But what is it to thus die his death. Is it simply to put “away the filth of the flesh,” that is to deny ourselves only such things as are sinful? No, that would not be “being made conformable to his death.” “In Him [Jesus] was no sin;” consequently he could not put to death a sinful nature. But while his nature was pure and his every desire was to do things right and proper for him as a perfect man, yet he yielded his…
Before considering what constitutes Scriptural baptism, let us inquire whether it is essential. We have no hesitation in saying that it is indispensable, and that no one will have a part in the “little flock” or be of “The bride, the Lamb’s wife” who has not been baptized. Further, we have scriptural proof that all who are baptized shall be saved, that all such shall be in the “first resurrection.” (The Lord here referring to the real baptism, not merely the symbol,…
Our Covenant is: “A Covenant by Sacrifice not the New Covenant” (edited) From our studies thus far as Bible Students we have learned that the New Covenant is to become fully operational by the close of this Gospel Age, when once the Mediator (the Christ, Head and Body) is made complete, and that it is this covenant under which restitution blessings are to come to the world of mankind. This was pointed out to us as the Keturah Covenant–separate and…
Having in our previous posts (which please see) now an understanding of what it means to be “IN Christ Jesus”, the next question naturally would be, How does one get “IN Christ Jesus” in the first place? How do we get into the body of Christ? The Apostle answers that we were baptized into it, and hence are now counted as members of our Lord, members under him as our Head, members of “the Church which is his body.” “But…
Being IN Christ Jesus was also explained by the Apostle in another series of word pictures, in the first of which the consecrated followers of the Lord are likened to members of his Body. In the twelfth chapter of the first letter to the Corinthians he used this metaphor to explain how unity in Christ’s Body permits of great variety in the personal qualities and abilities of its members. “Now hath God set the members every one of them in…
This study comes to us from an article written by Brother L. H. Bunker entitled, “The Source of Our Life, Strength and Joy” “To all the saints IN Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:1) “The Apostle Paul was preeminently the Apostle of “the mystery” — that mystic union of Christ, the Head, and the Church, his spiritual Body. His letters abound in direct and implied references to the oneness of the Christ, a unity which Paul described as the “mystery which hath…
How and what specifically do we sacrifice? Scriptural Usage of the Term “Sacrifice” “The word “sacrifice” may be used from different standpoints. If an animal were killed for some benevolent reason or purpose, it might be spoken of as a sacrifice, particularly if it were something done in harmony with the Divine arrangement. But the mere killing of an animal would not be sacrifice. A dog might be killed without being sacrificed. But if the dog’s life were surrendered for…
Considering what we have thus far discussed in our previous post right about now many are probably thinking to themselves this all seems much too complicated, the Gospel of salvation is not supposed to be this complicated it’s supposed to be simple, viz. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” (Acts 16:31). This is true for the most part, but then we are not referring to “our common salvation” (Jude 3), of the salvation which comes…
In our last post in answer to the question: What is pictured by the Cup? We had determined that the Cup was a picture of the Sin Offering experiences of Jesus and the Church, of the sufferings, trials, ignominy and self-denials he endured and what all who would be joined to the body through his baptism would have to endure. It’s as if our Lord is inviting us – beckoning to us – “Come my children – suffer with me…
In the Communion or Memorial Service two emblems are brought to our attention, the bread and the cup, here though our focus is upon the cup. (Excerpts here were taken from an article entitled, Why two emblems? by Brother George Tabac) What is pictured by the Cup? The Cup is a picture of the Sin Offering experiences of Jesus and the Church – which together will seal the New Covenant, a very similar picture as that of the blood of…