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Soaking, Witchcraft, and the Manifest Presence of God

God wants His people to be full of His Holy Spirit, His bless-ed divine presence and yet, how are we going about seeing this manifest in our lives?

YOU can cry out till you’re blue in the face and God will not anoint your filthy heart! A devil might but not the HOLY Spirit of God! Repentance is what God commands of you (Ezekiel 18:30; Hosea 14:1-2; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31, etc.).

WHO does God exclusively fill with His presence and blessings? Jesus told us that only those who humbly and obediently seek His face, according to His Word, “shall be filled.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Holy Ghost of God fills and manifests Himself to those who OBEY JESUS and not because we gather in a room and seek to conjure Him up, asking Him to “fall upon us.” Witchcraft. Isn’t that the “strange fire,” the witchcraft we see in the false prophets on Mount Carmel who cried out in vain for fire to fall from Heaven? (See Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Kings 18.) Jesus told us to lay down our lives, to repent, to deny self, take up the cross and follow Him. The HOLY Spirit of God doesn’t fall upon dirty hearts but rather anoints, and fills obedient servants! (Read John 14:21-23.) Pour prayerfully over the words of Jesus recorded in John chapters 14-15 and let’s cease the frivolity and rebellion and simply do things GOD’s way. Charismatic witchcraft busted and exposed! Repent now and cry out to God to clean your heart to the core, to deeply instill in you the holy fear of the LORD, and to make your conscience ultra sensitive! (Psalms 51; 139:23-24, etc.)

“Overcome in Your presence” and language like this flood the music and messages of the modern church world. And, so, we have a generation of “prophetic” counterfeits who are waiting around for God to do something. He won’t because they ask “amiss” or with the wrong motive, while in disobedience to what He already stated in His Word, the “MORE sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:2-3

Jesus tells us how God works and it’s on record in John 14:21, 23. He and the Father abide with and manifest themselves to those who obey Him… not those who have a mere form of godliness as they seek the LORD to come upon them in a special way while they are not obeying Him. Counterfeits.

ATTN: This post is not from a cessationist dupe! Pentecost is real and an essential part of New Testament Christianity…. yet not the witchcraft of the charismatic, Bethel cult…. We are in deep need of true repentance – the denial of self, dying to self, the cross – the crucified life, brokenness, holiness, and the holy fear of God….. you are never going to hear these things, the essential cross, in the NAR cult.

Satanic wolf Rodney Howard Browne states:

“I’d rather be in a church where the devil and the flesh are manifesting than in a church where nothing is happening because people are too afraid to manifest anything… and if a devil manifests, don’t worry about that either. Rejoice because at least something is happening.”

IF you are not connecting to Jesus on HIS terms, the WORD and obedience to Him, and you think you are flourishing spiritually because you believe you found a “good church,” you are being deceived! 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 is transpiring in the lives of many who swear they are right with God. Beware.

JESUS told no one to “go find a good church” but rather to repent, to seek His holy face, to obey Him, to take up the cross daily, and to follow HIM!!!! HIM!

MANY who believe they’ve found “a good church” are being poisoned by that “church.” HAVE you walked into a trap that you erroneously believe is a treasure?

It’s a bless-ed desire to want more of the LORD in our lives! Yet, we must ask how God prescribes that this happens.

SO very many of the disobedient cry out for the glory, the presence of the Almighty Holy Ghost to fall on them in their rebellion. Not going to happen. Jesus says: Repent, lay down your life, take up the daily cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 14:21-23; 15:1-7). Only then will He raise you upward to give HIM glory and not you (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). There’s a biblical prescription for walking in the blessing of God’s Holy Ghost and it doesn’t include living a carnal life and then gathering with others and asking God to anoint your evil heart with His HOLY Spirit. That’s not what Scripture teaches.

Authentic Pentecost! Yes, we certainly do need to be initially baptized with the Holy Ghost and refilled daily. For the record: By the grace of Christ alone, He saved and filled with His Holy Ghost this once wretched man. This disciple is a full Gospel believer by Jesus’ grace and yet authentic Pentecost and not the false charismatic or NAR cults which are a demonic mockery and counterfeit.

If you want the presence of God in your life, simply live obediently to Him (John 15). There are no shortcuts.

To hear the voice of God, simply read HIS Word – the Bible (KJB). So many today in the false flake “prophetic” movement talk about “hearing the voice of God” repeatedly and yet the WORD is never mentioned! Delusion! Run! Prophetic or Pathetic?

The point of this message is not to deny that every disciple of Jesus is to be filled with the Holy Ghost but rather to establish the whole truth, expose the counterfeits of Satan.

Seeking His Presence? Beware of the many methods created and cloaked as Christian which are nothing more than an attempt to conjure up God’s presence out of a self-serving agenda. Contemplative prayer and soaking come to mind as Satan’s counterfeits. Soaking: Is It Biblical?

ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)

“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith

“SOAKING” IS SIN. Repent sinner! There is no such thing as soaking” in God’s Word as it’s defined today by the witchcraft NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) cult!

Simply put, contemplative prayer or centering prayer, is a way of praying that is not according to the biblical prescription. Contemplative prayer, spiritual formation, and soakers are simply rebels who refuse to obey Jesus so they want Jesus to just continue to dump His Holy Spirit on their rebellious hearts.

JESUS told you to die, not to run around seeking His presence in contemplative prayer or soaking meetings – with other self-serving flakes, counterfeits. He’ll decide how much of His holy presence He puts in/on individuals – according to their personal obedience. He alone decides how much of His presence He chooses to put in our lives.

Some who defend this occultic “soaking” movement attempt to justify such by the supposed “joy” it brings. But is that the true “joy of the LORD” or a cheap counterfeit of the enemy. Well, here’s how the Bible teaches that God’s people have joy.

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 

WHAT and WHY did Jeremiah say was “the joy and rejoicing of mine heart”? -“Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” It’s real simple: Jeremiah devoured the Word of God and was therefore filled with the joy of the LORD.

Beware of counterfeit joy!

Did you realize that the context of Nehemiah 8:10 is the Word? Read the text – Nehemiah 8:1-10. Watch this:

“So they read in the book in the law of God (the Word) distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading … the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:8, 10

Psalms 16 is prophetic of Jesus who rendered perfect obedience to His Father: “For thou wilt not leave my (Jesus’) soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalms 16:10-11)

The “presence” of the LORD and “fulness of joy” He alone can give, only comes with the genuine disciple who is truly walking with Christ. We see this throughout Scripture.

“In his presence” sure is “fulness of joy,” and He requires our obedience to bring us into His presence (Psalms 16:11).

“For he whom God hath sent (Christ) speaketh the words of God (fully obedient): for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34

As seen in the above verse, where Christ is our example, the LORD’s presence in our lives is contingent upon our abiding in Him, obeying Him (John 14:21-23; 15:1-16, etc.). Seeking His presence without obeying Him, truly worshiping HIM, reveals a self-serving nature. Should we not simply seek His face and not just His joy? Did the LORD not plainly tell us that He will give us His joy and presence if we seek Him with a whole heart? (See Jeremiah 29:11-14.)

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23

IF you truly want more of the presence of the LORD, no need to mindlessly sit soaking or meditating. Get up and obey and then and only then will He graciously grant you greater anointing and reward!

We are to immerse ourself in His Word – Joshua 1:8, not mindless meditation which is new age paganism.

Many today want God to do more for them, they want more of His presence and to “soak” and yet, they’ve not obeyed Him and His simplest instructions. Not going to happen.

YOU can pray till you are blue in the face and God will not hear if you will not repent and literally obey Him: Proverbs 28:9 says: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.”

“IF IF IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Are you truly abiding in Jesus – according to HIS definition of such? Of course we should seek and ask Him to be anointed and full of His Spirit in order to DO His work, and yet, such comes from laying down our lives – which He then raises upward by His presence.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The resurrection presence, life, glory, and power of Jesus fills and raises up the truly obedient – those who resign themselves to the crucified life.

Nancy Cote notes:

“This movement is growing by leaps and bounds because this generation loves signs and wonders and what their itching ears want more than Sola Scripture of solid doctrine. Dying to self and picking up their cross and preaching of The Cross that is foolishness to them.”

Yet, Jesus’ presence does not come to us just because WE want it to. Isn’t a preoccupation with seeking His presence while not obeying Him cloaked pride? There are conditions to be met – obedience and truly worshiping HIM are essential. This is in contrast to seeking His presence for our self-serving purposes. Remember how the disciples wanted to sit at His right and and His left?

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s 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.” Matthew 20:20-23

When you die (lay down your life) He will reciprocate with His resurrection life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). That’s His promise but you must die to experience this, not try to control things yourself which is further evidence that you are not dying to self. He’s in control, not you.

Fact: Jesus says that to those who OBEY Him – live by faith – will be granted His presence, not those who selfishly seek to soak or conjure up His presence through their own merit or works for their own self–serving purposes.

Isn’t seeking His presence without obedience paramount to seeking signs instead of the Savior Himself? Trusting God by abiding in intimate fellowship and obedience to Him will always bring His holy presence in our lives. Read what Jesus says in John 14:21-23.

What did Jesus say of the sign seekers?

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:” Matthew 12:38-39

Seeking His Presence or Simply Obeying Christ?

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21-23

Today, so many who vainly believe they are Christ’s, are being misled into self-seeking experiences they are told are of God. Quite a contrast with New Testament disciples of Jesus we read about in the 27 book canon. The honest student of Scripture and follower of Jesus knows that a walk of faith, a denial of self (the cross), and being soundly grounded in the Word, is the walk of a true New Testament believer.

You want God’s Holy Ghost on your life? OBEY HIM:

“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32

It seems that today, many people claiming to know Jesus seek to do anything except soberly and soundly follow Him, denying self, taking up the cross, and abiding in Him.

According to Jesus, in the end, at the Judgment, those who loved and obeyed Him will be received into glory and remain with Him eternally. In contrast, those who revel in the experiential, not being rooted in Christ, will be terminated into the bowels of eternal damnation (Matthew 7:21-23).

PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives – yet never diminishing, letting go of the true Pentecostal Holy Ghost baptism Christ gives to His own. NOT the denomination, but the New Testament reality. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks and their witchcraft, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessionist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse His gift for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!

The Soaking Scam of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) Cult: Beware.

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What is the difference between a “Textus Receptus Man” and a “King James Man?”

It’s not so much about King James. It’s about the manuscripts from which it was translated. The Received Text, or Textus Receptus.

From “The Answer Book” ©1989 Samuel C. Gipp.

QUESTION: What is the difference between a “Textus Receptus Man” and a “King James Man?”

ANSWER: A “TR Man” gets his manuscripts from Antioch and his philosophy from Egypt.

EXPLANATION: Under Question #8 concerning Alexandria and Antioch it was pointed out that we derive two things from each of these locations. We derive manuscripts and an ideology through which we judge those manuscripts.

From Alexandria we receive corrupted manuscripts, tainted by the critical hand of Origen. We also receive an ideology that believes the Bible to be divine, but not perfect, not without error.

From Antioch we receive the pure line of manuscripts culminating in what is known as the “Received Text” or Textus Receptus. We also receive the ideology that the Bible is not only Divine, but perfect, without error.

1. Most Bible critics do not believe that the Bible is perfect (The Alexandrian Ideology). They usually also accept the Alexandrian manuscripts as superior to those of Antioch.

2. A King James Bible believer accepts the Antiochian manuscripts or Textus Receptus as superior to the Alexandrian. They also accept the Antiochian Ideology in that they accept the Bible as infallible and do not believe it contains any errors or mistranslations and that it cannot be improved.

3. A Textus Receptus man also accepts the Antiochian manuscripts or Textus Receptus as superior to the Alexandrian. But a Textus Receptus man accepts the Antiochian manuscripts yet he views them with the Alexandrian Ideology.

He does not accept any translation as perfect and without error. He generally feels that the King James is the best translation but can be improved. He usually stumbles at Acts 12:4 and states that it is a mistranslation.

This contradiction is NOT the result of a bad or dishonest heart so much as it is the result of a bad education. Most Textus Receptus men have been taught by others who have been deceived into accepting, unconsciously, the Alexandrian Ideology.

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Abiding

David’s Farewell Prayer [podcast]


“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:13

May God bless His people, in their times of tribulations, to find comfort, guidance, with Holy Scripture, and may they find His peace during seasons and transitions.

The most famous biblical farewell is Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17:1–26, where He commits His disciples into the Father’s care before departing. 

Classic Farewell Blessings

  • The Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:24–26): “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25  The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” 
  • The Pauline Benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14): “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 
  • God’s Promise (Jeremiah 29:11): “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

At the end of his life, David prayed to God for His kingdom and people. One source notes the following:

“King David’s life is defined by extreme highs and devastating lows. Rising from a humble shepherd to an unbeatable warrior-king who established Jerusalem, he suffered catastrophic personal failures, including his adultery with Bathsheba, the murder of Uriah, and tragic family calamity that culminated in his son Absalom’s rebellion.”

At the end of his life on earth, David, the man after God’s own heart, prayed.

Of this magnificent kingdom prayer of David, one source notes the following:

“King David’s famous prayer in 1 Chronicles 29 (King James Version) is a profound declaration of God’s absolute sovereignty, majesty, and ownership of all creation. Spoken near the end of his life, it serves as a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication for the materials gathered to build the Temple.

Summary of Key Verses (1 Chronicles 29:10-19 KJV)

    • Verses 10-13: David blesses God, declaring His greatness, power, and glory. He affirms that God owns all things in heaven and earth, including riches and honor.
    • Verses 14-16: David expresses humility, noting that all gifts come from God and that human life is short and temporary. 
    • Verses 17-19: He prays for the people’s continued devotion and asks for Solomon to have a “perfect heart” to keep God’s commandments and build the temple.”

1 Chronicles 29

David Prays in the Assembly

10  Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

13  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

15  For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

16  O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.

17  I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

18  O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

19  And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

20  And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

21  And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:”

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Water Baptism: Understanding It [study guide]

“Repent and be baptized.” Acts 2:38

Water Baptism (PDF)
(Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.)

Water baptism is important. Every believer should understand and be water baptized. Yet water baptism does not save – but is only for those already saved. The blood of Jesus saves – upon repentance and faith. In short, water baptism symbolizes/illustrates the life in Christ we now have – where daily, we are dying and buried and risen in new life with Christ. Concerning water baptism, one disciple writes: “We must faith thru many mini-daily-baptisms in which we are immersed into calamities and the old self is drowned.”

SATAN wants people trusting in water and not the BLOOD of Jesus. Beware. We are saved by the blood of Jesus – water baptism is for those who have already repented and believed upon Jesus Christ. It’s an outward profession of the inward work of regeneration God has already done! (Titus 3:5-7)

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION.” Hebrews 9:22 

ANY person who claims sinners are justified by water instead of the BLOOD of Jesus, is an antichrist.

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:9

Salvation should never be complicated.
We are saved, justified by grace through faith.

Can you find the word water in the following passage? No.

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Thief on the cross. Philippian jailer. Acts 16:30-31; Faith. Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9.

Raised to New Life with Christ

“Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” 1 Corinthians 11:2 

The LORD seems to have given His New Testament church 2 ordinances: 1. Water baptism – to depict our own death, burial, and resurrection with Christ, and 2. Communion – where we are brought into remembrance of our LORD’s death – broken body and shed blood – which alone redeems us.

Note in this passage below that no water is even mentioned and yet this is exactly what water baptism is symbolic of:

“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.” Romans 6:3-4

WATER BAPTISM: What it is and what it’s not.  In some cases, water baptism has become a ritual among those who are a part of the visible, apostate church world. In those circles, water baptism seems to be a type of right of passage in a fleshly way. Water baptism is useless unless it’s connected with Christ, that is, in His redemption – death, burial and resurrection. He alone redeemed us and yet, He calls us to deny self, and allow Him who is the resurrection and the life to raise us upward (John 11:25; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). Water baptism – going down under that water – is meant to be the symbolism of dying, being buried, and being raised up into a new life with Christ who is “the life” (John 14:6). The old man is dead and buried! See Colossians 3:3, and read Romans 6:3-4. Water baptism was never intended to become a ritual but rather the symbol of that which begun at the instant Christ saved us.  The crucified, dead, buried, and raised up life comes at the moment Jesus saves us, We are dead and He now lives in us as Redeemer, Ruler and King, Savior, and Friend.  The life of the crucified believe is symbolized at water baptism (Galatians 2:20).  Water baptism is a representation of what is to be a life lived allowing Christ to reign in place. It’s symbolic of the daily cross! – Where Christ alone reigns supreme!

Water baptism saves no one. No, it’s merely a picture of your life now that Christ saved you – your personal daily death, burial, resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). God saved you the moment you repented and believed on Jesus (Acts 20:21, etc.). And now He’s ordained that you “walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

“Water baptism symbolizes your spiritual identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.  The water does not itself join you to or identify you with Christ.  It is only a symbol.  It’s not even a requirement yet important due to the importance of what it is representative of. Water baptism is not a law like circumcision was. It is not essential. The thief on cross next to Christ was never water baptized but he was baptized in spiritual fact.”

One of the main points here on topics like this is priority, putting the first things first and not adding to what is essential to salvation. And yet it is biblically accurate that water baptism should be put forth as something Jesus commands, because He does.

Beware of the baptismal regeneration heresy. A thorough reading of the New Testament Scriptures reveals to us that water baptism saves no one. Saying people are saved by being water baptized is just another fake salvation – another excuse not to have to repent, lay down the life in this fleeting world, deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus – on His stated terms, right? Sinners are in darkness and the unrepentant love to hear that they are not required to repent which means to change course, to give one’s life up to the LORD who made us all.

So “saved” doesn’t mean saved in Acts 16:31? Where O Where is the water? The water baptism didn’t happen till after the jailer and his family were “saved” (Acts 16:33). “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31 

“By faith” appears 37 times in the Word of God. “By water” appears 4 times.

Without what is it impossible to please God? Faith or water?

“But without faith it is impossible to please him.” Hebrews 11:6

Is salvation “by faith” in the only Redeemer, or by water? Water baptism is totally futile, a 100% complete waste without being first saved by Christ through FAITH (Romans 3-5; Ephesians 2:8-9, etc.).

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, IF thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:36-37

When the Ethiopian eunuch asked to be baptized in water, Philip told him he had to believe on the LORD Jesus Christ first – as a prerequisite! – “IF THOU BELIEVEST WITH ALL THINE HEART, THOU MAYEST.” Also…. many of the fake “bibles” removed Acts 8:37. The devil is a liar!!!! Let’s use the King James Bible saints!!!! Let’s trash satan’s corruption.

Recently I had an in-depth conversation with a man who was over emphasizing water baptism and after a lengthy discussion he said he’d “said enough.” To him I wrote:

“You’ve certainly told me enough and showed you are misled by what you’ve stated. And you claim it came by revelation. It sure didn’t come from divine revelation.”

REPLY:

“Notice how you lifted Acts 16:33 out of it’s context. WHAT came BEFORE the water baptism and without which the water baptism was futile?

‘And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.’ Acts 16:30-33

Christ saves by faith not water. Water baptism is only effectual if the person is first saved by the blood through faith.

‘Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;’ Romans 3:24-25 

Of course water baptism is important but it’s not the essential, believing is.

Satan’s agenda is to remove the focus from Christ and His blood without which there is ‘NO remission of sins’ (Hebrews 9:22). That’s what we see here.

Those who like to focus on the water do so because they are moral cowards who refuse to truly repent which is something that must occur in their hearts.”

The thief on the cross was not water baptized, yet Jesus told him “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Water baptism is only for those already saved. Here’s a New Testament example of how these disciples were first saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, only then were they water baptized.

“For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Acts 10:46-48

The only value that water baptism has is in identifying you with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

One disciple wrote:

“The only way to promotion is by demotion.  Are you today seeking a demotion?  Do you want self to be advanced, enhanced, prominent, recognized, satisfied, aggrandized, indulged, promoted, noticed, or applauded?  Or do you want self demoted, crucified, and killed to all these worldly things?”

Perhaps loving obedience and gratitude to the Lord should be the foundational motives for the believer being water baptized. When a person genuinely repents of his sins and receives Jesus Christ, He is then under the command of a new Master. He is no longer a member of Satan’s kingdom, but rather has been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). His past sins have been completely washed away by the blood of Christ, and God has called him by name to serve Him in sincerity and in truth (Romans 3:25; 1 Cor. 5:7-8).

Jesus commands all of His disciples to be baptized in water. In demonstration of our love for Him, every believer should obey and follow the LORD in water baptism. He says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

1. As seen in Scripture, what does the actual act of being water baptized consist of – in the literal sense? Acts 8:38 Please read this verse in the King James Bible and check one of the following.

_____ splashing with water

_____ sprinkling with water as an infant

_____ fully submerging the body under water

Notice that Philip and the eunuch “went down both into the water” (Acts 8:38). The English word “baptize” comes from the Greek word BAPTIZO which means to dip, submerge; to make whelmed, fully wet. Baptism is a burial.

Water baptism should always be in actual water and not sprinkling or pouring water on the new believer being baptized. This is because of what it represents; not a mere sprinkling but rather a whole immersion, a going under and being completely whelmed – representing being now dead, buried, and raised up.

2. Read 1 Peter 3:21 closely. Note here that water baptism does not cleanse one from the “filth of the flesh (sin).Trust in that which baptism is a “figure” of, does cleanse from sin and save the soul. The word “figure” is the key to understanding this verse. Read it again. Being dipped in water does not save the soul. What saves the soul is faith in what water baptism is figurative or symbolic of – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Water baptism merely answers to the already blood-washed conscience of the Believer. It is an outward testimony of the inward work of God in making the repentant person completely new from the inside out (2 Cor. 5:17-18).

Christ must reign in the daily life of every believer and He is “Holy, holy, holy” and so sinfulness must be put away so that the believer can spring forth into the fullness of Christ’s resurrection life (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Baptism in water is the figure of this process. It’s a death, burial, and resurrection. Water baptism is symbolic of death to the sinful nature and resurrection into a life lived in the nature of Jesus and out of God’s abundant grace which fills the believer’s heart.

3. Did Jesus submit Himself to water baptism? Matthew 3:13-16

_______YES

_______NO

Water baptism was practiced by the Son of God.

4. How old was Jesus when He was baptized? Luke 3:21-23

____________________________________________________

Notice here that Jesus was a full grown adult when water baptized. Only those who are of age to understand and partake of the salvation of God are candidates for water baptism. Infant baptism or sprinkling is un-scriptural.

5. Did Jesus’ disciples practice water baptism in their ministry? John 4:1, 2

_______YES

_______NO

Jesus’ disciples and the early Church believers water baptised all new converts.

6. Jesus sent His disciples forth to “teach all nations.” What else did He command them to do? Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16

____________________________________________________

Mark 16:16 does NOT say “he that is not baptized shall not be saved.” No Jesus says “he that believeth not shall be damned.” He put the essential on believing, not water baptism. Here are Christ’s words: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). The believing is the essential, not water baptism, otherwise Jesus would have said “he that believeth and is not baptized shall be damned.” He did not.

7. In what names did Jesus command His disciples to baptize? Matthew 28:18-19

____________________________________________________

The name of Jesus Christ equals the authority of Jesus Christ.

“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.” Acts 2:38

Here in Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus authorized baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. When Scripture speaks of baptism in Jesus’ Name, it is referring to baptism by His authority. So, some disciples safely perform water baptism by saying: “You are now being baptized in the name, in the authority of Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.” Does this not cover all basis? I think so.

8. What were the three fundamental New Testament experiences preached and practiced by the early Church? Acts 2:38

A.____________________________________________________

B.____________________________________________________

C.____________________________________________________

9. Has God changed since Acts 2:38? Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8

_______YES

_______NO

Note that God, by the mouth of Peter, commanded the new believers to “Repent and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38).

10. What experience did the three thousand new converts partake of when they received the Word of God that Peter preached? Acts 2:41

____________________________________________________

As was clearly understood by the early followers of Jesus, the first step in discipling a new convert is to baptize him in water. This is the Lord’s first commandment to new believers. God seals the faith of the new convert at the time of water baptism. The new believer makes a statement of trust toward God in his water baptism experience and is confirmed in the faith by the Holy Spirit through this New Testament practice.

11. After Phillip preached the Gospel, what did the believers at Samaria do to openly declare their faith in Jesus? Acts 8:12

____________________________________________________

12. After Philip preached Jesus, what was the Ethiopian eunuch’s immediate question? Acts 8:35, 36

____________________________________________________

The Ethiopian eunuch had obviously made a heart-felt decision to believe on Jesus. He instantly desired to be baptized in water to exhibit his new found faith.

13. What did Philip tell the eunuch that he must do before he could be water baptized? Acts 8:37

____________________________________________________

The Bible only authorizes water baptism after the born again experience. Philip told the eunuch that the prerequisite for water baptism is to be born into the kingdom of God by personally receiving Jesus Christ. Here is another proof that the early Church disciples only baptized those who had already received Jesus.

God set forth as a pattern in the first century Church, believers who were zealous to baptize new converts in water. This solidifies the new converts’ faith in Jesus. Water baptism is the first command given to the new believer, and is therefore the responsibility of the members of the Body of Christ to see that every new believer is baptized.

14. What did the apostle Peter “command” the new Gentile converts to do after they had believed on Jesus and also received the gift of the Holy Ghost? Acts 10:43-48

v48 __________________________________________________

15. What did Paul and Silas do to the Philippian jailor who believed on the Lord after the jailbreak? Acts 16:25-34

____________________________________________________

Note that Paul and Silas baptized these new believers without delay and in the middle of the night. This very act makes two authoritative statements: (1) If at all possible, disciples should water baptize new converts immediately following their salvation experience, and (2) The apostles counted water baptism very important, it was an integral part of the Gospel they preached and administered.

16. When “many” of the Corinthian’s “believed”, what followed? Acts 18:8

____________________________________________________

17. As followers of Jesus what are we baptized into? Romans 6:3

____________________________________________________

To the believer the water grave signifies that the time of living after the sinful nature of the flesh is over. This burial represents death to the nature of sin and resurrection into the life of God. Jesus Himself was baptized to signify His own death, burial, and resurrection. The follower of Jesus in like manner is to be baptized, signifying death to the old man and resurrection into the new nature of God resident within him. Sin lost its power at Calvary, and loses its dominion over the believer when he identifies with Christ in water baptism. In water baptism, the believer identifies with Jesus. All true disciples are crucified with Christ and water baptism is the marked beginning of this state of existence (Gal. 2:20, 5:24; Rom. 6:11). It is his announcement to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus.

18. What is the believer to “walk in” after God raises him from the dead? Romans 6:4

____________________________________________________

Beloved, God has called you to “walk in newness of life.” The believer must be “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11). Water baptism is so very important because it introduces the new believer into the life to which God has called him – a life of death and resurrection. The old person and his deeds are dead. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). The disciple is to live separate from sin. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God” 2 (Corinthians 5 :17,18).

19. What are two reasons that we are to be “crucified” with Jesus? Romans 6:6

A. __________________________________________________

B. __________________________________________________

Water baptism is a public announcement of your decrease and His increase (John 3:30). God can only raise up those things that are dead. To resurrect is to raise to life again – to cause something or someone once alive to live again. One must die to the things of this world to live in the resurrected life of Jesus. This is a must if one will be His disciple (John 12:24-26). To live in the resurrection life of God one must be dead to the sins of the flesh. The definition of being “dead” to sin, is living life as if sin didn’t even exist in the sense that one is separate from it – you do not partake of it in spirit, soul, or body.

Water baptism is the beginning of the life lived after the Spirit instead of after the flesh. It’s a heartfelt broadcast to the Lord, the world, and the devil that you are now going to be true to the Most High God by living in holy conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ. At the moment of baptism God imparts a sufficient measure of grace to enable the believer to walk out his new life in Christ.

20. Why do you personally believe that baptism in water is so important in God’s eyes?

____________________________________________________

God has saved you and has set you apart to live after His nature that He has imparted to you (Rom. 6, 8). You are a new creature in Christ Jesus and God requires that you make this known (Matthew 10:32, 33). Jesus was fearless and unashamed when He came to the earth to do His Father’s will and die for the sins of the world. He requires that His disciples be bold and unashamed in testifying of His work of redemption. Water baptism should be the first act of obedience rendered by the disciple of Jesus.

21. What does Jesus do for all who “confess” Him before men? Matthew 10:32

____________________________________________________

22. What does Jesus do to all those who “deny” Him before men? Matthew 10:33

____________________________________________________

Water baptism is an open declaration of one’s identification with and faith in Jesus. Water baptism is generally the new believer’s first act of confession before men. It should be the personal and spoken testimony of the believer about to be baptized. The new convert should be given time to give account of his born again experience and God’s work presently in progress in his life.

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET BEEN WATER BAPTIZED, OBEY THE LORD BY ARRANGING A TIME AND PLACE TO PUBLICLY TESTIFY OF YOUR NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST BY BEING BAPTIZED.

ASSIGNMENT:

In 250 words or more, detail the ways that the Word of God should be incorporated into the daily life of the believer. (Tips for your essay’s content: study, performance, prayer, warfare, proclaiming, meditating upon, memorizing, etc.) Search the Scriptures as your source for this essay and use Scripture and references to validate your statements. Begin with deep and prayerful meditation on God’s Word. Write your essay neatly and in an organized manner.

SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION: Matthew 28:19

It would be very advantageous for you to cross reference all of the Scriptures in this study. For example, pencil in each topically similar verse into the margin next to the corresponding verses on this same subject. Write out these verses with references on index cards – make it a priority to carry and post them where you will study and meditate upon them. These two measures will build in you a wealth of truth on each topic. This will help you to retain and become resourceful in the Word of God – ready to be used of Him. Capture the knowledge that you have learned, don’t let it slip away from you.

Capitalize on your efforts. This is preparation in earnest (2 Timothy 2:21).

STUDY GUIDES
Evangelism
Holy Word of God
The Blood of Jesus
Holy Ghost Baptism
Water Baptism
The Believer and The Word

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