Freely You Have Received; Freely Give.

Freely You Have Received; Freely Give. Protestants are not responsible for the sins of Roman popes and clergy, They are responsible for their own sins. The RCC was so oppressive to the laity and usurious that it's "lay" people were more than eager to leave her in 1517. Especially when Luther exposed that through faith we receive by the gift the grace of salvation to everlasting life. Will this our saving faith die if we do not serve the Lord? Can dead faith be resurrected? Leave those questions unanswered and simply strive personally and in the church both actively and doctrinally for the establishment and maintenance of Good works, those works "which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10).

What has become History until this very day we call the past. No past act good or evil can be altered. But we can forgive one another, even our enemies, as Christ did forgive us while we were still sinners. Catholics can forgive those they call Protestants, even Martin Luther himself. Non Catholics can forgive Catholics, even those who martyred the Huguenots and the Waldenses. Jewish Christians can forgive the RCC and the EOC and others for the pogroms and the holocaust which murdered and martyred their Jewish families and friends. You can forgive me!

According to an excellent Bible teacher, not forgiving others is the quickest way to get in trouble with God. That persuades me that the quickest way to get out of trouble with the Almighty is to forgive, to forgive quickly and to forgive all who offend you, all who cause your love for them to fade.

Forgive as the judge you became when they offended you. Show them mercy from your bench. Do it in spite of your strong desire to punish them. Do unto them as you would have them or any man do unto you. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Remain their judge and you may incur the same wrath you desire fall on them.

BAPTISM A "starter" study.

BAPTISM

Do we understand what being baptized means? Why are we baptized? John baptized with water for repentance. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus sent the apostles baptizing those they made disciples in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

1. in water

2. In the Holy Spirit and  fire

3. in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

This is also the chronology of baptism, first by John in water, second by Jesus in the Holy Ghost and fire in the upper on Shavuot (Pentecost) and third in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit by the apostles. 

Are we to be baptized in all three? Are there three baptisms? No.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.” (Eph 4:4-6)

But there are three features of baptism: 
1. Repentance
2. empowerment

3. the Name(s)

There are 5 words greek words we should know: G907, G908 , G909 , G910 , G911 .

1. G907

βαπτίζω ~ baptizō ~ bap-tid’-zo :: From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: - baptist, baptize, wash.
Total KJV occurrences: 80
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g907/kjv/tr/0-1/

2. G908
βάπτισμα ~ baptisma ~ bap’-tis-mah :: From G907; baptism (technically or figuratively): - baptism.
Total KJV occurrences: 22
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g908/kjv/tr/0-1/

3. G909
βαπτισμός ~ baptismos ~ bap-tis-mos’ :: From G907; ablution (ceremonially or Christian): - baptism, washing.
Total KJV occurrences: 4
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g909/kjv/tr/0-1/

4. G910
Βαπτιστής ~ Baptistēs ~ bap-tis-tace’ :: From G907; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ’s forerunner: - Baptist.
Total KJV occurrences: 14
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g910/kjv/tr/0-1/

5. G911
βάπτω ~ baptō ~ bap’-to :: A primary verb; to whelm, that is, cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or specific sense, that is, (literally) to moisten (a part of one’s person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye): - dip.
Total KJV occurrences: 3
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g911/kjv/tr/0-1/

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



1. G907 baptizō baptize

[Mat 3:11, 14 KJV] 11 I indeed baptize[G907] you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize[G907] you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: ... 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized[G907] of thee, and comest thou to me?

[Mar 1:8 KJV] 8 I indeed have baptized[G907] you with water: but he shall baptize[G907] you with the Holy Ghost.

[Luk 7:29 KJV] 29 And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized[G907] with the baptism of John.

[Act 10:47 KJV] 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should[G907][G0] not be baptized,[G907] which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Outline of Biblical Usage 

1.to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)

2.to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe

3. to overwhelm

2. G908    baptisma  baptism

[Mat 3:7 KJV] 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism,[G908] he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

[Mat 20:22 KJV] 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism[G908] that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

[Mar 11:30 KJV] 30 The baptism[G908] of John, was [it] from heaven, or of men? answer me.

[Luk 3:3 KJV] 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism[G908] of repentance for the remission of sins;

[Act 19:4 KJV] 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism[G908] of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

[Rom 6:4 KJV] 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism[G908] 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.

[Eph 4:5 KJV] 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,[G908]

Outline of Biblical Usage 

1.immersion, submersion

1. of calamities and afflictions with which one is quite overwhelmed
2. of John's baptism, that purification rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to spiritual reformation, obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified for the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom soon to be set up. This was valid Christian baptism, as this was the only baptism the apostles received and it is not recorded anywhere that they were ever rebaptised after Pentecost.
3. of Christian baptism; a rite of immersion in water as commanded by Christ, by which one after confessing his sins and professing his faith in Christ, having been born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life, identifies publicly with the fellowship of Christ and the church.

3. G909   baptismos  washing(s)

[Mar 7:4, 8 KJV] 4 And [when they come] from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, [as] the washing[G909] of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. ... 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing[G909] of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

[Heb 9:10 KJV] 10 [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings,[G909] and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

Outline of Biblical Usage 

1. a washing, purification effected by means of water

1. of washing prescribed by the Mosaic law (Heb 9:10) which seems to mean an exposition of the difference between the washings prescribed by the Mosaic law and Christian baptism

4. G910  Baptistēs  Baptist

[Mat 3:1 KJV] 1  In those days came John the Baptist,[G910] preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

[Mar 8:28 KJV] 28 And they answered, John the Baptist:[G910] but some [say], Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

[Luk 7:28 KJV] 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:[G910] but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Outline of Biblical Usage 

1. a baptiser

2. one who administers the rite of baptism

3. the surname of John, the forerunner of Christ

5. G911  bapto  dip

[Luke 16:24 KJV] 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip[G911] the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

[John 13:26 KJV] 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped[G911] [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.

[Revelation 19:13 KJV] 13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped[G911] in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 

Outline of Biblical Usage 

1. to dip, dip in, immerse

2 to dip into dye, to dye, colour

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

From the Blue Letter Bible RE: G911 and G907 this note:

 

“Not to be confused with 907, baptizo. 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 'baptised' (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 baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.”    [Italics underlines and bold font added]


This note is most interesting as boiling water requires fire. The water of christian baptism is not boiling but repentance is and/or ought to be a permanent change. Would Jesus baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire not bring change? Recipes for pickles a different than they were in 200BC. Now the cucumbers are placed In jars and sealed. 

When wool is dyed before being spun into thread (as opposed to after it is spun or woven into fabric), the color is profound and likely to last a very long time. From this we can infer the metaphorical meaning of the idiom dyed in the wool, which means profoundly, deeply ingrained, or to an extreme degree. It’s usually used in describing a person’s political, cultural, or religious beliefs or to emphasize their commitment to something.

IT IS IMPORTANT VERY! TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT BAPTISM IN CHRIST CONCERNS ARE THE PROMISES OF GOD IN PARTICULAR THE PROMISE OF EVERLASTING LIFE. IF GOD CANNOT KEEP HIS PROMISE THEN WE ARE WITHOUT HOPE IN THE WORLD. BUT THE DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST VALIDATE HIS PLAN, POWER, INTEGRITY AND SURE PROMISES. IF A MAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS, IT SHOWS PAUL CORRECT WHEN HE WROTE:

“... for all men have not faith.” (2Th 3:2)

Now we who have faith face the default challenge of exercising our faith day to dayin a difficult world.  God works with us and our brethren to perfect us in holiness and difficulties are a key part of the process. . If we exert ourselves to cooperate with God and each other in this enterprise.*1 A popular saw in the last century church says we "Christians have three enemies, the world the flesh and the devil." To receive Christ is to have all three enemies defeated. 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Co 5:17)

Another saying "Get down on your knees and fight like a man." 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2Co 10:3-5)

We must believe God has answered our every need. If it seems otherwise:

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:31-33)

Having all this we need only to learn contentment.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Heb 13:5-6)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1Ti 6:6-8)

We may seem impoverished in some way, we may be suffering for sins past or ongoing. But my prayer is that we do make progress, pilgrim's progress. God is able, more than able to carry us through to eternal safety. We can risk whatever and all we have for the Lord and the gospel. 

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Pe 1:3-4)

I must admit that escaping "the corruption that is in the world through lust" seems to me a state of perfection unattainable in this life. Nevertheless it is a goal and one I believe of the utmost importance. Is it possible for me to attain a life here and now free of the corruption of lust? Corruption is so pervasive, so ubiquitous. It make me think it would be better to be deaf and blind. Yet corruption touches the deaf and the blind. But whatever ...

*1
EN'TERPRISE, noun s as z. That which is undertaken, or attempted to be performed; an attempt; a project attempted; particularly, a bold, arduous or hazardous undertaking, either physical or moral. The attack on Stoney-Point was a bold, but successful enterprise The attempts to evangelize the heathen are noble enterprises.

Their hands cannot perform their enterprise Job 5:12.