The Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Mao Zedong established the People’s Republic of China in October 1949. Under Communist ideology, religion was discouraged by the state and Christian Missionaries left the country in what was described by Phyllis Thompson of the China Inland Mission as a “reluctant exodus”, leaving the indigenous churches to do their own administration, support, and propagation of the faith. The Chinese Protestant church entered the communist era having made significant progress toward self-support and self-government. Even though Chinese rulers had traditionally sought to regulate organized religion and the CPC would continue the practice.

From 1966 to 1976 during the Cultural Revolution, the expression of religious life in China was effectively banned.  The growth of the Chinese-house church movement during this period was a result of all Chinese Christian worship being driven underground for fear of persecution.  To counter this growing trend of “unregistered meetings”, in 1979 the government officially restored the TSPM (Three Self Patriotic Movement, a protestant organization approved by the Government) and the CPCA (Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, a Catholic organization authorized by the Government) after thirteen years of non-existence and in 1980 the CCC (China Christian Council, a protestant institution) was formed.

Persecution of Christians in China has been sporadic. The most severe times were during the Cultural Revolution. Believers were arrested and imprisoned and sometimes tortured for their faith. Bibles were destroyed, churches and homes were looted, and Christians were subjected to humiliation. Several thousand were known to have been imprisoned and killed between 1983 and 1993. In 1992 the government began a campaign to shut down all of the unregistered meetings. However, government implementation of restrictions since then has varied widely between regions of China and in many areas there is greater religious liberty. Independent churches and a variety of evangelical sects have broadened the appeal of Protestantism, especially in rural China. Although outside observers thought the Cultural Revolution had ended Christianity in China, Christianity in all its variety had taken root and has shown to possess the strength and techniques to survive decades of hostility and persecution.

Since 1949, indigenous Chinese Christianity has been growing at a rate unparalleled in history. Nicholas D. Kristof, a columnist of the New York Times wrote on June 25, 2006, “Although China bans foreign missionaries and sometimes harasses and imprisons Christians, especially in rural areas, Christianity is booming in China”.  Most of the growth has taken place in the unofficial Chinese house church movement. Christianity also followed Chinese migration. After 2000, the center of gravity has shifted from the countryside to the cities, spreading Christianity among intellectuals and associating it with modernity, business and science. In 1800, there were 250,000 baptized Roman Catholics, but no known official figure for Protestant believers out of a population of 362 million Chinese. By 1949, out of an estimated population of 450 million, there were just over 500,000 baptized Protestant Christians. Anonymous internet columnist Spengler speculated in 2007 that Christianity could “become a Sino-centric religion two generations from now.”

The current number of Christians in China is disputed. The most recent official census enumerated 4 million Roman Catholics and 10 million ‎Protestants. However, independent estimates have ranged from 40 million to 130 million Christians. According to a survey done by China Partner and East China Normal University in Shanghai, there are now 39 to 41 million Protestant Christians in China. These include Christians in registered and unregistered churches. The survey was done with 7,400 individuals in 2007-08 by China Partner in all 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Another survey done with 4,500 individuals by East China Normal University in Shanghai reveals up to 40 million. Other studies have suggested that there are roughly 54 million Christians in China, of which 39 million are Protestants and 14 million are Roman Catholics; these are seen as the most common and reliable figures. Today, the Chinese language typically divides Christians into two groups, members of Jidu jiao (literally, Christianity), Protestantism, and members of Tianzhu jiao (literally “Lord of Heaven” religion), Catholicism.

Islamic Saudi Arabia and communist North Korea

Today, Islamic Saudi Arabia and communist North Korea are notoriously the world’s worst persecutors of Christians.  For 2008, a church persecution advocacy group predicted that those two countries would remain the worst persecutors of the Christian Faith.  The Christian Post on its January 8 issue reported the following for the year 2007:

• China Arrests 270 Underground Protestant Pastors
• Muslim Rioters Destroy Christian Stores in Egypt
• Lonely Christmas for Christians in North Korea
• Christmas Riots Continue in Orissa (province of India)
• Seven Churches Bombed in Iraq

The whole earth and everything therein belongs to God

In both countries, Saudi Arabia and North Korea, Christianity is illegal and practice of the religion is strictly forbidden and results in severe punishments. “In 2008 millions of Christians will face persecution,” said Andy Dipper, CEO of U.K.-based Release International, which released the survey of Christian persecution in the New Year.  According to Release (Release International is an organization which works to support persecuted Christians) most of the persecution of Christians in 2008 will take place in four “zones” – Islam, Communism, Hinduism and Buddhism.  Harassment can originate from the government or its agents – such as the secret police, military, and judiciary – or from non-governmental movements, such as militant Islamic groups.

In the Islam zone, Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state that practices Wahhabism and restricts all other religions, including the possession of religious items such as Bibles, Crucifixes, and Stars of David. Christians are arrested and lashed in public for practicing their faith openly.  Strict sharia is enforced. Muslims are forbidden to convert to another religion. If one does so and does not recant, he may be executed.  Saudi Arabia stands out not only for its extremely harsh laws against all religions other than the Wahhabi branch of Islam, but also because it spends millions each year disseminating Islamic teachings around the world.  These religious literatures have been accused by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) of spreading intolerance among young Muslims by teaching them to hate “infidels,” or non-believers. Besides Saudi Arabia, moderate Muslim countries are also guilty of not providing enough protection to their citizens who are considered Christian minorities.

In moderate countries such as Egypt and Turkey, Christians still suffer from kidnapping, forced conversion to Islam, imprisonment, destruction of churches, execution, rape of Christian girls, torture, and discrimination in education, employment, housing and in the legal system. “Islamist militants often view Christians and non-Muslims as infidels, who must be converted, by force if necessary, or be killed or driven out of Islamic lands,” * (source: Release International). “They believe it is their religious duty to impose Islamic Sharia law throughout their nation.”

Meanwhile, in countries with communist regimes such as China, Cuba, and North Korea, believers face a more systemic form of persecution that involves house arrest, interrogation, fines, and imprisonment. Nevertheless, North Korea remains arguably the world’s worst persecutor of Christians. Believers are imprisoned in special labor camps, brutally tortured and even publicly executed. “Pressures include an absolute ban on owning a Bible, assembling to pray or to read the Scriptures, and on evangelism – even of one’s own children. Being discovered as a member of the underground church inside North Korea can result in one’s entire family being sent to a prison camp. Even torture and summary execution may take place in extreme cases.”  (Source: Tim Peters of Helping Hands Korea; Helping Hands, is a partner of Release International and helps refugees escape North Korea).

In the Hindu zone, Christians face extremists who have lately increased attacks against not only believers in Jesus but also against Muslims. This Hindu nationalism in India is linked to one of the country’s largest political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is associated with a number of militant Hindu groups.

In the Buddhist zone; believers are also persecuted in Buddhist Burma, and Sri Lanka where religious militants regard Christianity as a threat to national identity and unity.  For many disciples today “Persecution is part of their Christian life” and remains prevalent to this day in countries such as India, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesian, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ireland, North Korea, Nigeria, Cuba, etc.  Over the last two thousand years, history has documented over 70 million Christian martyrs with 45 million or 70% killed in the past century alone.

2-      3:30 p.m. Picked up at airport and driving to ACC

3-      Lunch time 4:30 p.m.

4-      6:30 p.m. Opening of Mission at l’Église de Dieu Reformée de Galette Drouillards led by Pastor Jean Claude Thésilus: from Thursday night to Saturday night

5-      July 10^th: Sunday Morning Service at ACC

6-      Sunday July 10^th 2:30 p.m. Graduation Ceremony of ACC School

7-      Monday and Tuesday July 11^th and 12^th Seminars at l’Église Chrétienne Eben-Ezer de Galette Drouillards, led by Pastor Georges Alexis church

8-      Wednesday to Friday July 13^th to July 15^th Seminars was held at Première Église de Dieu Indépendante d’Haïti de Galette Roche Blanche led by Pastor Isman Illus

9-      Sunday 17^th: Morning service at l’Église Alliance Communautaire Chrétienne (ACC)

10-   6:30 p.m. Sunday Conference  starts at ACC from Monday 18^th through Wednesday 20th

11-   2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon presentation of certificates to participants

12-   Wednesday night: Testimonies and presentation of the missionaries

13-   Plaque presentation to Pastor Mézalès, brother Erickson Philogène and Pastor Yvon Tironné

14-   Closing of conference and review.

15-   Returning flight Thursday 21^st 2011 leaving Port-au-Prince at 2:17 p.m. New York Time

• Wake up time 5 a.m.  Prayer, praise and worship and study of the word. Daily Instructions.
•  Daily Bed time 11:30 a.m. after night review

Missionaries: Garine Allonce, Franchette Bernard, Pastor Jocelyn Marcelin, Jonathan Jean Baptiste,

Stephen Mathurin, Matthew Smythe, Gil Défay, Joe Michel, Nathalie Jean Louis, Armante Ledain,

Dieula Taillefer, Nicole André, Mireille Paul, Nicole Pierre, Pastors Georges and Michèle Défay

Others:  Pastor Mézalés, Pastor Yvon Tironné, Lucien Anilus, ACC Staff and others from other churches

Personnel: Dénièze, Suzanne, Olga, Marie Sony, Dadou, Marcel, Lysius, Elie-Marc

Special thanks to Pastor Rollin Allonce and to all who met daily to pray for the mission.  To all who gave their financial support, your dedication and esprit de corps are very much appreciated.  Your prayers and your support for the mission made the difference.

Mission Goals and Accomplishments: The mission’s goals were to hold seminars in four churches of Roche Blanche, Haiti; in order to teach God’s people about their true inheritance in Christ: “the Kingdom of God”.  From these meetings, believers received a better understanding of salvation and of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Kingdom principles were taught with great clarity, revelation and power.  The workshops were outstanding.  The mission was well received and attendance was great.  Many committed their lives to Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, while countless testified to their healing and deliverance.  The joy of God’s kingdom was in evidence and this mission will be remembered as one of the best in CCA’s mission history files. (Pictures and video to follow soon)

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Three days of heavevly fellowship! Three days of prayer, prasise and worship! Three days of méditation of Scripture at the peaceful and attractive Glen Cove Mansion

Featuring anointed and experienced guest speakers and praise leaders

Participation fees only $209.00

Time to refresh your soul and spirit.
Time to strentghen your faith in the Lord!

P.S. Double occupancy (couple) $309.00 per person
Retreat is designed for youth and adults only. All proceeds to be used to help CCA Mission in Haiti

Much can be said on the subject of false cults, but our current objectives require restraints in our development. Nevertheless, we must underline that fear, as motivation, can be very harmful and very dangerous for the ministry, for the life, and even for the afterlife of the servant of God.  It is very interesting to notice that among those who will not be permitted to enter and to inherit the kingdom to come, the Bible lists in first place the fearful (meaning: the coward, the fretful, the faithless) (Luke 19:20-27; Rev.21:8).  People who live in fear shall not inherit God’s kingdom.  It is true that believers must be prudent and wise. It is also true that God did not call them to be “dare-devils”.  However, insecurity and worry is not for Christians to carry in their lives.  It cannot be stressed enough that false messiahs can only give false hope and the temporary relief that some seem to experience in their misguided devotions eventually gives way to greater miseries. Unfortunately, the sad fact is, it might take a while, and many will be deceived in the process, ultimately however, fear will always lead to perdition.

-Peter’s Maturity and Faithfulness in the Care of the Sheep

In his first letter, addressing church elders and pastors even as himself, Peter endeavored to explain perfectly the qualifications and motivations, that all ministers must cultivate as leaders. His counsels show full maturity and excellent understanding of the pastor’s office and ministry (1Pet.5:1-4). Undoubtedly, the apostle did fulfill his call; and in his second letter he testified to his endurance in the ministry this way: Yea, I think it fitting, as long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2Pet.1:13).

So, because of HIS LOVE for the Lord, Peter remained faithful to his vocation and demonstrated genuine kindness for Jesus’ sheep, as well as an admirable sense of duty and responsibility.  He is one of these early disciples who grew to become a mature and awesome witness of the Christian Faith. Today one cannot talk about Christianity without mentioning this Great Apostle, a leader among the disciples, a Giant of the Faith and a Martyr for Christ.

-Ministry: The Expression of the Disciple’s Love

Paul, Silas, Epaphroditus, Epaphras, Timothy, Titus and many others constitute positive examples of early church believers and second generation of Christians disciples motivated by love (Rom.9:1-3; 2Cor.5:13-16; Phil.2:25-30). On the other hand, Jonah, a great prophet of the Old Testament, was one of these servants who, from the start, had much difficulty understanding and accepting the sovereignty of God and of God’s love. This caused the prophet to almost loose his life and salvation.  Rescued after his repentance in the depth of the abyss, Jonah promised to obey God’s commands, however he still refused to minister in love.   Consequently, he had to be shown, that all lives are of great importance to God not just those that Jonah cares for.  Every disciple must remember that Christ is the manifestation of God’s infinite love for man, and ministry ought to be the expression of one’s personal love for his heavenly Father, for his Savior and ultimately for his fellow men (John 3:16; Rom.5:8; Eph.2:4-5; Jonah 1:1-3; Jonah 2:1-11; Jonah 4:1-11; 2 Tim.2:3-10).

-The Dangers of False Visions

At this point, we should mention that as God can give vision to believers, the devil and the flesh can league together to manufacture their vision, and can even present it to the saints as God’s new revelation.  Now, it’s crucial for the believer to know how to differentiate between the genuine and the false. Those claiming to have a vision from God, most often than not, have been deceived and are deceiving others. They are “ministers want to be” without a genuine call. Usually their visions are of the flesh, seeking to satisfy their lust for grandeur and gratify their competitive character. More often than not, they are motivated by emulation and strife (Phil.1:15-17).  The devil is a deceiver and a liar; so he will imitate and pervert what God does in order to deceive those that are sincerely seeking for God’s will  Nevertheless there is no cause for alarm for the Bible gave simple steps to take to test and detect who is at work.

TEST NUMBER ONE: Who is the Visionary?

In Colossians, the Holy Spirit makes it clear as to what to watch for when dealing with false vision.  More than we would like to think, too many so-called church leaders and ministers are operating in false visions and too many believers are blindly following these false visionaries.  The first area of inspection should not be what the vision is but, who is the visionary? As per Colossians, there are three specific areas one should watch for when dealing with visionaries.

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in him. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy, and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, not after Christ, for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the God head bodily… Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holiday or the new moon, or of the Sabbath days…Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God (Col.2:6-23).

a) Beware lest any man spoil you

Throughout the ages, false visionaries have taken others as easy preys, those who innocently have joined with them for helping with “their vision”.  As mercenaries and false shepherds, they are predators.  As wolves after fresh meat, they seize and devour, commit violence, robbery and fraud to the detriments of their followers.  That’s why the first signal given by the Apostle Paul is: “Beware lest any man spoil you”. By his warning, Paul meant what he said, and went on to describe false leaders’ techniques or Modus Operandi: philosophies, vain deceits, traditions of men, rudiments of the world.  Any vision based on any of these must be rejected as it will lead into bondage: “For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face”.  This verse is translated in the following manner in the amplified version of the bible: “For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls and makes slaves of you, and devour |your substance, spends your money| and preys upon you, or deceives and take advantage of you, or is arrogant and puts on airs, or strikes you in the face (2Cor.11:19-20 Amp.).

b) Let no man therefore judge you

This particular warning has to do with religious traditions and of keeping the ceremonial Law.  Though it might seem benign or insignificant, one has to be careful with practices and requirements that are not conformed to New Testament or Apostolic principles and standards. Paul warns about not to accept judgment (condemnation) from anyone about observances conformed to Judaism. Visions that are upholding prescriptions for holiness or godliness, based on food, drink, new moon, Sabbath days, etc, must be discarded for Christ is the end of the Law for the justification of all who believe.

c) Let no man beguile you of your reward

This third warning is to be taken even more seriously for it has to do with the believer’s reward for eternity. Through what seems to be voluntary humility, one can end up worshipping satanic angels. You see wrong understanding of humility may gave access to evil spirits, which may present themselves as angels from God, but their goal is to deceive believers to worship them.  These evil beings will bring about false visions and ministries.  Through craftiness and lies, they will create “… false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2Cor.11:14-15).  True angels and servants of God will not be puffed up with pride, nor will they receive worship but they will always point to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Rev.19:9-10; Acts 10:26; 14:14-15). As one is detached from Christ, the head of the Church, one is also separated from the body of believers. In following visions that don’t promote Jesus and his Gospel, but some other spirit or man, one will end up losing his reward and be miserable for eternity (John 15:5-6).

TEST NUMBER TWO: Examining the Vision

Many principles and criteria may be used in examining a ministry or a vision in order to determine if it is of God or from some other source. After dealing with the visionary, one should also take time to study the vision itself.  Most visions are presented as being of God and as honoring Christ.  Certain aspects of a vision will not be known until one is exposed to the practical and daily operation of the ministry.  Nonetheless, the following questions must be asked and inquiries must be made, if one truly desires know if a vision is genuine. In addition, it’s the believer’s personal responsibility and duty, if he is to participate in a work called of God, to be wise enough to investigate the following:

#1) Does the vision glorify God?

#2) Does the vision glorify Jesus Christ alone or is it promoting others or something else?

#3) Is the vision in line with God’s Word principles from reception to implementation? (At times a vision starts with God but looses its divine direction and purpose)

#4) Is the vision in its goals and accomplishments profitable to the whole body of Christ, the Church? (self-promoting and self-serving ministries are not involved in Kingdom building)

#5) Does it promote or cause the salvation of those in the world? (Primary Mission of all ministry is to get people save)

#5) Can believers from other churches participate and contribute in this vision’s? (Sectarianism)

#6) Are the fruits produced or results according to righteousness and truth? (Matt.7)

#7) Is the vision’s operation according to New Testament principles as opposed to just spirits or angelic revelations?

Of course, much more can be inquired about, but answering objectively to all of the above will certainly be a very good start in discovering the genuineness of a vision.

At 272 East 19^th St., Brooklyn, New York 11226

You are joyfully invited to join with CCA Church family for a special time of celebration and thanksgiving for 26 years of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Reception starts at 5:30 p.m.

Be ye on time to enjoy the delicious food and some heavenly refreshments!  Seats are limited!

Featuring: anointed ministries and blessed entertainment acts by guest ministers and gifted Gospel artists.

Click Here to RSVP

Invitation card required for admission

Introduction

The New Testament’s books were written in Greek, mostly as letters or epistles to specific audiences and individuals, with the main objectives to exhort, teach, and to illuminate the minds of believers about their faith in Christ. With Pentecost, the Church was born; Gentiles without the knowledge of the Old Covenant started to come to Christ and with Jewish and Roman persecutions, the new disciples were dispersed throughout Asia Minor and part of Europe.  They were of great need of guidance and basic training in godliness; but the order of the day was not an assimilation into Judaism, nor was it to follow the mystical and pagan religions, very prevalent at that time. So, the Christian Faith had to have its own foundational doctrines to instruct and train the followers of Jesus Christ, so that the work of God could be carried out by them in all parts of the world.

Though the New Testament is composed of only 27 books, as opposed to 39 of the Old, the number of authors is a lot less, only 9 as opposed to 31 in the Old Testament.  The Gospels, the book of Acts and the Epistles were written by different individuals, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and these books were accepted as Holy Scriptures by the totality of the church by the middle of the third century, with the same authority as the Old Testament.  As it is for the books of the Old Testament, the central subject of each book of the New Testament remains the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, presented in different aspects.  Jesus himself, while talking to the Pharisees who rejected him, predicted these writings to come and their divine authority, as he promised to send prophets, sages, (wise men) and scribes (Matt.23:34).  The following constitute these writings highlights and their main topics regarding Christ’s person and ministry.

In the four Gospels the Lord Jesus Christ is presented differently

Matthew, writing to the Jews, introduced and showed him as the real king of the Jews,

Mark, writing to the Romans, painted the picture of Christ as the Servant of God,

Luke, addressing a predominantly Greek audience, depicted Jesus as the Son of Man, while

John, on the other hand, having the church in mind, which was then made up of Jewish and Gentile believers, showed Jesus as the Son of God.

In the Book of Acts

Luke, the writer of this historical book,  shows the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises to always be with the believers to carry on the work of the Great Commission. The Spirit, as promised, was now able to indwell  believers and empower them to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem unto the extremities of the earth.

In the book of Romans

Paul explains the major concepts which constitute the foundation of the Christian Faith.  So, he masterfully defined righteousness before God, substitution, provision, justification and faith. He also portrayed Jesus as the Second Adam, whose righteous life and substitutionary death have provided justification for all who would place their faith in Him.

In the first book of Corinthians

Jesus is our Wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.  According to Paul born again believers are the body of Christ with individual gifts and they ought to be good examples for those who are in the world

In the second book of Corinthians

Jesus is the source of the believer’s comfort, for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. He is our comfort, our triumph, our light, our reconciliation, our substitute, our gift from God and our strength.

In the book of Galatians

Paul explores the concepts of faith and grace of God. He goes back to the Abrahamic covenant of promise, and expounds on the new testament’s covenant of grace and faith, and the purpose of salvation. He presents Abraham, as an example of faith, who through his changed life by faith became a blessing to all nations.

In the book of Ephesians,

the Apostle Paul explores the following major themes:  Jesus as the head of the church, and the believers hope and unity as co-heirs with Christ. Jesus is the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.  In Jesus, Christians have been given hope and made alive, to grow and make a difference in this world by their good works and life style, “for by grace you have been saved through faith and it is the gift of God”.

The book of Philippians

Shows Jesus as a powerful model and example for believers.  Paul paints several points about Jesus.  The real life is in Christ, He is the model of true humility.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ. He alone is capable to transform our lowly bodies that they might be transformed as His glorious body.

The book of Colossians

In this letter, Jesus is shown as the pre-eminence of all things, as the Head and Creator of all.  He is also our Representative and Reconciler before God the Father. He is the head of all principality and power.  In Him we see the face of God: “ He is the image of the invisible God”, He is the Author of reconciliation and our Redeemer and Reconciler and He is the basis for all believers’ hope

1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians .

Christ is our blessed Hope, the one who’s coming back for his church, the Deliverer. Paul’s motivation is to let us see Jesus as the believer’s hope of salvation, both now and when He returns on earth.  He will deliver us from the wrath to come, and one day we shall be caught up in the air together and shall always be with Him.

In 1^st Timothy

Paul describes Jesus as the Mediator, the Savior, and explains the concept of mystery of the faith (spiritual faith) and love.  “Christ is the Mediator between God and mankind, manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory”. In this letter, Paul also deals with church admimistration, leadership and hierarchy and the part that weathy people have to play, in their service to God..

In 2nd Timothy

Christ is the source of salvation, and the one who’s coming back.  Paul also makes clear the role of Scripture in God’s servant life and ministry as he brings some focus on the conditions of the world in the last days and what believers ought to do during those difficult times.

The book of Titus

Paul focus on unity, redemption and good works. Jesus is one with the father and is our great God and Savior, the blessed hope who has yet to return to earth in a glorious appearing. In the meantime those who received God’s grace must show a life set apart to God by their good deeds.

The Epistle of Philemon

Depicts Jesus as Intercessor, Substitute, Forgiver, and Advocate.  Although Onesimus was guilty of a great offense, Paul’s advocacy before Philemon, (Onesimus master) is parallel to Christ work of mediation before the Father on our behalf

In the Book of Hebrews

We can see the development of the following themes as applied to Jesus: perfection, superiority, compassion, sacrifice.  The author shows Jesus as the one who is better than the angels, for even the angels worship Him. He is superior to Moses for He created him. His priesthood order is greater than the Aaronic priesthood for His sacrifice was offered once and for all, and He cut a better covenant than the law for He mediated a covenant of grace based on his perfect attributes.

In the book of James:

The following topics are explored: the coming of the Lord, Christ the teacher and the pastor, God’s wisdom, and the power of prayer.  Seeing that in the time of James, the believers thought that the coming of the Lord was at end and persecution of Christians was fierce, James’ letter deals with the coming of the Lord, and encouraged Christians to stay fast in their faith and live a holy life with wisdom, faith and joy, for the crown of life is reserved to those who will endure to the end.

First Peter:

Peter presents Jesus as the manifestation of God’s Love, as our hope and redemption, our healer, and the overseer and guardian of our soul, and as the Great Shepherd.  The following sentence typified his letter to the believers of the Diaspora under persecution: “Jesus’ death provided redemption for all who trust in Him, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes we are healed”.  Peter also lifted up Christ as the Overseer and Great Shepherd of all believers and of all the churches.

In second Peter: His glory, His power, His rewards

Peter shows Jesus as he source of full knowledge and power for spiritual maturity, he also recalls the glory of Jesus‘ transfiguration on the holy mountain.  As an eyewitness, he should know for he was there to live this glorious experience. While reflecting on that unforgettable experience Peter however point out to the believers that the Scriptures as a source of greater assurance . In his letter, Peter anticipates the Lord’s glorious return to earth rewarding those who kept the faith.

1^st John:

The major themes found in this epistle are Love, Christ our Advocate, the deity of the Lord , the true anointing, and righteousness as a must for believers in Christ.  John was another one who was a witness of Jesus’ life and ministry, as well as to his transfiguration. He encourages the persecuted believers by telling them of the love of God for them and reminds them of Jesus’ present ministry among them.  The savior’s blood continually cleanses us from all sins and He is our righteous Advocate before the father. John also make mention of him as the means of eternal life and as the true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

2John:  Love, mediator

Firstly, John insisted for the believers to keep Christ’s commandment to walk in love. Secondly, he expresses his desire for them to know that the Jesus he knew had flesh and blood and bones, and not to listen to false Antichrist messengers. John finally warns about not loosing the fruit of our labor by keeping steadfast in the doctrines of Christ to maintain our fellowship with God.

3John:  Missionary, model

Jesus is the means and motivation for taking the good news to the world. Mission work is important to God and believer should not hesitate to provide necessary funds and provisions to missionaries. In addition one should serve with humility and love, not looking for selfish interests and human praise, but sincerely desiring to meet the need of those who will benefit from our ministry and help.

Jude: mercy, keeper, love, Pastor

Jude encourages the believers to build themselves up in the faith and to keep themselves in the love of God.  The key is to keep looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life for He is the one who can preserve us and keep us

Revelation .  The coming Supreme Judge

This book ends the story of Jesus Christ and of the salvation of man by grace through faith, which began in Genesis, the first book of the bible. Revelation as the last book of Scripture shows the fulfillment and triumph of God’s purpose conceived before the foundation of the world.  John reveals in this book, that Jesus Christ, the posterity of the woman, is the same one who will return in power to judge His enemies, be it angelic, demonic, or human.  He shall reign on earth as Lord over all nations for a millennium, and turn his reign to his Father, so that God the Father may be all in all for ever (1Cor.15:28).

Mrs Armante Ledain is married to Roland Ledain and they are parents of five children: Ricardo, Sylvie, Rolanda, Raynaldi, and Roudy.

A Christian Disciple as we know, simply defined, is one who follows, observes and applies the discipline and doctrines of Jesus Christ…-Therefore, a Disciple Of Christ patterns his/her life after Christ’s.  A Christian or Disciple Of Christ is committed to live like Jesus lived. Though many words would be just as fitting as the word Forgiveness when referring to the life of Christ, (words such as Love, Mercy, Compassion, Meekness, Longsuffering, etc.) however, we will focus on one aspect of the life of a disciple, we will zero in on forgiveness.

Why Forgiveness?

As I was lead to understand it, because, through its very root: GIVE, forgiveness connects us directly to GOD, whom we know as the Giver par excellence:

John 3:16
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] GAVE UP His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (AMP)

Therefore, had not God given, we would have nothing to receive, but thanks be to God He did give Jesus, and since, the PATH to God, or Jesus, has been made available to all who would accept/receive HIM.

In HIS GIVING of HIS unique son, God has taught us the great importance of GIVING, and with JESUS, the Gift, we were FORGIVEN of our sins, which kept us alienated from God,  the very source of our being.

In Daniel 9, we see the benefits of forgiveness:

Daniel 9:13
Just as it is written in the Law of Moses as to all this evil [that would surely come upon transgressors], so it has come upon us. Yet we have not earnestly begged for forgiveness and entreated the favor of the Lord our God that we might turn from our iniquities and have understanding and become wise in Your truth.

As said earlier, God is the giver par excellence, He is willing to bless us, and in this scripture we see that when we repent from evil and ask God for forgiveness, we release God’s favor/God’s ability on our behalf, so we are able to turn away from our evil ways, and subsequently receive God’s understanding and His wisdom, which leads us into HIS truth – and God’s truth is Jesus, the Word or God’s promises for us.

When we forgive those, specifically Christians, who have trespassed against us, those that have done us wrong, we also release them into God’s forgiveness and therefore open the way for them to also benefit from God’s favors and blessings.  It follows that in this scenario the whole body of Christ is blessed, for if one is blessed, all are blessed, conversely, if one is cursed, all are cursed for there is one body (1Cor.12)