GOD'S ULTIMATE PLAN OF SALVATION - PART 34

One person believes that he is of Paul and another states that he is of Apollos. But this is not what the scriptures state. Indeed, the scriptures state that Paul planted, Apollos watered, but it was God who gives the increase. Remember earlier messages. You are God’s building. Jesus the Christ is the only foundation. He is also the corner stone. In fact, there is not any other foundation than this. The solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ.

God's plan of salvation was not man-made. It was God-made. So why then would the foundation of God's church be created with man-made cement mix. God is not dependent on man’s maintenance. However, we are totally dependent on God. (Corinthians chapter 3) If we read further into 1 Corinthians chapter 10, we discover the following. When the exodus of Egypt was front page news, all of those who had demonstrated their obedience to God’s command and sprinkled the blood of a lamb around their door posts and lintels were not harmed, as God had promised. These people were now en-route to the Jordan River. To observers, traveling to the Jordan River was like heading down  a dead end street.

Plodding on and loaded with the spoils of their former taskmasters. The taskmasters recouping from their now impoverished place watched as their former slave labour hit the road. Let's bring out the army along with the big guns, they thought. Surely, they will protect our comfortable luxurious lifestyle. What they were unaware of was that God had heard the cry of the Hebrew slaves. Their prayers had ascended to His ears, and He being a compassionate God was touched with the feelings of their infirmities. 

In other words, God moved with compassion toward them. Remember that God is altogether pure humanity. In fact, we were originally designed by God (the potter) to be an earthly visible expression of His own humanity. We were to be the sons of God. The plan was that we would be a perfect creation. God created man with His own hands. What is man that you Lord are mindful of him?

They approached the barrier river. When confronted with the Jordan River, there was no doubt fear and dismay that arose in them. But Moses had the rod /staff in his hand. Recall that Moses was a faithful servant in the plan of God’s creation? Jesus is the builder of the house. And Moses knew in whom to trust. Moses waited. God instructed. "Moses" God said, "Lift up the rod/staff over the waters" and ...!

Look at what happened next. Where did that wind come from? Why even the wind and the waters obey Him? Walls of water on either side of the river while the ground stayed dry underfoot. A cloud over head and the people were free. What a getaway. The Hebrews all crossed over to the opposite bank, with sighs of relief and amazement. But the big guns of the army emerged, endeavouring to pursue the Hebrews. In so doing, their fate was sealed. The watery walls of the Jordan River collapsed over them when they attempted to cross and they perished.

This is the fate that inevitably will befall all those who oppose baptism in the name of Jesus. The rod, the staff, the Covenant of God. Those who continue their cement mix formulae of baptism - into the titles father, son, and spirit will never make it to the opposite bank. They will never even see the shoreline. Going into the water without the name of Jesus, they arose with wet clothes but without the justification they sought. The Hebrew people were delivered by God’s determinate counsel saying, “Let my people go so that they may serve me.

The scriptures do not distinguish between one and another. Rather, they were all to eat the same spiritual meat and similarly, all to drink the same spiritual drink. In the same context, they were to drink of the spiritual rock that followed them. That Rock was Christ. As the scriptures state, Let there be no divisions among believers. Instead, let us continue steadfastly in the Holy Spirit teachings delivered to us and confirmed to us with signs and wonders and gifts. Remember, if God confirms His Word, no man has the power to dis-annul it. He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Holy Spirit has to say. Peace to all in Jesus name.