The BIG Picture (Q&A)

When we read that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35), and that “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6), it may seem unnecessary for Him to be baptized to receive the Spirit. But a rightly divided view of Scripture shows His baptism was not for personal cleansing or regeneration, but for obedience, consecration, and manifestation. Water baptism under John was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). It was a washing, a cleansing of Israel in preparation for their Messiah (Acts 22:16). All Israel had to be baptized because they were sinners in need of washing. But Jesus was without sin (Heb.4:15; 1Pet.2:22). He had no need of cleansing, for He was holy from conception, born of the Spirit and untouched by Adam’s fallen nature. His baptism therefore was not for washing, but for fulfilling righteousness (Matt.3:15). Christ’s baptism served several divine purposes. First, it was the means by which He was publicly manifested to Israe...

The following is a reaction to this post:  https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2024/02/why-were-baptisms-required-for-israel.html POST REACTION: I don’t think you can connect the ministry of John the Baptist to the Old Testament priesthood. Only the priests needed to be washed, not every Israelite. And John the Baptist’s imagery had nothing to do whatsoever with priestly cleansing. Just read the accounts in the four Gospels. It was a sign of repentance. And Israelites before John were not baptized. It was a ritual that started with him. And Christian baptism has a totally different symbolic meaning and was done for both Jews and Gentiles alike. In your article, your thoughts on priestly rituals are interesting, but there’s no biblical evidence that John’s baptism has anything whatsoever to do with that. ANSWER: One cannot just isolate John’s ministry as something that just appeared out of the blue. In the Bible EVERYTHING has meaning and purpose. The entire bible interprets itse...

Yes. That is correct for that time. Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The advice Jesus gives Nicodemus does point to water baptism, and spirit baptism. There were conditions for salvation in the Kingdom gospel. In Acts, we see Peter preaching the same thing, Act 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. So, for salvation in the Kingdom gospel, it required faith in Jesus as Messiah and also to be water baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. These were requirements to enter into the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus would come again in the Second Coming. The reason for these requirements is because of their significance for Israel. In Deut. and Lev., priests were washed to cleans them of sins before the ministered to God on behalf of the people....

Someone's comment given from this post   The scriptures do not say accept the Lord Jesus as your Savior and ye shall be saved but it does say in Acts 2:38,39 and other places in Acts to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Notice you have to first repent. The requirements for salvation you refer to in Acts 2 are the requirements of the Kingdom gospel which is relevant for the Jews during that dispensation. Today, in the grace dispensation, the requirement for salvation is to hear and chose to believe in the grace gospel of the cross work of Jesus Christ. In the grace gospel, salvation is not tied up in confessing Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Son of God. It is also not in the requirement of water baptism which is an ordinance necessary in the Jewish program. It is believing that the death of Jesus Christ is for the forgiveness of sins and that His resurrection is...

Answer Request: How do today's Christians reconcile two baptisms to Ephesians 4:5 one baptism when Acts 10:44 and Acts 10:47 show water baptism (v47) and Holy Spirit baptism (v44) are two baptismal events? One has to rightly divide the Word according to 2 Tim 2:15 (KJV). The two baptisms are part of the Kingdom program relating to the salvation of the Jews. The program that you and I are in today is called the Grace program, relating to our salvation into the Body of Christ today. Baptism in the Kingdom program required water baptism (for the remission of sins) and Spirit baptism (as anointing of separation for priesthood (Ex.19:5-6)). These are part of the fundamental requirements of Jewish salvation based on the role they will hold in the Millennial Kingdom. Baptism in the Grace program requires only ONE baptism. It is not in water, neither in spirit. Our ONE baptism is BY the Holy Spirit. In other words, at the moment we are saved by responding in faith to the grac...

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. N...

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 dispensatio...

Answer Request: What does the word "but" mean in Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, Acts 11:15-16? Is water baptism gone? Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but 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: Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. The "but" in those verses informs one that these are two baptisms for Israel. The fi...

Answer Request: Why don't today's Christians realize Jesus spoke of Holy Spirit baptism in John Chapters 14, 15 & 16, "The Promise" (Acts 1:4-5; 8), the One baptism (Eph. 4:5)? Why do they believe Matt 28:19+ water baptism that makes Two baptisms violating Eph. 4:5? People do not realize that the grace dispensation today only has ONE baptism, that [waterless] baptism performed BY the Holy Spirit at the moment a person is saved. The person is immersed into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Most of Christendom today has unfortunately mixed up the doctrines of two separate programs in the Bible; the Kingdom (Law) Program and the Grace Program. In the Kingdom Program there are two baptisms. One of water, for the cleansing of sin, and one of Spirit, for the anointing of priesthood. BOTH are part of the requirements of the Kingdom gospel and both are absolutely required for salvation in order to enter into the Millennial Kingdom at Jesus second return....

A question in response to this post:  Should we have a 'Pentecost' encounter today? Question: Answer Request: So then, how do you dismiss the testimonies of millions of believers today who testify to a “Pentecost” experience? How do you explain the thousands documented in Acts that came to faith through the preaching of the disciples (not directly by Jesus) who also were baptised by the Holy Spirit? I can see how one may arrive to the conclusion you have drawn (although it is quite a stretch) but I and millions of others see no clear, unambiguous directive in Scripture that states that the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church has ceased, or that signs and wonders should not accompany those who believe.  Joel‬ 2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservan...

Answer Request: Is baptism compulsory to receive the Holy Spirit, go to heaven, and become a Christian? If you look at the ordinance of baptism in the context of the whole Word, then you will see it is a Jewish practice belonging to the program of Law. Baptism in this program of Grace today is absolutely not required for salvation as one's faith is placed utterly and solely in the knowing that Christ's cross-work is the only works that is necessary for your salvation , Gal.5:3-4, Rom.11:6. The Ordinance of Baptism: Water baptism is a widely disputed subject in churches today and disputes can range from it not being necessary to it being an absolute requirement for salvation. Furthermore, if it is practiced, how must it be done and in what name must it be committed. Churches have been split based on peoples beliefs and so much confusion still exists regarding this subject, simply because many misunderstand the topic and do not rightly divide the truth to bring it int...

Answer Request: Can you get to heaven without the Holy Spirit? In the Kingdom program (for the Jews under the Mosaic Law), receiving the the Holy Spirit was a very necessary step within the salvation process. Peter in his Acts sermon to the Jewish crowds, said the following, Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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 . 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. The order of this observation was also of great importance. Without going into great detail, the ordaining of a priest (according to Mosaic Law in the Old Testament) was for a person to be (1) from the tribe of Levi. Then (2) they had to be washed w...

To answer this question, lets analyze what Jesus said to his disciples just before He ascended into heaven. Most of what we need to answer the question can be found in the following verse.  Acts 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. ... 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Who baptized the disciples? The writings of Matthew and John make it clear that Jesus was the baptizer of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but 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 : (See also John 1:33; John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7) Why was the Holy Spirit to come?  Jesus provides the answer. It was so that the disciples could receiv...

Paul taught of only ONE baptism. What baptism is that? A waterless baptism of the Holy Spirit that places you into the Body of Christ at the moment you are saved. This is unique to the Body of Christ who receive salvation through the grace gospel. For the 12-apostles in the book of Acts, it was always TWO baptisms. The 12-apostles could never separate baptism (water and Spirit) 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,  Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria ha...