Humble Yourself!

 

Philippians 2:5-11

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

These are some of the greatest scriptures in the bible! To really understand what God Himself did for His own creation is mind blowing! He caused a Virgin to be with child and formed a body for Himself to enter into His own creation as a human being! The Word was with God and the Word was God, and He became flesh and dwelt among us! Amazing!

Then as an adult man humbling Himself to wash His own disciples feet!

John 13:2-6

"And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

The disciples must have been in shock to see their Rabbi, kneeling down on the floor washing their dirty feet! Peter couldn't understand what was happening!

James 4:7-10

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

The scripture says HUMBLE YOURSELF! That means there is something you must conciously and willingly do in order for God to work in your life! Notice the scripture says humble yourself in the SIGHT of the Lord, not for people or to be seen as humble in their eyes! AFTER you humble yourself then the word says and HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!! That's an absolute, a guarantee of a blessing from God!

It's like when Jesus said, "Come Follow Me, AND I WILL make you fishers of men!"

Humility brings grace and the blessings of God upon your soul! 

Philippians 2:1-4

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

This is absolute true humility and love given to those in the body of Christ by the Spirit of God! This is not some piety of a sect or religious order, but the fruits of the Holy Spirit born in the hearts of true disciples of Jesus Christ, who desire to be like their Master!

Your life can be completely changed by God, IF you humble yourself in His sight.

The choice is yours!

In Christ,

Tyrone

Human Beings, Much More Than Flesh And Bones!

 

If human beings really understood who and what they really are, the world would be a very different place! 

Genesis 2:7

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

Human beings are composed of three things: Body, Soul, and Spirit.

God Almighty, who is an all knowing, all wise and all Powerful Spirit being, took dust from the ground and formed a man in His own image and likeness. This alone is absolutely supernatural, and shows how creative God is. The whole creation period, is a big display of the unlimited wisdom and power of God.

It's such a shame that so many of God's creation want nothing to do with the One who created them! 

On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus showed James, Peter, and John, what and who He really was!

Matthew 17:1-3

"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."

What an honor and a privilege it was for James, Peter, and John to see this glorious vision, and to have their eyes opened to see through the veil of flesh that covered The Word Himself, Emmanuel, The King of Glory!

Our bodies are just a shell, a covering, for our soul and spirit. When God breathed into the nostrils of the man He formed from the dust of the earth, that man turned from an inanimate creation, (like a statue) into a living being. He was now able to walk, talk, move around, think, feel and live! What a great and mighty God I serve! This is why Jesus said, "With God Nothing Is Impossible!"

God breathed a portion of Himself into Adam! Jesus who was God manifested in the flesh, when He walked upon this earth said, "I AM The Way, The Truth, and The LIFE!

The writer of Hebrews said this in 10:5-7

"Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ ”

Jesus also said that those who believe in Him will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of Life! And Jesus IS the LIGHT and LIFE!!!

John 8:12

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

It's so wonderful to know that we can have God Himself living within our souls by His Spirit, to sanctify our body, wash our soul, and renew our spirit, so that we can be like Adam was when he first  became a living being! 

1st Thessalonians 5:23

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit (Discerning of Spirits)

 

1st Corinthians 12:4-11

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

It's very sad to hear when some religious leaders say there is no more baptism with the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit have ceased. I wonder why they say that? Is it because they want to be in control of everything and exclude the workings of the Spirit of God in their congregations?

Are they afraid of evil spirits manifesting in their midst, and deceiving or possessing the people? I never read one scripture in the bible where God or Jesus was afraid of evil spirits manifesting, or His apostles either! 

We need to be able to discern what spirits are at work when people gather for any type of meeting, or worship service. How can you know what spirit is speaking through the pastor or religious leader without the gift of discerning of spirits? 

Satan himself could be walking in and out of people in a church service or anywhere else and you would never know it! You could be sitting right next to men or women who practice witchcraft and you wouldn't know it. We NEED all nine and more gifts of the Holy Spirit in these last days that we are living in now!

What does discernment mean? 

1: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning
2: an act of perceiving or discerning something

Christianity.com says of discernment:

Discernment is a gift of God that helps us identify right from wrong. It is the process of examining what is good and bad, what is truth and a lie, and what is better and best.

The gift of discerning spirits is:

The gift of discerning spirits is a supernatural gift, given by God's Holy Spirit that allows a person to see into the spirit realm and determine the source of a spiritual manifestation. This gift can reveal what spirits are inside and working through a person. It is also divine discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit and is used for knowledge and protection. It helps a believer to become "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16)

Don't you want to know what spirits are really working in your congregation? I know I do! Wouldn't you like to know what spirits are really influencing your pastor or leader? 

It's time to allow the Spirit of the Living God to reign over gatherings of believers, it's time to let the Holy Spirit lead the worship services, it's time to receive all the gifts of the Spirit so that the bride of Christ can be holy, unspotted, unblemished, and without wrinkle. 

Let the gifts of God's Spirit be given once more to each one as He wills, so we can all function in the fullness of God and the body of Christ!

In Jesus Name,

Tyrone

The Finger Of God! (Casting Out Evil Spirits)

 

When Jesus and His apostles commanded evil spirits to come out of people, they left quickly!

Acts 16:16-19

"Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities."

My goodness how much we need the power of the Holy Spirit operating in the body of Christ and the world today! 

What Paul did was no show, it wasn't some drawn out battle between good and evil for days and weeks, like you see in those exorcism movies or documentaries! Paul commanded the evil spirit to come out of the woman and it came out in the same hour! 

When Jesus, the Son of Almighty God cast out demons, they came out immediately!

Luke 4:31-37

"Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region."

Luke 11:4-20

"And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you."

When you see or hear about a days or weeks long battle to cast an evil spirit out of somebody you have to question whether or not they have the Spirit of God working through them!

When you need deliverance from evil spirits, call on Jesus! Ask Him to send you somebody truly filled with His power and His Holy Spirit, and when the demon is commanded to come out, and it comes out quickly, then you will know that the kingdom of God has come upon you!

In Christ,

Tyrone

Is God With You?

 

John 3:1-2

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Plain and simple, you will know when a man or woman is truly sent out into the world by God, when God Himself works signs and wonders through them. Emphasis is on 'through', because no man, in and of himself can perform any sign or miracle without God, period. Satan has power as well, but will he heal somebody? Raise people from the dead? Make the blind see? Heal paraplegics? I certainly don't believe so!

Nicodemus, the Pharisees, teachers of the law and all the surrounding cities knew that Jesus was a man of God, and they wanted so much to discredit Him, but they couldn't and they knew He was a teacher sent by God because NO ONE could do what Jesus did UNLESS GOD was with him, period! 

There are thousands of men and women who claim that God said this, God told them to tell you, etc.... Sunday after Sunday, sermon after sermon, talk after talk, and that's it, haven't we heard enough talk? Isn't it time to stop talking about God and truly experience God? Isn't it time that believers experience His presence, power, and His glory?

The Pharisees and Jews were amazed at the works Jesus was doing and wondered how the signs and wonders were being done through Him.

Matthew 13:53-57

"Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him."

Why were all of the signs, miracles. wonders, and mighty works being shown through Jesus? Because God was with Him!

So if you claim to speak for God, and you say God told me to tell you, or God sent me to your congregation, and there is no confirmation from God Himself of the words you speak, then how can the people know that God really sent you?

Moses asked God how will the people know that you sent me to them if you don't give me a sign.

Exodus 4:1-9

"Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ” So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Furthermore the Lord said to him, “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. And He said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.”

When God truly sends a man or a woman to speak for Him or to represent Him, there WILL be something supernatural happening to confirm that God did indeed send you, and the people will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is with you!

Peter the Lords apostle, told those who were gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost that Jesus was sent by God to help them and bring them salvation, but they didn't listen or believe!

Acts 2:22-24

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested (approved KJV) by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it."

Attested means:  attested (past tense) · attested (past participle, provide or serve as clear evidence of:

Approved means: accepted, pleasing, acceptable

Jesus also told His disciples to believe Him because of the works that were being done through Him.

John 14:9-11

"Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves."

So these scriptures clearly tell me that if the Spirit of Christ dwells within you, He Himself will do His supernatural works THROUGH you!  

Jesus said the same Himself!

John 14:12-14 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

God is not going to do any great work through you, if you are still in your flesh, walking by the flesh, sowing to please your flesh, and still carnal minded. No man, woman or child, can do anything supernatural by the flesh, period! 

Paul summed up all those who were speaking boastful words.

1st Corinthians 4:18-20

"Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power."

Paul's whole ministry is also summed up in these scriptures.

1st Corinthians 2:1-5

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

The above scriptures should sum up every single man or woman that get's up to speak for God, if you don't hear Jesus Christ and Him crucified preached, and you don't see a demonstration of the Spirit and power of God working through them, you have to ask them the question, IS GOD WITH YOU?

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Power From Heaven!

 

Jesus told His disciples before He ascended to Heaven to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, which is the outpouring of His Spirit and that they would be endued with power from on high.

Luke 24:49

"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

The New Testament books of the bible are filled with testimonies of the power of God, the supernatural displays of the Holy Spirit working in and through the lives of ordinary men and women who chose to answer the call of Jesus.

Without being empowered by the Spirit of God it is impossible to overcome your flesh, this world, and the adversary of all our souls, satan. We absolutely can not  live in this world as a disciple of Jesus, unless the Holy Spirit is indwelling your soul. There is just to much evil, sin, and gross darkness, to live without the Spirit's daily help, protection, and empowerment.

Jesus who understood the full scale of the spiritual battle we face everyday and He would never send His apostles into the world to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth without first being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them that He was going away but He would not leave them as orphans, but would come to them again through the Spirit of God.

John 14:15-18

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

Jesus is telling His disciples that although He was going to be crucified and His work on earth in physical form would be done, He Himself would come back to be with them through the Spirit of the Living God! The same Spirit that hovered over the face of the deep during the earth's creation, and the same Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary the mother of Jesus, and caused her to be impregnated with a child without ever being touched by a man!

This is why it's absolutely ludicrous to think that a momentous occasion like being baptized with the Holy Spirit, by the Lord Jesus Himself wouldn't be accompanied by supernatural signs, like speaking in other tongues and prophesying. 

John 14:23

"Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

How is it possible for Jesus and the Father to make their with a person? By entering into their soul through the Holy Spirit, the same way evil spirits can enter people and live IN them until they are cast out!

John 14:25

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

Again Jesus is talking about a supernatural event that would soon take place once He left the world and entered into Heaven, which is in another dimension by the way!

Once a soul is indwelt by the Spirit of God, Jesus say's plainly that HE WILL teach you ALL things, and even remind them of everything that Jesus said to them, which is completely supernatural and beyond our human limitations. Jesus is also saying that you will not need another human being to teach you about HIM!!!!

If believers would just read the bible for themselves and truly BELIEVE and apply what it says, they too would experience the power and supernatural works of God's Spirit in their lives!

1st John 2:26-27

"These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

John, the apostle of Jesus say's the same thing, when the Holy Spirit of God inhabits your soul, you will not need any man to teach you anything. A truly liberating and empowering truth!

Now you have some much needed context for Acts 1:4-5,8 and Acts 2:1-4

"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Have you received the Spirit since you believed? Have you received power from on high? 

Don't be deceived by men or women who don't want to lose their jobs as pastor's and ministry leaders, by preaching and teaching the truth of the bible!

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is truly a supernatural gift from God to those who obey Him and keep the commandments of Jesus. You too can be endued with Power from Heaven if you believe!

The Choice is Yours!

In Christ Jesus,

Tyrone

Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?

 

According to https://www.gordonconwell.edu/, there are about 2.6 billion Christians in this world and now over 8 billion people on this planet, and that equates to 32.5% of the earths population! So if all these people are really Christian, shouldn't we be seeing evidence of great unity, love, peace, health and prosperity? 

That's what we read in scripture isn't it? The disciples were all together and had everything in common, giving to each one who had need, eating together, serving together, loving each other, and holding to the teachings of the apostles, who were taught by Jesus Himself.

Acts 2:40-47

"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Why don't we see the signs and wonders being done by God amongst the people through His chosen vessels? Don't people still need healing and deliverance? Why don't we see the 2.6 billion believers together with ALL things in common? 

Let me tell you why! Because those believers are not being made disciples of Jesus and they are not being baptized with the Holy Spirit! If they were, then the whole world would be hearing about the great works of God every single day on CNN and every news network on the planet!

Anybody can say they are a Christian, but can you say I am a disciple of Jesus? I have been born from above by the Spirit of God and the Kingdom of God is within me? That's what Jesus said must and would happen to those who took up there cross and followed Him.

It's easy to say 'I'm a Christian', 'I believe in God', but it's extremely difficult to be a disciple of Jesus, to hate your life in this world, to deny yourself daily, and to come out of this world and be separate. That's what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. 

Luke 9:23

"Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

The word Disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master. (Merriam Webster)

Disciple: lit., "a learner" (from manthano, "to learn," from a root math--, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor), in contrast to didaskalos, "a teacher;" hence it denotes "one who follows one's teaching," as the "disciples" of John, Mat 9:14; of the Pharisees, Mat 22:16; of Moses, Jhn 9:28; it is used of the "disciples" of Jesus (Vines Expository Dictionary)

John 8:31-32

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

So you see, Jesus didn't make Christians, or those who follow Him, He called people and made them Disciples. Those who left everything behind and followed Him, those who changed their lifestyle, their old way of thinking about themselves, others, and the world. 

Christian: a word formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent of Jesus, was first applied to such by the Gentiles and is found in Act 11:26; 26:28; 1Pe 4:16.

Though the word rendered "were called" in Act 11:26 (see under CALL) might be used of a name adopted by oneself or given by others, the "Christians" do not seem to have adopted it for themselves in the times of the Apostles. In 1Pe 4:16, the Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the persecutor; cp. "as a thief," "as a murderer." Nor is it likely that the appellation was given by Jews. As applied by Gentiles there was no doubt an implication of scorn, as in Agrippa's statement in Act 26:28. Tacitus, writing near the end of the first century, says, "The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had, in the reign of Tiberius, been executed by the Procurator, Pontius Pilate" (Annals xv. 44). From the second century onward the term was accepted by believers as a title of honor. (Vines Expository Dictionary)

The International Church Of Christ was founded by Kip Mckean around 1979 to 1980, he was mentored by a man named Chuck Lucas who led a campus ministry with a vision of making disciples. The ICOC was an offshoot of the Church of Christ and at one point had a membership of 125,000. I myself was a member of the ICOC for a number of years and was baptized in water confessing Jesus as my Lord, but one vital thing was lacking, I was never baptized in the Holy Spirit! 

And therein lies the problem with anything started by man, they tend to leave out the supernatural part of being a disciple of Jesus. In the case of the ICOC, Kip Mckean believes the baptism of the Holy Spirit was only for the first century believers and the apostles, which is a cessantionist belief. And when you do something by the flesh, ultimately it will fail, but if it be of God, it will not be overthrown or overcome unless it's God's express will or to fulfill His word.

I have learned that being a Disciple of Jesus is very different from being a Christian, they are essentially two different words with different meanings. Which one are you? A Disciple or a Christian?

I am a Disciple.

Abiding In His Word,

Tyrone