666B.htm

(Cont. from Page 666A).

666B.

MORE ON BAPTISM (ITS MEANINGS)
AND HOW IT IS SYMBOLISED.

The words of God for gaining life are contained within His instructions and teachings, and are truthfully made known through Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:26). They are fully established (sealed). (Dan 9:24). All these teachings by word and example are the "waters" that "bathes" one. (Rev 22:17,18. Titus 3:5. Rom 6:1-11*).

The meanings of being totally immersed (covered over) in these "waters" are:

(1) The symbolising of a future course that an individual has decided to carry out in true belief
and obedience to God according to knowledge.

(2) Requiring that individual to be symbolically "buried" out of sight, symbolising one's death as
respects sinning wilfully anymore in one's spirit and body (while alive in the flesh) thereafter.

(3) The coming out of this water (of death) symbolising one's resurrection to a "newness of life"*
(Rom 6:9-11*) while still alive in the same physical body, but living now with reference to The Christ in his established "Way". This "Way" is Christ's examples and teachings, and includes help given by Holy Spirit sent from God in Christ's name. (John 14:26). The "newness", is one's life when observing (performing) God's Will in His laws of the new covenant, and is manifest in one's righteous dealings with others within the laws of God. (Read Colossians 2:13-15 and Matthew 19:16-19). Living, no longer according to the many ways of the world (its people with their will), but according to those whose ways are in accordance with the Will of God. (James Ch.4).

MANY BAPTISMS ARE ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING DEAD ONES.
The "covering over" of sins by God's acceptance of Christ's ransom sacrifice, is limited to those who can be subjected to God. "Otherwise what will they do who are being baptised for the purpose of (being) dead ones?"⁺ (1Cor 15:27-29⁺). This scripture teaches that those who refuse to be subjected to God, who observe only those laws that suit and give glory to them, are not being made alive in Christ's teachings that give glory to God and which benefit obedient partakers.

Those who have been subjected are literally to be raised in the spirit to heavenly life, although they die imperfect in the flesh. But how can one know if one is being subjected? By making active changes in one's life to conform to The Christ's teachings immediately they are fully understood; and is the reason for these many letters from those substituting for Christ, for those coming out of "Babylon". (2 Corinthians 5:20,21. 6:1). The first work in the ultimate purpose of God, is through baptism in Christ, to gather his first "fruits" through the subjecting of his anointed brothers, both individually, and as a "body", as a "new creation". (Gal 6:15). These are the ones of whom it says: "For the eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the Sons of God." (Rom 8:19).

One's baptism is therefore for the purpose of being made alive to the "newness of life" by Christ while in the flesh. It is also for a resurrection after one's death to life in heaven with The Christ and his brothers.

11/8/79.