In the book of John chapter 11, Lazarus, the brother of Mary died, but he was only asleep awaiting the call to arise. People of God, when be completely give ALL of us to God, our will must die, so His can arise. One of the great parts of salvation is "baptism." What's so glorious about it is the understanding. What's the understanding you may ask? It's simply this: Baptism is the outward demonstration of the inward experience, in other words baptism is a burial…A burial to the ways of the world, and a trust of the promised new life in Jesus for those who really died in the water. The next question is probably: Where's the new life? Well I'm glad you thought to ask. The new life resides in the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Baptism God’s Way There is a prescribed way for baptism, which CANNOT be avoided: it MUST be done in Jesus name. Often times I think of how a person will follow the instructions on the game, cook books, with our electronics, and other things to get the results we want. This is also the truth with baptism. In Matthew 28:19 (KJV) it says: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father (TITLE), and of the Son (TITLE) , and of the Holy Ghost (TITLE)." This is NOT a matter of debate, but it is a matter of NECESSITY. Luke 24:44-47 describes the importance by declaring, "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." Jesus (which means: Jehovah is salvation) is the name of the Father. John 10:30 (KJV) says "I and my father are one;" 2 Timothy 3:16 says: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory;" John 1:1-3,14 (KJV) says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." These are just a few scriptures detailing the oneness of God and Jesus. John 14:18-20 states this truth concerning the Holy Spirit: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." When we do what God prescribes, we'll receive a Godly result. God’s Promise I am inclined to think, we follow instructions with the hope (expectation) that the promise of an effective or tasty result… a promise of an expected end. Go back and consider the cake or the electronic device that we have purchased. How frustrating is it to try to bake or work something if we don’t follow the instructions. What’s funny is this: when we don’t follow the instructions, we frustrate ourselves…if this is so with us, how much more with our Creator? God’s prescribed way is to (1) repent, (2) be baptized in Jesus name, (3) and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I do want to clarify; sometimes you can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost before being baptized in Jesus name; however it does not mean you are to sidestep this. Every step in God’s intricate design is to be followed so we have His desired end. Remember: it doesn't stop with the baptism, but go on to receive the promise in Acts 2:38 (KJV) "...Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and he shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," but it doesn't stop with you verse, 39 says: "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." People of God receive the promise of resurrection. The Scribe
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AuthorI am an authorized scribe for Bishop Alvin J. McCoy. Bishop McCoy is the Prelate and Founder of Apostolic Ministries Inc. with ministries in several states. Bishop McCoy is married to Elder Lisa McCoy and has authored two books: One God, One God Only and Words of Life. CategoriesArchives |