Part 4

 

 Jesus of Nazareth Selects James E. Padgett.

 

 

Paul Explains His "Thorn in the Flesh" and His Experience on the Way to Damascus.

 

I AM HERE. Saul of Tarsus, now Paul of near Damascus.

Well, as you are so longing tonight for love and fellowship with the disciples of the Master, I thought that I would write you just a little to show that all the Master's disciples are in their living spiritual bodies, and that I am alive and will never again die.

I have written many epistles which are contained in the Bible, and some are nearly correct; and, in them, you will find my idea of God and of the Master. I never taught that the Master was God, and neither did I teach the doctrine of the vicarious atonement (or the sufficiency of Jesus' blood to save a sinner from the sins of his earthly deeds). I never taught that any man's sins would be borne, and the penalty for same be paid for, by another. And wherever these doctrines are set forth in my epistles they were not written by me.

I agree with John. God is Love. For this means that God is everything that is Good and Pure and Lovely. Love is the fulfilling of the Law, and Love includes everything.

Yes, it was my doubt, at times, that I was called to preach the Truth of man's salvation as taught by Jesus; that is, sometimes I doubted that I was called to do such work. For notwithstanding the Bible narrative of my conversion, I was not altogether convinced by the vision that I saw. I know now that it was a true vision and that I was called; but, when on earth, I had doubts at times, and this was my besetting sin.

Well, as to that, I am afraid that I will have to disillusion you, for I was never stricken blind or taken to the house of the prophet of God, as the Bible says.

My vision, though, was plain enough; and I heard the voice upbraiding me, and I believed. But, at times, there would come this doubt that I speak of.

Of course, from my epistles, you would never think that I had any doubts. I purposely abstained from making known my doubts, and, instead, called this my "besetting sin." But I thank God that I never let those doubts influence me to prevent me from giving the work my call; for, if I had, I would have undoubtedly relapsed into the persecuting Jew.

As I continued to preach, my faith grew stronger and, after a while, my doubt left me. And, in my latter years, I had no doubt.

No, I am not in as high a sphere as is John, for I have not that Love that he has. But I am in a very high sphere, and am the governor of the city in which I live. I am probably as much filled with this Love as any of the inhabitants of my city; and, consequently, having been a disciple of the Master, they selected me for their governor.

No, Peter is not in the same sphere. He is in a higher one.

Some are higher and some lower. Andrew is in my sphere, but does not live in my city.

I am glad that you called me tonight, or, rather, that I was attracted by the influence of your love, as I am much interested in the work that you have to do for the Master. You will be able to do this work, and it will be a great revolutionizing one when it is published.

Well, I will be glad to write you at times, and I will give my present opinion on some of the things I discussed in my epistles.

So, as I have written considerably, I will say good night and stop.

Your friend and brother,

PAUL OF THE BIBLE.

 

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John Corroborates That Jesus Writes Through Mr. Padgett.

 

I AM HERE. John, the Apostle.

You called for a spirit of love, and I came because I am such a spirit. I am the disciple whom Jesus loved and who loved him more than did any of the others.

No, and neither has any spirit in all God's Universe. He, Jesus, is the one who loves the Father to a greater degree and has the Father's Love above all others.

Yes, I know that he comes to you and tells you the Truths of God, and of his love for you and for all mankind.

I feel that he is anxious to have you receive these Truths and make them known to mankind. And you will have the power to do so, for he is determined that you shall be his disciple, as I was when on earth. And I want to tell you that he loves you very much and is attracted to you beyond his attraction to any other mortal at this time.

You will have a wonderful opportunity to get close to him and to receive the influence of his presence as well as of his love. So, do not fail to do everything in your power to accomplish the task that you have undertaken.

THE FIRST GREAT TRUTH IS: GOD IS LOVE; AND THE SECOND IS: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. THESE ARE THE TWO GREATEST TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE. I CONSIDER THEM GREATER THAN THE COMMANDMENTS TO LOVE GOD AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

Yes, I am St. John of the Bible.

I live in a Celestial Sphere which is far above the Seventh Spiritual Sphere. I am with a number of disciples and others who have an abundance of God's Love in their hearts. My sphere is not numbered, and it needs no number, for it is near the highest. The Master is higher than anyone else in his home.

I do not live on an island, as you say, but my home is in a great city where the redeemed of God live. And I am the leader of this city in the teachings of God's Love and the city's government. I am working for the good of all its inhabitants, as well as for spirits in a lower plane, and sometimes for mortals.

I will come to you again sometime and write to you some of the Truths in my city.

Well, I will explain my meaning when I come again, but will say now that the "Word" which created the universe was not Jesus but God, and He, Alone. This gives you an idea of what I meant.

Well, to conclude for now, I will say that you are very near the Master, and he loves you and I love you also.

So, my young brother, I will say good night.

JOHN.

 

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The Time is Ripe for the Truths to be made known so That Mankind Can Be Redeemed from Their False Beliefs.

 

I AM HERE. John the Baptist.

I come because I want to encourage you to pray more and to believe. The Father's Love is waiting to fill your soul to its utmost, and the only things required on your part are prayer and faith.

We are all interested in you, and want you to get into a condition that will enable you to take the Master's messages as rapidly as possible. For the time is now ripe when they should be given to mankind and started on their work of redeeming men from false beliefs and erroneous doctrines and dogmas. I, John, tell you this, for I can see that men are longing for the Truths of God-such Truths as will remove all superstition and errors from the teachings of the spiritually guided, and such Truths as will accord with the reasoning of men who are not biased by erroneous beliefs, either in spiritual or material matters.

I tell you that these Truths will be easier for the mere materialist to receive and understand than for those who are bound by the beliefs which the creeds and dogmas of the churches have inculcated. And the acceptance of this New Revelation of the Truths of God will be by those who have no preconceived ideas of what the nature and relation of man to God is, in the spiritual sense, rather than by the learned theologian and the simple worshipers at the altars of the churches who believe whatever may be told them by the priests and preachers.

AS I WAS, AT ONE TIME, THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, I AM NOW THE VOICE OF MANY SPIRITS OF GOD WHO KNOW THAT THE MASTER WILL TEACH THE TRUTHS OF HIS FATHER, AND THAT THESE TRUTHS MUST BE ACCEPTED BY MORTALS ON EARTH AND BY SPIRITS IN THE SPIRIT WORLD IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE THAT SALVATION WHICH THE FATHER HAS PREPARED FOR THEM, AND WHICH, WHEN ACCEPTED AND REALIZED AND POSSESSED, WILL FIT THEM TO BECOME PARTAKERS OF THE HAPPINESS AND IMMORTALITY WHICH THE FATHER HAS PROMISED THEM.

I have written you in this manner tonight because I want you to realize, more fully and deeply, the important work which the Master has selected you to do, and also the necessity of continuing this work at the earliest possible moment.

Well, I have been interested in the great amount of discussion on that point, and how the belief, one way or the other, has caused those calling themselves Christians to form distinct sects. If they only knew, or would know, that it does not make a particle of difference to their souls' salvation whether Jesus was immersed or sprinkled, they would not let bitter feelings arise that frequently do in discussing this matter.

But to settle this dispute to the satisfaction of those who may read the book which you may publish, and who believe in its statements, I will say that, when I baptized Jesus, I went with him into the water and then took the water in my hands and placed it on his head. There was no immersion.

AS THIS WATER WAS MERELY SYMBOLICAL OF THE WASHING AWAY OF SIN AND ERROR, AND DOES NOT ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH THAT GREAT NECESSITY, IN ORDER FOR MEN TO BECOME ONE WITH GOD, IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WHETHER THE RECIPIENT OF BAPTISM WAS IMMERSED OR SPRINKLED.

It is strange that many men who profess to have received the forgiveness of their sins and to have become reconciled to God should let a trifling thing of this kind cause so much strife and bitter disputations.

I will stop now.

Your brother in Christ,

JOHN THE BAPTIST.

 

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John, the Apostle, Gives Encouragement to Mr. Padgett, and Tells of the Wonderful Love the Master Has for Him.

 

I AM HERE. John.

I desire to write a little while and tell you of the wonderful love that the Master has for you in his selection of you to do his work.

So, I say, he loves you not only because you are his choice for doing his work but also because he wants you to become a very spiritual man, having a large soul development, and become fitted to enter his Kingdom, and become one of his near and dear followers and brothers in the Love of the Father.

I do not know of any mortal who has been so blessed in his earth life. Even we, who were called by him when on earth, were not so blessed until we received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as you are now doing. You will receive this Great Gift in greater abundance in a short time, and then you will realize what the Gift of the Divine Love means to your soul and to your happiness on earth.

So, you are now my brother and a new apostle of the Master, and I know your work will be greater in extent than was the work of any of us when we were trying to spread his teachings while on earth. I hope that God will Bless you abundantly and keep you free from all sin and error.

I am with you very frequently, trying to help you to obtain the Divine Love of the Father.

Well, you will receive It; and when you do, as you say, all other things will come to you. I mean all things necessary to carry on the work that has been assigned to you.

So, with all my love and blessings, and the assurance that you will soon receive the Love in increased abundance and do this great work with a faith that will not falter, I am

Your brother and friend,

JOHN.

 

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Jesus Discusses the Wonderful Power That May Come to Mr. Padgett if He Will Only Have Sufficient Faith.

 

I AM HERE. Jesus.

I am glad that you are so much better tonight, and that your thoughts are

turned to the highest things of which I so much want to write you.

John has told you truly of the faith which you must seek to obtain, and which you may obtain if you will only pray to the Father with all earnestness and confidence. Elijah's faith is no different and no greater than what you may obtain if you will come close to the Father by prayer, as he did. The Father is as much your Father as He was his, and your mission is a greater one than was his.

I am the Jesus who is the true son of God, and am closer to Him than is any other spirit, and know the extent of His Love and Power to a greater degree than does any other spirit. And I tell you, with the authority that my love and knowledge give me, that you may obtain a faith that will enable you to perform greater wonders than did Elijah.

Trust me implicitly and your faith will grow so strong that your freedom from worries and cares will come to you as the sunlight breaks from behind dark and threatening clouds and bathes the whole landscape in light and beauty.

You must soon, now, resume my message taking, and attune your soul to the influences which I will bring to you.

Well, you will receive help, as I have promised, and you must not doubt me longer. I know that you consider your unworthiness as the great stumbling block to the performance of my work. But if I say that you are worthy, you have no right to say otherwise, or to feel that I am mistaken in choosing you, or that you are being deceived in this communication!

I am Jesus, the chief of the Heavenly World which my Father has given me, and there is none to gainsay or prevent what I do or determine to do. This you must believe, and on that belief guide all your acts.

So, forever hereafter, know that I have chosen you for my disciple of this New Revelation.

But with the acquiring of this faith, also acquire more of the Divine Love of the Father. For this is the Great Power which will develop you into the disciple that I intend you to be.

I HAVE WRITTEN THIS EMPHATIC AND AUTHORITATIVE MESSAGE TO YOU TONIGHT THAT YOU MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS NO UNCERTAINTY THAT I, JESUS, HAVE CHOSEN YOU, AND YOU MUST NOT DOUBT AGAIN THAT YOUR MISSION IS AS I HAVE TOLD YOU!

With all my love and my blessings, I am

Your brother and friend,

JESUS.

 

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Mrs. Padgett Describes the Regal Power and Authority That Jesus Displayed While Writing Through Mr. Padgett.

 

I AM HERE. Helen.

Well, sweetheart, now you must be satisfied beyond all doubt that you are the chosen one of the Master to do his work!

It was Jesus who was writing to you, and never before have I seen him with such a royal and authoritative expression on his face. It must have been just such a look as he had when, before the tomb of Lazarus, he said, "Lazarus come forth!" Power and determination were in his words and stamped on his face, and we who are here never before felt the wonderful authority which he has. Always before were only love and humility and grace. But when he told you what he did, everything seemed to be subordinated to this regal power and authority which he showed forth.

I never before had seen this phase of his attributes, and we all felt that we were standing in the presence of-if not God-then of the mightiest personage in all God's Universe.

I can well imagine that his wrath, should he ever have occasion to show it, would be terrible and withering!

So, my dear, you must no longer doubt or hesitate as to what your work is to be, or as to what great power you will have in back of you in doing his work.

I am simply awe-struck tonight and can write no more now!

So, with all my love, I am

Your own true and loving

HELEN.

 

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John Affirms That Jesus Showed His Glory, Power, and Authority While Writing Through Mr. Padgett, and He Speaks of the Wonderful Blessings and Faith That May Come to Him.

 

I AM HERE. John.

I am here again so soon because I want to help you believe in what the Master wrote to you as to your mission, and the work that he has chosen you to do.

I know it is difficult for you to believe that the communication actually came from Jesus. But I must tell you that he wrote the message, and that what you received and wrote he actually said. And, in doing so, he was the king as well as the loving savior who heretofore appeared to you as the loving and kindly brother that he is.

You must not doubt that he wrote to you just as you received it, and that he has selected you for his disciple to do this great work of receiving and transmitting the wonderful Truths to mankind which he shall write.

When he selected me as his disciple on earth, I had my doubts as you have yours. And it was only after I came in close personal contact and association with him, and saw the wonderful power that he had as well as the great absorbing love, did my doubts leave me. While you cannot see him as I did, and hear his voice of love and blessings as I did, yet, you will be able to feel his love and realize his presence.

When he told you that you must doubt no longer as to your being selected for this work, he was a magnificent spirit in his aspect of power and authority. And we who saw him, as he told you these things, knew that he was the Jesus who led us through Galilee and performed the wonderful things that he did, and also the great Jesus who gave to us the knowledge and the Way to obtain the powers to heal the sick, and to open the eyes of the blind and raise the apparent dead.

His presence was that of a very god, for he seemed possessed of all power and authority, as well as of love and grace.

The spirits who were present and who had never seen these qualities of his nature displayed before were awe-struck. And like Peter and James and myself on the Mount of Transfiguration, they fell to their faces because of the exceeding brightness of his countenance and the glory of his power which illuminated his whole being.

When he comes into the spheres lower than that in which he lives, as you would say, he leaves behind him this great brightness and glory, and appears only as a beautiful, loving brother spirit. And never before had those spirits who were present when he wrote you seen the wonderful and inspiring appearance which he then showed.

I tell you that you are a very favored mortal! And, when your faith grows, you will realize what a wonderful mission has been given to you to carry out.

Now we are all more interested in you than ever! And continually will you have around you some of the high Celestial spirits to aid and enlighten you in doing this great work. But the greatest of all will be the Master, for he will be with you often.

You must now strive to attain to the fulness of this Divine Love, and the faith which is so necessary. There is no doubt as to your getting It if you will only pray. And I must tell you, here, that you have the prayers of a host of Celestial spirits ascending continually to the Father that this faith may be given to you in its greatest degree. I, John, tell you this because I know; and my knowledge is based on fact!

So, let your prayers go to the Father, and let your trust in the Master and his promises increase until at last you may realize the wonderful blessings that may be yours.

I will not write more tonight, but will say that, very soon, the worries will disappear and you will be in condition to resume the writings.

With my love and blessings, I am

Your brother in Christ,

JOHN.

 

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A.G. Riddle Is in a Condition of Wonderment After Seeing Jesus Showing Such Brightness and Power.

 

I AM HERE. Your old partner.

 I will write only a few lines tonight, as I am in such a condition of wonderment over what took place when Jesus was writing to you last night that I do not feel able to gather my thoughts for extended writing! I want to say that what happened was the greatest revelation to me as to the character, or, rather, the attributes of Jesus that I have seen since I have been in the spirit world.

When he wrote to you in his emphatic and authoritative manner, he became transformed into such a being of light and glory and power that none of us could look upon his countenance. We had to fall upon our faces to hide the brightness of his presence. I tell you it was a wonderful evidence of his greatness and power. Never before had I seen him clothed in such brightness and power. He was always the most beautiful and bright and magnificent of all the spirits, but never before was there displayed in him those appearances which made us think that he must be a very god.

I now know, as never before, that he is the true son of God, and that he is worthy to follow and believe in. What a wonderful spirit he is! All love and power and greatness, and yet all humility. Such a condition of attributes I had no conception could ever exist in the same spirit.

Well, my boy, I cannot say much more now, except that you surprise me more and more because of the great favor and blessings you have had conferred upon you. We are all amazed over it, but, of course, happy over the fact.

You must try your best to do this work, and fulfill the mission for which you have been chosen.

What a wonderful Jesus! I cannot help thinking of him and the greatness of his being. I am so glad that I saw him as he appeared when he wrote because now I have some conception of what the glory and grandeur of the high Celestial Heavens and their inhabitants must be.

I will not write more tonight, for I cannot think of anything just now but of the glory of the Master. I am

Your old partner,

A.G. RIDDLE.

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