Blog In Audio:
Greetings,
The salvation of the firstfruit church during the last time of the first century was the salvation for believers in every century. When the apostle Peter wrote to the scattered Jews in the church of the first century, he reminded them that the true hope of life was not in the natural things of this world but in the resurrection power of Christ within them. The last time of the Old Covenant was only the evidence of the loosing of eternal realities of increasing life in Christ. The birth of the New Covenant body of Christ was the testimony that proved to remove the ending testimony of the Old Covenant Torah/Temple system.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The first century church was birthed in great tribulation. Those who embraced the New Covenant in Christ were resisted by the antichrist spirit of the world and the antichrist spirit of Pharisaic legalism. The testimony of Christ in the first century believers would prove to be stronger than the weapons that were formed against them. The salvation of their souls would not just be a salvation of going to heaven but a salvation to their way of living through an eternal hope in Christ.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
When Jesus is seen in our lives, we find the testimony of life that reveals the praise, honor, and glory of God. Whenever Jesus is seen in our lives, we receive a further testimony of the salvation of our souls. It is a salvation of intimacy with God in all things. It is a salvation of eternal life in this world and in all that is to come.
Our qualification as leaders is not in the knowledge or skills we have learned. It is not in our methods of ministry. Our qualification is only in our ability to see Jesus manifest in our lives and then to set an example that inspires others to experience a revelation of Jesus in their lives. To know Him as Lord and Christ is to experience Him as Lord and Christ in our lives. When we see Him, we are changed. When we see Him, we become like Him because we see Him as He is.
Food For Thought
Ted J. Hanson
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Our Ministry Information Is:
House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728
