continued from (4) Now That I Believe...
"
How should I serve The LORD now that I believe?
1. Should I be baptized?
While many pastors would say “yes,” the Apostle Paul says “no.” Water baptism
was once a part of God’s program for His people Israel, but it is not a part of
God’s program for His people today, the Body of Christ.
Whenever we are told the purpose of baptism in Scripture, it is always said to
be “for the remission of sins” (Mark_1:4; Luke_3:3; Acts_2:38). The Lord Him-
Self Insisted, “He that believeth and is baptized Shall Be Saved” (Mark_16:16).
But after Israel rejected her King, the Lord raised up the Apostle Paul, and made
him “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans_11:13). This new apostle declared,
“Christ Sent me not to baptize...” (I Corinthians 1:17), and then said, “be ye
followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 4:16; 11:1).
Water baptism is a work, it is something that we can do, and Paul insists that
Salvation today is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
According To His Mercy He Saved us, By The Washing Of Regeneration,” and
not by the washing of water baptism (Titus_3:5).
It is the teaching of Paul that we don’t need water baptism, “For By One Spirit
Are we all Baptized Into One Body” (I Corinthians 12:13). This Spiritual Baptism
Took Place the moment we Were Saved, and we Are Now
Completely Circumcised With A Spiritual Circumcision (Colossians_2:11),
and Completely Baptized With A Spiritual Baptism (Colossians_2:12).Paul then affirms that while there are many different kinds of baptism in
the Bible (Matthew_3:11; I Corinthians 10:1,2), there is only “ONE Baptism”
in God’s program for today (Ephesians_4:5), referring of course to our
Spiritual Baptism Into Christ. The words “ONE Baptism” leave no room for
an additional baptism with water.
It is often taught that while baptism today does not Save us, it is a testimony
to Salvation. However, this is not taught in Scripture. Water baptism today is
only a bad testimony, for it testifies that the one being baptized does not
understand that they Are Complete In Christ Without water baptism.
2. Begin studying the Bible.
The Bible Is God’s Word: “All Scripture Is Given By Inspiration Of God”
(II Timothy 3:16,17). As they wrote the Scriptures, “holy men of God
spake as they Were Moved By The Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21).
“The Spirit of the Lord Spake by me,” said David of his writings, “and His
Word was in my tongue” (II Samuel 23:2). God’s Word Has The Power To
Cleanse our ways (Psalm_119:9) that we might not sin against Him
(Psalm_119:11). It Strengthens us as Christians (Psalm_119:28) and
Directs our steps (Psalm_119:105).
It Sets Examples For us (I Corinthians 10:11) and Gives us hope
(Romans_15:4). It Is “Profitable For doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16,17).
God Has Magnified His Word Above Even His Name (Psalm_138:2), so we
should say with Job: “I have esteemed The Words Of His Mouth More than my
necessary food” (Job_23:12). We should read God’s Word (I Timothy 4:13),
meditate on It (I Timothy 4:15) and study It (II Timothy 2:15).
II Timothy 2:15 also says that as we study God’s Word we should
be “rightly dividing” It. This is the key to understanding the Bible.
While All Scripture Is “Profitable” for us to study (II Timothy 3:16),
much of Scripture contains specific instructions for the people of Israel.
The Old Testament portion of our Bibles contains commandments for
Israel in the past, while the books of the New Testament that are not
written by the Apostle Paul were written with future Israel in mind.
Unless we separate these instructions from the instructions given
to us Gentiles through our apostle Paul (Romans_11:13; 15:16),
God’s Word can become very confusing and unprofitable.
A simple demonstration of the need to rightly divide God’s Word can be
seen in the different Bible commands concerning something as basic
as our diet. God told Adam he could only eat plant life (Genesis_1:29),
but afterwards added meat to man’s diet (Genesis_9:3).
Then later under the Law of Moses, God told Israel to “make a difference
between...the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten”
(Leviticus_11:47). But then centuries later when Peter rightly refused to eat
unclean meat, God changed man’s diet again (Acts_10:9-14), explaining to us
through Paul that “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused,
if it be received with thanksgiving” (I Timothy 4:4).
Similarly, the Law forbade the eating of meat sacrificed to idols (Exodus_34:14-16),
but Paul taught that this is not a sin for us today (I Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:23-33).
Yet in the future, God’s people Israel will again be prohibited from eating such meat
(Revelation_2:20).
Since it is impossible to obey all of these different commands, it is imperative
to determine which of these commands God would have us obey today. And
since there are many other issues in which Scripture gives “contradictory”
instructions, it is vital that we remember that it is The Commands of Christ
Given to and through the Apostle Paul that we must obey (I Corinthians 14:37;
Philippians_3:17; 4:9).
While the twelve apostles are associated in Scripture with the twelve tribes of Israel
(Matthew_19:28), the One apostle Paul is associated with the One Body Of Christ
(Romans_12:4,5; I Corinthians 10:17; 12:12,13,20; Ephesians_2:16; 4:4;
Colossians_3:15). In Paul’s epistles alone we find information about “the church
which is His Body” (Ephesians_1:22,23) and instructions intended primarily for us.
This is not to say that we need not study the rest of the Bible, for it is Paul himself
who tells us that “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope”
(Romans_15:4). As we see God’s faithfulness to His people Israel in other parts of
Scripture, it gives us hope that God will be Just As Faithful In His Promises To the
church of today, the Body of Christ.
"
(R Kurth)
Berean Searchlight FULL Article:
Now That I Believe (Part 1)
Now That I Believe (Part 2)
Now That I Believe (Part 3)
View attachment 23894
GRACE And Peace...
====================
Index "Now That I Believe":
(1) Introduction
(2) What Did I Believe
(3) What Happened When I Believed
(4) Why Should I Serve The LORD
(5a) How Should I Serve The LORD (5b)
(6a) How Should I Deal With sin (6b)
(7) How Should I Deal With Adversity
(8) What Is my Future / Conclusion
"
How should I serve The LORD now that I believe?
1. Should I be baptized?
While many pastors would say “yes,” the Apostle Paul says “no.” Water baptism
was once a part of God’s program for His people Israel, but it is not a part of
God’s program for His people today, the Body of Christ.
Whenever we are told the purpose of baptism in Scripture, it is always said to
be “for the remission of sins” (Mark_1:4; Luke_3:3; Acts_2:38). The Lord Him-
Self Insisted, “He that believeth and is baptized Shall Be Saved” (Mark_16:16).
But after Israel rejected her King, the Lord raised up the Apostle Paul, and made
him “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans_11:13). This new apostle declared,
“Christ Sent me not to baptize...” (I Corinthians 1:17), and then said, “be ye
followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 4:16; 11:1).
Water baptism is a work, it is something that we can do, and Paul insists that
Salvation today is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
According To His Mercy He Saved us, By The Washing Of Regeneration,” and
not by the washing of water baptism (Titus_3:5).
It is the teaching of Paul that we don’t need water baptism, “For By One Spirit
Are we all Baptized Into One Body” (I Corinthians 12:13). This Spiritual Baptism
Took Place the moment we Were Saved, and we Are Now
“Complete In Him” (Colossians_2:10),
and Completely Baptized With A Spiritual Baptism (Colossians_2:12).
the Bible (Matthew_3:11; I Corinthians 10:1,2), there is only “ONE Baptism”
in God’s program for today (Ephesians_4:5), referring of course to our
Spiritual Baptism Into Christ. The words “ONE Baptism” leave no room for
an additional baptism with water.
It is often taught that while baptism today does not Save us, it is a testimony
to Salvation. However, this is not taught in Scripture. Water baptism today is
only a bad testimony, for it testifies that the one being baptized does not
understand that they Are Complete In Christ Without water baptism.
2. Begin studying the Bible.
The Bible Is God’s Word: “All Scripture Is Given By Inspiration Of God”
(II Timothy 3:16,17). As they wrote the Scriptures, “holy men of God
spake as they Were Moved By The Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21).
“The Spirit of the Lord Spake by me,” said David of his writings, “and His
Word was in my tongue” (II Samuel 23:2). God’s Word Has The Power To
Cleanse our ways (Psalm_119:9) that we might not sin against Him
(Psalm_119:11). It Strengthens us as Christians (Psalm_119:28) and
Directs our steps (Psalm_119:105).
It Sets Examples For us (I Corinthians 10:11) and Gives us hope
(Romans_15:4). It Is “Profitable For doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16,17).
God Has Magnified His Word Above Even His Name (Psalm_138:2), so we
should say with Job: “I have esteemed The Words Of His Mouth More than my
necessary food” (Job_23:12). We should read God’s Word (I Timothy 4:13),
meditate on It (I Timothy 4:15) and study It (II Timothy 2:15).
II Timothy 2:15 also says that as we study God’s Word we should
be “rightly dividing” It. This is the key to understanding the Bible.
While All Scripture Is “Profitable” for us to study (II Timothy 3:16),
much of Scripture contains specific instructions for the people of Israel.
The Old Testament portion of our Bibles contains commandments for
Israel in the past, while the books of the New Testament that are not
written by the Apostle Paul were written with future Israel in mind.
Unless we separate these instructions from the instructions given
to us Gentiles through our apostle Paul (Romans_11:13; 15:16),
God’s Word can become very confusing and unprofitable.
A simple demonstration of the need to rightly divide God’s Word can be
seen in the different Bible commands concerning something as basic
as our diet. God told Adam he could only eat plant life (Genesis_1:29),
but afterwards added meat to man’s diet (Genesis_9:3).
Then later under the Law of Moses, God told Israel to “make a difference
between...the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten”
(Leviticus_11:47). But then centuries later when Peter rightly refused to eat
unclean meat, God changed man’s diet again (Acts_10:9-14), explaining to us
through Paul that “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused,
if it be received with thanksgiving” (I Timothy 4:4).
Similarly, the Law forbade the eating of meat sacrificed to idols (Exodus_34:14-16),
but Paul taught that this is not a sin for us today (I Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:23-33).
Yet in the future, God’s people Israel will again be prohibited from eating such meat
(Revelation_2:20).
Since it is impossible to obey all of these different commands, it is imperative
to determine which of these commands God would have us obey today. And
since there are many other issues in which Scripture gives “contradictory”
instructions, it is vital that we remember that it is The Commands of Christ
Given to and through the Apostle Paul that we must obey (I Corinthians 14:37;
Philippians_3:17; 4:9).
While the twelve apostles are associated in Scripture with the twelve tribes of Israel
(Matthew_19:28), the One apostle Paul is associated with the One Body Of Christ
(Romans_12:4,5; I Corinthians 10:17; 12:12,13,20; Ephesians_2:16; 4:4;
Colossians_3:15). In Paul’s epistles alone we find information about “the church
which is His Body” (Ephesians_1:22,23) and instructions intended primarily for us.
This is not to say that we need not study the rest of the Bible, for it is Paul himself
who tells us that “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope”
(Romans_15:4). As we see God’s faithfulness to His people Israel in other parts of
Scripture, it gives us hope that God will be Just As Faithful In His Promises To the
church of today, the Body of Christ.
"
(R Kurth)
Berean Searchlight FULL Article:
Now That I Believe (Part 1)
Now That I Believe (Part 2)
Now That I Believe (Part 3)
View attachment 23894
GRACE And Peace...
====================
Index "Now That I Believe":
(1) Introduction
(2) What Did I Believe
(3) What Happened When I Believed
(4) Why Should I Serve The LORD
(5a) How Should I Serve The LORD (5b)
(6a) How Should I Deal With sin (6b)
(7) How Should I Deal With Adversity
(8) What Is my Future / Conclusion
Last edited:
