And They Continued Steadfastly In The Apostles' Doctrine And Fellowship, And In Breaking Of Bread, And In Prayers - Part 1972

"Who conceding the truth have erred ..." (II Timothy 2:18)

Historically, many of the faith statements associated with modern day church organizations are rooted in the 300- 400 AD time period wherein, certain religious declared/established a series of beliefs as statements of faith. However, for those who study to show themselves approved unto God, as workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth, these declared statements of faith -- these noted "religious" statements of faith -- are problematic. How can I say this? Because those who teach contrary to the Word, as apostle Paul states, let them be accursed. (II Timothy 2:15; Galatians 1:8-9; )

This is because any statement, including statements of faith (regardless of who authored the words) cannot negate or overrule what the apostles said in the scriptures. The words of men cannot supersede what Jesus said to the apostles, when He Himself opened their understanding that they might understand the scriptures. (Mark 24:45) Nor can Jesus teachings, wherein He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, be cast aside in favour of man's words. (Acts 1:2-3) Indeed, the Word and the Spirit must agree in all things.

After all, wasn't it the apostles that were the foundation of the Church (the body of Christ church) wherein Jesus is the chief cornerstone? Certainly, the apostles were Christ’s chosen witnesses - chosen to bear His WORD to the uttermost parts of the earth. In so doing, God confirmed their Word as being His Word. For they are now, as He was, the temple in which the Spirit of God was and still is pleased to dwell.

This is particularly evident in the book of Acts (a continuation of Mark's writings) wherein we see Jesus appearing to the apostles after His death and resurrection. "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, "which." saith He, "ye have heard from Me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ... ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:4-8)

This message the same as Luke had written: "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:45-49; Acts 16:14; Acts 17:3; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38; Acts 26:18; Acts 1:8, 12; Acts 2:36-47; Acts )
Note that when their eyes were opened, as the scriptures state, they knew Jesus. In fact, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of the disciples and said unto them, "Peace be unto you." (Acts 1:2-3; Luke 24:33-36) Note herein that the eleven were affrighted and supposed that they had seen a Spirit. But Jesus asks them, "Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold, My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself, handle Me and see; for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me have." And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet. He then took a piece of broiled fish and of an honeycomb, and did eat before them.

And Jesus said unto them, "These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning Me." (Luke 24:44) Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the scriptures. Then, in Acts, we learn that "until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He [Jesus] through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen." (Acts 1:2-3)
One Lord, One faith and One baptism. One God and Father of all who is with us all and in us all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) The Word of the Lord was prophetically spoken of as going forth from Jerusalem. In this context, it only makes sense to adopt the scripturally correct version and adhere to the same Word that went forth from Jerusalem. And while on this topic, this same premise should also apply to faith statements too. For if the Word that was given to the apostles is indeed the Word of God, then we shouldn't lay the Word aside to embrace statements from so-called church fathers.

We refer specifically here to Matthew 28:19, a controversial topic among established religions because church leaders openly admit to having altered the scriptures. Yes, that is right. Matthew 28:19 (which pertains specifically to water baptism) was altered by those who claimed at the same time to be authorities. Where have we heard that before? But I digress.

As a consequence, the church fathers then adopted the saying, "in the name of the father, son, holy spirit" and in so doing, sought to establish an erroneous teaching that sadly, still exists in most churches today. That is, that the One God who gave His own blood so that we might have life is not One but rather (according to modern day religion) is three, distinct, and separate persons -- a triad, wherein one third of God does/did this, and another third is responsible for another part, etc. You get the point.

Add to this, the others who suggest that water baptism has nothing to do with salvation, and it is easy to see that the scriptures have been pushed aside. My question -- have these church so called leaders forgotten the book of Acts? Or, perhaps, these have never opened Acts, for if they had, they would know and preach that we who believe in Jesus by faith are to continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers. (Acts 2:42) Certainly, it is within Acts that the church teachings were established!

To this end, God's Spirit and God's Word should agree. That is, if we believe the scriptures to be foundational to our faith. For example, we already know that JESUS was crucified, buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. As JESUS was buried, we are planted together in the likeness of His burial. Our old man is buried with Him. The OLD ADAMIC prone to sin nature is buried. (Romans 6:3-4)

But JESUS did not stay buried. No, JESUS arose from the dead. JESUS the second Adam is the Lord Himself. Our redeemer, Saviour and friend lifts us up out of that watery grave as a new creation which is why we can be confident in our salvation. For now we are totally justified. JESUS was raised for our justification.

This is why an understanding of water baptism and the doctrine of Christ is so vital to those who believe. (Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23) Because when Jesus died, there went forth from JESUS' side both blood and water. Not just blood alone but water AND blood. The saving grace that covers all sin.

Similarly, as the scriptures state, the forerunning believers were told to save themselves from this untoward generation. And as a consequence, what did they do? As the scriptures state, believers saved themselves by obedience in the apostles (Holy Ghost led teachings) teachings wherein being baptized into the name of JESUS after repentance was critical.

In fact, in every New Testament scriptural example, every one was water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-47) And when these did, there was one accord. Therefore, don't let the erroneous teachings and traditions of religious institutions lead you astray. Rather, study to shew thyself approved unto God so that you can rightly divide the Word too. (II Timothy 2:15)

For the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows them that are His," And, "let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (II Timothy 2:19; I Corinthians 3:11)

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another laid the foundation and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man lay than that is laid -- which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which He hath built thereupon, He shall receive a reward." (I Corinthians 3:10-14; Romans 1:5; I Corinthians 4:15; Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 1:7; Luke 2:35)

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, ye love, in whom though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith [even] the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that [should come] unto you; searching with, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them, did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (I Peter 1:7-12)

Stand in the offering plate.