This seems to be a worthy writing for our understanding. So often some readers get off on their own ideas and ignore what scholars have shown down through the years as a true rendering of the Word.
[Various cults and some sects build their false teachings on scriptural terms and concepts, which are misapplied to serve their own ideologies and religious organization. Some of these terms are shown here to help serious seekers find the intent of God in them, and one should make comparisons with sound Bible Commentaries and Teachers to confirm this. Further information can be obtained from the writer. - RLD]
To apply the Word of God in accord with the intent of God, one needs to hold two essential truths: verses should not be taken out of context, and one needs to always realize that the full Word of God is in complete harmony with no contradictions. As we often say: a faithful saint will appreciate all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and be rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Baptism is a visible testimony to take a stand with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ against the unbelieving world. It will bring mercies of God to one, but does not save the soul as some professing Christians say. It is only a confession of some appreciation of God's beloved Son, and was ordained by the Lord as a public witness to His truth and honors Him.
Some believers misapply Acts 2:38, which should be understood as: be baptized every one of you (those professors of truth) in the Name of Jesus Christ (unto not for) the remission of sins, and ye shall (thereafter) receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries by esteemed Bible scholars). It is important as a beginning to honestly confess the Lord in baptism, and after one has associated self with Him, that one needs to go further and receive Christ as their personal Savior for salvation and to be born again (John 3). Therein is salvation.
Repentance simply means a turning back, and for a believer it means from sinful self to God, and involves confession of our sinful nature and failures before God. We need to repent to God and receive His "great salvation" in His Son. It is noted in Genesis 6:6 that God repented over mans sin, meaning that he turned from giving His blessings and brought down judgment on mankind; and He did feel sorrow (not regret) that he must do that. This shows the "foreknowledge" of God that man would fail the test when tempted by Satan, but God knew this was necessary, that mankind should have opportunity and learn in time how important it is to obey, honor, and trust his Creator.
The Holy Spirit is the third personage of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jehovah-God is the mind, creator, and originator of all things, and presents Himself to believers as our Father (progenitor); Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh as the Savior and Redeemer of fallen man (not the same as the Father), and is Lord over all mankind; the Holy Spirit is the silent worker, energy, and power of the Godhead working in man (the temple of God) for our good. He seals us forever as of God. One can see these three manifested in John 14:23. Man cannot receive the Holy Spirit by his own religious efforts or rituals, for the Spirit is the gift of God in His own time and choice.
Regeneration as noted in Titus 3:5 is much debated, and "is not the same as being born again", according to J. N. Darby (CW Vol.28p.369). He said it is often "confounded with having life" (CW Vol.28 p.368). He believed "It is more connected with salvation than quickening" (CW Vol.28p.369). The use in Titus 3:5 also has been described by some as sincere profession Kingdom of Heaven, but not the Kingdom of God. Regeneration translated from the Greek word is "Messianic restoration" (profession of the truth of Christ as the hope of mankind -and presumably acknowledged by baptism); and the "renewing of the Holy Spirit" then seems to be the second part here as new life by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The sequence then seems to be: a) the quickening as a stirring by God of the conscience of man toward the Creator-God and His Word; b) regeneration as described here in taking steps of obedience and faithfulness in baptism; c) renewing of the Holy Spirit (making new) as the new birth making alive unto God and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This latter is what saves the soul and makes one a child of God.
Sanctified means to be set apart for God, and it seems to suggest holy privilege and position. Because a believer is sanctified, he ought to sanctify himself (I Pet.3:15). This speaks of both standing in Christ and our state of soul.
Holiness has been defined as "a Godly nature which delights in purity and abhors evil". All true believers have this conviction in some degree. Godliness shows forth that in a God-like way. The priesthood of all believers suggests holiness. The manner of a priest in the temple was always with remembrance of his calling and responsibility before the Lord. Nothing of the world or the flesh could enter in, and this ought to speak to us of our "holy priesthood" in our temple (our lives) before the Lord (I Pet.2:5). We ought to be sober and not talk like the world, act like the world, look like the world, or allow the flesh to manifest itself to affect our testimony. The flesh certainly has no place in church meetings, and the saints must take care to allow it no place.
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week (our Saturday), and was designated as a day of rest and holy day for Israel, in recognition of God's beginning for man in creation. It is not for the church, which replaced the religion of Israel, and was given the first day of the week to remember the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, as Gods new beginning and creation for the new life eternally for mankind. As He is victorious over death and the grave (note Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1 & 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:2), saints of God have this new life in Him. More can be shown on this, and also how the Sabbath was done away as an ordinance.
It is very important that we be rightly dividing the Word of Truth, as God says, to see the overall picture and purposes of God. When men take verses out of context to establish their religions, they pervert the true testimony, draw souls away into captivity and snares, and dishonor the Creator-God; - RLD, 08/11: from biblecounsel.homestead.com
SOME SCRIPTURAL TERMINOLOGY OFTEN MISAPPLIED
[Various cults and some sects build their false teachings on scriptural terms and concepts, which are misapplied to serve their own ideologies and religious organization. Some of these terms are shown here to help serious seekers find the intent of God in them, and one should make comparisons with sound Bible Commentaries and Teachers to confirm this. Further information can be obtained from the writer. - RLD]
To apply the Word of God in accord with the intent of God, one needs to hold two essential truths: verses should not be taken out of context, and one needs to always realize that the full Word of God is in complete harmony with no contradictions. As we often say: a faithful saint will appreciate all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and be rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Baptism is a visible testimony to take a stand with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ against the unbelieving world. It will bring mercies of God to one, but does not save the soul as some professing Christians say. It is only a confession of some appreciation of God's beloved Son, and was ordained by the Lord as a public witness to His truth and honors Him.
Some believers misapply Acts 2:38, which should be understood as: be baptized every one of you (those professors of truth) in the Name of Jesus Christ (unto not for) the remission of sins, and ye shall (thereafter) receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries by esteemed Bible scholars). It is important as a beginning to honestly confess the Lord in baptism, and after one has associated self with Him, that one needs to go further and receive Christ as their personal Savior for salvation and to be born again (John 3). Therein is salvation.
Repentance simply means a turning back, and for a believer it means from sinful self to God, and involves confession of our sinful nature and failures before God. We need to repent to God and receive His "great salvation" in His Son. It is noted in Genesis 6:6 that God repented over mans sin, meaning that he turned from giving His blessings and brought down judgment on mankind; and He did feel sorrow (not regret) that he must do that. This shows the "foreknowledge" of God that man would fail the test when tempted by Satan, but God knew this was necessary, that mankind should have opportunity and learn in time how important it is to obey, honor, and trust his Creator.
The Holy Spirit is the third personage of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jehovah-God is the mind, creator, and originator of all things, and presents Himself to believers as our Father (progenitor); Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh as the Savior and Redeemer of fallen man (not the same as the Father), and is Lord over all mankind; the Holy Spirit is the silent worker, energy, and power of the Godhead working in man (the temple of God) for our good. He seals us forever as of God. One can see these three manifested in John 14:23. Man cannot receive the Holy Spirit by his own religious efforts or rituals, for the Spirit is the gift of God in His own time and choice.
Regeneration as noted in Titus 3:5 is much debated, and "is not the same as being born again", according to J. N. Darby (CW Vol.28p.369). He said it is often "confounded with having life" (CW Vol.28 p.368). He believed "It is more connected with salvation than quickening" (CW Vol.28p.369). The use in Titus 3:5 also has been described by some as sincere profession Kingdom of Heaven, but not the Kingdom of God. Regeneration translated from the Greek word is "Messianic restoration" (profession of the truth of Christ as the hope of mankind -and presumably acknowledged by baptism); and the "renewing of the Holy Spirit" then seems to be the second part here as new life by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The sequence then seems to be: a) the quickening as a stirring by God of the conscience of man toward the Creator-God and His Word; b) regeneration as described here in taking steps of obedience and faithfulness in baptism; c) renewing of the Holy Spirit (making new) as the new birth making alive unto God and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This latter is what saves the soul and makes one a child of God.
Sanctified means to be set apart for God, and it seems to suggest holy privilege and position. Because a believer is sanctified, he ought to sanctify himself (I Pet.3:15). This speaks of both standing in Christ and our state of soul.
Holiness has been defined as "a Godly nature which delights in purity and abhors evil". All true believers have this conviction in some degree. Godliness shows forth that in a God-like way. The priesthood of all believers suggests holiness. The manner of a priest in the temple was always with remembrance of his calling and responsibility before the Lord. Nothing of the world or the flesh could enter in, and this ought to speak to us of our "holy priesthood" in our temple (our lives) before the Lord (I Pet.2:5). We ought to be sober and not talk like the world, act like the world, look like the world, or allow the flesh to manifest itself to affect our testimony. The flesh certainly has no place in church meetings, and the saints must take care to allow it no place.
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week (our Saturday), and was designated as a day of rest and holy day for Israel, in recognition of God's beginning for man in creation. It is not for the church, which replaced the religion of Israel, and was given the first day of the week to remember the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, as Gods new beginning and creation for the new life eternally for mankind. As He is victorious over death and the grave (note Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1 & 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:2), saints of God have this new life in Him. More can be shown on this, and also how the Sabbath was done away as an ordinance.
It is very important that we be rightly dividing the Word of Truth, as God says, to see the overall picture and purposes of God. When men take verses out of context to establish their religions, they pervert the true testimony, draw souls away into captivity and snares, and dishonor the Creator-God; - RLD, 08/11: from biblecounsel.homestead.com
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