First Principles

 The Principles of the doctrine of Christ.

(Heb.6.1,2)

The First Principles of the Oracles of God.

The Foundation: The Milk of the Word.

 

Repentance from Dead Works.

Faith toward God.

the Doctrine of Baptisms.

Laying on of Hands.

Resurrection of the Dead.

Eternal Judgement.

 

Matthew 22.14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (when many is compared with few, many are the vast majority; so the vast majority of the called shall not be chosen to salvation).

2Thess.2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Not through blind faith in man's many diverse and divisive doctrines about the written word; but by belief of, and living faith in, the Truth Himself, the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Peter1:2 Elect (Gk. electos; chosen) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied.

We must be among the few chosen to salvation.

 

Please do not assume that you understand the First Principles; please check them out to assure yourself.

 

Hebrews 5.12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and you are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.    13 For every one that uses milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.    14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.                    Heb.6,1 therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,        2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement.

The milk of the Word is for the edification of baby Christians, and must be understood before the deeper teachings of the Word can be revealed. 

Many believe that they understand the milk of the Word, but many are deceived. Many believers of long standing have been deceived by many teachers.

Mt.24.4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.            5. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Once again, the many are the vast majority.

Mt.7:21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven;    22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?    23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

This is the age of the falling away spoken of by Paul in 2nd Thessalonians.

2Th.2.1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,    2 That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.    3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;   (falling away:- Gk. apostasia:- defection from truth {see study on 'Apostasy' on this website}).

As the world does not have the truth, this falling away must be among believers.

Further true knowledge and understanding can be revealed only to those who understand the milk of the Word.

 Isaiah 28.9 Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

Before studing scripture, prayer must be made for spiritual understanding.

If you disagree with some of the following, please do not stop reading: read on. 

If you still disagree at the end of each study, please comment with your suggestions. 

 

 

Repentance from Dead Works.

To repent, according to the Oxford dictionary, is to wish one had not done something; to feel regret for a deed or omission.

In Scripture, repent is first used in:

Exodus 13.17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:   

Repent as used throughout the old testament, is a Hebrew word:- na cham, meaning to sigh, to breathe out strongly.                                                                                                              

This indicates a realization that one has done the wrong thing, or made a wrong decision; and,  in the context of the previous scripture, it leads to a change of mind, and to a return to a former place or way.

Ezekiel 14.6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

Ez.18.30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God, Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

From these scriptures it can be seen that repentance must be accompanied by a turning away from former idolitaries, transgressions and sins, or a return to a former place or way.

First mention in the new testament is in:

Mt.3.1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.    2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mt.4.17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

In the Greek:- (Strongs) repent:- met a no e' o: to think differently, or afterward; to reconsider. repentance:- met a noi' a: ( Strong's rendering: regret for wrong doing).  No e' o and noi' a are from the word nous meaning knowledge: so repent and repentance mean to come to a different knowledge or understanding; a change of mind.

From the following scriptures it can be seen that in the new testament repentance is also followed by a return to a former place or way.

Repentance does not include that return, but embraces a willingness to return or turn back.

Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Lord.

 Acts 26.20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then, to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

In Acts 3.19 Repent and be converted (Gk: meta no e' o  kai  epi streph' o); and in Acts 26.20 repent and turn (Gk: meta no e' o  kai  epi streph' o) show that conversion and turning to God are the same thing; and that repentance and conversion or turning to God are seperate things, but must accompany one another. Also we must do works of faith, which is obedience to the Lord, to show that we have repented.

For Jesus said in Mt.18.3 Truely I say unto you, Except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Repentance is a primary, and essential step to being reconciled with God.

Repentance is to be accompanied by a turning back to God. (Back to God, because we came from God, but we broke His commandments; we sinned, and were seperated from Him; but through the precious blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, our sins are paid for, and we may come back to God through Him.  This is reconciliation with God.)

Reconciliation with God also requires our forgiveness of all whom we fell have wronged us.

Mt.6.14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:       15 But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.

The Greek word for repentance; meta no e' o, from the word nous, which has to do with knowledge, means a change of mind; a different way of thinking about life; from the worldly, to the Heavenly, from the material to the Spiritual, from man's way to God's way.

Repentance is a different knowing about life, a change of understanding from the worldly, natural, material temporal life to the heavenly spiritual eternel life; it is the beginning of a renewal of the mind, from the carnal worldly understanding to the mind of Christ, with true spiritual understanding.

We come to know, to understand, to perceive, that the reality of life is not just the material, bodily existance in this world, but the spiritual life that endures forever.   And it depends on how we respond, in this present lifetime, to Jesus' sacrifice for us, to Jesus' teachings, and to Jesus' spiritual presence with us and in us, what will happen to us in the eternal spiritual realm.

 

Repentance from DEAD WORKS

Dead works are all things that are done, through the fallen, natural, carnal state of man; and not according to the truth of spiritual understanding.

In the book of Ecclesiastes King Solomon wrote of his investigation into all worldly things; of all things under the sun: and his conclusion was that all was vanity, all in vain, all a waste of life; for the worldly life is temporal and fleeting, but the spiritual life is paramount and eternal .

Ecclesiastes 12.13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.    14 For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Those who live for the material creation, and not for the spiritual Creator; for the works of the flesh, and not for the Spirit,  are living in dead works.

We are to become aware of our living a material, worldly, temporal life, without God, and to change our way of understanding life, and to return to God as our Father, and live the spiritual eternal life, made available to us through the blood sacrifice of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, through faith.

Dead works are also things that we do ourselves to try to be righteous, or leagally right with God.

Righteousness can be obtained only as a free gift, by grace, through faith, from God; as the result of accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, repenting and turning back to God; confessing our sins, and forgiving others.

 

Please understand this....

Except we keep our mind and heart constantly resting in the ever present Lord, (walking In Spirit and Truth, in the Light, and relying upon the mind of Christ); except we do all things through Christ Jesus, (which strengthens us); except we abide (Gk: meno:- dwell, stay constantly) in the Vine, we can do nothing. And everything we do in our own strength and understanding is dead works.

Jn.15. 5 I am the Vine, you are the branches: They that abide in Me and I in them, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.

Phil.4.13 I can do all things through (Gk. en: in) Christ which strengthens me.

Heb.4.9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.    10. For they that have entered into His rest, they also have ceased from their own works, as God did from His.

Isaiah 30:15a For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved;

To rest in Him; to remain in His presence, we must be righteous.

Confession of sin is an on-going daily work, (give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses); accompanied by our forgiveness of others, (as we forgive those who trespass against us.)

1John1.8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.    9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Repentance starts when the Father, in His goodness, draws us to Jesus through the hearing of the gospel; and continues until we have put on the new man, have been renewed in the spirit of our mind unto the mind of Christ, have truely denied the self, died to our worldly life, and appreciate and understand that it is no longer we that live, but Christ that lives in us; and we have turned our lives over to Him completly that He might be magnified in us, and are walking constantly in the Light of Truth and Life in Christ Jesus, abiding in the Vine, dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, resting in the Lord, having been made holy by the God of Peace, and been conformed unto the image of His Son, worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth.

We are still in the world, but no longer of the world; we have been baptized into His death, and burial, and resurrection; and should be walking in newness of victorious life in Him; abiding constantly in the ever-presence of the Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, relying on the mind of Christ, not leaning on our own understanding, waiting upon the Lord, and trusting Him to guide all of our paths.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth ( Strongs Gk. meno: to stay, dwell, remain present) in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

 

Faith toward God.

Romans 10.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.   14 How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? (Gk: pisteuo; to have faith) and how shall they believe (have faith) in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?    15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.    16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?    17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

When the Word of God is preached by those sent by God, faith is in the Word, and all who hear and receive the Word, receive the measure of faith. 

Romans 12:3b ..but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

We are saved by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2.4 But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,  5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)    6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:    7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.    8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:    9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3.27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law ? of works ? No: but by the law of faith.

What are these laws of works and of faith ?

The law of works pertain to the observances of the laws of ordinances;  given to Israel by the Lord, through Moses. Israel was to observe these laws. They were Levitical, ceremonial and social laws; and included certain sacrifices to be made for offerings, atonement, cleansing and peace.

These laws of ordinances were abolished and blotted out in His flesh on the cross.

Ephesians 2.10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.    11 Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;    12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:    14 For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;    15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of two one new man, so making peace;

Works of the law can in no way make us righteous. Neither can good works (mentioned in verse 10 above), we must however, as children of God, do these good works.

Col 2.13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;            14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

We can not be saved by works of the law; niether can we be saved without works of faith.

The law of commandments contained in ordinances is not to be confused with the ten commandments.

Mt.5.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.    18 For truely I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no way pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.    19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosover shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Lu.16.17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. (see study on the difference between 'the Law and the Commandments' on this website).

Jesus has given us a new commandment.

Jn.13.34 A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.    35 By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.

How do we know if we are observing this new commandment?

1 Jn.5.2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.    3a For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.

 

What is the law of faith?

Galatians 5.5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.    6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love. (agape love, Godly love).

To love God is to obey God. To have faith in God is to trust and obey God.

Here can be clearly seen the difference between the works of the law and the works of faith.

Works of the law that have been abolished, can save no one.

Works of Faith are neccessary, for faith to be living, saving faith.

If we say that we believe in God, and then do not try to obey Him, we deceive ourselves. If we call Jesus Lord, and then do not obey Him, He is not our Lord and we take His name in vain.

James 1.22 But be you doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

As John Wesley understood it; "we cannot be saved by works (of the law), neither can we be saved without works" (of faith).

James 2.14 What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith and have not works? can faith save him ?

17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.    18 Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.    19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.    20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead.    21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?          22 See you how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.    23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.    24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.    25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?    26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Abraham believed God; Abraham obeyed God. Living, saving faith is obeying God. To think that faith toward God requires no works, is to think that we can be saved by dead or blind faith.

Good works are not the works of faith. The works of faith are obedience to God.

Do not make the mistake of the many who believe that any or all works are "legalism".

Faith works by love.

If you love Me, keep My commandments.

We are not saved by grace alone, but by grace through faith. 

We are not saved by faith alone, but by faith and the works of faith.

 

Faith to Faith

There are different manifestations of the one faith.

Romans 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (has faith); to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.    17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 Ro.12.3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to everyone that is among you, not to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1 Cor.12.7 But the manifistation of the Spirit is given to everyone to profit with.    8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;    9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;    10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues:    11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to everyone severally as He will.

Galations 5.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,    23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

There is the measure of faith, the gift of faith, and the fruit of faith.

The measure of faith is given to us as we hear and believe the Gospel and receive Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

The gift of faith may be given to us upon our being baptized into the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of faith can be manifested in us as we rest in, or abide in the Lord.

From faith to faith also speaks of our spending time with the Lord, knowing that we are in His presence; praising, worshiping, praying and waiting; knowing that He is with us; then we go about our own ways, following our own understanding, forgetting that the Lord is with us; then we come again to the Lord; then we leave the Lord; then we come back to the Lord; this is going from faith to faith.

The Lord wants us to come to Him and stay with Him; to remain in His presence, to take His yoke upon us, to abide in Him, to fellowship with Him and with Our Father, to live in the Light, to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, to rest in His ever-presence, the we might be renewed in the spirit of our mind unto the mind of Christ; that we might be conformed unto the image of the Son of God, that He might be the first born among many brethren, that His life that is in us be magnified as we decrease, deny self and die to our worldly and bodily life. 

 

Hebrews 11.1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.   2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.    3 Through faith we understand that the world was framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

To man's carnal mind; faith is believing, without having any evidence.

To the mind of Christ; faith is the evidence.

The very fact that we have been given faith, proves to us that there is a God; because faith was given to us from God. It is the substance, the underpinning, the support for our belief; it is the conviction, the understanding, the evidence, the proof that the unseen spiritual realm is real.

Man's faith is blind, dead faith, but faith of God is obedient, living, saving faith.

 

Love God and obey His commandments.

 

 

The Doctrine of Baptisms.

Matthew 28.18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.    19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:    20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 Mark 16.15 And He said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.    16 They that believe and are baptized shall be saved; but they that believe not shall be damned. 

It must be understood that to believe means to have faith; and that faith must have works of obedience.

Ephesians 4.4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling;    5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,    6 One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There is one baptism into the one Body, and one Spirit, and one Lord, into Whom we are baptized, there is one Hope of salvation, there is one Faith; the faith of God, and one God and Father of all.

The one baptism is a baptism of various parts.

There is a baptizing in water: this is a baptism of repentance, and a baptism for the remission of sins, and represents our having repented from our old worldly understanding and a change of mind back to our spiritual understanding, and a change of heart from the world and a turning back to God. It is a baptism into Jesus Christ, and represents our being crucified with Jesus and being dead (to our old self and our worldly life), and buried (with Jesus Christ ), and resurrected with Him by the glory of the Father.

Romans 6.3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?    4 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.    5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:    6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.    7 For they that are dead are freed from sin.    9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over Him.    10 For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He lives, He lives unto God.    11 Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Because this baptism is a burial of our old life, it must be by full immersion. (When one is buried one is covered over). Baptism: Gk. Bap ti zo: to make fully wet. bapto: to cover wholly with a fluid, to dip.

A part of this one baptism is the baptism of John unto repentance, in the name of the Father, and so must take place after one has heard the gospel and repented, and received Jesus as Redeemer and Lord.

Acts 19.4a Then said Paul, John truely baptized with the baptism of repentance.

Mark 1.4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Another part of this one baptism is the baptism of remission of sins, in the name of the Son.

When we come up out of the water of this baptism of repentance and remission of sins, we are resurrected with Christ; cleansed of all our old worldly, carnal habits and sins. In this renewed state, we are then baptised by the Lord Jesus Christ, from the heavenly realm, with the Holy Spirit, in the name of the Holy Spirit.

[We should walk henceforth in newness of life; reckoning ourselves to be dead to sin, and not serve sin; but do we?]

 

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a part of the one baptism.

Mt.3.11 I indeed baptize you with (Gk. en: in) water unto repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

 

The Baptism of Jesus .

13 Then came Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.    14 But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of You, and You come to me?    15 And Jesus answering  said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered Him.

(The baptism of John is unto the fulfilling of all righteousness. We are given the free gift of righteousness by grace (Rom.5.15-19); but need to be baptized; our old fleshly life dead and buried, and then resurrected from the dead unto newness of life; and reconciled with God through being baptized into His Holy Spirit, to fulfill all righteousness.)

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straitway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him.    17 And lo a Voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

Peter spoke on baptism.

Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will be given the gift of the Holy Spirit.    39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This promise, this gift of the Holy Spirit, is for all whom the Lord our God shall call; and is usually received when one comes up from the baptismal water; after being buried with Him by baptism into death, and resurrected with Christ Jesus. As those administering the baptism lay hands on, and pray for the newly baptized, the Lord Himself baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

This is not always the case; as the household of Cornelius was baptized with the Holy Spirit, before being baptized with the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. (Acts 10.44-49).

This is the beginning of the new birth spoken of by Jesus in:-

John 3.5 Jesus answered, Truely, truely, I say unto you, Unless a person be born again of water and of the Spirit, they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven

John 12.24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.

 

Now, why has Peter, in Acts 2.38, said, Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ: when Jesus had told His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?   

Acts2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Acts 10.44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which had heard the Word.    45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.    46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,     47 Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?    48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

These Gentiles received the baptism with the Holy spirit, before they had been baptized unto the remission of sins in the name of the Son.

(Peter baptized them in the name of the Lord.)

These Gentiles were of the household of Cornelius who was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. They would have already been baptized by John the Baptist unto repentance, in the name of the Father.

Acts 8.14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:    15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:    16 (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)    17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

 

The believers in Samaria had been baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus, but whoever baptized them had not prayed for them to be baptized with the Holy Spirit; so Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. They did not baptize them again in water, because the baptism with the Holy Spirit comes after the baptized has emerged, resurrected, from the water.   

In what name did Paul baptize?

Acts 19.1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,    2 He said unto them, have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And they said unto him,We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.    3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.    4 Then said Paul, John truely baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is , on Christ Jesus.    5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.    6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. 

The Ephesian disciples were baptized unto John's baptism; with the baptism of repentance, in the name of the Father. They had not received the Holy spirit.    Paul then baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus, for the remission of sins, in the name of the Son; He then laid his hands on them, and the Holy spirit came upon them, in the name of the Spirit.

Those of Samaria who had received the Word of God, had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, but had not received the Holy Spirit.    Peter and John prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; they then laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

The baptism with the Holy Spirit; which is from Christ Jesus, is administered by the laying on of hands, and prayer of the baptizing ministers.

 

What are we to make of all this?

Baptism can be in any order, as God wills.

Usually, it is in the order of:- baptism unto repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and baptism with the Holy Spirit.

The apostles baptized in the name of the Lord, or the Lord Jesus, or Jesus Christ.    This is because they understood the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit to be the Lord Jesus, the name above all names.    Jesus did not say to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; but rather in the name of the Father, and (the name) of the Son, and (the name) of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism of John, unto repentance, is in the name of the Father:  because John was sent from God; and when John was baptising, Jesus had not yet been glorified.

The baptism unto remission of sins, is in the name of the Son.

The baptism with the Holy Spirit, is in the name of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ; the name above all names.

And so baptism is to be administrated after one has heard the gospel, and believed the Word, and received Jesus as Redeemer and Lord.    After one has repented and renounced self, and the world, and turned from it and back to God.    After one has brought forth behaviour to show that they had repented; 

and after one has confessed their sins.

Mt 3.6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Mt.3.8 Bring forth therefore fruit meet for repentance.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; the Lord, or the Lord Jesus, or Jesus Christ.

The name above all names.

Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.

The Father is the Lord, the Son is the Lord, the Holy Spirit is the Lord.

There is one Lord.

 

A Warning.

After Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted of the devil forty days.    After defeating the devil; with the sword of the Spirit; in the three areas of sin; lust of the flesh (Lu. 4.3,4), the lust of the eyes (Lu.4.5-8), and the pride of life (Lu. 4.9-12), Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee (Lu.4.14a).

This spiritual power is directly proportional to the degree of our victory over the enemy.

Luke 4.1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4.14a And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee:

Many think, because many bibles say, that we receive that power when we receive the baptism with Holy Spirit, but the Word of God (see study on: 'Different Bibles' on this website) says, in Acts 1.8 But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We should be aware that the enemy tries to tempt all after baptism, and so the newly baptized should be nurtured and protected by prayer for forty or more days after baptism.

[If we consider that the Koine Greek of the Septuagint and the New Testament was, at the time of writing, the common language throughout the Biblical world, and was sometimes not grammatically accurate, and without punctuation, and read Isaiah 40.3 The voice of one crying, "In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the lord make straight the paths of our God". And Matthew 3.3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, the voice of one crying, "In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight"; then a wonderful truth is opened unto us: that it is in the wildreness, after baptism, when we are tempted of the devil, that we have the chance to cling to the Lord and His victory, or be overcome by the enemy in some or all areas of our lives. It is that time, after baptism, that we can retain the victory for ourselves, prepare the way of the Lord, and make His paths straight, to work in us, and through us in the power of the Spirit.]

For we must let God the Father conform us unto the image of His Son Jesus Christ.

The promises of scripture are not received by our believing them; but are manifested in us as we believe and do them, and obey the Lord, in Spirit and in truth.

 

Children do not need to be baptized. Jesus was about thirty when He was baptized.

 

Many are deceived into believing that we are "born in sin". This is not true. This deception comes from a misunderstanding of Ps.51.5; and Ro.7.1,5.

Ps.51.5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity: and in sin did my mother concieve me.

David is not saying he was born in sin: he is saying that his mother was a sinner and in iniquity when he was conceived and shapen in the womb.

Paul said,

Ro.7.1 Know you not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law has dominiom over a man as long as he lives.     5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Paul is not including children in this scripture.

Mk.10.14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Ro.7.7 What shall we say then ? is the law sin ? God forbid. No. I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.    8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupisence. For without the law sin was dead.    9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.    10 And the commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.    11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Jn.1.9 That was the true Light which lights every man that comes into the world.

Every man comes into the world joined to God, with the Light of God in us, until, in our youth, we come under the commandments; and, when we break them, we die spiritually.

We are all alive to God until we come to the age of accountability, and break His commandments, and are seperated from him, and die spiritually.

That we are not "born in sin" is attested to by Mk.10:14; Jn.1:9; and Ro.7:7-11.(above).

Genesis 8:21b for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth;

The children of the wicked one are, however, born in sin;

Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

 The age of accountability in the new earth will be 100 years. Is.65.20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that has not fulfilled his days, for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner  being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

 

 The baptism of fire.   

Acts 2.1 And when the day of Pentacost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.    2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.    3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.    4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This is the first, and only occasion mentioned, where visible fire appeared upon those being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine of baptism with fire: has to do with our being refined, by firey trials from God.

1Ch.28.17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:    18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

Is.48.9 For my name's sake will I defer my anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.    10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.    11 For my own sake, even for my own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted ? and I will not give my glory to another.

Zech.13.7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.    8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therin shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therin.    9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Ja.1.2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations (Gk: pei ras mos; a putting to proof, or test, or trial; trials and tribulations);    3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.    4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Jn.15.1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.    2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:   6 For whom he Lord loveth he chastiseth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.    7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; for what son is he whom the Father chatheneth not?    8 But if ye be without chastisment, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

There are other baptisms mentioned in scripture.

1Cor.10.1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers (ancient Israel) were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;     2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

1 Cor.15.29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why then are they baptized for the dead?

(I must say, I do not really understand the meaning of this passage, but I do think that Paul is not advocating being baptized for the dead; because the one baptism for a follower of Jesus Christ requires, first, belief of the gospel, repentance, and then confession of sin. Although it may be referring to those believers who died, without baptism; those sprinkled with water as babies).

Lu.12.50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!    Jesus was here referring to His suffering, and death, and resurrection.

The thief on the cross, suffered with Jesus; defended Jesus' innocence; confessed his sin;  confessed Jesus as Lord; confessed Jesus as the King of the kingdom of heaven; asked Jesus to remember him; was baptized with this baptism that Jesus spoke of; and was surely resurrected along with those many saints which slept that were resurrected and came out of the graves after His resurrection, those who had been in Abraham's bosom, in paradise; and went into the Holy city, and were seen of many.

 

Acts.2.38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.    39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Let us be aware, that those of us who are baptized into the death, and burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, have the life of Christ in us, the hope of glory, and so will live forever. This is a hope of glory, not a guarantee (see study on 'How are we Saved?').  Where will we be after the judgement? With God in glory as His children, or tied hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness. In outer darkness is not death, but weeping and gnashing of teeth). (see study on:'Eternal Judgement').

 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

 

Laying on of hands.

God has at times laid His hand upon nations to bring judgement upon them.

Exodus 7.4 But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth My armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgements.    5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth My hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Ezekiel 39.21 And I will set My glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see My judgement that I have executed, and My hand that I have laid upon them.    22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and foward.

 

God would sometimes lay His hand upon His prophets to strengthen them, or to give them a vision.

1Kings18.46 And the hand of the Lord was upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran from Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Ezekiel 1.3 The Word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.    4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Ezekiel 37.1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

 

In ancient times a man would lay his hands upon his children and bless them.

Genesis 48.9 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.    14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn    15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,    16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.     17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manessah's head.    18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.    19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truely his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.    20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manessah.

The right hand was usually laid upon the firstborn; but Israel laid his right hand upon the one whom he knew would be the greater.

 

In old testament times, a man would lay his hands upon the sacrifice before killing it. This made the sacrifice accepted for him to make atonment for him.

Leviticus 1.2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.    3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.    4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonment for him.

 

The high priest of the children of Israel would lay his hands upon the head of a live goat (called the scape-goat), and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins; putting them upon the goat. This was part of the yearly cleansing, atoneing ceremony.

Leviticus 16.21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:    22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.                                                                            30   For on that day shall the priest make an atonment for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.

 

A leader would sometimes lay his hands upon the one who would replace him, so as to pass on some of his authority and wisdom.

Numbers 27.15 And Moses spoke unto the Lord, saying,    16 Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation.    17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.    18 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him;    19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.    20 And you shall put some of your honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.                                                         23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.

Deuteronomy 34.9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel harkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

 

In new testament times, the first mention of the laying on of hands is in:-

Matthew 9.18 While He spoke these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay your hand upon her, and she shall live.

Mark 5.22 And, behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet,    23 And besought Him greatly, saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death: I pray You, come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

35 While He yet spoke there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further?    36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.     37 And He suffered no man to follow Him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.    38 And He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.    39 And when He was come in, He said unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.    4  And they laughed Him to scorn. But when He had put them all out, He took the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with Him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.    41 And He took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, , Damsel, I say unto you, arise.    42 And straightway the damsel arose and walked, for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

The dead girl was restored to life as Jesus laid His hand upon her, and spoke the Word.           Those who had faith in Him knew that He could do this miracle.

 

Jesus also laid His hands upon people when He healed them.

Luke 13.11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.    12 And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.    13 And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

 

When Jesus commanded His disciples to go and preach the gospel, He also told them that all who had faith shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16.15 And He said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.    16 They that believe and are baptized shall be saved; but they that believe not shall be damned.    17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues:    18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands upon the sick and they shall recover.

 

Jesus also laid His hands upon children, and prayed for them.

Matthew 19.13 Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.    14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.    15 And He laid His hands on them and departed thence.

 

When Jesus was arrested, they laid their hands on Him.

Matthew 26.47 And while He yet spoke, lo, Judas one of the twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.    48 Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, Whosoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast.    49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed HIm.    50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore are you come? Then came they and laid hands on Jesus, and took Him.

They who laid hands on Jesus came in the authority of the high priests and elders of Israel: and, as the old testament priests laid their hands upon the sacrifice, to put upon it all the sins and iniquities of Israel, so laid they their hands on Jesus, our sacrificial lamb. Thank You Jesus.

 

Men are appointed unto certain ministries through the laying on of hands.

Acts 6.2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables.    3 Wherefore, brethren, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.    4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.    5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy spirit, and Phillip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.    6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

 

Ananias laid his hands upon Saul that he might receive his sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit; at the Word of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 9.17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.    18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received his sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

 

Barnabus and Saul were seperated to do the work which God had called them to, after certain prophets and teachers had laid their hands on them.

Acts 13.1 Now there was in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabus, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.    2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Seperate Me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.    3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

 

Peter and John laid their hands on some Samaritam believers, who had been baptized by Phillip, and prayed that they might revieve the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8.14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:    15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy spirit:    16 (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)    17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they reveived the Holy Spirit.    18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

 

Paul laid his hands upon certain Ephesian disciples, who had been baptized unto John's baptism of repentance, and the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Acts 19.1 And it came to pass, that, while Appolos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,     2 He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.    3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.    4 Then said Paul, John truely baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.    5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.    6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

This gift of the Holy Spirit is given by God, through the laying on of hands. Paul wrote to Timothy:-

2 Timothy 1.6 Wherefore I put you in rememberabce that you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.

Special gifts, through prophesy, were given through the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

1 Timothy 4.14 Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophesy, with the laying on of hands of the presbytery.

 

God lays His hand upon nations to bring judgement upon them.

God sometimes lays His hand upon His prophets, to strengthen them, or to give them a vision.

Patriachs laid their hands upon their offspring to bless them.

Priests, and people, laid hands on sacrifical animals, to put on them their sins, and the sins of the nation.

Leaders would annoint their successors by laying hands on them.

In new testament times, hands are sometimes laid upon the dead to bring them back to life.

Hands are laid on the sick, when healing is prayed for.

Hands are laid upon children.

Hands are laid upon new ministers.

Believers had hands laid on them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Special gifts were given through laying on of hands.

Those with authority from the chief priests and elders of the people (Mt.26:47; Mk.14:43; Jn.18:3), and the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders (Lu.22:52),  laid their hands on Jesus (Mt.26:50; Mk.14:46;), and He became the sacrifice for sin, and trespasses and transgression, and iniquity, and sickness, and disease, and infirmity, and curses, for all mankind.

Thank You Jesus.

Thank You heavenly Father.

 

Resurrection of the dead.

 

The resurrection of the dead is the bringing back to life, by the power of God, of all of mankind. There is more than one resurrection. At the end of the world, when the Lord Jesus appears for the second time, God will resurrect the remnant of mankind, who have not been resurrected in previous resurrections, unto judgement day.

Acts 17.31 Because He has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He has ordained; wherefore He has given assurance unto all men, In that He has raised Him from the dead.    32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.

 The resurrection of the house of Israel was shown by the Lord to Ezekiel.

Ezeliel 37.1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of a valley which was full of bones.    2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.    3 And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? and I answered, O Lord God, You know.    4 Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones; and say unto them, O you dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord.    5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live:    6 And I will lay sinues upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I Am the Lord.    7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and belold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.    8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinues and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.    9 Then He said unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.    10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army.    11 Then He said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold they say, Our bones are dried and our hope is lost: we are cut off from our parts.    12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and will bring you into the land of Israel.    13 And you shall know that I Am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves,    14 And shall put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall you know that I the Lord have spoken it, and preformed it, saith the Lord.

 

 

Paul wrote of the resurrection of the dead unto the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians15.1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand:    2 By which also you are saved (Gk: so zesth e, sozo meno is: are being saved. [Textus Receptus]), if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.    3 for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures:           4 And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:       5 And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:    6 After that, He was seen of about five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto the present, but some are fallen asleep.    7 After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.    8 And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

12 Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?    13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:    14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.    15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.    16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:    17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.    18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.    19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.    20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.    21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.    22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.    23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.    24 Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.    25 For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet.    26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

How are the dead raised up, and with what body do they come?

1 Corinthians 15.35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?    36 You fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it die:    37 And that which you sow, you sow not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:    38 But God gives it a body as it has pleased Him, and to every seed his own body.    39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.    40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.    41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.    42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:    43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:    44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.   45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; The last Adam was made a quickening spirit.    46 However that which was not first is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.    47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.    48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.    49 And as we have born the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavanly.    50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.    51 Behold, I show you a mystry;  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,    52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump (the seventh trumpet): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.    53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.    54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.    55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?    56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.    57 But thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.     58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

How many resurrections are there?

There is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Matthew 28.1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, come Mary Magdalele and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.    2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.    3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:    4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.    5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.    6 He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.    7 And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you.

 Mark 16.9a Now when Jesus was risen the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene,

Luke 24.1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.            2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.    3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.    4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:    5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?    6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee,    7 Saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

 

There is the resurrection of the saints which slept.

Matthew 27.52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Who are these saints of old, in this resurrection?

Revelation 14.1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on mount Zion, and with Him an hundred and forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.    2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:    3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.    4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God, and to the Lamb.    5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

These hundred and forty-four thousand, from twelve of the tribes of Israel, are those, which were in Abraham's bosom, which were visited and preached to by the Lord Jesus in Paradise during His days in the grave.(See study on: 'the 144 Thousand' on this website).

Luke 23.39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If you be Christ, save yourself and us.    40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do not you fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation?    41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss.    41And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.    42 And Jesus said unto him, Truely I say unto you, Today shall you be with Me in paradise. (That day they went into death and the grave).

Isaiah 42.6 I the Lord have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a Light to the Gentiles;    7 To open blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

1 Peter 3.18 For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit:    19 By the which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison.

Ephesians 4.8 Wherefore He said, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.

These hundred and forty-four thousand are the saints of old which slept, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city (New Jerusalem), and appeared unto many.    

For they have the Father's name written in their foreheads.

They were redeemed from the earth: they were resurrected after the Redeemption.

They were not defiled with women: they came out of resurrection, not birth.

They are virgins: they are before the throne of God in heaven where there is no marriage, nor giving in marrage.

They follow the Lamb whersoever He goes: He has been in heaven since His assention.

These are old testament saints, redeemed from among men; being firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

These are those who were in Paradise, in Abraham's bosom.

Revelation 14: 3 And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, that were redeemed from the earth.

No man, other than the hundred and forty-four thousand, will ever have the unique experiance that they have had. 

 

There is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20.4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was given unto them, and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Jesus a thousand years.    5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

When is the first resurrection?

 Revelation 20.1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.    2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, and bound him a thousand years,    3 And cast him into the bottomless pit,and shut him up, and set a seal upom him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.    4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded [(Gk. pel ek i zo: to cut off.); as distinct from ap ok eph al i zo: to decapitate.] for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.    5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.    6 Blessed and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

All of the souls in the first resurrection ascend to heaven alive, at the death of their bodies, and lived under the altar until all of their brethren who are to be killed as they were are resurrected. This is an ongoing resurrection, that began with the martyrdom of John the Baptist and Stephen.

This first resurrection culminates at the beginning of the thousand years, and is a resurrection of the souls (not bodies) of them that were cut off for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands.

This first resurrection must be after the time of the beast and the false prophet; after the martyrdom of all who would not worship the beast nor receive his mark.

Revelations 6.9 And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held:    10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?    11 And white robes were given unto everyone of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

 

2Thessalonians 2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;    4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

This man of sin is the little horn spoken of in Daniel.

Daniel 7.21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints,and prevailed against them; 

Daniel 12.7b and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

This man of sin is the beast.

Revelatiopn 13.1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.    2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.    3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.    4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?    5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.    6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.    7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.    8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.    9 If any man has an ear, let him hear.

Also in the first resurrection are the two witnesses, for they also are killed for the Word of God. (see study on: 'the Two Witnesses').

Revelation 11.1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.    2 But the court that is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.    3 And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.    4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.    5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.    6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophesy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.    7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendes out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.    8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.    9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.    10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.    11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood up upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.    12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up here, And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Hallelujah!!!

 

This first resurrection is not the resurrection of the dead that preceeds Judgement Day, at the second appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, at the end of the world.

The resurrection of the dead, is the resurrection of all people which have lived upon the earth, and includes the righteous dead who sleep in Jesus, and is at the end of the thousand years; but does not include those in the resurrection of the Saints of old, nor those in the first resurrection.

 

 The resurrection of the dead is on Judgement day,
when the Lord appears for the second time, at the end of the world.

 

Revelation 20.11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.    12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.    13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged everyone according to their works.

Who will be in this resurrection?

Those who have done good, and those who have done evil.

John 5.28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,    29 And shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

When is the resurrection of the dead; and judgement day?

Revelation 20.7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,    8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.    9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever.    11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.    12 And I saw the dead small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.    13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every one according to their works.    14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.          15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.     Rev.21.1 And I saw a new heaven and  a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

This resurrection is after the thousand years.

Who is in this resurrection?

Matthew 13.24 Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:    25 But while men slept, his enemy  came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.    26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.    27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, did not you sow good seed in your field? from whence then has it tares?    18 He said unto them, An enemy has done this. The servants said unto him, Will you then that we go and gather them up?    29 But he said, No; lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them.    30 Let them both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13.36 Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.             37 He answered and said unto them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man;    38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;    39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (Gk:aion: an age);  and the reapers are the angels.     40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.    41 The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;    42 And cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.    43  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who has ears to hear, let them hear.

In this resurrection, at the end of the world (age), shall be all who were not in the first resurrections; there will be good seed and tares; children of the kingdom, and children of the wicked one.

( It is at the end of this world, for the earth and the heavens flee away from the face of Him that sits upon the great white throne of judgement.)

Rev.20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

II Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.     11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,    12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?    13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righreousness.

Isaiah 65.17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Rev.21.5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And hs said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

It should be understood that the resurrection unto the judgement is at the end of this world; not one thousand years before the end.

(see study on 'the Lord's Return' on this website).

The popularly called "rapture"  or the catching up (Gk:har pa' zo: to seize, catch up, take up) of those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is at this resurrection, and is spoken of by Paul to the Thessalonians.

1Thes.4.13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.    14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.    15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (preceed, go before) them which are asleep.    16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:    17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.    18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him; because they shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

 

There is also the Spiritual resurrection of those that are baptized into Jesus  Christ.

The resurrection of Lazarus.

Before the Lord Jesus called forth Lazarus from the grave, Martha came to Him. John 11.21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.     22 But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

John 11.23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.    24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.    25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:    26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Do you believe this? 

 John 11.32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

John 11.33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.    34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see.    35 Jesus wept.

Jesus wept because they who had come to Him, could not see.

Jesus had said to Martha, I am the resurrection, and the Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead (in his sins), yet shall he live (be born again): and whosoever lives (is born again) and believes (has living faith) in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? 

Martha's reply showed that she did not understand, and that she was looking toward to the resurrection at the last day; as many of the called, who can not see, do today. This makes Jesus weep.

It must be understood that all who are baptized into Jesus Christ, are baptized into His death, His burial, and are raised in the likeness of His resurrection, and shall therefore never die (Rom.6.3-11).

We are already resurrected spiritually; but where will we be after the judgement? With Him as the children of God, or cast away into outer darkness? (see study on:'Eternal Judgement').

It's up to us, whether we follow Him in Spirit and in truth, in the living faith of obedience, or "only believe".

The life of Christ is in those of us who are baptized into Him; but for that life to manifest in us in Spirit and in truth; we must deny ourselves, die to our life in the world, and let His life be magnified in us.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.    24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

 Psalm 40:16 Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnifyed.

John 3: 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

Eternal Judgement.

Judgement is an on-going part of life as a result of the truth of; "as you sow so shall you reap". We all receive blessings for good works, and suffering for wrong doing. This is a law of life. Many know it as karma. Most do not notice it's opperation in their lives, but see it as luck, good or bad.

Galatians 6.7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.    8 For they that sow to their flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but they that sow to the spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting .

Eternal Judgement is once and forever; and will take place at the second appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ after the resurrection of the dead at the end of the world.

1Chronicles 16 29 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.    30 Fear before Him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.    31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigns.    32 Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.    33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because He comes to judge the world.

2 Timothy 4.1 I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

 

Judgement Day.

Acts 17.31 Because He has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He has ordained; Whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead.

Romans 2.16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel.

Revelation 11.14 The second woe is passed; and, behold, the third  woe cometh quickly.            15 And the seventh angel sounded (the last trumpet); and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever.    16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell on their faces, and worshiped God.    17 Saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.    18 And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come; and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that THou shouldst give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 20.11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.    12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works.   13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged everyone according to their works.    14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.    15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

By what measure are unbelievers judged?

John 12.46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on Me should not abide in darkness.    47 And if anyone hear My words, and believe not, I judge them not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.    48 They that reject Me, and receive not My words, have One that judges them: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge them in the last day.

By what measure are the Called judged?

Isaiah 28.17 Judgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters shall overflow the hiding place.

To the line and to the plummet, show that judgement shall be exactly to our words and works.

Matthew 12.36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.    37 For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

Revelation 20.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

So we are judged by our words and our works.

Who shall be judged?

Everyone.

1 Samuel 2.10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto His king, and exalt the horn of His annointed.

Acts 10.36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:).    37 That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;    38 How God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy spirit and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.    39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree;     40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly;    41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.    42 And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (living) and dead.    43 To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins.

2 Corinthians 5.10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in their body, according to what they have done, whether it be good or bad.

Hebrews 10.30 For we know HIm that has said, Vengeance belongs to Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.

1 Peter 4.17 For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?    18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

2 Peter 2.4 For of God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement;

Jude 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day.

Hebrews 9.27 And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.    

 

Penalties for those whose names are not found written in the book of life.

 

Rev.20.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev.21.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

Until the Judgement Day, very many, at physical death, are cast into hell:

Ps.9.16 The Lord is known by the judgement which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion (a solemn sound). Selah (pause).    17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Mt.5.22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (vain fellow), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire (Gehenna).

Mt.5.28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.    29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mt.18.8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter in to life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Lu.10.13 Woe unto thee Chorazin! woe unto thee Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.    14 And thou, Capernaum, which are exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.

Lu.16.19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:    20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,    21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table:  moreover the dog's came and licked his sores.    22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;    23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.    24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.    25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now is he comforted, and you are tormented.     26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from there.

Lu.12.4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.    5 But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say unto you, Fear Him.

After the Judgement, death and hell, and those whose names are not written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire; this is the second death.

Rev.20.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.    14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

Many shall be cast into outer darkness.

Mt.8.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.      12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

These children of the kingdom, spoken of here by the Lord Jesus are the natural  children of Israel.

The Lord referred to many which call Him Lord, in Matthew7: 21-27, who shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mt.7:21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of God which is in heaven.    22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in the name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name have done many wonderful works?    23 And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Many are called, but few are chosen.

Many children of the kingdom who are operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and so are baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and so can never die; are not cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death, but, if they do not follow Him in Spirit and in Truth, but walk in iniquity, are tied hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (see study on 'How are we Saved?' on this website).

These are the many who are called but will not be chosen.

Mt.22.11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment (see study on: 'Wedding Garments'):    12 And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment ? And he was speechless.    13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.    14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (see study on 'Called and Chosen' on this website).

 

Mt.25.24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed:    25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is yours.    26 His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:    27 You ought therefore have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.    28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him which has ten talents.    29 For unto everyone that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has.   30 And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The wicked and lazy and unprofitable servants of the Lord, are among the many called but not chosen.

Outer darkness is out beyond the Light; out beyond the Firmament; out beyond the universe. It is the darkness that was upon the face of the deep (Gen.1.2), and has been driven outward since the time when God said, "Let there be Light".

 

the evil servants and the hypocrites.

Mt.24.48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming;    49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;    50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,    51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This also is an hypocritical servant of the Lord; called but not chosen.

 

 a furnace of fire.

Mt.13.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire: so shall it be in the end of this world.    41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather aout of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity (see study on:'workers of iniquity');    42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

2Pet.3.10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.    11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy behaviour and godliness.    12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?    13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth(see study on:'New Heaven & Earth'), wherein dwelleth righteousness.    14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Eternal judgement leads a chosen few to eternal life as God's children in the new Heaven and the new earth; and very many to the lake of fire, the second death, and many called to outer darkness.

Forever.

Fear God.

Love God.

Obey the Lord.

Live Forever.

 

 (see study on 'How are we saved?')