(10/04/2020) A Matter Of Self-will?

A depiction of Jesus Christ acknowledging GOD the Father at Gethsemane.

Today, reply is on the opposition against divinity that resides within mankind through self-will. Human obedience, respect, reverence, and submission to GOD often appear to be predicated on mankind’s willful acceptance and insistence that human traits appear within the divine fullness. It is more consistent with the holy writings that mankind be recognized as a vessel containing divine deposits and endowments from the makeup of GOD. It is by mutuality of a divine character, consecrated presence, and a sacred nature that there are opportunities and possibilities for clear accord, and ongoing communication between the Creator and the created. Discussions of the sacred duty, sacrifice, and unselfishness carried out by Jesus Christ also require affirmation of divinity demonstrating consecrated grace, expressing divine prerogative, fulfilling eternal purpose, suppressing self-will, and manifesting the sovereign will of GOD. Within Christ, sacrifice is no longer a matter of formal ceremony and ritual, rather it is an act of dedication, lovingkindness through judgment, sanctification, and voluntary surrender. It is written: Psalms 40: 5-10, King James Version (KJV): 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

'Jesus was a willing sacrifice': can anyone please explain what this means?

Did he feel he was doing something good by allowing people to execute him?

Was it not a pre-decided or predetermined outcome, just some events, and a guy accepting that he will be executed, and not trying to avoid it, even though he could have?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26: 42, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Character Must Appear (08/13/2020); Divine Process and Substance (06/24/2020); Spiritual Integrity and Maturity (05/12/2020); Divine Fruit From Suffering? (12/19/2018); Yes, Jesus Did Die (04/01/2018); Comparing Sacred and Secular (03/15/2018); His Suffering At Gethsemane (03/12/2018)

“Anonymous”, the focus must be on self-will and its place in determining the integrity of human existence. Among mature Christian believers the transgression (i.e., violation of sacred law; sin) committed by Adam should be seen as an expression of the life essence and sacred substance imparted to mankind from the makeup of divinity as well as a display of the content of human consciousness and self-will (willpower). Inseparable aspects of divinity were provided to man that included balance, commitment, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Although GOD has not put forth any aspect or spirit of sin, divinity shares in the accountability humanity must acknowledge for the origins of sin. The male and female existed as an appearance of divine authority and power, and as an expression of sacred love, yet, the pair were subject to mechanical process and natural law. Following the sin of Adam, the priesthood being carried out within heaven then was made available on the earth using divine operations for atonement, expiation, remission, and sacrifice that made visible the otherwise unseen operations of GOD through divine grace and the Holy Spirit. Divinity appeared on the earth using the form and life process of humanity (we say, the Incarnation as Jesus Christ) to demonstrate to mankind the authentic process and substance for fulfilling the demands (sanctions) of divine law (death) as well as for human repentance, rebirth, reconciliation, and for man to exist as the new creation. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

(1.) Romans 5: 10-15, King James Version (KJV): 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

(2.) Romans 5: 18-21, KJV: 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

(3.) 1^st Timothy 3: 16, KJV: 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

(4.) Hebrews 10: 12-18, KJV: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVAh6OSrtfE.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:10 PM, October 03, 2020 @ http://blog.peacebewithu.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Matthew-26-42.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/06/2019) To Fulfill All Righteousness

Today, reply is on baptism as a divine witness displaying the character and makeup of divinity, resurrection, eternal life, and righteousness, rather than ceremonies, exercising authority over others, obedience, and the letter of the law. The forms of baptism depict a range of sacred operations that include absolution, atonement, judgment, refreshing, remission for sin, and restoration. Baptism does not complete the full transformation and perfecting of mankind to exist as immortal and incorruptible. Even so, the importance and sacred value of baptism is on record as inarguable. It is written: 1^st John 5: 9-12, King James Version (KJV): 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Norine” (Level 1 with 11 points, a member since October 01, 2019) posted the following:

Why when knowing only the baptism of John when there is a more perfect way of God do you continue in water baptism (Acts 18:25-26)?

Update: JOHN SAID IN JOHN 1:33

"...HE SENT ***ME*** TO BAPTIZE WITH WITH WATER...[BUT] THE SAME IS ((( HE ))) WHICH ((( BAPTIZETH ))) WITH THE HOLY GHOST."

ACTS 19:4 SAYS "JOHN BAPTIZED WITH WATER WITH A BAPTISM OF ((( REPENTANCE ))) >>>BELIEVING THAT JESUS IS COMING"<<<

IS THAT WHERE TODAY'S "CHRISTIANS" ARE; >>>"BELIEVING THAT JESUS IS COMING"<<< CONTINUING IN A BELIEF OF A WATER BAPTISM THAT WAS DONE ((( UNDER THE LAW )))???

THE GOLDEN ARROW: If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5: 31-39, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Through Faith And Patience (10/02/2019); Following The Apostle Paul (09/24/2019); Now Are Ye Light (09/18/2019); Focus On Things Revealed (09/12/2019); Life Because of Righteousness (08/29/2019); Our Displays of Divinity (06/19/2019); Baptism Is Not DIY (05/28/2019); The Testimony From Jesus (08/05/2016)

Norine”, trusting that yours is a case of “gradual growth,” not one of “ever learning and never coming into the knowledge of the truth,” the continuation of water baptism among mature Christian believers is established by “the testimony of Jesus.” All who tarried in the Upper Room, and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, first received water baptism, just as Jesus himself. Baptism that appears by the operations and visitation of the Holy Spirit is distinct from that carried out and performed as a ceremony and ritual manifesting the faith of men. The two are not interchangeable, nor does one cancel the other. In the same way multiple gifts of the Spirit are bestowed by divinity within the church that do not annul or eliminate divine law, adoption of the Spirit and other sacred operations complement one another, and are to edify the church. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Matthew 3: 13-17, King James Version (KJV): 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(2.) 2^nd Corinthians 5: 20-21, KJV: 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

(3.) Romans 10: 2-4, KJV: 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Revelation 19: 9-11, KJV: 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 2:46 AM, October 06, 2019 @ https://www.pccmonroe.org/from-death-unto-life.html

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(08/12/2015) The Ordinance of Humility?

Discernment, humility, and acknowledging divinity that resides within others by providing sacrificial service are themes, today.  No one desires the role as a menial who must clean up after the unpleasantness and vomit of a drunken master.  Yet, by completing their work efficiently, patiently and without complaint, a servant becomes distinguished and set apart as exceptional, indispensable, and priceless.  In the same way every parent becomes further bound emotionally and psychologically to their child by enduring the discomfort, embarrassment, shame and uncleanness of repeatedly having to be in contact with the child’s feces and urine by changing their diapers, Christian believers are further bound spiritually to one another through various ceremonies, patterns and rituals of the church for cleansing, exchange, fellowship, work and shared worship.  The child’s need is for more than simply adornment to hide its nakedness.  The soiled diaper becomes a sack of acid bound to its flesh; and their cries are to be heard as genuine calls for comfort, deliverance, life, relief, and salvation.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID Kelly (Level 1 with 100 points, a member since March 03, 2013) posted the following:


Why would someone want to wash my feet - foot washing?

I took care of my mother when she passed, both the leading up to and the moments until her death. After she passed my brother asked to wash my feet. (hes a 7 days Adventist)
What does this actually mean? What was he reasons and what was he thinking?
Was he washing my sins away? should i be offended because he felt i did something wrong? and if not why shouldn't i be worried?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:  for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (1st Peter 5:  2-11, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Prayer Behavior? (04/07/2015); Humility Needed for Salvation? (08/15/2014); False Angels of Light? (08/16/2014); Origin of Baptism? (06/22/2013); Money-changers in The Temple? (06/23/2013); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012)


“Kelly”, foot-washing (called the Ordinance of Humility) is a simple practice among Christian believers having exalted spirit content and focus because it continues the offering of Abraham to divinity in visitation, and is completed through operations of the Holy Spirit like baptism and the Lord’s Supper (some say, Communion).  Foot-washing (1) further reveals and imparts to believers the character and nature within the persons of GODhead; (2) makes visible the elements for eternal relationship with divinity that go beyond obedience to sacred law (e.g., compassion, faith, forbearance, gentleness, humility, longsuffering, love, respect, and righteousness); and (3) establishes the active presence of Christ within the body as well as within the individual awareness and self-will of believers.  Fruitfulness and unity for the body turns upon how we acknowledge and respond to one another as co-laborers under GOD.  Here are a few points from the holy writings that usually help believers understand these ideas:

(1.)  Proverbs 15:  32-33, King James Version (KJV):  32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul:  but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.  33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

(2.)  Genesis 18:  1-4, KJV:  1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre:  and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;  2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him:  and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,  3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:  4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

(3.)  Psalms 19:  12-14, KJV:  12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me:  then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

(4.)  Colossians 3:  9-15, KJV:  9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:  but Christ is all, and in all.  12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

(5.)  John 13:  1-6, KJV:  1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.  2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;  3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;  4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

(6.)  John 13:  6-10, KJV:  6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter:  and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.  Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit:  and ye are clean, but not all.

There is far more that should be said, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account.  (For example (7.)  John 13:  12-17, KJV:  12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  13 Ye call me Master and Lord:  and ye say well; for so I am.  14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/27/2015) The Living Baptized for the Dead?

Today, various actions carried out by the living on behalf of the dead are in view.  In Scripture, the dead are buried or mourned, and there are no mentions of ceremonies and rituals for their salvation.  The living may become anointed, committed, consecrated, dedicated, devoted, and sanctified.  The living may memorialize, respect and venerate the deceased, yet may not change the status of the dead in divine judgment.  Trusting that nothing is impossible with GOD, many have advanced teachings that the Church can issue indulgences and pardons for sins committed by both the living and those deceased (e.g., www.theguardian.com › World › Pope Francis The Guardian Jul 16, 2013 - Papal court handling pardons for sins says contrite Catholics may win 'indulgences' by following World Youth Day on Twitter.).  Contrary to the serpent’s word, Ye shall not surely die, the dead are not alive in a place of torment where they may receive the ministry of Jesus Christ (suggested by 1st Peter 3:  18-20, King James Version, KJV).  More correctly, focus should be upon faith that is to be seen as an eternal living element of divinity imparted to the living.  Black arts, occult practices, exaggerated remembrances for the dead, and necromancy (communicating with the dead to influence and predict events among the living) are forbidden.  Christians do not accept the account of King Saul calling up the spirit of the Prophet Samuel as a genuine example of operations by GOD; rather, it is spiritualism and witchcraft (1st Samuel 28:  9-19, KJV).  Even so, mature believers firmly hold that the dead in Christ shall be transformed as they are resurrected and lifted up to be with the Lord at his coming to harvest the earth (1st Thessalonians 4:  16-18, KJV).  In his blog A CHRISTIAN VIEW published at WordPress.com, Steve Finnell regularly provides a brief bible-based consideration of issues and questions that pertain to Christian belief.  On Thursday, March 26, 2015 (1:41 AM), Steve shared the following:


What is the meaning of baptized for the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

I am not the first, nor will I be the last to admit I do not know the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:29, however, I do know what Paul was not trying to communicate. He was not implying that the dead can be baptized, by proxy, using a living person.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood:  neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.  Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.  Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you:  I am the LORD.  (Leviticus 19:  26-28, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Harrowing of Hell? (02/10/2015); The Sin Covered By Salvation? (12/28/2014); Only While We Live? (12/02/2013); Reveal Himself To All (12/03/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); If You Are Sent…? (06/08/2013); After the Rapture? (11/01/2012); Opportunity to Repent (11/02/2012)


“Steve”, I agree with your point that there is no baptism by proxy taught in the Scriptures.  Here are a few points that were stirred by the Spirit within me as I began to reflect upon your testimony:

(1.)  In responding to a question by the Sadducees (regarding a woman married to seven brothers, and whose wife she will be in the resurrection) Jesus declared that the Father is a god of the living.  GOD maintains eternal promise to the dead through their offspring, the living.  Consider again:  Matthew 22:  31-33 (KJV):  31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,  32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.  33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Isaiah 63:  15-16 (KJV):  15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?  16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not:  thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Romans 4:  12-14 (KJV):  12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.  13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Galatians 3:  6-8 (KJV):  6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

(2.)  While Abraham is said to be alive, David is not; and the curse he incurred appears in Solomon and Rehoboam.  See again Acts 2:  29 (KJV):  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

(3.)  A prayer in the holy writings that was offered by the Prophet Daniel is often respected as a model like that of the Lord’s Prayer.  Daniel’s supplication includes confession of need and sins committed by those already dead.  However, Daniel does not petition on behalf of the dead so much as for the divine Name.  See once more Daniel 9:  16-17 (KJV):  16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain:  because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.  17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

(4.)  The dead are all given opportunity to respond to the claims of divinity only while alive.  See Psalms 115:  16-18 (KJV):  16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s:  but the earth hath he given to the children of men.  17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.  18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

Isaiah 38:  18-20 (KJV):  18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee:  they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.  19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day:  the father to the children shall make known thy truth.  20 The LORD was ready to save me:  therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 9:  5-6 (KJV):  For the living know that they shall die:  but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.  6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

(5.)  Because the acknowledgment of GOD is not dependent only upon the specific statements of doctrine and law that were generated and developed through the covenant of Moses, those who died before Deity appeared upon the earth in the person of Jesus Christ, also have place with GOD through the provisions of the cross.  Salvation is the acknowledgement that their actions, attitudes and behavior continued to display the righteousness that identifies the divine nature.  Consider again Romans 8:  3 (KJV):  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Acts 13:  38-39 (KJV):  38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

1st Peter 4:  3-8 (KJV):  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  7 But the end of all things is at hand:  be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:  for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  The full provisions and teachings for salvation have been revealed gradually over time.  Yet, divinity has remained immutable and unchanging.  See Romans 6:  16-18 (KJV):  16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  Also Romans 8:  8-10 (KJV):  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.  10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/22/2015) Partially Baptized?

A believer poses a personal question about their own baptism experience, today.  Surely, the only answer to the question “Have you been baptized?” must be a firm “yes” or “no” that will also state ones acceptance of Jesus Christ as their own redeemer and savior. “I don’t know,” “maybe”, and “perhaps” are totally unacceptable. The single word used to reply will reveal the measure they contain of such elements as faith, holiness, love, maturity, respect, sacred knowledge, trust, and other spirit content from divinity.   The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Mark” (Level 1 with 46 points, a member since January 16, 2015) posted the following:


Is it a sin to get Baptized twice?

I got Baptized about 10 years ago at around the age of 13. My Baptism took place in a Church swimming pool and there was a few of us getting Baptized that night.
Shortly afterwards my Mum told me she thought she saw my nose was above the water during the Baptism.
what does it mean if during my Baptism that my nose was above the water and not beneath it ?
Also if I got re-Baptized is that a sin to god or blaspheming the Holy Spirit?
please answer both my question's. God Bless


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  (Romans 5:  1-6, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  To Walk As He Walked? (11/16/2014);  To Continue In His Footsteps (11/17/2014); A Fallen Nature? (09/01/2014); In the Likeness of His Resurrection (09/02/2014); Inseparables? (07/15/2014); On Christians Being Inclusive? (07/16/2014); A Formula for Baptism? (06/30/2014)


“Mark”, I bypassed your question before.  However, I now think you truly are concerned and need a sound answer, so I hope you will consider the following points:

(1.)  Water baptism as a ceremony or ritual within a community of faith is an outward display that signals the unseen operations of divinity.  Rightly understood, baptism is a sacred process carried out by the same Spirit that established the firmament of heaven and earth, and was breathed into Adam.  In this sense, baptism does not depend upon human awareness or self-will, the amount of water applied (whether immersed, splashed, or sprinkled), and whether the water was running (as in a river) or standing (as in a pool).  Some argue the differences are important, however, the thought at the core of their thinking is, only running water carries away sin(?)—where a higher idea is needed:  only faith, conviction, and new divine substance establish death and its removal of sin, rebirth, and new life.

(2.)  As one born again, the ideas and understandings of our natural mothers, other family, co-workers and friends must have less influence, because they may still be based upon carnal, material and social truth, rather than upon our own measure of faith.  A new relationship with GOD through Christ must come into effect.  The authority once placed in parents and pastors should now indwell you.  All believers must learn to practice discernment (ability to use their own spirit content to recognize and respond to the divine spirit contained in events, objects and other persons).  Increasingly, ones experiences must be gauged against the standards provided through sacred knowledge, fellowship with other mature believers, and unselfish service.  

(3.)  Believers should not accept baptism without first preparing themselves through prayer and study of the holy writings that will clarify its meaning, purpose, and value.  Many believers understand baptism as an act to cleanse that may be repeated periodically, like foot-washing.  Others believe new baptism is appropriate when one arrives at a new level of spiritual comprehension, and makes a new life commitment.  Still others feel that baptism is like bathing, you get a bath whenever you feel the need.  Such baptisms are a matter of conscience; however, we are warned our conscience can become seared (closed, sealed) allowing nothing to be leaked or lost, yet, allowing nothing to enter.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Before Jesus was arrested, he washed the feet of eleven apostles after one had gone out.  Peter was outraged that the Lord would debase himself and behave like a servant, and make himself unclean.  Jesus told him, where I do not wash your feet, you have no part with me.  Peter then insisted, Be sure to get my hands and head!  Jesus said, no more is needed than that I wash your feet.  Focus your understanding upon the operations of Christ as our savior.  Willingly receive instruction, however, do not entertain any accusation that comes against your faith.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC