Saved without water baptism

JOHN THE BAPTIST, A MESSENGER OF GOD AND THE GREATEST MAN BORN OF WOMEN--NEVER BAPTIZED.

Matthew 11:
[7] And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
[8] But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
[9] But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
[10] For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
[11] Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
[12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
[14] And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

THE MAN SICK WITH A PALSY--NOT BAPTIZED BUT RECEIVED REMISSION OF SINS.

Luke 5:
[18] And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
[19] And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
[20] And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
[21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
[22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
[23] Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
[24] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
(with Matthew 9:1-5 and Mark 2:5-9)

ZACCHAEUS--CHIEF PUBLICAN AND THIEF/LIAR. SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM AFTER CALLING UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD (Rom. 10:13) 

Luke 19:
[1] And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
[2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
[3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
[4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
[6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
[8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
[9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
[10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS. FIRST MAN SAVED AFTER THE BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS SHED AND DIED UNDER THE NEW TESTAMENT, AFTER CALLING UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Luke 23:
[39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
[40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
[41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
[43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

SAUL OF TARSUS. CHOSEN BY GOD AND BORN AGAIN BEFORE BAPTISM AFTER CALLING UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. 

Acts 9:
[1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
[2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
[3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
[4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
[5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
[6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
[7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
[8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,



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

1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

CORNELIUS. SAVED AND LED OF THE HOLY GHOST BEFORE BAPTISM. (is used as the very illustration of saved by grace through faith)

Acts 10:
[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 15:
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

ONESIMUS. BORN AGAIN BY THE GOSPEL AND MADE A BROTHER IN CHRIST WHILE IN BONDS/PRISON....OBVIOUSLY NOT BAPTIZED WHILE IN PRISON.

Philemon 1:10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

Philemon 1:16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 


Not to mention all of the occasions where the apostle Paul started churches and preached the gospel without baptizing as recorded in Acts 13-15, Acts 17, Acts 19-28. 

Paul did not baptize all of the Corinthian believers, yet he was the one that got them saved by preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God to them.....

1 Corinthians 1:
[12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
[15] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
[16] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
[17] 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.
[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.
[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 4:
[14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
[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.  

Paul did not baptize all of the Corinthians, some of them were baptized by other men, yet Paul was the one that begot them in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. It was the preaching of the cross that got the Corinthians saved, not the water baptizing. Many of the Corinthians were baptized, but obviously not all of them were (1 Cor. 1:10-17). However, ALL of them were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ...

1 Corinthians 12:
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[14] For the body is not one member, but many.
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
[17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.


When a person believes the Gospel they are sprinkled with the blood of Christ and their sins are washed away, also purging their conscience....

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Hebrews 9:
[12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
[13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
[14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Water baptism under Israel's Gospel of the Kingdom was an outward sign of an inward grace, the blood of Christ was sprinkled on their hearts giving them a good conscience toward God and water baptism was the outward sign of that....

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Water baptism was not what put away the filth of the flesh, only the blood of Christ could do that (Rev. 1:5) when it was sprinkled on their hearts giving them a good conscience toward God (Heb. 10:22, 1 Pet. 1:2, 3:21, Heb. 9:12-14). Water baptism was an outward figure of what God did to the heart of man, of course, water baptism no longer has any part in God's revelation to the Church which is the Body of Christ under the Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:1-9, Rom. 6:14, 1 Cor. 1:17). Under Grace we are complete in Christ the moment we believe the Gospel (Gal. 3:1-3) and the only baptism (and also circumcision) we have is spiritual according to Colossians 2:10-13. There is only "one baptism" in the unity of the Spirit and calling of the believer under Grace (Eph. 4:1-6). 

--Eli Caldwell

The Gospel of the Grace of God vs the church of christ

Here is a critique of the 'church of christ' baptismal regeneration heresy. My critique is in bold.

Answering Arguments Against Baptism by Dan Gatlin 

Brethren have long pointed out that “preaching Jesus” means preaching baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 8:35-36). Paul warned the Corinthians that when “we preach Christ crucified” some would stumble and others would consider it foolishness (I Corinthians 1:22-23). While many in the denominational world agree that belief (John 8:24), repentance (Acts 17:30-31), and confession (Romans10:9) are necessary for the forgiveness of sins, they still stumble and consider it foolishness when baptism is preached. 

[Repentance is simply a change of mind and is not a separate act from trusting (faith) Christ and His finished work (death/burial/resurrection) to take away your sins. When someone believes that Christ died for his/her sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, that person has 'repented'. Repentance and faith are not separate actions. 

Public, audible, verbal confession before men is not a requirement for salvation  under Grace. The context of Romans 10:9 is the mouth of your heart, not your head. (see verses 1 and 6). 

The Bible teaches that in the Dispensation of Grace a sinner is saved and sealed the moment he/she trusts Christ believing the gospel, which is His sacrificial death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13). ]  

Much time, energy, and imagination has gone into making the Bible not say what it clearly does. Men have twisted scripture and sound reasoning to defend human tradition. We will consider some common arguments made against baptism, and how we might respond to them. These are in no particular order.

“Baptism is a work, and we’re not saved by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).”

There are many ways to respond to this. First, consider the context Ephesians 2. Most will stop reading at verse 9, but consider what verse 10 says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” To the sectarian mind this poses a contradiction. Verse 9 says that salvation is “not of works,” while verse 10 says that we were “created . . . for good works.” Obviously, there are two different kinds of works under discussion. Verse 9 is referring to meritorious works while verse 10 has in mind the works of God. All “works” are not the same.

Second, most believe that salvation is by faith only. But the only place where the phrase “faith only” is found is James 2:24: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Does James contradict Paul? No, each is dealing with an opposite extreme. The fact is that both teach the same thing from different views. 

[First of all, Mr. Gatlin is not using a Bible, he is using a modern perversion of the word of God. The King James Bible is the only complete, inerrant, inspired, preserved, and infallible copy of the Holy Scriptures in the English language. 

Second, Ephesians 2:8-10 plainly states that salvation is by grace through and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God not of WORKS lest any man should boast. It says "works", any kind of works! No works of any kind are required to receive a GIFT ("free gift"--Rom. 5:15-18). Verse 10 says that we are saved UNTO good works, not that we are saved by or with good works. Salvation comes without works, man cannot even please God with his works if he is not saved (Rom. 8:8). The good works are something we are saved unto, to serve God after we are saved...not in order to get saved.

No works of any kind are required for salvation under Grace.

"Not of works" (Eph. 2:9)

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith" (Rom. 3:27)

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth" (Rom. 4:5)

"they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:8)

"a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law" (Gal. 2:16)

"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:2-3)

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works" (2 Tim. 1:9)

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5)

The quotation from James is written to the 12 tribes of Israel in the last days (James 1:1, 5:3), it has nothing to do with the Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:1-9, Rom. 11:25). Paul and James DO CONTRADICT if you make them refer to the same people under the same dispensation.]

Third, the view that we’re saved by faith and not by works is contradicted by Jesus in John 6:28-29: “Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” Logically, if we are not saved by works, then we cannot be saved by faith, for Jesus says that faith (belief) is a work. 

[Faith is a work? Ha! We just read "through faith...not of works", "but to him that worketh not, but believeth", "or works? Nay...of faith", etc. So obviously faith is not a work. All 'church of christ' infidels take John 6:29 out of context, the context is the Lord answering the Pharisees with their own terminology ("works of God"), not Christ declaring faith to be a work.]

“If what you are saying about baptism is true, then my dear, departed grandmother is lost.”

This is actually not an argument since it does not deal with any points of Scripture. A good response might be to ask a series of questions.
(1) “Was your grandmother an honest, sincere person?” (Hint: everybody answers “yes.”)
(2) “If she understood what you now understand, would she have obeyed?”
(3) “What do you think she would want you to do (Lk. 16:28)?”
(4) “Will your rejection of the Scriptures change what is true and save her?” 

[That is crazy, nobody uses their grandma as an argument.]

“The Bible says that we’re saved by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 9:13-14; I Peter 1:18-19), not by water”

This is a false dichotomy. The assumptions is that we are saved by one or the other, but not by both. Calvinism teaches that salvation is solely a work of God, and that man has no part. That presupposition is reflected in this argument. In fact, the blood of Christ is what God has provided, but God expects us to choose salvation and meet His righteous conditions. “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). We are saved by the blood of Christ, but access to His blood is through obedience to the gospel. 

[What does 1 Peter 3:21 have to do with water baptism washing away sins? "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh" means what it says, water baptism does not wash away sins. Water baptism was the answer of a good conscience toward God, and besides, lost people do not have a good conscience toward God to answer Him with (Titus 1:15-16). By the way, the figure of Noah's ark means that you do not have to get in water to be saved! Noah did not get wet, he was out of the water!

By the way, when the Bible says to "obey the gospel" it is not referring to WORKS....obeying the gospel is defined as believing the gospel! 

Acts 16:31...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...(Acts 16:31)

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? ] 

“Mark 16:16 doesn’t say, ‘but he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.’ Therefore, belief is the only thing necessary for salvation.”

First, there is a logical progression to the order given by Jesus. One will not (and cannot) be baptized if is there is no belief. “Baptism” without belief is simply dipping in water, and is of no religious significance (Romans 10:10; I Peter 3:21). 

[What do you mean people will not get baptized if they don't believe? I know plenty of people that got dunked in water when they didn't really believe the gospel and so they later got re-baptized after they believed.]

Second, the fallacy of this argument can be easily shown with an illustration like this: “He who boards the plane and takes the flight will be in Phoenix, but he who does not board the plane will be left behind.” Does it need to be said, “and does not take the flight” for the message to be clear? If one does not board the plane, then one cannot take the flight. Likewise, if one does not believe, then one cannot be scripturally baptized. Further, if we follow our objector’s reasoning to its logical conclusion, then the moment we have boarded the plane we are in Phoenix (whether we’ve taken the flight or not). 

[Second, the fallacy of this argument can be easily shown with an illustration like this: "He who puts on his shoes and socks shall get to the park, but he that does not put on his shoes will stay home." You can get to the park without wearing socks, shoes are all that is needful. Do you see how anyone can set up an illustration and anti-illustration in order to "prove" something? Which is why illustrations are not real points, only the scriptures.

The truth is, he that believes and does anything will be saved. He who believes and jumps on a pogo stick will be saved...why? Because he BELIEVED. Christ already said how to be saved by the gospel (the gospel of the Kingdom that is) in Mark chapter 1:15, "repent ye, and believe the gospel". Baptism is not included. ] 

Third, we must focus on what Jesus is saying. Is He saying, “He who believes and is saved will be baptized,” or “He who is baptized and saved will believe,” or “He who believes and is baptized will be saved”? Let’s let the text speak for itself. 

[Agreed. It says what it says, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...but he that believeth not shall be damned,]

“Paul said that Christ didn’t send him to baptize (I Corinthians 1:17), therefore, baptism is not essential to salvation.”

The key to properly understanding I Corinthians 1:17 is to recognize that this is a “not . . . but” passage. In this kind of passage, the “not” part of the verse is de-emphasized in order to emphasize the “but” portion. However, we shouldn’t necessarily come to the conclusion that the “not” statement is a prohibition. Consider John 6:27, which has the same “not . . . but” construction: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life. . .” Jesus is not telling His disciples not to work, as this would contradict passages such as Ephesians 4:28; I Thessalonians 4:11; II Thessalonians 3:10; etc. He is emphasizing “the food which endures to everlasting life” as being far more important than “the food which perishes.” The same thing is found in Matthew 10:20 when Jesus gave instructions to His disciples as they preached to Israel: “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” The disciples did do the physical speaking, but they were simply the instrument of the Spirit who was speaking through them. The Spirit is emphasized as the source of their words. When Paul says that “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel,” he is neither prohibiting nor undervaluing the importance of baptism. He is simply pointing out that his primary duty was to preach. Those who were converted and baptized were part of the “increase” given by God (I Corinthians 3:7). 

[Wow, most of that has nothing to do with anything.

1 Corinthians 1:

[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
[15] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
[16] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
[17] 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.
[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.
[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 

Christ sent Paul NOT to baptize, but to preach the gospel which saves those that believe. The text plainly says that Paul was not sent by Christ to baptize, however he was sent to preach the gospel.]  

“The thief on the cross wasn’t baptized, and he was saved.”

Baptism for the remission of sins did not begin until the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38), so the thief (and Jesus) lived under the law of Moses. Paul is very clear on when the law of Moses came to an end, “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). Since baptism was not a requirement for salvation under Moses, it was not necessary for the thief. 

[Dan Gatlin is a liar like his father (John 8:44). Water baptism for the remission of sins began in the Old Testament (Num. 19, Ps. 51:7) and was part of the ministry of John the Baptist (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3). 

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  

Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

The thief was saved after the blood of the New Testament was shed and he died under the New Testament (John 19:32-33, Heb. 9:16, Luke 23:42-43). 

But what is Gatlin saying? That salvation in the OT was by grace through faith without works but now it is by water baptism? There was only one way of salvation in the Gospel records (John 10:1-10, 14:6).]

“Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace.”

This is another way of saying we should be baptized because our sins are already forgiven. But the Bible nowhere teaches salvation before baptism. 

[Gatlin doesn't know the Bible very well at all, Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience (inward grace), and our bodies washed with pure water (outward sign).]

"The 'for' in Acts 2:38 means 'because of'"

Many have attempted to twist Acts 2:38 (“Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . .”) by saying that “for” (eis, in Greek) means “because of” rather than “in order to.” While a study of original language is very profitable in this instance, most Christians are not prepared to argue from the Greek. A better response might be to note that Matthew 26:28 has the same grammatical construction as Acts 2:38. Jesus said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). If eis means “because of” in Acts, then it also means “because of” in Matthew. And, if that’s the case, Jesus is saying that His blood would be shed because man’s sins have already been forgiven (i.e. the blood of Christ is not necessary for forgiveness). Of course, those who make this argument are not willing to follow it to it’s logical conclusion.

That baptism is the point at which salvation comes is made clear in many passages.

[Who said anything about "for" and "eis" in Greek? The word FOR means "because of" in the ENGLISH KING JAMES BIBLE!

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Mark 1:

[40] And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
[41] And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
[42] And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
[43] And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
[44] And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.  (BECAUSE OF his cleansing, not in order to obtain a cleansing!)

The "sins" in Acts 2:38 is a reference to the crucifying of Christ (see context) of which they were already forgiven (Luke 23:34). 

By the way, when Jesus said "which is shed for many for the remission of sins" that "for" does mean "because of". In the context Jesus said "IS shed" in the present tense, if He had of said "which will be shed" then yes,  the "for" would mean "in order to obtain". 

I would like to know, when Mr. Gatlin goes to the doctor for a headache, is he going to the doctor in order to obtain a headache or because of a headache?  

He needs to look up the word "for" in a dictionary, Webster's 1828 says "because".  

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism . . . ” (I Peter 3:21).
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved . . . ” (Mark 16:16).

“New Testament baptism (Acts 2:38) and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) are the same.”

(That is obviously not true, if words mean anything.)

While there are many different baptisms mentioned in the New Testament, there is only one (Ephesians 4:5) that is required today, and it is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit. First, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a promise not a command. Notice the words of Jesus: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The parallel to this is found in Acts 1:4-5, “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” One obeys a command, not a promise. 

[What a mess.

The baptism with the Holy Ghost was for power (Acts 1-2) to perform signs and a way that God took complete control over the one who was baptized.

However, the "one baptism" of Ephesians 4:5 is baptism into Christ. The context of Ephesians 4:5 is our "calling" which has nothing to do with out works (2 Tim. 1:9) and the "one baptism" is part of the "UNITY OF THE SPIRIT"--therefore all of the 7 components of it are SPIRITUAL. 

Baptism into Christ by the Holy Spirit (which is neither a 'promise' nor a 'command' but rather an action of God that puts the believer into Christ)

1 Corinthians 6:

[15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
[16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
[17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.  

1 Corinthians 12:

[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[14] For the body is not one member, but many.
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
[17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

Colossians 2:

[10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
[11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
[12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:26-28, Colosians 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 12:12-18, and Ephesians 4:5 are clearly referring to the baptism into Christ (performed by the Spirit of God), not a baptism with water.] 

Second, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is recorded only twice, in Acts 2 and 10. When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he recounted the conversion of Cornelius to the rest of the church. In Acts 11:15, he said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.” Many would like to change the phrase “at the beginning” to “from the beginning.” That small change would indicate that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred continually throughout the entire period. But, alas, the text says what it says. 

[What does Acts 11:15 have to do with how many times people were baptized with the Holy Ghost? Read Acts 8:14-17 and 19:6 and you will see people being baptized with the Holy Ghost.] 

In the end, when all of man’s arguments are put forth the New Testament still teaches that we must be baptized to be saved. And, many still stumble at the preaching of Jesus.

[Really?

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

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:

[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Romans 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Timothy 1:16 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 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Luke 5:20  And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Acts 15:
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:25 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;

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 3:20 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Romans 4:
[11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
[12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
[13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
[16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Galatians 2:
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
[17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
[21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:
[1] O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

--Eli Caldwell

Post Trib Rapture lies (Part 2)

Lie 2.) "Paul said that the Church would go through the "last days" and "latter times" which are well known references to the Tribulation."

The terms "the great tribulation" and "the Tribulation" are not Biblical terms. There is no such thing as "THE tribulation" or even "THE great tribulation". There is a time period that is described as containing tribulation, but the Bible never calls this time period "THE tribulation". The time period itself is called many different names. The only time the phrase "THE tribulation" occurs is in Matthew 24:29 and it is used as an adjective, not a noun.

The most common titles are "the last days" and "the latter days" of Israel (Gen. 49:1, Isa. 2:2, Micah 4:1, Num. 24:14, Deut. 4:30, 31:29, Jer. 23:20, Jer. 30:24, 48:47, 49:39, Ezek. 38:16,Dan. 2:28, 10:14, Hos. 3:5). The term "the last day" (singular) is used for the Second Coming of Christ (Job 19:25). So what we often call "the Tribulation" is actually what the Bible calls "the last days". The time period itself is not called "THE tribulation", that is merely a description. You can see this easily in Deuteronomy 4:30, "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;"

But what is meant by the use of the term "last days", "latter days", and "latter times"? Clearly in the Old testament usage it is referring to the "last days" of Israel before the Kingdom is set up. Check the context to every reference of "last days" and you will see that it is referring to the Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jer. 30:7+24) with the Second Advent and the Millennium (Isa. 2:2, Micah 4:1, Acts 2:17, etc.). But why are those called "the LAST days"? Because there was a certain number of days on Israel's time clock given by Daniel the prophet....

Daniel 9:
[24] Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
[25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
[26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
[27] And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

For Israel, the 70th Week of Daniel contains the "last days" of their history as given by Daniel the prophet. The 12 disciples called Daniel's 70th Week the "end of the world" (Matt. 24:3). Of course, the 70th Week of Daniel never happened because God revealed His hidden plan of the Dispensation of Grace after Israel rejected the Gospel of the Kingdom, in the present age we are not on Israel's prophetic time clock.

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.

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.

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,

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.

Israel's "last days" have nothing to do with the "last days" of the Dispensation of Grace, the Dispensation of Grace is not even found in the Old Testament to be part of Israel's prophetic time clock. God has stopped His dealings with Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in (Rom. 11:25).

In response to these facts the "post trib rapture" teachers will say "But the apostle Paul does say that the Church will go through the last days in 1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 3:1." That is true, the Dispensation of Grace does have "last days", but they are not the last days of Israel as predicted by Daniel. What the Bible says about Israel's last days does not match what it says about the last days of the Dispensation of Grace, in fact....they contradict.

PAUL'S LAST DAYS OF THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE:

1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The characteristics of Paul's last days of the Dispensation of Grace were general bad behavior and apostasy among individuals, the command to abstain from marriage, and the command to abstain from meats. Does that match Israel's last days?

In Israel's last days, do they forbid marriage? Clearly not....Matthew 24:37-38 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

In Israel's last days, do they command to abstain from meats? No, in fact, the world is tempting the believing Jews to sin by eating things offered to idols...Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Not to mention that their is cannibalism going on in the Time of Jacob's Trouble (Micah 3:1-3, Rev. 17:6, 1 Pet. 5:8, Ps. 14:4, 44:11, 53:4, 57:3-4).

Another contradiction is that in the last days of Israel the signs of tongues and prophesying abound (Acts 2:14-21) while in the Dispensation of Grace those gifts CEASED with the completion of the Bible (1 Cor. 13:8-13). 

The last days of the Dispensation of Grace contradict the last days of Israel.The only way a person could confuse the two would be if they were not studying the Bible properly (2 Tim. 2:15) or were not studying at all. You cannot simply combine "last days" with "last days" and assume they are the same. You must look at WHO is talking to WHO about WHAT and WHEN.

--Eli Caldwell

Post-Trib Rapture lies (Part 1)

There are several lies that all Post-Tribulation rapture proponents parrot and proclaim, the most common lies told are these:

Lie 1.) "The Tribulation is never said to be God's wrath, Jesus called it "great tribulation" and never "wrath"." (Steven Anderson, Roger Jimenez, Roland Rasmussen, Marvin Rosenthal, Kent Hovind, etc.)

Lie 2.) "Paul said that the Church would go through the "last days" and "latter times" which are well known references to the Tribulation."

Every honest Bible student knows that there is a such thing as a "post tribulation rapture" and that it is a rapture/resurrection of believing Jews to Jerusalem at the end of Daniel's 70th Week to reign with Christ on earth. If you are not familiar with this doctrine, see Ezekiel 11:16-20, 20:33-38, 28:25-26, 34:1-31, 36:16-38, 37:1-14, 37:21-28,  39:23-29, Jeremiah 23:1-8, 30:1-31:9, 31:31-34, 32:36-42, 33:1-18, 50:18-20, Isaiah 10:20-23, 14:1, 26:19, 27:12-13, 51:11, 54:5-9, Micah 2:12, Hos. 1:11, Zeph. 3:15-20, Psalms 50:5, 57:3, Daniel 12:1-2, Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:27-28, etc. Note: This is not a "post-trib pre-wrath" rapture as some teach, the believing Jews do go through the wrath of God (Zech. 7:12, Luke 21:23, Isa. 54:8, 57:17-23, 60:10, Ezek. 7:12, and Jer. 30:1-24, 32:37)

However, when we speak of a rapture happening BEFORE Daniel's 70th Week, "the Time of Jacob's Trouble", we are speaking of the rapture of the Church which is the Body of Christ of the mystery Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-27, Eph. 5:32, Rom. 11:25, etc.). This rapture/resurrection precedes the Day of Christ/Day of the Lord and it with holds the Man of Sin from being revealed (2 Thes. 1:1-7, 1 Thes. 1:10, 5:9, Rom. 5:9). The Church is in Heaven during the Day of Christ, not on the earth (2 Cor. 2:12-14, Phil. 3:20-21).

Now I will examine the two fundamental lies of the "Post-Trib" rapture.

Lie 1.) "The Tribulation is never said to be God's wrath, Jesus called it "great tribulation" and never "wrath"." (Steven Anderson, Roger Jimenez, Roland Rasmussen, Marvin Rosenthal, Kent Hovind, etc.)

This is an obvious lie, anyone who has read the Bible through once knows that this is not true. Look at the parallel passages of Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

Matthew 24:
[16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
[17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
[18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
[19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
[20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
[21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
[22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Luke 21:
[21] Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
[22] For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
[23] But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Then there are many Old Testament passages that speak of the Time of Jacob's Trouble being "great wrath", Here are some of the OT passages that refer to Daniel's 70th Week as God's "wrath" (I am posting the context with the passages.)

Isaiah 54:
[5] For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
[6] For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
[7] For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
[8] In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
[9] For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
[10] For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Isaiah 57:
[13] When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
[14] And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
[15] For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
[16] For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
[17] For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
[18] I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
[19] I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
[20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
[21] There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Isaiah 60:
[1] Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
[2] For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
[3] And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
[4] Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
[5] Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
[6] The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
[7] All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
[8] Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
[9] Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
[10] And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
[11] Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
[12] For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
[13] The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
[14] The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
[15] Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
[16] Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
[17] For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
[18] Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
[19] The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
[20] Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
[21] Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
[22] A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

Ezekiel 7:
[1] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[2] Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
[3] Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.
[4] And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
[5] Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.
[6] An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.
[7] The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
[8] Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
[9] And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth.
[10] Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.
[11] Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them.
[12] The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
[13] For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.
[14] They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
[15] The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
[16] But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
[17] All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
[18] They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
[19] They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
[20] As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
[21] And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.
[22] My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
[23] Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
[24] Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.
[25] Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.
[26] Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
[27] The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Jeremiah 30:
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
[2] Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
[3] For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
[4] And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
[5] For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
[6] Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
[7] Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
[8] For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
[9] But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
[10] Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
[11] For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
[12] For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.
[13] There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
[14] All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
[15] Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
[16] Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
[17] For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
[18] Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.
[19] And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
[20] Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
[21] And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
[22] And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
[23] Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
[24] The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

Jeremiah 31:
[1] At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
[2] Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
[3] The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
[4] Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
[5] Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
[6] For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
[7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
[10] Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
[11] For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
[12] Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
[13] Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
[14] And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
[15] Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
[16] Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
[17] And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
[18] I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
[19] Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
[20] Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
[21] Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
[22] How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
[23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
[24] And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
[25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
[26] Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
[27] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
[28] And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.
[29] In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
[30] But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
[35] Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
[36] If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
[37] Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
[38] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
[39] And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
[40] And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Jeremiah 32:
[36] And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
[37] Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:
[38] And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
[39] And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
[40] And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
[41] Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
[42] For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

Zechariah 7:8-8:8
[8] And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
[9] Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
[10] And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
[11] But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
[12] Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
[13] Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
[14] But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
[1] Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
[2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
[3] Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
[4] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
[5] And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
[6] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
[7] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;
[8] And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

In the next post I will refute the second fundamental lie of the "Post-Trib rapture" teachers, Lie 2.) "Paul said that the Church would go through the "last days" and "latter times" which are well known references to the Tribulation."

--Eli Caldwell