The same Lord who saves us from hell is also the same Lord who keeps us from slipping back into it. God's mercy is both the source and the maintenance of our salvation. If either the source or the maintenance were to leave us, we would all be doomed.
Psalms 94:17-18 KJV Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
Psalms 94:22 KJV But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
If the Holy Spirit is God, so is the Son. Rarely do people deny this of the Father. You can fool many people in the realm of religion, but you can never fool the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:3 KJV But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:4 KJV Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
The hands of the apostles were gifted with signs and wonders to further reach the Jews, who required signs, and to establish the New Testament canon of Scripture. Today, charlatans mimic a few of these signs and wonders for profit. They lie to the Holy Spirit, but the question remains: for how long?
Acts 5:12 KJV And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
As I teach and preach through the Bible intensely, each break to check a worldly affairs social media feed feels like entering a shallow, Twilight Zone-themed children's nursery.
These indignant types exist today, even within Christian denominations, and they still don't like others stealing their thunder. This is why they spend all day attacking each other, trying to isolate one another in heretical prisons.
Acts 5:17 KJV Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Acts 5:18 KJV And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
I don't have time for these vain quarrels; I have work to do.
Acts 5:19 KJV But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Acts 5:20 KJV Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
In other words, today Peter and the apostles would have been defamed as antisemitic, except that now Jewish councils, such as the ADL and AIPAC, have the federal government on their side.
Acts 5:28 KJV Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
We preach on, despite censorship, prison, or death! This also applies to denominations that attempt to chain preachers with their catechisms and talking points.
Acts 5:29 KJV Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Jews: “Antisemitic!!!”
Acts 5:30 KJV The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Repentance and the residence of the Holy Spirit are gifts from God. Mock either of these gifts and you will mock God from Hell, short of God’s extended mercy. And yes, even the Christ-slayers still have an opportunity to receive these gifts on this side of eternity.
Acts 5:31 KJV Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:32 KJV And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
If they slew Christ, they will slay Christians, and have.
Acts 5:33 KJV When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Gamaliel, a doctor of law, was a wise man. If he were alive today, he would say, 'I told you so.'
Acts 5:34 KJV Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Acts 5:38 KJV And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Acts 5:39 KJV But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
The antichrists threaten us, tell us to shut up, but we preach louder!
Acts 5:40 KJV And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Acts 5:41 KJV And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Acts 5:42 KJV And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
The Blood of Christ even covers our ignorance and stupidity. However, Christian, in these days it's difficult to be ignorant of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. The Old Testament saints had 613 commandments to contend with, leaving them more room for ignorance, in my opinion.
Leviticus 4:2 KJV Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
The Church is the Bride of Christ and is beautiful in His sight.
Song of Solomon 7:10 KJV I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.
Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace that illuminates and corrects our ignorance. Thank You for the Truth that sets us free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.