Lamont Sherley

I received the Holy Ghost in 1975 and spoke in other tongues, just like the believers in the Book of Acts.

The Book of Acts mentions people speaking in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost. On the day of Pentecost, they were all filled and spoke with other tongues.

Acts 2:4 (KJV) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

In Samaria, Simon the sorcerer saw that the Holy Ghost was given, and he offered the apostles money for that power. He heard the Samaritans speak in tongues, the same sign given at Pentecost and later at Ephesus.

Acts 8:18-19 (KJV) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

At Ephesus, when Paul laid his hands on the disciples, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spoke with tongues.

Acts 19:6 (KJV) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

God won't take back a blessing.

Ten lepers cried out to Jesus, and all ten were cleansed as they went to show themselves to the priests.

Luke 17:14 (KJV) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Only one came back to give thanks. Jesus asked where the other nine were, but He did not take their healing away. They kept it and forgot who healed them.

Luke 17:17-18 (KJV) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Israel did the same thing. They sang God's praise after He brought them through the Red Sea, then soon forgot His works.

Psalm 106:12-13 (KJV) Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

Paul wrote that God's gifts and calling are without repentance.

Romans 11:29 (KJV) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Nowhere in the Bible are Jesus' brothers called His cousins.

The people of Nazareth named His mother Mary, named His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas, and said His sisters were living among them.

Matthew 13:55-56 (KJV) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

The Greek word used for His brethren is adelphos, which means brother. The word used for His sisters is adelphe, which means sister. Greek has a different word for cousin, anepsios. Paul used anepsios when he wrote about Mark, and the KJV translates it "sister's son to Barnabas."

Colossians 4:10 (KJV) Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

If the writers meant cousins, they had the word for it. They never used it for Jesus' brothers.

Paul met James in Jerusalem and called him the Lord's brother.

Galatians 1:19 (KJV) But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Matthew wrote that Joseph knew Mary not till she had brought forth her firstborn son.

Matthew 1:25 (KJV) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Three things the Bible shows about baptism.

First, it is a burial in water. When Philip baptized the eunuch, they both went down into the water and came up out of it. Paul wrote that we are buried with Christ by baptism.

Second, it washes away sins. When Ananias came to Saul, he told him to arise, be baptized, and wash away his sins.

Third, it is done in the name of Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the crowd to repent and be baptized every one of them in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

Scripture References

Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:38-39 (KJV) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 22:16 (KJV) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 6:4 (KJV) 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.

Colossians 2:12 (KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

When you start getting tired and worn down, that's your cue that you're carrying too much on your own, so give it to God.

Scripture References

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Psalm 55:22 (KJV) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Are you tired of trying to do it on your own? His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Scripture References

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I'll submit myself to Jesus because He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Scripture References

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

He told us He was going to do it, and He will.

Scripture References

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Philippians 1:6 (KJV) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

When you're baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, you become a person called by His name.

Scripture References

Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 3:27 (KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

How many of us are humbling ourselves before God each day?

Scripture References

James 4:10 (KJV) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6 (KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: