Bible Study Letters

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Actually to further that thought, I think we should each live as if our Lord were here now, for indeed a Christian has the Spirit of Christ in them. Christ is now present with the believer. That is an important thing to realize. When Christ was here bodily two thousand years ago, He said when He left to be with the Father that another Comforter would come dwell with believers. And that Comforter was not to be unlike Christ, but is said to be His Spirit. Romans 8:9 makes it clear, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. Those that walked with Jesus had the power of His presence, and now we are commanded, Be filled with the Spirit, that is, walk in the immediate presence of the Lord. For our behavior we are told, Let the Word of Christ dwell in you, as we are commanded in Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another… There we see The Great Commission, 

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We have all of our Lord’s Spirit, His presence, and all that remains is the question of how much we give ourselves to Him, that is, be found as doers of the Word and not hearers only. Jesus is coming again, bodily, the blessed hope of Christians, but Christ Jesus our Lord is here with us now in that we have the Spirit of Christ!

Our Lord is Present with us:

Ephesians 5:17-19
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

We have our walking orders:

Colossians 3:16-17
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

John baptized with water, while Jesus was said to baptize with the Holy Ghost (the Holy Spirit doesn't baptize). Hereby Jesus Christ identified with those of the faith once delivered (Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 19:1-6). The churches are now said to be a habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph 2:22).

Water baptism is our testimony we belong to Christ Jesus, as well as being prerequisite to church membership. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the testimony of Lord Jesus we belong to Him, and the result is recognized by power for godly living and service.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is about being endued with power, whereby the believer is said to be filled with the Spirit, therefore Paul tells us, "Be filled with the Spirit" (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 6:3, 5, 8; 7:55; 9:17; 10:44; 11:24; 13:9; 19:6; Eph 5:18).

It is our part to give a public profession of our faith being baptized with water, and without that none is given entrance to the church. It is left with our Lord Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit. Neither water baptism (our duty) is to be granted carelessly, or being filled with the Spirit (what is said to be performed by Jesus with the Holy Spirit) is to be sought or claimed presumptuously by us (Acts 8:18-24).

Matthew 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
KJV

Mark 1:8
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
KJV

Luke 3:16
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
KJV

John 1:33
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.
KJV

Acts 1:5
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
KJV

Salvation is separate and distinct from water baptism and separate and distinct from being filled with the Spirit. Salvation is not dependant on water baptism or being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is not dependant on water baptism. Before one is water baptized or filled with the Spirit they must first be saved.

In our lives we need to open our eyes to the truth that Christ is present with us.

Reaching forth . . .
Here am I; send me.

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Bob Krajcik
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