Talk:Baptism

Entering the Kingdom of God

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.

“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

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.”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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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 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.”

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.”

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.

“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 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.”

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.”

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.”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).” 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.” 2Peter2:18-22

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 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

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

Craig J. Ostler was an assistant professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University when this was published.

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