© 04 Colin Melbourne
A Christian Perspective on Halloween
West Coast ‘witches‘ and pretend Pagans attempt to convince you that Halloween is innocent fun, and even claim it has a Christian origin. ‘What harm is there in dressing up as witches and enjoying a party?’ they ask.
© 98 Colin Melbourne
Smith Wigglesworth was born of humble circumstances in 1859 at the hamlet of Menston, Yorkshire, England, during the reign of Queen Victoria.
He grew up as a farm labourer, picking turnips whilst a boy, and only learned to read and write after reaching adulthood. His Grandmother led him to Christ in a Primitive Methodist fellowship when he was eight years old. Primitive Methodists were noted for their free, loud, and lively worship.
© 18 Colin Melbourne
Q: Female circumcision is in the news a lot today described as female genital mutilation, or FGM, why is that? Do Muslims circumcise like Jews? I know they practise male circumcision, but do they really circumcise baby girls?
© 25 Colin Melbourne
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
© 22 Colin Melbourne
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Cor. 13:5 KJV
© 15 Colin Melbourne
At my request, the Publisher kindly supplied a review copy free of charge, without obligation, or reward.
© 24 Colin Melbourne
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
© 15 Colin Melbourne
Q: Why do you say that those who commit suicide are self-murderers? Neil
A: Because that is the truth about suicide.
Intentionally killing yourself has always been termed self-murder, the word “suicide” only became fashionable since the 18th. century.
© 03 Colin Melbourne
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Holy Bible, Jn. 3:5 KJV
The speaker is Almighty God in the Flesh, the LORD Jesus Christ. Since He is the Judge of the living and the dead, the One to whom each of us must give account, it is vital we attend to His word, believe it, and obey it.
© 16 Colin Melbourne
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
© 25 Colin Melbourne
Is being ONE with HIM through heart-faith in the Precious Blood of Christ the LORD.
Holy Bible, 1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV;
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
© 20 Colin Melbourne
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
John 17:21-23 KJV
© 19 Colin Melbourne
Q: What do you make of Pope Francis appealing to Evangelicals and Pentecostals to join the Ecumenical Movement?
A: You refer to the alarming Kenneth Copeland convention of 2014, where Anglican Episcoplaian Tony Palmer (since deceased) spoke of meeting Pope Francis informally, and the Pope sent him to the convention with a video message embracing “Charismatic” Catholics, indicating that they were “the future of the Roman Catholic church”, and encouraging unity with evangelical, charismatic, and pentecostal leaders.
© 25 Colin Melbourne
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Luke 10:25-37 KJV
© 01 Colin Melbourne
Read Part One first
Acknowledgement: The author is indebted to the inspirational writings of Dr. T.L. Osborn, E.W. Kenyon and F.F. Bosworth that provide a wealth of Scriptural revelation on Christ’s redemption, and were essential in the compilation of this article
Even if a thousand unbelieving preachers teach it may not be God’s will to heal you, remember God’s Healing Covenant, it includes you.
I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Holy Bible, Exodus 15:26 KJV
When you have faith in God’s promises, you can be healed and remain healthy.
© 25 Colin Melbourne
To hammer home the basic bible truth that our Creator’s mercy endures for ever, He repeats it 26 times in Psalm 136 alone, Ps. 136:1-26 KJV;
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
© 17 Colin Melbourne
Q: You write of 1 Pe. 2:24 “…by whose stripes ye were healed” to mean physical healing, whereas I have always understood it as symbolic of Christ healing our wounded souls. After all, it’s a quote from Isaiah 53 which speaks allegorically of the lost as sheep gone astray. Am I missing something?
A: Lovely question! There will be joy in your heart when you discover the answer.
Ask the LORD to open your spiritual eyes to perceive what He wants you to see in this scripture.
© 19 Colin Melbourne
Q: Is there a difference between believing on, and believing IN Him?
A: The phrase; believing ON, is primarily used in reference to sinners repenting of unbelief and believing on The LORD Jesus Christ.
© 12 Colin Melbourne
The Holy Spirit relates this incident three times in the Gospels because it teaches us so much about salvation. Please read it in Mtt. 19:16-30, Mk. 10:17-27, and Lk. 18:18-30 asking the LORD to open your eyes.
© 22 Colin Melbourne
Q: What’s the difference between faith and repentance?
A: That’s a very perceptive question!
In practical, and scriptural, terms there’s little difference, because bible faith is an action, not mere mental assent, and repentance without a corresponding change in action constitutes hypocrisy.