By One Spirit — Holy Ghost Ministry

Lary and his beloved dog Champ welcomed by Jesus into a radiant garden of flowers, waterfalls, and golden light
Remembering the ministry and teachings of Lary R. Hale

Faith carried forward

By One Spirit is a lasting home for Holy Ghost ministry, preserving the teachings of Lary R. Hale and the memories of the people whose lives he touched.

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Scripture and Truth

A woman opens her palms in prayer as two companions support her beneath an olive tree amid pale spiritual light.
© By One Spirit Ministries

While having a discussion with a man a couple of weeks ago, he said something that I've heard for a long time from a lot of people. He said that we have to be water baptized because Jesus was water baptized. The mentality is that Jesus was setting an example for us to follow. Well, that does sound good, upstanding, and even logical; that is until you examine it by the plain, simple truth of the scriptures. Jesus made it clear that he had not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets," saying, "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil" (Mat. 5:17). So then the question becomes, WHY did he come to fulfill the law? The apostle Paul explained: "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be FULFILLED IN US, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:3,4). So the righteousness that the law symbolized and typified was not available to dwell in the hearts and souls of those who were under that covenant, and Jesus came to make a way for that to change. It's that simple. The apostle again explains: "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Heb. 10:4). And once more: "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for IF there had been a law given which could have GIVEN LIFE, verily RIGHTEOUSNESS should have been by the law" (Gal. 3:21). And Jesus spoke to this point when he said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (Jn. 10:10). So righteousness equals life, and sin equals death; and Jesus came to turn the tables on sin and death, to grant righteousness and eternal life to mankind (Prov. 12:28; Rom. 6:23). And to confirm that we go back to the apostle Paul: "For the law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). So what we have seen from the scriptures is this: Jesus came to make a way for the Spirit of God to dwell in us, so that we could have the righteousness of the law of God FULFILLED in us; which righteousness is life, and cancels out death. And as Romans 8:2 has shown us clearly, we have God's Spirit in us IF we are IN CHRIST. So then, the big question is, How do we get INTO Christ? "For by one SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED INTO one body [Of Christ], whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (I Cor. 12:13). And we see the same truth projected in Romans 6:3, and Galatians 3:27). The baptism of the holy Ghost is what imparts the righteousness of God into our hearts, fulfilling the old covenant law in us, and giving us divine, eternal life. And Paul quoted Jeremiah in confirming this spiritual reality: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws INTO THEIR HEARTS, and in their minds will I write them" (Heb. 10:14-16).

Now let's go back to Jesus coming to fulfill the law. In order to fulfill the law, and provide that fulfillment for us, Jesus had to keep every aspect OF the law. And in the meantime let's note that anything that is fulfilled is no longer in effect. For example, the old testament prophecies of Jesus coming to this world the first time are no longer in effect because he HAS come. The old testament prophecies of God turning to the Gentiles are no longer in effect because he already turned to the Gentiles almost two thousand years ago. And in fact the ceremonial law under the old covenant was altogether a prophecy because it projected through natural symbols and shadow types what Jesus was going to establish after a spiritual order (Heb. 9:7,12,19-23; Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:16,17). And speaking of the ceremonial law with regard to Jesus fulfilling it, the apostle Paul explained: "He TAKETH AWAY the first [covenant], that he may establish the second [covenant]" (Heb. 10:9). And he again said the same: "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away" (Heb. 8:13). And driving home the point firmly, he said in another place, "For Christ is the END of the law [ceremonial] for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10:4). So nothing in the ceremonial law is any longer in effect because it has been taken away by the establishment of the new covenant, which new covenant IS the FULFILLMENT of the old covenant. And Jesus kept ALL of the ceremonial law so that we could have what it symbolized, which is the fulfilling righteousness of God dwelling IN US by means of his Spirit, which gives life to the heart and soul (Rom. 14:17). Jesus was circumcised so that we could have the circumcision of the heart, and so that we would not have to be circumcised in the flesh (Col. 2:11). He kept the Passover so that we could have the fulfilling Passover, which is him in us (I Cor. 5:7). Jesus was the lamb of God so that we would no longer have to offer lambs for sacrifice. So the only question that remains is whether water baptism was an ordinance of the ceremonial law or not. Well, it did symbolize and typify what Jesus was going to provide after a spiritual order. John the Baptist, who was given water baptism by God, said the same: "I indeed have baptized you with water: BUT he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost" (Mk. 1:8). But the clincher came from the mouth of Jesus WHEN he came to John to be baptized: "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. Then he suffered him" (Mat. 3:13-15). So it is clear that Jesus was baptized for the same reason that he was circumcised, and for the same reason that he kept the feast days, and for the same reason that he kept ALL of the ceremonial law. And that reason was so that "the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:2). And being fufilled, these things are no longer in effect in their natural form. So as it turns out, Jesus was water baptized so that we could be spiritually baptized, and NOT HAVE TO BE water baptized. And to keep a dead, fulfilled ordinance of the law at this point, is to confuse what Jesus lived, died, and rose again for; and to disesteem the baptism that he purchased for us with the price of his life. Amen.

From the Preserved Writings of Lary R. Hale

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Jesus Is All

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In loving memory

Lary R. Hale

Lary smiling with his beloved dog Champ
Lary with Champ

A Hero Finally Rests.

Lary Redman Hale of Louisville, KY entered into his greatest joy, the presence of King Jesus himself, welcomed by the cheers of angels and the saints of God on Sunday night, April 21, 2024.

What the outside world would see as the untimely passing of a humble, local minister, heaven saw as the triumphant finale of a valiant warrior's life. He fought the good fight, having kept the faith, and received what Christ himself called "The Champion's Wreath of Victory".

Lary was born November 13, 1954 to Marvin and Norma Hale. Being the youngest of his siblings ensured he had lots of time with his loving mother, from whom he undoubtedly developed his profound sensitivity, heartfelt sentimentality and emotional comfortability - characteristics that were trademarks of his life. He grew up surrounded by cousins and classmates that became his best friends.

At his 50 year class reunion he was overjoyed and excited to catch up with so many of them, smiling and laughing more than he had in a long time. He would often tell stories of how he treasured those times as a young boy riding bikes, shooting B.B guns and playing with his childhood dog Peanuts; all while getting into assorted harmless mischief. He cherished the time he spent living on his parents houseboat and helping his dad, a united states marine veteran, take care of the boat and dock.

His relationship with his dad was only strengthened in their later years as they watched boxing matches almost every weekend for the remainder of his dad's life. He admired his brother Gary for his athleticism and industrious attitude, and thought his sisters Vicki and Mila had hearts of gold just like his mother. In his teen years Lary developed three of his lifelong loves: swimming, cool cars and lifting weights.

Some people said Lary was part fish because of how well he swam, but Lary would correct them, he was actually part dolphin. As a young man he managed a health club where he helped multiple people lose weight and counted that a huge joy. He loved nature and taking photos of it, honing his skills and knowledge in cameras. His vocabulary was second to none and he enjoyed learning new words and using them especially in his writings.

Before he passed he still exercised as much as his body would allow and he longed to return to the ocean and the white sands of Destin, Florida.

Like most disenfranchised teens in the early 70s, Lary indulged in countless vices that left him empty and searching for more. Although his long black curly hair, loud clothes, muscles and muscle cars made him the envy of the boys and the heartthrob of the girls, none of these things satisfied his heart. He pursued a college education briefly, desiring to be a marine biologist or philosopher but found that this was not what he was missing either - he longed for true fulfillment.

Depressed, empty, and feeling hopeless, Lary heard about a particular beautiful girl he had a crush on that was attending a small church where the "Spirit of God" was changing people's lives. After wondering why someone like her would attend a church like that, he began to attend also.

After a few months, he made a simple prayer on his hands and knees, saying "God I can't stop smoking, drinking, raging or any of the other countless vices I have - but if you can set me free from these things, I'll know you're real and that you want me to serve you". The next morning Lary woke up and described the next few hours as "walking on air" realizing he was, in his words "delivered" and never going back to those vices.

This began his life long commitment to glorifying Jesus, the king of glory, for how he transformed Lary's life from darkness to light. Lary would marry that same beautiful girl, the love of his life, Fay Kustes, and they would have two sons together, Benjamin Isaac and Elisha Daniel. Lary's greatest joy in life was being a husband and father.

He was happiest when he was sharing what he was learning in the bible with his family, and teaching them that knowing God was simplistic and yet powerful - that God was not merely a religious concept, but a powerful savior on a day to day basis. As Lary made it his life's goal to find "the lost sheep", he would tap into his multifaceted creativity that went largely underappreciated.

Lary produced well over a thousand episodes of gospel presentations: self-producing, mixing, editing and encoding both a radio and television show. Between the two, he broadcast for over 30 years. All of this in the analog age, where self produced radio and TV shows were nearly unheard of, especially without any budget whatsoever.

Lary was an evangelist in Louisville and southern Indiana, being asked to preach and teach in multicultural and multi-generational churches across the city. The churches he was most loved and welcomed by were the African-American Baptist and Pentecostal churches that loved and welcomed his passionate, excitable and action packed style of preaching.

Once the dawn of the internet came, he immediately worked to have a website published, making his literature and gospel teachings available. Eventually he'd use social media to teach, preach and encourage believers all across the world. He would spend every night praying with and encouraging christians from every nation until the end of his life. Many of which saw him like a second father and all of whom greatly mourn his passing.

Even though he produced over a thousand episodes of media, taught in multiple churches, mentored in multiple countries, and had multiple printed works of literature, he considered his greatest life's work to be his two sons. One of their earliest memories is Lary saying "the most important job in the world is not preaching the gospel, it's raising kids in the gospel". This threaded through his entire life.

In his final week on earth, he reminisced on his life saying "I see my life as the highest success, because my life's work are my two sons, who I am so incredibly proud of - not for their natural achievements but for their love, humility and personal faith in Jesus that is not only evident in their lives but also in their love. Because of them, I know my life is a true success - and I credit Jesus for all of it".

His sons today see him as the most successful man they will ever know. He succeeded in loving them and never hurting them. Leading them and never controlling them. Being there for them and never leaving them. He was a man that would apologize quickly, forgive quickly, and always encouraged his sons to "get up and go from here". He succeeded in teaching them faith, hope and love in a world starving so badly for all three. His ministry lives on in them.

The lives of everyone touched by their lives are forever indebted to this humble, prayerful man of faith.

He is preceded in death by his father Marvin, mother Norma, sister Mila, sister-in-law Marlene, nephew Adam, aunts, uncles, treasured cousins, and his beloved dog of 18 years, Champ.

Until they are reunited in the glory of heaven, he is survived and will be missed by his sons, Benjamin and Elisha (Katrine), his wife of 30 years, Fay, his brother Gary, His sister Vicki (Dan), his cousins, nieces, nephews, his friends, and those that called him their pastor and teacher.

"The righteous perish, and no man lays it to heart: merciful men are taken away and no one considers that the righteous person is being spared from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: he shall rest in his bed, having walked in uprightness." Isaiah 57:1&2

A life in pictures and film

Watch the tribute video shared with Lary’s obituary. It brings together moments from his life and footage of the man so many loved.

Video hosted by Tribute Slides through Newcomer Kentuckiana.

Original obituary at Newcomer Kentuckiana

Memories of Lary