Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 44

 Suffering for Jesus Part 14

1 Peter 4:9-10 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:9-10 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:9-10 as translated by the AMP=Amplified Bible: "Be hospitable to one another without complaint. Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God's multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God's unmerited favor]."

Motives we find throughout the Word of God are of most importance to our Father in Heaven. Therefore, it is not surprising that we find the Apostle Peter declaring these words to those early brothers and sisters 'in Christ', "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." (1 Peter 4:9) (KJV) and they apply to we true born again sons and daughters of Christ Jesus our Lord today and of every era and generation of those born again by our Lord Jesus Christ. To be well certain that someone is a true brother or sister 'in Christ' and to not be hospitable to them would be to dishonor our Lord Jesus Himself, however, we must be discerning, discreet, and distinguishing showing good judgement because their are many deceivers (Titus 1:10) & (2 John 1:7) walking about claiming to be minister's of Christ or children of God, but they are actually the very opposite (witches, warlocks, practicing the satanic magic arts inside of Churches) as Paul the Apostle warned us with these words, "And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) (ESV). We must be able to see the fruit of the lives of those we declare to be our brothers and sisters 'in Christ', for no one wanting to have sex with you is your fellow believer, but they are an unbeliever/infidel and should have no fellowship with us at all (2 Corinthians 6:15). But those who bear the marks of Christ Jesus our Lord in their lives, we should not be unwilling or unwelcoming or unresponsive to their needs of every kind when it is in our ability to meet them. Amen!! Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 1 Peter 4:9, "Without grudging - Greek, 'without murmurs;' that is, without complaining of the hardship of doing it; of the time, and expense, and trouble required in doing it. The idea of grudging, in the common sense of that word - that is, of doing it unwillingly, or regretting the expense, and considering it as ill-bestowed, or as not producing an equivalent of any kind - is not exactly the idea here. It is that we are to do it without murmuring or complaining. It greatly enhances the value of hospitality, that it be done on our part with entire cheerfulness. One of the duties involved in it is to make a guest happy; and this can be done in no other way than by showing him that he is welcome." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:9, "The proper objects of Christian hospitality are one another. The nearness of their relation, and the necessity of their condition in those times of persecution and distress, obliged Christians to be hospitable one to another. Sometimes Christians were spoiled of all they had, and were driven away to distant countries for safety. In this case they must starve if their fellow-Christians would not receive them. Therefore it was a wise and necessary rule which the Apostle here laid down. The manner of performing this duty is this: it must be done in an easy, kind, handsome manner, without grudging or grumbling at the expense or trouble. Learn, (1.) Christians ought not only to be charitable, but hospitable, one to another. (2.) Whatever a Christian does by way of charity or of hospitality, he ought to do it cheerfully, and without grudging. Freely you have received, freely give."

Now the Apostle Peter jumps into the spiritual gifts that our Lord Jesus Christ blessed us with, that is, gave to each one of us when we were born again into His Heavenly Eternal family 👪. Peter (just as Paul did) declares to us that we must us or employ our birthday gift from Christ Jesus our Lord for the edification or building up of other 'born ones', as Peter writes with these words, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (KJV). The little English phrase in this verse 'the gift' is translated by the Greek word charisma meaning a (Divine) gratuity, that is, (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: - (free) gift. The English word 'minister' is translated by the Greek word diakoneō meaning to be an attendant, that is, [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon. In other words, Peter is saying that we are to use our birthday spiritual gift form our Lord Jesus to build up His Body of which we are a part of His Body and just as we use our gift to build up other parts of the Body of Christ, we too are being built up 👆by those others with differing gifts than ours. The Apostle Paul describes it in this manner, "And [His gifts to the Church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as Apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as Prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as Evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as Pastors and Teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God's people) for works of service, to build up the Body of Christ [the Church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 1 Peter 4:10, "As every man hath received the gift,.... That is, from God, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions add. This is a general rule laid down by the Apostle, according to which, distribution of every kind, whether in things temporal or spiritual, is to be made, even according to the nature, quality, and quantity of the gift received: the greatest gift God bestows on men, next to Himself, Son, and Spirit, and received by them in this life, is special grace; which God gives of His Sovereign will and pleasure, liberally, abundantly, without the deserts of men, or conditions to be performed by them; of this kind are faith, repentance, hope, and love: the next to this is the ministerial gift, or what qualifies men for the work of the ministry; which is not anything in nature, or what is acquired by art and industry, but is a gift of grace, which is bestowed on some in a higher, on others in a lower degree: and besides these, there are the gifts of nature and providence, as human wisdom, and the knowledge of things natneighbours or companions, as the Syriac, version renders it; if the gift be special grace though that itself cannot be imparted from one to another, yet the knowledge of it may; and it becomes such who have an experience of the grace of God upon their hearts to make it known, both to particular friends in private conversation, and to the Church of God in public, for the use and edification of others, and the glory of God's grace: if the gift be a ministerial one, whether it be greater or less, for it is not in all alike, it is not to be wrapped up in a napkin, and hid in the earth, or to lie neglected, but to be stirred up, and used for the benefit of the souls of men: and if it is a temporal one, the good things of this life, according to the measure of them, that a man has, he is to minister to the supply of the poor; and as God has prospered him, he is to distribute to the necessities of others; as men freely receive, be it what it will, they should freely minister it, according to the nature and measure of it: as

 

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 43

 Suffering for Jesus Part 13

1 Peter 4:7-8 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:7-8 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Now the Apostle Peter after having exhorted and encouraged and even enlisted those early believers 'in Christ' to employ themselves to turning away completely from their old life of drinking unto drunkenness and engaging in sexual immorality, he now gives them and us now the reason for our being steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58) as he writes these words, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." (1 Peter 4:7) (KJV). What does Peter mean by the 'end of all things'? Peter speaks of Christ return to the earth 🌎to judge, as it is written with these words, "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness. (Psalms 96:11-13) (ESV). Peter speaks so surely of this during the time he lived as if he expected the Lord's return any day, any hour, or any second. For even more sure than the sun ☀ rising and setting every day is the return of Christ Jesus our Lord to the earth 🌎. Even if we (as did Peter) physically die before He returns, the end of all things occurs then for every soul of man 👨, whether he be saved or lost. Therefore, Peter wants us who are saved to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, not in shame, but in joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8). So, Peter uses the English phrase 'be ye therefore sober' which is translated by the Greek word sōphroneō which means to be of sound mind, that is, sane, (figuratively) moderate: - be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly. Peter also uses the little English word 'watch' which is translated by the Greek word nēphō which means (figuratively) be discreet: - be sober, watch. Watch unto prayer says Peter, that is, since the end of all things is at hand we should be in constant prayer (pray without ceasing) (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for the strength 💪of Christ's grace to keep us in His love and in obedience to His Word. We will do so if we pray as Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church ⛪with these words, "With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people." (Ephesians 6:18) (AMP). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 4:7, "Resuming the idea in 1 Peter 4:5. the end of all things — and therefore also of the wantonness (1 Peter 4:3-4) of the wicked, and of the sufferings of the righteous [Bengel]. The nearness meant is not that of mere 'time,' but that before the Lord; as he explains to guard against misapprehension, and defends God from the charge of procrastination: We live in the last dispensation, not like the Jews under the Old Testament. The Lord will come as a thief; He is 'ready' (1 Peter 4:5) to judge the world at any moment; it is only God's long-suffering and His will that the Gospel should be preached as a witness to all nations, that induces Him to lengthen out the time which is with Him still as nothing. sober — 'self-restrained.' The opposite duties to the sins in (1 Peter 4:3) are here inculcated. Thus 'sober' is the opposite of 'lasciviousness' (1 Peter 4:3). watch — Greek, 'be soberly vigilant'; not intoxicated with worldly cares and pleasures. Temperance promotes wakefulness or watchfulness, and both promote prayer. Drink makes drowsy, and drowsiness prevents prayer.

prayer — Greek, 'prayers'; the end for which we should exercise vigilance."

The Apostle Peter now exhorts those early believers and we today and all true believers 'in Christ' of every era and generation to do that with one another that is above all things whatsoever and that is to truly love each other. True love 😍does no harm, it bears all things, endures all things, and true love never ever is glad in wrong doing but only in the truth, that is, all that is given to us children 🧒of God in the Word of Truth (1 Corinthians 13) (Psalms 119:43) (Psalms 119:160) (Ephesians 1:13). When we love our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' as He loves us, we care more for their well being, their comfort, and their walking and living according to the will of God than any thing else. So, Peter exhorts us with these words, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) (KJV). Peter uses the little English word 'above' which is translated by the Greek word pro which is a primary preposition meaning in front of, prior (figuratively superior) to. It means our love for one another as 'born ones' should be the most important thing to us in this sojourn and pilgrimage home to heaven, for if we cannot nor will not love one another 'in truth' now in time ⌚when we will spend eternity with one another, then something is severely wrong. We should heed/listen carefully to the words spoken by Paul the Apostle to the Galatians, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." (Galatians 5:13-15) (ESV). Since our desire for ourselves is all that is good, then we need to have the same desire (and even more so) for all others that Christ has given the gift of eternal life. This love for each other should be intensely emotional seeking only the good of all other true believers, not that we should use them in any capacity or that we should abuse them in any capacity, that is, be found defrauding another brother 'in Christ' by flirting with or lusting after or even sleeping with another brother 'in Christ' wife, instead heeding the words of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, "That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you." (1 Thessalonians 4:6) (ESV). Love and lust are like positive and negative, like hot and cold, like right and wrong, like oil 🛢and water 💦, the two don't mix for they are the opposite of one another, therefore, let us love 'in truth' (1 John 3:18). Note: "Help me your son Dear Father, Dear Lord Jesus, & Dear Holy Spirit to do just this. Amen!!!" Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:8, "Here is a noble rule in Christianity. Christians ought to love one another, which implies an affection to their persons, a desire of their welfare, and a hearty endeavour to promote it. This mutual affection must not be cold, but fervent, that is, sincere, strong, and lasting. This sort of earnest affection is recommended above all things, which shows the importance of it, Colossians 3:14. It is greater than faith or hope, 1 Corinthians 13:13. One excellent effect of it is that it will cover a multitude of sins. Learn, (1.) There ought to be in all Christians a more fervent charity/love towards one another than towards other men: Have charity/love among yourselves. He does not say for pagans, for idolaters, or for apostates, but among yourselves. Let brotherly love continue, Hebrews 13:1. There is a special relation between all sincere Christians, and a particular amiableness and good in them, which require special affection. (2.) It is not enough for Christians not to bear malice, nor to have common respect for one another, they must intensely and fervently love each other. (3.) It is the property of true charity/love to cover a multitude of sins. It inclines people to forgive and forget offences against themselves, to cover and conceal the sins of others, rather than aggravate them and spread them abroad. It teaches us to love those who are but weak, and who have been guilty of many evil things before their conversion; and it prepares for mercy at the Hand of God, who hath promised to forgive those that forgive others, Matthew 6:14."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 42

 Suffering for Jesus Part 12

1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. KJV  Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:6 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "For this is why the Gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does."

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:6 as translated by the AMP=Amplified Bible: "For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God."

Here once again we come to a passage of Scripture that is very hard to understand (1 Peter 4:6) even after much prayer, reading, and meditation upon it, for I am one who believes greatly that there is no second (2) chance for any sinner to hear the Gospel of God preached to them after their physical death and my reasoning for this is what the writer of Hebrews declares with these words, "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," (Hebrews 9:27) (ESV). This surely includes all of mankind from Adam until the last human born into the earth 🌎realm before Christ comes to put an end to time ⌚. What was the method or manner of the people written of in the Old Testament of being right with God? Well, when the first man and woman Adam and Eve sinned, the Lord God slew an animal and made tunics of animal skins and clothed them with it. In so doing, this was given to Adam as the way to have his sin covered by the shedding of the blood of an animal to make atonement or compensation before the Lord God to cover his sin. This method of animal sacrifice Adam passed down to all of his early offspring that came from his knowing (having sexual relations) his wife Eve. This is why we see that the offering of Cain to the Lord God of the fruit of the ground was rejected, but Abel his brother offered the acceptable sacrifice of the first of the flock of sheep (blood atonement), for as it is written, "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Hebrews 9:22) (ESV). The writer of Hebrews also declares this of Abel and his sacrifice to the Lord God, "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." (Hebrews 11:4) (ESV). So, as we have understood from the things Peter has written earlier in this first (1st) letter ✉, that God's way of knowing Him and being right 👉with Him was made clear to the early descendants of Adam, yet the corrupt nature of man 👨with the majority of Adam's descendants was what was lived out predominately on the earth as we saw with Cain, for there were fewer Abel's and Noah's of early man. Therefore, we have read 📖from Peter of how Christ was in Noah preaching the Gospel to the people for 120 years while Noah prepared or built the Ark of Salvation from the Flood of God's Wrath against sin. The Lord God then makes a Covenant with one man named Abram (whose name God would change latter to Abraham) and from this Covenant the Jewish Nation was created by God. From this time forward, the Lord God had a special relationship with one group of people (above all others) on the earth 🌎. All the other nations of people's on the earth 🌎, were known only as Gentiles. How were the Gentiles of this time saved or were they saved at all? It appears to have been much war happening between the People of Israel and the Gentiles. However, we do find with Abraham that he made a Covenant with the Gentile King Abimelech, as it is written, "Now at that time Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, 'God is with you in everything you do; so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal unfairly with me [by breaking any agreements we have] or with my son or with my descendants, but as I have treated you with kindness, you shall do the same to me and to the land in which you have sojourned (temporarily lived).'And Abraham said, 'I will swear.'" (Genesis 21-22-24) (AMP). "So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant (binding agreement). " (Genesis 21:27) (AMP). So, we see that some nations and individual Gentiles made Covenants with Israel and perhaps were taught of God through them to look forward to the future Messiah's reign and rule on the earth 🌎. However, the full truth of the Gospel of Christ was hidden in the days of old 🧓, even from the House 🏡of Israel, as it is written by the Apostle Paul with these words, "For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. Of this Gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the Church the manif. And so it was and so it is that God does all things by His Eternal Wisdom and Power and all that He does is right 👉, true, and just. Amen!!!

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:6, "Some understand this difficult place thus: For this cause was the Gospel preached to all the faithful of old, who are now dead in Christ, that thereby they might be taught and encouraged to bear the unrighteous judgments and persecutions which the rage of men put upon them in the flesh, but might live in the Spirit unto God. Others take the expression, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, in a spiritual sense, thus: The Gospel was preached to them, to judge them, condemn them, and reprove them, for the corruption of their natures, and the viciousness of their lives, while they lived after the manner of the heathen or the mere natural man; and that, having thus mortified their sins, they might live according to God, a new and spiritual life. Take it thus; and thence learn, 1. The mortifying of our sins and living to God are the expected effects of the Gospel preached to us. 2. God will certainly reckon with all those who have had the Gospel preached to them, but without these good effec1 Peter 4:6, "For — giving the reason for 1 Peter 4:5, 'judge the dead.' The Gospel preached also to ... dead — as well as to them now living, and to them that shall be found alive at the coming of the Judge. 'Dead' must be taken in the same literal sense as in 1 Peter 4:5, which refutes the explanation 'dead' in sins. Moreover, the absence of the Greek article does not necessarily restrict the sense of 'dead' to particular dead persons, for there is no Greek article in 1 Peter 4:5 also, where 'the dead' is universal in meaning. The sense seems to be, Peter, as representing the true attitude of the Church in every age, expecting Christ at any moment, says, The Judge is ready to judge the quick and dead - the dead, I say, for they, too, in their lifetime, have had the Gospel preached to them, that so they might be judged at last in the same way as those living now (and those who shall be so when Christ shall come), namely, 'men in the flesh,' and that they might, having escaped condemnation by embracing the Gospel so preached, live unto God in the spirit (though death has passed over their flesh), Luke 20:38, thus being made like Christ in death and in life (see on 1 Peter 3:18). He says, 'live, not 'made alive or quickened; for they are supposed to have been already 'quickened together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). This verse is parallel to 1 Peter 3:18; The Gospel, substantially, was 'preached' to the Old Testament Church; though not so fully as to the New Testament Church. It is no valid objection that the Gospel has not been preached to all that shall be found dead at Christ's coming. For Peter is plainly referring only to those within reach of the Gospel, or who might have known God through His ministers in Old and New Testament times. Peter, like Paul, argues that those found living at Christ's coming shall have no advantage above the dead who shall then be raised, inasmuch as the latter live unto, or 'according to,' God, even already in His purpose. Alford's explanation is wrong, 'that they might be judged according to men as regards the flesh,' that is, be in the state of the completed sentence on sin, which is death after the flesh. For 'judged' cannot have a different meaning in this verse from what 'judge' bears in 1 Peter 4:5. 'Live according to God' means, live a life with God, such as God lives, Divine; as contrasted with 'according to men in the flesh,' that is, a life such as men live in the flesh." Here also is what Adam Clarke had to say of 1 Peter 4:6, "Was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead - This is a most difficult verse; the best translations I have seen of it are the following: - 'For this indeed was the effect of the preaching of the Gospel to the dead, (the unconverted Gentiles), that some will be punished as carnal men; but others, (those converted to Christianity), lead a spiritual life unto God.' - Wakefield. 'For this purpose hath the Gospel been preached even to the dead, (i.e. the Gentiles), that although they might be condemned, indeed, by men in the flesh, (their persecutors), yet they might live eternally by God in the Spirit.' - Macknight. 'For this cause was the Gospel preached to them that were dead; that they who live according to men in the flesh, may be condemned; but that they who live according to God in the Spirit, may live.' - Knatchbull. There are as many different translations of this verse, and comments upon it, as there are translators and commentators. That of Sir Norton Knatchbull, could the Greek text bear it, appears the most simple; but that of Dr. Macknight, which is nearly the sense given by Mr. Wesley in his Paraphrase, is more likely to be the true one among those already proposed. But if the Apostle had the same fact in view which he mentions, 1 Peter 3:19-20, then the antediluvians are the persons intended: For this cause - that Christ is prepared to judge the quick and the dead, and to dispense righteous judgment in consequence of having afforded them every necessary advantage, was the Gospel preached by Noah to them also who are dead - the antediluvian world, then dead in trespasses and sins, and condemned to death by the righteous judgment of God; but in His great compassion He afforded them a respite, that though they were condemned as men in the flesh, (for this was their character; my Spirit will not always strive with man, forasmuch as he is Flesh, Genesis 6:3), yet, hearing this Gospel by Noah, they may believe, and live according to God in the Spirit - live a blessed life in eternity according to the mercy of God, who sent His Spirit to strive with them. This appears to me to be the most consistent sense; especially as the Apostle seems to refer to what he had said of the Spirit of Christ in Noah preaching to the spirits in prison - the rebellions that lived before the flood."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 41

 Suffering for Jesus Part 11

1 Peter 4:3-5 "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:3-5 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:3-5 as translated by the AMP=Amplified Bible: "For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and]run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values. But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead."

The writers of the New Testament were men born with the same corrupt nature as you and I, also as well as all human beings born into the earth realm. They as well as we received this corruption to our nature from our earthly Father Adam when he sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, how utter ridiculous and foolish it is for people who have rejected, refused, or resisted God/Jesus to declare that the Bible was written by mere men 🚹, when we see that the words of the Bible condemn, compel, and command men to a higher 👆way of life or living on the earth 🌎. No sinful man would write these words from his fractured, filthy, and fallen mind. Every natural man and woman (1 Corinthians 2:14) loves to indulge in the gratification of their flesh in the very things that the Apostle Peter here writes that the born again son or daughter of God must desist, destroy, and denounce in their/our lives. It is obvious that the Bible is written by the Spirit of God through men who were inhabited by Him and moved along by Him to write 📝what is the Divine Will of God. So, we have here these words written by the Apostle Peter as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, that is to mean as God's Holy and Divine Word was breathed into Him giving to all of us His sons and daughters what His will for us is and what it is not, as it is written, "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." (1 Peter 4:3-5) (KJV). Peter wants to remind us of the filthiness of our past lives before we were resurrected from spiritual death by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter knew himself to be a vile and wretched sinner before Christ chose him as one of His Apostles, as we remember him speaking these words to our Lord Jesus directly, "But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'" (Luke 5:8) (ESV). Peter spoke these words right after our Lord Jesus had performed a miracle of several boat loads of fish caught in their nets after they had spent all night fishing and catching not one fish. Peter at that very moment knew that he was in the presence of Almighty God and acknowledged his extreme sinfulness to Him/Jesus. However, now this Peter writing to us is filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by God the Holy Spirit to live a higher form of life on the earth 🌎, as is everyone of God's 'born ones', so Peter communicates to us that that old man 👨and old woman 👩must be put to death by us in the power of the Holy Spirit that we would 'walk in newness of life' (Romans 6:4). The Apostle Peter list six (6) types of sin that were a natural and normal part of many of our lives before we were 'delivered from the power or domain of darkness' (Colossians 1:13) and that none of them should be a part of our way of living 'in Christ' now at all: (1) Peter declares the English word 'lasciviousness' which is translated by the Greek word aselgeia which means morbid sexual desire or a propensity to lewdness; indulgence in sensual pleasure; every species of lechery, lewdness, and impurity. (2) Peter declares the English word 'lusts' which is translated by the Greek word epithumia which means a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence (sexual desire), lust (after); strong irregular appetites, and desires of all kinds. (3) Peter declares the English phrase 'excess of wine' which is translated by the Greek word oinophlugia (which is used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning an overflow (or surplus) of wine, that is, (drunkenness): - excess of wine; to be hot, or to boil; to be inflamed with wine; they were in continual debauches. (4) Peter declares the English word 'revellings' which is translated by the Greek word kōmos which means a carousal (as if a letting loose): - rioting; lascivious feastings, with drunken songs. (5) Peter declares the English word 'banquetings' which is translated by the Greek word potos (which is used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning a drinking bout or carousal: - banqueting; wine feasts, drinking matches. (6) Peter declares the English phrase 'abominable idolatries' which is translated by the Greek words athemitos eidōlolatreia which means illegal; by implication flagitious (extremely wicked, deeply criminal, brutal or cruel): - abominable, unlawful thing; image worship (literally or figuratively): - idolatry; that is, the abominations practised at their idol feasts, where they not only worshipped the idol, but did it with the most impure, obscene, and abominable rites. Now Peter was here speaking of the things done during the era or time in which he lived. These same type of sins are practiced today, just in different ways than was done in Peter's time ⌚, for example there are still some form of statues that people worship as idols, but we have idol worship today in the form of sporting events, concerts, art museums, cathedrals, plays, and even famous people. The sensual and sexual sins are the same in every era and generation, so to is the use of alcohol and now all kinds of drugs and toxins used to alter the chemicals in the brain making people act or behave in very weird and lude ways. Peter wants to stir up the born again son and daughter of God the Father to put away all of these things that were present in our former selves when we knew not God, even as Paul the Apostle wrote these words to the Colossian Church ⛪, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them." (Colossians 3:2-7) (ESV). Paul the Apostle also wrote these words to the Church ⛪@ Rome, "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." (Romans 13:12-14) (ESV). You see there is a war at hand and we are to be soldiers of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4) waging warfare against our old nature and yielding to the Spirit of God and our new nature we were given by Christ when we were 'born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God' (1 Peter 1:23) and live the higher life being true 'partakers of the Divine Nature' (2 Peter 1:4). They who think we are strange or odd or weird that we do not listen and walk after the lies believed and lived out by today's so-called 'Progressive Christians' who are not true Christians at all will mock us and call us hateful and bigots because we believe the truth and design and desire to walk and live after the truth of the Word of God the actual Word of Truth, for they are those who have done exactly what the Apostle Paul wrote to Brother Timothy and warned him to look out for even during his time ⌚and nothing has changed since then, as it is written, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared," (1 Timothy 4:1-2) (ESV). A seared conscience is a dead conscience that can no longer discern between good and evil 😈. Let us remember that man's corrupt nature without the influence of the Spirit of God always wants what is against God and truth, for this is true for every generation and era of mankind, as it is written here, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) (ESV). We must commit ourselves to being good stewards of the grace of God. Amen!!!

Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this passage of Scripture from the Apostle Peter 1 Peter 4:3-5, "The sins in view are those most closely connected with ‘the flesh’ in its literal meaning, amongst which are included ‘abominable idolatries,’ because gross acts of sensual immorality were inseparably intertwined with much of heathen worship. These sins of flesh were especially rampant among the luxurious Asiatic lands, to which this letter was addressed, but they flooded the whole Roman empire, as the works of poets like Martial and of moralists like Epictetus equally show. But New York or London could match the worst scenes in Rome or Ephesus, and perhaps would not be far behind the foul animalism of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lust and drunkenness are eating out the manhood of our race on both sides of the Atlantic, and, if we have ‘the same mind’ as the suffering Christ, we shall put on the armour for war to the knife with these in society, and for the rigid self-control of our own animal nature. Observe the strong motives which Peter just touches without expanding. A sad irony lies in his saying that the time past may suffice. The flesh had had enough of time given to it,—had not God a right to the rest? The flesh should have had none; it had had all too much. Surely the readers had had enough of the lower life, more than enough. Were they not sick of it, ‘satisfied’ even to disgust? Let us look back on our wasted years, and give no more precious moments to serve the corruptible flesh. Further, the life of submission to the animal nature is characteristic of ‘the Gentiles,’ and in sharp contrast, therefore, to that proper to Christ’s followers. That is as true to-day, in America and England, as ever it was. Indeed, as wealth has increased, and so-called ‘civilisation’ has diffused material comforts, senseless luxury, gluttony, drunkenness, and still baser fleshy sins, have become more flagrantly common in society which is not distinctively and earnestly Christian; and there was never more need than there is to-day for Christians to carry aloft the flag of self-control and temperance in all things belonging to ‘the flesh.’ If we have the mind of Christ, we shall get the same treatment from the world which Peter says that the primitive Christians did from the idolaters round them. We shall be wondered at, just as a heathen stared with astonishment at this strange, new sect, which would have nothing to do with feasts and garlands and wine-cups and lust disguised as worship. The spectacle, when repeated to-day, of Christians steadfastly refusing to share in that lower life which is the only life of so many, is, perhaps, less wondered at now, because it is, thank God! more familiar; but it is not less disliked and ‘blasphemed.’ A total abstainer from intoxicants will not getye therefore of sound mind.’ The prospect of that end will sweep away many illusions as to the worth of the enjoyments of sense, and be a bridle on many vagrant desires. Self-control in all regions of our nature is implied in the word. Our various faculties are meant to be governed by a sovereign will, which is itself governed by the Divine will; and, if we see plain before us the dawning of the day of the Lord, the vision will help to tame the subordinate parts of ourselves, and to establish the supremacy of the spirit over the flesh. One special form of that general self-control is that already enjoined,—the suppression of the animal appetites, especially the abstinence from intoxicants. That form of self-control is especially meant by the second of these exhortations, ‘Be sober.’ How could a man lift the wine cup to his lips, and drown his higher nature in a flood of drunken riot, if the end, with its solemnities of judgment, blazed before his inner eye? But this self-command is inculcated that we may be fi

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 40

 Suffering for Jesus Part 10

1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV-New King James Version

The Apostle Peter now urges those early Jewish converts to Christ who had and were being persecuted vehemently for their leaving Judaism and becoming followers of the Risen Christ to not only endure the outward sufferings from others, but to suffer internally by fighting against the sins of their former lives before they were born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Peter's words here are likewise for us today and for all truly born again sons and daughters of Christ in every generation and era since the Cross, declaring to them and to us these words, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2) (KJV). In the very first phrase of this verse, Peter says 'Forasmuch then' an English phrase translated by the little Greek word oun is a primary word/adverb meaning certainly or accordingly or likewise then. Certainly what? or Accordingly what? Well Peter makes it perfectly clear what and that is that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered in the physical human body He placed Himself into in order to reconcile us to God, that is, to restore our broken relationship to God because of what Adam did (sin) in the Garden of Eden and passed that sin down to all of us. Christ bore the Wrath of God the Father in/on His Body for us and in our place so the we would not have to and in so doing He has reconciled us with our Father in Heaven, as it is written, "But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, Note: "Annotations from the Amplified Study Bible, "Ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation is the change of relation from enmity to peace. We who have been reconciled to God through Christ have the privilege of telling others that they can be reconciled to Him as well. Reconciling the world to Himself. God could change His relationship toward us because our sins have been imputed (charged) to Christ instead of to us. If we believe in Jesus, God counts Jesus' righteousness as our righteousness." Therefore, the Apostle Peter (by the Holy Spirit) commands us to 'arm ourselves likewise with the same mind'. The first English word in this phrase 'arm' is translated by the Greek word hoplizō (which is the only time this word is used here in the entire New Testament) and it means to equip (with weapons [middle voice and figuratively]): - arm self. The last word in this English phrase is 'mind' and it is translated by the Greek word ennoia meaning thoughtfulness, that is, moral understanding: - intent, mind. Well we can recall that the Apostle Paul declares to us what the weapons of our warfare are against the world, our flesh, and the devil and our moral understanding and intention should be regularly as it is written, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your/our obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) (NKJV). For Peter says that when we arm ourselves with this same mind as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, then we will win the battle over our old man 👨or old woman 👩and in so doing we will (as Peter writes it 'ceased' from sin). The little English word 'ceased' used by Peter is translated by the little Greek word pauō (it is a primary verb) meaning to stop 🛑that is, restrain, quit, desist, come to an end: - cease, leave, refrain. We will have to yield our wills to the will of God and come boldly daily to the Throne of Grace to receive grace from Christ Jesus our Lord, as it is written, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

(Hebrews 4:15-16) (NKJV).

Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of 1 Peter 4:1-2, "Christ hath suffered in the flesh. That is the great fact which should shape the course of all His followers. But what does suffering in the flesh mean here? It does not refer only to the death of Jesus, but to His whole life. The phrase ‘in the flesh’ is reiterated in the context, and evidently is equivalent to ‘during the earthly life.’ Our Lord’s life was, in one aspect, one continuous suffering, because He lived the higher life of the spirit. That higher life had to Him, and has to us, rich compensations; but it sets those who are true to it at necessary variance with the lower types of life common among men, and it brings many pains, all of which Jesus knew. The last draught from the cup was the bitterest, but the bitterness was diffused through all the life of the Man of Sorrows.

That life is here contemplated as the pattern for all Christ’s servants. Peter says much in this letter of our Lord’s sufferings as the atonement for sin, but here he looks at them rather as the realised ideal of all worthy life. We are to be ‘partakers of Christ’s sufferings’ (5. 13), and we shall become so in proportion as His own Spirit becomes the spirit which lives in us. If Jesus were only our pattern, Christianity would be a poor affair, and a Gospel of despair; for how should we reach to the pure heights where He stood? But, since He can breathe into us a spirit which will hallow and energise our spirits, we can rise to walk beside Him on the high places of heroic endurance and of holy living. Very beautifully does Peter hint at our sore conflict, our personal defencelessness, and our all-sufficient armour, in the picturesque metaphor ‘arm yourselves.’ The ‘mind of Christ’ is given to us if we will. We can gird it on, and if we do, it will be as an impenetrable coat-of-mail, which will turn the sharpest arrows and resist the fiercest sword-cuts.

The last clause of verse 1 is a parenthesis, and, if it is for the moment omitted, the sentence runs smoothly on, especially if the Revised Version’s reading is adopted. The purpose of arming us with the same mind is that, whilst we live on earth, we should live according to the will of God, and should renounce ‘the lusts of men,’ which are in us as in all men, and which men who are not clad in the armour which Christ gives to us yield to. But what of the parenthetical statement? Clearly, the words which follow it forbid its being taken to mean that dead men do not sin. Rather the Apostle’s thought seems to be that such suffering in daily life after Christ’s pattern, and by His help, is at once a sign that the sufferer has shaken off the dominion of sin, and is a means of further emancipating him from it. But the two great thoughts in this paragraph are, that the Christian life is one in which God’s will, and not man’s desires, is the regulating force, and that the pattern of that life and the power to copy the pattern are found in Christ, the sufferer for righteousness’ sake."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 39

 Suffering for Jesus Part 9

1 Peter 3:21-22 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the Right Hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV-New King James Version

In this very next verse of Scripture here written by the Apostle Peter, he calls what happened for Noah and his family (being saved from the water 💦or flood by virtue of his obedience to God) 'the like figure' of every true born again son or daughter of Christ Jesus our Lord, he says it with these words, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into Heaven, and is on the Right Hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him." (1 Peter 3:21-22) (KJV). The phrase 'the like figure' is translated by the Greek word antitupon which means a corresponding ('antitype'), that is, a representative, counterpart. This English word 'antitype' means a person or thing represented or foreshadowed by a type or symbol; especially a figure in the Old Testament having a counterpart in the New Testament. Instead of Noah and his family 👪being destroyed by the water 💦,that is the flood, they were saved by or from the water 💦because of Noah's obedience in building the Ark, likewise we true sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven are saved from God's wrath (as His wrath against those disobedient souls then is represented by the flood) by repenting/turning from sin to God through His Ark of safety His Son Jesus Christ the Righteous. Water Baptism should be done by us when we have been born again, born from above, born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God i.e. it is symbolic of the transformation God the Holy Spirit has made, molded, and modified in our inner man 👨and inner woman 👩. It is our declaration of our now new union with Jesus Christ and is symbolic of His death burial and resurrection from the dead, for just as Christ died (physically) we died (spiritually) with Him to our old man 👨or old woman 👩and just as He was buried, we have now buried our old selves and just as He (Christ) was raised (physically) from death, we too now have been raised from spiritual death, that is, being disconnected from God. God is no longer out there or up there, God is now our Father and we have union with Him and relationship with Him as sons and daughters and fellowship with Him always and anytime through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as it is written by the Apostle Paul with these words to the Ephesians, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-22) (NKJV). Because of our union with God through Christ our conscience is now cl🌎and all principalities and powers and angels and demons and the devil 👿are subject to Him. Amen!

Here is what Robinson's Word Pictures had to say of 1 Peter 3:21, "Baptism, Peter explains, does not wash away the filth of the flesh either in a literal sense, as a bath for the body, or in a metaphorical sense of the filth of the soul. No ceremonies really affect the conscience (Hebrews 9:13.). Peter here expressly denies baptismal remission of sin." Here is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of 1 Peter 3:21, "Only here in New Testament. In classical Greek the word means a question and nothing else. The meaning here is much disputed, and can hardly be settled satisfactorily. The rendering answer has no warrant. The meaning seems to be (as Alford), 'the seeking after God of a good and pure conscience, which is the aim and end of the Christian baptismal life.' So Lange: 'The thing asked may be conceived as follows: 'How shall I rid myself of an evil conscience? Wilt thou, most holy God, again accept me, a sinner? Wilt thou, Lord Jesus, grant me the communion of thy death and life? Wilt thou, O Holy Spirilabours and His sufferings upon earth, ascended triumphantly into Heaven, of which see Acts 1:9-11; Mark 16:19. He went to Heaven to receive His own acquired crown and glory (John 17:5), to finish that part of His mediatorial work which could not be done on earth, and make intercession for His people, to demonstrate the fulness of His satisfaction, to take possession of Heaven for His people, to prepare mansions for them, and to send down the Comforter, which was to be the first-fruits of His intercession, (John16:7). 2. Upon His ascension into Heaven, Christ is enthroned at the Hight Hand of the Father. His being said to sit there imports absolute rest and cessation from all further troubles and sufferings, and an advancement to the highest personal dignity and sovereign power. 3. Angels, authorities, and powers, are all made subject to Christ Jesus: all power in Heaven and earth, to command, to give law, issue orders, and pronounce a final sentence, is committed to Jesus, God - man, which His enemies will find to

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 38

 Suffering for Jesus Part 8

1 Peter 19-20 By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV-New King James Version

When we even we who are redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected sons or daughters of our Lord Jesus Christ come to a passage of Scripture as we have written here for us by the Apostle Peter, we must not be so arrogant as to claim that we alone have the true meaning of what Peter is communicating to those early Jewish believers 'in Christ' and make ourselves out to be the singular soul that has been correctly illuminated by God the Holy Spirit. I have read and studied and prayed over these words of Peter as it is written by him, "By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (1 Peter 3:19-20) KJV and I can earnestly say that I am in no wise completely sure as to what Peter truly meant here, but as it is my duty being made a teacher or given the gift and desire of teaching the Word of God 'in truth' by my Lord Jesu📖these words. First, let us realize that the people who were alive on the earth 🌎were not different human beings or human sinners than those before them or after them, however, God was so grieved at the actions of humanity during this time ⌚that it moved Him to act in a manner different than when Cain murdered his brother Abel, for He was surely grieved when Cain did this thing, but perhaps from that first act of bloody murder those who came from Cain multiplied his atrocities to a level that moved God to declare these words as it is written, "The LORD saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually (all the day). The LORD regretted (was sorry) that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. (Genesis 6:5=6) (AMP). So, the Lord God decided to destroy man from the face of the earth 🌎, except for one man (Noah) found favor or grace in the eyes of the Lord God. Why? I do not know, but it was the Sovereign choice of God to save him and his whole family apart from all others on the earth 🌎. Certainly God knew that the wickedness of man would only increase and not decrease, for He is Omniscient. Questioning God's ways, wants, or will is futility upon futility. So, what must we do? Nothing but accept and trust for all His ways are just and perfect. Therefore, this brings us back to 1 Peter 3:19-20. Did our Lord Jesus Christ between His death and resurrection go down into Hades (the realm of the dead) and preach the Gospel to the souls who died in the flood? Well, we know from this same Apostle in 2 Peter 2:5 that he said this of Noah and those destroyed by the flood, "And did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;" (2 Peter 2:5) (NKJV). Noah was 'a preacher of righteousness' according to Peter in his second letter. I must acknowledge that the English word 'went' in 1 Peter 3:19 is translated by the Greek word poreuomai which means to traverse, that is, travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove [figuratively die], live, etc.): - depart, go (away, forth, one's way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk. Our Lord Jesus said on the Cross before He died, it is written, "And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.' Having said this, He breathed His last.

(Luke 23:46) (NKJV). The Question still remains, where was His Soul those three (3) days and three (3)nights? My answer is I don't know. What do I believe? I believe that God can do anything and by that I mean, if Peter speaks of literal travel by God/Jesus after His body died, then He could have done what it seems Peter is saying He did, however, because Peter in his second letter declares Noah to be 'a preacher of righteousness', it is also more likely that Christ was in Noah (seeing that the Word of God declares this of Noah, "Noah was a righteous man [one who was just and had right standing with God], blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked (lived) [in habitual fellowship] with God." (Genesis 6:9) (AMP) ), therefore, for the time it took for Noah and his sons to build the Ark, he preached the Gospel to those who were on the earth at that time ⌚and most likely all the people were moved or compelled to come and see this thing that Noah was doing i.e. building a boat on dry land when it had never rained on the earth 🌎at this time in human history. So, when they came, they heard and they could have repented and entered the Ark.

Here is what Charles W. Draper had to say of this very difficult passage of Scripture (as recorded for us in the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary), "DESCENT INTO HADES Phrase in the Apostles' Creed describing the work of Christ. Acts 2:27 says 'You will not leave My soul in Hades, or allow Your

Holy One to see decay' (HCSB). Acts 2:31 says, 'He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay' (HCSB). Ephesians 4:9 says that Christ 'descended to the lower parts of the earth' (HCSB). First Peter 3:19 says Christ 'went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison' (HCSB). Many explanations have been offered for this. The time may be seen as the days of Noah (1 Pet. 3:20) and thus describe the activity of the preexistent Christ or the work of Christ's Spirit through Noah. The time may have been immediately after the death of Christ on the Cross or after the bodily resurrection of Christ. The content of His preaching may have been judgment; it may have been affirmation of His victory over 'angels, authorities, and powers' (1 Pet. 3:22); it may have been release from Sheol or Hades for saints who preceded Him. The spirits may have been the 'sons of God' of Gen. 6:2, the people of Noah's day, OT era sinners, OT people who were true to God, fallen angels (2 Pet. 2:4), or evil spirits (demonic powers) whom Jesus contested in His earthly ministry. The prison may have been Sheol or Hades, special place of captivity for sinners, a place of punishment for fallen angels, a place of security for such angels where they thought they could escape Christ's power, or a place on the way to heaven where the faithful of old waited to hear the message of Christ's final atoning victory. Whatever the detailed explanations, the ultimate effect and purpose is to glorify Christ for His completed work of salvation through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, demonstrating His Sovereign control of all places and powers.

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this difficult passage of Scripture given to us by the Apostle Peter, "The Apostle passes from the example of Christ to that of the old world, and sets before the Jews, to whom he wrote, the different event of those who believed and obeyed Christ preaching by Noah, from those that continued disobedient and unbelieving, intimating to the Jews that they were under a like sentence. God would not wait much longer upon them. They had now an offer of mercy; those that accepted of it should be saved, but those who rejected Christ and the gospel should be as certainly destroyed as ever the disobedient in the times of Noah were.

1. For the explication of this we may notice, (1.) The preacher - Christ Jesus, who has interested himself in the affairs of the church and of the world ever since he was first promised to Adam, Gen_3:15. He went, not by a local motion, but by special operation, as God is frequently said to move, Gen_11:5; Hos_5:15; Mic_1:3. He went and preached, by his Spirit striving with them, and inspiring and enabling Enoch and Noah to plead with them, and preach righteousness to them, as 2Pe_2:5. (2.) The hearers. Because they were dead and disembodied when the apostle speaks of them, therefore he properly calls them spirits now in prison; not that they were in prison when Christ preached to them, as the vulgar Latin translation and the popish expositors pretend. (3.) The sin of these people: They were disobedient, that is, rebellious, unpersuadable, and unbelieving, as the word signifies; this their sin is aggravated from the patience and long-suffering of God (which once waited upon them for 120 years together), whil

2. From the whole we learn that, (1.) God takes exact notice of all the means and advantages that people in all ages have had for the salvation of their souls; it is put to the account of the old world that Christ offered them his help, sent his Spirit, gave them fair warning by Noah, and waited a long time for their amendment. (2.) Though the patience of God wait long upon sinners, yet it will expire at last; it is beneath the majesty of the great God always to wait upon man in vain. (3.) The spirits of disobedient sinners, as soon as they are out of their bodies, are committed to the prison of hell, whence there is no redemption. (4.) The way of the most is neither the best, the wisest, nor the safest way to follow: better to follow the eight in the ark than the eight millions drowned by the flood and damned to hell.

 

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 37

 Suffering for Jesus Part 7

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV-New King James Version

It is no desire or design or determination for any true son or daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ to suffer at any level while we still reside inside of these feeble, fragile, and fractured physical bodies of ours. Knowing this, the Apostle Peter wanted to remind those early Jewish converts to Christ and all of us today (and of every era and generation since the Cross of Christ) that have been born from above that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered severely for our sins when He never had to, as it is written, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Peter 3:18) (KJV). He voluntarily placed Himself inside of a human body that He created in order to pay all of our penalty for sin. The cost or the payment of sin before a holy and righteous God is death, as it is written, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) (NKJV). Death is what we owe God the Father for our sin and sinning against Him (physical death and eternal death, that is, separation from Him forever in hell and the lake of fire, as it is also written by the Apostle John with these words, "Then death and Hell [the realm of the dead] were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire🔥[the eternal separation from God]. And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire." (Revelations 20:14-15) (AMP), but Jesus Christ and the perfect sinless life He lived, voluntarily stepped in between the lake of fire for every human being, becoming our substitute for sin and taking upon Himself our sin and the wrath of God the Father poured out upon Him for humanities sin. So, Peter wants us to recount, recall, and remember this great act of sacrificial love 😍done for each one of us by our loving elder Brother Jesus Christ and in so doing walk through our trials, test, and temptations with patience and endurance knowing that we are not walking alone but that He is with us through every time ⌚of suffering and that any present suffering down here will be nothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us when we are made just like Jesus, as Paul the Apostle wrote to the Church ⛪@ Rome with these words, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:18-23) (NKJV). Jesus Christ is just and we are unjust, therefore, we owe everything we are to Him alone and must be willing to repay Him by submitting to His rule over our spirit, soul, and body while He keeps us down here on the earth 🌎as His ambassadors. 

Here is what John Wesley had to say of 1 Peter 3:18, "For - This is undoubtedly best, whereby we are most conformed to Christ. Now Christ suffered once - To suffer no more. For sins - Not His own, but ours. The just for the unjust - The word signifies, not only them who have wronged their neighbours, but those who have transgressed any of the commands of God; as the preceding word, just, denotes a person who has fulfilled, not barely social duties, but all kind of righteousness. That He might bring us to God - Now to His gracious favour, hereafter to His blissful presence, by the same steps of suffering and of glory. Being put to death in the flesh - As man. But raised to life by the Spirit - Both by His own Divine Power, and by the Power of the Holy Ghost." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 3:18, "The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. Jesus Christ Himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though He had no guilt of His own and could have declined all suffering if He had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was suffered to expiate (compensate or make reparation for sin) and to make an atonement for sin; and it extends to all sin. 3. In the case of our Lord's suffering, it was the just that suffered for the unjust; He substituted Himself in our room and stead, and bore our iniquities. He that knew no sin suffered instead of those that knew no righteousness. 4. The merit and perfection of Christ's sacrifice were such that for Him to suffer once was enough. The legal sacrifices were repeated from day to day, and from year to year; but the sacrifice of Christ, once offered, purgeth away sin. The blessed end or design of our Lord's sufferings was to bring us to God, to reconcile us to God, to give us access to the Father, to render us and our services acceptable, and to bring us to eternal glory. The issue and event of Christ's suffering, as to Himself, were these, He was put to death in His human nature, but He was quickened and raised again by the Spirit. Now, if Christ was not exempted from sufferings, why should Christians expect it? If He suffered, to expiate sins, why should not we be content when our sufferings are only for trial and correction, but not for expiation? If He, though perfectly just, why should not we, who are all criminals? If He once suffered, and then entered into glory, shall not we be patient under trouble, since it will be but a little time and we shall follow Him to glory? If He suffered, to bring us to God, shall not we submit to difficulties, since they are of so much use to quicken us in our return to God, and in the performance of our duty to Him?"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 36

 Suffering for Jesus Part 6

1 Peter 3:16-17 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV-New King James Version

The Apostle Peter wanted those early Jewish converts to our Lord Jesus Christ (and us as well) to know that the fierce acts of violence against them and against us today are not because of what they/we have done to any of them or against any of them, but because they/we belong to our Lord Jesus Christ. The world 🗺 is made up of only two kinds of people now and the first are those of us who have been delivered from the power of darkness just as the Apostle Paul wrote with these words to the Colossian Church ⛪, "For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins' penalty]. (Colossians 1:13-14) (AMP). Here is an annotation from the Amplified Bible of what Paul is saying in Colossians 1:13-14, "rescued and transferred. God has liberated believers from the dominion of darkness. The Apostle uses the common symbolism of light and darkness for good and evil, for God's Kingdom and Satan's kingdom, that is found throughout the New Testament. The kingdom from which believers have been rescued is the kingdom of darkness.

redemption. The Greek word points naturally to the payment of a price or ransom for the release of a slave. They are freed from bondage to sin by forgiveness through the Blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7)."  And the second kind of people who are still the children of wrath and under the control of the power of darkness and still slaves to sin just as Paul the Apostle also wrote with these words to the Ephesian Church ⛪, "For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God]. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. [ Lev 18:24-25] So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. (Ephesians 5:5-7) (AMP). The Apostle Peter knew from his own experience that some would vehemently scoff or treat the truth of the Gospel of Christ with contempt and disregard it all together because they want to continue to indulge in their personal path of sin without ever turning from it in true repentance from within their inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩, so Peter says, let them mock you or scoff at you or deride you or slander you or speak ill of you or threaten you, for the day will come when they see that it is Christ 'in us' the hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27) that has made us the 'new creation' (2 Corinthians 5:17) that we are. 

Here is what F.B. Meyer had to say of 1 Peter 3:16, "Keep a good conscience! Remember you have to live with yourself! A good conscience is the best bedfellow! Paul exercised himself always to have a conscience void of offense toward God and man, Act_23:1; Act_24:16. This is especially necessary when we are called on to give our witness for our Lord. We must not keep silent when we ought to speak, and when we speak we should do so reverently, simply and without heat."

It is quite easily understood that the Apostle Peter desired to see all believers only suffer for Christ sake for their/our doing of good and not that of their/our doing of evil, for we all (as born again sons and daughters) of our Lord Jesus Christ will give an account to Him directly and personally (Romans 14:12). The eyes of the Lord are in every place watching over the good and evil alike (Proverbs 15:3), therefore, Paul the Apostle wrote these words that must be heeded carefully by each one of us, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5) (NKJV). When we sin, we bring dishonor to the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we must repent/turn from our sin that we made be a vessel for honoring Christ and bringing glory to His Name. Paul the Apostle wrote these words to Timothy to exhort and encourage him to live a life of honoring Christ and to teach others who have turned to Christ to do the same, "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:19-22) (NKJV). A born again believer can backslide into some very egregious sin from his old man 👨 or her old woman 👩, but when we truly repent/turn and confess our sin to our sin bearer (the One who carried all our sin to the Cross @ Calvary) then He will faithfully forgive us and then cleanse us from  all our unrighteous deeds (1 John 1:9). Let us never forget these words of Paul also written to Brother Timothy, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) (NKJV). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 1 Peter 3:17, "That is, if God sees it to be necessary for your good that you should suffer, it is better that you should suffer for doing well than for crime. God often sees it to be necessary that his people should suffer. There are effects to be accomplished by affliction which can be secured in no other way; and some of the happiest results on the soul of a Christian, some of the brightest traits of character, are the effect of trials. But it should be our care that our sufferings should not be brought upon us for our own crimes or follies. No man can promote his own highest good by doing wrong, and then enduring the penalty which his sin incurs; and no one should do wrong with any expectation that it may be overruled for his own good. If we are to suffer, let it be by the direct hand of God, and not by any fault of our own. If we suffer then, we shall have the testimony of our own conscience in our favor, and the feeling that we may go to God for support. If we suffer for our faults, in addition to the outward pain of body, we shall endure the severest pangs which man can suffer - those which the guilty mind inflicts on itself."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…