Category: God’s truth

The Comforter #3

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16 KJV).

Who is this “Comforter?” What are His roles?

As Christ conducted His earthly ministry, He was present bodily to fortify His disciples. Now that He was leaving to go to Calvary’s cross, eventually returning to Heaven to His Father, He was training them for His absence. Howbeit, they would not be totally alone. He would ask His Father to send “another Comforter” (today’s Scripture). This Person, “the Spirit of truth,” would “dwell with [them],” and would be “in [them]” (verse 17). Jesus would not leave them “comfortless” (verse 18).

In chapter 15, the Lord Jesus says the Holy Spirit “shall testify of me: and ye shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (verses 26,27). Chapter 16 speaks of the Holy Spirit coming once Christ departs (verse 7). Through the Apostles’ preaching, He will “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me; [10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” He enables them to proclaim God’s truth—especially facts from Christ’s earthly ministry.

Finally, Christ discloses how the Holy Spirit will pen our “New Testament” Scriptures: “[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. [13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. [15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

The Holy Spirit will take Christ’s words from His earthly ministry, expand on them, and then cause them to be written down so we can have them now. As He is the “Comforter” of the Little Flock, so He is our “Comforter,” strengthening God’s people regardless of the dispensational change….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are the Jews supposed to still get circumcised in the Dispensation of Grace?”

The Comforter #2

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16 KJV).

Who is this “Comforter?” What are His roles?

Today’s Scripture lies in the section (13:1–17:26) in which the Lord Jesus is in the upper room with His disciples at evening. They eat the Passover and then the Last Supper. In just a few hours, He will go out to the Garden of Gethsemane where He will be betrayed and arrested. Ultimately, the following morning, they will execute Him on Calvary’s cross. These chapters are thus His parting words to Israel’s believing remnant. He reveals to them things to come—both short-term and long-term. There is good news and bad.

The central piece of good news is the coming of “the Comforter” (first mentioned in today’s Scripture): “[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you…. [26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

While the word “comfort” often invokes the thought of cheering up a sad person, there is a much wider meaning in this unit of Scripture. At the heart of “comfort” is “fort,” from the Latin term (fortis) meaning “strong.” “Fortitude” is the related concept. Tough times are coming for Israel’s Little Flock, heirs of God’s earthly kingdom (Luke 12:31,32), so they need power to endure. They will be endowed with Divine strength—“the Comforter!” The Greek word is “parakletos,” which simply means “called alongside, especially to help.” God’s Word defines “the Comforter” as “the Holy Ghost,” the third Member of the Godhead, who will enable Israel to work in Christ’s absence.

The strength will come about via God’s Word, the truth that “the Spirit of truth” speaks to these saints….

The Comforter #1

Monday, March 25, 2019

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16 KJV).

Who is this “Comforter?” What are His roles?

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you…. [26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Now, John chapter 15: “[26] But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: [27] And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

Finally, John chapter 16: “[7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me; [10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. [12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. [13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. [15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Let us consider Him further….

Deceived Christians!

Friday, March 15, 2019

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV).

I was assisting a dear brother in Christ having some extreme hardships. Understandably, he was utterly downcast. While we were together, he inquired of me, “Why is God sending me all these problems?” What a truly sad question. Oh, dear friends, it is more than that. It is a lie straight from the pit of Hell!

Religious tradition has deceived all of us to some degree. People not “rightly dividing the word of truth” have misled us (see 2 Timothy 2:14-26). They take Israel’s legalistic passages from her Law program, and put us under that performance-based acceptance system. Passages such as Leviticus chapter 26 and Deuteronomy chapter 28 are used to claim that God will send trouble our way because of unconfessed sin, disobedience, and so on.

When I reminded the brother we are accepted in Christ, and God has no controversy with us (Romans 5:1), he objected by appealing to various misquoted verses. Instead of listening to and believing the sound Bible doctrine I was offering him, his flesh was fighting it. His denominational background, which is appealing to his flesh, was still hampering him even after many years of learning dispensational Bible study. This is a classic example of the widespread difficulty—people “that oppose themselves” (today’s Scripture). Flawed doctrine causes them to think and behave contrary to who they really are in Christ Jesus!

Instead of seeing themselves as Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, describe them, they have a distorted sense of reality. Satan’s evil world system has taken them captive into some fantasy world. The only way out is if they make the conscious choice to learn and believe sound Bible doctrine. We cannot recover them; the Bible says they must do it. Yes, we can and should teach them about grace, but it is ultimately their decision to make. We cannot make it for them!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What are the ‘warp’ and the ‘woof?’”

The Sins of the Times! #6

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV).

Friend, you have surely heard of “the signs of the times,” but do you know anything about “the sins of the times?”

“For the Jews required a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22). “Except ye [Israel] see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (John 4:48). Rather than seek “signs of the times”—which is Jewish (are we the nation Israel?) and prophetic (are we not in the mystery program?)—we perceive the sins of the times. These are, first and foremost, spiritual sins, false religion increasingly counterfeiting Christianity (see 2 Timothy 3:6-17).

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry [forced religious celibacy!], and commanding to abstain from meats [mandated religious fasting!], which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:1-3). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4).

Never do Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, predict some great, worldwide revival before the close of the Dispensation of Grace. It will not come, friends. In fact, the opposite is true (see above verses). This world will one day meet an angry, holy God—that cannot be avoided (it is only delayed!). False religion cannot be stopped and our self-serving society will not be destroyed until Jesus Christ returns. Our Christian duty—yea, privilege—is to preach the Gospel of Grace and teach grace principles while we are here, while our Dispensation of Grace is still open, to reach the precious few willing to hear and believe. How urgent (!!) it is that lost souls be saved from that horrible wrath to come; how pressing (!!) it is that Christian souls be saved from the rampant deception! Go out and get the Message of Grace out!!! 

Our latest Bible Q&A: “‘If any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant?’”

The Sins of the Times! #5

Monday, March 11, 2019

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV).

Friend, you have surely heard of “the signs of the times,” but do you know anything about “the sins of the times?”

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (verse 5). Strangely, people actually (mis)use Scripture to justify their sins. They deny sound Bible doctrine, but readily misquote and/or mishandle God’s Word to teach and do their pleasure. God has given them over to their delusions: they think they are worshipping Him, following His will, but nothing could be further from the truth. We are to “turn away” from or avoid such individuals!!

Someone may inquire as to why Paul spoke of the perilous times in the future tense—“perilous times shall come.” Were not the sins of verses 2-4 present when Paul wrote those words 20 centuries ago? Indeed, those actions are really the “norm” for our dispensation! Yet, society’s conditions are worsening: such sins are not new, only intensifying and multiplying for four reasons.

Firstly, God’s grace through Calvary has been offered and rejected for 2,000 years. The more the world has heard of God’s love for them, the more they have grown to hate Him like never before and progressively hardened to His will (Proverbs 29:1). Secondly, more sects, cults, religions, and denominations have arisen to further corrupt society’s thinking: false teaching has had an extra 200 decades since Paul to proliferate. The sins of the flesh will grow more rampant because the sound doctrine to fight them has been pushed aside for religious lies.

Thirdly, larger populations mean more sinners are present to influence each other in wickedness. Lastly, the longer sin remains unpunished, the more widespread it becomes (Ecclesiastes 8:11). People are abusing God’s goodness and forbearance by continuing to willfully sin, when they should believe on His Son before they are judged in His righteous wrath (Romans 2:3-11)!

As this dispensation winds down, we become more and more removed from the Fall (when man first abandoned his Creator) and increasingly closer to the zenith of Satan’s policy of evil (the Antichrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition). Man is becoming more hostile toward God and himself….

Distributing the Four Gospel Records? #3

Monday, March 4, 2019

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24 KJV).

To whom was Christ’s earthly ministry directed?

Matthew through John are God’s Word to and about Israel preparing to receive her Messiah-King (Jesus Christ) and earthly kingdom (Matthew 10:5-7; Romans 9:4,5). Jesus Christ and His associates (His heralder or forerunner John the Baptist, His 12 apostles, and so on) thus preached “the Gospel of the Kingdom” (Matthew 9:35; cf. Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; et cetera). They performed miracles to validate that Gospel message that God’s kingdom was near (Mark 16:20; Luke 8:1,2). Israel would be delivered from bondage to sin and Satan, and then she would take God’s Word to the nations. Yet, Israel has yet to be delivered! God has temporarily paused the program He was operating in Christ’s earthly ministry. Through Israel’s fall salvation is come to us Gentiles (Romans 11:11-14).

Jesus Christ gave the Apostle Paul “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” to give to us Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1,2). We do not find God’s present-day dealings with man in Matthew through John; we find our instructions in Romans through Philemon. How will Father God stabilize our souls? Through His Word “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15)! We must understand Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3,4), then the rest of Pauline doctrine, and finally the entire Bible in light of Pauline revelation.

Romans chapter 16: “[25] Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:….”

Thus, Christian friend, if you are wondering where to begin with Bible translation or distribution, you are strongly urged to start with the Book of Romans. Romans is the clearest exposition of the Gospel of Grace by which we have a relationship with God today (chapters 1–5). It is also the most basic handbook for Christian living (chapters 6–16), with special emphasis on us not being the nation Israel (chapters 9–11). Simple!

Saints, please remember us in your monthly giving—these websites do cost money to run! 🙂 You can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux, or email me at arcministries@gmail.com. Do not forget about Bible Q&A booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! By the way, ministry emails have really been backed up this year. I am handling them as much as humanly possible. Thanks for your patience. 🙂

Distributing the Four Gospel Records? #2

Sunday, March 3, 2019

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24 KJV).

To whom was Christ’s earthly ministry directed?

It is assumed that Jesus’ utterances in Matthew through John are the most authoritative in Scripture. Are the words of God the Son really greater than those of God the Spirit? Do the Holy Spirit’s words in Genesis through Malachi carry less weight than Christ’s words of His earthly ministry? Certainly not! What we need to understand is not only who is speaking, but to whom is it addressed. If God is talking, but to someone other than us, do we have the right to claim those Divine utterances as ours? Absolutely not!

Christ’s earthly ministry is based on Israel’s covenants: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision [Jews] for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Romans 15:8). He was sent to Israel only in Matthew through John (today’s Scripture; cf. Matthew 10:5-7; John 4:22); we Gentiles (non-Jews) are not in view. What He taught therein was designed to re-orient Israel toward the pure Law system from which they had drifted (Galatians 4:4; Matthew 8:4). His doctrine prepares an earthly people who have an earthly hope: “The meek… shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Doctrine in the Four Gospel Records depends on Israel rising to kingdom glory (Luke 1:15-17,67-79).

Now, contrast that with the Holy Spirit’s words through Paul. Paul is God’s apostle—or “sent one,” spokesman—to us Gentiles (Romans 11:13; cf. Acts 26:14-18). We are under grace not law (Romans 6:14,15). We have no claim to earth, as our destiny is the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6,7). Israel is currently fallen (Romans chapters 9–11); hence, her doctrine in Matthew through John is not the most recent Divine revelation.

Matthew through John are certainly inspired of God. We should read, study, and believe them. Nevertheless, they are not God’s Word to or about us. It is no more appropriate to make them fit us than it is to say that we must obey Genesis chapter 6 and prepare for a global flood by building a giant boat. Indeed, right division is key to understanding the right Gospel and enjoying victorious Christian living….

The Good Man #6

Friday, March 1, 2019

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1 KJV).

How is this an apt introduction to the Book of Psalms?

The final verse of Psalm 1 reads, “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Here is a suitable ending for the Book’s opening chapter. Read it in its entirety now.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

The 150 psalms found in the Book of Psalms feature two types of people—believers (“righteous”) and unbelievers (“ungodly”). They speak of Divine wrath and Divine rule—the Second Coming followed by the Millennium. God the Holy Spirit urges the nation Israel to be prepared for both major events. Lost souls will perish at the Second Coming of Christ; their course of life will lead to utter and eternal destruction, physical and spiritual. Believers in Jesus Christ, however, will survive and continue on into His 1000-year reign: their spiritual health and growth will increase throughout the endless ages to come. The remaining 149 psalms are spoken (technically sung) in light of all these events.

Praises upon praises of JEHOVAH God erupt throughout the Book. Believers rejoice in His goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, justice, power, and so on. In other words, they are the very people represented by the good man of the opening psalm! Eternity will ring with their singing and playing of musical instruments—we will join in with them! 🙂

Bible Q&A #585: “Must I have a degree in music to sing or play an instrument at a local church?”

The Good Man #5

Thursday, February 28, 2019

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1 KJV).

How is this an apt introduction to the Book of Psalms?

Onward to verse 5: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” This points back to verse 4: “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Psalm 1—yes, all the Book of Psalms—foresees the end-times. In view especially are the two comings of Christ: the first is His suffering on Calvary’s cross, and the other is His reigning in the Kingdom. (Remember, there is no Dispensation of Grace revealed until Paul’s ministry. We the Church the Body of Christ are not under consideration here!)

In between Calvary and the Kingdom is a time of fiery wrath. This is the warning found in John the Baptist’s message near the close of Matthew chapter 3. Unbelievers will not survive that Second Coming. Notice 2 Thessalonians chapter 1: “[6] Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power…..”

With the ungodly fallen in God’s wrath, the sinners will not be among “the congregation of the righteous.” This “congregation” is the Messianic Church, God’s believing remnant found within apostate Israel. That “Little Flock” will inherit His earthly kingdom (Luke 12:32). We find them in Matthew 16:16-18, but they go as far back as Psalm 22:22 (cf. Hebrews 2:11,12). These Messianic Jews—those who trust Jesus as Messiah—will survive God’s wrath (the very wrath that consumed their unbelieving relatives). We now better appreciate Psalms, where it fits on the Bible timeline and how its narrative flows from beginning to end….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are the flames of fire in Hell literal?”