I hope you will listen in. We started with chapter 5 last week. This time, we are moving to chapter 1 and will be following that format, straight through to the end. Chapter 1 is equally as powerful as chapter 5.
The thief is a beautiful example of salvation by faith, true. However, you can't turn his deathbed conversion into a doctrine that makes baptism, obedience, or works irrelevant. After accepting Christ, he had no opportunity to do those things. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Faith saves, but genuine faith produces obedience (James 2:17–18).
I am the sweetest, most personable person on X. But when it comes to Scripture and the Straight Testimony, I am a straight shooter. I will not curse at anyone or belittle them. I don't believe I have to do that to share the end-time message. But like Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah, and John the Baptist, I will call out institutions, errors, misconception and false doctrines wherever, whenever, and whomever perpetrates them. I will boldly proclaim the Oracles of God. I do not claim to be even nearly like these men. However, I am claiming that I will not apologize for being firm, plain, persistent, no-nonsense, and bold. Love demands truth.
This is not about me. This is about Christ and our eternal future.
I'm not demoting the Holy Spirit at all. I'm doing the exact opposite, actually. Jesus Himself said the Holy Spirit would come in His place after He returned to the Father.
Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).
Then Jesus says, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18).
The Holy Spirit is God. He is not a lesser substitute for God. But He is the divine Person whom Christ sent to be with and in His followers after Christ's departure.
That's not my version. That's Jesus' teaching in John 14–16.