Which Baptism Do You Prefer? Water? Or Holy Spirit?

by wannabe 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • wannabe
    wannabe

    Which Baptism do you prefer? Water? Or Holy Spirit?

    We know that when the Christ came on the scene he was the one leader and one teacher of all of the first Century Christian's. He it was, was the head of the Christian Congregation. This, quite naturally, is supported by the Holy Writings.

    8"But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. 9 Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. 10 None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. 11Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others." {Matthew 23:8-11 CEV}

    Nothing veiled about that, is there? The Christ was the One Leader and one teacher in the first Century. But notice he told them, 'none of you should be called teacher.' Not that they were not teachers of God's word because they were, but they were not to take his position as the one teacher, or one leader. Those positions was his alone. They were not to usurp those positions occupied only by the Christ, their one leader and one teacher. It was the Christ was the head of the Christian congreagation; and as the head responsible for the leading and teaching:

    "Be in subjection to one another in fear of Christ. 22 Let wives be in subjection to their husbands as to the Lord, 23 because a husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation, he being a savior of [this] body. 24 In fact, as the congregation is in subjection to the Christ, so let wives also be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and delivered up himself for it, 26 that he might sanctify it, cleansing it with the bath of water by means of the word, 27 that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, not having a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish." {Ephesians 5:21-27 NWT}

    15 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist, 18 and he is the head of the body, the congregation." {Colossians 1:1`5-17 NWT}

    A few very important points Paul draws out here: Paul tells us the Congregation is in subjection to the Christ. Because of his love for it, delivered himself up for it, that it was presented to him. That the Christ is the head of the body, the congregation.

    As their one teacher, he could say to them:

    "I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, because all the things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." {John 15:15 NWT} Obviously the Congregation at that time was very well versed in the scriptures having been taught everything the Father had taught his Son. Now knowing all of what they did was one thing, but how could mere Men remember everything the Christ had taught them? Jesus would make certain they were all adequately equipped, as well see:

    "If you love me, you will observe my commandments; 16 and I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, 17 the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither beholds it nor knows it. you know it, because it remains with you and is in you." {John 145:15-17 NWT}

    Of course after they receive the Spirit of the Truth which Jesus obtains for them from his Father, this spirit of truth would remain with them forever, and remaining with them and in them as it does, teaches them all things and brings back to their minds scriptural truths as needed in their ministry. Jesus further explains to them just how they will be taught after his ascension to the right hand of his Father.

    "While remaining with you I have spoken these things to you. 26 But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you." {John 14:26 NWT}

    Notice what Jesus reveals to us about the Holy Spirit; telling us that the World cannot receive it, neither beholds it nor knows it. Then he tells them that the Holy Spirit, that the Father sends in Jesus name will continue teaching them all things after his ascension, because he no longer would be with them to teach them directly. Only while he was remaining with them would he have been speaking these things to them. The Holy Spirit would then take over all of the teaching of them after he ascended. The entire World, lacking the Holy Spirit because they neither beheld it nor knew it, would remain in spiritual darkness, and would not because of that lack, understand the Holy Writings. Not being able to gain the Holy Spirit would mean that the World in general were not granted to understand the Holy Writings, nor did they have their minds fully opened to grasp the meaning of the scriptures. Matthew and Luke will clarify that for you:

    11 In reply he said: "To you it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted. 12 For whoever has, more will be given him and he will be made to abound; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13 This is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations, because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it; 14 and toward them the prophecy of Isaiah is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, you will hear but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, you will look but by no means see. 15 For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes; that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back, and I heal them."{Matthew 13:11-15 NWT}

    45 "Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures,

    46 and he said to them: "In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, 47 and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem, 48 you are to be witnesses of these things. 49 And, look! I am sending forth upon you that which is promised by my Father. you, though, abide in the city until you become clothed with power from on high.""{Luke 24:45 NWT}

    So! In the first Century, those following the one leader and one teacher were granted to understand the Holy Writings. Even more they had, had their minds fully opened to grasp the meaning of the scriptures; in this way they could serve as witnessses about the suffering of the Christ, how he rose from the dead on the third day, and could preach in all the Nations repentance for foregiveness of sins starting out from Jerusalem. To that end they would be clothed with power from on high. That power came upon them at Pentecost when the Christ poured out the Holy Spirit entrusted to him and tongues of fire sat on each Apostle. Equipping them now to preach and teach to the Nations. {Matthew 28:18-20} {Acts 2:33}

    Something sets these first Century Worshippers of Jehovah head and shoulders above the realm of Religious Christendom. That is the fact that these were the ones chosen directly by Jehovah to worship in Spirit and in Truth; for as Jesus had told the Samaritan Woman at the well-side, that, that is the only kind of worshipper Jehovah was looking for to worship him. No other type of worship would be acceptable to him, as the account at John 4:19-24 bears out. Paul tells us Jehovah knows personally all he chooses to give to his Son:

    ¨`For all that, the solid foundation of God stays standing, having this seal: "Jehovah knows those who belong to him," and: "Let everyone naming the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness." {2 Timothy 2:19 NWT}

    Only these Jehovah knows will gain approach to the Christ and in so doing gain access to the Father. Jesus mentions these in the following words:

    "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. 7 They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you; 8 because the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and have certainly come to know that I came out as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me forth." {John 17:6NWT} Notice! Only the ones given to the Christ by the Father were given the sayings of the Father, and they gratefully received them. It is clear those that find themselves worshipping the Father in Spirit and in Truth, are those that Jehovah knows belong to him. They, he turns over to his Son, so that, they, then, have free approach to the Christ, and that gained approach gives them approach to the Father. Jesus will explain that better than I:

    Jesus said to him: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." {John 14:6 NWT}

    Like it or not!The only approach to the Father is through the Son; and unless you can approach the Son, you'll never gain approach to the Father as hard as you may try, and wouldn't you just know it, Jehovah again is the one who decides will gain approach to the Son, as we'll now see:

    44 "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him; and I will resurrect him in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by Jehovah.’ Everyone that has heard from the Father and has learned comes to me." {John 6:44 NWT} {1 Timothy 2:5}

    One can choose to worship in any one of the Church's of Religious Christendom; but aside from not worshipping in Spirit and in Truth themselves; they wouldn't even know how to conduct worship such as that. They know absolutely nothing about it. Apparrent by the comportment of their Religious leaders and conduct of all of their followers,which is shame-ful; at best, a mere form of Godly devotion but proving false to its power, as Paul predicted. {2 Timothy 3:1-5}

    If Jehovah recognizes one as belonging to him, he will draw that one to his Son, granting him free approach to him. By that means, and only by that means, does that one have approach to the Father. He, or they, will come to learn just how to worship in Spirit and in Truth, as did all of the first Century Christian's. The worship Jehovah expected in the first Century, he expects now, as well; for Jehovah never changes. {Malachi 3:6}

    We know that Paul said, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever." {Hebrews 13:8}

    So, as might be expected he is still the one leader and one teacher. His positions never changed just because he ascended to his Father's right hand. As he did with the Apostle Paul in the first Century he continues to do today. Note the following:

    11 "For I put you on notice, brothers, that the good news which was declared by me as good news is not something human; 12 for neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught [it], except through revelation by Jesus Christ." {Galatians 1:11,12 NWT}

    "On account of this I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you, the people of the nations— 2 if, really, you have heard about the stewardship of the undeserved kindness of God that was given me with you in view, 3 that by way of a revelation the sacred secret was made known to me, just as I wrote previously in brief." {Ephesians 3:3 NWT}

    "A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John, 2 who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw." {Revelation 1:1,2 NWT}

    As the words of Paul and John show; all the teaching Jesus does now is done by means of Revelations from the Heavenly Spirit realm. All of the teaching that the one teacher and one leader does now, is done by means of the Holy Spirit, entrusted as it is to the Christ ever since his ascension in the first Century. Let me show you what Jesus must do on behalf of those Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth, and remember this is not done for the World in general; it is done only for those Jehovah recognizes as belonging only to him:

    "If you love me, you will observe my commandments; 16 and I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, 17 the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither beholds it nor knows it. You know it, because it remains with you and is in you." {John 14:15-17 NWT}

    Take note! The World cannot receive the Spirit of the Truth. They do not see it! They do not know it! On the other hand though, it is with and in those Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth. What occurs for them as a result of that? Note the following:

    26 "But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you." {John 14:26 NWT}

    What we see here, is, while the World in general will know absolutely nothing about the Bible, those worshipping in Spirit and in Truth will know all things. The Holy Spirit on them will serve as a remembrancer to bring back to their minds what they need in their Ministry, when they need it. Even more, they would be aided in doing something Religious Christendom knows absolutely nothing about, but should know:

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    26 "When the helper arrives that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which proceeds from the Father, that one will bear witness about me; 27 and you, in turn, are to bear witness, because you have been with me from when I began." {John 15:26,27 NWT}

    Religious Christendom is not even aware what the witness of the Christ is all about. They do not get the import of the words of Jesus, when he said: "All Authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." They do not know, at his ascension he had finished the work his father had given him to do. {John 17:4} They do not know and appreciate he had conquered the World! {John 16:33} They do not know because he had conquered the World he sat down with his Father on his Father's Throne wearing his Crown as king of God's Kingdom right from his ascension. {Revelation 3:21} {Matthew 28:18,19} {Ephesians 1:19-23} {Philippians 2:5-11} But now, they do know! To carry the workings of the Holy Spirit, and what is accomplished through its leading and teachings a step further; notice the following:

    13 "However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things coming." {John 16:13 NWT}

    These ones today found to be worshipping in Spirit and in Truth as Jehovah requires, will not only be guided into all Truth; they will even come to have knowledge of future events, the things to come, John said. There is even more as if that wasn't enough already: One place you will never find these ones who worship in Spirit and in Truth is seated in any of the Pews of Religious Christendom's Church's. John will show you very good reason for that in these following words:

    "These things I write you about those who are trying to mislead you. 27 And as for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but, as the anointing from him is teaching you about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught you, remain in union with him." {1 John 2:27 NWT}

    No! Those today, who like those first Century Christian's render Jehovah the Worship he desires, his way, are still taught and led by the one leader and one teacher; only the difference is now, the teaching is all done by Holy Spirit in the hands of the one leader and one teacher seated at the right hand of his Father. They would never be found trying to learn the Bible seated in the Pew's of any of Christendom's great system of Religion; they have the anointing that teaches them all things without the aid of any human teacher.

    "Therefore because he was exalted to the right hand of God and received the promised holy spirit from the Father, he has poured out this which you see and hear." {Acts 2:33 NWT}

    Exalted to the right hand of God? In control of the Holy Spirit? Why would anyone want to associate themselves with any of the Church's in Religious Christendom? Who, at best, are a body without Spirit, and in Jehovah's eyes a Body without Spirit is a dead Body. {James 2:26} Such are Religious Christendom's Church's.

    Showing that they do not get the sense of the Bible, Religious Christendom involves themselves in a water Baptism similar to John the Baptist's. Not being aware, John's Baptism of Water was for only the Jewish Nation, and for none other than them. John himself made that clear, only they do not get the sense of what John said about it. Which was the following:

    29"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." {John 1:29-31 NIV}

    So! John's Baptism off Water was only for Israel, as he said. Jesus himself also made that very clear with what he had stated about it, which was:

    5"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel." {Matthew 10:5,6 NIV} So! They were to avoid baptizing any from the Samaritan's or the Gentile Nation's. The reason being it was not the time for the Baptizing of the Nations to be done. The only concern now was the lost sheep of the house of Israel, as Jesus will show us with his next words on this:

    21"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." {Matthew 15:21-24 NIV} These next few words are very enlightening, as well:

    19"Meanwhile those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen had traveled as far away as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, without delivering the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God] to anyone except Jews." {Acts 11:19 AB}

    From that we see, that, only the Jewish Nation was of first concern when John arrived doing his Baptism of Water. The main reason for that was, only the Israelite Nation was under the old Mosaic Law Covenant; hence the only ones who could have sinned while under it and for them, an acceptance of John's Baptism in water, was an expression of their repentance for committing those sins while under that Law; and an acceptance of John's water Baptism, would show they had accepted the True Messiah, repented of their sins and accepted the New Covenant that would be established on the precious Blood of the Christ, and that the old Law was no longer in force. Notice these following words that bear directly on this:

    19"Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God." {Romans 3:19 ESV} As I said, only the Israelite Nation was in a covenant relationship with Jehovah by being under that Old Mosaic Law; the Gentile Nations were never under that Old Law; hence had no need to display repentance for committing sins while under it, because they were not included in the old law covenant so had no need to accept John's Batism of Water. The following three scriptures will show that only the Israelite Nation was under the old Law Covenant; and they will also show the Gentile Nations were excluded from being under that old Law Covenant. {Amos 3:1,2} {Psalm 147:19,20} {Romans 3:1,2} Those three scriptures are very clear! They show, without any doubt what-so-ever, the Gentile Nations were never under the Mosaic Law Covenant. John's Baptism of Water was not for the Nations; it was only for the Israelite Nation and none other than them. They alone were under the old Law Covenant, and the only ones who needed to repent for the sins they committed while under it. That was the sole purpose of John's Baptism in Water. It was not for the Nations back then, it is not for the Nations now. Those that practice it today, are practicing an invalid Baptism, that will gain them absolutely nothing.

    We know that when Jesus spoke these following words to his Apostles it was only then the Gentile Nations were taken into consideration. That was at his ascension in the first Century:

    18"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." {Matthew 28:18-20 NIV}

    Notice what Jesus is telling them here! The Authority to do Baptizing was now his, and his alone. It was done now, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and by the authority of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit now took the place of Water. I will now supply scripture that supports that claim:

    38"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." {John 7:38,39 NIV}

    10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" 13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." {John 4:10-14 NIV}

    Notice! We are told here, streams of living water will flow from within him, which would become a spring of water welling up to eternal life? Which of course was the Holy Spirit that had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified? What is significant about this spring of water welling up to eternal life, that would be given after he was glorified? The words of Jesus at John 17:3 will aid us in understanding that:

    3"And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent." {John 17:3 AB}

    So! It's a matter of coming to know Jehovah and his Son well; and to accomplish that we need accurate knowledge of both the Father and the Son, and it is this accurate knowledge of both Father and Son that becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Now, I've already pointed out that the water now, is changed to the Holy Spirit, haven't I? Which was gained after the glorification of the Christ in the first Century. How exactly does this new water of baptism, work on these ones worshipping in Spirit and in Truth, and just how do they obtain it? Without it there can be no life gained at all, for it is only by gaining accurate knowledge of Jehovah and his Son that anyone can gain everlasting life. Jesus shows us how to gain it, next:

    15"If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-- 17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you." {John 14:15-17 AB}

    So! John's Baptism of Water would be totally useless to us today because John's Baptism in water had nothing to do with the Holy Spirit coming upon the individuals baptized, at that time. That Baptism didn't occur until after the ascension of the Christ. The fact of the matter is; those Baptized in the Baptism of John, knew nothing about the Holy Spirit, as it was not involved with the Baptism of John's water Baptism, as we'll next learn:

    1"WHILE APOLLOS was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper inland districts and came down to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2And he asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3And he asked, Into what [baptism] then were you baptized? They said, Into John's baptism." {Acts 19:1-3 AB}

    So John's Baptism in Water would be useless to any submitting to that Water Baptism today, because John's Baptism of water wasn't associated in any way with the Holy Spirit; and the fact that there is only one Baptism today; would of necessity have to be the ONE Baptism done by Jesus in Holy Spirit. That particular Baptism, doesn't require the use of any water, not in the first Century and certainly not now, either. That is evidenced by the Baptism Jesus performed at Pentecost, where tongues of fire sat on each Apostle, and each of them were baptized in Holy Spirit and with fire as Jesus had promised them. {Ephesians 4:5}

    49"And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high." {Luke 24:49 AB} This occured as you'll see at Pentecost, as described to follow:

    1"AND WHEN the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place, 2When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. 3And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them. 4And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words]" {Acts 2:1-4 AB}. This is the first Baptism that was done by Jesus from the Spirit realm, where no water was used and no mention of any water. This event was actually the fullfilment of the words of John the Baptist:

    11"I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." {Matthew 3:11 AB}

    Notice! John here is reminding those early Jews under the Law of their past sins while under that Old Law; how his Baptism of them was a gesture of repentance on their parts. How they all now had to amend their ways and view with abhorrence their past sins while under that old Law. But notice the Baptism he foretold Jesus would do he never mentioned the use of any water being used. It was to be by Holy Spirit and Fire or simply Holy Spirit. With never even the hint of any water being used.

    There is of course an account in Acts 8:26-40 where Philip Baptized the E-thi-o'pi'an Eunuch, and individuals will try to use that scripture to show that it was not only the Jews John Baptized; but what they do is fail to read the entire account, because taking the entire context into considertation, one learns the E-thi-o'pi'an had been to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship so he was a Jewish convert; hence needed to be Baptized by John's Water Baptism. {Acts 8:27} There is also the account in Acts 10:47 where Peter said: "Can anyone forbid water so that these might not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?" Peter without realising what he had said had answered his own question, because he already knew they were baptized in Holy Spirit by the Christ. Evidenced by Acts 10:44,45. Peter had stepped out of line, because Peter was only sent to the circumcized while it was the Apostle Paul was Apostle to the Nations, and Paul was not sent to Baptize. In Acts 11:15-17 Peter corrected his error because he remembered no water was necessary when Jesus did the Baptizing in Holy Spirit, as he did in this case. So, neither account can be used to support the Water Baptism that goes on today among Christendom's vast empire of Religion. {Galatians 2:7-9} {Romans 11:13} {1 Corinthians 1:17} The Water Baptism conducted today by the vast empire of Religious Christendom today is actually an exercise in futility to end them all; because not one among them have been baptized by the Son of God, the only one who does the ONE Baptism today. They may use their water if they wish, but the Christ will baptize those his Father Chooses in Holy Spirit from the invisible Spirit Realm, as he carries on with his ONE Baptism. {Ephesians 4:4-6}

    So! John's Baptism of Water will leave you without knowledge of Jehovah and Son. Of course no knowledge! No everlasting life! Conversely, a Baptism, in the Holy Spirit by the Christ, will be a solid gaurantee of knowledge, that will definitely lead you to everlasting life. Now! That's really a tough choice to make isn't it? Remember there is only ONE BAPTISM now! That is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit done by the Christ! If you are not Baptized by him, then you are not a Baptized Christian! You are merely deluding yourself. {Matthew 11:28-30}

    28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." {Matthew 11:28-30 NIV} Wannabe

  • Mad Sweeney
    Mad Sweeney

    Didn't read. Didn't need to.

    Holy Spirit. Not even close.

  • Titus
    Titus

    Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong pooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosts boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo death!

  • cognizant dissident
    cognizant dissident

    I prefer baptism with rum or vodka spirits myself.

  • AGuest
    AGuest

    Water baptism is for the sons of Israel, dear Wannabe (may you have peace!), as a symbol of repentance for transgression against the Law Covenant. So, only those who are PARTY to the Law Covenant require water baptism in symbolism of repentance. That would mean Israel (i.e., Jew, Samaritan, Ethiopian, or those who scattered to Greek or Roman territory upon exile to or release from Babylon)... and any who profess to be "Israel". Acts 8:27, 36; 10:47; 19:1-7

    Otherwise, baptism with holy spirit is the ONLY baptism necessary. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; Ephesians 4:4

    Meaning, if one is NOT party to the Law Covenant... water baptism is unnecessary. "Repentance" for them is NOT demonstrated by water baptism, but by the changing of the heart, the "man" one is... on the INSIDE.

    I bid you peace... and ears to hear when the Spirit and the Bride say to YOU:

    "Come! Take 'life's water'... the holy spirit of God, which spirit is poured out from the innermost parts of the Holy One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA MISCHAJAH, who is the Son and Christ of the MOST Holy One of Israel, JAH of Armies... free!"

    A slave of Christ,

    SA

  • cameo-d
    cameo-d

    John the Baptizer invented baptism as a way for people to "wash their hands" so to speak, of their evil deeds and wrongdoing. Many of these people had, no doubt, taken blood oaths and had committed many wrongs because of blackmail or bribes associated with these type cults. There was no way to get out of a blood oath and people feared for their lives.

    Baptism was like an anti-dote to these cult oaths. There had to be a ritual of renunciation because people were superstitious.

    John the Baptizer was a fly in the ointment to these secret groups and that's why they eventually beheaded him.

    Oh, and by the way, if you want to know more about the Holy Spirit...just type "Order of the Holy Spirit" into your search engine. You might just be surprised.

  • Holey_Cheeses*King_of_the juice.
    Holey_Cheeses*King_of_the juice.

    I'll have baptism by fire any day of the week. Have tried the water and holy spit - just didn't do anything to move me. But fire? Oh boy! Did it ever light up the old inner self.

    Cheeses.

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