The purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire (pt.2)...by Rick Roehm

4. Biblical proof the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire continued after Pentecost

            Records from the book of Acts prove manifestations of the Holy Ghost continued for years after Pentecost. Different Biblical terms yet the same action of the Spirit of God provide much clarification on the subject of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. Notice the language concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost which occurred at different points of time.

·          Shed Forth…Acts 2:33…Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

·          Fallen upon…Acts 8:15-17…Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost

·          Poured out…Acts 10:44-46…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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 Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

·          Came on…Acts 19:2-6…He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

5. Twofold evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire: Inner and Outer

            There are two evidences shown in the New Testament concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. These are the … inner and outer evidences. Both evidences prove the work of the Holy Ghost in the entire anatomy of the child of God. Both evidences which are Biblically documented offer proof that believers can experience this same sanctifying work of Holy Ghost in their hearts and lives today. Both evidences are Biblical truth that did not stop at the early Church like many believe and teach today. There are no Biblical records that state the gifts of the Holy Ghost stopped at the Early Church however; there are many records that state these gifts continued after Pentecost. 

                Lack of recognition of the Holy Spirits presence; and erroneous teachings have caused many to be hindered from; or to miss the truth and full blessing of the sanctifying power that comes through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.

            The inner evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a heart full of love and obedience toward God. Love for God and love for humanity comes when selfishness is purged from the heart and life of a believer. A Salvation without wavering in holiness and right standing with God comes when the Old man is taken out of the picture. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost reduces the hearts of men to humility for Christ… after self-centeredness is removed. When the heart of a believer is purified from all the dross of the body of sin (not dealt with in the new birth), the Indwelling Spirit takes over. Inner evidence from the purifying work of the Spirit is to be holy and without blame before Him in love. A man filled with the Holy Ghost will have no struggle with the problems of life; he will trust Christ for everything. The conflict within a believer’s members is taken away like his sins were forgiven when he first accepted Christ. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is another experience of Salvation that takes place in the life of a believer, after the new birth.  The inner evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a life of peace and contentment that rules the heart of a believer. Victory over sin and the flesh is real life experience that offers such contentment. This purifying work of the Holy Ghost and fire in perfect love for humanity is the fullness of Salvation taught in all New Testament writings.

            The outer evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is speaking in an unknown tongue. There are two reasons why speaking in unknown tongue is for today and did not stop at the Early Church.

      First, in the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, God takes full possession of the believer spirit, soul and body (the entire anatomy of man). The tongue can be controlled by the Spirit of God because the heart of the believer is controlled by the Spirit of God. Men that are filled with the Holy Ghost are dead to the Old man and governed by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost has full sway of man’s total being, tongue included. Holy men of God speak in tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance.

·          Acts 2:4…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

      Second, numerous records in the New Testament prove that when the experience of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost was received, recipients spoke in unknown tongue. The Bible teaches that unknown tongues continued nineteen years after Pentecost. The Bible teaches the Apostle Paul spoke in unknown tongue. Nowhere does the Bible teach these gifts stopped at the Early Church as many try to teach!

·          Acts 2:4…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

·          Acts 19:2-6…He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied

·          Acts 10:44-46…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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 Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

·          1 Cor 14:2-4…For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

 

6. The necessity of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire

            In the plan of God through redemption, Salvation of the soul in the new birth is perhaps one of the greatest miracles that come’s from the Throne of Christ. Even greater is the purifying work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that is granted from Christ to the heart and life of a believer.  The beauty of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a full Salvation that provides everything man needs to have victory over sin, self, and lusts of the flesh. Temptation doesn’t have the same affect on a man baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. The inner conflict between self and the Holy Ghost is taken away by the power of this Baptism. The peace of God “rules” this heart and life every minute, every hour, and every day. A contented life in Christ without the inner conflict and without an entanglement to the problems of life is just another blessing that comes from this Baptism.

            It’s understood that all have not experienced the blessing of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, “but they can”.  It’s understood that many miss the full blessing of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost because of shallow understanding of the Spirit’s presence or wrong teaching; but the God’s door is still open for them to walk through. Some people take the position that a child of God can never have full Salvation in this life (that Sanctification is future tense work of the Holy Ghost finished when the soul goes to Heaven). The Holy Ghost can show them otherwise. The doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a present tense truth and New Testament experience.

            During Christ’s earthly ministry Peter had a revelation of Christ’s Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Why? Peter had a divine nature. Peter however; didn’t understand that Christ had to suffer, die, and would rise from the grave. After the death of Christ Peter was baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire at Pentecost and his understanding was changed. Peter’s entire character was changed by the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that he received at Pentecost. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire was received by Peter fifty days after Christ’s death on the cross. Peter had believed in the Messiahship of Christ for years prior, however; he had not yet experienced the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. After the death of Christ the Holy Ghost inspired Peter to write two Epistles. The fullness of Gods Salvation came after Peter was “filled” with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.  Jesus predicted the work of the Indwelling Spirit when He told the disciples prior to His death that the Spirit of truth shall be “in” you. Shall be in you was a promise stated by Christ.

·          John 14:17...Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

            The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a necessary experience for the child of God. It makes every believers witness true to both, God and man.  It purges a believer from doubt and uncertainty. It gives men strength to overcome and remain faithful to Christ every minute of there existence. It keeps men from wavering in and out of faith. It’s more than the new birth. Why? There’s no struggle on the outside or war from within to oppose the Spirits presence. It’s the final work of the Holy Ghost in the heart of believer. It can be received on this side of Heaven. The Hebrew letter describes this final work of the Holy Ghost as the… spirits of just men made perfect (Perfection in this verse deals with the present tense work of sanctification…not future tense as some people teach).

·          Heb 12:23…To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

The purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire (pt.1)...by Rick Roehm

The Holy Ghost is the third person of God, in the Divine Trinity. The work of Holy Ghost in the Godhead reveals the sin of man, his rejection of Christ, and doubt to the human conscience. How? By stirring the conscience and showing man what he really is in the presence of Christ. Sanctification through the Spirit is the will of God for all men. The initial work of the Holy Ghost is conviction and repentance for the sinner.  This ministry of the Holy Ghost turns the penitent from sin to Christ, for salvation of the human soul. The sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost relates to the child of God (after Salvation) where the believer’s heart is purged from the inherited Adamic nature. The final work of the Spirit (in this life) through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire will be the central focus of this discourse. Its content will describe how, when, and why this Baptism performed by Christ deals with a part of a believer not dealt with at the new birth.

1. All believers need the sanctifying work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire

            Reason: The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a Christian, not the sinner. This purifying work of the Holy Ghost has nothing to do with initial Salvation in the new birth where the believer receives a new nature. This Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is another Christian experience that comes after the new birth. The purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is God’s deliverance from the Adamic nature.

            Through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross the miracle of Salvation of the human soul is granted to those who “trust in Christ’s death for the forgiveness of sins”. Within that miracle is a new birth where that believer receives a divine nature. The divine nature allows the believer to live a holy life in the sight of God and the new nature takes over. Greater is He…

                There is no struggle to do right in a believer’s life; however when there is a lack of recognition to this power, self still tries to rule the mind, soul, and body. This inner conflict wars against the power and will of the Holy Spirit’s directive. Why? The Adamic life and memories of it still exist in the life of a believer and thus tries to rule the mind, soul, and body even though a new nature was given by the power of the Holy Spirit in the new birth. 

            The miracle of the new birth is an instantaneous work of the Holy Ghost in the soul of a penitent sinner. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire likewise is an instantaneous work however; this operation of the Holy Ghost deals with the believer instead of the sinner. Unlike the new birth received by the sinner, the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire deals specifically those who know Christ. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire allows God to deal with a part of this believer not dealt with at the new birth.  What is not dealt with in the new birth? The old life man experienced! That old life was forgiven in the new birth and all past guilt was taken away. But memories of man’s fallen nature still try to be recognized. The only way a believer can get rid of this old life is through crucifixion of the old life and the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that destroys that part of man, entirely.  

                The Adamic nature which once ruled the sinner does not rule those who trust in Calvary for the forgiveness of sins.  The memories of an old nature are still there but these have been overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The Adamic life continues to war against the believers consciousness to the Holy Spirit’s presence. This requires the great need for a believer to get rid of the inner conflict not dealt with at the new birth.

            The sanctifying work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire” came upon” believers, not sinners on the day of Pentecost. This Baptism by Christ was an instantaneous work at one stroke at the hand of the Holy Ghost and not a progressive work as some profess.  Why do Christians need the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire? It’s a more complete work of the Spirit for the believer. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence that delivers and sanctifies believers in Christ completely from the Adamic life. This sanctifying power a spiritual baptism by Christ in the heart of a believer makes Christian’s better witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

·          Acts 1:8…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you ;and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

            The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire has no relationship to Water Baptism in any manner. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire deals primarily with an inner conflict from the Adamic life that hinders the believer from having all the Spirit of God has to offer in Salvation. This purifying work of the Holy Ghost that removes the believer’s conflict with the Spirit… is the predestinated will of God for all believers. It’s the fullness of God to some however; vague to others due to lack of recognition of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives; or vague because of erroneous indoctrination.

                After the new birth, a believer’s conscience desires to become totally subject to the presence of Christ. The conscience of a believer desires to be without sin or an inner conflict with self. The presence of the Holy Ghost allows a believer to constantly see himself in light of a Savior. In this believer’s relationship with the Savior, the Holy Ghost reveals the need for death to the Old life. This cutting away of all that a believer is points to the work of the Holy Ghost dealing with the negative part of that believer. When the believer actually dies to all that he is and puts off the Old man, the power of the Indwelling Spirit (through Baptism) destroys indwelling sin. The body of sin is no longer in conflict with the old life; it’s destroyed through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.

·          Rom 6:4-6…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.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  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.

 

2. Conditions to receive the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire

            This discourse was written to highlight the power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. It’s important to understand the Sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost is not limited in power. Regeneration deals with the sinner. Sanctification deals with the saint. The sanctifying work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire takes the believer away from a self life and thus makes him totally subject to Christ. How? The presence of the Holy Ghost reveals Christ’s suffering and death to the heart of a believer. In contrast Christ’s death and suffering shows the believer the need to die to the Old life. Through the believer’s recognition of Christ as Savior helplessness and nothingness from the Old man is likewise revealed. “Death (burying the old life) becomes the believer’s path to receive the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire”.

            Believer’s need deliverance from an inner conflict as the presence of the Holy Ghost makes Christ known to that heart. Unlike the sinner who doesn’t know Christ, a believer continuously sees himself in the presence of the Holy Ghost. What is revealed? A believer in light of Christ sees a need to die, and to get away from the selfishness caused from the old life. Through the work of the Holy Ghost a believer has a God given desire to put off the former lifestyle.

·          Eph 4:22…That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts

           Without Christ a believer has no strength of his own to overcome the old life. A believer is powerless to such struggle that tries to rule the mind, soul, and body. A believer knows his sins were forgiven at the cross. A believer knows he received a new nature when he turned to Christ for forgiveness. Enlightenment from the presence of the Holy Ghost allows this believer to realize only God can purge his heart from a still existing struggle with the old life. Without death to the Old there can be no renewal from the Holy Ghost. Deliverance from that struggle is the reason for the blessed experience of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Only those that know Christ through the presence of the Holy Ghost can experience this completed work of God termed as Sanctification.

            Ponder the lives of Peter, John, and James. Did you notice they did not receive the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire when they first believed? The Bible doesn’t teach that man receives the Baptism with the Holy Ghost in the new birth. Why? The unbeliever doesn’t acknowledge the presence of the Holy Ghost until after his sins are forgiven. Then after Salvation, the believer’s recognition of Christ allows the presence of the Holy Ghost to reveal and rid man of the selfish part that was not dealt with in the new birth. Crucifixion revealed through the presence of the Holy Ghost is a path to the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. After the old man is put off, the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is performed by Christ …at one stroke.

·          Col 3:9…seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

·          Matt 3:11…he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 

            The presence of Holy Ghost shows the sinner his need to get away from old life and all old associations; likewise the presence of the Holy Ghost shows the believer his need to get away from everything pertaining to the old ways. Remember, the presence of the Holy Ghost reveals the negative side of man to the saint. When the believer totally surrenders to Christ, he will bury the old life. Then at one stroke from the hand of God the believer will “put on” the new man. The new man is created through the purifying operation of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.

·          Col 2:12… Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God 

·          Col 3:10…And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

            The Bible does teach various modes of Baptism however; the intent of this discourse is to magnify Christ as the one who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire received at Pentecost was not the works of man nor was it performed through water Baptism. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire comes from the Throneroom where a believer’s faith in Christ should remain every minute, every hour, and every day…without wavering. As promised by the Father Christ baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire.

·          Luke 24:49…And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

·          Acts 1:4-5…And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

·          Matt 3:11…he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

3. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire began on the day of Pentecost

            The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire was promised by the Father and has been ministered under Grace since the day of Pentecost. The power and presence of the Spirit of Truth was taught by the Lord Jesus himself before His ascension to Heaven. God’s plan (through the Divine Trinity) understood man’s need to overcome sin and struggles caused from the flesh. The omnipresence of Holy Ghost under the Grace dispensation we now live in provides every believer with such power of deliverance. Christ knew the fullness of the Spirit would come through His body, the Church. Christ knew the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire was an enduement of power that would produce fruit in the heart and life of every believer from Pentecost until the Rapture of the Church.

·          Luke 24:49…And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

We advocate the distinction between the two Kingdoms. Why? It helps you to rightly divide God's Word.

Within this Blog (that is now going around the globe) there are labels placed on the left side of the Home page for future study and research of many Biblical subjects. These labels contain years of accumulated Biblical knowledge to help people to further their Biblical studies. Labels are used as a guide toward certain subjects. At the Churches on Trial we advocate making the distinction between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God. The reason? It opens up the Scriptures by giving more depth and understanding about the Bible. If you care to further your knowledge of the Bible and build a better faith in Christ, perhaps you'd like to examine some of the topics contained in the labels concerning the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven.

We encourage people to study God's Word. We encourage people to learn to rightly divide the Word of Truth. We encourage you to learn the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. It will bless your life in Christ. It will help you to develop a better relationship with Christ in the Spirit. You can learn the Bible the way it is written.

Brother Lindsey wrote a set of books called the Kingdom Series that also advocated this great teaching. These books are still available. Another brother in the Lord by the name of William E. Blackstone also advocated this great teaching. This teaching about two Kingdoms -  requires study and research to find confirmation. If you'd like to further your Biblical knowledge learn about the difference between the two Kingdoms. Learn the depth of God's Word and let it be your standard for living. Get back to the Bible. Use it. Meditate its truth. Memorize the scriptures.

It is our desire to help people to get rooted and grounded in God's Word. If you have any Biblical questions write me. I'll give you what I'm able to give. This stuff needs to be scattered around the world. God bless all of you around the world. We love you!

Here's a link to an excellent website that has the entire book published by W.E.Blackstone titled, Jesus is Coming". http://www.raptureready.com/resource/web/web.html This book is used as a textbook in many Theological Seminaries across our nation.

The Lord's Prayer - (a commentary from a Jewish perspective)

From the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus instructed Israel to put their hearts into prayer toward a future hope of the promised Kingdom based on His Messiahship. Israel was prayerfully encouraged by Jesus to learn the truth of His Kingdom message and to accept Him as the promised King. The Lord’s Prayer contains a wealth of knowledge concerning God’s future Kingdom on Earth where Christ will physically reign as King and ruler over all Earth.

 

Matt 6:9-13:

• (vs.9) after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come…

In subjection to the Father’s will Jesus’ prayer from the Sermon on the Mount was an acknowledgment of God’s Promised Kingdom for Israel. Jesus’ prayer was a request to the Father to help Israel to see the moral righteousness of God’s Law offered to Israel through their obedience toward His Messiahship and Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Jesus in compassion knew Israel’s doubt and lax attitude toward receiving their King was a direct result of deviation from the Law of Moses.

Deviation from the Law made it difficult for Israel to recognize that God could be three distinct personalities yet only one God within one entity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were the three persons of the Godhead taught within the four Gospels. Had Israel’s hearts been right and obedient to the authority of the Law of Moses they would have also recognized the truth of the Divine Godhead being (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount contained two matters of importance: First, He taught Israel to see the moral requirements of the Law of Moses. Second, He taught Israel to recognize the truth of His Messiahship. Holiness of heart and character was the fruit of receiving the Kingdom message. As a whole, if Israel would have kept the Law and accepted Christ’s Messiahship holiness of heart would have allowed God to establish the Kingdom pre-planned from the foundation of the world.

· Matt 25:34…Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

• (vs.10) Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Jesus prayed for the Fathers will to be done in Israel by setting up an Eternal Kingdom on earth under His Messiahship. This allowed the whole earth to become Heaven on earth and restored to a place like the Garden of Eden was, before the fall of Adam. In the eternal plan of the Father only the Determinate Council of God would appoint the chosen time when Heaven’s prophetic Kingdom would come into existence and become a visible and earthly Kingdom in Israel. Christ’s earthly ministry for 3 years (after He was thirty years of age) was that very “appointed time”. Daniel prophesied 483 years prior to the exact day Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and declared that Christ would be presented as “Prince and Messiah ” of Israel.

· Dan 9:24-25…and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks. (The seven weeks or seven sevens mentioned here was 46 years it took to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem…John 2:20 and Christ’s 3 year ministry which totaled 49 years)

The will of the Father was the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven where Christ would become King of Israel. Zechariah’s prophecy testified to this approx. 557 years prior to Christ’s appearing. Christ was the promised “King” that entered into Jerusalem riding upon an ass’s colt.

· Zech 9:9… Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Unfortunately the King and the Kingdom were both rejected because of Israel’s hardness of heart. Israel’s backslidden state from the Law of Moses is why Christ’s message of the Kingdom was not recognized or accepted. This very rejection stopped the visible Kingdom of Heaven from being established at that time even though it was offered “according to the will and mercy of God.”

The righteousness taught in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was to change the heart of Israel from a backslidden condition. This change would guide Israel back to the authority of the Law. By doing such Israel would have repented, kept the Law of Moses, and accepted Christ as the promised Messiah. In turn this would have brought in the Kingdom of Heaven. A pure heart and holiness of character has always been the will of God for humanity since the creation of man because God created Adam in His own image. Christ came to restore man with the very divine image that Adam lost. Within this divine image was the moral righteousness of God that Israel failed to have when Christ appeared during His earthly ministry. Israel’s moral obligation to the Law of Moses that Jesus taught allowed them to see their inability and helplessness outside the Law of God. Only recognition of such allowed Israel to become, poor in spirit. When men of Israel “kept the Law of Moses” it would help them to personally recognize Christ as God. This personal revelation in obedience to the Law of Moses allowed Israel to become, pure in heart.

The will of the Father during Christ’s Messiahship required something of man and obligated Israel to keep the Law. If they kept the moral requirements of the Law they would love God with their entire being. Loving God with their entire mind, will, and strength; and loving their neighbor as they did themselves allowed them to be children of God and thus enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

· Mark 12:29-31…And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Keeping this first commandment was Israel’s down payment to enter into Kingdom of Heaven. This attitude of heart allowed the heavenly will of the Father to be done on earth…as it is in Heaven.

• (vs.11) Give us this day our daily bread.

This prayerful verse and request from Christ was asking the Father to provide Israel with everything needed to fulfill the moral requirements of God. Hearing the Kingdom message was one thing, but actually receiving and living the message could only be obtained through daily bread, which was keeping the Torah, or the Law of Moses. Jesus said if Israel would hunger and thirst after the righteousness of God…and they would be filled.

· Matt 5:6…Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

To understand God’s daily bread toward Israel through the Kingdom message it’s important to know there’s a distinct difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven:

The Kingdom of God is God’s present rule over each individual believer. It is a divine nature restored in the heart of man through faith in Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven is a rule of Christ where Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah are fulfilled in an earthly and visible Kingdom. Believers in Christ at that time are given dominion over the earth like Adam had before the fall.
***Note the fact that in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven all believers in Christ must first have the Kingdom of God in their hearts through the new birth!

Had the Kingdom of Heaven been established during Christ’s earthly ministry, restoration of the earth would have provided much more than daily bread for all humanity. Earth would have become an eternal place like heaven is now! In the Kingdom of Heaven, God in three persons will make His abode within the hearts of the entire human family. All humanity will have dominion like Adam had before the fall. There will be no sicknesses, no sorrow, and no death as the Sun of righteousness offers complete healing from His wings! (Malachi 4:2) In the eternal Kingdom on earth where Christ will reign from His Throne in Jerusalem, man will have need of nothing…but God!

If you look back to the Children of Israel after their deliverance from Egypt through the Red Sea you’ll see God provided them with everything needed.

· Ps 105:37-45…He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; that they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Remember, blessings such as prosperity and success came to Israel through obedience to the Law of Moses. (Deuteronomy 28) The Law of Moses was God’s greatest blessing for Israel “before” the death of a Savior and the Church, the spiritual body of Christ came into existence. The Grace covenant we now live under through the death of Christ is even a “greater blessing” than the blessing of Law given to Israel.

• (vs.12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

From this verse of prayer Jesus expressed by the Law of Moses Israel had to forgive first in order to be forgiven by God. By hearing the truth of righteousness through the Kingdom Message, Israel was able to repent and forgive those that trespassed against them. The truth and revelation of Christ helped Israel to realize their own hardness toward the Law of Moses and even the Roman society. Israel hated the Roman’s because of oppression under Roman dictatorship. As Christ ministered holiness to Israel they were able see and accept the moral demands of the Law of Moses. By doing such they could offer forgiveness toward the Romans, and God thus would forgive them of their sin. Under Law, forgiveness was a debt to the moral authority of the Law of God.

Forgiveness was an attitude of heart for those in obedience to the authority of the Messiahship of Christ. As Israel forgave, they were also forgiven by God. As they showed mercy they also became merciful toward God and man, and as they became peacemakers insurrections against Rome would cease and peace would sweep over the nation of Israel. All these blessings were a product of Israel’s moral obligation to the Law which enabled them to receive both the Kingdom of Heaven and its King.

· Matt 5:7…Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

· Matt 5:9…Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Note how Jesus took Israel back to the moral requirements of the Law. The following verse shows how Christ instructed Israel to have “holiness of character”. Holiness of character (based on perfect love that exceeded the Publicans love) produced forgiveness and right standing according to the Law of God.

· Matt 5:43-48…Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

• (vs.13a) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

In this verse Jesus prays for Israel to trust God’s Divine providence for a life of victory over temptation and sin. Faith in the Messiahship provided Israel with such deliverance. All that was needed was faith the size of a mustard seed. During Christ’s earthly ministry Israel was wrapped up in many things that hindered them from seeing the truth of His Messiahship. Traditional (Talmudic) teachings, men’s opinions, and hypocrisy were all rampant. Even the Lord’s Holy Temple had become a den of thieves. The reason Christ came was to offer holiness, purity, and obedience to the Law through the righteousness of His message. Christ’s Kingdom message in righteousness and truth exposed Israel’s cloak of sin and backslidden state. Acceptance of the King and His message provided Israel with victory over temptation, deliverance from evil, and put them back in touch with the authority of the Torah.

Remember the children of Israel who wandered in the wilderness forty years? They lost sight of the Divine Providence of God as temptations influenced them, and they fell away. They yielded to the deceitfulness of sin and forgot what God gave after He delivered them out of Egypt.

· Ex 32:7-8…And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them:

After the giving of Law at Sinai Israel became lax, intellectually opinionated, and created traditions of men that caused them to deviate from the holy standard of the Law of Moses. Without being attached to the Divine authority of God’s Word from the heart, Israel subtly failed to keep the Torah and swayed toward the traditions and opinions of men. During the Babylonian captivity in 606 B.C. Israel’s approach toward the authority of the Word of God compromised the authority of the Torah and allowed the Babylonian Talmud to be written. The Talmud was Israel’s interpretation of the Torah. This deception is why John the Baptist and Christ both preached Repentance and the Kingdom message to Israel.

Jesus prayerfully offered Israel hope for a greater deliverance than the hand of God from Egypt through the Red Sea. Israel’s acceptance of the King offered deliverance from Jewish religion and Roman oppression. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was deliverance that taught a righteousness that would exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. True righteousness allowed Israel to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

· Matt 5:22…For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

In completion of the Father’s plan (future tense) after the Millennium where Christ reigns as King in the physical Kingdom of Heaven, final redemption will occur through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. At that time there will be no more need of redemption because temptation and evil will cease to exist.

• (vs.13b) For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

God’s Kingdom on Earth was an answer to the Lord’s Prayer. His prayer contained all the heavenly blessings placed into the will of God for the restoration of earth and humanity starting in Jerusalem. In the Kingdom of Heaven all Biblical prophecy will be fulfilled. Christ will visibly reign in power and glory from the throne of His father David. In this eternal and visible Kingdom on earth Christ will be King over all the earth. All the redeemed saints likewise will be with Christ in the splendor of this “fulfillment of prophecy”. The will of God will be fulfilled with unspeakable peace on earth…in the earthly and visible Kingdom of Christ…that shall never end.

· Luke 1:32-33…He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end

· Dan 7:27…and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

· Isa 9:6-7…For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

Amen.
***Note from the writer: Since the visible Kingdom of Heaven was rejected by Israel and postponed until the return of our Lord we now live in the invisible Kingdom of God where Christ is seated on the Throne at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. We now await the future Kingdom of Heaven on earth according to fulfillment of prophecy. The Bible teaches us the present tense Kingdom of God is the operation of the Holy Ghost within the hearts and lives of those who have received the new birth.

· Rom 14:17…For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

· John 3:3…Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John's Baptism

1.     John the Baptist - the Divine Commission
2.     John the Baptist - prophesied in Old Testament
3.     Righteousness fulfilled
4.    Jesus' Inauguration into the Priesthood
5.    Jesus our High Priest, Now!
6.    Jesus' earthly ministry began at John's Baptism
7.    The way of God more perfectly
8.    Jesus declared to be the Son of God
9.    Another reason for Jesus' Baptism
10.  Jesus and John's Baptism
11.  Water Baptism and Sanctification
12.  Water Baptism and Sanctification (Pt. 2)
13.  Washing of the water
14.  Baptism a Greek word for Jewish purification
15.  Limited first commission
16.  Confession

The earthly ministry/priesthood of our Lord began at John's Baptism

At John's Baptism the man Jesus was:

• Consecrated (Legal Age of 30 according to Law - could minister in Temple)
• Cleansed (purification of the body according to Law - John the Baptist was a Levite)
• Anointed with the Holy Spirit under Law (God's ownership to begin the 3 1/2 year earthly ministry preaching the Kingdom as the Messiah) Acts 10:38

After John's Baptism Jesus entered into the earthly priesthood which was appointed by God - to be after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110: , Hebrews 7: , Melchizedek had an earthly priesthood and was King of Salem. In similitude Jesus had an earthly priesthood and was King of Jerusalem. During His earthly priesthood Jesus performed:

• Earthly service for the nation of Israel - meeting needs
• Earthly ministry for the nation of Israel - Preaching Kingdom
• Human ministry in obedience to Law for the people
• Ministered 27 times in the Temple
• Ministered in synagogues
• Ministered in the open air
• Duties as a priests who were responsible for teaching the Jewish people the law of God
• Duties as a priest to offer divine sacrifice unto God (the crucifixion)

Josephus  a Jewish historian stated about John's Baptism: and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness

God spoke audibly when the man Jesus was baptized of John. God spoke out loud about Christ after He received the waters of purification, "This is my beloved son  in whom I am well pleased". Matthew 3: Jesus was inaugurated into the priesthood, anointed with God's ownership, and sent out to present the Kingdom Message to Israel. This earthly priesthood and ministry lasted 3 1/2 years until the Kingdom Message was rejected and Jesus went to the cross at Calvary.
 

A vast number of Old Testament prophecies unfolded and were confirmed at John's Baptism. Only more evidence of Bible Truth that makes the substance and meaning of God's Word so real and alive. This kind of truth is a faith builder. Faith is the heart of our Salvation by Grace. Faith is fortified by truth and evidence.

Another reason for Jesus' baptism...a Jewish perspective

The anointing of the Spirit took place at John's Baptism when the Spirit descended on Christ like a dove..at the age of thirty

Acts 10:38...That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:

John's baptism was the inauguration of Christ into the earthly priesthood

Psalm 110:4...The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (earthly)

God spoke audibly...at the beginning and ending of Christ's earthly ministry...3 1/2 years - anointing represented God's ownership and announcement of the Kingdom Message presented to backslidden Israel

John's baptism was prophesied to prepare the way of Christ...Malachi 3, Isaiah 40

Christ had to obey Levitical Law to be without spot or blemish...

Psalm 1 (perfect lamb without spot of blemish)

Christ was born with the Spirit

Christ had the Spirit without measure  his whole life on earth

Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil

Christ was anointed with the Spirit at John's Baptism and beginning of His earthly ministry

After Israel rejected the promised King...Christ had the eternal Spirit when He gave himself at Calvary