THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH

COME AND WORSHIP JESUS CHRIST


 

BIBLE STUDY

1. Editorial

2. Who is Melchizedek?

3. Judge not unjustly

4. The Shepherd

5. Prayer is victory

6. The Death of Jesus- A Sacrifice

7. Beloved Gaius-the giver!

EDITORIAL
Many are the wonders and miracles of God. His Scripture is
the repository of even greater wonders. God remains the
same. His words too are unchanging and remain the same. They
are filled with wonders and miracles. From time to time,
they are revealed by the Holy Spirit part by part as
appropriate for that period and become comprehensible to
that extent. Who has fathomed them completely? Blessed is he
to whom they are revealed. Whoever hold on to it and act
according to His word are the blessed. God reveals His
mysteries to those whom He loves (Matt. 16: 16,17). In these
days there are many who cause others to stumble in their
understanding of the Scripture. Only the grown-up persons
who had left their childish ways can understand the
Scripture; God teaches them (Is. 28: 9; Heb. 5: 12-14).
Those who still remain in sin and are content in their
childish ways can not understand the truth. The secrets of
God is with them who fear Him (Ps. 25: 14; Prov. 3: 32).
Moreover only the apostle of God can understand the complete
truth (John 15: 15). They will teach and believers should
accept them. This is the standard set by God (2 Thes. 2: 13-
15). The manifold wisdom of God will be revealed by God only
through the true church (Eph. 3: 9-11). Therefore receive
the church and you will understand the truth. May the grace
of God be with you all! Amen.

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Who is this Melchizedek?

Who is this Melchizedek? This appears to be one of the many
secrets of the Scripture. All of a sudden, we read in
Genesis14th chapter of the incident when Melchizedek brought
bread and wine to Abraham, tired after the war, and blessed
him (Gen.14:18-20). Next, David said as a prophecy, "The
Lord said to my Lord, ....'You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek'" (Ps.110:1-4).
Following this, Ap.Paul too has said, "though He was a Son,
yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest
"according to the order of Melchizedek" of whom we have much
to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of
hearing" (Heb.5:8-11). May the Holy Spirit help us
understand this difficult matter in the light of Scripture.
Some presume that this Melchizedek is Jesus Christ as
it is written of him, "king of righteousness" and "king of
peace" (Heb. 7:2). Also some presume that this Melchizedek
is none other than the Holy Spirit as it is written of him,
"without father, without mother, without genealogy, having
neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the
Son of God, remains a priest continually" (Heb.12:3) as who
other that the Holy Spirit could claim to be without
genealogy?. There are people who assert that this
Melchizedek is Jesus Christ only as He had said, "Your
father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was
glad" (John 8:56). The above incident is mentioned in
Gen.18: 15. The Lord appeared to Abraham in the plains of
Mamre along with two angels. All three ate the food offered
by Abraham. The Lord then blessed Sarah and promised that
when He returns according to the time of life, Sarah would
give birth to a son. Then the two angels who accompanied the
Lord went away to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. But of
Melchizedek, it is mentioned in Gen.14:18, that he was the
priest of God Most High". Therefore Melchizedek is only the
priest of God.
This priest can be presumed to have existed since the
time mankind first ever started to worship God (Gen.4: 26).
Only a priest will know the rules of conducting worship to
the Lord. After Abraham, nothing is known about his rules of
worship. However the Scripture has made mention of a priest.
We read in Gen.25: 22 thus, "But the children struggled
together within her; and she said, 'If all is well, why am I
this way?' So she went to inquire of the Lord". To inquire
of the Lord, there should have been a priest. This
Melchizedek appears to have two names. It is mentioned that
he was the priest of God Most High" Gen.14: 18. Ap.Paul
explains that his first name Melchizedek means 'king of
righteousness' and his second name 'king of Salem' means
'king of peace' (Heb.7: 2). Therefore he was not only a
priest but also a king ruling righteously. His very name
suggests this!
Our beloved Savior Jesus Christ too was given two
names. "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Immanuel" (Is.8: 14). Immanuel means
'God with us' (Matt. 1: 23). Further, an angel of the Lord
told Joseph in his dream: "she will bring forth a Son, and
you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people
from their sins" (Matt.1:21). These were the meanings of
those names. Moreover this Melchizedek was without father,
without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning
of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God,
remains a priest continually (Heb.7: 3).
As it is mentioned that he was made like the Son of
God, many say that he was the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures
has never mentioned that the Holy Spirit appeared in the
flesh. Only about the Son Jesus Christ, the Scripture
mention that 'God was manifested in the flesh, justified in
the Spirit, seen by the angels, preached among the Gentiles,
believed on in the world and received up in glory' (I Tim.
3:16). Therefore Melchizedek is not the Holy Spirit. It can
be said that he was created like the angels of heaven. Those
who live in heaven have neither genealogy nor beginning nor
end. However those who are born on this earth have
genealogy, a beginning and an end. As our Lord Jesus Christ
was born in this world, He too has genealogy (Matt.1: 4).
This Melchizedek was said to be immortal (Heb.7:8). As
it is written that "it is appointed for men to die once, but
after this the judgement" (Heb.9: 27), he is not an ordinary
man but a resident of heaven. He was given the superior
authority of receiving tithes from even the men authorized
to receive tithes. He appears to be greater than even
Abraham (Heb.7: 4-10). Abraham was blessed by him. We read
in the Scripture that God the Father made Jesus Christ the
priest following the order of Melchizedek (Heb.7: 17,20; Ps.
110:4). Why should have God made Jesus Christ the priest
after the order of Melchizedek? Is it not enough that He is
the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Why then was that
priesthood? Why not a priesthood after the order of Aaron?
'To Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not
say, 'and to seeds' as of many, but as of one, 'and to your
seed', who is Christ (Gal.3:16). God spoke to Abraham and
Isaac, "In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed" (Gen.26:4; 22:18). The authority to bless men and
to intercede on their behalf with God is vested in His
priests (Levi.9: 2; Num.15: 22-28). There is no doubt that
the greater man can bless the lesser man (Heb.7:7). In the
same manner, Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Gen. 14:18-20;
Heb.7: 1). As it was the promise of God to bless all the
nations of the earth in Jesus Christ, God made His Son the
priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7: 17,20).
The priesthood given through Moses was only meant for
the Israelites. That priesthood would not bless all the
nations of the earth nor those priests would intercede with
God for all. The Levitical priesthood did not have the
perfection to bring people to God (Heb.7:11). Therefore that
priesthood was changed and God the Father sent His Son to
this earth and gave Him a priesthood after the order of
Melchizedek to lead the people towards perfection. Now Lord
Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of Father in heaven
having received priesthood after the order of Melchizedek
from Him. However we should realize that we need a priest
ordained after the order of Melchizedek to bless all the
nations of the earth, to intercede on their behalf, to stand
in the breach and to lead all nations to God. Hebrews 7:11
says: "if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood
(for under it the people received the law), what further
need was there that another priest should rise according to
the order of Melchizedek?" In the same manner we see that
people have not yet attained perfection though they are
redeemed by the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ and worship
God! The Scripture calls all those redeemed by the blood of
Jesus Christ as priests (1Pet.2: 9,10). Our Lord Jesus
Christ too had the title of 'High Priest' (Heb.3: 1). He
(Jesus Christ) has entered through the veil for us as
eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb.6:
20). If anyone sins (in this world) Jesus Christ the
righteous intercedes with the Father (in heaven) on our
behalf (I John 2:1). Similarly we need an apostle or a High
Priest after the order of Melchizedek who is authorized
according to the verse: "I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven (the authority to tend the sheep and the
lambs), and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven" (Matt.16: 18,19).
These days many men of God attempt to gather all
spiritual people redeemed by the Lord into a single fold and
to lead them to perfection by changing their evil ways. An
International Pentecostal Convention was held at Singapore
from 27.9.89 to 1.10.89. But their aim of gathering all the
spiritual people as a single church and a single body
without any blemish was not realized (Eph.5:26,27). This is
not possible by all people. As revealed to him by God, Moses
recorded in the book of Genesis that there was a priest of
God who gave bread and wine to Abraham, the father of
believers and blessed him. "The Lord has sworn and will not
relent, 'You are a high priest forever according to the
order of Melchizedek'" (Ps. 110:4); This was the prophecy on
Jesus Christ uttered several centuries in advance, by King
David who had been ruling the entire Israel and worshipping
the Lord according to the Levitical priesthood. Ap.Paul has
written that in fulfillment of this prophecy, Lord Jesus
Christ appeared and offered Himself as the eternal sacrifice
and was named by God as the High Priest after the order of
Melchizedek (Heb.5: 10). By these records we understand
these things to some extent. Like the Lord raised Moses as
savior from among the Israelites to redeem them from the
bondage of Egyptians and lead them on to the land of Canaan
by receiving the Levitical priesthood, in these days too,
God has made an arrangement by raising a savior from among
the saved people of God and giving him a priesthood of
perfection after the order of Melchizedek so that the people
of God attain the adoption which is the redemption of their
body.
The prophets like Isaiah and Daniel have attested to
the above. "Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man
who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have
spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it;
I will also do it" (Is. 46: 11). "I have raised him up in
righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall
build my city and let My exiles go free, not for price nor
reward", says the Lord (Is.45: 13). "At that time Michael
shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the
sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation, even to that
time. And at that time your people shall be delivered,
everyone who is found written in the book" (Dan. 12:1).
Another distinction of Melchizedek was his immortal and
eternal priesthood. And there were many priests, because
they were prevented by death from continuing (Heb.7: 23).
But He, because He continues for ever, has an unchangeable
priesthood (Heb.12: 24). In the same way, the priest
(apostle) who appears in these last days too should not see
death (John 11:26).
One can see this secret in the revelation given to
Ap.John and is mentioned by way of an account on the birth
of a male child. "And she bore a male child who was to rule
all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up
to God and to His throne" (Rev.12:1-5). Some say that this
male child symbolizes the saints who are the firstfruits to
be taken up in the first coming of our Lord. This view is
not correct as it is written in 1Thes. 4: 16,17 thus: "The
Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the
dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be
with the Lord". On the other hand in Rev. 12: 5, we read of
only a single male child being taken up to God and to His
throne and the child then receive the authority to rule all
nations with a rod of iron. Whereas we shall be taken up in
the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, this male child
proceeds straight to the throne of God!
Another order of Melchizedek is that he is both a
priest and a king. The Levitical priesthood doe not offer
the right to become a king. As Jesus Christ came from the
tribe of Judah, His children have only the right to become a
king. However as our Lord Jesus Christ has also received the
priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, His children
shall receive the right to become both priests and kings
(Rev.5: 9, 10). Therefore we see that God is going to
transfigure the man chosen by Himself, take him upto the
heaven, give him the authority to rule with a rod of iron
and send him back to the world to lead His children towards
perfection after the order of Melchizedek. A person who is
not perfect himself can not lead others to perfection. Jesus
Christ did not become a priest after the order of
Melchizedek soon after His birth. "Though He was a Son, yet
He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And
having been perfected, He became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest
according to the order of Melchizedek" (Heb.5: 8-20). In
the same way, God anoints the one who follows all the
commandments and doctrines given through Jesus Christ and
accept all the resultant sufferings as priest after the
order of Melchizedek (Matt. 13: 52).
There are men of God in flesh all over the world.
Though they possess the Spirit of God, they might interpret
the spiritual doctrines of God as interpreted by their own
mind and flesh. It is the result of such false
interpretations that we have so much of confusions in
doctrines and divisions within the church. God has promised
to gather His people as one flock under one shepherd (John
10: 16) removing such divisions and by teaching them the
plan of God correctly. Only after the male child mentioned
in Rev. 12: 5, appears from among the redeemed children of
God, transfigured and taken up to the throne of God, will
the saved people, the church as symbolized by the woman will
attain perfect salvation and be transfigured and taken up (I
Cor. 15: 50 - 54). Saint Paul too said that she will be
saved in childbearing (I Tim.2: 15).
The order of Melchizedek is being the priest and the
king (Gen. 14: 18-20). The Lord God is going to make His
church perfect through a High Priest within the order of
Melchizedek. From different tribes and speaking different
languages they shall grow with one accord into perfection.
Of them, Ap.John received the following vision: 'And they
sang a new song saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed
us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and
people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our
God; and we shall reign on the earth"' (Rev. 5: 9-10).
None of the present day ministers of God are empowered
to make the people of every tribe and tongue and nation into
a single body and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.
Therefore God is going to raise a High Priest according to
His plan (Dan. 12: 1).
Knowing the plan of God, as the time of appearance of
Lord Jesus Christ was nearing, satan raised many persons who
claimed to be Messiahs and thus deceived many people (Acts
5: 36, 37). Similarly in these last days too, knowing that
the time of fulfillment of Lord's promise of gathering all
His people as one flock under one shepherd is nearing (John
10: 16), satan has raised many persons claiming to be the
Son of God, the last day angel, the last day prophet etc.,
and has been deceiving several thousands of people.
Therefore brothers and sisters who read this! If you
want to be a member of the assembly of the perfected saints
who are to be taken up in the second coming of Lord Jesus
Christ, and thus to rule with Him for a thousand years and
be the priests forever in the presence of Lord God in heaven
(Rev. 5: 9,10), pray to the Lord. Pray to Him thus: "My
Lord! Like you raised Moses as savior for the Israelites to
redeem them from the bondage of Egypt and lead them on to
Canaan, please show me that savior and shepherd whom you
have chosen to perfect Your children scattered throughout
this earth and prepare them for Your coming". God will show
that priest ordained after the order of Melchizedek and lead
you also into the blessing within the order of Melchizedek.
Glory be to God alone. Amen!
"He received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had
the promises" (Heb.7: 6)

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JUDGE NOT UNJUSTLY

After a day 's work of our ministry we were returning by a
bus. I got a seat to sit, but my colleague was standing.
Another person who was standing by his side opened the
conversation greeting us with "Praise the Lord brother". He
started railing against a gospel meeting, which he attended
on his way. He talked ill of a minister and next passed
disparaging remarks against a fellowship. What came out of
his month were acerbic remarks about fellow Christians
unmindful of the fact that non-believers too were hearing
all that he was saying against Christians. We got down from
the bus at the destination. He got down with us but never
stopped his accusations. I pointed to him that he was
speaking ill of Christians in front of non-Christians, which
would bring disrepute only to Christianity. I said, "we
could have discussed these things amongst ourselves without
others knowing about it". He realized his mistake and said
that he would not do so again.
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers. By
doing so some may entertain angels without themselves
knowing about it (Heb. 13:2). As we do not know whether our
guest is a man or an angel, we should entertain all
strangers. Thus the scriptures teach us. I also rebuked
and advised our co-traveler that if he continued in his
relentless accusations without ascertaining the facts
properly, unaware of himself he would end up talking ill of
godly men or about the church of God and therefore could be
held guilty.
Like this many talk ill of other people and Churches.
Without proper understanding they may be accusing the deeds
of Holy Spirit as those of Evil Spirit, righteous ministers
as false and a good church as mere assembly of men. Some
may hastily pass derogatory remarks against righteous
persons running the risk of speaking against the Holy Ghost
which shall not be forgiven either in this world or in the
world to come. "That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment,"
(Matt 12:36) says the Bible. A person greedy of wealth
seeks self -aggrandizement. A known adulterer passes of as
a good minister. At the same time through him amazing
miracles are done. Supposing his words bring solace to
people of other religions too. It is easy to judge whether
he is a man of God or belial. Jesus said "Wherefore by
their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt 7: 20) "For there
shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall show
great signs and wonders"; (Matt . 24 :24) thus warned the
Lord. Therefore this adulterer and the greedy and haughty
person can be identified as one functioning under the
influence of the devil and the people may be advised not to
follow him. Supposing there is a minister who lives without
blemish, who lives according to scriptures and who
prophesies and does wonders, if he is accused of being
influenced by demon, it will be blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit in him and this blasphemy will not be forgiven either
in this world or in the world to come and the wages of this
sin will be death. For you to say whether a thing is right
or wrong, it should be told by the Holy Spirit. You should
possess the gift of discerning the various spirits. What
the spirit tells you should be in conformity with
scriptures. If what is revealed to you differs from
scriptures, the spirit in you is not the right one. For
example, if one says that he is permitted to take another
wife by God, it is not God but satan that has hold him so.
Because the scripture says, "Let none deal treacherously
against the wife of his youth" (Mal. 2: 15). One who has
two wives is unfit to be a minister. His conduct is not
exemplary (1Tim. 3: 12) and therefore Holy Spirit has
rejected him. It is not recorded either in the Old Testament
or in the New Testament, that God has ever permitted a
married minister to have a second wife.
Now look at the following judgment. It was revealed to
St. Paul that the gentile-believers need not be circumcised.
That was implemented in the church. But there was
dissension and dispute on this point. Paul and Barnabas
went to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. They gathered
to deliberate on this issue and there were arguments and
finally on the basis of the leading of the Holy Spirit and
the Scriptures the council took the final decision that the
gentiles need not be circumcised. This decision seemed to
be good for themselves as well as to the Holy Spirit (Acts.
15: 1-29). Once a discussion arose between a minister and
myself on the point whether ladies could wear jewels. I
based my argument on verses (1Tim.2: 19, IPet. 3 : 1-4) and
told him that they should not wear jewels. He said that
once there was an international conference of Pentecost
leaders held in America and this subject was also discussed.
At the time of voting only two supported the stand that
ladies should not wear jewels. It was concluded by the
leaders that the ladies could wear jewels. Showing Act.
15:29, I Asked him whether the decision was agreeable to
Holy Spirit. He could not reply.
Basing on the opinion of such inexperienced persons, if
you find fault with godly preaching, beware, you will be
held guilty! Some blame others on the basis of imperfect
knowledge of scripture. The wise and religious Jews were
aware of the verse "But thou Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou
be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee
shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel"
(Micah. 5: 2). Therefore, they expected Messiah to come
from Bethlehem (Matt. 2:6). Though born in Bethlehem
according to the verse, He actually came from Nazareth.
This offended the Jews. Whether any good could come out of
Nazareth, asked the Jews and rejected Jesus. They did not
know that prophets have told that he would be called a
Nazarene (Matt. 2: 23). So they judged unjustly and became
trespassers.
Jesus has said "But whosoever shall
smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also"
(Matt. 5:39). Suppose a person does not follow this advice,
will you declare that he is a bad Christian? By doing so
you may be accusing Jesus Himself, as the following instance
will show. When one of the soldiers of the high priest
struck Jesus with the palm of his hand (John 18 : 22), He
did not offer himself to be beaten more. "Jesus answered
him, if I have spoken evil bear witness of the evil; but if
well, why smitest thou me?" (John. 18: 23). Here Jesus
opposed the aggressor. Do you dare say Jesus contradicted
Himself? He was sinless and holy. He is our example. When
you have to tolerate wickedness you should suffer it and
when you have to oppose wickedness you should act
appropriately. You who accuse others quoting the verse that
one should show the other cheek if the opponent beats in one
cheek, will you consider the verse "give to him who asks
you" (Matt. 5: 42), and giving away everything that you
wear, will you wander in the streets naked? You should
understand the true spirit of his teachings and do
accordingly.
So do not cling to a single verse and commit sin by
accusing a righteous person, in haste. A confused person
told me, "Oh! There is no apostle now and the days of
apostles were over long back". I asked him, "Who told you
so?. Did God reveal it to you? Did you study the Bible
well and come to this conclusion? Or did you say what you
heard from somebody?" He was taken aback. Hearing from
somebody or from his or her ancestors many try to establish
wrong things as right and right things as wrong, and
unawares, they become sinners. Even in those days, a few
went without proper command and preached wrongly that
Gentiles should be circumcised (Act. 15:24). Similarly,
does the Holy Spirit send the person who had instructed you?
If it were so, He would have taught according to Scriptures
(1Pet. 4: 11). The opinion of a self-styled preacher will
be without Scriptural backing. Baptism by immersion, which
signifies one's death to sin, is not acceptable to
Christians belonging to the CSI, Lutheran and R.C branches.
They think that baptism by sprinkling water over infants
alone is right. When asked about the Scriptural basis of
their belief, they answer that it is something followed by
their mother-church for generations! However, the Brethren
and the Baptist accept the necessity of immersion baptism
but do not approve of anointing by the Holy Spirit with sign
of speaking in foreign tongues. They also claim that their
elders got revelation that speaking in foreign tongue was
unnecessary or they say that their elders who tarried for
the Holy Spirit were never anointed. Some people believe the
words of such wrong leaders and say that there is nothing
called the Holy Spirit or that it is not necessary. They say
that it is actually evil spirit and thus are guilty of
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
"If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned
unless he competes according to the rules" (2Tim. 2: 5).
When something is declared wrong, it should be done so with
the backing of the relevant Scriptures, offended. Saying
that one's elders said so or one's grand father said so is
wrong. Scripture says, "do not commit adultery". If one
commits this sin, he is judged guilty on the basis of this
Scripture. If it is proclaimed that those who practice
physical exercises are ungodly, it should be clearly stated
which teaching of the scriptures this act offends. If you
do not find Scriptural support to your statement, you may
also take to physical exercises or if you are not interested
you may sleep; but do not say anything against it. The
teachings regarding remission of sin has been handed over to
the New Jerusalem Church by God. Those who do not like
being righteous may say that it is wrong. But according to
which verse of the Bible is this wrong? David confessed his
sin to Nathan (2 Sam 12:13,14), people confessed to John the
Baptist (Mark 1:5) and the exorcists confessed their sins
(Act. 19:18) "Confess your faults one to the other" (James.
5:16), says the Bible. God commanded his disciples to
pardon or not to pardon the sins of the people (John.
20:23). Which verse does your teacher show supporting his
advice to confess sin to Jesus directly in your prayers?
Could baseless teaching like this be correct and teaching
according to the letter and spirit of the bible wrong? You
should be late to speak.
When a righteous person prays to God, the blind gets
sight, the lame runs and the sick person is cured. Are
these the acts of the minister or that of God? Thus through
his ministers God does great things. Is it wrong to say
that hearing the prayer of the minister, God forgives the
sins of those who confess through the minister? Which is
easier to say arise and walk, that is, making the lame walk
or to say your sins are forgiven? Therefore, beloved, be
careful not to commit sin by accusing others due to lack of
proper knowledge of the Scripture and unwillingness to
learn.

'For by your words you shall be justified and by your words
you shall be condemned" (Matt. 12:37)

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THE SHEPHERD

In this world, those who herd cattle are called shepherds
(Luke 2: 8; Amos 1: 1). "I am the good shepherd", says Jesus
of Himself (John 10: 11, 14). Ap.Peter has called our Lord
the "Chief Shepherd" (I Pet. 5: 4). Moreover we see that our
Lord God appoints shepherds to tend His people who had been
called into the church, His body and redeemed by His own
blood (Eph. 4: 11-16). Lord Jesus Christ gives His life for
the sheep (John 10: 11). But the thief (satan) comes only to
steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10: 10). The Lord God
appoints shepherds to look after His flock, which has
received His blood (John 21: 15 - 17; I Pet. 5: 1-4).
On the other hand, the Lord God warned that satan
sends his own shepherds (ministers) to steal, to kill and to
destroy from His flock those souls who had received His life
(the eternal life) (John 10: 11). Therefore the Lord has
said, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will
come in My name, saying, 'I am He', and will deceive many"
(Matt. 24: 5; Mark 13: 5,6; Luke 21: 8). Our Lord has said
that such false person would claim himself to be Christ.
Christ means the anointed one. The false people would claim
that the Lord sent them. 'Coming in My name' could mean
acting like the ministers of God. Saint Paul has said of
them, "And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself
into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if
his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of
righteousness" (2Cor.11: 13-15) and "savage wolves not
sparing the flock" (Acts 20: 28-30).
A large part of the people who have accepted
Christ as their personal Savior have the following to say
on the preachers in today's Christian world: They preach
well and perform miracles in the name of Jesus; But their
works are evil and one can not follow their footstep always.
Children of God! Know the truth. Our Lord Jesus Christ has
already told that the agents of satan too would perform
great signs and wonders (Matt. 24: 24; Mark 13: 22).
How to identify the true shepherds? The Lord of
hosts said: "Return, O backsliding children," says the Lord;
"for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city
and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I
will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed
you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3: 14,15). The
words 'Zion' and 'Jerusalem' signify the church, which is
the body of God. The Lord God said: "As one whom his mother
comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted
in Jerusalem" (Is. 66: 13). Therefore you brother and
sister! If you had gone astray by being disappointed with
the life of false ministers, know that the Lord has raised
His church of the last days (Is. 2: 2-3). First you should
leave your sinful ways and seek the Holy Mountain, which is
the Zion. The Lord will take you there (Acts 2: 47).
Outside the church you can not have rest or holy life.
You ministers, who can not do the ministry of God
faithfully despite your desire to do so and thus unable to
protect your sheep, call unto the Lord: "Tell me, O whom I
love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at
noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the
flocks of your companions?" (SS. 1:7). Then the Lord will
answer you: "Follow in the footsteps of the flock, and feed
your little goats beside the shepherds' tents" (SS.1: 8).
Then robbers will not steal away your sheep (John 10: 1-2).
God gives shepherds to tend the sheep (people) of His church
(Jer.23: 3,4). Those who were (are) appointed to be saved
were (are) being added to the Lord daily (Acts 2: 47). God
calls His church His fold (John 10: 16). The shepherds of
Lord are those who gather the souls into the church and
protecting them from getting killed by the wolf (satan),
tending them with wisdom and knowledge and being models to
the flock of God (I Pet. 5: 2-4).
The Lord says that not leading the people towards the
church but gathering the souls more and more and scattering
them after receiving plump offerings from them are the works
of the shepherds of satan (Luke 11: 23; Matt.12: 30; Jer.
23: 1). Moreover the Lord God gives His shepherds only to
tend His sheep (Jer. 3: 15). You may ask how can one find
the difference between the sheep of God and other sheep. The
sheep of God will follow His doctrines. Many people will
gather to get the worldly benefits through Jesus Christ. But
not all of them accept His words and do accordingly (Luke 6:
46; John 10: 26). We know this truth as our Lord has said:
"My sheep hear My voice" (John 10: 27). Only those who
listen to the word of God are the sheep of God. In these
days a large part of those who call themselves Christians do
not accept the word of God. Therefore God too does not
protect them. They want bodily healing, wealth, fame but not
the truth! Satan will destroy such people. Therefore
children of God who are willing to seek God, seek the truth
and the truth shall set you free (John 8: 32). The place,
which is known as the church of God or His fold, is the
kingdom of God. That is the place where the God dwells. We
see that God stands in the congregation of the mighty
(Ps.82: 1). Jesus Christ is the door to this kingdom of God.
"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved
(John 10: 9). "The Lord added to the church daily those who
were being saved" (Acts 2: 47). All those who accept Lord
Jesus Christ and believe that He bled and died for their
sins are repented of their sins. However those who repented
in this manner should be baptized for the remission of sins
(Mark 1: 4,5). The Scripture says that they will become one
with Christ and will be saved (Mark 16: 16; Acts 2: 37,38).
It is only within this kingdom of God, in this fold of
the church that one can find good pasture (John 10: 9; Prov.
9: 1-6). The word of God says that outside this there is no
pasture (Hez.34: 6). Even the worldly shepherds who herd
their sheep, first go out and find green meadows and streams
before taking out their sheep there for feeding. Similarly
the shepherds (pastors) who tend the sheep of God too should
have seen by their spiritual eyes and experienced the
spiritual and material blessings kept ready by God for His
children (John 10:9; 1 Cor.2: 9,10; I John 1: 1-3).
Similarly those who are blind to the blessings held by
God are not the true shepherds. Such people are the blind
leaders of the blind (Matt. 15: 14). Therefore a man of God
or the shepherd of the flock should first enter the church
which is the body of God and the kingdom of God through
Jesus Christ the door, in order to see with his spiritual
eyes, the blessings held by God (John 10: 9). Our beloved
Lord and the chief shepherd says: "Most assuredly, I say to
you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but
climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep"
(John 10: 1,2). Only the one entering through Jesus Christ
the door, enters the church of God, the kingdom of God. He
is the true shepherd. He alone could see and experience the
blessings in the house of God and lead others there. The
doorkeeper of this holy city (the church) opens for him
(John 10: 3). The Scripture says that no man can enter the
church, kingdom of God, on his own. It has a door (John 10:
9) and a doorkeeper (John 10: 3). The lord says that anyone
who does not enter by the door but by other means is a thief
and a robber (John 10: 1).
Who is the doorkeeper (John 10: 3)? Do you think that
he is someone who is usually appointed to open the gates of
the churches, cleaning the premises and performing other
services there? No, not so. Such persons can not open the
gate to the kingdom of God. This refers to the person who
has received appropriate authority for that. To open the
gate one should have the necessary key. As the Lord God had
told apostle Peter that he would give him the keys to the
kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16: 19), in these days too, the one
who has received the keys from God can open the gate to the
kingdom of heaven. The Lord referred this as a narrow gate
with only a few entrants though many enter through the wide
gate with a broad way leading towards destruction (Matt. 7:
13,14).
These days there are many who are dejected after
following big crowds and big people and miracles. Such
people wonder if there are no truthful Christians around.
Children of God, think! Through which gate would you like to
pass through? Whichever gate you prefer, you will receive
the corresponding return. To walk through the gate of Christ
would mean entering Christ. Through the ministries held
these days, many people accept Jesus Christ and are gathered
into the religion of Christianity, which is in a way good.
However what we must understand mainly is that we should
send a man into Christ only through the door. So long as he
stands outside the fold of Christ, the enemy the devil is
free to attack him. But the one who stands within the city
of refuge can not be touched by the enemy (Num. 35:12).
We see here two types of experiences, one being in
Christ and the other outside Christ. To be in Christ means
being in the kingdom of God. To be outside Christ means
remaining in the world. Therefore Paul says that if anyone
is Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away
and all things have become new (2 Cor. 5: 17). What we see
from this is if one were to acquire the qualification of
tending the flock of the Lord, he should have entered
through the gate of Christ, must have received the salvation
of remission of sins (John 10: 9) and should become a new
creation (2 Cor. 5: 17). Only then he can lead the souls who
follow him into an experience such as his. The level of the
spiritual experience of the minister would determine the
spiritual level of those who listen to his preaching. The
sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him
(John 10: 34).
Those who are not the true shepherds may conduct
meetings and gather people. But the people do not follow
their teachings. The people identify them as false shepherds
and deceitful servants and leave them (John 10: 5). The Lord
says of them that the shepherds have become dull-hearted,
and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not
prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered (Jer.10:
21). A shepherd would like his flock to follow him. Apostle
Paul said, "Therefore I urge you, imitate me" (1Cor. 4: 16).
Apostle John too said, "That which we have seen and heard we
declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us;
and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son
Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy
may be full (1 John 1: 3,4).
However the false teachers seen today say, "Don't look
at us and fall from your faith. Look at Jesus alone!" The
reason for their saying this is that they are not the ones
who entered through the door. Also they are not the
shepherds of the flock. They are the enemies of the cross of
Christ, whose end is their destruction, whose god is their
belly. They set their mind on earthly things (Phil. 3:
18,19). Children of God! Do not feed yourself. Commit
yourself to be fed by a good shepherd. The one who is led by
himself is led by the devil. The Lord of hosts said, "I will
give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you
with knowledge and understanding" (Heb. 3: 15). "He who
enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep" (John 10:
2). True shepherds are in the church.
"The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep" (John 10:
11).

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PRAYER IS VICTORY

Prayer is the wonderful instrument, which brings all
blessings to earth, opening the treasure chest of heaven.
Again prayer is the means by which righteous men establish
fellowship with God to obtain all their needs. A good
education or gift of the gab is not needed to pray to God.
Have deep and strong faith on God, on His everlasting love
on mankind and on the miracles He does out of the love of
mankind, any one can be near God, can enjoy all His abundant
blessings and benedictions and can be His witness and
testimony. God wants His children to pray to receive from
Him all they need and to live in happiness. Therefore He
commands people to pray. "If my people, which are called by
My name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face
and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land"
(2 Chr. 7: 14). God commanded that Israel should pray to Him
to get all the promised blessings from Him. God also said, "
And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek and
you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you" (Luke
11: 9). In His epistle, St.Paul wrote "Be careful for
nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God"
(Phil. 4: 6).
God hears prayers and grants the things prayed for. God
also grants them the desire and inner yearning to pray.
Those who obey His command and pray are strengthened in
their faith and blessed. "God be merciful to me a sinner"
(Luke 18: 13) will not be enough to say in our prayers. The
publican prayed for himself. He did not pray for others. He
who prayed for himself and received mercy from God should
pray for others as well. Having sinned daily, a person's
prayer for forgiveness is meaningless. Having obtained the
pardon of God one should remain righteous thereafter and
pray for friends, relatives, church, ministers and the world
itself. Praying is a good ministry. This ministry can be
done and should be done by all. Our Savior Jesus prayed!
"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word" said the apostles. "Watch and pray
that you enter not into temptation".
Jesus commanded His disciples. "Could you not keep
awake an hour in prayer?" asked Jesus of His disciples. This
can be taken as the minimum duration of prayer indicated by
Jesus to us. Do not indulge in a short or a long prayer just
to impress others. We should pray for the good governance of
the country by those who govern that we may lead a godly
life peacefully, for all the people to be saved and attain
the knowledge of truth. The children of God should humble
themselves and pray for the good of the country. We should
pray individually, as family, in groups and as the
congregation. When the congregation of the early church
prayed together, the place where they gathered was shaken
(Acts. 4: 31).
One should pray that the doors to the ministry be
opened, for the removal of obstacles to ministry, for the
occurrence of miracles and signs and for the free passage to
the word of God. One should pray pouring out ones' soul like
Hannah, struggling like Jacob, regularly and without fear
like Daniel, earnestly like Elijah and intercede like
Abraham. Praying unceasingly till one gets what he asked for
is a prayer in faith. One should pray in accordance with the
will of God. God does not answer the prayers of those who
are unwilling to repent and when they continue to pray
against the will of God. One should pray with sincerity of
heart and continuously. Prayer is like breath to the
righteous person. Just as one can not live without
breathing, one can not lead a life pleasing to God without
prayer. The reasons for not being able to pray are worldly
burden, faithlessness and sin. The children of God should be
filled with the Spirit and pray in the Spirit. For those
things, which we can not pray earnestly, from within us the
Holy Spirit intercedes in tongues on our behalf. From the
fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf with many
sighs, we can understand the importance of prayer.
Prayer is victory and prayerlessness is void of
victory. Prayer is the weapon of war, which scatters the
hosts of satan. A prayer with appropriate words will
generate power within the hearts of the listeners and bring
blessings upon blessings. King David said: "My heart was hot
within me, while I was musing the fire burned; then spake I
with my tongue" (Ps.39: 3). You should pray and meditate
upon the Scriptures. "Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Ps.85: 10).
One should watch and pray. Watchfulness does not mean
wakefulness alone. It is only when one understands the
problems and circumstances confronting him and prays
appropriately to be strengthened in spirit that his prayer
can be termed a watchful prayer. Not praying is certainly a
sin. Even if one confesses that sin and receives
forgiveness, until the time he prays, he will not secure the
benefits resulting from his prayer. Lack of strength in
children of God is the result of lack of prayer. "Is any
among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him
sing psalms" (James 5: 13). It is the lack of strength,
which makes a person unable to pray in times of sorrow. Only
through prayer one receives the strength to pray. The gift
of prayer is a great gift, a great blessing that God bestows
upon the children of God. A single minded prayer by the
children of God will bring a lot of good.
As Daniel and his friends prayed with one accord God
revealed the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its meaning to
Daniel as a result of which the lives of the wise men of
Babylon were saved. All the prayer-warriors stand at the
breach between God and the world. Fervent prayers are
essential to win souls. An earnest prayer with fasting will
deliver people from the clutches of satan and raze the
bastion of the devil. Concerted fasting prayer saved Niniveh
from destruction. When the Jews who were marked for death by
the conspiracy of Haman prayed with fasting, their lives
were spared; They destroyed their enemies and made history
by celebrating the event as festival (Esth. 4:3,16).
The Lord said, "Ask the Lord for the rain in the time
of the latter rain" (Zech.10: 1). For the plants, which grew
by the former rain, to yield, the latter rain is needed in
abundance. The latter rain is essential for the perfection
of the church. Gather in the mount of God with one accord to
pray for the latter rain, for the lumps to dissolve and the
fields to be filled with water and for the paths of God to
be filled with fat. Seek revival that could rock the world.
Seek harmony in knowledge and faith. Join New Jerusalem
Church, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every
way; as by joining this apostolic ministry you can grow to
the level of perfection of Christ. Come! Come, let us shake
this world by our fervent prayer. Prayer is victory.
Hallelujah!
"And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you
will receive" (Matt.21: 22)

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THE DEATH OF JESUS - A SACRIFICE

Sacrifice is synonymous with human history. The practice of
offering sacrifice began with the emergence of man. This
practice of sacrifice can be seen from the history of
Israelites beginning with the early men Abel, Noah and
Abraham (Gen. 4:4; 8: 20; 15: 9-21; Ex. 24: 5-8). There are
people who say that it was God who introduced the practice
of sacrifice. When Adam and Eve sinned, God made tunics of
skin and clothed them (Gen. 3: 21), for which God sacrificed
an animal.
Those who say that man introduced the practice of
sacrifice refer to the sacrifice offered by Abel (Gen.4: 4).
God accepted the sacrifice of Abel. By faith Abel offered a
sacrifice pleasing to God (Heb.11: 4). As human race began
to grow, people realized that none other than sacrifice help
man reach God. As God Himself commanded the methods of
offering sacrifice, we understand that God could have
introduced the practice of sacrifice. The practice of
sacrifice was prevalent among Gentiles too (Ex. 18: 12.;
Num.: 23rd Chapter; Job 42: 8). People realized that
sacrifice was necessary to reconcile with God. Sacrifice was
offered in times of Old and New Testaments. There are
numerous instances of sacrifices offered (1)in the synagogue
built by Solomon (2) in the synagogue built by Zerubbabel
and (3) in the synagogue built by Herod.
There are two types of sacrifices.
1. Sacrifice for the sweet aroma: These are burnt offering
(Lev. 1: 1,2,9,13,17); Grain offering (Lev. 2:9) and the
peace offering (Lev. 3: 1-5).
2. Sacrifice without the sweet aroma: The sin offering
(Lev.4: 20,26,31,35); Trespass offering (Lev. 5: 10, 13, 16,
19); Also other sacrifices of consecration, for childbirth,
uncleanness due to coming into contact with carcass, leprosy
etc too were offered. The aim of sacrifice was to receive
forgiveness of sins. Only the realization of sinfulness will
bring forgiveness of sins. There is no use with sacrifices
offered without such realization of sin.
One should not think that forgiveness of sins would
eliminate the punishment associated with sin. Man must
undergo the punishment due for his sin. However as man
displays obedience in the presence of God with the
consciousness of sin, the sacrifice turns into
righteousness. As man kept sinning again and again, he kept
sacrificing again and again (Heb. 9: 9; 10: 1-4,11).
Sacrifice or law could not make man good. Therefore another
way was needed to be shown. The sacrifices in times of Old
Testament stood pointing towards the greatest sacrifice of
all. In the New Testament, God came as Jesus, removed the
Old Testament and taught them the purpose of sacrifice
(Matt. 5: 2,24; 9: 13; 12: 7). He established the new
covenant (Matt. 26: 28; Mark 14: 24; Luke 22: 20). He
declared that the event of His death for the mankind was a
sacrifice. Yes, the death of Jesus was a sacrifice (Rom. 3:
25,26; 1 John 2: 2; 4: 10). In these days (in the months of
March, April), it is good that we have been meditating upon
the sufferings and death of Christ. The one who sacrifices
must identify himself with the sacrifice. In place of him,
this soul (sacrifice) is sacrificed. Death is the punishment
for my sin. Instead of me dying, this animal dies (being
sacrificed). It means that I am dead. Conscious of his sin,
when he repents resolving that he will not sin anymore, his
sacrifice is accepted and the blessings due for his
sacrifice will descend on his head.
1. The death of Christ is a sacrifice (Matt. 26: 28; Mark
14: 24; I Cor. 11: 25; Heb.9: 11,14-16). It has the power to
save (rom.3: 25; 5: 9,10). It brings about repentance in a
sinner.
2. The blessings arising from that sacrifice:- It brings
forgiveness of sins; It brings righteousness; the Holy
Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Act 10: 43; Luke
24: 47; Acts 13: 38,19; 2:38,39; Gal.5: 22,23)
3. The prerequisites to receive these blessings:-
Consciousness of sin and faith in Jesus are necessary (Act
14: 22; John 1: 12; Acts 2: 28,29).
4. The attributes of sacrifice:- Offering a ransom (Mark 10:
42-45; Matt. 20: 28). As the old covenant was completed by
blood, the new covenant too was completed by blood.
5. The manner of completion of this sacrifice: Jesus' life
itself was a sacrifice (Eph.5: 20). The appearance of God in
flesh was a great sacrifice. He led a life of holy
abstinence for the sake of mankind. His death on the cross
was the climax of this sacrifice. His death on the cross,
His resurrection are the proofs that God had accepted His
sacrifice (Acts 3: 26; I Pet. 1: 4,18-21).
Jesus was a true sacrifice. No doubt, the blessings of that
sacrifice will descend on him who believes, "Jesus Christ
died for me, buried and resurrected. How wonderful! The
sacrifice of Christ grants repentance, forgiveness of sins,
deliverance, health, comfort, fellowship with God, life and
blessings which could not be offered by any other religion,
sacrifices, reformations, moral teachings, education,
doctrines or philosophy.
Do you believe in Jesus? If not believe in Him today and
receive His grace!

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BELOVED GAIUS-THE GIVER

St.John wrote this epistle to Gaius to request him for an
important obligation. The important obligation was to help
some elders who were associates of St John and who needed
some material help to continue on their journey. As the
elders did not receive any material help from the Gentiles
(non-Jewish believers), St John requested Gaius to help them
materially to enable them resume their journey.
This epistle disclosed the greatness of those who
contributed liberally to godly affairs. When we wanted help
we would normally approach our closest friends. We would
not tell strangers of our needs because it would be neither
in good taste nor dignified. From the fact that St John had
asked Gaius for help, he should have held him in very high
esteem. So he requested him to help the elders. Gaius
revealed his love towards the brethren and gentiles by
helping them in all earnestness and sincerity (Ver.5, 6).
He who gives his most to God and godly men is the man who
loves Him the most. The old widow gave all she had for her
living to God because she loved God (Luke 21:2-4). He who
did not offer to God did not love Him. He who did not offer
to the righteous and elders and tithe to God loved them
less. As Gaius gave abundantly to strangers and brethren
and at the same time was righteous, he was held in high
esteem by St John and in token of this regard, he addressed
him four times as beloved in this epistle (Vs 1,2,5,11).
Special prayers are raised for those who sustain the
needs of godly men (Phi. 4:16-19). The righteous enjoy the
liberal contribution of believers and pray to God on their
behalf (11Cor. 9:13,14). The righteous get their wants
fulfilled. Therefore, their intercession will bring
benedictions in abundance. Though appearing poor, the
righteous could make many rich (11Cor. 6:10) and by their
supplication, God will fulfill all the needs of His people
in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). The prayer of righteous is
greatly desired by God. By their prayer, the believer's
soul prospers and he grows in spiritual life. Not only his
soul but also his life will be healthy and prosperous (3John
Ver.2).
The soul of the person, who does not offer liberally to
God, does not prosper and his spiritual life will not be
enriched. They cannot conquer sin. When a man sacrifices,
God presents Himself to accept the sacrifice. The man gets
close to God. God establishes fellowship with him. The
person who does not give what he has to God, who does not
sacrifice and who does not contribute liberally to God
cannot get closer to Him. Spiritual life is nothing but
getting closer God. Gaius is a good example for. "If we
follow his example we will be fellow-ministers for the truth
(2 Jn. Ver. 8) and our soul will be enriched. Along with
everthing eles. Let us be people dear to God.

Give and it will be given to you; good measure pressed down
and shaken together and running over will be put into your
bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be
measured back to you (Luke 6:38).

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This article was published by Chief Pastor N. Lazar, New Jerusalem Church

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