Biblical Answers

The Four Baptisms in Scripture

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:58:33 GMT

The Four Baptisms in Scripture

There are four different Baptisms in Scripture. The most common that everyone's mind goes to is water baptism but after the Book of Acts water baptism is only mentioned once. Why does Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles in his letters only mention water baptism once? It is because God did not send Him to baptize but to preach the gospel. In I Cor 15, Paul boldly proclaims that the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Paul declares that the gospel in which we stand is what saves us. In Romans, Chapter 1, Paul states that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. for in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written the just shall live by faith.

Hundreds of verses in the Bible tell us that salvation is granted to us by believing the truth of the gospel and a few verses say that if we believe and are baptized we are saved which is true. If we believe we are are saved and if we believe and are baptized we are saved. Because the Bible does not ever contradict itself then both of these must be true but this is saying that water baptism is something that we do but that is not what saves us. The four baptisms in the New Testament let us know how we are saved.

Baptism in Water- ---- A declaration and testimony that we have been washed and cleansed by the shedding of the blood of Jesus.
Baptism into the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ- ---- Rom 6 tells us that this is a spiritual baptism into Christ. This happens the moment we believe and are saved. We are baptized by God into Jesus's crucifixion, His death, His burial, and His resurrection. It is called the circumcision without hands in Col 2.
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit -----The baptism with the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit with us, the Holy Spirit in us, and the Holy Spirit upon us. This also happens the moment we believe. Our spiritual baptism into Christ and to be baptized with Holy Spirit, both happen at the same time and are connected to each other.
The Baptism with the cup of suffering and death -----Jesus spoke of this baptism when he spoke about his time of suffering and death was near. Paul spoke of this baptism in I Cor 15 when he declared why suffer and die daily if the dead are not raised?

It is the washing and cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ that saves us and gives us eternal life. Rev 5b-6 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and made us a Kingdom of Priests unto His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Islam is the Seventh Head of the Beast

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:46:45 GMT

I slam is the Seventh Kingdom of the Beast of Revelation

There is a supernatural hatred of Israel, the God of Israel, and the Church and the Lord Jesus Christ which the head of the Church and everything that has to do with biblical morality. Even democracy is hated because it gives people the right to worship God and follow the commandments of God. The hatred of Islam for the peoples of God was prophesied in the Book of Revelation and it has happened in the past and is happening today. We should not be taken by surprise. This hatred for the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will continue and will manifest itself as the beast which is the final version of the Kingdom of Darkness until Jesus returns at the Second Coming.

There is a seven headed beast with ten horns in the book of Revelation and it is alive and well and is being manifested in the earth today. Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw was (meaning it was before this vision of John) and is not (it is not the final manifestation of the beast) and will ascend out of the bottomless pit (the abyss—the final beast that is manifested will be empowered with the forces of darkness from the pit) and will go to perdition (destruction). Rev 17:10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen (1—Egypt; 2—Assyria; 3—Babylon; 4—Medo-Persia; 5—Greece;) one is (6—Rome;) and the other has not yet come , (7—Islam;). These seven kingdoms were all involved in destruction and captivity of God’s chosen people, Israel. Rev 17:11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, (The final manifestation of the beast receives supernatural power from the pit and is made up of ten horns.) Verse 12 says that there are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but will reign for one hour as kings with the beast. The ten kings will give their power and authority to the beast—Vs 13. These ten kings are the most powerful and richest people of the earth and their religious woke system of belief will be propagated throughout the earth which is the worship of the resurrected gods of Babylon. Molech and Baal which is child sacrifice; which includes abortion and the brainwashing of our children to hate God, the Bible, and anything do with biblical morality. The god of Ishtar which includes sexual immorality, redefining marriage, homosexuality and lesbianism, transgenderism, and all kinds of sexual perversion and identifying yourself as other than what God created you to be. The god of Baal will be worshipped which includes the worship of creation and the creatures of the earth more than the worship of God. Climate change worship is part of these false gods. Rev 17:14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them. For He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

Though there will be a supernatural hatred for all that is righteous and good, but in the end we will win because the Lamb will come in power and great glory and defeat all His enemies. If you are looking for a Church that will stand up for the Word of God and the righteous of God that comes through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary, then come and join us and be a part of the last day remnant Church.

Biblical Truth

Tue, 30 May 2023 13:02:20 GMT

Jesus Preaches the Gospel to Nicodemus

In John 3 we have a story of a Pharisee called Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night to try and discover who He really was. The word Pharisee means to be separate. The Pharisees separated themselves from all other people and groups who did not believe like they did and that were not zealous for the rituals and traditions they they held dear.. They believed that their rituals for religious purity and righteousness according to the Law of Moses and their traditions gave them entrance into the Kingdom of God. They were the most orthodox Jews of their day and there were about 6,000 of them in the time of Herod according to the historian Josephus. The Pharisees believed in the Oral Law and that it was equal to the written Law. I have a great problem with anything that is outside the canon of Scripture. They were looking for the physical Kingdom of God. Nicodemus was a name that had Greek influence and means victor over the people. Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews meaning he was a member of the Sanhedrin which was a ruling council of the Jews. He was one of the seventy highest ranking Pharisees of the 6,000.

He came to Jesus by night which we might speculate that he came to Jesus in secret as not to come under condemnation of his peers. The Sanhedrin were the ones mostly responsible for having the Romans crucify Jesus but we know that this was predetermined by God the Father. They hated Jesus of Nazareth so much because His teaching undermined their control over the people.

Nicodemus realized that God was with Jesus. Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power (dunamis), who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Jesus knowing the heart of Nicodemus went straight to the message that Nicodemus needed to hear. Nicodemus at this time did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah but did believe that the Messiah would establish the Kingdom of God on the earth and sit on David's throne.

Jesus said to Nicodemus if you are going to see the Kingdom of God you must be born from above or be born again. Being born physically or born of natural means would not gain you entrance into the Kingdom of God but you would have to be born spiritually by the power of God. Jesus attacked the very core belief system of Nicodemus and crushed all that Nicodemus was and all that he believed and what he taught. What Jesus said was totally foreign to Nicodemus because Nicodemus had been told his whole life that to enter the Kingdom of God you must adhere to the law and be of the seed of Abraham. Nicodemus was not a man without intellect. He asked the question of Jesus how can a man be born again when he was old. Could he enter a second time into his mother's womb. This question was to push back at what Jesus had just said.

Jesus gave Nicodemus the answer that if Nicodemus would receive would transform his life, give Him eternal life and entrance into the eternal Kingdom of God. Nicodemus would have to be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. Entering into the Kingdom of God is NOT by what you do but by what you become by believing that the Son of Man, Jesus Christ would have to be lifted up on a cross and die for the sins of man. To be born of the water according to Ezekiel 36 is be cleansed from your idols and your filthiness by being washed. We know according to the Word of God that cleansing comes from being washed from our sins by the blood of Jesus. We are born of the blood and born of the Spirit. We have been granted entrance into the Kingdom of God. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up which is what Jesus told Nicodemus.

It would cost Nicodemus everything that he was and everything he believed to follow Jesus the Son of God. The cost would be great. Did Nicodemus come to this knowledge of the truth or did he continue to follow the rituals and traditions which he held so dear? We hope he did and it seemed by his actions after the resurrection he did believe.

Will you be born again today by believing in the finished work of the cross or will you continue to try and please God by your works and what you do? Come unto to Jesus and find the Sabbath rest that He promised. Truly keep the Sabbath by faith and not by works. Jesus Christ is LORD. Bro James

Biblical Truths

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:58:23 GMT

Jesus is the One!

John the Baptist declared that Jesus was of higher rank than he was and that he existed before John. John 1:29-30 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! " This is He of whom I said, "After me comes a Man who is of higher rank than me, for He existed before me." Jesus was the Seed of the Abrahamic Covenant that would take away our sins as promised to Abraham and that all nations would be blessed because all those that believe would receive the Promise of the Father which is the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Jesus called the Promise of the Father--to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the One.

When Jesus was baptized by John the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and remained and a voice came from heaven saying "This

is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased " , and John said, "I have seen and testified that this is the SON OF GOD!" May we rejoice and give Him glory. Bro James

Biblical Truths

james@freeindeedchurch.com (James Mallard) — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 22:05:37 GMT

Jesus is the God and Savior of Isa 43:10-13

Jesus is Savior, God, and the “I AM” of Isaiah 43:10-13

God says He is the only Savior and God!

Isaiah 48:10-13

“You are My witnesses,” says the LORD YAH, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD YAH, and besides Me there was no Savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you, therefore you are My witnesses,” says the LORD YAH, that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He, and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand, I work, and who will reverse it?”

In these verses of Isaiah we are told very explicitly that God is the only Savior and God. It is very plain and cannot be argued with. So the obvious questions we have to ask ourselves is why did Jesus the Christ claim to be the Savior and God and the “I AM”. How can that be you may ask? Because the Scriptures tell us so. We have to believe the Scriptures over anyone else no matter how sincere they are. To spend your whole life studying the Talmud and the oral law which is not oral anymore which has many contradictions and additions to the written Torah given to Moses on Mt. Sinai which proves it is man made and leads you away from the truth of who Jesus is and what He accomplished at the cross is insanity.

Jesus Christ the Son of the living God who sits on throne of God and is the God of Isa 43:10-13. He is the LORD YAH and besides Jesus there is no Savior and there is no other God. The living beings and the elders and thousand of thousands of angels worship Him.

Rev 5:11-14

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever. Then the four living creatures said "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

All of heaven worships God who sits on throne and they also worship the Lamb of God who is Jesus and they give them the same honor and glory. The only way to deny this truth is deny the validity of the New Testament book, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" The book "The Revelation of Jesus Christ shouts very loudly that Jesus is God and the Savior. To call this Book heresy is a dangerous stand to take when you have to agree with Jewish Orthodox rabbis who have a demonic inspired agenda against the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father and that the Father and Jesus are ONE.

Deut 6:4

(The Shama) Hear (Shama), O Israel: The LORD YAH our Elohim, the LORD YAH is (echad--one in unity)-- ONE.

The verse that all orthodox Jews know by heart shouts that the LORD YAH is one but is one in unity. You can't have unity unless you have complex God that is united and is not singular

The Apostle John said that if you have the Son you have life and if you do not have the Son you do not have life. Though Jesus does not claim to be the Father he does claim unity and equality with the Father. If you do not believe that Jesus came in the flesh to take away your sins your are an antichrist. There are many Jewish Orthodox people who refuse to believe that Jesus is the Messiah mainly because they believe if they believe this truth then the Jewish people as a nation and God's chosen would cease to exist if they became Christians. This is a lie from Satan the great deceiver; because the truth is the Jewish Israel will truly cease to exist if they reject Jesus as LORD and Savior. Their unbelief will condemn them to the Lake of Fire. The true Israel will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Before Abraham was, I A

John 8:57-59

Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” “Amen, Amen, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was, I AM. At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.…

The Great I AM

If God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son of God both claim to be the “I AM” and they both do; either we have to believe that or we have to tear out the whole New Testament and also all the OLD Testament verses that claim that Jesus is the Son of God and equal with God which are many. If Jesus is not the “I AM” then He is a lunatic and a liar and so are all the Apostles, especially John, Peter, James, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Jude and the writer of Hebrews. You also have to claim that Paul was a false apostle and prophet. All the Apostles were martyred except for John and they preached that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and that He is the Savior. Millions of believers throughout all the Church age have gotten it wrong if Jesus did not die to save us. Many of the Christian scholars throughout the ages were learned men who could speak Hebrew, Greek, Latin and German and many other languages and they diligently studied the Old Testament and the New and believed that Jesus was God the Savior and the great “I AM”.

Isa 44:6

Thus says the LORD YAH, the King of Israel, and HIS REDEEMER (Jesus ), the LORD YAH of hosts: “I am the First and I am Last, besides Me there is no God.

Jesus said that He was the First and Last making Himself equal with God.

Rev 1:11 “I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last”…

Rev 22:12 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last”

Below are just a few of the many well-known verses that attribute the title “Savior” to Jesus. The Father said He is the only one with that title. So, we must agree with Jesus’ claim that He and the Father are One, which means One in unity. In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. Many multiplied scholars of the Old Testament say the Hebrew word Elohim speaks of plurality in unity.

He said, “When you see me, you have seen the Father.” He also said, “I and the Father are One.”

Below are some verses that point to Jesus’ role as Savior of humanity.

Titus 2:13 Titus 2:13

While we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

Matt 1:21

Matthew 1:21

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”

Philippians 3:20

Phil 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

II Pet 1:11

And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:11

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior , who is Christ the Lord.

Biblical Truths

james@freeindeedchurch.com (James Mallard) — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 18:26:00 GMT

The Baptism Than Now Saves

Water baptism is a subject that is so misunderstood in the Churches today. With the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Oneness Pentecostals and many other groups claiming that water baptism is necessary for salvation; their teachings today and throughout many centuries are leading many from the teaching of the Word of God. The devil is rejoicing in his deceit and twisting of the Word of God. It is not my job to belittle or criticize anyone or any group. Good people who love God and are very sincere have been led astray for far too long. Outside the gospels and the Book of Acts, water baptism is only mentioned twice in the rest of the New Testament and then it says nothing about having to be baptized in water to be saved from you sins and have eternal life. I know this statement is causing people’s blood pressure to rise and anger to rise up in them because they are so adamant that water baptism is necessary for salvation. Let us ask ourselves a question. Why would the Apostle to the Gentiles never say in any of his letters that water baptism is necessary to be saved? If you have a cure for cancer and you keep it a secret you must be deranged or very evil. In the epistles of Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude, Revelation, and the writer of Hebrews they never say you have to be baptized to be saved. We will look at the verses that some try to use and say that is what they say.

The first time we see anyone baptizing people is John the Baptist in the gospels. Why was he baptizing. He lets us know that he is preparing the way for the Lord Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. He is preaching a baptism of repentance to get people ready for a Messiah that would take away their sins. Let us look closely at what John says in Matthew chapter three. Matt 3:1-2 . In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matt 3:5-6 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. What is John doing? He is getting the people ready for a Messiah who would die and be resurrected to take away their sins. If the baptism of John took people’s sins away, Jesus died for no reason. They could just be baptized and their sins would be forgiven. Luke 3:3-4. He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Telling all to repent because someone was coming who would remit their sins in other words forgive them of sin and set them free from the power of sin). As it is written in the Book of Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the LORD YAH, make His paths straight.”

John could only baptize with water to get the people ready for someone who was far greater than He was who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. What does this mean? Jesus baptism was a spiritual baptism that would forgive and cleanse and set free from sin. It wasn’t and external baptism with water but an internal transformation of the heart. Jesus in the Book of Acts said this baptism with the Holy Spirit was the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5). The Father promised through the Covenant to Abraham that the Seed (Jesus Christ) would come and bless all nations by giving them the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. They would be washed from their sins by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit would come and dwell within them. Luke 3:16 J ohn answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Praise God for the remission of sins.

The Word of God never contradicts itself. If there are hundreds of verses that say if you believe you will be saved, and then there a few that say believe and baptized and you will be saved, does that mean the few override the many. If you believe and you are saved and if you believe and are baptized and you are saved then being baptized doesn’t save you or keep you from being saved. We must stop trying to make the Bible say what we want it to say and just believe what it says. You must understand what water baptism is and what it isn’t or you can never understand the scriptures that command us to baptize. After Jesus died and was resurrected there a few scriptures that tell us to be baptized. Water baptism is part of the total truth about becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though water baptism does not save us it has very important part in our walk with God. Jesus speaking in Matt 28:29-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Please listen very closely. You are baptized with water because you have already been baptized with the Holy Spirit. The gospels link water baptism and salvation together for two main reasons. 1. Water baptism is a declaration that you are a disciple of Christ, that you have died with Christ, been buried with Him, and are raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. 2. You are following Christ with everything within you and you willing to die if necessary to follow Him and His teaching and to be His disciple. That is why you are submerged in water. You are declaring that the old has passed away and I am dead to the world and the power of sin and everything is new. If you believe that water baptism is necessary for salvation you are diminishing the fact that Jesus Himself did everything necessary by His death and resurrection. Who He is what He did at Calvary is sufficient to take away your sins plus nothing else. If you believe that you are saved.

Let us look at Acts 2:38. A very famous verse for those that believe that water baptism is necessary for salvation. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Because you now know that it is the baptism with the Holy Spirit that saves; the part of the verse about water baptism is saying, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because of all that water baptism means and accomplishes. It does not accomplish the remission of sins, only the shedding of blood does that. The verse is saying repent for the remission of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (not tongues but the Holy Spirit is the gift) and let everyone of you be baptized. You cannot take a few verses out of context that contradict hundreds of other verses and build a doctrine on a few verses. The Word of God proves itself to be true and interprets itself.

Rom 6:3-6 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk on newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. This is not talking about water baptism but Paul is talking about a spiritual baptism into the death, burial and resurrection of Christ where the old man—the sinful nature is crucified and the new man is raised to walk in the newness of life. It is a spiritual baptism wherein we die with Christ, we are buried with Christ and we are raised with Christ and the body ruled by sin is done away with and we are free from the power of si n. What a powerful truth. This is the full gospel that only a few preach. This is the same thing that Col 2:11-13 says. In Him you were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (using your hands to baptize in water has nothing to do with this baptism), by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through FAITH in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. This is the same truth in Romans 6. There is only one baptism according to Eph 4:5 and it is definitely not water baptism but is a spiritual baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ where your heart is circumcised and the old man is crucified. Praise the Lamb forever and ever because He has redeemed us by His blood. Rev 1:5 says He loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

Let us look at another verse where this spiritual baptism is talked about in I Pet 3:18-21. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls were saved through (Strong’s 1223—were saved through the destroying water; the water was the destroyer not the agent that saved. What saved them was being in the Ark.) water. There is also and antitype (antitype is an earthly expression of a spiritual truth) which now saves us baptism; through the resurrection of Christ. The earthly expression is that God placed Noah and his family in the Ark, baptized them into the Ark so they would be saved from the floods of water. The spiritual truth is that God saves us by baptizing us into Christ, baptizing us into His death and resurrection with a spiritual baptism. This is the baptism that saves us, dying with Christ, being buried with Christ and being raised with Christ. Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? John said in Luke 3:16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. The baptism that Jesus baptizes with is what saves us and transforms us, not water baptism.

Let us look at the only two times in the Epistles of Paul that he mentions water baptism. I Cor 1:12-15 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or I am of Apollos,” or I am of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am of Christ”.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name . These are powerful questions Paul is asking because he knew that water baptism was the act of allegiance to the person or organization that you are baptized into. He is saying that the Church is not divided. Don’t use water baptism to divide the Church or people into groups as many are doing today. If you are not baptized by what they call someone in authority in their group you need to be re-baptized to show that you belong to that specific church or group. What is Christ divided Paul asks? It is very evident that Paul understands what water baptism does and it is not to save but to become a disciple and follower. Paul says in I Cor 1:17 Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . Either Paul is delusional or he is saying that the gospel does not include water baptism. Paul goes on to say in verse 18 that “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. We are saved by the power of the blood that was shed at the cross. We are baptized with a spiritual baptism that only God can do. It is not with man’s hands. Paul goes on to say in Rom 1:16-17 that the gospel is the power of God. Rom 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who BELIEVES, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by FAITH.

The only other time Paul speaks about water baptism is when is talking about the resurrection from dead and this is also in I Corinthians. I love God’s Word so let’s take a look at these verses. I Cor 15:29. This verse has been so twisted by most bible commentaries and they make it say what it really doesn’t say. Imagine that people can be wrong. Let God be true and every man a liar which means man opinions doesn’t matter the only thing that matters is the truth of the Word of God. If you take the Roman Catholic influence out of this verse we can see it for what it really says. The KJV was translated from the Textus Receptus and the Latin Vulgate but is still the closest to the original Greek that we have. In this verse the way that it is translated seems to be talking about being baptized for people who are already dead but Paul is saying what good does being baptized do; if people just die and are never resurrected. Why baptize anyone? It is a useless exercise if there is no resurrection. These two times Paul talks about water baptism he never says it is necessary to be saved and have eternal life. The baptism that saves is the baptism that Jesus does when He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. He takes away ours sins and put His Holy Spirit in us. Comments or questions are welcomed.

Biblical Truths

james@freeindeedchurch.com (James Mallard) — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:24:22 GMT

We will be rewarded according to our Works!

Rev 22:12 And behold I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Have you ever thought about how we will be rewarded for our works when we are finally in the New Creation--the Eternal Kingdom of God. What more could Jesus give us than Eternal Life and intimate fellowship with Him. Eternal Life is not because of our works but because of His finished work at the cross; but we are promised rewards for our works.

Jesus is of course the greatest in the Eternal Kingdom of God because He did not come to be ministered to but to minister and give

His life as a ransom for us. The principal is that those who will be greatest in the Kingdom of God will be the ones that lay down their lives and sacrificially serve and minister to others. Our works will follow us. Rev 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." Yes says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and THEIR WORKS WILL FOLLOW THEM." The greatest among us are the ones who are washing others feet and ministering to them.

Greatness and rewards come from serving. Matt 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said. "You know that the rulers of

the Gentiles lord it over them and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you let him be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Those with the greatest honor and responsibility in the Eternal Kingdom of God will be those who serve and minister the most. We will rule and reign with Christ according to our sacrificial love toward others. I will see you in the Eternal Kingdom of God one day. Bro James

Biblical Truths

james@freeindeedchurch.com (James Mallard) — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:38:10 GMT

Jesus Claims to Be Equal with God

Jesus claims equality with God. Some try to get you to believe that the person of Jesus Christ, only started when He was born in Bethlehem in 2 B.C. and laid in a manger. But this is not what the Old Testament says or what the New Testament says. In Rev 3:21 Jesus said "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne". The only way that the Lord Jesus could sit on the throne of God is to be God. The elders and the four living creatures and the angels would not worship the Lamb of God unless He was God. That would be blasphemy to worship any one else except for God.

Jesus will share in the judgement of those at the great white throne judgement. Those that have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit say to the Churches. John 5:19-23 This is Jesus speaking, "I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son. that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Jesus is saying the Father judges no one and we are to honor the Son as we honor the Father. This makes Jesus equal with God and worthy of honor and worship. John 5:26-27 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgement also, because He is the Son of Man.

This is what Peter said in Acts 10:42-43 And He (Jesus) commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive freedom from the power of sin and forgiveness of sin. Peter said all the prophets witness of who Jesus is. If you claim to believe the Old Testament you must also believe that all the prophets witness to who Jesus is, the Savior and the Judge.

This is what Paul said when writing to his son in the faith. II Tim 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge he living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom. There are many other scriptures that give witness that is Jesus is the Son of God and equal with God. If you have any questions or would like to respond feel free to do so. Bro James Mallard

Biblical Truths

james@freeindeedchurch.com (James Mallard) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:16:36 GMT

The Triunity of God

The triunity of God is a very misunderstood truth in the Word of God. There is only one true God but the scripture reveals God as a triune being. In Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD YAH our God, the LORD YAH is one! The Hebrew word for one is "Echad", and its meaning is one in unity. This same word echad is used in Gen 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become echad flesh. There can be no argument that a man and his wife are two separate persons but when joined in marriage they are one (echad) flesh.

In the same way there are three distinct beings in the triunity of God but they are so united they are one God. Some try to explain the

triunity of God as an egg or three kinds of water, ice, water, and steam but these examples fall far short of explaining the triunity of God. This next statement must be clearly understood. God is not three manifestations of the same being. He is not manifested as Father God, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit but there are three separate beings God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit.

God the Father is never called the Son of God and Jesus the Son of God is never called the Father. Jesus is always referred to as

the Son of Man or the Son of God.

Please share this blog with others and if you have any comments or questions feel free to respond.

Love in Christ, Bro James Mallard