[24] 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.
My Interpetation:
To be set free from checks and balances scales through Jesus Sacrifice on cross death 3rd day rise again from grave.
Provided - Hand of God Taking Authority over our words and minds speaking faith , living your life like God, Christians.
Mark 1:15 KJV
'"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" '
To believe I'm Jesus Christ to be the truth also healing God's spoken words
Interpretation Written and Spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
God provided His Son for our salvation; thus determining the one parameter necessary for saving His elect and man is commanded to repent and believe ( Mark 1:15); as well as verbally confess AND believe in their heart ( Romans 10:9 with emphasis on the second issue the heart). Finally baptism I would argue is necessitated as part of this public confession being demonstrated by our association and experiential death; burial and resurrection with Christ (see Romans 6:4 and subsequent scriptures on the subject).
I am not here to argue on whether someone is saved if they die between that verbal confession and heart change and the time set for Baptism; I will say that one should expedite it ASAP in obedience; as good fruit in general needs to be a hallmark of faith.
More broadly; of course we all need to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith; so that actions such as Baptism or confession may not truly have been the result of saving faith. ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Good fruit as seen by the Parable of the sower and the seed is crucial and necessary as God Himself has prepared these good works for us from before our creation ( Eph. 2:10).
This is a key concept; that what we do should be empowered by the Spirit of God and not self righteousness. Outer actions therefore are important but the state of the inner man determines spiritual rewards. Therefore our works don't save us but are needed to bare witness to a new nature motivating and guiding us to a lost and dying world.
God's covenant through the church ensures every true believer is truly saved but there are varying degrees of rewards based on obedience and these result in "crowns" for those in leadership for obedience; martyrs; those patiently waiting for His return; etc.
As Revelation 3:11 shows the Philadelphia faithful church rewards can be taken by another. Some things are a good thing to covet but no one gains the prize by character assassination of another.
John and the Twelve baptized because God commanded a covenant sign that prepared Israel for the nearness of the promised kingdom. John's mission was prophetic and God-sent: he came to make the Lord's paths straight ( Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1; Matt 3:3), and "He that sent me to baptize with water" defined his work ( John 1:33). His baptism was "of repentance for the remission of sins" ( Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), publicly separating a believing remnant and manifesting the Messiah to Israel ( John 1:31). This fit Israel's priestly calling and cleansing types-washings consecrated service ( Exod 29:4; Lev 8:6), and prophets promised national purification ( Ezek 36:25; cf. Heb 9:10). Jesus then authorized the apostles to carry this forward in the kingdom gospel: "make disciplesbaptizing" ( Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). At Pentecost Peter summoned Israel: "Repent, and be baptizedfor the remission of sins," with the gift of the Spirit and the hope of restoration ( Acts 2:38-41; 3:19-21). In Acts, water baptism identified penitents with the crucified and risen Christ, marked them off from unbelieving Israel, and was confirmed by signs, for "the Jews require a sign" ( Acts 8:12-17; 10:47-48; 22:16; 1 Cor 1:22; cf. Mark 16:17-18). With the later revelation of the Body of Christ, the saving baptism is the Spirit's work-placing believers into one Body apart from rites ( Eph 4:5; 1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5). Therefore Paul could say, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17). In sum, John and the apostles baptized in obedience within Israel's kingdom program-repentance, cleansing, identification, and Spirit-attested entry into the remnant-while today the "one baptism" that saves is the Spirit's, not water ( Eph 2:8-9). This preserves Israel's covenant logic with today's grace-salvation rests on Christ's cross-work by faith - not rites, while water witnessed repentance in Israel.
Paul's "one baptism" ( Eph 4:5) is the Spirit's act of placing a believer into Christ and into His Body the instant he trusts the gospel. It is not a ceremony man performs, but a divine operation "without hands," uniting us to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection ( 1 Cor 12:13; Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:11-12; Gal 3:27). When you believe, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and identified with Christ forever ( Eph 1:13-14). That is why Paul can say there is one Body and one Spirit-and therefore one baptism-today ( Eph 4:4-6).
It is not water. Water may picture a truth, but it never produces it. Paul thanks God he baptized only a few and adds, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel," drawing a sharp line between the saving message and any ritual ( 1 Cor 1:14-17). Salvation is by grace through faith, "not of works," so no ordinance can be added to the finished cross-work of Christ ( Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). The washings and "baptisms" (plural) connected with Israel's program belong to another administration and the Acts transition ( Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Heb 6:2), not to the settled doctrine for the Body of Christ revealed through Paul.
What the one baptism gives you: union with Christ and His people ( 1 Cor 12:13), new identity-"put on Christ" ( Gal 3:27), co-crucifixion and co-resurrection life ( Rom 6:3-5; Col 2:12), and assurance by the Spirit's seal ( Eph 1:13-14). Because this baptism is God's work, it is complete, permanent, and sufficient. The believer's testimony may be public, but his salvation and sanctification rest wholly on Christ and the Spirit's baptizing work, not on a font, a river, or a minister's hands. This rests on Paul's gospel-Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again ( 1 Cor 15:1-4). Believers are new ( 2 Cor 5:17), indwelt by the Spirit ( Rom 8:9), and to hold fast sound words ( 2 Tim 1:13). Thus we glory in Christ not rites ( Phil 3:3).
What then of Ephesians 5:31-32? Paul says the husband-wife union is a mystery that illustrates Christ and the church. But Paul still names our identity repeatedly as His Body ( Eph 1:22-23; 5:30; 1 Cor 12:27), "one new man," and a "new creature" ( 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15)-never calling us the Bride. Even 2 Corinthians 11:2 ("espousedas a chaste virgin") is betrothal imagery used to guard the Body from deception; it does not rename the Body as the Bride nor collapse Israel's prophetic marriage into Paul's mystery people. Keeping these categories distinct preserves both God's faithfulness to Israel's covenants and the uniqueness of the church revealed "not made known" before Paul ( Eph 3:1-9; Rom 16:25-26).
On baptism: John's and Peter's water baptisms belonged to Israel's kingdom program ( Mark 1:4; Luke 7:29-30; Acts 2:38; 22:16)-covenantal, priestly, and preparatory for an earthly nation of priests ( Exod 19:6; Ezek 36:25-27). In this dispensation, Christ sent Paul "not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17), and there is "one baptism" ( Eph 4:5) by which the Spirit places us into Christ's death and resurrection ( Rom 6:3-5; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 2:11-12). Romans 6 describes that Spirit baptism's identification with Christ-not a ritual that completes salvation. We are saved by grace through faith apart from works ( Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Water may testify, but it cannot add to the finished cross-work ( John 19:30; Gal 2:21). To make it a salvation requirement would muddle Israel's kingdom commands with the Body's grace calling.
So, yes: saints from Israel's program and from the Body will both be with Christ and under His rule-but Scripture differentiates their identities and spheres. Israel/Zion/New Jerusalem is the Bride/Wife in prophecy and Revelation; the Body is the heavenly people of the mystery, bone of His bone and seated above. Keeping those distinctions guards the gospel of grace today and honors God's promises to Israel tomorrow.
Exactly right. John's baptism was not a man-made ritual borrowed from Jewish tradition but a direct command from God for a specific purpose in His prophetic plan. John 1:33 makes that clear: "He that sent me to baptize with water"-God Himself commissioned John to prepare Israel for their coming Messiah. It was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins ( Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), identifying a believing remnant within the nation who would be ready to receive their King.
But that baptism belonged to Israel's prophetic program, not to what is revealed later through Paul. John's ministry called Israel to repentance and national cleansing before the promised kingdom could be established on earth. It was a shadow of the future when the nation will be washed and restored ( Ezekiel 36:25-27). Yet once Christ's death and resurrection were accomplished, God began a new work-offering salvation to all, Jew and Gentile alike, not through water or outward sign, but by faith alone in the finished work of the cross.
Paul declares that there is now "one baptism" ( Ephesians 4:5), not of water, but by the Spirit into the body of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:13). This spiritual baptism identifies believers with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection ( Romans 6:3-4). John's commission looked forward to an earthly kingdom; Paul's gospel looks upward to a heavenly calling. Both were from God, but each served its divine purpose in its proper time. I would love to hear your thoughts on the truths laid out before you.
From a dispensational perspective, the Kingdom of God must be understood in its distinctions. Scripture uses "kingdom" to describe God's eternal rule, Israel's promised earthly Davidic kingdom, and the present spiritual sphere of God's authority. Jesus and the Twelve offered Israel the "gospel of the kingdom" ( Matt. 4:23; Acts 3:19-21), which required national repentance and water baptism as covenantal responses to their Messiah. That kingdom offer was rejected, and the earthly reign was postponed. God then revealed through Paul the "mystery" program, the calling out of the Church, the Body of Christ, with a heavenly hope ( Eph. 3:1-9).
Repentance and baptism were necessary for Israel in view of the kingdom promises ( Acts 2:38; Mark 1:4). John preached "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," because that was God's prophetic requirement for Israel's restoration. But Paul later made plain that salvation in this present dispensation is not through ritual or law, but solely through faith in Christ's finished work-His death, burial, and resurrection ( 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9). He even said, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor. 1:17). Repentance today is a change of mind toward God and faith in the cross, not a national covenantal turning with baptismal cleansing.
As to the 1,000-year reign of Christ, dispensationalists maintain the Church will not remain on earth. The Body of Christ will be caught up at the rapture ( 1 Thess. 4:13-18), delivered from the coming wrath ( 1 Thess. 1:10). During the Millennium, Christ reigns from Jerusalem over Israel and the nations ( Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:1-6), fulfilling the promises to Abraham and David. Meanwhile, the Church occupies its heavenly inheritance, seated with Christ in glory ( Eph. 2:6).
According to dispensationalism, especially Mid-Acts Dispensationalism, Peter and the 11 apostles baptized because they were operating under the prophetic kingdom program meant for the nation of Israel. Water baptism was an essential component of their ministry during the dispensation of law and the offer of the kingdom.
Here's why Peter and the 11 baptized:
1. They Were Continuing Jesus' Earthly Ministry to Israel
Peter and the other apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel of the kingdom ( Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 28:19). Water baptism was part of that message, following the pattern of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself.
Mark 1:4 - John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
Matthew 28:19 - Jesus commanded them to "go... baptizing them..."
They were sent specifically to Israel (see Matthew 10:5-6 and Galatians 2:7-9).
2. Baptism Was a Sign of Repentance and Covenant Cleansing
For Israel, water baptism symbolized repentance, cleansing, and identification with the coming kingdom and Messiah. It was a requirement for entering the prophesied kingdom on earth.
Acts 2:38 - Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you... for the remission of sins."
This was in direct response to Israel's rejection and crucifixion of Jesus.
3. They Were Operating Under the Law and Prophecy
Peter and the 11 were still under the Old Covenant framework, even after Jesus' resurrection. Their ministry was not based on the mystery revealed to Paul but on fulfilling what was already foretold in the Scriptures ( Acts 3:19-21).
The kingdom had been promised to Israel and was still being offered ( Acts 1:6; Acts 3:25-26).
Water baptism was a required sign of repentance and national obedience, there is no evidence of it being required for the body of Christ.
So it's not that Peter refused to preach Paul's message-it's that his role ended as God transitioned to a new dispensation. He respected Paul's calling but didn't cross over into a ministry that wasn't his.
In Summary
Peter didn't preach Paul's mystery message after meeting Paul because:
It wasn't his calling-his ministry was to the Jews.
He recognized Paul's unique revelation but didn't claim it for himself.
God was transitioning to the Body of Christ through Paul, not blending the two programs.
On another note...
Why did Paul get baptized?
Paul was baptized early in his conversion ( Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16) because at that time, God was still dealing with Israel under the kingdom program, where water baptism was required as a sign of repentance ( Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38). Paul's baptism was part of this transitional period.
However, after receiving the revelation of the mystery, Paul came to understand that in this new dispensation of grace, water baptism was no longer required for salvation. He later wrote:
"Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Corinthians 1:17)
So, Paul was baptized as part of the old program still active when he was saved-but he later taught that baptism was not part of the gospel of grace revealed to him.
Thank you for your reply, I certainly do not mind. I understand that this subject is delicate, and I am blessed to have brothers and sisters on this site willing to discuss it. Revelation is a challenging book, and I am looking forward to Jesse getting through it.
You have listed some exciting verses, and I hope to share my thoughts on them and your post, not to determine who may be right, but rather to view the discussion as a nudge to pray and study. On the verses you listed, John 12:49-50, Jesus is saying the Father gave Him a commandment and what the Father told Him to say, Jesus was obedient.
John 8:28-29, the Pharisees were debating with Jesus who He was, and He said that in verse 28-29 when He is lifted up/crucified, they will know who He is. We see in Matthew 28:54 when Jesus died and those things that happened, the centurion and those who were there greatly feared and said, "Truly this was the Son of God.
John 7:16-19, the gospels, reveal the glory of the Father who sent Jesus; all that Jesus did was accomplished by the Father through the Holy Spirit, with which Jesus was anointed without measure.
In John 4:34, John 5:19, John 5:30, and John 8:26 all say that it is the Father, not Him, on in John 14:10 Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him this was from the time Jesus was anointed without measure the Holy Spirit when He was baptized and made the Messiah.
Jesus was and is the Word of God; John 1:14. God was in the flesh in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, just like these verses say. The beginning in John, many understand it as the beginning of creation, my understanding is the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as we see in Mark 1:1, Luke 1:2, and 1 John 1:1.
To me, Jesus was the first in the plan of God, Revelation 3:14, and everything was created in Jesus, not by Him, and all was created for Jesus and the purpose of the Father. Revelation 13:8 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
Why should we follow Paul ? ? But what about following Jesus ? ?
All Twelve Disiples followed Jesus earthly ministry in the four gospels for the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them,Followme, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 1:18
And straightway they forsook their nets, andfollowed him.
Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, andfollowed him.
John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and theyfollowed Jesus.
Why should we follow Apostle Paul ? ?
Jesus Christ in Heaven did say that Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel for the Gentiles.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Jesus Christ is the author of the whole Bible.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus theauthorand 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.
Jesus Christ wants us to follow Apostle Paul's epistle for doctrine and Salvation.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be yefollowers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
Apostle Paul's doctrine is from Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to thedoctrinewhich ye have learned; and avoid them.
Apostle Paul said that we can always learn from the Old Testament and the caring down kingdom of gospel in the four gospels. The death of Jesus Christ started the New Testament
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of thetestator.
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for ourlearning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
I follow Apostle Paul's epistle in Jesus Christ for Doctrine and Salvation.
Can we really follow Jesus's footsteps in His early ministry in the four gospels ? ? Can we really heal everyone like Jesus Christ has ? ? Can we raise the dead from the grave like Jesus Christ ? ?
Jesus Christ healed all that was sick.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, andhealing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus casted out devils.
Mark 1:39
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, andcastoutdevils
Peter tried to walk on water like Jesus.
Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, hewalkedonthewater, to go to Jesus.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,Lazarus, come forth.
Now we ask ourselves again, can we really walk Jesus Christ footsteps and follow the law without sinning ? ? The answer is a big no .
That's why Jesus Christ died on the cross so we don't have to follow the law for Salvation, because the law only condemneth us and we don't have power anymore to heal or cast out devils.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,Itisfinished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus Christ is our redeemer for Salvation in his grace.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we haveredemptionthrough his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
We now have the complete word of God. The The other stuff faded away. We are left with the Holy Spirit and the Word of Truth.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Salvation is NOT found in a religion or good works, but in a Person... The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
John 11:25, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Mark 1:15, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Again, I will return to what I said to you in my last post to you. I do not wish to engage in a prolonged discussion with you. But I have a few things to say to you concerning this post of yours.
I agree that Satan knows a lot that we do not know, but the Scriptures also say that things revealed concerning things that come from the Spirit of God are only discerned by those who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them. Satan did not have the Spirit, so He would not have known or understand a lot of things that God knew or even revealed by His Spirit in and through the prophets.
See 1 Cor. 2:14
Satan was a glorious creature who became God's opponent, not God's opposite. He is far lesser than God and does not have the attributes of omniscience, omnipotence, or omni-presence. He can implant ideas into someone's mind, but I don't read anywhere that Satan can read minds.
Also, to go back to your previous response to me, If you read Luke 4:1-2 and Mark 1:12-13 you will note that the Scriptures say that Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted for 40 days. The word used for "tempted" in Greek means a continuous action. That is why I said that the devil was tempting Jesus "probing" or "testing" (the Greek word used for tempting means this) Jesus for 40 days. He was trying to find out if Jesus truly was the Son of God, whether He was simply human, or
Mark 1:21 - And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Here is the literal translation of this verse:
"And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and was teaching." The literal translation is in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek which shows habit.
Mark 1:42 - And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
So, Jesus touched this leper. You can just hear the crowd gasping, you know? He touched him! And Jesus says to him, I will; that is, I am willing, be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, guess what happened? Immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. I emphasize this to you because it is important that everything happen immediately with Jesus because if it just clears up gradually over a couple days, people can say "Well, he got healed somewhere else!" Immediately the leprosy left him!
Mark 2:5 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Again, "sick of the palsy" is one Greek word that means paralyzed.
Mark 2:14 - And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
So as Jesus passed by, he saw Levi. This is Matthew. He is also called Levi. He was sitting at the "receipt of custom," which means that he was a tax collector. But not just any ordinary tax collector because he was Jewish, and he was working for the Roman government to collect taxes from his own people. His own people considered him a traitor. He didn't care because he got rich. He taxed the people what the Roman government wanted, and then he taxed them for what he wanted. And they hated him.
Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Please notice the prepositional phrase "in those days." The King James translation retains it, but some of the others change it. But it is actually a phrase that is making reference to Jewish feast days. So, when you see the phrase "in those days," it is referring to a Jewish feast day.
In Luke Chapter 2, it says "In those days," a decree went out for all to be taxed. So that's a clue to us that when Jesus was born, He was born during a Jewish feast. The town was crowded not because the people had to come and register, but because they were in town for the feast of Tabernacles. And Bethlehem was a staging area where people would stay as they would come and go in and out of Jerusalem.
I am sharing this because it adds more importance and meaning, even to the birth of Christ that He would come, because in the midst of the feast of Tabernacles, they would celebrate God dwelling with us, and that is when Jesus was born. So, "In those days," because we are in the days of TESHUVA, but it says that in those days, Jesus came down from Nazareth, and He was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Mark 1:17 - And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
The term "after me" is literally behind me. It is the word OPISO in Greek. This verse literally reads "Come ye behind me." Jesus points this out later that the proper position in following Christ is behind Him.
But notice what He says, two things:
He says first of all, "I will make you." Jesus is the one who makes us to be what He wants us to be. "I will make you to become." This shows a process. These are important words. Jesus says, "I will make you to become fishers of men." This is a play on words. You are fishermen, but I'm going to make you fishers of men.
Before I begin sharing these Greek/English text comparisons on Mark's gospel, I want to point out that there are several words we see in Mark such as "Straightway," "Forthwith," and "Anon." These are all one Greek word that means immediately. The translators could have saved us some time looking up these words by translating the Greek word EUTHEOS as immediately.
Mark 1:1 - The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
I want to share a technical point in Verse 1. The term "the beginning" in this verse is not in the original language. There is no word "the" in the Greek text. It's just beginning of the gospel. It is the word ARCHAE, but it is different than what is used in John 1:1 which says, "in beginning."
Here in Mark, he just says "beginning," and that is it. It is just a noun, a word. It is not the same as John 1:1, but actually ARCHAE represents this Hebrew word TECHILA. TECHILA means the first stage. So, when he says the beginning of the gospel, he is saying I'm presenting to you the first stage. I am not going to talk about His birth or anything else. I'm going to begin the gospel of Jesus Christ at this point.
Angel in anc grk means messenger, one who brings news. This is the initial meaning of it in the ancient times. Of course nowadays in all languages it ended up meaning only those spiritual creatures.
So angels of God are those spiritual creatures that God uses to bring news/messages to people, e.g. Gabriel. But it is not their only service. In general they are the servants of God.
In a church, any church, who is that particular person who brings to the congregation God's news, messages? Isn't it the pastor who, if he is filled with the Spirit, receives words from the Spirit and brings them to the congregation when teaching/preaching?. So figuratively he is the angel of God for his church. So with this meaning it is used in Rev. On top of that if we assume that they are real angels then we must explain why God gives warnings to them for example for not being neither hot nor cold, of left their first love etc. I think it is obvious that God gives warnings to the pastors of those churches for not doing their job properly or praises some for staying in the right path.
Jesus calles John the Baptist as His angel. Mark 1:2, "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger(in grk angel) before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." Although the Engl translation righty translates the grk as messenger, in grk the text says "angel". John was Jesus' angel. Because he walked before Him bringing to people the message about Jesus, the Messiah.
Well,the Word is GOD,self-executing,He had a Plan:to save the mankind from the power of Devil.To execute it He needed to incarnate Himself,and He did so at the turn from the fourth to the fifth Day,so He was made flesh around 2000 years ago- Hebrews 1:1-3,He introduce Himself in the world of Devil by the name of JESUS,a LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,His Plan was to make man in His image and likeness in the SIXTH Day-Gen.1:26-Let us make man in our image,after our likeness.GOD's Plan for salvation was to preach the Gospel of His Kingdom,but by whom?Only by He Himself.
JESUS was born after week 69th,i.e.after a period of 483 years.His birth was something around 7to3BC,as this is known.
That said,GOD, now called JESUS,the stone which is become the head of the corner,He was set at nought of the builders of the OT, even the prophets which had the Spirit of Christ were killed by the builders- Matthew 23:29-35.Paul wrote:The Gospel of Christ is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believes;to the Jew and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of GOD revealed from faith to faith: Romans 1:16-17.
Acts 4:12 reveals:Neither is there salvation in any other:for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men,whereby we must be saved.It still was the beginning of the fifth Day.
JESUS himself began to be about thirty years of age,He started His Ministry,saying:The time is fulfilled,and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand:repent ye,and believe the gospel- Mark 1:15.JESUS said to the Jews:My Father works hitherto,and I work-Jo.5:17.
JESUS said to the Father:I have glorified thee on the earth:I have finished the work which thou gave me to do.The validity of His sacrifice for salvation already last around 2000 years,more than 730.000 days,in days to come the false messiah of the Jews- John 5:43-47,Re.13:11,will enthrone himself in Jerusalem,the Abomination of desolation is established,the daily sacrifice is taken out,the Dispensation of Grace gets to the END.
Daniel 9:24-27, in this prophecy, there are seventy weeks or 490 years determined unto Daniel's people and the holy city to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Have these 6 things been fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah, and the judgment of it carried out in 70 AD? If so, all of this prophecy has been fulfilled in the past.
1 To finish the transgression. To break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing. Psalms 32:1Isaiah 53:5-11Romans 4:14-15Galatians 3:18-19Hebrews 9:14-15.
2 To make an end to sins. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Matthew 1:21Hebrews 10:8-11John 1:291 Corinthians 15:31 John 3:5Psalm 32:1Romans 3:21-26Romans 8:3.
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity. Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement. Colossians 1:20-22Isaiah 53:6Isaiah 53:11Romans 5:11Ephesians 2:16Titus 2:142 Corinthians 5:18-19.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. In conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will. Isaiah 61:10-11Romans 3:21-26Romans 5:17-212 Corinthians 5:211 Peter 2:24.
5 To seal up the vision and prophecy. The greatest prediction, which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament, is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah, Jesus. Daniel 9:23Matthew 11:11-15Mark 1:14-15 John 5:36-40John 6:27Acts 3:18.
6 To anoint the most holy. The high priest went into the holy of holies once a year with the blood of a sacrificed bull. Jesus our high priest with His own blood anointed the most holy not made with hands once and for all, forever. Hebrews 9:6-14.
"And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean./ And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Here we see the word prospering in its round. (Is.55:11) It shall never return to God in void. "God sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.(Ps.107:20) explains the healing of the leper. Mark lays emphasis on the aspect of the word as God's work. So "immediately" refers to the word of God the Father; secondly of the Son. So 'as soon as he had spoken' defines the second aspect of the Trinity. He 'put forth his hand, and touched him' refers to 'the finger of God' the word become flesh ( Luke 11:20). The kingdom of God coming unto you is fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. In short the Will of the Father is fulfilled by the Son in this healing. Third office of the Spirit is the witnessing spirit otherwise Mark would have no reason to record it unless he himself was present there.
"And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;/And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." (vv.43-44) Jesus tells him not to give glory which is due to his Father. He did not teach the leper to break the Law of Moses. Instead he advised him to present himself to the priest. As a sign he was a testimony to man and his Father in heaven.
45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
His authority came from his deity. "I and my Father are one" As his Son the voice from heaven claimed his humanity so "Trinity" was not merely a doctrine but validated the everlasting covenant. " And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased./And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness." (vv.11-12) The Spirit the third office in Trinity led him as the Lucan Gospel says. He was among men but his deity was never in jeopardy. So His power and glory is his as he makes clear in his prayer, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."( John 17:5)
As the Word become flesh his presence among them was a sign. "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."( John 14:10)
He works so all the healing we have in vv.21-45 we shall fill the dots all the way to the throne of God. Thus the healing validated the blessings mentioned in Ge.1:28. "God blessed them" and it was through his Son.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Here is another, "And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
"And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness./ And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."
Matt.4:1-2 refers to the same which however is to present the temptation, in detail while Mark skips it altogether. His version of the Gospel to give us a digest of the deity and humanity for his audience mostly from the pagan world. (5:41;7:3)
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,/ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
vv.16-22. Marks reports of the disciples as much as of their master. Jesus chose for instance the brothers Andrew and Simon "or they were fishers."
vv.17-20 "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men./And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him./And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets./And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Here we can gather that Zebedee was a man of means having servants.
Another curious feature is how the Evangelist keeps fast pace, using straightway or immediately as shorthand as it were, so doctrinal matters he has left for the other three gospel writers to fill in. It is how each gospel is self-contained in terms of its purpose but also dependent on the rest.
vv.21-22 "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught./ And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes."
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;/As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."(vv.1-2)
Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God. He does not say he was the Word become flesh but in his obedience to the Word, he is shown as born of God. His faith makes him human as John or anyone of us. "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."( John 1:12-13) Above the quote is from Malachi (3:1) which has not become entangled with that of the quote from next verse. About this we shall take up at the end of the note on v.3
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (v.3)
This cites Prophet Isaiah who did not say it in a vacuum but inspired of God who commanded so the knowledge of his glory in terms of man gave expression to the word of God which itself manifests the other worldly quality of faith."The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."(2 Co.4:6;Is.40:3) St Paul asks, "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." It is thus truth written in our inward parts make sense of it.(Ro.10:18)
quote from Isaiah is set in place by the preceding verse. "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins." This refers to the remnant of Israel at the eleventh hour as it were, delivered from fire. Compare the quote from Malachi. "behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts."(Mal.3:1) Mark's quote therefore fits with the Advent of Jesus Christ as more closer in time. The voice of the Lord reaches the ends of the world as risen Christ promises. (Matt.28:20) '
Philippians 2:12,13: is Paul reminding them, 'you have God's Salvation, now work it out (i.e. don't be slack or negligent in living the new life that Christ has purchased for you), & do so in fear & trembling - living the Christian life is a serious, disciplined matter, under the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Our Faith, Belief, Repentance are WORKS and a RESULT and EVIDENCE of, not REQUIREMENTS for, Salvation." There certainly must be an on-going evidence of Faith, Belief & Repentance in a believer's life, but none of the passages suggest that they cannot be requirements towards Salvation.
Part 5: Ezekiel 36:24-33. Indeed, this passage is all of God's Action: that Israel would be released primarily from Assyrian/Babylonian captivity & then ultimately "from all countries". But what happened? Have they yet received "a new heart & a new spirittaking away the stony heart of flesh? Their Messiah came, gave His Life for them & they yet remain obstinate & stony in heart. I believe this will yet happen ( Romans 11:25-27), when Israel will be saved. How will they be saved? These verses don't divulge this information, except God's Act to take away their sins.
And so we go back to what Jesus had commanded & to which the apostles obeyed, Mark 1:14,15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
Acts 3:19, "REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Israel in the future, will still need to believe & accept that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; maybe all Works in your understanding, but vital if they are to receive "a new heart & a new spirit".
Repentance: Granted by God AND lived out in the lives of true saints of Christ
Without a heart change; we won't have works that are done that produce any good fruit. Thus; we need the gift of repentance ( Rom. 9:15-16) to bring us to saving faith in order to have the desire in our hearts to serve; obey and love Christ ( Ezekiel 11:19; also see Mark 1:15).
An example of this is when Christ says that we who are evil still can give "good gifts" to our children ( Matt. 7:11). The problem with such actions isn't toward what is done for the recipient (unless there is a deliberate attempt to control; spoil or manipulate their behavior which may be more common than some parents want to believe). Another example would be with those who give their lives to charitable causes but choose not to preach the Gospel. I won't name names here but this has happened with famous people in the past; and there are charities today which I don't support that refuse to proclaim the Gospel.
Of course if the only repentance had to be the type associated with our moment of salvation there wouldn't be so many warnings not to fall away. We are foolish to be so myopic as to disregard examples throughout scripture where sins have destroyed lives; even of saints. We see people in the New Testament who die prematurely due to sinful lifestyles ( 1 Cor. 11:30; James 5 end of chapter). The whole of 1 Corinthians and much of 2 Corinthians shows a slew of problems such as incest; greed; disputes; gluttony; jealousies; etc that needed to be dealt with. It also shows how they were indeed to judge disputes among themselves not the world; in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and several other passages in the same book regarding those living in grievous error and covering for women.
With the context of the church and the Old Testament we see that not only individuals but nations are petitioned to be forgiven (such as with Daniel's prayer after the 70 year exile). A little leaven ruins the lump.
I don't know how but I left letters out of Elohim three times.
The passages should have read as follows
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD Yehvh, make straight in the desert a highway for our "God/Elohim".
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before ME: AND THE LORD, WHOM YE SEEK, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD/Yehvh of hosts.
And
Isaiah 40:1-5
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your "God / Elohim."
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's/Yehvh hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD Yehvh, make straight in the desert a highway for our "God/Elohim".
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
And the glory of the LORD/Yehvh shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD/Yehvh hath spoken it.
It's interesting that you have Yehvh, lhym, and dn 'dn being represented as the same individual in these passages and if you add Mark 1:1-4 Matthew 3:3 and John 1:14-29.
1 Peter 2:24 KJV
[24] 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.
My Interpetation:
To be set free from checks and balances scales through Jesus Sacrifice on cross death 3rd day rise again from grave.
Provided - Hand of God Taking Authority over our words and minds speaking faith , living your life like God, Christians.
Mark 1:15 KJV
'"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" '
To believe I'm Jesus Christ to be the truth also healing God's spoken words
Interpretation Written and Spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
God provided His Son for our salvation; thus determining the one parameter necessary for saving His elect and man is commanded to repent and believe ( Mark 1:15); as well as verbally confess AND believe in their heart ( Romans 10:9 with emphasis on the second issue the heart). Finally baptism I would argue is necessitated as part of this public confession being demonstrated by our association and experiential death; burial and resurrection with Christ (see Romans 6:4 and subsequent scriptures on the subject).
I am not here to argue on whether someone is saved if they die between that verbal confession and heart change and the time set for Baptism; I will say that one should expedite it ASAP in obedience; as good fruit in general needs to be a hallmark of faith.
More broadly; of course we all need to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith; so that actions such as Baptism or confession may not truly have been the result of saving faith. ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Good fruit as seen by the Parable of the sower and the seed is crucial and necessary as God Himself has prepared these good works for us from before our creation ( Eph. 2:10).
This is a key concept; that what we do should be empowered by the Spirit of God and not self righteousness. Outer actions therefore are important but the state of the inner man determines spiritual rewards. Therefore our works don't save us but are needed to bare witness to a new nature motivating and guiding us to a lost and dying world.
God's covenant through the church ensures every true believer is truly saved but there are varying degrees of rewards based on obedience and these result in "crowns" for those in leadership for obedience; martyrs; those patiently waiting for His return; etc.
As Revelation 3:11 shows the Philadelphia faithful church rewards can be taken by another. Some things are a good thing to covet but no one gains the prize by character assassination of another.
John and the Twelve baptized because God commanded a covenant sign that prepared Israel for the nearness of the promised kingdom. John's mission was prophetic and God-sent: he came to make the Lord's paths straight ( Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1; Matt 3:3), and "He that sent me to baptize with water" defined his work ( John 1:33). His baptism was "of repentance for the remission of sins" ( Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), publicly separating a believing remnant and manifesting the Messiah to Israel ( John 1:31). This fit Israel's priestly calling and cleansing types-washings consecrated service ( Exod 29:4; Lev 8:6), and prophets promised national purification ( Ezek 36:25; cf. Heb 9:10). Jesus then authorized the apostles to carry this forward in the kingdom gospel: "make disciplesbaptizing" ( Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). At Pentecost Peter summoned Israel: "Repent, and be baptizedfor the remission of sins," with the gift of the Spirit and the hope of restoration ( Acts 2:38-41; 3:19-21). In Acts, water baptism identified penitents with the crucified and risen Christ, marked them off from unbelieving Israel, and was confirmed by signs, for "the Jews require a sign" ( Acts 8:12-17; 10:47-48; 22:16; 1 Cor 1:22; cf. Mark 16:17-18). With the later revelation of the Body of Christ, the saving baptism is the Spirit's work-placing believers into one Body apart from rites ( Eph 4:5; 1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5). Therefore Paul could say, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17). In sum, John and the apostles baptized in obedience within Israel's kingdom program-repentance, cleansing, identification, and Spirit-attested entry into the remnant-while today the "one baptism" that saves is the Spirit's, not water ( Eph 2:8-9). This preserves Israel's covenant logic with today's grace-salvation rests on Christ's cross-work by faith - not rites, while water witnessed repentance in Israel.
G&P
Paul's "one baptism" ( Eph 4:5) is the Spirit's act of placing a believer into Christ and into His Body the instant he trusts the gospel. It is not a ceremony man performs, but a divine operation "without hands," uniting us to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection ( 1 Cor 12:13; Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:11-12; Gal 3:27). When you believe, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and identified with Christ forever ( Eph 1:13-14). That is why Paul can say there is one Body and one Spirit-and therefore one baptism-today ( Eph 4:4-6).
It is not water. Water may picture a truth, but it never produces it. Paul thanks God he baptized only a few and adds, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel," drawing a sharp line between the saving message and any ritual ( 1 Cor 1:14-17). Salvation is by grace through faith, "not of works," so no ordinance can be added to the finished cross-work of Christ ( Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). The washings and "baptisms" (plural) connected with Israel's program belong to another administration and the Acts transition ( Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Heb 6:2), not to the settled doctrine for the Body of Christ revealed through Paul.
What the one baptism gives you: union with Christ and His people ( 1 Cor 12:13), new identity-"put on Christ" ( Gal 3:27), co-crucifixion and co-resurrection life ( Rom 6:3-5; Col 2:12), and assurance by the Spirit's seal ( Eph 1:13-14). Because this baptism is God's work, it is complete, permanent, and sufficient. The believer's testimony may be public, but his salvation and sanctification rest wholly on Christ and the Spirit's baptizing work, not on a font, a river, or a minister's hands. This rests on Paul's gospel-Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again ( 1 Cor 15:1-4). Believers are new ( 2 Cor 5:17), indwelt by the Spirit ( Rom 8:9), and to hold fast sound words ( 2 Tim 1:13). Thus we glory in Christ not rites ( Phil 3:3).
G&P
What then of Ephesians 5:31-32? Paul says the husband-wife union is a mystery that illustrates Christ and the church. But Paul still names our identity repeatedly as His Body ( Eph 1:22-23; 5:30; 1 Cor 12:27), "one new man," and a "new creature" ( 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15)-never calling us the Bride. Even 2 Corinthians 11:2 ("espousedas a chaste virgin") is betrothal imagery used to guard the Body from deception; it does not rename the Body as the Bride nor collapse Israel's prophetic marriage into Paul's mystery people. Keeping these categories distinct preserves both God's faithfulness to Israel's covenants and the uniqueness of the church revealed "not made known" before Paul ( Eph 3:1-9; Rom 16:25-26).
On baptism: John's and Peter's water baptisms belonged to Israel's kingdom program ( Mark 1:4; Luke 7:29-30; Acts 2:38; 22:16)-covenantal, priestly, and preparatory for an earthly nation of priests ( Exod 19:6; Ezek 36:25-27). In this dispensation, Christ sent Paul "not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17), and there is "one baptism" ( Eph 4:5) by which the Spirit places us into Christ's death and resurrection ( Rom 6:3-5; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 2:11-12). Romans 6 describes that Spirit baptism's identification with Christ-not a ritual that completes salvation. We are saved by grace through faith apart from works ( Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Water may testify, but it cannot add to the finished cross-work ( John 19:30; Gal 2:21). To make it a salvation requirement would muddle Israel's kingdom commands with the Body's grace calling.
So, yes: saints from Israel's program and from the Body will both be with Christ and under His rule-but Scripture differentiates their identities and spheres. Israel/Zion/New Jerusalem is the Bride/Wife in prophecy and Revelation; the Body is the heavenly people of the mystery, bone of His bone and seated above. Keeping those distinctions guards the gospel of grace today and honors God's promises to Israel tomorrow.
G&P
Exactly right. John's baptism was not a man-made ritual borrowed from Jewish tradition but a direct command from God for a specific purpose in His prophetic plan. John 1:33 makes that clear: "He that sent me to baptize with water"-God Himself commissioned John to prepare Israel for their coming Messiah. It was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins ( Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), identifying a believing remnant within the nation who would be ready to receive their King.
But that baptism belonged to Israel's prophetic program, not to what is revealed later through Paul. John's ministry called Israel to repentance and national cleansing before the promised kingdom could be established on earth. It was a shadow of the future when the nation will be washed and restored ( Ezekiel 36:25-27). Yet once Christ's death and resurrection were accomplished, God began a new work-offering salvation to all, Jew and Gentile alike, not through water or outward sign, but by faith alone in the finished work of the cross.
Paul declares that there is now "one baptism" ( Ephesians 4:5), not of water, but by the Spirit into the body of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:13). This spiritual baptism identifies believers with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection ( Romans 6:3-4). John's commission looked forward to an earthly kingdom; Paul's gospel looks upward to a heavenly calling. Both were from God, but each served its divine purpose in its proper time. I would love to hear your thoughts on the truths laid out before you.
G&P
Repentance and baptism were necessary for Israel in view of the kingdom promises ( Acts 2:38; Mark 1:4). John preached "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," because that was God's prophetic requirement for Israel's restoration. But Paul later made plain that salvation in this present dispensation is not through ritual or law, but solely through faith in Christ's finished work-His death, burial, and resurrection ( 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9). He even said, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor. 1:17). Repentance today is a change of mind toward God and faith in the cross, not a national covenantal turning with baptismal cleansing.
As to the 1,000-year reign of Christ, dispensationalists maintain the Church will not remain on earth. The Body of Christ will be caught up at the rapture ( 1 Thess. 4:13-18), delivered from the coming wrath ( 1 Thess. 1:10). During the Millennium, Christ reigns from Jerusalem over Israel and the nations ( Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:1-6), fulfilling the promises to Abraham and David. Meanwhile, the Church occupies its heavenly inheritance, seated with Christ in glory ( Eph. 2:6).
G&P
According to dispensationalism, especially Mid-Acts Dispensationalism, Peter and the 11 apostles baptized because they were operating under the prophetic kingdom program meant for the nation of Israel. Water baptism was an essential component of their ministry during the dispensation of law and the offer of the kingdom.
Here's why Peter and the 11 baptized:
1. They Were Continuing Jesus' Earthly Ministry to Israel
Peter and the other apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel of the kingdom ( Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 28:19). Water baptism was part of that message, following the pattern of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself.
Mark 1:4 - John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
Matthew 28:19 - Jesus commanded them to "go... baptizing them..."
They were sent specifically to Israel (see Matthew 10:5-6 and Galatians 2:7-9).
2. Baptism Was a Sign of Repentance and Covenant Cleansing
For Israel, water baptism symbolized repentance, cleansing, and identification with the coming kingdom and Messiah. It was a requirement for entering the prophesied kingdom on earth.
Acts 2:38 - Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you... for the remission of sins."
This was in direct response to Israel's rejection and crucifixion of Jesus.
3. They Were Operating Under the Law and Prophecy
Peter and the 11 were still under the Old Covenant framework, even after Jesus' resurrection. Their ministry was not based on the mystery revealed to Paul but on fulfilling what was already foretold in the Scriptures ( Acts 3:19-21).
The kingdom had been promised to Israel and was still being offered ( Acts 1:6; Acts 3:25-26).
Water baptism was a required sign of repentance and national obedience, there is no evidence of it being required for the body of Christ.
page 2
"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Matthew 24:14
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Matthew 19:17
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
In Summary
Peter didn't preach Paul's mystery message after meeting Paul because:
It wasn't his calling-his ministry was to the Jews.
He recognized Paul's unique revelation but didn't claim it for himself.
God was transitioning to the Body of Christ through Paul, not blending the two programs.
On another note...
Why did Paul get baptized?
Paul was baptized early in his conversion ( Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16) because at that time, God was still dealing with Israel under the kingdom program, where water baptism was required as a sign of repentance ( Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38). Paul's baptism was part of this transitional period.
However, after receiving the revelation of the mystery, Paul came to understand that in this new dispensation of grace, water baptism was no longer required for salvation. He later wrote:
"Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Corinthians 1:17)
So, Paul was baptized as part of the old program still active when he was saved-but he later taught that baptism was not part of the gospel of grace revealed to him.
Blessing Friend.
Part 1
Thank you for your reply, I certainly do not mind. I understand that this subject is delicate, and I am blessed to have brothers and sisters on this site willing to discuss it. Revelation is a challenging book, and I am looking forward to Jesse getting through it.
You have listed some exciting verses, and I hope to share my thoughts on them and your post, not to determine who may be right, but rather to view the discussion as a nudge to pray and study. On the verses you listed, John 12:49-50, Jesus is saying the Father gave Him a commandment and what the Father told Him to say, Jesus was obedient.
John 8:28-29, the Pharisees were debating with Jesus who He was, and He said that in verse 28-29 when He is lifted up/crucified, they will know who He is. We see in Matthew 28:54 when Jesus died and those things that happened, the centurion and those who were there greatly feared and said, "Truly this was the Son of God.
John 7:16-19, the gospels, reveal the glory of the Father who sent Jesus; all that Jesus did was accomplished by the Father through the Holy Spirit, with which Jesus was anointed without measure.
In John 4:34, John 5:19, John 5:30, and John 8:26 all say that it is the Father, not Him, on in John 14:10 Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him this was from the time Jesus was anointed without measure the Holy Spirit when He was baptized and made the Messiah.
Jesus was and is the Word of God; John 1:14. God was in the flesh in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, just like these verses say. The beginning in John, many understand it as the beginning of creation, my understanding is the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as we see in Mark 1:1, Luke 1:2, and 1 John 1:1.
To me, Jesus was the first in the plan of God, Revelation 3:14, and everything was created in Jesus, not by Him, and all was created for Jesus and the purpose of the Father. Revelation 13:8 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
See part 2
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Mark 1:15
"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Colossians 1:13
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"
Blessings
All Twelve Disiples followed Jesus earthly ministry in the four gospels for the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them,Followme, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 1:18
And straightway they forsook their nets, andfollowed him.
Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, andfollowed him.
John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and theyfollowed Jesus.
Why should we follow Apostle Paul ? ?
Jesus Christ in Heaven did say that Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel for the Gentiles.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Jesus Christ is the author of the whole Bible.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus theauthorand 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.
Jesus Christ wants us to follow Apostle Paul's epistle for doctrine and Salvation.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be yefollowers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
Apostle Paul's doctrine is from Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to thedoctrinewhich ye have learned; and avoid them.
Apostle Paul said that we can always learn from the Old Testament and the caring down kingdom of gospel in the four gospels. The death of Jesus Christ started the New Testament
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of thetestator.
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for ourlearning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
I follow Apostle Paul's epistle in Jesus Christ for Doctrine and Salvation.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Jesus Christ healed all that was sick.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, andhealing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus casted out devils.
Mark 1:39
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, andcastoutdevils
Peter tried to walk on water like Jesus.
Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, hewalkedonthewater, to go to Jesus.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,Lazarus, come forth.
Now we ask ourselves again, can we really walk Jesus Christ footsteps and follow the law without sinning ? ? The answer is a big no .
That's why Jesus Christ died on the cross so we don't have to follow the law for Salvation, because the law only condemneth us and we don't have power anymore to heal or cast out devils.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,Itisfinished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus Christ is our redeemer for Salvation in his grace.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we haveredemptionthrough his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
We now have the complete word of God. The The other stuff faded away. We are left with the Holy Spirit and the Word of Truth.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
May we believe.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The word of truth is the gospel of grace.
Salvation is NOT found in a religion or good works, but in a Person... The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
John 11:25, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Mark 1:15, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
BY: DR, JOHN R. RICE
COME LORD JESUS
Again, I will return to what I said to you in my last post to you. I do not wish to engage in a prolonged discussion with you. But I have a few things to say to you concerning this post of yours.
I agree that Satan knows a lot that we do not know, but the Scriptures also say that things revealed concerning things that come from the Spirit of God are only discerned by those who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them. Satan did not have the Spirit, so He would not have known or understand a lot of things that God knew or even revealed by His Spirit in and through the prophets.
See 1 Cor. 2:14
Satan was a glorious creature who became God's opponent, not God's opposite. He is far lesser than God and does not have the attributes of omniscience, omnipotence, or omni-presence. He can implant ideas into someone's mind, but I don't read anywhere that Satan can read minds.
Also, to go back to your previous response to me, If you read Luke 4:1-2 and Mark 1:12-13 you will note that the Scriptures say that Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted for 40 days. The word used for "tempted" in Greek means a continuous action. That is why I said that the devil was tempting Jesus "probing" or "testing" (the Greek word used for tempting means this) Jesus for 40 days. He was trying to find out if Jesus truly was the Son of God, whether He was simply human, or
Mark 1:21 - And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Here is the literal translation of this verse:
"And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and was teaching." The literal translation is in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek which shows habit.
Mark 1:42 - And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
So, Jesus touched this leper. You can just hear the crowd gasping, you know? He touched him! And Jesus says to him, I will; that is, I am willing, be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, guess what happened? Immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. I emphasize this to you because it is important that everything happen immediately with Jesus because if it just clears up gradually over a couple days, people can say "Well, he got healed somewhere else!" Immediately the leprosy left him!
Mark 2:5 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Again, "sick of the palsy" is one Greek word that means paralyzed.
Mark 2:14 - And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
So as Jesus passed by, he saw Levi. This is Matthew. He is also called Levi. He was sitting at the "receipt of custom," which means that he was a tax collector. But not just any ordinary tax collector because he was Jewish, and he was working for the Roman government to collect taxes from his own people. His own people considered him a traitor. He didn't care because he got rich. He taxed the people what the Roman government wanted, and then he taxed them for what he wanted. And they hated him.
Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Please notice the prepositional phrase "in those days." The King James translation retains it, but some of the others change it. But it is actually a phrase that is making reference to Jewish feast days. So, when you see the phrase "in those days," it is referring to a Jewish feast day.
In Luke Chapter 2, it says "In those days," a decree went out for all to be taxed. So that's a clue to us that when Jesus was born, He was born during a Jewish feast. The town was crowded not because the people had to come and register, but because they were in town for the feast of Tabernacles. And Bethlehem was a staging area where people would stay as they would come and go in and out of Jerusalem.
I am sharing this because it adds more importance and meaning, even to the birth of Christ that He would come, because in the midst of the feast of Tabernacles, they would celebrate God dwelling with us, and that is when Jesus was born. So, "In those days," because we are in the days of TESHUVA, but it says that in those days, Jesus came down from Nazareth, and He was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Mark 1:17 - And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
The term "after me" is literally behind me. It is the word OPISO in Greek. This verse literally reads "Come ye behind me." Jesus points this out later that the proper position in following Christ is behind Him.
But notice what He says, two things:
He says first of all, "I will make you." Jesus is the one who makes us to be what He wants us to be. "I will make you to become." This shows a process. These are important words. Jesus says, "I will make you to become fishers of men." This is a play on words. You are fishermen, but I'm going to make you fishers of men.
Mark (Part 1):
Before I begin sharing these Greek/English text comparisons on Mark's gospel, I want to point out that there are several words we see in Mark such as "Straightway," "Forthwith," and "Anon." These are all one Greek word that means immediately. The translators could have saved us some time looking up these words by translating the Greek word EUTHEOS as immediately.
Mark 1:1 - The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
I want to share a technical point in Verse 1. The term "the beginning" in this verse is not in the original language. There is no word "the" in the Greek text. It's just beginning of the gospel. It is the word ARCHAE, but it is different than what is used in John 1:1 which says, "in beginning."
Here in Mark, he just says "beginning," and that is it. It is just a noun, a word. It is not the same as John 1:1, but actually ARCHAE represents this Hebrew word TECHILA. TECHILA means the first stage. So, when he says the beginning of the gospel, he is saying I'm presenting to you the first stage. I am not going to talk about His birth or anything else. I'm going to begin the gospel of Jesus Christ at this point.
Angel in anc grk means messenger, one who brings news. This is the initial meaning of it in the ancient times. Of course nowadays in all languages it ended up meaning only those spiritual creatures.
So angels of God are those spiritual creatures that God uses to bring news/messages to people, e.g. Gabriel. But it is not their only service. In general they are the servants of God.
In a church, any church, who is that particular person who brings to the congregation God's news, messages? Isn't it the pastor who, if he is filled with the Spirit, receives words from the Spirit and brings them to the congregation when teaching/preaching?. So figuratively he is the angel of God for his church. So with this meaning it is used in Rev. On top of that if we assume that they are real angels then we must explain why God gives warnings to them for example for not being neither hot nor cold, of left their first love etc. I think it is obvious that God gives warnings to the pastors of those churches for not doing their job properly or praises some for staying in the right path.
Jesus calles John the Baptist as His angel. Mark 1:2, "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger(in grk angel) before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." Although the Engl translation righty translates the grk as messenger, in grk the text says "angel". John was Jesus' angel. Because he walked before Him bringing to people the message about Jesus, the Messiah.
Well,the Word is GOD,self-executing,He had a Plan:to save the mankind from the power of Devil.To execute it He needed to incarnate Himself,and He did so at the turn from the fourth to the fifth Day,so He was made flesh around 2000 years ago- Hebrews 1:1-3,He introduce Himself in the world of Devil by the name of JESUS,a LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,His Plan was to make man in His image and likeness in the SIXTH Day-Gen.1:26-Let us make man in our image,after our likeness.GOD's Plan for salvation was to preach the Gospel of His Kingdom,but by whom?Only by He Himself.
JESUS was born after week 69th,i.e.after a period of 483 years.His birth was something around 7to3BC,as this is known.
That said,GOD, now called JESUS,the stone which is become the head of the corner,He was set at nought of the builders of the OT, even the prophets which had the Spirit of Christ were killed by the builders- Matthew 23:29-35.Paul wrote:The Gospel of Christ is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believes;to the Jew and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of GOD revealed from faith to faith: Romans 1:16-17.
Acts 4:12 reveals:Neither is there salvation in any other:for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men,whereby we must be saved.It still was the beginning of the fifth Day.
JESUS himself began to be about thirty years of age,He started His Ministry,saying:The time is fulfilled,and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand:repent ye,and believe the gospel- Mark 1:15.JESUS said to the Jews:My Father works hitherto,and I work-Jo.5:17.
JESUS said to the Father:I have glorified thee on the earth:I have finished the work which thou gave me to do.The validity of His sacrifice for salvation already last around 2000 years,more than 730.000 days,in days to come the false messiah of the Jews- John 5:43-47,Re.13:11,will enthrone himself in Jerusalem,the Abomination of desolation is established,the daily sacrifice is taken out,the Dispensation of Grace gets to the END.
Hey brother just one last thing to consider.
Daniel 9:24-27, in this prophecy, there are seventy weeks or 490 years determined unto Daniel's people and the holy city to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Have these 6 things been fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah, and the judgment of it carried out in 70 AD? If so, all of this prophecy has been fulfilled in the past.
1 To finish the transgression. To break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing. Psalms 32:1 Isaiah 53:5-11 Romans 4:14-15 Galatians 3:18-19 Hebrews 9:14-15.
2 To make an end to sins. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Matthew 1:21 Hebrews 10:8-11 John 1:29 1 Corinthians 15:3 1 John 3:5 Psalm 32:1 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 8:3.
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity. Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement. Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:6 Isaiah 53:11 Romans 5:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. In conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will. Isaiah 61:10-11 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 2 Corinthians 5:21 1 Peter 2:24.
5 To seal up the vision and prophecy. The greatest prediction, which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament, is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah, Jesus. Daniel 9:23 Matthew 11:11-15 Mark 1:14-15 John 5:36-40 John 6:27 Acts 3:18.
6 To anoint the most holy. The high priest went into the holy of holies once a year with the blood of a sacrificed bull. Jesus our high priest with His own blood anointed the most holy not made with hands once and for all, forever. Hebrews 9:6-14.
Jesus said it in John 19:28-30.
God bless,
RLW
"And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean./ And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Here we see the word prospering in its round. (Is.55:11) It shall never return to God in void. "God sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.(Ps.107:20) explains the healing of the leper. Mark lays emphasis on the aspect of the word as God's work. So "immediately" refers to the word of God the Father; secondly of the Son. So 'as soon as he had spoken' defines the second aspect of the Trinity. He 'put forth his hand, and touched him' refers to 'the finger of God' the word become flesh ( Luke 11:20). The kingdom of God coming unto you is fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. In short the Will of the Father is fulfilled by the Son in this healing. Third office of the Spirit is the witnessing spirit otherwise Mark would have no reason to record it unless he himself was present there.
"And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;/And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." (vv.43-44) Jesus tells him not to give glory which is due to his Father. He did not teach the leper to break the Law of Moses. Instead he advised him to present himself to the priest. As a sign he was a testimony to man and his Father in heaven.
45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
His authority came from his deity. "I and my Father are one" As his Son the voice from heaven claimed his humanity so "Trinity" was not merely a doctrine but validated the everlasting covenant. " And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased./And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness." (vv.11-12) The Spirit the third office in Trinity led him as the Lucan Gospel says. He was among men but his deity was never in jeopardy. So His power and glory is his as he makes clear in his prayer, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."( John 17:5)
As the Word become flesh his presence among them was a sign. "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."( John 14:10)
He works so all the healing we have in vv.21-45 we shall fill the dots all the way to the throne of God. Thus the healing validated the blessings mentioned in Ge.1:28. "God blessed them" and it was through his Son.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Here is another, "And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
"And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness./ And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."
Matt.4:1-2 refers to the same which however is to present the temptation, in detail while Mark skips it altogether. His version of the Gospel to give us a digest of the deity and humanity for his audience mostly from the pagan world. (5:41;7:3)
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,/ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
vv.16-22. Marks reports of the disciples as much as of their master. Jesus chose for instance the brothers Andrew and Simon "or they were fishers."
vv.17-20 "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men./And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him./And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets./And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Here we can gather that Zebedee was a man of means having servants.
Another curious feature is how the Evangelist keeps fast pace, using straightway or immediately as shorthand as it were, so doctrinal matters he has left for the other three gospel writers to fill in. It is how each gospel is self-contained in terms of its purpose but also dependent on the rest.
vv.21-22 "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught./ And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes."
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;/As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."(vv.1-2)
Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God. He does not say he was the Word become flesh but in his obedience to the Word, he is shown as born of God. His faith makes him human as John or anyone of us. "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."( John 1:12-13) Above the quote is from Malachi (3:1) which has not become entangled with that of the quote from next verse. About this we shall take up at the end of the note on v.3
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (v.3)
This cites Prophet Isaiah who did not say it in a vacuum but inspired of God who commanded so the knowledge of his glory in terms of man gave expression to the word of God which itself manifests the other worldly quality of faith."The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."(2 Co.4:6;Is.40:3) St Paul asks, "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." It is thus truth written in our inward parts make sense of it.(Ro.10:18)
quote from Isaiah is set in place by the preceding verse. "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins." This refers to the remnant of Israel at the eleventh hour as it were, delivered from fire. Compare the quote from Malachi. "behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts."(Mal.3:1) Mark's quote therefore fits with the Advent of Jesus Christ as more closer in time. The voice of the Lord reaches the ends of the world as risen Christ promises. (Matt.28:20) '
Philippians 2:12,13: is Paul reminding them, 'you have God's Salvation, now work it out (i.e. don't be slack or negligent in living the new life that Christ has purchased for you), & do so in fear & trembling - living the Christian life is a serious, disciplined matter, under the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Our Faith, Belief, Repentance are WORKS and a RESULT and EVIDENCE of, not REQUIREMENTS for, Salvation." There certainly must be an on-going evidence of Faith, Belief & Repentance in a believer's life, but none of the passages suggest that they cannot be requirements towards Salvation.
Part 5: Ezekiel 36:24-33. Indeed, this passage is all of God's Action: that Israel would be released primarily from Assyrian/Babylonian captivity & then ultimately "from all countries". But what happened? Have they yet received "a new heart & a new spirittaking away the stony heart of flesh? Their Messiah came, gave His Life for them & they yet remain obstinate & stony in heart. I believe this will yet happen ( Romans 11:25-27), when Israel will be saved. How will they be saved? These verses don't divulge this information, except God's Act to take away their sins.
And so we go back to what Jesus had commanded & to which the apostles obeyed, Mark 1:14,15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
Acts 3:19, "REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Israel in the future, will still need to believe & accept that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; maybe all Works in your understanding, but vital if they are to receive "a new heart & a new spirit".
I'll get to your new comment now.
Without a heart change; we won't have works that are done that produce any good fruit. Thus; we need the gift of repentance ( Rom. 9:15-16) to bring us to saving faith in order to have the desire in our hearts to serve; obey and love Christ ( Ezekiel 11:19; also see Mark 1:15).
An example of this is when Christ says that we who are evil still can give "good gifts" to our children ( Matt. 7:11). The problem with such actions isn't toward what is done for the recipient (unless there is a deliberate attempt to control; spoil or manipulate their behavior which may be more common than some parents want to believe). Another example would be with those who give their lives to charitable causes but choose not to preach the Gospel. I won't name names here but this has happened with famous people in the past; and there are charities today which I don't support that refuse to proclaim the Gospel.
Of course if the only repentance had to be the type associated with our moment of salvation there wouldn't be so many warnings not to fall away. We are foolish to be so myopic as to disregard examples throughout scripture where sins have destroyed lives; even of saints. We see people in the New Testament who die prematurely due to sinful lifestyles ( 1 Cor. 11:30; James 5 end of chapter). The whole of 1 Corinthians and much of 2 Corinthians shows a slew of problems such as incest; greed; disputes; gluttony; jealousies; etc that needed to be dealt with. It also shows how they were indeed to judge disputes among themselves not the world; in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and several other passages in the same book regarding those living in grievous error and covering for women.
With the context of the church and the Old Testament we see that not only individuals but nations are petitioned to be forgiven (such as with Daniel's prayer after the 70 year exile). A little leaven ruins the lump.
I don't know how but I left letters out of Elohim three times.
The passages should have read as follows
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD Yehvh, make straight in the desert a highway for our "God/Elohim".
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before ME: AND THE LORD, WHOM YE SEEK, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD/Yehvh of hosts.
And
Isaiah 40:1-5
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your "God / Elohim."
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's/Yehvh hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD Yehvh, make straight in the desert a highway for our "God/Elohim".
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
And the glory of the LORD/Yehvh shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD/Yehvh hath spoken it.
It's interesting that you have Yehvh, lhym, and dn 'dn being represented as the same individual in these passages and if you add Mark 1:1-4 Matthew 3:3 and John 1:14-29.
Jesus showed up as a member of the Elohim.