(10/12/2018) Baptized For The Dead?

Today, reply is on death, marriage, and water baptism as a divine tool for continuing and extending life through ones heir. For many, water baptism is a divine process wherein sinners experience birth, and begin a new life having divine DNA, so to speak. More correct, however, is the understanding that sinners are granted a new death, and will exist as joint heirs with Jesus Christ, joined to him through his resurrection from the dead. Because, according to covenant law, the primary heir receives a double portion of the goods and property that belonged to the deceased, the heirs are equipped to complete the unfinished business of the dead, and continue or create a new name (reputation) for the dead. Redemption, therefore, may be understood as the recovery of ones sacred inheritance, family name, and reputation for righteousness through the interventions of a kinsman and joint heir. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum using the ID “Granny Norine” (Level 1 with 19 points, a member since May 16, 2014) posted the following:

What does I Corinthians 15:29 mean in comparison to Romans 6:3-4?

Update: SCRIPTURE (((WITNESSES))) SCRIPTURE! YOU (((MUST))) BE "RESURRECTED" FROM YOUR "DEAD SPIRIT" (ROMANS 5:12) "BY WHICH ALSO YE ARE (((SAVED)))..." (I CORINTHIANS 15:2) (V17) "AND IF CHRIST BE NOT RAISED, YOUR FAITH IS VAIN; YE ARE (((YET))) IN YOUR SINS."

Update 2: YOU CANT (((CHANGE))) THE WORD OF GOD! YOU CAN DENY IT, BUT YOU'RE A LYING HYPOCRITE WHO IS (((THE ANTICHRIST)))!!!

THE GOLDEN ARROW: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3: 1-7, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Baptism, Rebirth, and Resurrection (09/18/2018); What Divine Salvation Requires (05/15/2018); Firstborn Of Every Creature (05/09/2018); “I Am The Resurrection” (03/25/2018); Redemption Through Ordinary Flesh? (04/20/2017); The Firstborn of GOD (01/02/2017); Sin Also Made Incarnate? (04/25/2016)

“GRANNY NORINE”, here are some points mature Christian believers are careful to consider when reading 1^st Corinthians 15: 29, King James Version (KJV): 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

1. Bearing children for the dead and the duty of Levirate marriage (a brother marries the widowed sister-in-law, and impregnates her to provide an heir to the deceased) was used as a device to maintain and stabilize the economy of Israel as a covenant nation. The transformation for the 12 nomadic tribes of Jacob required divine allotments and patterns for inheritance that were to be preserved forever. Conflicts, disputes and tribal warfare over the ownership of the land would be eliminated.

2. The family name of a man who died childless and without an heir would cease to appear in the records and roles of Israel. Having no heir he would be the last to receive the blessing of GOD granted to his ancestor; and the entire line would be “cut off” from their people.

3. Water baptism makes visible more than a divine, unseen removal and washing away of ones sins. There is the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead for ones inborn spirit. Thus, baptism for the dead is a form of rebirth that provides a family name and reputation with a new life.

The following points are helpful when reading Romans 6: 3-4, 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.

1. Just as the birth of Jesus Christ was a sacred event (we say, miracle), the rebirth and transformation of a sinner to exist as a companion to divinity, an offspring of GOD, and a joint heir with the Lord is also a sacred event. In the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the savior is conceived through the Holy Spirit within the body of a virgin, and thereby joined to mankind. Similarly, spirit content from the makeup of GOD and Christ is imparted to live within the sinner, who is thereby joined to Christ.

2. Rather than being joined to Christ through an act of reproduction or his birth, the sinner who is released from sin through death is joined to Christ by his―not their own―resurrection.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 3. Through baptism sinners receive divine seed (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom) from the makeup of GOD, are “born again,” and must “grow up again” becoming mature/ripe for harvest at the Advent of Jesus (the Second Coming). As “developing believers” these followers of Christ receive a new name (reputation), and are his “new creation.”) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/05/2015) Going to Church Before Baptism?

Water baptism, church attendance, commitment and relationships are topics, today.  Believers do not enter baptism because they “know it all” already, rather, because they are willing to learn and become perfected through the operations of GOD.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “grace” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since May 5, 2015) posted the following:


Do you have to go to church every Sunday before you can be baptised?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  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.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  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.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (Romans 6:  1-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Forced To Attend Church? (02/22/2015); GOD Lives Inside Us? (07/11/2014); Can the Word of GOD Be Altered? (07/12/2014); Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); The Rich in Divine Relationship? (11/29/2013); Church is Good? (06/15/2013); Feeling Loved By GOD? (06/16/2013)


“grace”, most Christian believers would agree that church attendance is an irreplaceable aspect of preparing for baptism.  Consider the following:

(1.)  The candidate for baptism is making a permanent commitment to acknowledge divinity through their awareness and self-will by conforming to sacred law and standards made visible through such behavior as giving, learning, offering, praise, prayer, serving, sharing and worshiping within a community of dedicated believers.

(2.)  The person choosing to be baptized is developing a personal relationship with Deity by inviting GOD to alter their inner makeup and the nature of their spirit content.  In addition to acquiring godly knowledge and carrying out sacred practices (we say, duties, sacraments) that explain and introduce aspects of the new life, a believer is encouraged to receive Jesus Christ engaging the Savior by such elements as  confession, gratitude, hope, humility, repentance, respect, speaking the truth, and trust.

(3.)  Correctly understood, the church itself is an appearance of divinity and Spirit.  Thus, a person’s understanding must be transformed to use the holy writings along with aspects of their own spirit makeup as their only standard to discern, recognize, and respond to spirit matter in events, messages, other persons, etc.   The church, then, is not merely a building, an institution, a political organization, or a social center.  It is a place set apart (we say, sanctified) for the abiding presence of divinity, where believers may experience communion and direct encounters with GOD.

(4.)  Before baptism, believers should become aware of the ongoing operation of sin within their own lives as well as through the world.  Sin has not been created by GOD, and contains no divine spirit, yet, sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of Deity, and of all divine order.  Correct knowledge of the “exceeding sinfulness of sin” further allows comprehending the fullness of Grace and divine love.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Given that baptism is more than simply a cleansing or washing by water of ones outside performed by other human beings, and represents the death, burial, and rebirth to new life, baptism must be understood as elimination of sin and inward purification performed by the same exalted Spirit that established heaven and earth, and was breathed into Adam at Creation.)  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

(04/18/2014) To Accomplish A Sacred Goal

Many are celebrating Good Friday, today, by observing sacraments of humiliation such as foot washing; others are observing the third day for the Feast of Unleavened Bread that celebrates the exodus and liberation for the tribes of Jacob (who are not yet in covenant) from Egyptian bondage.  A BATTLE AXE and a GOLDEN ARROW are presented sharing more on asking philosophical questions.  May we all prosper in this season for remembering and acknowledging GOD.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Philosophical Questions? (04/17/2014)—(5.)  Many are in the midst of the church who have not yet joined the church.  For followers of Christ, spiritual discernment is used to make sound choices and decision about when, and what to speak during gatherings for such purposes as cleansing, nourishment, refreshing, study, and worship.  Given the diverse levels of spiritual growth, and the broad range of emotional, financial, material, psychological, and other challenges that come against members of an assembly, every personal testimony or point of biblical information may not be acceptable, and appropriate to correctly address the most pressing needs.  Just as one should not expose ones spouse to censure and condemnation by sharing accounts of intimacy within ones home, or revealing private matters (we say, confidences, secrets), there are many times one should refrain from sharing details of their intimacy with GOD through Christ within their prayer closet, or from their times of contemplation (including dreams).  The objective of every gathering is the expression of divine love, and the building of trust.  However, sacred goals are not accomplished through argument, debate, interrogating others, pseudo-intellectual posturing, wordplay, or popular psychology and analysis (we say, mind games and “getting into another person’s head”).  Believers are to prophesy, and witness the appearance of Jesus among them in Spirit.  See Isaiah 5:  20-21, Matthew 7:  6, 1st Corinthians 1:  18-20, 1st Corinthians 14:  1-12, Colossians 2:  6-12, 1st Timothy 6:  20-21 and Jude 1:  14-21, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.  For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  Whose voice then shook the earth:  but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  For our God is a consuming fire.  (Hebrews 12:  18-29, KJV)


There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, those who were heirs of a relationship with GOD through Abraham because of their standing as offspring of Jacob may be seen as coming forth from a bondage of death and the grave into covenant and new life as a nation.  Similarly, those who are heirs of a relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ by their standing as believers in promise and prophecy may be seen coming forth from bondage to spiritual ignorance and ungodliness, and the living grave of worldliness into the kingdom ruled by the Messiah, now to continue in eternal life.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of divinity that resides in you.


Your glorying is not good.   Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  (1st Corinthians 5:  6-8, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC