If Paul needed a personal visit from Jesus to know that Jesus was resurrected, then why wouldn’t you?
THE BATTLE AXE: Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013)—(5.) The identity of GOD as Sovereign, as Judge and as Creator is inseparable from the fixed, immutable will of GOD that we speak of as being divine law. Many ignorantly oppose the existence of heavenly law as a device to escape divine wrath. To such, no law means no judgment, and no judgment means no punishment. No punishment means “free will” and license to indulge every imaginable desire and lust. More than this, no law means no duty, no labor and necessary work as believers. It remains that, because the law is the expressed will of GOD—conveys the being, intent and sacred purposes of GOD—to oppose divine law is sin that opposes the continued existence of GOD and of all that has been put forth as divine Creation. While the law does not save one from sin, or eliminate and erase sin, the law does provide direction, order and structure that are needed to fully apprehend eternal life. See Psalms 119: 1-176 and Galatians 2: 15-21, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. (1st Corinthians 15: 1-11, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); Jericho Justified? (07/02/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); Lost Without GOD? (06/26/2013); Bible Authors and Truth (06/19/2013); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013)
Joe, here are some points to consider that many mature Christian believers acquire through their prayerful studies of the Bible:
(1.) From Genesis to Revelation, the holy writings document the multiple changes and perfecting of the divine inheritance upon the earth that was patterned after the priesthood of Christ in heaven. Many of the sacred events recorded occur to signal transformation of fellowship, service, worship, and the covenant relationships of mankind and GOD. Examples include the priesthood as seen through Abel, Moses, Job, Jonah, Eli, David and Jesus.
(2.) As with incarnation (the appearance of GOD in and through human flesh), manifestations, miracles and angelic visitations are sacred events to fulfill divine promises, establish prophecy, clarify hallowed purpose, and continue divine law. These things derive from divinity and grace, the person of GOD, rather than from human needs for experience or information.
(3.) The Apostle Paul (like believers today) had to experience new birth and re-creation wherein he was taken to new levels of what Adam had received as a son of GOD. Paul’s awareness and intelligence continued to be limited because he remained grounded in many errors associated with GOD’s chosen instrument: Jewish culture, law and tradition. On the one hand, all Paul had ever believed was affirmed and certified. On the other hand, all things became new.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. For example, (4.) My personal testimony is that I have seen Jesus face-to-face. However, Jesus has said, blessed are they that have not seen, yet have believed. Our conviction should not go forward on the basis of human actions and sense experiences of seeing, hearing, etc. Salvation is through discernment and realization of truth within ourselves regarding things that are entirely spirit in their being, content and substance. Included are faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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