TWO GREAT QUESTIONS

Recently, I received on my blog a comment from an anonymous source asking,  "When  did the New Testament start and were the disciples born again" Great questions. I confess I don't have all the answers but I have given this some thought.

If the word Testament is another word for Covenant, than I believe the New Testament (Covenant) started after Jesus' ascension. After His resurrection, Jesus had to take His blood to the Mercy Seat in Heaven to make atonement for Adam's sin. Remember how when Mary first thought that He was the gardener, but when she recognized Him she wanted to embrace Him?  His response was, "Don't touch Me, I have not  yet ascended!" Could that of meant that the Mercy Seat was waiting for His blood?  I don't know. God has His timing in everything.

I have also given some thought to the last supper, when Jesus lifted the cup of redemption saying, "this is my blood shed for you. this bread is my body broken for you."  Could this be the beginning of the New Testament?  Both Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 prophesied that a New Covenant was going to be made.

Some people think that the New Testament started with St. Paul, and that Jesus was only speaking to the Jews. Personally, I think it had to do with the Heavenly Mercy Seat.  It required a holy, righteous, prefect sacrifice of a man.  Jesus, God's Son, was the 'only one' who could fulfilled it's requirements. After His death and resurrection, the curtain was torn in the temple and then, the believer could now enter the Throne of Grace by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.

To attempt to answer 'Were the disciples born again" with biblical proof?"  I don't think there is an explicit place where it says, "The disciples were born again".  I believe it has been implied.  One possibility might be in John 20:22. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples in the upper room. He breathed on them saying,"Receive the Holy Spirit".  The disciples now had the Holy Spirit in them, Later at Pentecost, the disciples received the 'power' to witness the resurrection.  Their lives were changed.  Peter especially became bold with His speech. 

Today, as  disciples of Jesus,we are born again. The Lord has breathed into our spirits eternal life, (Zoe).  But the question remains, have we received the "power" the witness the resurrection of our Lord?  Are we ready to testify His gospel, face persecution, be hated by the world, love our enemies, forgive those who offend us, do we love one another?"  Without His power released in us, we can't forsake the world and only be true to Him. Everything we receive from God we receive by faith.  Have we believed and received the person of the Holy Spirit? He is God too and testifies to the world who Jesus is in us!

Becoming The Beloved by Graham Cooke

Beloved, If you have ever struggled with legalism or a religious spirit, I believe that your heart will be blessed listening to this beautiful truth that our Lord died to set you free. In Christ, we are His beloved and He is ours. I know of no earthly love greater than the love of our Father and His Son for us. It truly is amazing love.  Please listen to this video and hear for you self the love  and acceptance that Jesus has for His beloved...That you!

A Christmas tradition

                                         MERRY  CHRISTMAS AND  HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to each and every one of you who read and  follow "Dottie in Him" . I pray that the Lord will personally bless you with His love, grace, provision and health in the New Year. The Lord loves us so much and cares in particular for the details of our lives. We are a blessed people,

For the past fifteen years, when our family would get together for Christmas, we would first start with the Christmas story.  Pop Pop would sit to the right and read, while the grandchildren would act out five scenes, ending by singing Silent Night, Holy Night. For several years we had a real baby in the manger, until our last grandchild was promoted to an angel .  Everyone played a part.

As each grandchild grew older, they would help the younger ones to dress back stage, lead the singing and tend the curtain. The adults were the audience and we looked forward to the children each year performing their changing parts. It was set it up in our home between two rooms, so the children felt like they were on stage.  When it was over, off came the homemade customs, down came the curtains, and then the mad dash for the Christmas tree.

This picture was taken in 2001.  The littlest angel is now  grown up in college, and the  director a mother of four.  The baton has been passed to the next generation. We will always remember  our little wandering two year old angel with her crooked halo.   

Be reconciled

Christmas time is a time for great rejoicing.  Our Savior is born, the Kings of kings and Lord of lords .Jesus Christ is the the anointed Son of God.  God the Father is calling out through the Holy Spirit to this dying world, "Come, come and be reconciled to your God.  He is reaching out to you through the birth and death  of His Son Jesus, saying, "The manager is empty, the tomb is empty and the world is empty, COME!  The world holds no answers.  My Son is resurrected and your sins have been forgiven.  Come back to me.  Forsake the world and let me fill your hearts with My new life. 'Though your sins be as scarlet, you will be washed as white as snow." If you hear My call this Christmas, repent and turn to Me. I am only a prayer away.

This another beautiful Christmas song.  I pray that it will bless you.

http://www.andiesisle.com/singfortheking.html