Author Archives: Dean N. Hoff

Christian

Sure

Perhaps you’ve heard Jesus died on the cross for every sin you would ever commit.

Taken by itself this is an incomplete picture of salvation. The Bible tells us love covers a multitude of sins. It also tells us we are all sinners. Wouldn’t you like to be sure you are forgiven?

You are forgiven of sins past in water baptism. Baptism is immersion in water by another, a baptizer, who says I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost or I baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ after you have accepted Jesus as Messiah and expressed repentance.

After water baptism the only sure way to be forgiven is 1 John 1:9.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV says He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

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Looking Back

Luke 9:62 KJV
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

I was thinking about this verse the other day and had a few insights I’d like to share.

What would a man looking back possibly think?

Look at all I have done.

I’ve done enough.

Both thoughts may put us at odds with following Jesus properly. It is a warning that we should heed and press forward to the prize as Paul suggests in Philippians 3:13-14.

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Evidence

The evidence of the Holy Ghost is not speaking in tongues.

If you yourself do not know what you are saying, how do you know you are not cursing the Lord or others?

Evidence of the Holy Ghost is hearing the truth and doing it.

The Holy Ghost is the spirit of truth. John 15:26-27 KJV says, But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: [27] And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Further, James 1:22 KJV tells us, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

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Baptism: A Public Declaration of Faith

Is baptism about a public declaration of faith?

No.

There are only 2 people required for a baptism, the baptizer and the baptizee. There is no biblical requirement that baptism be a public declaration of faith. Witnesses are not a requirement.

The baptizee should have accepted Jesus as Messiah and acknowledge their sin with the understanding that baptism brings them into the family of God and washes away their previous sin which they have repented of.

The baptizer should submerge the baptizee in water saying either, I baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ or I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. There is no requirement that the baptizer be clergy, but this is often the case. In fact there is no requirement that the baptizer be a believer, but if you want them to say the correct words and submerge you completely in water it is recommended.

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Bad Medicine

Bad doctrine is like bad medicine. As bad medicine is harmful to the body, bad doctrine is unhealthy for the soul.

Christianity is not a religion. It might be popular to say, but that doesn’t make it true. I would suspect even the non-believers you are trying to attract realize this statement is simply false.

People who preach the law are purveyors of legalism. Legalism of course being a dirty word. Is law bondage? What does the Bible actually say regarding the law?

Hebrews 10:16-17 KJV
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

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Prayer Etiquette

It should be common sense, but don’t pray naked. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Does it seem respectful? I myself am guilty of praying in the shower or while sitting on the toilet. This should not be done.

In prayer you are coming before the presence of the most high God, Jehovah. He deserves the utmost respect.

Always and only come before him in prayer with Jesus. He is our Savior and Advocate. He is also the only mediator between us and God the Father. 1 Timothy 2:5.

Do this by opening or closing the prayer in Jesus name.

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A Gift

Salvation is a gift of God.

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Like any other gift it matters how you receive it and if you decide to keep it.

When a gift is offered you have to receive it. This is known as acceptance. Do you accept Jesus as the Son of God? Do you accept his sacrifice on the cross as an offering for your salvation? John 3:16, John 3:18, Hebrews 7:26-27, Hebrews 9:14

Have you been baptized in water for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ?

Acts 22:16 KJV
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. See also Acts 2:38.

Have you decided to keep your salvation?

1 John 1:7-9 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Rehearsal

Have you heard there will be no sin in Heaven? Or a comment like a Holy God cannot be in the presence of sin?

I tell you practice sinlessness now. How can there be no sin in Heaven when you won’t honor the will of the Father on Earth? Keep the law and confess and abstain from your sins now. Bind to yourself the desire to follow Jesus while it is still today.

That being said, I don’t think there will be no sin in Heaven. God would either have no laws in Heaven or have to intervene at everyone’s first thought of doing something wrong. He won’t take away your freewill. If you make it to Heaven your salvation is secure, I just find it hard to believe everyone will live perfectly making no mistakes for all eternity. Neither do I believe God’s forgiveness should come to an end. His mercy endureth forever.

Today is a rehearsal for Heaven. What you bind on Earth is bound in Heaven. Practice sinlessness now and it will come naturally in the future.

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Really

He didn’t really mean it.

Many people simply won’t take Jesus at his word?

Does fear of the Lord mean reverential awe and respect? Jesus said, in Matthew 10:28 KJV, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

I tell you he meant it.

In Matthew 5:29-30 KJV Jesus said,
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. [30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mark 9:45-46 KJV he likewise said,
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: [46] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Many say he didn’t really mean it.

I tell you he meant it.

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Preferences

Does God have favorites? I believe he does.

  • God prefers Jesus because he kept his word. Always.
  • God prefers Israel because of his love for Abraham and his descendants.
  • God prefers Christians because they follow his Son.
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