IF YOU ARE A YOUNG PERSON, YOU MAY NOT KNOW WHAT A WITNESS IS. A WITNESS IS SOMEONE THAT HAS SEEN SOMETHING, OR HEARD SOMETHING, OR KNOWS SOMETHING TO BE A FACT. WHEN A PERSON GOES INTO COURT TO BE A WITNESS, BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO TESTIFY, THEY MUST MAKE A DECLARATION THAT THEY WILL EITHER SWEAR, OR AFFIRM, THAT THEY WILL TELL THE TRUTH, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY. WHY MUST THEY SWEAR OR AFFIRM? ACCORDING TO LAW, EVERY WORD THAT A PERSON SPEAKS, NOT UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, IS PRESUMED TO BE A LIE. THERE ARE MEN THAT ARE TESTIFYING CONCERNING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AND THERE TESTIMONY IS TRUE. BUT THERE ARE MULTITUDE, MULTITUDES OF MEN THAT ARE TESTIFYING CONCERNING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES THAT ARE FALSE WITNESSES. FOR A PERSON TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, HE MUST BE A CHILD OF GOD, CHOSEN OF GOD, ORDAINED OF GOD. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF A EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR GOD.

Jn:1:6: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Jn:1:7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

Jn:1:8: He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Jn:1:9: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world

CHILDREN OF LIGHT, FOR A MAN TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST HE MUST BE A CHILD OF GOD, CHOSEN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, PREDESTINATED TO BE ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD. LISTEN AS THE LORD SPEAKS TO JEREMIAH, ABOUT HIS ELECTION, AND PREDESTINATION.

Jer:1:4: Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

Jer:1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jer:1:6: Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Jer:1:7: But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Jer:1:8: Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

LISTEN CAREFULLY CHILDREN OF GOD, FOR A PERSON TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST, THEY MUST BE A CHILD OF GOD, PREDESTINATED TO BE ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. FOR IT IS ONLY THE PREDESTINATED THAT SHALL BE SAVED. BECAUSE IT IS ONLY THE PREDESTINATED THAT SHALL BE ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.

Eph:1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Eph:1:4: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph:1:5: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

LITTLE CHILDREN, GOD HAS PLANNED IN LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN SO THAT ALL THINGS WORKS TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD. ALL, LET ME REPEAT, "ALL" WHOM GOD FOREKNEW HE DID PREDESTINATE. AND WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLS, AND WHOM HE CALLS, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIES, AND WHOM HE ALSO JUSTIFIES THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIES.

Rom:8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom:8:29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom:8:30: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Rom:8:31: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

BELOVED THERE ARE MULTITUDES OF MEN THAT DO NOT BELIEVE IN PREDESTINATION. FOR A LONG TIME THAT BOTHERED ME; FOR THE BIBLE IS SO CLEAR ON THIS SUBJECT. BUT, NOW IF A PERSON DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION, I SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT HE, OR SHE, IS PROBABLY NOT PREDESTINATED. COME INTO THIS KNOWLEDGE CHILDREN OF GOD, IT IS NOT MAN THAT CHOOSES GOD, IT IS GOD THAT CHOOSES MAN. AS CHRIST JESUS CHOSE THE APOSTLE PAUL. LISTEN AS I READ THE CONVERSATION THAT GOD HAD WITH ANANIAS, CONCERNING THE APOSTLE PAUL, AND HIS CONVERSION. IN THESE VERSES OF SCRIPTURE THE LORD IS SPEAKING TO ANANIAS,

Acts:9:11: And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Acts:9:12: And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Acts:9:13: Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Acts:9:14: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Acts:9:15: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Acts:9:16: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Acts:9:17: And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

SAINTS OF GOD, FOR A MAN TO BE A WITNESS, AND EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, HE MUST REPENT, HE MUST BE BORN OF WATER, AND THE SPIRIT. WHY MUST A PERSON BE BORN OF WATER, BAPTISED? I KNOW ONLY ONE WAY TO GET INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND THAT IS THROUGH THE WATER OF BAPTISM. WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTISED HIS SINS ARE REMITTED, AND HE IS TRANSLATED OUT OF THE WORLD, AND INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND HE COMES INTO THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. NOW CONCERNING BEING BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST.

Gal:3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV)

NOW CONCERNING THE REMITTING OF SIN.

Acts:2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)

BELOVED OF GOD, FOR A PERSON TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST, HE MUST HAVE HEARD SOMETHING, SEEN SOMETHING, OR KNOW SOMETHING TO BE A FACT. HE MUST BE A CHILD OF GOD, PREDESTINATED TO WALK THE STREET OF GOLD, HE MUST HAVE BEEN BORN OF THE WATER, BAPTIZED. AND, BORN OF THE SPIRIT, HAVING RECEIVED THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST. THE EFFECTIVE WITNESS MUST BE A GOD FEARING MAN, READY TO TESTIFY OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND INNOCENTS, OF JESUS CHRIST IN SEASON, AND OUT OF SEASON. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I MEAN. THERE WERE TWO THIEVES CRUCIFIED WITH JESUS. ONE WAS A GOD FEARING MAN. LISTEN AS HE TESTIFIES.

Lk:23:39: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Lk:23:40: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Lk:23:41: And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Lk:23:42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

I BELIEVE THAT THE THIEF THAT CHRIST TOOK TO PARADISE WITH HIM WAS A GOD FEARING MAN, A MAN THAT TESTIFIED TO THE INNOCENT OF CHRIST JESUS WITH THESE WORDS.

Lk:23:40: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Lk:23:41: And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

I BELIEVE THAT HE HAD BEEN BORN OF THE SPIRIT BECAUSE, NO MAN CAN CALL JESUS LORD EXCEPT IT BE BY THE HOLY GHOST. THE THIEF THAT CHRIST TOOK TO PARADISE CALLED JESUS LORD.

1Cor:12:3: Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (KJV)

I BELIEVE THAT THE THIEF THAT CHRIST TOOK TO PARADISE WAS A PRAYING MAN BECAUSE HE PRAYED THIS PRAYER.

Lk:23:42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

I BELIEVE THAT THE MAN THAT CHRIST TOOK TO PARADISE WAS A MAN OF FAITH, BECAUSE HE SPOKE OF A KINGDOM THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN. I BELIEVE THAT HE WAS SAVED BECAUSE OF GRACE, PREDESTINATION, FAITH, HIS TESTIMONY, AND BECAUSE HE WAS A CHILD OF GOD AND EVEN THOUGH HE WAS IN GREAT PAIN, GAVE A GOOD EFFECTIVE TESTIMONY FOR CHRIST. I BELIEVE THAT THE THIEF THAT CHRIST TOOK TO PARADISE WITH HIM WAS BORN OF WATER, AND THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE OF THESE WORDS THAT CHRIST SPOKE.

Lk:23:43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

I BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD OF GOD THAT WAS CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, WAS BORN OF WATER, BAPTIZED, AND BORN OF THE SPIRIT, FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST. BECAUSE OF THESE WORDS THAT CHRIST SPOKE. "TO DAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE." I BELIEVE THAT PARADISE IS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND NO MAN CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. EXCEPT HE BE BORN OF WATER, AND THE SPIRIT.

Jn:3:5: Jesus answered, 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. (KJV)

FOR A PERSON TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, HE MUST BE A CHILD OF GOD, HE MUST HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. PREDESTNATED TO BE ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD. TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS HE MUST BE BORN OF WATER, AND THE SPIRIT. HE MUST TESTIFY. WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS SINS ARE REMITTED, AND HE IS TRANSLATED OUT OF THE WORLD, AND INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST. WHEN HE RECEIVES THE WASHING OF REGENERATION AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST, LOVE COMES, FOR GOD IS LOVE.

1Jn:4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (KJV)

WHEN A PERSON RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST, THE KINGDOM OF GOD COMES TO DWELL WITHIN THAT PERSON. FOR WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST.

WHEN A PERSON RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST, THE ANOINTING COMES TO DWELL WITHIN A PERSON, AND THAT ANOINTING TEACHES US, AND BRINGS US INTO ALL TRUTH.

1Jn:2:27: But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (KJV)

WHEN THE HOLY GHOST COMES TO DWELL WITHIN A PERSON, POWER COMES TO DWELL WITHIN THAT PERSON. THE POWER TO PREACH, OR TEACH, OR WITNESS, OR WHATSOEVER THE LORD CALLS A PERSON TO DO.

Acts:1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (KJV)

BUT THE MOST WONDERFUL POWER THAT COMES TO DWELL WITHIN, IS THE POWER TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. THE POWER TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. WE AS CHRISTIANS GIVE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS BY THE WAY THAT WE LIVE. WHEN YOU WILL NOT DRINK WITH THE DRUNKARDS, NOR CURSE, WITH THE CURSORS YOU GIVE A GREAT TESTIMONY THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. WHEN YOU GET YOUR BIBLE AND HEAD TOWARD THE CHURCH, THOSE SCRIPTURES THAT YOU CARRY WITNESS TO THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. WHEN YOU TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED, TESTIFIES TO THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.

1Jn:3:1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

1Jn:3:2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1Jn:3:3: And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1Jn:3:4: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

1Jn:3:5: And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1Jn:3:6: Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1Jn:3:7: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1Jn:3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1Jn:3:9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1Jn:3:10: In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

THERE ARE MEN THAT PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIANS, THAT ARE SPIRITUALLY POWERLESS. THEY BLESS THE TWO SPECIES OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, AND SAY THERE IS NO CHANGE COMES OVER THE SUBSTANCE. THEY BAPTIZE A MAN AND SAY BEFORE THEY BAPTIZE HIM THAT HE IS A DRY SINNER, AND AFTER THEY BAPTIZE HIM, THE ONLY CHANGE IS HE IS A WET SINNER. THEY STATE PLAINLY THAT THEY CANNOT LIVE ABOVE SIN. THEY ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO TRANSGRESS THE LAWS OF GOD, BY HAVING THEM SPEAK IN CHURCH. THEY ENCOURAGE THE WOMEN TO TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD BY SAYING THEIR HAIR IS A COVERING WHEN THEY PRAY. ALL THESE THINGS COME FROM A CARNAL MIND.