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And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. Notice carefully, dear reader, baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea. The Israelites of old went through the water as a part of God's redemption plan of salvation to mankind after their long sojourning in the land of Egypt. When God finally bought them out of Egypt or their exodus, he took them through the way of the red sea.(Exodus chapter 14 KJV) However, prior to their coming out I want you to notice how that they first, had to have the blood applied to the lintel or the doorposts of their houses where they were. (Exodus 12:21-23) The application of blood was the means of deliverance to them and the lack thereof was destruction to the Egyptians. Let's go back to the days of Noah, when water was used by the Lord to save Noah and his family,and destruction to the world when man refused to go into the ark that Noah prepared,Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.(1Peter 3:20-21)+see (St. John 3:5+Heb.9:19-22+ 1John 5:6+St. John 19:33-34 and 1Corin. 6:11.) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Go read also Judges chapter 7 KJV. After reading this chapter, you can see how that the ultimate test that was used by God again here is water. The water test is what men fail to pass today in the religious world, they will of course, almost all faiths, embrace water baptism in the titles(Father, son and holy ghost) but not in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in 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. This is today's true water test that will cause almost all Christendom to fail. Let me give you these scriptures as further evidence of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission (or removing of sins) KJV is:Acts 8:14-16, 10: 47-48,Col.2:12,Romans 6:3-6, Col. 3:17,Acts 22:16,8:27-38. After all this bible evidence, it is very plain to see that water baptism in Jesus' name, remits sins, washes away sins,cleanses an individual who accepts and obeys this form of doctrine delivered unto us by the Lord. ( Rom. 6:17KJV)And if you even go to the ministry of Jesus, he being without sin, was baptized by John in the river of Jordan as an example for us to fulfil all righteousness.(See Matt.3:13-17)KJV Alright, what else does the scripture say about water? Let's go to Isaiah 55:1- 3 KJV,Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Now in this scripture water is multi-purposed, drink for a thirsty soul, and for the covenant that God will make with man that does not cost any money. If you go back with me again, dear reader, to Abraham and the covenant of God established with him was circumcision. The pulling off of flesh,(see Genesis 17:9-14,And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. And to compae this to what Paul said in Col.2:11-14, In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. So in these passages of scripture we see the importance of water baptism, and the method or formula that was given by the Lord in Matt.28:19 is what the Apostles carried out when they used the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They totally complied with what he said, because I'll also take you to what he said in St. Luke 24:44-47, And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. This great command of the Lord as we go to the first and second chapters of Acts (KJV) on the day of Pentecost with the 120 in the upper room holy ghost experience. When Peter the spokesman, gave his address to that Jerusalem audience, after his great sermon, the multitude being confounded with this event, and now convicted, asked him what should they do,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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common. Finally my friends, look at the conversion of Lydia in Acts 16:14-15,and the Philippian jailor in 8:27-33 KJV. Notice with the jailor they not only told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved, but see how also he and his house were BAPTIZED! Based on all this scriptural evidence and these final scriptures ,Heb.10:22 , Acts 4:12, There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism. (Eph. 4:4-5 KJV) And, Acts 22:16,And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Water baptism in Jesus' name is the only way. By Rodney Brooks For the newest addition to this site link on to my other site at: click |
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