Related Topics

Other subjects from the topical index related to the Sacrifice of Christ.
The Holy Spirit
Salvation & Conversion
Baptism
Grace, Faith & Works
Speaking in Tongues

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Antichrist

Who or what is Antichrist? Many speak about the Antichrist who is yet to come, a man spoken of in the book of Revelationwho will rule over nations and persecute the children of God. But Revelation never uses the word "antichrist" and the Bible speaks of there being many antichrists and that they had already come during the days of the apostles. Read the articles provided in the links to study the truth about antichrist.

Revelation CD Set

Revelation study CD setCould Christ return tomorrow or even just soon? How often do you hear it said that "Christ could return at any time." Learn the truth about this and other famous biblical individuals - the beast, the false prophet and the Great Whore. Who or what do these things represent? This CD set is available at cost price from our eBay storePurchase at cost on ebay. Gain understanding about the events leading up to Jesus' return.

Extract from Speaking in Tongues at Spirit Baptism

Every Spirit That Confesses

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. You know the Spirit of God by this: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ when he has come into flesh is of God, and every spirit that doesn't confess Jesus Christ when he has come into flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming, and now, already, it is in the world." 1Jn. 4:1-3

It is fundamental to the understanding of this passage of scripture to note that John is speaking of the confession (or absence thereof) of spirits rather than of the confessions of humans. It is obvious that John knew better than to think that any person who says that Christ Jesus lived in the flesh has the Spirit of God within them. Considering Jesus' refusal to trust the testimony of men (even that of his own disciples) and his warnings to John not to be fooled by what men said or appeared to be (e.g. Mt. 7:15; Lk. 21-8), it is inconceivable that John would later teach that whoever says that Jesus lived on earth in the flesh is born of God.

On the other hand, if John is saying that every time the Spirit of God enters the fleshly temple of repentant men, it "confesses" that Jesus Christ has come, then his teaching bears heavy resemblance to that of his Master: "But when the Comforter is come . . . he will testify of me" (Jn. 15:26), and "so is every one who is born of the Spirit" (Jn. 3:8).

When John states, "Whoever will confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" (1Jn. 4:15), John's readers knew that John was speaking of a confession which is possible only when a person is moved by the Spirit of God to make it. In John's own words, "It is the Spirit that bears witness (confesses, or testifies) because the Spirit is truth" (1Jn. 5:6c). "Confession," as used here by John, is not an act that is possible for man without God's help. To do what John was talking about, confession must be inspired by the power of God. Paul said it this way: "Wherefore, I give you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit is saying, "Jesus be cursed!" And no one is able to say, "Lord Jesus", but by the holy Spirit." 1Cor. 12:3

The apostles were certainly wise enough to know that the spirits of greed (1Pet. 5:2; 2Pet. 2:3; Jude 11-19) or pride (3Jn. 9) or deceit (2Cor. 11:13-15) or even the spirits of envy and strife (Phip. 1:15-16) could prompt a man to proclaim the message that Jesus is Lord. When Paul wrote that only by the power of the Spirit could one confess "Jesus is Lord," he was teaching precisely what Jesus and John taught; namely, that the Spirit of God is the only true confessor of Christ, and that men may participate in that confession only as they participate in the life of the Spirit.