Paul’s gospel in 15 seconds!

Where was the SIN QUESTION settled? Calvary.

What was the verdict? Guilty.

What was the penalty? Death. (Separation from God; spiritual deadness, physical death etc.)

Who took it? Jesus Christ.

How much of it? All of it.

How much did he leave for you? None of it…not imputing the world’s sins unto them; “not imputing their trespasses unto them” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

Curt Crist, pastor/teacher of ‘Welcome To Grace Ministries’: Welcometograce.com

Curt Crist on Youtube:
Youtube.com/romansthruphilemon
Youtube.com/graceaboundedmore

 

Priests?!

Daniel

July-10-2011

Priests PDF-FILE

I used e-Sword, a bible software, to see how many times the word “priest” occurs in the King James Bible.

Search term/method: “Priest”- Regular expression (REGEX) which incl. “priest”, “priests, “priesthood”, “high priest” etc.

844 verses found, 958 matches

Genesis	6 verses found	7 matches
Exodus	21 verses found	25 matches
Leviticus	155 verses found	195 matches
Numbers	69 verses found	77 matches
Deuteronomy	14 verses found	15 matches
Joshua	36 verses found	41 matches
Judges	13 verses found	15 matches
1 Samuel	27 verses found	33 matches
2 Samuel	6 verses found	7 matches
1 Kings	27 verses found	28 matches
2 Kings	36 verses found	45 matches
1 Chronicles	19 verses found	21 matches
2 Chronicles	73 verses found	90 matches
Ezra	34 verses found	35 matches
Nehemiah	44 verses found	47 matches
Psalms	5 verses found	5 matches
Isaiah	5 verses found	5 matches
Jeremiah	38 verses found	41 matches
Lamentations	6 verses found	6 matches
Ezekiel	24 verses found	25 matches
Hosea	6 verses found	6 matches
Joel	3 verses found	3 matches
Amos	1 verse found	1 match
Micah	1 verse found	1 match
Zephaniah	2 verses found	2 matches
Haggai	8 verses found	8 matches
Zechariah	6 verses found	6 matches
Malachi	3 verses found	3 matches
Matthew	27 verses found	28 matches
Mark	22 verses found	24 matches
Luke	23 verses found	23 matches
John	21 verses found	22 matches
Acts	25 verses found	27 matches
Hebrews	33 verses found	36 matches
1 Peter	2 verses found	2 matches
Revelation	3 verses found	3 matches

…did you notice something special? Take a closer look at the books between Acts and Hebrews: Romans thru Philemon (Paul’s epistles/books).Wait, they aren’t there?! Did I remove them?! Nope! So, the the words priest(s) and priesthood are mentioned 958 times in 844 verses throughout the Bible, BUTnot once in Paul’s epistles (Romans-Philemon)?! Why is that?

Because today, in the dispensation of the grace of God or ‘the age of grace’, there is only one mediator, or go-between, between God and us, and that mediator is Jesus Christ:

 1 Timothy 2:3-7

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I [Paul] am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

It’s not men dressed in robes and hoods…who work for the religious systems of this world…performing legalistic rituals and ordinances on Sunday mornings…keeping people under bondage; the law and doctrines of men…and claiming to have the ability to forgive sins if you confess them to them. There are no real priests today, and I’ll explain it to you.

Ephesians chapter 2 speaks of 3 time periods:

TIME PAST (the past):

 Ephesians 2:11-12

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Genesis (from Abram/Abraham) thru Acts 8.

God’s earthly program; the kingdom program or the bride of Christ program, concerning A nation; the nation Israel…God’s favored nation at that time. Jews. They would get the land promised them as an everlasting possession, and an earthly kingdom (the kingdom of heaven) to be set up in that land, if they’d simply change their mind (repent) about the source of their righteousness…..never being the law (Deuteronomy 6:25, Leviticus 26:40+, James 2:10)

Under prophecy and law. By sight. FOR us, not to us.

The nation Israel is temporarily fallen (Romans 11), because of their rejection of the messengers; God the Father thru John the Baptist, The Son: Jesus Christ (his earthly ministry in Matthew-John, and the early parts of Acts), and the Holy Spirit thru Stephen in the book of Acts (chapter 7). So, this program is temporarily put on hold, in favor of a new program;

BUT NOW (the present: the dispensation of the grace of God):

 Ephesians 2:13-16

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

 Acts 9-Romans-Philemon. God’s heavenly program; the body of Christ program. God is not dealing with A nation today, and he’s not recognizing any nation above any other nation. He is dealing with individuals today; Jew or gentile (the non-Jewish people of the world)…makes no difference. Under mystery and grace (not under law). Not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). FOR and TO us.

Paul, the Apostle of and to the Gentiles, wrote 13 epistles: Romans thru Philemon. Covers Jesus Christ’s heavenly ministry to us, living in the dispensation of the grace of God.

 AGES TO COME (the future):

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Hebrews thru Revelation.Fulfillment of prophecy. God’s earthly program; the kingdom program or the bride of Christ program, continues. Under prophecy and law. By sight. FOR us, not to us.

Primarily emphasis is on the great tribulation (wrath) and the earthly kingdom; the kingdom of heaven.

God’s future plan for Israel is that they one day will become a kingdom of priests:

Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are

the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

In time past, Jew and gentile weren’t equal…they weren’t on the same level.

Matthew 10:1-8, 15:22-28, Acts 1:21-26, Romans 15:8

Ephesians 2:11-12

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

 …so the gentiles had to go thru the nation Israel, in order to be saved. They had to proselyte to Judaism and take hold of their covenant. Being cut off from Israel, was the same as being cut off from God. No wonder why Jesus Christ, during his earthly ministry to the nation Israel, says that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22)

 Romans 9:4-5 KJV

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

So, as you can see the priests served as mediators between God and men.

 Isaiah 60:1-3

1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Today, rather than having to go thru an earthly nation; Israel, in order to be saved, we now have direct access to salvation and God, thru Jesus Christ. This was a result of their fall (mystery), not their rising (prophecy).

 Romans 11:11-12

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

 Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

 Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

 This mystery was exclusively revealed to our Apostle; Paul, by the ascended, glorified Jesus Christ (as he spoke from heaven):

Romans 16:25-26

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

God hasn’t done away with Israel entirely! In a day yet future, they will experience the state

of prominence God promised them throughout the pages of prophecy!

Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he

might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for

the sins of the people.

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

After the great tribulation, with the 2nd coming of Christ, God will make a new covenant with Israel, not according to the old covenant:

 Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

 Also read Hebrews 8.

So, today there is no need for a priest, priesthood or a nation, to have fellowship with God.

Although there aren’t any real priests today, the saved are called to be ambassadors for Christ, of the ministry of reconciliation, telling the world about the word of reconciliation:

 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19To 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.

20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [God’s only begotten Son/God in the flesh: Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Daniel

http://www.youtube.com/romansthruphilemon

 

Presenting the good news of Jesus Christ

Daniel

July-9-2011

Presenting the good news of Jesus Christ .PDF

Recently I had a conversation with a brother in Christ, about what a lost person has to believe (in) to be saved, and have eternal life in heaven. What should a decent, yet simple, gospel presentation look like? Which bible passages or verses should it include?

First of all, it’s WHAT we say that counts, not necessarily how we say it, but a rejection of the messenger does in many cases lead to a rejection of the message!

1 Corinthians 2:1-8

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Colossians 4:2-6

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

…and it’s important to keep in mind, that it’s the gospel (good news) message itself that saves…if it’s believed:

Romans 1:16-17

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

With that in mind, what does a lost person have to believe (in) to be saved?

1: Who Christ is/The deity of Christ:

God’s only begotten Son: God in the flesh, or the God man. That God is one, yet 3 at the same time: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God).

2: What Jesus Christ did and what it accomplished:

That Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…for our justification.

…and that it was an all-sufficient reconciliation, which resolved the sin issue ONCE and for ALL, where the entirety of the world’s sin debt was concerned, in the mind of the one to whom the payment for their sins was made; God the father! To believe this good news is to be reconciled in your mind (Colossians 1:21, 2 Corinthians 5:20), not God’s. It’s a SON issue today, not a SIN issue. The issue isn’t forgiveness of sin. The issue is believing what the cross work of Christ accomplished in your behalf, in order to be identified with and joined to Christ himself: His test scores (His righteousness and His faith) written on your paper.

3: Our responsibility: FAITH, apart from ANY works.

Salvation is a free gift, available to everyone; by grace, through faith. No works required, nor desired.

(Faith is NOT a work:

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.)

BIBLE VERSES:

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Now, there are many great bible passages you can use, but the following 5 bible passages are my favorites. I use them a lot because they cover point 1-3 to the point.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 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.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Timothy 2:3-7

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I [Paul] am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

…and this is why:

1: Who Jesus Christ is/The deity of Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 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.

20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Timothy 2:3-7

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I [Paul] am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

2: What Jesus Christ did and what it accomplished:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Romans 4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 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.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Timothy 2:3-7

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.

7Whereunto I [Paul] am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

3: Our responsibility: FAITH, apart from ANY works.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The idea here isn’t having faith in the gospel of Christ 24/7-365 days! There were people at the Corinthian assembly who rejected the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-22). These people had “believed in vain”: what they had believed in never saved them in the first place. It was another gospel, and another gospel does NOT save. That’s why it’s essential to believe and share the right Gospel.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 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.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Timothy 2:3-7

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I [Paul] am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Should we share right division (2 Timothy 2:15) with the lost? That is distinguishing between Israel’s mail and our mail. All of the Bible is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:15-16), and all of the Bible is written FOR our learning, but not all of the Bible is written directly TO us, living in the dispensation (or household, administration) of the grace of God:

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

Right division doesn’t save, believing Paul’s gospel saves! Right division proves that Paul’s gospel is true, and that it’s the only gospel for the dispensation of the grace of God. It also validates Paul’s distinct apostleship, ministry and message. Our study of the word of truth, rightly divided, has eternal consequences. It is a work of faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3), and will therefore be judged at the judgment seat of Christ. So take them to right division after they’re saved; believed Paul’s gospel.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:12-14

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 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.

 

I definitely think it’s a good idea to tell people that Paul is our Apostle, and that the ascended, glorified Christ (as he spoke from heaven) gave him the Gospel. 1 Timothy 2:7! Then they know where to start in their Bible: Romans thru Philemon.

 

Daniel,

http://www.youtube.com/romansthruphilemon

 

 

6: Baptism (Steve Atwood)

Steve Atwood, pastor/teacher of ‘Grace Bible Church Chattanooga Tennessee’.
Understandingyourbible.com

King James Bible (KJV A.V. 1611). The KJV is NOT copy-right protected! It can be downloaded for free at: http://www.bibleprotector.com/KJB-PCE-MINION.pdf
e-sword.net (a free Bible software)

Watch the bible study, and read along! Thanks for your time, and have a nice day!

Daniel,

youtube.com/romansthruphilemon

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Rightly dividing the word of truth is simply to distinguish between the Scriptures that were written to the nation Israel and the Scriptures were written to the church the body of Christ.

The old testament
The gospels: Matthew-John. The life of Jesus Christ and his earthly ministry, where he trained 12 men (disciples) to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry to the nation Israel; to the Jews.
Acts 1-8: The ministry of the twelve disciples continues.
Acts 9: Paul is saved – given the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul’s epistles: Romans-Philemon.
The gospel of the grace of God
Committed to Paul
Paul the apostle of the gentiles
The dispensation of the grace of God
The church the body of Christ
Hebrew epistles: Hebrews-Revelation.
The doctrine of these books will match that of the kingdom gospel in Matthew-John.
Primarily emphasis is on the tribulation and the millennial kingdom.

I’ll talk to you about something that is is very controversial among some people: water baptism. I want us to consider what the Bible has to say about baptism. Maybe you’ve never considered this?! Maybe you’ve always considered that water baptism was the thing to do; either to be immersed or sprinkled?! I want to present some information about water baptism that may be a little bit different than what you’ve heard previously.

Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

It’s very interesting that the apostle Paul would say there that there is one baptism. I know that that has to be in relation to the church; the body of Christ. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. He was given the dispensation of grace of God, and Paul’s doctrine is to the church the body of Christ, during the dispensation of grace; a period of time in which we are living today. Now when Paul said that there’s one baptism, he must be talking in relation to the church, for in Matthew chapter 3 we find that obviously there would be a contradiction in the Scriptures, if we did not rightly divide the word of truth. In other words, if we don’t distinguish between what Paul said to the church, and what Christ taught the nation Israel, then there is going to be contradictions in the Bible, and personally I don’t believe there are any. I believe the Bible is perfect, pure and that it is the preserved word of God, and that you can understand the Scriptures by comparing Scripture with Scripture and by rightly dividing the word of truth.

In Matthew 3, John comes forth preaching the kingdom of heaven is at hand:

Matthew 3:1-12
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern 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?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Now, he lists there (verse 12) three baptisms: with water, with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Now, I want us to notice those 3 baptisms, and how that those are associated with the nation Israel. First of all I want you to notice that the baptism of repentance was water baptism. You see, there are people today who practice water baptism and they believe in baptismal regeneration; that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. On the other hand there are those people who say “no baptism is not necessary for salvation, but we practice water baptism in obedience to the Lord”. Well, I don’t believe you can have it both way, because we find that the baptism of Matthew-Mark-Luke-John and the baptism of Acts 2 was not optional. Now, I do not believe that a person has to be baptized today to be saved. I believe that salvation is by grace through faith, without any works, and I’m sure that’s what the Bible declares, but there are many people today who try to have it both ways. They may say “well, we don’t believe it for salvation, but we believe it ought to be practiced by those who are saved”. I want you to see that it was necessary as far as the nation Israel was concerned:

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

In other words this baptism was for the remission of sins, just like Peter said in:

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

John 1:31-33
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 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 shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

In other words, John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; it was water baptism! Jesus Christ, before he ascends into heaven, said:

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Water baptism under the kingdom gospel was absolutely necessary for salvation!

There is no doubt about that, if you believe the Bible means what it says.

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

If he said “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world”, and then immediately after his resurrection he told them to go and preach the gospel, obviously it’s the gospel of the kingdom. It’s not hard to figure out that that is exactly what happened, because they’re preaching the same thing; the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

It does not say because of. There are many people who try to get around the issue that water baptism was once required for salvation, because they don’t believe it’s necessary, and I don’t either, but they get around the issue by saying that Acts 2:38 should say “repent and be baptized BECAUSE of the remission of sins.” It is for the remission of sins, but that’s for the nation Israel.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

There are people today to talk about being fire baptized, let me tell you that if they were fire baptized, they wouldn’t be around to tell us about it it. Fire baptism, that we’re going to see in a moment, has to do with wrath, but at any rate Jesus Christ told the disciples;

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [the Holy Ghost] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It’s absolutely clear that the tongues there were other languages. It was not the gibberish that you hear going on today in the charismatic movement. They were other languages, and they were baptized with the Holy Ghost; given the gift of other languages so they could fulfill the great commission they were given. That was to go into all the world and preach the gospel. How in the world were they going to do that when they could not speak the languages?! These were Jews, they were Hebrews. God gave them a supernatural gift to be able to speak the language of the people that they were talking to. Those were the tongues of Acts 2, and those tongues went away as their ministry declined.

Matthew 3:11-12
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The third baptism that he mentions (Matthew 3:11-12) is baptism with fire. In other words, during the tribulation as God is dealing with the nation Israel, there will be a period of time when fire will be poured out.

Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Isaiah 66:15-16
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

Malachi 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

This is during the seventh week of Daniel, and it’s called the time of Jacob’s trouble. It’s the time when God is going to pour out his wrath upon this world.

It is clear then that there are at least three baptisms that are associated with the nation Israel. John mentioned all three in the very beginning of his ministry.

Three baptisms for Israel (not for the church today):

1: Baptism with water for the remission of sins.
It was performed by an individual with and in water. It was water baptism and it was absolutely necessary.

2: Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Took place in Acts 2, a fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2, and as that baptism took place it empowered the twelve to do that which God Almighty had commissioned them to do in Matthew-Mark-Luke-John, and that was to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

3: Baptism with fire.
Comes upon those that don’t get the baptism with water. It comes upon those that are rebellious.

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

That gospel of the kingdom included water baptism, keeping the law, selling out, it also included enduring to the end, and that was based upon the fact that God was going to pour out his wrath upon them.

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Well, then the question comes up: Why in the world would the apostle Paul make a statement like he makes in Ephesians 4, that there’s only one baptism, when we’ve already seen that there are three that are clearly outlined in the Scriptures, numerous Scriptures about each one of them…why would Paul say that there is just one baptism? Well, because Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, says he is several times. He says ‘be ye followers of me’ (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1, Philippians 3:17)

Paul’s doctrine is for the church today (the body of Christ), and for the church today (the body of Christ) there is only ONE baptism.

There’s not several baptisms, he said there’s one baptism. Now, you know people try to get around that all kind of ways. Some people say that one baptism is water baptism. Others say that one baptism is Spirit baptism, and some say that it’s only one that really matters, and that’s the Spirit baptism. There’s all kind of ways to try to manipulate the Bible and Scriptures to make it fit the doctrine that people have been taught by by tradition of men. The fact is folks that there is just one baptism today, and we find it in Paul’s writings. The same man that wrote Ephesians 4, wrote:

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The first thing people usually think of is; “well, if Paul said that there’s only one baptism, and it’s Spirit baptism, why did Paul baptize people?” Well, the same reason that Paul did several things in his ministry that was associated with going to the Jew first. In the book of Acts Paul kept the law, he had his head shaved under a vow (Acts 18:18), and he spoke in tongues. Paul did many things during the book of Acts, and he said (in Corinthians) that the reason he did those was because he became all things to all men. That’s why Paul baptized, but you know there is no way that Paul could have been under the same commission that we find that Peter and the other disciples were under. Jesus Christ told them emphatically, it was not optional, to ‘go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing them that believe’.

What did Paul say?

1 Corinthians 1:17 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.

The ONLY baptism for the church today is Spirit baptism.

The baptism by the Spirit, and every saved individual today has experienced that baptism.
People say; “well, you don’t believe in baptism?”. Yeah, I believe in baptism, I believe in Spirit baptism. I believe 1 Corinthians 12:13; “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”. When Paul said there’s just one baptism, that’s the one that I find that he mentions, and therefore I know that there’s only one today, and therefore there is no need for anybody to practice water baptism today. It does nothing but get a person wet. It has nothing to do with their salvation. It has nothing to do with them being in obedience to Christ.
As a matter of fact;

Colossians 2:10-13
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 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;

Obviously, Paul is talking here about Spirit baptism. It’s interesting that people say “oh, no, that’s water baptism in verse 12!”. Well, if that is water baptism in verse 12, then it would only be reasonable to conclude that verse 11 is physical circumcision! In other words, if verse 11 is physical, then verse 12 would be physical, or they’re either both Spiritual, and obviously they’re Spiritual. In our next session we’ll talk about that circumcision of verse 11.
It’s interesting what Paul says in verse 10: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power”. There is not anything that you can do to add to that which Christ has already done in your behalf. He died for our sins, he was buried and he was raised again for our justification.

People look at Romans 6, and they assume that that’s water baptism. There is no way that Romans 6 can be water baptism, yet there are many people who say that salvation is by grace through faith, and that Romans 6 is not water baptism, and yet they’ll quote this while they’re baptizing people.

Romans 6:3-5
3 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.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

“if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death” There’s the key! How is it that you could be planted together with him, if that’s water baptism. Obviously not everybody was baptized in water at one time. Well, we all were, as members of the body of Christ, identified with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, identified by that Spiritual baptism. What do I mean by identification?

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth 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.

When Christ died on that cross, it’s as though you died! When he was buried, it’s as though you were buried, and when he was raised from the dead, it’s as though you were raised from the dead. We were raised with him to walk in newness of life. Not walk, raised out of water, we were raised from the dead, he died for our sins, we were buried with him and we were raised with him, to walk in newness of life.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

It’s interesting to me that there is so much emphasis today upon water baptism, among so many people. You ask people today “are you saved?” and they say “well, I’ve been water baptized”. People equate water baptism with salvation. It’s a dangerous thing to baptize people because when you do, you imply to them that it somehow has something to do with them being saved! Salvation is a free gift, it’s not by works, it’s not by water baptism, it’s not by joining the church, it is by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and that is clear in Romans 6, Colossians 2 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. The Spirit baptism that Paul talks about does things for people that water baptism could never do.

Spirit BAPTISM…

1: …is performed by the Holy Spirit and not by human hands.
This baptism is not one has to be scheduled. It is not one you have to dress up for.

2: …takes place the moment a person is saved.

3: …places a person into the body of Christ, and that person placed into the body of Christ is secure in Christ; “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body “

4: …abolishes all national, social and sexual distinctions in Christ.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

5: …makes a person a partaker of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

6: …makes a person complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10).

7: …is the “one” and only baptism for the believer today in the body of Christ.

That’s why Paul said:
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Many people will say “baptism has nothing to do with salvation, but there’s two ordinances of our church; water baptism and the Lord’s supper”. I want you to consider how hypocritical it is for somebody who says that you can be a member of the body of Christ simply by trusting in what Jesus Christ did for you….that “salvation is by grace through faith; that salvation is by believing the gospel; trusting in what Christ did on the cross”, then turn around and say “you cannot be part of our local fellowship without being baptized in water”. Why is it that a local assembly would require more of people to be part of their assembly, than God requires to be part of the body of Christ? I tell you why, it’s because of one simple word, and that is tradition. Somewhere , somewhere along the line, somebody said that you had to be baptized to be part of this particular church, so it’s been passed down by tradition. There are scriptures that they go to, but they’re scriptures that are associated with the nation Israel. The word of God rightly divided, when you look at Paul’s epistles; Romans thru Philemon, you see that today there is just one baptism. That baptism is by the Spirit and that baptism places people that believe the gospel of Christ; that believe that Christ died for their sins, in Christ. That’s the only baptism today that needs to be associated with the church; the body of Christ. It’s not water baptism, it’s Spirit baptism.

The Apostle Paul said:

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Water baptism has nothing to do with your salvation today! Salvation is dependent upon what you believe, and water baptism is not a testimony of salvation today. A testimony of salvation is what comes out of your mouth; if you have believed the gospel of Christ, and trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you can tell somebody that you have. That’s the testimony that’s important, not going into a pool of water and getting wet and coming forth. It has always amazed me that people who say it’s a testimony of salvation, only get baptized once in their life. It’s not a testimony of salvation, the testimony of salvation is to open your mouth and proclaim that Christ died for you and you’re trusting in him.