Hebrews 9 Sprinkled by The Blood of Christ

I want to thank you for you articles. They have been very helpful in my current situation. I have two questions for you. I bought a Greek study guide/dictionary/bible and I have been completely amazed at what I have read regarding the greek text on the subject of baptism.

Here are my questions- Hebrews 10:22 talks of the sprinkling of the conscience (I understand the signifigance of this term and it's relationship with the old covenant and the new) and the washing of the body in pure water. When looking up the greek word for water used in this text it states that it is talking about the water used for baptism. Why doesn't anyone use this scripture to state that baptism is an essential part of the new covenant and how we recieve the blood of Christ?

Secondly, in 1 John 5: 6-9 the bible states that 3 will testify and that Christ came in both blood and water. The greek term for water in both places refers to the act of baptism. Why doesn't anyone use these scriptures to state that baptism is essential?

Your response is eagerly awaited. I am currently studying with a number of people who believe "saved by faith only" and baptism is only an outward sign of what takes place inside when you believe in Christ---baptism has no role in a believer's salvation.

Thank you,

Dale

Dale, all I know is what I read in the Bible.

Sprinkling was a type of taking a limited amount of blood and spreading it over everything that needed to be touched by blood. One might take a small basin of collected blood and sprinkle the altar, buildings and everything.

Under the law this shedding of blood was a testimony to Israel of their unforgivable sin at Mount Sinai after which God gave a flood of blood-letting to show them the horrible nature of their sin and continual sinfulness. The blood had no ability to clean up their minds by purging it of whatever "demons" drove them to see God's miracles, agree to His Covenant and within forty days fall back into the Apis worship of Osiris: the bull representing the god of the dead.

Christ effectively paid every penalty which needed to be paid when He allowed his own blood to be shed to show mankind the utter horrible nature of a people who, like pagans, delighted in murdering their gods every few years.

However, this paid price did not cleanse those who didn't want any part of it: those who were still in favor of demon (bull) worship with singing, dancing, wine and music.

In order for God to save people He needed to get them to understand that He was the God Who created and gave fertility to mankind and was a servant of His people. This was opposed to the ancient notions that the gods created mankind to do their own work of feeding, clothing, housing and entertaining the senior gods.

By sending Jesus as the Image of this servant nature, God seeks only those who can subscribe to being crucified by the world, or who can survive being hated and despised by the princes or rulers of the dark places of the world.

Because He is Servant, all that He asks us to do is submit to being washed in water as the time and place where we ask Him for a clear conscience or a holy spirit so that as His "foot soldiers" we can understand His "leadership into grizzly bear country." In fulfillment of the outward sprinkling of animals, his own small quantitity of shed blood is adequate to sprinkle or touch every obedient believer.

The gift of the Holy Spirit comes only after baptism. I have added a study here:

Your people undoubtedly accept Calvinism where you can do nothing, not even read the Word and believe it to gain faith. Because you are predestinated to heaven or hell and you can do nothing about it, this evil dogma makes people mortally afraid to move a finger in a legalistic fear that somehow they will mess up God's predestination for them.

Faith according to Calvinists (most baptists) but not John Calvin comes as a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. However, Calvin connected the Spirit to hearing the Word with a love for the truth.

Then, if you have faith you will have to struggle with the Law of Moses until you get some supernatural sign that you have been one of "the few, the select, the saved." This then means that you are saved.

However, Baptists still do not consider you a member of the body of Christ. To become a member you must be accepted by the local "collected church." Only then may you be baptized and only after baptism can you take of the Lord's Supper. So, there is a lot of shady theolgoy which is difficult even for Baptists to understand.

The believer's baptism is, like the eucharist, adopted from ancient pagan baptisms and "eating and drinking the gods." I have posted Believer's Baptism Here. This was not believed anywhere until Zwingli's views were adopted by John Smyth.

My Baptism Index quoting many sources is here.

Baptists say that you cannot see the kingdom until you get the sign of your predestination.

Scripture says that you cannot see clearly until you have "accepted the will of God for your life" by being baptized.

I have briefly addressed First John Five here.

Because the question was about Hebrews I have tried to quickly add some notes to Hebrews 9 and 10 so that I look honest with the Word of God.

Hebrews Chapter 9:

1 THEN verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aarons rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went alway into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

The temple was a "parable" which means that those who have not received co-perception or a clear conscience cannot grasp. Indeed, Jesus says in Matthew 13, that the truth is hidden so that ears cannot her and eyes cannot see. Therefore, Paul's mission was to "preach Christ and Him crucified" to alert people to the slander of being a Christian. Once, they turned from self to Christ, the gift of A holy spirit enabled them to understand the figure.

As long as externals are put for spiritual worship we are still not able to hear the mystery. Only with a clear conscience can one come boldly before the throne as virtual high priests compared to Judaism. That means that we come, one at a time, before God in the "temple" which is now the spirit or mind of the believer. Jesus said that worship was "in spirit" or in mind and John was "in the spirit" on the Lord's Day. Paul prescribed speaking or teaching the inspired Word one to another as education, but our "singing and melody" is still in the spirit or heart.

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

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:

The actual sprinkling had to be performed by one who is clean. Because only Jesus is "clean" by virtue of His shedding of blood he is uniquely able to sprinkle us with His blood. In a spiritual system the sprinkling is of our conscience which corresponds to the holy place or most holy place.

However, it is possible for us to wash our bodies:

And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave: Numbers 19:18

And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day:

and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even. Numbers 19:19

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself,

that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. Numbers 19:20

All of this was for purification of the flesh and had no effect upon the spirit. Therefore, in fulfilling the type Christ shed His blood once for all. However, in a spiritual sense He sprinkles our spiritual nature at the time and place we wash our bodies.

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 (lifeless effort) to serve the living God?

God is pure or holy Spirit and there is only One.

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11

The actual sprinkling of water is replaced by the invisible sprinkling by Christ Himself when we wash our bodies. In a sense it is only when we so identify with the cross and the "despised and rejected" route of following Christ that we inevitiably get splashed by His blood: the natural consequence of not lying when we sing "at the foot of the old rugged cross" knowing that the blood will not get sprinkled on us.

The TYPE of figure of water baptism is not the sprinkling of blood which only Christ can provide but the type is the Ark and being under the water and cloud at the Red Sea.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,

but the answer (request for) of a good conscience toward God,)

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21

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. 1 Peter 1:2

God gave a "natural" religion so that people know right from wrong. Even when taught error people understand the evil of lying or murder. Therefore, people have taken a fork in the road long before they hear the gospel. By how they were "faithful over a few" things determines whether God will give them greater insight. In this sense only are they are elected. If one takes the fork of the road to honor the idea of God then they are predestinated just as a person who jumps off a tall building has predestinated themselves to crash into the Law of God. However, He does not preselect inch-long babies to "squirm in hell."

An infinite God putting His image in a "body prepared for me" is an infinite contrast. Therefore, that Christ incarnates His Words as spirit and life is no less a miracle.

God put His Word or Spirit into words which we can read. Others can fill up with the Word and be able to quote the entire Bible. However, before God puts the "Spirit" value of His Word into our heart, the heart must be purged of "demons" or what we have allowed to filter in by listening to the wrong people.

Water is not magic but it is another "fork in the road" where we ask God to cleanse out our "vessel" so that He can give us A holy spirit. A holy spirit is contrasted to an unholy spirit.

Jesus replaced the "parable-like" sacrifice of the lambs and goats. And therefore He replaced the sprinkling of the external body with internal regeneration of our conscience so that we can now be co-perceivers with Him:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Paul made it clear that one must first accept the idea of the crufixion of Christ: the execution of the vilest f'orm of "criminal." Until one accepts that they are joing an underground army of rebels against the popular culture and accepts being "despised and rejected by men" there is no reason to preach baptism.

He that believeth and is baptized

shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16

However well we play the game of "Christian," unless we believe in or trust ourselves to our Outcast Commander Paul would refuse to baptise them. They are damned simply by NOT subscribing to a "lower class" religion to which "the common people hear Him gladly" while the "captains" refuse to accept the counsel of God for themselves by refusing to be baptized.

A Clear Conscience is:

Suneides (g4893) soon-i'-day-sis; from a prol. form of 4894; co- perception, i.e. moral consciousness; - conscience.

Mandaeands Sabians Iraq Christians

"Sabian" is a word derived from the Aramaic-Mandic verb "Saba" which means "baptised" or "dyed", "immersed in water". "dMandaeans" is derived from "menda" which means in the mandiac language "knowledge".

Thus, "Mandaean Sabians" means those who are baptised and who know the religion of God.

An unclear conscience is more than feelings of guilt which doesn't go away after one is baptized. Rather, the "gift of the Holy Spirit" or A holy spirit gives one the power to perceive the kingdom of God and the boldness to enter into the throne of grace to worship.

Again, remember that the commoner who barged into the most holy place in the temple would get himself murdered. In the same way, there are always the "throngs of people" obstructing the tiny gate at the end of the hidden trail on the way into the kingdom. Fittingly, when men began to build Cathedrals the Most Holy Place was held to be the pulpit.

As long as they can practice an external, legalistic religion they can hinder others from entering. For this reason, God put the Most Holy Place in the human mind, spirit or conscience where we worship "in spirit" and never externally. That is what Jesus commanded because he knew that "designated physical place" means that people will often try to take away the key to knowledge. Not even prison can destroy the temple as a place to meet God. This is why Christ selected it.

To serve is to worship:

Latreuo (g3000) lat-ryoo'-o; from latris , (a hired menial); to minister (to God), i.e. render religious homage: - serve, do the service, worship (-per)

However sincere one who is Paul's warns that they may still be carnal. They may try mightly to worship God but it is just dead works or vain worship. Only when the old "demons" have been purged out to make room for the Spirit or Mind of Christ can one have a clear vision of what it is all about. A holy spirit is one which has been purged and made fit for the habitation of God's Spirit--the Mind of Christ.

One suspects that the more "alive" our worship looks the more we are dead bones being pulled and jerked about with unseen strings--as they tried to pipe to force Jesus to sing and dance the Greek chorus which was effeminate and destructive.

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. Mal 1:8

There are no inspired worship leaders and to suppose so is to practice the "idolatry of talent." God cares nothing for our "person" because we are his creatures.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Heb 12:1

Reasonable means rational and Jesus confined worship to "in spirit" which is in the mind and "the truth" or the Words of Christ as the only resource for song and sermon.

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Heb 8:6

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law,

he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews Chapter 10

1 FOR the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things,

can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. Mt.4:16

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Heb.8:5

When Israel fell back into musical idolatry at Mount Sinai, the Covenant was broken and God added the law "because of transgression." At that time God imposed the Levitical clergy to stand between the people and the Tabernacle as the symbol of His presence.

The sacrifices did not make perfect because they were "sitting in darkness" and could never get a clear mind which is needed to hear God.

Perfect, here does not mean "ceremonially pure." Rather, it is much like a "clean" conscience which comes as a request from God at the time and place of Baptism. Perfect is:

Teleios (g5046) tel'-i-os; from 5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neut. (as noun, with 3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Co.13:11

In the second letter to Corinth, Paul connected "turning" to getting a clear "mirror" into the Mind of Christ:

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail (covering so you cannot see) is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15

Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16 (So you can see the kingdom)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Those "perfected" get the gift of, as Walter Scott taught, A holy spirit made holy by obedience to Christ but only after signing up with His world-hated band or sect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

Purging was ceremonial cleansing to enable people to continue to evade the penalty of a just law. There is nothing in Christian worship which remotely approaches a "sacrament" by which we receive merit or "points" by performing some ritual. This would deny that Christ finished His work.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1Co.2:16

our attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, Phil 2:5 Y

who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, Phil 2:6

but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. Phil 2:7

And he humbled himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal's death on a cross Phil 2:8

Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name, Phil 2:9

that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Phil 2:10

and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:11

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col 2:9

God's Name is Jesus or Joshua or Jehovah-Saves it is not "hey you" or "spirit, or father or son." Therefore, to honor Full Deity we had better give the honor to Jesus Who was God's only image of Himself given to man and the only Name He hears.

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.

8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not,

neither hadst pleasure therein;
which are offered by the law;

There is never any value in "worship" which is performed in response to an imagined law.

9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hagiazo (g37) hag-ee-ad'-zo; from 40; to make holy, i.e. (cer.) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify.

11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11

In 1 Cor. 2 Paul equates the Holy Spirit to the Mind of Christ. He has always been in Spirit God's Hands, Arm, Rock, Spirit, Breath and other visible manifestation of Himself.

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord;

I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Christ gives us a clear perception of His written will when we obey "sign up" for the army of a perceived crucified, vile criminal as viewed by the overwhelming majority of the world:

Peter used different words to show how the sanctified heart happens when our body is washed with water:

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us

(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request for a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21

In baptism we have our own "vessel" washed in pure water and God sanctifies our spirit to make it suitable for His use. That is, God "sprinkles" Christ's "blood" or the merit of His blood on our spirit which is that which serves Him.

Paul also connected the Gift of the Spirit to Baptism and Crossing the Red Sea.

The blood of Christ was shed in type when the lamb was slain.

After the literal "Passover", Paul says of the passage through the Red Sea:

They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 1 Cor 10:2

They all ate the same spiritual food 1 Cor 10:3

and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Cor 10:4

Becoming Co-Perceivers with the Mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit

Any Bible believer knows the spiritual high of having a "clear conscience" promised only by turning to Christ in baptism. This does not mean "preacher-absolved guilt from sin." Rather, it means to be able to understand the Word when we read it and grasp the 'mystery' which Christ was hidden from the foundation of the world in parables.

I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit Rom 9:1

Here, the holy spirit is Paul's spirit made holy or set aside by Christ the Spirit.

As Christ told the other apostles that He would guide them, He also told Paul that the "blinders" of his own spirit would be removed. Conscience means:

Suneidesis ((g4893) soon-i'-day-sis; from a prol. form of 4894; co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness; - conscience.

Suneido (g4894) soon-i'-do; from 4862 and 1492; to see completely; used (like its prim.) only in two past tenses, respectively mean. to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of: - consider, know, be privy, be ware of.

This word also carries the idea of consciousness or awarness:

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to youward. 2 Cor 1:12

Vine notes that "some regard consciousness as the meaning here."

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 1 Cor 8:7

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idols temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 1 Cor 8:10

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 1 Cor 8:12

Vine: "In 1 Pet. 2:19 signifies... perhaps here, a consciousness so controlled by the apprehension of God's presnence, that the person realized that griefs are to be born in accordance with His will."

Clement of Alexandria in Stromata notes that co-perception is not automatic:

Here he terms the Babylonians wise. And that Scripture calls every secular science or art by the one name wisdom (there are other arts and sciences invented over and above by human reason), and that artistic and skilful invention is from God, will be clear if we adduce the following statement:

"And the Lord spake to Moses, See, I have called Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Or, of the tribe of Judah; and I have filled him with the divine spirit of wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge, to devise and to execute in all manner of work, to work gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and in working stone work, and in the art of working wood," and even to "all works." [Ex. xxxi. 2-5.] And then He adds the general reason,

"And to every understanding heart I have given understanding; " [Ex. xxxi. 6.] that is, to every one capable of acquiring it by pains and exercise. And again, it is written expressly in the name of the Lord "And speak thou to all that are wise in mind, whom I have filled with the spirit of perception." [ Ex. xxviii. 3.]

Those who are wise in mind have a certain attribute of nature peculiar to themselves; and they who have shown themselves capable, receive from the Supreme Wisdom a spirit of perception in double measure.

For those who practise the common arts, are in what pertains to the senses highly gifted:

in hearing, he who is commonly called a musician;
in touch, he who moulds clay;
in voice the singer,
in smell the perfumer,
in sight the engraver of devices on seals. (marks)

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

We noted that God gags at an act of worship performed simply because there is a law which says "thou shalt do this and that." Once there is remission the believer is cut free from the burden laders where "burden" is defined as "spiritual anxiety created by religious ritual."

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Again we quote:

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail (covering so you cannot see) is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15

Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16 (So you can see the kingdom)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

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.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,

but the (request for) a good conscience toward God,)

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21

Again: 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. 1 Pet 1:2

Our spirits cannot be washed with water but Christ can wash us when we identify with Him by "lying alongside Him" in the form of his own death. The only form which answers to that is water baptism where Christ does the internal cleansing:

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, Revelation1:5

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:6

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Faith has no value unless it is professed and demonstrated:

Homologia (g3671) hom-ol-og-ee'-ah; from the same as 3670; acknowledgment: - con- (pro-) fession, professed.

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Basil the Great (329-379) - De Spiritu Sancto wrote about baptism and the gift of the Spirit or mind of God:

"Only then after a man is purified from the shame whose stain he took through his wickedness, and has come back again to his natural beauty, and as it were cleaning the Royal Image and restoring its ancient form, only thus is it possible for him to draw near to the Paraclete.

And He, like the sun, will by the aid of thy purified eye show thee in Himself the image of the invisible, and in the blessed spectacle of the image thou shalt behold the unspeakable beauty of the archetype.

Whence is it that we are Christians?

Through our faith, would be the universal answer.

And in what way are we saved? Plainly because we were regenerate through the grace given in our baptism.

How else could we be? And after recognising that this salvation is established through the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, shall we fling away "that form of doctrine" which we received?

Through His aid hearts are lifted up, the weak are held by the hand, and they who are advancing are brought to perfection. Shining upon those that are cleansed from every spot,

He makes them spiritual by fellowship with Himself. Just as when a sunbeam falls on bright and transparent bodies, they themselves become brilliant too, and shed forth a fresh brightness from themselves,

so souls wherein the Spirit dwells, illuminated by the Spirit, themselves become spiritual, and send forth their grace to others.

Ken

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