What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?
This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37–38; Rom.16:25–26)
Holy Spirit Baptism
We (the body of Christ) are not baptized WITH the Holy Spirit but we are baptized BY the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.
Acts 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body —whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free— and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Paul was also given new truth about the Holy Spirit baptism. There is a big difference regarding this topic between the dispensations of Law and Mystery.
Notice how 1 Cor.12:13 refers to a spiritual body [of Christ] that we are placed into when you are saved. The Spirit of God takes you out of your position of Adam and baptizes (immerses and identifies you) into a new spiritual creature, the Body of Christ. That takes place the moment you're saved. This is brand new revelation that Paul teaches. The Jewish apostles knew nothing of this concept.
With the indwelling Spirit we are caused to walk in His ways; led by a sense of peace, compelled by love. Through grace we learn to walk in the Spirit by FAITH and are called to "study" the "word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:2), and "learn [the way of] Christ" (Ephesians 4:20). We learn to live faithfully by His grace and to grow in [the way of] sanctification by the deposit of the indwelling "Spirit of life in Christ" who is ever-present and willing to guide, teach and empower us in righteous living, as we co-operate in knowledge and by faith.
Notice that Jesus is the baptizer of the Jews, (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8 - I indeed baptized you with water, but He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.; Luke 3:16; John 1:33), a fact Jesus confirmed (John 15:26, 16:7). Their baptism is to receive power to be witnesses, validating their message with signs and wonders.
We today, as members of the body of Christ, are baptized by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:12-13). Our baptism is not to receive power or signs to validate our message and witnessing, but to seal us as members into the body of Christ unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
The Pentecost encounter is the foreshadow of the New Covenant upon the "little flock". When Jesus comes at His 2nd advent, ALL of saved Israel will be filled with His indwelling Spirit in a greater measure which will cause them to become that priestly nation (Ex.19:6, Isa.61:6) and elevate them above other nations again in pre-eminence.
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Each item below has contrasting differences between the Law and Grace Programs
1. The Dispensation of Grace, 2. The Gospel of Grace, 3. The Body of Christ, 4. The Catching Away (aka the Rapture), 5. Holy Spirit Baptism, 6. Water Baptism, 7. The Blinding of Israel, 8. The Abolishing of the Law, 9. The Judgement Seat of Christ, 10. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit, 11. Equality of Jews and Gentiles, 12. The Bread and the Cup, 13. Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, 14. Christ's Resurrection, 15. The Greatness of Salvation, 16. Our Heavenly Destination and Inheritance, 17. The Two Programs of Heaven and Earth, 18. The Count of Apostles, 12-Apostles versus 1-Apostle, 19. The Churches, 20. Signs and Wonders, 21. Prayer, 22. Hope, 23. Forgiveness
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