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)
Water Baptism
Another change that the 12 apostles struggled with was that Paul taught of ONLY ONE baptism. What baptism is that? Baptism BY the Holy Spirit that places you into the Body of Christ at the moment you are saved. For the 12 it was always TWO. The 12 apostles could never separate water baptism from their gospel. Consider the instructions and order of the Kingdom gospel,
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 ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Notice that after a Jew repented, they had to be baptized in water. Water baptism was a requirement in the Kingdom gospel as it was for the cleansing for priesthood (Exo.19:6), something that ALL Jews had to do,
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
After water baptism, they could receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit to begin the fulfilment of the new covenant according to Jer.31:31-34 and Ezek.36:24-27. This was ingrafted into the gospel, into the minds and into the teachings of the 12. Now Paul comes along and says that in his gospel and doctrine, water baptism is no longer required and that there is only one baptism administered by the Holy Spirit to immerse you into the body of Christ,
1 Cor.1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Eph.4:4-5 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...
Paul teaches that this one baptism is the baptism performed BY the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:13) in order to immerse the believer into the Body of Christ. There is no water involved, there is no priest or pastor or elder involved. It is a supernatural event that happens at the moment of salvation.
Paul says that this is the only baptism necessary for the member of the Body of Christ. Water baptism has no real part in this dispensation because we are not called to be priests and do not need that ordinance to be cleansed for priesthood. Can you see the enormous difference again between these two programs? If you do not recognize these dispensational changes and you try to mix up scripture and practices you end up with a huge mess! No wonder we have such arguments and controversy in the denominations today. Let me again remind you what Paul says about his unique apostleship and authority,
Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
1 Cor.14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
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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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