to Satan who he has already deceived.

As the end of the age is quickly approaching (Rev 3:11), it is the people of God Satan is attacking. We, the people of God, are in a spiritual war (Eph 6:12).

A common tactic in war is to divide and conquer. That is why you see some church leaders saying "I am Christ (of Christ)" and "I am the only true body of Christ", exalting themselves and taking on titles as they do so (Mat 23:10; Joh 5:44).

This is a doctrine of demons for the sole purpose of attacking the unity of the body of Christ (Psa 133: 1; Eph 4:1-6, 13-16).

I say as our Lord does (Mat 23:3), observe or keep what they say to observe (the 7th Day Sabbath and all of God's Holy Days, but diligently compare what they are teaching you with what our Lord teaches.

An example, some leaders teach God's people in their own church to love one another and that they are the true church, while also teaching that they have no fellowship with the rest of God's people in the other churches.

If more than one - and there are more than one - teach the same thing then someone is lying. Do not believe the lie! Stay close to the words in red and you will not be deceived. You will know the truth "and the truth shall make you free" (Joh 8:31-32).

Allow me to put you in remembrance of things that we ought to be remembering:

Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly [that is disobedient to Christ] and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Of the Pharisees; of their father the devil, and so are any who work to deceive the elect today:

Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped [covered], who subvert [overthrow; to cause the downfall of] whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

For money, gain, or honour among men which could include a promotion to a religious title.

Does "subvert whole houses" sound any horn of warning to any of the called among the divided houses of God (which are, in reality, divided houses of men)?

Joh 8:44 You [Pharisees, supposed voices of God at that time] are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Make no mistake about it, Satan will try to murder your calling through lies.

So what is the spiritual defense?

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

Devour? How?

Mat 24:11 And many false prophets [religious imposters] shall rise, and shall deceive many [Mat 22:14].

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Do not let them deceive you!

Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Let our Lord teach us about what he expects from ALL of God's people.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

This is a commandment!

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

Do all men know Jesus' disciples amongst the religious confusion brought about by divisions over statements of beliefs? Jesus is the light, the one who we ought to be obeying and reaching out to for the truth:

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice [Joh 10:27]; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one [Merriam-Webster: being in agreement or union - unity].

Jesus' prayer to the Father concerning the elect or called of God:

Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these [disciples of Jesus Christ] are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me [Joh 6:44], that they may be one, as we are.

To be one is to be united in agreement. What should the true united body of believers agree on? The church Jesus Christ built was a spiritual church not made with hands (Mat 16:18; Mark 14:58; Joh 4: 21-24; 1Pe 2:5; Act 7:48; 17:24; Eph 2:19-22; 2Co 5:1; Heb 9:11,24).

Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as you, Father, art in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Will the world believe in divided church members who shun one another? No! And that is exactly what Satan wants!

Joh 17:22 And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Joh 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me.

If you have not been keeping this new commandment, to love one another and be at one with each other, then your calling is in danger!

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

So let us all therefore repent of obeying false teachings, and remember our first love of the truth and to love ALL of God's people, the called, the elect, everywhere around the world. Who are the elect?

Mat 7:16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of [ among] thorns, or figs of [among] thistles?

How will they be worshipping God?

Joh 4:23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.

Must they be in large congregations or gatherings?

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Let us go to the teachings of the apostle Paul regarding some of the fruits or attributes of the elect of God:

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called,

Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling ;

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

And the elect have all been baptized into that one faith.

To what end?

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God [by his words, the words in red (Mat 11:29; Joh 6:63; Joh 8:31,32)], unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

We can not let ourselves be associated with false doctrines and still claim to be among a true body of believers. Consider these:

Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

The original gospel is found recorded in the books of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, by both eye witnesses (the apostles Mathew and John), and they who recorded the testimony of the gospel from eye witnesses (Mark and Luke). From there on, in Acts and the epistles (letters), we see the disciples preaching the true gospel, the kingdom of God. See the teaching The Kingdom of God - The True Gospel on this website for furthers details.

The harmony of all four gospel accounts provides faith building evidence of the truth of God. Any doctrines not found in, or added to, the gospel of Jesus Christ are false doctrines created by mankind, not for the will of God, but that they may keep their own tradition (Mar 7:9).

Continuing with the apostle Paul's warning of false gospels:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another [gospel]; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

The "we" is referring to the apostles (eye witnesses - 2Pe 1:16-18) and their followers (Luk 1:1-4; Acts 2:42).

Some closing scriptures for the diligent seeker of the truth:

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this Rock [Himself] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus is that Rock! Jesus is the Rock of our salvation!

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my Rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

In conclusion, for any of you who have been kicked out of some "...Church of God" for standing up for the truth, let this scripture from Isaiah comfort you:

Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at His word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but He [the Lord] shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

And always remember to which house you truly belong:

1Pe 2:5 You [the elect of God] also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices [Joh 4:23], acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

Freely, I have received from the word of God; freely, I have given to all who would receive the truth of God.

Farewell,

Servanthood

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.