Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. As Peter and John are referenced here, ignorance was not about scriptural understanding but about the religious authority of these leaders and their right to impose governance upon the truth about the healing of this man, crippled from birth, and now exerting an ability to do what, for his whole life, he could not. It presented a situation they were unsure of and revealed their ignorance of the power in Jesus’ name. The fact that they could not deny that a miracle occurred meant that they could not explain it either, so they sought to impose their authority on Peter and John, thus profiting from their religiously appointed positions.
Rom 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. Paul spoke to the Jews, who were not ignorant of who God was but of righteousness and faith in Christ and its impact on a whole nation He has chosen to save through the Messiah, His Son. Thus, as hard as Israel tried to present righteousness before Him, it was without faith in the one who made them righteous.
Rom 1:11-15 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Paul’s inference of ignorance in the above and below scriptures is not in line with previous religious authority, but with God’s will regarding believers and a statement about an opportunity to minister about the spiritual gifts he details in verses 4–11 of 1 Cor. 12. However, for the believer there are scriptures that confirm ignorance is not to be a stature they hold regarding spiritual matters.
1 Cor 12:1-3 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 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. These verses reveal the importance of truth in a believer’s life, suggesting that the Holy Spirit will manifest certain gifts through a supernatural venue. Today, there is way too much Scriptural ignorance about the Father’s intent and concern for His offspring operating gifts on this earth. This reveals an astounding lack of maturity when He and His words never change, only the level of ignorance of the truth.
2 Pet 3:3-5, 8 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water/ 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Where ignorance abides, faith does not abide; thus, there will be a denial of truth, revealing that evil intents may be lurking about. But Peter reveals ignorance of creation, as seen in the book of Genesis, and emphasizes that time is irrelevant to God and that the word is the only truth humanity needs. Ignorance opposes knowledge of the truth; it’s like a plague of injustice by an enemy without power.
1 John 1:10 If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. Those who aspire to prosper by a religious authority reveal that having power over God’s children is preferred over their knowing the truth. God is merciful and instructs Christians to be free of guilt and shame in the face of judgment. On the contrary, ignorance subscribes to innocence, bolding that truth doesn’t exist.
Leviticus 4:13 (MSG) “If the whole congregation sins unintentionally (through ignorance) by straying from one of the commandments of GOD that must not be broken, they become guilty even though no one is aware of it. I know we are not under the law today, but Jesus fulfilled it at the cross, so it must be respected by the one who gave it. Ignorance is not the truth nor a protector of innocence. Consider this: God did not get hysterical concerning humanity’s former ignorance, seeing Him as just another idol to worship. Acts 17:29-31 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Scripture refers to Jesus as the Christ, so there is reason to believe that righteousness is an ordained stature of anyone who is God’s offspring. Yet many within denominations authoritatively present themselves as such, often just egos seeking praise; it is an abuse of a believer’s rights, as every child of God in His sight has been fully redeemed in Christ. God’s offspring hold a position or statute that is holy and without blame, one He chose for them to be in before the foundations of this world were framed. Eph 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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:
Chosen in the previous verse is not the same as selecting a pink blouse over a blue one; here, it carries His authority by a spiritual legality, founded and empowered by God Himself. Believers that are ignorant of this truth often settle for a state of mediocre faith that is appeased by the void of knowing they have such a status. 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; As revealed, He regards believers as His faithful lineage and intends to lay out the truth so that all His creation has faith in Him. However, the faith He gives to everyone is born of the truth He reveals through the Holy Spirit, rather than of denominational doctrines or religious groups.
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Something to note here: If your eye of faith does not see those verses before it sees the denomination or religious organization you attend to, then your faith is through a systemic spirit of mediocrity and not the word.
When it comes to who a believer is and the inheritance each has, all must understand that everything is in Jesus Christ, revealed in scripture, and that it liberates them from the control of religious profiteers who keep them in the dark. The truth is a path enlightened for your spiritual empowerment by faith. 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
I must imply that when truth is not known, it means the natural glory of your salvation is by those who profit religiously from you accepting a declaration they declare for you, and not one proclaimed or affirmed by the Holy Spirit in you. 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard testimony by Christians who are wrapped around a denominational or religious tenet to maintain their faith. The most notable are the statutes upheld by the Roman Catholic Church, which confer holiness on a papal authority, contrary to the fact that all believers are holy and none holds reverence above another. Nowhere in scripture is your status as an offspring of God to be delegated to submit to such a religious hierarchy, rather only to the headship of Jesus Christ, your Lord, and unto the Father as God over all creation, all relevant to the Holy Spirit’s presence and revealing of the truth.
In terms of ignorance within the churches, you must spend time discovering what God says to you, as revealed by the one who wrote it, the Holy Spirit. The reality is you find out who you are and why you are to prosper (spiritually) as one of those whom Jesus has made a son or daughter of the Father and joint heir in the promises of God. All Christ’s siblings are rightly situated to exercise His dominion and fulfill an eternal promise He made accessible to all. And remember, rebuke ignorance for the sake of the truth He sacrificed to ensure you would know it.
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