Discuss Acts 15 Page 3

Followers of Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: The perverse mixing of idol worship, sacrificing to idols of food and perverse sex acts combined after He was one of the 7 who were of Stephen appointed to wait tables to serve the widows in the church he is mentioned in Acts 6:5 Paul wrote that some who were of us went out from among us.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Nicolaitans:

(followers of Nicolas) a sect mentioned in Revelation 2:6; 2:15 whose deeds were strongly condemned. They may have been identical with those who held the doctrine of Balaam. They seem to have held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication, in opposition to the decree of the Church rendered in Acts 15:20; 15:29. The teachers of the Church branded them with a name which expressed their true character. The men who did and taught such things were followers of Balaam ( 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11). They, like the false prophet of Pethor, united brave words with evil deeds. In a time of persecution, when the eating or not eating of things sacrificed to idols was more than ever a crucial test of faithfulness, they persuaded men more than ever that was a thing indifferent ( Revelation 2:13-14). This was bad enough, but there was a yet worse evil. Mingling themselves in the orgies of idolatrous feasts, they brought the impurities of those feasts into the meetings of the Christian Church. And all this was done, it must be remembered not simply as an indulgence of appetite: but as a part of a system, supported by a "doctrine," accompanied by the boast of a prophetic illumination ( 2 Peter 2:1). It confirms the view which has been taken of their character to find that stress is laid in the first instance on the "deeds" of the Nicolaitans. To hate those deeds is a sign of life in a Church that otherwise is weak and faithless ( Revelation 2:6). To tolerate them is well nigh to forfeit the glory of having been faithful under persecution ( Revelation 2:14-15).

Hi Wayne. Do you mean, "why was Titus not required to be circumcised"?

If that's what you're enquiring about, then that was, in part, because Titus was a Gentile (a Greek) & not a Jew. Every Jewish male at eight days of age, was required to be circumcised ( Genesis 17:10-12 ff) as part of the Covenant God made with Israel, separating them as a special people from the surrounding heathen.

When the Apostle Paul & Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to meet with the Jerusalem Council of Apostles & Elders (see Acts 15:2), he took Titus with them as well. But the Council agreed that Titus, a gentile, should not be circumcised; some were believing & requiring (chiefly by the Judaizers: Galatians 2:4), that gentiles must first be circumcised (i.e. become 'Jews') before they could be accepted as (Christian) believers. So with the agreement & blessing of the Council, the apostles & the early Church were unified that neither circumcision nor the workings of the Law ( Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:2-13) should ever be imposed on gentiles, even as the Law no longer had strength on anyone (Jew or Gentile) when only God's Grace through faith brought salvation & liberty to those now in Christ. This was a major aspect of the early Church as they battled with not only Gentiles being brought into the body of believers, but that all the Laws that served to show the Jews their inability to keep them, were also now cast aside, because of "Christ is (now brought) the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" ( Romans 10:4).

Sorry Yvonne Mathis, I have been having some trouble recently with Internet server or something. I tried to respond with scripture.

(will we know people? In Heaven) John 10:14, John 15:15, Acts 15:18, 2 Corinthians 3:2, 2 Corinthians 6:7-10,

1 Corinthians 13:12, Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 60:4, Isaiah 66:18, Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:27, Ephesians 1:10, Luke 16:19-31,

Hopefully these are encouraging & helpful in answering your questions in this.

Good to know no more circumcision needed. We are now saved through the Holy Ghost so long as we avoid false idol worship and fornication among other things.

This is what I understand to be true after doing a little reading in my study bible.

The Davidic kingdom to be restored by Christ : it's character and extent

Isaiah 11 This chapter is a prophetic picture of the glory of the future kingdom, which will be set up when David's son returns in glory.

Luke 1: 31-32; Acts 15:15-16

Isaiah 11:9 -10 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD

As waters cover the sea.

"And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,

Who shall stand as a banner to the people;

For the Gentiles shall seek Him,

And His resting place shall be glorious."

How Crist will set up the kingdom

Isaiah 11:11-12

It shall come to pass in that day

That the LORD shall set His hand again the second time

To recover the remnant of

His people who are left,

From Assyria and Egypt,

From Pathros and Cush,

From Elam and Shinar,

From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations,

And will assemble the outcasts of Israel,

And gather together the dispersed of Judah

From the four corners of the earth.

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD As waters cover the sea.

Zechariah 12:8 "In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them."

The moral characteristics of the kingdom are to be righteousness and peace. The meek, not the proud , will inherit the earth; longevity will be greatly increased; the knowledge of the LORD will be universal;

beast-ferocity will be removed;

absolute equity will be enforced; and open sin will be visited with instant judgement; whereas the enormous majority of earth's inhabitants will be saved Psalms 2:9; Isaiah 11:4,6-9; 26:9; 65:20; Zacharia 14:16-21

The NT Revelation 20:1-5 adds a detail of immence significance

Hi Scott.

God was saving People long before Abraham, There was no Israelite. But to answer your question, Here's one of many of many verses.

Acts 15:7-11. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10) Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

NOTICE VERSE 11.

11) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ( WE SHALL BE SAVED EVEN AS THEY.)

"We shall be saved even as they"

If you're not careful you would think it should be the other way around.

"They shall be saved even as us.

Do you see the order of God's redemption plan spoken of by Paul to the Romans?

Romans 9:25-26.

Romans 9:31-33.

Romans 10:1-4.

Romans 10:19-21.

Romans 11:8-25.

Here's the conclusion.

Romans 11:29-33.

God bless.

Its for our Protection Thanks that's a very informative comment. God Bless

2. Abstain from Blood

Lev 17:10-12 And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

3. Things Strangled

Lev 17:13-14 And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

(A little more context should be given to this Law, as God is instituting a way of killing animals for the consumption of flesh. He is banning the strangulation of an animal, and allowing only for animals to be slaughtered in a proper way with the blood to be let out properly.)

what does it mean to obstain from strangled things?

Thank you Rick and Diane for your reply.

I guess I do not see things the way you two do. Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them all things. The same Holy Spirit taught Paul as well. The Spirit delivered the same gospel to Paul as he did to the apostles. The spirit taught only one gospel, and it was for the Jews and the Gentiles. Peter preached the gospels to the Gentiles before Paul did (Acts10:34-43) On Pentacost, Peter preached to those gathered the same gospel as Paul ( Acts 2:22-37) Stephen preached the gospel at Antioch and founded this church before Paul was converted ( Acts 15:6-18) And when Paul went to Jerusalem after many years and shared what he was preaching, both he and the Apostles of the jerusalem church agreed that he was preaching the same gospel. I do not believe that Jesus' kingdom was for the Jews of that time, as Diane stated, nor do I believe that Paul had the Gentile gospel to the exclusion of the Jewish gospel. In every town he visited hep preached the same gospel to those in the synagogue as to those in Gentile situations. There is only one gospel and only one kingdom of God, not different ones in different dispensations. Diane, by the way you hold up Paul it sounds like you even hold him to be superior to Jesus and Jesus' ministry. I reject such a notion. I suggest that both of you go back and read through Acts so you can see that there has always been one gospel for both Jew and Gentile. As far as the 12 apostles knowing less than Paul about the Jesus and the gospel negates Jesus' very words that the Holy Spirit will teach the apostles(before Paul was converted) all things ( John 14. 25-26). A say these things to you in love. I care about you hearing sound doctrine and I will always defend the doctrines of the faith handed down through the generations to believers in the writings of the apostles, gospel writers, and Paul. I am not sure if your ideas about dispensations is the same as mine, also. God bless you!

Continued: The Gospel of the Kingdom: Jesus and the 12 preached the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom at THAT time ( Matthew 4:17, Matthew 9:35, Acts 3:19). Which was for the Jew only ( Matthew 10:5,6: Luke 9:10 Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Matthew 18:11; Romans 15:8) Appropriated by repentance, baptism, faith plus works. The content of the gospel of the Kingdom was Jesus was Israel's promised Messiah, the Son of God. " And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 The apostle Peter's profession of faith was that he believed Jesus was in fact the Christ, the Son of God. Not that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead three days later. No way, how could that be Jesus was still alive. And the gospel of grace wouldn't be revealed for another 10 years. Yes, of course. Everything is based on the finished work of the cross but in time, at that time ,that was all Peter or any other Jewish person was to believe for salvation. "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven," Matthew 16:15-17 The gospel of the Kingdom began with John the Baptizer and ended during the Acts period ( Acts 15:11) The gospel of the kingdom will pick up again when the body of Christ is raptured and the Lord turns His attention back to Israel and the Kingdom gospel and the 490 years prophesied in Daniel 9. Also known as the tribulation, Jacob's Trouble, or Daniel's 70th week." And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come". Matthew 24:14 To be continued, conclusion:

Part II God's ETERNAL Assurance

ONLY God Knows the heart of Every man! Acts 15:8 Romans 8:27

"That we should be to The Praise Of HIS Glory, who first trusted In CHRIST! In WHOM ye also trusted, after that ye heard The Word Of Truth, The Gospel Of your salvation: In WHOM also after that ye believed, ye Were Sealed With That Holy Spirit Of Promise, Which Is The Earnest Of our inheritance Until The Redemption Of The Purchased Possession, Unto The Praise Of HIS Glory!" Ephesians 1:12-14

"Who Hath Also Sealed us, And Given The Earnest Of The Spirit in our hearts!" 2 Corinthians 1:22

"And grieve not The Holy Spirit Of God, Whereby ye Are Sealed Unto The Day Of Redemption!" Ephesians 4:30

"And such were some of you: But ye Are Washed, But ye Are Sanctified, But ye Are Justified In The Name Of The LORD JESUS, And By The Spirit Of our God!" 1 Corinthians 6:11

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren Beloved Of The LORD, Because God Hath From The Beginning Chosen you To Salvation Through Sanctification Of The Spirit And belief Of The Truth!" 2 Thessalonians 2:13

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, But According To HIS Mercy HE Saved us, By The Washing Of Regeneration, And Renewing Of The Holy Ghost!" Titus 3:5

God's OPERATION?:

God Made us worthy for inheritance of saints! Colossians 1:12

God Delivered us From the power of darkness! Colossians 1:13

God Put us In The Kingdom Of HIS Dear SON! Colossians 1:14

God Justified us "...Freely By HIS GRACE Through The Redemption That Is In CHRIST JESUS!" Romans 3:24

God "Reckons Debt To those proud who work" For Salvation! Romans 4:4

In GRACE, To him/her "that worketh not, but believeth on HIM that Justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness!" Romans 4:5

God, Through Paul, States: "...David also describeth the blessedness of the man [ /woman ], unto whom God Imputeth righteousness Without works!" Romans 4:6

to be continued in Part III

Alex: I would suggest to you that the Book of Acts is a progressive revelation. I submit that "remission" and "redemption" are not the same thing. Peter was still preaching the "gospel of the kingdom" ( Matt. 9:35) to Israel in Acts 2 as the door was still open for them to accept their Messiah. That door remained open till they stoned Stephen in Acts 7. Peter never preached Acts 2:38 again for the rest of his life since Israel, as a nation, had rejected Christ as their Messiah. Notice Peter's statement in Acts 15:11. By this time, Peter is preaching salvation by faith alone because Israel had been put aside for 2k years. Notice, in Acts 10:44, just as Peter is about to tell Cornelius to repent and be baptized, the HG comes down and interrupts his message and changes his sermon outline! Cornelius and family were saved by FAITH -- not water baptism. There are 3 different saving gospels in the New Testament: 1 The "gospel of the kingdom" offering Israel their Messiah, 2. After Israel rejects their Messiah, God raises up Paul and gives him "the gospel of the grace of God" ( Acts 20:24, this is the gospel that saves us today, and 3. "The everlasting gospel" ( Rev. 14:6-7) preached by an angel in the tribulation. Salvation in the tribulation is by FAITH and WORKS just as it was in the Old Testament. While the church is on earth, salvation is a free gift. "now [this age of grace that will end at the rapture] is the day of salvation" 2 Cor. 6:2.

I thank God, for His written Word. It is worth to me, more than Silver or Gold. Praise His Holy Name.

Precious Marva: "does god hear my prayers when I'm unable to speak, but pray silently."? Yes, God Hears all humble people who approach Him, in faith, including dumb people who cannot speak:

God Knows And Searches our hearts ( Acts 15:8; Romans 8:27), And His Spirit "Prays For us," Even when we "don't know what to pray for!" ( Romans 8:26):

God's GRACE In our infirmities:

(1) Read Romans 5:1-5, especially take note of verse 3, "we glory [rejoice] in tribulations." We are not instructed here to glory in spite of the trials of life we find ourselves in, but we are to rejoice because of them. That is to say we are to thank God for allowing times of suffering into our life. This passage of Scripture expressly states that The Lord uses the tribulations of life "to conform us to The Image Of His Son" ( Romans 8:29). To this end, He uses all things "to work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called According To His Purpose" ( Romans 8:28). As we grow mature in The Lord, our Savior is Glorified. As believers in Jesus Christ it is given us "in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His Sake" ( Philippians 1:29). (Borrowed from brother Ed Bedore) My study:

(2) After Paul [our #"pattern"# for Today!] prayed 3 times for his affliction, the "Answer he Received," According To The Scriptures, Was:

"And HE [CHRIST] Said Unto me, MY GRACE Is Sufficient For thee: For MY Strength Is Made Perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory [cp] in my infirmities, that The Power Of CHRIST May Rest Upon me!" ( 2 Corinthians 12:9) cp ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-30)

(3) Compare With GRACE Scriptures: ( Romans 5:1-5) ( Romans 8:18) ( Romans 8:26-29) ( 1 Corinthians 10:13) ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) ( 2 Corinthians 4:17) ( 2 Corinthians 12:9) ( Philippians 3:21)

#"pattern"# = Paul = ( 1 Timothy 1:16) ( Philippians 4:9)

( 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:3-9; Ephesians 3:9 =

Grace/Mystery fellowship, today?)

Please Be Encouraged!

Hi Chris A lot of the Scriptures shown about baptism in Context of usage is spiritual in regards to holy spirit not water,and to say implied doesn't really hold any water. In Ephesians 4:5, no water, The context of 1 Corinthians 1:15-17 is baptism in Christ, so I don't see it as a condition to be born again. When Paul was born again in Acts 9:17+18 in verse 18 the word baptize is baptizo which can be translated on or in depending on context. Many of these verses which talks about baptism don't mention water. In Acts 15:1 there were men from Judea that were teaching unless you are circumsized you can't be saved, works of the law and that turned into an intense dispute. Acts 15:1-10 so I see where that applied also to water only it wasn't realized until later. That's my understanding It Is Written

Ted.

Satan is the prince of this world and The world also hate Jesus.

Here's why the world hated Jesus.

This persecution Started in Genesis and on through us today. Genesis 3:15.

John 7:7. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, BECAUSE I TESTIFY OF IT, THAT THE WORKS THEREOF ARE EVIL

And the world presently hates Jesus disciples as well as any people who has a role in God's redemption program.

The Lord called out Abraham and blessed him and Made an unconditional covenant with him. And he would be the Father of many nations Genesis 17:4-13.

Galatians 4:28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Galatians 3:28-29. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

God is not done with Israel as some think,

And the Church did not replace Israel.

They play a role in the future.

Acts 15:14-16. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

( AFTER THIS I WILL RETURN, AND WILL BUILD AGAIN THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID, )

which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

This is a spiritual warfare!!

That's the short of it. Perhaps someone can go into more detail.

God bless.

.

Hey Fred,

I understand, there is an old expression "into the weeds", it is used in different ways with different meanings. Sometimes when we get off the beaten path and into the weeds and examine details we mostly look over, our eyes and ears open to the Holy Spirit and strengthens our faith and shines a light on things that lead to better understandings.

God sometimes uses the least to make the largest impact, like Paul, he considered himself the least of the apostles.

It is a pretty good guess Paul was dehydrated, he had no food or water for three days. Without water for three days in that country, he was probably about ready to give up the ghost, but he was praying. He possibly looked like a wilted flower on a hot July day.

Ananias knew what kind of man Saul/Paul was and he was probably thinking I don't know about this, Saul/Paul has the authority to lock us all up. But Jesus assured Ananias He was in control and Saul/Paul was chosen to do His purpose and bear His name before the Gentiles. Ananias probably said, thank you Lord, ok, let's do it.

May we walk in the Holy Spirit of truth,

RLW

you may have confused me with Donald. That is ok, I like hearing the conversations, I sure Jesus did too! Listening seems to be the hardest, one thing for sure reading the gospel can never get old!

Not seeking him have been born again for 43 years.

The holy spirit has no parameters. Even so sister in Christ! The blessed assurance we have in these last days, while the spirit moves even upon an unbelieving world. God Bless while you seek Him, finding consolation in the love of Christ.

Do u think Paul had suffered from dehydration? I do think asking the speculative question helps to confirm my faith. I helps understand the works of God? How he works using his creation and the conscience of man to achieve His outcome . It is ok to be the devils advocate? Ananias, must had heard He was on His way, after all, Paul was slaughtering people! The holy spirit spoke to Ananias, Ananias saw this as an opportunity to convert this man and give peace to the church. Love the KJV!

Hey Fred,

Paul/Saul was consenting when they killed Stephen, Paul led driving people who had faith in Jesus out of Jerusalem, beatings in the synagogues, imprisoning men, women, and, children. A better question would be regardless of how bad a person is, there is redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ, and can be used to do Gods will. God calls according to His pleasure we cannot begin to comprehend.

It is better if we have questions that we can find the answer in scripture not answered by opinion and speculation.

RLW

Fred that just is a perfect example of how blinded and twisted the religious leaders at that time were. Thank God he called out Paul because he knew his heart was in the right place. Paul in his heart and mind totally believed he was dead right, in what he was doing before being born again. Again we can be thankful God new his heart and he needed a little convincing, sort of like us a times. God Bless

Fred God Bless I believe that Paul is one of the greatest examples of God knowing a mans heart, paul as he states in the epistles was born out of due time. He was a pharisee of pharisees and in his heart before he was converted until jesus appeared to him I don't care who else would have said what if you didn't do the law you deserved to die. Thank Jesus for appearing like he did and like you said he did not converse with flesh and blood but spent time alone with jesus Christ to get it together spiritually and screw his own head down. I cannot comprehend the shock mentally Something I've often thought about how many believers after conversion that he taught the word to that he helped murder family members because he did it out of ignorance because he didn't believe. I'll bet because he understood the deliverance from past sins he taught with all boldness no guilt. What a man of God.

Wouldn't you think, that the apostles and followers would have never ever excepted what the synagogue taught, since they have just subscribed and killed Christ along with many brothers and sisters. This law was not the law of Moses, for if it were how could they have killed anyone? How could the Jews or the apostles continue in such nonsense, let alone give their interpretation of it , any credence at all?

Describing justification through faith without the deeds of the law should have been most obvious. Peter, hadn't made up his mind. Even after everything that had happened, he couldn't make up His mind, or more ,He couldn't separate himself from the self righteous Jews! Thank God , Jesus called the Apostle Paul. even though he was not one of the disciples ,Jesus in this time converted Him for this his mission the saving of the world from sin and death! The commission of bringing the gospel too the world! Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world! Jews and Gentiles! This is why he came!

Paul, before his conversion, thought he really had it all together, a Pharisee of the Pharisee's. So certain of his righteousness going about to kill those who didn't agree with the church. Studied under great philosophers such as Gamaliel. Jewish doctors of the law. Educated men, going about to kill Christ followers, after all they did kill Christ!

Paul converted on the road to Damascus, on his way for more of these so called followers!

I have a question? If you would be a true follower of the law, as those in the Sanhedrin, how then could you go about killing people? What would be the justification or premise, their bases for their belief? Perhaps it was, as it is written, a law unto themselves. What is interesting is that this had such an effect upon this man, perhaps with the underlying quilt that went along with it. That He was the one chosen for this event, the beginning of the church. His background , his history sent him into the desert for 14 years, enough time for many to forget Him! With all the evidence he had ,He knew that this calling was from above! So, he speaks with authority, from the heart, even taking on Caesar! what do think? Is this how God calls?

Thanks for the reply. attracted to the name, Interesting name. You corrected me .the law was our schoolmaster "Was" not "is" Was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ! Thank u !

Hey Fred,

Not sure why the reply, the post was on Acts 15. I agree the law was the schoolmaster and now that we have faith in our savior Jesus we are no longer under the schoolmaster. I agree the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His blood cleanses us from sin and it is by the grace of God. Being saved by His life, the resurrection from the dead, we by faith, with the Spirit, the down payment, we will be raised incorruptible at His coming.

We are not justified by works of the law, we are justified by faith in Jesus and the Spirit of God. Any works done is done by our faith in Jesus, He died for us, was buried, rose from the grave, now sets on the right side of the Father and is the only mediator between God and us, not by the flesh we are housed with.

God bless,

RLW

The law is a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ The law of God is what we see in the ten commandments . The law is what God has established with His creation. It has been my experience that it is impossible to keep His law. However men of old before the Christ, shared in something called hope. They waivered not at the promise, much like we too look for the return of Jesus Christ! Waiting in faith, is the fundamental condition of establishing the law, while fulfilling it!

When this happens it is now referred to as grace. Grace found in the same words our Fathers before us had! This is the salvation we have in the hope of our savior Jesus Christ. Much more now we are now sanctified and cleansed, cleansed in his holy blood! This being the requirement of the creator. There can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood! Christ heals us, makes us holy and perfect before the Father, clothed in White, able to stand before him!