BAPTISM

Baptism? What is it to be baptized.

To Immerse, To Submerge, Wash by immersion in water. Etc. These are the definitions of the word used in the New testament

βαπτιζο

I have thus far avoided an outright lesson on this subject for a few reasons, one being that it is one of the more basic requirements of following Christ and obeying his commandments. As well as being as basic as needing to breathe to live

Another reason being the sheer magnitude of argument it causes, both within the body as well as outside. But it shouldn’t go unsaid and I have been remiss in not making it clear to those of you who have a hunger to know as well as those who have their eyes opened and ears unplugged to the truth of the Gospel in its full meaning. With the constant downplaying and false explanations of Baptism, it has not only become needed but needed urgently. As the rest of the things of Spiritual Milk given and taught to those who are young in the faith.

While this and others are basic teachings of the very building blocks that begin at the start of faith they must be gone over and taught diligently. Able to be brought into remembrance to all who would trust in faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness/Strength and ability to fulfill the commandments of God The Father through him. And not in their own works to justify themselves, or this Denomination or that.

Many Claim that 'works' (in its most generalized term) are not needed, they say they are saved through prayer, reading scripture and Singing hymns. Though they turn those into works and thus debate themselves as they debate against the following of the false teaching of Catholicism.

Many seem to claim that obeying Christ (and through him the Father) by being baptized, somehow constitutes as thinking you are saved by the act itself. And that it goes against the fact that you are saved by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ, I assure you the idea of baptism as a work contradicts much of scripture and is said nowhere aside from their own heads and doctrine.

As stated and shown before, prayer or reading of scripture would be classified as works under their understanding or following of it, though it's without doubt and is repeated time and again as needed every day and as often as possible, though not at all the sole source of salvation.

And they treat them as works just as much as the pharisees did of their own altered teaching before Christ rebuked them in it. This thought process comes in as many forms as there are Sects or Factions.

The fact is that Baptism was taught in all of the New testament as well as foreshadowed and prophesied of in much of the Old Covenant (or Old Testament).

These misgivings of Baptism can be understood and had sympathy on in some cases.

The catholic church passed them off as well as a great many other things as necessary 'works' and twisted their meaning as badly as the pharisees did the Law of Moses.

But...

Even from the beginning of God explaining the Old Covenant to Moses and the building of the first tabernacle. Which was to be the image or shadow of the Holy Place itself (heaven or the Fathers throne room) which Moses was instructed to build in Exodus.

Exodus 30:17-21

17 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. 19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: 20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord: 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

Before they were to enter the tent they were to wash each time or be killed for trying to enter in without being cleaned.

This was what was needed prior to christ and was the shadow of what was to come.

It was fulfilled on the Cross, and that which was foreshadowed by the washing was also completed in our knowledge and needed only once, and that by faith and not of faith in the act itself.

For while they were instructed to offer daily sacrifices, for the forgiveness of the sins of the people as well as their own, Christ died once for all, and put to death the endless regulations and rules of the old covenant which were out there as a guide until christs coming. And which acted as a wall dividing the Gentile from the Israelites, and the promises given by God to his people. Which were those who would live according to his righteousness and refuse their own will.

Yet still, just as was foreshadowed then, we as the Holy Priesthood (which you are to be if you follow him truly.) Must be washed of heart and trust in the promise from God that those who are washed have been forgiven of their past sins, and trust in his forbearance and abundant mercy shown to all who believe with a mind and heart to obey truly.

As was stated in 1 Peter 2:1-10

1 Peter 2:1-10

2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 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.

We...as a holy priesthood are still to be washed, though not as an act, but in faith in the truth and grace given by Jesus Christ. And the promise prophesied and shown in Christ.

For while the Old Law was a Curse to those who followed it, in Christ we are not under a curse but grace and freedom.

We are to be washed before we enter the kingdom, just as the Elders were to be washed before entering the tabernacle which was the shadow of The Holy Place.

Those who follow Christ, we are the Kingdom, his children. As was said throughout the whole of the Gospel. And as is written on the hearts of all those who seek to follow him from a true heart and a mind that it is their duty of Love to obey.

And Those who Believe and are Baptized, will be saved.

Whoever does not believe will be condemned. This was told to the apostles after Christ rebuked them for their disbelief. And as always explained that without that belief and faith in him, and Love, that whatever we take on ourselves under the guise of obedience is in-fact a Dead Work.

Mark 16:9-16

9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Just as the Elders of the old covenant, The priesthood under Aaron, were told to wash their feet and hands before entering the tabernacle or tent, so to have we been told to do so of faith or we cannot enter the kingdom, and are thus condemned. So with this said some may respond Either in malice or twisting of the word:

"So Christ did say that if you don't do the act then you are damned! So obviously the act saves.." I ask instead that you look more diligently at the scripture.

-Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.-

Jeremiah 9:24-26

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

25 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

Deuteronomy 30:1-8

30 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee, 2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; 3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee. 4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: 5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. 6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. 7 And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. 8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

This is The Kingdom "the Knowledge of God and his commandments" of all true believers, which is salvation by Grace through Faith and proved to the conscience by Good Works done for Loves sake, and of duty only. Given by Grace of The Father through Faith In Jesus Christ. (Faith which is to Obey Him, which is to Love him and through him The Father). These will be saved. Not for the sake of the work.

This is to be done, not as thinking the act itself is sufficient to be saved, but in believing the words of Christ, which are the words of The Father through him. Just as scripture says above

"Those who Believe and are baptized, will be saved, those who do not believe will be condemned"

Without true belief, that those who are baptized or Washed are forgiven of their past sins as was promised of the father, then it is just being dumped in water or a cleansing of dirt for you...

1 Peter 3:15-22

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

For baptism signifies dying with christ to the flesh and being born again of the spirit. With a new heart and (if we obey) new spirit put in us.

As was promised through Ezekiel by the Holy spirit speaking through him.

Ezekiel 36:22-32

22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 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 an 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. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

It's also claimed in the multitude of the 45,000+ Denominations that don't outright fight the word of God in saying baptism is outright against christ, (on following their own evil heart), that baptism is only optional.

This, as you'll see through the fullness of scripture, is incorrect and dangerous.

Baptism Is to symbolize that promise within us to our consciences through washing of water by the word.

Not to trust in the act, but to have it in remembrance for our weak conscience and trust in that promise that in faith in the blood of Christ we are forgiven of all our past sins and are made anew, and born anew to the spirit and dead to the flesh and its desires. Just as Circumcision was to be kept in remembrance so they remember to be circumcised not only of flesh but of heart.

Ephesians 5:24-27

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 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. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Through belief in Jesus christ, that we have died to our old selves, to the flesh and walking according to it.

And that we are born Anew. This is the only meaning of the words "Born Again" which you all are likely aware of, though it too has been twisted and warped to mean what they want it to mean. Whether supported by a single verse or not, which many if not all Denominations, Factions, Sects, Divisions or Heresies seem to do as all those before them did, altering it to fit their individual interpretations.

May God open the hearts of them if he wills it..

They claim it to mean born again by receiving the holy spirit. When scripture repeatedly shows that to be baptized rarely refers to the holy spirit and that it does not mean to receive the holy spirit and thus do away with the need to be washed in the washing of regeneration all together. As all Sacraments given and shown by Christ, the physical acts are to bring its meaning into our heart to be kept in remembrance.

Although the Holy Spirit does often follow some time after or also Before Baptism. But only if the want to Obey and follow Christ is truly within their heart.

As was stated in Acts and many other places through example and direct statement.

Acts 5:29-32

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Born in the newness of the spirit given by God according to his promise, comes of obeying The Father through truly believing and obeying our lord Jesus Christ.

Which is to take his words as truth without any glossing or trying to alter it to what makes sense only to the flesh, as shown in Ezekiel 36 above. To be baptized is to join him in the likeness of his death and be bathed in his blood through belief and in the heart, symbolized by the washing of water by the word, and belief and faith there in. In Love for the father and his extraordinary mercy.

As shown

Romans 6:1-14

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 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: 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. 7 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 dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

And so, in baptism we have died to the flesh that we might not live in sin. As was shown above as well as much of romans chapter 5 before it. Thus the Sacrament was given to us so that we can return to this confession of our baptism and that we believe in the promise and so by the strength of Christ in us endeavor to follow him, trusting in that we have been cleansed of our sins, though they stay foremost in our heart to remind us of how we walked before, that we might not return to it.

This teaching of baptism as it is shown by the word in Gods glorious promise should be taught to all who seek after him for forgiveness of their sins, either before their baptism or soon after. So that it can have its use in their heart, and teach them to trust in God's promise for he only is True.

And for us of the new covenant under Jesus Christ it is of faith, by grace, that we might believe.

Shown by a washing of regeneration, in which we die to the flesh and rise again that we might walk in newness of the spirit with christ.

So that it is not of works, but by Faith and Belief that Christ was and is truthful in the promises given through him by The Father.

That in our Baptism, if we have that Belief, we are forgiven of all past sins. As Paul himself experienced when he was struck blind and then baptized by Ananias.

Acts 9:17-19

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Acts 22:12-16

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Even if our hearts condemn us for the past, we know and have faith that we have been forgiven and our sins are no longer in remembrance by the father.

Baptism, or immersion or ceremonial washing as it was in the old covenant, is not a new concept in its need for belief in God, that is its need to our consciences, not in an act of the flesh but one of faith.

But was also shown in the time of Elisha, when none were healed of leprosy but Naaman the Syrian, because he believed.

The prophet and Man Of God, who had been blessed with a double portion of the same spirit that Elijah possessed, (whom was returned in John The Baptist)

The spirit that also is by Faith.

2 Kings 5:9-14

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 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. 11 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. 12 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. 13 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? 14 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.

In acting in faith he was healed and made clean, as was said above, if he had been told to accomplish some great feat he would have done that in full faith that it would have cleansed him by the words of the spirit through Elisha.

Instead something as seemingly insignificant as being bathed 7 times in the river required that he had faith in God through Elisha. And in this he was made clean, and in seeing the miracle given only by the One True God and faith in him, came to believe. Even asking for forgiveness when he was made to bow in the temple where his master worshipped an idol.

And he was made clean.

And before that still in the days of Elijah, it was foreshadowed.

When he was told to speak against the false prophets of Baal who had beguiled the people and lead them astray.

2 Kings 18:29-39

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.

The 12 stones being Israel were submerged and set awash in water, until it overflowed, then to prove it was by God's word that this was done, Fire Fell and wiped away all that was there before, even the dust was gone. These and many other scriptures including even several Psalms, foreshadowed baptism as it was revealed by Christ and explained through the holy spirit by the apostles.

Even shown the foreshadowing of baptism that was hidden until revealed through the spirit.

1 corinthians 10:1-13

10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The necessity and command to be baptized was repeated a great many times throughout the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only.in the great commission, but also before hand.

From the beginning of his ministry Christ's Apostles continued what John The Baptist begun, under instruction from the Lord Jesus Christ.

They Baptized even more than John did, while John (before imprisonment for rebuking the governor for taking his brothers wife) continued to baptize in the Jordan around Jerusalem even though everyone was flocking to the Lord.

This is after he explained to Nicodemus that you must be born again, of water and spirit.

I will show the full chapter, and ask for your patience. As many argue against scripture with other pieces, and rarely if ever suffer to show the whole scripture. And so to remove any arguments as the Word does repeatedly, I ask that you read carefully. What was said, what was then shown. What was done. Why was it said it was done.

John 3

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Meaning as is explained many times and confirmed throughout the Gospel, that those who believe and are baptized are dead to the flesh but alive in the spirit. And as Mark 16 explained, "Those who BELIEVE and are baptised, will be saved, those who do not believe are condemned already."

As paul explained in telling the people to have faith, and as was prophesied to be of the new covenant by faith. For while the Old covenant was instituted by circumcision of the flesh it was to bring them into remembrance to be also Circumcised of the heart in all they did. In Love. Through Faith, By Grace.

As you read in Deuteronomy 10

And Romans 6.

It's also continued in explanation in John 3

And many other places..

Showing again and again that to be born again is not in receiving the holy spirit (as many claim) but in belief of the only begotten son of God, the first born of all creation through whom all was made.

To believe in his words and what he bade us to do by the Fathers commandment. To believe all that he said. And to share in the likeness of his death by faith through Baptism by water, and confession unto God of our sins, and true repentance.

Though out of Fear of the double edged sword, the word of God, many false prophets stop on single verses adding no more context than is in that sentence or sometimes half sentences, but we were never to piecemeal the Word of God together in this way, as you will see when reading the 4 witness statements, One explains and adds further light to the other.

But the multitude and majority of Sects teach of baptism in this way. As many of you may have done or have only read.

Showing as the following:

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

They, as if desperately, show one piece and cover the rest. By smooth words and flattery and flashy displays they lead many along in their doctrine. Fighting verse against verse.

I ask you this, if you were to make a loaf of bread would you read the recipe by one sentence in one paragraph on One page, and claim that that was all that was needed?

Pointing to the sentence of the sieving of the flour or adding of eggs, or salt or prepping the yeast etc... And claim this sentence or some other was all that was needed? Ignoring the rest of the recipe because it was easier to sieve flour than to add to it eggs, salt, yeast and water?

Would you get a loaf of bread by removing the rest of the recipe and holding to only one sentence on one page? Or a lump of cooked Egg? Or burnt Flour? Or yeast or salt?

Then why hold to the same way of thinking with the word of God?

No scripture of the Word of God fights against another, but one helps to explain and build on another.

And in touting this one sentence of scripture or other they claim that baptism is not needed, or one sacrament or promise or another.

This they repeat for the whole of their Doctrine, using these single verses to fight one another and even claim against entire books of scripture. If it goes against their interpretation.

Christ testified of what we were to do in order to have eternal life, both he and The Father in spirit dwelling within him as he dwells within us.

So that all who believe in him will have eternal life. And explained what that belief meant...

"For God so loved the world in this way that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life"

to believe in him is to believe in his testimony, in all that he said to do of faith in him, and love to one another.

As was said earlier in the chapter, in that unless they are born of water and spirit, they cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, that which is born of spirit is spirit.

Do not be amazed that I said 'You must be born again'

When you see someone holding on just one sentence of scripture or even one part of a sentence, then be learned and go back and look to the context that comes both before and after. And see for yourselves by the understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit, whether what they say is truth.

Baptism is..

To be born again, in faith and spirit, to be washed of clean water for the forgiveness of your sins and belief in Jesus Christ.

That belief in Christ and the promise given through him is also the proper baptism of the heart, which stays with us all our lives long. To be leaned on in times that our hearts condemn us for this minor sin or that, and a reminder that if we confess our sins to God in the name of Christ, and trusting in his shed blood that whatever sins we commit after our washing then we are forgiven.

If we forgive others as we wish to be forgiven, and have mercy on others as we desire mercy. And treat them as we wish to be treated by God.

God sent his only son to save the world, not condemn it. For whoever believes on him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe (and believe his words to be truth without gloss)

Is condemned already for they did not believe in the name of the one and only son of God.

What is said in the above scriptures is mirrored in many other places including Mark 16 as shown above. Which many reject along with many other scriptures and entire epistles or Letters, because it does not agree with their doctrine. Instead of rejecting Mans Doctrine because it does not agree with Gods, by Christ.

Those who hold to Mans Doctrine show that they do not believe in that good teaching by Christ through the Holy Spirit, and later by the apostles through the same spirit. And they reject the will of God for themselves.

As we see in Luke 7:28-30

Luke 7:28-30

28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

To acknowledge that God is righteous and Just is to obey his will. Thus to Love God Is To Obey Him. And to Obey The Father is to Obey Christ, which is to love him and through him The Father.

And here again by christ, even in passing as if it should be common knowledge and is of the most basic of lessons. Which the Chief priests were asked and were afraid to answer for fear of the people.

Matthew 21:23-27

23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

"But what about the thief on the Cross?!"

Yes...those who prefer to stay in their darkness and deny christ in favor of a christ they themselves created, often fall to this.

The Thief On The Cross,

"What about the thief on the cross? It doesnt say he was baptized"

This is true, and so is their desperation that the exception be the rule and that it must mean we can ignore Christ...

So let's look at the 2 λῃσταί (leistai)

Who were on crosses beside the Christ.

The word used to describe them is Leistai.

λῃσταί

Meaning Robbers, bandits or in other uses in other texts in the same time period. Pirates or Plunderers.

Meaning they did what they did usually by violence. Which was condemned by death in the mosaic law.

Meaning it is very likely they could have been

Imprisoned while both John and the apostles of Christ were baptizing.

And were truly unable to come to them. Not that they said it wasn't needed, but that they were restricted likely physically by being in prison.

As those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted are usually prevented, or again those who are imprisoned and have no access to this.

If this were the case then God we know is the God of Mercy. And if they kept that belief in their heart and did not reject baptism but were unable to take that sacrament but the faith in that promise was just as strong within them. Then God is just to forgive them.

As the one thief proved.

Then that one would be saved by his faith.

As baptism is not an act of works for forgiveness but that of Faith in the promise.

Also...

Christ very likely was exercising what he said to the pharisees as the people lowered a crippled man down through the roof, when he said to him "your sins are forgiven"

And told the pharisees when they scoffed.

"This was done to show that the son of man has power to forgive sins here on earth.

As the new covenant itself had not yet been instilled until Christs death on that cross, as it was not begun until the life was given.

As was explained in Hebrews 8 and 9

Or, if that is not enough to be accepted by those who are new to the faith or weak in it. I offer this.

Did Christ not say that his coming crucifixion would be as another baptism to him? When the sons of Zebedee John and James asked by their mother to sit at his right hand and left?

Matthew 20:20-23

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

This also has been accepted but then twisted as every other scripture.

Those who eternally fight against God claim, "then I do not have to obey until the very end and can spend my life doing as I please in indulging in the fleshly desires leading to that very death and darkness after...as long as I believe and do so at the last hour.."

As you hopefully have guessed. This is wrong in every way. Such things are forgivable only if done in ignorance or if you are truly kept from doing it.

In thinking this they believe they can lie to the holy spirit and blaspheme against it. Which in itself is unforgiveable.

In which we have many examples.

In the man and his wife selling their land for a large amount and claiming they had made less.

It was not that they didn't give the whole amount but set in their heart to maliciously lie to the holy spirit.

Before they had given the smaller sum to the apostles, the money was in their possession. And theirs to do with what they wanted.

But instead they claimed that was the whole amount.

Maliciously seeking the glory of giving all while holding onto worldly glory..

On doing so they did not lie to man but to god by the Holy spirit...who cannot be tricked.

This is shown also in every example of the pharisees who knew of and saw the power of God through the spirit in Christ, but went against it wanting to maintain the power and control they had...even while seeing christ perform his numerous miracles in the power of the spirit.

It's also claimed as an example, in 1 corinthians where Paul says he came not to baptize but to preach the word.

The claim made is that he was not sent anywhere to baptize, even though the first thing he did when reaching Ephesus after was to baptize the 12 in that church who had only been taught the baptism of John without knowing of christ.

And that once they were baptized the holy spirit came over them.

This is 1 corinthians 1 and 3 (yes whole chapters)

I pray you read them yourself in leau of posting the whole chapter here. And elongating this lesson more than it has needed to be.

In the 3rd chapter it shows that While Paul only baptized some of those in Corinth, the households of Crispus and Gaius, it shows also that Apollos who was taught the word by Priscilla and Aquilla in acts 18.

Showing that he was likely either left there or traveled there with Paul, and as some had said "I follow Cephas" Peter came there also. Who could have baptized them as well.

"I follow Apollos"

Apollos was present at least one of the times and by their saying that, some at least were baptized by him.

Regardless, what Paul said was why he didn't baptize them was because they didn't believe yet as they should have nor understand.

Rebuking them for venerating the others just as many of the 45,000 + Denominations do. And not putting their faith in Christ.

As 1 corinthians 1 and 3 and acts 18 show clearly...And his efforts to not be venerated himself nor held higher than any other.

Brothers...Sisters... hear this, I plead with you.

Baptism is done in belief.

Not for the act itself, nor is it said anywhere that it is a work, anymore than true prayer or true giving of alms, or loving your neighbor or brethren by DEED as well as in truth.

It is done to sanctify our hearts that by God's Promise, shown in Jesus Christ, that we are forgiven for all past sins, if we will repent and turn from them in full faith in the blood of Christ. If we stumble and repent and turn back, and start afresh from a true and clean heart. Seeking to sin no more and give ourselves to the Lord.

And in that repentance after we are washed in baptism which is to die to the old self, if we turn and put our faith in Christ, then we are new creations.

And that if we Sin again to turn from it and fall back on Christ. That as long as we truly repent whether we be weak or strong (though the strong are to teach the weak so that the body is equal) then we have full faith and trust in that forgiveness and there is no panicking and wondering why you feel you've fallen away from God...

If you keep that faith and build on it in the good pure milk of the Gospel then you will Grow and be built up as holy inhabitations as you are, for faith in Christ is our foundation that we are to build on by the truth of the Gospel.

If we hold to our faith in Christ and grow it, by the strength given by the Father alone who gives abundantly to those who ask according to his will.

Then the temple we are being built into will not fall over though it is pummeled by tempests and floods of temptations and pulls of the World. But will instead stand..and grow..

Do not deny Christ in what he taught...all that he taught..,

Embrace it as the truth, in love.

Love the Lord your god with all of your heart, mind, soul and all your strength.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

And Love each other as I have loved you.

Let all conflict fall away and come to the light in faith and belief.

May the spirit and Grace of our Lord and of The Father be with you all...

Amen