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Thursday, March
12, 2009
A Permanent Change
Romans 6:4-7 Therefore we are buried with
him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that
our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed,
that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed
from sin. (KJV)
When our Lord does something or asks
something of us it is for our benefit, a change that will be long lasting; while
mankind and their doctrines fall short and bring short term solutions to
eternal issues. Like for instance the old law, it could never take away sin
but rather just covered it up, like a cheap deodorant. The living waters
cleanse us from all sin, it doesn’t just cover it up, but rather it cleans
it up and removes it from us. So which realm are walking in today and which
law do you hold to; a spiritual law of faith that brings new life to the
believer or the letter of the old law which is dead and keeps those that
are following it dead as well?
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. (KJV)
John the Baptist was considered one of
the greatest prophets, yet he was still under the old law and limited by
the carnal rituals of it. Even though our Lord separates the two baptisms
in the above verses, encouraging the disciples that a better one was on the
way, I am amazed today at how many grasp and cling to the old rather than
take hold of the new life that is available in Christ. Here is a tidbit and
something to chew on; you know if you hold someone under water long enough
it cuts off the source of life and results in physical death. Now if we
take a different look at baptism from a spiritual aspect we can see a
similar pattern, if one immerses themselves in the living Spiritual waters,
which is what baptism truly means and what Paul is teaching, then that too
will result in death to an area of our flesh that has been hindering our
walk with the Lord. Could it really be that simple people; when you really
stop and pray and ask the Lord, you may find out that mankind and his
limited carnal thinking is the one that made it so complicated and
confusing. The Lord made His Word simple, so simple in fact that man
doesn’t comprehend it, they distort the scriptures to make it fit into
their way of thinking. The Lord said the words that He spoke are Spirit and
they are life. So are you able to see the Spiritual meaning of the word of
God that will bring new life within you, or are you like so many that hold
to outward dead rituals which end up watering down the true meaning?
Hebrews 9:8-14 The Holy Ghost this
signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest,
while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a figure for
the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices,
that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the
conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings,
and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (11) But
Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and
more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this
building; (12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us. (13) For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the
ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh: (14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God? (KJV)
If you so desire you can go back to the
beginning of Hebrews Chapter 9 and read it in its entirety, I just wanted
to highlight a few points today. The things in the Old Testament were a
figure, a representation or symbol of something new that would take place
in the Spiritual realm. The question being asked today is ‘have you taken
your place where you belong which is in the Spirit as well, so that you can
see the true meaning and intent of the word of God for yourself’? It’s just
as idiotic to think that the blood of goats and of calves, or any other
ritual from the old law is going to bring you any closer to the Lord than
what the blood of Christ has done to make a permanent way into His realm.
And it is just as much of a waste of time, let alone missing the mark and
the true meaning of God’s word, to think that pouring water or dunking
someone in it is going to make one more spiritual when verse 10 says these
things were imposed until the time of reformation, a time that ended once
the Lord paid the price for His people. You want the old law, then why stop
at water baptism, how about building alters in your back yard and offering
sacrifices? Oh guys, instead of a super bowl party how about a circumcision
one instead? Hey wait a minute, where are you guys going? Sound silly and
ridiculous? Not anymore ridiculous than way you try to serve a spiritual
God with carnal ordinances. Since when do you get to pick and choose which
ones you are going to institute? You want to purge a conscience from dead
works, then you best get some living waters in there if you wish to achieve
this, otherwise you are just all wet.
--Bible Study Magazine, James
Montgomery Boice (May, 1989)
907
baptizo- to overwhelm Not to be confused with 0911, bapto. The
clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek
poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B. C. It is a recipe for
making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says
that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be `dipped'
(bapto) into boiling water and then `baptized' (baptizo) in the vinegar
solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But
the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing the vegetable,
produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more
often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water
baptism. For example, Mark 16:16. `He that believes and is baptized shall
be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough.
There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the
pickle!
Take some time and pray about where you
truly stand with the Lord, or should I say if you are truly standing with
Him. The things of this realm are referred to as temporal, temporary, while
the things of God are referred to as eternal. If you desire a change, to
walk in a new life which is in Christ, then you will need to operate in the
realm of the Spirit in order to make the permanent change. Get out of the
old people and get into the new. God bless and keep the faith.
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