Our Lord Jesus and 'Independence'

by Leonard V. Johnson

July 4th, 2024, will be Independence Day here in the United States of America! TWO-HUNDRED-AND-FORTY EIGHT YEARS! And a great many Americans will be celebrating it!

But, what about INDEPENDENCE from this present evil world!?

Our beloved Apostle John wrote – under divine inspiration –

“Do NOT love the world or the things IN the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world─the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the PRIDE of life─ is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world [this present evil age] is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17.

At the final end of this present age, the world will pass away, but those who do the will of the LORD God (the family of God; which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ] will remain forever.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ I will build My Church!’” And indeed He is continuing to build His Church! But this world hardly recognizes His living Church - the Body of Christ. The New Testament Church along with her teachings was suppressed all within 40 years – even as soon as AD 49. Counterfeit gospels escalated into a great religion that calls itself Christian. And God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ tell us to “ ’Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” – Revelation 18:4. Oh, but brethren and friends, it was prophesied! Our peoples have become a curse unto themselves! We are literally destroying ourselves – by varying means!

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s true Church would never die out!

“ … ’on this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades [the grave] shall not prevail against it.’” – Matthew 16:18.

We in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are a part of our Lord Jesus’ “little flock.”

Also, our Lord Jesus has warned His Church in Revelation 2 & 3 that throughout this present evil age, His Church as a whole will continue to have issues in certain areas. The Messages to the churches.

Regarding the Church, Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:

Worldwide Church of God really went off the deep end on this. The ministers and preachers and teachers of Worldwide attempted to teach their people the highly confused concept (and they called it a doctrine) that the Messages in Chapters 2 & 3 were ‘Church eras.’ Over long periods. And the people who always proposed that theory …

And the ones that continue this highly confusing concept in this 21st century as well.

… of ‘Church eras’ they always claimed for themselves to be the Church of Philadelphia. Chapter 3:7. Because of all the churches, the church which was extent in Philadelphia, in the nation which we now call Türkiye, in the late first century, when John was an elderly man in his 90s – of all the churches, the people in the church of Philadelphia come off the best. So, of all the proponents of this so-called ‘Church era’ idea, they always claim to be Philadelphia. And, the Worldwide Church of God certainly did. Herbert W. Armstrong would say, “We are the Philadelphia era!”

Well, they were wrong! …

And so are those who continue to proclaim that they are a continuation of the church of Philadelphia!

Keep in mind, Paul said in 2nd Timothy 1:15 – near the end of his life, and he’s lamenting many things. And he knows he established the churches in Asia Minor – or had them established with people working under him. “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, …” And he named a couple of the ring leaders.

In other words, ‘At one time, Paul was working with you,’ our Lord Jesus was implying, ‘you were a very dedicated group of people – very dedicated church – filled with enthusiasm. But now, some 30-40 years later, you’re just a shadow of your former self!’ …

Revelation 2 & 3 talk about churches – seven churches – which existed back in AD 95 that John was inspired to write letters to. However, I think there is a prophetic meaning to them. I think Jesus Christ is saying here, in this Book of prophecy – the Book of Revelation is a Book of prophecy – … although He’s talking about an earlier group of people, the former. It’s also a prophecy about the latter. About the latter days. …

And there are people right now in these end-times, or near the end-time, which would have the same evaluation[s]. They might be in that church over there, or, they might be in that church over there. Where are you!? Just because you grab the name Philadelphia Church of God doesn’t mean you qualify for this category.

(Garrett, M.C. “Revelation 2 & 3: Messages to the Churches” 1 May 2019).

The Apostle Paul also wrote –

“But evil men and imposters …” – and those that continue to teach as doctrine, “We are the Philadelphia era!” “ … will grow worse and worse, DECEIVING and BEING DECEIVED.” – 2 Timothy 3:13.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us that at the end of this present evil age –

“ …’ if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There! Do not believe it. 24) for false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders [and even promote many false Catholic prophecies] to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25) See, I have told you beforehand.’” – Matthew 24:23-25.

And returning to 2nd Timothy 3 we read –

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing FROM WHOM you have learned them.” – verse 14.

Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers – it’s the same with the one that is occupying the White House in Washington, D.C. at this present time – Joe O ‘Biden. Every single American should have known before they cast their ballot in 2020 his political track record for the past 40 years! As Janet Hook of the Los Angeles Times wrote in 2019, “A review of Biden’s record — which spans 36 years as a U.S. senator and eight as vice president — is, in part, a reminder of how much the Democratic Party itself and the U.S. political system have changed over the last half a century.” We, as Americans, should have been paying attention to WHOM we were voting for! A little research goes a long way! In regards to God's living word, our LORD God says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but TEST the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  - 1 John 4:1.

It's the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

It’s not the Church of “O N E M A N at this time leading the final phase of the work”! How blasphemous, pretentious, and narcissistic of a person to claim such a thing! Our Lord Jesus Christ – and Him alone – is the Leader of His Church! We are but servants. Again, the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are but a part of His ‘little flock’ – Luke 12:32.

Do you believe that Father God is calling you (or has called you), if so you can be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Notice what the Apostle Peter – under divine inspiration – says that we are to do –

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” – Acts 2:38-39.

Our Lord Jesus Christ first announced –

“ … ‘ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe [and obey, I add editorially] in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15.

Now, if you have already properly repented of your sins, been properly baptized, and had hands laid upon you, having received the glorious gift of God’s Spirit – we suggest that you read our “Statement of Beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.” If you agree and would like to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ with us, please feel free to contact us at sjohnson0387127@att.net, or drop us a line at:

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries

P.O. Box 6458

Spring Hill, Florida 34606

If you have yet to properly repent, properly be baptized, and have hands laid upon you, receiving the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, and you would like to meet with a minister or deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries or our affiliated churches to discuss our Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings and have questions answered. You can, of course, read and or listen to many of our Lord Jesus’ teachings via our website www.owensborocojc.com as well as www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours always in Christ,

the LIE of the TRINITY

by Guy C. LaMar

The Holy Spirit is NOT a person or a third member of a so-called Trinity.

THE TRINITY doctrine is from the Church of Satan the Devil – the Roman Catholic Church.

The Trinity doctrine is a LIE!

The Holy Spirit is the power by which God the Father and God the Son accomplish Their will. It is the essence of God within.

The impregnation of the Holy Spirit from God the Father as a spiritual begettal is granted freely to each true believer upon repentance of their sins, proper baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands.

This begettal of the Holy Spirit is the earnest assurance of the promise of eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ.

It is the power of God, which makes each begotten child of God a partaker of the divine nature and imparts the ability to develop the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The indwelling of God’s Spirit imparts the power to each individual to live in accordance with God’s will and to OVERCOME the temptations of human nature, this evil present age, and Satan the Devil.

As the spiritually begotten believer seeks to serve and obey God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will help lead him/her into all TRUTH that is contained in the living word of God – the Holy Bible – which is essential for salvation.

The Laying On of Hands

The laying on of hands: a special act performed by an ordained minister of God. It is done by asking God the Father through Jesus Christ in prayer to confer a spiritual gift or blessing upon someone.

The laying on of hands is required for the receiving of the gift of God’s Spirit following proper water baptism.

The laying on of hands is also for the anointing of the sick with pure – preferably first cold pressed – olive oil for healing.

The laying on of hands is also for the ordination of those selected for spiritual or physical service to the Church of God.

The laying on of hands is also for the blessing of the children.

It is also for a special blessing during a marriage ceremony, and for other special blessings.

In the Book of James – a very brother to our Lord Jesus was inspired through God’s Spirit to write –

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15) And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” – James 5:14-15.

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14) But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom [from] heaven.’ 15) And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” – Matthew 19:13-15.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “ … ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16) The one who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but the one who does not believe shall be [judged]. 17) And these signs shall follow those who believe: in My name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new languages; 18) They shall remove serpents; …’” – “enemies who harass and destroy are compared to serpents (Isa. 14:29; Jer. 8:17). 1

“ … ‘and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them in any way; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’” – Mark 16:15-18, NET.

“Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6) And when Paul HAD LAID HANDS ON THEM, the Holy Spirit came upon them, …” – Acts 19:4-5, 6.

“And the saying pleased the whole multitude [the multitude of the disciples]. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6) whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” – Acts 6:5-6.

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ 3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” – Acts 13:2-3.

“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15) who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16) For as yet [it] had fallen upon none of them. They had ONLY been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

18) And when Simon [Simon Magus, aka Simon the Sorcerer; the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church] saw that THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLES’ HANDS the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money.” – Acts 8:15-18.

‘He who has My Commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me’

Anyone who does NOT obey and DOES NOT keep God’s commandments is NOT His! Thus, they DO NOT have the Holy Spirit of God. They have their own idea of just what the Holy Spirit actually is – but they truly are NOT His!

God does not bend His rules to fit people’s imaginations of what their religiosity or tradition claims.

The Holy Spirit is only within those who are TRULY OBEDIENT TO GOD and forsake their own lives for Jesus Christ and who OBEY GOD’S COMMANDMENTS – summed up with the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

“I have been crucified with Christ, yet I live. Indeed, it is no longer I; but Christ lives in me. For the life that I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith—that very faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20.

“He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and DOES NOT keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John 2:4.

“Then Peter said to them, ‘REPENT, and let every one of you be BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – Acts 2:38.

“’ IF you love Me [‘If you are loyal to Me’], keep the commandments – namely, My commandments. 16) And I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that it may be with you throughout the age: 17) Even the Spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive because it perceives it not, nor knows it; but you know it because it dwells with you, and shall be within you. … 26) But when the Comforter comes, even the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in My name, that one shall teach you all things, and shall bring to your remembrance everything that I have told you.” – John 14:15-17, 26, NET.

“But you ARE NOT in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11) But if the Spirit of Him [God the Father] who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [which] dwells in you.

12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh [see Galatians 5:19-21]. 13) For if you live according to the flesh YOU WILL DIE; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, YOU WILL LIVE. 14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the [children] of God.” – Romans 8:9-14.

“But as it is written [Isaiah 64:4]: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 10) But God has revealed them to us THROUGH HIS SPIRIT. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” – 1st Corinthians 2:9-10.

Also, notice verse 11 – “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”

“But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love [agape in Greek], joy, peace, longsuffering [or rather, patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23.

And, the Apostle Paul admonishes his protégé, Timothy – along with all of us – to stir up this glorious gift – “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but OF POWER and OF LOVE and OF SOUND MIND.” – 2nd Timothy 1:6-7.

Sealed with the Holy Spirit

“The earth [became] without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, 14) [which] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14.

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us IS GOD, 22) who also HAS SEALED US and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” – 2nd Corinthians 1:21-22.

So says the LORD – “’ Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.’” – meaning, RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

“On the last day, that great day of the feast [of which we call the Last Great Day], Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’

39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” – John 7:37-39.

“Whoever has been BORN OF GOD [meaning, in the resurrection; see cf. 1st Corinthians 15:46-53] does not sin, for His seed [the Holy Spirit] remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been BORN OF GOD.” – 1st John 3:9, NKJV.

Continuing here – “By this standard are manifest the children of God and the children of the devil [note vs. 8]. Everyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, and neither is the one who does not love his brother 11) For this is the message that you heard from the beginning – that we should love one another.” – 1st John 3:10-11, NET.

“You are of God, little children, and have OVERCOME them [what Minister Michael C. Garrett has called “a Sour Spirit”], because He [Jesus Christ] who is in you is greater than he [Satan the Devil] who is in the world. 5) THEY ARE OF THE WORLD. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6) We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” – or rather, we can discern between a “Sweet Spirit and a Sour Spirit.”

Verse 7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves IS [eventually, I might add editorially] BORN OF GOD and knows God. 8) He who does not love does not know God, FOR GOD IS LOVE.” – 1st John 4:4- 8.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4) by which have been given to us EXCEEDINGLY GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature [of being BORN AGAIN in the glorious kingdom of God], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, ADD to your faith VIRTUE, to virtue KNOWLEDGE, 6) to knowledge SELF-CONTROL, to self-control PERSEVERANCE, to perseverance GODLINESS, 7) to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS, and to brother kindness LOVE.

8) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9) For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10) Therefore, brethren, BE EVEN MORE diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11) for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly INTO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.” – 1st Peter 1:2-11.

God the Father Calls

I can preach until I’m blue in the face and beg people to open their eyes and put aside their fluffy religious garbage, but UNLESS God the Father has called them, then they will NEVER know the REAL JESUS!

“’ NO ONE can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him at the LAST DAY.’” – John 6:44.

‘The last day,’ speaking of the resurrection day – the last trumpet!

Satan the devil, who is the god of this world, has deceived the whole world (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9). At some point all mankind will have been tricked into believing the lies of the evil one.

We go through this world’s professing lies – deciphering – to find the living truth of God!

Just preceding the glorious return of Jesus Christ – “So the great dragon was cast out, …” – cast out of the atmosphere – “ … that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast TO THE EARTH, and his angels [or rather, demons] were cast out with him.” – Revelation 12:9.

Friends, we ONLY gain closeness to Almighty God by keeping His commandments and keeping His Holy Days – OBEYING HIS LAW! Otherwise, we are only following religious fantasy!

I repeat – NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE, has the Holy Spirit sealed within them (and that’s not to say that a small portion of God’s Spirit is not allowed from time to time in a person who hasn’t been following the FULL Law of God to be used for His will and purpose) UNLESS they OBEY and APPLY to the RULES OF GOD as instructed by Him in how to be gifted the Holy Spirit.

We MUST keep the commandments and the Holy Days as did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“WHOEVER believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2) By THIS we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. 3) For this is the love of God, that we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. And His commandments are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:1-3.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ kept His Father’s commandments. It was Jesus – who was known as the Word, the Logos – see John 1:1-3, 14 – who wrote with His very own hand the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

And, according to our Lord Jesus – paraphrasing: Heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will by no means pass away. And, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. – see Matthew 5:18; 24:35.

A true Holy Spirit-led Christian OBEY’S GOD’S LAW! They do God’s will! Not their own human carnal reasoning!

Now, one can claim that they have the Holy Spirit all they want, but unless they follow to the letter the instructions of God in His living word, they are just living a lie!

The LORD God tells us through His servant Moses – “’ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE.’” – Deuteronomy 30:19.

The facts are the facts.

The only way you truly have the gift of the Holy Spirit is if you have done and continue to do what the LORD God – the very God of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – commands!

Period. □

1) Unger, M.F., Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “Serpent” Moody Press, Chicago, Ill., 1966, pp. 997.

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Baptism Is Commanded

by Guy LaMar

Baptism is commanded by God for salvation –

“’ Go therefore and make disciples [meaning, teach] of all the nations, BAPTIZING THEM in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I AM with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” – Matthew 28:19-20; see also Acts 2:36-42.

The apostle Peter commanded the crowd gathered in Jerusalem when the Day of Pentecost had fully come –

“’ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” – Acts 2:38.

The word “baptized” here is from the Greek word baptizō, which means “primarily a frequentative form of baptō, to dip” 1 - “to plunge into.” Now, the Greek word for “sprinkle” is rhantizō, a latter form of rhainō, as in Hebrews 9:13. 2 Therefore, sprinkling nor pouring are proper forms of baptism. Immersion – being placed completely underwater is.

John the Baptist was baptizing in the river Aenon “near Salim, because there was much water there” – John 3:23.

When Philip the evangelist baptized the Ethiopian, a eunuch of great authority, “both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him” – Acts 8:38.

Baptism is done by complete immersion in water, as was the method practiced by the Church of God founded by Jesus Christ.

Even though Jesus had no sins to repent of, He was baptized by John the Baptist, setting us an example to follow – Matthew 3:13-16; 1 Peter 2:21.

Baptism is purely symbolic. It is an outward sign of inward repentance. It demonstrates to God one’s willingness and desire to change one’s life of sin and begin living a new life of obedience to God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Baptism demonstrates our complete surrender unto God.

Baptism is symbolic of one’s death, burial, and resurrection from the grave – Romans 6:2-6; Colossians 2:12-13.

Being immersed into the water pictures the death of Christ and of our old self.

Coming up out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection, and of our coming up out of the water to walk “in newness of life” – to live a life of obedience to God, free from the guilt of past sins and the ultimate death penalty that those sins had incurred – Romans 6:23.

We now consider ourselves “dead,” so far as sin is concerned, but “alive” through God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ – Romans 6:11.

Baptism should be done as the result of genuine repentance toward God and complete faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Only a mature mind can truly “count the cost” – Luke 14:26-30.

One must be mentally mature – enough to understand the commitment they are making and be able to truly repent and believe.

Generally speaking – only mature adults should be baptized.

There is no record of our Lord Jesus ever having commanded the baptism of children, nor is there any biblical record of the early New Testament Church having performed children baptisms.

Baptism is an outward acknowledgment that our selfish, vain, and sinful old self must die so that we might rise to live a new life of obedience to God’s holy and relevant Commandments as made possible through His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is not given immediately at or by water baptism – yet, Acts 2:38 shows us that baptism must precede the gifting of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is given to a person through prayer and the laying on of hands of one of God’s true ministers.

The sequence of events is as follows:

1. Repentance.
2. Water Baptism.
3. The laying on of hands.
4. The receiving of the Holy Spirit as a result of the laying on of hands.

Counsel

The Independent Christian Church of God and our affiliated churches have ministers in the southeastern and far southeastern regions of the United States. They are ready to counsel with you personally – to answer any questions you may have – and to baptize any who are ready for it.

So, if you have deeply repented and sincerely want to be baptized, or if you are just desiring to discuss this vital subject with a qualified and dedicated servant of God, please contact us at https://www.facebook.com/gc.lamar.58/. Of course, these men will not contact you unless you request it.

You can also contact us at: pastorleonard1@yahoo.com, or write to us at The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries P.O. Box 6458 Spring Hill, Florida 34606.

Additional articles of related interest:

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Just what does it mean to repent? Is real repentance just an emotional feeling? Is it just merely feeling sorry for having made some mistakes in life!? What is God's definition of true repentance? Minister Michael C. Garrett examines what true repentance is and is not, detailing what God's definition of real repentance truly is.

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Is God a Trinity or a family? Is the Holy Spirit a being or the creative power of the Godhead?

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