Church of Our Lord

[charlesj]

THE CHURCH OF OUR LORD CHRIST

“May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” -Eph 3:21

• Just as God has designed the tabernacle (Heb 8:5), God has also designed the church.

• It has distinct identity.

• Without it’s identifying characteristics, the church could not be recognized by those searching for it.

• Nor could the church be reproduced in the earth.

• Nor could it be distinguished from false one’s.

• Identity prevents the idea that the church could be anything one might wish.

• It is a unique institution bearing upon itself a certain identity by which it is easily distinguished from any variation from the divine pattern.

• That pattern is revealed to us in the New Covenant.

PATTERN DEFINED

• The language of the New Testament writers was Greek. The language of that time and three hundred years before Christ was Greek. It was a special simple language called “koine Greek.” This language was the language of Alexander the Great soldiers, a street language.

• Often a word must be defined from that language if its importance and meaning are to be established.

• From the Greek: “TUPOS” is a Greek word translated “pattern” or “form” in the New Testament.

• It can be thought of as a “mold”.

• If you have a “mold” each image made from that mold will be identical. When a woman mades a dress from a pattern (tupos), that dress will be identical no matter how many she makes. This is the idea of "tupos."

• Patterns have identity.

• All things coming from the same pattern look exactly alike.

The Biblical used of the term “tupos” carries these ideas:

A. Moral Idea.

• Christians whose lives are worthy of imitation are held up in Scripture as MODELS or PATTERNS of the Christian lifestyle.

• Paul said of the apostles:

“Join with others in following my example(mimic),brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern (tupos) we gave you.”-Phil 3:17

• We are to “mimic” the pattern of the apostles.

• Evangelists are to be “models” for believers to imitate:

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example (tupos) for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” -1Tim 4:12

Timothy was to be a “tupos”:

(1) –in speech

(2) –in life

(3) –in faith

(4) –in purity

• Titus was told:

• “… encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

In everything set them an example (tupos) by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness” –Titus 2:7

B. THE TECHNICAL SENSE

• The word “tupos” is used of a “pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made.”

• God did this when He commanded Moses to build the tabernacle “according to the pattern (tupos) which was shown him on the mountain.” (Heb 8:5)

• "Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern (tupos) he had seen.” Acts 7:44

C. Doctrinal Sense.

• Tupos is used of a particular teaching.

• Paul reminded the Roman Christians that they had obeyed from the heart a form (tupos) of teaching in order to be made free from sin. (Rom 6:17,18)

• Paul charged Timothy to hold a distinct body of doctrine (teaching): “hold the pattern (hupotupos) of sound words which you have heard from me.” -2Tim 1:13

• A pattern may be thought of as a mold, cast or form into which some substance such as concrete, lead or wax is poured and each time the same image is reproduced.

• Doctrinally speaking, the pattern concept should produce the idea of doctrinal identity.

• Modern church builders should search the scripture for and attempt to conform to the same pattern of teaching that the apostles delivered to the first-century churches.

• This pattern of teaching gives the church her distinct identity of nature and form.

The Pattern Principle

• The pattern principle means no more than going to the Bible to discover what God wants His people to believe, to be and to do until Jesus returns.

• The pattern embraces what men are to believe & do in order to be saved.

• The pattern embraces the Christian lifestyle.

• It embraces certain elements of corporate worship in the church’s assemblies well as an individual’s daily worship for God’s Glory & spiritual benefit.

• It embraces the work of the church & the organizational structure of the local congregations.

• The pattern principle implies that what God revealed to the apostles to be preached, believed & obeyed in the apostolic age can be identified in the N.T. & that God intentionally made that clear in the N.T. writings so that this SAME message would be reproduced in proclamation & practice throughout history until Christ returns.

• The N.T. pattern principle insures the identity of the body of Christ as God purposed it from eternity.

• Not only then was the church in the 1st century ordered after divine pattern, but the church throughout history is to be ordered after the same pattern to the extent of our ability to recognize & reproduce it. (2Tim 2:2)

“… the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

The Following Demonstrates that there is a Pattern of teaching

A. The Eternal Purpose of God.

• The Bible teaches that God’s purpose in Christ for our salvation includes the church wherein we are to glorify Him throughout history. (Eph 1:9-11; 3:10,11, 20,21)

• This purpose is referred to as the wisdom of God which He “ordained before the ages for our glory” (1Cor2:7)

• From this purpose, as revealed in the N.T., emerges the pattern of God's own making after which the apostolic church was originally constructed.

B. The Apostle’s Pattern.

• Jesus prayed for the unity of all who believe in Him, saying, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who believe in me through their word; and that they all may be one.” (Jn 17:20,21)

• The apostle’s word, therefore, necessarily becomes the pattern of belief & resultant unity for all who would follow Christ.

Some Pattern Principles

• In the beginning the church “continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine." -Acts 2:42

• Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the church as based on the apostles’ word is realized here at this earliest moment in the history of the church.

• The church had a distinctive teaching from the apostles & continued steadfastly in it.

• This same teaching was the “pattern” of instruction for the early church!

2. “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, AS I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH.” 1Cor 4:17

• Paul’s teachings were to be maintained in perpetuity inasmuch as the preacher was to remind the churches of Paul’s original teaching.

• Obviously, the Holy Spirit intended the apostles’ teaching to be the universal pattern of instruction since they taught the same thing among all the churches.

• That pattern of teaching constituted the basis of the early church’s belief & consequent unity & identity.

3. “But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” – 1Cor 7:17

• In context, there was a particular practice to which Paul directed ALL THE CHURCHES.

• All the churches of Christ come under a common obligation to observe whatever apostolic authority directs.

• FROM THIS WE PERCEIVE A “PATTERN OF TEACHING”!

• “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law… If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” 1 Cor 14:34-37

• A universal practice to be observed among the churches clearly taught.

• Paul undergirds the importance of retaining the practice of women keeping silent in the assemblies by insisting that Christians acknowledge his writings as the “commandments of Christ.”

• “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” -2 Tim 2:2

• Paul’s commission to Timothy to pass along his teaching to others who will pass it on to yet others.

• This is reminiscent of Christ's commission to the apostles to make disciples of all nations, “…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19,20)

• “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world…. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1Jn4:1,6

• In this context the “spirits” seem to be different teachings.

• Teachings that are different from the teachings of the Holy Spirit through the apostles.

• In 1Jn4:1 we are NOT told to test the teachers, but their teachings.

• The standard for the test is the apostles’ teachings.

• By comparison with their teachings we can know the truth or the error of another’s doctrine.

• “Pattern theology” is a term expressing the belief that the apostles’ teachings for the 1st century church are to be reproduced & observed until Jesus comes.

• If we use the apostles doctrines, the uniqueness of the original Christian faith and the consequent unity of the body of Christ can be achieved and maintained not only in theory, but also in reality!

“Traditions of the Apostles”

• A tradition is that which is handed down.

• The Lord cautioned against traditions of men that invalidate the Word of God (Matt 5:6)

• The traditions of the apostles were handed down from the Lord and are to be handed on to the church who is to hold them firmly.

• What the apostles “received from the Lord” by revelation, they “delivered” to the churches by inspiration.

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,…” 1Cor 11:23

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” 1 Cor 15:3

2. The churches are to hold firmly to the traditions taught by the apostles. (1Cor 11:2; 15:1,2; 2Thes 2:15)

• The apostles teachings are equated with traditions.

• What the apostles received they handed on to the churches.

• The churches, in turn, were charged to hold the traditions they were taught whether by word or by the apostles letters.

• Therefore, the apostles’ traditions constitute a pattern of teaching that is to be firmly held and passed on to future generations of the church until Christ returns.

THE PREACHERS CHARGE

• Paul urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus so that he might charge some to teach no other doctrine (1Tim 1:3)

• Observance of such instruction requires distinctiveness of doctrine to identify those who teach to the contrary.

• Paul passed on a similar warning to the brethren at Rome when he directed them to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” (Rom 16:17)

• There must be a divine standard against which doctrines can be tested for correctness; otherwise, doctrinal differences cannot be distinguished.

• Paul’s final instructions to the preacher include: “hold fast the pattern (hupotupos) of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 1:13) (hupo = by, with)

• Within the apostles’ teachings lies a pattern of instruction for the church.

• God expects the church to:

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,-hold it!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,-retain it!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, -keep it!

• The Bible teaches specific doctrines such as:

-the inspiration of Scripture,

-the gospel of justification by grace through faith in Christ

-the deity of Christ,

-the atonement,

-baptism,

-nature of the church,

-the organization of the church,

-the work of the church,

-the Christian lifestyle,

-worship,

-the Lords Supper,

-the Second Coming,

-the Resurrection,

-the final judgment,

-eternal life and

-eternal condemnation.

• From such teachings emerge the pattern of sound words that is to be reproduced & lived by the Lord’s church until Jesus comes back.

THE FAITH

• When the N.T. speaks of “the faith,” it refers to the thing believed rather than the act of believing.

• The Christian religion as a system of justification by faith in Christ is therefore often referred to as “the faith” and is presented in the N.T. as both singular (one) & distinctive (identifiable).

• Paul tells us that there is but “one faith” (Eph 4:4,5) and that Christians can “all come to the unity of the faith” (v.13)

• This requires a doctrinal identity in order to distinguish the faith from counterfeits!

• Religious unity requires unity of belief.

• Notice the N.T. emphasis on the singularity of the faith.

• It is “the” faith.

• The faith can be “preached.” – “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. (Gal 1:23)

• The faith can be obeyed, “…a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

• The faith can be continued in, “… confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, …” Acts 14:22

• We are to “strive for the faith” – “… stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;…” Phil 1:27

• We are to “contend for the faith” – “…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3

• We can deny the faith, “…he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1Tim 1:8

• We can go “astray from the faith” – “…which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.” 1 Tim 6:21

• In each case, it is “the faith.”

• The apostles do not teach us to negotiate a unity between conflicting beliefs.

• Rather, we are all to seek the unity of the faith.

• One IS NOT speaking biblically when he speaks of different faiths of the Christian religion.

THE TRUTH

• Jesus said, “…"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“ Jn 8:31,32

• In context, Jesus is speaking about the truth of His word that makes us free from sin.

• This “truth” is a distinct body of truth.

• Jesus says we can know that truth.

• Peter speaks about this same body of truth purifying out souls at the time we “obey” – “…you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth…” 1Pe 1:22

• Jesus said His truth would make us free from sin and Peter tells us our souls will be purified from sin when we “obey the truth.”

• Inherent in this language is a distinct body of truth for alien sinners.

• It can be known and obeyed and will result in purifying the sinner's soul from sin.

THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE A SEED

• When Jesus relates the parable of the sower, He speaks about seed falling onto different kinds of soils, when He likens to hearts of men (Lk 8:4-15)

• He then says, “the seed is the word of God” (v.11)

• We know that seed brings forth after its kind (Gen 1:11,12)

• Never has an apple seed brought forth oranges or potatoes.

• WITHOUT EXCEPTION we can rely on God’s Word to bring forth Christians.

• If I preached the gospel in San Antonio, Texas or North Africa and one obeys the gospel, the result is a Christian.

• We must admit that the pure Word of God, unmixed by human wisdom, will bring forth the church of Christ as it did in the first century.

THE DISTINCTIVE IDENTITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

• The church of Christ has a distinctive nature by which it can be identified and reproduced throughout history.

• The word “church” (or assembly) is translated from the Greek word “ekklesia.”

• This Greek word is a compound word. “ek” meaning “out of” and klesis, “a calling.”

• The church is a “called out” body of people that belong to the Lord.

• He has called them out of one realm (world) and into another (kingdom of God).

In the New Testament Ekklesia was translated into English from “community or congregation” to “church” in the 1600’s. For over 1600 years the believers were called a “community.” (or congregation)

• Ekklesia is translated by the word “church” where it refers to the saved body of Christ (Acts 2:47; 20:28;1Cor 10:32; 1tim 3:15).

• This redemptive meaning is behind the Lord’s statement: “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt 16:18).

• Then in Matt 18:18. “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” —Here, what had been granted but a short time before to Peter only (see on Mt 16:19) is plainly extended to all the Twelve; so that whatever it means, it means nothing peculiar to Peter, far less to his pretended successors at Rome. It has to do with admission to and rejection from the membership of the Church.

Jesus builds His church by calling us out of sin to Himself & by saving those who believe on Him as Lord & respond to His call.

• Christ calls us by the gospel: “…He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thes 2:14)

• He calls us out of the darkness of ignorance into His wonderful light (1Peter 2:9) into His own kingdom & glory (1thes2:12)

• Jesus calls us to be holy, sanctified, set apart from the world (1 Cor 1:1,2)

• Those who hear the call & answer the call by obedience of faith become the called out body of Christ.

• This saved body is His church, His body of believers that He called and saved out of sin.

Church Universal, Church Local

• The church of Christ is the worldwide body of saved on earth and is a “part” of the Universal Church which is in heaven.

• The N.T. uses the word “church” in the universal sense. (Matt 16;18; 1Cor10:32; Eph 1:22,23; 5:23,25,32; 1 Tim 3:15) The universal church is not on earth. All churches (assemblies, congregations) on earth are called “local churches.”

• When men are saved, they are added to the universal church (Acts 2:47); At this time their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and angels rejoice!

• They are baptized into one body (1Cor 12:13).

• They are reconciled in this one body (Eph 2:16)

• When we speak about the “church of Christ” we should NOT think of a name, but of a designation of relationship.

• This “relationship” is the church (groups of people) that belongs to Christ.

The universal church is made up of all those saved on earth and the those that have passed on from Adam's time to the present and is growing daily.

The Local Church

• “Local church” is a more geographically restricted use of the word.

Local church, unlike the universal church, is made up of saved and unsaved. Universal church all are saved.

• It is used of an organized congregation of Christians in a particular locale

• For example:

-“the church that was at Antioch” (Acts 13:1)

- “the church at Ephesus” (Acts 20:17)

- “the church of God at Corinth”(1Cor1:2)

- “the church of Thessalonians…”(1Thes1:1)

• These are local churches.

• The N.T. speaks of the “churches of Asia” (1Cor 16:19)

• “The churches of Galatia” (Gal 1:2)

• “ The churches of Judea” (Gal 1:22)

• They are the organized bodies of the church in different locales throughout the world.

• Paul indicated local churches when he said, “…the churches of Christ greet you.” Romans 16:16

Identifying the Church

• Christ’s great purpose in history was to build His church:

“…I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matt 16:18

•

• We would be naïve not to address the fact that Satan has his own preachers, his own doctrines and his own churches

“…But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ… For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Cor 11:3, 13-15)

The Body of Christ

• The apostle Paul speaks of the church as the spiritual body of Christ on earth over which Jesus is the head.

• “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Eph 1:22,23

The Saved Body of Christ

• Whom the Lord saves He adds to His church (Acts 2:47)

• The church IS NOT a denomination to be joined by human choice.

• The church are those that are saved from sin.

• As a natural consequence of receiving salvation, one necessarily becomes a part of that body of saved people.

• We thus identify the church by identifying the body of the saved.

Those Purchased by the Blood of Christ

• Christians are “former” slaves to sin who have been redeemed from the auction block.

• The redemptive price was Christ’s Blood (Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18,19)

• The church is therefore composed of all who have been redeemed by Christ’s Blood.

• If we identify those who have been blood purchased, we can identify the church!

The Sanctified

• Paul writes to “the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1Cor1:1,2)

• The church is the body of the sanctified, the set apart from sin.

• The church is to be identified by identifying the sanctified.

The Body of the Reconciled

• God reconciles sinners to Himself through Christ:

• “… All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2Cor 5:18,19)

• When we are reconciled, it is “in one body” (Eph 2:16)

• We identify the church the same way we identify the body of the reconciled.

The Cleansed, the Washed in Water by the Word

• “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Eph 5:25,26)

• The church is composed of those who have been cleansed when washed (or loosed) from sins by Christ’s Blood (Rev 1:5)

• The church is cleansed when washed with water by the word.

• “Washed” in Eph 5:26 is the Greek word “loutro” literally means “washing.”

• “loutro” means to bathe the whole body.

• This is distinct from “nipto” which means to wash a part of the body, as when Jesus washed the disciples feet. (John 13:1-5).

• The only water in Christianity for washing the whole body is the water of baptism as commanded in the Word of God (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48)

• It is conclusive that we are washed with the blood of Christ when we are washed with water by the word.

• Those so washed constitute the church.

• To identify the church we need only to indentify how sinful mean are washed & cleansed from sin.

Those Who Are in Christ

• Paul wrote, “To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.” (1Thes 1:1,2)

• All who are “in Christ” constitute the church

• We can identify the church when we learn how sinners get into Christ.

Those Who are Registered in Heaven

• The Bible speaks of Christians whose names are in the book of life (Phil 4:3; Rev 20:15)

• But Hebrews speaks of the “church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven” (Heb 12:23)

• The church is composed of all whose names are in the book of life.

• The church is:

-the body of all the saved,

-the redeemed,

-the reconciled to God,

-the sanctified.

• The church of Christ is the body of the saved.

• The inherent nature of the church is significant to its identity.

How Men Are Saved and Enter the Church

• As morally free & responsible human beings, we are not compelled to accept God’s saving grace by any divine predestination.

• Having been created in the image of God with the power of free choice, we are responsible for our actions.

• On this ground, God will bring all men into account at judgment.

• “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Cor 5:10

• To be saved, men must learn the gospel & God’s required response.

• False teachings have been widely substituted for the truth of God’s requirement.

• We must stress that our response must agree with what the Lord requires in His Word.

THE LAW OF PARDON & INDUCTION INTO THE CHURCH

• We must assume that whatever Scripture requires for the salvation of alien sinners is God’s immutable & universal law of pardon.

• When the law is obeyed, God subsequently adds the saved to the church.

• Thus, there is a divine law of pardon & induction into the church.

• We have to identify God’s law of pardon, & we shall identify both the means of entrance into the church & those who constitute the church.

The Law of Pardon: Obedience to a Pattern of Teaching

• Paul reminds the Roman church “how & when” they were saved:

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form (tupos) of teaching to which you were entrusted.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:17,18

• Scripture says that they sincerely obeyed a certain “form” of teaching in order to be saved.

• The word “form” is the Greek word “tupon”

(tupon is taken from tupos which is defined as pattern or mold.)

• These Christians were saved (set free from sin) when they obeyed a certain pattern of teaching (doctrine) that they were taught (delivered).

• That pattern of teaching is the divine law of pardon.

• That pattern of teaching is found in the context of this chapter (Romans 6).

“do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness (homoioma) of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” Rom 6:3-5

• Paul tells us in Rom 6:3-5:

- We are baptized INTO HIS DEATH,

-therefore, We are “buried with Christ at baptism”

-We are “united WITH HIM in “likeness” (homoioma) of His death,

-We are raised in “likeness” (homoioma) of his resurrection.

This Greek word “homoioma” (likeness) plays an important role in the statements in Romans 6:5. In Rom 8:3 we see that Christ was in the “likeness” of sinful man. In Phil 2:7 Christ being in the form of God took on the “likeness” of man. (Same Greek word)

-In other words, "In the act of baptism the death of Jesus Christ is present, although in a different form from that on Golgotha," and we are "received into the same saving event"...

• When we obey the gospel and are baptized, we “emulate” what Christ did.

• We die to our sins - He died for our sins,

• We are buried, - He was buried,

• We are raised (watery grave) to walk in NEWNESS of life, - He was raised from the grave and into the Glory He had before He came to earth.

• When one obeys this pattern of teaching, they have obeyed the God’s law of pardon that makes men free from their sin.

Induction into the Church

• When sinners are saved by sincere obedience to the patter of teaching, the Lord immediately adds them to the church.

“…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47

“… by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.1Cor 12:13

“And that he might reconcile both (Jew & Gentile) unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” Eph 2:16

• Here we identify both the means of entry into the church & those who constitute the church.

The Relation of Baptism to the Law of Pardon.

• Christ commissioned the apostles to make disciples of all men teaching faith, repentance & baptism for the remission of sins (Matt 28:19; Mk 16:15,16; Lk 24:44-47)

• The rest of the N.T. records the apostles’ evangelism & the baptismal response of sinner for salvation.

• The Book of Acts is especially clear in this regard.

• Baptism is mentioned in ALL 10 cases.

• Acts 2:38-41….. the very first believers were Jews; the start of the church at Pentecost

• Acts 8:5-12…….Philip preaches in Samaria. People respond in faith by being baptized

• Acts 8:26-40…...Philip teaches the Ethiopian eunuch who responds by being baptized

• Acts 9:18……….the conversion of Saul to Paul

• Acts 10:47-48….the “Gentile Pentecost”-God shows Peter the Gospel message is not for Jews alone

• Acts 16:15……...the conversion of Lydia and her household

• Acts 16:16-34….Paul and Silas’ jailer (and his household) respond in faith and are immediately baptized

• Acts 18:8 ………Crispus, the synagogue ruler

• Acts 19:3-5……..those that had not heard yet of Jesus are baptized

• Acts 22:16……...Paul’s story revisited --his sins are washed away, calling on the name of the Lord in baptism

• The Book of Acts records in summary that everyone heard the same thing, believed the same thing & did the same thing to get the same thing: salvation from sin & membership in the church.

• Thus, there emerges from this an OBVIOUS PATTERN of obedience for salvation in which baptism is an essential part.

From Matthew 1 to Acts 1 I call 'THE PREPARATION PERIOD & FROM Acts 2 until the return of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, I CALL THE PREACHING PERIOD. Just before Jesus left the earth and before the preaching period, He told His apostles (Matthew 28:19)

to "make disciples!! HOW? Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit... AND THEN WHAT? Teaching them to observe everything He taught (commanded) the apostles.

"In the Name of..." means "by the authority of." The apostles were to start in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8) and go to the whole world making disciples. Each generation should be carrying on this teaching.

The Design of Baptism

• The N.T. teaches ONE baptism (Eph 4:5)

• We read of other baptisms, the baptism of John & the Baptism of the H.S.

• John’s baptism passed away with the old covenant (Acts 18:24-19:5)

• The baptism of the Holy Spirit administered by Christ (Matt 3:11) was a promise to be received, not a command to be obeyed. (Read my note at the end of this writing on 'POURING OUT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.")

• It was accomplished at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21,33) (See my notes on this in “my summary” statements.

• The “one” baptism under the New Covenant is the baptism of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20).

• The idea of “one baptism” distinguishes it from the design & purposes of others baptisms.

• This is true of John’s baptism which was superseded by Christ’s & other baptisms that would later pervert either the design or purpose of the “one baptism.”

Baptism is Immersion!

• Baptism is not merely by immersion; it is immersion!

• From the Greek “bapto, to dip comes baptizo, meaning to immerse, plunge, dip, submerge.

• In the case of Holy Spirit baptism, word means “overwhelm.”

• “Baptizo” cannot be translated by the words “sprinkle” or “pour.”

• The words “sprinkle” & “pour” comes from different Greek words.

• Sprinkle is “rhantizo” & pour is “cheo.”

• The words “sprinkle” & “pour” can no more be substituted for the word baptism than can rhantizo be substituted for baptism.

• Baptizma means immersion, submersion.

• The is how the word should be translated in the Bible, e.g. “one Lord, one faith, one immersion,” (Eph 4:5)

• What Christ & the apostles commanded is immersion.

• The word “baptism” is NOT a proper translation of the word baptisma (as in Eph 4:5)

• It is a “transliteration,” to bring the SOUND of the word over into the venacular.

• Today, the word “baptism” actually conveys no universally accepted specific action outside of a particular church tradition.

• So, baptism means one thing to one church tradition (immersion) & another thing to a different church tradition (e.g. sprinkling & pouring).

• The definition & correct translation of the original word seems to have been tossed aside to accommodate substitutes for immersion which were added centuries after the N.T. was written.

Summary…

“Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God's curse fall upon that person.” –Gal 1:8,9 NLT

Some “brief” thoughts on the “Pouring out of the Holy Spirit.”

POURING OUT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Acts 2:33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.”

“Poured” – God used this Greek verb (ἐκχέω) which is in the “aorist, active, indicative, third person. The aorist tense is used for simple, undefined action. In the indicative mood the aorist tense usually denotes a simple act occurring in the past time. With few exceptions whenever the aorist tense is used in any mood other than the indicative, the verb does not have any temporal significance. In other words, it refers only to the reality of an event or action.

This statement in Acts 2:33 tells us that the Holy Spirit was poured out (once for all time and NOT a continuing “pouring out.” )

We see this phrase “pouring out” used again in Acts 10:45 in which we have the first Gentile converts along with Cornelius.

Acts 10:45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.”

Here in Acts 10:45 God used this Greek word again only now He used it in the “perfect, passive, indicative, third person.” What does this mean? The “perfect” tense represents an action that was completed in the past, but has continuing result. The action in Acts 10:45 reaches back to the pouring of Acts 2:33. Do you see the connection of Acts 2:33 and 45? Acts 10:45 is not another “pouring.”

Peter recaps the event of the “pouring” out of the Holy Spirit of Acts 10 in Acts 11:15ff. and says:

Acts 11:15“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.”

Peter referred to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as “the beginning.”

The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. From that time on, all who obey the gospel receive the Holy Spirit.

"the SUM of Thy Word is Truth" -Psalms 119:160

your servant in Christ,

charlesj

Edited April 13, 2012 by charlesj

[Guest]

The Apostles' Doctrine

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:11-13

~

"the SUM of Thy Word is Truth" - Psalms 119:160

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:6

~

In the beginning the church “continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine." - Acts 2:42

Truth

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be save. Acts 2:41-47

And Jesus Warns

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. Matthew 23:5-5-10

There Is Only One Pappa

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

And All Believers Know Him And Call Out To Him

~

Dear One You Will Either Believe

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

Or You Will Not

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:35-36

Choose Wisely

And Be Blessed Beloved

Love, Joe

[Holy Joe]

As I read through different doctrines and bylaws for different churches one thing becomes obvious in them all and it is if you do not believe as they do you cannot be a part of that establishment. In Christ there is only one thing he demands from us if we are to be in Him and that is to be one with the Father as he was one with Him. John 17.

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Jesus said in John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Asking in his name means we have the same right in power to use it as Jesus did. This ruffles the feathers of the religious denominations because it takes away from their own glory.

Joe

[Holy Joe]

As I read through different doctrines and bylaws for different churches one thing becomes obvious in them all and it is if you do not believe as they do you cannot be a part of that establishment. In Christ there is only one thing he demands from us if we are to be in Him and that is to be one with the Father as he was one with Him. John 17.

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Jesus said in John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Asking in his name means we have the same right in power to use it as Jesus did. This ruffles the feathers of the religious denominations because it takes away from their own glory.

Joe

You are speaking of those in Christ, right?

Yes I am speaking of those who have in their being that what Jesus had in him. Same anointing, Christ in you, Christ simply means to be anointed of Gods Spirit, the anointed one, God in the man, same anointing in you who was in Jesus.

Joe

[OneLight]

As I read through different doctrines and bylaws for different churches one thing becomes obvious in them all and it is if you do not believe as they do you cannot be a part of that establishment. In Christ there is only one thing he demands from us if we are to be in Him and that is to be one with the Father as he was one with Him. John 17.

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Jesus said in John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Asking in his name means we have the same right in power to use it as Jesus did. This ruffles the feathers of the religious denominations because it takes away from their own glory.

Joe

You are speaking of those in Christ, right?

Yes I am speaking of those who have in their being that what Jesus had in him. Same anointing, Christ in you, Christ simply means to be anointed of Gods Spirit, the anointed one, God in the man, same anointing in you who was in Jesus.

Joe

You have me scratching my head here. Are you saying that Jesus was only a mere man who had an anointing; being just a mere man, we can be exactly like Christ? Please clarify ...

[Holy Joe]

In Matt 3:16 we read where God came to Jesus by His Spirit and opened all of heaven to him. Jesus life changed at that moment in his life he was not the same after that. The ones he used to teach to in the temples are the same ones who rejected him after that event. Jesus wasnt born with that knowledge else it wouldnt have been necessary for God to come to that man and open heaven to him. And the same thing happened in Paul on the road to Damascus, and 120 in an upper room, and Moses on the mountain and in me.

God does the anointing in the person and He does it by coming to that person and opening up His kingdom in you. Christ in you, same one who was in Jesus, same anointing, same Christ, same Spirit, same mind. And one will never know what Jesus experienced until one receive the same for himself.

Joe

As I read through different doctrines and bylaws for different churches one thing becomes obvious in them all and it is if you do not believe as they do you cannot be a part of that establishment. In Christ there is only one thing he demands from us if we are to be in Him and that is to be one with the Father as he was one with Him. John 17.

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Jesus said in John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Asking in his name means we have the same right in power to use it as Jesus did. This ruffles the feathers of the religious denominations because it takes away from their own glory.

Joe

You are speaking of those in Christ, right?

Yes I am speaking of those who have in their being that what Jesus had in him. Same anointing, Christ in you, Christ simply means to be anointed of Gods Spirit, the anointed one, God in the man, same anointing in you who was in Jesus.

Joe

You have me scratching my head here. Are you saying that Jesus was only a mere man who had an anointing; being just a mere man, we can be exactly like Christ? Please clarify ...

[OneLight]

You did not answer my question. Do you believe Jesus was a mere man, or do you believe He is God, the Son?

In Matt 3:16 we read where God came to Jesus by His Spirit and opened all of heaven to him. Jesus life changed at that moment in his life he was not the same after that. The ones he used to teach to in the temples are the same ones who rejected him after that event. Jesus wasnt born with that knowledge else it wouldnt have been necessary for God to come to that man and open heaven to him. And the same thing happened in Paul on the road to Damascus, and 120 in an upper room, and Moses on the mountain and in me.

God does the anointing in the person and He does it by coming to that person and opening up His kingdom in you. Christ in you, same one who was in Jesus, same anointing, same Christ, same Spirit, same mind. And one will never know what Jesus experienced until one receive the same for himself.

Joe

As I read through different doctrines and bylaws for different churches one thing becomes obvious in them all and it is if you do not believe as they do you cannot be a part of that establishment. In Christ there is only one thing he demands from us if we are to be in Him and that is to be one with the Father as he was one with Him. John 17.

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Jesus said in John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Asking in his name means we have the same right in power to use it as Jesus did. This ruffles the feathers of the religious denominations because it takes away from their own glory.

Joe

You are speaking of those in Christ, right?

Yes I am speaking of those who have in their being that what Jesus had in him. Same anointing, Christ in you, Christ simply means to be anointed of Gods Spirit, the anointed one, God in the man, same anointing in you who was in Jesus.

Joe

You have me scratching my head here. Are you saying that Jesus was only a mere man who had an anointing; being just a mere man, we can be exactly like Christ? Please clarify ...

[Holy Joe]

If Christ be in you, same Spirit in you who was in Christ Jesus, and have the mind of Christ, then what would be the difference in the one who was in Jesus? Are you suggesting that you have a different Christ in you from the one who was in Jesus Christ?

Joe

You did not answer my question. Do you believe Jesus was a mere man, or do you believe He is God, the Son?

In Matt 3:16 we read where God came to Jesus by His Spirit and opened all of heaven to him. Jesus life changed at that moment in his life he was not the same after that. The ones he used to teach to in the temples are the same ones who rejected him after that event. Jesus wasnt born with that knowledge else it wouldnt have been necessary for God to come to that man and open heaven to him. And the same thing happened in Paul on the road to Damascus, and 120 in an upper room, and Moses on the mountain and in me.

God does the anointing in the person and He does it by coming to that person and opening up His kingdom in you. Christ in you, same one who was in Jesus, same anointing, same Christ, same Spirit, same mind. And one will never know what Jesus experienced until one receive the same for himself.

Joe

As I read through different doctrines and bylaws for different churches one thing becomes obvious in them all and it is if you do not believe as they do you cannot be a part of that establishment. In Christ there is only one thing he demands from us if we are to be in Him and that is to be one with the Father as he was one with Him. John 17.

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Jesus said in John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Asking in his name means we have the same right in power to use it as Jesus did. This ruffles the feathers of the religious denominations because it takes away from their own glory.

Joe

You are speaking of those in Christ, right?

Yes I am speaking of those who have in their being that what Jesus had in him. Same anointing, Christ in you, Christ simply means to be anointed of Gods Spirit, the anointed one, God in the man, same anointing in you who was in Jesus.

Joe

You have me scratching my head here. Are you saying that Jesus was only a mere man who had an anointing; being just a mere man, we can be exactly like Christ? Please clarify ...

[OneLight]

If Christ be in you, same Spirit in you who was in Christ Jesus, and have the mind of Christ, then what would be the difference in the one who was in Jesus? Are you suggesting that you have a different Christ in you from the one who was in Jesus Christ?

Joe

You did not answer my question. Do you believe Jesus was a mere man, or do you believe He is God, the Son?

Yet, I will answer yours.

I am suggesting that we are not God, as Christ is. Just because we have the Holy Spirit does not mean we are anywhere close to being God. The Holy Spirit created a new creation in us, and have the mind of Christ (thinking like He did) allows us a deeper understanding of scripture. Nowhere in scripture does God tell us we will be little gods here, of exactly like His Son because we have the Holy Spirit. That is adding to scripture.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

There is a huge gap between what scripture says and what you are bring here.

[saved34]

When we are that person of Christ that God sent Jesus to teach and give to us to be, these doctrines and bylaws established by man are overruled. Christ in you is the same one who was in Jesus, anointed of Gods Spirit, if you have that same anointing and one with the Father as Jesus was one with the Father, John 17, then all of heaven is opened to you and no need any man teach you because your education comes from God himself.

Holy Joe, you do know this line of thinking is considered heresy by Orthodox Christianity? Maybe you are wording it wrong, but to say Christ entered Christ is an old, old heresy that taught Jesus did not become Messiah until the spirit of messiah entered into him. In other words, it says that Jesus of Nazareth and Messiah are two distinct and separate entities. That is completely false and not a true representation of Jesus Christ the God Man. Very God, Very Man.

This would be for another thread though, this is a great thread by Charlesj, and from what I read (which is really long ) it is good.