The photo features a Latter Day Saints (LDS/Mormon) baptism pool in the Temple at Salt Lake City, Utah
Today, points are shared on church architecture, water baptism, and becoming a full member within a sacred body. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “marquinishia” (Level 1 with 6 points, a member since May 21, 2015) posted the following:
Why do churches have an indoor pool behind the pastor?
It was hot during service last Sunday. Why didn't the pastor open up the pool for us? This is my second time going to service.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8: 1-10, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Baptism and Sacred Practices? (06/02/2017); ...Gathered In My Name (05/29/2017); Operations of Christian Faith (04/28/2017); The Extravagance of Love? (04/02/2017); Spirit Content From GOD? (09/26/2016); Going to Church Before Baptism? (05/05/2015); Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015)
“marquinishia”, the pool you see is not for amusement, entertainment, leisure, or play. Water baptism is a “sacrament” (i.e., sacred practice) to make visible otherwise unseen operations performed by the Holy Spirit that transform sinners to exist as members of the church created by Jesus Christ. There must be the death and burial of ones inborn spirit with rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak. A baptism font is used in those settings where the physical actions to establish a person as “born again” require only that they be sprinkled with water. A standing pool for baptism is used where the complete immersion of the candidate for membership is required. Here, rivers and running water may be preferred, for they convey the washing away of sins more correctly than standing pools that will stagnate and accumulate uncleanness.
The differences we see when viewing the places of assembly for Christian worship often indicate differences in their doctrines and sacred practices. Because the pattern of things in heaven were copied by Moses, Ezra, King Solomon and others when raising up the Tabernacle and the Temple, many modern day church groups use devices and images described in the holy writings. Assemblies that promote family life, community service, and missionary outreach may seek to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere by using plush carpets, casual seating, and audio-visual aides such as flat screen TV. By contrast, congregations devoted to prayer, preaching, and proclaiming prophecy often are austere and plain. They may feature a pulpit raised above the people to display the speaker; the speaker may appear alone on a platform that has a book stand that serves as a “sacred desk;” or the speaker, being on the same level as those gathered, may go in and out among those attending in order to establish more intimate contact with the believers.
Those who are “born again” as Christian believers must also “grow up again,” endure “growing pains,” and become mature in commitment, discernment, service, and understanding. While such believers will be accounted as a new creation, a son or daughter of GOD, and a joint-heir with Christ, the developing believers must become ripe (we say, mature) for harvesting by the Lord at his appearing (we say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming). Believers are to increasingly display an endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD. Included are faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Romans 6: 3-7, King James Version (KJV): 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 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.
(2.) Acts 19: 2-7, KJV: 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.
(3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 6: 8-13, KJV: 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment