What Does The Bible Plainly And Really Say About This/That?

I caught that on the 700 club also. Leviticus 19 Yahweh was speaking to Moses "(Do not) tattoo yourselves or cut gashes in your body to mourn for the dead". Was he not referring to those worshiping false Gods, sacrificing, & involved in witchcraft?
26 "You will eat nothing with blood in it. You will not practise divination or magic.
27 "You will not round off your hair at the edges or trim the edges of your beard.
28 You will not gash your bodies when someone dies, and you will not tattoo yourselves. I am Yahweh.
29 "Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the country itself will become prostituted and filled with incest.
30 "You will keep my Sabbaths and revere my sanctuary. I am Yahweh.
31 "Do not have recourse to the spirits of the dead or to magicians; they will defile you. I, Yahweh, am your God.
32 "You will stand up in the presence of grey hair, you will honour the person of the aged and fear your God. I am Yahweh.

If you ever get angry or have a dispute with your brother or sister in Christ, please don't ever call him/her a fool or even a worthless fool. Jesus warned us in Matthew 5:22 that if we call our brother (or sister) a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of Hell. Please don't ever call anyone a fool. You may never know if that person may be your brother or sister in Jesus Christ. Please watch what you are saying. I'll have more on this thread later, Lord willing...

rrguy, He was referring to everyone including those who are worshipping false gods, sacrificing, and involved in withcraft. Thanks for your response and for the scriptures you posted here from Leviticus 19:26-32. God bless!

We know that many preachers, ministers, and evangelists are called Reverend. They should never be called reverend because only God should be called that name. If you don't believe me on this, please read Psalm 111:9 and that scripture tells it exactly as it is. David says (in NKJV or MKJV) in this scripture "He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His name." Don't ever call your preacher a reverend. Call him your brother in Jesus Christ. I'll have more on this thread later, Lord willing...

What does the Bible really say about baptism and is baptism essential to and for salvation? Let's take a look...

Jesus commanded baptism and He commanded it in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, and John 3:5

Let's look further...

Start at Ephesians 4:4-6 - "There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and Father of all mankind, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all."

"One baptism"? The Greeks have a word for immerse (baptizo), one for sprinkle (rantizo), and one for pour (cheo), and one for any one of the above (hundriano). The only word used in the Bible to describe Christian baptism is "baptizo (immerse)".

Baptism is by immersion and you will find out the truth about it in Acts 8:32-40, Acts 18:7-8, and Romans 6:1-5.

Sprinkling and pouring became a substitute for immersion in 753 AD (over 700 years after the first Church was started and the first 3,000 Christians were immersed). Pope Stephen II allowed the monks of Cressy in Brittany to sprinkle the head in the case of necessity. By the year 1311 AD, the Roman Catholic Church held a Council at Revenna and legalized sprinkling or pouring as a substitution for immersion (Edinburgh Encyclopedia).

In Matthew 15:9, Jesus said "It is no use for them to worship Me, because they teach man-made rules as though they were My laws! (TEV)"
In the NIV, Jesus said "They worship Me in vain, their teachings are but rules made by men."

Even top religious leaders and founders of different denominations knew the Truth:
John Calvin (Presbyterian) said: "The word 'baptize' signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the primitive church."
Martin Luther (Lutheran) said: "Baptism is a Greek word, and may be translated 'immerse'. I would have those who are to be baptized be altogether dipped."
John Wesley (Methodist) said: "Buried with him by baptism - alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion."

Which baptism (sprinkle, pour, or immerse) requires the following seven (7) points:
1) water - Acts 8:36
2) much water - John 3:23
3) going down into the water - Acts 8:38
4) coming up out of the water - Matthew 3:16
Baptism is also symbolic of the following:
5) Rebirth - John 3:5, 22-26
6) Death, burial, and resurrection - Romans 6:3-11
7) Washing away of sins - Acts 22:10-16 (In 2 Kings 5, remember the story of how Naaman was cleansed of his leprosy when he obeyed Elisha and dipped (immersed) seven (7) times in the Jordan River? Would he have been healed if he refused?

Baptism started with John the Baptist
1) Commanded by God first to the Jews (Luke 7:29-30)
2) It required water (John 1:31)
3) It was for the forgiveness of sins if the person was repentant (Luke 3:3)
4) It took the place of circumcision - it was the seal of a new Covenant (Colossians 2:9-15)
5) It was symbolic of a rebirth (John 3:3-5) in order to get into God's kingdom
6) Jesus was baptized (Mark 1:9) and also baptized (John 3:22) more than John (John 4:1)
7) Then after Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He commanded everyone of every nation (Jews and Gentiles) to be baptized in order to be a disciple (Matthew 28:18-20). He promised they would then receive forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit, and the first 3,000 people to become Christians obeyed and were baptized (Acts 2:38)
8) Those who wanted the Holy Spirit and had only been baptized by John's baptism, were rebaptized (Acts 19:1-5) to become part of Christ (Galatians 3:26-28)
9) Some say Gentiles didn't need the water they were baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48)

Baptism is part of the Plan of Salvation
Mark 16:16 - "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Now, if we can read between the lines of this scripture, Jesus would say in addition to what He said: "Whoever says they believe but have not been baptized is not saved and is still condemned." and this is true.
1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) "And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Baptism is a command from Jesus in order to be His disciple (Matthew 28:18-20); and it was a command that the first 3,000 Christians obeyed (Acts 2:38).
Acts 22:16 - "And now, why wait any longer? Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to Him."
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "When anyone is joined to Christ, he is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come."

What about all those people throughout history that never were baptized by immersion because they never heard or read the command?
John 12:47-48 (49-50) - "If anyone hears My message and does not obey it, I will not judge him. I came, not to judge the world, but to save it. Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My message has One who will judge him. The words I have spoken will be his judge on the last day!"
John 15:22 (23-24) - "They would not have been guilty of sin if I had not come and spoken to them; as it is, they no longer have any excuse for their sin.
John 9:41 - Jesus answered "If you were blind, then you would not be guilty; but since you claim that you can see, this means that you are still guilty."
Hebrews 10:26-27 - "For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the Truth has been made known to us. Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destory those who oppose God!"
Romans 2:14-16 - "The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes defend them. And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all."

Remember, baptism will not save you. Only the blood of Jesus Christ will save you. The water (anywhere including the baptistery) is the symbolism of and for His blood. Therefore, baptism is indeed essential to and for salvation. If you are not saved, then do exactly as Jesus and the apostles have commanded you in God's Word (and this post) to do to get saved. If you have not been baptized, please get baptized immediately if you want to enter God's kingdom of Heaven. Also remember this: you cannot be baptized just to join a church. It doesn't work that way and it never will. There is absolutely nothing in the Scriptures that says that and teaches that. Read the Scriptures and find out for yourself that baptism is indeed essential to salvation and a must for salvation as Jesus commanded. Baptism is not only a decision but it is also a must. I hope you learned very much from this about baptism. I'll have more on this thread later, Lord willing...

I fail to understand why this of any importance. Hollywood's version of God's plan and God's plan have always been at odds.

I don't think there are many people walking around thinking that the drama on "Touched By An Angel" was in any way inspired by God...but then again...God does work in mysterious ways.

Just looking for something to debate about?

No, Artogis. I'm NOT looking for something to debate about. I'm just showing you what God, Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles really said about what is in the Scriptures/God's Word and I'm telling you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Everyone including you and I must follow the true sound doctrine of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 4:13-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and not follow false teachings. I will have more on this thread later, Lord willing...

Angels are not men, any more than God is.

Alan

__________________

Like I had said before on a previous post about angels, Pastor Alan, angels have no sex but they do appear male/masculine.

WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?
by Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr. executive director of KYOWVA Evangelistic Association in Ironton, Ohio www.kyowva.com

It seems like there has always been a goodly number of folk who want to tell us just when Jesus is coming back. Some of those on the history books have been:

1) William Miller (Seventh Day Adventist founder) who predicted Jesus' return for 1843. When his prediction failed, then he said it was to be in 1844. Well, seemingly, he again missed it.

2) Joseph Smith (Founder of Mormonism) said Jesus was coming in 1891.

3) Charles Taze Russell (Founder of "Jehovah Witnesses") predicted 1914, and then 1917. When Jesus did not appear, he then declared that Jesus came in spirit and only an elect few saw Him.

4) Willie Day Smith (Radio Preacher) of Irving, TX predicted April 1, 1980.

5) Prophet Ralph Cave, Sr., of the "God's Bible Class Church" of Addyston, Ohio, said God told him that God's wrath would begin on June 8, 1980, and end in 1999 at Christ's return.

6) Hal Lindsey (Author of "The Late Great Planet Earth") predicted May 14, 1981.

7) Bill Mauplin (Light House Truth Foundation of Tucson, AZ) predicted June 28, 1981, and then again on August 7, 1981.

8) Galen Bare (Springfield, MO Evangelist) predicted a "Planet Alignment", which would cause a catastrophic "wreck" among the planets. This was to occur at the end of 1982.

9) Thomas W. Staggs (Wichita, KS) said May 15, 1988 would be the end.

10) Edgar C. Whisenant declared Jesus' return in his book "88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Occur On September 11, 12, or 13, 1988".

11) The Korean based "Coming Days Church", stated that October 28, 1992 would be the day of Jesus' return.

As result of the above predicitions, many have been misled because they do not know that the Scriptures teach (Matthew 24:36) that no one knows when Jesus is coming again. The Bible warns us to beware of false teachers in the following passages: Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 4:3, and 2 Peter 2:1. Besides these, there are many other warnings.

As I drove down the road a while back, I saw a bumper sticker on a car stating, "Danger -- in case of rapture, this car will be without a driver." The word "Rapture" is not found in the Bible, but Webster's definition of it is, "the sate of being carried away with love, joy, etc." In other words, the teaching of the Rapture, that is, that God's people will be carried off to an eternal glory is in the Bible, even though the actual word is not in the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 does teach that the saved (both living and resurrected) will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air at Jesus' coming, but there is no indication that this rapture will be silent and secret so that it leaves those remaining on the earth mystified by their absence (no matter what some preachers, books, or movies teach -- the Bible is not wrong).

In fact, the Bible teaches that the Rapture will be just the opposite. When Jesus comes, He will come with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Also, the Revelation letter says it shall be a visible coming of Jesus, seen by all. "Every eye shall see Him, and they also that perced Him (Revelation 1:7)." Now, that does not sound like a secret and silent Rapture, does it? Those holding to the Secret Rapture Theory try to say that following this Secret Rapture, there will be seven years of tribulation upon those left (non-Christians). They build this theory from the prophecy of Daniel and Matthew 24:21-28 seemingly not realizing that these scriptures referred to the Jews and the fall of Jerusalem. This false teach of Secret Rapture Theory also promotes that following the seven years of tribulation, Jesus will return with the Saints and set up an earthly Kingdom from Jerusalem for a 1,000 literal years. From this teaching, we get the word "Premillennialism". The Latin word "Millennium" means 1,000 years and the prefix "pre-" means before -- thus it means that Christ is going to reign as King on earth 1,000 years before eternity is ushered in.

This might sound good, but the Bible does not teach that Jesus is coming once for His Saints and then again with His Saints. The passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 which is supposed to teach the former says "...God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him" (v. 14 - NIV).; "To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord." (See 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:21, 23)

Thus, when the Lord returns, He will be bringing the souls of the dead Saints with Him and He will be coming for the living Saints. Then, the great transforming of mortal bodies into immortal will take place (See 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and Philippians 3:20-21).

Matthew 13:39-41 says at His coming, He will send angels to gather the wicked and Matthew 24:31 also says when He comes, He will with the sound of a great trumpet send forth His angels to gather His elect (Christians) from all parts of the world.

These holding to the false doctrine of the Secret Rapture point to the statement about one being taken and the other left (Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-35) as justification for their teaching. But, the word translated "taken" (Greek - PARALAMBANO), in each of these is the same word which is used in John 14:3, "I will come again and receive myself." These verses may only say that of people who live and work together here, one will be received by the Lord and the other left out when Jesus comes again for His own. Just as people were involved in normal activities (eating, weddings, etc.) prior to Noah's flood - it shall be prior to Jesus' coming (no one shall suspect it). See Matthew 24:36-39!

As we study the Word of God, may we realize that when Jesus comes again, He will come as a thief in the night, or unexpected (2 Peter 3:10). Also that there will not be a secret rapture of His Saints but a universal recognizing Him as Lord of Lords. May the Lord help us to be careful of the many theories that man promotes as though the Bible teaches it in very plain language.

Now, the important question that each of us must answer is - ARE WE READY TO MEET JESUS WHEN HE COMES? The question is not if our spouse is ready, our children, our parents, or neighbors - but are we as an individual ready to meet our Maker.