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[[File:jesusbaptized.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Jesus was baptized by John, his older cousin, who was seen by many as the highest spiritual leader in the remnant of Israel, so that all things would be fulfilled.]]
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== Entering the Kingdom ==
=== The Water ===
: “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” [[Genesis 1]]:2
Water has always been a symbol of the birth, rebirth and life.
: “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” [[Revelation 2]]1:6
Washing with water was a symbol of life and the preparation for blessings and changes that were a part of the traditions of man.
: “Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:” [[Genesis 18]]:4
We are born from the water of our mother's womb as the brother of Miriam was taken from the Nile and adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh as she drew him from the water and he was called Moses.
[[File:BaptismRabbi.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Baptism was a ritual beginning of the people.]]
: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,” [[Exodus 19]]:10
Through the rituals and traditions of Moses God continued the practice of washing as a sign of preparation, passage and renewal. God spoke of washing the clothes of man. Clothes are the covering for man since he became naked losing the covering of God through sin.
: “And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.” [[Exodus 29]]:4
Bathing or washing was a part of the traditions of sanctification from the earliest days of God's Kingdom on earth. The first called out in the ekklesia or Church established by Jesus should have more than their garments cleaned for they must put on the covering of God.
: “Thou shalt also make a laver [of] brass, and his foot [also of] brass, to wash [withal]: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.” [[Exodus 30]]:18
Not just for the priestly class but also all those who would congregate in the presence of God. It was a symbolic ritual speaking to the people in a tradition that was to teach and prophesy the true nature of things that must come.
: “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” [[1 John 5]]:8
There is no greater sacrifice than Jesus for there has been no purer blood than his. Yet, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to prepare them for the path of service in the Church and Kingdom of His making.
: “When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:” [[Exodus 30]]:20
Aaron and the Levites sons were the administrative government of the tabernacle of the congregation and their baptism was repeated over and over in preparation of entering into the service of God. Their sanctuary was represented by the symbol of the Tabernacle or the Tent of the sanctuary. Every man is like a tent with the frame covered with flesh.
: “And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.” [[Exodus 40]]:12
These ritual washings were prophetic of the nature of the coming of the LORD and had no magical powers in them except to impart the importance of a clean and pure presence in coming before the LORD, God. Jesus mocked those who had only cleaned the outside of the cup but left the inside filled with corruption.
: “And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there. And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people. And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.” [[Leviticus 16]]:23-25
Taking off your garments is taking off your positions of rank and power. Like Jesus who stripped down to wash the feet of the disciple. Humility, sacrifice and service are the calling cards of His elect. So he showed the nature of the true authority in God’s Kingdom is by humble service. Service calls for a mastery over our own desire to control and usurp God by exercising authority over our fellow man.
== Baptism, The ritual ==
"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." [[Matthew 3]]:5-9
[[Baptism]] is from the Greek word baptisma which is from baptizo meaning "to dip repeatedly". Baptisma appears 22 times in the New Testament and is always translated Baptism. In the Greek context it simply means "immersion, submersion". Most people think you enter the Kingdom of Heaven by baptism of water and a profession of faith.
: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. We are all born of water but not all of the Spirit.” [[John 3]]:5
We are all born from the water in the womb. Baptism with water has its place as an outward sign of preparation and intent. It serves a useful purpose in the perception of men. Yet, baptism with water is not what John prophesied as the important baptism.
: “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” [[Mark 1]]:8
I am not speaking against baptism with water but hoping to put it in its true perspective. It is not a magical ceremony but only an outward ritual to demonstrate the direction and intent of entering the Kingdom and its inner sanctuary of God’s covering and protection.
: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” [[1 John 5]]:7-8
A man has a body but also has a mind or spirit and he has a soul which is his corporeal and incorporeal status or hereditaments. This is not such a mystery but actually rather simple. They should all be in agreement to make a complete individual. For this discussion we may assume these are all part of a whole. In other words one may be baptized with water but neither the intent nor the authority of the event took place or attached simply because they were not in agreement.
== Baptism The Jurisdiction ==
{{#ev:youtube|jGU3WVjBXVY|320|right|Baptism, NN Video Series:4-10 5:23}}
[[Baptism]] was not always suggested or recommended as the solution for men who were of a particular status.
: “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.” [[Luke 3]]:14
The soldiers were not baptized nor was it offered to them because they were under oath to another king. For them to be baptized it would be a breach of their loyalty to their master at that time. This would not be true if baptism was a purely religious ceremony. There was religious freedom in the Roman Empire. Baptism was a distinctively political act whose history stems back at least to man’s separation from Egypt’s jurisdiction and the ways of its civil power of man over man.
: “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” [[Luke 16]]:9
Those bound by oath, such as soldiers, could put on the character of Christ. When their oath of office had passed i.e. the unrighteous mammon failed, they would be ready to enter the kingdom. Jesus spoke of the Centurion with great faith and told the people to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s. He understood that men are bound often by oaths and swearing and that is why he also said, “Swear not at all...” [[Matthew 5]]:34
== Baptized into a kingdom of a god  ==
Who began baptizing the people into the kingdom of Heaven on earth before Jesus began his ministry? Was John the Baptist the first?
It had been a tradition for years to begin a new thing or step toward God’s ways by washing. It certainly was not a new idea.
Herod the Great had a grand scheme of a vast world wide membership involving the sending out evangelists and missionaries. Participants of this system of social security, run through the temples, proved membership by showing a token in the form of a white stone from the river Jordan with their new Hebrew name carved on it. They would receive that stone with their contribution at the ritual baptism. These temple customs or legal systems, like Corban, had taken on Roman and Hellenistic traits, involving entitlements and compelled payments.
From the Dead Sea scrolls we discover Herod’s plan. He contrived to obtain at least six hundred thousand members to form a New Israel, a kingdom of Heaven on earth. This political projected a massive evangelism lasting over forty years.
: “The missionaries... with their leather wallets full of white stones, would come back with the same wallets full of money, in foreign currency. Once put into Jewish currency by the money-changers [porters of the temple], it would be stored in vaults, ready to be used by Herod for his vast building projects, or any subsequent causes.”
: “Herod's scheme of initiation into a new form of Judaism was immensely successful. Jews everywhere were willing to join the worldwide society whose meetings were held in the evenings in private houses. Entry was for members only; they had to show at the door an admission token in the form of a white stone from the river Jordan which the missionaries gave them at baptism. On the stone was written their new Jewish name.”<Ref>  Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls by Barbara Thiering.</Ref>A man named Menahem and his order of Essenes became the advisers of Herod’s kingdom. These Essenes were similar to the Palestinian Essenes “but did not espouse their unworldliness and strict views on morality.” They were 'seekers-after-smooth-things' according to some.
{{#ev:youtube|EMxTbD3s3s8|320|right|Religion ~4 min}}
Herod had sent out those Essene missionaries and Pharisee teachers who supported his idea of a vast kingdom of God on earth. It was a system of social security (Corban) and commercial affluence. He was very successful and built the temple in Jerusalem and many more in other countries. It was a “Great Society” and new world order.
: “Jerusalem was a major city in a cosmopolitan culture. It contained not only the Temple, but also a large arena for chariot and horse races (a hippodrome), a stadium for athletic contests (a gymnasium), and massive Theaters.”<Ref>    Jesus Within Judaism by James H. Charlesworth.</Ref>
People needed to be entertained, lulled with security, excited and pleasured into pacification and apathy.
: “...In 20-19 B.C.E. Herod the Great set in motion plans to make the Jerusalem Temple the largest and most magnificent religious building in the world. The platform on which it stood, built with huge blocks of stone, stretched a quarter of a mile long by a fifth of a mile wide. Gleaming gold plates were set up in the inner courts. From its ramparts silver trumpets heralded each dawn. Twenty thousand functionaries were employed in its servicing, and a further sixteen thousand craftsmen and laborers were drilled as construction and refurbishing teams that would be kept occupied for three quarters of a century.”<Ref> Jesus, The Evidence, Ian Wilson </Ref>
Most people did fine under Herod as most people do fine under existing governments of the world today. Business was good, money flowed and success and prosperity was plentiful or just around the corner. The temple was a gate for vast funds and social projects.
Herod subsidized games and festivals all over the world. Everywhere civic projects provided water supplied by aqueducts in cities and the countryside. With “improved irrigation, the kingdom became much more productive agriculturally. And when famine struck at home, Herod supplied grain from its own funds.<Ref>    The Old Testament World, John Roberson and Philip Davies </Ref>
Success was good for everyone. These massive building projects financed by contributions and pledges collected from its ever growing membership brought prosperity and prestige. Harbors and roads expanded and those employed in the task prospered with the stimulating expenditures of great wealth flowing through Judea and the city of Jerusalem.
Herod had his enemies but they were quickly dispatched, condemned as antigovernment conspirators or generally frightened into silence. Herod’s Kingdom was not yet conquered by Rome but was merely a client Kingdom of its Pax Romana. Herod continued to enforce a separation between the religious hierarchy and the political power encouraged by Roman ideology. This was popular with the priesthood which had become increasingly corrupt as long as the privilege of exemption allowed them a comfortable affluence. It was during this time that a violent coup had taken place which caused the death of Zachariah, the father of John.
Pilate was god because he was appointed by the [[Apotheos|Apo Theos]] of Rome. Herod was a god because he was the ruling judge of the system of [[Corban]], tribute and [[Corvee|corvee]] he created [see There are gods many]. Those who believed they were faithful to God by being baptized into obedience under the state religious order of Herod and Rome were actually ‘Making the word of God of none effect through their tradition’ [Mark 7:13].
== Love it or leave it, The Love of Caesar ==
: “Augustus was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still enjoyed their ancient freedom.”<Ref> Progress and Poverty, Henry George. Bk. VII. Ch. I.</Ref>
To some Caesar was a great Father of society, the founding father of a new system where society prospered with liberty and justice for all. His promise of returning to the constitutional Republic, his advocacy of family values, his pledge of welfare reform constantly raised the hopes of the masses. Rome’s military success, its system of justice and its golden eagle heralding it as the greatest nation in the world won him great popularity and loyalty so that his election to office was assured.
: “The year 2 B.C. marked the 25th anniversary of Caesar Augustus's rule and the 750th anniversary of the founding of Rome. Huge celebrations were planned. The whole empire was at peace. The doors of the temple of Janus were closed for only the third time in Roman history. To honor their emperor, the people were to rise as one and name him pater patriae, or Father of the Country. This enrollment, described in the Book of Luke, which brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, has always been a mystery since no regular census occurred at this time. But the pater patriae enrollment fits perfectly.”<Ref>''The Star of Bethlehem'' by Crag Chester. Imprimis D/96 Hilsdale College. </Ref>
All Jews did not hate the [[Emperator]] of the mighty multinational military force that kept the peace throughout the world. As the benevolent benefactor, Augustus Caesar was loved by the people of Judea. Things were good or getting better. Taxes were getting higher but so were profits. The concept of inflation began to insidiously creep into their lives.
Eventually a series of devastating recessions would bring down the economy of Rome and those who were plugged into its flow of power.
Herod’s annual Temple-tribute was transported to Jerusalem and filtered through the porters or money changers who had worked there since before David. Augustus had mandated that no civil magistrates would touch these sacred funds. Because Judaism was not a religion but a jurisdictional kingdom they were also exempt from the draft. They were often excepted from appearing in courts of law on similar grounds.
{{#ev:youtube|DDr0nO1hVy0|320|right|A Challenge to Modern Religion: A Strong Delusion ~3 min}}
: “Augustus even ordered that, when the public distribution of corn or of money among the citizens fell on a Sabbath, the Jews were to receive their share on the following day. In a similar spirit the Roman authorities confirmed a decree by which the founder of Antioch, Seleucus I. had granted the Jews the right of citizenship in all the cities of Asia Minor and Syria which he had built, and the privilege of receiving, instead of the oil that was distributed, which their [[Religion|religion]] forbade them to use, an equivalent in money. These rights were maintained by Vespasian and Titus even after the last Jewish war, not with standing the earnest remonstrances of these cities. No wonder, that at the death of Caesar the Jews of Rome gathered for many nights, waking strange feelings of awe in the city, as they chanted in mournful melodies their Psalms around the pyre on which the body of their benefactor had been burnt, and raised their pathetic dirges.”<Ref><i>Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, </I>Alfred Edersheim. Chapt. V, 1883</Ref>
The Christians, who were considered Jews by Rome and derived their status from the King of the Jews, also received these benefits. The Apostles were clearly instructed that they should not seek to receive the gifts sacrificed to these idols. When Jesus appointed to serve the kingdom he warned them not to be like those ruling systems of benefactors.
: “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” [[Luke 22]]:25-26
Many Jews loved and desired Roman protection, generosity and social security, besides they were good for business. There were rebels, as always, malcontents and doomsdayers. There were tax protesters, religious zealots and extreme fundamentalists who spoke of moral declines. The Roman system was prepared for these rabble. As long as the people were generally comfortable and busy and divided the local courts and their judges and centurions could handle the riffraff and rebels that resist the progress of society and liberal morals.
The Rulers and Caesar were the protector of the peace, the benefactor of their welfare. There was corruption, as always with a balancing distribution of reform. But as mires will do the more the people struggled the deeper they sank.
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” [[2 Peter 2]]:22
: “His reign gave them a third of a century of peace and prosperity and the new harbor at Caesarea increased trade. But Herod's lavish building programs cost immense sums of money and taxes were necessarily high. By the standards of the time he was not a bad ruler. He was brutal but far less so than the Hasmonaeans. Herod's greatest asset was in fact the very thing for which Jews most criticized him - his half-hearted attitude towards Judaism. Augustus had realized Herod's true value when he gave him Samaria and the coastal strip for although Herod was careful not to offend the Jews he did not oppress the Samaritans and non-Jews. A Hasmonaean ruler would certainly have persecuted them and similarly a non-Jewish ruler would have had little sympathy with the Jews.”
: “Herod's greatest fault was his ungovernable passion both in love and hate. This coupled with his constant fear of losing this throne led to most of his 'crimes' especially those committed within his own family.”<Ref>  The Holy Land By Peter Connolly The end of Herod, p42, Published 1998, Oxford University Press.</Ref>
Herod entertained and cultivated his relationship to Essene prophets, like Menahem, who had predicted his rise to power when he was a boy. There are reports that Herod had even agreed to divide his dominion with the Messiah whose arrival was also expected and prophesied. Herod’s popularity, though great, was not universal and as economies stumbled the people look for scapegoats real or imagined.
“As an Idumean he {Herod] was disliked by Judeans; as the usurper of the Hasmoneans he was resented by the aristocracy. During his reign he succeeded in creating his own 'aristocracy' from those loyal to Rome and appointed by himself.”<Ref>The Old Testament World, John Roberson and Philip Davies. </Ref>
This magical system of prosperity and social welfare was sweet in the mouth but sower in the belly. All things that are to good to be true eventually come to an end and Herod’s Great Society and Social Experiment was no exception to the rule.
: “Herod was forced to tax the Palestinians beyond their abilities to pay, eventually in many cases seizing others' wealth for himself and reducing many Jewish landlords to tenant farmers (Ant 17.304-9).
Property (chrema and ousia are the Greek words employed) was seized; in addition to the taxes. 'tribute' was imposed 'on everyone each year,' and these entailed 'lavish extra contributions' (Ant 16.308).”<Ref><I>Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls,</I> James H. Charlesworth, p170, (1992). </Ref>
The substance (ousia) of a once free nation became the breath and blood (chrema) of a new civil society.
Before the end of the century a series of devastating recessions had spread across the Roman Empire. Popularity diminished as the power of Rome and its subject and client states would relinquish its comforts and privilege only after the people were expended, exhausted and oppressed.
== Two kingdoms, The another King ==
The promoters and evangelists of Herod’s kingdom of Heaven on earth were not the only evangelists and missionaries of that time who followed the traditions of Israel in the washing of new members into the kingdom. There were others who were involved with a different paradigm of reformation and Essene teachings.
They too were baptizing with the waters of the Jordan. By another authority these people began a journey into a different kind of Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This other king was not Idumean nor a foreigner [Deuteronomy 17:15]. He establish his Kingdom not by Corban schemes of old age benefits and social security nor did he collect the contributions of the people with Mokhes and Gabbai publicans under the accounting of scribes and by force filled the treasure house of Herod’s Kingdom.
This other King was the Highest Son of the House of David, a righteous king of generations and Son and Heir of Adam. He walked amongst the people. His disciples were not of the ruling elite but working men like themselves. This other King operated His kingdom by faith, hope, charity and love. His ministers were servants of the People who operated under the perfect law of liberty.
He too offered baptism and spoke of white stone.
: “To him who conquers, I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.” [[Revelations 2]]:17
[[In the Beginning]]
: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28
When man was granted dominion the kingdom of Heaven on earth was established. It was not what we think of as a kingdom today with men ruling over other men and exercising authority. It was not a place where men decided what was good and what was evil and made laws as if they were gods of men. It was a place where men under God’s Law were to dress and keep the earth.
: “In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.” [[Proverbs 15]]:6
Who are the righteous and where is their house?
: “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” [[Genesis 7]]:1
Noah was counted as a righteous man and inherited that kingdom of God on earth, the house of the LORD, the Kingdom of Heaven.
: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” [[Hebrews 11]]:7
Shem, the righteous son, received the promise and dominion of His Father’s blessing and it was passed down to Abraham after him. Abraham had expatriated from the gods of the city states. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was God the Father in Heaven.
The sons of Jacob went into bondage because of the sin of delivering their brother into bondage but Moses led them toward freedom.
: “The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.” [[Proverbs 12]]:7
And who is the wicked and what is their revenues? Those who buy and sell their brothers, who deliver men into bondage, who seek to exercise authority over men for the gain of their own pride and comfort.
Peter warned us:
:: “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” [[2 Peter 2]]:18-22
Is it that the leaders of the world kingdoms today are liars or that the whole system they have built is a lie, a fraud, a deception a counterfeit kingdom of heavenly blessings on earth? Is their kingdom sanctioned and blessed by God? Is it the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus said was at hand?
These systems are fundamentally flawed.
First, there is a pooling of rights and therefore a pooling together of property and wealth. All go into a common purse of rights and property and souls of men for the benefit of the whole by the determination of the elite or elected elite rulers.
We have been warned from early times. Wisdom itself cries out but our hearts hear not the words of the wise.
: “... My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof...” [[Proverbs 1]]
Could we be so tempted by man made kingdoms and systems that so easily make us slaves to the whim of the mob and the gods they choose for themselves if our hearts were truly washed of their wickedness?
: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” [[Luke 6]]:45
Entering the Kingdom is like the prodigal son who did not come back to enjoy the pleasures of his Father's house but came back a sinner willing to be a servant, beckoning his father's will and pleasure and not his own because his heart had turned away from the wickedness that had tempted him before. He came back not for the indulgence in comfort and pleasure but in self sacrifice and service to the father of justice pleading the mercy of His dominion and government.
This was the call of John the Baptist. This was the washing of the pig from the mire. Do the Churches of today call men to Herod’s kingdom, to Rome, its affluence and its decadence or to Jesus’. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
: “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” [[Matthew 18]]
The Kingdom of Heaven is about humility and innocent love and obedience to God and service to others. It is about being a brother to the faithful and a witness to those with ears to hear and eyes to see. Are we willing to give up our wealth, our time, our energy and our life for the service of the will of God and His Kingdom of Heaven?
: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 19:23
One must not love the things of this world more than the Name of God, more than His Character and His Ways. There are many choices and sacrifices that follow those who suffer to seek the will of God.
: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Matthew 19:29
There are those who understand the covenants of those who would be gods of the system of men. They are in love with the power and praise and position of their authority more than they love their brothers. They are the officers and ministers and prophets in the city of Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, Presidents and the Secretary Generals.
: “Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.” Luke 11:43
They know how you can be trapped in their system but with each person they snare the greater their pomp and circumstance. They even make escape difficult for those who seek to obey the Father in Heaven.
: “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” [[Luke 11]]:52
The leaders of the nation and the churches established by that chain of power and authority deny the Kingdom and liberty of Jesus Christ while they deliver all into greater bonds of servitude under a world system ruled by the elite of this world system.
: “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Mt. 23:13
There is almost no place for the free in this world today. All are made proselytes in the land of their natural birth. Some feel the tug of the freedom that was once America. Those who in their hearts and souls take on the burden of faith and walk in the ways of the Lord are besieged by the greedy who will have all or nothing.
: “Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.” [[Proverbs 5]]:15, 17
Some will covet their neighbors goods and compel the taking of taxes to finance the benefits and answers to the prayers they have offered up to the gods and governments of their own making.
Will they take the Name of the LORD in vain saying with their lips they trust in God while reaching out to benefactors who operate not upon charity but take their kingdom by force and control and oppression?
Will they bow down and serve the gods of men or instead Labor for God in Heaven and His ways and His judgment?
: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte [proselutos, a stranger, alien], and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” [[Matthew 23]]:15
There are many who see the wickedness of the system of men over men, the system of the rulers of the gentiles who exercise authority and dominion over the beneficiaries of the common purse of a social democracy and Corban schemes of bondage.
Do they merely curse the system and struggle to bring it down?
Do they wish to judge it and democratically rule over it and the men who are the prophets and ministers of it?
But are they not the same as that which they claim to hate?
: “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” [[Romans 2]]:3
: “Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.” [[Ecclesiastes 10]]:20
It is not enough to hate tyrants but one must despise tyranny.
: “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Ro. 12:14
We need more than mere water to wash us, to clean our souls. We need true repentance, a true turning around and turning away from the beast in our own hearts and spirit, and in the truth of our deeds.
: “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?... Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.... Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee... It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy [qodesh, set-apart, separate], and after vows to make enquiry.” [[Proverbs 20]]
We may be beginning to wake up to the evil of men but are we willing to let the whole light in our own souls? Will we see our own love of the darkness that has been a comfort to our slumber? As we awake to the true light of the Lord God, so also should our walk make manifest the work of the Lord in us.
: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” [[John 3]]:19,21
Yes, we may be vexed with the whips and scorpions of the taskmasters of the world. Yet, the sting they inflict has awakened men to their own slavery. But do they hate slavery or just hate being a slave? Is it only our flesh that is vexed or in hope is it our love of the righteous spirit which wishes to dwell in us and free all men to do the will of the Father?
: “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [dominion]. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” [[2 Peter 2]]:
If we are not purged by the light of all darkness, greed, envy, avarice, lust and pride then what part of this curse do we not inherit?
Who cannot understand the sting of the whip, the weight of the burden of bondage?
But more important, who can understand the ways of the LORD? Many shall claim to come in the ways of our Father in Heaven but they know him not. Being out of the system of men does not bring you out of the darkness of men nor does it bring light into the world.
The [[Kingdom of Heaven]] is not a Kingdom like [[Cain]]’s, Balaam’s, Caesar’s and other [[Benefactors]] who exercise authority but it is a kingdom. Jesus was the king, to this end was he born, for this reason he came into the world of Rome to bear witness to a different kind of kingdom. That kingdom is based on liberty and responsibility, love and charity, faith and hope. It was a kingdom based on truth and virtue. Those who choose other kingdoms, greedy for their rewards and benefits, seek the rebellion of Core and the authority and rank of [[Nicolaitan]]s. By turning to these other authoritarian systems they mock Christ saying he was not King of a Kingdom and did not come in the flesh.
: “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever... These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” [[Jude 1]]
Many say there is no kingdom of heaven on earth and that it was not restored but postponed.
: “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” [[Acts 1]]:6
We are told to believe that the power of the kingdom has not yet come. But is that what the Bible and history say?
: “But that is not what Jesus said. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” [[Acts 1]]:8
Jesus was the king of Judea but they queried when he would restore all of Israel. They already had been told what to do by the King Jesus in Acts 1:4.
: “And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.” [[Acts 1]]:4
So, after they were assured Jesus would come again they Then returned unto Jerusalem and waited.
: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost...” [[Acts 2]]:1
The power was received by those called out by Jesus the King and they went out preaching the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. In this moment the Church began preaching and teaching the Kingdom.
: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:” [[Matthew 3:11]]
This Baptism of fire was the fulfillment of their appointment as promised and granted by Jesus.
: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;” [[Luke 22]]:29
His Church like the Levites before them were called out to maintain an entrance to the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ekklesia means called out. There are many who are called out but only one ekklesia of Jesus Christ. The ekklesia of Jesus Christ has the character of Jesus Christ, the Name of Yeshua written in their hearts and minds. It obeys the will of the Father in Heaven and are the Kings brethren. Thy Kingdom comes as thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. So what should we do?
: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” [[Jude 1]]
Do we pray and apply to the Holy Spirit or to strange gods?
Are we looking for mercy or the judgment of our enemy?
Are we with compassion making a difference?
Do we hate the price of the spotted garment or the garment itself?
Or do we only dwell on the sin and lies of the wicked, shouting off their injustice while hiding the indulgence of our own dark hearts?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Romans 2:5
We know that to follow the LORD is to be hated by the gods of this world order and those who love and support them. We have by faith, God's law and promise to ensure justice and mercy by His Holy Hand. But the waves of the sea shall roar against those who seek the true ways of His Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
: “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!” [Luke 17]:1
We should attend to the business of the Church, the ekklesia of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth. We should work making a difference in our own lives and then in the world taking on first His character, name and virtue and implementing it with God speed in the desolate world void of His ways of liberty and charity.
The Church does not exercise authority over those who seek the kingdom of God but are the clerks of the Kingdom for those who would live under the perfect law of liberty abiding in the ways of the Father and the Son who is King.
: “John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” [[Luke 3]]:16
From the beginning the prophecy of that baptism of fire was preached by John and by Jesus. Upon receiving their appointment by the King and their baptism of fire sent by the Father the covenant was fulfilled and the responsibility of ministering to the Kingdom was passed to His Apostles.
: “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” [[Mark 1]]:8
The Apostles went out preaching the Gospel, the good news.
== The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand ==
It was and is an everlasting Kingdom. From that day to this there have been many who have received the continuation of that appointment by Christ but few have received the Baptism of fire. Many have been anointed by men to serve the kingdom but few have been anointed by God.
The Church should be working with all its energy to help those who wish to awaken.
The Church should be seeking and teaching men how to live outside the wickedness of the world order.
The Church must seek to pull those from the fire in the day of Judgment who call upon the Name and character of the LORD.
The Church is an altar of sacrifice and service and in that faith hope and charity is found the Bozra [fortress] of our salvation and the crown of our recompense.
The [[Church]] is established by Jesus and baptizing in His Name in truth and in Spirit and is not established by application to other fathers, potentates and powers of foreign states.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
: “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” [[1 Corinthians 13]]
Israel is the place where God prevails. Its citizens are all those on earth who come together in His ways and His will. It is created not by cleaning the outside but by the submersion of the inside in His Spirit.
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. [[1 Corinthians 8]]:1
The ministers of His Holy Church must give their lives and freedom for the Kingdom as the Apostles and the Early Church once did and as the Levites did before them. They are bondservants of the King and filled with the Character of Christ.
: “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” [[Matthew 7]]:16
We must repent, turn around and change our ways from the ways of the world to the Way of the Father in Heaven. We must recognize who His Holy Church is as the apostles recognized John and Jesus as prophet and Messiah. We may receive the baptism of water into His Kingdom but we must seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Spirit and in Truth.
It is not enough to say you are saved, born again, anointed of God but you must learn to manifest the Kingdom of God on earth.
: “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” [[Titus 1]]:14-16
There is much work to be done. Not to save our life or our stuff but to save our souls by our sacrifice for others who seek His ways and His will.
: “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” [[Revelation 6]]:17
== The Covenant of​ Baptism ==
: "Implied but unclear in the Gospel accounts is that baptism is an ordinance by which an individual enters into a covenant with God. Joseph Smith’s translation of Matthew 3:8–11 clarifies that John the Baptist wrestled with the [[Pharisees]] and Sadducees concerning their personal need to receive him as the forerunner of the Messiah, preaching repentance and baptizing with water (JST Matt. 3:38–40). Apparently, they believed that they were acceptable before God by virtue of their birth as children of Abraham without repentance or entering into the waters of baptism. As heirs of the Abrahamic covenant by birth, they evidently recognized no further need to covenant with God. Latter-day revelation indicates that the Pharisees had a ritual they designated as baptism (JST Matt. 9:18–20). It is possible that this referred to the ritual immersion of the mikvah washings. However, it is not clear what the baptism of the Pharisees in New Testament times implied. Of course the baptism of the Pharisees was not a gospel ordinance of salvation by which they entered into a covenant with God through Jesus Christ.
John taught of a baptism that followed repentance and a willingness to receive the Messiah, who John bore record was coming after him. Yet, as previously stated, the doctrine of baptism as a required means to enter into a covenant with God is not readily clear in the Gospels." Craig J. Ostler
[http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/book-mormon-and-message-four-gospels/10-baptism Craig J. Ostler] was an assistant professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University when this was published.
Baptism, the Ritual and the Jurisdiction<Br>
Are Christians repenting and getting baptized or are they just all wet?<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/baptismjura.php<Br>
Water Baptism<Br>
Entering the Kingdom of God, The Water<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/declarations/baptism/waterbaptism.php <Br>
Baptism, Christening and the Holy Spirit<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/declarations/baptism/christen.php <Br>
Baptism, Washing up<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/declarations/baptism/baptism.php <Br>
Video > Baptism 4-5 5:23<Br>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGU3WVjBXVY
That Word You Use- Part 1- [[Religion]]<Br>
What did the word [[Religion]]mean when it was written in the constitution?<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/ThatWordnwv.php
The Opiate of [[Religion]]<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/opiate.php
[[Religion]]<Br>
What is all this talk about religion?<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/religion.php
[[Pure Religion]]<Br>
What is it and who does it?<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/religion.php
[http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/baptismjura.php More detail on the word "baptism"].
The Corban of the Pharisees<Br>
It made the word of God to none effect.<Br>
Is our Corban making the word of God to none effect today?<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/corban.php
The [[Nicolaitan]] who God hates?<Br>
Because they covet their neighbor's goods<Br>
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/nicolaity.php
Related links<Br>
http://www.preparingyou.com/wiki/Thought_for_the_day#Baptism <Br>
http://www.preparingyou.com/wiki/White_stones


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Latest revision as of 17:37, 4 April 2023

Jesus was baptized by John, his older cousin, who was seen by many as the highest spiritual leader in the remnant of Israel, so that all things would be fulfilled. Early followers of Jesus feared professing him as the Christ, the king, because if they got His Baptism accepting Jesus as the Christ they would be "put out"[1] of the network of synagogues which provided the welfare for the people through the bad corban provided at their government temple by "men who called themselves benefactors but exercised authority one over the other".
Because Jesus had called out His disciples, commanded them to organize the people in small groups of tens, and appoint His little flock a kingdom, together they were able to quickly set a daily ministration to provide welfare for the people through a network of charity alone which was called Pure Religion. The social welfare provided by men who exercise authority makes the word of God to none effect. It is the covetous practices of rulers like FDR and LBJ that calls to repent Repent.

Entering the Kingdom

People often ask "What shall we do?"[2]

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Getting baptized had serious social, economic, and even political consequences at that time.

Both Herod and Constantine baptized people but the means and methods were different than Jesus who was the Christ.

The Water

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)

Water has always been a symbol of the birth, rebirth, and life.

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:6)

Washing with water was a symbol of life and the preparation for blessings and changes that were a part of the traditions of man.

“Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:” (Genesis 18:4)

We are born from the water of our mother's womb as the brother of Miriam was taken from the Nile and adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh. As she drew him from the water and he was called Moses.

Baptism was a ritual beginning marking when the people came out of Egypt and started providing for the people, by the people and of the people. Herod would have the people baptized into his system of registration and compelled contributions, the Corban of the Pharisees.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,” (Exodus 19:10)

Through the rituals and traditions of Moses God continued the practice of washing as a sign of preparation, passage, and renewal. God spoke of washing the clothes of man. Clothes are the covering for man since he became naked losing the covering of God through sin.

“And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.” (Exodus 29:4)

Bathing or washing was a part of the traditions of sanctification from the earliest days of God's Kingdom on earth. The first called out in the ekklesia or Church established by Jesus should have more than their garments cleaned for they must put on the covering of God.

“Thou shalt also make a laver [of] brass, and his foot [also of] brass, to wash [withal]: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.” (Exodus 30:18)

Not just for the priestly class but also for all those who would congregate in the presence of God. It was a symbolic ritual speaking to the people in a tradition that was to teach and prophesy the true nature of things that must come.

“And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (1 John 5:8)

There is no greater sacrifice than Jesus for there has been no purer blood than His. Yet, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to prepare them for the path of service in the Church and Kingdom of His making.

“When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:” (Exodus 30:20)

Aaron and the Levites' sons were the administrative government of the tabernacle of the congregation and their baptism was repeated over and over in preparation of entering into the service of God. Their sanctuary was represented by the symbol of the Tabernacle or the Tent of the sanctuary. Every man is like a tent with the frame covered with flesh.

“And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.” (Exodus 40:12)

These ritual washings were prophetic of the nature of the coming of the LORD and had no magical powers in them except to impart the importance of a clean and pure presence in coming before the LORD, God. Jesus mocked those who had only cleaned the outside of the cup but left the inside filled with corruption.

“And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place and shall leave them there. And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people. And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.” (Leviticus 16:23-25)

Taking off your garments is taking off your positions of rank and power. Like Jesus who kneels down to wash the feet of the disciple humility, sacrifice and service are the calling cards of His elect. So he showed the nature of the true authority in God’s Kingdom is by humble service. Service calls for a mastery over our own desire to usurp God, by exercising control and authority over our fellow man.

Baptism, The ritual

"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." (Matthew 3:5-9)

Baptism is from the Greek word baptisma which is from baptizo meaning "to dip repeatedly". Baptisma appears 22 times in the New Testament and is always translated Baptism. In the Greek context it simply means "immersion, submersion". Most people think you enter the Kingdom of Heaven by baptism of water and a profession of faith.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

We are all born of water but not all of the Spirit.

We are all born from the water in the womb. Baptism with water has its place as an outward sign of preparation and intent. It serves a useful purpose in the perception of men. Yet, baptism with water is not what John prophesied as the important baptism.

“I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 1:8)

I am not speaking against baptism with water but hoping to put it in its true perspective. It is not a magical ceremony but only an outward ritual to demonstrate the direction and intent of entering the Kingdom and its inner sanctuary of God’s covering and protection.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (1 John 5:7-8)

A man has a body but also has a mind or spirit and he has a soul which is his corporeal and incorporeal status or hereditaments. This is not such a mystery but actually rather simple. They should all be in agreement to make a complete individual. For this discussion we may assume these are all part of a whole. In other words one may be baptized with water but neither the intent nor the authority of the event took place or attached simply because they were not in agreement.

Water or Spirit Baptism

In Acts 10:45 we see The Greek word ethnos is used in a debate about the baptism of gentiles who are not circumcised Jews.

What kind of Baptism did they need and why?

We know there was a water ritual and we know there was a baptism of the spirit and fire.[3]

The former was by John but was only a ritual by water and the latter was by Jesus and the Holy Spirit and fire.

Which one was needed for salvation?

Of course water baptism by John the Baptist or the disciples of Jesus was just an outward sign or ritual stating publicly that you were starting the process of repenting.[4]

Jesus would tell us to seek, strive, and persevere.[5]

What were they repenting of that they needed baptism by John or the disciples?

First, we need to understand what Baptism meant at that time.

We know the Rabbinical Baptism of the Pharisees into their system of Corban was making the word of God to none effect.

Why did it make the word of God to none effect?

That would seem to be a major part of the gospel of the kingdom[6] because it was why the kingdom was taken away from them.[7]

This was because their Corban was a snare[8] which brought people[9] back into a yoke of bondage where Herod could use his exercising authority[10] of the civil government to force the contributions of his citizens who were registered members.

If anyone got the baptism offered by the followers of Jesus they were put out of that system of Corban run through the temples and the registered synagogues.[11]

Did Gentiles need to be baptized with water if they already had the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

John said Jesus did not need baptism. Jesus did not need to be saved.

Matthew 3:14 "But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"

The Church, consisted of the called out disciples who were appointed a kingdom by Christ[12]

They were given instructions to feed the sheep who heard the voice of Christ as their shepherd and followed the doctrine of Jesus.

That Church replaced the Corban of the Pharisees offered through the stone temple and government institutions that were making the word of God to none effect. That system of corban was degenerating the people because the legal charity offered at those tables, and the free bread offered by Rome, were fueled or funded by covetous practices the depended upon governments that exercise authority one over the other[10].

The ministers appointed by Christ and chosen by the people according to the perfect law of liberty were replacing that idolatress[13] system of the pharisees, many of the city states, and Rome with a daily ministration of Pure Religion which could be labeled the Corban of Christ.

That system of social welfare set the captive free because it was based on the righteousness of God and was providing a daily bread and social welfare through charity and love rather than the welfare of the world that was and is reliant upon force and violence.

Like Paul, David, and all the prophets have said the tables that should have been for your welfare was a snare[8] of entanglement.

Water baptism was only to bear witness but it could be a false witness. The baptism of Jesus was through the Holy Spirit by fire.

Jesus opposed that covetous practice and the use of force because it did not bear fruit, Peter opposed it because as a snare[8] it made the people human resources. Paul says that we should not eat of their tables and to do so is a form of idolatry.[13]

Constantine would introduce a Baptism without the same real repentance in his new Church which has come down to us today.

Baptism The Jurisdiction

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Baptism, NN Video Series:4-10 5:23

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit[14] the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

John the Baptist offered a similar plan of social welfare but without the use of force used to collect the contributions of his people which is so common in the systems of the World.[15] His plan was based on freewill offerings like ancient Israel[16] when it was still a Republic under God.[17]

Christ objected to the plan offered by Herod and the Pharisees[18] not only because it made men rulers over their brothers and weakened the character of the people, and therefore society as a whole, but it also violated the precepts of God found in the Ten Commandments.

Jesus preached a system of social welfare that operated under the perfect law of liberty[19] by faith, hope and charity.[20]

Baptism was not always suggested or recommended as the solution for men who were of a particular status.

“And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:14)

The soldiers were not baptized nor was it offered to them because they were under oath to another king. For them to be baptized it would be a breach of their loyalty to their master at that time. This would not be true if baptism was a purely religious ceremony. There was religious freedom in the Roman Empire. Baptism was a distinctively political act whose history stems back at least to man’s separation from Egypt’s jurisdiction and the ways of its civil power of man over man.

“Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” (Luke 16:9)

Those bound by oath, such as soldiers, could put on the character of Christ. When their oath of office had passed i.e. the unrighteous mammon failed, they would be ready to enter the kingdom. Jesus spoke of the Centurion with great faith and told the people to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s. He understood that men are bound often by oaths and swearing and that is why he also said, “Swear not at all...” (Matthew 5:34)

Jesus began his ministry at the Baptism of John preaching the kingdom of God was at hand. He was to replace John but even John did not know he was to be the Messiah, priest and King. Eventually he spoke of the Baptism of the Spirit and of fire.

Baptized into a kingdom of a god

Who began baptizing the people into the kingdom of Heaven on earth before Jesus began his ministry? Was John the Baptist the first?

It had been a tradition for years to begin a new thing or step toward God’s ways by washing. It certainly was not a new idea.

Herod the Great had a grand scheme of a vast worldwide membership involving the sending out evangelists and missionaries. Participants of this system of social security, run through the temples, proved membership by showing a token in the form of a white stone from the river Jordan with their new Hebrew name carved on it (charagma). They would receive that stone with their contribution at the ritual baptism. These temple customs or legal systems, like Corban, had taken on Roman and Hellenistic traits, involving entitlements and compelled payments.

Rabbinical Baptism had long been a custom in Jewish history.

From the Dead Sea scrolls we discover Herod’s plan. He contrived to obtain at least six hundred thousand members to form a New Israel, a kingdom of Heaven on earth. This political projected a massive evangelism lasting over forty years.

The missionaries

“The missionaries... with their leather wallets full of white stones, would come back with the same wallets full of money, in foreign currency. Once put into Jewish currency by the money-changers [porters of the temple], it would be stored in vaults, ready to be used by Herod for his vast building projects, or any subsequent causes.” “Herod's scheme of initiation into a new form of Judaism was immensely successful. Jews everywhere were willing to join the worldwide society whose meetings were held in the evenings in private houses. Entry was for members only; they had to show at the door an admission token in the form of a white stone from the river Jordan which the missionaries gave them at baptism. On the stone was written their new Jewish name.”[21]

If John the Baptist was the teacher of righteousness and his followers were called the sons of light then Dead Sea Scrolls interpretation Barbara Thiering presses the idea that John was to be the High priest of the kingdom of God.

But the speculation that he would become the High priest in the stone temple built in Jerusalem would not and should not come to reality.

His own father Zachariah was murdered in very temple and it was now occupied by a corrupt Sanhedrin that had been advocating a system of legal charity through the Corban of Herod which had been designed as a snare and a trap to buy the loyalty of the people making them dependent upon his government.

The social bonds of society which kept it free and just would degenerate and the people would become divided and weak and the government more tyrannical.

The temple made of dead stone, the distortion through Sophistry of the sacred script would be explained by the new teacher of righteousness who would come after John according to his own words.[22]

Jesus as the light to the whole world and was clearly a reformer beyond the understanding of even John and Moses Yet they were in agreement. Some Essene communities could not let go of the rituals of self righteousness and receive the Holy Spirit of His righteousness. We may seek a better understanding of both Old and New Testaments if we are willing to see the whole truth.

Menahem

A man named Menahem and his order of Essenes became the advisers of Herod’s kingdom. These Essenes were similar to the Palestinian Essenes “but did not espouse their unworldliness and strict views on morality.” They were seekers-after-smooth-things according to some.

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Religion ~4 min

Herod had sent out those Essene missionaries and Pharisee teachers who supported his idea of a vast kingdom of God on earth. It was a system of social security (Corban) and commercial affluence. He was very successful and built the temple in Jerusalem and many more in other countries. It was a “Great Society” and new world order.

“Jerusalem was a major city in a cosmopolitan culture. It contained not only the Temple, but also a large arena for chariot and horse races (a hippodrome), a stadium for athletic contests (a gymnasium), and massive Theaters.”[23]

People needed to be entertained, lulled with security, excited and pleasured into pacification and apathy.

“...In 20-19 B.C.E. Herod the Great set in motion plans to make the Jerusalem Temple the largest and most magnificent religious building in the world. The platform on which it stood, built with huge blocks of stone, stretched a quarter of a mile long by a fifth of a mile wide. Gleaming gold plates were set up in the inner courts. From its ramparts silver trumpets heralded each dawn. Twenty thousand functionaries were employed in its servicing, and a further sixteen thousand craftsmen and laborers were drilled as construction and refurbishing teams that would be kept occupied for three quarters of a century.”[24]

Most people did fine under Herod as most people do fine under existing governments of the world today. Business was good, money flowed and success and prosperity was plentiful or just around the corner. The temple was a gate for vast funds and social projects.

Herod subsidized games and festivals all over the world. Everywhere civic projects provided water supplied by aqueducts in cities and the countryside. With “improved irrigation, the kingdom became much more productive agriculturally. And when famine struck at home, Herod supplied grain from its own funds.[25]

Success was good for everyone. These massive building projects financed by contributions and pledges collected from its ever-growing membership brought prosperity and prestige. Harbors and roads expanded and those employed in the task prospered with the stimulating expenditures of great wealth flowing through Judea and the city of Jerusalem.

Herod had his enemies but they were quickly dispatched, condemned as anti-government conspirators or generally frightened into silence. Herod’s Kingdom was not yet conquered by Rome but was merely a client Kingdom of its Pax Romana. Herod continued to enforce a separation between the religious hierarchy and the political power encouraged by Roman ideology. This was popular with the priesthood which had become increasingly corrupt as long as the privilege of exemption allowed them a comfortable affluence. It was during this time that a violent coup had taken place which caused the death of Zachariah, the father of John.

Pilate was god because he was appointed by the Apo Theos of Rome. Herod was a god because he was the ruling judge of the system of Corban, tribute and corvee he created [see There are gods many]. Those who believed they were faithful to God by being baptized into obedience under the state religious order of Herod and Rome were actually ‘Making the word of God of none effect through their tradition’ [Mark 7:13].

Love it or leave it, The Love of Caesar

“Augustus was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still enjoyed their ancient freedom.”[26]

To some Caesar was a great Father of society, the founding father of a new system where society prospered with liberty and justice for all. His promise of returning to the constitutional Republic, his advocacy of family values, his pledge of welfare reform constantly raised the hopes of the masses. Rome’s military success, its system of justice and its golden eagle heralding it as the greatest nation in the world won him great popularity and loyalty so that his election to office was assured.

“The year 2 B.C. marked the 25th anniversary of Caesar Augustus's rule and the 750th anniversary of the founding of Rome. Huge celebrations were planned. The whole empire was at peace. The doors of the temple of Janus were closed for only the third time in Roman history. To honor their emperor, the people were to rise as one and name him pater patriae, or Father of the Country. This enrollment, described in the Book of Luke, which brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, has always been a mystery since no regular census occurred at this time. But the pater patriae enrollment fits perfectly.”[27]

All Jews did not hate the Emperator of the mighty multinational military force that kept the peace throughout the world. As the benevolent benefactor, Augustus Caesar was loved by the people of Judea. Things were good or getting better. Taxes were getting higher but so were profits. The concept of inflation began to insidiously creep into their lives.

Eventually, a series of devastating recessions would bring down the economy of Rome and those who were plugged into its flow of power.

Herod’s annual Temple-tribute was transported to Jerusalem and filtered through the porters or money changers who had worked there since before David. Augustus had mandated that no civil magistrates would touch these sacred funds. Because Judaism was not a religion but a jurisdictional kingdom they were also exempt from the draft. They were often excepted from appearing in courts of law on similar grounds.

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A Challenge to Modern Religion: A Strong Delusion ~3 min

“Augustus even ordered that, when the public distribution of corn or of money among the citizens fell on a Sabbath, the Jews were to receive their share on the following day. In a similar spirit the Roman authorities confirmed a decree by which the founder of Antioch, Seleucus I. had granted the Jews the right of citizenship in all the cities of Asia Minor and Syria which he had built, and the privilege of receiving, instead of the oil that was distributed, which their religion forbade them to use, an equivalent in money. These rights were maintained by Vespasian and Titus even after the last Jewish war, not withstanding the earnest remonstrances of these cities. No wonder, that at the death of Caesar the Jews of Rome gathered for many nights, waking strange feelings of awe in the city, as they chanted in mournful melodies their Psalms around the pyre on which the body of their benefactor had been burnt, and raised their pathetic dirges.”[28]

The Christians, who were considered Jews by Rome and derived their status from the King of the Jews, also received these benefits. The Apostles were clearly instructed that they should not seek to receive the gifts sacrificed to these idols. When Jesus appointed those to serve the kingdom he warned them not to be like those ruling systems of benefactors.

“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Luke 22:25-26)

Many Jews loved and desired Roman protection, generosity and social security, besides they were good for business. There were rebels, as always, malcontents and doomsdayers. There were tax protesters, religious zealots and extreme fundamentalists who spoke of moral declines. As long as the people were generally comfortable and busy and divided the local courts and their judges and centurions could handle the riffraff and rebels that resist the progress of society and liberal morals.

The Rulers and Caesar were the protector of the peace, the benefactor of their welfare. There was corruption, as always with a balancing distribution of reform. But as mires will do the more the people struggled the deeper they sank.

“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22)

“His reign gave them a third of a century of peace and prosperity and the new harbor at Caesarea increased trade. But Herod's lavish building programs cost immense sums of money and taxes were necessarily high. By the standards of the time he was not a bad ruler. He was brutal but far less so than the Hasmonaeans. Herod's greatest asset was in fact the very thing for which Jews most criticized him - his half-hearted attitude towards Judaism. Augustus had realized Herod's true value when he gave him Samaria and the coastal strip for although Herod was careful not to offend the Jews he did not oppress the Samaritans and non-Jews. A Hasmonaean ruler would certainly have persecuted them and similarly a non-Jewish ruler would have had little sympathy with the Jews...
...Herod's greatest fault was his ungovernable passion both in love and hate. This coupled with his constant fear of losing this throne led to most of his 'crimes' especially those committed within his own family.”[29]

Herod entertained and cultivated his relationship to Essene prophets, like Menahem, who had predicted his rise to power when he was a boy. There are reports that Herod had even agreed to divide his dominion with the Messiah whose arrival was also expected and prophesied. Herod’s popularity, though great, was not universal and as economies stumbled the people look for scapegoats real or imagined.

“As an Idumean he {Herod] was disliked by Judeans; as the usurper of the Hasmoneans he was resented by the aristocracy. During his reign he succeeded in creating his own 'aristocracy' from those loyal to Rome and appointed by himself.”[30]

This magical system of prosperity and social welfare was sweet in the mouth but sower in the belly. All things that are to good to be true eventually come to an end and Herod’s Great Society and Social Experiment was no exception to the rule.

“Herod was forced to tax the Palestinians beyond their abilities to pay, eventually in many cases seizing others' wealth for himself and reducing many Jewish landlords to tenant farmers (Ant 17.304-9). Property (chrema and ousia are the Greek words employed) was seized; in addition to the taxes. 'tribute' was imposed 'on everyone each year,' and these entailed 'lavish extra contributions' (Ant 16.308).”[31]

The substance (ousia) of a once free nation became the breath and blood (chrema) of a new civil society.

Before the end of the century a series of devastating recessions had spread across the Roman Empire. Popularity diminished as the power of Rome and its subject and client states would relinquish their comforts and privilege. Only after the people were expended, exhausted and oppressed would the people begin to question their loss of liberty.

Two kingdoms, The other King

The promoters and evangelists of Herod’s kingdom of Heaven on earth were not the only evangelists and missionaries of that time who followed the traditions of Israel in the washing of new members into the kingdom. There were others who were involved with a different paradigm of reformation and Essene teachings.

They too were baptizing with the water but from the Jordan. By another authority these people began a journey into a different kind of Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

This other king was not Idumean nor a foreigner [Deuteronomy 17:15]. He established his Kingdom not by Corban schemes which compelled contributions by force like all the other governments of the empire were doing.[32]

Religion was the way nation performed their duty to the needy of society by providing benefits and social security. This baptizer called the people to sacrifice with freewill offerings and charity. Neither he nor his disciples used force to collect the contributions of the people.

With the authority of Herod his Mokhes and Gabbai publicans collected contributions in the form of a tax under the accounting of scribes and by force. Such schemes filled the treasure house of Herod’s Kingdom.

This other King was the Highest Son of the House of David, a righteous king of generations and Son and Heir of Adam. He walked amongst the people. His disciples were not of the ruling elite but working men like themselves. This other King operated His kingdom by faith, hope, charity and love. His ministers were servants of the People who operated under the perfect law of liberty.

He too offered baptism and spoke of white stone.

“To him who conquers, I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)

From the beginning

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:27-28)

When man was granted dominion the kingdom of Heaven on earth was established. It was not what we think of as a kingdom today with men ruling over other men and exercising authority. It was not a place where men decided what was good and what was evil and made laws as if they were gods of men. It was a place where men under God’s Law were to dress and keep the earth.

“In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.” (Proverbs 15:6)

Who are the righteous and where is their house?

“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)

Noah was counted as a righteous man and inherited that kingdom of God on earth, the house of the LORD, the Kingdom of Heaven.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

Shem, the righteous son, received the promise and dominion of His Father’s blessing and it was passed down to Abraham after him. Abraham had expatriated from the gods of the city states. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was God the Father in Heaven.

The sons of Jacob went into bondage because of the sin of delivering their brother into bondage but Moses led them toward freedom.

“The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.” (Proverbs 12:7)

And who is the wicked and what is their revenues? Those who buy and sell their brothers, who deliver men into bondage, who seek to exercise authority over men for the gain of their own pride and comfort.

Peter warned us:

“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:18-22)

Is it that the leaders of the world kingdoms today are liars or that the whole system they have built is a lie, a fraud, a deception a counterfeit kingdom of heavenly blessings on earth? Is their kingdom sanctioned and blessed by God? Is it the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus said was at hand?

These systems are fundamentally flawed.

First, there is a pooling of rights and therefore a pooling together of property and wealth. All go into a common purse of rights and property and souls of men for the benefit of the whole by the determination of the elite or elected elite rulers.

We have been warned from early times. Wisdom itself cries out but our hearts hear not the words of the wise.

“... My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” (Proverbs 1:10-19)

Could we be so tempted by man-made kingdoms and systems that so easily make us slaves to the whim of the mob and the gods they choose for themselves if our hearts were truly washed of their wickedness?

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)

Entering the Kingdom is like the prodigal son who did not come back to enjoy the pleasures of his Father's house but came back a sinner willing to be a servant, beckoning his father's will and pleasure and not his own because his heart had turned away from the wickedness that had tempted him before. He came back not for the indulgence in comfort and pleasure but in self-sacrifice and service to the father of justice pleading the mercy of His dominion and government.

This was the call of John the Baptist. This was the washing of the pig from the mire. Do the Churches of today call men to Herod’s kingdom, to Rome, its affluence and its decadence or to Jesus’. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

The Kingdom of Heaven is about humility and innocent love and obedience to God and service to others. It is about being a brother to the faithful and a witness to those with ears to hear and eyes to see. Are we willing to give up our wealth, our time, our energy and our life for the service of the will of God and His Kingdom of Heaven?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:23)

One must not love the things of this world more than the Name of God, more than His Character and His Ways. There are many choices and sacrifices that follow those who suffer to seek the will of God.

“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” (Matthew 19:29)

There are those who understand the covenants of those who would be gods of the system of men. They are in love with the power and praise and position of their authority more than they love their brothers. They are the officers and ministers and prophets in the city of Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, Presidents and the Secretary Generals.

“Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.” (Luke 11:43)

They know how you can be trapped in their system but with each person they snare the greater their pomp and circumstance. They even make escape difficult for those who seek to obey the Father in Heaven.

“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (Luke 11:52)

The leaders of the nation and the churches established by that chain of power and authority deny the Kingdom and liberty of Jesus Christ while they deliver all into greater bonds of servitude under a world system ruled by the elite of this world system.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13)

There is almost no place for the free in this world today. All are made proselytes in the land of their natural birth. Some feel the tug of the freedom that was once America. Those who in their hearts and souls take on the burden of faith and walk in the ways of the Lord are besieged by the greedy who will have all or nothing.

“Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.” (Proverbs 5:15, 17)

Some will covet their neighbors' goods and compel the taking of taxes to finance the benefits and answers to the prayers they have offered up to the gods and governments of their own making.

Will they take the Name of the LORD in vain saying with their lips they trust in God while reaching out to benefactors who operate not upon charity but take their kingdom by force and control and oppression?

Will they bow down and serve the gods of men or instead Labor for God in Heaven and His ways and His judgment?

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte [proselutos, a stranger, alien], and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)

There are many who see the wickedness of the system of men over men, the system of the rulers of the gentiles who exercise authority and dominion over the beneficiaries of the common purse of a social democracy and Corban schemes of bondage.

Do they merely curse the system and struggle to bring it down?

Do they wish to judge it and democratically rule over it and the men who are the prophets and ministers of it?

But are they not the same as that which they claim to hate?

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:3)

“Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20)

It is not enough to hate tyrants but one must despise tyranny.

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” (Roman 12:14)

We need more than mere water to wash us, to clean our souls. We need true repentance, a true turning around and turning away from the beast in our own hearts and spirit, and in the truth of our deeds.

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?... Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.... Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee... It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy [qodesh, set-apart, separate], and after vows to make enquiry.” (Proverbs 20:9, 13, 22, 25)

We may be beginning to wake up to the evil of men but are we willing to let the whole light in our own souls? Will we see our own love of the darkness that has been a comfort to our slumber? As we awake to the true light of the Lord God, so also should our walk make manifest the work of the Lord in us.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:19, 21)

Yes, we may be vexed with the whips and scorpions of the taskmasters of the world. Yet, the sting they inflict has awakened men to their own slavery. But do they hate slavery or just hate being a slave? Is it only our flesh that is vexed or in hope is it our love of the righteous spirit which wishes to dwell in us and free all men to do the will of the Father?

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [dominion]. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” (2 Peter 2:7-17)

If we are not purged by the light of all darkness, greed, envy, avarice, lust and pride then what part of this curse do we not inherit?

Who cannot understand the sting of the whip, the weight of the burden of bondage?

But more important, who can understand the ways of the LORD? Many shall claim to come in the ways of our Father in Heaven but they know him not. Being out of the system of men does not bring you out of the darkness of men nor does it bring light into the world.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a Kingdom like Cain’s, Balaam’s, Caesar’s and other Benefactors who exercise authority but it is a kingdom. Jesus was the king, to this end was he born, for this reason he came into the world of Rome to bear witness to a different kind of kingdom. That kingdom is based on liberty and responsibility, love and charity, faith and hope. It was a kingdom based on truth and virtue. Those who choose other kingdoms, greedy for their rewards and benefits, seek the rebellion of Core and the authority and rank of Nicolaitans. By turning to these other authoritarian systems they mock Christ saying he was not King of a Kingdom and did not come in the flesh.

“But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever... These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 1:10-19)

Many say there is no kingdom of heaven on earth and that it was not restored but postponed.

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:6)

We are told to believe that the power of the kingdom has not yet come. But is that what the Bible and history say?

“But that is not what Jesus said. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Jesus was the king of Judea but they queried when he would restore all of Israel. They already had been told what to do by the King Jesus in Acts 1:4.

“And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.” (Acts 1:4)

So, after they were assured Jesus would come again they Then returned unto Jerusalem and waited.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost...” (Acts 2:1)

The power was received by those called out by Jesus the King and they went out preaching the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. In this moment the Church began preaching and teaching the Kingdom.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:” (Matthew 3:11)

This Baptism of fire was the fulfillment of their appointment as promised and granted by Jesus.

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;” (Luke 22:29)

His Church like the Levites before them were called out to maintain an entrance to the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ekklesia means called out. There are many who are called out but only one ekklesia of Jesus Christ. The ekklesia of Jesus Christ has the character of Jesus Christ, the Name of Yeshua written in their hearts and minds. It obeys the will of the Father in Heaven and are the Kings brethren. Thy Kingdom comes as thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. So what should we do?

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:20-25)

Do we pray and apply to the Holy Spirit or to strange gods?

Are we looking for mercy or the judgment of our enemy?

Are we with compassion making a difference?

Do we hate the price of the spotted garment or the garment itself?

Or do we only dwell on the sin and lies of the wicked, shouting off their injustice while hiding the indulgence of our own dark hearts?

"But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;" (Romans 2:5)

We know that to follow the LORD is to be hated by the gods of this world order and those who love and support them. We have by faith, God's law and promise to ensure justice and mercy by His Holy Hand. But the waves of the sea shall roar against those who seek the true ways of His Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!” (Luke 17:1)

We should attend to the business of the Church, the ekklesia of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth. We should work making a difference in our own lives and then in the world taking on first His character, name and virtue and implementing it with God speed in the desolate world void of His ways of liberty and charity.

The Church does not exercise authority over those who seek the kingdom of God but are the clerks of the Kingdom for those who would live under the perfect law of liberty abiding in the ways of the Father and the Son who is King.

“John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” (Luke 3:16)

From the beginning the prophecy of that baptism of fire was preached by John and by Jesus. Upon receiving their appointment by the King and their baptism of fire sent by the Father the covenant was fulfilled and the responsibility of ministering to the Kingdom was passed to His Apostles.

“I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 1:8)

The Apostles went out preaching the Gospel, the good news.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

It was and is an everlasting Kingdom. From that day to this there have been many who have received the continuation of that appointment by Christ but few have received the Baptism of fire. Many have been anointed by men to serve the kingdom but few have been anointed by God.

  • The Church should be working with all its energy to help those who wish to awaken.
  • The Church should be seeking and teaching men how to live outside the wickedness of the world order.
  • The Church must seek to pull those from the fire in the day of Judgment who call upon the Name and character of the LORD.
  • The Church is an altar of sacrifice and service and in that faith hope and charity is found the Bozra [fortress] of our salvation and the crown of our recompense.
  • The Church is established by Jesus and baptizing in His Name in truth and in Spirit and is not established by application to other fathers, potentates and powers of foreign states.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.. ..Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-13)

Israel is the place where God prevails. Its citizens are all those on earth who come together in His ways and His will. It is created not by cleaning the outside but by the submersion of the inside in His Spirit.

"Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." (1 Corinthians 8:1)

The ministers of His Holy Church must give their lives and freedom for the Kingdom as the Apostles and the Early Church once did and as the Levites did before them. They are bondservants of the King and filled with the Character of Christ.

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:16)

We must repent, turn around and change our ways from the ways of the world to the Way of the Father in Heaven. We must recognize who His Holy Church is as the apostles recognized John and Jesus as prophet and Messiah. We may receive the baptism of water into His Kingdom but we must seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Spirit and in Truth.

It is not enough to say you are saved, born again, anointed of God but you must learn to manifest the Kingdom of God on earth.

“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:14-16)

There is much work to be done. Not to save our life or our stuff but to save our souls by our sacrifice for others who seek His ways and His will.

“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17)

The Covenant of​ Baptism and Christening of infants

Many may see the ritual of baptism as a covenant with God.[33]

What does it mean for the "remission[34] of sins"?

Is the power to remit sins in the water or the ritual. Or is it in neither but found in the repentance?

If we know that without repentance there is no remission of sins.

And if the essential element of baptism is that of repentance then how does an infant repent?

Baptism may certainly be a commitment because of our repentance it may also include some jurisdictional protection. We know that it did for the citizens of Judea at Pentecost. But as a record it appears to have some practical consequences for those too young to make a commitment or even repent.

So what other purpose might there be?

What of the widows and orphans?

The Church did keep records so that their daily ministration reached around the world with credibility and efficiency. There needed to be the dedication of those who might fall on need to make a record of protection and accountability.

This was seen during the persecution of Christians and the saving of their children. Was there infant baptism?

Justin the Martyr states in his first Apology in about 150 A.D., "Many, both men and women, who have been Christ's disciples since childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years." (Apology 1: 15) This would not prove the existence of infant Baptism but it suggests that the separation from the world and its systems of welfare through covetous practices which existed at Pentecost was as real for the children as it was for the parents from the beginning. Justin the Martyr writes in his Dialog with Trypho the Jew that Baptism is the circumcision of the New Testament.

Later Origen would write in his Homily on Luke 14, "Infants are to be baptized for the remission of sins." And again he writes in Homily on Leviticus,8:3 , "Baptism is given for the remission of sins; and according to the usage of the Church, Baptism is given even to infants. And indeed if there were nothing in infants which required a remission of sins and nothing in them pertinent to forgiveness, the grace of baptism would seem superfluous."

For the remission of sins may not have been an exclusive purpose even though in an infant it "would seem superfluous". If we do not take Origen out of the context of Origen we can observe that he also writes in Homily on Romans, 5:9, AD 244, "For this reason, moreover, the Church received from the apostles the tradition of baptizing infants too."

In 215 A.D. Hippolytus, who was Bishop of Rome, stated in Apostolic Tradition, 21, “And they shall baptize the little children first. And if they can answer for themselves, let them answer. But if they cannot, let their parents answer or someone from their family.”

Origen (185 - 254) and Cyprian (215 - 258) both reflected the consensus voiced by the 66 bishops at a Council of Carthage in 254 A.D., "We ought not hinder any person from Baptism and the grace of God..... especially infants. . . those newly born."

Preceding this council, Origen wrote in his Commentary on Romans 5: 9: "For this also it was that the church had from the Apostles a tradition to give baptism even to infants. For they to whom the divine mysteries were committed knew that there is in all persons a natural pollution of sin which must be done away by water and the Spirit."

After Constantine we may see Augustine (354-430) write in Chapter 43 of The Enchiridion, "For from the infant newly born to the old man bent with age, as there is none shut out from baptism, so there is none who in baptism does not die to sin."

Cyprian’s reply to a country bishop, Fidus, who wrote him regarding the Baptism of infants, is even more explicit. Should we wait until the eighth day as did the Jews in circumcision? No, the child should be baptized as soon as it is born (To Fidus 1: 2). .



Baptism, the Ritual and the Jurisdiction
Are Christians repenting and getting baptized or are they just all wet?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/baptismjura.php

Water Baptism
Entering the Kingdom of God, The Water
http://www.hisholychurch.org/declarations/baptism/waterbaptism.php

Baptism, Christening and the Holy Spirit
http://www.hisholychurch.org/declarations/baptism/christen.php


Baptism, Washing up
http://www.hisholychurch.org/declarations/baptism/baptism.php

Video > Baptism 4-5 5:23
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGU3WVjBXVY


That Word You Use- Part 1- Religion
What did the word Religion mean when it was written in the constitution?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/ThatWordnwv.php

The Opiate of Religion
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/opiate.php

Religion
What is all this talk about religion?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/religion.php

Pure Religion
What is it and who does it?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/religion.php


More detail on the word "baptism".


The Corban of the Pharisees
It made the word of God to none effect.
Is our Corban making the word of God to none effect today?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/corban.php

The Nicolaitan who God hates?
Because they covet their neighbor's goods
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/nicolaity.php


Related links
http://www.preparingyou.com/wiki/Thought_for_the_day#Baptism
http://www.preparingyou.com/wiki/White_stones


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Footnotes

  1. ↑ John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
    John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
  2. ↑ Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
  3. ↑ Water ritual unto repentance vs Spirit and fire of salvation
    Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:"
    Mark 16:16"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
    Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"
    John 1:26 "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world... 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
    John 4:1 "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)"
  4. ↑ Water ritual of John vs Spirit and fire of Jesus
    John 1:26 "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose... 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
    Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
    Mark 1:7-8 "And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
    Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"
    John 3: "5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water (mother’s womb) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
  5. ↑ Seek strive pray persevere endure
    Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
    Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
    Luke 18:1 ¶ "And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
    Luke 21:36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
    Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak."
    Mark 13:33 "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."
    Mark 14:38 "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly [is] ready, but the flesh [is] weak."
    John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
    Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
    Matthew 6:15 "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
    Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
    Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
    Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
    Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
    Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
  6. ↑ Gospel of the Kingdom
    Matthew 4:23 "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
    Matthew 9:35 "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."
    Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
    Mark 1:14 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
  7. ↑ Kingdom Taken
    Matthew 2:6 "And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor(2233), that shall rule my people Israel."
    Matthew 9:16  "No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.  17  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved." Jesus did not just reform the kingdom.
    Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Jesus would take it as priest and king.
    Luke 13:9 "And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down." The Corbans of the world were covetous practices
    John 19:15...19 "But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar." The kingdom taken by the words of their own mouth.
    John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." The people must seek The Way.
    John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
    Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
    Luke 22:29 "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;"
    Mark 15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS."
    Acts 17:7 "Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus."
    1 Peter 2:9 "But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
    See Taking and Giving the Kingdom
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Table as a snare
    Psalms 69:22-23 “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake."”
    Romans 11:9 “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:”
    Proverbs 23:1 "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat."
    Exodus 23:32 "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."
    Exodus 34:12 "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:"
    Deuteronomy 7:16 "And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee."
    Judges 2:2 "And ye shall make no league [covenant] with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?"
    Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
    Proverbs 6:2 “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.” Swear not
    Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth."
    1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
  9. ↑ "The masses continue with an appetite for benefits and the habit of receiving them by way of a rule of force and violence. The people, having grown accustomed to feed at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others... institute the rule of violence; and now uniting their forces massacre, banish, and plunder, until they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch." Polybius 150 years before Christ.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Not exercise authority
    Matthew 20:25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:..."
    Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."
    Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."
  11. ↑ Put out
    Deuteronomy 8:14 "Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;"
    Proverbs 20:20 "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness."
    John 9:22 "These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue."
    John 12:42 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue:"
    John 16:2 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
    Proverbs 29:25 ¶ "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
  12. ↑ Appoint a kingdom
    Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."
    Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
    Luke 22:29 "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;"
    John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Covetousness is idolatry
    Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"
    Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
    1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
  14. ↑ Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence [biazo=to use force, to apply force, violence], and the violent [biastes] take it by force [harpazo = to seize, carry off by force].” Luke 16:16 “ The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man [all] presseth [biazo] into it.”
  15. ↑ Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence [biazo=to use force, to apply force, violence], and the violent [biastes] take it by force [harpazo = to seize, carry off by force].”
    Luke 16:16 “ The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man [all] presseth [biazo] into it.”
  16. ↑ Exodus 35:29, 36:3, Leviticus 7:16, Leviticus 22:18-23, Leviticus 23:38, Numbers 15:3, Numbers 29:39, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:17, Deuteronomy 16:10, Deuteronomy 23:23, 2 Chronicles 31:14, 2 Chronicles 35:8, Ezra 1:4, Ezra 3:5, Ezra 7:13-16, Ezra 8:28, Psalms 54:6, Psalms 68:9, Psalms 110:3, Psalms 119:108, Ezekiel 46:12, Hosea 14:4, Amos 4:5.
  17. ↑ Luke 3:11 “He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”
  18. ↑ The Corban of the Pharisees, http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/corban.php
  19. ↑ James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
  20. ↑ 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”
  21. ↑ Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls by Barbara Thiering.
  22. ↑ Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:...14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  23. ↑ Jesus Within Judaism by James H. Charlesworth.
  24. ↑ Jesus, The Evidence, Ian Wilson
  25. ↑ The Old Testament World, John Roberson and Philip Davies
  26. ↑ Progress and Poverty, Henry George. Bk. VII. Ch. I.
  27. ↑ The Star of Bethlehem by Crag Chester. Imprimis D/96 Hilsdale College.
  28. ↑ Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim. Chapt. V, 1883
  29. ↑ The Holy Land By Peter Connolly The end of Herod, p42, Published 1998, Oxford University Press.
  30. ↑ The Old Testament World, John Roberson and Philip Davies.
  31. ↑ Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls, James H. Charlesworth, p170, (1992).
  32. ↑ Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
  33. ↑ "Implied but unclear in the Gospel accounts is that baptism is an ordinance by which an individual enters into a covenant with God. Joseph Smith’s translation of Matthew 3:8–11 clarifies that John the Baptist wrestled with the Pharisees and Sadducees concerning their personal need to receive him as the forerunner of the Messiah, preaching repentance and baptizing with water (JST Matt. 3:38–40). Apparently, they believed that they were acceptable before God by virtue of their birth as children of Abraham without repentance or entering into the waters of baptism. As heirs of the Abrahamic covenant by birth, they evidently recognized no further need to covenant with God. Latter-day revelation indicates that the Pharisees had a ritual they designated as baptism (JST Matt. 9:18–20). It is possible that this referred to the ritual immersion of the mikvah washings. However, it is not clear what the baptism of the Pharisees in New Testament times implied. Of course the baptism of the Pharisees was not a gospel ordinance of salvation by which they entered into a covenant with God through Jesus Christ. John taught of a baptism that followed repentance and a willingness to receive the Messiah, who John bore record was coming after him. Yet, as previously stated, the doctrine of baptism as a required means to enter into a covenant with God is not readily clear in the Gospels." s/10-baptism Craig J. Ostler was an assistant professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University when this was published.
  34. ↑ 859 ~ἄφεσις~ aphesis \@af’-es-is\@ from 863; TDNT-1:509,88; {See TDNT 115} n f AV-remission 9, forgiveness 6, deliverance 1, liberty 1; 17
    1) release from bondage or imprisonment
    2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty


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