Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

I'd just like to clarify that when I post these sorts of posts, it's because I believe they can be a good source of instruction and correction. Paul tells us that the Word of God, rightly divided (2Tim.2:15), is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2Tim.3:16-17. So, in this regard, when someone posts something that does not agree with a rightly divided context, I take the opportunity presented and use it for teaching purposes. God bless.

Social Media Response:

Nobody has ever explained the difference between old Covenant and New Covenant teaching. The things that were required under the old Covenant include tithing and obeying the law and making sacrifices for your sins. Under the New Covenant all is required to be saved is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2: 8-9, Titus 3:5 - once you have been redeemed and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you need to walk in the spirit, in order to understand what that means read Galatians 5:19 - 25. Baptism in water is included because of the Great commission when Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of the Gospel, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If you have not been baptized, you are still saved and still a believer but, because Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize, then we need to be also to follow the Lord's example, BUT JUST REMEMBER THAT BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE YOU. Read also: Romans 10:9–10.

My Reply:

I am in agreement until the word "baptism". Let me clarify that baptism is also part of the Jewish covenant program which (like tithing) is not to be carried over into our current grace program. Baptism originated under the Mosaic instructions concerning the washings of the Levitical priesthood. Since all of Israel is a kingdom of priests (Ex.19:6;1 Pet.2:9), the purpose of baptism (priestly washing) is applicable to all Jews under their covenant program if they are to enter the Kingdom.

As for the grace program of the Body of Christ, we have only one baptism, and it has nothing to do with water. It is the Holy Spirit who baptises us into the Body of Christ in the instant that a person believes the grace gospel and is saved, Eph.4:5.

It is important to rightly divide the Word of truth and not mix, blend together, the covenant program of the Kingdom with the Grace program of the Body of Christ. Mixing together these programs produces a confusing and contradictory doctrine.

Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is a SPIRITUAL curriculum that must be studied IN A SET ORDER. In this post, I’d like to delve deeper into the ‘spiritual’ aspect of the curriculum and investigate what ‘spiritual’ really means in this regard. 

Rom_1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  [12]  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

‘Spirit’ and ‘spiritual’ in the context of Paul’s epistles has a few meanings, including the spiritual dimension and its entities and spiritual gifts. However, the predominant meaning, which may come as a surprise to many, is that it refers to the Word of God. It is Jesus Himself that revealed to us that the words He spoke ARE SPIRIT and life, Jn6:63.

As you read the following verses in Paul’s epistles, take note that the word ‘spiritual’ bears reference to the written or verbalized words of God shared by the apostle, or to the knowledge gained and applied from the Word of God, or to the individual who has matured in wisdom by the Word of God.

The Order and Spiritual Importance of our Curriculum

The Order and Spiritual Importance of our Curriculum

Introduction

The 9-church epistles of Paul, as presented sequentially in our Bibles today, from Romans to Thessalonians, make up a spiritual curriculum that teaches a believer to grow up in spirit from a babe in Christ to a mature son. It takes one from the milk of the Word towards the meat, from the carnal to the spiritual, from the principles of the grace doctrine to the obedience of righteousness. 

If you were not aware of this very important detail, you can find more information about this curriculum in the following link: https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2023/10/as-grace-believers-what-is-our-primary_14.html.

This spiritual curriculum is designed to transform a new believer into a functioning and profitable member of the body of Christ, but as with any curriculum, it will only do its work of informing and transforming if the believer actually studies it correctly, in the right order, opening their heart to the knowledge it reveals, and believing its instruction.

I’d like to briefly focus on two key words in the above intro, namely, “Order” and “Spiritual”. 

Understanding and Applying our Curriculum

Understanding and Applying our Curriculum

Consider the following verse from Paul to the Corinthians,

1Cor 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:  (7)  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Paul speaks of a wisdom among those who are perfect. What does this mean, and what can we learn from this statement?

By “wisdom”, Paul refers to the doctrine of the mysteries which he had written and preached. In the context of this passage in Corinthians, he refers to the plan of salvation by the cross of Christ.

This word “perfect” is in reference to believers, as it is in Php 3:15, “Let us therefore as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” Perfect does not mean that believers were sinless, but that they were mature in ‘the faith’ and who had made progress in the knowledge of the doctrine of the mysteries (our curriculum), as opposed to those who were weak in the faith, babes in spiritual things, and the carnally minded, who rejected this wisdom as foolishness, 1Cor 1:21-27.

Isn’t it interesting to parallel this wisdom of Paul, hidden to those who are carnal and persistently ignorant, with the parables of Jesus, which were Kingdom truths purposefully hidden from Jews who had no desire to hear and see in faith. Notice what Paul writes to the Corinthians, saying,

Romans 8:1-4: No condemnation

Romans 8:1-4 KJV - No condemnation

Romans 8:1-4 KJV

[1]  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[2]  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

[3]  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:

[4]  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Therefore

The word ‘therefore’ indicates that what is about to be written is based on something that preceded it. Thus, to fully understand what Paul is about to say about ‘no condemnation’, one must be aware of what was discussed before this statement. The ‘no condemnation’ is applicable only to those who are ‘in Christ’, and ‘who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit’. Thus, to determine what is meant by ‘in Christ’, we must have knowledge of Romans 1 to 5 concerning justification, which seals us ‘in Christ’, and we must have knowledge of Romans 6 to 7 concerning sanctification, which teaches us how to walk after the Spirit. Simply put, if you do not have a knowledge and understanding of Romans 1 to 7, this verse will be void of truth and value in your life. When you come to the word ‘therefore’, it is an important indicator to make sure you are well versed with the information that precedes that statement.

No condemnation

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #5)

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #5)

This post is written for the sole purpose of illustrating the ignorance of sound doctrine on social media these days. My aim is to emphasize the absolute necessity of studying the Bible for oneself and seeking answers from the source instead of relying on imaginations or opinions given by people, who may be sincere, but are as ignorant as the one who asked the question to start with. 

So, let's begin by stating the question that was asked in the beginning of a social media thread,

QUESTION: "How can Christians catch the Spirit?"

Below is another answer that was supplied to this question on social media. The person might be sincere in their reply, but sincerity can still be wrong and misleading, as is the case with this answer which misinterprets the proper context of scripture. I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.

False Imagination #5

The gift of the Holy Ghost is promised by God if you obey Him according to Acts 2:38-39, which says, “Repent everyone of you and be baptized in the name of JESUS for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. For this is for you and your children and to all that are a far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

My comments: