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Dr RJ Sing
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Faith Chronicles

November 2013

Theme for the monthNo Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper

Partnership letter

Deliverance Through the Tithe

From the desk of Pastor Sing

Greetings to all my precious Partners in Christ Jesus our Lord. This month I would like to share with you along the lines of ‘Deliverance Through the Tithe’.

My foundational scriptures are as follows, Malachi 3:11 “I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit for you in the field.” Says the LORD of hosts.” satan gains advantage over everyone who places themselves outside of the will of God by disobeying His Word. When we hear the Word of God, become convicted, repent from our sins, receive Christ, and return to God, many aspects of our lives experience change. In our conversation, we will stop swearing and lying and we will begin speaking encouraging, wise and powerful words. Our sick conversation will be healed. We will stop cheating on our wives or husbands. We will stop stealing. We will become great employees.

Keys to Financial Excellence

We will apologize to those that we have wronged. We will get our lives right with our neighbors, our God, and ourselves. We will commit ourselves to attend church. We will commit ourselves to prayer and the study of the Bible. Eventually, we get right with God in nearly every single area. Yet, He still says, “Return to Me”. Why does He say this? Because we need to get right with God financially, as well all of those other areas.

“Yet from the days of your fathers, You have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. But you said, ‘In what way shall we re-turn?’ Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed you?” in tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:7-8

To be right with God financially means to pay our tithes and give offerings to God- not just offerings and not just tithes, but both, as scripture above indicates. Tithes belong to God. If we are found with them in our hand, we are considered to be robbing from God. We cannot expect a financial breakthrough in our lives if we are stealing from God or withholding from Him what He has requested from us.

2 Thessalonians 3:11, Paul calls people who don’t work “disorderly.” He says these people should get a job so they will have something to give. Some people will say, “I’m no thief,” yet they don’t tithe.

Withholding from God places them among the very worst of thieves-those who take from God Himself! If we are not tithing, then we are stealing from God and from His house. Plain and Simple. Their farmlands and destroy their economy. The Lord declared this to be the work of a personality called “the devourer.” When we fail to tithe, the door to the devil is left wide open. The “devourer” is able to gain access to the resources and provisions of our lives and “destroy” them.

The devourer can get into anyone’s business and wreak havoc. When we tithe from our business income, our forms of income are protected from destruction. Instead of business deals falling through, the “vine bears fruit.” God will rebuke the devil for you once your tithes have been paid to Him. Projects will not keep failing. They will come to fruition. Plans will be successful, and the curse will be removed.

“Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won’t shrivel away before they ripen,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:11) This thief is not restricted to the world of agriculture. The devourer is a “he,” a person. In John 10:10, Jesus called the destroyer ‘The Thief’: the devil does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” The purpose of the destroyer is to steal all the blessings of God from every believer’s life. Success is not just dependent on the brilliance of the plan or the idea, but on being right with God. This leads to His blessing on all that we do.

When Jesus rebukes something, it is gone!

In Mark 4:39 He rebuked the wind, and it ceased. He rebuked the stormy seas, and they calmed. The church is not an “organization” it is a congregation of the people of God. If we as a body fail to bring the tithes and offerings, which belong to God, then as a church we are not right with Him. Once we have gotten right with God in this area, the curse brought on by withholding the tithe will be removed. We must never be found to be withholding from God. Everyone must play a part in bringing the incredible financial breakthrough God intends to bring to His church. The breakthrough in the church begins in our spirits.

When we break free from holding back the tithe, we will cause a breakthrough in the Heavens over our lives so that such blessings will begin to fall upon us all that we won’t be able to contain them!

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground , nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:11

The Tithe Defeats the Destroyer

The Israelites were a farming community whose financial prosperity depended on their crops becoming ripe for harvest. However, there were many different diseases and pestilences that could prevent that from happening. Blasting hot east winds that dried and ruined crops and mildew fungus on plants were just two of the calamities that could come upon. In Mark 9:25 He rebuked the demon of deafness, and it left the boy. In Matthew 17:18 He rebuked a self-destructive spirit out of a boy, and it left him. In Mark 1:25 He rebuked an unclean spirit out of a person in the synagogue, and it left him.

In Luke 4:39 He rebuked the fever in Peter’s mother-in-law, and it left her. When God rebukes the devourer from our lives, the devourer must leave! Instead of continually losing, we start winning. Our finances get healthy. The destroyer is destroyed!

I therefore declare that you and your whole household will experience unbeatable prosperity because of the tithe. May God continue to richly bless you and your family. We pray for you daily and take pleasure in seeing you enjoy God’s blessings.

May God continue to richly bless you and your family. I pray for you daily and take pleasure in seeing you enjoy God’s blessings.

We Love you very much, Dr. Roshan and Pastor Zubeda Sing.

Daily readings

30 readings this month: 30 by Dr RJ Sing and 0 by Pastor Zubeda Sing. This issue also printed 4 Life Group lessons.

  • Friday, 1 November

    Knowing the Holy Spirit

    “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

    In the book of John, we find that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples and also to the church. Let us look at the following scripture in this regard: “If ye love…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Saturday, 2 November

    The Lord Is Our Protector

    “The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.” Psalm 27:1

    The Lord is faithful and He strengthens you with His awesome Power. He protects you from the strategies of the evil one. God takes His stand as a sentinel in your life. He is…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Sunday, 3 November

    God Is My Helper

    “So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6

    God’s Plans and Purposes stand firm. They are settled in Heaven for all Eternity. Be confident that every one of His promises will be accomplished in your life. God is your refuge and the…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Monday, 4 November

    My Inheritance Is in God

    “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:7

    You were once enslaved by satan, subject to the basic principles of this natural cursed world. But, when you received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you received emancipation. You are now an Heir…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Tuesday, 5 November

    Speak Words Filled with Grace

    “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” 1 Peter 3:10-11

    You are to live in harmony with your brothers and sisters in Christ. To enjoy a peaceful and satisfied life, you are to remain courteous and respectful to others around you. If you desire…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Wednesday, 6 November

    Having the God Kind of Faith

    “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

    This is the basis of the Christian life. That the just must live by Faith. This is the most important ingredient for a life of success. Let us now look at another beautiful scripture,…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Thursday, 7 November

    Supernatural Strength Is from God

    “Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” Isaiah 41:10

    Not one of your enemies will be able to stand against you. God is with you therefore, be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:5, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Friday, 8 November

    Agreeing with God About Healing

    “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.” 1 Peter 2:24

    The Word of the Lord is nigh you, even in your mouth. You have His Word that no disease can come upon you which is brought upon the world. You are not of the…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Saturday, 9 November

    Raise Your Expectation

    “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!” Psalms 31:24

    Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles. In order to receive from the Lord, we must expect Him to show up and show out in our lives. Without a fervent sense of expectancy, all…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Sunday, 10 November

    Keep Watch at the Door of Your Lips

    “Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)(AMP)

    To understand fully the Power of our words, we must look at the following scripture, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Monday, 11 November

    Resurrection Power Is Within You

    “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [His] resurrection:” Romans 6:5

    You are God’s son/daughter and satan cannot stop you. Your destiny is the Glory of Heaven itself. The Holy Spirit has taken up residence within your heart and you have all the power that…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Tuesday, 12 November

    Wisdom Is Your Portion

    “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30

    You must take time to enjoy the blessings of prosperity and wisdom. God has given you wisdom, knowledge and happiness. In Him you have a clever and resourceful mind. (See 1 Corinthians 2:16.) You…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Wednesday, 13 November

    The Word of God Is Food for Your Spirit

    “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.” John 6:63

    God is a God of purpose, plan, design and objectivity. Today we live in a world where every kind of doctrine and theology is being thrown around. However, as Christians we are not to…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Thursday, 14 November

    You Are Financially Blessed

    “A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.” Proverbs 13:22

    You are blessed like Abraham. God is your provider and you lack nothing. God is a God of abundance who rejoices in your prosperity. You have abundance in all things. It is God, and…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Friday, 15 November

    Bask in God’s Forgiveness

    “In whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;” Ephesians 1:7

    Stir up your inner man to praise the Name of the Lord. Your soul and all that is within you must praise Him. He has forgiven you of all your sins and healed you.…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Saturday, 16 November

    You Have an Advocate in Jesus

    “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1

    Your calling is a calling away from sin. We are not sin conscious anymore. The Apostle John reminds us that God wants us to prosper and to be in Good health, even as our…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Sunday, 17 November

    Receiving God’s Blessings

    “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly [places] in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

    God has chosen you in Jesus, before the Creation of the world, to be Holy and blameless in His Sight. In His great love for you, He predestined you to be adopted as His…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Monday, 18 November

    You Have Power in God

    “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

    The writer here draws an interesting parallel between the joints and marrow, which have different functions, yet both are part of a humans bone structure. Thoughts and intents are also two distinct activities, yet…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Tuesday, 19 November

    You Are a New Creation Man

    “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15

    If a man is willing to be led by the Spirit, he will be led into son ship. We are now the family of God, we are one. We are what the Spirit calls…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Wednesday, 20 November

    Favor Given unto You

    “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.” Psalms 5:12

    In the book of Luke, we see how Jesus was filled with wisdom. “And the Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” Luke…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Thursday, 21 November

    Giving Is Sowing

    “But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

    In order to obtain increase, a farmer must follow certain basic rules: The following guidelines that are employed in agriculture are also applicable in the area of giving: If the farmer does not meet…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Friday, 22 November

    Peace Through Every Circumstance

    “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

    The Lord is with you! Therefore, do not allow yourself to become nervous and worried. No matter what situation you find yourself in, your Heavenly Father will intervene on your behalf. When you present…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Saturday, 23 November

    You Have Heavenly Rewards

    “And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:3-4

    In life, there are challenges that you will encounter. However, you should remain full of joy when you encounter challenges and trials. All of this helps develop a maturity of character in your life.…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Sunday, 24 November

    You Are Justified by Faith

    “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5:1

    Therefore being justified by faith, you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You have access by faith into the Grace wherein you stand. So you are justified, acquitted, declared Righteous and…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Monday, 25 November

    Your Every Need Is Supplied

    “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25

    Although there is a worldwide financial crisis, you do not have to be fearful. Your position is a position of strength and power. Regardless of the conditions you face, refuse to fear. God has…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Tuesday, 26 November

    You Are Clothed with God’s Ability

    “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” Mark 16:17

    We are clothed with God’s power and ability. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, “And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves;…

    Dr RJ Sing · 2 min read

  • Wednesday, 27 November

    You Are a Partaker of Divine Life

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places in Christ” Ephesians 1:3

    We are now partakers of the Divine Life. The believer has limitless possibilities in the Divine Life. Ephesians 1:3 gives us a picture of the recreated life. In Ephesians 3:8, Paul preached to the…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Thursday, 28 November

    Agree with God About His Word

    “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3

    Many people are sincere and love God. They endeavor to please Him and try to do the best they can. However, we seem to miss God in the simple things. What do I mean…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Friday, 29 November

    You Are a Blesser

    “In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive” Acts 20:35 Amplified

    Many times we have a tendency to look for ways to be blessed. Rather, we should be looking for ways to be a Blessing. Of Course, you know as I do that the best…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

  • Saturday, 30 November

    Work in Unity

    “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

    Have you heard the saying, ‘Many hands make light work?’ How true it is. Think about how powerful things could be in your church if everyone was heading in the same direction in one…

    Dr RJ Sing · 1 min read

Faith Foundations: Life Group lessons

Life Group lessons printed in this issue. They are unsigned. The blank lines are left for filling in, as in the booklet, and each lesson’s answer key is under it.

Life Group lesson · 7 November 2013

Faith towards God (Part 2)

Faith Foundations

Aim: The purpose of this lesson is to help us to see that the Christian life is a life of faith – not a dead faith, but a faith that is alive and active, responding quickly to the Word of the Lord.

Golden Text Illuminated: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrew 11:6 KJV.

I. How Is True Faith Expressed in the Life of the Believer?

There are two main ways in which faith is actively expressed in the life of the believer:

  1. A.It is expressed by the blankof the mouth (Romans 10:9; Matthew 10:32)

“ . . . For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Matthew 12:34.
  1. B.It is expressed by a life of blankto the word received. Faith and works are inseparably linked. (Romans 1:5; 15:18; 16:25, James 2:14-26).

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I shew thee my faith by my works.”

James 2:17-18.

II. How Do We Appropriate Faith in Specific Situations?

  1. A.Locate the blankin God’s Word that fits the need (Philippians 4:19).

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

2 Corinthians 1:20.
  1. B.Fulfil all the blankattached to that need (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15).

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”

Psalm 37:5.
  1. C.With patience accept the trying of your faith and God’s testing of your faith through time of blank (Hebrews 6:12-15; Psalm 105:19).

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

James 1:3-4.

III. What Can One Do to Increase in Faith?

  1. A.Settle in your hearts that God’s Word is blank (James 1:6, 7; 2 Peter 1:19; Psalms 18:30).
  2. B.Put yourself in the place of blankthe Word of God (Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2, 5).
  3. C.Be hearers and blankof the Word, not hearers only (Luke 8:15; James 1:22).
  4. D.blankthe Faith that you have (Matthew 9:20, 22; 14:25-29). Even in the physical body as we exercise our muscles, they increase.
  5. E.blanknatural reasoning’s and philosophies of man that speak contrary to the clearly revealed Word of God (1 Timothy 1:4-7; 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; Romans 14:1; Colossians 2:8).

Conclusion: Faith towards God is simply to trust God, to have confidence in Him and His Word, to believe what God has said, that His Word is true and what He has promised He will perform. GOD makes a promise, FAITH believes it, HOPE anticipates it and PATIENCE quietly awaits it. The life of every believer in Christ is to be lived completely in this context. Faith must be the motivating factor for all that we do.

Observation

What did you learn from todays Lesson?

Prayer

Say a prayer concerning what you learnt.

Answer key
  • I. A. Confession
  • B. Obediance
  • II. A. Promise
  • B. Conditions
  • C. Delay
  • III. A. True
  • B. Hearing
  • C. Doers
  • D. Exercise
  • E. Avoid

Life Group lesson · 14 November 2013

Water Baptism

Faith Foundations

Aim: The purpose of this lesson is to bring us to an understanding that water baptism is the first step of obedience for the new believer and symbolizes a washing away of former sins and identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This step is an essential part of the proper Christian birth.

Golden Text Illuminated: “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12 KJV.

I. What Is the Meaning of the Word “Baptize”?

The English word “baptize” is transliterated from a Greek word, “baptizo”, which simply means “to dip, to overwhelm, to plunge, to submerge.” It actually means “to cause something to be dipped or blank beneath the surface of water or some other fluid.”

If this word was truly translated, rather than transliterated, the command in the New Testament would read, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19.

II. Why Is the Believer to Be Baptized?

  1. A.Because Jesus commanded that believers be baptized. (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19.)

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

John 14:15.
  1. B.Because the apostles commanded it (Acts 2:37-39, 10:44-48).
  2. C.Because Jesus was baptised to fulfil all righteousness (Matthew 3:13-17).
  3. D.Because we validate our faith by our obedience to the Word of God (James 2:17-18).

Water baptism is an essential part of obedience, it is not optional. To refuse water baptism is to live in disobedience to the revealed Word of God.

III. What Are the Prerequisites for Water Baptism?

Baptism in and of itself cannot save anyone. It is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s Saviour that brings an individual to Salvation. Therefore, baptism is only effectual for those who meet certain requirements. Those receiving baptism must have already laid the first two foundation stones in the Christian experience, namely:

  1. A.blank (Acts 2:38). This means one is not baptised merely because he wants to become part of a church group.
  2. B.blank (Acts 8:12; 10:47). This means that one must be old enough to know what they are doing.

“He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved.”

Mark 16:16.

IV. What Takes Place in Water Baptism?

We are baptised simply because it is commanded by God to do so. However, as we respond to the Word of the Lord in faith, some very important things will take place. Every person who goes into the waters of baptism should expect to experience the following, by faith:

  1. A.To be blankwith the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5, 11; Colossians 2:12; 3:1).

In baptism, the old man is crucified. In immersion, the old man is buried. But in rising out of the water, the new man rises to walk in blankof life.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Romans 6:4.
  1. B.A new blankover life-dominating sins. (Romans 6:11-18).
  2. C.A spiritual blankand renewal (Acts 22:16). The water itself affects no cleansing, but as we respond in faith to the commands of Christ the Holy Spirit works in connection with the God-ordained means.
  3. D.Identification with blankof the Lord (Acts 2:38; 8:12, 16; 10:48).

Kenyon puts it this way, “Baptism in this sense is equivalent to marriage. When a wife puts on marriage she takes her husband’s name and enters into her husband’s possessions and has legal right to her husband’s home. When the believer is baptised into the name of Christ, he puts on all that is in Christ. He not only puts on the name, but takes his legal rights and privileges in Christ”.

  1. E.A circumcision of the blank (Colossians 2:11-12).

Observation

What did you learn from todays Lesson?

Prayer

Say a prayer concerning what you learnt.

Answer key
  • I. Immersed
  • III. A. Repentance
  • B. Faith
  • IV. A. Identified; Newness
  • B. Victory
  • C. Cleansing
  • D. The Name
  • E. Heart

Life Group lesson · 21 November 2013

Water Baptism (Part 2)

Faith Foundations

Aim: The purpose of this lesson is to bring us to an understanding that water baptism is the first step of obedience for the new believer and symbolizes a washing away of former sins and identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This step is an essential part of the proper Christian birth.

Golden Text Illuminated: “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12 KJV.

I. What Is the Significance of Circumcision of the Heart in Connection with Water Baptism?

In the Old Testament, God gave a covenant to Abraham which He required those who were participating in the covenant to accept and experience the sign and seal of the covenant which was a natural circumcision of the flesh (Genesis 17:10-14). In the New Testament, God has taken the seal and made it a spiritual requirement. In water baptism, we receive the spiritual experience of circumcision of the heart to which the natural rite pointed. The natural rite consisted of four elements that are all symbolic of something that takes place in the circumcision of the heart:

  1. A.The cutting away of flesh. In baptism weblank the old man (Colossians 2:11).
  2. B.The shedding of blood. In baptism a death to blank is to take place. (Romans 6:3).
  3. C.The eighth day. Natural circumcision took place on the eighth day, which is symbolic of new beginning and newness of life.
  4. D.The new name given. In baptism we have blankinvoked over us: the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

II. How Should We Be Baptised?

  1. A.Scriptural baptism is baptism by blank (See Question I)
  2. B.Baptism is to be administered in blank of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus commanded that baptism was to be administered in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19-20), which name the disciples came to see, on the basis of Jesus’ ascension and exaltation (Acts2:33-36), was the Lord Jesus Christ. When they baptised, they baptised in this manner (Acts 2:36-41; 8:12-16; 35-38; 10:48).

III. What Is the Responsibility of the Baptised?

Even as the waters of the Red Sea served as a separation between the Egyptian life of slavery and the land of God’s provision for the Israelites of old, so the waters of baptism should serve as a permanent landmark in the life of the believer. Baptism should signal three things:

  1. A.blank to the old way of life. This means a willingness to sever all connections with ungodliness and those who live in ungodliness.
  2. B.blankof living. This means that from baptism on, there will be a determination to live by the principles of God’s Kingdom.
  3. C.blank of Jesus. This means that the person who is baptised should see himself as a follower, a student and a witness to others of all that Jesus stands for.

Conclusion: It is very obvious that baptism is more than just an external experience in the Christian life. God wants to do something lasting and permanent at this special time. Sad to say, many people go down into the waters of baptism dry and come up wet and that is the extent of their experience. But if each individual would respond in faith to all that God says is available in baptism, baptism will be one of the greatest experiences of their Christian walk.

Observation

What did you learn from todays Lesson?

Prayer

Say a prayer concerning what you learnt.

Answer key
  • I. A. Putt off
  • B. Self
  • D. A new name
  • II. A. Immersion
  • B. The Name
  • III. A. A farewell
  • B. A new standard
  • C. A Disciple

Life Group lesson · 28 November 2013

The Holy Spirit Baptism

Faith Foundations

Aim: The purpose of this lesson is to further equip the believer in Christ not only by teaching them concerning the truth of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to and distinct from Salvation, but by leading them into a personal experience of the endowment with power from on high.

Golden Text Illuminated: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 KJV.

I. What Was the Relationship of the Old Testament Believers to the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit?

  1. A.The Spirit came upon various men in the Old Testament times that enabled them to do special feats of strength (Judges11:29).
  2. B.The Spirit of the Lord rested upon men (Numbers 11:25).
  3. C.Men were filled with the Spirit in a temporary fashion to perform certain God-ordained tasks (Exodus 31:3).

In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit seemed to come upon and then withdraw from certain individuals as the need arose (1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 16:14). One of the signs of the Messiah would be on one whom the Holy Spirit would remain (John 1:33).

II. How Is the Ministry of the Holy Spirit Seen in the Life of the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church?

It is important to see how the Holy Spirit moved in the life of Christ, for Christ is a pattern of that which is to flow into the Church which is His Body. (Ephesians 1:22-23).

A. Christ Was:

  • Born of the Spirit (Luke 1:35)
  • Filled with Spirit (John 3:34)
  • Baptised with Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17)
  • Led of the Spirit (Matthew 4:1)
  • Sealed by Spirit (John 6:27)
  • Empowered by Spirit (Luke 4:14)
  • Anointed by Spirit (Acts 10:38)

B. The Church Is to Be:

  • Born of Spirit (John 3:5)
  • Filled with Spirit (Eph 3:19)
  • Baptised with Spirit (Acts 1:5)
  • Led of Spirit (Romans 8:14)
  • Sealed by Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
  • Empowered by Spirit (Acts 1:8)
  • Anointed by Spirit (1 John 2:27)

III. Is the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” a Scriptural Term?

blank It was used by John the Baptist (John 1:33), by Jesus (Acts 1:5) and by Peter (Acts 11:16).

IV. What Is the Relationship of Christ to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

  1. A.Jesus was baptised in the Holy Spirit after His water baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:19-34). The Spirit came and remained on Him.
  2. B.Part of Jesus’ ministry is to baptise with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). To make this clear, Jesus did not personally baptise anyone with water (John 4:2).
  3. C.Jesus prophesied that this would be a believer’s experience given on the basis of His exaltation and glorification (John 7:38-39).
  4. D.Jesus received this provision for the church from the Father when He ascended into Heaven (Acts 2:33).

V. What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

  1. A.It is the blankof the Father. (Acts 1:4-5; 2:33, 39).
  2. B.It is the enduing with blankto do the commands of Christ (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49).
  3. C.It is a blankexperience of which we can know that we have or have not received (Acts 19:2).
  4. D.It is an operation of Spirit distinct from and blankthe conversion experience (Acts 8:12, 15, 16)
  5. E.It is something to be experienced as part of the Christian blank (Acts 2:38-39).

Observation

What did you learn from todays Lesson?

Prayer

Say a prayer concerning what you learnt.

Answer key
  • III. Yes
  • IV. A. Promise
  • B. Power
  • C. Definite
  • D. Subsequent to
  • E. Foundation