Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days (audio)

One of the great judgements of the Bible is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah along with the whole area of the Dead Sea. This book, filled with photographs from the region, demonstrates that the remains of these Cities are still there to be seen, perfectly confirming the Bible account of this dramatic Divine Intervention. Moreover, this book aims to expound the vital spiritual lessons God gave to the whole human race through this unique judgement. In particular, it provides a major revelation of the Final Judgement. This book is available on Amazon and from www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk (online shop).

In Acts, we see a consistent pattern when people came to faith in Christ: (1) They were born again and received the Spirit WITHIN. (2) Then later, they received the Spirit UPON, empowering them to fulfil the Great Commission. This separate experience is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts gives the PATTERN for the Church for the whole Church Age, including the 2-stage ministry of the Spirit. We see this 2-stage experience in the life of JESUS, and the APOSTLES: (1) the Spirit WITHIN (John 20:22) and (2) the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:4,5,8, 2:1-4). The disciples needed special preparation before receiving this, because it requires a specific surrender to God. We must embrace His Mission (the Great Commission), and dedicate to do His will, asking His Spirit to come UPON us, to empower us to fulfil it. For our personal life with God, we need the Spirit within. But for our ministry (like Jesus), we need the anointing of the Spirit upon us, to be fully effective. The SAMARITANS had a 2-stage reception of the Spirit (Acts 8). They received the Gospel and were baptised (v5-6,12,14). At this point (1) they were SAVED with the Spirit WITHIN (Mark 16:16), but (2) they had not yet received the Spirit UPON (v14-16). So, Peter and John prayed for them to receive the Spirit, for He had not yet fallen UPON them. Then they received the Spirit (v14-17). The apostles knew the Spirit had fallen upon them, for there was outward evidence. Also, Simon SAW the SPIRIT was GIVEN through the laying on hands by the apostles (v18). This was speaking in tongues as in Acts 2:4 & 10:44-46. When Simon offered Peter money for this gift (v19), he replied: “You have neither part nor portion in this MATTER (‘logos’ = word or utterance)” (v21). PAUL was saved when Jesus appeared to him (Acts 9:5-6,15-17). Then 3 days later (9:9) Ananias came to him and laid his hands on him, to be FILLED with the SPIRIT (v17), as in Acts 2:4, which he confirmed later in 1Cor 14:18: “I thank my God SPEAKING in TONGUES more than you all.” Paul confirmed these 2 stages when he asked the EPHESIANS: “Did you RECEIVE the HOLY SPIRIT when you BELIEVED” (Acts 19:1-2). When it was clear they were not saved (v3), he preached the Gospel and baptised them (v4-5), so now they were saved, but had not yet received the Baptism in the Spirit, for it was only when he laid hands on them, that the Spirit came UPON them and they SPOKE with TONGUES” (v6). The Gentile Pentecost proves speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Spirit UPON, just as it was at Pentecost (Acts 10:44-47, 2:4). The Baptism in the Spirit includes speaking in tongues, so you have not received the full experience until you have yielded your tongue to the Spirit - only then have you allowed Him to fully come upon you. Acts 11:15: “As I began to speak, the Holy SPIRIT fell UPON them, as UPON us at the Beginning (Pentecost).” This is called being BAPTISED in the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:5, 11:16). Peter interpreted this event in Acts 15:7-9. “So, God (1) who knows the heart (that they were saved), (2) acknowledged them (outwardly, before the Jews), by giving them the Holy Spirit (upon as well as within), just as He did to us (Jews at Pentecost), and (demonstrated to us that) He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts (salvation) by faith” (v8-9). Although in Acts 10 the Gentiles received the Spirit UPON at about the same time they were saved, Peter pointed out it was still a 2-stage experience, for (1) they first received the inner experience of being purified by faith, and then soon after (2) He gave them the Spirit upon, as an outward sign, proving that He had accepted them. There are 3 spiritual STATES: *(1) UNCLEAN (negative) because of sin. *(2) CLEAN (a neutral state - zero), also COMMON. *(3) HOLY (positive). Only BLOOD can cleanse the unclean. A CLEAN thing can only be made HOLY by the HOLY SPIRIT, symbolised by OIL. Thus, anointing with oil makes something holy. Only God’s Spirit in us makes us holy. The more we surrender to God, the more His Spirit possesses us, and the holier we become. You can’t make something HOLY unless it’s first been CLEANSED. (1) It has to be CLEANSED by BLOOD, and then (2) it can be anointed with the OIL of the SPIRIT, and so be made HOLY. (1) BLOOD was applied, cleansing the unclean thing and then (2) OIL sanctifies the common thing. (Ex 29:21, Lev 8:30, 14:17,28, Ezek 16:9). In Acts 15, Peter was saying the fact these Gentiles were anointed with the HOLY SPIRIT upon, was an OUTWARD PROOF that God had CLEANSED their HEARTS, when they put their faith in the BLOOD of Christ. (If they had only received the Spirit WITHIN, there would have been no outward evidence to the Jews that God had saved them). When we believe (1) we are cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and (2) set apart to God, by the Spirit within us, who is manifested outwardly, when He comes upon us. The fact they had the Spirit upon proved they were accepted by God.

God's WORDS are mighty WEAPONS with Divine Power to pull down enemy strongholds, including fear. Derek illustrates this through the Pirate Warfare of 2Corinthians 10:4-6, and the destruction of Joshua's Jericho through the WORD of FAITH, which was necessary for Israel to enter her Promised Land (likewise to enter our Promised Land we must pull down the strongholds that stand in the way). Jesus said, we can remove the mountains of enemy opposition to the will of God by declaring His WORD, and believing that what we say will come to pass, by the the power of God's Spirit released through our words (Mark 11:23, Zechariah 4:6-9).

This book is available from www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk, and it is also available on Amazon under the title: 'Keys to Long Life'. See also Derek's Youtube Series called 'Keys to Long Life.' Do you want to live a long and satisfying life? Did you know that God wants you to live long and strong? What does the Bible actually mean by a long life? God wants you to live a full and long life, with quality and quantity of days. Few people are aware that there are promises from God on the subject of living a long life. Although there is much teaching on divine healing, there is very little on living in divine health and youth renewal. In 'Live Long and Strong', Derek addresses this lack, providing an in-depth study of what the Bible has to say on living a long life. God's promise in Psalm 91:16 is: "With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation." Jesus said: "I have come that they may have life in abundance" (John 10:10). However, God also says: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). If you do not hear God s Word on a subject, you will not have faith to receive His promised provision in that area. 'Live Long and Strong' introduces you to the wealth of Scripture on long life and fully persuade you of God's will for your life in this area. This book will renew your mind and build your faith, so that you can receive God's promises for a long life, resulting in receiving His health, strength, and youth renewal. It will also impart the wisdom you need to see these promises come to pass. It will inspire you to receive God's grace for youth renewal, so that you live long and strong! It will lengthen your life! Your life will be lengthened and strengthened for God's glory!

One of the great miracles of the Bible is how the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, when all of Israel shouted together in faith. This book, filled with photographs from Jericho, demonstrates how the archaeology of Jericho perfectly confirms the Bible account. Moreover, it shows how God's destruction of Jericho is a type of God's future judgement of this world-system, as well as revealing the keys we need to successfully posses our Promised Land today. This book is available from Amazon and from www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk

Psalm 83 is a Prophetic Prayer describing by name a confederacy of nations, which surround her, who all want to destroy Israel in the end-times. Derek and Tim explain how this Prophecy has been fulfilled in detail in the wars that Israel has faced since her rebirth in 1948, including the present Israel war with Hamas. The Psalm is an inspired prayer that God would give Israel military victory, as in her ancient victories by Gideon and Deborah, with the help of God. God has answered this prayer again and again by giving Israel victory against her enemies, even when it was against all odds. This prayer also gives a blueprint for how we should pray in the present situation. The stated purpose of this victory is to glorify the Name of the true God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, so that Israel's enemies, who worship and trust in a false god, may repent and trust in the true God instead, and so be saved.

Do you want to grow up spiritually and become strong in spirit, in faith and love, or just stay a spiritual babe? God wants us to be spiritual giants not wimps, and He has provided all we need for our growth in God. This book will reveal God’s will and ways to gain a dynamic spiritual life and to promote a consistent growth in grace. Discover the keys that will activate and perpetuate your growth. The Chapters are: The Stages of Growth, The Milk - Rebound Techniques, The Love Walk, Our Spiritual Food, Our Baptism into Christ, The Tongue, Moving into Ministry, Growing in Grace, through the Means of Grace. This book is available from Amazon and from www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk

This book is available from www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk It is also available from Amazon under the title: 'How to Receive your Healing' You CAN RECEIVE your HEALING! “Therefore I say unto you, whatsoever things (including healing) you desire, when you pray, BELIEVE that you RECEIVE them (healing), and you will have them (healing)” (Mark 11:24). Did Jesus mean what He said here? Can we really come to God and receive our healing? By reading this book you will discover how to do this. This Book is designed to teach you how to BELIEVE you RECEIVE. It reveals how to get into POSITION, to BELIEVE you RECEIVE your HEALING from God when you pray. It will build your faith and lead you carefully, step by step, until you reach the position of being able to believe you receive your Healing when you pray. Mark 11:24 says that we will have what we ask for, if we believe that we receive it when we pray. Therefore we must attain the position of faith, where we can believe we receive the answer when we pray. There is diligent preparation required to reach this position of faith, which involves gaining some vital knowledge of God from studying His Word. This book is designed to help you in this preparation, by giving you the key truths you need to be in position to obey Mark 11:24, and believe that you receive your Healing when you pray. Step 1: Know God’s Will: He wants to heal us. Step 2: Know God’s Nature: He is a liberal Giver of Healing. Step 3: Know God’s Gift: He gives us Healing-Power when we ask Him for Healing. Step 4: Know God’s Method: How He gives us Healing.

The central events of history are the Death and Resurrection of Christ. This book, filled with diagrams and photographs from Jerusalem, reveals exactly where these momentous events took place. The Bible will come to life as you see in detail how the Drama of Redemption was acted out on Mount Moriah in perfect fulfilment of Prophecy. This book is available from www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk and from Amazons. See also Derek's Youtube Videos: 'Mount Moriah and Golgotha' and 'Golgotha and the Garden Tomb'

In this Christmas special, the Bible Study team explore the full meaning of the Christmas Story in Luke 2 and Matthew 2. They discuss these questions and more: *What is the significance of the sign of the swaddling clothes? (Luke 2:7,12). *What was the special ministry of the Bethlehem Shepherds and why were they chosen to receive the angelic announcement? *What is the connection between Christ's Birth in Bethlehem and His Death in Jerusalem, between Christmas and Easter? (1Corinthians 5:7). *Who were the Wise Men (Magi), and why were they expecting the birth of the King of the Jews at that time, and why were they looking for His Star? *What was the Star of Bethlehem? Was it a comet, a supernova, a conjunction of planets, or a manifestation of the Glory of God? *If the Star was the Glory of God, then what was its connection with the other manifestation of God's Glory that took place at the same time? *How did the Wise Men know that this Star was Messiah's Star; what was so special about it? *How did the Star of Bethlehem fulfil in perfect detail the Prophecy of Balaam in Numbers 24:17?