Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Doctrine of Baptism (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “The Doctrine of Baptisms” – according to scripture, “there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews” (John 2:6). Beloved, scripture also records that “then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi,…[Jesus,] to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him” (John 3:25-26). I mention this point because this clearly shows that they identified baptism with their washing. In the eyes of those disciples, you were not purified or cleansed unless you were baptized with water! Beloved, I don’t know how the modern church strayed off course, teaching Christians in this era that you don’t have to be baptized in order to have your sins purified or cleansed. According to the scriptures, this teaching is wrong. We must recognize that baptism is necessary and important and that it must be considered on its merits.

Precious Ones, let us understand the merit of baptism through the scriptures. Peter used the illustration of Noah and his family being saved from the flood to point out to us the importance of baptism. Peter says “…eight souls were saved by water…[in] like figure…even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by [emulating or repeating, in type] the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:20-21). So, you see that baptism is more than taking a bath – it is a sign of faith that you are willing to die the same death as Jesus and rise to new life as Jesus did. In the process, your conscience is made right toward God and your sins are removed, just as Jesus’ death atonement reversed our banishment from His glorious presence and ushered us into the portals of His glory.

Chosen Ones, in the Gospel of Mark, John preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, but he preached from two subjects – baptism of water and baptism of the spirit. Next week, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will divide the subject of baptism into two parts – the baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I love you all more than you’ll ever know.
In His love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Doctrine of Baptism (Part 1)

Beloved, I feel inspired to write unto you from our “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series on a new theme entitled, “The Doctrine of Baptisms.” This is an area of biblical theology that has ignited much controversy and debate. However, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will only share with our church family the views found in the Holy Writ.

Precious Ones, the Doctrine of Baptisms was as much in evidence in the Old Testament as in the New. However, in the Old Testament this doctrine “stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them [the Old Testament saints] until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:10). In the New Testament we were given the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle…” (Hebrews 9:11). In the same chapter Paul says, “For this cause he [Jesus] is the mediator [between the Old Testament and] …the New Testament, that by means of [his] death…they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). In other words, Paul is saying that through Jesus’ death on Calvary we have access to redemption through baptism. When we simply obey God’s command to be immersed in water in Jesus’ Name, our Lord combines (mediates) both the Old and New Testament laws on our behalf.

Chosen Ones, in the Book of Hebrews, the apostle Paul draws from the laws of Israel as recorded in the book of Exodus, where it is written, “The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Thou shalt also make a laver [bowl] of brass…to wash withal…and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle [the holy place] of the congregation and the altar [which was in the most holy place], and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron [the high priest] and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not” (Exodus 30:17-20). Beloved, from these statements, it can be clearly seen that the washings of the Old Testament were the equivalent of the baptisms in the New Testament. Beloved, if you don’t want to “die” in sin, if you want access to the “most holy” God, you must wash or be baptized!

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this,

I love you all so very much.
In His love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Resurrection of the Dead (conclusion)

Beloved, in conclusion of our theme from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead” – we are blessed because we don’t have to lose our lives for the Word of God and the testimony which our forefathers held. Yet, we shall be resurrected to eternal life nonetheless! Remember, John said, “Blessed…is he that hath part in the first resurrection…and shall reign with him [Jesus] a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). Beloved, is there any brighter hope offered by anyone other than our God?

Precious Ones, what I love about Jesus is that it makes no difference how small you may seem in men’s eyes today; when He resurrects us, men will know that we are special in His eyes. In the same way, no matter how small a sin may seem in the eyes of men, it is still great in the eyes of the Lord (the only eyes that count), and will not go unnoticed; every sinner will be punished. John said again, “I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God…the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they [all sinners great and small] were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:10-15).

Chosen Ones, this general judgment so often spoken of and referred to by men is also described by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the scriptures. Jesus teaches us that “[sinners] these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:31-46).

Children of God, as I close this series, I leave you with this thought – wouldn’t you rather have faith in Jesus and trust Him to resurrect you from the dead, than doubt the resurrection and have to find out that your mistake cost you eternal life? Only Lucifer (Satan) should have to suffer that eternal mistake.

I will write on a new topic next week.

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Resurrection of the Dead (continued))

Beloved, in continuance of our theme entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead,” from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series – the great apostle Paul had a desire to know him (Jesus) in the power of his resurrection and fellowship of his suffering. Being made “conformable unto His death” would motivate a desire to attain the knowledge of how Jesus can “resurrect the dead.” Paul goes on to say that at the time of the “resurrection” our vile bodies shall be changed, “that [they] may be fashioned like unto his [Jesus’] glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able…to subdue all things unto himself” (Phillipians 3:10-11, 21). Beloved, this means that the greatness of God’s power shall be manifested when the “resurrection” takes place. That’s when all the world will know just how mighty our God really is.

Precious Ones, it is my prayer that God will help us to cherish the hope of the “resurrection” and contend with our enemy in order to help others attain unto it. Remember, Paul said, “we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, [a] house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Corinthians 5:1). Beloved, Paul’s knowledge of the resurrection of the dead gave him the confidence to maintain his hope and desire for that day. He did not desire so much to be unclothed (to die), but to be clothed upon (to have new life), that “mortality might be swallowed up [in] life” (II Corinthians 5:2-5). There seems to have been but one thing motivating this saint (Paul), and that was the resurrection.

Chosen Ones, God wrought us for the resurrection. Beloved, it is up to us to see that we lose not that which we have wrought. When you have time this week, read these scriptures: II Corinthians 5, II John 8, and Phillipians 3:12. Beloved, if we fail to attain to the resurrection, Christ has died in VAIN for us, all our work is vain, and we are yet in our sins. However, Beloved, I don’t want to be lost, nor do I want Christ to die in vain when it comes to my soul, and you shouldn’t either! Beloved, this was all in the purpose of God, that we should hope in the “resurrection.”

Children of God, Jesus taught us that our greatest rewards will come at the “resurrection.” Jesus said, “thou shalt be blessed; for they [the world] cannot recompense [reward] thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just [the Rapture of the Saints]” (Luke 14:14).

I will write more on this subject next Sunday. Until then, know this,

I absolutely adore each of you in Christ.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy