God's Gift of Eternal Life Blog

The purpose of this blog is two fold: 1) to accurately describe how one may receive the free gift of eternal life--Jesus Himself said in John 6:47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." NKJV and 2) to explore the Word of God in such a way that it will be supplementally edifying to what you're learning from your local church as well as contribute to the spiritual growth of believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Friday, April 30, 2021

Internet Church Service – May 2, 2021; Baptism means identification or association, not always water, although water is used in some of the baptisms.

EMBEDDED VIDEO SERMON in HD – WITH NOTES

Baptism means identification or association, not always water, although water is used in some of the baptisms.

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name, and Praise the Lord Our God in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME

from - Romans 8:38-39

Hymn #1

Hymn #2

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have believed in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word or participating in a Communion Service, so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your unconfessed sins privately directly to God the Father. This will assure that you are in fellowship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit’s convicting ministry, also called the convincing ministry will then be able to teach you as the Holy Spirit is the real teacher and the pastor’s message is the vehicle the Holy Spirit uses to convince you what you are learning is true or not.

1 John 1:9, says—“If we confess (simply name, cite or acknowledge to God the Father] our sins [known sins], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [known sins] and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [all unknown and forgotten sins];” NKJV (New King James Version); we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life>), the issue for you is not to name your sins to God; the issue for you is to believe by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life and you will be saved the very second you believe in Him:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Our Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Terms used by RMBM

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

Sermon

NOTES

Unlike the bible study, these notes are not just for reading without watching the video. These notes are more designed to follow along during the sermon and to bring up the “hover pop-up scripture references” (some websites may require to left click the link, if that doesn’t work then look them up in your Bible) when the Pastor asks everyone to turn to that passage in their bibles.

Baptism means identification or association, not always water, although water is used in some of the baptisms.

Phil 2 these verses may NOT sound to be courageous or fearless, however, it was a part of our Lord’s thinking that kept Him on the Cross to bear all the sins that were ever committed in human history.

That is what makes it even more powerful, when we rely on the very same power that Jesus Christ did; Heb 9:14.

Heb 9:14 – It was through God the Holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself without blemish to God and also we could have our conscience cleansed from dead works so that we can serve the living God?

Jn 15:2 “Every branch in Me [Baptism of the Spirit] that does not bear fruit, He takes away [Divine Discipline]; and every {branch} that bears fruit [Fruit of the Spirit], He prunes it [suffering for blessing], that it may bear more fruit [Divine good and the glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ].

1. The first part of the sentence when our Lord said, “Every branch in Me,” = He was referring to every believer in the Church-age who was Baptized by the Spirit and will be in union with our Lord Jesus Christ.

This was one of the first times that the disciples heard a phrase like “en amoi” which is correctly translated “in me” referring to the Doctrine of Positional Truth.

Every time the majority or the average believer hears the word baptism they automatically think water is involved in some way, and that is false.

There are eight different baptisms found in the Bible, Five Dry and Three Wet.

a. The Baptism of John the Baptist; (Mr 1:4).

b. The Baptism of Moses (1Co 10:1–3).

c. The Baptism of Jesus (Mat 3:13-17 ).

d. The Baptism of Fire (Mat 3:11-12).

. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (1Co 12:13).

f. The Baptism of the Cross; (Mr 10:35-39).

g. The Baptism of Church-age believers; (Mat 28:19).

h. Noah’s type Baptism (1Pe 3:18-22)

One of the main reasons that we all need to study the Doctrine of Baptisms is because of the brand-New Life, the abundant life, that God gives to all us who are His worshippers.

Moses is considered a type of Christ.

The judgment was not on those “baptized unto Moses”; they passed through on dry ground. The judgment by water was against the armies of Pharaoh.

We have eight different baptisms that are found in the New Testament which means to be identified with something or someone as we ought to.

Baptism – means identification or association, not water, though water is used in some of the baptisms.

Two Categories of Baptisms or identifications:

a. Actual identification = Real Baptism.

b. Ritual Baptism – the use of water and the appropriate identification that is mentioned in the passage.

There are five “real baptisms,” meaning something is really identified with something else which is real or someone else who is real.

I am going to give you some further insight into the Doctrine of Baptisms by revealing to you the importance of identification and association, especially when we are living the spiritual life.

1. Noah’s type of Baptism where the Apostle Peter mentions that eight people were saved by water because Noah’s family identified with Noah and they were saved or delivered out of the water not saved or delivered in or by the water; Gn 6:13; 1Pe 3:18-22.

2. The Baptism unto Moses when the apostle Paul presents Israel’s baptism unto Moses “in the cloud and in the sea;” 1Co 10:1¬6; Exo 14:29.

This was a REAL identification in which Moses was identified with the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses.

The water involved in this baptism killed the Egyptian military, it did not save them at all.

Egyptian unbelievers were immersed in the water as a means of our Lord killing them with the exception of a few Egyptians and rabble who had believed in the God of Israel, Jehovah Elohim.

Identification with the guidance and direction of True Leadership is also the concept here.

Moses was identified with the cloud or Jesus Christ and the people were identified with Moses.

3.The Baptism of the Cross which is found in Mr 10:38.

The cup mentioned is the cup of the cross where our Lord was about to be identified with the sins of mankind.

Nothing to do with water here but everything to do with the reality of the identification that would take place between the Lord Jesus Christ drinking the cup of sins from mankind by means of the Baptism of the Cross.

Jesus Christ was identified with our personal sins and judged for them, so that we could be identified and associated with TLJC=The Lord Jesus Christ and His perfect righteousness that He gave to us as He became our Savior.

The cup mentioned is the cup of the cross where our Lord was about to be identified with the sins of mankind.

Everything to do with the reality of the identification that would take place between the Lord Jesus Christ drinking the cup of sins from mankind by means of the baptism of the Cross.

Jesus Christ was identified with our personal sins and judged for them, so that Christ became our Savior.

4. The Baptism of the Spirit which is a Real dry baptism and not a WET baptism because the Baptism of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation for Church-age believers only, 1Co 12:13.

1Co 12:13, For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The baptism of the Spirit is the means of forming the Royal Family and of breaking the back of the old sin nature as the old ruler of human life.

Through this baptism, the believer is positionally changed because he or she was placed in Christ, and identified with Him, as a member of His body, which is the Church, where He is the head and we are identified as members of His body.

This baptism, the baptism of the Spirit, is more real to us then who we are at the present time.

“seeming contradiction” = seems to ‘contradict itself’ until you understand the entire statement completely and then it all makes sense.

The Apostle Paul was so blown away by the wisdom and knowledge and love that God has for his own; Rm 11:33-36.

Rm 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit, what we are in our condition right now is not what we are now, positionally, as God sees us in our position not our condition.

As a real baptism we are really members of His spiritual body who are also really members of His bride.

His Body and His Bride is more real and more of a reality than who and what we are now, in our condition.

As a real baptism we are really members of His body and we are really His future bride, and this is more real than who and what we are right now at this present time.

One of the other differences between a real baptism and a ritual baptism is that the Ritual Baptism can be seen whereas the Real Baptism cannot be seen but must “be” believed.

Rm 14:23, He who doubts is condemned because he does not live in faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin.

“What kind of sin do we commit if we don’t operate in faith?”

The obvious ones are fear, worry, anxiety, anger, condemnation, stress, bitterness, tantrums, frustration, implacable, etc.

Thumos indicates a more agitated condition of feelings, outbursts of anger, emotions from inward indignation, and this type of anger is overt and critical.

Orge suggests a more settled or abiding condition of mind, frequently with a view to taking vengeance followed by the silent treatment and it is much more subtle than thumos.

No matter which we have to deal with, either thumos or orge, they both have a hatred which is an emotional and irrational sin of violence.

After salvation, then What?

We need to see the importance of the heart as our tool which over 90 % of the time, it refers to our heart or right lobe not our cardiovascular system.

lebh (Hebrew) or kardia (Greek) are both translated heart, but both refer to brain function, not to the emotions or beating your chest because you feel so guilty and condemned.

Believer should be salt, or a preservative, a disinfectant, and metaphorically it is used in the Bible signify permanence, loyalty, and durability.

Hymn #3

The following link is to a good-news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about of their eternal future.

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Weekly Bible Study – April 26, 2021; The nature of the human soul is empty if GOD doesn’t fill it. How to fill the hole in your soul.

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge [confess] your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [your unknown or forgotten sins] ." NKJV [New King James Version] [italics added]; we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary: God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

The nature of the human soul is empty if GOD doesn’t fill it. How to fill the hole in your soul.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary: God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

The nature of the human soul is empty if GOD doesn’t fill it. How to fill the hole in your soul.

Any area that you do not have sound doctrine in, is an area open to deception. This means that anything that we think or do, that is not oriented to the way GOD thinks, is open to deception. Deception is demonization of the soul and personality of the believer or unbeliever living in the cosmic system.

Col 2:1, For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

This would be Paul’s non face-to-face believers in the Church-age.

Col 2:2-10, that their hearts [right lobe] may be encouraged, having been knit together in love [that is virtue love], and {attaining} to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, {resulting} in a true knowledge of GOD’s mystery, {doctrine} that is,} Christ {Himself}, in whom [our LORD Jesus Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom [metabolized doctrine] and knowledge. – that is knowledge of the truth. I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the LORD, {so} walk in Him, having been firmly rooted {and now} being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, {and} overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity [Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit] dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.

Now, behind His authority, there are degrees of deception. As a believer, it depends on how long you reside in the cosmic system without the use of rebound and recovery.

1Jo 2:8-20, On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. The one who says he is in the light and {yet} hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of GOD abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world [the cosmos] is passing away, and {also} its lusts; but the one who does the will of GOD [fulfills his PPOG=predesigned plan of God and his PSD=personal sense of destiny] abides [fellowship with the Trinity] forever. Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not {really} of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but {they went out,} in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

So, deception is thought transference of demon doctrine to the believer or unbeliever in the cosmic system. And by thought transference I do not mean that you are thinking like members of the occult, but I am referring to human viewpoint or worldly thinking rather than doctrinal insight. All believers and unbelievers in the cosmic system are under some form of satanic deception.

This is why the apostle Paul said in Col 2:4, I keep on communicating these things in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument.

So many individuals think they are intelligent and wise, when in reality they are under extreme deception and delusion. And this type of deception is the worst kind, because it is deceiving yourself,

In 1Co 3:18, the Apostle Paul said, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish [realize that he is a fool] that he may become wise.”

Remember, even the woman in the garden, who was perfect and didn’t have an old sin nature ended up deceived by the craftiness and subtilty of Satan with his lies. After all, he has a lot to choose from being Satan, or the Devil, has been given a number of titles in Scripture. 52 times in Scripture, he is called Satan. In Isaiah he is called the “day star” or the “bearer of light” which comes from the Latin Lucifer. This was the name of Satan before his fall. One of his the most popular names or titles is the name, “the devil,” Matt 4:1 which means “slanderer.” He always accused GOD for something, now he accuses believers. Remember Rev 12:10, the Apostle John writes.

Rev 12:10, Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, “Now has come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our GOD and the authority of His Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our GOD.

Being a deceiver, he is also a tempter who tempts people to sin and he also wants to bring out the worst in each of us. He is also identified for us as the Ruler of Demons. The Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons He drives out demons.” Matt 9:34.

Satan is also known as Beelzebul, which means “LORD of the flies,” or “LORD of the dung” – which comes out of his mouth. How would you like to have the name or be called Beelzebub really because of the skubala . or the rubbish that is found within you? He is the enemy of humanity. The point is watch for his deceptions.

This is why in 2Co 11:3, the apostle Paul said, But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray [deceived] from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Notice that it is the “mind” which is led astray, not the body!

So, we enter into this very popular parable with one of the greatest passages given concerning salvation, and no condemnation along with grace and eternal security; Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

So, the conclusion to be derived from this is that man is universally condemned, under sin, and considered to be in unbelief. This represents the very lowest level of human standing before GOD and all unregenerate men are now placed on that level. And at this point GOD offers one remedy: Grace.

Pure grace is no recognition of human merit. By the complete removal of all considerations of human merit, GOD is now unconditionally free to act in grace in behalf of man. And this is what we need to remind ourselves of constantly concerning grace after salvation. And this is why the preaching of law observance or moral reform is misleading because it is contrary to the grace of GOD.

Man is dead.

Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”

In this dispensation, there is no middle ground. Men are either utterly condemned under the universal decree of the judgment of GOD or they are perfectly saved and safe in the grace of GOD through Jesus Christ. It is either Christ or Hell.

We live in the Church-age which is called in Eph 3:2, the dispensation of the grace of GOD. After we are born again it is important for us to fulfill certain biblical commands concerning the grace of GOD.

2Ti 2:1, Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2Pe 3:18, we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

After salvation, it is extremely important that we understand the grace of GOD. We need to understand how our Father treats us in grace and we need to understand how we should treat others. This is what we call grace orientation. Under the grace policy of GOD, all believers are commanded to be oriented to grace. Grace-orientation is a command.

For example, look at 1Pe 5:12, Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of GOD. Stand firm in it!

Notice the command: “stand firm in it” that’s grace orientation. We are to stand firm in grace. We are not to be confused by legalism.

Heb 13:9, Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace,

Varied and strange teachings have to do with human viewpoint or what Jm 3:15 calls: A wisdom which is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

So, we are to stand firm in grace. We are not be carried away from grace with strange teachings which are designed to give credit to men rather than to GOD. We are not to be manipulated by people.

There is a very popular story in the word of GOD to illustrate how GOD the Father treats us in grace and what our attitude should be toward others who have failed as well! This story is about a young man who decided to go and make a life for himself without GOD.

He felt that he was missing something that the world could offer him and that his life was just fading away. In Lk 15:11, our LORD began HIS third parable to this audience that HE has in this message which is often called The Prod¬igal Son.

Lk 15:1-2, Now all the tax gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes {began} to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

So, we have tax gatherers, sinners, prostitutes, Pharisees and scribes, which includes a very interesting combination for a congregation.

HE is going to teach them three parables about things that are lost and the attitude that we should have when someone is lost.

You have the lost sheep, Lk 15:4-7, the lost coin, Lk 15:8-10, the lost sons, Lk 15:11-32. So, this parable ranks among the finest pieces of teaching in all of Scripture.

The prodigal son is the emblem of a sinner who refuses to depend on the LORD and be governed by Him and go his own way no matter what. And we will see how dangerous it is for us to desire to be at our own disposal, and to live in a state of independence, and to be our own rulers!

So, in Lk 15:11, And He said, “A certain man had two sons;

Notice that they are both called sons. They are his sons when it started, and both will still be His sons when this passage finishes. In fact, the older was the worse but he was still with the Father as the son of his Father. In most cases, the younger would be the obvious one to be condemned by the average Christian as being the worse…and he wasn’t the worst…at all.

So, the man in this parable represents GOD the Father and the sons represent believers, therefore, this is not a gospel message, this is a doctrinal message for born-again believers.

Lk 15:12, and the younger of them [this is the prodigal son, by the way prodigal means to waste your life away], so he said to his Father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ And he [the Father] divided his wealth between them.

Notice that He didn’t give to one without giving to the other. So, each one receives his share of the estate. Each one had enough so that he was independently wealthy, and that represents the doctrine of logistical grace applied to your life. The prodigal son did what most people have done throughout history, he accepted the blessings of the Father (as all men do who live on GOD’s earth), while at the same time he turned his back upon his Father (as men do when they reject and abandon fellow-ship with GOD). And also notice that the Father made no attempt to stop him.

GOD does not violate our free will nor does He force us to remain in fellowship with Him.

Lk 15:13, “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, [this is analogous to life in the cosmic system] and there he squandered his estate with loose living.”

He spent everything he had and now he was broke! So, it didn’t take long for the young son to pack up and leave his Father. And notice that it was the son who moved away from the Father not the Father moving away from the son. This is what happens when we live a life of sin, we draw away from GOD, He does not draw away from us.

Lk 15:14 “Now when he had spent everything [he’s not investing, he’s just spending], a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need.

Whenever a believer goes astray, eventually he will come to a point as the last part of this verse says when he will begin to be in need. Having forsaken his Father who represents GOD, he can now find nothing but poverty, misery, and want.

The human soul is empty if GOD does not fill it.

This parable describes the depths to which the prodigal son had sunk. His emptiness was shown by the job that he had to take, tending pigs. He’s starving while he’s working because pay day only comes after the pigs are marketed. And this is a picture of what happens when a believer goes back to the lifestyle that GOD has rescued him from.

Lk 15:17, “But when he came to his senses,

And so, this man finally became honest with himself and looked at his life from a biblical perspective…which means to face up with the situation as it really exists…to recognize the sins in your own life…to stop rationalizing or justifying them…to stop blaming others for them… and to come to a point where you acknowledge them and recognize that it is wrong and contrary to the word of GOD.

He realized the absurdity of his situation. He knew that the hired servants in his Father’s household were far better off than he was. Self-realization of the hopeless and useless predicament of the sinful life is the first step towards true repentance. The believer must see that his own actions have led him away from the loving Father (GOD).

The doctrine of eternal security says we are the sons of GOD and we will always be a son. Whether we are worthy or unworthy doesn’t change our sonship.

Lk 15:19, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”

Treat me like one of your servants, one of those hired hands, which by the way is an insult to his Father. That’s like saying that his Father has no character and no integrity, and He is not the forgiving type. For people who have character and integrity are the forgiving type!

Lk 15:20, And he got up and came to his Father. But while, he was still a long way off , his Father saw him, and felt compassion {for him,} and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.

His Father is a wonderful person and this is a magnificent way of expressing GOD the Father. His Father saw him while he was a long way off. It almost appears as if his Father had been looking for him.

The Father was filled with compassion and his Father ran to him. And the Father threw his arms around him and kissed him again and again.

Lk 15:22, “But the Father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.”

This was a signet ring representing withdrawing from the Father’s resources, logistical grace.

Now, that is the divine attitude of grace when you’re brought back into fellowship with GOD.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Friday, April 23, 2021

Internet Church Service – April 25, 2021; When the average believer hears the word “baptism” they think water is involved, and that is false.

EMBEDDED VIDEO SERMON in HD – WITH NOTES

When the average believer hears the word “baptism” they think water is involved, and that is false.

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name, and Praise the Lord Our God in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME

from - Romans 8:38-39

Hymn #1

Hymn #2

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” NKJV

Our Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Terms used by RMBM

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

Sermon

NOTES

When the average believer hears the word “baptism” they think water is involved, and that is false.

John 15:2 “Every branch in Me [Baptism of the Spirit] that does not bear fruit, He takes away [Divine Discipline]; and every {branch} that bears fruit [Fruit of the Spirit], He prunes it [suffering for blessing], that it may bear more fruit [Divine good and the glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ ].

1. The first principle that we noted in Jn 15:2 is the principle of being “in Christ, as New Creatures or “in Christ as “New Spiritual Species” which says “Every branch in Me” referring to “every believer that is found and involved the Baptism of the Spirit.

I say that because every time the average believer hears the word baptism they automatically think water is involved in some way, and that is false.

In fact, according to the Word of God there are eight different baptisms found in the Bible, Five Dry and Three Wet.

1. The Baptism of John the Baptist; Mark 1:4.

2. The Baptism of Moses ( 1Co 10:1–3).

3. The Baptism of Jesus ( Matt 3:13-17 ).

4. The Baptism of Fire ( Matt 3:11-12).

5. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (1Co 12:13).

6. The Baptism of the Cross; (Mark 10:35-39).

7. The Baptism of Church-age believers; (Matt 28:19).

8. Noah’s type Baptism (1Pe 3:18-22)

So, we have eight different baptisms that are found in the New Testament which means to be identified with something or someone as we ought to.

Remember that the word baptism means identification or association, not water, though water is used in some of the baptisms.

And, as we also noted on Friday, there are two categories of baptisms or identification in the Scripture:

1. We have an actual identification which we call a Real Baptism.

2. We have a Ritual Baptism which is represented by the use of water and the appropriate identification that is mentioned in the passage.

Now, there are five “real baptisms,” meaning something is really identified with something else which is real or someone else who is real.

Notice how fantastic the Apostle Paul writes as God the Holy Spirit, our Mentor, inspired the genius of the Apostle Paul, to put in writing many of the doctrines found in the Mystery Doctrines of the Church-age; Eph 3:1-10.

Eph 4:4-6, notice what the apostle Paul says; One body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

1. There is Noah’s type of Baptism where the Apostle Peter mentions that eight people were saved by water because Noah’s family identified with Noah and they were saved or delivered OUT OF THE WATER not saved or delivered in or by the water; Gen 6:13; 1Pe 3:18-22.

We should never teach on the subject of baptism unless we include these two entire chapter found in Gen 6:1-13 and 1Pe 3:18-22.

Now, the word “baptized is the aorist passive indicative of the verb baptizo and the passive voice tells us that they received the action of the verb which is the fact that they were being identified with Moses.

through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses.

And, the water involved in this baptism killed the Egyptian military, it did not save them at all.

Here, mainly Egyptian unbelievers were immersed in the water as a means of our Lord killing them with the exception of a few Egyptians and rabble who had believed in the God of Israel, Jehovah Elohim, the Lord God who led others to salvation by means of the Ten Plagues.

Here, mainly unbelievers, with the exception of some, were immersed or dipped in the water as a means of death.

Identification with the guidance and direction of True Leadership is also the concept here.

Moses was identified with the cloud or Jesus Christ and the people were identified with Moses.

3. The next baptism is the baptism of the cross which is found in Mark 10:38.

Here, the cup mentioned is the cup of the cross where our Lord was about to be identified with the sins of mankind.

Jesus Christ was identified with our personal sins and judged for them, so that we could be identified and associated with the Lord Jesus Christ and His perfect righteousness that He gave to us as He became our Savior.

Here, the cup mentioned is the cup of the cross where our Lord was about to be identified with the sins of mankind.

Jesus Christ was identified with our personal sins and judged for them, so that Christ became our Savior.

4. The fourth baptism is the Baptism of the Spirit which is a Real dry baptism and not a WET baptism because the Baptism of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation for Church-age believers only, 1Co 12:13.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The baptism of the Spirit is the means of forming the Royal Family and of breaking the back of the old sin nature as the old ruler of human life.

In fact, this baptism, the baptism of the Spirit, is more real to us then who we are at the present time.

Now, I am going to make some statements that may seem to contradict themselves itself’ until you understand the entire statement completely….and then it all makes so much sense.

So much so that we can say with the Apostle Paul in what I love to call my eye gate and ear gate presentation when Paul was so blown away by the wisdom and knowledge and love that God has for his own; Rom 11:33-36.

Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Rom 11:34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?

Rom 11:35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?

Rom 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Think about it, because of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, what we are in our condition right now is not what we are now, positionally, as God sees us in our position not our condition.

As a real baptism we are really members of His spiritual body who are also really members of His bride.

And His Body and His Bride is more real and more of a reality than who and what we are now, in our condition.

We are all that positionally but someday we will be that experientially because as a real baptism we are really members of His body and we are really His future bride, and this is more real than who and what we are right now at this present time.

One of the other differences between a real baptism and a ritual baptism is that the Ritual Baptism can be seen whereas the Real Baptism cannot be seen but must “be” believed.

And, there are certain principles of doctrine that we learn from this particular statement such the principle found in Rom 14:23 He who doubts is condemned because he does not live in faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin.

You might ask, what kind of sin do we commit if we don’t operate in faith?

Well, the obvious ones are fear, worry, anxiety, anger, condemnation, stress, bitterness, tantrums, frustration, implacable, etc.

Thumos indicates a more agitated condition of feelings, outbursts of anger, emotions from inward indignation, and this type of anger is overt and critical.

Orge suggests a more settled or abiding condition of mind, frequently with a view to taking vengeance followed by the silent treatment and it is much more subtle than thumos.

No matter which we have to deal with, either thumos or orge, they both have a hatred which is an emotional and irrational sin of violence.

Or even better, After salvation, then What?

I know you have heard many of the principles I am going to give you but, as usual, we need to see the importance of the heart as our tool which over 90 % of the time, it refers to our right lobe not our cardiovascular system.

Or, to make it even simpler, we could say that the word lebh in the Hebrew or kardia in the Greek are both translated heart but both refer to brain function, not to the emotions or beating your chest because you feel so guilty and condemned but in reality the heart, as it is used in the Bible, refers to the brain and how one thinks.

Hymn #3

The following link is to a good-news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about of their eternal future.

Friday, April 16, 2021

Weekly Bible Study – April 19, 2021; The Doctrine of Eternal Security. John CH 15.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary: God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

The Doctrine of Eternal Security. John CH 15.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary: God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

The Doctrine of Eternal Security. John CH 15.

Jn 15:1, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Here is John 15 beginning with the unity that exists between the LORD and the believer and the LORD and HIS logistical support for following HIM and HIS kingdom.

Jn 15:2, “Every branch [believer] in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every {branch} that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.”

What does this mean as far as the free will is concerned? It means that every believer has the opportunity to glorify the LORD simply by keeping things simple.

Jn 15:3-4, “You are already clean because of the word which He said that he is the one who has spoken to the disciples. Abide Me [that is to have some fresh abundant life which is made inside of us] and I in you. And I in you. As the branch or the believer cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.

Fruit that is fresh is food that you desire as you live in Jn 10:10, when the life that we have is life abundant.

Jn 15:5-8, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and {so} prove to be My disciples.”

As you live or abide in HIM, your thoughts start to align with HIS thoughts. When that happens the things you desire are in HIS plan for you to have and so, you are able to ask what you will and receive it because it is in HIS will for you to have it.

Jn 15:9-12, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and {that} your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”

This is to love one another unconditionally, impersonally. Not because there is necessarily something you love in the other person but because you love Christ and that is HIS command. This agape love is different than a personal love, phileo.

Jn 15:13-15, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you.

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Jn 15:16-18, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and {that} your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated} you.”

This is that agape, impersonal love. And again, the principle of living in HIS plan for your life.

Jn 15:19-21, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”

Now, I want to focus today on the fact that we should be alert because there are always individuals who distort passages like Jn 15:2. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.”

The verse is used to by ignorant believers to say that you can lose your salvation. But do you see the word salvation in this verse? What about those who say that verses 2 and 6 are teaching about who can lose their salvation?

Jn 15:2, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.”

Jn 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

You don’t see the word “lose” because our LORD is teaching HIS disciples the importance of the principle of abiding which refers to our fellowship with our LORD and not our salvation.

Do you see the word “sin” in these verses? So, when a believer does willfully sin, he does not lose his salvation, he loses the principle of abiding or fellowshipping with our LORD.

In Heb 10:23-26, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully [and we do] after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Why does there no longer remain a sacrifice for sins?

Heb 10:27, (The High Priest, our LORD) does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Do you see the word salvation in Jn 15:2, No.

So, there are those who distort passages like Jn 15:2, Every branch [believer] in Me that does not bear fruit, He [TLJC] takes the fruit away.

The question is what did our LORD mean when HE said that if we do not bear fruit that He will “take away” the branches or the believers.

Then in Jn 15:6, they also distort the verse when it says that “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Notice that our LORD said to those who do not abide in HIM are thrown away as a branch, and dries up; it does not say that they are found and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

I also need to be sure that all of you understand that you cannot lose your salvation and we will approach this subject very carefully by using the word “Approach.”

By approach I mean as you are living the spiritual life, you proceed to advance toward the goal that is set before us / you as Phil 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of GOD in Christ Jesus.”

To do this you have to make sure that you do not fall away from the LORD but believe that you can live the spiritual life as you forget what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

Our “first approach” concerning the Doctrine of Eternal Security which I call the Positional Approach: Rm 8:1; Eph 1:3-6; Jud 1.

The positional approach is that every believer is in union with Christ and is perfect in their position, but not in their condition.

Rm 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Notice, if you are “in Christ,” then this verse says you will never be condemned or judged by GOD no matter what you think, say, or do or what others think, say, or do.

Why?

Because there is no condemnation or judgment for those who are en Christou Ieesou or in Christ Jesus.

Now, there is conviction by GOD the Holy Spirit, which is legitimate guilt, but there is a condemnation which is not one of them. Conviction comes from the ministry of GOD the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit conviction always gives us a way out in which the grace of GOD is magnified and reconciliation is the goal of GOD the Holy Spirit.

It is the Spirit verses Satan. Carnality verses charity. Conviction verses condemnation. It is life spiritually or death experientially.

Now, even though our lives will be judged according to the word of GOD; (Jn 12:47-48), it is an evaluation of our works not condemnation for our sins.

Jn 12:46-48, “I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

Let me give you a few passages that make this clear.

First of all, we have our LORD’s word on the type of judgment we will face; Jn 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Notice that there is such a principle called a “righteous judgment.”

In Jn 3:17, the Lord Jesus Christ addresses the subject of judgment when we read: “For GOD did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.

Jn 5:22, For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,”

Jn 12:47-48, “And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

Even when our LORD had to judge us which was really HIS way of evaluating the lifestyle that we live; HE did so with grace and honor motivated by agape love, which we saw earlier.

Look at Jn 8:15-16, “You people [in context the Pharisees] judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and He who sent Me.”

Of course, most of you have heard these passages throughout the Word of GOD and when we are told that we are “in Christ” that is our position and not our condition. Therefore, our position in Christ guarantees that there is no condemnation for any of us who have been saved.

Look how clear the apostle Paul gets right to the point; Rm 8:38-39, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.

I love how Jude deals with this subject in Jud 1:24-25, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only GOD our Savior, through Jesus Christ our LORD, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Now, what we have noted so far really has to do with the fact that we share what Christ has and we share who Christ is.

1Jo 3:1-2, See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of GOD; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of GOD, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.

Now, our LORD is seated at the right hand of the Father and we share everything that HE has and everything that HE is. Rm 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren;”

Here are some examples of these blessings we have “in Christ.”

1. Christ is absolute Righteousness; 2Co 5:21.

2. Christ is elected, we share HIS Election, Eph 1:4.

3. Christ has a destiny; we share HIS Destiny, Eph 1:5.

4. Christ is the Son, we are in union with Christ, we share HIS sonship; 2Ti 2:1.

5. Christ is the heir; we share HIS heirship; Rm 8:16-17.

6. Christ is sanctified, we share HIS sanctification; 1Co 1:2.

7. Christ is a King; we share HIS Kingdom; 2PE 1:11.

8. Christ is the High Priest; we share HIS Priesthood; Heb 10:10-14.

Let me remind you that the Bible says that we will all have to face, not only deserved suffering but also underserved suffering as well; Phil 1:29; 1Pe 3:12-18.

1Pe 3:12-18, For the eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but (instead) sanctify Christ as LORD in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if GOD should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to GOD, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit.