Hello Jesse, Thank you for my needed encouragement. I am weak no doubt. What are your thoughts of what happens when the Church is lifted up, she is the bride, will there be an immediate marriage and consummation?
You nailed it! People need to hear the message. There are two words side by side you wrote that really stood out; "God leads!" He leads. If we are doing it out of ambition or a sense of obligation, the Lord's not going to bless that. If He's not in it, then our labor is done in vain, even if we're "doing it for the Lord."
I agree that much Bible prophecy has already been fulfilled. 69 weeks have passed. We have not come to the 70th week yet. I believe the next event to happen is the rapture of the church. And from the rapture of the church until the second coming of Christ, it is called the 70th week of Daniel. We have had 69 weeks, 483 years. And those 483 years ended at the crucifixion of Christ.
But now, there is this time period which is called the time of the Gentiles, between the death of Christ, and His coming for His church. We don't know the time frame, but as soon as the church is removed, there will be seven years, one week in Jewish literature. There will be seven years of tribulation.
We're running this race together. Never be discouraged. We'll all reach the finish line because Christ sees to it. We just have to be careful how we run it because we will not all be rewarded the same.
Just as in Luke 9:51 where Jesus had His eyes fixed on Jerusalem. When it was time for Him to go and die, He was fixed to go to Jerusalem. You couldn't get Him off track. That's how we are to run our race, having our eyes fixed on Christ.
Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He's the author and finisher. He saves us, sets the race before us, and sees it through to its completion. Sometimes the race is hard to run. We get sidetracked with everyday life and lose our focus. But we will finish the race no doubt. Christ in us will bring us to the finish line.
Dear Brother Jesse, Thank you. I agree that there is nothing more needed for Man's salvation and keeping, than God's Word. Yet this Word needs to find it's way to the lost and I believe inspiration from God leads in this way how and when and what to say or write. Likely much Bible prophecy is already fulfilled possibly, way more than we realize. I have had visions and dreams that have helped to keep me to not be discouraged, to stay in the race to the finish.
I'm not sure the scripture supports there even being Minor Prophets after John the Baptist. I do believe that a person can still prophesy today, but that does not make that person a prophet in the true sense. To prophesy simply means to speak forth the word of God. Since we have the complete revelation of God given to us in His written word, there can be no new prophecy. We have to keep in mind the warning given towards the end of Revelation about adding to his word.
The problem with people claiming to be prophets today is that they will give you a message saying it's from God. What do we do with that? I mean if it's from God, we got to believe it, right? If it's from God, it's got to be true?
My brother, we have to be very careful and not fall into a trap. If a person who claims to be a prophet gives us a message and says it is from God, then we need to add it to the bible because it's His word. Again, we are warned not to do that.
I don't agree that there are prophets today, but I do agree that a person can prophesy, speak forth the already written word of God. The bible tells us to test all things to see if they are of God. How do we do that? Well, if a so-called prophet gives us a "Thus saith the Lord" prophecy, and it's nowhere to be found in the written word, that person is a false prophet, and Jesus said there will be many of them. I don't know of any place where our Lord said that there would be any true prophets that would come, only false prophets.
Hi Jesse, I support most all that have written but I am left with a question. In preaching or even writing, as one brings forth inspiration from God, is that not a form of prophecy making the speaker/writer at least a very minor prophet?
I'm not sure what a witness brother is but I would have to agree with him. I believe John the Baptist was the final prophet. John was the greatest of all the prophets.
Matthew Chapter 11 seems to indicate that the Old Testament administration or dispensation of the prophets is going to end with John. And a new administration, or a new dispensation, is going to start with Christ.
Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah who was to come. That is what Jesus said. He is making reference to Malachi 4:5 that tells us that Elijah will come before Messiah comes, and Elijah will be the forerunner to the Messiah.
But we have a problem!
In John Chapter 1, when the leadership sent people out to ask John, "Are you the Messiah?" John said, "No!" "Are you the prophet?" which by the way is also a term for the Messiah. Again John said no. "Are you Elijah?" He said no again.
Hmm, he is John the Baptist, but he is not Elijah? But Jesus said this is Elijah who was to come. So either John didn't know who he was, or he was confused, or something.
Even in Matthew Chapter 17 in the Transfiguration, when they came down off the hill, the disciples understood what Jesus said about John the Baptist, that John the Baptist was Elijah. But John said he isn't.
The answer is found in Luke 1:17 when the angel came to announce to Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth was going to give birth, which would be John the Baptist. And he said that he will come in the "spirit and power" of Elijah. He is going to have the same ministry as Elijah. He's not going to be Elijah personally, but he has the same ministry as Elijah.
You say you believe in modern-day prophets. If may ask you, what would you say their purpose would be?
Acts 21:10, 1 Corinthians 14:37, Titus 1:2, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Corinthians 12:29. May you be blessed in Christ Jesus our Almighty Lord and Father and Saviour.
My Witness brother is saying there will be no prophets after Jesus's death, I have a hard time time with that message. Can you help me where in King James there is proof of prophets. I believe there are modern day prophets. Why the difference in beliefs.
Mary House, I used to watch Shepherd's chapel but something led me away. I believe it had to do with a particular view of his on creation. My advice is no matter what teaching you hear or watch....stay in your bible! Individual study led by the Holy Spirit will prompt you regarding such programs...I have watched many of them. There is no substitute for making time with the Word every day. Each read through will reveal something new! May God bless you daily!
Paul defense, testimony on trial telling the people; that he was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Romans 6: 3, 4:
Paul says those that are saved have been baptized, buried in the name of Jesus.
Ephesians 5: 26:
Christ sanctify and cleanse His church with the washing of WATER by the word.
Colossians 2: 11, 12:
The circumcision of Christ takes place in water baptism.
Hebrews 9: 19, 20:
Our bodies are washed with pure water.
1 Peter 3: 20, 21:
In the days of Noah, 8 souls were saved by water. The like figure even BAPTISM ALSO NOW SAVES US.
In conclusion, water is used to separate you from sin, cut off the flesh to bring you into new covenant with Christ, the NEW BIRTH, BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND SPIRIT!
This was the continuation of water baptism part 1.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
All were one body of Christ Not separate! But continuing in prayers and sharing all members of his body... the church, God's children. We are one in Christ Jesus. Amen!
"Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee." Lev 19:19
"Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together."Deu 22:9-11
"The Law" is sometimes used to refer to the five books that Moses wrote: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; but in this case The Law refers to instructions God gave to Moses for the Jewish people living in Canaan.
The Law was given in three areas: moral law, civil law and ceremonial law.
The 10 Commandments were moral law given to the Jews. It began, "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Exo 20:2
They were not written TO you and me. It us TO the Jewish people at that time. We can be instructed by the 10 Commandments and most of those laws are universal. Christians make the first day of the week as their day of rest.
Regarding garments, these prohibitions were designed to keep the Jewish people separated from the Jewish Priests and separated from the practices of the nations that surrounded them. It was civil (cultural) and ceremonial.
This was The Old Covenant. We are in a different Covenant with God, The New Covenant. The Old Covenant does not apply to us. That's not to say that now it's okay to murder, adulterize and steal. Just read Matthew 5. But wear any blend of fabrics you like.
Can we believe that Jesus knows who will be faithful until the end? We run this life of faith in this hope, that we too may finish this life with our names written safely in the Lamb's Book of Life. So we encourage, so we run!
You are actually in error. You are proclaiming submitting to the Lord gets your name in the book of life but this is wrong. When they asked Peter what they needed to do to be saved he plainly told them "repent". If you would like to talk further about it we should start here.
ACTS CHAPTER 2 VERSES 1-2 2 On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled,[a] all the disciples were gathered in one place. 2 Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind[b] rushing into the house[c] from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear!
Prayer: I pray that the overpowering roar of rushing winds fall upon our churches, our homes, and every place God's children dwell. I have a strong desire that all women and men of God be baptized again with a rushing wind and fire to declare the works of the Lord so that thousands upon thousands will be saved in 2021.
Lord destroy the devour, neutralize the power and works of the enemy. Cause your people to be baptized by the same power during the day of Pentecost to be a blessing upon the unsaved. Cause your people to become extremely distinguished in all the earth during this season of our lives. So everyone knee will bow and every tough will confess You JESUS the CHRIST SON of the Living God is LORE and you reign Now and forever. AMEN
Mark 7:18-23 "And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
I agree 100% with what you said about "it is not a sin to drink", but I thought you might enjoy this:
I showed this verse to a PHD, who had been preaching longer than I have been alive. 1 Timothy 3:2-3 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" I ask him what "not given to wine" meant? His answer was: "A Pastor is not aloud to have any wine ". Then I ask him why a deacon could have a little wine (not given to much wine) And his answer was: "Well, that is grape juice!" Then I said, if that is true, a Pastor can't take Communion, right!. His response was like he had been hit with 220 volts of electric. 1 Timothy 3:8 "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"
Hello, no, it's not a sin to drink. Jesus' first miracle was turning water to wine, which was alcoholic and capable of getting people drunk if they had too much. The key is moderation. I personally do not feel comfortable having more than one, as it leads to impairment and can put yourself and others in danger depending on what you're doing. 1 Timothy 5:23. Getting drunk is a sin. Most things are sin if they are taken too much, become addictions and abuse your body. God bless...
Thanks for your reply. As Mild Bill stated, your church tradition does not transcend The Holy Bible. Yes, in your church's opinion, I'm a heretic because I believe, as did Martin Luther, in Sola Scriptura. No church gets to interpret The Scriptures for everyone. The Holy Spirit guides us into The Truth.
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."Joh 16:13
Church traditions over the centuries have resulted in a number of unbiblical practices such as
prayer to saints and/or Mary,
the immaculate conception,
transubstantiation,
infant baptism,
indulgences, and
papal authority,
none of which can be justified from The Holy Bible.
Just so you're aware, as a Baptist, I don't believe that baptism saved or will save me, although I was baptized at age 12. By being baptized, I confessed that I had placed my trust in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Son of God to be my Savior from sin and death.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom 10:9-10
I'm glad that we can discuss these differences in our beliefs and evaluate the reasons why we believe what we believe. I try very hard, to act consistent with The Bible. Sometimes I fail.
You are on a Bible site where the Bible is the final authority on what God is communicating to mankind.
Therefore,"That the weight of original sin can only be lifted through baptism, water and spirit", sounds like what your church teaches, but not found in this Bible as the remedy for sin of any kind.
SkipVought quoted scripture and he is not heretical in believing it carries more veracity than your church teachings, as
Thank you SkipVought for your reflections/insights into damnation and redemption. I believe in original sin. That the weight of original sin can only be lifted through baptism, water and spirit, as He explained to Nicodemus and Faith in Christ through the sacraments if available. I don't believe we are all saved, universalism is demonic, Anti-Christ. I say demonic because Universalism implies the Devil and his cohorts could also be saved which we know to be nonesense as spirits know God completely and so once turned would not want to return. Our blessed Lord explicitly states the two destinations a soul will ultimately reside on separation from the body. We are given free will to choose the right path, with God's grace, without which, as He said, there is no hope for man. He most certainly wants all souls to be saved but if that was a given there would be no need for the Incarnation and it would make a mockery of the Jewish faith Upto his arrival. He simply wants what he created to share eternal bliss with the triune Godhead but cannot ignore His own Justice. The church teaches us all to be in sanctifying grace so not to tempt the Lord our God. He came to save His own from eternal damnation.
I'm almost certain that you know many Scriptures like...
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 6:23
"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."Joh 3:18
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Heb 9:27
We see that there is judgement and death awaiting those who are not trusting Jesus. So where does that judgement come from?
"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."Joh 3:36
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" Rom 1:18 (KJVA)
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Rom 5:9-10
...and there are many more verses, as I am sure you are aware. The wrath of God is the main and all-encompassing reason we need to be saved.
Amen! Lord says he is God alone! There is no one with him in the Godhead! He says he knows not any:
Isaiah
40: 25
41: 4
42: 8
43: 10, 11,
44: 6, 8, 24
45: 5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22
46: 5, 9
48: 12
Study this.
Be blessed in Jesus name.
Got me thinking again!
Carleton
You nailed it! People need to hear the message. There are two words side by side you wrote that really stood out; "God leads!" He leads. If we are doing it out of ambition or a sense of obligation, the Lord's not going to bless that. If He's not in it, then our labor is done in vain, even if we're "doing it for the Lord."
I agree that much Bible prophecy has already been fulfilled. 69 weeks have passed. We have not come to the 70th week yet. I believe the next event to happen is the rapture of the church. And from the rapture of the church until the second coming of Christ, it is called the 70th week of Daniel. We have had 69 weeks, 483 years. And those 483 years ended at the crucifixion of Christ.
But now, there is this time period which is called the time of the Gentiles, between the death of Christ, and His coming for His church. We don't know the time frame, but as soon as the church is removed, there will be seven years, one week in Jewish literature. There will be seven years of tribulation.
We're running this race together. Never be discouraged. We'll all reach the finish line because Christ sees to it. We just have to be careful how we run it because we will not all be rewarded the same.
Just as in Luke 9:51 where Jesus had His eyes fixed on Jerusalem. When it was time for Him to go and die, He was fixed to go to Jerusalem. You couldn't get Him off track. That's how we are to run our race, having our eyes fixed on Christ.
Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He's the author and finisher. He saves us, sets the race before us, and sees it through to its completion. Sometimes the race is hard to run. We get sidetracked with everyday life and lose our focus. But we will finish the race no doubt. Christ in us will bring us to the finish line.
Have a blessed day in Christ!
God Bless your writing.
Carleton
I'm not sure the scripture supports there even being Minor Prophets after John the Baptist. I do believe that a person can still prophesy today, but that does not make that person a prophet in the true sense. To prophesy simply means to speak forth the word of God. Since we have the complete revelation of God given to us in His written word, there can be no new prophecy. We have to keep in mind the warning given towards the end of Revelation about adding to his word.
The problem with people claiming to be prophets today is that they will give you a message saying it's from God. What do we do with that? I mean if it's from God, we got to believe it, right? If it's from God, it's got to be true?
My brother, we have to be very careful and not fall into a trap. If a person who claims to be a prophet gives us a message and says it is from God, then we need to add it to the bible because it's His word. Again, we are warned not to do that.
I don't agree that there are prophets today, but I do agree that a person can prophesy, speak forth the already written word of God. The bible tells us to test all things to see if they are of God. How do we do that? Well, if a so-called prophet gives us a "Thus saith the Lord" prophecy, and it's nowhere to be found in the written word, that person is a false prophet, and Jesus said there will be many of them. I don't know of any place where our Lord said that there would be any true prophets that would come, only false prophets.
So I would have to say prophets-no, prophesy-yes!
In love, Carleton
I'm not sure what a witness brother is but I would have to agree with him. I believe John the Baptist was the final prophet. John was the greatest of all the prophets.
Matthew Chapter 11 seems to indicate that the Old Testament administration or dispensation of the prophets is going to end with John. And a new administration, or a new dispensation, is going to start with Christ.
Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah who was to come. That is what Jesus said. He is making reference to Malachi 4:5 that tells us that Elijah will come before Messiah comes, and Elijah will be the forerunner to the Messiah.
But we have a problem!
In John Chapter 1, when the leadership sent people out to ask John, "Are you the Messiah?" John said, "No!" "Are you the prophet?" which by the way is also a term for the Messiah. Again John said no. "Are you Elijah?" He said no again.
Hmm, he is John the Baptist, but he is not Elijah? But Jesus said this is Elijah who was to come. So either John didn't know who he was, or he was confused, or something.
Even in Matthew Chapter 17 in the Transfiguration, when they came down off the hill, the disciples understood what Jesus said about John the Baptist, that John the Baptist was Elijah. But John said he isn't.
The answer is found in Luke 1:17 when the angel came to announce to Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth was going to give birth, which would be John the Baptist. And he said that he will come in the "spirit and power" of Elijah. He is going to have the same ministry as Elijah. He's not going to be Elijah personally, but he has the same ministry as Elijah.
You say you believe in modern-day prophets. If may ask you, what would you say their purpose would be?
Acts 22: 16:
Paul defense, testimony on trial telling the people; that he was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Romans 6: 3, 4:
Paul says those that are saved have been baptized, buried in the name of Jesus.
Ephesians 5: 26:
Christ sanctify and cleanse His church with the washing of WATER by the word.
Colossians 2: 11, 12:
The circumcision of Christ takes place in water baptism.
Hebrews 9: 19, 20:
Our bodies are washed with pure water.
1 Peter 3: 20, 21:
In the days of Noah, 8 souls were saved by water. The like figure even BAPTISM ALSO NOW SAVES US.
In conclusion, water is used to separate you from sin, cut off the flesh to bring you into new covenant with Christ, the NEW BIRTH, BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND SPIRIT!
This was the continuation of water baptism part 1.
From the very beginning in the bible, water separates or divides from something: Genesis 1: 6, 7.
When God set apart people for himself, he used water to separate you from something to bring you into something else.
In the old testament, Moses and the priest had to wash with water to be sanctified for service.
Want to show how many scriptures(not all) are showing how important baptism is!
Ezekiel 36: 24 - 27:
God takes the unclean, sprinkles clean water on them, and they shall be clean. Puts his Spirit in them and calls them his people!
New Testament:
John the Baptist baptized with water, also baptized Jesus that the scriptures would be fullfilled:
Matthew 3: 11, 16.
John 1: 26 - 33.
Luke 3: 16, 21.
Matthew 28:19:
Teach all nations to baptize in Jesus name.
Mark 16:16:
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
Luke 24: 47 - 49:
Beginning at Jerusalem, repentance and water baptism(remission of sins) preached in Jesus name among all nations.
John 3: 5 - 7:
Jesus taught you must be born again of water(baptism) and Spirit.
John 13:10:
Jesus washed his disciple's feet with water, calling them clean.
John 19:34:
Jesus dead on the cross; soldier pierced his side, out came BLOOD and WATER.
Note:
1 John 5: 6, 8:
Jesus came by WATER and BLOOD.
There are 3 that bear witness in the earth: Spirit, water, and blood. These 3 agree in one.
One what? - One new birth.
Continued next text.
Acts 2:38:
Baptized in water for remission of sins to be saved. Jews first, then gentiles.
Note:
2: 41:
3000 souls were baptized to be obedient.
Acts 8: 36 - 39:
Philip baptized eunuch in water.
Acts 9:18:
Apostle Paul is baptized.
Acts 10: 47, 48:
Peter baptized Cornelius and his family.
Acts 18: 8:
Chief ruler of synagogue believed on the Lord(many with him) got baptized.
Acts 19: 1 - 6:
Paul baptized certain disciples in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Continue to water baptism part 2.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
All were one body of Christ Not separate! But continuing in prayers and sharing all members of his body... the church, God's children. We are one in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Jesus is the cornerstone! Amen!!
"Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee." Lev 19:19
"Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together."Deu 22:9-11
"The Law" is sometimes used to refer to the five books that Moses wrote: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; but in this case The Law refers to instructions God gave to Moses for the Jewish people living in Canaan.
The Law was given in three areas: moral law, civil law and ceremonial law.
The 10 Commandments were moral law given to the Jews. It began, "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Exo 20:2
They were not written TO you and me. It us TO the Jewish people at that time. We can be instructed by the 10 Commandments and most of those laws are universal. Christians make the first day of the week as their day of rest.
Regarding garments, these prohibitions were designed to keep the Jewish people separated from the Jewish Priests and separated from the practices of the nations that surrounded them. It was civil (cultural) and ceremonial.
This was The Old Covenant. We are in a different Covenant with God, The New Covenant. The Old Covenant does not apply to us. That's not to say that now it's okay to murder, adulterize and steal. Just read Matthew 5. But wear any blend of fabrics you like.
I'm wondering about the reason why God states this as a thou shalt not.
My guess is that it represents mixture ie: (law and Grace)?
So' excuse me, i need to clean out my closet !!!!!!!! LOL!
:)
Prayer: I pray that the overpowering roar of rushing winds fall upon our churches, our homes, and every place God's children dwell. I have a strong desire that all women and men of God be baptized again with a rushing wind and fire to declare the works of the Lord so that thousands upon thousands will be saved in 2021.
Lord destroy the devour, neutralize the power and works of the enemy. Cause your people to be baptized by the same power during the day of Pentecost to be a blessing upon the unsaved. Cause your people to become extremely distinguished in all the earth during this season of our lives. So everyone knee will bow and every tough will confess You JESUS the CHRIST SON of the Living God is LORE and you reign Now and forever. AMEN
I showed this verse to a PHD, who had been preaching longer than I have been alive. 1 Timothy 3:2-3 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" I ask him what "not given to wine" meant? His answer was: "A Pastor is not aloud to have any wine ". Then I ask him why a deacon could have a little wine (not given to much wine) And his answer was: "Well, that is grape juice!" Then I said, if that is true, a Pastor can't take Communion, right!. His response was like he had been hit with 220 volts of electric. 1 Timothy 3:8 "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"
Thanks for your reply. As Mild Bill stated, your church tradition does not transcend The Holy Bible. Yes, in your church's opinion, I'm a heretic because I believe, as did Martin Luther, in Sola Scriptura. No church gets to interpret The Scriptures for everyone. The Holy Spirit guides us into The Truth.
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."Joh 16:13
Church traditions over the centuries have resulted in a number of unbiblical practices such as
prayer to saints and/or Mary,
the immaculate conception,
transubstantiation,
infant baptism,
indulgences, and
papal authority,
none of which can be justified from The Holy Bible.
Just so you're aware, as a Baptist, I don't believe that baptism saved or will save me, although I was baptized at age 12. By being baptized, I confessed that I had placed my trust in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Son of God to be my Savior from sin and death.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom 10:9-10
I'm glad that we can discuss these differences in our beliefs and evaluate the reasons why we believe what we believe. I try very hard, to act consistent with The Bible. Sometimes I fail.
"The church teaches"
You are on a Bible site where the Bible is the final authority on what God is communicating to mankind.
Therefore,"That the weight of original sin can only be lifted through baptism, water and spirit", sounds like what your church teaches, but not found in this Bible as the remedy for sin of any kind.
SkipVought quoted scripture and he is not heretical in believing it carries more veracity than your church teachings, as
I do also.
You asked what does Jesus saves us from.
I'm almost certain that you know many Scriptures like...
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 6:23
"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."Joh 3:18
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Heb 9:27
We see that there is judgement and death awaiting those who are not trusting Jesus. So where does that judgement come from?
"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."Joh 3:36
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" Rom 1:18 (KJVA)
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Rom 5:9-10
...and there are many more verses, as I am sure you are aware. The wrath of God is the main and all-encompassing reason we need to be saved.
Hope this helps.