This is a Test!

Now, let’s talk about how Jesus came in the human nature. Let’s perform an actual test to see whether you’ve been taught by the Holy Spirit or by men.

We’re going to prove that if you are firm in this doctrine, it’s only because the Holy Spirit has revealed it to you! You’re about to get challenged deeply because your faith will affect your relationship to some important people in your life: your teachers, pastors, and others in your Christian community. If your teachers and pastors do not acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh—you need to break ties with them. Believing in sound doctrine has a price.

Any refusal to separate from a pastor whose does not teach that Jesus came in the flesh is doubly wrong. It’s not only saying “no” to the Holy Spirit; it’s saying “yes” to the spirit of the Antichrist.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.

This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the World (1 John 4:2-3).

Do you understand John’s exhortation? For John, spirits are the life-force behind preachers. Their words reflect what is in them, whether that be the Spirit of God or the spirit of the Antichrist. The Spirit of God acknowledges that Jesus came in the flesh—the human nature of sin. The spirit of the Antichrist refuses to acknowledge that truth, the Doctrine of Christ.

Talking about the Antichrist might make us uncomfortable, but following him is even more uncomfortable. By understanding the kind of teachings the Antichrist avoids, we can see what truths he hates—the very ones that free us from sin. We can also discern more easily the ministry of the Holy Spirit, a ministry which acknowledges the fundamental truth of Christ’s being. We have to know the difference between the two ministries because that’s how we discern which pastor is a liar and which is true!

Your Homework

So, you’ve taken a test, now you’ve got a homework assignment: You need to ask your teachers and pastors about what Jesus’ nature was when he came. In other words, the baby in the manger, did he have a divine nature or did he have a human nature? Be prepared: The typical pastor’s response is that Jesus was “100% God and 100% man” and most of the time they’ll back it up with Emmanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).

We have tough news for you if that’s your pastor’s response: He’s a deceiver!

… many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the World. Any such person is the Deceiver and the Antichrist... (2 John 1:7-8)

False pastors have done something John the Apostle describes as running ahead. They have gone beyond Bible doctrine and have invented their own. They have extrapolated incorrectly. They have gone too far (2 John 1:9; NASB). They have not remained faithful to the Doctrine of Christ.

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the Doctrine of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the Doctrine has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9).

So, what to do? The Bible gives us just one option: We must avoid fellowship with these people!

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching [that Jesus came in the human nature of sin], do not take them into your house or welcome them (2 John 1:10).

Whose Gospel?

The apostles were men approved by God. They, and those who follow their example today, get revelations from the Holy Spirit. This capacity to get such revelations is precisely what qualifies a man to lead in the Church. Those who are taught of God, can teach others. Being taught of God is what made the apostles so special. For example, Paul had the Gospel revealed to him. Alone in the desert of Arabia, Jesus spoke to him!

Do you believe in Paul’s Gospel, or do you believe in one of its modern replacements? There’s a Catholic Gospel, a “Faith Alone” Gospel (Reformation Gospel), the Prosperity Gospel, a “Presence of God in Worship” Gospel, the PC (Politically Correct) Gospel, or—for those who are members of online churches—a “One Click Away” Gospel. Here’s how Paul explained the origins of his Gospel:

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ…

… when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia… (Galatians 1:11-12; 15-17).

Paul got the message he preached not by consulting with any human being, or by going to see the men who were apostles before him, but by going into the desert of Arabia, and spending some time alone with God. He had times of prayer and meditation on the Scriptures. That’s how he got his Gospel—the one you read about in Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, etc.

We believe in the original Gospel, the one Jesus and the apostles preached: The Gospel of the Kingdom. To understand it, you don’t need a college education, an Internet connection, a fancy job, theological studies, musical instruments, or money! You need a revelation from the Holy Spirit. Granted, revelations from the Spirit are much more difficult to come by than college educations, Internet connections, fancy jobs, theological studies, musical instruments, and money. You may have to go to a desert place to get his revelations, but it’s worth it.

Notice how Paul speaks of the mystery he and his apostolic companions declared. What he was speaking of was the truth regarding the Kingdom of God. When he called it a mystery, he meant that it is something not obvious to the human mind.

… we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden… these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:7, 10).

So, Paul learned his Gospel from the Holy Spirit. What you must do to get revelations from the Spirit, we don’t know. It depends on how God is sanctifying you. But most likely, you won’t be spending much time with people. To be with the Spirit of God, you have to block out other voices for a time.

Teachers Taught of God

Was Paul the only apostle to learn from direct revelation? No. The Spirit revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ. The instant Peter received this revelation, Jesus affirmed Peter to be the Church’s first official leader—why? Because leadership is for those who receive revelations. That is, if you are led by God, you can lead men.

‘… what about you [Peter]?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in Heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter [meaning rock], and on this rock I will build my Church’ (Matthew 16:15-18).

The best teachers are those who are taught by God, and the best leaders are those who are led by God. At the Sermon on the Mount, people were not amazed at Jesus’ wit, intelligence, or his creativity. They were amazed by his authority. They usually listened to rabbis who would quote the interpretations and commentaries of other rabbis. They were used to hearing debates and opinions. Then came Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, who spoke the Word of God like the prophets before him declaring ‘Thus says the Lord.’ Pastors today must do the same thing.

… the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the Law (Matthew 7:28-29).

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very Words of God (1 Peter 4:11).