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  • The New Source of Water

    Hi, Pastor John.

    I thought this was interesting when I was reading about the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4: 1-25.  The well was dug by Jacob close to the city of Sychar, which doesn’t mean much, only that it’s by a well dug by Jacob.  However, when you look it up geographically, it sits between two famous mountains that Israel had to pass through when God commanded blessings to be declared from Mt Gerizim on the south side of Sychar and curses declared to Israel from Mt. Ebal on the North side. 

    The disciples went into Sychar to buy some food when Jesus and the Samaritan woman met and had their conversation.  Jesus spoke to the woman and said in John 4:22, “Woman, believe me, an hour is coming when you’ll worship the Father neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” 

    Centuries before, God’s laws were read from these two mountains as Israel passed through them, but now, God has written them in our hearts so that we my hear God’s Spirit tell us what is truly good and evil.  No wonder Jesus said in John 4:13-14, “Everybody who drinks this water will get thirsty again, but if anyone drinks the water that I will give him, he will never thirst again.  No, the water that I will give him will become within him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life.” 

    I think it is really interesting that he replaced that outward well to draw from for thirst with a living “spring” flowing from the inside out.  No more worshipping on a mountain or in Jerusalem, but it’s “spiritually and truly” from the heart.  I think it’s pretty neat, knowing the geography and then how things connect from the Old Testament to the New Testament.  Nothing was by chance. 

    Billy

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1816108610465763626

     

  • A Conscience before the Spirit Came

    Pastor John,

    My daughter and I were talking this morning about the law and ceremonies as being a shadow of what God was going to write on His children’s hearts after the sacrifice of Christ.  I told her that God used the law to teach His children about Him and to prepare their hearts for being led by the spirit. She asked a question and I don’t think I was able to make it very clear. 

    How would you answer this?

    Her question: 

    So before the sacrifice, they didn’t have a conscience? 

    Beth D.

    ==========

    Hi Beth.

    Yes, people had a conscience before the Spirit was given, unless they had done so much evil that their hearts were dull to shame.  Israel got that way, and God complained that, like a harlot, they could no longer be made to blush (Jer 6:15; 8:12).  No sin was shameful to them.

    What is important is that the conscience of ancient people would bother them if they had not obeyed the rules they had been taught.  They were taught what was good, and if they didn’t do that good, and they still had a heart that could feel, they were ashamed.  This holds true regardless of whether or not what was taught as good was, in fact, not good in the sight of God.  A lot of Gentile nations were like that.  Remember, God told Jonah (4:11) that the Ninevites didn’t know their right hand from their left (as far as good and evil were concerned).

    Because of Jesus, the Spirit now creates a true knowledge of good and evil in our hearts so that we need not be taught rules of conduct by others.  This was prophesied by Jeremiah: “This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their heart.  And I will be their God, and they will be my people.  And they will no longer teach, each his fellow and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord!’ For they will all know me, from the least of them even to the greatest, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:33–34).

    Hope that helps.

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1816103945699238078

     

  • Old Testament and Father & Son Thoughts

    John,

    I love the consistency and simplicity with God’s law! In the Old Testament class, we have started learning about the law and how most of it was the same before, during, and after the old covenant! It’s so great to know how simple it was/is for God’s people if they followed these laws. (Old Testament Course (Pt. 1) – Going to Jesus.com) Then, during the old and new covenant, He gave us examples in the Bible where He forgave people for disobeying the law because He saw their hearts. God’s order is so perfect! God also put the civil law on hold after the new covenant until we reign with Him again! What a burden it would be right now to try to manage the civil situation just in the US (much less, internationally) with the state of this world and the division among God’s people. It’s another example of God’s mercy towards us.

    I went back and listened to the first chapters of The Father and Son readings. One of the things you discussed was the kind of life that each being has.

    I was thinking about it in parallel with the reading from Wednesday. Jesus was born biologically to Mary and we were born biologically to parents here. At that point, we were all given a natural human being kind of life. But, then, when the dove descended and Jesus experienced what he called being ‘born again’…that’s what happens to us when we receive the Spirit. THAT’s the birth we need to be celebrating and running with…that’s our family, our feelings, our thoughts. That’s when life really begins!

    Wendy

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1815046270479667650

     

  • Old Testament Study

    Pastor John

    I wanted to share some good feelings I have had during my Old Testament study this week. (https://www.goingtojesus.com/gtj_otcourse-1010.html)

     We read Psalm 119 to see how many times David used the words testament, precepts, judgments, and others as synonyms to the word “law”.  I got to the place where I was looking for the word “word”, and after reading several scriptures I heard, “In the beginning was the Word.”  Where I could, I started replacing “word” with Jesus.  Here are just a few:

    Ps 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word (Jesus). 

    Ps. 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me because I have hoped in thy word (Jesus). 

    Ps 119:160 Thy word (Jesus) is true from the beginning and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever. 

    This felt so good to me!

    Also, while reading and listening to “The Introduction to the Law”, I came to the part where you mention Matthew 12:1-4 where Jesus talks about David eating the shewbread.  I started tearing up with thankfulness that I know that story.  Before you taught me the Old Testament back in 2002, the only Old Testament book I remember reading was Psalms.  I knew nothing about these stories.  But because you have taught me, I now know these stories when they are mentioned in the New Testament.  Thank you!

    Julie P.

    ==========

    Jesus said that if we do not believe Moses, we would not be able to believe him.  But how can we believe Moses if we do not know what he said?  It is a blessing to know the Old Testament.  Learning it prepares us to hear from Jesus, and I am glad you are doing it!  That is wisdom.

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1816100131243954617

     

  • Jesus’ Birth

    Pastor John,

    On Wednesday, I was working in the night shift, so I only had the opportunity to watch the meeting the next day, on Thursday afternoon.  I have a comment and a question about the meeting and the things that were said there.

    First, I was very, very blessed by seeing Allison’s happiness in Jesus during Bro Gary’s song.  It touched me deeply and made me ask Jesus to please let me feel what she feels! 

    The second is a question about the discussion y’all had on why Jesus’ birth had to be a virgin birth. Back in the early to middle 2000’s, when I was regularly attending church, I heard a theory about that topic that, I guess, I just accepted as truth, but now it resurfaced in my mind during the Father and Son reading.  The theory states that Jesus had to be born of a virgin because the sinful nature of the human race is inherited through the blood of the father, not the mother.  And since Jesus had to be a “spotless lamb”, he had to be born with a sinless nature, that is, without an actual earthly father.

    Some weeks ago, you shared the story of you asking your father whether Jesus was sinless BEFORE his new birth, and your father said: “It doesn’t matter” because by being born of the Spirit “old things are passed away”.  I loved that; it felt so right, and it already made me question whether that whole theory about Jesus’ need to be born without a sinful nature was valid.  I still would like to hear your thoughts about this.

    Thank you!

    Zoli

    ==========

    Hi Zoli.

    The apostles used the term “blood of Christ” to refer to the holy Spirit because it is the Spirit that gives life to the body of Christ and, as God said, “the life is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11).  That blood, Jesus said, we must drink (Jn. 6:53), explaining later that he was speaking figuratively of the Spirit (Jn. 6:63).  Because many believers are ignorant of that simple truth, they think that when Peter said that the blood of Christ is incorruptible (1Pet. 1:18–19), he was talking about the physical blood of Jesus’ fleshly body.  Then they have to invent novel doctrines to justify that view, such as that a sinful nature comes through the blood of the father.

    The sinful nature of man is in his flesh, not in his blood, and Jesus’ entire fleshly body, including his blood, came from his mother, Mary, and everything about that body was human: his hair, his fingernails, his eyelids, and his blood.  God just got the process of Mary’s pregnancy started, but that is all.  And God doing that does not mean that Jesus had a divine nature instead of a human nature.  

    The truth about the blood of Christ being the holy Spirit is fully explained in my gospel tract here: https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_tracts.html?tname=tract-095-bloodofchrist.

    If we hold on to the truth we know, it will lead us to more truth still.

    Thank you for the letter.  I am glad to hear that you understood what I was saying.

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1815067798319833563

     

     

  • Matthew 8:28-34

    Hi, Pastor John.

    Where did the demons go that were in the swine that drowned after they were cast out of the men?  After that, were they seeking new bodies or do we not know?

    Thank you,

    Billy

    ==========

    Hi Billy.

    Demons want a body; they left theirs to possess humans (Gen. 6:1–2; Jude 1:6) and God will not allow them to have it back.  So, when a demon is cast out of a body, or when the body it possesses dies, it searches around for another body to live in.  Jesus taught this in Luke 11:24: “When the unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest.”

    Thank you for the question.

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1815064088675815854

     

  • Cherubim and Angels

    Hey Pastor John,

    Are cherubim and angels always referenced as two different types of creatures in the Bible?

    ==========

    Yes.

    ==========

    I was just wondering if it was only angels cast out of Heaven with Satan or were other Cherubim possibly cast out as well?

    ==========

    Nothing is said about other cherubim being cast out with Satan, just his angels.

    ==========

    Did Satan use/ prey on a lesser creature? 

    ==========

    He always does.

    ==========

    Are cherubim considered a higher rank than angels?  I know God put cherubim to guard the garden after Adam and Eve were sent away and they also were chosen to stand on each side of the mercy seat.  But Michael, an angel, seems to have a high position as well. 

    Just thinking! 

    Beth D.

    ==========

    Heavenly creatures vary in strength and abilities.  We cannot say much more than that concerning which heavenly beings have greater power.  We do know that Michael, being an archangel, has great power.  He and his angels were chosen to fight with Satan and his angels in heaven when Satan was cast out (Rev. 12).

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1815049914017067171

     

     

  • Last Night’s Reading

    Pastor John,

    I loved the meeting last night.  The music was wonderful!  What a blessing!  Allison was absolutely beautiful, I could feel absolute joy and happiness from her!

    This part of our reading really touched me:

    Jesus’ new birth at the Jordan had signaled the drawing of a new and eternal age, when humans could, with him, become sons of God, but no one at the time could understand the signal.  Later, after John received the baptism Jesus was talking about and had become “a new creature in Christ”, he exclaimed with great joy, “As he is, so are we in this world!” (1Jn. 4:17).  On the day the Spirit was poured out on John and the others, the new nation about which Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 66:8) was instantly “created in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24).  Those followers of Jesus were recreated by God in the image of His Son when he was on earth, with fully-grown, mortal bodies filled with God’s eternal life.  They were not born again as little babies any more than the Son of God was; they were born “as men [and women] in appearance”, though they were newborns in the kingdom of God.

    To make that precious blessing, that “pearl of great price”, available to fallen man was God’s entire purpose for everything the Son suffered on earth.  What can we then say but “thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!” (2Cor. 9:15).  Understanding what God and His Son did for us “leaves us with nothing but a mouthful of thank you!”

    I love that we were made “a new creature in Christ”!  A new past and a new, exciting future!  The love in this is overwhelming! 

    As I was listening to all the questions and comments last night, my heart was overwhelmed at the liberty we have been given.  To be able to “ponder on heavenly matters” and to “talk with God and freely ask him questions” without fear is precious.  I’m so thankful Jesus brought me to a place, outside of Christianity, where we can talk to Him, as the Friend that He is!  

    Sister Willie is right, all we have at the end of the day is a mouthful of “God thank you”!

    Thank you, Pastor John!  The Father and Son readings have been wonderful.  I’m excited for our next reading!

    Michelle 

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1814044324528800220

     

  • Tonight’s Reading- the Law

    John,

    The section in the Father and Son reading tonight about the Law were so interesting!  I never put all of that together or even had the thought concerning these things: it had to be God’s Lamb, not Joseph‘s; according to the law, the owner had to do the killing for the sacrifice; and the owner also had to be willing.  I also never had the thought of why it had to be a virgin birth.  It was so clear as we read tonight.  I love how it was tied to the Old Testament.

    We are about to start the law in our Old Testament class. (https://www.goingtojesus.com/gtj_otcourse-1010.html)  I am excited!  In one of your papers it said, “As you enter into the study of God’s law now, consider yourself to be a privileged guest, honored to hear such wondrous, sacred words because that is the truth concerning both the law and you.”  Yes! 

    Tonight’s reading in the Father and the Son was an example of how understanding the Law will broaden our horizons to other truths!  Wonderful!  I love how Jesus is opening up our eyes and our hearts.

    Carrie

    F&S reading, 14

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1814036055646945360

  • Anointed Priest – Leviticus 4

    Hey,

    Sometimes I notice things in the scriptures that I just wonder about, whether or not they are significant.  In Leviticus 4, there are four sin offerings mentioned.

    1. The anointed priest sins (vv. 3-12).
    2. The whole congregation of Israel sins (vv. 13-21).
    3. A prince sins (vv. 22-26).
    4. One of the people sins (vv. 27-35)

    In the first two cases only, some of the blood of the sin offering was taken within the tabernacle and spattered on the veil and put on the horns of the incense altar.  In both cases, it initially says that the anointed priest shall bring some of the blood of the bullock into the tent of meeting (vv. 5, 16).  In the remaining two cases, it refers only to a priest putting the blood on the altar of burnt offering.

    The Hebrew for anointed priest is literally, “the priest, the Messiah”.  The article is on both words.  This expression is reserved for the one who takes the blood into the tabernacle.  This act was the closest resemblance, outside of the ritual on the Day for Atonements itself, to Christ’s offering of his blood in heaven.  In heaven, it was certainly “the priest, the Messiah” who offered the blood.  Leviticus 4 seems to be precise in its language regarding these sacrifices.  It is at least interesting.

    Damien

    ==========

    I suspect you are on to something, Damien, but it will take the Spirit to make it clear.  One thing I can say for certain, though.  Since Jesus is the “Prince of life”, we do not have to worry about anyone needing to make a sin offering for him!

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1813219358195245079

     

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