About Evangelist Lisa Y. Mitchell, CW Founder
But God! Looking back Evangelist Lisa rejoices to see how everything in her life was all in God’s plan! Broken and at the end of her own strength, she started searching for the strength of that Jesus to whom her parents had introduced her as a child. Lisa somehow found herself at First Apostolic Church of Inglewood. There in 1988 she met the late Bishop Wayne S. Davis and his wife Dr. Wanda A. Davis. Through their ministry, Lisa’s life began to be put back together as she was beautifully saved and introduced to all of the wonderful benefits and privileges of a life in Christ Jesus. After working in many service roles in that church Evangelist Lisa gained fellowship as a 'Minister' through Bishop Davis' World Won for Christ international ministry organization.
Over the next few years she would undergo tremendous tests and trials, and also experience great triumphs and victories in life, and in ministry. After some years she received greater spiritual promotion becoming ordained first to the office of Elder and then Evangelist through World Won for Christ Ministries, Lancaster, CA. Her teaching and preaching ministry blossomed – as did her unique ministry to women.
At the same time God was establishing ministerial purpose in the life of Evangelist Lisa, He also challenged her to move forward in other educational and career goals. Thus she completed undergraduate studies in Public Administration and Administrative Management, and graduate studies in Behavioral Science and Special Education, respectively, earning Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees. She will soon complete another graduate degree program in preparation for becoming a licensed therapist. Evangelist Lisa believes that her current profession as a Family Counselor is simply an extension of her ministerial call. Colleagues and clients know her as a professional who is also an ordained minister, a published author, a teacher, a community leader concerned with the plight of children and someone always ready to encourage another by saying, “You Can Make It!”
In 2004 the Lord spoke to Evangelist Lisa to formalize her work with women, and in obedience she founded Chosen Women, Inc. This nonprofit corporation was established to encourage, strengthen and support women,especially those hurting or at-risk. This work is carried out through community projects, services, conferences, retreats, and even online outreach.
Evangelist Lisa finds great joy in being a wife to her best friend and pastor, Elder Gerry Mitchell, and a mother to her little prince, Amir Mitchell. In 2009 the Mitchells founded Agape Apostolic Assembly in Lancaster, CA ~ 'a church of love building strong soldiers for Jesus Christ through the Word of God.' Her earnest desire is to fulfill her purpose in this life, and to make heaven her home.
The Love of Jesus Never Fails
What Do You Mean Born Again?
A lesson excerpted from Spirit & Truth Publication
The term "Born Again" is one of the most used phrases among present day religious people. Yet, if asked what the term "Born Again" means, ninety percent of the world's church members could not give a clear explanation.
The vital importance of this study is shown in that Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Here Jesus is saying that TO BE BORN AGAIN IS TO BE SAVED. Being born again is the plan of salvation that Jesus authored at Calvary. It is imperative that we understand what is required for us to be born again!
All agree that when Jesus went to the cross, he brought in the means of salvation for everyone who will accept it. But what really happened at Calvary? What can it do for me? How do I accept what was done there in my own personal life?!
Let us first consider what really happened at Calvary. There were three steps to the work of Christ to see that these three steps make up the act of being born again spoken of by Jesus. To die, to be buried, and to rise again. So we see that Jesus through his death, burial, and resurrection bought for us the plan of being born again spoken of in John 3:3, whereby we receive salvation.
The fact that Jesus purchased a plan of salvation for us is the greatest news the world has ever received. The thing we must understand is that not only was it necessary for Jesus to do something, but also it is absolutely essential for us to act upon what he did. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Ye MUST be born again" (John 3:7).
Now the astonishing thing is that Nicodemus was a religious leader of his day; yet, he had no conception of what it meant to be born again! We find that the very same thing is true in the day in which we live. Many men who fill positions of spiritual leadership in our world have no real understanding of the "Born Again" experience. Nicodemus inquired of Jesus in John 3:4, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Nicodemus, you can't be born again of a woman. The second birth is a spiritual birth.
Notice that Jesus said without being born again we cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. In other words, we cannot be saved. On the day of Pentecost when Peter preached the first message after Calvary, the men cried out, "What must we do?" "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Here Peter was giving to them the PLAN OF SALVATION repentance, baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. If being born again is to be saved, Peter was evidently talking to them about being born again.
Remember, there were three steps to Calvary. The way to accept Calvary in our individual life is to accept the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We don't have to literally die, literally be buried, and literally rise again. Jesus was our substitute and did this for us. All we must do is accept what he did by spiritually dying, symbolically being buried, and spiritually rising again.
We take on his death by repentance which is spiritual death. When a person truly repents, he dies out to his own will, renounces it forever, and vows to live from that time on according to the will of Jesus Christ.
We take on his burial by baptism in water, by immersion into His name. Romans 6:4 says, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism". Baptism MUST be done by immersion; for something cannot be buried by sprinkling a little dirt on the top of it. That burial after a few days would certainly prove to be insufficient! Furthermore, EVERY baptism of which we have Biblical record was administered by immersion. That alone should determine our course of action on this matter.
Finally, we partake of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by the infilling of the Holy Ghost. This is the new life that enables us to live as a Christian should. We see then that being born again means to spiritually die -- symbolically be buried. Thus, in plain language an individual must repent of his sins, be baptized into the name of Jesus Christ by immersion, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I John 5:8 tells us, "And there are three that bear witness in the earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." What is the one thing in which the spirit, water, and blood agree? Is it not the new birth? Blood covers our sins at repentance; the waters of baptism wash them away, thus making us clean for the spirit to come into our lives to dwell.
When the Roman soldiers thrust the spear into Jesus' side after he died, the scripture tells us that there came forth blood and water (John 19:34). This was for cleansing of the nations. It takes blood and water to eradicate sin. Blood is the cleansing agent, and water is the flushing agent. When a jar is washed for canning, soap AND water are necessary to cleanse that jar so that it might be filled with good fruit. Likewise, blood and water are necessary to cleanse the human soul so that it may receive the spirit of Christ which is the Holy Ghost. This teaching was verified by Peter when he said, "Repent and be baptized FOR the REMISSION of SINS" (Acts 2:38). Repentance and baptism are both absolutely essential for the remission of sins!
Some Common Misconceptions.
Acts 16:30-31 reads this way, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Many have taken this scripture to teach that all that is required for salvation is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world; and from that point on, the individual is saved. It is definitely true that an individual must believe that Jesus is the Savior in order to be saved.
However, Paul, who spoke these words in Acts 16, has some further teaching on the subject in Romans 10:13-15. Let's consider the text: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him OF WHOM they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" If we wanted to be absurd, we could take this thirteenth verse to teach that all an individual must do for salvation is to call out the name of Jesus one time and he has received salvation. Paul tells us they can't call on him in whom they have not believed. Furthermore, he said that they can't believe in him OF WHOM they have not heard. We cannot merely believe. We must believe SOMETHING about Christ. When Paul told the jailer in Acts 16 to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, he went on to speak unto him the word of the Lord (verse 32). The word which Paul spake was apparently the GOSPEL; for the result in verse 33 was that the jailer and all his house were baptized at midnight. That's how essential baptism is for salvation. Paul took all these people out AT MIDNIGHT and baptized them!
When an individual believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, what do they believe about him? They believe the gospel, which is the death, burial, and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-4). James teaches us that faith without action is dead, or it is not really faith at all. When a sinner hears the true gospel and truly believes, he will obey the gospel. An individual obeys the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ by repentance, baptism, in Jesus' name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking with other tongues. This is the salvation of Calvary! "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (or complete).
If you are still having trouble conceding to this teaching because of the element of works involved, let's reason concerning one more point. Being born again is not considered by God to be a work. In Titus 3:5 we are taught, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost;". This scripture tells us that regeneration which is being born again is NOT a work of righteousness.
Concluding this matter, we will cite a familiar Biblical example. In the great revival at Samaria in Acts 8:5-23, a sorcerer named Simon heard the preaching of Philip. He believed and was baptized and continued with Philip beholding the signs and miracles which were done. Many people would say that because Simon believed, he was saved. Yet the Apostle Peter said of him in Acts 8:23, "For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."
It is impossible for anyone in the bond of iniquity to be saved; for the scriptures tell us, "if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Simon believed and was baptized, but he had not received the Holy Ghost; therefore, he was not born again. We cannot be half-born and survive. The entire work of Calvary is necessary for our salvation.
The thief on the cross.
Many have asked, "If an individual must repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost for salvation, how was the thief on the cross with Jesus saved?" (Luke 23:38-43). First of all, it was impossible for anyone to be born again at this time, for the born again plan was not yet complete. Jesus had not died, been buried, and risen again. God has always had a plan of salvation for each dispensation of time. In Noah's day the only way of salvation was to get in the ark. In Moses' day the only plan was the law. In the church dispensation, the only way to be saved is to be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Ye MUST be Born Again."
Conclusion
May we point out as we conclude this study that we have been given the first church and the Apostles after which to pattern our teaching and practices. In each recorded account of conversions under the Apostles' ministries, the three steps of being born again are evident. In Acts 2:38, it was repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. In Acts 8:12, Acts 10:44-48, and Acts 19:1-6, we find the born again experience taught and received. Why should we vary from this practice when we are to be built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone?
Do not allow anything to turn you aside from this truth AGAIN. If you haven't as yet, you should do so TODAY!
© Spirit & Truth Publications
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