The Message of the Cross

The Message of the Cross

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV)

What is the message of the cross? Simply put, it is the salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross for all mankind. What exactly is this salvation? To put it directly, it is "blood, water, and the Spirit," just as it is written, "For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." (1 John 5:8, NIV)

We can also say it this way: On the cross, the Lord Jesus gave us His life (blood – repentance, water – baptism, Holy Spirit – speaking in tongues).

The Lord Jesus is the Bridegroom who bestowed "blood, water, and the Spirit" upon the Bride as the betrothal gift. "Blood, water, and the Spirit" are the life of Jesus Christ. With "blood," He redeemed us, turning us from the dominion of the devil to God; with the truth (water), He builds up brothers and sisters, making them a glorious church without blemish; with the fire of the Holy Spirit, He refines the Bride to be holy, to be raptured to the Lamb's wedding feast in heaven.

Nailed to the Cross, Shedding Blood (Blood: Forgives human sins, redeems the church)

The Lord was nailed to the cross, redeeming the church with His own blood; "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." (Acts 20:28, NIV)

We were bought at a price by God, redeemed through the blood of His beloved Son, our offenses forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore, the first step in believing in Jesus is to confess and repent of our sins, asking for the Lord's precious blood to forgive our sins; and we must live holy lives, not sinning deliberately, but glorifying God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Blood and Water Flowed from His Side (Water: Cleanses the church with water through the word)

When Jesus died, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:34, NIV)

"...to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church..." (Ephesians 5:26-27, NIV)

The second step is baptism (or baptism in the Holy Spirit). After baptism, we must gather together to be built up by the truth, becoming a holy and blameless bride, ready to be betrothed to the Bridegroom Jesus Christ.

He Breathed His Last (Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, establishing the church)

When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit (the original text is the Holy Spirit). (Luke 23:46, NIV)

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind (Holy Spirit: the breath from the Lord's mouth) came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:1-2, NIV)

The third step is baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is speaking in tongues by faith: "di,di,di,di..., la, la, la,la..., da, da,da,da......" This purifies God's children in the fire of the Holy Spirit, making them a building of gold, silver, and precious stones, so that they can stand firm on the day the Lord comes, be raptured into glory, and inherit the kingdom of heaven.

 Dear Lord Jesus, please remember your offering. Below is the donation account information for our ministry:

Post Office Code: 700

Savings Account Number: 00414890318107

Account Name: TSENG HSUEH-CHENG

Post Office: Kaohsiung Minzu Community Post Office

(For locations outside Taiwan, the SWIFT Code is as follows):

Account with Bank: Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd.

SWIFT Code: CHPYTWTP

Bank Address: No.55, Sec. 2, Jinshan S. Rd., Da-an Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Recipient's English Name: TSENG, HSUEH-CHENG

Recipient's Account Number: 00414890318107

Recipient's Contact Phone and Address: 5F., No. 38, Ln. 122, Sec. 1, Shuiyuan St., Tamsui Dist., New Taipei City 251006, Taiwan (R.O.C.)