No More Sacrifice is Needed - - Jesus Paid it All

 

 

Our Bible Study Teacher, Linda was teaching from 1 Peter chapter 3.  I took notes and gathered here an edited message.

 

1 Peter 3:18-22 (NIV)   For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Jesus was our sacrifice “Once” for our sins to bring us to God.  He was put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Holy Spirit.  (His body died like we all will do.  Our new body awaits us.)

Jesus is IN US by the Holy Spirit and we are to do the works that He did.  We remember his words in - - Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

Jesus has given us authority over evil spirits including depression and condemnation.  You have the power to rebuke and declare that these spirits must leave and not return.

What was Jesus doing prior to appearing to the disciples, after his resurrection?   

Remember that his words to the thief were: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

 

Jesus went to the grave –(the place of the dead) and opened up Paradise (enlarging Hell) as he proclaimed to the Old Testament Saints that HE was the final sacrifice and He is the Messiah they had longed for.  At His resurrection, Jesus took Paradise and the Old Testament saints with him to heaven - - when He ascended to the Father to present his blood to God the Father; showing that He had completed the final sacrifice bringing us Salvation and everlasting life.

 

 

1 Peter 1:19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

Ephesians4:8,9  "Now that he (Christ) ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth...Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he (Christ) lead captivity captive (those in Paradise to Heaven), and gave gifts unto men."

Matthew 27: 52-53  Many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Peter declares Noah’s ark and the water was a symbol of baptism and a testimony that we are dead to our old life, buried with Jesus and resurrected to live a new life IN HIM.  We are saved by receiving Jesus into our life, and baptism is a testimony in obedience to that truth.  Baptism does NOT save us, but if at all possible it is something we should do.  We are reminded that the good thief on the cross did not have time to be baptized, yet Jesus declared that the thief would be saved that day.

1 Peter 1 20-21 In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Jesus commanded us to go forth and use His authority; knowing that we would be ridiculed and persecuted, but He told us - - in Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  

There is so much more power available to us if we will submit to a Holy Life, walking uprightly as we listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.   

Make this proclamation that Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:19-23   And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. ²² And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 

Understand that we can declare that all things are under our feet.  The enemy shutters at this realization that Christ Jesus in IN YOU and you are IN HIM.