Each group, employer, institution has its own rules and regulations. No ID no Entry. This is all well known. Jesus made the same regulation for his people in Mth 28:19-20- and this external ceremony of Christ’s people replaces the ceremony instituted by God in Genesis 17: 12, circumcision. Of course there is physical Gen 17: 12 and spiritual circumcision Deut 10: 16 as there is physical Acts 2:41 and spiritual baptism Acts 1: 5 Col 2: 12ff Eph 1:14 etc. Just as water baptism does not mean you are converted Acts 8: 20-23. Baptism, is the rite that allows us to participate in the 2nd of only 2 Sacraments in the New Testament- the Lords Table, Acts 2:42. These Sacraments, have universal validity. In Eph 4:4-5, some would teach that this ONE baptism is water baptism, but that would rule out the thief on the cross and make Jesus out to be a liar, for the thief on the cross, who believed, was never baptised. So, this ONE baptism cannot refer to water baptism, which many cults and groups, insist on the need for water baptism, in order to go to heaven. This is a clear misinterpretation of the requirement to be save- Joel 2: 32. Faith and belief. Within that faith and belief, we have both spiritual water cleansing Ezek 36: 25, John 3:3 as well as spiritual purging, cleansing Zech 13:9, Mth 3:11c. These are clear, if we have our spiritual eyes open. Otherwise we must take these physically- water baptism and physical burning gets us to heaven, this is not correct, if not total misguided. So, once we have this spiritual cleansing, by fire and water- we then make a stand for the Lord Jesus via our external ceremony. This then gives us access to the community of believers, and we partake in the Lord’s Table. Eph 4: 4-5 One Lord, Jesus, One faith, Christian faith in repentance and obedience, and One baptism, baptism of the heart by God. This then gives us the right, to be a part of the body. The body betrothed, to the groom, Jesus Christ 2 Cor 11: 2. And with this, there is a wedding Rev 19: 9. A wedding, in heaven. Means a together that lasts forever. And this, One Body, One Faith, One Lord, One baptism, One wedding, all of this is reflected, as One, in our partaking of the Lord’s Table. And when we do this, we declare the kingdom of Christ 1 Cor 11: 26, and all that that declaration entails. Incarnation. Life. Death. Resurrection. Ascension. Parousia. Final glorification-in spiritual unity, Wedding. All of this, should be in a believers mind as we partake of the Lord’s Table. Inner Immersion in Christ is personal. Water baptism is a declaration of this personal decision, now united together. After this is then the Lord’s Table. Its spiritual meaning points towards permanent eternal fellowship. These are more than ceremonies. They have deep personal meaning. If it is just a ceremony, it has of little value to you, or anyone.
MCC Admin
17 Tamuz 5781