" ... even as Christ is the Head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body." (Ephesians 5:23)
But the demands of redemption had to include a righteous man. Similar to receiving a blood transfusion that would replace our sin tainted blood. Indeed, Jesus laid down His sinless flesh and in so doing, Jesus rescued His betrothed, sanctifying and cleansing the body of Christ church. His betrothed church body made holy, purifying and consecrating with His own garment of righteousness.
Yes, the Spirit of God washed His own redeemed betrothed church body with the washing of the water of His indwelling. Loving words of His declared promises inviting His beloved bride to the most elaborate wedding feast ever. The body of Christ church in turn willingly submitting to His words of love to the point of following Him into death -- through water baptism.
" Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)
It is for this reason that believers who have repented of their sins, and desire to have a good conscience toward God descend into the watery grave -- in His precious holy Name. (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:44-48; I Peter 3:23) The born again obediently obeying the words of her betrothed husband -- the King of kings and Lord of lords -- going down into the water and being baptized into a baptismal watery grave. The only heart desire -- to be faithful to God our Saviour.
Thus, the Spirit of God desirous to present to Himself a glorious church-body. This redeemed Church body -- the betrothed bride of Christ -- became His purchased possession. Why? Because there were no limits on His love, and His love proven when He willingly endured the cross.
Now that is love. No one ever cared for His betrothed bride like Jesus did. Yes, His betrothed was totally unfaithful, scarred, bruised, and mangled, encompassed by the wages of sin. The cheeks sunk in. The eyes dead. In short, a total wreck. But it does not have to be that way. God's love -- the love that drew the salvation plan is inviting you to His wedding feast.
If you have not yet asked Jesus to be Lord in your life, today is the time. Tell the Lord Jesus how much you need Him and how you desire His purpose in your heart. Tell the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending how much you need Him to make sense of your life. Simple words. A simple prayer -- "Lord I need you, I need your love today. Come into my heart Lord Jesus."
And then read Acts 2, wherein the first 3,000 souls were saved -- in this current dispensation of New Testament grace. Stand in the offering plate.
The written Word establishes that Christ is the Head of the church. The scriptures also establish that He alone saves us from our sins. Indeed, on Him the safety of His body depends. Therefore, the church ought to be subject to Him and only Him. Why? For it is Christ who loves the church -- the betrothed bride. Further, it was Jesus that surrendered His own sinless body of flesh up to death for His betrothed. It was this same Jesus who counted His own sinless flesh body to be incomplete without the companionship of His betrothed.
Certainly, creation alone would not break the shackles of sin that had engulfed His beloved creation so a salvation plan was established -- that after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7; Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:16)
But the demands of redemption had to include a righteous man. Similar to receiving a blood transfusion that would replace our sin tainted blood. Indeed, Jesus laid down His sinless flesh and in so doing, Jesus rescued His betrothed, sanctifying and cleansing the body of Christ church. His betrothed church body made holy, purifying and consecrating with His own garment of righteousness.
Yes, the Spirit of God washed His own redeemed betrothed church body with the washing of the water of His indwelling. Loving words of His declared promises inviting His beloved bride to the most elaborate wedding feast ever. The body of Christ church in turn willingly submitting to His words of love to the point of following Him into death -- through water baptism.
" Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)
It is for this reason that believers who have repented of their sins, and desire to have a good conscience toward God descend into the watery grave -- in His precious holy Name. (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:44-48; I Peter 3:23) The born again obediently obeying the words of her betrothed husband -- the King of kings and Lord of lords -- going down into the water and being baptized into a baptismal watery grave. The only heart desire -- to be faithful to God our Saviour.
Thus, the Spirit of God desirous to present to Himself a glorious church-body. This redeemed Church body -- the betrothed bride of Christ -- became His purchased possession. Why? Because there were no limits on His love, and His love proven when He willingly endured the cross.
Now that is love. No one ever cared for His betrothed bride like Jesus did. Yes, His betrothed was totally unfaithful, scarred, bruised, and mangled, encompassed by the wages of sin. The cheeks sunk in. The eyes dead. In short, a total wreck. But it does not have to be that way. God's love -- the love that drew the salvation plan is inviting you to His wedding feast.
If you have not yet asked Jesus to be Lord in your life, today is the time. Tell the Lord Jesus how much you need Him and how you desire His purpose in your heart. Tell the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending how much you need Him to make sense of your life. Simple words. A simple prayer -- "Lord I need you, I need your love today. Come into my heart Lord Jesus."
And then read Acts 2, wherein the first 3,000 souls were saved -- in this current dispensation of New Testament grace. Stand in the offering plate.
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