Is Water Baptism a Witness to the World?

First the Question: The Christian cannot grow spiritually, cannot defeat Satan, cannot please God, cannot escape heresies; unless the Christian diligently, systematically, and prayerfully, studies the Holy Word of God, the Bible. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

NOW, let us take a look at:

Is Water Baptism a Witness to the World?

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Is the Water Baptism of a Believer a Testimony, and a Witness to the World?

“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.” Colossians 3:1-5.

The believer is to witness to the world that he is NO LONGER dead IN sin but that he is dead TO sin. Quite frequently a believer permits another believer to put him in water, or to put water on him, being persuaded by the baptizer that this should be done as a witness to the world. That water ceremony may satisfy the baptizer, but there is NO PROOF whatever that the baptized person will walk in newness of life. Neither is there one verse of Scripture to support his witness to the world theory. That water ceremony, that baptism, will not help the believer, in any way, to walk in newness of life. Neither does that water ceremony convince any sinner that a Divine transformation has taken place in the baptized person’s life.

Now pay attention, in Luke 3 we see John preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In Luke 3:21-22 we read that Jesus was baptized with water. Surely it wasn't for the forgiveness of sins, as John was preaching, for we read in the first portion of 2 Cor. 5:21, "Him who knew no sin." Jesus, while on earth, was God in the flesh who NEVER sinned. He needed neither to repent (turn) from sin, nor to be forgiven of any sin.

Also, some have said that Matthew 3:15 implies that through water baptism Jesus was being identified with mankind. However, that was accomplished in Bethlehem. We read in Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus at age 12, under the Law of the Passover Feast, was at Jerusalem in His Father's House, listening and talking to the teachers. Wouldn't Jesus have had enough understanding at 12 years old to have been baptized, IF baptism was for a public testimony of His faith?

But Jesus Himself gave the reason He was being baptized in Matthew 3:15, when He told John the Baptist to "Permit it to be so now for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." So, in accordance with The Law given to Moses, Jesus was thirty years old at the time He was baptized, as we read in Luke 3:23, "And when He began His ministry Jesus Himself was about 30 years of age."

The Scriptures teach us that at His,(Jesus'), baptism we see Him coming as High Priest TO the Kingdom of Priests: the Nation of Israel, "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). "But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast" (Isaiah 61:6). In the New Testament we read in the writings of the Apostle Peter, who in his own words was "an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the Pilgrims of the Dispersion" (1 Peter 1:1), "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles" (1 Peter 2:9, and 1 Peter 2:12).

PAY ATTENTION, when priests were ordained, The Law prescribed certain rituals to be followed, including the ritual of washing them with water, or baptism (Exodus 29:4). That ceremonial washing was performed at the baptism of Christ.

The following Scripture verses from Numbers 4 require all those who perform the service or the work in the tabernacle to be 30 years old: Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:23, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:39, Numbers 4:43, and Numbers 4:47. Hebrews 3-10, and Psalm 110:4 tell how God the Father designated His own Son the Perfect High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus also had a second Baptism which He spoke of in Mark 10:38-39, "But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able. So Jesus said to them, You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized".

The Lord Jesus Christ was approximately 33 years of age when according to 2 Cor. 5:21, "He who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (Hebrews 9:10-15, Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10-13). By His own death upon the Cross for mankind's sins, Christ was identified with death and died in our place, was buried in our place, and arose from the dead (Hebrews 9:11-12) to offer His OWN blood in God's Tabernacle in Heaven as a propitiation or satisfaction to God, and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). You or I could never follow our LORD in this Baptism.

What you have to realize is that the traditions of man have us following old covenant commands to the Nation of Israel while ignoring commands from the RISEN Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ did NOT send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of no effect." Under the old covenant, the laws of Baptisms were established in Exodus 29:4 when Aaron was washed or baptized with water (Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 16:4, Leviticus 16:30; Leviticus 22:6-7).

After His resurrection, Jesus instructed the 11 disciples that, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And THESE SIGNS will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues…" (Mark 16:16-17). The Apostle Peter told the men of Israel in Acts 2:38, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Later Peter says that if the nation will repent and be converted, then Jesus will come back as the long promised Messiah for Israel (Acts 3:19-21). But they didn't, so the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ called another Apostle. The Apostle Paul

Before we go any further, if you haven’t already, please read Mark 16:14-18; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28, now.

I want to stress that we have, in Mark 16:14-18, a message that has perhaps caused more unpleasant divisions and ungracious controversy among Christians than any other part of the Bible. Let’s quote again what Christ commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18).

Now, RIGHT HERE you have to ask yourself a very important question. Has any Christian the right to revise this command of Christ? And make it read, “he that believeth and is saved shall be baptized and NO signs shall follow?”

Certainly no one has God’s permission to do this. Neither has any Christian the right to abridge the command, leaving in Mark 16:16, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” and then forgetting or ignoring Mark 16:17-18, “these signs shall follow.”

Without explanation or apology, the Baptists, and the majority of evangelical preachers both revise and abridge this commission of Christ and teach “he that believed and is saved shall be baptized, as a witness to the world”, and, “NO signs.”

The Lutherans teach, “he that believeth and is baptized (by sprinkling) shall be saved, but “NO signs following.”

Then we have the disciples of Alexander Campbell (The "C of C" or Church of Christ denomination) who teach, “he that believeth and is baptized, by immersion shall be saved,” but “NO signs following.”

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The C of C's and Lutherans do not revise the first part of the command. But the C of C's and the Lutherans differ most radically in obeying Mark 16:16.

The Lutherans teach that the infant son or daughter of Lutheran parents should be baptized. They teach that faith, without sprinkling, will not save; that sprinkling, without faith, will not save. The combination is required. But they agree that the infant cannot believe. Well in that case, if the parents BELIEVE for the infant why not let the parents be BAPTIZED for the infant? The Church of Christ denomination members contend that sprinkling is not being buried by baptism in obedience to Romans 6:4, and they teach that no person has, “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered you” (Romans 6:17) unless that person is born of the water, by being buried under the water. (John 3:5). They stick to the order, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” This is called baptismal regeneration.

IF water baptism is a factor in the believer’s salvation, THEN the Grace message of Ephesians 2:8-9 is not true. For there, in those verses, salvation is NOT of yourselves. IF water baptism helps to save a person, THEN the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, thanked God that He helped to save a very few! And yet in the same Epistle (1 Corinthians 9:21-25) the same Paul became all things to all men that he might save some. Did Paul thank God he had helped only a few to witness by water? No, that's ridiculous!

Now the Pentecostals are at least a little more consistent than the Lutherans and the Disciples. The Pentecostals claim that, in their message and program, they proclaim the full gospel, that is, they neither revise nor abridge Mark 16:14-18, or 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, where the sign gifts are found. They teach faith, water salvation, Holy Spirit baptism, tongues, healing, poison-drinking, snake handling, raising-the-dead, casting out demons and all the miracles, even greater works than Christ performed. (John 14:12). But when they put this into practice, they miserably fail, and it is not for lack of faith or zeal or sincerity or trying.

Realize this, IF Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 is our Gospel for this Dispensation of Grace, THEN Titus 3:5-8 is not, and THAT is ridiculous! So, take the time to compare them. You see, it’s only as we study the Four Gospels and the Book of Acts in light of Ephesians 2:8-10, and Ephesians 3:1-11 can we know God’s salvation message and program for this parenthetical Age of Grace.

The RISEN Christ gave to the Apostle Paul The Mystery with the Gospel of Grace, RATHER than The Law as He did to Moses. God sent Paul to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-9) and did NOT send him to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17). Instead, according to Ephesians 4:5, there is ONE baptism for today, 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by ONE Spirit we were all baptized into ONE Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into ONE Spirit." The Holy Spirit performs this Baptism, NOT an apostle, deacon, or pastor. And notice that it is not a baptism with water, but a baptism into The Church of the Mystery, The Church of the Dispensation of Grace, The Body of Christ.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Is Water Baptism a Witness to the World? - Pastor David

Realize this, IF Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 is our Gospel for this Dispensation of Grace, THEN Titus 3:5-8 is not, and THAT is ridiculous! So, take the time to compare them. The RISEN Christ gave to the Apostle Paul The Mystery with the Gospel of Grace, RATHER than The Law as He did to Moses. God sent Paul to the Gentiles, Ephesians 3:1-9, and did NOT send him to baptize, 1 Corinthians 1:17

The Child of God and the World, and, LLM Question for 9-28-2012

First the Question: The Christian cannot grow spiritually, cannot defeat Satan, cannot please God, cannot escape heresies; unless the Christian diligently, systematically, and prayerfully, studies the Holy Word of God, the Bible. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 9-26-2012

Question: The LORD does NOT want the Christian to be a recluse as in a monastery. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! The Lord does NOT want his disciple to be a recluse in a monastery, but wants him right in the midst of this wicked and ungodly world to touch the world and YET not to he touched BY the world. Get it?? Good! God wants His Children to keep themselves “unspotted from the world” James 1:27. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.” James 4:4. Now, out of the 743 responses we received to this question, 100% of you got it right! Praise the LORD! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at:

The Child of God, and, the World

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“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” John 15:19.

I’ve heard someone say: “The Child of God has three great enemies, the external, the internal, and the infernal.” He was referring of course, to the world, the flesh and the devil. They are all three very real enemies, and we only have to look about us today to see how the Children of God are being affected and defeated by them.

When we read of the exploits and achievements of the faithful saints of God in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, we find it is recorded by God concerning them, “Of whom the world was not worthy” Hebrews 11:38. The world NEEDS the servants and faithful witnesses of God, but is NOT worthy of them.

The Children of God, when it comes to conduct, hope, and habit, should be altogether different from the people of this world. Whenever the difference is not noticeable in a Christian’s life, he should pause to examine his life and change his conduct. Because of enmity, criticism, and persecution of an unfriendly world, the experience of a normal Christian is a life of suffering, yet a life of rejoicing in the LORD Jesus Christ.

When the Grace of God finds a sinner it finds him or her, “having no hope, and without God in the world” Ephesians 2:12. It finds them walking “according to the course of this world, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind” Ephesians 2:2-3. It is needless to say that anyone who is walking according to the course of this world is walking contrary to the will of God; but the sinner can walk in no other way. How sad the sight, however, when the saint, The Child of God, is seen walking according to the course of this world. Many of the saints of God in this age are so worldly that you would never classify them as saints on account of their walk. Think about how that grieves Him who gave us ALL things!

Concerning His disciples, Christ said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” John 17:14. But, He also said, “These are in the world”. The sinner is in the world and of the world; while the Child of God is in the world, but not of the world. Dwell on that.

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul!” 1 Peter 2:11. The Children of God are considered by God as strangers and pilgrims on Earth, but, whose citizenship is in Heaven, sojourning in a land where their King, the LORD Jesus Christ, has been rejected, and where He is still despised as no other one in all this world is. It was Christ, who said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” John 15:18.

The task of the Child of God, then, is to walk with Heavenly behavior in a world where the conditions and circumstances are unfavorable and the environment anything but conducive to such behavior; to walk among people who are rebels against God and His Heavenly Laws.

The Children of God are instructed to walk as becomes saints in the midst of fornication, and all uncleanness, and covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking and jesting. Ephesians 5:2-3. Christ prayed for His disciples, “I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” John 17:15.

The Lord does NOT want his disciple to be a recluse in a monastery, but wants him right in the midst of this wicked and ungodly world to touch the world and YET not to he touched BY the world. Get it?? Good!

God wants His Children to keep themselves “unspotted from the world” James 1:27. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.” James 4:4. How difficult it is for some of God’s Children to give up the world; BUT if a Child of God loves Christ in sincerity and in truth and will be faithful in his testimony, he will not only give up the world, but the sinners of the world will give him up, when those sinners find that they cannot bring him to the place or compromise.

Contact without contamination; association without fellowship, is the relation of the saint to the sinner. “For then must he need go out of the world” 1 Corinthians 5:10.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. Now you all know full well that this command is not to the sinner; for he can love nothing but the world and its sin. He may grow tired of it at times and yearn for something that will satisfy the longings of the soul, but he is in the world and of the world, walking according to the course of the world. This command is to one who has been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Body of Christ. How sad the experience of Demas which has been repeated by many a Christian, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica” 2 Timothy 4:10. This companion of the Apostle Paul did the very thing Christians are told not to do: “Love not the world”

Now, there are three Greek words translated into the English word, “World”. One is the inhabited earth; one is the created world, and the other is this Age. Christ died to deliver us from this present evil age. Galatians 1:4. Satan is the god of this age. 2 Cor. 4:4. And, remember, Demas did not decide to go to Thessalonica on the impulse of the moment. His decline was gradual.

As a general rule The Children of God, today, are not plunged out into the world with its lust and pride in one shot. FIRST comes the neglect of the Bible, THEN the neglect of prayer, and THEN the lack of testimony; and then, of course, regular fellowship with UN-believers; after that, one questionable amusement and then another.

How many thousands of worldly Children of God there are in our great wicked cities who were once faithful Children of God back in the home town or city or out in the country church. They have been swept out into the current of the world, and find it hard to shake off its strong grip and give up the pleasures of sins. They are sad, poor, and miserable. How beautiful and attractive the prince of this world tries to make this ungodly age for God’s Children. But Christ is so much more attractive, when we know Him intimately and love Him sincerely.

The Body of Christ, is the light of the world. The Body of Christ in the world is God’s program; but the world IN the Body of Christ, is Satan’s plan. It is all right for the ship to be in the water; it is all wrong for the water to be in the ship. The assembly, or congregation, of The Body of Christ, that lowers its standards to meet the demands of the world will lose its spiritual power and blessing. Unconquered pride leads many Children of God to court favor and position in this world.

“Be not conformed to this world” Romans 12:2. The Apostle Paul said, “I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10. The desire to be popular with the world is a great temptation. Many Children of God, especially young people, want to avoid all appearances that would cause them to be considered peculiar. Let us always remember that Christians are traveling to heaven, while sinners are traveling in the opposite direction, toward the sorrows of the second death; that the Cross of Christ stands between the Child of God and the sinner. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul wrote, “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14. This has always been one of my favorite Scripture verses.

If it took the death of the LORD of Glory, such suffering of such a Savior, to separate us from the world, certainly we should stay separated unto Him.

He said to His disciples: “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. “As He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17.

This is what makes the “Worldly Child of God” such a Paradox.

“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2.

God hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of The LORD Jesus Christ, and He wants us to be “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world.” 2 Cor. 4:6; and Philippians 2:15.

No worldly Child of God can be a shining light; but is invariably a stumbling block. “And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died.” 1 Corinthians 8:11. “Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:17. Surely, we do not want some poor sinner to stumble over our inconsistent lives, when we should be doing our JOBS as Ambassadors for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation. 2 Cor.5:18

It is a good thing to ask ourselves this question: “Can others see Christ, in ME?”; for God says, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.” 2 Cor. 3:2. “They may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” 1 Peter 2:12. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” Colossians 4:5. Sinners are closely watching the steps of those who name the name of Jesus Christ.

Now, while the sinner should get his eyes off man and on to Christ, the Child of God is The LORD Jesus Christ’s representative on earth, and should always be to the sinner an example and proof of the Power of Gospel over sin.

Because of his great sin, King David received these words from God: “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die” 2 Samuel 12:14. The sinful deeds of a Child of God will always cause the enemies of Christ, to blaspheme. Is that what you want??

You have heard the story of the blind man carrying the lantern. Someone asked him if the light kept him from running into others. He said, “No, I carry the light to keep others from running into me these dark nights.” Every Child of God should carry such a bright light that sinners would not stumble over them in these dark days.

The Almighty God, the LORD Jesus Christ, desires, “that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9. That you, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

The Child of God and Satan, and, LLM Question for 9-26-2012

First the Question: The LORD does NOT want the Christian to be a recluse as in a monastery. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 9-23-2012

Question: Satan has RELIGIOUS children, and sows them as tares among the wheat, the Children of God. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Now pay attention, Satan has RELIGIOUS children, and sows them as tares among the wheat, the Children of God. Matthew 13:38. John 8:44. It is quite often difficult to tell a cultured, moral, religious, agent of Satan, tare in the congregation FROM the wheat. Now, out of the 771 responses we received to this question, 90.5% of you got it right! Praise the LORD! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at:

The Child of God, and, Satan

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This is the instruction that God has given unto the saint: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” Ephesians 6:11. The Christian who fails to recognize the power, subtlety, devices, and wiles, of Satan will suffer defeat at his hands.

The Apostle Paul said concerning Satan, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” 2 Cor. 2:11. He wrote to this same congregation these words, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” 2 Cor. 11:3.

The Apostle Peter wrote: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith” 1 Peter 4:8.

The same Holy Spirit, who dictated to these two servants when they wrote, also used the Apostle James to say these words: “Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7.

Years ago I heard an evangelist pray to God in these words, “O Lord, rebuke and defeat for us his satanic majesty.” Then after I had studied the Scriptures I realized why he used the title. I could then understand what Paul meant when he said “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” 2 Cor. 11:13-15.

Jude records the fact that “Michael the archangel when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke thee” Jude 9.

The Lord Jesus Christ, of course, could say with authority, “Get thee behind me, Satan” Luke 4:8. “Get thee hence Satan” Matthew 4:10. But every human being UNLESS equipped with the spiritual armour of God and protected by the power that is in Christ Jesus, is just as helpless in the hand of Satan as is a little mouse in the claws of a cat. If Michael could not rebuke and defeat Satan, surely no human being can.

A while back I spoke to a group concerning Satan one evening and the pastor’s six‑year‑old girl was on the front seat. Much of the message went into her little heart. The next morning when her mother went to the door to call her from bed, she saw the little girl shaking her fist and mumbling with a very serious expression on her face. After the mother had stood for a moment she said, “What was mama’s little girl saying?” The little girl replied, “Mama, I was just saying, if the devil bothers me today, I am going to knock the ‘stuffin’ out of him.” Some poor Christians are trying to do this, but he is too much for any of us. The task is too great. Only Divine power can defeat the supernatural power of “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” Revelation 12:9.

The whole world lieth in this one. 1 John 5:19

The Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the sinner as being the house of the strong man (Satan), and said that He alone could bind the strong man and take his house. Matthew 12:26-33. The moment the Word is preached to the sinner, Satan tries to cause the seed to fall by the way side and then he devours the seed. Mark 4:15. It is Satan, as the prince of the power of the air, that controls the motives, desires, thoughts, acts, and words of the unsaved of this world, make NO mistake about that, and learn to recognize it. Ephesians 2:2-3.

It is Satan, as the god of this age, that blinds the minds of the poor unbelieving lost sinners, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine into their hearts. 2 Cor. 4:4.

Now pay attention, Satan has RELIGIOUS children, and sows them as tares among the wheat, the Children of God. Matthew 13:38. John 8:44. It is quite often difficult to tell a cultured, moral, religious, agent of Satan, tare in the congregation FROM the wheat.

When the LORD Jesus Christ died on the cross he destroyed Satan’s power of death. Hebrews 2:14. But his final defeat will not come until this same Jesus binds Satan and puts him into the bottomless pit for one thousand years and ultimately casts him into the lake of fire. Revelation 20. The everlasting fire was originally prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew: 25:41.

Satan can even now cause a saint to lie to the Holy Ghost. Saints, for sins in the flesh, were delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. Acts 5:3. 1 Corinthians 5:5. Satan can hinder the most consecrated saint. 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Satan can make a church officer fall through pride, especially if a novice is appointed to this office. 1 Timothy 3:6. Many of these cases have come under our observation. We see this all the time.

Notice the language used in this verse, “Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6

If you will read carefully the twenty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel, beginning with the fourteenth verse, and the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah, beginning at the twelfth verse, you will learn that Satan was the anointed cherub of God, perfect in the day he was created, until he fell through pride. All sin began with the “I will’s” of Satan.

There is no use trying to understand or explain the “Why” of Satan. It is a mystery, but it will all work out to the glory of the Son of God. We DO know that Satan is a person, that he was a perfect creature of God, and that he fell from heaven because of his revolt against his Creator. Christ said: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” Luke 10:18. However, currently, Satan still does have access to Heaven. THAT will be resolved later. Revelation 12:7.

There was something besides any evil influence from within that tempted The LORD Jesus Christ in the wilderness and offered Him all the kingdoms of the world. Luke 4. Matthew 4. Christ had NO evil within to tempt Him. He was holy, harmless and undefiled. The LORD Jesus Christ made no mistake when He acknowledged Satan as the prince of the world. John 12:31.

Now this is important, The Satan of the Scriptures is quite different from the devil of tradition. Satan is more than evil. He is a person with mighty power. He is the enemy of God and His holiness, of The LORD Jesus Christ and His disciples. As the accuser of the brethren he accuses them night and day. Revelation 12:10. The saints overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. Revelation 12:13.

Satan afflicts with sickness. Luke 13:16. Job 2:6-7. Satan is directly or indirectly responsible for all of the sin, sickness, sorrow, crime, poverty, and death in the world.

He, as the “serpent”, beguiled Eve. He was the first to challenge and criticize the Word of God and to corrupt it, and make NO mistake about it, EVERY destructive critic of this age, in and out of the pulpit, is his agent and servant, as ALL of them down through the ages have been.

Satan entered into Judas, the son of perdition, to betray the Lord Jesus Christ. And he will also enter again the son of perdition, the Antichrist, or man of sin, who is to be Satan’s man. 2 Thessalonians 2:4-9.

Nothing but the Shield of Faith will enable the Christian to quench the fiery darts of this evil one who is playing havoc with the sleeping saints and the worldly churches of this day, to say nothing of the millions who are lying in heathen darkness. He has struck, with a terrible blow, many of the most useful servants of God in the Body of Christ.

The pastor’s little girl who heard the story of Satan and the story of The LORD Jesus Christ, said to her mother when saying her prayer, “Mother, from now on when Satan knocks at my heart’s door, I’m going to say, Lord Jesus, you open the door.” Only in Christ is there victory over this constant and relentless enemy. So let us read carefully over and over concerning the armour that God has provided for us and let us put it on. Ephesians 6:10-18.

Satan wanted to sift Simon as wheat. Luke 22:31. Satan bound with an infirmity for many years a daughter of Abraham. Luke 13:16. He was on hand when the sons of God went forth to worship God. Job 1:4-6. He afflicted Job. Job 2:7. Satan has led many of God’s children into his religious healing schemes in these last days. And let’s never forget, the Antichrist is coming with the power of Satan performing miracles. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-13.

The Son of God, The LORD Jesus Christ, was manifested to destroy the works of Satan. Let Christ be our refuge, our strength, our Conqueror. He is altogether able to assure victory.

Take a moment and read what is yet to take place on this earth when Satan comes down to reign with the beast and in the antichrist. Revelation 12:7-15. But now read, and note, Colossians 2:15 and what Christ did to principalities and powers.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle NOT (a regular mistake for most Christians is looking at the person and NOT the evil spirit behind that person) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the WHOLE armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day (the day that the moment of temptation is on you), and having done all, to stand” Ephesians 6:11-13.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Child of God, and, Satan - Pastor David

The Child of God and the Holy Spirit, and, LLM Question for 9-23-2012

First the Question: Satan has RELIGIOUS children, and sows them as tares among the wheat, the Children of God. True or False?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now...

The Child of God and the Holy Spirit

Click Here to watch the video on this message

All true Christians believe in three Persons in one God-head: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Three in One and One in Three, and the One in the middle died for me. The LORD Jesus Christ said, “Baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

The personality and deity of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, are clearly set forth in the Scriptures. Christ said, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter (or Paraclete).” John 14:16. This is the same word translated “Advocate.” 1 John 2:2. When Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, he lied to God. Acts 5:3-4. “And the Holy Spirit said” Acts 13:2. “The Holy Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” Romans 8:26.

In the Old Testament Scriptures the Second and Third Persons of the God-head were latent; in the New Testament Scriptures they are patent. Christ, beginning with the Book of Matthew is patent; The Holy Spirit, beginning with the Book of the Acts is patent.

The dispensation of the Holy Spirit was ushered in after the resurrection of the Son of God. Before the Son of God went to the cross “the Holy Spirit was not yet given” John 7:39.

When The LORD Jesus Christ was here on earth, He said:

“I will send the Holy Spirit”, John 16:7

God is in the Christian, 2 Cor. 6:16

Christ is in the Christian, Colossians 1:27

The Holy Spirit is in the Christian. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Therefore the Holy Spirit is a Person as truly as is God, the Father.

Now, PAY ATTENTION, It is unscriptural for any Christian to pray for, or to seek for, more of the Holy Spirit. However, It is all right to pray that the Holy Spirit may have more of the child of God.

It is likewise unscriptural to ask God to send down the Holy Spirit from Heaven. When Christ was on earth He said, “I came down from heaven.” The Bible says that the Holy Spirit has been sent down from heaven. 1 Peter 1:12. How foolish would John have been, had he looked up to heaven and prayed for God to send down from heaven His Son, when John’s head was leaning on His bosom at the time. It is equally as foolish for a Christian with the Holy Spirit in his bosom to pray that the Third Person be sent down from heaven today.

Note: in Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:19-23 that the Christian has all blessings and power and therefore it is unscriptural to seek a second blessing called Holy Spirit baptism.

The Holy Spirit bears witness of the resurrection of the believer’s sonship. Romans 8:16. He is the believer’s assurance of his incorruptible inheritance at the LORD’s coming. Ephesians 1:14. Therefore he is the witness of the LORD’s return. Ephesians 4:30.

Just as truly as there is one Father and one Son, there is one Spirit, and one Body. Ephesians 4:4. And, just as truly as there are infidels in the congregations preaching another Jesus, there are fanatics in the congregations preaching another spirit. 2 Cor. 11:4.

The world cannot receive the Spirit. John 14:17. The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. John 16:8. If the sinner under conviction yields to the Sinbearer, he is drawn by the Spirit to the Son. John 6:44. Then he is born of the Spirit. John 3:5.

As no one can work for salvation, which is a free gift from God, no one can work for the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit by the hearing of The Faith. Galatians 3:2. The Holy Spirit is given unto believers. Romans 5:5. Therefore we do not have to agonize or go through physical contortions or have others put hands on us in order to receive the Holy Spirit. I pray I am being clear on this! It’s important.

Notice the three persons of the Trinity in these verses: “Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” 2 Cor. 1:21-22. The proof that we are in Christ, is the Spirit in our hearts. By this Spirit we are sealed when we BELIEVE. Ephesians 1:13. “After that ye believed” in this verse is properly translated from the original, “having believed”

No Christian is ever sealed because of an interval between the time of believing and the time of sealing; but every Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit, because he believes the Gospel of Grace of his salvation. Moreover he is sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30.

No Christian could possibly have the experience of the certain disciples whom Paul met in Ephesus. They had previously received John’s message and baptism, which have had no place in the Body of Christ since that time. Acts 19:1-5. Paul’s question should be correctly translated, “Having believed, received ye the Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2. Take NOTE: The anointing which the believer receives when first he believes abides in him. 1 John 2:27.

There is one Spirit and one baptism. Ephesians 4:4. When an individual is born into the family of God, by the work of the Holy Spirit, he is taken into, and made a member of the Body of Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit which puts the believer into the Body of Christ is called, “Baptized in or by the Holy Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:13.

People who call themselves Christians are doing all sorts of peculiar things today in an effort to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. Some are being taught that believers receive the Holy Spirit WITH them when saved by faith in the finished work of God, repentance and water baptism; and then they must pray and tarry and yield for a second work of grace in order to receive the Holy Spirit IN them. THIS teaching is contrary to the Word of God and has wrecked the faith and sanity of many converted people.

Some of these false teachers often quote the experience of Peter and the Eleven who were saved with Christ in the days of His flesh, and then were baptized by the Holy Spirit after His resurrection. Let us remember that they were His disciples before His death, that is, before the Holy Spirit was given. John 7:39. They were with Him while He was under The Law, preaching the Kingdom of Heaven message to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Galatians 4:4. Matthew 10:1-5. Those disciples had the unique experience of living, as disciples of Jesus, before His death and resurrection in the Old Testament and also after His resurrection in the New Testament.

As it would be impossible historically to have such an experience today, it would likewise be impossible for any believer to have their experience in receiving the Holy Spirit as an act subsequent to regeneration or conversion.

Now, the Christian, who is sealed with the Holy Spirit, can grieve the Holy Spirit and can quench the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30. 1 Thessalonians 5:19. It is the duty of every Christian to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16. All Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit but very few of them are walking in the Spirit in the degree that they should. When a Christian walks in the Spirit he manifests the Fruit of the Spirit, against which there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. He fulfills the righteousness of the law. Romans 8:4.

All true Christians have been baptized by the Holy Spirit, but how few today are obeying the Word of God in this command, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18. The Christian who has the sweetest fellowship with the LORD, who experiences the greatest joy of salvation, who serves God with the greatest power, who triumphs over the world, the flesh and the devil, is the one who is filled with the Holy Spirit.

The believer is thus filled just in the proportion that he is yielded to the will and way of the LORD in worship, prayer, Bible study, testimony, and practical Christian service.

Tarrying Meetings for members of the Body of Christ to receive the Holy Spirit are unscriptural. However, Prayer Meetings for an increase of The Faith, willingness and obedience to receive the power of Ephesians 1:19-23 are altogether Scriptural. No believer receives the Holy Spirit on the installment plan. Believers filled with the Holy Spirit will exalt Christ.

During the “Acts” period, the thirty plus years from Acts 1:1 to Acts 28:31, there were several baptisms, “Holy Spirit baptism” in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, “water baptism” and “baptism into the death of Christ” Acts 2:16-38. Acts 19:1-7. Romans 6:3-4. Joel prophesied concerning the “last days” particularly concerning Israel’s kingdom age. Joel 2:28-30, concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, will not be fulfilled during this “grace” period. Whatever we may have in mind when we speak of Holy Spirit baptism, let us never forget that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is a once‑for‑all anointing. 1 John 2:27; that the sealing, anointing and baptism, of, in, or by, the Holy Spirit is always a past experience with the true Child of God!

Compare the “death” baptism of Christ in Luke 12:50 with the baptism of Romans 6:3, Colossians 2:12 and Ephesians 4:5.

“But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified” John 7:39.

Read carefully 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:11 and see how the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit precedes justification and salvation.

“What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are NOT YOUR OWN? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Child of God and the Holy Spirit - Pastor David

The Holy Spirit bears witness of the resurrection of the sonship of the believer. Romans 8:16 . He is the assurance of the believer of his incorruptible inheritance at the coming of the LORD. Ephesians 1:14 . Therefore he is the witness of the return of the LORD. Ephesians 4:30 .