COMMANDMENTS OF THE KINGDOM - 2

3.  Preach the Gospel to every creature and baptize them

In the Great Commission our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mk. 16:15-16) The gospel here is the same Gospel of the Kingdom that our Lord Jesus Christ and the Early Church had preached (Mt. 9:35; Acts 1:3; 8:12; 28:30-31).  The gospel cannot be changed. (Gal. 1:6-9)  We must preach the "Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. . . ." (Rom. 1:16) Every person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ must be baptized into Him.  Baptism into the Lord Jesus Christ has seven truths that are revealed in the Scriptures.

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12, 34-38; 16:30-34)

2.  In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 8:16; 19:5)

3.  In the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 19:34-35; 1 Jn. 5:6,8; Rev.1:5)

4.  Burial with the Lord Jesus Christ by immersion (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12)

5.  In the likeness of Christ's death with head bowed (Rom. 6:3-8; Jn. 19:30)

6.  By Spirit-filled baptists sent by the Lord. (Jn. 20:21-23; Acts 2:38)

7.  In Living Water that is created by God. (Mt. 3:5-6; Jn. 3:23; Jer. 2:13)

4.  You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit

Before His ascension to heaven our Lord Jesus Christ "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." (Acts 1:4-5) From this we can understand that water baptism and baptism with the Holy Spirit are two separate experiences (Acts 8:14-17).   The Lord Jesus Christ is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 1:33)  Every Christian who calls Jesus Lord has some measure of the Spirit (Jn. 14:17; 20:22; 1 Jn. 12:3; Eph. 4:7)  The Christian receives the full measure during the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.  "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4) The criteria to determine whether or not a Christian has received the Holy Spirit is speaking with tongues. (Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-18)  Prayer in tongues cannot be understood. (1 Cor. 14:4)  It is called prayer in the Spirit. (1 Cor. 14:14-15)  Every Christian must be baptized  with the Holy Spirit because He "is the guarantee fo our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, . . . ." (Eph. 1:13-14)

5.  You also ought to wash one another's feet

During the time of our Lord Jesus Christ's First Advent it was the duty of the household servant to wash the feet of his master and the guests.  When Jesus  washed His disciples feet He did something outside of the prevailing Jewish tradition. (Jn. 13:3-5)  Out of deep respect for his Master, Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet.  "Jesus answered him, 'If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (Jn. 13:8) Washing of feet is more than a lesson on humility, servitude, love and forgiveness.  It is to have a part with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Being a Christian and yet not having a part with Jesus can be a very serious matter.  Washing of feet must be practiced the way that is taught by Jesus Christ, who said, ". . . If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.. . . . If you know these things, happy are you if you do them." (Jn. 13:12-17) The newly baptized members have their feet washed only once by the church ministers or officers.

6.  Do this in remembrance of Me

Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted Holy Communion during the Passover meal.  "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." (Lk. 22:19-20) Jesus used one unleavened bread and one cup of grape juice (fruit of the vine - Mt. 26:29).   After receiving blessings the elements became the spiritualized body and blood of the Lord Jesus Chris. (1 Cor. 10:16).  Every Christian must partake of the flesh and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to have eternal life, resurrection and abidance in the Lord (Jn. 6:53-58).  Holy Communion may be held in the Church as often as possible until the Lord Jesus Christ comes again. (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

(To be continued on the next page)