The established criterion, the foundation stone, of Christianity is Holy Scripture, the revelation of the almighty and only living God-commonly called the "Holy Bible." When accepted by faith it opens to us revealing its secrets. Its content can be clearly understood, that is, if we pursue its use by the rules it sets down for us to follow for gaining an understanding of it. Many things so-called modern Christians say are confusing, sometimes misleading, and often make no sense at all-especially to the untaught or non-Christians. What does "You must be born again, mean?" What is being "filled with the spirit." Just as importantly, what do you really know about the creation and formation of the Christ's Church? What is the purpose behind it? Does it really make sense? Does knowing the accuracy of Holy Scripture make any difference? What is the believer's part in it? How should it affect believers-and unbelievers-all of humanity? What difference does it make anyway? "This is that ... the promise fulfilled," gives an account of the Church's founding, and the instruments God uses to maintain its viability, growth, and development for the benefit of humankind. It looks at what the Church is, and how it functions. It reveals who God is, how He relates to the Church, and where He is today. It examines the Old Testament prophecy of Joel (2:17-18) that says, "It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh." It focuses on the prophecy's fulfillment in the New Testament and discusses and how and why God created the Christian Church. Ignoring present theological concepts and denominational doctrines, it returns to the writings of the early church fathers, the language of ancient texts and various English translations and versions, in order to understand the Church's purpose and objectives in the framework of the time written. It follows each step in the process, until the promised gift of spirit became available "to all flesh (humankind)." It explains the difference between God, who is Spirit, and the indwelling gift of holy spirit, and the Scriptural difference in "baptism" and "filling" of holy spirit. It explains the gift's availability, tells why every living person needs it, and how anyone can acquire it. "This is that" is not a new approach to salvation and the spirit-filled life, it is a return to the Scriptural plan defined by the written word of God.
About the Author: Waitus Howard Starling is a septuagenarian Christian Minister. He writes short stories, articles on Christian subjects and life experience, and he is the author of numerous expositional and inspirational works. Expositions: A New and Eternal Beginning Worship - The More Excellent Way Jude-A Portrait of Christian Conflict The Epistle to the Romans-Exposition This is that ... Inspirational Aura of Love (Poetry) Spiritual Reflections (Poetry) Minister's Resource Manual The Place of Peaceable Rest The Quintessential Link The Times, the Seasons, and Eternity Tribute to A Thorn-a true story His father, an Evangelist, constantly traveled. He and his family made as many as three moves in one year. This provided Howard with many opportunities to view or participate in a variety of worship practices, across denominational lines. Mr. Starling enlisted in the United States Air Force just after he turned seventeen years old. There, he completed High School, and liberal arts courses from the United States Armed Forces Institute, through the Base Education Center's programs. After eight years of service during which he continued to educate himself, he entered full time ministry as an Evangelists and Pastor. He ministered to newly organized or problem congregations as an expositional homilist and pastor, and served in administrative capacities within the organizations he served. At the outset, he followed the religious path others set for him, but confusion erupted as he compared Holy Scripture with his ministry; that is, the worship methods, practices, and beliefs, propagated by renowned evangelists, pastors, his peers-and himself. This blatant disregard for the Biblical standard shocked and bewildered him at the outset, but he suppressed his alarm and continued his ministry until it overwhelmed him. After gathering the pieces of his life, and returning to basics, his Lord began moving him "toward a new and Biblically centered life and ministry." Howard determined to devote the remainder of his life to searching for Scriptural accuracy and passing his findings to responsive believers. Associating himself with believers of like faith, he has focused on a Bible teaching ministry as a pastor, and writer, for more than forty years. Many of his publications are available at Amazon.com, Kindle.com, and Createspace.com. He is also the author of the blog-posts at The Starline Journal.wordpress.com.