Holiness is the separation of sin and worldly pursuits and the dedication to God and godly pursuits.

1Pet. 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

There is no neutral ground in the spirit realm.  You are either in God’s will or Satan’s will.  One is a Holy family, a royal priesthood.  The other is an unholy family, an unregenerate people.

Rom. 12:1   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

• προσεύχομαι:  To pray to God, supplicate, worship
• ἀδιαλείπτως:  uninterruptedly, without omission.

We should always strive to pray and worship our God without breaking the stream.  To give God honor and praise is to continually think on Him not only in our thoughts, but also in our actions.  What Paul was teaching is that everything in our lives should be Holy and pleasing to God.

When we are on the job or at school, we should do our work as if we were doing it for Jesus.  When we are at home, we should take care of our homes as if we were going to be entertaining Jesus this night.  In everything we do give thanks, and worship/pray without ceasing to give God the glory!

Jacob was 15 years old when his grandfather, Abraham died. Jacob was preparing a soup of rounded lentils for the seudat havra’ah. Esau, belligerent and not regarding tradition left for the fields going to and fro in them. Eventually tiring of his travels, Esau came back, saw his brother preparing the food for their grieving father and mother, expected Jacob to serve him for he was too tired to prepare anything for himself, and had no respect for the meal of mourning.

Esau proceeds to show his utter disregard for God and his denial of God’s power and authority by scorning his birthright. Genesis 25:34 record’s Esau’s contempt for his position and inheritance given by God. The Levital priesthood could be contrasted with Jacob as their role as priests started in this fashion as the people were given over to idolatry and worshipped the golden calf. Exodus 32:25-29 records the deeds of the sons of Levi and Numbers 8:18 records the inheritance they received when the firstborn of all of Israel failed to obey God’s vessel.

Enter a new covenant!

Jesus tells us the following statements:
Mar 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: The phrase ‘never forgiveness’ is translated from four Greek words which are ‘ou aphesis eis aion‘ which literally means ‘absolute negative, freedom, into, this age or world’. In other words, those who blaspheme (speak evil of or rebel against) the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) have their freedom (or figuratively birthright) taken away from them for the rest of this age.

Just as Esau rebelled against God and sold his birthright (or favor with God), disrespecting his family in the process, so to those who rebel against God in this age, attributing the works of God to the devil (glossolalia comes to mind) stands in judgment of losing their place as a royal priesthood called out by Christ Jesus (1Pe 2:9). What is the unforgivable sin? Simply denying God’s existence. To do that, we become hated by God as was Esau (Malachi 1:1-3; Romans 9:13). This of course means more than having a doubt as to God’s existence, but rather it means seeing the power of God, knowing God exists, but yet making the willful choice to turn our backs to God and curse Him. For that choice, one marks his or her own fate.

So here is what I define as an Apostolic Pentecostal. Some may lok at this list and think that I have cut and pasted most everything out of the United Pentecostal Church International’s (UPCI) statements of what they believe. That is not true however; I had these beliefs even before I knew that the church I attended in Okinawa Japan (The church I was baptized and received the Holy Ghost in) was a member church in the UPCI. Well, without further ado, here is what I mean when I talk about Apostolic Pentecostal, and what I base most of the articles on this blog about.

• A belief in one God and a denial of the Trinity as a false doctrine that has spread through the church like a viral infection
• Baptism by complete immersion invoking the name of Jesus during the baptism
• Baptism by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) with the evidence of speaking in an unknown tongue
• Living a holy lifestyle which includes:
• bridling the tongue (cussing excluded from vocabulary… learn new adjectives!)
• Dressing modestly to include skirts and dresses on women and full length pants on men
• Praying included in daily routine
• Devotional Bible reading
• Showing evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in your life

Well, as you can see, that is some of what I consider important in being defined as an Apostolic Pentecostal person. A devotion to God and His Word is paramount in being a Christian, and with the help of the Holy Ghost in your life, none of these things are impossible. In fact they are down right easy when you walk and talk them every day! This post is dedicated to Apostolics everywhere who believe and teach the same.

2Ki 2:2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 2Ki 2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 2Ki 2:4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 2Ki 2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 2Ki 2:6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 2Ki 2:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 2Ki 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 2Ki 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2Ki 2:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2Ki 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 2Ki 2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 2Ki 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

2Ki 2:1-14 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Please notice some things in the above scripture passage. Elijah, the master went with Elisha, the student. Not the other way around. This perplexed me for a moment. Why would the master go with a student, rather than a student going with the master. Sometimes a master must show his student and teach them. It is the responsibility of the master to guide his students and mentor them. It is not something to be taken lightly. The master must walk with his students, even when they sometimes go their own way. We’ve all heard of giving someone enough rope to hang themselves, however if the master chooses to walk with his disciples, he may be there at the exact moment necessary to prevent the student from hanging him or her self!

The second verse shows the dedication of the student. He was faithful in every detail, and wished to be a servant and learn from the feet of the prophet. When asked to stay and tarry in the city, Elisha instead opted to travel with his mentor to the house of God, or Beth-el. His desire was to learn as much as possible from this man of God.

Other sons of the prophets were around. They asked if Elisha knew that his teacher was to be taken away this day. They knew the voice of the Lord, yet they did not desire the inheritence that could have been passed down to them. They were content to do the same thing they did yesterday, toiling away in the house of God, not seeking a deeper relationship, or even desiring a fuller knowledge of God by walking with the elder prophet.

Three consecutive times, Elijah asked if Elisha would stay while Elijah followed the leading of God. Three consecutive times the faithful student said he would rather follow the elder and seek a deeper relationship… a double portion… of the prophet’s spirit.

Elijah answered and said you ask a hard thing. Not that it was to be a difficult study, or something that was going to be hard to obtain… Elijah was not giving himself props! He was simply saying that walking for God is sometimes not an easy thing, and it takes moral fortitude to be a sold out follower of God. If Elisha would follow and learn, he would be there when the mantle literally and symbolically fell to him.

Living for God is a daily event. Being a Christian is more than just proclaiming “Yeah, I’m a Christian” as if you were stating a political affiliation. It means blossoming in where God has planted you. Doing what your elder (Pastor) asks of you, and living in a relationship with Jesus. If you continue to walk with Jesus in your current status, you will be used of God in a mighty way to further his kingdom.

The sons of the prophets stood by from a distance to see Elisha get a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. His ministry increased while theirs remained stagnant. These people were sons of the prophets! They were the preacher’s kids! You would have though, thinking humanistically that they would have received the inheritance. They were the firstborn, the ones to whom the inheritance was due by birthright. However, God is interested in those who are sold out. Those who say… “I’m coming with you Jesus! Use me!”. You see God is interested in a daily relationship with YOU! Stay close by His side and work where you are planted. Work with your local pastor and support him and your local church.

The sons of the tribe of Levi decided that they needed to obey their leader Moses more than sitting idly by and partaking of the same thing that those around them did. Because of this, God elevated them to be spiritual leaders over the ones to whom the birthright was due.

James 1:8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. We as men should take note of this scripture and it’s warning. There are several things we can learn and apply to our daily walk with Jesus Christ.

Now, in all fairness, duplicity applies more to subterfuge and disguising the true intentions of the heart. Saying one thing or taking action in one area to hide the true motives. A good account of this is found in the Old Testament. In second Samuel chapter fifteen, Hushai was a friend to David. David asked Hushai to befriend and become a counsellor to Absalom in order that he may tell David what Absalom was doing and to buy David time when things did not go well, and Absalom was to come against David.

We as Christians should avoid duplicity and seek an honest report amongst the people we live among. Our testimonies are more than words, our action speak volumes about the kind of Christianity we represent.

We should seek to represent Christ and the doctrine that He taught to His disciples. No double-speak should enter into our heart when discussing or teaching the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. First and foremost should be the teaching of salvation. “What must I do to be saved”? This is a common question asked in this day and age by people seeking and desiring to know God and truth.

Many false teachers have arisen and would love to plant a questioning attitude in a new believer’s heart. Is baptism necessary for salvation? Was Jesus really born of a virgin? Is the bible correct historically? Does a new believer need to speak with other tongues or was it for a bygone generation? These are some of the seeds of doubt planted by false teachers. Satan used the same tactics when talking with Eve in the garden of Eden.

My suggestion to the born again Christian is to get out that bible and study it from cover to cover. Arm yourself with truth. Go to a truth preaching church and learn what God would speak to you through the preaching of the word. Become involved with your local congregation! Teach a bible study! You can do it! Be ready to give a witness, and be armed to fight the good fight!