Our Founder and Elder Pastor, Bro. Paul Dyal has written many articles over the years. We are happy to use this medium to allow you, the reader to enjoy many of his past articles and new articles when he feels so inspired to divulge them with us. You can visit his blog at the link above for a daily dose of Elder Dyal’s thoughts. Elder Dyal has also penned an intriguing triology (fiction) on Marcus, the son of Simon Peter, and his many adventures while trying to discover the truths of the Savior and His ministry during the early church era. Visit our resource center to find alink to Amazon.com to claim your copies.
All knowledge is good. In all matters there are things that are good to know and there are some things we must know. In all things there are technicality’s and minutia that, if known, will give added insights and understandings otherwise not afforded, these things could fairly qualify as being academic. There are however in all things facts that are absolutely necessary to know if we are to have any true comprehension and working ability of the matter at hand. All of us who regard the Bible as the word of God wish we knew and understood the entirety of it, but I’m sure that none of us are prepared to present ourselves as knowing it all. I thought it might be good that I present to those readers who hold my thoughts worthwhile a listing of things I consider to be absolutely pertinent to salvation. I know that as always these thoughts will provoke some controversy and perhaps even some vehement disagreement so I offer this tentative disclaimer. Because I don’t know it all there is some room for my not being exactly correct about the things I do know, however until proven, to my satisfaction, wrong and shown what is right I stand by my conclusions.
TO RECEIVE INITIAL SALVATION
(1) The first and most obvious thing a person must believe to truly be saved is that God exists.
(2) The second is that the Jesus Christ of the New Testament is the Messiah, the Son of God. (3) The third is that Jesus died for the remission of our sins.
(4) That repentance with conversion preceding baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost are absolutly necessary.
Once a person has acheived the above listed things they have received the earnest of their salvation, Ephesians 1:13-14, and are now a candidate for everlasting life. They at this time are assured a resurrection from death. Whether to everlasting life or everlasting damnation will be determined by their faithfulness. If they live after the flesh they will resurrect to dishonor and everlasting damnation. If they are led by the Spirit of God they will resurrect to honor and everlasting life, Romans 8:13-14. It is with this understanding that we can appreciate that there are many who are not called to the high calling of God but do have a place in the eternal plan of God. These are what we call second resurrection saints. I am confident that anyone who has the Spirit of God and walks in all the light they have will receive an honorable resurrection at the time of the second resurrection following the epoch commonly called the thousand years. Those who resurrect and who have counted the blood of the covenant wherewith He was sanctified an unholy thing and have trodden under foot the Son of God will die without mercy, Hebrews 10:26-31.
We now approach the subject of those called to the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus, Phillipians 3:14. There is a high calling of God which we often refer to as, making the Bride, overcoming, becoming the manifested sons of God, and making the first resurrection. Many are called but a few are chosen. It is those who are chosen to hear that more is required. Where much is known much is required, Luke 12:48. To see Jesus at his return will require that we be like Him, 1 John 1-3. To do this we must have His mind which is His identity. To do this we must know even as we are known. When He returns for those who will share in His government as Kings and Priests he will only accept those who are redeemed from the earth. When we received His Spirit we received the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, Ephesians 1:13-14. Now we who are called to attain to the high calling of God must make ourselves ready, Revelation 19:7-8.
TO RECEIVE FULL SALVATION
(1) Commit oneself to obedience unto righteousness Roman 6:16.
(2) Commit oneself to righteousness unto holiness, Romans 6:18.
(3) Receive the whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27.
(4) Submit oneself to the three powers of God which are His Spirit, His word and His Ministry .
(5) Take up and bear your cross.
(6) Die daily to self, be a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God.
(7) Abide in His grace which is His Spirit.
(8) Continue in the admonition of Peter in 2nd. Peter 5-10, if you do these things you shall never fall.
The Jacksonville Assembly
