 THREE POST-RESURRECTION PRIVATE APPEARENCES of JESUS CHRIST

Mark 16:9-21 (Amplified Bible)
09 Now Jesus, having risen [from death] early on the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons.
10 She went and reported it to those who had been with Him, as they grieved and wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and that she had seen Him, they did not believe it.

12 After this, He appeared in a different form to two of them as they were walking [along the way] into the country.
13 And they returned [to Jerusalem] and told the others, but they did not believe them either.
14 Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [from death].
15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
16 He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;
18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).

We will see below about the passage above. First , this is the great commission of our resurrected Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. We need to see the passage in the whole context and as to what is utmost essential to carry the "message of deleverance".

Some take only "verse 16" and affirm that according to this verse, anyone who is not subjected to immersion water baptism is not saved. Using this verse, they rather curse and condemn others. Even this one verse is given excusively for (FAITH) belief, not for baptism [believing comes TWICE and baptism comes ONCE]. This verse is mainly directed to the apostles (the special messenger of Christ Jesus - It is not that Thomas alone did not believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ, even the other Apostles believed not the eye witnesses [verse 14 above] about the resurrection of Jesus Christ) who did not believe His resurrection. These are the Apostles together with Jesus were baptising JOHN 4:1. Jesus Himself was not baptising. What baptism has to do with their unbelieving heart. Accoding to the truth, everyone is saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The goodnews is this, our SAVIOUR ever lives to see that we are saved to the end. That glorious truth has been blocked by the so called servants of God. In the Acts of Apostles (the work of Holy Spirit in them) often testifies to this proclamation.

Verse 16 can be like this: if one fully and whole heartedly believes in the total, finished work of Jesus Christ including His resurrection, and are convinced that He is alive and is all all sufficient to forgive one's sin; having believed so outwardly express your faith in baptism (for they have already disbelieved with their heart-heartedness) then such shall be saved. Otherwise even if you take baptism it is vain. The later portion of the verse does not say if you are not bapised, but if you do not trust/believe (believe what not the baptism but the resurrection) you shall be condemned. However no one can deny the right place for baptism here too.

Because believing is to do with heart.

Romans 10:9-12

And God sees the HEART unlike man

Baptism has nothing to do with heart

............... will grow

 MIS-APPROPRIATION OF BAPTISM

These days baptism is misappropriated invariably by many. This is because, such were deceived in the first place as the scripture says in 2Timothy 3:13 "But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves." They stand deceived (mislead by someone) and continue to do the same to others.

Often times people from mainline Churches are becoming victims of this sort. They will simply be instructed that the sprinkling baptism is not the right one, one must be immersed into water. This is the right baptism (ofcourse that is the right meaning). But one must not construe that "THIS IS THE SALVATION". The right mode is to dip but no way it should be related to the salvation (forgiveness of sin). As generaly some express, we must not follow the tradition. If this is true, we too should not follow which is coustomary.

Nowadays what I have observed personally is that it is traditional elsewhere to sprinkle, but in other places it has become customary to dip having no change at all in the inner man (no conviction, no repentence from their sin and sins and the past life etc.). When they come to the age they simply dip them into the water. We call this as wetting a sinner.

Let us RIGHTLY observe the ordinances in the Scriptural perspective.

Giving baptism for marriage sake has no meaning at all.

Taking or administering immersion baptism under the notion that I might have failed in my examinations (students) because I did not subject to right mode of baptism is also wrong. May be one may pass. But this kind cannot be considered as baptism in the truest sense.

We should not give or take baptism for company sake. My friend is taking, let me also take baptism; is wrong altogether.

People are dipped for the sake of worldly profits and blessing.

One should not be hard pressed for this. In such case people will submit to the rite, but their later end will become worse than the former. Without any conviction by the Word and the Holy Spirit, simple dipping is causing a spiritual suicide.

Other religions are following several of this kinds: Taking bath in rivers annually, there are special annual dipping in some countries to get rid of their sins of commissions and ommissions, in other area several kind of ablution (cleaning with water) is observed. All these cannot cleanse our conscience.

A QUEST The baptizer did not baptize the subject (bapissand) until he expressed his whole hearted faith in Jesus Christ having preached to him Christ Jesus. What does hinder me to me baptized? was the question.

Here is a man (BELIEVED and BAPTIZED), upon seeing the miracles performed in Jesus' name wants to take baptism (not right attitude), he too want to perform supernatural feats (no conversion from his past attachments and no repentence). Secondly, he devoted himself to Philip and amazed about the signs and wonders.

Believers must be encouraged to devote themselves to their LORD and SAVIOUR Jesus Christ, to Him they belong because He only paid a great PRICE for the soul. Acts 14:23; Acts 11:23-24;

Many, even without preaching Christ Jesus, simply give a call for baptism, some even threaten the souls with rival attitude. What is important is that one MUST preach Christ instead of a sacrament to draw the souls unto CHRIST JESUS Acts 11:20-21; Acts 8:34-35.

Some are convinced and are preaching that immersion baptism is the "VISA TO HEAVEN". This is going to extent of ridiculing the Lord and destroying the salvation glory that belongs ONLY to CHRIST JESUS Rev. 7:10; Rev 5:9-10; Rev 5:12-14. These kind of people will know their folly only when they stand before the throne of Christ. May the LORD forgive such people and open their spiritual eyes to behold the truth in proper perspective.

........ This may grow

 GLOBAL BAPTISM

In the "Global Baptism"

1. BAPTISER is God himself
2. ELEMENT is the Person (God-Man) Jesus Christ
3. BAPTISAND is the Mankind from Adam to the last soul yet to be born

This is unseen, yet very much true in the spiritual relm, for genuine Christians do not walk or live by sight but by FAITH. What God has done in Christ Jesus for the entire humanity collectively and individually for every single soul that comes into this world is true, none can deny this 1Corinthians 1:29-30 so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

BAPTIZER, the Father God placed the BAPTISSAND, the entire Mankind (a race, we all have come from one man Adam ) into ELEMENT, the Person “CHRIST JESUS” - GodMan, second and last Adam from heaven (flesh and blood). OR Otherwise when Christ put on the humanity "flesh and blood" He personally identified with the whole human race Hebrew 2:14-16 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.

Let us understand Baptism giving due place for the water baptism the place given to it can neither be altered nor denied – It can not be misappropriated too. This truth is not affecting anybody when it is administered wrongly

What is personal Christmas?

Manifestation of Christ in flesh & blood to stand together with me a sinner to save ME is my Personal Christmas. Sum total of all what HE has done (HIS work) is for our salvation, hence the true salvation is the work of Jesus Christ not ours. On this behalf Holy Spirit has been sent. Jesus Christ Himself is Heavenly GIFT. The salvation granted to us is also a FREE GIFT. Salvation is totally FREE no price tag can be attached to it because it is PRICELESS. At the same time salvation is of WORK, not of yours but of CHRIST JESUS. WE NEED A SAVIOUR TO SAVE US FROM THE MIRY CLAY OF SIN. No other means can save us. Outside the TRUE Christendom many ways are there but within, only one WAY that is the FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST alone.

Now, True Christmas is otherwise called
“GLOBAL BAPTISM”.
When the 2nd Person (The Word/Christ) of Godhead was sent into this world or when HE came/manifested in FLESH & BLOOD (JESUS) what exactly happened was this. God (TRIUNE) identified Himself in the 2nd Person CHRIST with the entire mankind, which is a race. From Adam to the last one, which is yet to be born, was placed or identified into this one PERSON “JESUS CHRIST.
OR otherwise
The entire mankind was “BAPTISED” into this one person “JESUS CHRIST”. Now He STANDS together with mankind to fulfill the divine requirements from God’s side. God gave oppurtunity to mankind to prove if he can save himself, in the entire past; also He has been looking for a man who can stand in the gap. HE found none but
His own beloved Son “Y’Shua
the Messiah - GodMan”
Who entered this cursed earth on everyone’s stead. He finishesd (accomplished) a brief work between heaven and earth on the cross for the entire mankind so that as many as or everyone who CALL on HIM shall be saved.
“It is a DESPERATE heart CRY unto HIM”. “HOSANNA”
We are living IN THE era of “THIS SALVATION DISPENSATION”
Joel 2:32;
Isaiah 45:22-23;
Acts 2:21;
Romans 10:13;
freely proclaim the gospel.

*Divine prerogative must take precedence in our entire life. No one can ever change the place and value bestowed on truth. People blindly may change the value of one and hold it more precious unto them thinking that they have known the entire truth. The most *glorious, *valuable & *important ones are either rejected, not understood, or suppressed.

N.B: No religious formalities can be a substitute to THESE SPIRITUAL REALITIES. SOME INSTIGATE others wit different motives and intention saying some are standing against baptism. May our good LORD forgive such. May the name of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST be magnified and exalted in every area.
for Paul says.

.........may grow

 CONSIDER THREE THINGS IN BAPTISM

THREE IMPORTANT THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED

In the literal baptism in water we have three things

1) The BAPTISER: One who dip the person (Repentant/Believer in Christ Jesus) into water

2) The BAPTISAND: The Person who has Repented of his sin and sins and cofesssed his faith on Christ Jesus

3) The ELEMENT: The Element in the literal baptism is water mostly, but not all the time

We must relate this to every passage in the Scripture appropriately. In the Bible we find "BAPTISM" as noun and the same is used as verb also "BAPTISED", "BE BAPTISED" and "BAPTISING" them in the name of etc.

 BAPTISM A BURIAL SERVICE

Mostly, in this area many have a wrong understanding about baptism. When one hold it wrongly will only be an "ISM", will have no spiritual sense of meaning. I have come accross many who have lead, are leading and will lead the people willfully into wrong conviction. Such people make their "EXPERIENCE" a foundation rather than "SCRIPTURE". In truth the SCRIPTURE must be the foundation for all our experience.

Secondly, and invariably most of those who dip people and those who are being dipped into water think that such are dying when they go under the water. Whereas the Scriptural truth is not that. If they deem so then the baptism service become murderous one. I am not a spiritual police man to accuse or to find fault, rather the Scripture is given to us for correction. A right Christian, even if he is observing something in a wrong way should have a willing heart to change as the Scripture reveals/exposes his error. Otherwise his right beginning is doubtful.

If baptism is a funeral of the subject being dipped; then he/she should have died. There are several question we need to ask.

1) How does he/she die?

2) To what one should to die?

To answer the first question, one dies by his FAITH by the conviction brought about by the Spirit of Christ (Holy Spirit) through the Word of God. These are the two agents cause one to die. Now let us consider one of the "statement of truth (SOT)" among many that appear in the Scripture. Turn to 2Cor. 5:14-15 "ONE DIED FOR ALL , AND THEREFORE ALL DIED" is the SOT. -For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.

Please read this passage also what Caiaphas as the high priest of that year prophesied in John 11:49-52

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, declared, You know nothing at all! Nor do you understand or reason out that it is expedient and better for your own welfare that one man should die on behalf of the people than that the whole nation should perish (be destroyed, ruined). Now he did not say this simply of his own accord [he was not self-moved]; but being the high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was to die for the nation, And not only for the nation but also for the purpose of uniting into one body the children of God who have been scattered far and wide.

From the above passage we can understand that ONE is dying to his old nature by his personal believing in CHRIST JESUS finished work for him. ie. accepting Jesus Christ substitutionary work of death in his place (when Jesus died he too died) and His reurrection (when Jesus rose again, he too positionaly rose again to live for Christ Jesus); accoring to the FAITH that come to that person by the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT in the light of the WORD OF GOD Rom.

....... may grow

 BAPTISM - DEFINITION

The immersion in water of ONE who truts JESUS CHRIST as his LORD and SAVIOUR. This imersion in the name of JESUS CHRIST (Acts 2:38) or of the TRINITY (Matt 28:19) neither saves nor contributes to SALVATION in any way. Whereas only FAITH is essential for SALVATION (John 3:36).
Christ Jesus commanded that those who become His disciples should be babtized (Matt 28:19), making baptism essential to obedience. This witness to Salvation is testimony of the believer's obedience to the command of Jesus Christ.This witness to Salvation is testimony of the believer's obedience to the command of Jesus Christ.
ONLY IMMERSION FULFILLS THE SYMBOLISM:
1) Pointing back in history to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus;
2) Emphasizing the present in showing the believer's death to sin and resurrection to union with and new life in Christ Jesus; and
3) Looking to the resurrection of the body when Jesus Christ comes again (cf. Rom. 6:3-5) - don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection

The term is also used in reference to the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT into the life of a believer at the point of Regeneration (1Cor. 12:13) - For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

Baptism is not a direct command. It is an idirect command.

Baptism A Burial Service