Fruit Of The Spirit: Peace and Longsuffering (patience)

Any good dictionary will define “peace” as freedom from war, harmony, concord, agreement, calm, tranquillity, serenity, quiet, undisturbed state of mind, absence of mental conflict, contentment, acceptance of one’s state and the absence of anxiety. It will list its antonyms as war, anxiety, disorder, disturbance, disruption, conflict and commotion.

The New Testament Greek word most often translated as “peace” is eirene. It has the sense of “joining what had previously been separated or disturbed.” Thus, it frequently is used to signify “setting at one; quietness; and rest.” The Daily Study Bible Commentary by William Barclay says it “means not just freedom from trouble but everything that makes for a man’s highest good.”

The word did not begin that way. Its classical Greek usage was narrow, confined to mean the absence of conflict. The New Testament’s writers, however, also familiar with the Hebrew shalom, used eirene as its synonym. Thus, eirene also came to indicate inner satisfaction, the contentment and serenity that derive from living a full life.

The fruit of peace, like love and joy before it, is demonstrated again by Scripture to be the work of God’s Holy Spirit in us. The peace that Jesus offers comes only as the result of God’s calling by His Spirit through which He works in and through us to bring us into loving submission to the way of peace. That is the way of daily talking and walking with God, coming to know intimately His faithful, loving use of His wisdom and power to complete His glorious purpose in our lives. It produces a peace that passes all understanding because then everything is under perfect control (Romans 8:28-30).

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Longsuffering” is one of the fruits the Spirit creates in our lives as we live by His divine directions received through the written word.

 Vine: “MAKROTHUMIA, “Forbearance, patience, longsuffering. MAKROS, ‘long,’ THUMOS, ‘temper,’ is usually rendered ‘longsuffering,’ Rom. 2:4; 9:22; 2 Cor. 6:6; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:2; Col. 1:1; 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:10; 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:15; ‘patience’ in Heb. 6;12, and Jas. 5:10.”

 Vine’s notes: “Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish, it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy 1 Pet. 3:20. Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency, and is associated with hope, 1 Thes, 1:3…”

In defining “longsuffering,” the following words are used, “forbearance,” “patience,” “self-restraint,” “not hastily retaliate or promptly punish,” “opposite of anger,” “does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under pressure,” “opposite of despondency,” “long tempered.”

Longsuffering is said to be a fruit of the Spirit, that is, it is the result of having the teaching of the Spirit in one’s heart. In this context Paul admonishes, (Galatians 5:25), “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” That is, live the life dictated by the Spirit, absorbing His qualities.

No greater demonstration of longsuffering can be found than that shown by God toward man. But we must understand that His longsuffering has a limit. Consider the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Jews’ rebellion in the wilderness, the Babylonian captivity. It is difficult to understand how God has tolerated the foolishness and the utter nonsense of the human race since the beginning of time: rebellion, idolatry, immorality, cruelty, etc.

Short-temperedness is a common trait of some persons. It is the opposite of longsuffering. Controlling it will stand one in good stead in all areas of life: in the home, in the neighborhood, in the work place, on the streets, and certainly in the church. While all Christians are to be longsuffering, it develops to higher degrees as one matures in age and knowledge. Longsuffering would prevent all-night business meetings, many church splits, and words that never should have been spoken. It would prevent harsh judgments of actions that spring from immaturity and/or a lack of knowledge of all the facts. A lack of longsuffeing is manifested by ascribing to others bad motives when we may have misinterpreted actions or words. A lack of longsuffering is shown when we have a short fuse that causes us to say and do things in retaliation to others. The Hebrew writer says, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise“(Hebrews 10:36). This implies that we can lose the promise by impatience.

Every local church is a “mixed bag” of people from various backgrounds and cultures. It also contains people who are on different rungs of the maturity ladder. Longsuffering is necessary to be able to get along where there are differences on many subjects. It is easy for those who are mature to be impatient toward those who are less mature. It may have taken them years to come to their present level of knowledge, but the mature often are not willing to give the immature the same amount of time and study to reach their level of knowledge and understanding. This manifestly is unfair, and lacking in longsuffering. Paul said, (Romans 14:1), “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” and (Romans 15:1), “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” While Paul in this context discusses matters which were indifferent to God, eating meat, keeping days, etc., it remains a fact that there often are doctrinal differences within a congregation. How to handle these involves the scriptures, conscience, attitude, and a willingness to be longsuffering while the issues are studied. It may be necessary, eventually, to break fellowship over certain issues, but that should be the last resort, and should never happen until the matters have been thoroughly studied and truth rejected.

Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit, the opposite of it is a work of the flesh. As we contrast the two, it is easy to decide which we want in our lives. Not only is longsuffering essential to living a God-pleasing life, it is also essential to living a happy life. So we can say that it has great promise in the life that now is, and in that which is to come.

Atlanta West Pentecostal Church CHoir – Sould Out

Well, would ya looka what I found on youtube. Its none other than my church choir. Oh, and who is that singing lead? Could it be? Nooooooooo? Maybe???? I’ll let you guess. What I will say is that our music and vocals where HOTTTTTT that night. We literally can record that song. Yall betta sang! (This was when we were at the IBC 2009 Music Fest in Indianapolis).

Fruit of the Spirit: Love and Joy

Love is the first of the fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. Research shows us that the word rendered love is agape in the Greek, which in the Christian context refers to unconditional love.The word love appears 319 times in the Old Testament and 232 times in the New Testament (NIV Bible). So when you total that, the number comes to roughly 551 times throughout all 66 books of the bible. 1 John 4:8 says He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Its safe to say that since God is love, he would require us to exhibit love as a Christian. Love is a central theme that runs throughout the Bible. One scripture that comes to mind that stands out amongst all other scriptures in the Bible is Mark 12:28-31

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Clearly, according to this scripture there is only ONE God! That’s easy to see. We are then commanded by the teachings of Jesus to love God with your entire being (heart, soul, mind & strength). Then Jesus puts a twist to this teachings. After you exhibit this love for God, you are then to love your neighbor as you love yourself. So in essence, if you can love God (whom you cant see) you need to go ahead and love the person sitting right next to you whom you CAN see. Praise our God! When you love your neighbor you should not exclude anyone or any group because of social status, a supposed character fault, religious difference, racial difference, ethnic difference, citizenship difference, etc. We can see now why those who are Holy Ghost filled are commanded to turn their love for God into that unconditional love for your neighbor. Further research of the love God wants for us can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (The Message Bible)

Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
   Love doesn’t strut,
   Doesn’t have a swelled head,
   Doesn’t force itself on others,
   Isn’t always “me first,”
   Doesn’t fly off the handle,
   Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end.

Today, lets all pray that we put into action the Love that only God can give. This will make us a better and effective Christian.

“The Greek word for ‘joy’ is chara, derived from the word charis, which is the Greek word for ‘grace.’ This is important to note, for it tells us categorically that chara is produced by charis of God. This means ‘joy’ isn’t a human-based happiness that comes and goes…Rather, true ‘joy’ is divine in origin…it is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians were under great stress due to persecution; yet in the midst of it all, they continued to experience great joy. In fact the Greek strongly implies that their supernatural joy was due to the Holy Spirit working in them. Paul even called it the “joy of the Holy Ghost.”

Joy is mentioned 165 times in the bible. In my research, I found that JOY and the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit) is mentioned together 4 times (Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

Having the Holy Ghost in our lives is the secret of happiness. The Holy Ghost provides us direction and encouragement to be in right standing with God. Without the Holy Ghost in our lives we are left to our own devices that result in sin and ultimately death. The Holy Ghost in us helps us to stay in right standing with God. By being in right standing with God (to be righteous) we can have peace and joy in our lives (Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”).

Joy in simple terms is happiness. Not depression, oppression, sadness and hanging your head down low as if “no one knows the trouble your going through”. Instead, God wants us to have JOY (happiness) and only true joy comes from the Holy Ghost (do you see why its important to be Holy Ghost filled now). Joy cannot come from being in a relationship, having fancy cars, a pretty house to live in. No no, the Joy of the Holy Ghost (which as we learned above is NOT a human based happiness). Its literally supernatural. God knew that there life’s trials and tribulations would cause one to be unhappy at times, that’s why he wants us to cultivate His joy (the joy of the Lord) which strengthens us in time of trouble.

No more do I have to sit here and be depressed and upset about the monkey wrenches life throws my way. Instead I can have JOY unspeakable. In conclusion, take the joy of the Lord today and put it into action into your life today for indeed, the joy of the Lord is your strength!

 

Fruit Of The Spirit Week 2009

Galatians 5:22-26

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

While I was in the Spirit today at church the Lord advised me that He wanted me to declare this week to be “Fruit of the Spirit” week. I quickly told the Lord yes as I not only want to be pleasing to the Lord in all that I say and do, I also want to help all of God’s children cultivate the Fruit of God’s Spirit.

I’m excited because this gives me an opportunity to do some research and put into action something that every baptised believer in the Body of Christ is suppose to have. The following is an outline of this weeks lesson. It is my goal that we follow not only Galations 5:22-26 but that we also follow 2 Corinthians 7:1 which clearly says “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” In other words, we have been baptised in Jesus Name (Great!) and we have been filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Great!) but we need to move on to PERFECTING HOLINESS and cleansing ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh (outward) and spirit (inward). Below you will find an outline of each fruit that we will discuss this week. I pray that you open your tent doors wide and lets begin to eat the MEAT of God’s Word.

• Monday – Love & Joy
• Tuesday – Peace & Longsuffering
• Wednesday – Gentleness & Goodness
• Thursday – Faith
• Friday – Meekness
• Saturday – Temperance

Understand this, in order to perfect holiness, you must have the basics. You cant skip over the baptism in Jesus Name and receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The biblical plan of salvation is the only way you will be able to move on towards developing the Fruit of the Spirit the way God would have you to develop them in your life. That’s not to say that you cant have the Fruit of the Spirit prior to salvation, but it makes no sense to attempt to develop good fruit if your not even saved. Its a package deal. God wants you to have salvation AND good fruit. You cant have one and NOT have the other. I suggest you get saved then start your developmental process on possessing each and every fruit God wants every believer to have in their life. I’m sure we all know someone who is temperate but NOT saved. Or perhaps you know someone who is full of Love but has no clue who Jesus is. Remember the person in the bible who cleaned up their house (inner man) and left it empty (no Holy Ghost)? 7 more demons came to inhabit that house (inner man) when they saw nothing was on the inside. Sounds like they were trying to be just a “good” person but had no salvation. Read Luke 11:24-26:

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

In conclusion, get excited this week as we put the Word into action by developing all the fruit of the Spirit God intends every believer to have in the Name that is above all Names Lord Jesus Christ who is God almighty.

Georgia District Campmeeting June 29-July 3

MONDAY: OLD-FASHINED SERVICE

DAY SPEAKER: BROTHER JERRY JONES

EVENING SPEAKER: BROTHER JAMES MERRICK

Thursday Night Atlanta West Youth Choir / Friday Night Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir to render music.

Georgia District Campgrounds 2477 Hwy. 36 Milner, GA 30257 www.gadistricupc.com

Doctrinal Conference 2009 July 30 – August 1

                                                                                                                                                                                           Brother David Bernard of New Life Pentecostal Church Austin, TX and Brother Dan Segraves Urshan Graduate School of Theology Florissant, MO

www.doctrinalconference.com

WOW! What a week! (post concerning Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett & Ed McMahons death)

Lets just take some time to give God all the Praise and Worship that He deserves first of all for still being in the land of the living. If you can read this posting, you owe God a praise! God has been so good to us and I personally thank and praise God that the death angel did not come knocking at my door. (I hear a hammond B-3 organ tuning up in my head…….a praise break is about to break forth)

This has been a trying week in the media for all of us here in the United States (as well as world wide). I think its safe to say that the majority of us grew up watching Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson on television (and for those that did not have tv, I am sure you knew about them just by reading about their lives in the newspaper). None of us ever thought that we would get to the 4thfull week of June and have this many celebrities die back to back. While death is the result of sin, it still at times comes as a shock to us (perhaps because at times we take for granted that we are just suppose to wake up in the morning and start our day).

Human beings are creatures of habit, we wake up, brush our teeth, comb our hair, get dressed and go about our daily duties for the day whether work or school. I think its safe to say that at times we dontstop and think that death is imminent for us. Instead, we keep on going as if we are “suppose” to live forever during this dispensation of time.

Hebrews 9:27 clearly says “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” The bible is clear that we are going to die. There is no escaping that. Now, at the rapture of the Church of our Lord, those who are alive and remain will not taste physical “casket ready”death however you will die to your old sinful nature, your going to be changed from mortal to immortality. Those that litterallytasted the “casket ready” form of death are going to rise from the dead (shaking off them grave clothes so to speak) and they too will have brand new immortal bodies. Now those of you who refuse to be born again of the water and of the spirit will be going to hell. Revelation 20:6 says Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. If you are not a part of that first resurrection, you are going to hell. I cant put it any clearer. I’m not trying to scare you, I am not trying to force you into serving the Lord, however I am explaining to you what will happen to the JUST and the UNJUST.

Turn with me to Revelation 20:9-15

¹⁰And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

   ¹¹And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

 ¹²And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

   ¹³And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

   ¹⁴And deathandhell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

   ¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

If your name is NOT found in the lambs book of life, you are going to be cast into the lake of fire (along with the devil, his angels, and all the false prophets). Revelation 20 is a graphic description of what is going to take place during the end of days. I did not say it. THE BIBLE said it.

The good news is that Revelations is not all gloom and doom. Look what happens to us who have been baptised in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues. Turn with me to Revelation 21:1-6

¹And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

   ²And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

   ³And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

   ⁴And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

   ⁵And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

   ⁶And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Thank you Jesus. I am so glad I do not have to go to the lake of fire and be tormented day and night but I get to go to the New Jerusalem to be withJesus (who is God almighty) and live withHim forever (along with all those names who are found in the Lambs book of life. Ooooooooo I cant wait).

Bottom line saints and sinners alike, will you be ready when death comes knocking at your door? Are you ready? YOU get to choose your final destination. I’ll repeat that. YOU get to choose your final destination. The choice is your today.

If you have not been baptised in Jesus Name, received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues I suggest you choose to do so immediately to guarantee your ticket into the New Jerusalem. If you have already done this, I also admonish you to get the fruit of the spirit found in Galations 5:16 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

There is no fruit from the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is Christ-likeness, the life of Christ lived out in the life of the believer. As we walk in the Spirit this fruit will be seen in our lives. Do others see Christ in you? Are you exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

With that being said, I am praying for the families of those that have lost loved ones (including the big time celebrities as well as those that did not make the news). I also am praying that everyone who reads this post today makes it their business to live for God.

I Got A Praise I Cant Shut Down! (praise break)

There is no praise in the grave, so while I have breath, I WILL BLESS THE LORD! There is no foreclosure on my praise!

Michael Jackson dead @ 50

I know this is a holiness website and all (sorry for being carnal at the moment) but I have to report on this. Now, I don’t know how true this is as of yet because CNN and Headline news have not reported this, however I am getting texts and phone calls (even from my mother) claiming Michael Jackson has died. Thus far, from what I can tell, he went into cardiac arrest in California. They say death comes in threes (however superstitions are unscriptural) (Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and now Michael Jackson). If it is to be found that he is NOT dead, I will remove this post, but until then, apparently he has died. Yall betta get right and pray!

LATimes:

[Updated at 3:15 p.m.: Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.]

[Updated at 2:46 p.m.: Jackson is in a coma and his family is arriving at his bedside, a law enforcement source told The Times.

Jackson was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took him to the hospital, Ruda told The Times.

[Updated at 2:12 p.m.:Paramedics were called to a home in the 100 block of Carolwood Drive off Sunset Boulevard. Jackson had rented the Bel-Air home for $100,000 a month. It was described as a French chateau estate built in 2002 with seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and a theater.

The home is about 2 1/2 miles, about a six-minute drive, from UCLA Medical Center. An earlier version of this post incorrectly described the time to travel between the home and hospital as two minutes.]

The news comes as Jackson, 50, was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges.

Gay Exorcism???????? Would Jesus Do This? What say you?

There are so many things wrong with this picture on so many levels. Its the latest buzz on the Internet and on the news. This is a 16 year old boy on the floor and a women preacher is supposedly casting out a homosexual demon from this young man. Now, I don’t have the time to go into details on my views about this just yet as I just got word Michael Jackson supposidly died, this is just too much news for one day for me. But stay tuned for the rest of this article.

UPDATE:

How Do You Know What’s Enuff? (praise break)

How do you know whats enuff????????????

Farrah Fawcett Dead @ 62

A time to be born, and a time to die Ecclesiastes 3:2

Its always tough loosing a loved one. Lets pray for the family in Jesus Name.

Creflo Dollar sued over devotional text messages

Hey, do you want to pay me 5.99 a month to send you devotional text messages? If I get enough of you to sign up today, I’ll be a millionaire (actually 50 million dollars richer). Read the below news article to see what this crook is up to now (yeah I said it…..crook)

By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A California businessman sued the Rev. Creflo Dollar and his business partners, including his son Jeremy Dollar, today, saying Dollar stole a business idea they developed together to text devotional messages to followers for $4.99 a month.

Dollar reneged on the deal, took the trade secrets and started the business “Word on the Go,” this is making $50 million a year, the suit by Devone Lawson alleges. Dollar upped the monthly fee to $5.99 monthly, said James Evangelista, Lawson’s Atlanta attorney.

“The word from the preacher ain’t cheap,” he said.

Dollar could not be reached at his World Changer Church International in College Park or at his publicist’s office.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles County, claims breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, interference and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Evangelista said, “Apparently, the Rev. Dollar and the Dollar Ministries do not practice what they preach, unless the prosperity gospel they preach justifies fraud and theft in the attainment of material wealth.”

AMAZING! First we had blessed oil from Rev. Ike, then we had holy water from the Jordan from Robert Tilton, we have a money green prayer handkerchief that you can put under your pillow from Peter Popoff, and now Creflo Dollar has stepped his game up and now charges 5.99 to text devotional messages to your cell phone??????????? Ooooooooooooooooo yall betta repent before its too late. AMAZING!

Apostolic Doctrine: Why We Baptize in Jesus’ Name

Introduction

The subject of water baptism has long been called a great issue and no doubt has been made such by many church leaders of the past and present. In our study of it, let us first consider its importance, or the necessity of being baptized.

The Importance of Water Baptism

Christian water baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. If it is not important in the plan of God, why did Jesus command it in Matthew 28:19? And why did Peter follow up by saying, “Be baptized every one of you,” and by commanding the Gentiles to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:48)? We must remember two points about the importance of water baptism. First, whatever Christ definitely established and ordained cannot be unimportant, whether we understand its significance or not. Second, Christ and the apostles showed the importance of this ordinance by observing it. Jesus walked many miles to be baptized, though He was without sin, saying, “For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (See Matthew 3:13-16.)

It is true that water itself does not contain any saving virtue, but God has chosen to include it in His plan of salvation. Peter explained, “Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). According to Luke 7:30, “the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized.”

The Mode of Baptism

According to the Scriptures, the proper mode of baptism is immersion. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). “And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38). “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death” (Romans 6:4). A corpse is not buried by placing it on top of the ground and sprinkling a little soil on it, but by covering it completely.

According to the World Book Encyclopedia, “At first all baptism was by complete immersion” (vol. 1, p.651). And the Catholic Encyclopedia states, “In the early centuries, all were baptized by immersion in streams, pools, and baptisteries” (vol. 2, p.263). Immersion was not convenient after the Catholic church instituted infant baptism; thus the mode was changed to sprinkling. (See Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., vol. 3, pp.365-66.)

Repentance identifies us with the death of Christ, and baptism identifies us with His burial. Coming forth from the watery grave of baptism and receiving new life in the Holy Spirit identifies us with His resurrection.

The Formula for Baptism

Jesus commanded His disciples to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). He did not command them to use these words as a formula, but He commanded them to baptize in “the name.” The word name is used here in the singular, and it is the focal point of the baptismal command. The titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost describe God’s relationships to humanity and are not the supreme, saving name described here, which is Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus is the name in which the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are revealed. The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph, “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s name,” and, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,…the Father will send in my name” (John 5:43; 14:26). Thus by baptizing in the name of Jesus, we honor the Godhead. “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

Luke 24:45-47 records that just before His ascension, Jesus opened the disciples’ understanding. It was necessary that their understanding be opened, and many today need this same operation in order to understand the Scriptures. Then Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.” The disciples had their understanding opened so that they could grasp the vast importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Verse 47 describes the commission that Jesus then gave: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations [Jews and Gentiles], beginning at Jerusalem.”

Peter was one of that number to whom Jesus had spoken and whose understanding had been opened. After having listened to these instructions, a few days later he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to preach on the Day of Pentecost. The hearts of the hearers were pierced and, feeling condemned, they cried out to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter did not hesitate but boldly answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

Some say that Peter told them to be baptized in Jesus’ name because they were Jews and this baptism was to make them acknowledge Jesus Christ. But let us go with Peter to the house of Cornelius several years later. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, yet there again Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). (Most translations actually say, “In the name of Jesus Christ.”) If Peter was wrong on the Day of Pentecost, he surely had ample time to be corrected before he went to the house of Cornelius.

Was Peter wrong on the Day of Pentecost? When the hearers were prickled in their hearts, they spoke to Peter and to the rest of the apostles (Acts 2:37). This included Matthew, who wrote Matthew 28:19. Moreover, when Peter preached, he stood up with the eleven Acts 2:14). Matthew was there, yet we find no words of correction from him. He surely would have spoken up if Peter had disobeyed the Lord. But all the apostles understood and carried out the Lord’s commission. As Jesus said in prayer, “I have manifested thy name unto the men [the apostles] which thou gavest me out of the world…and they have kept thy word” (John 17:6).

The Samaritans, who were not Jews, were also baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them….”But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women…. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:5, 12, 16).

Let us see how Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, baptized. He went to Ephesus many years after the Day of Pentecost and found some disciples of John the Baptist there. “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. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:2-5). Although these disciples had already been baptized, the name of Jesus was so important as to cause them to be rebaptized in His name.

We do not believe that Paul changed the formula or mode of baptism when he baptized Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15) or the Philippian jailer. The latter came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas, saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night [shortly after midnight], and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:30-33). How can we doubt that Paul baptized these people using the same mode and formula that he used elsewhere, that is, immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Paul was not with the apostles when Jesus gave his finial instructions to them in Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47, yet Paul baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. How did he know what to do? He said that his gospel was not a tradition of men but a revelation from God. “I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul was chosen to bear Jesus’ name to the Gentiles, and he wrote many divinely inspired epistles to the church. To this apostle, God revealed the mystery of the church, “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:5). Paul claimed to have divine authority: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (I Corinthians 14:37). And Paul wrote, Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Water baptism is done in both word and deed. We cannot afford to overlook this command to the church.

The church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). The apostles not only preached baptism in Jesus’ name, but they practiced it. Nowhere can we find that they baptized using the words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Instead, we find them baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In baptizing in Jesus’ name, they fulfilled the command of the Lord in Matthew 28:19.
Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Let this be a solemn warning to us.

Some say that they will accept the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 but not those of Peter in Acts 2:38. But Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Peter was one of the apostles, and to him had been given the keys of the kingdom, so we have no right to discredit his words.

In Mark 7:8 Jesus said, “Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men.” History tells us that it was not until many years after the apostles that the mode and formula of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ were changed. (See Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible, vol. 1, p.241.) Which means more to you, the command of the Lord or the tradition of men?

Taken from the Word Aflame Tract “Why We Baptize in Jesus’ Name” #6109

Iran Election May Be Turning Point for Christians

For many Christians in the rapidly growing church in Iran, Friday’s presidential election could be life-altering.

The underground Iranian church has experienced unprecedented growth in the last 10 years despite tremendous persecution under hard-line Muslim President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Believers are praying that new leadership would grant them religious freedom.

“The church is growing faster than ever in Iran,” said Paul Estabrooks, minister-at-large for Open Doors International, which advocates for the persecuted church. “The down side, of course, is that they’re under growing pressure. We aren’t saying that one candidate is necessarily better, but obviously from a human analysis and perspective, a more moderate regime would obviously be beneficial to the church.”

Estabrooks said many Christians disillusioned by the current government may support former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi, who is being called the more moderate candidate. Mousavi has based his platform on being open-minded toward the West and promised to help revive the country’s economy, which has declined under Ahmadinejad. Christians are hoping that Mousavi would also usher in a season of religious liberty.

“Last year has been one of the toughest years on the growing house-church movement in Iran,” Estabrooks said. “More than 50 house-church leaders were arrested. There has been a strong crack down against the growing house church, and the reason of course is that the church is growing so fast.”

In 2008 an apostasy law that would make conversion from Islam punishable by death in certain circumstances passed in Iran’s Parliament. The law is currently awaiting review by a Parliamentary council, but it could be enacted during the first few months of the next presidency.

If it is enacted, men who convert from Islam would receive the death penalty and women would receive life in prison. “If that happens you can only imagine what it will become for Christians-much worse,” said Open Doors representative Lindsey Vessey.

Many Christians believe Friday’s election comes at a crucial time for the underground church. Though persecution is great, the church is growing at an unprecedented rate. Estabrooks said the “official” number of Christians is more than 300,000, but the actual figure is several times higher.

Many of the believers say they converted from Islam after having dreams of Christ. Most of the new Christians are young adults who are evangelizing their peers at impressive rates and are hopeful about their future.

“The large growth of the church is predominantly among young people in Iran, and they have great hopes for a better future in their land-for believers and for the church,” Estabrooks said.

Give God a hand clap of Praise. Now this is good news. The above article is courtesy of Charima Magazine.

Fred Hammond Releases New Single

Verity Gospel Music Group artist and gospel music legend Fred Hammond makes his long awaited return with his new single “They That Wait”. On the single, Hammond teams with the equally legendary John P. Kee for a track deemed by many to be the anthem of the summer. The new track is available for purchase on iTunes and is the lead single from Hammond’s upcoming release Love Unstoppable, due in stores on September 29, 2009.

Iran and Neda

I dont claim to be a know it all, but all this fussing and fighting that’s going on in Iran needs to stop. Yall are acting a fool over there and lives are being lost all over a vote. I know yall want democracy, and I also know you feel the election was rigged, but please please stop the violence. I cant take another CNN special on all that violence going on over there. And poor Neda (the unintentional martyr)! Yall done killed her and all she wanted was freedom from that horrific government.

As a side note, don’t bring that mess over here to the United States with all that protesting and violence. We got enough problems. Ohhhhh and another thing, confess Jesus as Lord because Allah CANNOT hear your prayer (nor Muhammad or the rest of those false gods…yup…I said it).

I just had to add my two cents and vent!

Twitter? What say you?

Is it just me or is there another strong hold that has captivated both saints and sinners that’s causing what I would consider a national pandemic. TWITTER!!!!! I personally just don’t get it. The more I read the news, the more I see that this “Twitter” which is a social networking group, is getting people in trouble by the hundreds. Naked pictures, illicit innuendos, violence, and the list goes on and on. Some people are so addicted to this site, there families are being neglected. Husbands cant be a good man to their wife, wives are cheating on their husbands, mothers are catching their sons and daughters talking about all manner of evil. I just don’t get it.

The first criminal prosecution arising from Twitter posts began in April 2009 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Daniel Knight Hayden, a supporter of the Tea Party protests against the policies of President Barack Obama. Hayden was allegedly sending tweets threatening violence in connection with his plan to attend the Tea Party protest in Oklahoma City.

Saints, don’t be so swayed by technology! Its almost like monkey see monkey do. Remember when you were in elementary school and the teacher told you to stop talking. 9 times out of 10 you said that EVERYONE was talking so why is the teacher picking on you. Then she would say “So Johnny, if everyone jumps off a bridge, are you going to follow?” Twitter seems to be this new craze that supposedly everyone is doing. Even the Saints at church are Twittering like crazy. Read below what CNN has to say about this epidemic:

Cyber criminals are setting snares that move at the speed of news.

Some officials say cyber crime has eclipsed drug trade as a money maker

Latest ploy is planting malicious software in intriguing Twitter topics

Some companies give in to extortion and remain silent, officials say

Skimmed credit card numbers can be found for sale on Web sites

In conclusion, Saints, be careful. Be VERY careful about this  seemingly harmless social networking site. Romans 14:16 says Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (KJV) Remember, the internet is ETERNAL. You may think your message is private and only a select few can twitter back and forth with you, HOWEVER the minute you try to get that new job, did you know that your prospective employer WILL be searching using this high tech search engine to see what your private post are on twitter, myspace and any other social networking site. It would be a shame to get denied gainful employment because of the things that you have said in privacy (which really is not private at all). Heaven forbid something you say gets into the hands of your God-fearing Pastor who is watching out for your soul and your bringing shame to the Church of Our Lord and the Body of Christ. You do realise that Jesus is coming back for a CHURCH without spot or wrinkle. Surely you want to be presented on that day faultless so that you can enter in and live with God forever along with the rest of the Holy Ones. Twitter is going to keep a lot of people out of heaven if they don’t watch themselves. Sad huh? To go straight to hell over Twitter?????????? Come on now, its not even worth it.

Now, I personally don’t have a twitter nor myspace account, I am not against social networking, however I am against SIN and conduits sin uses to ensnare people into its trap. I believe twitter can be GOOD and if could be EVIL. Make it your point today to utilize twitter (as well as all other social networking sites) for good and not evil. Above all, remember, whats done in the dark is surely going to show up in the light. If you think no one knows, trust me, THE LORD JESUS KNOWS. The good news is we have forgiveness of sin through the grace of God. With that said, enjoy networking but make sure God is pleased in everything that you do (which includes Twitter).

Top Gospel Albums

The latest effort from Mary Mary titled The Sound enjoys its ninth consecutive week atop Billboard’s Top Gospel Charts. In addition, the album sits at #3 on the Top Christian & Gospel Charts, #26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts, and #99 on the Top 200 Albums Charts. The WOW Gospel 2009 compilation takes the #2 position while We All Are One (Live In Detroit) from Donnie McClurkin moves to the #3 spot. Israel Houghton’s The Power of One comes in at #4 with The Law of Confession, Part I from Donald Lawrence and Company rounds out the week’s top five albums. Other notable chart movement includes the James Fortune & FIYA’s The Transformation jumping five spots to #9 and the compilation album A Gospel Tribute to Barack Obama debuts at #10.

Happy Fathers Day Weekend

If you have a dad who loves you well, celebrate him with joy this Father’s Day.   But keep in mind that outside of Norman Rockwell’s America, Father’s Day can be a source of great pain.

Many children today don’t live with their biological father. According to fathersforlife.org, the figure approaches 40 percent nationally and is almost double that in the inner city. Add to that those who simply have a strained relationship with their father over some disappointed expectation, and the pain multiplies greatly.  I know many people who find these Hallmark days painful for the love they lacked because a father was absent, or even abusive.

The fallout from absent fathers has been well-documented.  Eight-five percent  of children with behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes, as do 90 percent of homeless children, 71 percent of dropouts and 63 percent of suicides.  It seems we were made for the love of a father, and the pain of not having one has dire consequences.

That was driven home to me one day when I had jury duty.  A 23-year-old woman I’d never met walked down a row of empty chairs to sit in the one right next to me in the assembly room.  I greeted her briefly, curious why she’d chosen to sit next to me.

Moments later, she grabbed me around the arm and her eyes filled with tears.  “I think my dad hates me,” she said through her sniffles, choking back the sob that hung in her throat.  Then she detailed the fight they’d had the night before.  Her dad was upset about the provocative way she often dressed, and she was certain he had no respect for her choices.

I walked her back through the conversation, a surrogate dad who suggested that her father’s fears were less about judging her than they were trying to protect her from men with less than honorable intentions.

“So you think my dad doesn’t hate me?” she asked at the end.

“I have no idea.  He’s your dad, but I would be surprised if he didn’t love you very much.”

She smiled and assured me she’d go by his house that evening and talk with her dad.  Dads are too precious to throw away over a misunderstanding.  Suddenly her name was called for jury duty and she stood to leave.  On a whim I grabbed her hand.  “Nicole, can I ask how things are with your heavenly dad?”

Her twisted face told me my question had confused her.   A moment passed.  “Do you mean God?”

I nodded.  “I grew up in church,” she said.  “I hate him.”

Not all are so honest who have been so disillusioned.  Unfortunately, religion often teaches us about a God who is an angry judge, rather than the loving Father Jesus told us he was. In one of his most beloved stories, The Parable of the Prodigal, he told about a son lost in his own selfishness and the affection of a father that waited for him to come home.  This Father was truly like no other any of us have ever known, regardless of how abusive or how great our earthly fathers might have been.

I smiled as I looked back at Nicole, and whispered to her as if sharing the most incredible of secrets:  “As wrong as you might be about your earthly dad, I can tell you you’re dead wrong about your heavenly one.”

Her eyes lit up.  “What do you mean?”

“Nicole, you have a father who loves you more than anyone on this planet ever has or ever will.”

The hope that we all have a father who knows us completely but loves us extravagantly is all but lost in our day.  It might be time to uncover it again.

Wayne Jacobsen is the author of He Loves Me:  Learning to Live in the Father’s Affection.