“How to Approach the Bible”
A study series by Arthur J Licursi
Part
23 of 24 - Common
Erroneous Teachings Taught by Various Christian Groups Today (Continued)
15.
The idea that “water baptism” is still important today for “the body
of Christ.”
The
Apostles, as seen in the gospels and the early Acts period, preached to
Paul
tells us not only is there One God and faith, but also “one
baptism” (Eph 4:5). Under Paul’s mystery gospel, which is in
accord with 1Cor 12:13, all believers have been baptized or placed into the
one “body of Christ” by the
work of the Spirit. the moment they receive Christ. 1Corinthians
12:13 For by
one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we
be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free;
and have been all made to drink into
one Spirit. This baptism is a dry baptism. Water
baptism is a strictly Jewish God-ordained rite as a demonstration of
repentance and promoted by John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth and the 12
Apostles – of whom Paul was not one. While Paul
baptized in his early ministry as He still attempted to draw
Today,
our “one
baptism” for the members of “the
body of Christ” is “by
one spirit… into one body” (1Cor
12:13). 1) This is a waterless baptism. Today the baptizer is the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit places believers into Christ’s body. 2)
This then also cannot the same as the so-called
“baptism in or with the Holy Spirit,” whereby Jesus was the baptizer
of the 120 Jews when the Holy Spirit came UPON them at
Pentecost. This “baptism in the Holy Spirit” was only for
Today, the
members of "the body of Christ" are “in
Christ” by the “one
baptism” per Paul's mystery gospel that he received directly from the
ascended Lord. This dry baptism is the basis of our being identified with
Christ, in His death, burial and resurrection. This makes the cross the
basis of our new life “in Christ,” into whom we have been
placed.
16.
The idea that we must forgive others first in order for God to forgive of
our sins.
The contrast is
significant when we compare Jesus’ words to
Let’s now look
at forgiveness of sins under the two paradigms and dispesnations of 1) the “Law”
and 2) the “gospel of the grace of
God.” Still under “the
Law,” Jesus gave the Jews the so-called Lord’s Prayer, which
included the conditional requirement that a
Jew had to forgive first in order to
receive God’s forgiveness. Matt
6:12 (God)
forgive
us our debts, as
we forgive our debtors. While
still under the dispensation of “the
Law” (see Matt 5:18), Jesus here presents this
conditional requirement for Jews
to be forgiven of sins. Any preacher who preaches this conditional
requirement for forgiveness of sin today preaches “Law,”
not “grace.”
We today, under “the dispensation of the grace of God,” are unconditionally and freely “justified.” Roman 3:24 Being (continuing) justified (diction, rendered innocent) FREELY (Gk. doreen, without cause, unconditional) by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: The believer enjoys a continuing grace standing by having been immersed or placed “in Christ.”
Paul here writes, telling the Ephesian members of “the body of Christ” how they are to forgive each other.
Eph 4:32 be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath (already, past tense) forgiven you. Having this as our standing by being “in Christ,” we are then equipped to forgive others in the very same way - “freely.” Col. 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave (already, past tense) you, so also do ye.
Then how is it that we can forgive others, and even ourselves? Reminding us of this truth, Paul encourages us to forgive others in the same way that we have been forgiven – and that is freely. So, we now forgive others freely. We must see that God not only forgave us freely, but He also then freely gave us His life and His love to be on the inside of us. It is only by His life and love that we can genuinely love and forgive others. Thus, He has equipped believers to forgive their selves, and others freely – no matter how they may have wronged us. God has already forgiven us freely, before we forgive anyone.
17. The idea that the so-called “Lord's Prayer” is for the Body of Christ
Having
noted that Jesus Himself said “… I
(Jesus) am
not sent but (only) unto
the lost sheep of the house of
Religious leaders love to have their people recite the so-called Lord's Prayer. It's been the religious thing to do for centuries. The so-called Lord's Prayer is one of the most beautiful, meaningful, and touching prayers in the prophetic Scriptures, but those who recite it today are committing a major error.
The Lord Jesus warned the disciples that they were not to pray this prayer, or any prayer for that matter, repetitiously. Matthew 6:7-8 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Prayer is not a religious exercise, but rather communication with God; therefore, it should always be spoken from the heart.
Actually,
the Disciples Prayer, which would be a better name for this prayer, was
given as a model for those who Jesus knew would one day be called upon to
endure the Great Tribulation. Since the Body of Christ is “delivered…
from the wrath to come” (1Thes 1:10), this prayer does not apply to us under
this grace dispensation since we are “not
appointed to wrath” (1Thes
5:9). The prayer that should correctly be called the Lord’s Prayer is
seen in John 17 – as Jesus prayed to the Father for
The
Disciples' Prayer: We must note that Jesus of Nazareth had come only to
and spoke only to and of the lost sheep of the house of
“Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.” The
reference here to “our Father”
is to the God and Father of
“Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
The hope of every Israelite was the establishment of the
“Give us this day our daily bread.” In the future Tribulation, God will set a table in the wilderness for His people, as He did in time past. The saints in that day will find it necessary to pray for their daily provision of food, since they will be unable to buy or sell without the Mark of the Beast. Subsequently, God will supernaturally nourish the chosen nation (Rev. 12:14 cf. Rev. 13:13-18).
“And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” As stated
earlier, under the kingdom gospel
for