(01/21/2019) The Divinity of Peter?

Today, the reply describes the Apostle Simon Peter as a servant of Jesus Christ who performed miracles through the Holy Spirit, yet, was not himself divine. Jesus is recorded as admonishing and warning Peter to be vigilant and walk in faith focused by the Holy Spirit, rather than be centered in things from the Deceiver, or from his own flesh. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Princess” (Level 3 with 1,461 points, a member since November 06, 2018) posted the following:

According to the Bible (thanks, @Cool Dude!) PETER can raise people from the dead. Is Peter divine?

Acts 9:36-42

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (1st Luke 22: 28-34, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: When Christians Attend Funerals (05/27/2018); The Household Of Cornelius (05/17/2018); A “Successor” To Jesus? (02/22/2018); The Water, The Fire (10/10/2017); The Great Commission Obeyed? (01/12/2016); Miracles Are From GOD (03/14/2014); Giving Forgiveness? (03/15/2014); Hierarchy (11/14/2013); The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013)

“Princess”, mature Christian believers do not regard Peter as having been an aspect of divine fullness (we say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Along with eleven other disciples, Peter was chosen to serve as an apostle of Jesus Christ. All of the apostles received an endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of divinity (we say, the imparted, indwelling Spirit) that included faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. In addition to serving as heralds and spokespersons sent ahead to gather and prepare the congregations who would hear and receive Jesus as an itinerant preacher, the apostles were authorized as agents of the incarnate ministry of Christ who were to perform exorcism, healing, raising the dead, and other sacred events (we say, miracles). Raising the dead on the earth (we also say, restoring the dead to life; reviving the dead) is not the same as resurrection that enables the spirit separated from the body of a deceased person to exist again in flesh so they may appear in judgment as living in the presence of GOD).

Peter and his brother Andrew both had standing as covenant partners and heirs of GOD through their inheritance from the promises to Abraham, Moses, and David. Thus, in accordance with the “law and the prophets” they first received Jesus Christ as a prophet. However, like Jacob, Peter had to endure correction, being humbled by GOD, gradual growth, and the outworking of divine prophecy before he would realize the true substance of his inheritance, and himself to be in a lasting relationship with divinity. On the day of Pentecost, Peter received additional spiritual gifts through the falling of the Holy Spirit that included greater faith, government, insight, meekness, personhood, oneness without sameness, and zeal. Peter and the other apostles became divine instruments ordained with the holy angels to give eyewitness testimony through the judgment of GOD that Jesus Christ was baptized, was transfigured, and is alive following his crucifixion and burial; certify the genuine appearance and falling of (sudden in-filling by) the Holy Spirit; confirm and impart the Holy Spirit by “laying on of hands;” and serve the Risen Lord as bishops and elders of the early church.

Despite that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, Peter was the first to demonstrate indwelling faith as the rock foundation for the church of Jesus, and to correctly proclaim Jesus as Christ and the Son of GOD, Peter is on record as having been seriously censured and rebuked by Jesus. At their parting, in a scene that compares to Moses and Jacob delivering their final words and blessings for Israel, Jesus prophesied regarding both Peter and John. Consider again the following:

1. Matthew 16: 13-23, King James Version (KJV): 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

2. John 21: 12-19, KJV: 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

3. 2^nd Peter 1: 16-21, KJV: 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. 2^nd Corinthians 4: 6-7, KJV: 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(03/25/2018) "I Am The Resurrection"

Detail from the mural at the Biblical Museum (Dallas ,Texas) showing the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Today, Palm Sunday and heading toward Resurrection Sunday, reply is on death, resurrection (“standing up from the dead”), and the possibilities for eternal life from GOD.  Correctly understood resurrection is required for the completion of divine judgment:  Those who appear for tribunal in the presence of divinity must be alive.  Developing believers begin their eternal life through baptism, and their judgment is completed while they are still on the earth.  For the saved, after the Advent (some say, his appearing; the harvest; the Rapture; the Second Coming) mortality will no longer appear among the saints of the kingdom.  The second resurrection will be for judgment of the wicked and the unjust.  Those who do not qualify to continue duration as immortal, incorruptible companions of divinity will be destroyed in the second death.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shown) posted the following:

When people drop dead they stay dead. Why are Christians and Muslims unable to understand this basic fact of reality?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:  and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.  This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:  on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:  4-6, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Pattern To Follow? (01/19/2018); The Most Important Thing (12/28/2017); Christ Is The Firstborn (12/26/2017); “Logical Sense” Is Replaced? (12/05/2017); About Using “Sacred Logic” (11/19/2017); Having Consciousness of Death (11/03/2017); Sacred Baptism, Divine Resurrection? (09/14/2017); Resurrected With The Lord (04/16/2017); The Cross and Resurrection Sunday? (03/16/2016) 

“Anonymous”, Christian believers trust that Jesus Christ is the divine person who administers and has demonstrated “resurrection from the dead.”  While on jury duty I learned, it may be a matter of two different five-letter words in a criminal trial that a man and woman were seen quarreling on a public street.  The eyewitnesses may all agree that they did see the pair; however, one witness might report he saw a man arguing with his wife.  A second witness might say he saw a brother arguing with his sister.  A third witness might have assumed it was a pimp and a prostitute.  Both the prosecution and the defense will use the same “f-a-c-t-s” to establish different presentations of “t-r-u-t-h.”

Those relying on secular knowledge must use information and finite tools (e.g., animal instinct, intellect, logic, carnal reason, discursive thought) that do not respond to actualities, possibilities, and aspects of truth that pertain to invisible, yet, active spirit substance within the living.  Where existence and life are explained as having origin beyond a questionable chemical process (a big bang?), and personhood is attributed to a Creator and Maker, it becomes understandable that accountability, authority, awe (awesomeness; fear of the Lord), and multiple aspects of divine fullness also may be realized.  Thus, even developing believers acknowledge inseparable aspects within the makeup of Deity such as anointing, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, sovereign will (willpower), wisdom, and wrath against sin.

Mature Christians trust that, to demonstrate inarguably the power of GOD to establish Creation, life and death, sacred law and judgment, the Word (breath, life essence, spirit, utterance) from GOD has appeared in the earth using human form.  Among other aspects of law, promise, and prophecy, the Incarnation of GODhead (the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) was required because of men, women, and children becoming terrified at the sound of a divine voice.  GOD agreed to never again proclaim his word from heaven as was done for Moses and those who left Egypt in exodus.  Even so, in judgment, Christians rely on sacred knowledge.  The multiple streams of testimony, truth, and witness recorded as “the Bible” are affirmed and corroborated using thousands of events within thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Proverbs 8:  4-9, King James Version (KJV):  4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.  5 O ye simple, understand wisdom:  and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.  6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

(2.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-8, KJV:  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(3.)  John 11:  21-27, KJV:  21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.  23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?  27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord:  I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

There is far more to be said, brought into deliberation, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 15:  12-22, KJV:  12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:  whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/14/2016) The Transfiguration of Christ

The Transfiguration of Christ (oil on panel),
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (c.1488-1576)

Today, points are shared on the faith of Jesus, prophecy, and the Savior’s preparation for crucifixion.  The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest divine mysteries (i.e., events from the life of the Lord upon the earth).  At a time when Jesus was being followed by crowds, yet, knew the days of cruel suffering swiftly were approaching, Jesus would be acknowledged openly by emissaries from the kingdom of heaven, further reinforcing and strengthening his faith, and unveiling his divine glory and majesty.  The early prophets received the Savior in ways his apostles and living witnesses on the earth could not do.  Living as a man in the flesh, Jesus had to acquire sacred knowledge gradually the same as you and I; and the Lord would be given evidence for the truth of eternal life for mankind.  The appearance of the two prophets after thousands of years was also evidence of divine forgiveness, mercy in judgment, and reconciliation.  More than this, the Father would speak, and proclaim his continuing love.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” whose ID is “2.718281828459045235360287471352662” (Level 7 with 124,902 points, a member since February 26, 2006) posted the following:

Matthew 17:1-8. Do you ever suspect the story of Jesus being visited by two dead prophets may actually be false?

I mean look at this this way. When did anybody in the Bible ever get visited by two dead prophets before or since? Could it be that Jesus made up this story just to make himself look holy? What are your thoughts on this?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  (2nd Peter 1:  16-21, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Baptist and The Tishbite? (02/18/2015); The Body of Moses (05/11/2014); GOD Permits Evil? (05/12/2014); To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); A Perfected Body (03/09/2014); Immutable GODhead (03/10/2014); Prophetic Demonstrations (09/06/2013); Why GOD Prayed to GOD (09/07/2013)

“2.718281828459045235360287471352662”, most mature Christian believers acknowledge that there are many points of sacred truth presented through the account of the transfiguration of the Lord.  Jesus approached his crucifixion having many concerns and was in need of assurances by the Father more than evidence from the apostles, or the multitudes that now followed him.  Consider again some of the following:

(1.)  The active presence of divine Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) is first described in the account of the Creation.  In the beginning, Adam (the first pair) had direct access to the Creator.  The use of prophecy, prophetic demonstrations, and sacred events (e.g., angel visitations, dreams, miracles) first became necessary when Adam transgressed divine law, violated trust, and sought to hide, rather than confess, seek forgiveness, or ask for mercy.

(2.)  The provisions of GOD where the offspring of Adam do not complete mortality by death include translation (described with Enoch), and being taken up (described with Elijah).  Healing and restoring life to the dead (e.g., Lazarus) are practiced and demonstrated by Elisha and Jesus.  Resurrection is a temporary restoration of life specifically so that one may appear alive in judgment.  As many of the prophets before him, Just as John and many of the other prophets were slain through disbelief, injustice, and persecution, Jesus would also die as the memorial of their deaths.  Jesus is called the “firstborn from the dead” to set him apart as preeminent, not because he is the first person resurrected from the dead.

(3.)  Until John the Baptist appeared, no authentic prophet operating in the manner and style of Moses and those who followed him had been provided to Israel since the days of Malachi, more than 400 years earlier.  In the same way rule by anointed kings and consecrated priesthood became corrupt and vain (i.e., lacked spirit substance from GOD), prophecy became defiled and profane through human error, imagination, and sentiment.  The divine use of prophets as spokespersons sent from divinity, who also could petition GOD and serve as spokespersons on behalf of mankind (we say, mediators) was restored specifically to introduce the ministry of Jesus Christ as a further revelation of divinity, the satisfaction of all demands from the divine law, and the fulfillment of all prophecy.

(4.)  The birth of John the Baptist to elderly parents was accounted as a miracle demonstrating that the immutable, unchanging GOD who had blessed Abraham was continuing both in covenant and in word of promise.  John was endowed with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.  He was fed with the tithes and holy things from the altar in the Temple at Jerusalem.  Yet, moved by the Holy Spirit, John surrendered his inheritance as the son of an Aaronic priest to serve as the herald who would announce and prepare the way for the Anointed One (we say, Christ), the coming King.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  In the same way men receive only an earnest or “good faith payment” of their divine inheritance while upon the earth, while Jesus was still upon the earth, he received only an earnest of the glory and perfection that later would be restored to him.  The apostles who were eyewitnesses represent the mixed multitude that left Egypt with Moses and the remnant of Israel as well as and those belonging to Christ and taken out of death.  The voice of acknowledgment heard was the same as that at his baptism, and at the Temple during the feast of Tabernacles (Booths, Ingathering). )  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/30/2012) A Golden Ticket?

      Whether or not one may escape hell by reading the Bible is addressed today, along with more on the scale of acceptance for the resurrection of Jesus. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Mystaku” (Level 4 with 3,733 points, a member since January 6, 2011) posted the following:


Christians : Question on John 12:47-49 - Did I interpret it correctly?

So I had asked the question "Christians : If a hindu reads the bible & chooses to remain a hindu & not accept christ will he go to hell?"

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;…

And one of the answers had the verse from John 12:47-49

47 “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.

So this means that anyone who has read the bible but has chosen not to accept jesus/bible, he/she will be 'condemned till the last day" aka eternal torture in hell?

If you believe that a good person will go to heaven regardless of whether or not he/she has read the bible and/or follows/rejects jesus, are you saying that this verse from John is wrong?


THE BATTLE AXE: Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012)—The holy writings and the indwelling spirit always agree; and by their combined testimony every believer experiences the exact same awareness given to an eyewitness. (See Isaiah 43: 8-12 and 44: 6-9, KJV.) In modern society, many declare that spiritual truth must come by personal understanding, and to that extent, belief is achieved in isolation, and may not depend upon trusting others. Many events from sacred history are recorded in the Bible that foretell and attest to the resurrection of Jesus. From the death of Abel and birth of Seth, to the account of Jonah delivered from the belly of a great fish, and to the raising of Lazarus, there are innumerable sacred documents of “witness” to the resurrection of Jesus as Christ and Messiah. However, the holy writings only permit shared focus and language to make visible a witness that is itself divine person residing within a believer. The conclusive proof and testimony a believer desires must come as spiritual substance from GOD, and is more than merely a record of extraordinary behavior, exchanges and social interactions. Believers, therefore, have been given clarifications that include John 5: 36-37, John 7: 16-18, 1st John 2: 20-27 and 1st John 5: 1-13, King James Version.)


THE GOLDEN ARROW: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1st Corinthians 1: 18, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); Does Everyone Go To Heaven? (10/28/2012); Magick and Prayer (10/29/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); The Gender of Angels (10/09/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); By Grace (09/04/2012); Shaken Once More (08/22/2012)


      When a reader properly appreciates the holy writings (i.e., places the correct value upon them), it becomes clear that they are making more than a simple choice of pancakes for breakfast instead of waffles, and they are not just getting a “golden ticket” to heaven. The carnal, material and fleshy decisions are overshadowed by the weight of divine imperatives, and eternal issues. To a beginner, the full spectrum of divine person that finally is revealed cannot be recognized. More than this, beginners may fail to grasp that they are entered into a continuous process of transformation whereby GOD reconfigures their spirit makeup. The Gospel and other teachings infused with the Holy Spirit are more than an evidence or “foot-print” that records where the divine presence once existed. The Scriptures are an immediate and present appearance of Divine Person using the forms (i.e., body, incarnation) of utterance. Included are pledges, praises, prayers, proclamations, promises, and prophecies.

      Where one embraces the word from GOD as did James, John and the Apostle Paul, “to believe” means more than simply “to hold an idea” or “to support a peculiar statement.” Believing is an aspect of realizing what you are, and how you exist. Thus, believing is not at the level of an intellectual exercise, meditation and mental gymnastics. Also, ideas of argument, debate and self-expression are inappropriate. Believing pertains to faith, a divine substance that exists only within the fullness of spirit-person that men now speak of as “GOD.” Faith is inseparable from such other sacred content as glory, holiness, humility, joy, love, wisdom and wrath against sin. (So to speak, you can’t find one without the other.)

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, believers must “die to sin,” be re-born, grow and mature before they completely leave behind the flawed human idea of “good person” to direct their own choices and decisions after the model of Jesus. Various operations of the Holy Spirit must occur within them including illumination, insight, regeneration, and sanctification. Only ones beginnings may be regarded as simple and childlike. For believers are dealing with the grand issues of the universe: being, cause, consciousness, existence, knowing, origins, and eternal sovereignty.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC