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WHAT IS MAN'S CHIEF END ?
  
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Baptism Question Dec 17, 2005 2:49 pm
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Who baptized John the Baptist ?
TO BE CONTINUED
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Answer for PastorGlen's questions on Baptisms Dec 17, 2005 1:43 pm
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Not long ago PastorGlen asked two questions about baptisms.

1. How many baptisms are mentioned in the New Testament ?

2. How many baptisms are for the Christian ?

PastorGlen answered the questions for us and sees 7 baptisms being mentioned; in the New Testament, and three baptisms for the Christian.

I'm going to assume that for the first question he means; how many[ types ]of baptisms; as opposed to how many times baptism is mentioned in the New testament. I'll have to disagree with him on seven baptisms; because I only know of ( see ) four types.

I feel that PastorGlen has repeated the types of baptisms mentioned in the New Testament; which leads him to come up with seven.

" I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Matt. 3:11

In this text we have John mentioning two types of baptism. One is a baptism of water for repentance, and the other is a baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The following should be taken into consideration with regard to the baptism of John the baptist:

1. It was an ethical standard whereby one prepared for and associated oneself with the coming kingdom. ( Matt. 3:1-17 )

2. Jesus made an association with John's baptism at the beginning of His earthly ministry; not because He was in need of repentance( being the sinless Son of God ) ; but to fulfill all righteousness.

3. In the book of Acts we have a developing history of the early church, and the practice of baptism ( however the book of Acts is not a blueprint to be copied ), as well as the developing theology of the church in its early stages. In the book of Acts, repentance and baptism are closely associated qualifications, for salvation and membership into the new church community. As a side note, some groups today approach the book of Acts; as if it were a blueprint which is to be followed by the church today. The book of Acts must be seen as a historical book, not as a doctrinal book; which shows us the Acts of the Holy Spirit in the development of the early church. The lack of such distinction; leads some to believe, that everyone is suppose to speak in tongues; or be baptized in water in order to be truly saved. Whenever you study the book of Acts you'll see their is no single way in which things occur. For example, sometimes the Holy Spirit was received before water baptism ( Acts 10: 46-48 ); and other times the Holy Spirit was received after water baptism ( Acts 19 :1-7 ).

However, in the Epistles there is a shift in the doctrine of baptism. While there is still an association which is made with the one being baptized ( Into Christ ). We must be able discern this new association, and realize that it; has nothing whatsoever to do with water baptism. No longer is it to be the association with John( and water )but with Christ( and His blood ) or His death.

" They said to Him, " Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."

But Jesus said to them, " You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with ? "

They said to Him, " We are able. "
So Jesus said to them, " You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;" Mark 10:35-39

Clearly the association Christ made with His baptism of suffering and death ( thats what He is referring to here )is also applied to all of those who believe on Him; and we too are baptized into His death ( Rom. 6 :3-5 ). That's what Paul is talking about; when he says, " I have been crucified with Christ "( Gal.2:20 ).
How some have managed to take water baptism, and see it as the way in which Christians are united with Christ; is beyond me. There is no blood in the water ! Many of the verses which people use for water baptism don't refer to water baptism at all.

So, when you look at all of the verses PastorGlen uses; to answer the first question; he really has only four baptisms:

1. Baptism in water. ( which he repeats several times )
2. Christ baptism in death. Lk 12: 50 cf Mk 10:35-39
3. Baptism into the body of Christ ( there aren't two different Spirit baptisms ) 1 Cor. 12:13
4. Baptism ( association with ) into Moses. 1 Cor. 10:2

For PastorGlen's second question; how many baptisms are there for the Christian:

There is only one; according to Paul:

" There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Paul says that there is ONE baptism, so you have a choice of making water the one; or Spirit baptism the one. When we are born again we are baptized into the body of Christ by ( or with ) the Spirit, and united with Him in His death. This is a one time act, and is never repeated, so you cannot lose the gift of salvation; and get saved over and over again; as some claim.

P.S. There was also a practice of being baptized for the dead at Corinth; which Paul neither condoned or condemned. 1 Cor. 15:29
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Word of Faith or Word Changers And The Person Of Christ Dec 15, 2005 8:49 am
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" For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it ! " 2 Cor. 11:4

According to Paul there are some who are teaching a different Jesus, a different spirit and a different gospel than what he himself was teaching. Sadly some have been deceived; as was Eve in the garden, by the craftiness of the serpent. They have believed a false message which is being preached by the WOF teachers. Christ once asked His disciples," who do men say that I am. " I'd like to ask the question: Who do the WOF teachers say that Christ is ?
In orthodox Christianity Christ is presented as the eternal Son of God, who always existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He did not become the Son of God at some later point, as the WOF teachers claim. Also we do not become as much an incarnation of God as Christ was ( as the WOF teachers teach ).

Here are a few quotes from some of the well known WOF teachers:

" Physically we are born of human parents and partake of their nature. Spiritually we are born of God and partake of His nature."
( Kenneth Hagin, How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God p. 94 )

" You are as much the incarnation of God as Jesus Christ was. Every man who has been born again is an incarnation and Christianity is a miracle. The believer is as much an incarnation as was Jesus of Nazareth."
( Kenneth Hagin, Word of Faith, p.14 )

" He[ Jesus] referred to God as His Father ( which enraged the Pharisees ), but He never made the assertion that He was the most High God. In fact, He told His disciples that the Father God was greater and mightier than He ( John 14: 28 ). Why didn't Jesus openly proclaim Himself as God during His 33 years on earth ? For one single reason. He hadn't come to earth as God, He'd come as man. "
( Kenneth Copland, Believer's Voice of Victory, Aug 1988, p. 8 )

" When I read in the Bible where He[ Jesus] says, " I Am," I say, " Yes, I Am, too !
( Kenneth Copland, tape of crusade, July 19, 1987 )

How can anyone who studies the Bible not catch these lies, and then insists that these men are anointed of God ! Clearly these men are teaching a different Jesus, and since we are just as much an incarnation of God as Christ was; we could die for the sins of the world !

Who do you say Jesus is ?

TO BE CONTINUED
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THE ANVIL Dec 13, 2005 8:45 pm
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Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
then looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

" How many anvils have you had." I said,
" To wear and batter all these hammers so ? "
" Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye,
" The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed ... the hammers gone. ( Author Unknown )

" But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy." 2 Ch. 36:16

This is true of all who scoff at God's Word and His people.
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THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, the Witch and the Wardrobe Dec 10, 2005 8:45 pm
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I just saw The Chronicles of Narnia ( twice ) and is it good. I was surprised that Disney did such a good job. The Christian Symbolism is much clearer, than in the Lord of the Rings movies. I highly recommend this movie, and I would give it 4 stars out of 5.
A must see. Some scenes may be scary to small children.
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THOU SHALT NOT ! 3 Question on the Law Answered Dec 7, 2005 7:13 pm
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It was Charles Trumble who said, " The greatest heresy ever to plague the Christian church; is Christians trying to live the Christian life."To put it another way, Christians trying to keep the law to aid them in living the Christian life.

If you remember I asked two questions about God giving the law to Israel.

1. Did God give the law to Israel as an expression of His expectations ?

2. Did God give the law to Israel as an expression of His requirement ?

The answer to the question should be obvious; that the Lord never expected Israel or anyone else to obey ( keep without fault ) the law. In fact Israel almost immediately started breaking God's law even though they had said, "all that the LORD has spoken we will do." Ex. 19:8

In Dt. the fifth chapter after Mose read the law to Israel; they said to Mose tell us all that the LORD our God says to you, and we will hear and do it. But the LORD had said to Mose the people would not obey Him.

"Then the LORD heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the LORD said to me: I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever !Dt. 5:28-29

After the fall of man in the garden, mans heart became so corrupt; making him incapable of obeying God's law without fault. So why did God give the law ? It was added so the trespass might increase. Rom. 5:20 So anyone who thinks he (or she) is able to keep the law; consider this-you only cause your sin to increase. In Rom. 7:4-6 Paul tells the Christians; that we have died to the law, that we might belong to another ( Christ ), in order to bear fruit to God.

In verse 5 Paul says something quite profound, and it was difficult for the Jewish mind ( and many Christian minds today ) to comprehend. For to them the law was always associated with righteousness ( Dt. 6:25 ), but Paul had the audacity to associate the law with sin.

" For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death."

We too, must make this same association. Then we will recognize; how sin takes opportunity through the commandment; producing in us every kind of sinful desire. Rom. 7:8

The righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in us ( Rom. 8:4 ), not by us as some would have us believe. Christ's righteousness is imputed to us, and our sin is no longer imputed to us. Rom. 4: 7-8

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." Amen!
3 Comments
Word of Faith Teachers & The Providence of God Cont. Dec 4, 2005 7:50 pm
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Today the followers of the WOF movement; have fallen into the trap of these positive confession churches ( also known as New Covenant Churches ). WOF churches are exploiting the self absorbed, and covetous; with their false doctrines of prosperity and health. All one needs to do is sow seeds ( of money ), believe ( in oneself ), and speak it ( create ) whatever you want into existence ( be it good or bad ).

It's so bad in fact, that I've known instances were these people will claim a house is theirs; even though someone else is living in it. When claiming the house to belong to them and by saying something along the lines of:
" Those people are going to get out of my house; because the Lord is going to give it to me. I'm claiming it in the name of Jesus."

I've even heard women; claiming another woman's husband, saying " The Lord spoke to me and told me he's going to be my husband ( some times two women will claim the same married man ). Sounds confusing doesn't it, and God is not the author of confusion. I Cor. 14:33

If I'm not mistaken the tenth commandment forbids coveting anything which belongs to your neighbor.

" You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

One of the many disturbing things about the WOF movement is the disregard for the sovereignty of God. We are the ones in control; not God. We tell Him what to do, and God is reduced to a Big Sugar Daddy in the sky.

" And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28

The better manuscripts record this verse as ........" we know that God causes all things."

According to Paul God is the one who works everything in accordance with His purpose; be it good or bad ( this includes sin, suffering and temptation ).

TO BE CONTINUED
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Word of Faith Teachers & The Providence of God Dec 3, 2005 8:56 am
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The question I asked on the previous post is an extremely challenging question for WOF teachers( or anyone who follows them); since they have no regard for God's sovereignty. According to them we have the same creative powers as God, and the ability to create or speak into existence what may occur in our daily lives. Hence the "name it and claim it " mentality; which is so prevalent in the WOF movement. Having this creative power allows them ( so they believe ) to avoid sickness, decide when to die and, escape from the clutches of poverty.

" Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked ? In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surly God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will after him"Eccl. 7: 13-14 NKJV

TO BE CONTINUED
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Word of Faith or Word Changers Continued Question Dec 2, 2005 9:33 pm
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If you and three of your very best friends were standing outside of a mall, and a perfect stranger walked up to the four of you. Pulled out a gun, and shot you and you died............. What was the cause of your death ?
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Word of Faith or Word Changers Continued Dec 1, 2005 9:05 am
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Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm"

This verse is used not only by the WOF teachers; but also by followers of the WOF movement; to silence the mouths of the critics of the WOF teachers. But this verse has about as much to do with the false teachers of the WOF movement; as the 28th chapter of Dt. ( where the curses and blessings are listed ) has to do with the Christian church. Many of them will refer to Dt. the 28th chapter and apply it to Christians today and teach us we can be cursed. Once again I'll stress the importance of studying scripture in light of its historical context.

The text in question is found in the 16th chapter of the book of 1 Chronicles ( v. 22 ), which is one of the historical books giving us the events of those days. From verses 7-36 we have a song of David blessing and thanking the Lord for the magnificent things He had done for the people of Israel. The anointed ones, and prophets which David is referring to; are also named by David.

" Remember His covenant forever, The word which he commanded, for a thousand generations,

The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant, "

This text is referring to the way in which the Lord protected His people Israel from being harmed by the pagan nations which they were confronted by in this postexilic period. Not to any of the WOF teachers.

TO BE CONTINUED
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