©1995 - 2023

THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS


It is the Glory of God to Conceal a Matter,
It is the Glory of Kings to Search out a Matter.
Proverbs 25:2
  MYSTERIES OF GOD

 


Introduction
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1 Corinthians 2:7 Which none of the princes of this world knew: (2:7) for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1Co 2:9 ¶ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Tools specific to 1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
 
     Revelation and inspiration result from searching, knocking and asking. As simple as it may sound, these pathways that lead a seeker into the knowledge of the mysteries of God is not easy to discover. "God is a Spirit," says the scripture. His divine existence is one that can only be perceived, believed on a non-sensing level. If I say that I know God, whom you neither know nor see, you can only judge my assertions on the basis of my personal credibility. Some spokes persons for God or more credible than others. The early apostles did not so much argue the existence of God as a theory or concept but to prove His existence by supernatural attestations, demonstrating the Power of God. (1Corinthians 2). So we have the matter of proving to a materialistic non believing world that God is real and that He still has a part in the day to day affairs of this world and its occupants. It is a very great mystery that it is G-d who calls us to have fellowship with Him. It is G-d who equips us to grow and minister through Him. It is G-d who preserves and keeps us until his coming to gather his called out people unto himself. So you see, that it is very little about our performance or goodness. The gift of G-d prevails throughout the life of a believer.


Progressive Revelation

     God is a God of mysteries and hidden things. The parables taught by Yeshua (Jesus) had within them truth at varying levels, plain story-level truth and higher spiritual level revelation. There is and always was that matter of hidden truth. To Christ's disciples it was given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God while others received no more than a moral homily. God reveals himself to some and not to others. Heaven and its mysteries are not laid bare for any to intrude upon as there are defining limits between darkness and heavenly light. The Bible truths and hidden mysteries are not delineated as point by point, topic by topic facts and realities. Thus the key to unpacking and deciphering the Word of God can not be achieved strictly by academic skills and study alone. Without the Holy Spirit which is the teacher and discipler of truth we are limited pretty much to the moral homily level of the listener.

We are given understanding in the light of Yeshua (Jesus) in a line by line, precept upon precept, understanding that Jesus is the Word of God, Itself the greatest mystery. Jesus is portrayed from cover to cover in the bible, from Genesis to Revelation. He is portrayed in the Jewish fiests and festivals. He is prefigured in the stories through types and shadows. When the Scripture is made fully known we shall See Him as He IS.

The following writings deal with the subject of Mysteries. They do little more than introduce a sampling of God's mysteries, some of the mysteries. There remains, more, much more to be gleaned within these domains of study. Moreover, there are more and more mysteries and mysteries within mysteries which will still be revealed in ages to come.

Revelation is progressive and always deepening as His truth is being revealed by God's Holy Spirit. The Lord himself determines divine timing not only in bringing us to Him and but in revealing precepts as we mature. God withholds certain things from us because it is not time for them to be made known. They are as the angel Gabriel told Daniel, "seal up" until the appointed time. Contrary to some ecclesiastical authorities we do not have all the answers (facts) as to biblical matters; His Body The Church and certain end of the age mysteries. Prophecies found in the prophetic scriptures which spoke of the gathering in of the gentiles in a future age was a revelation that was sealed or hidden until Saul (Paul) was given the true revelation. Matters given to Daniel the prophet were sealed up until the time of the end. Certain details written in the book of Revelation are still open to conjecture, such as the identity of The Two Witnesses and some of the players and places suggested symbolically.

Matthew 16:16 But who do you say that I am?

Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter, answers and says, "You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God." Jesus then tells Peter, "- - - Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. This is an example of how we receive knowledge of hidden things. He Peter, received this deep revelation not by reason but by the direct assistance of the Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit. This is the same way that all who come to Christ will receive that "measure of faith." It is the Divine Spirit bringing the witness of the Truth then each who is so inspired declare this knowledge unto salvation.

Mysteries revealed by God

1Corinthians 2:0 - -"Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love him. 10: But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11. For man knows the things of a man, save the sprit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God, know man knows, but the Spirit of God.


THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS

Jesus Was Crucified For US & with US

The Mystery of Baptism

The Paradox of Losing One's own Life

The Only Good Christian is a Dead Christian

Warfare and Battling in the Mind and in the Flesh

Attributes of A flesh-Centered Person

Walking In The Spirit

Offloading the Burdens of our Lower Nature

An effort to Change our Worship or' Meditations'

Tears of Cleansing Revealing Restoration
 

Jesus was Crucified For Us and With Us

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Galatians 5:24

Jesus was sentenced to die for a condemned man (Barabbas, who represents every man without God), Jesus called his death "his baptism", Paul states that, "as many who are baptized into Christ are baptized into His death." We are also likened to have risen with Him, a figurative picture portrayed in the coming forth out of the water in immersion baptism. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3,4 kjv)

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole." (Acts 4:10) "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23,24 kjv)


BAPTISM: A SUPERNATURAL MYSTERY
Baptism is more than a token sacramental or religious act: Jesus meant it to usher in a supernatural life within believers. This is a mystery worth investigating; that we are crucified with Jesus and risen from death into life with him. It is the spiritual realization that the old self should die when plunged under the water and the new self will ascend out of these waters. Not to understand this is to be merely enacting a religious rite without knowing the power that is ascribed to it. To understand it is to become crucified to the world - - NOW - - in this life! That is why the apostle Paul can say, "It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me."

It is a popular notion that the thief on the cross was exempt from Christ's requirement of baptism. This is ignorance on the part of those who hold and teach that view. The repentant thief literally died the death on the cross and received the promise that "that day he would be with Jesus in paradise." He was baptized into Christ's baptism as was the disciple Peter at a later time.

Baptism is an act of faith which has been performed  as a religious act  for a very long time and sacramentally as an even  longer time. As an sacrament it is done to a person who is likely ignorant of its true purpose. It is through Baptism that the believer yields to the power of the cross. It is through Baptism that the believer exchanges the old life with its sins and weaknesses which ruled their lives in the past comes to an end. It was in John's Baptism where Jesus was released into the fulness of his ministry. It was then that he received the Holy Spirit in full measure.

It is in Baptism where the old nature is acknowledged, separated from the person, and put to death. Demonic strongholds can't remain in a person who is dead! Fleshly appetites are no longer a problem when a body is dead. A dead man can no longer function as a sinner. If Baptism were explained more fully, instead of being a mere religious act, the believer would advance quickly to leave the old life, nature, and natural limitatins behind. The un-named thief on a cross near Jesus was "baptized" into Jesus' death in the most literal sense. He then became the first to enter in the Kingdom of heaven taking his place among the redeemed, a new creation. This is baptism in its truest sense!

Though few at least for the present, are to die literally on a cross, we are expected to know that it is a powerful force to initiate a Spiritual life in the Kingdom of God and that "by faith" we can access all of its promise and potential. After being immersed, we come forth from the water, in a figure of resurrection. We come forth from the water, in the power of the Christ life within. We come forth from the water, separated from the old nature with its lusts. We have symbolically put the old "me" to death.
The Ethiopian eunuch who Phillip ministered to in Gaza (Acts 8:27) was taught the essentials of Christ fulfilling all prophetic scripture that he was reading about in a Scroll of Isaiah 53. It described the lamb that was led to the slaughter to be the sacrafice for each sinner. From this scripture, Phillip described the nature of Christ sacrifice for all humanity, he also taught the essentials of Baptism to him. When they came upon a place having water Phillip baptized the man. The eunuch immediately continued on his way to Ethiopia in the power of the Spirit. This was the extent of his discipling but we can be assured that it was enough and fully empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was this man who carried the Gospel in power and simplicity to thousands in his own land, who provided a tradition of apostolic Christianity which lasted a thousand years.

Infants who have not yet reached the age of reason may be dedicated or blessed, in a special act of faith, but this is not Biblical baptism which is a dedicatory act of a believer which is to be done with an affirmation of belief and understanding of the true meaning. Baptism is to submerse in water to come up out of the water symbolizing the crucifixion of the old man and the the entry into a new resurrected life.


Paradox of Losing One's Life
"Whoever would lose his life for my sake will find it; whoever will save his own life will lose it." (Luke 9:24 and 17:23)
 
 Jesus addresses the issue of two lives each one opposing the other. Within the mysteries of God numerous paradoxes are introduced one of these, is about a seed which needs to fall and die before it can bring forth any fruit (read John 12:24). Though the outer manifestation of the seed form disappears it is necessary to an end of its original identity before it can bring forth a crop or fruit. Decreasing to our own self interests is essential before God can use us. This is portrayed in the "pruning of the vine" in another parable.

Life and life more abundantly are what Jesus promises his disciples. But this abundant spiritual life lies in an entirely different sort of configuration than that which worldly persons value or seek. As we grow spiritually, God causes us to feel alienated from the world, distinct and apart from it, owning different values and treasuring other kinds of treasures than the world treasures. We can not simple "will" to despise worldliness it is something which the Spirit begins to grow in us as a fruit of righteousness.

We eventually begin to hate the ways of the world and to understand its impact on our own lives and the lives of others. This world abounds in its pettiness, shallowness and limitations and a roll call of the lusts of the flesh! Empowered by the spiritually cleansing flow of the Holy Spirit we become "crucified to the world and the world to us." We truly feel the lonliness of being a sojourner away from his or her true home.

In the beginning of our spiritual walk, that which some describe as spiritual infancy, we tend to migrate back to life as we had known it. We had a familiar lifestyle and a pattern of thinking, speaking and reacting to others. Our old nature included our habitual excesses, our reputations for good or evil, our self pride, our name, our looks, our offices, our talents, our careers and educations. These things do not impress God nor did they ever impress him. Until we regard them as "dung," as Paul stated in his letter to the Phillipians Chapter 3 and verse 8. We do not yet have a heavenly perspective. Our old vanities were forged in the semblance of this world and its vain idolatries and will pass as the fog in the morning."- if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6:3)

Jesus reminds us to not cling to this life nor any of its apparent treasures. Which are merely passing things, apparitions which soon vanish like the dew of morning. "Take up your cross daily and follow after me." (Take this cross as a reminder that you are already reckoned dead to yourself, crucified in the human nature and alive on a higher level, that of having been raised to new life, resurrected into the position of being seated with Christ in the seat of His transcendent authority.

The Only Good Christian is a Dead Christian
"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" Romans 6:5; "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." 6:6; "For he that is dead is freed from sin." 6:7; "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"6:8 "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." 6:9; "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:5-11)

"For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you." (1 Corinthians 13:4) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)


Warfare and Battling in the Mind and in the Flesh

Our bodies and our lives were once the property of Satan! You may personally have a higher view of your own present or past lifestyle than this, but nonetheless it is the scripturally correct viewpoint which we must adopt. A life without redemption through Jesus Christ was a life lived in Satan's domain. The 'god of this world' wants desperately to continue in it.
 

Attributes of A CARNAL-Centered Person

The following list describes attributes of the natural man man or woman, carnal, that is to say the unredeemed and souish, self-centered personality

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness," "Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies," "Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21)
 
Walking in the Spirit
(Living with an awareness of God's Presence and being led by communication with the Holy Spirit)

Scriptural proof passages describe the serious limitation of the human soul in its natural state. The natural man can not know God. Now, we know that many people are marvelously gifted with natural virtues and abilities. Some intellectual, some physical, some musical, some poetical, some marvelous organizers, etc. These natural abilities are still inadequate to do what the Lord wishes to do through us. We need to have some insights on how we can go beyond natural abilities or natural limitations. How does God instruct us to overcome these natural abilities or limitations? By walking in the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is more than having knowledge about God or the Bible. It is even more than renewed attitudes and beliefs, it is walking in (a present-moment awareness)  of the life of God within us; to be aware that we are enshrouded and encompassed by Christ's life and Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is a state of Spiritual consciousness of actually partaking of the mind of God. There is a way of entering in to this state, through an act of faith of yielding and entering. Preparing the heart may take some attention, we must turn from many things which have us bound up; cares, fears, other voices inside have to be stilled; we give place to God, both through will and word. Walking in the Spirit means letting go of our own self-life, personality and all of life's lusts and idols.

One can not partake of this life with hatred or unforgiveness in your heart. One can not partake of this life with rage or jealousy in your heart. One can not partake of this life with unforgiveness or bitterness in your heart. We must unload all burdens, set aside all anger and filthiness of the flesh. Then we enter in, as follows.
Offloading the Burdens of our Lower Nature

The things we do and the things we think regulate spiritual life. David the psalmist king of Israel knew this and dealt with the whole issue saying, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto you O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."(Psalm 19:4)

The purity and integrity of our spiritual lives is based upon the meditation(s) of our hearts, those things which occupy our thought life when no one is around and no one else influences your behavior.

Jesus taught that it is in the heart where man's treasure lies. As we value and treasure things we give thought and meditation to these things. After thinking and meditating on the matters of greatest interest to us we are likely to respond with words and actions which will map our treasures.

Jesus spoke of good treasures and evil treasures and said that we speak as an overflow from the abundance of our hearts, thus we may bring forth either good or evil. Evil meditations will ultimately bring forth corrupted worship. It is the thing which we worship most highly which occupies the meditation of our hearts.

An effort to Change our Worship - Meditation
In a spoken petition you might say something like this, "Jesus, I ask you to be my burden bearer. Jesus, I know you want to walk with me and carry my burden as your yoke. Even as you take my burden from me let me partake of your yoke of a higher life.""Relieve me of my burden of ---."(supply the name of the thing.)"I cast down my idol of ----." (supply the name of that thing.)

"Cleanse me, make me pure. Remember me TODAY in your kingdom. Give me your spirit now so that I become a child of God. Release me in the Spirit of worship and praise. Father, I thank you for receiving me into your presence. Saying these things with your mouth will activate your faith and God's response."Say it! And say it only if you mean it!
 

Tears of Cleansing Reveals the Spirit at Work

Allow this token of cleansing to do its work, It is part of the seed dying and the vessel being broken so it can give forth a new incense out of your life, an incense of praise unto GOD.

Press into the Holy place which is that secret place of the most high, revealed in your spirit. This process may take minutes, hours or even days. Wait upon the Lord for Him to complete you. Give praise to God. Speak to Him and listen to Him respond to you. Begin to walk in the Spirit.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25) "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:26) "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14)

 

E Book 1:
The Gospel Without Religion

E Book 2:
A Disciples Handbook

E Book 3:
Mysteries in the Bible


Index to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles

Resources: Understanding Home Fellowships

Frank Viola Interviews a typical church-goer
(Discussion of Open Church)


"Knowledge makes arrogant, love edifies."




 

 

1995 - 2023

Introduction to Mysteries of God

Index to Bible Mysteries

 

The Rapture of Believers, Part 1

The bride and the Bridegroom typology and the rapture
 

Mystery of Accessing God

Mystery of the Body of Christ 

Mystery of the Cross, Crucified with Him

Mystery of Faith Believing God's Word

Mystery of Grace, God's Hand Stretched Forth
 

Mystery of Power and Divine Enablement

Mystery of Spoken Words of Covenant 
 

Mystery of Righteousness in the Beloved

Mystery of the Word -.Bible is a Living Force

Mystery of Spirit and Spirits