What do Apostolics believe?

(King James Version)

Acts 2

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

You must be Born again

It is written, Jn 3:1-3-THERE WAS A MAN OF THE PHARISEES, NAMED NICODEMUS, A RULER OF THE JEWS: THE SAME CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT, AND SAID UNTO HIM, RABBI, WE KNOW THAT THOU ART A TEACHER COME FROM GOD: FOR NO MAN CAN DO THESE MIRACLES THAT THOU DOEST, EXCEPT GOD BE WITH HIM. JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN-AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Jesus has just given us a condition for seeing heaven. That absolute condition is you must be born-again. Few people today understand the new birth, including preachers. Many people think that being born-again was simply an experience or a feeling they had. Others believe being born-again is simply to believe on Jesus Christ.

Jn 3:4-NICODEMUS SAITH UNTO HIM, HOW? Note Nicodemus' first word, "How?" He didn’t understand the concept of the new birth, even though he was a spiritual leader in Israel. Indeed, he was a ruler of the Jews and a master of Israel. NICODEMUS SAITH UNTO HIM, HOW CAN A MAN BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? CAN HE ENTER THE SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHER’S WOMB, AND BE BORN? These words show us that such a concept as the new birth taking place in a person was something he did not understand, as is the case with many preachers today.

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-Jn 3:5.

1 Jn 5:6,8-THIS IS HE THAT CAME BY WATER AND BLOOD, EVEN JESUS CHRIST…AND THERE ARE THREE THAT BEAR WITNESS IN EARTH, THE SPIRIT, AND THE WATER, AND THE BLOOD: AND THESE THREE AGREE IN ONE. Again, Jesus makes it clear.

A new birth must take place; indeed, born of water and of the Spirit. Jn 3:6-THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH; AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT. Clearly, Jesus is showing us that there are two births. The first birth is of the flesh. This is what we call our birthday. Yet a second birth must take place, or we cannot see the kingdom of heaven.

The Scriptures show us in Mt 7:22-MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?

All these people seem to think they are saved or born-again. How many are there? It seems to indicate, many. God’s Word shows us there is yet another condition on entering heaven.

Mt 7:21-NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME LORD, LORD, (not everyone that calls on the Lord) SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.

Thus, there must be a time in our life when we decide to stop doing our own will, and we start doing the will of God. There must be a time in our life when we repent. There must be a time in our life when we are born of the spirit or born-again. So how many are truly born-again and enter heaven?

Mt 7:14- FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT. Jesus tells us many, people think they are saved; yet only a few really are. Only a few deny themselves, and pick up their cross, and follow Jesus. Only a few have fruits that reflect a life of doing the will of God.

In Mt 7:13, we see that many go to destruction. Thus, in one chapter alone, God’s Word clearly shows us that many people will perish. God said unto many, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME YE THAT WORK INIQUITY-ref

Mt 7:21-23. Again, we see in Mt 7:13, that many enter a wide gate and broad way, but it leads to destruction, to hell. The way of eternal life is a strait gate and narrow way. FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT-Mt 7:14. Gal 4:27-THE DESOLATE HATH MANY MORE CHILDREN THAN SHE WHICH HATH AN HUSBAND. There are many more followers of Satan, than there are followers of Jesus.

Can you hear?

Jesus said these words in Mt 18:3-EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED, AND BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN, YE SHALL NOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

Thus we have another condition on entering heaven. You (1) must be converted, and (2) you must become as little children. When you are born the second time, born of the Spirit, a conversion takes place in your attitude. By faith you begin to overcome all things. Your attitude changes. You begin to love the Word of God. You begin to hate sin and every evil way. You become converted from doing your will, to doing the will of God, and you must become as little children. In other words, your attitude must become childlike. You begin receiving correction as a little child from the Word of God.

You quit striving about the Word of God. You quit being contentious regarding the Word of God, and receive God’s Word in a humble, meek, childlike attitude. You begin to let Jesus reign over you. Whatever you do should be compared with the Word of God. Few people will allow God’s Word to reign over them. They want their own way. They perish. You must be born-again. You must be converted. You must become as a little child, who receives correction from his parents gladly and willingly. You must do God’s will, or perish.

Some incorrectly think "to be converted" means to convert from (not believing in Jesus) to (believing in Jesus). Many believe in Jesus in their thoughts or mind, but they do not trust in Him or believe and trust in all the Bible. He is in their head but not in their heart. They know "of Him" but they do not personally "know Him." They are at best only lukewarm. They have little or no true commitment to Jesus.

Some may think it is being converted from something like Hinduism to Christianity. Wrong. Being converted is putting off the old man and putting on the new man. Many people profess that they are Christians, but they have never been converted to the new man. Many will perish at the judgment, perhaps claiming these words, "I am a Christian."

Just saying you are a Christian does not save you or convert you or cause you to be born-again.

When a person truly becomes converted there should be evidence of good fruit coming forth that is in harmony with the Gospel and a childlikeness toward receiving correction from the Word of God.

Acts 3:19-REPENT YE THEREFORE, AND BE CONVERTED, THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE BLOTTED OUT, WHEN THE TIMES OF REFRESHING SHALL COME FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. Note, it says REPENT…AND BE CONVERTED. There is no conversion without repentance. Many name the name of Jesus and confess He is their Lord and Savior, but they have never repented of their sins. They have never repented of doing their own will. Grace does not reign through sin. Repentance leads to conversion.

Jn 1:12,13-BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME. Note, it did not say "accept Him" but rather "receive Him." We may define the word "believe", as a total uncompromising commitment of love, submission, obedience, and trust. Repent and receive Jesus Christ. Without repentance and without Jesus Christ, you are still in your sins. Verse13-WHICH WERE BORN, NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD. Have you really been born-again?

1 Pe 1:23-BEING BORN AGAIN, NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED, BUT OF INCORRUPTIBLE, BY THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER. Again, we see a new birth comes from the "Word of God, which liveth." Jesus is the Word of God-ref Jn 1:1,14. Jesus lives.

1 Jn 2:29-IF YE KNOW THAT HE IS RIGHTEOUS, YE KNOW THAT EVERY ONE THAT DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BORN OF HIM. Again, we see a new birth takes place. You must be born-again. Note the first part of this verse, "IF YE KNOW THAT HE IS RIGHTEOUS." Many people do not know that God is righteous. Neither do they understand the judgments of a righteous God. Know this, GOD IS GREATLY TO BE FEARED IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS-Ps 89:7.

1 Jn 3:8-10-HE THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL: FOR THE DEVIL SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING. FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL. WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN; FOR HIS SEED REMAINETH IN HIM: AND HE CANNOT SIN, BECAUSE HE IS BORN OF GOD. IN THIS THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE MANIFEST (OR MADE KNOWN), AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL: WHOSOEVER DOETH NOT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF GOD, NEITHER HE THAT LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER.

Again, we see the new birth twice. If you are living in sin, you are not born of God. If you are not doing God’s will, that which is right in the eyes of God, you are not of God. You are not born-again. You are not saved. If you do not love your brother, you are not of God. Does your fruit testify you are of God or of the devil?

1 Jn 5:18-WE KNOW. Note these words, "WE KNOW" THAT WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD SINNETH NOT; BUT HE THAT IS BEGOTTEN OF GOD KEEPETH HIMSELF, AND THAT WICKED ONE TOUCHETH HIM NOT.

1 Jn 5:17-ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN. Again, we see the words: BORN OF GOD. A new birth must take place in your life. We know by a person's fruits, if they are born of God.

1 Pe 2:2-AS NEWBORN BABES, DESIRE (or crave or cry for) THE SINCERE "MILK OF THE WORD" THAT YE MAY GROW THEREBY: Verse 3-IF SO BE YE HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GRACIOUS. Again, we see a new birth taking place. We also see that those who are a newborn babe, who have tasted that the Lord is gracious: they desire, they crave, they cry for, they want, they seek God’s Word, just as a newborn baby cries out for milk. In the same way, the newborn Christian desires and craves the sincere milk of the Word. He doesn’t desire vain jangling, but he desires God’s pure and holy Word. For by God’s Word, he may grow.

FAITH COMETH BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD. Lots of vain jangling is pleasing to the ears of the unconverted. Vain janglings do not produce faith or help us to grow. Are you crying out for God’s Word, or do you prefer preaching that is pleasing to your flesh? In whatever church you may attend, do you know more about the preacher’s family than you do about God? Is your heart really right with God? Are you deceiving yourself? Are you truly born-again?

Apostolic Beliefs

One God

The Bible communicates several Biblical truths that are necessary for us to understand for salvation and victorious living. God reveals to us, through His word, His character, His attributes, His love, His mercy, and the list goes on. The more we read and study His word, the more we understand God and His plan for us.
In the Bible, God has revealed Himself to mankind through many different manifestations, for many different reasons. For example: God appeared as a pillar of smoke and fire to the people of Israel to signify His ability to lead them. So, when God reveals Himself, it doesn't take away or add to who He is. "...I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6, KJV). In fact, God has placed an emphasis on His oneness. Jesus, in response to a major concern of the day, said the greatest commandment was "...Hear oh Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord..." (Mark 12:29, KJV). When God relayed this to the Jewish people (see Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV) in the Old Testament, they fully understood. Even today, the Jewish culture still holds to the monotheistic ("One God") belief (Galatians 3:20).
A lot of confusion exists today on who God really is. Commonly recognized roles that God has filled in His revealing Himself to us, are the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Mentioning again, that these are different roles or functions that God reveals Himself. They are not separate "persons" within the mind of God. God is not three-in-one, but God is One; period! (Isaiah 46:9, KJV). God is a spirit (john 4:24, KJV), in His original state of being. He is the Father in creation (Malachi 2:10, KJV), the Son in redemption (Isaiah 63:16), and is the active force on earth through the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2).

Other scriptures on the Oneness of God:

Isaiah 45:5-6 Zechariah 14:9
John 17:3 Romans 3:30

Other scriptures on God's role as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

Deuteronomy 32:6 Isaiah 9:6 Matthew 1:18
Matthew 10:20 John 1:1,14 John 20:28
II Corinthians 5:19 Galatians 4:4 Colossians 1:15
I Timothy 3:16 Titus 2:13 Hebrews 1:1-3

Full Water Immersion Baptism in Jesus Name

We believe that water baptism with full water immersion in the name of Jesus Christ, is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:16). As Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again, we must do the same through: repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Romans 6:4-5).
Much confusion has come about concerning what name to be baptized in. Many are confused by Matthew 28:19, which states: to baptize in "the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." This asks for one name, not the names, and therefore, as stated by Jesus in John 10:30; "I and my Father are one.". Also in Deuteronomy 6:4; "Hear oh Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." In Acts 2:38 Peter gave us the name in which we need to be baptized: "be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Without this name, water baptism is void!
Another confusing area concerning baptism is how exactly to be baptized. The Bible shows us that water baptism can be administered only by immersion in which we have to be "buried with him in baptism" (Colossians 2:12). Buried does not mean sprinkling or pouring, but by full and complete burying under water (immersion!). Time after time we read about the practice of immersion: Jesus "came up out of the water" after being buried in baptism (Mark 1:10); Phillip the apostle baptized the Eunuch in which they "went down into the water" and "came up out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39); Jesus mentioned being "born of the water" (John 3:5); and Paul said, "we are buried with Him (Lord Jesus Christ) by baptism" (Romans 6:4). Side note: the Greek word for "baptize" is "baptizo", meaning to cover (immersion!) (see the Strong's concordance)
Baptism is the next step for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. We baptize as the word of God states: in the name of Jesus Christ with full water immersion.

Other scriptures with reference to full water immersion in Jesus name are:

Water baptism is essential to salvation:

Mark 16:16 John 3:3-5 Acts 2:38 Acts 10:48
Acts 11:14 Acts 16:30-33 I Corinthians 10:1-4 1 Peter 3:20-21

Water baptism should be performed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ:

Luke 24:47 Acts 2:37-41 Acts 4:12 Acts 8:12-16
Acts 10:47-48 Acts 15:14 Acts 19:1-5 Romans 6:3-5
I Corinthians 1:12-15 Galatians 3:27 Colossians 2:8-12 Colossians 3:17
Titus 3:5-6

Baptismal Formula: Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

Zechariah 14:9 Matthew 1:21 Matthew 28:19 John 5:43
John 14:17 John 15:26 Acts 2:38 Acts 4:12
Acts 7:59 Acts 9:5 Ephesians 3:15 Ephesians 4:5-6
Colossians 1:27

Water baptism should be performed by immersion:

Matthew 3:16 Mark 1:9-10 John 3.23 Acts 8:35-39
Romans 6:4-5

Infilling of the Holy Ghost

"Receive ye the Holy Ghost"(John 20:22, KJV)

Since the beginning of time it has been God's desire to fellowship and commune with people. We had that relationship in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8, KJV). But since the fall of mankind, sin has separated us from God. This did not change God's intentional relationship plan with mankind. Now in the day in which we live, the New Testament era, God has made it possible for EVERYONE to have fellowship with Him. Jesus comforted his disciples with the promise that he would always be with them (John 14:15-18, KJV). Receiving the Holy Spirit is not just an added blessing any believer can accept or not accept (John 7:38-39, KJV), but is necessary to our salvation. Jesus taught it (John 3:5, KJV), He commanded it (Acts 1:4-8, KJV), and the apostles preached it (Acts 2:38). As Christians, we must be filled with God's spirit to be considered His children (Romans 8:9, KJV). There is joy and peace knowing the very God of Heaven placed His spirit in you, and that you are a part of the family of God.

How will I know?

God would never leave you clueless about the Holy Ghost experience. When a believer has repented, then God can fill him with His spirit, giving the believer and others evidence (Acts 10:44-46,KJV). Tongues was ordained by God, not by man, even in the Old Testament (Isaiah 28:11-12, KJV). Jesus Christ even gave signs that would follow believers, listing that they would "speak in new tongues" (Mark 16:17). When God fills a person, they will have the assurance because they WILL speak in tongues, "as the spirit gives the utterance" (Acts 2:4, KJV).

Other scriptures of reference to the Holy Spirit w/ Evidence of Speaking in Tongues:
Ezekiel 11:19 Ezekiel 36:26-27 Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16
Luke 11:13 John 7:38-39 John 15:26 Acts 1:4-8
Acts 2:16-18 Acts 11:15 Romans 8:15-16 Galatians 4:4-6
Hebrews 10:15-16 I Peter 1:12

Living a Holy Life

God has always commanded His people to be holy, and it is a part of our salvation. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14, KJV). A definition of holiness is simply: thinking as God thinks, loving what He loves, hating what He hates, and acting as Christ would act. It means having the mind of Christ. " But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be ye holy, for I am holy'" (I Peter 1:15-16, KJV). Holiness means to imitate Christ: to be Christ-like. The holy person will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature, but will put on the personality and mind of Christ and will let Christ be formed in him. Holiness requires that we are not to love this ungodly world system, identify with it, become attached to the things of the world, or participate in its sinful pleasures and activities (see James 4:4). We specifically need to avoid the three major areas of temptation and sin: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride. One purpose of holiness standards is to protect us in these areas.
Holiness involves both the inner person and the outer person. Holiness includes attitudes, thoughts, and spiritual stewardship on one hand, and actions, appearance, and physical stewardship on the other. "What, Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
(I Corinthians 6:19-20, KJV).

"What Would Jesus Do?" - - Principles of Holiness

The first reason for holiness is to please God. (see Hebrews 12:14) Second, is to communicate Christ to others. People will be attracted to Christ only to the extent that they see Christ in us. Wearing "W.W.J.D." clothing or sporting a fish symbol on your vehicle does not make you a Christian. Matthew 5:16 gives a simple explanation. The third reason for holiness brings great benefits in this life -physically, mentally, and spiritually- and it leads to eternal life. God designed humans to live according to holiness principles, and when those principles are violated, great harm results. For example, such things as intemperance, sexual immorality, rage, and bitterness can actually cause physical illness. Those who live godly lives enjoy divine love, peace, joy, and hope. They truly have abundant life, now and for eternity.

Other scriptures with reference to holiness are:
I Corinthians 2:16 I John 2:15-16 Philippians 2:5 I Thessalonians 5:23
Romans 13:14 I Peter 1:15-16 Colossians 3:17

. . Divine Healing
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has made special provisions in the age of grace to heal all who will come to Him in faith and obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, especially by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).
Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and He commanded His disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:8). He said concerning those who believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). Mighty healings and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached.
There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can be healed by the power of God.
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him , anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:14-16).
. . . Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will catch away a holy people (His bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit, and who are found faithful when He comes.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready?
The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here indeed, with forms of godliness void of the power of God; society and politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled with pride, blasphemies, unholiness, love of evil, and love of pleasures (II Timothy 3:1-13). These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase of knowledge (Daniel 12:4), the persecution of the Jews and their return to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of other things are starting signs that Jesus' coming is drawing near.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of nations, perplexity, and people's hearts failing them for fear are sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming is at hand (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:25-28).
"Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
. . . Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
"Marvel not this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them" (Revelation 20:12-13)> (See also Daniel 12:2; I Corinthians 15:13-23.)
. . . Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason there will be a resurrection for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who knows the secrets of everyone's heart. "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. . . .Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34, 41, 46)