The case against water baptism (part 1)

Out of all the doctrines that Mid-Acts Dispensationalism believes, our greatest criticism has been that we do not believe in water baptism. I know people that do not care at all that I believe that the Church the Body of Christ began with the revelation of the Gospel of the Grace of God given to the apostle Paul in Acts 9, in fact they admit that they probably would agree with this. However, they do not agree with or like the belief that water baptism has ceased to be part of the believer's service and obedience to God under Grace. This doctrine is absolutely hated by the Charismatics, "Church of Christ" Campbellism, and especially the Baptists.

Consider the Mid-Acts Dispensational premise. We believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made to the Jewish fathers and that He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10:5-6, 15:22-27, Mark 7:24-28, Rom. 15:8). We believe that Christ, His apostles, and His forerunner all came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to Israel to set up the physical Kingdom over the whole world from Jerusalem...

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." (Matt. 4:23)

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matt. 9:35)

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14)

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God," (Mark 1:14)

This Gospel of the Kingdom was that the promised King was present and that the Kingdom was at hand...

"And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 3:2)

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 4:17)

"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 10:7)

"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

The opposition to our belief will say that the Gospel of the Kingdom is the same gospel that we preach today. They also say that the "kingdom" talked about by Christ was a spiritual kingdom and not the physical kingdom over the world.

The Bible teaches that the Gospel of the Kingdom is definitely NOT the "Gospel of the Grace of God" that was revealed to the apostle Paul. In fact, if anyone tried to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom today, he would be accursed (Gal. 1:6-12). The Gospel of the Kingdom is a false gospel under Grace (2 Cor. 11:3-4). How do I prove this? Well look at what Paul's gospel was...

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1 Cor. 1:17)

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:18)

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" (1 Cor. 1:23)

"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1 Cor. 2:2)

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" (Rom. 3:24-25)

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal. 6:14)

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

That is the Gospel of the Grace of God. That Christ died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried, and rose again the third day. Paul said that Christ was set forth as the propitiation, through faith in His blood. What Paul called "my gospel" (2 Tim. 2:8, Rom. 2:16, 16:25) was the "preaching of the CROSS". When Paul preached the gospel he did not add works to glory in or wisdom of words, he knew only Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul refers to his gospel as "the grace of Christ" (Gal. 1:5) and "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). He said if any man or angel from heaven preached unto us any other gospel other than the grace of Christ, let him be accursed!

Galatians 1:
[5] To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
[6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
[7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
[8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
[9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
[10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
[12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul said that if this Gospel of Christ was unknown or hid to anyone, then they are not saved. This gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, if you do not know that gospel then you are lost.

2 Corinthians 4:
[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

But was Paul's gospel preached by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the 12 apostles? Is Paul's gospel of the grace of God the same gospel as "the gospel of the kingdom"? Absolutely not.

Matthew 16:
[20] Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
[21] From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
[22] Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
[23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Mark 9:
[9] And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
[10] And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

Mark 9:
[30] And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
[31] For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
[32] But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Luke 9:
[44] Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
[45] But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Luke 18:
[31] Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
[32] For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
[33] And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
[34] And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

The "gospel of the kingdom" that John the Baptist and the 12 apostles of Israel preached was NOT Paul's gospel of the grace of God. Paul's gospel was "HID" from them. They did not understand, perceive, or know about the death/burial/resurrection of Christ. The Gospel of the Kingdom, that the Kingdom was at hand, was NOT the Gospel of the Grace of God and today it is a false gospel to preach.

As for the Kingdom supposedly being some kind of mystical, invisible, spiritual, fairyland kingdom, that is completely foreign to Scripture.  [The A-Millennialists will go so far as to say that there will never have a Kingdom on the earth ruling over the Gentile nations from Jerusalem.] Of course, believers under Grace in the Body of Christ are joined to the Lord seated in heavenly places in Him (Eph. 1:3, 2:6-7, Col. 1:13). There is no dispute that Heaven is God's current Kingdom, the issue is that the Bible teaches that His Kingdom will come to the Earth.

What does the Bible say about Christ's first coming and Kingdom?

Luke 1:
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:
[67] And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
[68] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
[69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
[70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
[71] That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
[72] To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
[73] The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
[74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
[75] In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

These verses from Luke clearly state that the Kingdom is going to be a Jewish Kingdom that was prophesied to Abraham and the Jewish fathers [Dan. 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.]. The main characteristics of this Kingdom are Israel being delivered from their enemies to serve Christ without fear in righteousness all the days of their lives. Now look in Matthew 5.

Matthew 5:
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Notice that Christ used the terms "the kingdom of heaven", "the earth", and seeing God as what the believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom would would inherit. If you put the three statements together, the kingdom of heaven is inheriting the earth with God present. Now look at these other statements about the Kingdom...

"But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King." (Matt. 5:34-35)

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:9-10)

The Kingdom of God coming is when His will is done in Earth as it is in Heaven. Further, look at Matthew 19 and 20. Those scriptures clearly state that Christ's Kingdom is going to be one where there are thrones and nations. 

Matthew 19:
[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
[29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Matthew 20:
[20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
[21] And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
[22] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
[23] And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

In Christ's Kingdom the 12 apostles will be ruling over the 12 tribes of Israel and there will be literal thrones.

Some OT verses (out of the hundreds) on the Kingdom being on the Earth are included in this post:
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/church-of-christ-millennial-heresy.html

This Gospel of the Kingdom is also clearly what the 12 apostles continued to preach until Paul's conversion. They were looking for the Kingdom to be restored to Israel and they preached that if Israel repented, then Christ would return to them.

Acts 1:
[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Acts 2:
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 3:
[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
[20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
[21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
[22] For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
[23] And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
[24] Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
[25] Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

With this being the premise of Mid-Acts Dispensationalists, is there any wonder why we do not practice water baptism? All the verses that people typically use to justify the practice such as Matthew 3:15-16, Luke 7:29-30, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:16, and Acts 2:38 are not even operating under the same gospel as we are today. The command to practice water baptism was part of the Gospel of the Kingdom, not the Gospel of the Grace of God. The commission of Matthew 28, Luke 21, and Mark 16 ceased when the mystery Dispensation of Grace was revealed to Paul (Eph. 3:1-9, 5:32, Col. 1:25-28, 4:3, Rom. 11:25, 16:25). Those who insist that the commission of the Gospel of the Kingdom did not cease I would challenge them to answer these questions: why don't you cast out devils? why don't you speak with new tongues? why don't you take up serpents? why don't you drink poison? why don't you heal the sick? That is what Mark 16:17-18 says would happen to those who believed that gospel and who carried out that commission. Those were not "optional" things, those were signs that were guaranteed to happen. "And these signs shall follow them that believe.."(Mark 16:17) "And they went forth...confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20) Besides this, the commission of Matthew 28 requires that you teach people to observe "all things whatsoever" Christ commanded in His earthly ministry (Matt. 28:19-20). Nobody on earth really follows what Christ taught on earth. Christ taught to sell all that you have, have all possessions common, and take no thought for what you will eat or wear because God will supply all your needs daily (Matt. 6:19-34, 8:20, 10:8-10, 13:44-46, 19:16-24, Mark 6:7-9, 10:17-23, Luke 3:8-11, 9:1-4, 12:15-34, Acts 2:44-45, 3:1-6, 4:32-37, 5:1-11).

Under Grace we are commanded to follow Paul as He followed Christ. Just as Moses was given the doctrines and practice for the nation of Israel, Paul was given the doctrines and practice for the Church the Body of Christ. The Lord made Paul the pattern and spokesman for the Body of Christ and revealed to him the Gospel of the Grace of God, the blindness of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, the Rapture of the Body of Christ, and the Mystery of Christ which was hid in God before the world began. 

THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE (REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY) GIVEN TO PAUL:

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Ephesians 3:
[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
[7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
[8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
[9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Colossians 1:
[24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
[25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
[28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Romans 11:
[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
[26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
[27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL. (FAITH ALONE IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST)

Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Timothy 1:
[11] According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
[12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
[15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
[16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1 Corinthians 4:
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Titus 1:
[1] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
[2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
[3] But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Galatians 1:
[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
[12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:
[1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
[2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
[3] But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
[4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
[5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
[6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
[7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
[8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

PAUL BEING THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE GENTILES UNDER GRACE.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Romans 15:
[15] Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
[16] That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 4:
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Ephesians 3:7-8 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

2 Timothy 2:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

THE MYSTERY OF THE RAPTURE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 15:
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Because of the Dispensation of Grace and the distinct ministry and message that the Lord gave the apostle Paul, there are many practices that Christ taught in His earthly ministry that only pertained to Israel's Kingdom that are not to be practiced under Grace. Here are some examples...

• Christ said under the Gospel of the Kingdom to forgive others in order to be forgiven (Matt. 6:12-15, 18:21-35, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:37, 11:4). Under the Gospel of the Grace of God we are suppose to forgive others because we are already forgiven (Eph. 4:32, Col. 2:13, 3:13). 

• Christ said to sell all that you have and give to the poor, take no thought for what you will eat, and have all things common (Matt. 6:19-34, 8:20, 10:8-10, 13:44-46, 19:16-24, Mark 6:7-9, 10:17-23, Luke 3:8-11, 9:1-4, 12:15-34, Acts 2:44-45, 3:1-6, 4:32-37, 5:1-11). But Christ later revealed to Paul that we should lay up, giving not by commandment but as we purpose in our heart, working on our own and eating our own bread that we may give to those that need help (2 Thes. 3:7-12, 2 Cor. 8:8, 9:6-8, 12:14, Eph. 4:28). 

• Christ said to keep the Law (Matt. 5:17-20, 5:23-24, 7:12, 8:4, 19:17, 23:1-3, 24:20, Luke 24:53, Acts 2:46, 3:1, 6:42, 10:10-17) because under Israel's New Covenant in the Kingdom the Law will be observed (Ps. 20:1-3, 51:18-19, 66:15, 89:30-32, Jer. 31:31-34, 32:37-42, Ezek. 36:24-28, 40-48, Micah 4:2, Isa. 2:3, 42:21, 56:1-2, 66:23, Zech. 14:16-19, Heb. 8:8-13). But under Grace we are dead to the Law, not under the Law, and the righteousness which is of the Law is "dung" (Rom. 6-7, 10:1-4, Gal. 3-4, Phil. 3:1-9).

•  Under Grace we have eternal security (Rom. 8:29-39, 1 Cor. 1:1-9, 3:15, 5:5, 11:32, 1 Thes. 5:23-24, Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Tim. 2:11-13, etc.). But Christ taught under the Gospel of the Kingdom that you could lose your salvation by calling your brother a fool (Matt. 5:22), not watching for His coming (Matt. 24:42-51, 25:11-13), being an unprofitable servant (Matt. 25:30), not taking care of the Lord's brethren (Matt. 25:31-46)

• We do not have altars under Grace (Matt. 5:23-24).

• We do not believe in giving our suers our other coat (Matt. 5:40).

• We do not believe that we have to give people free stuff (Matt. 5:42, compared to 2 Thes. 3:6-12)

• We do not believe that we have to do works to be the children of God (Matt. 5:44-45 compared with Galatians 3:26, Eph. 1:13).

Likewise the command to practice water baptism ceased under Grace. In fulfillment of the prophecies of the New Covenant being made with Israel going into the Kingdom, John the Baptist was SENT to baptize with water for the remission of sins.

Numbers 8:
[6] Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
[7] And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.


Ezekiel 36:
[25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
[26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
[27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
[28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Isaiah 61:6  But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

John 1:
[31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
[32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
[33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

John 3:25-26 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, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

Part 2 coming soon...