KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:3 KJV “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”

The word baptism has been transliterated into English, from the Greek word “Baptizo” It means to be immersed, dip into or submerged in something. The Bible speaks of so many kinds of baptisms.

1 There is baptism in water unto repentance. (Matt 3:7),

2 Baptism in the name of Jesus, in water (Acts 19:5)

3 Baptism of suffering (Matt 20:22),

4 Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6)

5 Baptism by the Holy Spirit (Rom 6:3&4)

In this study we will be looking at what baptism by the Holy Spirit is. There is a difference between baptism by the Holy Spirit and baptism in the Holy Spirit. When a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit his or her spirit is dipped into the Holy Spirit, and this is manifested by speaking in tongues. When one is baptized by the Holy Spirit, this time the Holy Spirit dips your spirit into Christ as an initiation into Jesus Christ. This happens at salvation. Gal 3:27, put it this way, ” For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”. This act of being baptized into Christ is done by the Holy Spirit. That is why we say, baptism by the Holy Spirit. (1st Corinth 12:13).

What is the significance of this baptism by the Spirit.? To be baptized into Christ is to be immersed in Him. It also means to be identified with Him in everything about Him. (Romans 6:3–6) It also means you have been made one with Jesus in His suffering, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. Every suffering He went through, you have likewise gone through with Him, because you were in Him. Although you were not physically present when He died, yet He went through everything, for you and me. It becomes real when you surrender your life to Jesus.  Through baptism you died with our Lord Jesus. In his death, the old nature or old man of sin was crucified (Rom 6:6) You do not have this sinful man in you again. (To be continued)

CONFESSION

I have been baptized into Christ. I have put on Christ. I am one with Him in every way. I suffered with Him when he was beaten, and all my diseases were laid on Him.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Corinth 12:13 NET” For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit.

Rom 6:4 NET” Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:11 KJV” Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord”;

In the book of revelations, the Lord said the following to the Laodicean church, Rev 3:15 KJV” I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot”. The Lord does not want anyone to be cold in any way. He definitely wants everyone to be hot. He will not tolerate any Lukewarmness too. The lukewarm are neither cold nor hot. The Lord says, He will spew such people out of His mouth. (Rev 3:16). In these days that we are not supposed to gather as church groups, you can easily get cold or lukewarm.

Our key scripture tells us not to be slothful, but to be fervent or aglow in the Spirit for the Lord. You would have to avoid every lifestyle that does not build your faith strong. Be careful the things you watch or listen to on social media. Avoid chats that would not strengthen your faith in God. Read more of the scriptures. If you are living with

brethren who are Christians, then set times for prayer, and pray as a family. You may choose certain days to fast as well. It is easy to get Christian literature in electronic formats these days. Take advantage of such opportunities and set goals to read a number of books. You have to be fervent in spirit serving the Lord.

Events in our world point to a soon return of our Lord Jesus. It may be later, yet it is always better to be ready. The Lord should not come to you as a thief in the night. 1Th 5:4 KJV “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Please take heed to the following Biblical counsel Rom 13:11 KJV “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” .Please cast off every work of darkness and walk in the light or the day. Live in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Pray always that the Lord would count you worthy of the rapture.

CONFESSION

I walk in the light and have cast off every unfruitful work of darkness. I live in anticipation of the rapture, if it should happen at any moment. I know I am ever ready to meet my Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 13:12 KJV” The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light”.

Romans 13:14 KJV “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12:33 KJV “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit”.

In Matt 12:32-38 The Lord Jesus spoke about men, the words that proceed from their mouth and the fruit they bear in their lives. He made reference to this in relation to trees. He said a tree or a man is known by the fruit he or she bears. He made it clear that, what a man treasures in his heart, determines what he or she would bear. Mat 12:35 KJV “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things “. Each person is modeled after what he treasures in his heart. How can a man make himself good?  He or she must treasure good things in his heart.

One way to do this is through meditation. 1Ti 4:15 KJV Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. The preceding verse states two stages that results in a profitable life. They are as follows.

1 Meditate on the word of God

2 Give thyself wholly to the word.

The result is a profitable life that will appear unto all. Meditation in the Christian context is very different from that of the oriental religions. In our form of meditation, it is a way of giving attention to the word of God. It starts with silently, focusing on the word, reflecting over it, then muttering the scriptures to yourself over a period of time. It culminates in speaking the scriptures loudly to yourself. In this way you flood your heart and mind with the word.

The next action is to treasure the word in your heart, and to yield your being to the word of God. Love and practice the word. If you would do these things you would influence your actions to yield good fruits. This would bring your way various level of blessings. Your life will take an upward turn. Dear brother or sister, you can do something about your actions and your general output in this life.

CONFESSION

I am a good tree with good fruits to bless the lives of many. I meditate on the word. I yield my whole being to the word of God. My life is a bundle of success and I dispenses God’s blessings all around.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joshua 1:8 KJV “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.

Psalms 1:2 KJV “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” .

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:24 KJV” Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it”.

The Lord Jesus willingly laid His life down because He loved us all. Death in anyway had no power over Him. He took back His life. John 10:17 KJV” Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again”. Although He took His life back, He came under the power of death. Satan would have held Him down if he could. Through His death He destroyed Satan’s power and authority over death.

 Heb 2:14b KJV.”…….; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Dear child of God just as the grave and Satan could not have power over the dead body of Jesus to keep Him in the grave, Satan should not under any condition Lord it over you. The Lord said, He will take His life back. You have been given the right to exercise authority over Satan under any condition. Philippians 2:10 KJV” That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”; Our authority is in the name of Jesus. Whatever you demand in Jesus name, it is Jesus who personally comes to honor that command.  John 14:14 KJV” If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it”.

BE very confident that so long as you asked or demanded that the condition should change in Jesus name it is done.

Our bases for expecting answers is the word of God. 2Corinth 1:20 KJV” For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us”. Do not allow any past failures or the negative experiences of some other people to influence your attitude to the word of God. It is not possible that Satan or his demons use anything to hold you down. Just as the Lord Jesus came through, settle it in your heart, to also come through from any Satan controlled condition.

CONFESSION

I have the authority of Jesus on this earth to walk out of every condition of the devil. The lord Jesus defeated him, and I enforce the defeat of Satan and establish the victory of Jesus. Hallelujah. My life is a spectacle of the miraculous. In the name of Jesus all things are possible to me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 2:14 KJV” Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”

Colossians 2:15 KJV” And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1:4 KJV” Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father”:

HE GAVE HIMSELF for our sins. Jesus was not just murdered, but He chose to give up His life to be killed as a sacrifice for our sins. He said that, ” I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11). He gave His life for a purpose. To deliver us from this present evil world. His death becomes beneficial to any group of people at any specific time in history. His act of sacrifice means no evil must and can prevail over us. COVID  19 is a present evil. Does Jesus sacrifice of His life include, deliverance from COVID 19?

Dear child of God, in this Easter period be reminded of the great unqualified provision made by our master, Jesus for our perfect deliverance. It would be beneficial to you, if you would believe it.  This good news remains the power of God unto salvation, (healing, security, peace, deliverance, preservation,) to everyone who believes. Believing is the vital act that delivers the blessing of salvation into our hands Believing is having. The Lord is not talking about going to heal anybody. He says He has already delivered us from this Present evil power. Many people are calling on the Lord to heal the sick. If you are sick, know that you don’t have to be sick because the price for your healing has been settled. Satan is treading illegally, and you must refuse that.

HOW do you partake of this perfect deliverance purchased by the Lord Jesus for us?

1.Be fully convinced that Jesus has settled the condition for your healing. (Galatians 1:4, Isaiah 53:4&5)

2. Confess boldly that the Lord Jesus has given himself for your sins, and has delivered you from this present evil disease or any other form of evil. Declare that that disease or any other form of evil has no more power over you. You are free.

3.Act on the word of God right now.

Many people who dared to believe God’s word have outstanding testimonies of mighty break throughs.

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your great deliverance from this present evil world. Every evil power has been broken over my life. I am free in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 1:13 KJV ” Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”:

1Peter 2:24 KJV” Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 5:7 KJV” Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered

up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared”;

 For the purposes of God to be fulfilled in your life, prayer must be inevitable. (that is, you can’t do without prayer). Our key scripture reveals that our Lord Jesus as glorious as He is, had to pray that whatever God had said about his future must come to pass. If Jesus did not let down on His prayer, can you do either wise? Just consider the way He went about praying. He made His prayer with strong crying and tears. Let’s consider the Lord’s prayer in the garden of Gethsemane Luke 22:40–46. The Lord prayed before He was betrayed and went through His passion. He prayed till His sweat dropped as blood. Why did He had to pray the way He did?

1. Satan would attempt to frustrate any program of God, for you, that he gets to know about. It would take aggressive prayers to dislodge him (Satan) of his aggression, so you may possess what God has said about you. 1Timothy 1:18 KJV “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare”;

2. Through aggressive prevailing prayer, you would prevent Satan from weakening your defenses so you would be able to face any impending challenge and overcome them. This is what the Lord calls temptation. Luke 22:40 KJV “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation”

 Temptation in this context is to find yourself in a challenge or opposing condition that your strength cannot stand. There are certain situations that you must necessarily go through, like the case of Jesus.

3. Prayer would bring to you, angelic assistance and strength to overcome.

Luke 22:43 KJV” And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him”.

 Never sleep, and just wait for prophecies to be fulfilled. It does not work out that way.

 The Lord prophesied through Jeremiah that; Israel would go into exile for a period of seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11-12). According to Daniel 9:2, He said, he understood by books that Israel would be in Babylon for seventy years. His prayer brought God’s word to pass.

PRAYER

Father I pray for the church to arise to the activities of the enemy. May the church, not sit down and wait for things to turn out well, but to commit themselves to aggressive prayer, till everything aligns properly to the will of God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 22:44 KJV “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Luke 22:46 KJV” And said unto them, why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 14:21 KJV” He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him”.

Loving the Lord Jesus is to keep His word. Lovers of Jesus reign in this life. Why would lovers of Jesus reign in this life? As l said earlier, lovers of Jesus keep the word of God. In this life, the highest authority that rule in this world is the word of God. John 1:3 KJV “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made”. This scripture is referring to the word of God. Satan’s weakness is manifested when God’s word is exalted.

The word of God is light, and Satan and his works are darkness. When the word is applied darkness is simply helpless. This is the reason lovers of our Lord Jesus are high flyers in this life.

One area to express your love for the Lord is to deeply worship the master. Worship is an expression of love and intimacy with the Lord. David was such a successful man because of his great love for the Lord. He was ready to die for his love for the Lord. This was what led him to face an old war veteran and a terrible one too, that was Goliath. This was at a great risk, yet he did it to honor the Lord whom he cherished so much. No wonder he expressed his love in worship and so made a lot of songs, recording as Psalms for all generations. Just consider what he wrote in one of the psalms. Psalm 73:25 KJV ” Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee “. Is this true about you?

Let’s consider some men who made great impact in this life because of their love for the master. Daniel was captured into a strange land. His name was changed. His language was changed. One thing they could not do, was to take away his love for the Lord. At the peril of his life, to be eaten by lions, he still placed his Lord first. The Lord likewise honored him, so much that he became next to the king. Space would not allow me to talk about, Joseph, Job, Jephthah, Jacob and many more who went through very trying moments, yet their love for God kept them through. They came out distinguished and elevated. You can make a great future by committing yourself to loving Jesus above all other things.

CONFESSION

Life is very meaningful to me because I love the Lord with a sincere love. I reign in life and  I’m always elevated by His  Spirit .No matter what comes my way, I stay faithful to him, as He also honors His word in my life. Amen

FURTHER STUDIES

1 John 4:19 KJV “We love him, because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:20. KJV” If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 21:15 KJV So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 You can do the Lord’s work without loving the Lord, but you cannot love Him and not do His work. God wants His work done, yet it must be done by men and women who truly love Him. Love for the Lord is the pass mark. 1Corinth 13:3 KJV, And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Anything done for the Lord without a sincere love for Him does not count before Him.  Do you love the Lord?

Love for any one begins from a good. knowledge of the person and what the person stands for. You must get to know Him and therefore, decide to fall in love with Jesus. True love means surrendering your will to please, the one you love. You seek to please the man you love. Loving the Lord Jesus is true liberty. 2Corinthians 3:17 KJV Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. This scripture really means, where the Spirit of the Lord is Lord there is liberty.  

Loving the Lord means seeking to please Him at all cost.

The Lord Jesus said, loving Him is the greatest commandment. (Matt 22:37) The commandments of God are His principles for liberating us from bondage. His laws are not grievous. (1st John 5:3)

Anything you love or place above the love of the Lord will enslave you. The real competitor for the love of God in a man’s heart is the love for themselves. This is the cause of human perils. 2Ti 3:1&2 KJV” This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,” Love for yourselves against love for Jesus is the cause of all the evil that overwhelms you. Note: Love for self is the reign of Satan over man.  Free yourself from every satanic manipulation by giving your heart in absolute love for the master. Loving Him put you on top of the world (1st Corinth 2:9)

CONFESSION

I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart. He is the delight of my soul. I am set free from every emotional bondage. I reign in life because the king of kings reigns in my heart. What a life.!

FURTHER STUDIES

1John 5:3 KJV ” For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous”.

1Corinthians 2:9 KJV” But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”.

2Tim 3:2 KJV ” For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:3 KJV “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”.

Our world is a beautiful and a habitable place because various systems freely give of their products to sustain the earth. The sun since its inception has been giving its sunlight without questioning how much others pay it back. The plants freely give out water into the atmosphere. The principle of others first is the law for self-sustenance and multiplying what you have. Our key scripture teaches us to esteem others better than ourselves. Esteeming others better is the foundation for the proper development of every association.  It is a sign of great maturity when we are ready to forgo our privileges and rights to consider others who may be more vulnerable.

The Bible said greater love has no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Love for others is the motivating power that makes us esteem others better than ourselves. You must believe that God has been very gracious to you, and so out of this favor you extend a hand of favor, blessing or kindness to others. If you are to practice this virtue, then strive in groups like, office workers, churches, choir groups, Marriages, friends and our nation as a whole would cease. William Booth, the founder of the salvation army, called for an urgent meeting of all its officers to deliver a very important message to them. He was not present, yet sent the message in a letter. They all assembled ready to hear the letter read to them. When the letter was opened, there was only one word on the paper. The word was OTHERS. They had to consider others elsewhere who must hear the gospel preached to them.

Dear brother or sister, you must always demonstrate how matured you are by placing others first. In our home’s parents (matured ones) always sacrifice for their children.

 CONFESSION

I am filled with God’s love and ability. I esteem others better than myself. I continually seek that others would come to know the saving power of the saviour and to be a blessing to them in various ways.

 FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinth 13:5 KJV (love) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1 Corinth 13:3 KJV ” And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Mat 24:44 KJV Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

The Lord Jesus is definitely coming back to receive the church unto himself. There are two forms or aspects of His return. The first of these is the rapture of the church. 1Th 4:17 KJV. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord”.1st Corinth 15:51-58, The second advent or coming is when, the heavens and earth melt away for a new heaven and earth.  The Lord will come to reign on the new earth. (Revelation 22:1–3). In this study, we are considering the rapture.

The Bible states, His coming shall be like how a thief surprises his victims. (Matt 24:43,1st Thess. 5:2). We are not of darkness, so His coming should not be like a thief to us. (1st Thess. 5:4&5) The Bible teaches that, there is a lawless one called the antichrist in Revelations 13, who would be revealed. (2nd Thessalonians 2:8–11). The following is what the Bible says about when the antichrist would be revealed. 2Th 2:7 NET “For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way”. (Read 2 Thess 2:8)    The rapture of the church is what would allow the full revelation of the antichrist. This man called the antichrist would terribly torment the Saints that would be left on the earth at that time. REV 13.

The question is would you make it at the rapture of the church? Are you ready to be raptured? What are the conditions that make one ready?

1. Be a sincere lover of Jesus and live to please Him always. (1st Corinth 2:9)

2. Be keenly involved in serving Him. Luke 19:13.

3. Put away any besetting sin. A common one is unforgiveness. There are many more. (Heb 12:1)

4. No secret sins. (2nd Corinth 4:2)

5. Be constantly filled with the Holy Ghost. Eph 5:18

PRAYER

Lord I pray for all Christians to be mindful of the rapture of the church. I pray every Christian would turn away from every sin and commit themselves to living to glorify the Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Thess 5:6 & 7 NET “So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night”.

Hebrews 12:1 NET “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us”,