Don't Criticize Others

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

DON'T CRITICIZE OTHERS UNTIL YOU'VE

WALKED ON THE WATER YOURSELF.

Jesus didn’t intend for Peter to sink. Jesus meant for him to be able to walk back to the ship with Him. But don’t criticize Peter until you’ve successfully walked on the water without sinking! Then we’ll accept your criticism. Besides, when you criticize others, it hinders your own faith.

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In the last church I pastored, we had to raise some money in order to pay the church insurance which came due every three years. Since we only had to pay every three years, it was a large sum to raise in one service in those days.

On Sunday night I explained to the congregation that we needed to raise money for the church insurance. Within about ten minutes all the money we needed was given or pledged.

The next day my wife and I were in town. A cafe there in town was owned by a man who wasn’t saved, but his wife was. She was not a member of our church and neither was he, but they came to our church some on Sunday nights. He always wanted us to eat at his cafe free of charge, and we usually ate there every Monday at noon time.

One of the women in my church worked in that man’s restaurant as a waitress and she came to wait on us. We were alone in the cafe, so she began talking to me and told me that she didn’t like the way I had taken up the offering the night before. She really vented her feelings about it. I didn’t say a word; I just let her talk. All the time she waited on us, she was fussing about that offering.

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Finally, after we had prayed over the food, I asked her if she was through talking. I told her that we had some more things we were supposed to pay for that week and that on the next Sunday night we were going to raise money again to pay the lumber bill. I told her that she could take up the offering and that if she didn’t get the money, she could pay it out of her own pocket. She said she wouldn’t be there then; she’d just stay home.

So I told her that if she didn’t come to church that Sunday night, I would announce to the congregation why she didn’t come. And if she didn’t come, the next time she did come to church, I would have her stand up and I would make another announcement to the congregation about it.

 She asked me if I really meant what I said and I said I did. Then she said that if I would not make her do that, she would never criticize me again as long as she lived. I said I had made up my mind and I wouldn’t change my mind unless the Lord changed my mind.

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She came on Wednesday night and asked me if she would still have to take up the offering on Sunday night and I told her, "yes."  I told her that she should never criticize anyone until she can beat what they can do. She repented and said she couldn’t take up an offering better than I had. On Sunday morning she was there to teach her class and she said she was going to pray that the

Lord would change my mind.

When it was time for the evening service, she was there. I hadn’t really changed my mind, so I explained to the congregation about the offering and why we needed it. Just as I started to say that Sister So-and-so was going to receive the offering, she leapt to her feet and said that she would give the first portion of it.

Immediately people all over the building were pledging; and before I knew it, we already had the needed amount. The next day my wife and I were in the cafe and this woman said that she would never criticize me again. She said that she would keep her mouth shut and she didn’t

care how I took up my offerings.

So don’t criticize old Peter until you’ve walked on the water yourself! Don’t use Peter’s failure to believe as an excuse for you to be able to doubt God. When Peter saw the wind boisterous, the Bible says, he was afraid. Looking at the circumstances caused Peter to begin to sink.

• Kenneth E Hagin // Faith Study Guide

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William James Roop

Hospice Care and Dying

The Trucking Tango

Brother Roop teaches the Bible

Apostolic Church History Podcast

I Could Have Been Here 10 Years Ago!

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

Here is a fun joke that I wanted to share with you.

Text: John 3:16.  Contributed by Jim Kilson from an unknown source.

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 An elderly couple passed away and found themselves at the pearly gates. Peter was there to welcome them. First he showed them their mansion. The man overwhelmed by the sheer luxury of it all asked, "How much does this place cost per night?" Peter replied, "Sir, this is Heaven, it doesn’t cost anything." Then Peter took them to the dining room where table upon table was piled high with the most delicious foods you could imagine. Again overwhelmed by the glory of it all the man asked, "How much for the meals?" Peter said, "You forget, this is Heaven, it’s free." 

Peter then took them out back where they saw a fantastically beautiful golf course. As the man stood there open-mouthed Peter said, "Now before you ask, there are no greens fees, this is Heaven, everything is free." The man looked at his wife and said, "You and your confounded bran muffins, I could have been here 10 years ago!"

 Sometimes when people think of heaven they think of it as dull and boring. This joke however captures the promise of eternal life - a place of unbelievable beauty and delight.

William James Roop

Hospice Care and Dying

The Trucking Tango

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The Promise Still Good

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The hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost were baptized with the Holy Ghost according to promise.  The converts of Philip in the Samaritan revival were baptized with the Holy Ghost, when Peter and John came from Jerusalem and preached the doctrine to them.  The household of Cornelius received the same endowment and power, showing that the promise was also extended to the Gentiles. Again to the Corinthian church is the record given of the fulfillment of the promise.  That the Apostolic Church had wonderful power is evidenced by its remarkable growth, as well as by the record of the Word.  We have the promise of the same power today.  How about it's fulfillment?

But did not Paul prophesy that these things should  should be done away?  Let us see. 1 Cor. 13:8 Charity never faileth:. Whether there be prophecies they shall fail  whether there be tongues, They shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  Sometimes, not stopping to find out when this shall be, we jump at the conclusion that these things have been done away.  We have only to read the next two verses to be set clear.  "For we know in part, And we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.". Paul knew only in part, and prophesied in part, And spoke in tongues only in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then the knowledge, prophecy, and tongues of Paul shall be done away.  If they are to be done away on that great and notable day of the Lord, They must be in existence when He shall come.  Divine love never faileth. So when he comes these other things shall fail.  God's promises must last till by God's own word they are withdrawn.

William James Roop, MABS

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Water Baptism

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

Water Baptism

            “And he said to them, go to all the world, and preach my gospel to the whole creation.  He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; and he who does not believe shall be condemned.”  (Peshitta Mark 16:15-16)

            These are the words of Jesus Christ Himself as He was speaking to His disciples just before His ascent into the Heavens.  This is the final instructions to His disciples on what they were to do when He left them.  Jesus Christ made it very clear that they were to baptize all of the world!  In fact, I think that Jesus Christ made it very clear here in verse sixteen, that He equated baptism with salvation. 

            It seems the Apostle Peter had also understood baptism as an essential part of salvation when he preached on the Day of Pentecost.  In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Luke recorded Peter’s sermon to the crown of devout Jews the need for water baptism in the name of the LORD Jesus!

            “When they heard these things, their hearts were touched and they said to Simon (Peter) and the rest of the apostles, our brethren, what shall we do?  Then Simon said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of the LORD Jesus for the remission of sins, so that you may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise was made to you and to your children, and for all of those who are far off, even as many as the very God shall call.”  (Peshitta Acts 2:37-39).

            The Apostle Peter understood that water baptism was a requirement for salvation.  The rest of the apostle’s present did not correct Peter, so they also understood the same thing.  If Jesus commanded water baptism and the Apostle Peter preached it, who are we to say that we do not need it for today?

            Later, the Apostle Philip, also water baptized people in Samaria!  “But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, they were baptized (water), both men and women.  (Peshitta Acts 8:12). 

            Philip would later also baptize an Ethiopian God-fearer out in the desert.  “And he commanded the chariot be stopped: and both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch.”  (Peshitta Acts 8: 38).

            When Saul, the accuser of the brethren, traveled to Damascus to arrest the Christians there.  Jesus intervened and converted Saul in a miraculous way!  When Saul (Paul) agreed to salvation, he was baptized in water!  “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”  (Peshitta Acts 9: 18).

            When the Apostle Peter traveled to Caesarea to preach to Cornelius and his family and friends, he baptized them all in water.  After the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were all baptized in water!  “Then Simon Peter said to them, can any man forbid water, that these people who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have, should not be baptized?”  (Peshitta Acts 10:47).

            When the Apostle Paul was preaching to some disciples of John the Baptist, he felt that it was necessary to rebaptize them in water and they had received Spirit baptism.  “When they heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ.”  (Peshitta Acts 19:5).

            The Word of the Lord is very clear by the mouth of Jesus Christ and the actions of all of His apostles that we should all be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, so that our sins may be washed away!

William J. Roop, M.A.B.S.

Roop-Crappell Ministries

Hospice Care and Dying

The Trucking Tango

Apostolic Theological Seminary

Why Must A Person Be Water And Holy Spirit Baptized?

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

Why must a person be Water and Holy Spirit Baptized?

Water Baptism

            “And he said to them, go to all the world, and preach my gospel to the whole creation.  He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; and he who does not believe shall be condemned.”  (Peshitta Mark 16:15-16)

            These are the words of Jesus Christ Himself as He was speaking to His disciples just before His ascent into the Heavens.  This is the final instructions to His disciples on what they were to do when He left them.  Jesus Christ made it very clear that they were to baptize all of the world!  In fact, I think that Jesus Christ made it very clear here in verse sixteen, that He equated baptism with salvation. 

            It seems the Apostle Peter had also understood baptism as an essential part of salvation when he preached on the Day of Pentecost.  In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Luke recorded Peter’s sermon to the crown of devout Jews the need for water baptism in the name of the LORD Jesus!

            “When they heard these things, their hearts were touched and they said to Simon (Peter) and the rest of the apostles, our brethren, what shall we do?  Then Simon said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of the LORD Jesus for the remission of sins, so that you may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise was made to you and to your children, and for all of those who are far off, even as many as the very God shall call.”  (Peshitta Acts 2:37-39).

            The Apostle Peter understood that water baptism was a requirement for salvation.  The rest of the apostle’s present did not correct Peter, so they also understood the same thing.  If Jesus commanded water baptism and the Apostle Peter preached it, who are we to say that we do not need it for today?

            Later, the Apostle Philip, also water baptized people in Samaria!  “But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, they were baptized (water), both men and women.  (Peshitta Acts 8:12). 

            Philip would later also baptize an Ethiopian God-fearer out in the desert.  “And he commanded the chariot be stopped: and both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch.”  (Peshitta Acts 8: 38).

            When Saul, the accuser of the brethren, traveled to Damascus to arrest the Christians there.  Jesus intervened and converted Saul in a miraculous way!  When Saul (Paul) agreed to salvation, he was baptized in water!  “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”  (Peshitta Acts 9: 18).

            When the Apostle Peter traveled to Caesarea to preach to Cornelius and his family and friends, he baptized them all in water.  After the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were all baptized in water!  “Then Simon Peter said to them, can any man forbid water, that these people who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have, should not be baptized?”  (Peshitta Acts 10:47).

            When the Apostle Paul was preaching to some disciples of John the Baptist, he felt that it was necessary to rebaptize them in water and they had received Spirit baptism.  “When they heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ.”  (Peshitta Acts 19:5).

            The Word of the Lord is very clear by the mouth of Jesus Christ and the actions of all of His apostles that we should all be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, so that our sins may be washed away!

Holy Spirit Baptism

            They Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) moving on people has been around for thousands of years.  We also see it in a limited way throughout the Old Testament.  But the Full Mention of the Holy Ghost in the Bible is found in the first two chapters of the Book of Acts.  That is the contextual epicenter of the subject and al other references must be filtered through those two chapters.

            But first, Jesus Christ Himself declared to the disciples that power would be come to them soon.  “And I will send upon you the promise of my Father; but you remain in the city of Jerusalem, until you are clothed with power from on high. (Peshitta Luke 24: 49).

            In the first chapter of the Book of Acts, the first apostles of the new church were fill with the Holy Ghost.  “And when the day of Pentecost was fulfilled, while they were assembled together, suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues which were divided like flames of fire; and they rested upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in various languages, according to whatever the Spirit gave them to speak. (Peshitta Acts 1:1-4).

            In the second chapter, we find the Plan of Salvation.  “When they heard these things, their hearts were touched and they said to Simon (Peter) and the rest of the apostles, our brethren, what shall we do?  Then Simon said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of the LORD Jesus for the remission of sins, so that you may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise was made to you and to your children, and for all of those who are far off, even as many as the very God shall call.”  (Peshitta Acts 2:37-39).

            Later when the Apostle Philip preached to the Samaritans, they believed and were baptized in water, but none of them had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Peter and John then went down unto them and then they received the Holy Ghost.  “Who, when they went down, prayed over them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.  For as yet it had not come upon them although they had been baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus.  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Peshitta Acts 8: 15-17).

 These verses show us a distinction between the baptisms of water and the Spirit.  A further distinction would be shown by the Apostle Paul when he encountered twelve men whom had been baptized in water years ago, but not of the Spirit.  “When they heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ.  And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in divers’ tongues, and prophesied.”  (Peshitta Acts 19:5-6).

            As I have just shown, if we want to be right with God and receive salvation, after repentance, we must receive both water and Spirit baptism.  The two are completely separate and yet both are completely necessary for our salvation from our sins!

William James Roop, M.A.B.S.

Roop-Crappell Ministries

Hospice Care and Dying

The Trucking Tango

Apostolic Theological Seminary