As to your question you have received several answers, my understanding in the Bible baptism is done only by immersion as the word means. As Jesse said sprinkling did not start until the 1300s and it was for the reason it was so inconvenient. So, this was done just because of convenience's sake, nothing Biblical about it. I agree with Giannis, and we must believe as Jesus said in Mark 16:16.
All we do is to be done in our Lord Jesus's name, Colossians 3:16-17. Many use Matthew 28:19 but we also see in the rest of Scripture that a person who is baptized in Jesus' name is someone who believes in Jesus as Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God who for us died, was buried, and was resurrected we acknowledge this by being baptized in His name, Acts 2:38Acts 8:12Acts 8:16Acts 10:48Acts 19:5Acts 22:16Romans 6:3Galatians 3:27Colossians 2:12Ephesians 4:5.
Paul shows the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus, Acts 19:1-6. God has placed Jesus and His name above all that is in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18Philippians 2:9-11. Salvation only comes in His name Acts 4:12Romans 10:13. The name of Jesus is the source of power and authority for healing, miracles, and deliverance, Mark 16:17Luke 10:17Acts 4:7Acts 4:30Acts 16:18.
We are to give thanks in Jesus's name, Ephesians 5:20. Our faith is through Him and in His name, Acts 3:16. We must believe in Jesus, John 3:16John 6:47Acts 16:311 John 3:231 John 5:13. Whatever we ask for we are to ask in His name, John 14:13-14. We are to pray to the Father in His name, James 5:14. Jesus is our priest and the only mediator between God and men, 1 Timothy 2:5.
43When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation."
This passage would seem to infer that a person could have an evil spirit removed somehow; but without the Holy Spirit taking up residence post salvation. ( John 14:23). We are reminded of the sons of Sceva who had demons come out of someone they were trying to exorcize and rend them. ( Acts 19:14-16). We also could conceivably be reminded of those Jesus cast demons from; since some may not have been truly saved after that. We see evidence of that with the case of 1 leper that came back to praise Him while the others went away. ( Luke 17:17-18). We see warnings also of Christ saying sin no more lest something worse happen to you ( John 5:14). In that case it would probably be death as he had been paralyzed for decades apparently due to some sin.
We can think of the condition in the Synagogue where Jesus cast out a demon early on ( John 4:33 and following verses); and consider how the religious and self righteous piety of the Pharisees caused them to have this condemnation in particular.
A more sobering thought is many "ministries" today who are seemingly obsessed with casting out demons (in some cases it is proven the same person is involved over and over as a likely paid participant for crowd appeal). I personally have a big problem with one particular teacher who often baptizes people (and says is necessary for salvation) and demons come out.
We can hardly call someone in that condition in a sound mind ready to make such a commitment to the Body of Christ as Baptism signifies.
Addendum: Demonic "miracles" and answered "prayers" and casting out demons
False signs and wonders are scriptural warnings for the last days; particularly in the Book of Revelation. Most who are of sound mind would cringe at the so called "Kundalini awakening" or other such phenomenon that invokes the coiled serpent within for all sorts of magical powers. What can be said is that as Christians we are promised all power over the evil one; and since that was won at the cross we have no reason to suspect that doesn't still exist as the authority given by Christ over demons according to the promises of ( Luke 10:19). Of course as with all scripture this passage must be taken in context; in Paul's case a snake fell off his arm and caused no harm; he didn't go out looking for some sensational footage; as clearly indicated in Acts 28:5-6. We also don't go out willy nilly after the evil one as the sons of Sceva did without bad results ( Acts 19:11-20). However as Spirit filled believers when we are exercising in His strength and with His authority we are fulfilling necessary service in casting out demons or commanding them not to continue to oppress people. This means; of course that we make sure a person WANTS to be freed; and willing to repent of any sins which give Satan legal foothold on their souls.
There are also demonic incantations or "prayers to Satan" of which I had the dubious distinction of hearing spoken against me a few years back. We need to factor in spiritual hinderances to our prayer as it is scriptural as we see in the book of Daniel and apparently with some missionary efforts Paul had. This doesn't guarantee our prayers are answered but such hinderences certainly make a breakthrough unlikely if we haven't dealt with strongholds in our own lives of entrenched sin as well as in others as well who we hope to see delivered.
The last point for now is that we must be open for others to pray for our needs as well. We need each other.
The last part of the first stanza of the song "He knows my name" from the 2014 "If We're Honest" album of Francesca Battestelli states this:
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing
We really can't disengage the concept of the comprehension that we have nothing to offer but a "broken and contrite heart" as Psalm 51:8 states when we first come to a saving faith. God Himself grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and 2 places in Acts) but this results in our heartfelt plea for God's mercy. In the same logic salvation isn't a one way street. Realizing our own unworthiness and helplessness is what unregenerate man cannot or will not concede in this lifetime as we see illustrated in Jeremiah 18:12. Man finds ways to justify demon worship as giving them something; of course we see a perfect example in Acts 19:25-28 for example where a whole town spent an afternoon rioting; or in 1 Kings 18:28 with the so called "prophetic contest" between idols and the true and living God.
This illustration of what theologians title "Irresistable Grace" (not my favorite term) seems to fit here. Some could say that our response of realization of our sins; along with a verbal affirmation ( Romans 10:9-12) is a choice we make; rather than a response to the Spirit's prompting. I would agree as to the general search for truth that some have may come first for many; although we can't rule out a "Damascus Road" sort of conversion today either. In the mindset of unregenerate man; to be controlled or "possessed" by the Holy Spirit which results in a predictable response makes us robots and is a frightening concept in "losing our individual freedom of choice"; etc. Man's logic doesn't consider that our Creator should have ownership or mastery over His own created beings and of course we can struggle even as believers in trusting God to see us through the trials of life. This ties into the verse in Luke 17:33-37 in regard to really living when we lose our life
"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, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (This blessing was meant for the church, then and always.)
Acts 19: 1-7
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain DISCIPLES. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." These men weren't part of the upper room gathering or they would already been filled with the Holy Ghost.
John 8:11b
"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and SIN NO MORE and:
John 5:14, "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: SIN NO MORE, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
So what do the scriptures tell us that sin is?
1 John 3:4
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
If I may, you said you are focusing more on your faith which is great, praise God. Your question are angel numbers real? I will add are witches real, are demons real are mediums, horoscopes, etc. The answer is yes, but we are not supposed to deal with them. Angel numbers are a part of numerology, they may appear in the most ordinary places, these digits usually grab our attention, and even if for only a moment they evoke a sense of wonder, like sugar to an ant.
The danger is they can open doors to things that at first seem good and harmless but are like drugs, harmless at first but when the fangs sink in, it's over.
These are just a few verses you can find many more. If we put our faith outside of God, we are on dangerous ground. Numerology goes way back. The Babylonian Cube, it was a system of worship using numbers adding 1+2+3+ up to 36 = 666. they had it on an amulet they wore to protect them. It would be hard to explain it in this short reply.
There are things in this world that look as pretty and sweet as cotton candy but are more ravenous than you can imagine, Believe me.
I hope this helps and that you don't take it as coming from a fruitcake, but it is out of love, dark things are out there that you do not want to come across.
3. Not only they know Him but it seems they were members of the church, they had spiritual gifts which they exercised. It is not logical to assume that people outside the church could have spir. gifts (you mentioned Judas as an example that that can happen). Can it really? Have you read in the Bible or have you met in the world unbelievers that were given gifts, like prophesying, casting out demons, healing? The only case I have read in the Bible were the sons of that priest who tried to cast out a demon and were almost killed by that demon. Acts 19:13-16. What did the demon say to them? That he didn't know them. The devils don't know and don't obey anybody else apart from the children of God. Besides the gifts are for the benefit of the church, not the world. Prophesying is for the edification of the church not of the world, anyway how could that be? To whom and what for one is prophesying to the world? Personally I have never heard or read anywhere about such a thing.
4. They are workers of iniquity. Corrupt lives.
5. Jesus doesn't know them.
Now 3. and 5. seem to be in contrust. How is it possible that they are saved and Jesus doesn't know them?
To understand that we have to see what the purpose of that teaching is, what Jesus is trying to tell them. He is trying to tell them that it is not adequate to believe in Him and get saved initially, they have to live a pure life and not continue or go back to their sinful wordly lives. They have to produce a fruit. Production of fruit is not an automatic process. One has to want to have a fruit and strive for it. Strive to live a righteous life with God providing them His Spirit to enable them to have a fruit. Is it possible to christians to not have any fruit in their lives?. An answer is given in the parable of the Sower. It is the 3rd case, as you said the pleasures, riches of this world etc, etc choke the seed and so those christians become fruitless.
Jesus set me free from the bar business and I got baptized in Jesus name Acts 2:38,39
Luke 24:47,48Mark 16:16,17 I received the Holy Ghost Acts 5:32Acts 2:4. 1 Corinthians 14: 2,22,39
John 3:1-6Acts 19:1-6. 1 Peter 3:21Proverbs 11:30. John 21:15 it is essential for Salvation to be baptized in Jesus name Acts 4:12 and be filled with His Holy Ghost power speaking in a brand new tongue Acts 2:4 , and live a holy life loving Jesus and loving others !
And so, Timothy was considered Jewish. And in case some of the Hebrew and Jewish people would hear that he's Jewish as he's traveling and wanted to corner him and pin him down as to whether he's been circumcised, and whether he's been through the synagogue ceremonies, Paul had him circumcised so that he would be free to preach the gospel in the synagogues.
Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6).
He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; II Corinthians 1:1, 19).
Timothy ministered in at least five churches as Paul's representative. He sent Timothy to:
1) Thessalonica ( I Thessalonians 3:2, 6).
2) Corinth ( I Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19).
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23).
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14).
5) Ephesus ( I Timothy 1:3).
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release ( Philippians 2:19-23).
After Paul's release from his first imprisonment ( Acts 28:30), he revisited several cities leaving Timothy at Ephesus.
Paul went on to Macedonia from where he wrote Timothy this letter ( I Timothy 3:14-15).
Timothy was around 35-years of age when Paul wrote I Timothy.
Paul was arrested in Troas and taken to Rome and imprisoned for the second and last time.
Timothy also suffered imprisonment ( Hebrews 13:23).
Timothy was raised hearing Old Testament Scriptures ( II Timothy 3:14-15).
He joined Paul, along with Silas and Luke, during second missionary trip ( Acts 16:3).
Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he might have the freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues ( Acts 16:3; I Corinthians 9:20). He could not do that unless he was circumcised. And of course, Titus (another Gentile), he was not circumcised by Paul, and he even went to Jerusalem with Paul to attend the Jerusalem council.
And Paul refused to have him circumcised because he wasn't doing it out of the necessity of keeping the law, but as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:20, that whatever he does, he does for the purpose of reaching people for Christ.
So, when he had Timothy circumcised, it was because he knew that he would be in the Jewish synagogues and amongst the Jews, and they would not receive anything that Timothy had to say unless he was circumcised.
And by the way, a person is considered Jewish if your mother is Jewish and your father is not. You are considered Jewish as long as your mother is. If the father is Jewish, but the mother is not, you're not Jewish.
So, Timothy was accepted as a Jewish person, and he would be in the synagogues, but he was not circumcised, so Paul had him circumcised. Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6). He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; II Corinthians 1:1, 19).
The church at Philippi was founded during Paul's second missionary journey, recorded in Acts 16:8-12. Paul received a Macedonian Vision while in Troas and crossed the Aegean Sea to preach the gospel first in Philippi. That's found in Acts 16:8-10.
What happened was that on Paul's second missionary journey, he went by land and visited some of the cities that he had established during his first missionary journey. But what he wanted to do was pass those cities, and he wanted to go north and preach the gospel. But he said that Satan hindered him. That's all he said!
So, he decided that it must be a closed door, so I'll go south and preach the gospel, and he said the Holy Spirit hindered him. So, he went straight across and came all the way all the way to the coast of Troas, and he just sat there. I mean how much farther can you go? He's in Troas. He doesn't know what God wants him to do.
And so, while they were in Troas, that's when Paul received what is called the Macedonian vision. That is, a man from Macedonia appeared to him and said come over and preach the gospel to us. At which time Paul went. And as he went over, the first place where he landed, because all the vision said was come over to Macedonia, and so he landed first in Philippi and that's where he preached the gospel first.
In 57 AD, some five years after his first visit, and after his third missionary journey, Paul seems to have visited the church in Philippi twice. That is found in II Corinthians 1:16; Acts 19:21; Acts 20:1-3.
I'm going to politely assume you grew up Pentecostal and that's when you were told that speaking in tongues was proof of salvation. That just isn't true and I'll show you why.
1 Corinthians 14:26-28 is just saying if you are speaking in a tongue/another language you need an interpreter. Tongues were known languages. You see, tongues is used to say that they are speaking in a language they weren't taught. Proof of this is in Genesis 10:5 where the world was split because of the building of the tower of Babel, and God gave them each a different language or tongue.
Now the New Testament understanding of tongues is that you are filled with the spirit and in turn you can speak in tongues of other languages. That was completely reserved for the first century church and here is why:
1. It was clearly not a sign of salvation ( 1 Corinthians 14:22)
a. It was for the Jews ( 1 Corinthians 14:21) "This people" is God talking about Jews.
2. It was done away with ( 1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
a. "Tongues shall cease": the meaning of "that which is perfect" means the completion of scripture. So when Revelation was finished by the apostle John, tongues ceased.
3. Proof of salvation is by our works and not by signs ( James 2:14-19)
4. Tongues was never received after baptism, but after receiving the Holy Spirit ( Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6)
a. After receiving the Holy Ghost they would speak in tongues, it was not when they were baptized.
5. Tongues are not necessary ( 1 Corinthians 14:19)
As clearly seen, tongues were merely a sign for the Jews that was used by Spirit filled Christians which was done away with after scripture was completed; not proof of salvation. Salvation is completely through Christ and Christ alone. Romans 5:8, 6:23, 10:9, 10:23, and John 14:6. You don't need tongues to tell you that you are saved, you need the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
If you would like more elaboration, just respond back to this with your questions.
These are but a tiny sampling of what God declares about His WORD, the BIBLE.
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the WORDS of my mouth.
Psalms 119:151,152 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are TRUTH. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke 1:1,2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD;
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the WORD of God, and keep it.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.
Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the WORD of God and prevailed.
Acts 12:24 But the WORD of God grew and multiplied.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
This is my understanding of the re-birth experience - when the Holy Spirit comes in to reside, the life must change completely & irrevocably - if that doesn't happen (& the person will know it, if truthful), then that re-birth claim is spurious, thus giving way to many deceived but 'religious' persons in the Church.
Acts 19:1-7. I've understood those disciples to be ones of Jesus, not John (sorry if I misled you in this). We know that Jesus had many disciples, not just the twelve ( Luke 6:13; Luke 10:1), so these twelve in Ephesus may well be counted amongst those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah & attended to Him whenever they could. The disciples that Paul met were only baptized by John (not in his name but by him, hence called John's baptism). They never heard of the Holy Spirit, because under John's baptism, that wasn't necessary - they received his baptism pointing towards repentance & the Savior. And why should they be baptized first & then receive the Holy Spirit? In this formation of the Church, we do read of the Holy Spirit being given after the laying on of hands (here in Acts 19:6; Acts 8:13-17), so evidently, water baptism can precede reception of the Holy Spirit in those days. So, at that time, they seemed to be separate events, but today the Holy Spirit is received by true repentance & faith in Christ ( Romans 10:9,10). As Paul stated, salvation comes by confession & believing - and in my understanding, salvation can only happen by the Work of the Holy Spirit within the person. Onto Page 3.
Brother Giannis. I've been following your conversation with bro S. Spencer but wanted just to clarify your quote of Acts 19:1-7.
I don't read this passage as you have shared. I learn that Paul found certain disciples (12 of them) in Ephesus & was keen to find out if they had received the Holy Ghost (i.e. whether they had a re-birth experience). Their answer was that 'they hadn't even heard of the Holy Ghost, let alone receive Him'. So Paul questions them further as to their water baptism experience. And then the Truth comes out: they only received John's baptism, just like all the others who did so as a result of John's preaching. These, fortunately, were among those who believed that there was a coming Savior & so were His followers from afar, but that's all that happened to them. They might have been awaiting more news & more inspiration as to what to do next, not knowing the implications of Christ's death, even if they were aware of it.
Paul then, by the Lord's appointment to be at Ephesus I'm sure, told them that their baptism they received was only of repentance & pointing them to Jesus (which John came to do). But "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." This statement assumes that Paul preached to these disciples about the Cross & the Resurrection, and of faith in Jesus for their salvation. They never knew all this about the Jesus that they had heard about from John - they were only at the point of wanting to believe but had nothing else & no one else to instruct them. They then received the Christian baptism, with Paul laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost. As bro S. Spencer has shared, re-birth can only occur when the Holy Spirit enters into a repentant believing person, because it is HE alone Who does this work, brings about a change in life & direction. Jesus' 12 disciples weren't born again until the Pentecost experience; they were just followers who loved Jesus but not yet filled & empowered.
The baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
This was to Identify them with their savior.
In Matthew 3:15 Jesus was also baptized with this baptism to Identify the savior with the people and to fulfill all righteousness, he needed no repentance.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
JOHNS MISSION;
Luke 1:16-17. And many of ( THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ) shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready A PEOPLE prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:67-74. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Today we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; ( BUT) ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Most of the apostles were John's disciples before joining Jesus. In that incident just before Pentecost when the apostles were to choose another disciple in Judas' place, Peter said to the rest of them, ( Acts 1:21-22) "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, BEGINING FROM THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.". Some like Matthew were not John's disciples, but I suppose a large number of them were. Surely Peter, Andrew, John, James (the incident in the sea of Galilee), also Phillip and Nathanael ( John 1:45-52). So at least 6 out 12.
Were they baptized John's baptism?
In Luke 7:29-30 Jesus said to Pharisees, "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.".
Also in Luke 3:3 says, "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;"
So it was the counsel of God Hebrews to be baptized (how about the christian baptism?). Also it was for the remission of sins. So it was something so important that John's disciples had to do. Once John baptized others even Jesus, didn't he baptize his own disciples? So they were all baptized John's baptism.
Where they baptised the christian baptism later on? In Acts 19: 4-5 when Paul meets those disciples in Ephessus told them, "Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." So all had to be baptised again in the name of Jesus. So as a conclusion the apostles were baptized both tJohn's and the christian baptism.
Next. Were the apostles born again when Jesus was with them? John 13:10, "Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.". So they were "clean". That means they were already born again and saved. Judas here is not called clean not because he wasn't saved but because he was already sinning. How do we know that? Because Jesus washed Judas feet as well, but not Judas' whole body.
So they were saved. Were they w/baptized?
There are so many cases in Acts that show how important water baptism is. The apostles always asked believers to be water baptized as soon as they believed.
1) The incident with Phillip and eunuch,
2) Peter preaching at Pentecost, 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.",
3) the incident with Cornelius, Acts 10:47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?",
4) Philipp in Samaria, Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.",
5) Paul himself, Acts 9:18, "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
6) Paul with the disciples in Ephessus, Acts 19:3, "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism"
7) And most important of all is the commadment Jesus gave to apostles before His departure, Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
Pray this day finds you & your well. This should help you out..Remember the theif hanging by Jesus that ask Jesus to remember him, Jesus replied "today you shall be with me in heaven". Do you feel this man is now in heaven with Jesus? Of course he is.Therefore, he wasn't taking down, baptised, then returned to the cross.! Jesus died for ALL sin & if one excepts Him as Lord& Savior: John 3:16; they are now baptised with His holy spirit. I got baptised cuz I want ppl to hold me accountable To my repenting. Yet it is not a requirement to get to be saved or get to heaven or His death was for nothing. When it was said, NO works can get you to heaven, baptism was included my child of God.
Great to be here and to continually even though I learnt since I was a teen. I learnt to be Gods child, you have to accept Him as your personal Savior. Pastor prays for you and that's it. I only got Baptized 2 yrs later. Not totally understanding it as well.
Know I learn, you have to Baptized 1st as mentioned in Acts 2v38 In the name of Jesus Christ not in Jesus name ?
This discussion and Bible app is amazing. Reading all over again to really understand the Word.
Part 2..that they are not gods at all. Acts 19:26 says also that the gods of pagans are not gods at all.
So, Ruby, just because people and idols are called gods in the Bible does not indicate that they truly are.
Isaiah 44:6, 8 and 43:10 say that YHWH alone is God, there is no other, and, that He knows no other god but Himself, neither was there any god formed before Him, nor will there be any god formed after Him. So, gods cannot be created. This is plain by these verses.
Ruby are you willing to attest to the truth of these words or not? If you say, yes there are other gods beside YHWH then you are speaking untruth against the Most High God.
Gettig back to John 10 where the Pharisees and priests accused Jesus of blasphemy because He claimed to be God by sayig He was the Son of God.
Jesus cites Psalm 82:7 as an attack against these religious leaders who, like the judges in Psalm 82:7, thought that they were gods before the people because of their position of authority. He was rebuking them His response is a retort. he was very angry at them. He was attesting to the fact that the judges spoken of in Psalm 82:7 were evil and corrupt, though the were termed as 'gods' (leaders. judges standing in for God) Can one who is evil be a god?
Jesus was pointing out the ludicrousness of the religious leaders who believed that since Psalm 82:7 calls the judges 'gods' then they must truly be gods, because the Scripture cannot be broken. They refused to submit to the whole counsel of Scriptures to admit that there truly is only one God, no others.
They did not want to admit that Jesus was the Son of God (which is an expression of Deity) but instead accused Him of blasphemy for making Himself to be God. They were blinded, as Jesus said many times, from seeing and believing the truth of Whom Jesus truly was.
I and Chris have addressed this Scripture on several occasions before using Scripture and Scriptural context to explain what Jesus was meaning when ....
Not one person in the entire book of Acts were baptized in the titles, Father, Son & Holy Ghost.
For myself, once I was re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, I wanted so much more of God. I did not receive the Holy Ghost {w/ the utterance} right away, not until almost 3 years later.
I have a friend that is filled w/ the Holy Ghost w/ tongues & years ago was baptized in titles. Someone was trying to teach him about being baptized in Jesus name, but found it hard to understand.
He told us the other day that the Lord asked him a question, "What name are you baptized in"? He said "None". That's when the revelation came to him.
Now it's up to everyone to ask for revelation of Gods truth.
Don't argue about it. If you don't want to believe it, then dont'.
My church is a book of Acts assembly following Christ in all his ways w/ love and through the Apostles doctrine.
Jesus spoke, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last { Revelation 1}
"Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I am also the last" { Isaiah 48}. I love his truth.
"Do I need to get baptized along with trusting in Jesus to be saved?
Yes, by the Holy Spirit, not by water:"
Let's look upon another quote of yours concerning those who which the law was given. "Israel."
In Matthew 15:24 Jesus said "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel".
This was not an outright rejection of the Gentiles.
"Moments later, He heals the woman's daughter" but this was a fulfillment of prophecy, a setting of priorities, and a test of the woman's faith.
In Jeremiah 50:6, God calls Israel His people and "lost sheep."
The Messiah, spoken of throughout the Old Testament, was seen as the one who would gather these "lost sheep"
Ezekiel 34:23-24Micah 5:4-5.
When Jesus presented Himself as a shepherd to Israel, He was claiming to be the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy
Mark 6:34, 14:27. John 10:11-16.
He is simply connecting His presence with God's purpose in Old Testament history. Christ was "born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law"
Galatians 4:4-5.
John the baptist was his forerunner who came in the office of Elisha to prepare the way. Malachi 4:4-6.
This was the baptism of John.
Acts 19:4. "This baptism was only for Israel." John was preparing the way!
Christ has not yet given charge to his disciples to go out to the ends of the earth to "IDENTIFY/BAPTIZE" the Gentiles with the gathered sheep of Israel.
In-fact he didn't send them until AFTER he died on the cross and rose from the dead to atone for the sins of the whole world.
All the offerings and ordinances was a foreshadow of things to come.
Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:1-12, Ephesians 4:5,
I think the main point is the outward living life, dead to the flesh ( selfishness, bad actions, etc. ) resurrection in the last days, is the goal. Mark 10:38, Luke 12:50, Colossians 2:12-14, 1Peter 3:18-22,
* Romans 6:3,4, please read all of Romans 6, chapter, Colossians 3:1-17,
John 12:23-36, Romans 8:13, Luke 14:27-33,
Hopefully these are helpful
If you have trouble understanding pray for wisdom: James 1:5
Baptism: Acts 2:38-47, Matthew 28:18-20, these are the same baptism, Ephesians 4:5, context Ephesians 4:1-13, please read all the scriptures I've included even the scriptures surrounding the ones you're asking about. They're very important on what Jesus our Christ =(the Messiah) is saying & the Scripture is saying about Him.
Origin of Baptism: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1, John 3 - John 4:1,2, ; Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:30, Luke 7, Luke 20:4, Acts 13:24,25,26,
Acts 1,
Symbolism of baptism: Matthew 20:22-28, Matthew 11:10,11,12,13, Mark 10, note these scriptures in Mark 10:21,29,30,31,32,33,34,38,39,42,43,44,45, Mark 16:16, Luke 12:49-59, in context Luke 12, John 3:3,5, Romans 6, Colossians 2:12, 1Peter 3:21,
Hello Bob. The Greek word for 'Church' (as in Matthew 18:17), is "ekklesia", which applies to a Church congregation, or even an assembly of people.
In Acts 19:38,39, we read, "Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful ASSEMBLY (ekklesia)." So here, we see the other use of the word, which the Bible translators correctly understood as not applying to the 'Church', but to a non-Church (legal) assembly.
But in Matthew chapter 18, Jesus is speaking to His disciples (verse 1), so as GiGi has shared, it can be accurately understood that this discourse given by Him, was a little insight to the future, i.e. in the administration of His Church, or Assembly, as the Holy Spirit had (or, was given) control & believers were added to it. When we look at this chapter, advice on conversion, humility, sin, conflict between the brethren & prayer are the topics the Lord brings up. Even as the Lord spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18, that "upon this rock (the body of Truth) I will build my ekklesia".
As to your question you have received several answers, my understanding in the Bible baptism is done only by immersion as the word means. As Jesse said sprinkling did not start until the 1300s and it was for the reason it was so inconvenient. So, this was done just because of convenience's sake, nothing Biblical about it. I agree with Giannis, and we must believe as Jesus said in Mark 16:16.
All we do is to be done in our Lord Jesus's name, Colossians 3:16-17. Many use Matthew 28:19 but we also see in the rest of Scripture that a person who is baptized in Jesus' name is someone who believes in Jesus as Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God who for us died, was buried, and was resurrected we acknowledge this by being baptized in His name, Acts 2:38 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:16 Acts 10:48 Acts 19:5 Acts 22:16 Romans 6:3 Galatians 3:27 Colossians 2:12 Ephesians 4:5.
Paul shows the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus, Acts 19:1-6. God has placed Jesus and His name above all that is in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18 Philippians 2:9-11. Salvation only comes in His name Acts 4:12 Romans 10:13. The name of Jesus is the source of power and authority for healing, miracles, and deliverance, Mark 16:17 Luke 10:17 Acts 4:7 Acts 4:30 Acts 16:18.
We are to give thanks in Jesus's name, Ephesians 5:20. Our faith is through Him and in His name, Acts 3:16. We must believe in Jesus, John 3:16 John 6:47 Acts 16:31 1 John 3:23 1 John 5:13. Whatever we ask for we are to ask in His name, John 14:13-14. We are to pray to the Father in His name, James 5:14. Jesus is our priest and the only mediator between God and men, 1 Timothy 2:5.
God bless,
RLW
43When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation."
This passage would seem to infer that a person could have an evil spirit removed somehow; but without the Holy Spirit taking up residence post salvation. ( John 14:23). We are reminded of the sons of Sceva who had demons come out of someone they were trying to exorcize and rend them. ( Acts 19:14-16). We also could conceivably be reminded of those Jesus cast demons from; since some may not have been truly saved after that. We see evidence of that with the case of 1 leper that came back to praise Him while the others went away. ( Luke 17:17-18). We see warnings also of Christ saying sin no more lest something worse happen to you ( John 5:14). In that case it would probably be death as he had been paralyzed for decades apparently due to some sin.
We can think of the condition in the Synagogue where Jesus cast out a demon early on ( John 4:33 and following verses); and consider how the religious and self righteous piety of the Pharisees caused them to have this condemnation in particular.
A more sobering thought is many "ministries" today who are seemingly obsessed with casting out demons (in some cases it is proven the same person is involved over and over as a likely paid participant for crowd appeal). I personally have a big problem with one particular teacher who often baptizes people (and says is necessary for salvation) and demons come out.
We can hardly call someone in that condition in a sound mind ready to make such a commitment to the Body of Christ as Baptism signifies.
False signs and wonders are scriptural warnings for the last days; particularly in the Book of Revelation. Most who are of sound mind would cringe at the so called "Kundalini awakening" or other such phenomenon that invokes the coiled serpent within for all sorts of magical powers. What can be said is that as Christians we are promised all power over the evil one; and since that was won at the cross we have no reason to suspect that doesn't still exist as the authority given by Christ over demons according to the promises of ( Luke 10:19). Of course as with all scripture this passage must be taken in context; in Paul's case a snake fell off his arm and caused no harm; he didn't go out looking for some sensational footage; as clearly indicated in Acts 28:5-6. We also don't go out willy nilly after the evil one as the sons of Sceva did without bad results ( Acts 19:11-20). However as Spirit filled believers when we are exercising in His strength and with His authority we are fulfilling necessary service in casting out demons or commanding them not to continue to oppress people. This means; of course that we make sure a person WANTS to be freed; and willing to repent of any sins which give Satan legal foothold on their souls.
There are also demonic incantations or "prayers to Satan" of which I had the dubious distinction of hearing spoken against me a few years back. We need to factor in spiritual hinderances to our prayer as it is scriptural as we see in the book of Daniel and apparently with some missionary efforts Paul had. This doesn't guarantee our prayers are answered but such hinderences certainly make a breakthrough unlikely if we haven't dealt with strongholds in our own lives of entrenched sin as well as in others as well who we hope to see delivered.
The last point for now is that we must be open for others to pray for our needs as well. We need each other.
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing
We really can't disengage the concept of the comprehension that we have nothing to offer but a "broken and contrite heart" as Psalm 51:8 states when we first come to a saving faith. God Himself grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and 2 places in Acts) but this results in our heartfelt plea for God's mercy. In the same logic salvation isn't a one way street. Realizing our own unworthiness and helplessness is what unregenerate man cannot or will not concede in this lifetime as we see illustrated in Jeremiah 18:12. Man finds ways to justify demon worship as giving them something; of course we see a perfect example in Acts 19:25-28 for example where a whole town spent an afternoon rioting; or in 1 Kings 18:28 with the so called "prophetic contest" between idols and the true and living God.
This illustration of what theologians title "Irresistable Grace" (not my favorite term) seems to fit here. Some could say that our response of realization of our sins; along with a verbal affirmation ( Romans 10:9-12) is a choice we make; rather than a response to the Spirit's prompting. I would agree as to the general search for truth that some have may come first for many; although we can't rule out a "Damascus Road" sort of conversion today either. In the mindset of unregenerate man; to be controlled or "possessed" by the Holy Spirit which results in a predictable response makes us robots and is a frightening concept in "losing our individual freedom of choice"; etc. Man's logic doesn't consider that our Creator should have ownership or mastery over His own created beings and of course we can struggle even as believers in trusting God to see us through the trials of life. This ties into the verse in Luke 17:33-37 in regard to really living when we lose our life
"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, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (This blessing was meant for the church, then and always.)
Acts 19: 1-7
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain DISCIPLES. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." These men weren't part of the upper room gathering or they would already been filled with the Holy Ghost.
John 8:11b
"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and SIN NO MORE and:
John 5:14, "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: SIN NO MORE, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
So what do the scriptures tell us that sin is?
1 John 3:4
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
May we all go forward in the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, empowered by the HOLY GHOST dwelling in us, and with wisdom from HIS word.
December 29, 2023
If I may, you said you are focusing more on your faith which is great, praise God. Your question are angel numbers real? I will add are witches real, are demons real are mediums, horoscopes, etc. The answer is yes, but we are not supposed to deal with them. Angel numbers are a part of numerology, they may appear in the most ordinary places, these digits usually grab our attention, and even if for only a moment they evoke a sense of wonder, like sugar to an ant.
The danger is they can open doors to things that at first seem good and harmless but are like drugs, harmless at first but when the fangs sink in, it's over.
Leviticus 19:31 Leviticus 20:27 1 Chronicles 10:13 Micah 5:12 Acts 19:18-19 Galatians 5:20 Revelation 21:8.
These are just a few verses you can find many more. If we put our faith outside of God, we are on dangerous ground. Numerology goes way back. The Babylonian Cube, it was a system of worship using numbers adding 1+2+3+ up to 36 = 666. they had it on an amulet they wore to protect them. It would be hard to explain it in this short reply.
There are things in this world that look as pretty and sweet as cotton candy but are more ravenous than you can imagine, Believe me.
I hope this helps and that you don't take it as coming from a fruitcake, but it is out of love, dark things are out there that you do not want to come across.
God bless you.
RLW
3. Not only they know Him but it seems they were members of the church, they had spiritual gifts which they exercised. It is not logical to assume that people outside the church could have spir. gifts (you mentioned Judas as an example that that can happen). Can it really? Have you read in the Bible or have you met in the world unbelievers that were given gifts, like prophesying, casting out demons, healing? The only case I have read in the Bible were the sons of that priest who tried to cast out a demon and were almost killed by that demon. Acts 19:13-16. What did the demon say to them? That he didn't know them. The devils don't know and don't obey anybody else apart from the children of God. Besides the gifts are for the benefit of the church, not the world. Prophesying is for the edification of the church not of the world, anyway how could that be? To whom and what for one is prophesying to the world? Personally I have never heard or read anywhere about such a thing.
4. They are workers of iniquity. Corrupt lives.
5. Jesus doesn't know them.
Now 3. and 5. seem to be in contrust. How is it possible that they are saved and Jesus doesn't know them?
To understand that we have to see what the purpose of that teaching is, what Jesus is trying to tell them. He is trying to tell them that it is not adequate to believe in Him and get saved initially, they have to live a pure life and not continue or go back to their sinful wordly lives. They have to produce a fruit. Production of fruit is not an automatic process. One has to want to have a fruit and strive for it. Strive to live a righteous life with God providing them His Spirit to enable them to have a fruit. Is it possible to christians to not have any fruit in their lives?. An answer is given in the parable of the Sower. It is the 3rd case, as you said the pleasures, riches of this world etc, etc choke the seed and so those christians become fruitless.
Luke 24:47,48 Mark 16:16,17 I received the Holy Ghost Acts 5:32 Acts 2:4. 1 Corinthians 14: 2,22,39
John 3:1-6 Acts 19:1-6. 1 Peter 3:21 Proverbs 11:30. John 21:15 it is essential for Salvation to be baptized in Jesus name Acts 4:12 and be filled with His Holy Ghost power speaking in a brand new tongue Acts 2:4 , and live a holy life loving Jesus and loving others !
Luke 24:47,48 Jesus said!
Mark 16:16,17 Jesus said!
Acts 2:38,39 Peter preached what Jesus said!
Acts 4:12 No other name!
John 3:1-6 Must be born again of the water & Spirit!
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism saves us!
Acts 10:44-48 Can't be good enough without Jesus!
Acts 8:1-6 Ethiopian Eunic gets baptized in Jesus name and starts a 2000 plus year revival still going on today !
Acts 19:1-6 have you received the Holy Ghost since you been a believer?
Acts 5:32 gotta obey Him!
1 Corinthians 14:2,22,39 tongues are for a sign!
Acts 2:4 The Spirit gives the utterance!
Acts 1:8 Receive power !
John 21:15 Jesus loves you dearly!!!!!!!
And so, Timothy was considered Jewish. And in case some of the Hebrew and Jewish people would hear that he's Jewish as he's traveling and wanted to corner him and pin him down as to whether he's been circumcised, and whether he's been through the synagogue ceremonies, Paul had him circumcised so that he would be free to preach the gospel in the synagogues.
Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6).
He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; II Corinthians 1:1, 19).
Timothy ministered in at least five churches as Paul's representative. He sent Timothy to:
1) Thessalonica ( I Thessalonians 3:2, 6).
2) Corinth ( I Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19).
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23).
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14).
5) Ephesus ( I Timothy 1:3).
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release ( Philippians 2:19-23).
After Paul's release from his first imprisonment ( Acts 28:30), he revisited several cities leaving Timothy at Ephesus.
Paul went on to Macedonia from where he wrote Timothy this letter ( I Timothy 3:14-15).
Timothy was around 35-years of age when Paul wrote I Timothy.
Paul was arrested in Troas and taken to Rome and imprisoned for the second and last time.
Timothy also suffered imprisonment ( Hebrews 13:23).
Timothy was raised hearing Old Testament Scriptures ( II Timothy 3:14-15).
He joined Paul, along with Silas and Luke, during second missionary trip ( Acts 16:3).
Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he might have the freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues ( Acts 16:3; I Corinthians 9:20). He could not do that unless he was circumcised. And of course, Titus (another Gentile), he was not circumcised by Paul, and he even went to Jerusalem with Paul to attend the Jerusalem council.
And Paul refused to have him circumcised because he wasn't doing it out of the necessity of keeping the law, but as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:20, that whatever he does, he does for the purpose of reaching people for Christ.
So, when he had Timothy circumcised, it was because he knew that he would be in the Jewish synagogues and amongst the Jews, and they would not receive anything that Timothy had to say unless he was circumcised.
And by the way, a person is considered Jewish if your mother is Jewish and your father is not. You are considered Jewish as long as your mother is. If the father is Jewish, but the mother is not, you're not Jewish.
So, Timothy was accepted as a Jewish person, and he would be in the synagogues, but he was not circumcised, so Paul had him circumcised. Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6). He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; II Corinthians 1:1, 19).
The church at Philippi was founded during Paul's second missionary journey, recorded in Acts 16:8-12. Paul received a Macedonian Vision while in Troas and crossed the Aegean Sea to preach the gospel first in Philippi. That's found in Acts 16:8-10.
What happened was that on Paul's second missionary journey, he went by land and visited some of the cities that he had established during his first missionary journey. But what he wanted to do was pass those cities, and he wanted to go north and preach the gospel. But he said that Satan hindered him. That's all he said!
So, he decided that it must be a closed door, so I'll go south and preach the gospel, and he said the Holy Spirit hindered him. So, he went straight across and came all the way all the way to the coast of Troas, and he just sat there. I mean how much farther can you go? He's in Troas. He doesn't know what God wants him to do.
And so, while they were in Troas, that's when Paul received what is called the Macedonian vision. That is, a man from Macedonia appeared to him and said come over and preach the gospel to us. At which time Paul went. And as he went over, the first place where he landed, because all the vision said was come over to Macedonia, and so he landed first in Philippi and that's where he preached the gospel first.
In 57 AD, some five years after his first visit, and after his third missionary journey, Paul seems to have visited the church in Philippi twice. That is found in II Corinthians 1:16; Acts 19:21; Acts 20:1-3.
1 Corinthians 14:26-28 is just saying if you are speaking in a tongue/another language you need an interpreter. Tongues were known languages. You see, tongues is used to say that they are speaking in a language they weren't taught. Proof of this is in Genesis 10:5 where the world was split because of the building of the tower of Babel, and God gave them each a different language or tongue.
Now the New Testament understanding of tongues is that you are filled with the spirit and in turn you can speak in tongues of other languages. That was completely reserved for the first century church and here is why:
1. It was clearly not a sign of salvation ( 1 Corinthians 14:22)
a. It was for the Jews ( 1 Corinthians 14:21) "This people" is God talking about Jews.
2. It was done away with ( 1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
a. "Tongues shall cease": the meaning of "that which is perfect" means the completion of scripture. So when Revelation was finished by the apostle John, tongues ceased.
3. Proof of salvation is by our works and not by signs ( James 2:14-19)
4. Tongues was never received after baptism, but after receiving the Holy Spirit ( Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6)
a. After receiving the Holy Ghost they would speak in tongues, it was not when they were baptized.
5. Tongues are not necessary ( 1 Corinthians 14:19)
As clearly seen, tongues were merely a sign for the Jews that was used by Spirit filled Christians which was done away with after scripture was completed; not proof of salvation. Salvation is completely through Christ and Christ alone. Romans 5:8, 6:23, 10:9, 10:23, and John 14:6. You don't need tongues to tell you that you are saved, you need the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
If you would like more elaboration, just respond back to this with your questions.
These are but a tiny sampling of what God declares about His WORD, the BIBLE.
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the WORDS of my mouth.
Psalms 119:151,152 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are TRUTH. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke 1:1,2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD;
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the WORD of God, and keep it.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.
Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the WORD of God and prevailed.
Acts 12:24 But the WORD of God grew and multiplied.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
This is my understanding of the re-birth experience - when the Holy Spirit comes in to reside, the life must change completely & irrevocably - if that doesn't happen (& the person will know it, if truthful), then that re-birth claim is spurious, thus giving way to many deceived but 'religious' persons in the Church.
Acts 19:1-7. I've understood those disciples to be ones of Jesus, not John (sorry if I misled you in this). We know that Jesus had many disciples, not just the twelve ( Luke 6:13; Luke 10:1), so these twelve in Ephesus may well be counted amongst those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah & attended to Him whenever they could. The disciples that Paul met were only baptized by John (not in his name but by him, hence called John's baptism). They never heard of the Holy Spirit, because under John's baptism, that wasn't necessary - they received his baptism pointing towards repentance & the Savior. And why should they be baptized first & then receive the Holy Spirit? In this formation of the Church, we do read of the Holy Spirit being given after the laying on of hands (here in Acts 19:6; Acts 8:13-17), so evidently, water baptism can precede reception of the Holy Spirit in those days. So, at that time, they seemed to be separate events, but today the Holy Spirit is received by true repentance & faith in Christ ( Romans 10:9,10). As Paul stated, salvation comes by confession & believing - and in my understanding, salvation can only happen by the Work of the Holy Spirit within the person. Onto Page 3.
I don't read this passage as you have shared. I learn that Paul found certain disciples (12 of them) in Ephesus & was keen to find out if they had received the Holy Ghost (i.e. whether they had a re-birth experience). Their answer was that 'they hadn't even heard of the Holy Ghost, let alone receive Him'. So Paul questions them further as to their water baptism experience. And then the Truth comes out: they only received John's baptism, just like all the others who did so as a result of John's preaching. These, fortunately, were among those who believed that there was a coming Savior & so were His followers from afar, but that's all that happened to them. They might have been awaiting more news & more inspiration as to what to do next, not knowing the implications of Christ's death, even if they were aware of it.
Paul then, by the Lord's appointment to be at Ephesus I'm sure, told them that their baptism they received was only of repentance & pointing them to Jesus (which John came to do). But "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." This statement assumes that Paul preached to these disciples about the Cross & the Resurrection, and of faith in Jesus for their salvation. They never knew all this about the Jesus that they had heard about from John - they were only at the point of wanting to believe but had nothing else & no one else to instruct them. They then received the Christian baptism, with Paul laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost. As bro S. Spencer has shared, re-birth can only occur when the Holy Spirit enters into a repentant believing person, because it is HE alone Who does this work, brings about a change in life & direction. Jesus' 12 disciples weren't born again until the Pentecost experience; they were just followers who loved Jesus but not yet filled & empowered.
The baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
This was to Identify them with their savior.
In Matthew 3:15 Jesus was also baptized with this baptism to Identify the savior with the people and to fulfill all righteousness, he needed no repentance.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
JOHNS MISSION;
Luke 1:16-17. And many of ( THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ) shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready A PEOPLE prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:67-74. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Today we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; ( BUT) ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Matthew 3:11.
1 Corinthians 12:13.
God bless.
Hello Jesse, and GiGi
Most of the apostles were John's disciples before joining Jesus. In that incident just before Pentecost when the apostles were to choose another disciple in Judas' place, Peter said to the rest of them, ( Acts 1:21-22) "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, BEGINING FROM THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.". Some like Matthew were not John's disciples, but I suppose a large number of them were. Surely Peter, Andrew, John, James (the incident in the sea of Galilee), also Phillip and Nathanael ( John 1:45-52). So at least 6 out 12.
Were they baptized John's baptism?
In Luke 7:29-30 Jesus said to Pharisees, "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.".
Also in Luke 3:3 says, "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;"
So it was the counsel of God Hebrews to be baptized (how about the christian baptism?). Also it was for the remission of sins. So it was something so important that John's disciples had to do. Once John baptized others even Jesus, didn't he baptize his own disciples? So they were all baptized John's baptism.
Where they baptised the christian baptism later on? In Acts 19: 4-5 when Paul meets those disciples in Ephessus told them, "Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." So all had to be baptised again in the name of Jesus. So as a conclusion the apostles were baptized both tJohn's and the christian baptism.
Next. Were the apostles born again when Jesus was with them? John 13:10, "Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.". So they were "clean". That means they were already born again and saved. Judas here is not called clean not because he wasn't saved but because he was already sinning. How do we know that? Because Jesus washed Judas feet as well, but not Judas' whole body.
So they were saved. Were they w/baptized?
There are so many cases in Acts that show how important water baptism is. The apostles always asked believers to be water baptized as soon as they believed.
1) The incident with Phillip and eunuch,
2) Peter preaching at Pentecost, 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.",
3) the incident with Cornelius, Acts 10:47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?",
4) Philipp in Samaria, Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.",
5) Paul himself, Acts 9:18, "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
6) Paul with the disciples in Ephessus, Acts 19:3, "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism"
7) And most important of all is the commadment Jesus gave to apostles before His departure, Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
Great to be here and to continually even though I learnt since I was a teen. I learnt to be Gods child, you have to accept Him as your personal Savior. Pastor prays for you and that's it. I only got Baptized 2 yrs later. Not totally understanding it as well.
Know I learn, you have to Baptized 1st as mentioned in Acts 2v38 In the name of Jesus Christ not in Jesus name ?
This discussion and Bible app is amazing. Reading all over again to really understand the Word.
Part 2..that they are not gods at all. Acts 19:26 says also that the gods of pagans are not gods at all.
So, Ruby, just because people and idols are called gods in the Bible does not indicate that they truly are.
Isaiah 44:6, 8 and 43:10 say that YHWH alone is God, there is no other, and, that He knows no other god but Himself, neither was there any god formed before Him, nor will there be any god formed after Him. So, gods cannot be created. This is plain by these verses.
Ruby are you willing to attest to the truth of these words or not? If you say, yes there are other gods beside YHWH then you are speaking untruth against the Most High God.
Gettig back to John 10 where the Pharisees and priests accused Jesus of blasphemy because He claimed to be God by sayig He was the Son of God.
Jesus cites Psalm 82:7 as an attack against these religious leaders who, like the judges in Psalm 82:7, thought that they were gods before the people because of their position of authority. He was rebuking them His response is a retort. he was very angry at them. He was attesting to the fact that the judges spoken of in Psalm 82:7 were evil and corrupt, though the were termed as 'gods' (leaders. judges standing in for God) Can one who is evil be a god?
Jesus was pointing out the ludicrousness of the religious leaders who believed that since Psalm 82:7 calls the judges 'gods' then they must truly be gods, because the Scripture cannot be broken. They refused to submit to the whole counsel of Scriptures to admit that there truly is only one God, no others.
They did not want to admit that Jesus was the Son of God (which is an expression of Deity) but instead accused Him of blasphemy for making Himself to be God. They were blinded, as Jesus said many times, from seeing and believing the truth of Whom Jesus truly was.
I and Chris have addressed this Scripture on several occasions before using Scripture and Scriptural context to explain what Jesus was meaning when ....
For myself, once I was re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, I wanted so much more of God. I did not receive the Holy Ghost {w/ the utterance} right away, not until almost 3 years later.
I have a friend that is filled w/ the Holy Ghost w/ tongues & years ago was baptized in titles. Someone was trying to teach him about being baptized in Jesus name, but found it hard to understand.
He told us the other day that the Lord asked him a question, "What name are you baptized in"? He said "None". That's when the revelation came to him.
Now it's up to everyone to ask for revelation of Gods truth.
Don't argue about it. If you don't want to believe it, then dont'.
My church is a book of Acts assembly following Christ in all his ways w/ love and through the Apostles doctrine.
Jesus spoke, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last { Revelation 1}
"Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I am also the last" { Isaiah 48}. I love his truth.
I agree with what you stated.
"Do I need to get baptized along with trusting in Jesus to be saved?
Yes, by the Holy Spirit, not by water:"
Let's look upon another quote of yours concerning those who which the law was given. "Israel."
In Matthew 15:24 Jesus said "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel".
This was not an outright rejection of the Gentiles.
"Moments later, He heals the woman's daughter" but this was a fulfillment of prophecy, a setting of priorities, and a test of the woman's faith.
In Jeremiah 50:6, God calls Israel His people and "lost sheep."
The Messiah, spoken of throughout the Old Testament, was seen as the one who would gather these "lost sheep"
Ezekiel 34:23-24 Micah 5:4-5.
When Jesus presented Himself as a shepherd to Israel, He was claiming to be the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy
Mark 6:34, 14:27. John 10:11-16.
He is simply connecting His presence with God's purpose in Old Testament history. Christ was "born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law"
Galatians 4:4-5.
John the baptist was his forerunner who came in the office of Elisha to prepare the way. Malachi 4:4-6.
This was the baptism of John.
Acts 19:4. "This baptism was only for Israel." John was preparing the way!
Christ has not yet given charge to his disciples to go out to the ends of the earth to "IDENTIFY/BAPTIZE" the Gentiles with the gathered sheep of Israel.
In-fact he didn't send them until AFTER he died on the cross and rose from the dead to atone for the sins of the whole world.
All the offerings and ordinances was a foreshadow of things to come.
Colossians 2:13-17.
Hebrews 10:1-10.
God bless and
Goodnight.
Mark 16:16,17
Luke 24:47,48
John 3:1-6
Acts 2:38
1 Peter 3:21
Acts 19:1-6
Acts 10:44-48
Acts 5:32
1 Corinthians 14:2,22,39
Acts 2:4
Acts 1:8
John 21:15,16
Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:1-12, Ephesians 4:5,
I think the main point is the outward living life, dead to the flesh ( selfishness, bad actions, etc. ) resurrection in the last days, is the goal. Mark 10:38, Luke 12:50, Colossians 2:12-14, 1Peter 3:18-22,
* Romans 6:3,4, please read all of Romans 6, chapter, Colossians 3:1-17,
John 12:23-36, Romans 8:13, Luke 14:27-33,
Hopefully these are helpful
If you have trouble understanding pray for wisdom: James 1:5
Origin of Baptism: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1, John 3 - John 4:1,2, ; Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:30, Luke 7, Luke 20:4, Acts 13:24,25,26,
Acts 1,
Symbolism of baptism: Matthew 20:22-28, Matthew 11:10,11,12,13, Mark 10, note these scriptures in Mark 10:21,29,30,31,32,33,34,38,39,42,43,44,45, Mark 16:16, Luke 12:49-59, in context Luke 12, John 3:3,5, Romans 6, Colossians 2:12, 1Peter 3:21,
HOLY Ghost HOLY Spirit Baptism: Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 11, Acts 19:2-7,
In one Spirit 1Corinthians 12:13,
Hopefully these are all helpful
In Acts 19:38,39, we read, "Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful ASSEMBLY (ekklesia)." So here, we see the other use of the word, which the Bible translators correctly understood as not applying to the 'Church', but to a non-Church (legal) assembly.
But in Matthew chapter 18, Jesus is speaking to His disciples (verse 1), so as GiGi has shared, it can be accurately understood that this discourse given by Him, was a little insight to the future, i.e. in the administration of His Church, or Assembly, as the Holy Spirit had (or, was given) control & believers were added to it. When we look at this chapter, advice on conversion, humility, sin, conflict between the brethren & prayer are the topics the Lord brings up. Even as the Lord spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18, that "upon this rock (the body of Truth) I will build my ekklesia".