One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
The John 3:5 Project is a theological initiative focused on the clear, instructional teachings of Jesus the Christ, and those teachings He gave to his chosen vessels. No other book in existence has been the object of more confusion or manipulation than has the bible. The "bible" is the primary source of guidance concerning the will of God toward mankind. The bible also credits God as its author. 2 Timothy 3:16 reveals its origins, 2 Peter 1:20-21 illustrates the means of compilation, Revelation 22:18-19 validates its contents, and Psalm 12:6-7 ensures the endurance of its truth. The bible illustrates that God is in complete control of the message to his people and humanity at large (Matthew 24:14, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Timothy 3:16, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10). The bible states in:
Ephesians 4:11-12
And "HE"[God] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; "For" the perfecting of the saints, "for" the work of the ministry, "for" the edifying of the body of Christ:
As such, any justification in evangelism must begin with the premise that we are merely "parroting" the thoughts, desires, and words of God, and that "his" words ALONE interpret themselves. The interpolations of man serve only to obscure truth. The bible states unequivocally in:
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came NOT in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Since God "alone" is the author of the bible, we can be confident in the fact that its volumes intend to convey a message that is united in thought and in purpose. The laws given to Israel at Sinai serve as the example. The law did not vary from person to person, family to family, or group to group. The law applied equally to all including "foreigners" who would cast their lots with God's people. So, what could possibly justify the inordinate number of "Christian" "variations" that exist; all crediting the same God for creating a hodgepodge of confusion and endless array of divergent doctrines. Paul said in:
1 Corinthians 1:10
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye "all speak" "the same thing", and that there be "no divisions among you" but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." King James Version
The bible states that God is not directly observable or subject to independent examination (1 Corinthians 2:16). What rudimentary understanding of God that is available to mankind, regarding his nature or his characteristics, is the result of what "He" has made available to us. Since God's desire is to have a relationship with man, and for man to model his characteristics, he naturally makes those attributes known. He does this through his word and through his spirit.
It is for that reason we must recognize that man is hopelessly dependent upon him for an understanding of his will, and his way. Man cannot learn anything of God "without" him. We read in:
1 Corinthians 2:11-13
"For who knows a person's thoughts "except" their own spirit within them? "In the same way" "no one" knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, "so that we may understand" what God has freely given us. "This is what we speak," not in words taught us by "human wisdom," "but" in words taught by the spirit "explaining spiritual realities" "with spirit taught-words."
Proclaiming the unified message of God to humanity can only be achieved by man if God is the target of focus and not men. Paul's admonition in 1 Corinthians (1:10) involves allowing God to lead and speak to us by way of his spirit and his word (the scriptures). "HE" does the speaking, it's "HIS" words that man should simply regurgitate. That REQUIRES man to be reborn by way of the in-filling of the spirit of God; there is no "alternative" (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:39, Acts 11:15-18, 1 John 2:26-27, Romans 8:9). We read in:
1 John 2:27
But "the anointing" ["Holy Spirit"] which ye have "received" of him abideth "in you", and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and "is truth", and is "no lie", and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. King James Version
Spiritual understanding requires the spirit of God. The bible makes it clear; knowledge "of" God comes "from" God not man (James 1:5, 2 Timothy 2:15). There is no greater calling in this life than to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, his message of redemption and his invitation to eternal life through the new birth.
There is nothing in this life that is more valuable than the time God has given us to reconcile ourselves to him. He came and took our sins on his shoulders and shed his blood that we would have the opportunity to live again when this life is over. Jesus Christ extends to us the invitation to eternal life through his sacrifice, with a longing for us to receive him. There is no greater honor or joy than being born into the body of Christ, but that requires a turning "from" sin and a turning "to" God. (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9) Jesus said in:
John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Salvation is "not" a self-derived "decision" for Christ (John 6:37, John 15:16), and holiness is "not" a pattern of behavior as a result of discipline. Holiness is the byproduct of a holy entity; the "pattern of behavior" is symptomatic of receiving the spirit of God. This is why John states we must be born of "water" and of "Spirit".
Just as Jesus had a death burial and resurrection (literal), we too will have a literal death burial and resurrection, either to eternal life or eternal separation. However, through our "figurative" (and arguably literal also) death to sin, we can ensure eternal life. That is, death to sin through repentance, burial to and resurrection from sin through water baptism (Romans 6:1-11).
The bible says in Hebrews 3:15 "While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." Now is all the time we will have to accept the invitation of Jesus to reconciliation and the eternal life. We have redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ this day.