In our previous post we were curious as to whether the work of being baptized into Jesus’ death was an instantaneous act performed when we first come to Christ and seek admission into “the body” or, a life work? We answer it is both. When we first come to God through Jesus, we covenant (enter into contract, vow to do such and such) with Him that we will take up our cross and follow him through evil and good report, whether it…
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,…
Who will develop, this higher nature – many or few of those who enter the covenant? We answer: All of them, except those who openly ignore the value of the “blood of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified,” i.e., set aside and ignore the value of Christ’s death – as their ransom or purchase and we believe this will be a small number. So, to speak, Jesus enters the covenant for us. He agrees to guarantee that our part of the contract shall…
Restitution signifies the restoring of a thing which was lost. You might give a person anything, whether he had once possessed it or not; but it would be quite improper to call it restoring unless he had once possessed and then lost it. The human family once possessed a perfect mental, moral and physical nature as represented in the person of Adam their head. Beautiful and majestic in form, God-like in the mental and moral qualities of his being (in God’s image) and commissioned to…
In ordinary times it is the privilege and duty of the children of God to shine as “the light of the world.” As in nature, the energies of everything that is germinated are directed to the building up and perfecting its own organizations, and thereby fulfilling its own mission in the realms of animated creations; so in the spiritual sphere of existence, the great business of “the begotten again” is to grow, develop and mature, and in the accomplishment of these processes…
We have seen that to every covenant to which there are obligations of two parties, there is a mediator, or one who stands between guaranteeing the fulfillment of its conditions. As under the covenant of the Law, Moses was the mediator, so is “JESUS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT,” and to him God looks for the fulfillment of the Law, and to him Israel and the world look for ability to comply with its conditions. Remember that we, the gospel…
“THE NEW COVENANT” is repeatedly mentioned in scripture. It should not be misconstrued as being God’s covenant with us – “the seed;” no, that was part of the Abrahamic covenant, and although in harmony with each other, they are not the same, nor is the “new covenant” made with the church at all. It does not come into operation until the spiritual seed as well as the fleshly children, have come into possession of what was promised them under the Abrahamic covenant. It, like the law which was…
A covenant is a ratified, unalterable agreement. God has made many covenants with man. (Gen 6:18; Jer 33:20 and etc.) Three, however, stand out very prominently, as in them have been bound up all the best interests of mankind. FIRST: The Covenant of God to Abraham. This covenant seems to comprehend and include a blessing on the natural fleshly descendants, as well as upon the higher, spiritual, seed, “which seed is Christ; and if ye be Christ’s (body), then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs…
Again, we have found the word to teach that the Jewish age was given as a pattern, or shadow, or illustration of the Gospel age, and we have found it so. The latter being on a higher plane than the former, but otherwise its exact counterpart. It was 1840½ years from the beginning of the age to their harvest when Jesus was present in the flesh to that fleshly house. And it was 1841½ years from the commencement of our Gospel age at Pentecost…