Baptism and the Holy Spirit
TEACHER: The mode of baptism as well as the reason is clearly given by Paul: [Read Romans 6:3-5] “Know ye not, that so many of us 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.” When we are buried in the water through baptism it is a symbol of what?
STUDENT: The burial of Christ in the tomb.
TEACHER: And what is being raised up out of the water a symbol of?
STUDENT: Christ being raised from the dead
TEACHER: It is also a symbol of being born again. Before we are born for the first time we are completely submerged in water. By submerging ourselves completely in water through baptism we are symbolizing a new birth. Let us read about this newness. [Read II Cor 5:17] “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” This new birth is a symbol of starting over in the life of the Spirit with a clean slate, as if all past mistakes have never been, and all guilt is instantly washed away. Why do you suppose Jesus, the greatest of us all, was baptized?
STUDENT: To set the example for us.
TEACHER: Do you remember what descended and rested upon Jesus when he was baptized?
STUDENT: The Spirit of God
TEACHER: There is an ordinance to assist us in receiving the spirit which is mentioned in Acts Chapter Eight verses fourteen through seventeen: “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. [For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” What did the apostles do to help the church members receive the Holy Ghost?
STUDENT: They laid their hands on them.
TEACHER: Again, this follows a correspondence. Right after we are born we come out of water and have the spirit of life enter us. After we are born spiritually through baptism what is to enter us?
STUDENT: The spirit of God.
Continual Revelation
TEACHER: Many of the churches today teach that all that God has to say to man is contained in the Bible. Does it make any sense that God would speak to people in one age, but not another?
STUDENT: Not really
TEACHER: The Bible indicates that this is true. [Read Acts 10:34] “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons.” If this is true would God respect the people in one age and give them revelation, but close the windows of heaven to their requests in another?
STUDENT: I would not think so.
TEACHER: Many churches teach that there will be no more prophets after Jesus, but this is not in harmony with the Bible. Let us read here in Ephesians [Eph 2:19-20]: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” What is the foundation of the church of Christ?
STUDENT: Apostles and prophets.
TEACHER: The Bible even names prophets that were in the church after Jesus left. [Read Acts 13:1] “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” How many prophets were named in the one city of Antioch alone?
STUDENT: Four: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen.
TEACHER: Now a prophet is one who has power to prophesy or reveal spiritual truths. An important ingredient in becoming a prophet is mentioned in the Book of Revelations: [Rev 19:10] “And I fell at his [the angel’s] feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.” This scripture tells us that we will have the spirit of prophecy if what happens?
STUDENT: If we have a testimony of Jesus.
TEACHER: If you had the spirit of prophecy then you’d be a prophet, wouldn’t you?
STUDENT: I suppose so.
TEACHER: This spirit is supposed to rest upon many people in the time we are approaching. We can read about this in Joel [Read Joel 2:28-29] “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” It sounds like there will be many prophets doesn’t it?
STUDENT: Yes.
TEACHER: Will the prophets be just men, or men and women?
STUDENT: The scripture mentions daughters and handmaids so it must be men and women.
TEACHER: Did you ever think that you may become a prophet yourself?
STUDENT: I never thought about it that way.
TEACHER: We must always remember that the gifts of the Spirit are for all men and women, not just a select few. One of the reasons many churches do not believe in revelation today is because of one of the last verses in the Bible. [Read Revelations 22:18]: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” Many people think that the book talked about here is the Bible and that whoever adds new revelation to it will be damned, but did the Bible even exist as a book at the time John was writing the Book of Revelations?
STUDENT: No.
TEACHER: The Bible was not compiled as we have it today until hundreds of years later; therefore, what book could John have been referring to?
STUDENT: The Book of Revelations.
TEACHER: John was merely telling readers not to alter his book. If you wrote an inspired book you wouldn’t want people to change it either, would you?
STUDENT: I guess not.
TEACHER: Furthermore, John himself added to the Bible after the Book of Revelations was written. Scholars say that he wrote the Gospel of John after the Book of Revelations and that is the real last book written for the Bible. Therefore, if the books of the Bible were placed in chronological order the Book of John would be last. Now let us read the true last verse of the Bible. [Read John 21:25] “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” Does this sound like that there could be more spiritual books than just the Bible?
STUDENT: It certainly does.
TEACHER: In fact the Bible clearly tells us that all things hidden shall be revealed. [Read Luke 12:2]: “For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” Do you think it will take more than the Bible to reveal all hidden things to mankind?
STUDENT: Definitely.
TEACHER: In the past God has revealed his word through scriptures. You are probably aware that there are many other scriptures in the world. Almost every religion has some type of holy book. We read earlier that God is no respector of persons. Therefore do you think he may have given inspiration and revelation to other people besides the Jews?
STUDENT: It is possible.
TEACHER: Therefore, do you think that these other world scriptures may also have many worthwhile things in them just as the Bible does?
STUDENT: Probably.
TEACHER: A church teaching the truth does not recognize any book or an interpretation of any book as infallible because all truths have to be filtered through human consciousness. But we can get infallible truth from any scripture if we read it in connection with what?
STUDENT: The Spirit of God within us.
TEACHER: Therefore, we encourage people to read and teach from any of the world scriptures that teach truths that are verified by our Higher Selves. Does that sound fair enough?
STUDENT: Yes.
TEACHER: There are many other good books in the world too numerous to mention that teach many great and important principles. We encourage people to read and study several books which many believe are revelations given out either through Jesus Christ or his associates. They are as follows:
[1] Many of the world scriptures.
[2] The Secret Doctrine through Madame H. P. Blavatski. This was published in 1888 and revealed by a Master working under the Christ. It contains introductory teachings for the New Age.
[3] The writings of Alice A. Bailey. She published twenty-four books with revelations from the same Master. These contain the intermediate teachings for the New Age. The advanced teachings will be given out after 2025.
[4] A Course in Miracles. This is a three-volume set designed to lead us away from the illusion to the true reality.
[5] The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. This is a revelation given out around the turn of the last century giving a history of the entire life of Jesus.
[6] Inspired writings that will be given out from time to time. This ought to give us plenty of study materials for a while, shouldn’t it?
STUDENT: You’d think so.
Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. – RaBindranath Tagore
Nov 13, 2011
Join JJ’s Facebook group HERE
Easy Access to All the Writings
For Free Book go HERE and other books HERE