Chapter One: Faith in Christ

EVEN IN THE MARKET PLACES, in the busy streets of Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces, one can easily notice the proliferation of "instant evangelists," although they only know three verses in the Bible, with the prima facie evidence of their real intention to collect money from every passerby. One "instant preacher" has a host of Tong agents (money collectors) from all sides of the streets, bringing with them a pouch similar to that of the excommunicated Judas Iscariot. And what do they have to say? "Have faith in Jesus and you are saved!" OSAS at that! (Once Saved Always Saved). With a promise of miracles and blessings (more on the material sense) they are able to attract people into their baits according to Jeremiah 5:26

"For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men."

Quite a number of hopeless Filipinos, hopeless because they cannot even afford to pay the consultation fee and the antibiotics that will be given by a doctor, if they are sick of flu which may amount to a thousand pesos, or a month’s wage of a domestic helper in the Philippines, are easily enticed with the promise of prosperity (you have to jump three times and shout Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!) and presto, by next week you will be a millionaire, with brand new Mercedes Benz and a certificate of holdings in the heavens. (It seems that they have subdivided the heavens among themselves) Who will not be enticed to join their group? But what do you have to do? Just accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior.

To a bookish like the writer, (bookish because the Bible does not permit opinions and personal interpretations) it sounds foolish and impertinent because no one can prove that Jesus Christ is a Personal Lord or personal savior to anybody. Remember the titles ascribed to Jesus by the Holy Scriptures—Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Lord of Sabbath, Lord of the Church, and Jesus Christ is the Savior of the Body (and not personal to anyone). According to the book of Ephesians 5:23

"For the husband is “the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and He is the savior of the body."

And the body is the Church according to Colossians 1:18

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have

preeminence."

How can a learned minister of the Bible claim that Jesus Christ is a personal Savior? It does not only sound foolish but it is extremely foolish! Christ deals with the church and communicates with the church as a body, and not personal to anyone. Even the relationship received by a person from Christ is not intended for him alone but for the congregation as a whole as written in I Peter 1:10-12

“Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the suffering of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."

And according to the book of Revelation 1:1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"

Note that the beholder of the vision is only one person, John, but the vision is not intended for him, but for the Church. A personal property, in the strictest sense of ethics and personal hygiene, can not be lent to anybody like your toothbrush and personal garments. A man should not wear a woman's garment and vice versa, according to Deuteronomy 22:5

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God"

A wife maybe considered a personal property of a man as mentioned in the writings of Saint Paul on I Corinthians 11:3:

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."

And no wise man (not even the Three Kings of the Catholic Church because they are not wise, they left their wives behind and they did not bring any assistant with them) will share his wife with another man, as written in the book of I Peter 3:7

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." Even just looking at her with lust in the heart is already adultery, according to Matthew 5:28:

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." If Jesus Christ is a Personal Savior to anyone, it will be unethical, illogical, and unbiblical to share Him with anybody else; Furthermore, it may sound that He is exercising favoritism if anybody claims that Jesus Christ is his personal savior. In a class of fifty (50), a considerate and compassionate teacher passes students on the basis of what is the score of the median. The personal score of the student does not matter, but the total ability of the whole class is considered; the passing grade might be lower than 50 but the fact is the student who got scores lower than seventy five percent is passed. In saving the body or the Church, the compassionate savior in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ will save and will declare triumphant even the least among His brethren who had done the least good things according to the book of Matthew 25:32-40:

"And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as shepherd divided his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 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: for I was hungered, and ye give meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee stranger, and took thee in? or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

But Jesus is the Lord of the Church as explained in I Corinthians 8:6

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him."Therefore he is not a personal savior to anyone. The question of having faith in Jesus is a very broad topic of salvation. Firstly, who is that Jesus, to whom you have your faith in? The Bible forewarns us

that there will be a proliferation of false Jesuses and false Christs especially in the latter days. These Christs and Jesuses are inventions of false prophets who are preaching them as what the book of Matthew 24:24 says: "For there shall rise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

And St. Paul is also mentioning some facts about this matter in the book of II Corinthians 11:4:

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

Believing these Bible verses will leave no alternative to a person with "Delicadesa", but to put into test all these Jesuses and Christs as Apostle John said in I John 4:1

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirit whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

Another question is from whom are you going to receive the real Jesus of the Bible? After all He is being preached only by commissioned ministers as what Apostle Paul said in II Corinthian 4:5:

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord: and ourselves your servant for Jesus' sake."

False Christs and Jesuses came from other gospels which are the fruits of the wicked preachers’ wild imaginations and inventions, pretending to be apostles and ministers of Christ as written in the book of II Corinthians 11: 13-14:

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

And the book of Romans 16:18

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Also the book of Colossians 2:4

"And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words." Including the book of Galatians 1:8

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.''

And granting that you have luckily received the real Christ and Jesus of the Bible, remember that CHRIST IS JESUS and JESUS IS THE CHRIST as mentioned in the book of I John 2:22

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and Son."

Another problem is: is it now the complete formula for salvation? Just accept Jesus, and you are forever saved, as they have misunderstood the verse in Acts 16: 31?

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

You are lucky if, after having received Jesus, on that very day you are going to die. But if you have to continue in faith, other more important things must be given a greater degree of consideration as Paul said in I Corinthians 13:13

Having faith in Jesus is a fundamental step to salvation and we agree with it. But as we grow in faith it will not be sufficient to save us.

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love)." Faith without love cannot save a person. It will render his total being useless as Paul said in I Corinthians 13:1-3: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feel the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

It is love that magnifies the works of faith which was mentioned in the book of I Corinthians 16:14:

"Let all your things be done with charity (love)."

As the name of the Lord magnifies his word according to the book of

Psalms 138:2:

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Also at the book of James 2:22

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"

Remember that faith to be perfected it must bear works, faith without works is dead as James 2:26 says,

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

And the works of faith must be done with love for perfection as it is written in Colossians 3:14

"And above all these things put on charity (love) which is the bond of perfectness."

Therefore it is crystal clear from these verses of the Bible that love is not only an essence of salvation but, in fact, it is its most important requisite. But if we examine further the details of salvation in the Bible, other things must be weighted with equal importance as mentioned in the book of II Peter 1:5-10:

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."

Remember that there are things that must be added to faith and they are mentioned as follows: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity and without these things a person is considered blind, but with these things that abound, a person will not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Still going deeper we now have to leave these fundamental teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ to have faith in Jesus.

But what is next? B. TO HAVE THE FAITH OF JESUS

PAUL HAS HAD THE FAITH of Jesus for he mentioned in the book of Galatians 2:20:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

The first Christians who were luckily seen by John among those who were saved have had faith of Jesus as recorded in Revelation 14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Also in the Book of James 2:1:

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, with respect of persons."

HAVING FAITH IN JESUS IS VERY MUCH DIFFERENT FROM HAVING THE FAITH OF JESUS.

And what does the Bible mean when it says having the faith of Jesus? A person having the faith of Jesus must have the same line of thinking with Jesus as Paul stated in I Corinthians 2:16

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

And to think as Jesus thinks is to stop sinning by rejecting the works of the flesh as written in I Peter 4:1-4

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, reveling banqueting, and abominable idolatries:"

We must also have the spirit of obedience that Christ had, as stated in Heb.5:7-9:

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were

a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he become the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

It doesn’t necessarily follow that we must all have to speak in tongues, heal the sick, or cast out demons for not all the faithful in the history of the first century Christian church have had these gifts as written in the book of I Corinthians 12:28-30 "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"

Born-again preachers use the passage in Mark 16:15-20 which states:

And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth shall not be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. So then, after the Lord has spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with the signs following. Amen."

False preachers use Mark 16:15-20 as reference. They have grossly ignored the rules of truth and evidences, NOT ONLY ONCE but in many instances wherein these verses were proven to be false and were added only. They are not parts of the inspired scriptures. As a result, a mass suicide was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records about the 913 souls that perished with their leader Jim Jones by taking cyanide simply because they believed in these particular verses. A meticulous perusal of these verses will reveal vividly that these are not original part of the Scriptures. Take these things into consideration:

1. “These signs shall follow them that believe: they shall cast out devils, shall lay hands on the sick, speak with new tongues, etc.” (Mark 16:15:20)

The apostle Paul emphatically said that not all Christians can heal the

sick, speak in tongues and cast out demons according to I Cor. 12:29-30.

"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"

Take another look and continue the verse

2. “And if they drink any deadly things, and they shall take up serpents…”

Christians even if they know that God will save them will not drink or take anything harmful to their body. That will be tantamount to testing God, and that must never be done by any Christian. (Matthew 4:5-7)

"Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Further, if one is to intentionally hold the snake is also not in line with the original concept of the Gospel; thereby affirming the claim of more learned Bible scholars that the book of Mark must end with a short conclusion in Mark 16:8 and not with Mark 16:9-20 for the King James version:

For references see the following books: [1] the Greek New Testament the Longer Ending of Mark; page 196-198 Tertulian Aphrater, Apostolic Constitution, Didymus; [2] the Emphatic Diglot Bible (see the book of Mark chapter 16); and, [3] the Greek Interlinear Bible (see chapter 16, footnote, and comments of the scholars regarding the chapter)

Chapter Two: Baptism

THERE IS NOW A WIDE CIRCULATION of false belief regarding the topic of BAPTISMS, among Trinitarians and the so-called Oneness group of the Born-Again movements. A Trinitarian preacher will readily suggest Matthew 28: 19-20 which says:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to

observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

When asked about the true baptism i.e. in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; whereas a "Oneness" preacher will introduce you to Acts 2:38-39:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

This is what the Oneness believes. The emphasis of their belief regarding baptism lies on “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ...” A confused listener or student of the Bible will readily ask, "Which is to be followed?" and then a debate will start. Hebrews 6:1-2 reads

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."

....and of the doctrine of baptisms (note: Baptisms is in the plural form suggesting that are many baptisms). Paul is certain that all throughout the Bible there are many kinds of baptism mentioned. The Israelites were baptized unto Moses in the clouds and in the sea according to I Corinthians 10:1-2:

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;"

During the transitory period of John (the Baptist), believers were baptized in water unto repentance; Matthew 3:11

“I indeed baptized you with water unto repentance . . ."

And during the early ministry of Jesus Christ and the apostles they were baptized in water and in spirit. Ephesians 5:26 reads

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (spirit)"

But this same Jesus promised another important Baptism which is the

baptism in Spirit and in fire, Matthew 3:11:

“I indeed baptized 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 Spirit, and with fire."

Note that the only person who can officiate this kind of baptism (Spirit and Fire) is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. B. WHICH IS WHICH?

OF THE MANY BAPTISMS that were enumerated on the pages of the Scriptures, we must follow the prescription of the Lord Jesus, being the LEGISLATOR in our time. His appointment coming directly from the Father can be understood by the following verses; Hebrews 1:1-3 says,

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and up holding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"

A vision magnifies the appointment of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 17:1-6: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother; and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his pace did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were so afraid."

And which baptism does the Lord Jesus Christ command? Mark 10-39 says

"And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized;

And how was He baptized? Matthew 3:13-16 states

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him."

Notice that his baptism was done in water (in the river Jordan) coupled by the descending of the Holy Spirit. This is baptism in water and in Spirit, the same process He taught, the teacher Nicodemus when He told him to be Born of water and of the Spirit to be able to enter the Kingdom of God. John 3:4-5 reads:

“Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized. And wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Baptism: from the Greek word "Bapto" literally means to immerse or "to be covered of." To be immersed in water is symbolic of to be washed of sins. The Holy Spirit being likened to water that can be poured, Proverbs 1:23 says:

“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."

It is also an agent of baptism. Therefore, to be baptized in water and in Spirit or to be born of water, of the Spirit is to be subjected to the Baptism recommended by Jesus Christ in Mark 10:39:“And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; And with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:"

But in whose jurisdiction are we to receive such baptism? It is plainly stated in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

A believer must be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This very same verse is being twisted by the Oneness group, claiming that Jesus Christ is the Father, He is also the Son, and He is also the Holy Spirit. They (the Oneness group) philosophically and ignorantly assert the phrase "in the name" which according to them means that there is only one name because it is in the singular form, so, there is only one person. But a grade six pupil in the 1960’s who has been taught the right rules of grammar can easily detect the ignorance of these preachers not only in Bible, but also in grammar. No grammarian will state Mat. 28:19-20 "in the names of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Sprit '' which will inevitably mean that there are many names of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!

More so, the most misleading error made by these Oneness preachers is to make it sound like that; baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit means: during baptism, a candidate must be baptized and the baptizer will be invoking the name of the Jesus. The verse does not say so. Furthermore, the verse does not mean that a believer must be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The preposition "in" is used to denote a place or a jurisdiction for example, in the dark, in the sea, etc. This is not only grammatical but Biblical, in the name of the Father according to the Scriptures is "in" a place he has chosen for it to dwell forever. Deuteronomy 12:5 says the phrase "in the name," which directs us to the right jurisdiction wherein the baptism must begin.

"But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:"

Note that it is the place that God wants it to be and it is further explained in II Chronicles 7:16 which says,

"For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."

These verses previously mentioned, very clearly state that the name of the Father is in a certain place or jurisdiction and cannot be carelessly used or be brought to anywhere else by anyone other than the place mentioned other than the house of God. And which is the house of God? During the Old Testament times it refers to the house built by Solomon in Jerusalem. That is the designated place wherein they are going to bring their tithes, their offerings, and where they are going

to fulfill all the laws of the Commandment. Ezra 7:23 says:

"Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?”

In the New Testament times, the house of God refers to the Church of God: I Timothy 3:15 explains

"But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how you thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth." If any person is going to be baptized, he must be baptized in the house or in the place where in the name of God dwells and that is the Church of God. This Biblical sense of explanation is backed up by the writings of Paul to Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Meaning to say that there is only one body, (the Church) Colossians 1:18:"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

In which body, there is only one baptism. Thus, it is very safe to conclude that the recommended baptism must be done in one true church of the Bible, which is the CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS, THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH. In I Corinthians 12:13, it is proven that this truth is inevitable for everyone who wants to be saved.

"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 will lead us into perfection; for after this will come baptism of fire and Spirit. Fire being symbolic of tests will eventually lead a Christian into perfection as what was written in I Peter 1:7:"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

C. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? IS THERE ANY?

TO PROVE THEIR IMPERTINENT CLAIM, a preacher recommends Act 2:38-39 to his convert that he must be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, "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 Spirit. 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."

They totally disregarded Matthew 28:19-20, which said:

“Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." The phrase “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" is not sweet-sounding to the ears of these ignorant and impertinent preachers. Revealing their unbiblical belief that Jesus Christ is also the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and a candidate must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ only. Their ignorance in the scriptures oftentimes make a person to choose between the two seemingly unharmonious verses Acts 2:39 and Matthew 28:19-20. Is there any difference between these two verses? Does one contradict the other?

A closer look or study of the scripture will reveal the plain truth of these seemingly contradicting verses. First is Matthew 28:19-20 which isdirected to the Apostles who were instructed to teach to all nations what God instructed them to do; and then baptizing all those who will believe in the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit, while Acts 2:38-39 is commanded to a person who is candidate for baptism.

And if we are to consider the risk-free teachings of the Holy Scriptures, a God-fearing preacher of the truth can easily notice the harmonious relation of these two inspired verses of the scripture.

Jesus tells the baptizer in Matthew 28:19-20 to baptize a believer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit or in the Church of God wherein the name of the Father dwells. Peter, in 2:38-39 of the book of Acts, commands a believer to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the same as being baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit for where is according to the book of John 8:16: "And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me"

A God-fearing preacher will never discard the name of the Father especially in baptism because it will make him an ANTI-CHRIST According to I John 2:22:

"Who is a liar he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-Christ, that denieth the Father and the Son."

While it is true that the forgiveness of sin is in the name of Jesus and we should not ignore the very important fact that salvation is also in the name of the Father. Baptism does not only mean forgiveness of sin but also salvation and according to I Peter 3:19-20,

"By which he went and preached unto the days once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water."

Furthermore, what if a believer like in 2:36 of Act will approach a baptizer like Peter asking how will he be saved?

The answer is: be baptized in the name of Jesus as directed, a believer must approach Jesus. In approaching Jesus, He will answer, be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It is the ultimate truth that carries with all the necessities of Salvation. Amen.

Chapter Three: Laying of Hands

C. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAYING ON OF HANDS?

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS IS SYMBOLIC of Jesus' acceptance of them or to anybody who wants to come near him. Seemingly there is no harm and wrong done in the laying on of hands to anybody. However, a scrutiny of the events that happened in the Old and New Testament times regarding the laying on of hands will prove these truths, which cannot be refuted:

1. A person to lay his hands is a person of authority

2. A person, to whom the hands are being laid on, is subjected to the authority of the person laying his hands on him.

But why did Paul admonished the first Christians that they (including Paul himself) must leave behind these fundamental doctrines of Christ? The fundamental is more on the material! Jesus wants us to

attain, not only physical, but spiritual blessings. The fundamental purpose of laying on of hands is to heal the physical or material body of the subject person. But Christ, in his capacity, wants us to seek for the spiritual significance of His teachings because this is the way to learn more of Him. John 3:12 says

"If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"

In His entire gospel, Jesus always used to exhort us of the Spiritual side of things, and we can read in John 6:27,

"Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

And it is the main objective of Christ as can be gleaned from the book of John 6:63.

"It is the Spirit that quickeneth: the words that speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."

When He speaks of wealth, he ultimately means heavenly wealth. In Matthew 6:19 - 20 it was written,

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves treasures in heaven, where thieves do not break through nor steal: "

When Jesus heals a sick person, he ultimately wants to heal him spiritually, thus making a person whole. Inevitably when he lays his hands on a person, he wants to bless him physically and spiritually. Why then do we have to stop or leave this fundamental doctrine of Christ on the laying on of hands?

A person with leprosy can be healed physically but his spirituality isn’t. Jesus Christ wants us to live, be healed and made whole not only from the outside but also the inside to awaken his spiritual consciousness. I Peter 3:4, 1 said:

"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

Also in Romans 7:22, the Bible says:

"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:"

Spiritual damage can be done to anyone by those preachers who carelessly lay hands to everyone. There is no doubt that these silly preachers in our time are made silly by the unaccounted laying on of hands. Imagine these preachers laying their hands on dogs, on the television sets, and on snakes. When they are laying on their hands on prayer requests with money, these pastors are making their members lovers of money according to I Timothy 6:10:

"For the love of money is a root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

The characteristics of dog are transmitted to them and the foolishness of a devil possessed is reflected in their personality, thereby making them full of evil schemes in inventing man-made religions. According to the book of Isaiah 56:10-11:

"His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter."

Paul was right in his admonition to Timothy not to readily lay on his hands to just anybody – I Timothy 5:22:

"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thy self pure."

Of course, we are not against the laying on of hands but we are simply being cautious of the warning given down by the Holy Scriptures. We are leaving the material and the physical to attain spirituality that will make our being perfect.

Chapter Four: Resurrection of the Dead

JESUS RESURRECTED A FRIEND named Lazarus. He cried before he did it, showing love and compassion for that person, in John 11:33-35 it was said:

“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.”

Then in John 11:43-44, it was further stated:

“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. . .”

Peter resurrected Dorcas, a lady-philanthropist at her own right. Acts 9:36-37 says,

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in upper chamber . . .”

And in Acts 9:40-41 it was written:

“But Peter put them all forth and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”

Saint Paul resurrected Eutychus, who attended a Christian gathering up to the wee hour of the morning. Let us read what was stated in Acts 20:9-10:

“And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.”

This wonderful and divine act did not start during the time of Jesus, but during the era of the early prophets. Elijah resurrected the son of the only widow who received him in the land of Sidon - I Kings 17:17-24,

“And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come forth unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? And he said unto her, give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he

cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.”

Another good example is when the bones of Elisha came in contact with a dead man and the latter was resurrected. Let us read in II Kings 13:20-21,

“And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.”

Thus, the resurrection of the dead is an ancient tradition in the history of God’s servants. But why did Paul said, in his dispensation, that Christians must leave the fundamental doctrine of the resurrection of the dead?

B. A LESSON FROM THE RESURRECTED DEAD PERSONS

WHEN JESUS CHRIST DIED, the veil of the temple was divided from the top to the bottom. And the bodies of saints were resurrected, and entered the holy city of Jerusalem, which the book of Matthew 27:50-53 aptly detailed,

“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of he temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”

These saints suffered again and all of them were brutally killed and died again without receiving the promise (Hebrews 11:13, 35-40),

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

“Woman received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection; And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

This means that not even one among those resurrected saints is already in heaven because all, including those who are still alive in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will be caught up together with the resurrected dead in the clouds to meet the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:15-17):

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Thus, a lesson is learned from this recorded history, a resurrected saint is subjected again to sufferings and persecutions of wicked persons. Why then do we have then to leave this fundamental doctrine? It is no longer necessary to resurrect a dead saint inasmuch as it will not add anything to his qualification of being a saint, but will subject him to double jeopardy and cannot convert a sinner to turn to the Lord, let us read what was written in Luke 16:30-31,

“And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Furthermore, a promise was given by the unfailing Lord that a believer who believes and live in Him will never die, and a believer

who had died will be resurrected in the last day. We can read this in John 11:25-26, 6:44,

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

To an enlightened Christian like the apostle Paul, to die is gain, he feels no fear in death but relief, Philippians 1:21,

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

A saint who died in this dispensation, particularly in this time will not be delighted to be resurrected, to inhale again polluted air, to drink polluted water, and to eat chemical-laden foods and to be subjected to harsh brutality and gory death again.I don’t think that Paul will conform with me given the power to resurrect the dead, if I will resurrect him [Saint Paul] in this life, for I am going to rob him of the relief that he have had after he died.

One thing is sure, the many glory-hungry and money-hungry preachers (it is against my conscience to call them preachers) of our times, who pretend to have power to resurrect the dead are all liars, which further belies their stand of being God-sent. It only displays their total ignorance of what Saint Paul have said almost two thousand years ago that perfection can be attained by leaving the fundamental doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. One thing is sure, they are the prophesied false prophets and false apostles that were mentioned by Paul in his second letter to the Corinth in 11:13-14,

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

And they were one of the anti-Christs which was described by John in the book of Revelation that can make it appear that an image of stone or wood is alive, and according to the book of Revelation 13:13-15,

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power

to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

And if really they can resurrect dead persons, why can’t they resurrect their relatives who died of heart attack and simple pneumonia? These people are more than a magician using optical illusions to deceive people and make them live in illusions that is very far from reality. I pray for all their members that they may see the light and leave these racketeers so that they will be included in the first resurrection come the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Chapter Five: Eternal Judgment

ETERNAL JUDGMENT OR PUNISHMENT is in the hand of the merciful Creator. Nobody renders it except him, according to Matthew 10:28

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Rendering judgment on matters of everyday life is a great concern of the first Christian Church, we can read this in I Corinthians 6:3:

“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?” Christians are prepared and trained to be fair in judgment, for ultimately even angels will be placed under their judgment as recorded in I Corinthians 6:1 – 2:

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?”

And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? While being trained in the Church to judge fairly and equitably, the Bible tells that judgment already starts, according to I Timothy 3:15

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, who are accustomed to judging persons that commit mistakes are admonished by Saint Paul to leave behind the Fundamental Doctrine of Eternal Judgment or Punishment, leaving it to the hands of God who in the last day will fairly render it. Not all things in this life are clearly visible and understandable. Man, with all his intelligence and geniuses are incapable of seeing and discerning the innermost intention of another man. There are cases that need to be held in abeyance until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us read in I Corinthians 4:5:

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and shall every man have praise of God.”

Take the case of Saint Paul being questioned by the Corinthians: doubts and aspersions are being cast in his person, forcing him to write an inspired portion of the inscriptions: I Corinthians 4:1-4

“Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not my own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”

Furthermore, it is an ancient truth that even the Israelites were taught that the secret things belong to our Lord God according to Deuteronomy 29:29:

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Thus, conclusively Saint Paul was right when he said let us leave behind the Fundamental Doctrine of Eternal Judgment of Punishment. In the spirit of love and compassion I therefore advise my readers to study these topics over and over again. I believe that the almighty Supreme Being will guide your heart in understanding the real meaning of the Scriptures. Proverbs 1:23:

“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”