Truth Be Told: A Blog by Pastor Bill Alderson

  According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “duty” can be defined as “ An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion,” while “identity” means: 1. The set of characteristics by which a person or thing is definitively recognizable or known, and 2. The awareness that an individual or group has of being a distinct, persisting entity. Judaism and Christianity are identifiable by the inward as well as outward characteristics of their followers. The transformation of both the true Jew and the Christ-follower takes place in the heart. Duty can take the believer only so far; identity represents the transformation of the entire man. “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require [ saal – ask, beg, inquire] from you, but to fear [ yare - not simple fear, but reverence, whereby one recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect] the Lord your God, to walk [ halak – basic idea of move...

Now, concerning spiritual gifts [ pneumatikos - pertaining to the Holy Spirit, spiritual endowments], brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however, you were led. Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. Now, there are varieties of gifts [ charisma – gifts imparted to Christians by the Holy Spirit], but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. There are varieties [divisions, distributions]   of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation [ phanerosis – make visible or observable] of the Spirit for the common good [ sumphero – profit every man]. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit...

  but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN, AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM ." For to us, God revealed them through the Spirit ; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows [understands, comprehends] the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows [understands] except the Spirit of God.       1 Corinthians 2:9-11 The Apostle Paul understood the role and power of the Holy Spirit like no other New Testament writer. One of the most important of these is the ability to understand and comprehend truth. Paul identifies that this kind of understanding comes to those who love God. Without this understanding, divine truths would never be perceived, never mind understood. The rational mind, even one of superior intellect, is incapable since the Holy Spirit searches al...

  Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable [ aphtharsía - incorruptible]. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable [incorruptible] , and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable [incorruptible], and this mortal must put on immortality [ athanasía - without death]. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable [incorruptible] , and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ .      ...