Hebrews 10:20 – Kanisa la Christadelphian huko Anderlecht

Baptised offering unity to the unbaptised

Mai 15, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Christadelphian, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God, Thought for today

After some members were baptised, they left the unbaptised with questions. Those who have undergone baptism can now count themselves among Christ’s brethren. For them, Jesus has given assurance that they may look forward to a life without end if they continue to seek the truth and constantly absorb knowledge.

« Now this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Him whom Thou hast sent, Jesus Christ. » (John 17:3).

Jesus made God’s Name public to those whom Jehovah gave him. Here in our ecclesia, too, we find those who were allowed to hear the Word of God and took it for true. They have taken Jesus’ words for true, recognising him as the representative of That One True God, Jehovah the Most High.

« 7 Now they know that all that You have given me is from You. 8 For I brought to them the words which Thou hast given me; they accepted them, acknowledging truthfully that I came forth from Thee, and believing that Thou hast sent me. » (John 17:7-8)

Through baptism, the new members have dedicated themselves to God and are those for whom Jesus now also prays and also hands them over to his father.

« 9 I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me, because they are thine. 10 All mine are thine, and thine are mine; I am glorified in them. » (John 17:9-10)

Left behind in the world, the baptised like the other brothers and sisters in Christ need His help in addition to God’s blessing. Jesus also expects them to be one as he and his heavenly Father are one.

« Henceforth I am no longer in the world; but they remain in the world, while I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me; that they may be one, as we are. » (John 17:11)

« I and the Father are one. » (John 10:30)

Now there are the covenants in the ecclesia who are one. But there is also the hope that those who have not yet taken the steps to be baptised, by full immersion in the purifying water, that these may be drawn by the faith and communion of the brothers and sisters present in Christ. They too, need the blessing of God and for them the baptised pray that they too will be allowed to be « sanctified » or set apart.

« For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. » (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

« By virtue of that will, we have been sanctified once and for all through the Sacrifice of the Body of Jesus Christ. » (Hebrews 10:10)

To this end, we remember Jesus words:

« 20 I pray not for them alone, but also for all who believe in me through their word. 21 May they all be one, as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee; may they also be one in Us, that the world may have faith that Thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou hast given me, I also have given to them, that they may be one, even as We are one: 23 I in them, and Thou in me.
May they possess perfect unity, that the world may recognise that thou hast sent me, and that thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I desire that they whom thou hast given me may be with me, where I myself am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, because thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Just Father, though the world has not known thee, yet I have known thee; and they have recognised that thou hast sent me. 26 I have made Your name known to them, and will continue to do so, that the love with which You have loved me may be in them, and I in them. » (John 17:20-26)

Now there are the baptised to further make Jesus known, and to show those who still belong to the world, the true path by which they will come to follow Jesus, so that those who present the wrong path will be exposed so that the truly interested will not be led to death.

« Sometimes one keeps a way for the straight, Which finally ends in death. » (Proverbs 16:25)

« Jesus spake unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. » (John 14:6)

It is now up to the baptised to show their relatives and friends the right door, so that God’s blessing may come upon them too and they will know how to find a safe haven.

« I am the door: if anyone enters by me, he shall be safe, going in and out, and shall find pasture. » (John 10:9)

« Through him we have gained access by faith to this grace, in which we have become firmly established; through him also we glory in the hope of the glory of God. » (Romans 5:2)

« For by him we both have access to the Father in one Spirit. » (Ephesians 2:18)

» – a new and living way, which he has made for us through the veil, that of his flesh, » (Hebrews 10:20)

Find also to read

Essential Knowledge for the Baptismal Candidate #2 About Jesus and our position

avril 2, 2024avril 2, 2024 par Christadelphians, publié dans Bible text quotes, Christadelphian, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God

Thought - Gedachte - Pensée - Mawazo (man kijkend naar de bergen in landschap - zonder opschrift)

If people would like to join the Brothers in Christ or the Christadelphians, they must do so to prove that they want to follow Jesus Christ and that they also accept all Biblical beliefs. To become a full member of the Christadelphian community, we ask candidates to answer some important questions so that we get a clear picture of what they really believe.

A Biblical faith is essential before one can be baptised. The main points concern God. For this we look for what the candidate thinks about God. We also want to see whether they have a clear picture of Who or What the Holy Spirit is.
Then we want to see that the baptismal candidate clearly realizes who Jesus Christ is and what this person has done for humanity.

Holy Scriptures or Bible, inspired Word of God

We expect those who want to become Christadelhian to believe that by the grace of God here on earth he or she can be a member of His family who wants to be faithful to God’s Word, which we know to find in the Holy Scriptures.

“to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ which [are] in Colosse. Grace to you and peace from God our Father [and Lord Jesus Christ].” (Colossians 1:2 Darby)

“16 Every scripture [is] divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 Darby)

“20 knowing this first, that [the scope of] no prophecy of scripture is had from its own particular interpretation, 21 for prophecy was not ever uttered by [the] will of man, but holy men of God spake under the power of [the] Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 Darby)

Sins of man and the Sent son of God

In that inspired book we can find the history of God’s People and of His sent son, who has given himself their faults for all humanity, so that they can be saved and offer themselves again to enter God’s Kingdom or the earthly Paradise, even though we are all sinners by nature.

“21 For from within, out of the heart of men, go forth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, licentiousness, a wicked eye, injurious language, haughtiness, folly; 23 all these wicked things go forth from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:21-23 Darby)

“13 ¶ Let no man, being tempted, say, I am tempted of God. For God cannot be tempted by evil things, and himself tempts no one. 14 But every one is tempted, drawn away, and enticed by his own lust; 15 then lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; but sin fully completed brings forth death.” (James 1:13-15 Darby)

Debtless

Even though we are all sinful persons, there is one person who has committed no sins at all. He never gave in to the adversary of God (whatever symbolic figure Satan mentions).

“And going forward a little he fell upon his face, praying and saying, My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; but not as *I* will, but as *thou* [wilt].” (Matthew 26:39 Darby)

“Since therefore the children partake of blood and flesh, he also, in like manner, took part in the same, that through death he might annul him who has the might of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14 Darby)

“For we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities, but tempted in all things in like manner, sin apart.” (Hebrews 4:15 Darby)

“Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, inasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held by its power;” (Acts 2:24 Darby)

“(But now Christ is raised from among [the] dead, first-fruits of those fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 Darby)

The beloved son who dealt with death

While sin and death have come into the world through one man, born of a woman, sin has been exposed and the punishment of death has been nullified by completely putting aside his will to do God’s Will. Because Jesus was fully human, he also knows how we feel and act and can now best defend us before his and our Heavenly Father, Jehovah, the Only True God, who recognised and listened to him as His beloved son.

“21 And it came to pass, all the people having been baptised, and Jesus having been baptised and praying, that the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove upon him; and a voice came out of heaven, *Thou* art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight. 23 And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years old; being as was supposed son of Joseph; of Eli,” (Luke 3:21-23 Darby)

“16 And Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him: 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.” (Matthew 3:16-17 Darby)

“For he received from God [the] Father honour and glory, such a voice being uttered to him by the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom *I* have found my delight;” (2 Peter 1:17 Darby)

“For this [cause], even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12 Darby)

“And going forward a little he fell upon his face, praying and saying, My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; but not as *I* will, but as *thou* [wilt].” (Matthew 26:39 Darby)

“Since therefore the children partake of blood and flesh, he also, in like manner, took part in the same, that through death he might annul him who has the might of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14 Darby)

“For we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities, but tempted in all things in like manner, sin apart.” (Hebrews 4:15 Darby)

Son of man Jesus less than God

The baptismal candidate is expected to believe that the son of man Jesus, who is less than God, actually died, rose from the grave through the Power of Jehovah and was later received into heaven to sit at the right hand of God as a mediator for us.

“Ye have heard that I have said unto you, I go away and I am coming to you. If ye loved me ye would rejoice that I go to the Father, for [my] Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 Darby)

“5 For let this mind be in you which [was] also in Christ Jesus; 6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God; 7 but emptied himself, taking a bondman’s form, taking his place in [the] likeness of men; 8 and having been found in figure as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and [that the] death of [the] cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 Darby)

“Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself save whatever he sees the Father doing: for whatever things *he* does, these things also the Son does in like manner.” (John 5:19 Darby)

“Jesus said to them, If God were your father ye would have loved me, for I came forth from God and am come [from him]; for neither am I come of myself, but *he* has sent me.” (John 8:42 Darby)

“Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, inasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held by its power;” (Acts 2:24 Darby)

“And having said these things he was taken up, they beholding [him], and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9 Darby)

“But being full of [the] Holy Spirit, having fixed his eyes on heaven, he saw [the] glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,” (Acts 7:55 Darby)

“For God is one, and [the] mediator of God and men one, [the] man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 Darby)

“Whence also he is able to save completely those who approach by him to God, always living to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 Darby)

“For the Christ is not entered into holy places made with hand, figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:” (Hebrews 9:24 Darby)

“the new and living way which he has dedicated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh,” (Hebrews 10:20 Darby)

“But now he has got a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is mediator of a better covenant, which is established on the footing of better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6 Darby)

“and to Jesus, mediator of a new covenant; and to [the] blood of sprinkling, speaking better than Abel.” (Hebrews 12:24 Darby)

“(But now Christ is raised from among [the] dead, first-fruits of those fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 Darby)

Jesus the truth-telling Messiah who paid ransom price

The baptismal candidate should be aware that it is only through Jesus the Messiah or Kristos, who offered himself as a ransom price to his heavenly Father, that we are saved and can obtain endless life.

“21 And it came to pass, all the people having been baptised, and Jesus having been baptised and praying, that the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove upon him; and a voice came out of heaven, *Thou* art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight. 23 And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years old; being as was supposed son of Joseph; of Eli,” (Luke 3:21-23 Darby)

“40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard [this] from John and followed him. 41 He first finds his own brother Simon, and says to him, We have found the Messias (which being interpreted is Christ).” (John 1:40-41 Darby)

“25 The woman says to him, I know that Messias is coming, who is called Christ; when *he* comes he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus says to her, I who speak to thee am [he].” (John 4:25-26 Darby)

“Pilate therefore said to him, Thou art then a king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest [it], that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for this I have come into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37 Darby)

“Jesus who [was] of Nazareth: how God anointed him with [the] Holy Spirit and with power; who went through [all quarters] doing good, and healing all that were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 Darby)

“as indeed the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 Darby)

“who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony [to be rendered] in its own times;” (1 Timothy 2:6 Darby)

“whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:25 Darby)

“and *he* is the propitiation for our sins; but not for ours alone, but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2:2 Darby)

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son a propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 Darby)