The Kairological Kingdom of God

Myth #3 God the Holy Ghost is a person in the Trinitarian Godhead.

       John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. They thought Jesus was speaking about The Temple in the city of Jerusalem, but Jesus was speaking about his body. What was Jesus really saying? What did Jesus really mean by this portion of scripture? The answer, He was speaking of his body. That when destroyed by Rome, and hung upon a cross, marred beyond all human recognition [unrecognizable as a man], then I will raise it up on Easter Sunday morning, the first day of the week. The emphasis is on I.
        Herein lies the answer to your question, is the Holy Ghost a person in the Godhead? Further examination of the scriptures will clearly erase any doubt you may have as to the Oneness of the Godhead, with no plurality of persons,[Trinity].


Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Jesus said I will raise it up, Peter said God raised it up, John 10:30 I and my Father are One.

Jesus was both God and Man.

       Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Spirit of God raised him up, John 4:24
       " God is Spirit". The Spirit is that which Jesus spoke of while hanging on the Cross… Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit. The Spirit that departed, is the same Spirit that descended on Resurrection morning; therefore fulfilling the scripture, "I will raise it up".

As man he died, as God he arose.

As man he ate, as God he fed 5,000.

As man he wept at Lazarus’ tomb, as God he said "Lazarus come forth".

As man he slept in a ship, as God he arose to the deck and said “Peace be still.”

As man he became weary, as God he never sleeps nor slumbers.

      Jesus was both God and Man. The Spirit that raised him up dwells in me thru the infilling of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. Not a person in me, a Spirit in me…The Holy Spirit.


                                                                                           Vertically Minded,
                                                                                            Rev. Tony Spell

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.

        Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God is one LORD. Jesus continues with the second commandment: "love thy neighbour as thyself". He then said in verse 31…There is none other commandment greater than these. The first commandment deals with our duty to God, the second, our duty to man. All others hinge on these two commandments.

This is the bedrock foundation of our faith: the fact that there is only One God, and that Jesus is "Lord and God" (John 20:28).


        The belief in Monotheism {One God} is the revelation that there is only One God, with no distinction of persons in the Godhead. Therefore, we as One God Apostolics are not only Oneness, but we are also anti-Trinitarian. Anti-Trinitarian, in that we are diametrically opposed to any teaching that would say there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead. This teaching is based clearly upon non-biblical terminology. We cannot base our beliefs upon ideologies, suppositions and false teachings that are not based upon the Word of God. The Bible is the final authority. Nowhere in the Bible do we find a "trinity" Godhead.

Let's see if we can break the myth down.
The following are false teachings in order, therefore making up a plurality of persons in the Trinitarian Godhead.


Myth #1 God the Father is a person.

Myth #2 God the Son is a person.

Myth #3 God the Holy Ghost is a person.

         If Myth #1 were true, why would Jesus say in John 4:23-24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is a Spirit.
 Luke 24:39 states …"spirit hath not flesh and bones…" So if God the Father were a person in the Godhead, he would have had to have had flesh and bones; the only problem is "God is a Spirit".
        If Myth #2 were true, then somewhere in Holy Writ, in 66 books of the Bible, would not Jesus have been referred to as God the Son? God the Son is non-biblical terminology. The son of God is altogether different from God the Son.

Matthew 16:16 "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God"

1John 5:5 "Jesus is the Son of God"

Acts 9:20 "Jesus is the Son of God"

John 20:31 "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God"

1 John 4:15 "Jesus is the Son of God"

Luke 4:41 "Thou art Christ, The Son of God"

1 John 5:20 "Son of God"

1 John 5:12 "Son of God"

1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
        So, yes, we are anti-Trinitarian, because we are Monotheist. In other words, we believe on the Son of God, not God the Son.




To be continued…

Vertically Minded,
Rev. Tony Spell

       In the Gospel as according to St. John 8:24, Jesus said "except ye believe that I am he, you shall die in your sins". Verse 27 says "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father."
       In verse 24, Jesus tells us, except you believe that I am the Father, you shall die in your sins. Only when we know Jesus, do we truly know the Father.
        John 8:19 bears record to this fact, Jesus said, "…if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also”, because, {John 10:30}, I and my Father are one. He clearly states again in John 14:9 “if you've seen me you've seen the Father" [a.v.]
        Now, to believe this, is to know that Jesus is not a second person in the trinity; nor is Jesus divine flesh, nor was Jesus in the Godhead. Jesus is both "Lord and God". Jesus was not in the Godhead, "all the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily", or when speaking of the fullness of the Godhead, one could say,
        "It's all in Jesus". Jesus did not have divine flesh, because if he did, then we've got a dead God for three days after Calvary. The one, of many problems, with this teaching of Jesus having divine flesh, is God cannot die. God is eternal, no beginning, and no ending. John 8:28 "the One who sent me is with me"{HCSB}. So the one who was with Jesus, was in Jesus, which was the same One that Jesus was speaking of when he said, "Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit". The flesh died, the Spirit departed, three days later, the Spirit raised Jesus’ body from the dead. Divine flesh could not die, because God can't die. His death was to set us free, to save sinners. John 8:36 “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.” Only God can set one free; not God the Son, but the Son of God.

To be continued...

                                                                                         Vertically minded,
                                                                                           Rev. Tony Spell

       In the beginning God created. Col. 1:16 For by him were all things created...Jesus. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Jesus and the Father are one. In the Gospel as according to St. John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him{Jesus} Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

        Jesus told his disciples, if you know me, you know my Father. If you know him, you have seen him. Where have they seen him? In JESUS. John 14:8 Phillip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. In other words, we would be satisfied if you would just show us the Father. Verse 9, Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? A span of three years and the disciples still don't have a pure revelation of who Jesus is. We need a revelation of the Mighty God in Christ. Don't wait, don't procrastinate, get to know Jesus today.
       Revelation; God wants to reveal himself to you today. That is the purpose of all creation. So God could reveal himself. Romans 1:20 Invisible things are clearly seen by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. Why did God create light? Revelation. Why did God create waters? Revelation, etc.,etc. God did all things to reveal himself.

John 14:9 He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father.


John 10:30 I and my Father are one.


Eph. 4:4 one body, one Spirit, one hope, One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father....These seven unities are to be kept.




                                                                                               Vertically minded,
                                                                                                 Rev. Tony Spell

        Jesus is the mighty God in Christ. Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my Salvation… Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. The God of Isa.12:2, is the JESUS of Matt.1:21. And there can only be salvation in one name, Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Jesus is the only saving name.
       Because it "pleased the Father that in him{Jesus} should all the fullness dwell, and "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, Col.1:19,Col.2:9. One must clearly see that Jesus was not in the Godhead, the Godhead was in Jesus; "all the fullness of the Godhead was in his body.” Not a third of the Godhead, but ALL the Godhead was in Jesus’ body. This is why Jesus could say Matt. 28:18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. What part of all do we not understand? Colossians 1:15-19, the word all is used 6 times in these 5 verses.



All means everyone, everybody, everything, nobody else; all the fullness was in his body.




Vertically minded,
Rev. Tony Spell

Let's dive deeper into this stationary, unmovable framework of reference,

"The Godhead"
        Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
        Now, the child who was born was Isa. 7:14 "Immanuel" i.e. God with us. And that ‘God with us’ was the same God that the Apostle Paul was in reference to in 1Tim. 3:16 "God was manifest in the flesh". Isaiah said that the child that would be born was the everlasting Father. Psalm 90:2…even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. God is eternal; Deut. 33:27 "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms".
        What does Mr. Webster say about the word eternal? Eternal=Having infinite duration, EVERLASTING, continued without intermission.
        Clearly defining Jesus as the everlasting Father, Rev. 1:8 states, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus said, “I am the Almighty.” Matt. 28:18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Jesus is Almighty, all powerful, Omnipotent. These verses are mirror images of Gen. 17:1 "I am the Almighty God." Old Testament or New Testament, there can only be one Almighty. Jesus is the Almighty, Omnipotent, all powerful God.
        John 1:14 clearly states that…the word that was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Begotten, [to procreate as the Father], Jesus was begotten. He had a beginning; the beginning was in Bethlehem's manger. It was the Spirit that was in the man Christ Jesus that was eternal. The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary, and she conceived. The Holy Ghost was that which impregnated Mary. The Holy Ghost was the Father. John 4:24 God is a Spirit… capital S= Holy Spirit. 1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1John 5:20 states "…even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”


To be continued...


                                                                                              Vertically minded,
                                                                                               Rev. Tony Spell

Let's look at one of our most distinctive separating messages, the Godhead.

Heb. 1:3...who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.....


       It's noteworthy and quite significant likewise, to know that this is the only time throughout scripture that God is referred to as a person. John 4:24 God is Spirit...Luke 24:39 a Spirit hath not flesh and bones. Emphasis on bones not blood, why? Jesus’ resurrected body didn’t have blood. Why? 1 Cor. 15:50… flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. We don't take our blood to heaven.
       Matt. 16:17… flesh and blood hath not revealed it, but my father which is in heaven. In this portion of scripture Jesus plainly proves that the father is not a person; my father doesn't have flesh and blood, he is a Spirit.
       So, in Heb.1:3 Jesus is the image of the invisible God, mirror image. Gen. 1:27 God created man in his own image. Philippians 2:6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God....made in the likeness of man.
This is why Jesus could say "he that hath seen me, hath seen the father”. He states in John 10:30 I and my father are one, and again in Eph.4:4 One LORD...one God and father of all...


To be continued...
                                                                                                 Vertically minded,
                                                                                                    Rev. Tony Spell

        Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, and that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
        David had it right, DESIRE. Solomon didn’t quite get it, because he said in Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole DUTY of man. What is it that keeps you pressing on toward the mark, duty or desire? Someone might say, why does it matter right now? The end justifies the means. Wrong! With God, the end never justifies the means. I believe that desire is rather to be had, than a duty driven life.
        Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble... There it is, trouble is going to come. "Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." You'd better believe that scripture is one that is fulfilled in every man's life. So, knowing that trouble is inevitable, why not "set your affections on things above"? You've got to keep the unmovable in sight at all times. Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus... Get your eyes on the benchmark. Remember the unmovable framework of reference from which all measurements are derived. Prov. 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set. Prov. 23:10 Remove not the old landmark. People get in trouble with God when they try and tamper with the things that should not be tampered with. The landmarks, God said, shall not be removed…For if the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do? If we remove the landmarks, and destroy the foundations, we lose our identity. We lose our identity; we cease to be recognized as the people of God. We ultimately become what Jesus referred to as "savorless salt", which is good for nothing, which effects nobody, which liberates no man. God help us to keep the landmarks intact.
        We're not going to move the landmarks; they are settled, fixed, unmovable. "Thy word oh LORD is forever settled in the heavens". "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall NEVER pass away". The more things change, the more we must depend on the things that never change. The Benchmark, it doesn’t move for you or to you, it is YOUR reference point. You move your life; you rearrange your life according to the benchmark.

                                                                                                           Vertically minded,
                                                                                                            Rev. Tony Spell

Benchmark= noun: A point of reference from which measurements of any sort may be made.

       We left off yesterday talking about the things that are unaffected by the wind, and the storms that life brings our way. If you don't need this right now, rest assured you're going to need this before you get out of this world. We are constantly reminded in our everyday living, that we need to have stability. We need a landmark in our lives. We need things that are fixed, unmovable, unchangeable, and unshakeable. We need to be anchored in those type things. If we're not, we are, as the word of God puts it, going to be "tossed about to and fro." If we're not anchored in God, and He is not the Benchmark, [point of reference from which all measurements are made], then we are going to be
        Heb. 13:9… carried about with divers and strange doctrines. So you've got to have a fixed point of reference for every decision in life. God is the fixed reference point, because God is unaffected by the storms of your life. Here's why the Bible admonishes us to "Trust in the LORD with all our hearts, and lean not to our own understanding. But in all thy ways acknowledge Him, [let Him be your reference point] and He shall direct your paths.
       
Benchmark. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.
1. Be still= a command. Close your mouth. Wait on God.

2. … and you will know that I am God= The promise. I'll fight your battles for you.

        If you do what God told you to do, God will do what He said He would do. "Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD." Keep on standing, don't turn to the right, left, and don't go backwards, Stand still. Stand still is the command. God will then show you His salvation is His promise. And God always keeps His word. And that's today’s benchmark.

                                                                                              Vertically Minded,
                                                                                               Rev. Tony Spell

        Colossians 3:2 Set your affections on things above.

I love the water. I've spent enough time on a boat, fishing, riding, swimming, etc., and have been in more than a few storms. The number one rule when a storm arises and you stand the chance of losing your direction, is to find a benchmark and head straight for it. Don't look at the storm’s waves. Don't look at other boats in the storm. In fact, you can't look at anything that is affected by the storm. You set your sights on objects that are unaffected by the storm.
        In other words, things that are unaffected by the storm and wind for example, is a light on the shore. Go straight toward it. The light is unaffected by the wind. Oh, by the way, I'm speaking to you about spiritual things. "Set your affections on things above". Get your eyes on the unchangeable, unmovable, unwavering God that changes not. "I am the LORD, I change not". Friends will change, family will change, people will change. But not God, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever." Everything that can be shaken, will be shaken in this world, both physical and spiritual. But not God! This is why the Bible says to "Set your affections on things above", because things above are unaffected by the storms of your life. Storms: Trouble. Trials. Tribulations. Death. BETRAYAL. When you find yourself in these types of storms, you've got to look up, not around, look up.
        Set your eyes on the benchmark: The Church. Jesus. David had this revelation, "LORD, I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from above." David knew about storms, and he knew that without a benchmark in his life, he would not have been able to keep his integrity. Those of you in storms right now, look up, for your redemption draweth near. Help is on the way. Lift your eyes to the hills, and go straight for them.
       Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.
                                                                                                                       Vertically minded,
                                                                                                                        Rev. Tony Spell

Let me see if I can get this right. The word of God begins with what should be the determining factor for all areas of lives, "In the beginning God". Somehow we are confused, and disappointed when our houses get slow leaks, [doubt/fear]. We are at a loss for words, and wake up with a question mark for a brain, when everything it seems can tear up, is torn.         I say don't wonder why your life is hell on earth, when you wouldn’t let God do what he wanted to do, and that is be the builder of your life, the author and the finisher of your faith. If God can't own the getting of something, God won't let you own the keeping of something. We wonder why our finances are so messed up, but if God didn't get the first dime of the dollar, guess what that dollar will not go the distance that it should go. Jesus said "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you" key word "first" not last, not in the middle, not if I have enough after, God doesn’t want leftovers, God wants our best. Now you're building with the right material. Material has a lot to do with what kind of edifice we are gonna have at the end of the day. When you go to a lumber yard, to get material to build your weekend project, it is a good idea to "cull". Look down the edge of the board, make sure it's straight, not to many knots, not warped, make sure somebody didn't run over it with a forklift, and threw it back in the pile. No we need to be particular about what goes into this house of clay, because it is gonna last for eternity, our soul never dies. God help us to guard the doors of our hearts, and let only the good in, and when bad comes we can know the difference.
        The house we want to build, God is in every stage of the building process. Foundation, God is there. Walls, God is there. Roof, God is there. Landscaping, God is there.
        Foundation, Acts 2:38, John 3:5. And now that you've entered the door, go out and find pasture,[John10:9]. Eph. 5:19 always trying to find out what best pleases the LORD. Are you pleasing God in what you're doing, or are you pleasing man. If all you're doing is pleasing yourself, I’ll define you "selfish". Is God pleased with your life, what you're saying, what you're watching, the way we treat those who love us, if God isn't pleased, you need to start over, and let God baptize you with the Holy Ghost, pray thru every day, move in the church if you have to, but please God.


                                                                                            Vertically minded,
                                                                                             Rev. Tony Spell

        Weekend getaway? A place to go to when you need to get away. Roadside shack? That's indicative of our character that's been developed by past failures and mistakes. By the way I’m speaking of your spiritual house, you know, the one that's gonna last forever somewhere. Paul said "I know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God , a house not made with hands, ETERNAL in the heavens". Where we spend eternity, depends on how we live daily, Heb.3 reads, "for we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end". We need to build a steadfast spiritual house, one that doesn’t vacillate, not fickle; it isn't dependent upon others, only God. Acts 2:42 they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine... Continue means to go on without interruption. Can you keep building the right house no matter what happens in life? If you're so fickle that you can't you need to pray thru to the Holy Ghost, and continue to build again the great house of God.
        Foundation is everything in this house. You need one that is VERTICAL. This has got to be a God thing. You don't have what it takes to build on your own, Psalm. 37, the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD... God directs the building process, he's the superintendent, the blueprint, inspector, quality control manager. Every major facet of your house, God has got to be in the process. God wants to be the Gen.1:1 "beginning". Not somewhere along the line after you lay a shoddy foundation and the walls are as crooked as tree limbs. Why not let God be in control in the outset?

                                                                                                 Vertically Minded,
                                                                                                  Rev. Tony Spell

       The word of God often times admonishes us to consider our house, although this is a good principal in the earthly structure that you call your place of abode, the bible is primarily speaking about you. When Joshua made that great proclamation in Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house we will serve the LORD" I believe he was talking about himself, his own person. This is what the bible is really in reference to when it talks about the house.         In the book of Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:Prov. 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Yes, I believe it takes wisdom to build any earthly structure, if you don't think so, you might want to endeavor this task on your own. But the real meaning is your house of clay, your body, soul and spirit. And it takes understanding for it to be established, then the rooms are filled with good things, but first there was wisdom.
        Have you ever wondered why in the bible, wisdom is almost always referred to in the female gender? The same reason why the church is called the bride of Christ, because she has the ability to produce life/offspring. The church has perpetual youth, she never outgrows her child bearing stays, remember the scripture that talks about the church and says Jesus is coming back for a church that is "without spot and wrinkle, washed in the blood of the lamb" God's church hasn’t aged, it's beautiful, and always has the ability to produce life.
        Wisdom has this ability. What kind of house are you building today? Have you taken time and careful consideration to start your day with prayer? Have you spoken words in kindness to those in your care? Have you done all in your power, to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. Have you pulled down strongholds in your mind? All you have to do to be lost is listen to yourself. Pro. 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Genesis 1:1 has got to be the foundation for our homes, physical and spiritual. Walls of faithfulness, roofs of dedication and commitment. These are the materials necessary to build a Godly Home.



                                                                                          Vertically minded,
                                                                                           Rev. Tony Spell

       When we cease to preach what Peter preached at Pentecost, we cease to have what the city of Jerusalem had at Pentecost. Fifty days after the Passover feast, in which Jesus connected the communion and foot washing service, was the day of Pentecost. Peter preached Acts 2:36 that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ. Thank God for the Pentecostals that still preach that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, and was not a second person in the trinity, not in the Godhead, but “all the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily", Col. 1:19, Col. 2:9. I believe that the more we magnify Jesus; the mighty God in Christ, the more power packed church services we have. Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, Eph. 2:20 tells us what that doctrine is ”We are built upon the foundation of the apostles' and the prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Matt. 16:18 tells us that the revelation of who Jesus is, is that rock upon which he will build his church, making it hell proof. This is not an hour to take the "tuck tail and run" method of shuck and jive preaching and living, and witnessing, But this is the greatest hour the church has ever had to be Pentecostal. The Pentecostals who know there is but One God, and Jesus is his name, with no distinction of persons in the Godhead. The Pentecostals who declare essentiality of Jesus name baptism, Holy Ghost infilling with the evidence of talking in tongues as the Spirit gives the evidence, and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Let's continue steadfastly in this doctrine, in doing so we will continue to see one, two and three people baptized in Jesus name every week, and men and women being filled with the Holy Ghost. The Pentecostal message is the only experience that can break the back on the strongholds that the devil is putting upon us as a society today. I pray that God empower every Oneness Pentecostal everywhere with a fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost, to carry out the message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost.


                                                                                                                         Vertically Minded,
                                                                                                                          Rev. Tony Spell

        Why beware? II Peter 1:5-7 lists 7 things we should add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. II Peter 1:8 gives a promise, “If these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is why a church that has added to its faith these 7 things is not barren (idle), also they are birthing babies in to the kingdom of God at their altars. Our churches should be birthing suites where newborn babies are crying out with joy. Not mortuaries where people are asleep on the premises. You show me a dead, non-emotional church. I’ll show you a church that’s not having revival. The bible says we are “lively stones”, not tombstones. The one God Apostolic church that I’m a part of is alive, and worshipping and liberating, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”          Peter said it right, when he said “but he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten.” Beware lest thou forget, because when you forget this, you not only lose your memory of yesterday, but you can no longer see the future! Circumstantial evidence that the church God sowed on the day of Pentecost is the church God is going to reap on resurrection morning. God help us to remember who we were, so we can know who we are and see where we are going. We’re one God, tongue talking, Jesus name baptizing, isle running, praisers and preachers of the liberating power of the Holy Ghost. Beware lest thou forget.


                                                                                         Vertically minded,
                                                                                           Rev Tony Spell

        Deut 6:10-12 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,[11] And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
[12] Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
        The word of God often times admonishes us to beware. Col. 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men and not after Christ." Luke 12:15, Jesus said beware of covetousness. Matthew 16:6, Jesus said beware of the leaven (sin) of Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Paul warned the church at Philippi; (Philippians 3:2) Beware of dogs, evil workers, concision. There are many more things we should, the Bible says, "beware of". These of which time will not permit me to add...But, Deut. 6:12 says, "beware lest you forget".
        We have a tendency to forget because the blessings are always greater than the curses. It's what the scripture is in reference to in Jude 2:10 when it said there arose another generation which knew not, because somebody forgot where god brought them from. This is where we are as a nation and as a church. I'm not so jaded as to say that everyone in our nation has forgotten where they came from and what they came here for, just as I would never say the WHOLE church has forgotten where God has brought them from. A people that forget are blind and cannot see the future. Do you see the correlation, (1 Peter 1:9) when you forget that you were purged from your old sins, you can't see afar of. You're blind, no longer seeing men as souls possessing bodies. Instead you see, as the blind man of whom Jesus touched his eyes,(men as trees walking).
        My God, I see so many church people in this miracle. He wasn't born blind; he knew what men and trees looked like. I see people on their pews who haven't always been blind, and they used to have the ability to see afar off. But somewhere in their walk, they stopped seeing all men clearly. They stopped seeing Revival as a blessing, but instead see it as work. They no longer see outreach as an opportunity to keep them and their families saved and on fire, but as an inconvenience. God stir us, God help us, lest we forget!

                                                                                          Vertically Minded,
                                                                                            Rev. Tony Spell

        We're on the brink of the 50th anniversary of Life Tabernacle church, Where Bishop B.A. Spell has served in the capacity of Pastor, and now Bishop. Having founded/starting this work Nov. 6, 1959, how can I really appreciate the labor, work and unending efforts that go into 50 years of standing, reaching, growing for the Kingdom of God? One scripture comes to mind 2Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Unfeigned faith brought us this far, is keeping us, and will bring us to the next level. So many scriptures talk about past, present, and the future. 2 Cor. 1:10 also said God delivered us, doth deliver, in whom we trust will yet deliver us. Thank God for our heritage, I'm talking about the one that rattles the chain of succession all the way back to the upper room. Back to Topeka, Kansas, back to Azusa street, back to Elton, La. in 1914 where my great-great grandmother got the Holy Ghost. Now I represent 5 generations of Pentecost, but we can't have that without somebody who will still earnestly contend for the faith, and fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life. A people that do not remember their past, have no future. The past church that I am recalling right now was built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. God give us like verse 6 of 2 Tim. something that'll stir us up, by putting us in remembrance. Remembering how G.T. Haywood got the revelation of The Oneness, and baptized his whole congregation in Jesus name. When I remember that, it stirs me to no end, because I know God can do that again. That kind of memory will drive you to your knees, make you push the plate away, make you witness with a greater fervency than ever before. God give us men who remain anchored to the past, and fight for it in the present, therefore transforming the future.
                                                                                             Vertically minded,
                                                                                               Rev. Tony Spell

        Today is mine and Shaye's 13th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary to the most beautiful lady, mother, & pastor's wife in the world. She has devoted her anniversary to the church, getting ready for the 50th anniversary of the church, Bus routes and more baptisms of Holy Ghost and water. Happy Anniversary.
                                                                                          ♥ Your Husband,
                                                                                                 Tony

        Yesterday we left off speaking of walking with God. Today I would like to begin where I left off with a continuation of looking backward to see forward. In the word of God, It is said of only two men "he walked with God". I'm sure you could think of hundreds of men’s names in the Bible who you think walked with God, or perhaps you feel like it should have been said these men too, walked with God. However the Bible does not make mistakes, this is why it is called the infallible word of God, because it is impossible for God to make a mistake. In one place the bible reads "it was impossible for him to lie", now that's the kind of God that I want in my corner when the fight is on, no trial and error, no let's see what will happen if I do this or that. No, Gods word is proven, Gods word is a tried and true blueprint that you can build lives, families, homes, marriages, etc. on. So with that being said, Let's look backward to see what characteristics these two men by the names of Noah and Enoch had that it is said of them that they" walked with God". First I think the greatest characteristic was faith. Remember, Noah had faith in God. How do we know this, because he started building an arc 120 years before it started to rain. Now that takes faith. And this is one of the reasons it is said that he walked with God. Whenever it was unpopular, whenever others mocked, whenever the world did not listen to him preach, he kept right on walking with God. Enoch walked with God also. It is said that he had this testimony that he pleased God, and he was not for God took him. Noah of course is type and shadow of the nation of Israel, or the Jewish people. Enoch is a type of the One God Apostolic Pentecostal church. We know this because Noah was preserved thru the flood/judgment of the earth. Enoch was caught away/raptured, before the flood/judgment. This is exactly where we are today. Before God rains down judgment upon this world, he is going to rapture his church out of the way first. This is known as the pre-tribulation doctrine. This instance and many others in the word of God absolutely proves this. God took Lot out of Sodom, before he destroyed that wicked city, etc..

        I want to be known as a man that walks with God. Not walking away from God, like the bible says, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation". Every thing about this generation is untoward. Politics, public education, Hollywood, all these and more are influential parts of our society that are untoward God. And Peter said on the day of Pentecost save yourselves from this untoward generation. I want to go toward, not untoward God. How are we going to go toward, and walk with God? Not by merging into our society, culture, religious world/emergent church; But by posturing ourselves more Apostolic- by becoming more the church than we have ever been before. Each generation has had to fight there own battles, and overcome there own obstacles. It's time this generation does so with a greater passion than any generation prior to us. How? Preachers, preach the word without fear or favor. Preach when people are with you, and preach when people are against you. And I will tell you from experience that God will meet you and confirm His word with signs and wonders. I have found that if we do right, some element of people will hate you. The same is so if you do wrong, an element of people will walk away from you. I've made up in my mind that I'm gonna do right, walk with God, and in doing so please God. Psa.1:1 says what not to do to please and walk with God. If we're gonna please God, we may not always necessarily please man. Suffice it to say if it comes down to pleasing man or God, I'm going to please God.






                                                                                             Vertically minded,

                                                                                               Rev. Tony Spell

        Allow me to paraphrase Ecc. 1:9-11. If you want to see forward, you've got to look backward. As anti-progressive as this thought may seem to my readers, the bible challenges us, the people of God to realize that "that which hath been, is." 
        Jesus said in Matt. 24:37 “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the days of the coming of the son of man be”. For a summary of Noah's days, Gen. 6:5 I say best summarizes in one verse matt. 24:37, Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Imagination in the Hebrew signifies also purposes and desires. Now if you have the mind of Christ, and perhaps even a carnal man could notice, that every modern and relevant topic in 2009 from a political standpoint, from every major facet of society, right down to our culture as a whole certainly fits hand in glove with Gen 6:5. Be it stem cell research, partial birth abortions, privacy act, tolerance, non-tolerance. Whatever the main ingredient may be, our modern culture is a recipe book for disaster, and the judgment of God.
         A good friend of mine last week told me the only way to defeat, or combat an idea is to do so with a better idea. So the better idea is God needs a Noah! A preacher of righteousness who will walk with God when men mock, laugh at, and ridicule him, he just keeps right on preaching. How long? Noah did it for 120 years, who are we to get discouraged between Sunday night and Wednesday bible study. God give us men and women who will walk with God in thick and thin, good and bad, for better or for worse. If you're wondering what will effect this generation, impact/ make a difference in this society… Look backward every man who ever made a difference in the bible, and history were radicals, with a radical message {APOSTOLIC} not post-modern but just the church being the church. Nothing fancy or spit and polished, just what pleases God, and that is what Noah did and the reason he pleased God the bible says is because he walked with him. Not in front of, nor behind, Just walking with God.

                                                                                          Vertically minded, 
                                                                                            Rev. Tony Spell

        Luke 16:16 "...The kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it". Hebrews 2:4 "God will bear witness, and confirm his word with signs and wonders, and gifts of the Holy Ghost". God is doing just that in Life Tabernacle Baton Rouge. 3 baptized in Jesus name, and 3 received the Holy Ghost. To God be the glory.



                                                                                                 Vertically minded,
                                                                                                   Rev. Tony Spell
 

        It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required. In the gospel according to St. Matthew 20:26 Jesus said But it shall not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; [servant] 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.
        God give us servants in this generation - Men and women who would put others before self. General Booth summed up the entire existence of the Salvation Army with but one word, "OTHERS". God I want to be others-minded, I want to serve my own generation well and then as King David did go and sleep with my fathers. The church that is others minded is the church that is growing. The church that is others-minded is the one that God is blessing, and dropping handfuls on purpose to. If we're going to have revival today, we're going to have to reach out to the less fortunate, hungry, needy, lost generation that has absolutely no idea what it is to be God minded, not to mention others minded. What made this country the greatest country on earth is the fact that we served others when it was of no benefit to that present generation. When a country is founded on an others principle it will stand the test of time. For righteousness exalteth a nation, and you'd better believe that serving others is righteous.
        What made this church great was that it was built on Jesus, the solid rock [Matt.16:18] And that Jesus, while dying on the cross did that for others. Did you ever notice in the 4 gospels, in giving the events of Calvary that before Jesus ever used a personal pronoun I, me, myself. Jesus said son behold thy mother, OTHERS.
        Woman behold thy son, OTHERS. He was saying that even in my greatest hour of pain and heartache, and suffering, I want all of creation to know that I still care about OTHERS first. You can't kill that kind of church; you can't stop that kind of attitude. You better know that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. You better know greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against that kind of church. If your best is all about me, myself and I, your best is not what God wants, He wants what is required "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. No wonder St. Paul said I am a debtor, and there was a man who was called into the third heavens. God break up the fallow ground of this selfish generation, and make us a servant generation.


                                                                                                  Vertically minded, 
                                                                                                   Rev. Tony Spell

         It is no secret that each and every day our government is taking more rights from the people, than ever. Just this week we have been made more aware of this by the new post from our insurance agency, that we can" no longer call a person by there name from our pulpit during a service without a written authorization in hand prior to doing so". Whatever the driving force you may think behind such absurd gestures, suffice it to say 2 Tim. 3:1 This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. We are in the last of the last days, for of a certainty these are times of peril. As you could imagine the many reactions such rules and bylaws stir up, Mine is stated thus. Matt. 11:12 The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. As the ever widening gap between the church and the world grows wider every day, The Apostolic church becomes violators of this world’s course. In fact its prophecy fulfilled 2 Thess. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. You can rest assured God is only gonna let it get so bad, and then he is gonna take his church out of the way, The Rapture!

         However in the mean time God is going to have an absolutely glorious church, set on fire with revival, outreach, an outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and souls added daily to the kingdom. The more wicked and vile, and terrible this present world becomes, the more you and I as THE CHURCH become violators of this worlds course. Because when you read about the last days, it's not all negative, but you'd better believe Joel 2:28 Afterward [in the last days] I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL flesh... Let our political system redefine marriage, let them remove the Ten Commandments from courthouse lawns, let them push their liberal agendas down our children’s throats in the schoolhouse. But Gods church will be violators of this worlds systems. We are the salt of the earth Jesus said, we are salty people God knows every day we get more salty to our culture. I say let's rally in this last hour and have the mightiest revival and ingathering of the lost, the world has ever seen, Let the church be the church.


                                                                                                 Vertically Minded,
                                                                                                   Rev. Tony Spell

        These are a few pictures of the conference in Ft. Myers, Fl. with the Urshans, what a powerful move of God we experienced. Many received the Holy Ghost and were baptized in Jesus name.

        Sir Winston Churchill said history will be kind to me for I intend to write it. He was right, he went down in history as a man who stood his ground, and fought for his convictions rallying the old world to mete out more than the measure the Nazi regime had meted out to them. When the history books are written, what will be said about the church age of the 21st century? For the most part it merged? Will it be said that the church became more ecumenical with every beat of its heart? I think not! History will be kind to Gods church, For we intend to write it. We did not back down into a reclusive corner, but we became more fanatical, apocalyptic and saltier to this present age. Matt. 16:18 "We are the only church, built on the rock and that rock is Jesus Christ." That solid foundation has, is and will stand the test of the detractors of time and truth... This is THE KAIROLOGICAL KINGDOM OF GOD.

                                                                                             Vertically Minded,
                                                                                               Rev. Tony Spell