The Baptism in the Name of Jesus and The Gift of the Holy Ghost

THE BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS

AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLYGHOST

April 28, 2017

It has become customary that I do a follow up after my saying that receiving the HOLY GHOST has never saved any one whereas the baptizing in the NAME of JESUS does.

Proof of that is where Peter said on the Day of Pentecost: “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.” Acts 2:38

Now the Baptizing in the Name of JESUS is Salvation to the Soul, and the HOLY GHOST Baptism Makes us part of the BODY of CHRIST and adds the Gift to enable the Saint to minister wherein GOD has called him.

Now when the sinner is Baptized in the Name of Jesus said Paul:  “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9b   And Said he: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6  

Paul named the gifts of the Spirit where he wrote: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”  Ephesians 4:11

Now the emphasis was on: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

 

Now the process whereby the LORD saves us by, baptizing us in the Name of JESUS, has never changed.  However the terminology has changed.   Some say the LORD saved me while others say I’m redeemed, etc.   The Baptism in the name of JESUS is salvation to the soul and it always precedes the Baptism of the HOLY GHOST, thus Peter said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and (in addition)  ye shall receive the gift of the Holy GHOST.”

Perhaps you’ve noticed that the Baptizing in the NAME of JESUS doesn’t jump out at the reader as do some Scriptures and it is often over looked.  However it is still to the salvation of the soul.  Now did you understand that when Peter said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins?  If so you understood it correctly.

Now the Apostle Paul set the record straight when he said: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9   

Yea, FATHER GOD sent JESUS to save sinners, and the HOLY GHOST to baptize His saints making them one body in CHRIST while adding to them the gift or gifts needed to carry out the mission for which they were sent.  Both JESUS CHRIST and the HOLY GHOST are subject to the Heavenly FATHER. They were both sent by Him and both are comforters to the CHURCH according to the scriptures. (John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

And the HOLY GHOST is subject to JESUS for He sent Him as comforter in His stead. 

Now as saith the Scripture, JESUS came into the world to save sinners and He arrived via the virgin birth.  In alliance with that the Angel told Joseph and his bride, the virgin Mary: “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

And as we know, GOD reckoned the work of CHRIST to be in force from the foundation of the world.  In line of that the Apostle Peter said: “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in the prophets did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”  1 Peter 1:11

And said Luke in the 8th chapter of Acts: “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Then the third and last recording of an Apostle laying on of  hands for the purpose of  a disciple to receive the HOLY GHOST is where the  writer said:    “And it came to pass, that, while Apollo’s was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.   And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.   Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.    When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.   And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.   And all the men were about twelve.   And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. Acts 19:1-8  

Now if some or someone should assume that John baptized any one that wasn’t saved consider where it was said: “Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance…Luke 3:6-8a 

When JESUS told His Apostles: “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:17

That prophecy became a reality on the Day of Pentecost for then they were all filled with the HOLY GHOST and as never before they could preach CHRIST and Him Crucified, Buried, then Arose on the third day, Amen!

May the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be blessed forever, AMEN!  

 

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

November 10, 2003

We commence this study where the Apostle John said:

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:5-6

In verse five (5) he said:” This is the first resurrection.” It was from whence came our title.   Now it is a must that you know that none of the things John saw was visible to the natural eye, nor the natural man.  It is liken to explaining to a blind person, for when he or she understand, they respond with, “I see”.   Paul’s hope for some was: “That the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”  Ephesians 1:18

Yea, what John called: “The dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan was just other names for the original, or the sin of Adam.

After the fall said Moses: “Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image” Genesis 5:3

And therefore we are of Adams posterity. “And through Adam all die.” even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

And we were born with the original sin residing within, but it was dead said Paul.  And we were not accountable for sin until the law came and revived it as said the Apostle:

“Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.   For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.   And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.   For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”  Romans 7:8-11

It was the original sin and the sin that it had generated Paul called the body of sin. And, said he, it was destroyed when we, the redeemed, were crucified with Christ on his cross. Romans 6:6

Since our soul was slain by sin and eternal death was pronounced against us, our only hope was through the process of being crucified with CHRIST, buried with Him and raised with Him. This is the exact process Paul said that GOD put us through in saving us.   Notice the final step in that process was the resurrection of the Soul, for it was dead, and when we were raised with CHRIST we were made alive forever more.

For: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:5

Yea, since JESUS CHRIST was the first to be resurrected from the dead and we had part in His Resurrection, then  we be they that has had part in the first resurrection :  To paraphrase, we are among those that are blessed and holy that hath had part in the first resurrection: and on such the second death hath no power.  Revelation 20:6

Now the Apostle Peter taught that we had part in the first resurrection.

He wrote: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  1 Peter 1:3. 

King David testified on behalf of the Resurrection of His soul, where, He sang:

“I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.   O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.   O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.   Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.   For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:1-5

Now what JESUS said should have put to  rest the doctrine that the Redeemed will be Resurrected, bodily, and reign a thousand years with CHRIST  for said He: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44  

And He said:  “This is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. [40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:39-40  By saying that ,did you notice that JESUS taught first that the soul would be resurrected then, at the end of the world He would resurrect the body?

May we bless and obey the FATHER and GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST Always. Amen! 

 

OUR REIGN WITH CHRIST

In his letter to Timothy, Paul informed him and us on the conditions whereby we reign with CHRIST.   He wrote: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12

Paul’s take on our Reign with CHRIST is conditional in that: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”

Peter explained the way we are to suffer: “Forasmuch then as CHRIST suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.”  I Peter 4:1

Therefore, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”

However, “If we deny him, he also will deny us of our reigning with CHRIST our LORD.

Again Peter explained: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

Now the type of suffering that assures our Reign with CHRIST is self denial; and that is accomplished when the flesh is kept at bay and CHRIST is in the forefront.   JESUS instructed us on how that is accomplished.  He encouraged: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16  

Our conversation plays a major part in whether we Reign with CHRIST or not.  Peter told his peers and us: “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

1 Peter 2:12

Furthermore Peter said: “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Colossians 3:9-1

And finally brethren, Paul said: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Amen!

Philippians 3:20 

 

THE SON OF PERDITION

October 21, 2008

When Paul was at the Church at Thessalonica, he touched on a subject that some or someone wished to know a more detailed account.  He responded with: "Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?"

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."  2 Thessalonians 2:1

Yea, seeing the Apostle said; that “The day of Christ is at hand."  He indicated that time was of the essence, and by that the responsibility fell on man.   Furthermore, from what he said as he continued made me believe that he taught of the Salvation of the soul as did David where he said: To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation”:” Psalm 95:7-8

I suppose  when  PAUL  was with them he told them that before their children could be saved, they must first become accountable for sin.  He said: "That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."  

I believe the phrase, "a falling away," is in alliance with the fall of Adam.  Paul gave us an account on his own personal falling away.  In doing so he reveals what is typical for the rest of us.  In our day we tend to say, in truth, that a child has to be lost before he can be saved.  Therefore, I believe that to be the essence of what Paul has written in his response to the Thessalonians.

He wrote: "We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him(.We were gathered unto him  when he saved us.) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”  2 Thessalonians 2:3

That man of sin is the Devil

I realize that some assume that Paul was referring to church members forsaking to assemble themselves as some had.  But nay, when the Lord saved us He gathered us unto Himself into what Paul, and others, calls the Body of Christ.

In the following Paul described his situation after the Word of God had entered his heart.  He wrote: "Now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."   Then he described the struggling that takes place in the heart of a sinner while he is being badgered by the Devil.  He wrote: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

Ah, but those that do not receive the Truth.  "For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12  

Then he said that after the Devil takes over a sinner’s life, through manipulation, that he "opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."  2 Thessalonians 2:4 

Don’t you see the Devil in control of those out there in the world? As children of GOD  Our body is the temple of God and when we were lost the Devil was enthroned on the throne of God’s temple, which is to say our body. As  children of God, Paul warns us: "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 

1 Corinthians 3:17

When the Lord bound the Devil, and cast him out of our heart into our flesh, Jesus took up his abode in our heart, and at that very second we begin our reign with Christ.  Amen!  

Only Jesus can overthrow that man of sin, whom He called the strong man, and himself the stronger of the two.  Here’s what He said: "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house."  Mark 3:27

For those who would like more proof that the devil is the man of sin, Paul wrote: "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."

Romans 6:6 and Ephesians 4:22 then Colossians 3:9 

JESUS challenge some of the Jews that would not many days hence would Crucify Him with: “Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:32-33   By JESUS saying that His reference was that they were the seed of the serpent that should bruise His heel.  

In closing, Judas was called both “the son of perdition and a devil.”   Jesus said to His Apostles: “Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil?"  John 6:70

In his prayer to the Father, JESUS reminded Him: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12

May the LORD be blessed forever, Amen!