The Sealing - Hit The Ceiling!

This study is basically an ordered progression of verses in the New Testament containing the words "baptism", "baptized" etc. The order is such as to prove my point rather than aid study in the sequential biblical order. Scripture selections are in the usual collapsable panels and are taken from the KJV. If you wish to wear out fingers checking your own bible alongside that is up to you. In fact, if you don't use the King James Version - I recommend you do so!

Because there are so many passages contained in this page, my own writing is brief but contains the points I make succinctly. I feel the best examination is from the scripture itself. All it requires is a nudge in the right direction, along with some clarification. The scriptures all neatly align as if the subject were "unlocked". Far from this being the case, all the facts are in plain sight. It could be said that "one can't see the wood for the trees."

(The words of Jesus Christ and the Father are given in red)

To begin we start with John while baptising,

And John said to those gathered around:

When I myself was baptised, I was indeed taught that it is analogous of being taken into the grave and being resurrected in Christ as I was brought up out of the water.

As also all Israel, passing through the red sea, (parted by the staff of God before the path of the Israelites) were characteristically baptised in Christ as they passed through on dry land and emerged through the other side… we see a “passage” where the freedom of the people of God becomes a physical reality. As the Israelites passage was preceded by the staff Moses bore and the water parting before the staff, they were all baptised to their freedom in God (Christ).

As the Egyptians passage from behind the pillar of fire led them through the same water, they were indeed baptised also, but unto their destruction. Both Egypt and Israel were baptised with water that day. Israel  with Christ and freedom as (God's people), and Egypt with fire, (destruction).

We see here the analogy of Christ employing the status of election and fire as methods of baptisms, or indeed the ends of water baptism. Freedom found as election in the kingdom of God, confirmation and baptism by the Holy Spirit.

With reference to;. Matt 3:11 and Mar 1:8
Christ has likewise baptised all the world in water… his people, his elect the spiritual Israel is baptised with the Holy Spirit. All those who are not his elect, though like wise baptised with water are baptised with fire, and their end is destruction in death, and the second death of the fiery lake of burning sulphur.

So, how does this water baptism happen to all? When only Christians supposedly are baptised in Christ?

Christ’s elect, his Israel, have the Holy Spirit and are saved and go to live eternal life.
Those that are in spiritual Egypt, (not his elect) go to their destruction.

Jesus, has performed a "rescue mission", where he has gone through the barrier of death, loosed His captives within the grave and taken his elect with him onto eternal life in his kingdom. Those who are not his elect are left "in death". (Until the final judgement). In truth death does not exist because Christ is God! "Death" is an empty set numbering 666. See the metamath section to calculate this numbering.

Jesus, was resurrected after the third day of his death (during which he performed his rescue mission.) Now, when Jesus was baptised, the Holy spirit descended upon him as a dove. There was no fire!

When John asked Christ why he was to be baptised and not John himself, Christ replied: (in red)

Thus, as the firstborn of the resurrected of the dead, He physically received the Holy Spirit, indicating his coming resurrection at His own hands and by his own physical passage to new and eternal life. Christ's baptism and reception of the Holy Spirit was confirmation of the promise of his resurrection, and is performed physically as a necessary condition of His physical death and resurrection to which we are party to through His person only by spiritual means. (secondarily) Jesus is the firstborn of the resurrection physically. His baptism confirms the New Covenant and his resurrection all by physically performing it in person. We follow after Christ in all these respects with regard to our own salvation. This is why Lazarus is not the firstborn of the resurrection, nor the young daughter of Jairus.

Ours, unless we are very fortunate is a spiritual passage, whether or not we are baptised with water… for of course ALL are baptised. Christ died for all. And there is no sin as a consequence of Christ's baptism - all have been baptised for the remission of sins. Some honourably and to life, and some dishonourably and to death. (Holy Spirit and fire respectively).

So, Why did Christ instruct his disciples to go out and baptise others? This is a very important question.

Jesus asks of James and John whether they can drink of his cup (share his death) and sit on his right and left (be the covenant mediator, and God the Father, respectively (cf: This is my beloved Son, In whom I am well pleased)

They answer, "Yes…"

Jesus replies they shall drink his cup (receive the Holy Spirit) and be baptised with the same baptism, (they will die…) but as to sit on his right or left (to be saved or damned*) is up "to the cards…" the outcome is prepared, but chances are for the individual to decide as to that which is for them at the end.

*(no one claims to be the Father truthfully if they have died, or will die, or don’t exist. It is nuts to think you can dictate God's will or a whole new covenant yourself.)

We need to look a little more at Jesus' left and right hands as places prepared for whom God has not decided, but has prepared what will await those for whom find their own way to one or the other.

Left and right :  Clearly, John has the baptism that Jesus is baptised with…Even though he may not have ever been baptised with water. - He was indeed saved as is everyone in Christ, or "redeemed" whether to life or death! Likewise, before the staff of God parted the sea, Moses bore the staff: like wise He had the baptism also. So, to be sat at the Right and Left of Christ and be in a unique position as the only such individual does not seem at all likely!

Is there a lesser covenant? No, each covenant identifies Israel, God’s people and his elect. The first covenant is there, but the people have changed by method of election. Since the work of Christ is of forgiveness of sins, that does not mean there are no sins! 

Jesus’ baptism was as much his resurrection,  into incorruptible form at the right hand of power, and likewise into incorruptible form as the gospel carried by all those disciples of his that belong to his right. His resurrection was truly seen as the gospel of salvation by all the rulers to whom Christ prophesied would live to see it; in the mission work of his Elect, at his right Hand. He, Christ, is judge.

Now, we move on to the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the ongoing work of baptizing by Christ's disciples.

It would appear consistent from the reports of those baptised that the term, “being baptised” was synonymous amongst the evangelists of the early Christian period with the receiving of the baptism by Christ and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. In the case of the first Gentiles who had received the Holy Spirit, when Peter asked “Can any man forbid water?.....” Peter spoke of the Gentiles as part of the Israel of God, and not that they should be baptised in water, which was academic at this point. Peter was referring that the Baptism of Jesus Himself extended also to the gentiles, as a part of the newer spiritual Israel. By referring to water, Peter is asking "Can anyone deny Christ died for these also?" By commanding them to be baptised in the name of the Lord, He instructed them as to their faith, and Christ’s redemptive work. The last passage, in Jesus own words clearly strengthens this distinction.

By asking the woman for water, he makes direct comparison to the redemptive work he will perform on the cross. For the woman to show she has water, in terms of the “gift of God” Jesus refers to, he speaks that She would have but to ask for the Holy Spirit, to be baptised of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and Christ would give her living water… (properly, life in death) For the woman to give him water, she must show repentance and faith, and in giving her life up in death (giving water to Christ) to Jesus, would receive eternal life,… that living water spoken of.

Jesus instructed his disciples to baptize.. To provide the water baptism Christ himself had by saving people with the good news of the resurrection and bringing them eternal life in the holy spirit. By instructing them to baptize,… he instructed them to instruct others as he had done his disciples. (cf: “If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed.”) The understanding of the word of God, in continuing in Jesus’ words comes by understanding of the Holy Spirit. A great start, gives the best chances... God, (Father, Christ, Holy Spirit) never fail. We are the failures. When Jesus left after his resurrection, he promised His Disciples the comforter would be sent. The comforter teaches and gives understanding, leading to life as Christ himself would provide forever… helping us to understand what personal contact with God Himself is like.

Jesus never taught to baptize in water (as once saved always saved - its is not a redemptive necessity), although His disciples did baptize others. After Christ's death and resurrection His disciples understood that baptism by water was possible by verbal means. In instructing listeners as to the meaning of the gospel message it is revealed that all of those whom have never been baptized with water are baptized through Christ's water baptism and can indeed be condemned through it. Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire (salvation and damnation). In physically being baptised and receiving the Holy Sprit, Jesus has performed the resurrection first as a certain promise to be fulfilled by his death and resurrection later. In His water baptism, between He and John, they fulfill all righteousness. After, the Kingdom of God was reality.

Continue To Next Page

Return To Section Start

Return To Previous Page