“I’m not water-baptized. Can I make it to heaven if I die without it?”

Wow! Intelligent questions require intelligent answers. Desperate to know the truth! Not gonna hide it! Let Bible be standard. "Oh God, what do you say concerning water baptism? I have not been baptized in water for some reasons; or I have been baptized still would love to know what would have happened if I had not. What does the scripture has to say?"

Seeking bible truth on water baptism? We once published a post on What the Bible teaches on water baptism. Read it: it's a little in-depth than this. You're blessed!

Jesus is honoured in this place. The reader receives illumination in His name. Amen!

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16 KJV)

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20 KJV)

What is this salvation? GSP 15

Salvation means a state of being saved; being salvaged; being rescued; being made free from an impending disaster.

"Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!" (Acts 2:40 GNB)

I love to use this example. Salvation is like unto a man who can't swim but had his boat unfortunately capsized in the sea. Drowned until he could no longer cry out for help and was already staring death in the face; some men came to "rescue" him, treat him till he is okay. And at the end, he says, "thank you for saving my life". You remember a similar story in the bible? That man going from Jerusalem to Jericho… a man who was neither a Levite nor a priest (Law nor prophet), came to his rescue. We understand that wounded man to be humanity. He was half-dead; thank God! That is, his situation (death) was not irredeemable. The Samaritan showed up and paid his bill for treatment. Hmm! That story was more than teaching us who our neighbour is. It is saying, we (law and prophets and all carnal offices) cannot love our neighbour (fellow wounded men) as ourselves, but Jesus is that good neighbour who will pay our bills with His blood. Jesus is the One of "whom of Moses in the law did write" (John 1:45) when He said "love your neighbour as yourself". Do I mean men should forget about loving one another? Certainly not! But that we should lean upon Jesus so we can know to love. Recall about that disciple that leaned upon Jesus' breast (John 21:20): see how he became an apostle who taught love best. Anyway, love isn't the topic for today: but actually it is the topic for everyday.
Humanity was in crisis owing to "the fall of man" in Adam. There was an impending disaster indeed. But God did not react, because He cannot be caught unaware. He is not shocked Adam ate the fruit. But why then did He not stop Adam, you may want to ask? Wait till the next session where we explain Predestination and God's Supremacy. One thing must have been clear if you have been following this series, God could not have had a part in the fall of man. Instead, He is the brain behind The Restoration – the Redemption.

Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is His name. He will surely and thoroughly plead their case and defend their cause, that He may give rest to [the land of Israel and to the Babylonian-enslaved nations of] the earth… (Jeremiah 50:34 AMP)

Today, God's salvation Plan has been unveiled and carried out; such that Jesus sits today at the right hand of the Father, expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. He has done all required to redeem all flesh. A saved man is therefore not in anticipation of any disaster to come. He has been rescued. Alleluia!

Some Few Things You Must Never Call the Leading of the Spirit or the Will of God

I share with you some laughable things most Christians often call the "will of God" but it is not. I call them laughable that you may see how unwise you've been in following after these "beggarly" ways.
Yes! It's normal that every serious minded Christian desires to know the "will of God" and to get the right step per time. But some in ignorance birthed by laziness have found themselves in these "pits" in the name of "will of God". Better put this title as, "what the will of God is not".

Frustration/Failure

Wow! Every New Testament saint of God must be careful about accepting their frustration as the leading of the Spirit. Now this is what I mean.

What Really is Grace?

Grace fundamentally is a kindness, favour shown towards someone that is undeserved, unmerited, unearned, unsolicited, and requiring no contribution of the receiver; and this grace is always commensurate to the “fatness” and generosity of the giver.
For grace to be grace, according to the above definition,

It must be an act of kindness

You are Led by The Spirit of God! - An Act of Grace

There might be a holy desire in you if you are born again to be receiving the leadings of the Spirit of God. Everyone wants to make best decisions. No one wants to run into mistakes. No one wants to run into losses. Men are so blind without a Guide. That's why people turn to so-called "prophets", diviners, stargazers etc, because they'll like to know what step is next and best in their life. In short, an undeniable need in everyone's life is the need to be guided by a supernatural power somewhere. But good news to the Christian! We are led by the Almighty Himself!


It's so real! It's so true! We have access to the Father and God of the universe's leading.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 KJV)

6 Reasons we do not need to make vows unto God Anymore

Make our minds enlightened Father, Amen!
Before we examine why we do not need to make vows unto God anymore, I thinks it is essential to look into why we needed vows in the first place. Why do people make vows? People would give various answers such as below.

1. To access the heavens and reach God faster
2. To express our desperation and sacrificial attitude
3. To appease God to forgive us and ignore our inadequacy
4. To "challenge" or "blow up" God's mind
5. To put God to test
6. Because it's one of the principles by which God works in scripture

Follow closely as we look into these reasons of people and as we see how true they really are

“I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy” Explained (II) – salvation for All 14

We ended the last section [Salvation for All Part 13] with questions:
Isn't this "whom I will have mercy" again pointing to a hidden agenda and bigoted plan of God? Who are the ones whom God has chosen to have mercy on? Who are the ones God has concluded to have compassion on? We also concluded that we cannot buy God's mercy by prayer and fasting and vigils. Yes, we cannot pray that God should have mercy on us because God has concluded on whom He will have mercy on; and that "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy" is only an information to be heard; not to be reacted to, not to be questioned. No man's opinion is being sought. We heard it just to know what is to come. This is unlike many other prophecies, where you begin to "forbid bad thing" and bind the devil.
Then, with Moses, it was a prophecy. Today I can tell you it's fulfilled already! Mercy is at work already. On whom did God finally had mercy as promised? On "All Flesh"; every creature; all men. And He did this in Christ Jesus! Jesus Christ is the mercy of God on the perishing humanity

6 Things Water Baptism Is Not or Cannot Do

Thank God for another time to share in the Word! We just take a glance at some six things water baptism cannot or does not do. Recall that we took on a topic sometimes ago on "What the bible teaches on water baptism". Hope you enjoyed that then? Without wasting time, let's go!!

Water Baptism does not equal salvation

I think a lot of people should not have problem with this. Salvation apart, water baptism apart! In no way is a man who is water-baptised saved by it. Water baptism is works, salvation is grace through faith. Water baptism is "of yourselves": salvation is "the gift of God". Anyone could boast of water baptism because it is of works; but none can boast of salvation because it is of grace. Thus, in no way is water baptism equal to salvation.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

What does the bible teach on water baptism?

What is water baptism? What does the bible says on water baptism? How should I do water baptism? Why should have a water baptism? Should I have my water baptism at all? Need Biblical approach to this topic? Sit, relax and pay attention with or without your bible around. We'll be blessed, promises to be a sweet time in bible study today again. Don't forget to share, tell a friend about this teaching if you think it would interest them too. This topic should have been a whole book but I have made it so short that you won't have to read a so long article: it's concise and straight to point. Lord we receive Your word again today.

Water baptism!

Here is what the man I call the Father of water baptism has to say concerning his pivotal baptism ministry. I mean John the Baptist.

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

(Luke 3:15-16 KJV)

God's Salvation Plan - Topical Index

GSP Series: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy” Explained – salvation for All 13

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (Romans 9:15 KJV)
 

On whom will God have mercy? On whom will God have compassion?

This scripture is one of the scriptural portions I see that have been so much misconstrued; distorted so much that it has begun to mean just the opposite of the intended message. Hmm!

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (Romans 9:15 KJV)

This verse is intended to call for rest, but too much work is interpreted of it today. It says God has irreversibly made up His mind “on whom I will have mercy”, yet people read it and struggle to force their way into God having mercy on them. God is saying I do not make open admission into my school of mercy: enrolment is strictly by invitation. No cry, no human exertion can make mercy! It is not open unto discussion or negotiation. Admission is closed.

What is sin against the Holy Ghost? What is the unpardonable sin?

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)

This passage of scripture is often not understood, misunderstood, or ignored for confusion. What is the sin against the Holy Ghost as described by Jesus? The sin is said to be unpardonable; so let me know it so I can avoid it. So here we go. Father we open your hearts to receive enlightenment from Your word. Amen!

Can we see how others render this same word that Jesus spoke?

GSP Series: "Jacob I loved, Esau I hated" Explained (Part II) - Salvation for all (12)

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (Romans 9:13 KJV)
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? [Was] not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. (Malachi 1:2-3 KJV)
 

I said in the previous part (Jacob I loved, Esau I hated Part II) that God is not sentimental with people. He is not biased. I also explained how that Esau I loved, Jacob I hated, is not a contradiction but a strong point to teach how that God is no respecter of persons.  I hope you followed well. You may go back and read it and come back so you would catch up with the class.

So amazing that Jacob I loved, Esau I hated explains God’s fairness. God isn’t sentimental, this I can re-emphasize with this same scripture. “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." (Romans 9:13 KJV). Jehovah said “I love Jacob” even before he was born! You may not like the teaching of predestination, election and the likes except you understand them to be in the past tense and also know that they are to your favour and to the favour of all, forming a picture of an unbiased Referee of the universe.

GSP Series: "Jacob I loved, Esau I hated" Explained – salvation for all 11

 

So far in this Salvation for All Series, you would have learnt many things which would have made you shed off the nepotistic, tribalistic, favouritish, bigoted view of and about God. Yet there might be questions unanswered in your hearts: “but… but… but why then did the bible says…” So today’s edition would answer that.

Jacob I loved…

Here is a text which in its imperfect interpretation has successfully presented a notion that God really still do have favourites. Some will even say, “well, today God is changing; unlike before in the old testament when He would just focus on His selected few, them whom God will nurse as the apple of His eyes, and jealously slay any trespasser; whereas He cares less about others not in His caucus”. Well! My answer to that is this: we know one thing that working with caucuses, judging with partiality, we have preaches against it and in fact we would not have known it to be evil but for that same God who taught us. Now, He that teaches that a man should not be partial, would He have been partial? Furthermore, we know that God is unchangeable. If heaven and earth should perish and be changed, He remains says the scriptures. “They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the SAME, and thy years shall not fail. (Hebrews 1:11-12 KJV)”

GSP Series: Salvation is for all 10 - But who is God's Elect? II

Aim: understanding God’s plan of salvation

Yes! what is to be rightly interpreted then as “elect of God”? who are the ones God has pre-ordained unto salvation? Are there people who have been predestined to believe the gospel?

In the previous section (Who is God's Elect? I), we have seen how that Jesus says in Luke 18:7 that the man whom God will avenge if he attempts to pray is “His own elect”. Now let’s continue to understand electship.

Today we’ll see electhood in Christ Jesus. That is, Jesus is the Elect of God actually, and in next section we’ll see how we borrow from Him our electhood.