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Luke 20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. (KJV)
When a person is born again or born a new into the realm of the Spirit you realize that in order to maintain this life you need to hear how to continue in it so that you can grow strong in the Lord and maintain an intimate relationship with Him. Our Father is a God of the now and not the past. It is of utmost importance that one realizes that when you become a new creation in Christ old things are passed away, dead, and all things should now become new. You should now be viewing your life from a spiritual viewpoint, and able to rightly divide the difference between what is right and wrong, not according to mans’ standards, but God’s. You should now be experiencing a new life of peace and joy based on your inward vision, and not on what the outward would try to dictate. Hebrews 10:18-22 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (KJV) There is a new and living way to serve a living God, and it has been available for roughly the last 2000 years because of the offering of Jesus Christ. Instead of waiting for a priest to enter into the holy realm for us once a year according to the old law, we now have access anytime, at anyplace we choose to call upon the name of the Lord. With this opportunity afforded to us by a living mediator who is able to cleanse our hearts with pure living waters, why would anyone settle for less and keep operating in old dead rituals, carnal washings (water baptisms), which look good to the outward but do nothing for our inward? If you desire to serve the living God, His word says the just shall live by faith; and Church it is just that simple, because without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only life that will lead you to your heavenly inheritance. Hebrews 8:10-13 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (11) And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (12) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (13) 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. (KJV) Why do God’s people, or those that claim to be serving Him, still hang onto old laws and rituals that are dead and decaying? If you had an old car that was falling apart and not worth fixing again, you wouldn’t waste your time and money with it. If you had access to a brand new vehicle free of charge, would you not take the deal in a heartbeat? So why do so many people go around with a bunch of broken down rusted out jalopies rather than jump into a brand new vehicle every day and take a ride that leads us to our Father? Matthew 9:16-17 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. (17) Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. (KJV) You ever hear the term ‘trying to drive a square peg into a round hole’? It doesn’t fit, nor was it meant to fit. And the more you try the more you will end up throwing a fit and be discouraged. The same holds true with God; when you try to put the new back into the old it doesn’t work. In fact as verse 16 says it actually ends up worse, to the point that it will end up perishing as verse 17 makes reference to. So remember Church, our God is a God of the living, not anything dead or perishing. The more one is surrounded by dead things the less attractive it is; in fact it becomes quite unhealthy if not buried. The same holds true in the spiritual realm; and the more one hangs onto dead things, eventually they end up dead too. 2 Corinthians 3:7-12 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: (8) How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (9) For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (10) For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. (11) For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. (12) Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: (KJV) Having access to a law of faith that excels above and beyond the old law which is done away, why would someone keep going back to the graveyard to find something living? Using as simple and plainness of speech as possible, if you wish to remain in good standing with our Father, it can only be done by the new and living way, not in some has- been worn out dead, died and forgotten works of the law which will not bring new life. Williams reference for Romans 7:1-6 1. Do you not know, brothers -- for I speak to those who are acquainted with the law -- that the law can press its claim over a man only so long as he lives? 2. For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is freed from the marriage bond. 3. So if she marries another man while her husband is living, she is called an adulteress, but if he dies, she is free from that marriage bond, so that she will not be an adulteress though later married to another man. 4. So, my brothers, you too in the body of Christ have ended your relation to the law, so that you may be married to another husband, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5. For when we were living in accordance with our lower nature, the sinful passions that were aroused by the law were operating in the parts of our bodies to make us bear fruit that leads to death. 6. But now we have been freed from our relation to the law; we have ended our relation to that by which we once were held in bonds, so that we may serve in a new spiritual way and not in the old literalistic way. Romans 7:1-6 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (2) For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. (3) So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (KJV) Under the old covenant the law was in play for that time, and so in order to have a relationship with God it was done according to the works of it. You need to realize that once this was done away, dead died and buried by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you are now free to engage in a new life of liberty and freedom apart from the law so that you can now partake of living waters which will bring forth the fruit of the Spirit within you. Now being delivered from death, it is time to go to the well of life so that you can continue to be alive and well in the newness of the Spirit and not the oldness of the letter of the law which is a killer. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 7:9-10 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. (10) And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. (KJV)
Paul like many of the other disciples found a new life in Christ through belief in Him and the completed work He accomplished. But as we will see in his writings, and if you notice especially with the early Church, something had been choking the life back out of them; the freedom they found in a simple belief in Christ was getting complicated by the old law and rituals that many were still hanging onto at the time. 2 Corinthians 3:3-6 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (4) And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: (5) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (6) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (KJV) We should no longer be relying in ourselves, in any works of the law, or in carnal ordinances that we think will draw us closer to God; rather our attention needs to be in the spiritual realm if we want to experience this new life in Christ. God is a Spirit; so now the only way to worship Him, is in this realm of spirit and truth; only the Spirit which gave you life and brought you back from the dead is able to sustain this life, and bring you to a mature perfect understanding of God through Christ. Your ability to be an effective minister can only be accomplished by teaching others to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Galatians 4:9-11 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. (KJV) Once you have been set free and delivered from the bondage of death, it is vital that in order to maintain a quality life in Christ it can only be done in the Spirit, and not by turning back and trying to rebuild a foundation off dead vain works. Having watched the world spend the last few months caught up in worldly holidays where people claim certain days are holy or special to the Lord, we can see that there is nothing new under the sun; same devil and his cheap distractions, just different disguises over the years. If you try to return to these weak and beggarly things you will find yourself becoming weak also. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV) You have been set free and are now partakers of the divine nature in Christ. Having spent many years in the past partaking of the forbidden fruit of this world, once you are able to experience this new life in Christ, and the abundance of love, joy, as well as the peace of God that goes beyond our understanding, don’t let it be stolen from you again by falling from grace into a bunch of dead end vain doctrines and works of man. There is no law, no boundaries anymore to those in Christ. What once kept us bound and limited in the realm of the flesh is done away, and now we have access into this unlimited realm of peace and joy, which is unattainable by the works of the law. So stay away from these dead end doctrines which claim that we still need to do rituals in order to maintain our walk with the Lord, or you will find this love you were once experiencing growing cold. Hebrews 9:8-12 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (KJV) If you take the time to read the book of Hebrews you will see the writer gives us a good illustration of the difference between the old law and the new. What we see here in verses 8-12 is quite similar to what I still see going on today. Mankind keeps seeking perfection through the works of the law, continually doing things over and over again thinking it will draw them closer to God. As you notice in verse 10, these ordinances were in place until the time of reformation, which was accomplished for us when Christ Himself entered into the Holy place to deliver the sacrifice for mankind which was accepted by our Father. So no matter what disguise you put on these carnal ordinances and washings (water baptism being a prime example), as long as you keep turning back to these dead end works you will not be able to grow and mature in the Lord. Rather than being set free you bring yourself back into the bondage of the weak and beggarly elements again. So people, Church, either Jesus Christ did a complete job on our behalf or He didn’t. And every time you try to walk a spiritual path and incorporate the works of the law in it, you end up with a little spiritual leaven in the bread of life which is unacceptable to Father. Hebrews 10:1-2 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (KJV) When you walk with the Lord and continue in the liberty in Christ you find that there are no gray areas with Him, no shadows of darkness; your path and the light within you gets brighter and brighter, illuminating this path of life and any obstacles in its way. We see again that the true worshippers were once purged, cleansed from sin, because of their faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on our behalf and not by some unfinished works that they think they still need to do. Romans 8:1-4 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. (KJV) You want freedom? Do you desire righteousness? Do you wish to continue to be justified in the sight of our Lord? Then you need to continue in the liberty in Christ and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage; and this will only be accomplished in the realm of the Spirit. Now that you have been set free, stay set free indeed. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:12-15 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (KJV)
Paul didn’t claim to be perfect but he was mature in Christ and was able to grow up into Him in all things. Paul had quite a past, one that included his involvement in persecuting the Church and wasting it. We all have our own past and for every different believer there is a different one. But as we clearly see, Paul found that his answer was before him, the path in front of him this day, right now. How much easier would your path be if you only dealt with the things God has for you this day, at this moment; not thinking on things behind, neither getting caught up with things too far down the road ahead of you. Are you open to change and willing to walk a new path of life the Lord has for you, or are still trying to get results by doing things the same old way? Does your life seem stagnant at times; like on a treadmill, you keep exerting energy but don’t get anywhere and always end up at the same place you started from? If you keep doing the same thing trying to get to your spiritual destination by old watered down doctrines you will find yourself coming up short and missing the mark. If you desire new results it will require a new mindset and a willingness to walk in it as well. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (KJV) The reason Paul was able to forget the past is because the old things were passed away and he wasn’t reliving them over and over again. The reason many Christians have a hard time forgetting their past and moving forward is because they are not willing to let go of the old so that they too can walk a new path in Christ. Similar to a movie that came out years ago called Groundhog Day; the character in the movie kept living the same day over and over again and getting the same results. When something is passed away it should be buried and left there. So if there is someone or something reminding you of your past get out of the cemetery and move on to a new life the Lord has for you. Is every day a new experience for you? One of joy and peace, with a confidence and trust in the Lord that builds you up more and more on a daily basis, or are you being let down again because you expected to get new results from your old ways? A new life means you will need to walk a new path, one that draws you closer to the Lord not further away. Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (KJV) Paul was well versed in the Old Testament and the things of the old law. It was his zeal in holding to the law that caused him to be at odds with the early Church. It was his willingness to let go of the old ways that set him free to walk in the newness of the Spirit; and in the end he went from being one of the Church’s worst enemies to one of its best assets. Is there something you are hanging onto from the past that keeps you from walking in the new instead of being a new creation in Christ, walking in the victory afforded you? Are you hanging onto something from your past and because of this you can’t get past the hindrance in your walk that keeps you buried in defeat? 2 Kings 5:9-12 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. (KJV) Naaman was a great captain of Syria and had leprosy. He was instructed to go to Elisha a man of God to find a cure. Naaman was angry at the answer he received because he had his own preconceived ideas and notions on how God should provide the answer. Sound familiar? Ever wonder how in reading the Old Testament our own lives correlate with these situations, and how similar our old way of thinking is at times? How we at times have been trapped in our own spiritual leprosy and are unable to be set free because we were not willing to follow through with the spiritual prescription God had for us. If you desire something new, then you have to let go of the old; otherwise, instead of leaving the past behind we end up left behind, and falling short of the mark of the prize. 2 Kings 5:13-14 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (KJV) If the Lord sends someone to give you sound advice, will you give heed to it or throw a hissy fit and keep trying your old stagnant ways? Will you walk in a newness of life today, walking by faith and not by sight, a faith in that which the Lord has promised? He is more than able to deliver, but only on His terms and conditions, which are at times so much different than our way of thinking. You have a Bible, the word of God, full of first-hand accounts of what the Lord is ready, willing, and able to provide for any that are willing to leave the past behind and partake of the river of life that will make them clean and renewed. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV)
The nice thing about salvation is that we no longer have to be bottom feeders, which is where this world and its way of thinking is located, at the bottom. You can go as high as it gets which is all the way to heaven to get your instructions. The more you realize how much higher our Lord and His way of doing things is, the more you will not keep lowering yourself back to this world and its fallen ways. I John 2:26-28 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (KJV) So how far do you want to go in your walk with the Lord? According to verse 27 you can take it all the way if you desire. Your good standing with our Lord is based on how much you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you and not be seduced by mans’ limited knowledge. His wisdom is there for the taking and not something that you should be taking for granted. You have been granted access to the things above; and that will only take place when you walk away from your own desires. Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV) Sometimes the church spends so much time blaming the devil for all their mishaps. The devil is a defeated foe, a being who had the keys of hell and death taken out of his possession. The truth is we are our own worst enemies when we lean back to our own understanding, looking more to the outward for confirmation than inward. It goes without saying then that the enemy will come along when he sees or hears weak prey who have forgotten how to pray and hold fast their profession of faith. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Sometimes we become filled with imaginations when we associate ourselves with the wrong crowd, you know those pretenders and wanna be religious people? Our Lord is ready to work on our behalf, but only when we are willing to make the proper changes, which is what verse 6 is referring to. Our Lord is not going to take you into the new with an old way of thinking. Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV) Maybe that frustration you have been experiencing lately is a reflection of how you have been treating our Lord and His plan of salvation. It’s time to take up your spiritual cross again and nail all that doubt and unbelief back on it, and then walk in a resurrection of victory. God bless and let the dead bury their dead. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Philippians 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (KJV)
The purpose of this week’s study was to show the difference between the old outdated doctrine of water baptism and the new spiritual baptism so that we could learn to be immersed in the new living spiritual waters that our Lord has made available to mankind. Knowing our Lord personally and experiencing His power will only take place when your old nature is nailed to the cross of Christ. There is power in the resurrection because you are no longer influenced by the outward sight. Galatians 2:18-21 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV) The old law is a death sentence to many believers who begin so well in the Spirit, but then go back to old things to try and perfect their walk with God instead of doing those things that are pleasing in our Lord’s sight. It is frustrating to God to see His people who were set free for a season walk right back into the snare of the devil by the works of the law which are now considered vain and outdated. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (KJV) Instead of being stuck on water baptism, how about immersing yourself into the living spiritual waters which are the only ones that can get out spiritual stains. Given the fact that we need to clean up our act before showing up at the throne someday, why not find out what our Lord considers clean as compared to what mankind thinks will work. John 15:3-5 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV) It’s the simplicity of the gospel that gets missed and overlooked by people who claim to be spiritual, yet still operate in the flesh. We have been engrafted into the tree of life and we are required to bear the fruit of the Spirit; and the best way for that to happen is to water it with living waters, which again Church are spiritual and not carnal. Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV) All this week we have been showing the difference between John’s baptism and the one our Lord desires to see us immersed in. It is up to you personally to decide which realm you want to walk in, because only one will work, and that would be the spiritual one. Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; (KJV) John baptized with water, now you have access to the Holy Ghost, so grab what is rightfully yours for the taking and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (KJV)
Now I know as we have gone along this week the thought comes to mind, “didn’t the disciples baptize in the book of Acts”? Yes they did, but remember that this was a time of reformation and many of the disciples were in the process of transitioning from the old to the new. Paul realized that salvation is based on grace through faith and not of works, thus the reason why this man wrote so many of the epistles which are now part of the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) Paul realized that the outward baptism was John’s baptism, you know John the Baptist? Paul was revealing the new baptism of our Lord, which is the cross of Christ. Keep in mind Church that the cross of Christ is a spiritual one and not an outward one. Also know that this cross is a personal one that each and every believer needs to take up in order to walk with our Lord. The so called church has this backwards; they think this dying to self stuff is foolish so they decide to pour water over someone thinking that is spiritual. Matthew 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV) In verse 24 we see our Lord speaking to the disciples about taking their own cross and following Him. Well, we know that our Lord was the only one crucified, so obviously this cross was symbolizing something that would be taking place spiritually. Note that this statement was made before our Lord’s crucifixion. Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (KJV) Many today are enemies of the cross of Christ because they don’t have their spiritual senses exercised enough to know the difference between flesh and Spirit. Many today are still trying to appease the outward man more than the inward one and base their salvation more on feelings rather than letting the peace of God rule. Galatians 6:12-15 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (KJV) Today I get a lot of flak from people who swear up and down that you must be water baptized or you won’t go to heaven. Paul got the same reception with the doctrine of circumcision. All these rituals were Old Testament and are outdated; all our Lord is looking at today is the new creation in Christ that we should become, which will only manifest when we take up the cross of Christ and die to those things which He says are a hindrance to our walk today. Dearly loved, take up your cross and follow our Lord Christ Jesus in a prosperous and fulfilled walk in the Spirit this day. God bless. Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (KJV)
It’s time to step into the new, because after all, this is the only realm you will find our Lord operating in today. Here is a baptism we don’t hear enough of today, something based in spirit and in truth; the only the truth that will set you free to walk in the Spirit and no longer be so influenced by the flesh. Romans 6:5-6 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (KJV) Remember how our Lord died on the cross in the outward realm? Well, now we need to take that into the spiritual one and follow suit in order to be truly baptized into Christ. You can’t have a resurrection without a death first. So what needs to be put to death is our old nature so that a new one can come to life within us. Romans 6:7-9 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (KJV) Now when you truly become dead to the outward influences of the flesh that is when you will believe more in what the Lord is saying, and then speak it into existence. This is when the change truly takes place within the believer, and when they really walk away from the old dead watered down doctrines of man and into the new life Christ died to give us access to. Have you walked away from the old yet, because God is specific in the fact that He is a God of the living and not the dead; the living are those who are living in the realm of the Spirit and who are dead to the influences of the flesh. Colossians 2:11-13 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (KJV) It’s funny today how fickle religious people really are; they will re-enact the water baptism ritual, but they draw the line at circumcision claiming that is the old law. Well, circumcision is still is in play spiritually, because it represents something taking place within and no longer in the outward. Again, we see baptism has taken on a whole new spiritual meaning as well, but only to those that have the eyes of their understanding enlightened to the realm of the Spirit so that they can see to walk in a newness of life. Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (KJV) Our new life begins the death of our old nature and the influence it had on us in the past. So let’s get past these childish rituals, grow up, and start maturing in the realm of the Spirit, and see what our Lord has prepared for us today. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 1:29-31 The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, after me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (KJV)
Let’s look at John the Baptists calling, and why he did what he did. First of all keep in mind that this man was still under the old law. His calling was to announce the coming of our Lord and to make known what was about to take place. John 1:32-34 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, upon whom thou shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (KJV) Now there are many today who claim our Lord was actually born again and was receiving the Spirit at this time. However, nothing could be further from the truth. No, what John saw was a personal confirmation from God that upon whom he would see the Spirit descending on was the Son of God. We see God explaining in verse 33 that this man would be baptizing with something other than carnal waters and that this man would baptize with the Holy Ghost instead. Matthew 3:4-7 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (KJV) If you are going to keep re-enacting water baptism, then why not wear a leather girdle and make your diet locusts and honey? Sound a bit farfetched? Well, not much more than those that should be operating in the new who are still working the dead works of the law. In verse 7 the distinction is made that this is John’s baptism and his calling which he did fulfill. Acts 10:36-38 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (KJV) The baptism that John preached was to make known the fact that our Lord was about to make His appearance, which in that time was in the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth. Today the baptism we should be preaching is pointing the people where our Lord is now operating, in the realm of the Spirit. Which realm are you looking in, and is it really something new, or are you just chasing your tail in some old outdated doctrine that a fallen man tries to promote as truth? Dearly loved, may the eyes of your understanding be continually enlightened to the truth of the gospel of Christ unto eternal life; God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (KJV)
Now that you have become a new creature it means that you are now operating in a new realm, one that was not available before the sacrifice of our Lord. This week our goal is to point out some of the old and compare it to the new so that you can make an informed decision based on what the Word says and not what a fallen carnal mankind keeps imitating. Do take note that these old things are passed away which describes things that are dead and not something we should be digging up again and trying to revive. Hebrews 9:8-10 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and diver’s washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (KJV) The word ‘figure’ in verse 9 is referring to a parable, a figure or a symbol of things that were done outwardly that now has a spiritual meaning for those that are able to see beyond the veil of the flesh. We have been in that time of reformation for at least two thousand years now, yet it is hard to fathom why so many in the so called churches have not caught on to what our Lord was symbolizing. Acts 1:4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (KJV) This week we are going to look at the old and new; how John baptized with water which he was doing according to the old law, and today, what is the new baptism that our Lord gives credence to. I believe you will see it is as different as night and day, or should I say flesh and Spirit? Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (KJV) We see our Lord making mention of this baptism, and given the fact that God is a Spirit, then it would be fitting to say that the baptism our Lord desires to see His people baptized in would be spiritual as well. John 6:63-65 It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (KJV) Today we have many that believe in God, yet in works deny Him and are walking in the wrong direction. Many today still think the works of the law are in play, which keeps them stuck under the curse instead of the blessing. The key to walking in the new is getting the old out of the way, which for mankind is his own carnal ways and thoughts. Our lower nature is of no profit to the new realm we are now walking in. So the more you stay in the Spirit, the more of the life of Christ you will experience personally for yourself. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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