Kingdom of Heaven Part 9
John 20:29-31
29 Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John recorded the teachings and doings of Jesus the Messias when they walked with him on this earth. So that those that did not would be able to believe and abide by his teachings. These are the first four books found in the New Testament portion of the Bible. The fifth book Called Acts or Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke. He recorded how the Apostles went into all the world as the messengers of Jesus Messias. Teaching all who would listen to be disciples of Jesus believing and abiding in his words.
Luke 16:14-16
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
15 And he said unto them, You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it.
From the time Moses received the commandments written in stone until Jesus the only way to serve God was by the law of Moses. Only a Jew or a Jewish proselyte was able to offer an acceptable worship to God. But now that the gospel of the kingdom of Heaven, has been delivered by Messias Jesus. Any man or woman can enter the kingdom and receive life eternal. What then must a man or woman do to enter into the glorious kingdom of God? For three years Jesus taught in the regions of Judea and Galilee what mankind must do to gain an entrance into the kingdom of Heaven.
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.
Jesus says repent you, and believe the gospel.
Matthew 10:32-33
32 Who so ever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But who so ever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
A man or woman must confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
John 4:1-3
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
Jesus was also teaching men and women to be baptized in water.
John 3:1-8
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound there of, but cannot tell from where it comes, and to where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Jesus is very clear a man or woman must be born again of the water and the Spirit or they cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven. The process then can be broken down into five parts that must be accomplished to enter the Kingdom. They are "hear" the gospel, "believe" the gospel, "repent" from evil, "confess" that Jesus is the Son of God and be born again of water and the Spirit which is baptism. Doing these allow a man or woman to enter the kingdom but as Satan was cast out. So can a man or a woman be cast out if they do not continue in the words that Jesus spoke.
John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
There are many false religions or lies of Satan in this world today that claim Jesus is their Lord. But none of them believe or teach the sins of a man or woman are forgiven in baptism and that baptism is necessary to be saved. Jesus the Messias also spent those three years in Judea and Galilee teaching and training his Apostles. Did his chosen Apostles also teach the same things as Jesus did to enter the kingdom?
Mark 16:14-16
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
Jesus had now been resurrected from the dead and sent his chosen Apostles to teach the kingdom of Heaven. He told them that those who believe the gospel and are baptized shall be saved. As mentioned previously the book called the Acts of the Apostles. Contains the record of what they taught to all the world two thousand years ago.
Acts 8:26-38
26 And the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran there to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understand you what you read?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Philip an Apostle was sent to teach an Ethiopian the gospel of the kingdom of Heaven. In this example recorded by Luke. The Ethiopian heard the gospel, believed the gospel, repented, confessed Jesus and went down into the waters and was baptized. Receiving forgiveness of his sins and receiving also Gods gift of the Holy Spirit. He was born again of the water and the Spirit. How can it be proven that he received forgiveness of sins and Gods Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:36-44
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common.
On the day of Pentecost thousands of people from all over the world were gathered at Jerusalem. Peter the Apostle teaches them the gospel of the kingdom of Heaven. They heard the gospel, believed the gospel, repented, confessed Jesus and went down into the waters and were baptized for the remission of sins and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were born again of the water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of Heaven. And Peter reveals that by faith in the operation of God. Sins are forgiven and his gift of the Holy Spirit given in the waters of baptism.
1 John 5:5-8
5 Who is he that over comes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
John the Apostle walked with Jesus the Messias on this earth. He confirms that the Spirit the water and the blood are as one by faith in Jesus the Son of God. There are many more examples and scriptures proving these are the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. And as Jesus the Holy One of God, the Anointed One of God, the Messias of God, the Christ of God has said "He that has ears to hear let him hear" for his sheep hear his voice. The next series will be devoted to providing and examining the information revealed on the Resurrections. Please take the time to read them and examine his words.