SNT 1244 The Words of This Life
The Words of This Life
September 16, 1984
SNT 1244
Format: audio
Publication Date: 09-16-1984
Victor Paul Wierwille was a Bible scholar and teacher for over four decades.
By means of Dr. Wierwille's dynamic teaching of the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, foundational class and advanced class graduates of Power for Abundant Living have learned that the one great requirement for every student of the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Thus, his presentation of the Word of God was designed for students who desire the in-depth-accuracy of God’s Word.
In his many years of research, Dr. Wierwille studied with such men as Karl Barth, E. Stanley Jones, Glenn Clark, Bishop K.C. Pillai, and George M. Lamsa. His formal training included Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Mission House (Lakeland) College and Seminary. He studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he received a Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed his work for the Doctor of Theology degree.
Dr. Wierwille taught the first class on Power for Abundant Living in 1953.
Books by Dr. Wierwille include: Are the Dead Alive Now? published in 1971; Receiving the Holy Spirit Today published in 1972; five volumes of Studies in Abundant Living— The Bible Tells Me So (1971), The New, Dynamic Church (1971), The Word's Way (1971), God's Magnified Word (1977), Order My Steps in Thy Word (1985); Jesus Christ Is Not God (1975); Jesus Christ Our Passover (1980); and Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (1982).
Dr. Wierwille researched God's Word, taught, wrote, and traveled worldwide, holding forth the accuracy of God's "wonderful, matchless" Word.
All That I Am - Branded
Everytime - Vivian Epstein
The Only Thing Worth Believing - Brian Bliss
Reach Out & Give Him Your Heart - Branded
Act 5:1-5
Act 5:6-21; 2Pe 1:19 (Dr. says 2Ti 1:19); Act 5:24-42
1Pe 1:3-5; 2Pe 1:4-9; Lev 17:11; Heb 9:9, 11-14; 10:1, 2, 22, 24; 1Jo 1:7, 9; Eph 2:10; 4:24
What A Change You've Made in My Heart - Brian Bliss & Branded
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The Words of This Life
Victor Paul Wierwille
– Sunday Night Teaching Transcript –
September 16, 1984
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the greatness of your love and grace and mercy and goodness to us. Thank you for the wonderful privilege of working your Word, and blessing the hearts and lives of your wonderful people. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen and God Bless.
Take your Bibles and turn to the book of Acts, please.
Tonight, I’d like to share with you on the subject of the words of this life. If we could have all heard and believed what we heard in the manifestations, I wouldn’t have to teach tonight. It was all covered in the manifestations.
The book of Acts is a history of the rise and the expansion of the Christian church. Every time I read and study it, I always stand in utter amazement of the greatness of the revelation in that book. How little they knew, but how much they did! The vital experience of receiving God’s gift of holy spirit and speaking in tongues just electrified all of their action. In comparison, I see in so-called religious Christianity how much we know, but how little we do. Apparently, the greatness of the new birth and the receiving of holy spirit and speaking in tongues does not do as much for us as it did for the original apostles and disciples. It fails to have the great significance for us as it did for them. They were fearless. They were bold. And they shared everything above their need. And everywhere where they went, they preached the Word.
In comparison, our day of watered-down, diluted, religious Christianity has made born-again Christians like toys in the hands of the adversary. We have been crippled by an inferiority complex; and thus become failures and condemned in our own sight. Literally, the forgotten man of Christianity today is the born-again Christian. He lacks knowledge and understanding of the Word. He listens to, reads, believes the words of the religious radio, television and publications rather than the words of the Word.
By comparison, Acts 5 is a fantastic revelation. It is really mind-expanding. Ananias and Sapphira had lied to the apostles. Satan had filled their hearts to lie to the Holy Ghost, which is to God. Because, when they lied to Peter they lied to God.
In Acts chapter 5, verse 1 we read:
Acts 5:1-5: But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [singular]
And [he] kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy [conscious of it, knowledgeable of it], and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, [unto Ananias], why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own [your own]? and [even after you sold it, class, see that?] after it was sold was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost [that means he died]: and great fear [great reverence, great respect] came on all them that heard these things.
God did not kill Ananias, nor did Peter. But isn’t it remarkable the revelation Peter had, and that all this was so timely; so synchronized and meshed exactly with God’s foreknowledge, knowing that Satan would destroy both Ananias and Sapphira.
Look at verse 6:
Acts 5:6-11:
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit [the Holy Spirit is the text. Tempt God] of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear [reverence, respect] came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
This happening caused no small stir among the believers but, in contrast, it literally stirred up the ire and indignation of the religious leaders; the members of the Sanhedrin; the body of seven that ruled Judaism.
Look at verse 17:
Acts 5:17: Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
They were really teed off. The religious leaders of the Sanhedrin said: Just think of this brainwashing this new sect is doing. Peter getting all that property of Ananias and Sapphira and all that money for himself, and they’re growing by leaps and bounds. We’ve got to stop it before it gets out of control.
That’s why verse 18 says:
Acts 5:18: And laid their hands on the apostles [these are the religious leaders, the Sanhedrins, laid hands on the apostles], and put them in the common prison.
The word “common” is, in the public prison. It may be of interest, you know, to historically that the public prisons were never cleaned out. So men were thrown in there; they had to stand in the excretion of others, in water that would run in when it would rain. And that’s where they cast them.
The record in the Word of God, following the death of Ananias and Sapphira, states in verse 12:
Acts 5:12-16: And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord [unity of purpose] in Solomon's porch.
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
And [the] believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
There came also a multitude [a multitude also] out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them [that] which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The born-again believers, class, acting and believing in God, caused God to act.
Verse 19:
Acts 5:19: [The angel] But the angel of the Lord [the angel of the Lord is Gabriel here – the angel of the Lord] by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,…
The angel Gabriel of the Lord. The word “Lord” is the word Jehovah. And Rev. Martindale, this morning in the 10:30 fellowship again explained that. God as Elohim is the creator. God as Jehovah is the creator in relationship to those or that which He has created. And here it’s Gabriel, the angel of the Lord – to that which God had created in them on the Day of Pentecost. He came by night and he opened the prison doors and brought them forth. And he said,
Verse 20:
Acts 5:20: Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
He said: Go. That’s always the first criteria – is to act. To go is to act. The streetlight is green. Secondly, he said: Stand; don’t knuckle under. The criticism that was coming and all the accusation – sense, knowledge-wise, it would have been easy just to knuckle under. So, don’t knuckle under and don’t be afraid. But he said: Speak. Look at that again. “Go, stand and speak in the temple.” In the temple is a place where the people were collected. “… all the words of this life.” In other words, go take it to the people. Speak it to the people.
This, to me, is the beginning of word over the world. You go, you stand. You don’t knuckle under and you don’t get full of fear. And you speak to the people. Words of what? This life. Words of this life. Speak to the people words of this life. And the word “life” is zoe means, speak to the people about eternal life that has come. It interested me too that this angel was the one that spoke to the apostles. Because in 2 Peter 1:19 it says that we have a sure – “a more sure word of prophesy” than just an angel speaking. We have even a more sure word of prophesy.
But he said: Go speak to the people all the words of this life.
Now look at verse 25.
Acts 5:25: Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
That must have been a shock.
Acts 5:26-30: Then went the captain [of the temple] with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people [the multitudes of believers], lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Saying, Did not we [command you] straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and…
The word “slew” is laid hands on. Whom ye slew, because they didn’t slew him – they didn’t slay him and then hang him, they laid hands on him, put him in prison and kept him. And then they…
Acts 5:30-31: …hanged [him] on a tree.
Him hath God exalted [to] with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and [remission] forgiveness of sins.
Not forgiveness. Remission of sins is for the unsaved sinner. Forgiveness of sins is for the saved sinner.
Verse 32:
Acts 5:32-42: And we are his witnesses of these things [“things” is words, logos]; and so is also the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit], whom God hath given to them that obey him.
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and [they] took counsel to slay them.
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, [held] had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
And to him [Gamaliel] they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and [given them 39 lashes with the whip] beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and [they] let them go.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Again in verse 20, class:
Acts 5:20-21: Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple…
The word of the angel to them was the will of God. You and I have the written record of the revealed word of all the church epistles; that has to be the Word of God to us. They did not hesitate. They did exactly what the angel said. They entered in the temple early in the morning. And the word “early” is the word daybreak. They were there for the first hour of prayer. They started teaching at the first hour of prayer, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and… They then had some more problems.
But they obeyed what the angel said. They went forth. They stood. They spoke in the temple all the words of this life. The words of this life is a new order of grace. What they spoke was the new order of grace. Christ in you; the hope of glory. Eternal life. A new nature.
In 1 Peter – I want you to look this up – chapter 1. Hebrews, James, 1 Peter.
1 Peter 1:3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who] which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively [or living] hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through [believing] faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [at the return]
And also 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 4:
1 Peter 1:4: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,…
God’s divine nature – partakers. The words of this life is that new order of grace. Christ in you; eternal life. A new nature; divine nature; God’s nature.
1 Peter 1:4-9: … having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your [believing] faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [spiritual relationship with God – not religion]
And to [this spiritual relationship with God] godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren [useless] nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
The words of this life are so astoundingly real and so tremendous that most of us forget what a difference God has made in our lives by giving us His nature, by giving us eternal life, by giving us Christ in us, the hope of glory.
The words of this life are eternal. This was something new. Previously, they had been acclimatized words of defeat and death. But after the Day of Pentecost, here were words of life; not words of defeat or death, but words of life.
In Leviticus chapter 17. Please look at this. Leviticus 17, verse 11.
Leviticus 17:11: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement [The word “atonement” is a covering. To make a covering, an atonement] for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
A covering for the soul. This was Old Testament servants who loved God. But for those on the Day of Pentecost and today who have the words of this life, it is no longer an atonement, no longer a covering.
I want to show you this from Hebrews chapter 9, verse 9.
Hebrews 9:9: Which was a figure [of] the time…present [or the present time], in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices,…
It’s talking about what I just read to you from Leviticus.
Hebrews 9:9: …that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; [his habit pattern]
Verse 14. Well, we better read 11.
Hebrews 9:11-12: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
It’s no longer just a covering, it is a redemption.
Hebrews 9:13: For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Verse 14.
Hebrews 9:14: How much more [how much more] shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
In the Old Testament, for the servants of God the atonement was just a covering. But for those of us – for the words of this life – it is no longer a covering, it is a complete cleansing. Because we have a new nature. Having a new nature we have a new potential to love; a new potential to give. For we have the nature of God in Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Look at chapter 10, verse 1:
Hebrews 10:1-2: For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very [reality] image [the
very truth] of the things, [that] can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more [consciousness] conscience of sins.
What a tremendous truth. The law, the covering of the Old Testament could not purge them, so they no longer had a consciousness of sin. But the words of this life; the new order of grace – Christ in you; eternal life; a new nature – is that you no longer even have a consciousness of sin. It’s an internal cleansing, not an external covering.
Look at verse 22:
Hebrews 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith [of believing], having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
What a fantastic truth. Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. There is no consciousness of sin left. We are not servants of God, we are sons of God. We are not men and women defeated, but we are men and women who are more than conquerors; who have more than an abundant life.
Look at verse 24:
Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider one another to provoke [one another and to encourage one another] unto love and to good works:
In 1 John the epistle, chapter 1, look at this great record – verse 7:
1 John 1:7:
… if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another [with God through his son Jesus Christ], and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all [broken fellowship] sin.
Verse 9:
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins [our broken fellowship], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
So that, again, we have the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. People, the days and times of failure are past. We are no longer failures in our own sight; we’re no longer toys in the hand of the enemy. No longer crippled by our inferiority complex. We are sons and daughters of God’s love. We are a new genus God created.
Look at Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10:
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Go to chapter 4 of Ephesians, verse 24:
Ephesians 4:24: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We are strong and vigorous believers as we act upon His word in His righteousness that He has so graciously given us. And, people, this – at least in part – is that which is included in the words: go, stand, speak all the words of this life.
Father, I thank you for the joyful privilege of serving you. Thank you for being able to share the words of this life with your wonderful people here this night. And thank you for making this Word so living and real, and that all of us will know that we are more than conquerors. Through Christ Jesus, our living lord and our savior.
Amen and God bless.