Getting Honest, Coming Clean
BREAKING: THIS here is all that matters saints…… Jesus is coming and wants to be glorified in forgiving all sin and changing lives….
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Kingdom news is the only Good News and everything else is going to hell. Are you behind the KING and His work He sent us to do – so that He can forgive all sin and change lives?
This dear brother has been having us lift him in prayer for a while now. Thank God and that you answered that call to lift our brother in prayer. We all know that only God Himself can break us and separate us to Himself, away from the sin that otherwise has a death grip on our lives. Here’s what our dear brother sent this morning:
“Praise report…The Holy Spirit broke me down…and for the 1st time in 42 years I’ve left nothing on the back burner, I’ve left nothing in reserve … it’s not Jesus and…it’s not Jesus but…. No, it’s just Jesus … that cross of my salvation. I’m free indeed!
Thank you brother! I’m truly being made free for the first time… I’ve wasted years holding on to temporary sin…. but no more! The Holy Spirit has been flowing, even today at work! Thanks again brother…. pray for my strength and endurance. I preached it yesterday and people gave up drugs and all sin afterwards (they came to real repentance). Jesus has been so good to me! I can never thank Him enough for His life…” Chris
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
Jacob Got Honest and Grounded
Like each of us, Jacob’s heart was full of deceit until he was brought to brokenness, honesty with the LORD… and “renounced the hidden things of dishonesty” and was therefore “preserved” in his relationship with the LORD (2 Corinthians 4:2; Genesis 32:32:30). This breaking must happen and as He did with Jacob, God has a season chosen, slated, to break each of us! In this season of breaking, Jacob sought God and didn’t choose to fall away and made shipwreck. Read Genesis 32.
“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Genesis 32:30
Victory seems to begin at the point we announce our own utter poverty outside of Christ! See John 15:5; Romans 7:18, 24.
“When you examine yourselves be prepared for what God shows you. It is sometimes hard to see our own ugliness! But if You are diligently seeking the Lord and praying John 3:30 you will be grateful.” Karen Cochran
If we will simply get honest with God and do things His way and no other, His blessing will be upon our lives and His benefits will begin to flow into our lives (Psalms 68:19; 103:2).
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Psalm 103:2
“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” Psalms 116:12
Getting honest is the beginning of your relationship with God and must remain throughout. Get honest. Remain honest.
ALL excuse makers go to hell. Only those who get honest in repentance will be with Jesus (Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15).
Those who are truly right with God are honest with Him. They “declare” and don’t try to hide their sins.
“For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Psalms 38:18
NOTHING good and everything BAD is going to happen till there’s honesty (Proverbs 28:13).
First and foremost, we must with all honesty apply and preach the truth to ourselves, and obey it – MERCILESSLY! Read Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; Mark 9:43-49; Galatians 6:1-2; Psalms 32:5; 38:18. Preaching GOD’s truth is walking in His love and love should always accompany the preaching of His truth. Truth is only hate speech to those who hate truth – they are convicted by the truth but refuse to repent (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; John 3:19-21). You cannot walk in God’s love while not communicating God’s truth (Proverbs 27:5-6; Romans 3:4; Galatians 4:16).
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5
Walking in the light…. includes at its foundation, the admission of and repentance from all evil, all darkness in us (1 John 1:7-10). Otherwise, we do not have fellowship with He who is “is light” because “in him is no darkness at all.” Let us hear the Word of the LORD….
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:3-10
Jesus says that repenting is a non-negotiable essential to knowing Him. Unfortunately, so many today have been misled by the easy believism gospel and assured that because they said a prayer, they are saved and going to Heaven. Yet Jesus never said saying a prayer will save you from sin and hell, and will prevent you from perishing, but rather repenting.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3
Now, if in your praying to God, seeking Him for salvation, mercy, you prayed and repented truly in that praying, He saved you. And the proof of your life being now in Christ is that you are completely changed from the inside out. You are a new creature in Christ, old things are past away, all things are now of God in your life as you are walking with Him, confessing all sin as needed (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Matthew 3:7-10; 1 John 1:9, etc.).
There’s no mystery that we’ve all sinned against God and there’s also no mystery, it’s crystal clear that God “Commandeth all men every where to repent” and to “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (Acts 17:30; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
Those who refuse to sever all sin from their lives will be cast irrevocably into hell. That’s what Jesus taught. Will you believe and obey Him or call the Son of God a liar? Read Mark 9:43-49 in the King James Bible (the corrupted new fake “bibles” deleted this passage).
Jesus guaranteed that only the honest will bear fruit and be with Him eternally. Here’s the 4th of the 4 soils, the only good soil and outcome. See Luke 8:11-15:
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15
The true man of God fears God and therefore fears no man. He will speak the truth no matter what the cost.
“When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” Thomas Sowell
The Honesty Policy of the Patriarchs and Apostles
David’s Acknowledgement and Confession
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:5
Paul’s Determination
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
David’s Declaration – His Life Policy
“For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Psalms 38:18
“Honesty, it’s such a lonely word….” Remember that song?
Make friends with honesty because honesty is essential to God’s forgiveness.
Sister Karen Cochran testifies:
“A few years ago I was complaining about someone else and I was told you don’t have a problem you are the problem! Wow. How true that was. I took that and it still applies today. When I am judging others or am angry, I am the problem not them. I can’t take them to the cross of Christ. I can only take my wretched self to the cross. In this passage David saw how wicked his heart was full of lust and murder. He wanted God to give him a new heart as he said Psalm 51:10 ‘Create in me a clean heart, oh God; and renew a right spirit within me.’ He prayed ‘renew a right spirit within ME’! No one else but David was the one who had sinned and needed to come before God and be restored.”
Shiloh Brattmiller writes:
Do it God’s Way or Perish
There’s no question that we’ve all sinned against our Maker and yet, regrettably, only a few will truly repent, get honest, come clean, and be cleared of the penalty and punishment of sin. God requires honesty from us in order to appropriate His mercy, the forgiveness of our sins.
“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But IF (denotes choice) ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword (judged): for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:16-20
When a man preaches the Word, the lascivious will balk and attack because they refuse to repent and receive the love of the truth – and will therefore be deceived and sent “strong delusion” and will be “damned” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). So, is simply stating the truth, God’s Word, legalistic or biblical? Biblical!
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit will always be consistent with these 3 things: GRT = Goodness, Righteousness, Truth
- “goodness”
- “righteousness”
- “truth”
WHEN we are judging fruit – FIRST our own – these are 3 things to know that will always be consistent with the Holy Ghost working a life.
Ultimate “goodness” intended even when it’s a rebuke (Psalms 141: 5; Proverbs 27:5-6).
“Righteousness” – it will be biblically right, accurate.
“Truth” – it will aways, with no exception, be according to the truth of God which is the Word of God (John 17:17).
We are all born in sin and become skilled at entrenching ourselves in that darkness (Romans 7). God’s Word specifically addresses this.
“Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:23-24
Those who are truly saved today, were brought to the point of giving up, of surrendering. They were fed up with the reaping of sin, the shame and guilt, etc., and drawn to the light and love of the Savior. They fell into the LORD, they fell at His holy feet in repentance, sweet surrender, as He beckoned them to come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30).
Some seem very skilled at making excuse for their own sin. They fortify themselves in their own place of darkness. They will misuse verses like Romans 3:23 while ignoring the context. Romans 3:23 in no way gives us an excuse to live in sin. Rather, it reveals that we’ve all sinned and therefore ALL must repent or perish (Luke 13:3, 5). “Be ye holy; for I am holy….” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
“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?… the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:1-2, 23
It’s like they are saying “Well, we’ve all sinned so it’s okay. It’s okay to continue to sin because God knows and said we’ve all sinned.” Not!
What does God’s Word say?
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
Those who remain in darkness instead of repenting and being made free, brought out of it by God who is light, do so because they love darkness rather than light, making excuses, refusing to come into the light and be cleansed, delivered.
“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.” John 3:19-21
There is no excuse for sin. When we are caught by God in our sin, we either repent or rebel, we either confess it or cover it.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
We cannot get free until we get honest.
The truth makes no one free until they repent and obey it (John 8:31-32).
There are 2 types of professing Christians – 1 is Heaven bound, and 2 is Hell bound:
- Those who face the LORD honestly in true repentance with their own utter depravity and sin, fasting and prayer, the cross (“crucified with Christ”), fighting the good fight of faith in a grounded, daily walk with Jesus, and then there are…
- Those who choose to be dishonest and deceitful of heart, unrepentant, and so migrate to false teachers and false teachings to justify their sin, to attempt to hide from them, dismissing all personal responsibility before God, and make a false god out of, in the image of their own wicked hearts. This is the whole construct and system of Calvinism and eternal security/OSAS and the hiding place for moral cowards who refuse to present themselves honestly before the LORD.
Jesus requires that we simply come to Him in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15). He beckons us to cry to Him with head hung low in sincere humility and repentance “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
MANY are being ushered right in to hell, all the while believing they are “eternally secure,” a phrase that never appears in Scripture. Why? Because they refuse to repent and study God’s Word honestly for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
Those who espouse Calvinism’s grace perverting, sin-justifying falsehoods do such because they refuse to hold themselves accountable to truly, honestly, worshipfully obeying God (2 Timothy 4:3; Jude 4).
Being knowledgeable about God is separate from being honest with God, which is an act of the heart and will. Only “honest” souls will be in Heaven. Pride prevents honesty. When a man won’t humble himself, he will cover his sins, he will refuse to openly acknowledge them before God (Ps 32:5; 38:18; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15; 1 John 1:9, etc.).
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Cor 4:1-2;
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Ps 34:18
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps 51:17
Being possessed with honesty and integrity before God and man, requires breaking, being brought to brokenness.
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” Proverbs 20:7
Do we recall the prodigal son’s return to his father?
“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” Luke 15:21
When the LORD allows us to be broken, like the prodigal son, when we return home we will declare our unworthiness…. which was always the case, but we just don’t realize it till He breaks us.
Of this scenario from Jesus’ teachings in Luke 15, one disciple writes:
“He breaks us by letting us go as he did with the prodigal. Our denial of Him is His denial of us. The prodigal’s decision to abandon his selfish way and go home was his repentance. He still did not understand his father’s character though. He thought he would be punished by being made a bond servant, never again having status as a son.
But the son had already been punished by his own sinful selfish decisions to the point of being at the bottom and miserable. When he got home his father would not even give him time to get out his whole confession. Father ran out to him before the son had said one word, hugged his neck ordered the party to begin. This is our Father in Heaven.
The forgiveness was there before the son said one word: the Father saw him coming from a great way off AND BEGAN TO RUN OUT TO HUG HIS NECK IN COMPASSION: Company of passion.”
ARE YOU willing to conclude what God says the truth is – even when it goes against what YOU want? 2 Tim 4:2-4 Honesty. Equity. Justice.
Maturity in ones manhood begins to be manifested when one is honest about all things, regardless of his own personal desires and affinities. Jesus speaks of “an honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15). All deceit must be denounced as we cry out to God to clean our hearts (Psalms 51; Matthew 5:8).
Articles
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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Articles
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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