The Vine and the Branches

Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making wine, jam, juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, and grape seed oil. Grapes are a non-climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters. 

The health benefits of grapes include its ability to treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and prevention of cataract.

Why this fruit bearing trees was used as an example of Christ to explain our relationship with him? The vine and the branches are inseparable for without the vine the branches will not bring much fruit. Christ is the vine and we are the branches thus we can do nothing without him.

Jn 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The one leading the Apostles is Christ. The disciples duty is to follow him wherever he will go while preaching the gospel.

Lk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The obvious thruth is that, they can do nothing without him so it is but correct to say that John the Baptist and his disciples can not be credited of performing the baptism alone without Jesus.

Jn 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

Jn 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Even in the manner of preaching, the disciples were assured by Christ to be given a mouth and wisdom that can not be rejected by the listener.

 Lk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. 

 Lk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

The assurance of his presence in the preaching and in the baptism extend up to the end of the world.

Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

If Christ is with us always even up to the end of the world, he is therefore the one talking when the minister is preaching. If one can do nothing without Christ, no flesh can glory in his presence. Indeed Christ is the leader and head of the Church of God and we are the unprofitable followers and servants.

Spirit and Soul

What is spirit and what is soul? Many are really confused about the meaning of soul and spirit that sometimes they are interchangeably used over one another.

But what is the difference between the two?

Gen 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 soul.

Because a man is formed out of the dust of the ground and then become a living soul thus every living things has its own soul.

Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

God has its own soul that can be delighted by a holy servant.

Is 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

And did you noticed the spirit of God that goes with his servant? It is the spirit that can be transferred from one soul to another like the spirit of Elias to John the Baptist.

Lk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Lk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

This is a single spirit going into a single soul but this can go multiple.

Lk 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

And from seven spirits to a legion of spirits.

Lk 8:27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

Lk 8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

Lk 8:29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

Lk 8:30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

God like Jesus and angels are spirits which has no flesh and bones.

Lk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

And bad spirits makes us worst.

Mt 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Mt 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Mt 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

But worry not for we can have more than twelve legions of angels from our Father that can help and save us.

Mt 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?