GODLINESS
Written in 2013
by Tony Alamo
aka Bernie Hoffman
The true Christian church is the entire body of believers in CHRIST, the expression of CHRIST through yielded humans.1 The purpose of the church is to project CHRIST and the freedom HE offers into the world. This can only be done by preaching the WORD of GOD and living the holy life of the gospel, the life of JESUS.2
First Timothy, chapter 4 states, “Now the SPIRIT speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some [Christians] shall depart from the faith [in CHRIST], giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Many churches today are preaching messages that are contrary to the pure doctrines of CHRIST.3 Some of them preach the false, unscriptural doctrine, “once saved, always saved.”4 They preach this doctrine because they have sin-loving hearts. They are hypocrites, pretending to be Christians. If they ever had faith in CHRIST, they now, as 1 Timothy 4:1 states, have departed from the faith in CHRIST. In other words, they have departed from the WORD of GOD, which is CHRIST.5 This opens the spiritual door to receiving seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
To seduce you is to tempt you into sin. Satan wants you to be tormented in the Lake of Fire forever, as he will be. Evil seducing spirits deceive you, and lure you into everything contrary to GOD’S WORD: sins such as illicit sexual behavior, pornography, homosexuality, witchcraft, overindulgence in anything, such as alcohol, drugs, food, or placing anything or anyone before the LORD, which is idolatry.6
Today’s government and today’s beliefs called “science” are fueled by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The earth is proven to be only 6,000 years old, but seducing spirits attempt to cause many to believe that the world is millions or even billions of years old. False religions are also the tools of seducing spirits. This includes any church or religion that convinces you not to have faith in the whole WORD of GOD or adds and subtracts from the holy Scriptures.
If you don’t have faith in the WORD of GOD, then you are an easy victim of the lies of the enemy. Without that faith, there is no firm foundation based on truth for hope and direction in your life.7 JESUS states in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him.”
The only way to live the Christian life and church life is to exercise ourselves unto godliness. First Timothy 4:7 says, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” Nothing but the WORD of GOD will do to preserve your soul. Completely shun all evil, and all seducing spirits.8 The Bible states, “Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
The Apostle Paul states, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of [this present life], and of that which is to come [eternal life]” (1 Timothy 4:8). Bodily exercise is profitable for only a little while, but the second kind of exercise is profitable for today and forever, for our present life and for our life that is to come. Therefore, we need to pay attention to this kind of exercise.
The Apostle Paul says the second kind of exercise that is necessary is the exercise of our human spirit. The definition of godliness is found in 1 Timothy 3:16, which says, “And without controversy [without any argument] great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the SPIRIT, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles [unto all the nations], believed on in the world, received up into glory.” Godliness is GOD-likeness, that is, GOD manifested in the flesh. This verse refers not only to CHRIST HIMSELF, but also to the church of believers.
The church is both the house of the living GOD, the pillar and foundation of the truth, and the mystery of godliness—the manifestation of GOD in the believers. While CHRIST was on the earth, HE was GOD manifested in the flesh.9 Likewise, the church today is in the flesh, but GOD is manifested through us.10 Godliness is far more than the outward appearance of GOD. When Adam was created, he had the outward likeness of GOD because he was made in the image of GOD.11 Now we have even more than Adam, because the HOLY SPIRIT lives within us.
JESUS said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE” (John 14:6). “As the living FATHER hath sent ME, and I live by the FATHER: so he that eateth ME, even he shall live by ME” (John 6:57). When Adam’s wife gave him fruit to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam rebelled against the command of the LORD and ate the fruit. GOD told Adam that if he ate from it, he would surely die.12 They died, and all humanity dies, because we are the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.13
Just before JESUS raised Lazarus from the dead, Martha told JESUS, “LORD, if THOU hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever THOU wilt ask of GOD, GOD will give it THEE. JESUS saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto HIM, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. JESUS said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in ME, though he were dead, yet shall he live. …And when HE thus had spoken, HE cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. JESUS saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:21-25, 43-44).
After we have been cleansed of our sins by the blood of JESUS, we must continuously eat from the Tree of Life, which is the WORD of GOD, JESUS, and drink from the River of Life.14 “And HE said to them all, If any man will come after ME, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow ME. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for MY sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24).
We eat CHRIST’S flesh and drink HIS blood by breathing in the WORD of GOD that was breathed out from GOD. JESUS said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD” (Matthew 4:4). “It is the SPIRIT [the River of Life] that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE” (John 6:63).
After JESUS was resurrected from the dead, HE entered the room where the disciples were assembled and said unto them, “Peace be unto you. …HE breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the HOLY SPIRIT” (John 20:19, 22). Receiving the breathed WORD of GOD is as simple as breathing it in. We receive it by faith. However, people can still fall away from GOD if they do not continue to serve the LORD with the whole heart till the end.15 Repent of your sinful lethargy and lukewarmness.16 For GOD to express HIMSELF through us, we must live in close communion and relationship with HIM, seeking HIS will and direction for our lives.
Today we are being built up as one in GOD’S divine nature. Second Peter 1:3-4 says, “According as HIS [CHRIST’S] divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life [eternal life] and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the FATHER, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of GOD abideth for ever” (1 John 2:16-17).
GOD is dispensing HIMSELF into us so that HE and we will become one.17 We are to support one another as brothers and sisters. This is why the LORD says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
The unsaved man who doesn’t have CHRIST in him is a natural, carnal man.18 First Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the SPIRIT of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Many Christians think that GOD saved us simply because HE loved us and wanted to deliver us from Hell and bring us to Heaven. Not many are clear concerning the mystery of godliness. GOD’S intention is to build HIMSELF up within us so that as HE was in this world, so are we.19 This SPIRIT who is CHRIST HIMSELF enters our human spirit at the time of our salvation and promises never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5). We are then given the power and authority to overcome all adversity as we grow in wisdom and knowledge of the WORD. JESUS stated, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
This is a true mystery not only to man, but to the angels as well. “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the SPIRIT of CHRIST which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of CHRIST, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the HOLY SPIRIT sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:9-12). In the WORD of GOD, this mystery has been made known to us (Ephesians 3:4-5).
“In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The word “GOD” here is ELOHIM, which means HE is a plural GOD, the triune GOD, GOD the FATHER, GOD the WORD which is CHRIST, and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT. These THREE are different parts of the one true GOD.20
GOD who was born in the flesh, willingly went to the cross and was crucified for the purpose of redeeming us. This was for the salvation of all those who will accept GOD’S redemption plan. HE was buried in a tomb, and three days later, HE resurrected from the dead.21 HE was seen by over five hundred people after rising from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:6). “Ought not CHRIST to have suffered these things, and to enter into HIS glory?” (Luke 24:26, 46). At this time, CHRIST became a quickening or life-giving SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 15:45). HE suffered in our place. HE did it all for you and me.
Life comes from the River of Life, which flows from the throne of GOD. Revelation 22:1 states, “And he [the angel of the LORD] showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of GOD and of the LAMB.” It is as clear as crystal. All who desire to know the joy, love, and peace that GOD gives may drink freely. JESUS is saying, “Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” We need to visualize the reality of the River of Life coming out of the throne of GOD and from the side of JESUS, mingled with HIS soul-cleansing blood, so that we continue to stand strong in the LORD. People waste precious time on many worthless thoughts and activities rather than keeping their attention on JESUS, the River of Life, and the throne of GOD (Colossians 3:1-4). We believers are seated with HIM in heavenly places in CHRIST (Ephesians 2:6).
The blood of JESUS is the only acceptable sacrifice that can atone for the sins of the world. The blood of the sinless LAMB of GOD has the power to take all our former sins away, and the water is symbolic of the HOLY SPIRIT, who will dwell in us after salvation (John 7:38).
Let the blood of JESUS wash away all your filthy sins, and let the River of Life from the throne of GOD enter your spirit with GOD’S eternal life. Make JESUS your LORD. Be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT. Study the Bible and do what the Bible says. Start with this prayer:
Prayer
My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11
After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13
CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).
The LORD wants you to tell others of your salvation (Mark 16:15). You can become a distributor of Pastor Tony Alamo’s Gospel literature. We’ll send you literature free of charge. Call or email us for more information. Share this message with someone else.
If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).
Please contact us for more information or for literature on other topics which may be of interest.
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide
P. O. Box 2948
Hollywood, CA 90078
Twenty-four hour prayer and information line: (661) 252-5686
Para español, llame al: (908) 937-5723.
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide provides a place to live with all the things necessary for life to all those
in our United States locations who truly want to serve the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Ask for Pastor Alamo’s book, The Messiah, showing Christ from the Old Testament revealed in over three hundred thirty-three prophecies.
Become a laborer in the harvest of souls by becoming a distributor of Pastor Alamo’s literature. All of our literature and audio messages are free of charge, including shipping.
THIS LITERATURE CARRIES THE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION (Acts 4:12).
DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE
Those of you who are in other countries, we encourage you to translate
this literature into your native language.
If you do reprint, please include this copyright and registration:
© Copyright August 2026 All rights reserved World Pastor Tony Alamo ® Registered August 2026
footnotes:
1. Rom. 7:4, 12:1, 5-8, 1 Cor. 10:16-17, 12:12-27, Eph. 1:19-23, 2:14-22, 3:6-11, 4:1-7, 11-16, Col. 1:18, 24 return
2. sa. 61:1-2, Ezek. 33:1-9, Matt. 10:7-8, 24:14, 28:18-20, Luke 24:46-48, Acts 1:8, Rom. 7:4, 10:13-15, 1 Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 9:16-17, Eph. 3:2-10, Col. 1:25-29, 2 Tim. 4:2, 5 return
3. Prov. 19:27, Isa. 5:20, 8:20, Jer. 5:30-31, 6:13-14, Matt. 7:13-23, 24:11, 24, 2 Cor. 11:14-15, Gal. 1:8-9, 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1-6 return
4. 2 Chron. 15:2, Ezra 8:22, Psa. 73:27, Ezek. 33:12-13, Matt. 5:13, 12:43-45, Luke 9:62, John 15:6, Col. 1:21-23, 1 Tim. 1:19, 2 Tim. 2:12, Heb. 6:4-8, 10:26-31, 38-39, 2 Pet. 2:20-21, 1 John 3:6-10 return
5. John 1:1-3, 10-14, 1 John 1:1-3, 7, Rev. 19:11-13 return
6. 1 Sam. 15:23, Matt. 23:25, 1 Cor. 10:14, Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 5:18, Phlp. 4:5, Col. 3:5, 1 Pet. 4:1-5 return
7. Matt. 7:24-27, Mark 16:16, John 3:18, 36, 8:24, 2 Cor. 4:3-4, 2 Thes. 2:3-12, Heb. 3:12, 19, 11:6, James 1:5-7, Rev. 21:8 return
8. Psa. 1:1-2, 26:5, 97:10, 119:104, 128, 163, 139:21-22, Prov. 8:13, Matt. 4:1-11, 5:13-14, 23:13-15, 33, 24:11-12, 23-25, Mark 4:24, Rom. 12:9, 2 Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:3-12, 1 Thes. 5:21-22, 2 Tim. 2:15-22, 1 Pet. 5:8-9, 2 Pet. chap. 2, 1 John 4:1-6 return
9. Isa. 9:6, Mic. 5:2, Matt. 28:18, John 1:1-3, 10-14, 10:30, 37-38, 12:44-45, 14:6-11, 13, 16-20, 17:11, 21-22, Col. 1:12-17, Heb. 1:2-12, 1 John 5:20 return
10. Ezek. 36:27, John 14:15-20, 23, 26, 15:3-7, 17:21-23, 26, Rom. 8:10-11, 15-19, 1 Cor. 3:9, 16-17, 2 Cor. 6:16-18, Gal. 2:20, Eph. 3:16-21, Phlp. 2:13, Col. 1:27-29, 2 Tim. 1:14, 1 John 3:24, 4:4, Rev. 3:19-21 return
11. Gen. 1:26-27, 9:6, 1 Cor. 11:7, Col. 3:10 return
12. Gen. 2:16-17, 3:1-6, 5:5 return
13. Rom. 3:10-12, 5:12-18, 1 Cor. 15:22, 47 return
14. Psa. 1:1-3, 36:8-9, 46:4-5, Matt. 26:28, John 4:7-14, 7:37-39, Rom. 3:22-26, 5:9, Eph. 1:7, 2:13, Col. 1:13-14, Heb. 9:11-22, 10:4-7, 12:22-24, 13:12, 1 Pet. 1:2, 18-19, 1 John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 2:7, 22:1-2, 14 return
15. Ezek. 33:12-13, Matt. 5:13, 12:43-45, Luke 9:62, 11:23-26, John 15:6, Col. 1:21-23, 1 Tim. 1:19, 2 Tim. 2:12, Heb. 6:4-8, 10:26-31, 38-39, 2 Pet. 2:20-21, 1 John 3:6-10 return
17. John 17:11, 21-26, 1 Cor. 6:15-17, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Gal. 3:25-29, Eph. 3:16-21, 4:4-6, Heb. 2:11, 2 Pet. 1:3-4, Rev. 3:19-21 return
18. Gen. 8:21, Psa. 14:2-3, 94:11, Isa. 64:6, Jer. 17:9, Rom. 3:23, 7:14-25, 8:5-14 return
20. Gen. 1:26, 3:22, Isa. 9:6, 48:16, Mic. 5:2, Matt. 1:23, 12:28, 28:18-20, Luke 1:35, John 1:1-3, 10-14, 10:30, 37-38, 12:44-45, 14:6-11, 13, 15-26, 15:26, 16:7, 17:11, 21-23, Col. 1:12-17, 2:9-10, 1 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 1:2-12, 2:10, 11:3, 1 John 5:7, 20, Rev. 19:13 return
21. Matt. 27:33-66, chap. 28, Mark 15:22-47, chap. 16, Luke 23:26-56, chap. 24, John 19:17-42, chaps. 20-21, Acts 1:1-11 return
Prayer footnotes:
1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return
2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return
3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return
4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return
5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return
6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return
7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return
8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return
9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return
10. Heb. 11:6 return
11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return
12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return
13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return
14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return