Tag Archives: baptism

If Strait Is the Gate and Narrow Is the Way, Then What Path Are You on to Jesus?

While being in and around, even out of this county, I’ve come to recognize different types of people who claim to be Christian. Through all that I encountered, I’ve come up with 10 types of so called Christians that exist in the world today.

10 Types of So Called Christians
  1. The New Believer: Whenever they hear someone talking about Jesus, they believe every word at face value and have no discernment. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
  2. The Zealous Christian: They believe they can save the whole world. Romans 10:1-3
  3. Pew Warmer Christian: They come to church, they aren’t involved with anything. The only time they read their Bible is when they are attending Church and the speaker says to turn to a passage of scripture.
  4. The Clone Christian: They talk, act like and otherwise mimic the way a Christian would behave. Proverbs 3:1-6
  5. The Bible Talking Christian: They’re always quoting scriptures to use a anchors for their own philosophies.
  6. The Angry Christian: They’re mad with the world and other Christians
  7. The Sanctimonious Christian: They believe they know Jesus more then anyone.
  8. The “Woe is me” Christian: They’re always depressed, complaining, and unhappy.
  9. The Arrogant Christian: They are always right and they belittle every one.
  10. The Walking Dead Christian: They don’t even know their dead. They have no power, no anointing, no prayer life no direction from Jesus, and can’t hear his voice, because it’s all about then and not Jesus. Luke 6:43-45, Proverbs 14:12

Most people who declare themselves to be a Christian don’t even know what being a Christian is or even what being a Christian means. A lot of people, mimic people they think that are Christian, so as not to be left out by their peers.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Matthew 16:24-28

You must know there can be no eternal life without your sacrifice. As a true Christian you must deny yourself and your self-will and the controls of this life, whether by people or this worlds philosophy. Take up your cross and follow Jesus.

In my conclusion, I’ll give you this: how can you rise with Him if you were not buried with him? If you were buried with him, how can you be friends with this world and entangled with this worldly life?

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2 Timothy Chapter 2

So why pretend to be a Christian or Child of God, when you can be the real thing? So if your life is in a sate of confusion, that means you need to seek Jesus now while he may be found an be buried with him so you can go back with him. In other word be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. Then shall you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Acts 2:37-39.

How Deep Do Your Roots Go?

A lot of things we go through in our lives, usually stems from events and things that we’ve done or been a part of in our youth. Your personality and your mindset that you had during your youth will usually show up when you get older.

Colossians 2:1-23

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 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; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?  Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

If you look at verses 12-13, “Buried with him in baptism…  being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses…” and verse 18 “let no man beguile you of your reward.” These are key phrases. Things are hidden deep inside you. If you look at the word “deep,” it means extremely deep, such as the mountain ridge, that is 7 miles deep in the Pacific ocean, that at the 1st 100 feet, things are crushed. At 1000 feet, a car would be the size of a cube. Oxygen cannot exist, and light does not travel that fall down. The title is “How Deep do your Roots Go?” If you look at the definition of the word Roots, it means source, origin or the essential core. If you look at the dandelion, cutting it off at the surface will not kill it, because its roots go 2 or more feet. It is a parasite. That is why it’s so crucial and important that a husband and wife, train up their children; teach them the right way. In essence teaching them not their own way, but teaching them from the Word of God (Proverbs 22:6). And for those who has not parents, it is a wise thing to connect yourself to a mentor who understands the teaching of God, so that he will teach you the rudiments of growing up and being a human being in this world today.

There are things in your life that you may have forgotten about, that has been buried and covered over. But the roots are still connected to your very being, your emotions, to who you are. When you look at that aspect, there are things hidden in you that you don’t even remember, as a matter of fact, you’ve forgotten about it. But when a situation comes up and the right thing is fertilized, a connection is made to that thing, that is rooted down inside you that will cause that flower to blossom. If you were angry about something, that situation will flair up. So that old wound that was inside you, you’ve forgotten about, is now getting nourishment. A root that is in your life, a root of sin in your life, has a foothold in every aspect of your life. In your sex life, mental life, and physical life. You will do everything you can to save that root from dying because the roots go deep. Sin is a parasite. Who feeds that root? Satan with situations in your daily walk. You begin to lie to justify. When you lie, it builds another hole.  You wonder why today you have problems with smoking or drinking, or with men, or with women. It is a root that must be dug out. It is hard to dig out when you refuse to believe it exists. You can try to cut off the surface, by becoming celibate if you have sexual problems, avoidance of the situation of individuals, ignoring, becoming isolated from society, etc, but it will still continue to grow. You need to dig down and deeper to get to the root. To go deep means you need to let go of yourself. Admit to yourself, that this is who you are, this is what you have become; admit to your sin.

Colossians 3:1-5

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Why did he pick the first thing in verse 5, fornication? Because it is one of the things we most struggle with. Almost everyone in this world has a sexual issue or problem. That is the biggest problem in this society. What does it mean? They’re caught in a rooted situation that they refuse to get rid of.

Romans 12:1-8

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

We need to come to some sort of conclusion in our lives, do we still want to suffer from what is rooted in us? Whatever is in your past, will be in your future, if you don’t cut it down, and dig the root out.

The Church and Baptism

Part One About Baptism

Our bases for structure: Acts 1:4-5 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. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. In Acts 1:5-8, Jesus uses the term Holy Ghost in regard to baptism.

When you look at the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit there is a difference. When Jesus is referring to the Spirit as sent from the Father (Acts 2:33, John 14:26) he uses the term Holy Spirit. When Jesus refers to Himself, as in Acts 1:4-5 He uses the Holy Ghost.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

This statement when isolated can be twisted to mean that someone can be saved by simply repeating these words. This is not true. This statement has to be looked at in context.

Baptism is needful for the remission of sins. But baptism is a symbolic burial with Christ. One must be conscious of why they are getting baptized. In Catholicism, infant baptism is done, however being an infant, the individual would not be aware of why they are being baptized. A person must first be convicted, repent, and be baptized in order to be saved. Before they are convicted, they had to have heard about Jesus and been taught about Him.